Week Four on the TransAmerica Trail started in Pueblo, Colorado. Unfortunately, one of our travel friends had his vehicle broken into and several essential items stolen during an overnight stop at a local hotel. The team swarmed to help, solved the challenges, pressed forward with new gear, shared gear and a lighter load.
Highlights from week four:
- Completing the Tincup Pass Trail (12,154 feet) with 4×4 technical ascents and descents
- Amazing camping at the top of a bluff in US National Forest land
- Overnight in Dixon, WY where the bar keeper ran the motel, and conspiracy theories abound (i.e. “the government controls the clouds” -Judy)
- Surprise hospitality in Arco, Idaho where the city welcomed us to camp in the park, even called the sheriff to let them know we are guests of the city…which claims to be the first on earth to be powered by atomic power
- Visit to Craters of the Moon National Park
- Visit and camping in Grand Tetons National Park
- Visit and camping in Crater Lake National Park
We continued west as we could see the end of the trail in sight. We remained overland bound.
Week Five on the TransAmerica Trail brought us west from Crater Lake to the west coast of Oregon where we celebrated the completion of the TransAmerica Trail. What started off as an idea 6 months prior has become a reality. We ended with a different crew than we started with, but those who finished went from strangers. to friends, to family. Teamwork. Camaraderie. Communication. Encouragement. Adaptability. Ingenuity. Support. Fun. We cheered our combined efforts and accomplishment with a toast on the beach of Port Orford, Oregon – which is the official end of the TransAmerica Trail. We had a great dinner, a sleep in a just-opened-post-COVID19 hotel…where the lady forgot how to use the credit card machine. Next day we camped next to the Pacific Ocean as our last night together before everyone went off in different directions. A shared meal. A shared sunset. A shared journey. The next morning, we wished each other well, and resolved to meet up again in the Fall. We are no longer overland bound. I am nomad bound to the north along the west coast.
