USA Coast to Coast - Trip Report

USA Coast to Coast - Trip Report

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Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
quotequote all
I've posted about this previously, though have now managed to go through some of the photos! The trip was from Washington, DC to Laguna Beach, CA, 6500 miles, via 16 states, 9 national parks, 4 sports events, 3 state parks, a few cities, and many places in-between.




I arrived in Washington, DC late in the day and after a 1hr flight delay, and 2hr immigration queue, then driving into central Washington i decided to wait until the morning to explore! I only had half a day before i had to drive to Pittsburgh for the Penguins game that evening.







I spent most of the time in Washington walking around the national mall, and it of course rained!

After lunch i took the drive out to Pittsburgh.


NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Game - Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators by matt--, on Flickr



This was just a one night stay, and mainly to break up the drive to Indianapolis. I lucked out quite a bit with the NHL game being on for the one night i was there!





Although i thought the seat i'd chosen wouldn't be all that good (i booked it very late), i was surprised to find i quite enjoyed the location smile It was fun to see all the goings on at the start, and to be able to see the pitstops. I could also see the cars go into turn one.

The same day i went to see the Pacers v Heat NBA game. This was one that i booked randomly as it was on, and didn't totally expect to be able to make it after the Indy 500! but the 500 went far quicker than i thought, so i had plenty of time.


NBA Conference Final Game - Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat by matt--, on Flickr

Then it was time for Chicago.



I'm not really a city person, so mainly spent my few days seeing some well known sites.





I did luck out though with arriving at the 94th floor John Hancock Observatory just at the start of a 2hr lightning storm! It was good fun and i stayed for the entire thing! It was far better when the screaming children had left of course smile

I went up both the John Hancock tower and the SkyDeck. The SkyDeck was a big disappointment after the John Hancock. The John Hancock was a far more relaxed atmosphere, with less people, and it was easy to spend hours there, whereas i barely lasted 15mins at the SkyDeck!


I tried watching baseball for the second time (this was Cubs vs White Sox at Wrigley Field), but i don't find it anywhere near as fun as the other US sports i've been to. I didn't quite make it to the end.










...More to follow.

Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
quotequote all
Next up was the longest few days of driving for the trip, firstly a drive of ~600 miles from Chicago to Sioux Falls, SD. I managed this is approx 9.5hrs, and that included getting out of central Chicago during rush hour! Then the next day approx 300 miles to Badlands National Park.


Sunset, Sioux Falls, South Dakota by matt--, on Flickr


Storm clouds over Sioux Falls, South Dakota by matt--, on Flickr


Lightning over Sioux Falls, South Dakota by matt--, on Flickr


Lightning over Sioux Falls, South Dakota by matt--, on Flickr

Sioux Falls in South Dakota had some amazing skies. I spent the evening driving around trying to get good views! It's much harder in an area that's very flat. On my way out there i got my first tornado warning too! I was listening to the radio, then there was an emergency message played that stated to seek immediate shelter! Luckily i was not quite in the area of that storm so was ok smile


Driving across the great plains by matt--, on Flickr

There were many, many hours of views like that... at least the majority of the interstates are 75mph. Driving out there is so easy with cruise control and an auto!

I arrived in Badlands National Park approx midday and it was raining a lot. It was not really what i'd hoped for, but am very aware that it's a somewhat risky time of year to be in the area (there can be lots of storms). Apparently it had been really hot and sunny and this was the first rain in a long time :/


IMG_6321 by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6337 by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6365 by matt--, on Flickr

Then it was off to Mt Rushmore.


IMG_6376 by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6395 by matt--, on Flickr

What they don't really tell you is that right next to Mt Rushmore is the huge multistorey car park! It's somewhere you can see in far less than an hour, but you'd be crazy not to go there when in the area.

I also went to Custer State Park which is very close to Mt Rushmore, and substantially more interesting. It has some good roads too.


