Seattle to Orlando

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Trip start
October 16, 2020
Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Seattle to Orlando
October 7, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Here's a look at the route. We're inside the 2 week window!
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Last day surprises!
October 15, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
Tomorrow we set off on the grand adventure, but today was a day of sweet surprises, goodbyes and tears. It started off with the best cupcakes ever with a message that made me cry and ended with the most amazing car parade send-off. Thank you so much to everyone who made it tonight...I was so touched and will miss everyone terribly!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Moving day!
October 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Movers are here... Time to go go go! Excited to get to the road trip phase!
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Finally on the Road!
October 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
It took much longer than it should have to load the truck but we're finally on the road! Sorren has eternal shotgun for the trip...at least in effigy. For those who know of my obsession, you'll understand why the Heathman Lodge is our destination today. For those who don't...they have the best bread pudding on the planet!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Ode to THE bread pudding
October 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Time for some pampering after our eventful day. Waygu steak with sweet potato gnocchi and a Heathman Lodge bread pudding chaser? Yes, please! Our intrepid travelers are going to have a rousing evening of...reading in bed. Party on!

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Washington and head to Idaho. Looking forward to starting the adventure portion of the trek.

Night peeps!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
First stop - Stonehenge!
October 17, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We decided to wander off the path right off the bat (shh...don't tell Trini!). We detoured a bit to check out the Stonehenge Memorial - well worth the visit! Who knew we had a Stonehenge in WA?!

It was super interesting to go from verdant mountains and streams to the desert and Columbia River.Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Scenic Detour to John Day Fossil Beds
October 17, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We passed a sign for the John Day Fossil Beds, looked at each other, and steered Carter to our next spontaneous adventure. It added a couple of hours to today's road time, but well worth the scenic route (2 of them, actually...I LOVE scenic byways).

We pretty much had the road to ourselves and were off the grid most of the day, again going between awesome desert and gorgeous mountains and forest shading into fall. Backroads rock!Read more
TravelerLove this area!!! Awesome that you made the time to explore it. :-)
10/19/20Reply
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Day 2 - it's a wrap!
October 17, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
After our fossil trail detour, it was a long drive to Twin Falls - our destination for the night. We were chased for quite a while by the most amazing sunset...it kept getting more amazing every time we looked back!

We're settled safely in our hotel in Twin Falls. Hope you all have a great night!Read more
TravelerWas Twin Falls as stinky as I recall?
10/26/20Reply
TravelerI don't recall it being stinky... at least it's didn't make an impression.
10/26/20Reply
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Evel Knievel & the Disappearing Falls
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F
Day 3! Up early and off to Shoshone Falls, "The Niagara of the West", before starting the trek to Utah.

Who turned off the faucet?! It was an interesting vista nonetheless and I got a kick out off seeing where Evel Knievel made his famous Snake River jump. My brother and I had the Evel Knievel stunt cycles as kids...our favorite toy (with the possible exception of the Baby Alive doll that we could make...er...evacuate...when unsuspecting adults fell for the "hold the baby" ploy).Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Lightning peek at Salt Lake City
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
The next stop on Day 3 adventures was a super fast peek into SLC to check out Temple Square. It seems to be the day of "not quite what we expected", but it was interesting even with the construction.

On to Moab!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
The Loneliest Road
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
After SLC, we caught up with the middle part of the Loneliest Road roadtrip that cuts across America. The drive through the Wasatch Range was beautiful and Cheryl had the opportunity to put Carter through her paces on the flat stretches. There was no screaming although there might have been a bit of white knuckling when a semi decided to cut over right in front of us. We've seen more than a few crazy drivers here!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Moab rocks!
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
We got into Moab late afternoon, which gave us time to check into the hotel, fuel up, grab a terrific dinner at a local BBQ joint and head back out for more adventures!

Check out the view from the hotel!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Holy Dark Skies, Batman!
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 64 °F
After fueling our bodies, we headed off to Dead Horse Point State Park (henceforth known as DHP) to fuel our spirits. DHP is an international dark skies park... I've always wanted to visit one!

THIS. WAS. SO. COOL!!!

I loved how Cheryl put it: "it's like we're in a star snow globe!". I've never seen so many stars in my life...what a rush! We had tons of fun wandering in the dark (and not falling off of the very, very open rim of the very, very deep canyon) and playing with our phone camera settings. This is a compilation of Cheryl's and my photos, with a couple of fortuitous accidental shots. We also got to see a couple of the meteors from the Orionid meteor shower that will peak the early morning of the 21st.Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
You can never have too many canyons!
October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
We spent the day exploring the splendor of Canyonlands National Park. We made it to both Islands in the Sky and The Needles... it's quite the drive between the two areas but Carter is a rock star and zoomed through the park, off the pavement and around slow movers with ease. I'm a little concerned that she might follow Cheryl home as they've bonded over the turbo and sport mode.

Here is the first batch of pics from this amazing place! More to come, but might have to wait for tomorrow. We're up and out before dawn to catch the sunrise in Arches!

Goodnight peeps!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Islands in the stream...I mean sky...
October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Canyonlands, part 2...even more awesomeness to explore! We zipped over to the other side of the park to explore Islands in the Sky. You know you're now humming Islands in the Stream. You can't help it...it's inevitable. You're welcome.

Check out the super-windy road in one of the pics. We discovered it too late in the day or you know Carter would have been all over it! We'll have to find another off-road adventure for her as a consolation prize.

10 pics...so many choices!!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Preview of the coming attraction: Arches
October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Since going to actual movie theaters these days is a bit risky, check out the sneak peek of tomorrow morning's feature attraction: Arches National Park.

