TRAVEL: AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP MAY 2024
An impulsive trip through a variety of states, parks, and municipalities in the American Southwest.
Above is a view generated via "Google My Maps" Tool
Just about ~3700 miles! Longest single-day drive was Castle Rock --> Savannah, about 550 miles. Good thing I snagged a rental
Rough Trip Outline:
Start - STL, MO
Visit - Carthage, MO (Precious Moments Chapel)
Eat - Tulsa, OK ("Blue Dome District")
Visit - Oklahoma City, OK (State Capital)
Sleep - Elk City, OK
Visit - Black Kettle National Grasslands, OK (Washita Massacre Memorial)
Escaped - Tornado Alley
Eat - Amarillo, TX (Abuelo's, I got the Tex-Mex but should have stuck with the Mex)
Visit - Albuquerque, NM (Pueblo Style Homes)
Sleep - Gallup, NM (El Rancho Motel)
Visit - Navajo, AZ (Navajo Jewelery)
Visit - Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
Eat - Flagstaff, AZ (The Northen Pines Restaurant)
Visit - Glen Canyon Dam, AZ-UT Border
Sleep - Kanab, UT (Rodeway Inn)
Visit - Zion National Park, UT (highlight destination)
Sleep - Panguitch, UT (near Bryce Canyon)
Visit - Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (highlight destination)
Visit - Escalante, UT
Visit - Hanksville, UT (Hollow Mountain)
Sleep - Moab, UT
Visit - Arches National Park, UT (didn't know I needed a reservation, had to leave)
Visit - Canyonlands National Park, UT (highlight destination)
Visit - Grand Junction, CO
Visit - Avon, CO (Walmart run)
Sleep - Granby, CO (The Inn at Silver Creek)
Visit - Grand Lake, CO
Visit - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (snowy!)
Visit - Idaho Springs, CO
Visit - Denver, CO (Museum of Nature and Science - STL Science Center is honestly better)
Sleep - Aurora, CO (try the Majestic Saloon!)
Visit - Palmer Lake, CO
Visit - Garden of the Gods, CO
Visit - Manitou Springs, CO
Visit - Colorado Springs, CO (Olympic & Paralympic Museum - a 10/10!)
Sleep - Castle Rock, CO (Hiked "The" Castle Rock)
Sleep - Savannah, MO (stayed at a cousin's home)
(Skipped Kansas Completely - it sucks)
Return - STL, MO
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