Took off this morning and wandered up through Seattle to Everett, then got on US 2 East.

Eventually came across Deception Falls. It's a nice little area--a shortish hike through the woods with some interpretative signs. A river going through makes several falls/rapids of varying sizes.





Then continued on to Stevens Pass. It's a ski area, but accessible in summers for hiking. I think I saw a sign that the Pacific Coast Trail goes by. Pretty scenic.




Stopped and, made my sandwich, grabbed some chips and a Coke, and walked around a bit for lunch there.

Got back to the car, and I notice the driver's side back door is open. Oops. Fortunately, nothing missing.

Down the mountains I went, following the Wentachee river.



Turns out the city of Wenatchee is the Apple Capital.

After that, it dried and flattened out, and became farmland.



Stopped in some little town ~ 1 hour east of Spokane.

Well that was stupid. Pulled in for gas in Missoula, gas cap wouldn't open. I swear a little, POS.

Guy comes out to see if he can help, gets it open, off I go.

Drove over to the Subaru dealership in town to ask WTF? Turns out the gas cap locks when the car does.

Worst is as soon as he showed me, I remembered the sakes guy mentioned that.

Grrr me.

Kinda hazy/smoky across Idaho/Montana today, probably won't be good pics later.

Did the MT Buffett tour today
Missoula (Miss You So Badly)
Ringling (Ringling, Ringling)
Livingston (Livingston Saturday Night)

After Spokane, it started getting smoky/hazy around Coeur d'Alene. Not so I couldn't see, but obscuring the scenery.

Plowed across Idaho and western Montana through Helena. Here's an example. Helena would be down there in the distance if clear.



And here's the Montana state capitol. Colorado's is better.



After going through Ringling (Ringling bar closed that day ), went down to Livingston and found a campsite. Super nice guy running the place, we had a nice conversation while I was setting up and then relaxing after. It's right off I-90, so some road noise, but a nice site too--lots of shade.

Contacted the daughter of one of my Seattle friends who is going to graduate school in Billings. We decided to try to meet for lunch the next day. Got to town a little early, so drove around a bit. This would be a nice overlook if not for the smoke.



It was nice to see her again and hear a young person's aspirations. She's hoping to get her doctorate after this. I can't remember the title of her program, but it's physical therapy/injury sort of stuff.

From there, I plowed down into Wyoming. Was planning to stop at a real nice campground I'd been to a couple years ago in Greybull, but it was early, and there was a wind blowing--i knew that would frustrate me getting set up.

Eventually going through the Bighorn Mountains. Went through on highway 14A last summer, this year tried highway 14. Both really scenic, recommended if anyone's in that area.



Eventually came upon Shell Falls. A nice short hike to several vantage points.



Got back to I-90 about 5 ish. Stopped at a rest area, made a sandwich for dinner, looked at google maps--a little more than 6 hours home. So, now I've got a decision--plow through and get home late, or stop for the night.

I haven't driven this car at night yet, so popped a Mountain Dew and plowed along. Got to Casper about sunset, first two gas stations I went to were having some kind of network issue and could only take pre-pay. Well, I don't know how much to fill. Eventually found one with pumps in working order.

This new car has auto-on headlights, which I've configured to minimum (i.e., come on as early as possible). Testing that, it was getting a little hard to see (not terrible). When it got fully dark though, no problems--LEDs really light up the road compared to old-style lights. I assume the issue earlier was just my vision, and not that the car wasn't doing a good job.

Anyway, plowed along. There's a lot of nothing in Wyoming. Some stretches, not even lights of a town or farmhouse, like you'd usually see at night. Got home about 11:30, dragged most of the stuff in the house. Put away important stuff that needed refrigeration, had a couple beers and went to bed.

Up to the store this AM, off to the Post Office to get mail. Back to my boring life for a while.

Don't have another adventure planned, kinda thinking I'll go somewhere warm when winter gets here.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the reason for taking US 2.