Mt Rushmore from Iron Mountain Road by matt--, on Flickr


Iron Mountain Road by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6439 by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6456 by matt--, on Flickr


IMG_6468 by matt--, on Flickr

Buffalo! I haven't been in a Buffalo/Bison traffic jam since Yellowstone when i was last in the states!


...More to follow.

Edited by Matt.. on Monday 29th July 13:26

Planet Claire

3,321 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
quotequote all
Great start, will look forward to seeing the rest of the journey.

I've always had a dream of driving across America in some old convertible listening to the back catalogue of Bruce Springsteen.

escargot

17,110 posts

218 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
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Fantastic!

Stedman

7,226 posts

193 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
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Wow.

5potTurbo

12,551 posts

169 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
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Chicago - one of my favourite cities, anywhere. I like the pic of Cloudgate at night. I have LOADS of that sculpture, reflections of Michigan Ave building isn't it, etc.

I've endured a few baseball games, but prefer lower leagues for their view and family friendliness. Cubs vs. White Sox (north vs. south Chicago) is usually a good game though, although one the Cubs will lose, as usual. wink

The rest of your pics are great, too. One day I'll talk the wife into a coast-to-coast drive. thumbup

150bhp

904 posts

173 months

Sunday 21st July 2013
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Some great pics there, look forward to the rest!

justin220

5,347 posts

205 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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Superb!

ChrisBMW

328 posts

149 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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Seriously jealous, to do this road trip is at the very top of my wish list. Really looking forward to further updates.

Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
quotequote all
Next up was a long drive to Rocky Mountain NP. Unfortunately i had to drive straight past Wind Cave NP which i'd rather not have done!


Nebraska by matt--, on Flickr

I made a very last minute decision to go via Nebraska as i'd not been there before. I'm glad i did, but it's somewhat remote feeling in places isn't it!


Rocky Mountain National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Rocky Mountain National Park by matt--, on Flickr

The Trail Ridge Road was closed the day before i arrived due to snow, so i was very lucky with the weather i got. There was still quite a lot of snow around though!


Rocky Mountain National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Rocky Mountain National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Rocky Mountain National Park by matt--, on Flickr

In the morning i got up early for a walk around some of the lakes at sunrise. I was the only one around and it was a somewhat icy/snowy walk! (i fell over a good few times!).

Getting up early meant i could take the bear lake road before they closed it for the day (there were shuttles most of the day, and no cars).

After RMNP i went down to Colorado Springs via US 40. The interstate next to Denver is the only place i've ever encountered terrible driving in the US. The idiot break testing me was not appreciated!

I was in Colorado Springs mainly for Pikes Peak, but thought i'd stop at the US Airforce Academy whilst there. The chapel is well worth a look, but dont try and go where you're not meant too, they dont like that biggrin


US Airforce Academy by matt--, on Flickr


US Airforce Academy by matt--, on Flickr


US Airforce Academy by matt--, on Flickr

In the morning it was time for Pikes Peak. It took me a lot longer than it took Sebastien Loeb!


Pikes Peak by matt--, on Flickr


Pikes Peak by matt--, on Flickr


Pikes Peak by matt--, on Flickr


Pikes Peak by matt--, on Flickr

After this i took the interstate down to Great Sand Dunes NP. This place is in the middle of nowhere. You drive for miles and miles along flat plains before getting there.


Great Sand Dunes National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Great Sand Dunes National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Great Sand Dunes National Park by matt--, on Flickr

Walking the dunes is hard work, and i didn't actually make it to the top which is a bit of a shame, but i'm way too unfit for that.

This is also where i thought i'd lost my phone... I can tell you that it's not a good place to think you've lost your phone biggrin

After this i took a 40 mile straight road, then US 50 to Ouray.


Colorado by matt--, on Flickr


Colorado by matt--, on Flickr


Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park by matt--, on Flickr

With a quick stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park...


Ouray by matt--, on Flickr


Ouray by matt--, on Flickr


...More to follow.

