The Great RV Roll-About Itinerary

Where in the world is Kernut?

(scroll down for itinerary)

One might assume someone embarking on their first-ever trip around the country in their first-ever RV would have a plan. One would be wrong because Someone does not have a plan. For the first time in my life I really have no idea what I’m doing.

I’m flying without a net, people.

And it’s great!

What do I know? I’ve had a life-long dream to travel the country and see all the goofy sights like The Largest Ball of Twine, The Largest Frying Pan, The Mutter Museum, Route 66, The Cadillac Ranch, and many, many other ‘Uniquely Odd’ attractions listed on RoadsideAmerica.com. I also want to see The Grand Canyon.

But the time never seemed “right”. There was always some obstacle to be overcome, to paraphrase poet Alfred D. Souza’s Happiness.

This year I decided to stop waiting for everything to be perfect, for every detail to be determined, for (fill in the blank). I got rid of my apartment, most of my stuff, and bought an RV.

I’m now living in it full-time as I travel the country with my cat. Lots to learn, and oh so much fun doing it! No plans are set in stone – the true meaning of taking “One Day At A Time”. I only know that life is too precious not to be enjoyed.

And I also hope to meet many of my friends (old and new) and fellow bloggers on the road!

This itinerary is nowhere near complete, nor is it set in stone. Got a uniquely odd attraction in your area? Suggestions welcome.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

My itinerary for The Great RV Roll-about…

Trip: Yuma, AZ to Corpus Christi, Texas

Stay: February 7 – ?

From the long drive, posts coming are: the Boneyard in historical Tombstone, “The Thing” in Dragoon, and the Rex Allen Cowboy Museum in Willcox, Arizona. Oh, and an ode to the multitude of tumbleweeds I saw along the way.

The area is really beautiful, and has a few weird and wacky sights, too.

Trip: Slab City, CA to Yuma, AZ

Stay: January 25 – February 6

Things I saw/did: I got down in Calipatria, the ‘Center of the World’ (yeah, sure) and two blondes in Algodones, Mexico, The Bridge to Nowhere (gee, that one hits a bit close to home), shakin’ dates, the Big RV Show in Quartzsite, .

Trip: Monterey, CA to Slab City, CA (Can’t seem to get away from Slab City, but it is free.)

Stay: January 8 – January 24

The stuff I saw around Monterey: A Cement Boat, Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, a Giant Artichoke, another old jail, and a two-story outhouse.

On the way to Slab City (again), I stopped to get eaten by giant dinosaurs in Cabazon. That wasn’t enough so I stopped at the lovely Salton Sea State Park in Salton Sea. All the millions of dead fish aside, the place is one of the nicest parks and campgrounds – and very RV friendly. Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves is some random stuff that happened on the way.

Trip: Slab City, CA to San Francisco Bay Area

Stay: November 20, 2011 – January 8, 2012

I saw the Largest Monopoly Board, World’s Longest Garlic Braid, more Giant Animal Statues. Also, it looks like I’ll have a segment on a TV show that will air in northern California! WOOT! (or not… fame can be so fleeting! LOL)

Trip: Lake Havasu, AZ to Salvation Mountain, and Slab City, CA

Stay: October 30 – November 19

Things I saw: The infamous Slab City, Salvation Mountain, and a guy died in the hot springs while I was there.

Trip: Sedona, AZ to Lake Havasu, AZ/Quartzsite, AZ

Stay: October 19 – October 30

On the way to Lake Havasu, I’ll stop in Seligman, AZ, the birthplace of Route 66, eat at the Roadkill Cafe, and see “Pandora’s Box” in the men’s room. Also a stop at Area 66/The Golf Ball House, and other randomness.

Things I hope to see/do: In Lake Havasu, see the mini lighthouses around the lake, London Bridge (yes, that actual bridge), and the English Village. In Quartzsite: Meet the the naked bookstore owner, and see Hi Jolly’s Monument.

Trip: St. George, UT to Sedona, Arizona

Stay: October 7 – October, 18

Things I saw/did: A vortex in Sedona, Montezuma’s Castle, rocks shaped like snoopy and a large flaccid phallus, the world’s largest Kokopelli, Stand On A Corner in Winslow,  and dinosaur statues, the Wigwam Motel, and other goofy stuff along Route 66.

Trip: Morgan Hill, CA to St. George, UT.  

Stay: September 21 – October 7

• Overnight in Barstow, California

Things I saw: “Calico Ghost Town” in Barstow, CA, Mollie’s Nipple, 100 year old fruitcake, 66 year old bacon, and Purgatory, and “Creed’s Castle” in St. George, UT. The Grand Canyon’s North Rim in AZ.

Trip: San Diego, CA to Morgan Hill, CA  (The story about why My Knuckles Are Still White is here.)

Stay: August 7 – September 21

Trip: Morgan Hill, CA to San Diego, CA. – My first road trip in the RV!

Stay: August 3-7, 2011

*******

Other places I plan to visit:

Texas (for about two months or so):

• Waylon Jennings Museum and Liquor Store (I think it was Shakey Pete who suggested this one)
• Bandera, the Cowboy Capitol of the World (Suggested by Carolyn)
• Cadillac Graveyard/Ranch

Four Corners Monument (UT/AZ/CO/NM)

Ride through the Royal Gorge in southern Colorado (suggested by Todd E.)

The Largest Ball of Twine (one of two states)

The Largest Frying Pan (one of six states)

Fireflies (one of several states east of the Mississippi)

Insectopolis (NJ)

The Mutter Museum (PA)

The Smithsonian (DC)