It's not as good as a hunting trip BUT

[Mobuck]

I've been working on alternatives in case the 2020 elk hunt goes as the 2019 did--no place to go. Sitting here at the computer this morning waiting for a work call and just scrolling along roads here and there. A thought suddenly popped into my head. If we can't go hunting, why not go to someplace we haven't been on a road trip?
Soon after this idea fluttered past, my Cousin and current partner in road trip activities called. I said "Hey Doug, how far west have you been?". That trip to New Mexico in 2018 was his first real travel from the Midwest. I asked "If we don't get to go elk hunting, how about a guys' road trip to Great Salt Lake?". After a few seconds, he agreed that would be interesting. About noon younger Son showed up to pick up his Birthday gift and I asked if he was interested. I think he'll have to ask the spousal unit before making a commitment so that's 50/50.
Nothing like a 5 day non-stop road trip to tighten the family bonds, right?

 

[Kevin]

Utah is a very pretty state. Will you be driving through Colorado on the interstate? Grand Junction has some great Mexican restaurants, and Ray's Tavern in Green River UT has the best hamburgers in the West. I guess I'm hungry right now :D

 

[Mobuck]

My initial plan would be a run across northern Kansas on 2 lanes , catch I 70 @ Byers CO, see the Denver skyline, and cross the divide , then take a side trip to Mesa to see if the place where I killed my last bull is now someone's front yard. West of Grand Junction a ways and north to Dinosaur then on into Wyoming and catch another 2 lane headed west toward SLC to see the lake. After that, it's east on I 80 all the way back to Des Moines IA.
Cousin says he was in Ft Lupton, CO once delivering a semi load of oats. He wants to cross the Continental Divide, go through the Eisenhower tunnel, see Great Salt Lake, leave boot tracks in Wyoming, see mule deer and pronghorns closer than 1/4 mile. No other specific goals.
The time spent together is priceless possibly made even more valuable if Son goes along.

 

[Bayouhunter]

Mobuck I’m envious!
I would love a trip like that with my sons but I doubt it will ever happen. Their lives are much to busy with their own family to take time for a road trip. Occasionally I’m hunt with my older son as we have a hunting lease together but even he hasn’t been able to hunt like he wanted to this year.
My younger stays busy and is in a less expensive hunting lease also closer to home he doesn’t have the time for a four hour trip both ways due to job demands.
At least I get to see them often.

 

[contender]

Nice idea there!

 

[Mobuck]

I've mentioned this before, this Cousin is my "pseudo Son". He came to live with us while in high school and went out on his own after graduation. His Dad was my Dad's youngest Brother and after his Dad died, I sort of became a Father figure for him. We talk almost every day. It's like he just needs that solid corner post to lean against now and then and I'm honored to hold that spot. He and my older Son are closer to being Brothers than some actual Brothers.

 

[Daveboone]

Many years ago, three friends and I combined a two week road trip from CNY to Mountain HOme Idaho. alto of mileage, but we combined it with a side trip to Reno, a real "ghost town", an abandoned Atlas missile silo complex, Mt. Rushmore, and Yellowstone. Never to be forgotten. We hope to do a similar trip at some time. One of the guys and I were lucky enough to do a m/c road trip to Nova Scotia and the James Bay region (eastern part), and each trip is a lifetime experience. Go and have a wonderful time...just try to leave the schedule loose enough for some surprise changes in plan.

 

[Pat-inCO]

My initial plan would be a run across northern Kansas on 2 lanes , catch I 70
@ Byers CO, see the Denver skyline, and cross the divide , then take a side trip to
Mesa to see if the place where I killed my last bull is now someone's front yard.

Alternate choice:
Once you are on I-70, go into Denver, catch I-25 North to Loveland and take Hwy34
to Estes Park. Go over the Divide via Rocky Mountain National Park and rejoin I-70
at Frisco. BEAUTIFUL trip that way!

Alternate to the alternate:
Go up I-25 to the North Longmont exit (Hwy-66) to Lyons. Take Hwy-36 or Hwy-7 to
get up to RMNP and over. - - - 7, 34 and 36 all come together in Estes Park.
Hwy-7 is the most scenic, but Hwy-34 is the easiest grade.

You will be headed West (Left turn) off of I-25

 

[BearBio]

Yellowstone!

Go west to the Rockies; depending on time, meander North. Black Bart's in Flagstaff; Maggie's of the Mountains for breakfast, Durango for Mexican, downtown diner on the right in Rifle, CO,; Ice Cream shop in Estes Park; Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Wolf creek Pass out of Durango; Museum (s?) in Cody. Dinosaur Museum in Thermopolis (and Holiday Inn restaurant in Thermopolis.

HAVE FUN AND EXPLORE!

 

[Mobuck]

Lots of stuff there BearBio. I've seen some of that but I don't think we can make that much time on this trip although we might make the diner in Rifle, CO for lunch on the way west. Doing some quick math, we're looking at 2200-2500 miles and 5 days max. Most of such a trip is going to be just seeing the country. Son has been over the Divide but Cousin has not. Neither by way of I70 and the tunnel. Neither has seen Salt Lake and I was too young to remember being there.
Cousin is a work-a-holic like me and since Son doesn't drive, he only gets to go where his wife feels comfortable driving(and that's NOT in the mountains or 8 lanes of traffic). This is the only way the "boys" (term used generously) can or will get to see these things even if just a 70 mph glance. As Cousin pointed out, I'm getting toward the end of my spur of the moment road tripping days so may as well do it while I still can.

 

[Don Lovel]

I am friends with some guys called "Team Elves" many years ago they ran a Buell motorcycle over 200mph on Bonneville.
The guy who owns the Triumph dealership in KC took a new out of the crate Triumph Bonneville café racer and ran it near 200mph
The Hajek brothers in Ames Oklahoma have a Mustang that runs 250mph+ that is fueled by E85 alcohol racing fuel they make on their Oklahoma farm.
So yeah a trip to Great Salt Lake when Bonneville is happening, sounds good.

 

[Taterman]

Sounds like a cool trip! Have fun and safe travels.

 

[bobski]

lets see...how many times have I personally invited you to my shoot in vanzant? hmmm...


3-4 apr. swing by if ya like.