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Pete suggested to me many months ago he was planning a trip to Central America. He said this was to be the trip of a lifetime and was excited to pave the way for anyone wishing to drive there. A few people have done the trip for sure but not a common trip by car. After a few months of diligent camper van hunting, Pete finally made a deal, a 2000 Dodge custom camper [low k’s] for his Yukon 2005, {high k's}. Stage was set, the trip was becoming real and dreams becoming actualized. Pete asked me if I was interested in accompanying him to the Mexican border, casually head our way south to see the highlights of Western US. I am familiar with the western states as I went to University in Utah. After a couple days of thought and checking my busy retired schedule, I enthusiastically said yes and prepared for a couple weeks of memories, history, hamburgers and fine weather. We decided a route through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Arizona. We would split the cost of everything, split the driving, stay in brand name medium priced hotels [separate beds of course],and set a course of which the co pilot had full control and final say as to roads and directions.[Wow ,more about this later].After Pete did a thorough check through of Van and purchased new, and extra durable summer tires, the day had arrived and we were on the road!....Bon Voyage!!  Montana....Our goal first day was Billings Montana. We were 100 miles short at dusk so settled in a hotel in Lewistown. Saturday 9pm town was closed, everything shut down, except for a small Pizza Hut who let us in, finally. We ordered water and pizza and shock occurred when milky water arrived looking like it was taken from a slew out back and pizza hand cooked in a microwave. No sickness and in bed by 10 pm.... Next morning after toast and hard boiled eggs we drove through Billings and arrived in Bighorn National Park, home of Custer’s last stand. Large vast area of battle ground, the land is untouched since the battle in 1876. Maps and war video pointed us to the battle strategy and grave sites where 176 of Custer's 7th Calvary died. There is a fence around where Custer had his final moments along with his 20 or so men. Very memorable, certainly a turning point in Native lifestyle and the expansion of the Wild West.  Wyoming....Spent a beautiful day in Yellowstone National Park....Driving around the park we saw many highlights including large, amazing waterfalls dug deep into geologically colorful rock formations....The Old Faithful Geyser showed us how delicate and complicated the earth crust is and left wondering how little control man has over its built up pressures....We drove the full circle of Yellowstone, past many narrow walking paths, beautiful fall October landscapes, herds of buffalo, elk, deer and coyotes....It was great to be alive and Pete stopped every 100 yds for one of my pictures. We then drove on to Pocatello Idaho for a well deserved nights rest...  Utah...Early next morning drove to Logan Utah, home of Utah State University...90 miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah State was my home and football team for 4 years. I receiver a football scholarship and degree there out of high school ,and grew up in so many ways...Pete and I visited my old dormitory and even chatted with the student now living in my old room...He couldn’t believe I lived there 48 yrs ago...We visited the football stadium and took great pictures on the field...It was a beautiful, clear warm day and so were the memories...Utah State is a real power house in College academics and athletics today....After lunch in Logan, it was a long 7hr drive through the long and vast Great Salt Lake to Elko Nevada...  Nevada....Next morning it was on the busy freeway again, driving cruise control 70 mph and passing multitudes of 18 wheelers....Nevada is total desert and straight highways, and needless to say we drank many coffee’s and munched on healthy veggies while chatting up stimulating conversations....We wouldn’t see a town or city for hours on end, but roads and the days were perfect so time flew by...Pete always gave me the long boring roads while he drove the scenic, curvy roads with little traffic...Driving became a great team game....It was on to Reno Nevada, the Biggest Little City in the World....Reno is also home to my first roommate at Utah State. We haven’t seen each other for many years, but finally connected and committed to visiting him...We chatted for hours, talking old times like it was yesterday...Willie and his girlfriend Toni were superb hosts, suggesting places to visit and cooking delicious meals....Willie was head of Fish and Wildlife for the State of Nevada and did he have the stories...Can you believe there are 35,000 wild horses roaming the open lands of Nevada...They took us on a tour of the Reno countryside, visiting an old 1875 silver mining town, Virginia City. Saw legendary boot hill, Bucket of Blood Saloon and the original suicide table at the Delta Saloon where many a gambler lots thousands then killed themselves...The old town is completely renovated but the legends and stories pour out of it....Pete and I couldn’t get enough...From old history we drove to Beautiful Lake Tahoe...Set high in the mountains looking over Reno, Lake Tahoe is a clean, fresh clear lake surrounded by mountains and forest...Scenic views everywhere, and summer brings hikers, boaters and sun worshipers for around the globe...Absolutely pristine....  Currently in Las Vegas and my blogging continues next week....Stay tuned for more interesting developments....
Blog from Joe Forzani for TravelCheapWithPete.com
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