Moab (or similar) weekend with a 11yo - adrenaline and views

My son and I are headed that way. While the rest of the family is flying out, he and I are dragging our little 7x12 cross country, retracing Route 66. Last night was Joplin, MO with the next stop in Santa Rosa NM. Having a blast seeing America.

 

If you are passing thru Victorville, CA on 66 stop by Emma Jeans Holland burger cafe.

 

Where are you planning on spending time once once you meet up with the rest of the family?

 

We'll be in Page, AZ for 10 days.

 

You're kidding, right? 60% is high humidity.

I lived most of my adult life around Houston and Galveston. 60%? With my Reef tanks inside our home, I struggle to get below 60%, with a market leading de humidifier.
60%- Meh; 89F, again, meh.

I've lived inn Tucson too, way hotter and way drier- but you knew that LOL

 

It's not a direct path, but you should head over to both four corners and also to Mexican Hat, go north to the 261 and ride the Moki Dugway.
You can check out Monument Valley on the way to Mexican Hat, and the Valley of the Gods from the Dugway, or drive through it.

 

I wondered why they called it Mexican hat until we got there. Well earned name.

 

I know 60% is high, I felt it lmao!!!! Right now in Prescott AZ it is 90 and 21% relative humidity. (According to my little outdoor sensor). Not bad at all, to me. I have been working all day today and have sweat probably a gallon. I replenish with electrolytes and water, I go through more than a gallon of water per day. Electrolytes are key though, you need them when you sweat as much as one does in the desert southwest.

At 8 am I was on a customers roof recharging their AC. My shirt and hat were wet with sweat stains by 9am.

For whatever reason, I find the humidity to be insanely uncomfortable. Yet a dry heat just doesn't seem to affect me that way.

It takes all types but I know what I prefer and can handle.

 

Mexican hat is worth checking out, for riding opportunities. Lots of great land and stuff out there to explore.

 

Guess that should have been for @rd400

 

I just read this entire thread as part will apply to a trip I plan to take in September. High on my bucket list is visiting all 50 states. Right now I am at 42. So to add WY, SD, NM, and NB to the list, I will fly to MSP and rent a car to drive to ABQ. Here's a first stab at a route:



Chadron and Casper are only on there to include those states. The 84536 stop is the location made famous by that box of chocolates movie.

I will be renting a Chevy Blazer. I have scheduled seven days to make it to NM. I'm looking at the possibility of ordering camping gear from Amazon that I can pick up at a Whole Paycheck near MSP. But I need to research weather and available accommodations along the way to see if it will be worth it. I am hoping (since it is in the middle of nowhere) it is OK to just pull over and crash in the back of the Blazer whenever I decide to stop.

Driving Shafer Trail is the first thing I found I hope to do. Any suggestions of other areas to explorer while in the SUV will be welcome.

 

On your Nebraska leg, drop down to Scott's Bluff. The national monument has an overlook on the bluff, and a little museum about the westward expansion trails that went through there - Oregon trail, Mormon trail, California trail and the pony express.
Then you can cut over into Wyoming, drop down the Denver. Only difference is slightly more time in Nebraska than Wyoming. But that side of Wyoming is flat and ugly to be honest. Then again, the drive across Nebraska isn't special either.
Just saying since you're in the area and just knocking off states, it's a cool spot in American history.

 

Rick, I could recommend an alternate but longer loop through Utah, if you are interested. I drove most all of the roads you have shown on your current route last year.
I drove a 6k mile trip with my Husky 701 on the back of my truck in September and trailered my Tracer 9 GT out to UT June 2025. I am jonesing to return, and plotting my options.

I won't make the mistake of traveling across the Navajo and other reservations again. It was all like driving through a third world country.

The trip across MN and Eastern SD will not be all that special, in my opinion.

 

Any suggestions are welcome, @Once a Wanker.. . Here is a revised map after adding the NE location suggested by @brex and another location in SD. As more suggestions (that I like) are mentioned, it will change again.

I agree. Most of the that part of the trip I will be at WOT. But any airport other than MSP will not be a direct flight.

 

You will hate the depressing drive down shitty roads across the reservation land.

I'll send you a couple of alternatives with amazing scenery tomorrow Rick. I imagine @brex will also have suggestions for you. UT will be the highlight of your entire trip, if you travel a better route.

 

Perhaps you've done it before, hence no inclusion, but......you are close'ish to catching Mt. Rushmore and some beautiful scenery/roads on the west end of S.D.

 

I agree with @Once a Wanker.. if you can see Utah definitely do it. I like @pjdoran idea of seeing Mount Rushmore too.

BTW I used to travel almost every week for work and still fly 1/2 dozen round trips a year now. Having a stop isn’t that big of a deal. I would forgoe driving through crappy areas, if a stop at an airport puts you into better areas and nicer drives.

Also if you get TSA or Clear, which some credit cards will pay for, it makes the check-in procedure so much nicer.

Lastly, my wife recently discovered some airlines/airports now let you use TSA touchless and in our experience that even speeds you up more. I think last time she flew it moved to the front of the line. https://www.google.com/search?q=tsa...YazM&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

 

I used to fly so much I once made DL Gold Medallion in four weeks. I got burned out of flying before 9/11. I'd rather drive an extra four hours than have a connection.

 

Yup, I would second this. The Black Hills is an incredible place. I've spent a lot of time roaming around there for dirt biking and mountain biking. As far as passing through, Needles Highway (87) is probably the best bet for a scenic drive. You can then make your south and clip the NW corner of Nebraska.