The Middle South
Route: St. Louis to New Orleans, back to St. Louis, mostly via back roads with van repairs in Jackson Mississippi. … Continue reading The Middle South
Poverty Point
There are only three archeological World Heritage Sites in the United States. Poverty Point, in Epps, Louisiana, in the Northeast … Continue reading Poverty Point
On the road…
Serendipity is the thing on road trips. The theater of driving and seeing such natural and social diversity is remarkable. … Continue reading On the road…
Erick, Oklahoma
It is easy to be nostalgic about the road – and particularly Route 66 – from a distance. Before heading … Continue reading Erick, Oklahoma
Our National Parks
The Centennial of the National Parks was the occasion for much celebration and appreciation of “America’s Best Idea.” To read … Continue reading Our National Parks
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Canyon de Chelly is an important physical and cultural monument. Five million years of geological uplift and water erosion created … Continue reading Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Glen Canyon National Rec Area
We first heard about Glen Canyon and Powell Lake from a ranger in Bryce National Park. She had been stationed … Continue reading Glen Canyon National Rec Area
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon represents a 60 million year masterpiece of erosion, ice, snowmelt, and weather extremes. The hoodoos are constantly changing. … Continue reading Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
It is trite to say, but Zion is a jewel. The amazing oranges, pinks, and reds; and contrasts of water, … Continue reading Zion National Park
Valley of Fire
What to do to escape southern California traffic and and the neon lights of Las Vegas? Stumble upon an unheralded State … Continue reading Valley of Fire
Yosemite
Traveling to Yosemite Valley in the winter is taking a gamble–but one well worth taking. The approaches to the park … Continue reading Yosemite
Lassen and Central California
The rain and forecast in Oregon encouraged us to move south quickly. We wandered about a bit in upscale Ashland, … Continue reading Lassen and Central California
An Oregon Park Ranger…
I had the good fortune to have a conversation with a veteran park ranger in the Oregon State Park System … Continue reading An Oregon Park Ranger…
Oregon Coast
It seemed fitting to begin our van adventure by heading from Troutdale to the mouth of the Columbia River. We … Continue reading Oregon Coast
“Matty” Our van name
Matty McNair
Our van is named in honor of Matty McNair, a great contemporary explorer. Matty has skied to both the North and South Poles. She led the first all-women expedition to the North Pole. Continue reading ““Matty” Our van name”
Our van design
2016 Mercedes Sprinter four wheel drive van outfitted by Outside Van, Troutdale Oregon. Van elements include 4×4 Van 144 wheelbase … Continue reading Our van design
Our van trip
After two years of prep, we finally hit the road on November 29, 2016. Our initial route took us to … Continue reading Our van trip
Brown School Sendoff
We experienced a wonderful sendoff after 12 years at the Brown School at Washington University. Our friends put on a … Continue reading Brown School Sendoff
Betsy and Eddie's Van Life 