There is no place like home.

We spent a little time in Yosemite Village, and cruised out, in the rain. Since the Tioga pass was closed, from massive snow, we had to reroute our travels, and head south on the west side of the Sierra Nevadas, in lieu of the eastern route we planned. We stopped in some no name town, had some BBQ and a cold beer, then continued for a few more hours till we could drive no more. We stopped for the night just outside Bakersfield. I think the four of us were exhausted. Since we didn't have as scenic a trip into Yosemite as i had anticipated, i planned to make a few stops on the way back to Phoenix to make up for it.

The trip from bakersfield to the AZ state line was mostly highway. We did detour into Barstow on route 66 for fuel and a stretch. Once we crossed into AZ we headed down route 95 towards Lake Havasu, summer party hotspot, and spring break local of choice for local colleges. We cruised in, parked and walked around the lake area for a bit, saw and walked across the London Bridge ( yes they moved it from London, to AZ). We had dinner overlooking the lake and the bridge, then we made a few laps over the bridge in the Dart. Much to the delight of onlookers.


The remainder of the trip down through Parker, Quartzite and back into Phoenix was quiet. The scenery was beautiful. Red rocks just as the sun was setting, the colorado river popping into view around every other corner. A respite from the duldrum of everyday life. If i could make a living driving this car through this beautiful scenery sign me up and i would start right now. (Any TV execs reading? I could be packed in 2 hours)

We arrived home about 9:00pm Tuesday night, we had our typical Wednesday obligations of work and school, and the trip came to a close much to soon. The odometer showed we completed 1,765 miles in the 5 days. Coupled with the earlier journey around the country put us at 7,304 miles completed. Thats 7,304 miles in 23 days. But i have a promise to myself to drive back to exit 194 on I40 in new mexico, touch the sign, get back in the car and drive home. When i tell people that, i always get odd looks and some reasoning why i do not need to.

One of these days soon, ill end up in New mexico. With the Dart. Eating fry bread on the side of the road. Smiling. And for a period of time, the world will be in perfect balance.

Thanks for following along with me!!!

Bakersfield to Barstow

Always a welcome sight

 

London Bridge in the background

 

 

The bridge was moved 2 years after the Dart was originally manufactured.

 

Typical AZ sunset. On the Colorado River.

 

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