As a child, my father got stationed up north from San Antonio. We moved to the town he & my mother grew up in, so I imagine he got some strings pulled to get that assignment.

I was in 1st grade, so that was a huge adventure. My parents found a little plastic briefcase sorta thing to hold my maps. I identify that as the beginning of my map-nerdness and love of travel--it was exciting to follow along as Dad drove.

I then grew up 2.5 blocks from US 2. So, that's always been kind of 'my highway'. Over the years, I'd driven all of it from the UP of Michigan to Spokane. This trip completes that story.

(Yes, there's a segment in New England which I might get to someday).

I'd been itching to travel again, so I took a quick last camping weekend of summer trip. Went up into Wyoming and Nebraska.

Just kind of wandering around. There's a lot of nothing out there, mostly rolling high plains with the occasional sandstone formation.

Got to Alliance, NE about lunchtime, so stopped at Carhenge for lunch.



Some guy had been a engineer in GBR years ago, and when he came back home, decided to make an American version of Stonehenge. Surprisingly, the sign said it only took 6 days to put together.

In the intervening years, there's been other car-related art added.





Some obvious, some I didn't get. An old Buick steering wheel and column planted in the ground. (The wheel was bent, if that helps interpret).

Anyway, it was baking high plains hot (carmometer said 97), so I didn't stay long. Had lunch in the shade at one of their picnic tables, then moved on.

Went north, through just the corner of SD, and stopped in Newcastle, WY at a campground. Was the time of year where it's hot when I got in the tent, but kept putting on layers as the coolness came on.

The next morning, trundled across central Wyoming. Going past a coal strip mine, there were orange signs by the road.

BLASTING ZONE
ORANGE CLOUDS POSSIBLE
AVOID CONTACT

Which seems like pretty good advice anytime there are orange clouds around. Fortunately didn't see any.

Got to I-25, misread the map, and took a 22 mile detour, because that's how far apart exits are in Wyoming. Towns even further; if you're ever out there, don't assume because there's a dot on the map, there are any services, or, in fact, even a town.

Since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my favorite movies, I went to see Hole in the Wall. Down the road I went, and found it I guess:





Where the road cuts through is a little notch in this impressive sandstone wall. There wasn't any historical site or marker, which kind of surprised me. There was a sign that said "Hole in the Wall campground entrance" so I figured I was in the right place.

The other thing that was there was an old weatherbeaten mobile home, surrounded by hundreds of old cars. As if there used to be a junkyard back here in the middle of nowhere (about 15 miles from civilization).

I don't know about car restoration, but might be a spot to pick up parts. Being in essentially a desert, they didn't appear to be rusted out too bad.

After that, just plowed along back home through Casper, Laramie, and Fort Collins.

Nice update.

Unsuprisingly, there are a lot of other "henges":

Stonehenge replicas and derivatives,

but IMO Carhenge is the most interesting.

Canuck,

Thank you and welcome to the thread!

You're right. On the day trip I went on years ago to see Stonehenge, the guide mentioned that 'henge' meant something like 'place' (? can't remember for sure), and there were many of them about the UK.

Carhenge is kinda interesting in the quirky American off-the-beaten-path, oddball way. Nothing I saw indicated whether it was set up similar to Stonehenge, so the sunlight at the solstice would fall in a certain way.

If anyone wants to go, it's just about 3 miles out of Alliance, NE, which is as much of a town as there is out in those parts. Enough where it's got hotels, restaurants, etc.

There is a campground right next to Carhenge. Looked like very little shade, more like an open spot that people could park their trailers. Didn't go over there to check in detail.

Next trip is to Vegas late October to lose an entry in the WSOP Seniors event. I expect there to be an over-winter trip to somewhere warm, but haven't thought about a destination with any seriousness.

Maybe Gulf Coast? Warm enough for a camping trip in Dec/Jan?

