All posts tagged as East Central Trip

06 Oct

Backbone Mountain Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 6, 2015 / 2 Comments

This is the final trip report from the East Central Trip and after 3,224.4 miles and 436 gallons of diesel fuel I’m 6 states closer to the 50 state highpoint goal. This trip included Spruce Knob WV, Backbone Mountain MD, Mount Davis PA, Campbell Hill OH, Hoosier Hill High Point IN, Taum Sauk Mountain MO. Below is a GPS track of the entire trip with each of the completed highpoints plotted on it and there is an interactive zoomable map located here.

 

The GPS track of the entire 3,200 mile trip with the 6 state highpoints flagged

The GPS track of the entire 3,224 mile trip with the 6 state highpoints flagged

The current count is at 39 states, so there are only 11 remaining now. There are 13 months before my 50th birthday so the 50 by 50 goal is on track and I intend to achieve it. The next state will be California’s Mt Whitney which at 14,494′ is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 and is scheduled for next month (November 2015).

Hanging In St. Louis
The only significant thing I did not blog about was our time in St. Louis. We had a great time there and had some cool experiences. I have posted a St. Louis Photo Gallery here and I may create  a post about it later.

We had a great spot behind the Casino Queen just across the river from the St Louis Arch

We had a great spot behind the Casino Queen just across the river from the St Louis Arch

 

The Backbone Mountain report is posted in its entirety here.

To view a sortable table of all of the highpoints with completion dates, trip reports, photo galleries, blog entries an GPS tracks, visit the US State Highpoint Progress Page.

 

Spruce Knob, WV Trip Report Posted
05 Oct

Spruce Knob, WV Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 5, 2015 / 0 Comments

The 6 State East Central trip is complete and I’m putting the finishing touches on the last 2 trip reports, which are Spruce Knob, WV and Backbone Mountain, MD. Spruce knob was the first highpoint completed this trip and after this one only the Backbone Mountain Trip report remains which I will get out tomorrow.

The Spruce Knob West Virginia trip report is posted in its entirety here. To view a sortable table of all of the highpoints with completion dates, trip reports, photo galleries, blog entries an GPS tracks, visit the US State Highpoint Progress Page.

03 Oct

Taum Sauk, MO Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / October 3, 2015 / 0 Comments

The trip odometer is at 2800 Miles, and we are back in Texas headed south on 59 making our way back to Houston. It was a successful trip and we completed 6 more highpoints. Susan is driving and I’m at the desk punching out the last of the trip reports.

Texas Map

Taum Sauk Trip Report
The Taum Sauk Missouri trip report is posted in its entirety here. You can access all of my trip reports on the Highpoint Progress Page.

Standing Atop Taum Sauk Mtn, MO
30 Sep

Standing Atop Taum Sauk Mtn, MO

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / September 30, 2015 / 0 Comments

It’s sunset & I’m sitting on a rock at Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri smoking a Cuban cigar & eating a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup .

Life is deliciously good.

Missing Pie in St. Louis
28 Sep

Missing Pie in St. Louis

In State Highpoints,Travel by Robert Danger Byrd / September 28, 2015 / 0 Comments

So we made it into East St. Louis Illinois last night and found a great spot behind the Casino Queen. St. Louis Missouri is just across the river and we can see the arch from the coach. We only have one more highpoint left this trip which is Missouri, and have some extra time, so well stay here another day or two and experience St. Louis as it is our first time here.

Missing Pie
As excited as I am about exploring St. Louis, I can’t stop thinking about pie. You see, the Amish cherry pie made quite an impression on me, but now it’s gone and I’m having a hard time coping.

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2,036 Miles & Hoosier Hill Trip Report Posted
27 Sep

2,036 Miles & Hoosier Hill Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 27, 2015 / 1 Comment

We have clocked 2,036 miles in BigByrd and crossed from Ohio into Indiana earlier today. After completing the Indiana highpoint around mid-day, we decided to push straight through to East St. Louis Illinois. Having already spent a fair amount of time in Indiana I was keen to do something new. I have never been to St Louis, and since we are ahead of schedule we will spend some time there before we do the Missouri highpoint and head back to Texas.

Illinois

The Hoosier Hill Trip Report is posted below in its entirety.  You will find links to all of my highpoint trip reports & photo galleries on the US State Highpoint Progress page.

Hoosier Hill Trip Report
On Sunday September 27th of 2015, I found myself sitting on a rock and not just any old rock mind you. This particular rock rested at the lofty elevation on 1,257′ making it the highest rock in Indiana. This was highpoint #5 of 6 completed during our  2015 East Central Trip and it was #38 out of the 50 states for me.

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Hoosier Highpoint Completed
27 Sep

Hoosier Highpoint Completed

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 27, 2015 / 0 Comments

It was a harrowing climb to the barely discernible summit of Hoosier High Point, but I’m sitting on the rock that marks the 1,257′ top of Indiana.

There is no discernible geographical prominence here (it’s flat), but, it’s a charming setting nestled in the woods at the edge of a cornfield in rural Indiana.

Leaving Ohio & Trip Report Posted
27 Sep

Leaving Ohio & Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 27, 2015 / 0 Comments

After spending a single night in Ohio, we will be leaving today for Indiana where I’ll complete Hoosier Hill the highpoint of that state. It’s only 80 miles further west, so we’ll drop the coach along the interstate and take the Jeep north to the highpoint before continuing on to who knows were. I like this unscripted style of travel, but it’s stresses Susan out a bit.

Campbell Hill Ohio Trip Report
The Campbell Hill Trip Report is posted below in it’s entirety here.

