Road Tripping

Sometimes, Senior Rippers need to be on the go even in this time of Covid and we are no exception. This summer, we completed our seventh road trip from the East Coast to our home in Park City. Why, you may ask? Well, our Great Pyrenees gives us no other choice. To her credit, Piper is a fabulous traveler. Her large size and gorgeous (usually) white coat attract attention wherever she goes, which gives us an opportunity to connect with people who share their travel stories with us or give us some local insights. Plus, this summer, a road trip seemed the safest way to travel.

We recently pulled into our driveway after four full days on the road (with a couple of breaks) and eight weeks away from home with smiles on our faces. It felt good to be home, but even better, our road trip had been fun. Over the years we’ve learned that Benjamin Franklin’s axiom – “Fish and visitors smell after three days” should include…road tripping. So we always try to wrap up our journey within four days, hopefully with a few days’ layover along the way with family or friends.

We also learned that planning to see a significant sight, even if it involves a detour, is worth the effort. One summer it was Niagara Falls and the power of the water blew us away. Just as important, is taking the time to stop and ponder at small landmarks along the way. I pride myself in picking up ephemera at rest stops and paying attention to billboards in order to find these little gems of history. Boot Hill in Ogallala, Nebraska, was just one of these stops. It was named for the cowboys who drove cattle along the Texas Trail, who met their end in barroom brawls and were buried with their boots on. This quiet hillside burial ground was covered with simple wooden grave markers with names such as Rattlesnake Ed, Pedro, and Cheyenne Warrior. The simple hill was guarded by a rugged sculpture of a cowboy on horseback and the resident black and white cat, who took great interest in Piper.

This year’s trip included a visit to a section of the Katy Trail in Missouri. Larry knew about the trail, and has often wistfully longed to ride all or parts of it. The Katy is a 237 mile trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri, and is the longest developed rail-trail in the country. Over half the trail’s length follows Lewis and Clark’s path up the Missouri River. While heading west from St. Louis, I spotted a highway sign indicating a section of The Katy Trail State Park in Rochefort, MO., not far off the highway. We detoured, and were glad we did. It’s adorable, and made Larry want to ride the trail even more.

Traveling with a large dog requires locking in a relationship with a hotel chain that accepts pets without questions. Best Western has become our home along the road and we are grateful, as are many others, for their warm welcome, solid standards, and, in normal times, sturdy breakfasts. Their inns are truly the “Crossroads of America” as one is likely to see Americans of all sizes, shapes, and colors, sleeping under one roof. Even better, especially this summer, is the opportunity to sleep under the stars in the numerous State Parks that we have discovered in so many states. The price is right and space is usually plentiful.

Time on the road includes endless views of the wind farms that now cover the cornfields of midwestern states and some beautiful sunsets. We entertain ourselves with playlists from Spotify, riveting Podcasts and books from Audible that make the time fly by. Our pit stops are treasured as they give us a chance to stretch our legs with the dog, change drivers, as well as fill up the tank. Do we buy much else? Rarely, as our sturdy cooler holds hidden treats. Our recommendation is to take advantage of summer’s bounty and buy a bag of plums and peaches. They lasted us the whole trip!