Michelle Ray

Welcome to my 2022 Road Trip travel blog! I have been preparing many months for a solo road trip around the US. Phase one is from Portland, OR to Portland, ME. Phase two will be from the Northeast down to Florida to meet my husband on his last stretch of his bike ride trip. Phase three will be very unpredictable. Don and I will be traveling together and throwing all the cards in the air and see where they land.
I have always enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, camping, kayaking, and choose an adventurous route when given the option. Therefore, the choice to start off my retirement career with this road trip is no surprise to my closest friends and family. I have usually worked two jobs since I was young teenager. It is now time for me, hit a reset button, take time to reflect on where I’ve been and where I am going, enjoy the natural gifts that are around me and see the places that I have always read/heard about.
Please follow me on my journey this year as I visit National Parks, small towns, foodie stops, nature hikes and whatever else comes into my path. I will do my best to keep the blog up to date but will have limited access to internet and power frequently. Thank you for logging in, this means you care about me and are interested in what I am doing. We just grew stronger together! I plan on being on the road for 6-9 months, the first 3 months will be solo. August 5th is my take off date, until then I will be busy visiting my friends, family, celebrating my husband’s retirement, packing the car and closing up the house.
My plan is to print the blog pages with all your comments when I get home to make a travel book. So please leave comments, I will be craving words from home after the first week!
Thank you - Michelle

Big Bend National Park

North America » United States » Texas » Big Bend National Park March 11th 2023

Santa Elena Canyon

Michelle Ray

After driving many many hours in a desolated area of Texas, we finally reached Big Bend National Park. Where large peaked mountains burst out of the low flat desert lands. We camped in Marathon, TX, so we could get an early start to the day at the park. Due to the late reservation, we were only able to obtain a campsite in the park for one night at the Cottonwood Campground. Fueled up, showered, and stocked up with food and water we took off bright and early with full mugs of instant coffee we made at camp. Because of my knee pain, we skipped the 10 mile hikes and kept with multiple short hikes instead. Our first and primary focus with the center of the park, Chisos Basin. We had a snack and enjoyed a short ... read more

Space Center Houston Texas

North America » United States » Texas » Houston February 27th 2023

This is me!

Michelle Ray

As our friends are selling their homes in the Houston area, we guess that this should be our last planned trip here. We used this last couple of weeks to really explore all that Houston has to offer. Visiting the beautiful parks, eat at incredible restaurants, ride bikes on the abundant paths, and of course visit the Space Center. Don signed us up for about every extra opportunity the center had to offer. We rode the simulator ride, toured the area, visited the historic mission control center, and spent the entire day exploring. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. There was a plethora of information from NASA's past and how we got where we are today and a peak at the future endeavors. It really makes the mind work, will ... read more

Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, Texas

North America » United States » Texas February 24th 2023

Don w/Alligator

Michelle Ray

About one hour drive south of Houston is a State Park that is busting at the seams with wildlife. We really wanted to get out to enjoy the 80 degree February weather, picnic, do some walking and taking pictures. We visited Brazos Bend a week prior but got hungry and tired early. Without an understanding of how big the park was we were not prepared. A week later we returned with a cooler packed, Advil in my system, and my camera charged up. The most popular trail with the most abundant wildlife is the trail that takes people to the watch tower. It is a few miles of walking to get around each pond and very well worth the efforts. Alligators line the paths and sulk in the deep black waters, roseate spoonbilled birds show off ... read more

Antigua, Guatemala - Wrapping up our 7 week trip!

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala » Capital Region » Antigua February 15th 2023

The Santa Catalina Arch

Michelle Ray

It's been 7 weeks already? The first week was so new and time crept along. As we acclimated ourselves to the area, created new routines, time sped up and it's already time to return to the US. How did we end up in Guatemala for Spanish Immersion classes? While I was camping in Massachusetts, I met a lovely couple from Eastern Canada. They were planning a trip to Antigua for Spanish Immersion School. I was filled with questions for them. Once they fed my curiosity, I called Don who was midway of his biking trip and asked if he was interested. I received a HUGE yes! Within a couple days the tickets were bought and we were enrolled for school. I hope that sharing our travel experience will entice someone else to jump out there and ... read more

Coffee & Macadamia Nut tours in Antigua, Guatemala

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala » Capital Region » Antigua January 22nd 2023

