The Western States PLUS The Bourbon Trail, Route 66 and The Florida Keys

Parts 5 & 6 (2023 Trip)

(Out Now!)

Our third “Long Way Home” trip had us covering some 28,000 miles across 22 states, including our 48th of the Lower 48, the Western States, The Bourbon Trail, all of Route 66 and the Florida Keys

Our 2023 trip was epic, and we have now visited all “lower 48 states,” but it also threw us a few curveballs that required us to be flexible and creative, changing our planned itinerary several times.

A person stands on a rocky terrain beneath large natural red rock arches in a desert landscape, with a bright blue sky overhead.

We drove 14 thousand miles with the RV, and an additional 14 thousand with the car, through 22 states. We learned to drink bourbon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and completed the ultimate Road Trip USA by driving all of Route 66, from Chicago, IL, to Santa Monica, CA, learning about the original westbound migrants traveling the road in search of a better life while also enjoying all the fun and quirky Americana and roadside attractions. We stood at the lowest point in North America (282 feet below sea level) at Bad Water Basin in Death Valley National Park, and we were married by Elvis in Las Vegas.

Large mural on brick wall depicting a Route 66 sign with the words Pontiac, Illinois and a man with dogs in front.

In California we toured an impressive aircraft carrier, saw seals on the beach, ate the most delicious apple pie in the mountains and had incredible date shakes in the desert. We also walked among fun animal statues in the desert, were mesmerized by the glowing and twinkling spheres at Sensorio’s Field of Light in wine country’s rolling hills, and visited a stunning castle overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We were awed by the beauty of the coast at Big Sur, found colored sea glass on Glass Beach, and were moved by the gigantic Redwoods.

A sunset over a field of white glowing spherical plants or flowers arranged in rows, with trees and winding paths in the background and a vibrant orange sky.

It was our first time visiting Oregon, and it was such a revelation especially with its spectacular coast and gorgeous bridges on the Oregon 101. We took a glass blowing class, had cheese and ice cream at the Tillamook factory, went tide pooling, visited lighthouses, checked out filming locations from the movie The Goonies, and walked through the remains of an actual shipwreck on the beach. We hiked the rims of the deepest and bluest lake in the crater of a volcano, climbed to the top of a stunning waterfall, sampled craft coffees and beers, and visited the last remaining Blockbuster in the world.

A caldera lake with an island in the center, surrounded by mountains and a partly cloudy sky.

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula wowed us with its stunning, lush temperate rainforests, beautiful waterfalls and lakes, its rugged coastline with more tide pool creatures, a town known for vampires, lavender farms, alpacas, stunning Chihuly glass art, and a dormant volcano. We stood on the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, visited our favorite of three “German/Danish” towns on this trip, and were blown away by a whale swimming back and forth right in front of us just feet away from the beach.

Colorful glass art sculptures arranged on a black surface, including various shapes like spirals, wavy forms, and a patterned green sphere.

For our first visit to Idaho we saw waterfalls, Craters of the Moon, ice caves and lava tubes, and ate potatoes at the Idaho Potato Museum.

Two people, a man and a woman, are crouching by the side of a road in front of a

Other trip highlights included finally seeing our first moose just outside Salt Lake City; soaking in natural hot springs in Colorado and New Mexico; visiting an ancient, living Native American pueblo; seeing the inside of the Hoover Dam; walking among Joshua Trees; returning to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for a true feast of colorful, fun and creative balloons and going for another balloonride with a “splash and dash” in the Rio Grande River as well as seeing a full annular eclipse from the fiesta field.

Traditional adobe-style building with multiple levels and small windows, set against mountains and a clear blue sky. In the foreground, there is a dirt area with people sitting and standing near a wooden structure, and a white umbrella providing shade.

