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USA 4 Corners
  • Chris McGowan
  • Chris McGowan

USA 4 Corners

Leaving from Eugene OR to touch all 4 corners of the US within 30 days Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 15, 2024
    Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Mapping

    June 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    So I sit here tonight and I’m going through my maps. You will see in the picture I’m using a combination of a world Atlas to see every tiny road there is across the United States because Garmin and other GPS do not show you the little roads. in case you’re wondering you can still buy an atlas at Walmart 😂.

    My paper map has circles that represent states as I go through them and what page they’re on and rectangles that show me the national parks I will cover.

    Then I am using a Garmin program called Mapsource. You have to go through the program and click on every city you want to go through and make sure the route is correct through the small roads and not just the major highways. So those digital pictures you see are my first map to San Diego

    On this map, I am flying straight down the coast. I have done Highway 1 from the border of Washington to San Diego in the past and everything in between and I just want to get there.

    The second map is my map across the United States to my second destination, which is Key West. I am taking a lot of curvy roads and will hit a lot of national parks. 😃    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    First stop Medford

    June 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Left this morning in rain just before seven. I pulled about three hours down to Medford for my first stop for some coffee and some breakfast. Dried out now I’m just waiting for the sun to come out. I’ll regret that in about four hours.Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Dustbowl Brewing

    June 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Those of you that don’t know I used to live in Turlock California. I’m staying here with a friend tonight for my first night and I just had to stop by my favorite brewery and have a beer. Dustbowl Brewing is pretty big down here as you can see by the photos. I’ve seen their Beer in Eugene. They have this great imperial IPA called Hop Therapist, and also another one called the hops of wrath. I am going to enjoy one 4 ounce pour and then head over to my friend's house. Maybe I’ll buy six pack to take to their house. 😃👍🍻Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler
    1

    Grapevine Fire

    June 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    So I’m pulling into Fresno this morning, eating my usual egg bites and Starbucks coffee to keep me up. One of the penguins watching me notified me there’s a big fire in Gorman. Which is either on the grapevine or just after it and there’s no way around this. I guess it was closed for a while today. I’ll be looking forward to some smoke. I’ll take some pictures. 😬Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Mole burrito

    June 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Find myself in San Juan Capistrano on an offramp. Had to stop for a few minutes. I’m only an hour away from the border. It looks like a great Mexican restaurant based on all the people coming and going. It’s packed and they have a Mole and rice burrito. Looking forward to it.Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Point #1. San Yisidro

    June 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I have made it as far as I can go into the park. Look at the map. All roads from here on out are closed. It’s very quiet, pretty good wind. Right over the hill from where I’m standing is the giant border wall. You can’t see it, but it’s there. I am amazed by the Tijuana side. So many buildings. This side is totally vacant. I’ll write some more tonightRead more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    El Centro

    June 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    Omg. I fell into the furnace. I thought I was ready. I was not. It is 104-5 in el central. I have no idea where to stay but found desert RV golf course and spa. They’re already closed for the day . It is a Sunday. Stopped at a trailer that nobody’s parked at and pulled in the shade of it. I’m going to walk over and jump in the pool before anything else happens. Met a guy with a terrier who was really nice and said they’re good people. He has been here since 2008.
    It’s $24 for an RV site no hookups. I filled out the form and might put it in the night box. I will be leaving really early in the morning as it’s supposed to be 105 out here tomorrow afternoon. Might have to drive early mornings and early nights and hide during the day. I see the Rocky Mountains are getting snow this week and there’s a heat wave in Maine so climate change in full effect.
    The guy I met said I should’ve done this south part in December, he didn’t quite grasp You have to do it all at one time. So far for both days it has been pretty easy riding. I had a moment today I got blown out of my lane twice by 50 mile an hour gusts. So hope we don’t see that again.

    Tomorrow, I hope to make Saguaro national Park West before it gets too hot    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler
    1
    1

    Day 3 Start

    June 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Find myself at Bisbee breakfast club in the city of San Lucas. So far the foods been amazing. I’m also finishing my second glass of water to go with my coffee. I know that I’m going to need to hydrate a lot today.

    As promised, I got up at 3 a.m. and started packing up to move. While I did the first 1.5 hours in the dark, it was kind of amazing because the right side was completely lit with the border lights at the fence. And I think it was about 5 miles away from me. They have no concept of light pollution.😂. Eventually, I rode into a beautiful sunrise. There are saguaro cactuses everywhere out here. Even next to the Chevron.

    All said I think I’m making good progress. As much as I wanted to stop and see the petroglyphs I just didn’t have time today. But if you look it up on the map they have the most amazing solar array, I have ever seen right next to the freeway. I think I was seeing the edge of Agua Caliente solar project.

    That said I’ve already done 275 miles this morning. I plan on going through saguaro national Park in about 20 minutes and then I’ll probably head to Tucson to get a hotel and chill for the afternoon heat.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Old Bisbee Brewing.

