Summer 2014

This is our route map for this summer's travel, a counter-clockwise loop through 9 western states and BC Canada.

 The numbered 'stops' aren't all actual stops. The map was generated by Streets and Trips software, which has built-in route preferences. When my preferred route differs from the ST route, I have to override the software by inserting bogus stops on the preferred route. And, some of the non-bogus stops are just overnights in locations of no particular significance.

The software generates a list of turn-by-turn instructions for every trip segment and every stop. The list is sometimes helpful, like when driving side streets in a strange city, but is otherwise massive overkill on details.  For instance, a 20-mile stretch of curvy road with numerous crossroads may have a dozen needless instructions, noting every curve and every intersection.  We sometimes use GPS and our smartphones for navigation; smartphones are especially handy for finding and navigating to nearby grocery stores, gas stations, Red Box machines, etc.

The mapped route totals 4565 miles.  That number will be close to the actual towing miles but we'll log another 1500+ miles on the truck, sightseeing, visiting friends and running errands.