KevF

1,994 posts

199 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Matt,

Thank you for this. Beautiful photography and fantastic scenery. Definately on my bucket list.

How long did the entire trip take and how did you plan where to stop (previous visits or recommendations).

Looking forward to the rest.


Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
KevF said:
Matt,

Thank you for this. Beautiful photography and fantastic scenery. Definately on my bucket list.

How long did the entire trip take and how did you plan where to stop (previous visits or recommendations).

Looking forward to the rest.
I have been to the US a few times now (this is my second road trip), therefore i have a good knowledge of the country. I've always wanted to go to Moab (Arches NP and Canyonlands NP), and the Indy 500. I've also always wanted to go coast to coast, therefore it was just a case of linking it all up and planning a route that suited the time of year (that's the hardest part), and was vaguely achievable in approx 4 weeks. I also spend a lot of time browsing POTN/FredMiranda/500px/etc... so finding locations is not so hard. The route is basically a few cities to start (e.g.. where i flew into, Indy 500, Chicago, etc...), then linked up by national parks, and a finish by the sea.

It was quite highly planned (eg. everywhere to stay was booked, and i had ideas of where to eat, and what i wanted to photograph). At times i barely had time for food though... so i'd say that 4 weeks is the bare minimum for something of this magnitude.

It was also not in any way a relaxing trip. There were constant early mornings and late nights (mainly due to the time of year and trying to get some sunrises/sunsets). My last roadtrip to the US was in September, and that's an easier time for this type of trip really.

A lot of my friends do not understand why i go to the US. The vast majority of people do not quite understand that it's not just Florida, California and NYC. There's a huge amount to the country, and it's so incredibly vast and varied. This trip involved cities, snowy mountains, sand dunes, deserts, beaches, vast plains, etc...

Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
After a quick stop in Ouray i went off to Moab. The route was not a direct one (and the people i was talking to in Ouray didn't understand why i wanted to go in entirely the wrong direction to get there!).

I took US550 (Million Dollar Highway) south down to Durango, then went up to Moab.


Million Dollar Highway by matt--, on Flickr


Million Dollar Highway by matt--, on Flickr

Unfortunately i was on the road at entirely the wrong time of day, so didn't get much in the way of good photographs.

I did have a chance for a quick stopover at Mesa Verde NP though. I went on the Cliff Palace tour which was one of the easier ones to do, and one that i didn't have to wait too long to get onto! It's worth noting that it's quite a long drive into the park to get to the cliff dwellings.


Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado by matt--, on Flickr


Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado by matt--, on Flickr


Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado by matt--, on Flickr

A few hours later i was in Moab! I was in Moab for 3 days and did a lot of hiking in ~100f weather (this i was not easy!).


Arches National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Arches National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Arches National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Arches National Park by matt--, on Flickr


Arches National Park by matt--, on Flickr

Arches NP is only a few miles from Moab, so easy to go to, and come back for when it's too hot, busy, or you're hungry! It's very much like Yosemite/Grand Canyon, where between 9am and 5pm it's ridiculously busy.


Deadhorse Point State Park by matt--, on Flickr

Deadhorse Point State Park is an amazing place to go. I didn't quite arrive early enough, but was so glad i went. It's right next to Island in the Sky (Canyonlands NP).


Canyonlands by matt--, on Flickr


Canyonlands by matt--, on Flickr


Mesa Arch at Sunrise by matt--, on Flickr

Mesa Arch was my main reason for being in Canyonlands NP. It's the massively overshot one, but the one i wanted to try smile It involved getting up at 03:30, and taking a 45min drive to Canyonlands NP in the dark. I was there before 04:30 on two days, and was always second person there! After that time people kept arriving, and there would be 20-30 there, and it's tripod to tripod... a fun experience if everyone is considerate. The first time i was there there was someone with a huge timelapse rig right in the middle of the arch :/ One of my favourite aspects of Canyonlands NP was how quite it was in the morning though (other than Mesa Arch!). After shooting Mesa Arch, i could go to all the viewpoints and there would be no one there.


