If You do find that Your route is heading in the direction of ABQ let Me

know ahead of time as that is where I have been based for the past 53Yrs &

I have a pretty good handle on Good Stuff to see On & Off the beaten path in

NM, CO, UT & AZ ~

                                                ORR ~ DeanB

> On 1 Jan , 2023, at 12:03 AM, Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I have not posted in quite a while but find myself in need of route,
> camping, sightseeing, etc, suggestions, and am also game to meet up with
> people along the way if it can be arranged.  First, in the interests of
> full disclosure I confess that I will NOT be driving my Westy Syncro which
> is buried under 4ft of snow in the backyard.  I will be driving a Japanese
> market Toyota Hiace Camper, 4wd, 5spd, and diesel engine.  No I have not
> gone over to the dark side, not yet anyway.  This is probably just a
> passing fling but only time will tell.  As for my trip that I am requesting
> your input on other than the starting point the route is somewhat open
> ended at this time.  I will be flying into Nashville, TN sometime in
> January and then getting a ride to Cookeville where the van is.  I may
> remain in the area for a day if necessary to pick up supplies and see any
> attractions there.  From there I will head to Chattanooga to visit a friend
> for a day or so.  It is from this point that I am looking for your ideas
> and input as I have never been to Tennessee nor the states I will pass
> through on my way to either Denver, Arizona, California, Oregon, or
> Washington.  The final stop depends upon my finding a place to store this
> van long term.  Your input for places to camp(the more rural the better),
> see, visit, hikes, etc, along the way is what I am looking for.  I am also
> interested in off highway, backcountry routes that I could take rather than
> spend all of my time on the interstate highways. I hope to do some hiking
> on this trip and may pick up a used bicycle to take along as I have a race
> in February I need to train for.  Currently I am considering a route from
> Chattanooga via either Memphis, or Huntsville then Memphis, then Little
> Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, to Albuquerque.  From there it will depend
> upon where I store the van, either north to Denver where my son is at
> Denver University, or farther west to ?????  As I said before I am also
> game to meet up with anyone along the way for a drink, meal, or if you
> happen to be traveling the same way and want to convoy for a bit.  So, what
> have you got, thoughts, questions, ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro
> `96 Toyota Hiace 4wd Camper