PART 1: 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days « Featured « JESDA.COM

PART 1: 2011 Western American Road Trip – 6,500 Miles, 30 Days

January 06, 2012 jesda No comments

Summary:

My aunt and uncle in Arizona called me earlier in the fall inviting me to Arizona for Thanksgiving. My dad (flying down from Washington) and my cousins were going to be there as well. Additionally, a few friends of mine had their first babies, so I figured I’d meet them along the way.

I was burnt out on travel this year after doing 9000 miles in April and May, Thailand in the summer, and the American South just a few weeks ago.

My plan, then, was to head west for Thanksgiving, see my relatives, see Greg and Becky from NICOClub, and head home to Missouri the following week. Instead (expectedly), I ended up wandering the continent.

I brought my friend Ian along as well as my dog Newton. We began in St Louis, Missouri, headed to Oklahoma, then Phoenix, then headed up the interior of California (did the coast last time) to Portland, Oregon to see Gary. Then we headed east to Ellensburg for an eat-and-greet with Brandon and finally arrived in Spokane, Washington.

I lingered in Spokane for a couple weeks then headed home, going through Idaho and Montana while making a stop in Denver to see my stepbrother and take in a show.

Along the way we saw the Cadillac Ranch, The Grand Canyon, the Phoenix auto show, a gigantic meteor crater, and the tornado-ransacked remains of Joplin, Missouri. And thanks to Greg and Becky, I drove a 1931 Ford Model A, a Honda Insight, and a 1967 Datsun Wagon, reviews of which are forthcoming. I also took my cousin’s Spec V Sentra for a spin as well as my friend Brandon’s Sebring convertible. Additionally, I had a chance to take a ride in a Hyundai Equus as well as my friend Terry’s Subaru STI.

Now, let’s do the photos and the story:

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Vehicle: 2001 Cadillac Seville STS

(Photo taken in Arvin CA)

Distance: 6,500 miles
Mileage at start: 141,000
Mileage at finish: 147,500
Average fuel economy: 21 mpg, 300hp Northstar V8
Casualties: One wheel bearing, one rubber plenum boot, one air filter, one air box clip, and Newton’s paw got infected.

Travel Time: 30 days including two weeks in Spokane
States: Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas

Fuel cost: $1,200
Lodging cost: $355
Food/entertainment: About $1,200
Mechanical: $321 — Wheel bearing ($280 after $100 warranty refund), air filter ($10), plenum boot ($24 for parts), air box latch ($7)
Other: $130 veterinarian
Total: $3,206

In N Out beef patties consumed: 8

Activity Log: