On the Road....

[majspud]

Today is day 4 of our cross country trip from MA to Colorado via the Grand Canyon. We've come 1360 miles of an estimated 8,000, and should be home 6/13. With the dog, it's a little crowded in the GTI, but we're still pulling almost 37mpg. We've Stopped in NJ, MD, and now are in SW TN. It rained the first 3 days, and today it hit 85. Now that the Holiday weekend is over, I hope to hit as many flea markets, pawn shops, antique stores, and gun shops as I can in hopes of finding that "great Southern deal." Not really looking for anything in particular. Maybe some 32acp if I can find it. Will post pics of all the nice MilSurps, and get the names and phone numbers if anyone likes what I find.

No ammo in WalMarts down here, either.

t

 

[majspud]

Our last trip out west, minus the Grand Canyon (we’ve never been there), was in ‘14. Long distance driving is lot harder now than it was back then. We’ve planned shorter days, but my heart attack, age, surgeries, and sciatica have taken their toll. Hopefully we can manage at least one more after this.
t

 

[smokey-seven]

Long distance driving is lot harder now than it was back then.

Amen brother! Between a few medical problems, I am now limiting my day trips to 450-500 miles a day. It's more costly in overnight stays, but that hot shower at the end of the driving is a blessing.

 

[Sweeney]

If you walk the 'Trail of Time' at the GC's south rim you'll see 4" diameter, bronze markers imbedded in the pavement. I made them. If you pry any of them up and abscond with them I will need to make replacements at financial benefit to myself...a shame if that ever happened...

Enjoy the trip!

 

[76Too]

If you walk the 'Trail of Time' at the GC's south rim you'll see 4" diameter, bronze markers imbedded in the pavement. I made them. If you pry any of them up and abscond with them I will need to make replacements at financial benefit to myself...a shame if that ever happened...

Enjoy the trip!

Planning on heading back that way this winter. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I first hiked it (horseshoe Mesa loop).

I don’t usually do the ‘history trails’ but may have to make an exception in this case. I could use some bronze ingots in the stack.

 

[Sweeney]

Planning on heading back that way this winter. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I first hiked it (horseshoe Mesa loop).

I don’t usually do the ‘history trails’ but may have to make an exception in this case. I could use some bronze ingots in the stack.

If you swipe some just bring 'em back to me, I'll pretty them up and ship them back. That will save me a bunch of time... 60/40 split on profits?

 

[pastera]

 

[majspud]

I haven't looked yet! It was Memorial Day Weekend.
t

 

[majspud]

If you swipe some just bring 'em back to me, I'll pretty them up and ship them back. That will save me a bunch of time... 60/40 split on profits?

Wife says we're going to the North Rim. What do the markers say?
t

 

[namedpipes]

Amen brother! Between a few medical problems, I am now limiting my day trips to 450-500 miles a day. It's more costly in overnight stays, but that hot shower at the end of the driving is a blessing.

10-12 hours a day is tough, but still doable.

6 - 8 hours is pretty easy. If you're avoiding the interstates you don't make much progress but it's a LOT more interesting.

We're thinking of channeling @FrugalFannie and converting a bus to an RV. I can work remotely, just have to find campgrounds or parks that will allow a few days at a stretch.

Hey Spud, enjoy the hell out of your trip!

And there's supposedly an access road along the northeast corner of the canyon that is rarely used but has awesome views. I had plans to move out that way 10 years or so ago but it didn't gel and I never had a chance to find it. Send pics if you do

 

[Sweeney]

Wife says we're going to the North Rim. What do the markers say?
t

They are 'date' markers. The first one is marked 'TODAY' and the last is marked '4560 Million Years Ago'...currently believed to be the age of the Earth.
Examples;


The top is the original design. When I 'came on board' I suggested inverting the pattern (along with changes to the anchoring system) as these sit flush with the trail surface. The original design collects debris and is hard to see a distance. It also presents little surface area and will wear far more rapidly from traffic. There was a convenient spot in the trail where a break in the pattern was acceptable.

The Trail of Time - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Grand Canyon, AZ, geology, walking, trail

www.nps.gov

 

[daekken]

Hope you're having a good time.