Getting ready for Vegas by playing terribly in the little bar poker league I play in.

Arrive Wednesday, off to the Rio to reg for the Seniors day 1B. Flight back is Saturday. If I somehow stumble into a deeper run, that'll be a good problem to have.

If I play well (for me, that is), making day 2 is probably a close line.

I'll go for a beer if anyone's there and interested.

At DIA, right through security, mo worries so far.

Looked as if it was going to be one of those days earlier, just a bunch of little stuff wrong. Smoother now.

Get In, get to Harrah's, drop bags, off to Rio to register for 1B of Seniors tomorrow. Hopefully the limes won't be interminable.

Here. Flight left a little late, fixes something with communication.

Room unremarkable, overlooking roofc& a parking garage. It'll do.

Registration not too bad. Walked over, probably in line a little less than an hour. Go time 10 AM tomorrow!

Probably just have a relaxing evening with a few beers people watching. MAYBE lose some $, we'll see.

Out a little bit into the 7th level. I think I played well for my level of skill.

Made a number of mistakes, think I messed up the last hand. May post when I get back to a laptop.

Still a fun time. The Seniors event is old folks playing cards and having fun. Had an enjoyable table to play with. Recommend for anyone who qualifies.

A bit hungover, too easy to amble into the CVS & grab a beer while strolling the Strip.

Planning to take it easy today, early is flight tomorrow. May play some this afternoon/evening, we'll see. Pretty pokered out after yesterday.

OK, a bit more detail about the tournament. As I wrote, I felt that I played pretty well (for me).

Drew the one seat, which isn't my favorite. Had trouble following the action across from the dealer sometimes, but we got it done in all cases.

Went from 20K to nearly 60K in about 90 minutes (1.5 levels). Some of it was a really good run of cards, some pushing fit-or-fold players off hands. Mostly the former, really ran well.

Then went semi-dead, the worse players busted and were replaced by better. Kind of ground down through the next four and a half levels.

Only two hands really bothered me. I'm sure I made many more mistakes. The first I think is just results-oriented thinking, not sure.

Unfortunately, details a bit fuzzy. Std preflop raise by guy across, who'd only shown strength all day. One caller, I call in LP with 77.

Turn makes board 245 5. Guy across from me makes a decent size bet, Barry Shulman (sp?) calls. Now I'm thinking, A3 in range, as is a lot of fives, as well as overpairs. So I make a fold, anguishing while doing so.

Turns out guy across had 66; Shulman folded (3s?). That one's disappointing, was a nice pot.

My bust-out hand I think I misbet the flop pretty badly. Started ~32K, blinds 400/800/800 BB ant. Folds around to me, I make it 2500 with KQhh (seemed to be the std raise at our table).

Button calls, seemed to be a good player. Guy across calls from BB. Flop Q with 2 diamonds. I bet 2800, guy on my left makes it 15K, I shove. He's got A7 diamonds, A on turn, gg me.

I think I should've either shoved, or bet about half-stack to commit myself.

Anyway more generally. No dealer problems. First was a woman originally from Thailand, good dealer and enjoyable. Second was a guy who neither spoke nor could hear. We were made aware of his condition by #1, so we all verbalized and used hand signals for him to follow the action. That went pretty well. Didn't get a lot of time with #3, but he was efficient and controlled the game well.

I'd guess I busted somewhere around the middle of the Day1B field (in terms of numbers), which is also where I'd guess my skill level is. In terms of player count, registration was through level 8 and I busted in 7, so they weren't displaying the remaining count yet.

Other than that, there was only one wanna-be. Guy came to the table, hoodies, sunglasses and mask. When he was in a hand, most every decision took 20 seconds or more. Didn't say much. When he did, seemed to be a good guy, but maybe trying a bit too hard.

Other than that, congenial players, we all got along and had a good time. One of the reasons I like the Seniors event is that, while people are playing their best and trying to win, it's not the end of the world if we don't. Played with some really good folks and had nice between-hand conversations. My experiences make it seem like that's the rule.

