Dave P/Green Elvis

Greenelvis

Dave P/Green Elvis

Possessing both intellect and carelessness, Dave is a college teacher from Chicago, Illinois.

During the "teaching summer break" of 2009, beginning on July 25th and ending August 31, 2009, Dave left Chicago, Illinois in a 1997 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck, accompanied by his dog, Sophie, in a cross-country "loop" driving trek from Chicago, Illinois to Utah, taking the "southern northern" route across the country (through southern South Dakota and Northern Wyoming). This 38-day driving trip includes details of 5 National Parks, and many more National Forests. A tent was employed for 37 of the 38 days.

Highlights/thoughts/ramblings/photos include: Chicago, Il., Corn Palace, South Dakota, Pierre National Grasslands, Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, Black Hills National Forest (northern and southern units), Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial Sculpture, Devils Tower, Deadwood, Bighorn National Forest, Medicine Wheel, and Sturgis S. D. (3 days before start of rally).

Then, it's onto Yellowstone National Park (9 days), Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Uintas National Forest, Flaming Gorge, Utah, Antelope Island State Park, Dixie National Forest, Fishlake National Forest, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capital Reef National Park (Cathedral Valley), Natural Bridges National Monument, Canyonlands National Park (Hwy 211 Needles/Elephant Rock), Moab, Arches National Park, the Denver Art Museum, and Moline, Illinois (Quad cities).

He welcomes comments and grammar corrections regarding his writings.

Total Distance: 0 miles / 0 kmMouse: 0,0
Entire Trip Route: Chicago to Salt Lake City July 25 - August 31, 2009

"Best Of" Photo Gallery/After-Trip Postscript: After the Trip

North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago December 2nd 2009

Cathedral Sophie

Greenelvis

Saturday, November 25, 2009 Postscript/Overview of Blog: 3 Months after the trip... Well, it’s almost 3 months since my return from the summer 2009 Chicago, Illinois to St. Lake City, Utah roundtrip drive, camping the entire month. Sophie, my traveling companion, drove a total of 6,000 miles, driving through 11 states, and returning safely back home to Chicago with 3 weeks to unwind before returning to my position as a university writing instructor. Watching the Ken Burn’s excellent 12-hour National Park series on PBS, I was glad to have “beaten” is premiere by a month, as no doubt his “natural” propaganda will invite millions more to travel in upcoming summers (and offer further evidence of Jon Krakauer’s double-edged Into Thin Air’s popularity vs. Everest travelers realized). Well, hopefully, there’s always the National Forests. About myself, I ... read more

Uinta High Wilderness: Henrys Fork Trail: In Which the Author Hikes to Dollar Lake

North America » United States » Utah September 21st 2009

High Uinta Sky

Greenelvis

Monday, August 23, 2009: Henry’s Fork (King’s Peak) Ashley National Forest, Utah Author note: This hike in Utah took place about a month ago. I’m currently about a week away from starting back teaching college, and am currently sitting with Jennifer and Sophie, the dog, in a rain-soaked tent at Kettle Moraine State Park in southern Wisconsin) Even with the cold, I slept great at the National Forest (free) campsite, having been warmed by the previous night’s fire. We awoke early, around 8-9 a.m., and proceeded to lay out all the materials needed for the Uinta High Wilderness 3-day backcountry hike. The trailhead of origin, King’s Peak (the highest point in Utah) provided one of 3 trail access points to access the peak. We had decided against attempting to summit, instead planning on hiking in ... read more

Flaming Gorge, Utah: In Which the Author Gets Weak-Kneed

North America » United States » Utah » Manila September 9th 2009

Flaming Gorge, Utah

Greenelvis

Jennifer Visits Utah Section: Our realized itinerary: Friday night, August, 21, 2009: Northeast of Ogden, Utah in Willows (Wasatch-Cache National Forest) Saturday, August 22, 2009: Wasatch-Cache National Forest to Flaming Gorge (Uinta High Wilderness) Sunday, August 22, 2009: Flaming Gorge to Ashley National Forest (Henry’s Fork/King’s Peak Trail) Monday, August 23, 2009: Henry’s Fork Trailhead to Dollar Lake (approx. 8 miles) Tuesday, August 24, 2009: Dollar Lake Day Hike: To Gunsight Pass and back (approx. 7 miles) Wednesday, August 25, 2009: Dollar Lake to Trailhead; then on to Still Water Nat. For. Campground Thursday, August 26, 2009: Still Water to Mirror Lake (3 mile hike), then to Antelope Island State Park Friday, August 27, 2009: Antelope Island State Park, Utah (22 miles north of Salt Lake City) Saturday, August 28, 2009... read more

Arches National Park: In Which the Author Crosses Abbey Road

North America » United States » Utah » Arches National Park September 8th 2009

Arches National Park

Greenelvis

Thursday, August 27, 2009 Arches National Park: In Which the Author Considers Edward Abbey Note: This blog entry was composed in Chicago 2 weeks after visiting Arches. After a good Moab breakfast, I drove the 6 miles north to the Arches National Park entrance. There was an excellent backdrop, with Hwy 191 continuing on in a series of switchbacks cut into 1000-foot red, stone walls (think: Albert Brook’s movie Lost in America. I blew past the entrance gate, and since it was only about 10:45 a.m., inquired about the camping situation, more specifically, “Will I be happy?” The Ranger replied, “Well, I’m sure that the 17 people in line at 7:30 this morning are happy. But there’s plenty of camping just outside the park as well.” A stop into the Visitors Center to recycle and pick ... read more

Canyonlands National Park: In Which the Author Wakes At Dawn

North America » United States » Utah » Canyonlands National Park September 8th 2009

Canyonlands Self Portrait

Greenelvis

Thursday, August 26, 2009 In Which the Author Drives to Canyonlands National Park Continuing my long desert drive, having explored Capitol Reef’s northern section, and passing through the Glen Recreation Area and National Bridges National Monument, I headed north through Blanding and Monticello, careful, as always, to follow the 35-mile an hour speed limit through these 2500-person towns, I head west down a nice, paved scenic drive, 211, which leads me into the southeastern portion of Canyonlands National Park. The 30x20 mile park is interesting, and probably often-overlooked, as the traveler with time constraints might easily jump from Bryce Canyon National Park to Arches National Park in less than a day’s drive. The Park is divided into (at least) 3 distinct areas: Th... read more

Capitol Reef: In Which the Author has Dinner and Desert...

North America » United States » Utah » Capitol Reef September 7th 2009

Capitol Reef Valley Drive

Greenelvis

Wednesday, August 25, 2009 In Which the Author hits the Cathedral Valley, Utah Camping alone at a pull-off off of a ridge road in the Fishlake National Forest, Utah, I’m clicking away on the keyboard in the dark tent. I keep hearing strange noises, animal-like noises, at the truck, which is only parked 5 feet away from the tent, but Sophie sleeps on, exhausted, and I’m too tired to be too alarmed. The noises stem from the truck, which is odd, as the engine has been shut off for hours. I made a few “whooping” noises (high-pitched grunts) and shined the flashlight around, but to no avail. Oh well, whatever it is doesn’t seem to be canoodling around the tent, so whatever… When I awoke early (probably around 8 a.m.), I surveyed the campsite, which was ... read more

Denver to Illinois: In Which the Author Leaps from Rest Stop to Hotel to Condo

North America » United States » Illinois » Moline September 4th 2009

Denver Art Museum

Greenelvis

Saturday, August 29th, 2009 In Which the Author Leaps from Rest Stop to Hotel When traveling on a road trip, I’ve often found it useful to get out of one’s town of origin as quickly as possible, making the initial push to cover as many miles as possible to ward off the possibility of being bogged down/stuck in areas that may not be where you want to be. Even excessive stops, i.e. eating in restaurants, shopping for snacks, etc. take time away from the forward progress. So, I “put on my astronaut pants” and plow forward as fast as possible. My frugalness also comes into play, as the thought of justifying the cost of spending the night in a hotel (even a MOTEL), when I usually try to drive past midnight and start as early as ... read more

Arches to Denver: In Which the Author Leaves Utah for the Rocky Mountains

North America » United States » Colorado » Rocky Mountains August 29th 2009

DSC07203

Greenelvis

In Which the Author and his Dog Bag a 14-footer Friday, August 28, 2009 I could see the summit; no turning back now. All the preparations had been made, but I was a little concerned, as I had just run out of water a very light snow was “spittin.’” I was over 14 thousand feet, and my breath was short…my feet were a bit sore, but I was poised to “bag” one of Colorado’s 54 14,000-ft peaks. I felt a tired sense of satisfaction, as my Timberlands make the final steps, as if on auto-pilot…finally…I was on the summit, wind blasting my coat, chilling the already low 40 degrees. However, the summit is only half the climb…going up, one gets sore; going down, one gets hurt… But, there’s little chance of the decent, as I ... read more

Capital Reef, Utah: In Which the Author Heads to Capital Reef National Park

North America » United States » Utah » Capitol Reef August 28th 2009

Bryce National Park Sophie

Greenelvis

Tuesday August 25, 2009 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. In Which the Author Heads to Capital Reef National Park After reorganizing the bins yet again, Sophie and I packed our tent; I was a little bittersweet about leaving Bryce, as I found the place very satisfying. It’s probably good that I wasn’t able to do many serious hikes/backcountry camping, as it left me wanting to return with Jennifer at some time in the future. I left a bin and some plastic containers at the cool “Leave Something, Take Something” spot on the campground host’s table. The New Yorkers gave a quick wave and were off in their Mustangs (we never did continue our conversation last night over their campfire—instead I worked on the massive amount of Bryce pictures). I headed over to the General Store at Sunrise ... read more

Bryce Canyon: In Which the Author Hikes Bryce Canyon National Park

North America » United States » Utah » Bryce Canyon August 25th 2009

Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Greenelvis

Monday, August 24, 2009 Bryce Canyon Utah After blogging last night (and getting the last pictures uploaded just before time ran out) and getting a great night’s sleep, Sophie nuzzled me at the break of dawn to go out. I realized that Sunrise Point was calling, but I was still at the Pillow View Point…I roused myself out of the sleeping bag a couple of hours later, and spent a few minutes with my morning routing, stolen from my friend, J.T., which consists of reading for a while in the tent (I’m almost through with my “Mountain Climbing Disaster” book). For breakfast, in keeping with my “stepping up the culinary food,” I sliced whole potatoes and fried them in olive oil, simultaneously making coffee and cooking the remaining 4 veggie burgers (two for the hash browns, ... read more

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