 

[Chevy 2 65]

Enjoy the trip, have fun and be safe.

 

[FrugalFannie]

10-12 hours a day is tough, but still doable.

6 - 8 hours is pretty easy. If you're avoiding the interstates you don't make much progress but it's a LOT more interesting.

We're thinking of channeling @FrugalFannie and converting a bus to an RV. I can work remotely, just have to find campgrounds or parks that will allow a few days at a stretch.

Hey Spud, enjoy the hell out of your trip!

And there's supposedly an access road along the northeast corner of the canyon that is rarely used but has awesome views. I had plans to move out that way 10 years or so ago but it didn't gel and I never had a chance to find it. Send pics if you do

No need for RV parks for us. 3440 Watts of solar going up top and 1000Ah Lithium batteries plus a thing called an Insty Connect so DH can keep connected for work. Lots of free parking options out there.

 

[majspud]

In Arkansas now. Had to detour around the broken I-40W bridge. Haven’t seen any likely places yet.
t

 

[majspud]

Different lifestyle here.
t

 

[greencobra]

the @majspud travel updates remind me of "on the road with charles kuralt"...good stuff! but no photos? come on man, we need the whole experience!!

 

[majspud]

That’s been the most exciting pic. Stopped at a couple antique places, but I’d rate them no higher than flea markets. Hoping for better luck in Little Rock.
t

 

[majspud]

First hits. 1881 Amberg, parts T99, Spanish Gew98, Iver Johnson
t

 

[majspud]

Nothing today....drove straight through to New Mexico.
t

 

[majspud]

Switching drivers for the last hour to a Santa Fe. Went to Roswell, as my wife wanted her picture with an alien. Stopped in 2 gun stores there; one huge one with more than 500 guns and all the supplies you’d ever need. Only thing that would interest us was an 1877 Springfield Trapdoor Cadet. Then we went on to White Sands NP. About 50 miles east, I found a hole in the wall with a Czech pistol and a 2/23 M03 Springfield cut down with Redfield sight, jeweled bolt, dirty bore. He also had .32 Fiochhi ammo, but only got 2 as they were $55 each.

Wild terrain and weather here in NM. Miles of nothing, flat, mountain, valleys, canyons, mesas, plateaus, 40F temperature swings, lightning, thunder, and dust storms. All in the same day. GTI is pulled a 500 mile tank at 39mpg.

Grand Canyon is 6 hours tomorrow.

t

 

[Christian]

Can't wait for more updates.

 

[Sweeney]

That Springfield looks like an M1922.

 

[majspud]

 

[majspud]

Survive Heart Attack 2.5 years - check
Be able to walk again without a cane - check
Drive 3,314 miles in 8 days - check
Walk the 15 minute visitor trail and see the Grand Canyon - Priceless.


View: https://youtu.be/b3sLnzMsMyk



t

 

[majspud]

Other pics.
t

 

[jpm]

Switching drivers for the last hour to a Santa Fe. Went to Roswell, as my wife wanted her picture with an alien. Stopped in 2 gun stores there; one huge one with more than 500 guns and all the supplies you’d ever need. Only thing that would interest us was an 1877 Springfield Trapdoor Cadet. Then we went on to White Sands NP. About 50 miles east, I found a hole in the wall with a Czech pistol and a 2/23 M03 Springfield cut down with Redfield sight, jeweled bolt, dirty bore. He also had .32 Fiochhi ammo, but only got 2 as they were $55 each.

Wild terrain and weather here in NM. Miles of nothing, flat, mountain, valleys, canyons, mesas, plateaus, 40F temperature swings, lightning, thunder, and dust storms. All in the same day. GTI is pulled a 500 mile tank at 39mpg.

Grand Canyon is 6 hours tomorrow.

t

Where's pics of the Cadet?? What were they asking?

 

[majspud]

$1500. I didn’t bother to get a picture.
t

 

[majspud]

If anyone in going to follow our tire tracks west, FYI, in the Navajo Nation in AZ, there was no gas or bathrooms for 200+ miles
t

 

[jpm]

If anyone in going to follow our tire tracks west, FYI, in the Navajo Nation in AZ, there was no gas or bathrooms for 200+ miles
t

Real Navajo don't use bathrooms!