    June 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Just a quick stop for a beer and an old mining town. Really cute. Artists and hippies. Had a beer with the local high school principal. Great talk. Said I should check “The last supper” museum. 😂

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Saguaro national park

    June 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 95 °F

    So I’m an idiot. I didn’t know that you dropped the G when you say Saguaro 🌵. so I went to national Park West. Which is smaller than its eastern counterpart, but it was also closer to my ride. They have a very small visitor center and it was free today because there wasn’t a ranger there. They did have five nice staff people and since I was the only one there for the first hour they were very helpful. I did go on a small hike and look at the cactus and the land. The desert is a very beautiful place.

    So tonight I am in Lordsburg. Tomorrow will be a three park day I think. I think I can hit white sands, Carlsbad cavern, and Guadalupe mountains, national parks. I’m going to try to get to White Sands around sunrise. It should be beautiful.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Whitesands NP

    June 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    So got up early to beat the wind. It really blows out here. 20-30 mph gusts.

    When to Whitesands NP and drive around. Visitor center didn’t open up for another two hours. They have a short half mile boardwalk you can walk out in the dunes. While it was interesting , after living in Oregon near the coast, dunes are kind of dunes. These are just white. The sand is incredibly fine. Did see a jack rabbit.

    Went to the end of the road and there is a road of sand for 13 miles. Started on it, and it was really hard packed, perfect. Came around the corner to a loader making it smooth, but also making it 4” deep and soft. Immediately, my front and rear wheel started fishtailing. Started skiing on my boots to get control. The road was too narrow to turn around and I couldn’t push it backwards in 3 inches of sand. Had to continue skiing for about quarter of a mile till I got wide enough to turn around and then do it again to get out. Quite exciting, the pictures look very calm. Almost thought I was gonna have to have someone tow me out.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler
    11

    3 parks/one day

    June 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    OK, so after white sands a lot happened today. Besides another 525 miles I hit two more parks. I went to Carlsbad caverns and Guadalupe mountain national Park. First about the riding. The desert has a lot of boring riding. It is straight and flat and super windy, which is hard. Today I had a couple good rides. I enjoyed riding out to white Sands this morning. I had about 60 miles of good mountains. After that, the best ride was up the canyon to Carlsbad national Park. I’ve included a couple of boring photos so you can see what it looks like in the middle of the desert.

    Carlsbad cavern blew my mind. If you have never been to this park, make sure that is on your future list. Using my national park pass you get a free ticket to go down into the hole. I entered through the natural cavern entrance. That means you have to walk down 79 stories to get to the great room. It is beautiful. I’ve attached a lot of pictures and I know the scale is not represented. But just know that these are all massive.

    After that, I went to Guadalupe Mountain national Park. The thing about this park is the mountain structure in the photo is a giant petrified reef from an ancient sea. This park has a very old visitor center and is entirely done by hiking. And right now at 100° it is very hard to do. The Ranger said there have been very few guests lately.

    I ended up in vanHorn Texas. Since I’m in Texas, I went out to a steakhouse and was not disappointed. Had a flat iron steak and it was fabulous. Staying at a $51 Motel 6 for the air conditioning and a shower.😂.

    There is a tropical storm, Albert, forming in the gulf, which has potential for affecting my route tomorrow. I’m going to keep my route to Big Bend, but then I might run north to avoid the rain that is to follow. So if you’re following me, keep an eye on the weather.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    New Rubber

    June 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 73 °F

    Well plans change. I am burning through this back tire faster than anticipated. I am now down to the wear indicator marks on the tire, so replacement is due. Due to Alberto in gulf, I changed my mind in the middle of the night and decided to go north and find tires. So I am now in Midland trying to find some tires. Decent size town with three shops.

    OK, went to family Powersports in Midland. Can’t say enough. Colton was awesome. Had it on the rack by 9:00 and out the door by 10 o’clock. Also got a new red helmet as I broke off the face shield on my old one and it needed replacing.

    Going to get back on the road and see if I can’t push out another 300 miles. This does mean I will be missing Big Bend national Park, but I will also be avoiding tropical storm Albert.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Run-in, run-in, and run-in

    June 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    There is an earworm for you. And yes, I’m so 2000 and late. (if you don’t know, search those song lyrics)

    So after getting a new tire, I ran almost across the entire state of Texas. I was off route the entire day yesterday. Today, I plan on taking it a little bit slower and trying to do some more lines with green dots. For those if you don’t know an atlas, the green dots are the scenic routes. I feel I’ve been making amazing time but today I’m feeling a little tired and sore.

    Woke up and my hands from gripping the bars are achy, and for some reason my knee hurts from sitting in this position so long. I’ve done these sorts of challenges in the past and I know that you just get through the aches and pains.

    I’m starting to believe more and more in acclimatizing to your location. Yesterday was the first day I’d hit humidity at 95%, boy I’m not used to that even though it is only 82°.

    My father-in-law has put in a request that I find a Buc-ee’s to eat at. I do not know it, but it is like a loves truck stop and a cracker Barrel rolled into one. Looking forward to it.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Bakery

    June 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Now that I’m out of the desert, should be much more interesting. Smaller roads and stops like bakeries.

