Cross-country road trip pics! (lots of pictures)

[LandCruzer94]

Hey everybody,

As some of you know I took my e28 on a 2700 mile trek across the US from southern Oregon to Indianapolis. Thankfully I didn't have any issues with the car, and I ended up with some cool photos along the way. Please enjoy, and send any questions or comments you have my way.

Thanks!


Snowing in Bend, Oregon


Heading from Bend to Christmas Valley, Oregon


Christmas Valley


Abandoned town outside of Fort Rock, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Rock


Entering the hills outside of the Idaho border. I believe mountain standard time started very close to this point.

Day 2


Leaving Boise on my way to Yellowstone


Absolutely MASSIVE wind turbines in Idaho. I later found out that each blade is the length of a semi-truck trailer.



Topping off in Montana, just outside of Wyoming

[LandCruzer94]

Entering Yellowstone Park


Fully loaded e28, lol




Field of Buffalo




This calf was cute, tossing a beat up stick into the air and jumping to try to catch it.


Yellowstone thermal fields




Pictures can't describe how awful the smell was if you caught the wind wrong, but the visuals were incredible.


I've never seen mud boil before...




It's pretty clear bacteria loves hot water.












Did I mention this place was incredible?

[LandCruzer94]

It's weird looking at the ground and seeing water violently boiling out of it.






Watched Old Faithful, however it was nearly an hour wait. I fell asleep at my seat unwillingly so that killed a little bit of time.


Pretty cool experience


And just in case you were wondering how it worked.


On my way out of the park there was this huge bear just hanging out. Some Asian lady was getting too close and the bear nearly charged her so I figured it was time to bounce.










Made it to Cody, Wy. I didn't get a chance to snap any pictures on my way out of the eastern entrance to the park but I have to say it is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever been on.



I decided to leave Cody before the night was over and make it to Sheridan before stopping, I wish I hadn't because I didn't realize I was crossing over the Bighorn mountains in the process, which was one of the most incredible driving roads I have ever driven. Too bad it was all at night.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=US-14 ... sz=11&z=11

Day 3


Leaving Sheridan, first stop is Devil's Tower

[LandCruzer94]

Made it to Devil's Tower!


It always sucks trying to give someone a 15 second crash course on how to use a DSLR.




Not a soil color you see too often.


Look very closely.


I'd shit my pants, literally.




Found the same couple again and they redeemed themselves.


Black Hills in South Dakota, thanks to Davintosh's suggestions. I was surprised the speed limit was so low.


Filling up in Lead


Looking like a storm is coming. I'll find out the hard way soon enough.


Made it to Mt. Rushmore!


This place is a must-see, although it was smaller overall than I was expecting.




The park ranger was able to figure out my camera, but at this point that massive storm was 5 mins away from hitting at this point, promising up to tennis-ball sized hail. I quickly ran back to my car and moved it under cover, although some didn't quite get the memo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBgkFgFHHk&feature=plcp


Precursor

I got a hold of Davintosh and decided I was going to push it to get to Sioux Falls that night, but I wouldn't get there until 1am or so.


So much broken hailstones that it looked like snow.


I got stuck with this storm following me nearly all night, but hitting 85-90 I was able to finally outrun it.

Day 4


Met Davintosh for breakfast this morning downtown, then we went to the actual "falls" down the street.



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[LandCruzer94]

There you are, good lookin'!

Day 5

Made it to St. Louis the night before and met up with another board member I met at 5erWest. Much drinking ensued and I woke up with one of the worst hangovers in years. My fault for mixing Old Fashions with shots.


We ended up driving through Forest Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Par ... _Missouri) the next day and he showed me around.



Then made it out to downtown and saw the arch.










This guy was barely 7" tall.

[LandCruzer94]

We stumbled across the Bigfoot museum on the way back to the hotel.




Who woulda' thought to put tracks on an Aerostar?

Well, I pushed through the rest of the day and made it to my new house.



I would have to say the drive was one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences I'm sure I'll have in my lifetime, and I'm glad I made the decision to take the e28 along with me. My family and friends thought I was crazy (I sometimes thought I was too) but I had every tool I'd ever need along with me so I was fully prepared for the worst.

I have a new respect for Lewis and Clark as well as the Oregon Trail pioneers, this drive was stressing enough to do in 5 days, let alone the many months it took them. I also came away very humbled, as I further realized how massive the world is around me.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Great pictures and story. I hope you and your wife enjoy Indy.