We visited the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., as well as where he was shot and his grave; the birthplace, boyhood home and Presidential Library of two U.S. Presidents; and the birthplace of Elvis, and of the Blues. We met a living Blues Legend in person and he petted our Beagles. We listened to live Blues music on Memphis’ Beale Street. We admired saguaro cacti, ate delicious pizza while listening to the largest Wurlitzer theater pipe organ ever created, visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West (having visited the original Taliesin in Wisconsin on our 2022 trip), and so much more.

Small white house with porch, stairs, black swing, surrounded by trees, fallen leaves, and sidewalk.
Colorful Olympic rings sculpture on a stone platform in a park under a blue sky with clouds, surrounded by trees and city buildings in the background.
A stone staircase leading up to a classical-style monument with columns, surrounded by green trees and a manicured lawn, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A street scene with brick buildings, two American flags, and a giant wooden baseball bat sculpture in front of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. The sky is overcast and the street is wet.
An old black wooden industrial building with red window shutters, connected to large silos or tanks, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Wooden barrels on metal racks in a distillery, with a chalkboard in front listing details of whiskey batches.
Two glasses of iced tea with lemon slices on a wooden table.
Street corner scene with USPS mail truck, person in hoodie walking past a building, traffic light, and signs including 'Begin Historic Route 66' in an urban environment.
A mural on a brick building that depicts a Route 66 sign with a city skyline, including the Gateway Arch, in the background and the words "Pontiac, Illinois." A person with dogs is sitting in front of the mural.
Large colorful statue of a man holding a hot dog, standing outdoors with trees in the background and a sign with stickers nearby.
A smiling man kneels in front of two vintage yellow Shell gasoline pumps at Soulsby's Service, a gas station in Mount Olive, Illinois, with four dogs. The station has a sign indicating it has been in operation since 1926, and a small window with a si
A man with sunglasses surrounded by four dogs sitting and standing on grass with the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline in the background.
Hand holding a cup of frozen custard with spoons outside Ted Drewes Gift Shop, a local frozen custard shop with a yellow and green sign.
Smiling woman and man taking a selfie in front of a large billboard with Route 66 rocker sign, outdoors on a sunny day.
Vintage gas station with old fuel pumps, a classic car, and vintage signs, including Opaline Motor Oil and Pennzoil.
Small ice cream shop with a red roof and white walls, decorated with Route 66 signs and neon lights, featuring a large neon ice cream cone above the store, two vintage gasoline pumps in front, and a sunset sky in the background.
A large, blue, whale-shaped structure on the water near a shoreline, surrounded by green trees and a clear blue sky.
Large Route 66 sign with the words "National Route 66 Museum" and "Elk City, OK" below it, situated in front of a building with a parking lot, trees, and a clear blue sky.
Night view of a vintage-style gas station illuminated with neon lights in red, green, and white. The station features a central tower with neon signage and two pump islands with vintage gas pumps. The background is dark with some distant neon signs.
Graffiti-covered truck sculptures lined up on a dirt surface with puddles, under a cloudy sky.
A man and woman sitting on a brick pavement with six dogs in front of a large welcome sign in Texas, with wind turbines and a windmill in the background.
Nighttime scene of a neon-lit motel sign advertising Blue Swallow Motel with a vintage car parked outside and a small illuminated store with 'Open' sign.
A natural-style pond surrounded by rocks and shed trees with a blue sky overhead, with buoys floating on the water's surface.
Vintage cars parked in front of traditional teepees and shrubs under a blue sky.
Woman in a pink dress riding a large gray bunny statue with long ears, on a green base, outdoors with a blue sky and buildings in the background.
A brick building with a sign reading 'Winslow' and 'Arizona,' a statue of a man with a guitar in front, a street lamp, and a mural of a red truck inside the window; clear blue sky and trees in the background.
Two donkeys standing on a paved road, with a third donkey grazing in the background and green bushes on the roadside.
Two donkeys walking on a street past old wooden buildings with signs and decorations, in a small Western town setting.
