Preparations for the Trip

We have a lot of things to take care of and get together before the middle of August when out trip will start, if all goes well...

Truck Topper Purchased!

          We now have a topper for Andrew's truck; in other terms, we have a 'bedroom'! Yesterday, Andrew drove down to take a look at one he found online and decided to make the purchase. All four sides of the topper can be rolled up and we plan on adding screens to it so we can stay cool at night and keep bugs out.

We purchased the black topper - not the Blazer.

          Everything seems to be in good shape, there is a little bit of rust on the frame but Andrew is going to sand it all down and put a bed liner on it so it doesn't continue to rust. Andrew believes the gentleman he bought it off of could have easily sold it for $600 if he knew what he was doing and cleaned it up a bit more.

          The next project is to purchase or build a cheap roof rack for the bikes that will sit on top of the new topper. Andrew and I are going to build a platform above the wheel wells in the bed of the truck so we can have storage underneath for cooking supplies, etc. and place a mattress on top of the wooden platform. As soon as I get back to the states on June 28th, we will start building. New pictures to come soon!

What Motivated Kate

         The desire for this road trip began from one of the most memorable trips I took at the age of thirteen. My mom loaded up our red '94 Ford Aerostar van with camping gear and bicycles. Along with my brother and sister, we brought our boxer, Shelby, to be part of the adventure! The only perimeters for the trip were to travel entirely by back roads and scenic highways from Vero Beach to Glacier National Park in Montana and beyond into Canada. We were off to see as much as we could with no agenda or timetable except to be back in time for school. My mom wanted us to see the geographical features of the United States we learned about in class as well as how people lived in their small towns along the way. She was ridiculed for taking such a risk, however, it only made her more determined for us to have a unique summer vacation and open our eyes to a larger world.

          By the time we returned six weeks later, we had traveled through 17 states and experienced memorable tourist destinations, national parks and monuments. The lasting memories however, were the things not found in textbooks but rather vast fields of sunflowers, the snort of a huge buffalo meandering behind our tent, trying to videotape a moose that crossed behind my brother while trout fishing, and collecting rocks of amazing colors. In addition, we had the experience of working together as a family and the trip created a bond that we share with no one else. Each day after looking for off the beaten path destinations, we would set up camp, prepare our meals, take a walk or ride our bikes always in search of wildlife to observe. Without a doubt, this trip planted a seed in my 13 year old mind that has bloomed like a wildflower over the years. I came back from that trip a different person. The experience had an effect on me that I would neither fully understand nor appreciate until I got older.

The Start of a New Journey

          After several years of discussion, Andrew and I have decided now is the time to embark upon an adventurous road trip. Needless to say, we're pumped! With an open summer in front of us, college behind me, and fire school (soon to be) behind him, now seems like the perfect time to take the opportunity and run. For those of you who do not know, Andrew and I have stuck by each other for 6 1/2 years, 4 1/2 of those being long distance, it only seems right that we do this trip together.

          The Plan: Load up Andrew's truck with the bare essentials to camp, hike, mountain bike and canoe/kayak along the way. I will meet him in Crowley, Texas upon his graduation and together we'll hit road and head west. Our intent is to hit New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado before heading back to Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-A-Way in Ellijay, Georgia. In total, we plan to thoroughly see 9-10 states, seeing the local attractions, terrain, cheap grub, and local events. My camera will be with me to help capture the amazing people, places and memories we will find along the way.