Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road


On the Road Again

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Oh, the places you’ll go.

~Dr. Seuss

Yep, we did it again, another awesome truck camping road trip. We just returned home Wednesday morning at 3:30 a.m. after an epic 18-hour drive from Missouri. We had planned at least one more night on the road, but the weather wasn’t cooperating and we were following a large rain-making system across the middle part of the country. After camping in fairly dry weather for almost a month, we decided to just head home rather than deal with the wet conditions. We traveled almost 7,400 miles over 29 days (see map below). We visited three state parks, a state conservation area, six national parks (including three new ones for me), a national monument, a national preserve, a national recreation area, seven national forests, and nine national wildlife refuges. I think we can safely say, we love our public lands! We did stay with friends a couple of nights in Jackson, and hotels or an Airbnb for a total of 5 other nights. The rest of the time, we camped in our truck, mostly dispersed camping in national forests. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll post some more details of the trip (and probably some highlights of things going on here in our woods).

Our road map for the last month (click photos to enlarge)

For more details on the locations highlighted on the map, see this link.

One of the many great U.S. Forest Service dispersed campsites on our journey
Wild Geraniums, one of the countless wildflowers we photographed on our trip (this one in Ozark NF in Arkansas)
Falling Water Falls in Ozark NF
Maybe my new favorite bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – so many in Arkansas and Oklahoma
Melissa in an awesome slot canyon – Buckskin Gulch
North rim of the Grand Canyon
Spires in Bryce Canyon National Park
American Avocet in Bear River National Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah
The majestic Tetons
Back in our happy place, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone NP
One of our wildlife highlights was having this Red Fox trot past us in Yellowstone
We had to switch our campsite plans in the Bighorn Mountains due to snow (this was near the site we eventually selected)
Melissa in one of her favorite places, the Sandhills of Nebraska

Comments

10 responses to “On the Road Again”

  1. The Cedar Journal Avatar

    Looks like an awesome adventure!!!

  2. Mary Kay Coyle Avatar
    Mary Kay Coyle

    Oh my gosh, I am so jealous!!! But I’m hoping you’ll share many photos of your wonderful road trip so we can travel vicariously with you.

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Plan to do just that, Mary Kay, although it will be spread out over a couple of weeks I imagine.

  3. Meghan Avatar
    Meghan

    Living life to the fullest!! You guys are doing it right!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Thanks, Meghan, we are trying:)

  4. Rick Sloane Avatar
    Rick Sloane

    Do you mind if we exploit some of your road tripping preparations so that we can plan for our own trips? You guys are living the dream!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Hey Rick…we would be happy to share some of our experiences and tips with you. Get in touch and we can try to get together one day soon.

  5. Misti Avatar

    What a road trip! Looking forward to your future posts about it!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Thanks, Misti. Seems like a different way of life for sure. More coming soon.

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Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road

Copyright Mike Dunn and Melissa Dowland