Wooden informational sign at Badwater Basin, showing its elevation of 282 feet or 85.5 meters below sea level, with mountains in the background and a clear blue sky.
Brightly lit carnival sign at night featuring a large guitar-shaped sign with the words "River Rock Cafe" and illuminated letters spelling "TAROT" and "ROCK".
Night view of the exterior of Caesars Palace with illuminated architecture, lion statues with wings, and colorful neon lights.
Two joyful people dressed in wedding attire, holding flowers and raising their arms, standing outside a wedding chapel with a large sign reading 'Wedding Chapel,' a clock tower, and bright blue sky.
A colorful mural on a brick wall featuring Snoopy holding a sign that says "Needles Museum." The mural includes a train, a blue car, mountains, a bridge, a cactus, and a sunset in the background.
The WigWam Motel with tipi-shaped buildings, a sign reading 'WigWam Motel Since 1949', and a small office with a parking lot in front on a sunny day.
Several white teepees with red zigzag markings on a sunny day, surrounded by palm trees and a clear blue sky, with a walkway and street lamp in the scene.
A smiling couple with three dogs on a wooden pier at Santa Monica, at the end of Route 66, with shops and people in the background under cloudy skies.
A canal lined with lush green trees and plants on both sides, with several small boats floating on the water. Clear blue sky above, with a small bridge visible in the distance.
Older man with a straw hat sitting in a camping chair, looking at his phone, by the seaside with greenery and a palm tree in the background.
Hollywood Walk of Fame stars on the sidewalk with palm trees and storefronts on a busy street.
Close-up view of the aircraft carrier USS Midway docked in a harbor with several jets on its deck and a clear blue sky.
Large metal sculpture of a dragon in a desert landscape with mountains in the background, blue sky, and several other metallic sculptures resembling eggs or pods.
A white observatory dome with a person standing on the stairs in front, surrounded by trees and bushes under a clear blue sky.
A man sitting on the ground with five dogs under a large desert tree called Joshua tree, in a desert landscape with rocks and a bright blue sky.
Sun setting over a field of art installation with numerous white glowing stalks resembling flowers or caps, with trees and rolling hills in the background.
Colorful LED lights arranged like flowers in a field at night, with a few trees and a dark sky in the background.
A scenic view of a luxury pool with ornate white sculptures and blue mosaic tiles, surrounded by tall cypress and palm trees under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
A luxurious swimming pool with white statues, surrounded by stairs and tall green trees, under a bright blue sky.
San Francisco Victorian-style church with twin towers, palm trees, and a bright blue sky.
A rugged coastline with green hills, rocky cliffs, and a sandy beach, with blue ocean water and a partly cloudy sky.
A coastal bridge arching over a rocky cliff with the ocean and sky in the background.
Coastal view with green vegetation on a steep hillside and large rocks in the blue ocean, under clear sky.
Photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge across water with hills in the background and a clear blue sky.
A rocky beach with colorful pebbles and large rocks in the water under an overcast sky.
A man with gray hair, wearing sunglasses, a red T-shirt, and khaki pants, standing with five Beagle dogs in front of a giant sequoia tree named Chandelier Tree at a park.
A winding mountain road passing through a forest of tall, green trees, with two yellow lines in the center of the asphalt and part of a blue car in the lower left corner.
Looking up at tall trees in a forest with a glimpse of blue sky through the canopy.
A person walking in a lush green forest with tall trees, ferns, and a small stream on the ground.
A person standing on a trail in a lush green forest with large, leaning trees and a small stream running through it.
Hikers walking along a trail next to a small creek in a lush, green forest with ferns and dense foliage.
Flowers in bloom with pink blossoms in the foreground, sandy beach and large rocky formations in the background, under a blue sky with some clouds.
Coastal view with sandy beach, rocky cliffs, evergreen trees, and ocean with small waves under a clear blue sky.
A lighthouse on a rocky shoreline viewed across a body of water, with a cloudy sky in the background.
Sea lions resting on a rocky shoreline with some swimming in the ocean.
Ocean view with rocky shoreline and a green, tree-covered cliff in the background, featuring a lighthouse and small buildings, partially obscured by fog.