Didn't hear (or hear of) a single eruption the time I was in the room.

I did take a couple pots off of Mr. Shulman, as close as I'm likely to get to poker fame. Check-raised him on the turn with my day's only set to take a medium-sized one. He seemed like a nice guy. At the other end of the table, so didn't interact with him directly, but could overhear some of what he & the guys down there were discussing.

Mask situation: Masks required in all casinos that I went in. Not sure of enforcement--seemed like the huge majority of people were complying. The few I noticed without, didn't see anyone address them. At the WSOP specifically, masks required except when you're actually at the table. Even just stepping away for a phone break, you're supposed to mask, and of course real breaks. I just left mine on (maybe that's why I ran so well early). I think ~25% of the players chose to do so.

Anyway, I'm tired. Up early then ran the leaf blower all afternoon after traveling. A couple beers, a little World Series, bed.

A couple photos.

Spell check fail, but that's a real word. Still, you'd think they'd get the name of their headliner right:



The rainbow in the fountains was much more vivid in real life.



Uh, no.

Been thinking about traveling again. A little apprehensive due to Omicron, so no serious plans yet.

Have a dentist appointment early Feb, so maybe after that, head down 287 toward the gulf and check out that area.

Maybe wait til after SB. Dish and the local NBC affiliate have been having a pissing match over fees, so I can't watch at home. Unless I change providers, ofc. So being on the road wouldn't be so bad, find a hotel room with a nearby sports bar to watch.

We'll see, I'll update if I ever get organized.

On the plus side, Green Bay's loss gives me little reason to hang around for the Super Bowl. Maybe I'll take off after the dentist appt. Will update if I get organized.

Planning to take off tomorrow. Looks like snow Friday, just in time.

As mentioned, start down 287 towards the gulf. See some of Cajunland, head east along the gulf. Coming back, planning to angle up through AL/MS/AR etc., depending on conditions. Generally back roads, seeing the sights.

No timeframe or fixed destination, just out til I'm tired of being on the road. Usually ends up being 10 days-2weeks.

As always, more than willing to meet 2p2ers. If anyone's along the way and is interested in going for a beer, let me know.

cool, hope the trip goes well. I'm in Nola. If you're close by, shoot me a PM

Sounds like a fun trip. I'll drop you a PM.

Thanks, guys, hope to see you along the way.

Wandered around the high plains today. There is almost literally nothing out there. Flat to rolling hills of grassland, the occasional small town. Almost no trees or other features.

Took a rather circuitous route. Always like to try something different when on a driving trip. Made it to Dumas, TX tonight. Planning to go down to Yellow tomorrow, see what's there. Probably stay in another small town in NW TX, we'll see.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon

Arggh, saw the sign for that, but missed going. Thanks for the idea, Mark.

Looking at my atlas this morning, it showed a road off 287 as dotted, which means scenic. Took a detour there. There was a short stretch with some scenery:



But the rest of it was "slightly less flat than what you've been seeing." Off to Amarillo. As I made clear by gong to Carhenge last year, I'm a sucker for weird Americana stuff. So naturally:



Of course I went to Cadillac Ranch! Apparently, some guy buried these old Caddies in a field just off I40 just west of Amarillo, and encourages people to paint them. Don't worry, they have a trailer there to sell you spray paint if you forget.

I left my mark.





First one to be able to decipher my terrible spray-paint "handwriting" gets a free beer!



From there, trundled along. The terrain has more trees as you move east. Nothing spectacular, some kind of 8-10 foot things.

Then came to Wichita Falls. They have a nice park on the river, with a path that goes to the Falls.





Of course, the falls are man-made, but it was a nice day and nice to get out and stretch after driving.

Staying in Wichita Falls for the night. Whataburger next door, first time I've had that. Better than most FF burgers.