"Go West..." - By the Numbers [March 3 - May 6, 2019]

The Most Southwesterly City in the Lower 48 - Imperial Beach CA

“Go West Young Man”! We finally made it to the West Coast and on our way to and from we visited State Parks, National Parks, a Navajo monument, eroded valleys and hoodoos, deserts, California beaches, miles of Joshua trees, San Francisco,  Las Vegas, and had lunch on a sandbar in Mexico along the Rio Grande.  Happy 103rd Birthday to the National Parks, especially the 9 we visited.

The Chihuahuan Desert in Big Bend National Park

Fanciful Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Our trip was magnificent.  We blogged about many of the amazing sites and adventures.  Not blogged but as important to us were the many friends and relatives we visited in Jacksonville, Knoxville, Houston, Fallbrook, San Clemente, Seal Beach, Sausalito, and the San Joaquin "Delta".  This life we have chosen has given us great joy in spending time with people who are important to us.

An ancient sea reef turned into mountains at Guadalupe Mountain National Park

Coast Redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument

We also had new "professional" adventures, where Dana taught from the road, 1 face-to-face session, and 5 virtual sessions.  Some of these sessions were taught in office spaces that were rented for a few hours.

Picturesque Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge in Yosemite National Park

Colorful rocks in Zion National Park

Here is our wonderful trip by the numbers:

Miles of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park

The magnificent Grand Canyon National Park

8616   Miles traveled

1000+ Miles driven in the Lil'Xplorer tow car

65        Days on the road

35        Places stayed (26 private, 6 public and 3 family)

2          Campgrounds in orange groves (that allowed you to pick your own citrus)

18        States visited (6 new states)

1          Mexico sandbar in the Rio Grande

9          National Parks

6          State Parks

1          Navajo Reservation (traveled through multiple times)

12        Friends and relatives visited

6          Striped Bass caught

50        Miles hiked in parks

3          Miles rafted in the Rio Grande

1          Cavern explored

1          Light House

1000+ Elephant Seals

45        Days without rain

8000+ Highest elevation (feet)

The wonder of villages built in cliff alcoves at Mesa Verde National Park

Imperial Beach California

Mission Beach California