...More to follow.

Rosscow

8,775 posts

164 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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Epic - very very jealous!!

Keep it coming smile

Matt..

Original Poster:

3,602 posts

190 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
quotequote all
After Moab i went to Monument Valley. This involved a couple of stopovers on the way, mainly Moki Dugway, and Gooseneck State Park.


Moki Dugway by matt--, on Flickr


Moki Dugway by matt--, on Flickr

This is a dirt road that goes down the side of the cliff! Easily passable though, an an often travelled road (i hear even big trucks use it?).


Gooseneck State Park by matt--, on Flickr


Monument Valley by matt--, on Flickr

I found Monument Valley an odd place. Yes it's spectacular, but it seems less visitor friendly than the national parks. The dirt track around the place is also somewhat less cared for than you would expect. However, it was easily passable in a Dodge Charger!


The view from The View Hotel, Monument Valley by matt--, on Flickr

I spent the evening shooting the milky way with a few others. There shots looked a lot better than what i managed to achieve though!

Page, Arizona was up next, and the 100f heat was persisting!


Antelope Canyon by matt--, on Flickr


Antelope Canyon by matt--, on Flickr


Antelope Canyon by matt--, on Flickr

I was only really here for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend being my favourite of the two.


Photographing Horseshoe Bend from the 1000ft cliff by matt--, on Flickr

You need to be fairly close to get the shot... I had one person ask me to take their photo for them as they were too scared!


Horseshoe Bend at sunset by matt--, on Flickr

Then it was a stop in Grand Canyon NP, which after some of the places i've been to just felt so incredibly busy.


Grand Canyon by matt--, on Flickr

Getting up for sunset and being there for 5am, then seeing buses arriving is a bit disheartening!

After this there was a long day (9hrs+) to get to LAX to swap cars and then go down to Laguna Beach.


Joshua Tree by matt--, on Flickr

I took a day trip from Laguna Beach out to Joshua Tree NP.


Joshua Tree by matt--, on Flickr

I also took in a few local roads, Ortega and Angeles Crest being the main ones. Angeles Crest is well worth a look if you're in the LA area. It's long, twisty, good views, and just fun! (it also has a tunnel!).


Angeles Crest Highway by matt--, on Flickr


Angeles Crest Highway by matt--, on Flickr

I ended the trip in Laguna Beach and would highly recommend it. It was an easy place to rest up for a few days and get some decent food. Decent food and national parks do not go together in the slightest. It's one of the things i find so strange about the US.


Laguna Beach by matt--, on Flickr

... and that is all. A long way to drive, but such fun, and i am really glad i did it. Now i can't help but start planning Alaska and Glacier NP for the next one!

I have a video of the trip here: http://vimeo.com/68943841

Let me know if you have any questions about any of it smile

Planet Claire

3,321 posts

210 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing. Loved the video too.

David Beer

3,982 posts

268 months

Friday 26th July 2013
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Wow, that's high mileage, I did new York to LA via Nashville , Yellowstone ,Vegas and it was 4960 miles!!! Some great pictures, how did you get to Goose neck in canyon lands?

Adenauer

18,581 posts

237 months

Friday 26th July 2013
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Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to post this, I really enjoyed it and there were some awesome pictures thumbup

Flying Toilet

3,621 posts

212 months

Friday 26th July 2013
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Incredible. Amazing photos and so envious that you got to see the NHL play offs!

Darren390

481 posts

208 months

Friday 26th July 2013
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Many thanks for taking the time to post the pics. If only I could get 4 weeks off work I would be doing exactly what you have done. For my 40th in October I'm doing a little road trip, Chicago to New Orleans. Only 12 days but your post has made me start counting the days!

Out of interest, what camera did you use? I'm thinking of upgrading and could do with some pointers!

Darren