Tour de Amrica ’20
An unplanned road trip across the heartland of America much removed from the concrete jungles of its cities.
Background
My friend had been begging me to get on a road trip and cover the breadth of America. After being very reluctant but equally tired of working from home in the new normal, I agreed and we decided to leave the following week. I had hoped my friend had planned our trip end to end. Alas, that wasn’t the case. Props to him for convincing me with a stellar presentation aptly titled — “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations“.
So, here we are having finally decided to embark on this journey through America’s heartland and some of its famous landmarks and its best kept secret – widely varied and wild National Parks.
Day 1: Los Angeles – Lake Tahoe ~ 450 miles
Great Start…Not!
And so it begins, we rented a SUV (Hyundai Santa Fe — more about the car later) and decided to commence on our journey by 10 AM. It’s 11 AM, my friend hasn’t shown up and I am going nuts with hunger. Finally, my friend shows up; and I insist on food before we begin. Great beginning!
Anyway, more importantly; 1st stop at REI — purchase a year long National Park pass, worth about $80 but in stock market terms – is a tenbagger.
At noon, we grab some coffee and bagel sandwich and head north from LA towards Lake Tahoe. by noon taking a road we have never traveled expecting to pass through Yosemite on the way. We divert off I-5 and head towards US-395 hoping to pass through Yosemite and its famous landscapes on the way to Lake Tahoe.
As we cross into the Mojave desert Area, we are surrounded by huge swaths of windmills and solar panels harnessing every ounce of energy from nature.
Lone Pine
We came across a town with huge mountain ranges on our left. We decide to stop and find out more. Turns out we were at Lone Pine — a town from where folks generally start for Mt. Whitney. Ranges on our left were the Sierra Nevada Ranges and sure enough behind all the peaks looking smaller than Long Pine peak was Mt. Whitney (relative distance makes a big difference).
After some soul fulfilling photos, some coffee and souvenirs, we start again. It’s ~ 4 PM.
The Sierra Nevada ranges are on our left and Death Valley on our right. Weird dichotomy that somehow exists together… it is wonderful in its own unique way.
As we are absorbing the varying landscape around us, we suddenly spot sign boards for Mammoth Lake up ahead. We have been wanting to visit Mammoth for quite some time but were oblivious to the fact that it would be on our path.
Perks of not planning are being surprised by the journey and the first day was living up to the claim.
Mammoth Lake
We spent only about 1 hour at Mammoth Lakes but the cool and calm surroundings left their mark and we will definitely return. They have their trademark signs everywhere — very good marketing and makes for a very recognizable souvenir.
Bonus — We met Alastair at Mammoth and he was brilliant… 3rd kid of the family.
By the time we left Mammoth, sunset was fast approaching and we got back on the road. Yosemite was out of the question as it was already dark.
Goodbye Day One
Day One’s sunset did not disappoint.
We still had about 4 hours of driving left reaching around midnight.
Pro Tip: Anytime, you are reaching post 7PM, call ahead. Most hotels/motels/lodges close their front desk by 8 and they will set up something for you.
We called our hotel and we were told that keys would be kept in “some” lock box and were provided the code for the box. Good thing we called up.
We grabbed some burgers from a very sleepy town and started driving on a very curvy road in darkness. Around 10 PM, my friend asked to stop to check the stars and according to him (and maybe this photo), he could actually see that (see below) with his naked eye. I have not believed him even today… more so… because I hate the fact that I did not get out of the car to see the stars.
If you stop on a road trip, always get down. Look everywhere around you as well as towards the sky.
After some crazy driving and doubting if Google is taking us in the right direction, we finally reach our hotel around midnight.
End of a Great day
We quickly got fresh and changed and we headed towards the casinos. Lake Tahoe is unique as the actual city (South Lake Tahoe) is where Nevada and California split. Just on the Nevada side of the line, all the casinos are open for you to try your luck. Not much action and not too many people and we just played a couple of hours on the electronic roulette and craps machines. For once, we made some money.
And so we close Day 1… tired but very fulfilling… like an adrenaline shot to the soul with promise of a lot more.
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