[wkohler]

One of the best collections of photos I've seen on this site in a while. I really enjoyed them and your descriptions. Glad you made it safely and got to take some time to see some of what "flyover country" has to offer.

Please tell me I will be seeing you at the end of the month.

[LandCruzer94]

One of the best collections of photos I've seen on this site in a while. I really enjoyed them and your descriptions. Glad you made it safely and got to take some time to see some of what "flyover country" has to offer.

Please tell me I will be seeing you at the end of the month.

Thanks Chris!

I want to come still, however if I do I'll be flying most likely. I'll keep you in the loop.

[TheLazyDog]

One of the best collections of photos I've seen on this site in a while. I really enjoyed them and your descriptions. Glad you made it safely and got to take some time to see some of what "flyover country" has to offer.

Ditto.

[skaper]

Wow, you have some great photos and what a awesome experience. Thank you for sharing !

[oldskool]

Holee sheit. . .what a way to start my day!
I'm going to show everyone today. . .hope you don't mind.

[bavarianautowrks]

Holee sheit. . .what a way to start my day!
I'm going to show everyone today. . .hope you don't mind.

Doing the same, some great shots!!

[bavarianautowrks]

I never knew how massive Devil's Tower was before. That must've been incredible.

[gomifune]

Great shots. Next photo be sur to use a different pose so we don't all think u just photoshopped yourself into the backgrounds...

[Jake D]

Awesome pics, Kyle!
Those kinds of experiences are so amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[LandCruzer94]

Thanks everybody! For those that asked, by all means please share away.

This really makes me want to do a trip from here to the Florida keys, and maybe drive back up the east coast. It's amazing how much in our own country that there is to see.

[LandCruzer94]

Great shots. Next photo be sur to use a different pose so we don't all think u just photoshopped yourself into the backgrounds...

Lmao, now I'm actually going to start doing that.

[Brad D.]

Great photos and thanks for sharing!

[1st 5er]

What an awesome trip, with pics to prove it.
I need some of your patience so as to enjoy more than just the car and road.
Thanks for sharing.

[davintosh]

Awesome photos, Kyle; well worth the wait!
Thanks again for stopping by; it was great to meet you!

Funny you posted that photo of the Crazy Woman Creek sign; we camped near there two years back, and drove Crazy Woman Canyon Road. And yes, the drive over the Big Horn Mountains is pretty amazing; I'd love to do that drive in an e28 (day or night. We did it in the daylight, but in a loaded-to-the-gills van pulling a trailer. )

[LandCruzer94]

Awesome photos, Kyle; well worth the wait!
Thanks again for stopping by; it was great to meet you!

Funny you posted that photo of the Crazy Woman Creek sign; we camped near there two years back, and drove Crazy Woman Canyon Road. And yes, the drive over the Big Horn Mountains is pretty amazing; I'd love to do that drive in an e28 (day or night. We did it in the daylight, but in a loaded-to-the-gills van pulling a trailer. )

I can imagine that wasn't too fun, as the Sheridan side was pretty steep. I replaced my warped front rotors and all the pads three days before my drive and OMG I'm glad I did because of that one section alone.

[oldskool]

Made it to St. Louis the night before and met up with another board member I met at 5erWest. Much drinking ensued and I woke up with one of the worst hangovers in years. My fault for mixing Old Fashions with shots.

This board member needs to be outed so no one else falls into their trap. . .

[LandCruzer94]

Made it to St. Louis the night before and met up with another board member I met at 5erWest. Much drinking ensued and I woke up with one of the worst hangovers in years. My fault for mixing Old Fashions with shots.

This board member needs to be outed so no one else falls into their trap. . .

Lol he doesn't post too much but I think his handle is SEAsean

[bigjay973]

great pics thanks for sharing. hope to do my own cross country trip next year in my 528e.

[1st 5er]

great pics thanks for sharing. hope to do my own cross country trip next year in my 528e.

Do it on 18's.

[lilpoindexter]

What kind of Camera was that?

[LandCruzer94]

What kind of Camera was that?

Nikon D200 with a few diff. lenses

18-70 kit lens, sigma 10-20, sigma 70-200 2.8.

She's gettin old

[RoyW]

WOW... very nice trip and beautiful photography. Your car is also quite nice Thanks for sharing.

-RoyW

[LandCruzer94]

Thanks Roy!