When Tom and I started our trip across the Eastern United States and Canada, to Newfoundland, we planned to take as much time driving home as we did getting there. We hoped to visit friends in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, which were only slightly out of our way relative to our entire trip. But, Tom and I rarely plan anything definitive because circumstances always change on the road.
The first significant factor impacting our rough plans for the trip home was our RV refrigerator struggling to keep food cold. We first noticed it way back when we were on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland. We're still unsure if the refridgerator is dying or if it just can't keep up with the hot weather while boondocking. It seems to work fine when we're plugged into shore power but when we boondock, the refrigerator relies on propane to run. We've been doing a lot of boondocking and it just can't keep our food cold. That's a problem we'll have to solve when we get home.
The second significant factor impacting our route home is the weather.... and Aly. Having Aly (or any pet) complicates things in many ways but one of the most important and least obvious is keeping her cool on hot days. Tom and I can find plenty of fun places, aside from our airconditioned camper, to escape the heat but most of those places don't allow dogs. For us, keeping our camper cool, off grid, is just as important as keeping our refriderator cool. That's another problem we'll have to solve when we get home. So...let's get home!
Tom and I took the most direct route home with a few minor exceptions to avoid some of the larger cities. We drove south on Interstate 95 from Maine through New Hamphsire and into Massachusetts. We veered off onto Interstate 495 before reaching Boston then took Interstate 290 west to reach Interstate 90. Interstate 90 took us as far west as Schenectady, New York where we continued west on Interstate 88 then south on Interstate 81 to reach Interstate 80. We continued west on Interstate 80 into Ohio where we took Interstate 76 west through Acron then Interstate 71 south to Interstate 270. Interstate 270 took us west around Columbus to connect with Interstate 70. Interstate 70 took us west all the way into Colorado until we veered southwest on Highway 24 to Woodland Park.
Driving from Maine to New York
Our drive from Maine to New York started with a heatwave that continued across New Hampshire and into Massachusetts. Tom and I put a lot of miles behind us as we took refuge in our airconditioned truck. Fortunately, a rainstorm dramatically cooled things off as we crossed from Massachusetts to New York. After a full day and 400 miles of driving, we boondocked at the Walmart in Cobleskill, New York.
You can view a few photos of our drive from Maine to New York on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Driving from New York to Ohio
After boondocking in Cobleskill, Tom and I hit the road early. While Tom filled up the gas tank, I ran across the street to Dunkin Donuts I get him two "Old Fashioned" donuts, as requested. Before Tom could eat the first one, Aly swallowed it whole. Tom wasn't about to let that happened to the second donut. But, after taknig two bites Tom declared themt the worst donuts ever. Aly agreed and refused to eat a second one. She couldn't even look at it!
Tom and I drove more than 600 miles as we passed from New York through Pennsylvania and into Ohio. I even helped drive the beast! The sun set as we reached Springfield, Ohio where we boondocked at the Cracker Barrel. And. of course, we ate breakfast there the following morning. Much better than Dunkin Donuts!
You can view a few photos of our drive from New York to Ohio on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Driving from Ohio to Missouri
As we continued our drive west across Ohio, we were passed by a big group of bikers. It reminded us that we were in Sturgis at this time last year and it's likely where they're headed.
We drove more than 400 miles as we passed through Indiana, Illinois, and into Missouri. It was too hot and humid for us to leave Aly in the truck for any length of time so we drove through lunch then stopped to camp at the Lazy Day Campground near Montgomery City, Missouri. It's a beautiful campground with a swimming pool, dog park, gift shop, and many wood carvings throughout the park. But, Tom and I were only there for the power! We plugged in, cranked up the A/C and stretched out on the cool bed. And, we were in no hurry to leave the following morning.
You can view a few photos of our drive on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Driving from Missouri to Kansas
Tom and I intentionally got a late start leaving our cool campground in Missouri hoping to drive into the cooler evening before stopping for the night. Temperatures reached 104 as we crossed into Kansas. Fortunately, it was a dry heat. We found a relatively shady place to park for a quick meal at Taco Bell. We drove more than 500 miles before stopping to boondock at a Walmart in Colby, Kansas. It was still 90 degrees at sunset but a dry 90 is far better than a humid 80. We were surprisingly comfortable with all the windows open and the fans running. And, by sunrise, it was cold!
You can view a few photos of our drive from Missouri to Kansas on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
Driving from Kansas to Colorado
Tom and I got another early start with only 236 miles to go... but who's counting! It was nice and cool when we crossed the Colorado State Line at 7:30am and stayed relatively cool as we climbed in elevation towards the base of our beautiful Colorado Rockies. We got our first glimpse of Pikes Peak, through the hazy air as we drove west on Highway 24 from Limon. Varying views of Pikes Peak, along Highway 24, led us all the way home.
Aly had been considerably calm for the entire trip. She doesn't like the heat and more than we do! But, the closer we got to home, the more excited Aly became. She could hardly contain herself as we drove up our street and pulled into the driveway. When her next-door neighbor, Dres, ran over to welcome her home, Aly's four and a half days of pent-up energy came pouring out in the cool mountain air!
You can view a few photos of our drive from Kansas to Colorado on the Carpe Diem Facebook page by clicking on the image below.
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