Coffee Tour

Michelle Ray

We took two note worth tours while in visiting Antigua. The first one was a classroom adventure to Finca la Azotea, Jocotenango. A short Q5 Chicken Bus ride to Jocotenango, then a 4 block walk and we arrived at the coffee farm. Chicken bus explanation: Chicken buses by the way are refurbished school busses from the USA. They are purchased for about $2000, driven all the way to Guatemala, then adorn in multiple bright colors and decorations. They gained their notable name due to the fact that they have been known to carry all types of cargo other than people, including chickens. People are primarily on the busses today, however the chicken bus name has stuck. At the coffee farm we were greeted by our tour guide who explained to us the effect the elevation, volcanos ... read more

Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala » Western Highlands » Lago de Atitlán January 16th 2023

San Antonio

Michelle Ray

During our Spanish Immersion course in Antigua, it was time for a 2 week break, so we booked a shuttle (Q100) to Lake Atitlan! On the list of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan did not disappoint us. We arrived in Panajachel and were picked up by a Tuk Tuk and swept through the city to our Airbnb home. Cirilo was the perfect host there. He ended up watching our bags for us as we traveled to and from different towns around the lake during our stay. We continued to return to his home without booking via Airbnb. Lake Atitlan is about a 90 minute drive from Antigua, most people arrive in Panajachel. From there truck, shuttle, and boats are available to commute to the towns. Some are only accessible via boat due ... read more

Altamira, Antigua, Guatemala

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala » Petén Region » El Mirador January 7th 2023

Altamira views

Michelle Ray

We found the Altamira (Look High) park by accident and didn't regret it. A taxi took us up the long, twisted road to this beautiful park with outstanding views. Everything at the park is made from recycled items, painted decoratively, and shaped into natural eye catching art. There weren't many people there so it was easy to navigate around. Many restaurants, restrooms, and benches to rest at. In order to get views like this, the park is built on a hillside so there are many switchback trails leading people to the views and structures. If you go higher, there is another park called Hobbitenango which is also very similar. We didn't have time to visit both parks but have heard great reviews about the other one. 3-4 hours is enough to cover the park, take pictures ... read more

Antigua, Guatemala - Spanish Immersion School

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala » Capital Region » Antigua December 31st 2022

Lhena & Michelle

Michelle Ray

Happy New Year! 2023. I have been unable to post updates of our time spent in Guatemala so they will unfortunately all come in all at once. I hope you find time to read about it or at least enjoy the photos. Don and I arrived in Guatemala New Year's eve night. A driver met us at the airport with a shuttle and he didn't speak ANY English. We decided to come to Guatemala for a Spanish Immersion program and it is starting immediately. A 1/2 hour later we were in Antiqua at our group house for students. Many questions went through our heads.. "Are we going to be the oldest students?", "Will anyone speak English?", "What have we gotten ourselves into?". The homeowners Anna (0% English) & Arturo (15% English) greeted us into their home ... read more

Houston, Texas

North America » United States » Texas » Houston December 30th 2022

New Year collage

Michelle Ray

!!!!Newsflash!!!! Don has completed his cross country bike ride and is now joining me on completing our travel back home to Oregon. Don and I have settled down for about one month in Houston Texas. Our friends James and Rita greeted us, opened there home, and we are still here. Warning: Be careful when you offer a place for friends to stay. It worked out that we could house sit for them while they visited beautiful sunny Costa Rica for a couple weeks. I really enjoyed having a full kitchen to cook in. Right away Don and I started to cook some incredible foods. BBQ, salads, cold beer, roasted vegetables. Rita's kitchen is built and equipped with everything a person needs to be creative. A very short walk and we could access an open market to ... read more

So long Florida, it was nice knowing ya!

North America » United States » Florida November 30th 2022

Fountain of Youth

Michelle Ray

In summary; This was my first time ever visiting the state. Layovers on flights don't count, right? Ha! One month after entering, I am traveling along the panhandle on my way out. The military provides so many MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) places to camp on or near bases, that I have really been spoiled in this state. I believe there are about 20 throughout Florida. I started off in Jacksonville at one of my favorite places! Disperse camping for 4 months now has made me really appreciate some simple things in life. First off the camp space is only $11 per night. They offer a full kitchen, free laundry, free ice, an incredible clubhouse with tv, tables, games, outlets to charge devices and internet. There were constantly fun entertainment items provided to keep a person involved ... read more

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