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Louisiana and Etouffee

    June 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    So I have made it to Louisiana. What a great day riding. I’m going to try to start posting a few videos on my YouTube and adding the links. We’ll see how it works.

    Today has been a beautiful day of two-lane highways and green trees. It’s lunchtime in Louisiana and I pulled in and got a beer called “ghost in the machine” and a bowl of Etouffee. Only fitting for Louisiana.

    My waitress Kenyatta salts the napkin before she put your beer on it. It keeps the glass from sticking. And It’s true. You learn something every day.

    The video is just to show you how pretty it is and how empty the highway. So much better than what I’ve had for the last two days.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/EakJLuIg25c?feature=…

    I don’t know if you can click on it or have to copy and paste it    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler
    1
    1

    Baton Rouge

    June 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 81 °F

    I had some really good riding today. Lots of two-lane highways. I also ran into three downpours like you wouldn’t believe. See the photo below.
    I got to Baton Rouge, I asked Megan what I should do and she said go to Mike the Tiger’s habitat. I had no idea that it was a real tiger. It is on the LSU campus right in front of the football stadium. Unlike any tiger you’ve ever seen, he is within a foot and a half of you. Beautiful and amazing.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/8W-YNUay4lo?feature=…

    After that, I had to cross the street. Check out the video.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/wPVO1M69f8A?feature=…

    Yes, that is the LSU fight song

     I walked across campus a little bit and went to Torchy’s. It’s a taco place that is popular down here. I had a green pulled pork taco with queso and chips and a fabulous local pint. Had a really good conversation with a student who is going to major in social working. Talked to the manager for a while and he gave me free coupons to go to other Torchy’s on my trip. Really good experience.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Morning repair

    June 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Came out this morning to load my equipment and found nothing but wires where my 12 V adapter should be. Went over to the Love’s travel stop bought a new adapter and did a quick rewire job in the parking lot. I wasn’t gonna get far without my GPS. I can read a map and road signs but it sure is easier. 😃Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler
    1

    Buc-ee’s

    June 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    OMG 😳 🤯. My father-in-law was right. I had to make the stop. The only way to compare it is to say, if you crammed a Walmart, Cabela’s, and a pulled pork jerky shop into one building. I did have a pulled pork sandwich and it was outstanding. It is insane in there. I can only reference it to the time I went to the opening at the IKEA in Portland. The guy helping the man in the Bucky costume said this was a dull Friday. 😳. I did buy a T-shirt and some pecaaan brittle.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/vyBH58YcdrU?feature=…

    And all the motorcycle space with nobody here    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Tallahassee

    June 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    Not much to say. Rode hard in the humidity, lost one hour of time, and pulled in too late to Tallahassee. I feel like I am in perpetual daylight savings time I keep leaping ahead. Time to hunt down a good restaurant - I ended up at Cracker Barrel. I had actually never been to one. Don’t plan on doing that twice.

    Tallahassee, Florida Seminoles have a beautiful stadium and a downtown college district. The rest of the town is kind of shabby. Finally realized this is the capital of Florida. Stopped by Ron DeSantis’s house. Knocked on the door wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but he didn’t answer. I don’t know what’s going on in the west wing of the building with all the plywood, but it’s not pretty.

    I haven’t seen a single homeless person, but I’m pretty sure that’s on purpose because it’s the capital. I’m sure they were all staying in the motel six I tried to stay in. As soon as I checked in my next-door neighbor room 102 knocked on my door and asked if I had any food or money. Hate to say I did change hotels.

    PS - that said, they are housing their homeless unlike OR. (or Desantis is shipping them to Martha’s Vineyard).

    PSS - (2 hrs later) the more I think about it the more I think Tallahassee is a lot like Salem, or Sacramento for that matter. Maybe I was tired, or my hotel experience skewed my opinion.    Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Taste of Dixie cafe

    June 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    When you are traveling the best way to find a restaurant is to drive through town to see all the farmers trucks outside. There must be 25 trucks outside this restaurant. They are only open Friday from 6 to 10 am and Saturday/Sunday 6 to 11 am. And I understand why they are all here. $9.99 all you can eat buffet breakfast. Aka, all the bacon you can eat breakfast.Read more

  • Chris McGowanUSA 4 CornersTraveler

    Roadside attractions

    June 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    Quick update as I go through Florida. So after a good breakfast of a pound of bacon, I found a great mural of the Last Supper. I figured that makes up for missing the last supper museum earlier on the trip. Tried to stop at Manatee Springs to see manatees. The boardwalk was closed and the manatees are out to sea right now. They’re here in December. Took off my favorite jacket momentarily for this national park shirt for shade. Just too darn hot. 🥵 currently at an Applebee’s having a pint to cool down before I make my final run to Naples Florida. Maybe I’ll go Burmese python hunting later. 🐍 😃. I’ll be on Highway 41. They actually call it alligator alley.Read more

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