A beach with a clear blue sky, a sandy shoreline, and a rocky area with green moss or algae, alongside a hill covered with trees.
Three starfish on a sandy beach with seaweed, one orange and two purple, covered in white spots and glistening in sunlight.
A scenic coastal view with a sandy beach, ocean waves, rocky outcrops, and lush hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A man seated at a red table outdoors holding a piece of cheese with a cheese knife. In front of him are four glasses of red wine on a wooden tasting paddle. He is wearing a straw hat, red shirt, and sunglasses hanging around his neck. The background
A large sea stack formation at the beach with several smaller rocks nearby. People are walking along the sandy shore with one person walking a dog. The sky is partly cloudy with a blue hue, and seagulls are flying overhead.
A tall lighthouse with murals wraps around its cylindrical structure, standing on a white base with a doorway. The top features a lantern room and balcony, set against a bright blue sky with trees in the background, and a paved walkway with a stone b
An aerial view of a coastal city with a large bridge over the water, surrounded by trees, buildings, and rolling hills in the background.
Rusty shipwreck on the beach with a clear blue sky, people in the background, and mountains in the distance.
Scenic view of the Oregon coast with large sea stacks, sandy beach, green hills, and mountainous background under a blue sky.
View of a sandy beach with large rock formations in the ocean, people walking and relaxing, and a small stream flowing into the sea.
A scenic view of a beach with waves crashing onto the sand, framed by green trees in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.
Coastal scene with tall trees in the foreground, a small island with a single tree, rocky cliffs, and a blue-green bay surrounded by forested terrain.
A lighthouse on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset, with a beach in the foreground.
Large twisted tree growing over a dark cave entrance with roots and branches extending outward, over a rocky ground.
Close-up view of moss-covered tree trunks and hanging moss in a lush, green forest.
Three people walking on a trail through a lush, green forest with large moss-covered trees.
Green sea anemones attached to rocks near the tide line with pink and brown algae and barnacles.
Two large sea stacks with trees growing on top, situated in the water near a rocky shoreline, under a cloudy sky.
A person hiking on a wooded trail with two dogs, surrounded by lush green trees and moss hanging from the branches.
A marina filled with numerous sailboats and motorboats docked along the water, with a grassy shoreline and rocks in the foreground, and a small building with a blue roof in the background under a bright blue sky.
A scenic view of a blue lake surrounded by dense forested mountains, with trees in the foreground.
A wooden bridge extending over a lake with mountains and trees in the background, and a person swimming nearby under a blue sky.
A waterfall flowing down a rocky canyon in a lush green forest, with people on a wooden trail observing from above.
Lavender field with rows of purple flowers, green foliage, trees, a barn, power lines, and mountain range in the background under a clear blue sky.
Bundles of dried lavender hanging together.
Seattle Space Needle viewed from the ground with people and trees in the foreground on a sunny day.
Colorful glass art sculptures arranged on a display, including twisted, elongated, and rounded shapes in red, blue, yellow, green, and orange glass.
Glass greenhouse with colorful glass sculptures outside, featuring a large yellow and red glass sculpture resembling a spiky ball, surrounded by green bushes and trees under a clear blue sky.
A three-story building with wood-paneled balconies decorated with red flowers, street-side tables and chairs, and people walking and sitting outside in a lively outdoor area.
Man walking two dogs down a colorful street lined with shops and hanging flower baskets, with clear blue skies overhead.
A tall waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation, with a bridge across the rocks in the middle of the waterfall.
A large green metal arch bridge over water, with trees and greenery in the foreground and a cityscape in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Ocean waves crashing against rocks at a rocky shoreline, with a small waterfall emerging from the cliffside, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat, purple shirt, and brown pants standing on rocks by the ocean, taking a picture with a camera. Two dogs are on the rocks; one is standing and looking out to sea, the other is sitting and looking to the side. Waves
A scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains and evergreen trees, with a partly cloudy blue sky reflected on the water.
A scenic view of a volcanic crater lake with a small forested island in the center, surrounded by deep blue water, with mountains and a blue sky with clouds in the background.
Clear blue mountain lake surrounded by green pine trees and rocky terrain.
Two people, a man and a woman, with several dogs, pose next to a 'Welcome to Idaho' sign on a rural road with a desert landscape in the background.
The Indiana State Capitol building, featuring a large dome, classical columns, and stone steps leading to the entrance, set against a clear blue sky.
The lower part of a large steel arch bridge spanning a green river, with rocky and grassy terrain beneath and a clear blue sky above.
Tall waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff into a pool below, surrounded by green trees and rocks.
A tall waterfall cascading down from a rocky cliff, with a trail and green landscape in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
The Capitol building in Washington, D.C., with a clear blue sky, featuring a large dome, the American flag flying in front, and people walking on the steps and surrounding area.
A person riding a horse across a vast, white, glistening salt flat with mountains in the background.
A person riding a horse across a dry, flat landscape with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A moose standing in a grassy field surrounded by trees and bushes.
A black bull grazing in a dry, yellow field under a clear blue sky.
A person standing in front of a natural rock formation with large arches and walls in a desert landscape with clear blue sky.
A large red rock formation with a natural arch and small groups of people underneath in a desert landscape during sunset.
A mountain dirt road lined with trees showing yellow autumn leaves, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Multiple colorful hot air balloons at twilight, with a crowd of people watching.
Colorful hot air balloons floating at sunset during a festival, with tents and crowds of people below.
Balloon festival with colorful hot air balloons in the sky and on the ground, some with cartoon characters and patterns, during daytime with blue sky and clouds.
View inside a hot air balloon with an American flag pattern, showing the interior from below with two people standing near the center holding the yellow part of the balloon.
Looking up inside a hot air balloon with a colorful blue, yellow, and red pattern, featuring white stars and red and white stripes, from the basket.
Numerous colorful hot air balloons floating over a cityscape on a clear day.
Numerous colorful hot air balloons floating in the sky over a landscape with roads, trees, and buildings, under a partly cloudy sky.
Colorful hot air balloons floating against a night sky, illuminated from within with vibrant patterns.
Hot air balloons with colorful checkered and striped patterns floating in a clear blue sky.
Numerous colorful hot air balloons flying in a clear blue sky, including a large balloon shaped like a bee with blue wings and yellow and black stripes, and other balloons shaped like animals and various shapes.
Hot air balloons in the sky, including several with designs of cartoon characters and a large cluster of balloons at the center.
People gathered at a nighttime hot air balloon festival with large illuminated animal and character-shaped hot air balloons in the background.
A bright crescent-shaped light on a dark, textured background.
Close-up of a bright metallic ring or washer against a dark background, illuminated by a centered light source.
Hot air balloons being inflated during sunset with a crowd watching.
Multiple colorful hot air balloons being prepared for flight at dusk, with a crowd of people on the ground watching them.
Nighttime hot air balloons in various colors and patterns floating over a crowd of people at a festival or event.
People lined up outside a building with wooden columns and a decorative wooden beam overhang, under a bright blue sky.
Adobe building made of adobe brick with rounded edges and wooden beams, set against a bright blue sky. A person is walking on the sidewalk in front of the building, and there are trees and flags nearby.
Colorful mural painted on the columns of a building with adobe-style architecture.
Steep outdoor trail with stone steps and metal railings on a rocky cliff, under clear blue sky.
Hikers walking along a narrow trail with a metal handrail cliffs on one side and a forest with trees on the other side in a mountainous area.
Fresh produce stand at an outdoor farmers market, featuring colorful chili pepper wreaths in the foreground and fruits and vegetables in the background under a white canopy.