We snuck into the park after Canyonlands to get the lay of the land and chase the sunset. I think national parks at night are my new favorite thing!

Ok, now it's really off to bed now that I've caught up with today's adventures. Lots to see tomorrow and it's going to be a very long day. Catch you all tomorrow night! ❤️Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Moments in Moab
October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Moab is a funky little town with a couple of interesting claims to fame (other than the jumping off point for Arches and Canyonlands).

1) Gondola to Nowhere
We were intrigued that they "seemed" to have a gondola ride. Turns out that the ride never opened. But...there are gondolas right there!?

2) The Hole in the Wall
There is actually a house built into the rock. Turns out it makes a good tourist attraction although I'm not too sure on the comfort level for actually living.Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Day 5: Arches - for real this time
October 20, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 43 °F
Up before dawn to catch the sunrise at Arches National Park. We ended up taking the primitive trail to nowhere, I think, but it was a pretty cool hike...even by headlamp. No Cyns or Cheryls fell off cliffs or rolled down steep hills in the making of this footprint. Barely.

We got to watch the sunrise slowly creep over the Double Arches and then headed off to cover as much of the park as possible in our remaining time there. We definitely hit the highlights of this fabulous park!

Next up today: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Byway?!
October 20, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Cheryl is the queen of not back-tracking and found us an amazing byway to connect back up to the highway on the way to our next stop. Turns out it was Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Byway...so freaking cool!!

This was a spectacular drive along the sandstone cliffs and Colorado River for the first half, then what truly appeared to be the prehistoric byway for the second half. So much fun!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
October 20, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
After our super fun trip along the prehistoric byway (did you figure out I just like typing that? Prehistoric byway. Prehistoric byway. Ok, I think I'm done for now), we pointed Carter at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The canyon is spectacular, although somewhat disconcerting to drive along the rim due to the sheer drop of the sides. (Prehistoric byway!)

Next up - Million Dollar Highway (No, I did not make up these names. Honest. No really - look it up!).Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Million Dollar Highway
October 20, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
After much fighting with Google Maps over the route, we finally zeroed on the most amazing stretch of highway on the way to Durango, CO called the Million Dollar Highway. The stretch of road took us through the San Juan mountains, through truly awe-ful (in the truest sense of the words) scenery and along some of the scariest stretches I think I've traveled (including the Road to Hana)...but it was super cool!!!

Thought you might get a kick out of the Wikipedia description: "Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles (19 km) south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains." (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_550).

As you might guess, we made it safely into Durango and are settled in for the night. Another early and long day tomorrow. Night peeps!!Read more
TravelerTook me a few days to check in, wow looks like an amazing trip so far. Thanks for sharing the updates and pics! Travel safe and have fun.
10/21/20Reply
TravelerGlad you're enjoying it, Steve! I have fun sharing the adventures and this is a good way for me to both share and keep track of where we've been!
10/24/20Reply
TravelerOmg, I hope you covered Sorren's eyes on that stretch!! At least for the people passing you from the other direction, just might freak them out-ha
10/21/20Reply
TravelerI had her safely in the back seat so she couldn't see. Scary but so fun!
10/24/20Reply
TravelerI thought Highway 1 in CA was scary - that takes it to another level.
10/26/20Reply
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Good morning, Mesa Verde National Park!
October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 43 °F
Time to catch up on our footprints...and there have been quite a few over the past day.

We got up well before dawn again to catch the sunrise in the park. I'm loving national parks at night and in the early morning! In addition to the gorgeous sunrise, we encountered quite a few four-legged friends and we had the park to ourselves for the first 2/3 of our visit.

Here are a few of my favorite early morning pics...the amazing Pueblo sites will be in the next footprint. Stay tuned to this bat channel for more of Cyn & Cheryl's Amazing Adventures on the Road to Florida!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Mesa Verde NP is SO! COOL!
October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
Famous last words, "We'll just poke our heads into Mesa Verde NP and hit the road quickly". We had a long day planned and lots of ground to cover.

So, about 4 hours later, we staggered out of Mesa Verde with our spirits and brains filled to the brim with awe and amazement. It was fascinating to see what the Pueblo ancestors achieved with the tools at their disposal. Palaces and temples carved out of the cliffs! Just imagine what it took to manage such a feat!

I threw in another fun driving video as you get to see both the twisty mountain road and the amazing landscapes.

So long, Mesa Verde and thank you for your gifts to us all!Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Carter: remember the Continental Divide?
October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F
Carter is quite the explorer and this is her 3rd trip across the country. She's met the Continental Divide before, but this trek was pretty spectacular as we followed part of the Continental Divide Trail through Wolf Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountain Range (part of the Rockies).

This was our route from Mesa Verde NP to Great Sand Dunes NP. Carter asks for the scenic route whenever possible. Down with Interstates (except when they help us get places far when we need to...then I guess they're all right)!

Check out Cheryl's creative interpretation of driving inside the lines in the video. We have to turn off the lane assist when she's driving or Carter goes bonkers.Read more
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Seattle to Orlando Traveler
Great Sand Dunes, Captain!
October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
For you Michiganders in the audience, Great Sand Dunes National Park looks a little like the great dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes. You can probably skip this one if you're in the area.

We got a kick out of the desolate landscape after having just traveled through the mountains to get here. Very interesting, but a quick stop for us. You *can* rent a sand board and ride down the dunes, but not our thing, at least not today. Cheryl got her NP sticker for her park passport and I got my favorite NP souvenir...a park reusable tote bag. Yes. I like to collect National Park tote bags. Don't give me that look. They are pretty, useful, and don't take up a lot of space. What's not to like about that in a souvenir?!Read more
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