July 1-23 without work, with minimum cellular service, and with so much curiosity.
This summer I took most of the month of July off to road trip the U.S. with my girlfriend, Haley. Staying in 7 states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon, & Washington) - we packed up her Subaru Forester, compiled our camping gear, connected with family members for places to stay, and started plotting all the national parks and hikes we wanted to do. Thus began our adventurous spirits
These are just a few of the images we collected and no where near showing all the locations we stopped and views we saw. We have so many Polaroids as well. But come visit my page and see just a taste of what we accomplished.
Devil’s Head, CO.
Our first good hike was near Castle Rock, CO. We had been staying with Haley’s aunt and uncle and they proposed to us this beautiful hike: Devil’s Head Trail. I called up an old college buddy, Merritt, asking if he wanted to join us. He drove his girlfriend’s Mini Cooper from Colorado Springs and we made our way to the trailhead.
Merritt and I made it a habit in college to get outside. Whether we were hiking, canoeing, or just photographing one another and having fun. The great outdoors was a way we always connected. No longer in the Midwest, we’re still bonding and making memories in this wild beauty.
The drive to Gunnison, CO.
A quick 4 hour drive to Gunnison, where Haley went to college. The views were insane.
Capitol Reef National Park.
Our trip was full of surprises. We thought we had planned everything out. The car was full of our camping gear if we needed to stop due to long driving hours. Our original arrangement was to drive from Gunnison, CO to Sequoia National Park in CA. That drive turned out to be a little much for us. As we drove through Utah we knew we needed to stop. We ‘accidentally’ found our way in Capitol Reef National Park where we had the most enchanting and haunting experience cooking our dinner.
In the park we discovered a free camp zone that was completely abandoned. Pulling the car over and unpacking our cooking gear, we started to make noodles. As the water boiled the settling sun disappeared, the silence was growing more eerie, but we were growing more in wonder by the sandstone landscape. The wandering animal sounds at dusk made us on edge the entire time. “Is this the night we run into wildlife?” Thankfully we remained alone.
After our meal was consumed, we decided to drive further into the park to another campground. We pulled up to a further campground in the late hours of the night, made camp by head torch, and quickly fell to sleep. When we awoke, we couldn’t believe our sights. Yet again, another gorgeous spot.
Utah you are charming from every angle.
Sequoia National Park.
There were many life lessons Haley and I learned on this trip. Some problems are outside of our control. We had entered Death Valley on the second hottest day in 30 years. Our campground in Sequoia wasn’t open until the following day. We needed a place to stay and as the heat rose so did our impatience. Both of us wanting a good night of rest but Mother Nature chose to bring conflict between us.
After hours of searching for a rest stop, campground, anything - we found a place to sleep well. The next day we drove into the park discussing the night prior. We made a promise to one another about making wise decisions during extreme heats and extreme colds (for the future). AND when in conflict about situations outside our control, remember to fight for one another.
The trip wasn’t all glamour but through toil character is made. Finally we were able to enjoy big trees.
On our second day in the park, we traversed the Lake’s Trail. We had our water bladders full and trekking poles in hand. Haley stole my Outdoor Voices hat for the trek and we’re off.
Switchbacks, lookouts, tree lines, and a dip in Heather Lake.
Sequoia you were a favorite from our road trip.
Washington.
The last week of our trip we bunked with my cousin Alex and his rambunctious family. It was a blast! The first night we slept in a boat, the following day we collected crab pots for dinner, and we enjoyed authentic conversations over drinks. The next morning I awoke and red a children’s book to the kids.
Washington has to be one of the most beautiful states of all.
Counting the joys. I can’t believe this trip happened. I can’t believe the people Haley and I met. Or the places we experienced. But it was all TOO GOOD.
We are looking forward to the next wild adventure.