26 Sep

At the Top of Ohio

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 26, 2015 / 0 Comments

Samson and I are now standing on the highest point in Ohio; Campbell Hill at 1,549 feet. I’m a little concerned about altitude sickness so I’ll be descending soon.

While the Highpoint itself is not particularly inspiring the drive through picturesque farm land getting here was worth the trip.

This marks 4 state highpoints for this trip and is #37 of my goal of 50.

26 Sep

Harvest Time

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 26, 2015 / 0 Comments

I decided to take a more circuitous route through the farmland.

It seems that soybean & corn are the prevalent crops, but there are others.

Many of the farms are currently harvesting and witnessing the monstrous combines tear wide swaths through the fields is an awesome sight.

Mt Davis Trip Report Posted
26 Sep

Mt Davis Trip Report Posted

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 26, 2015 / 0 Comments

The throaty exhaust burble of the big turbo diesel and the abrupt forward lurch told me that Susan had once again engaged the exhaust brake in an effort to hold back the 32,000 lb motor coach cum bobsled as we made our way through the Allegheny Mountains. It takes a concerted effort to manage this thing through up and down hills and Susan did a fantastic job allowing me to get some work done while we traveled.


Welcome to Ohio
We crossed into Ohio late yesterday, and it was a beautiful drive through the mountains and surrounding farm country. Today I’ll be completing the Ohio highpoint, Campbell Hill, while Susan does her hair, and I’ll probably be finished before she will.

Backbone Mountain Trip Report
You will find the complete Backbone Mountain report here. To view a sortable table of all of the highpoints with completion dates, trip reports, photo galleries, blog entries an GPS tracks, visit the US State Highpoint Progress Page.

Standing on Mt Davis Summit Tower
24 Sep

Standing on Mt Davis Summit Tower

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / September 24, 2015 / 0 Comments

Now standing on the 3,213′ Pennsylvania  Highpoint, Mt Davis summit tower. There is unlimited visibility, mild winds, wispy clouds & bright colors as far as the eye can see.

Drove though Amish country getting here.

Standing on Backbone Mountain Maryland
23 Sep

Standing on Backbone Mountain Maryland

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / September 23, 2015 / 0 Comments

Standing atop 3,360′ Backbone Mountain, the highpoint of Maryland. Took Jeep almost to the top and it was a wild ride over logs, boulders and gullies.

I was grinning all the way to the summit!

23 Sep

Headed for Maryland

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 23, 2015 / 0 Comments

We have spent the last 2 days in West Virginia in secluded and heavily wooded campground with the fall colors starting to come in. Deer are walking right up to the coach and the weather is cool and comfortable.

I’m heading up to Maryland to Backbone Mountain in the Jeep, while Susan and Samson relax in the coach in West Virginia.

To get the best photos, I’m planning a Sunset summit which is around 7:15. It’s a short easy hike, so I’ll be back in 5-6 hours.

Standing on Spruce Knob Summit
22 Sep

Standing on Spruce Knob Summit

In State Highpoints by Delorme InReach / September 22, 2015 / 0 Comments

Standing on the 5,863′ Summit of Spruce Knob, highest point in West Virginia. Dense fog, so low visibility.

Cool w no wind, quiet & serene here. 1st HP of trip

Rest Day In Chattanooga
21 Sep

Rest Day In Chattanooga

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 21, 2015 / 0 Comments

We just passed the 1,100 mile mark on this trip and things are going well.  Susan hasn’t broken anything yet and has only caused me to make a single wrong turn.

9-21-15 Map

Buddy Can You Spare a …
We took a break from driving yesterday and spent the day in the historic town of Chattanooga. Chattanooga interestingly enough is the town that my good friend Rick Overholt who started me down the highpointing path, tried out life as a street bum when he ran away from home as a child.

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North Central 6 State Trip Under Way
18 Sep

North Central 6 State Trip Under Way

In State Highpoints by Robert Danger Byrd / September 18, 2015 / 1 Comment

“I like to get me summa dat essential oil n’ rubit on my elbows real good.” – A Louisianan discussing essential oils with Susan.

Susan and I are off on another adventure in “BigByrd” our 41′ motor coach. Typically we plan every leg and make reservations ahead of time, but this time we decided to go totally unscripted. This will give us the freedom to be a bit more exploratory along the way. We need to be back in town by October 5th, so time permitting we intend to visit the highest points in 6 states; West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri. We will be driving through those states in that order, so if you know of anything cool along the way, reply to this message and let us know.

 

Welcome to Louisiana
We set out yesterday afternoon and spent the evening in The Frenchman’s Wilderness Campground in St. Martin Parrish Louisiana. While exploring the area we happened upon a tiny backwoods pub called the Levee Rat. The patrons applauded uproariously as we entered which we quite enjoyed. And as we were being seated, a local by the name of Leon approached and commented on how nice we smelled. While I was basking in the glow of all of the positive reinforcement, Susan explained to Leon that it was Citronella, an Essential Oil we were using to keep the mosquitoes away. Leon who was apparently intimately familiar with essential oils said; “I like to get me summa dat essential oil n’ rubit on my elbows real good.” Susan cut the conversation short and proceeded to be seated. I never got a good look at Leon’s elbows, but I’m sure they’re very impressive.

It did not dampen our spirits when we later learned they were not applauding for us, but for a particularly clever joke, at least by Louisiana’s standards of humor. I never heard the joke, thus cannot comment on its jocularity. I was however glad that I resisted the urge to take a bow. We also are pretty sure that Leon was insane.

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