A man stands on the sidewalk outside a shop decorated with colorful sculptures of flamingos and other abstract art pieces under a clear blue sky.
An artist painting outdoors on an easel, capturing a scene with a tree, set against a yellow stucco building exterior decorated with various artworks and banners. The artist is wearing a white shirt and black jeans, bending over to work on the painti
A small adobe-style building with a turquoise door, a ladder leaning against it, and a chalkboard sign outside that reads 'Damnt Buttefly Cafe'. There is a yellow armchair and potted plants near the entrance, under a clear blue sky.
An adobe-style fortress with multiple tiers, small windows, and wooden doors, set against a backdrop of mountains and clear blue sky. In the foreground, there is a rustic outdoor market scene with wooden structures, people, and a white umbrella.
A historic building with a large green and blue mosaic dome and arched arcade, in a sunny outdoor setting, with people walking and banners on either side.
A tall saguaro cactus with multiple arms reaching towards a clear blue sky.
Sunset over desert with silhouette of cacti and sparse shrubs.
A desert scene with a large cactus, a mountain in the background, and a tent set up on the ground.
Modern house with stone and wood exterior, swimming pool, and mountain background under a blue sky.
Vehicles parked with a desert mountain range in the background during sunset.
A tall wooden church in a forest, with a steep pitched roof and an open framework facade, surrounded by trees and a paved walkway.
Interior view of a large wooden church or chapel with high, pointed, arched ceiling and rows of pews facing a small stage with a piano and table, surrounded by tall glass windows showing trees outside.
A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a blue T-shirt is sitting on a stone barrier in front of a small pond or creek with a waterfall, surrounded by greenery. He has four beagle dogs on leashes in front of him. The man is holding some papers or flyers
Two vintage white cars parked outside a motel with green doors and a balcony, decorated with a red and white wreath, on a sunny day with blue sky.
Neon sign for a blues club called 'BB King's Blues Club' illuminated at night, featuring a crown on top and vibrant colors including red, blue, and yellow.
Small white house with a porch, swing, and steps, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
Bronze statue of a young Elvis Presley holding a guitar, with a placard that says 'ELVIS AT 13,' outdoors on a brick circular base, surrounded by trees and benches.
Front view of a historic government building with white columns, steps, and a clock tower, featuring three flags on top, set against a bright blue sky.
Colorful sign in front of a small building reads "Greetings from Key West Florida," featuring images of a sailboat, a beach scene, and a palm tree, with a Cuban coffee sign above.
A two-story house with a balcony, yellow shutters, and arched windows; surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants, with a fountain and red poinsettia plants in the front yard.
A tall white lighthouse surrounded by trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A painted maritime buoy marking the southernmost point of the continental U.S., located at Key West, Florida, with the ocean and sky in the background.
A sailboat on the ocean during sunset with the sun partially obscured by clouds, casting a golden reflection on the water.
A sunset over the ocean with a sailboat on the horizon, partially obscured by dark clouds, and the sun appearing red and partially covered by clouds.
Aerial view of a small island with a fort-like structure, surrounded by turquoise ocean waters, sandy beaches, and green vegetation.
A series of brick archways extending into the distance, forming a corridor.
A historic brick fort with a large water moat, located on the coast with blue ocean water and a cloudy sky in the background.
View of a fort or castle turret showing an ocean and cloudy sky through a brick window opening.
View of a historic seaside fort with brick walls and a water moat, overlooking the ocean with a cloudy sky.
A concrete pier extending into turquoise ocean waters near a round brick fort with small windows, under a partly cloudy sky.
Seaplane on calm turquoise waters with a cloudy sky and a distant boat.
View from a boat shows an old brick fort with a lighthouse and a seaplane on the shore, with tourists walking nearby and blue water in the foreground.
A coastal bridge with a black asphalt road, white lane markings, and metal guardrails over turquoise water, with palm trees along the shoreline and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
A bridge over turquoise water extending towards the horizon with a sky filled with scattered clouds.