1 week, 9 states, 4485 miles
 

Just got back from a weeklong road trip to California, driving the SVX almost 4500 miles in just under 7 days. Our primary destination was Morro Bay, California, to watch the sunset over the Pacific, but we managed to visit several other sites of interest along the way. Our route took us down I-35 from Kansas City to I-40 in Oklahoma, then across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona into California. After spending a full day in Morro Bay, we took Highway 1 up the coast to Monterey and then a bunch of back roads to Yosemite and up to Carson City where we got on I-80 to Salt Lake City, then down to I-70, up through Aspen, and then back onto I-70 all the way back home to Kansas City.

While crossing California from Monterey to Yosemite, we spotted the only other SVX we saw on the trip in Hollister, CA. We honked horns and waved at each other, and it passed on by as we stopped to fill up with gas.

Speaking of gas, the most we paid was $2.86/gallon in Aspen, Colorado. The eastern edge of Yosemite was a close second at $2.76/gallon. We managed to average 28.9mpg over the entire trip, which isn't bad considering some of the "enthusiastic" driving on the coast and in the mountains :D

Now for the pictures. First, here's the sunset at Morro Bay.
http://www.shoden.org/images/roadtri...Sunset_400.jpg

Since this is a SVX site, the rest of the pictures are the SVX in front of various landmarks and interesting sites in order of visitation.

SVX reflecting the sunset in western Oklahoma:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...Sunset_400.jpg

SVX at the Grand Canyon:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...anyon3_400.jpg

SVX on the Pacific Coast Highway:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...stHwy3_400.jpg

SVX in front of Half Dome, Yosemite:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...lfDome_400.jpg

SVX at Bonneville Salt Flats:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...tFlats_400.jpg

SVX in front of Balanced Rock, Arches National Park, Utah:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...edRock_400.jpg

SVX in front of Twin Arches, Arches National Park, Utah:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...Arches_400.jpg

SVX at the summit of Pike's Peak:
http://www.shoden.org/images/cars/SV...esPeak_400.jpg

The SVX ran flawlessly the entire trip, and is now pushing 165,000 miles. The only problem is that I think I'll be needing a new right rear wheel bearing, and I just had the left rear replaced in June on a trip to South Dakota.

Cool pics, sounds like a fun trip. The arches photos look familiar (I was there this summer) and I've got to see some of the other places someday. :)

thats cool
not too many cars as fun as an Svx on a roadtrip :)
and it seems you hit alot of nice areas during the day
at least :)
Make any passes while at the Salt Flats ?? hehe

It was a lot of fun, but it was also a lot to cram into one week. We also managed to visit Meteor Crater in Arizona and Hearst Castle in California, but I didn't get any pictures of the SVX in front of those. We managed to time it pretty well to hit the interesting sites during the day, and we managed to make it through L.A. around 10:30pm on a Thursday night... I would have hated driving through there during heavy traffic.

Unfortunately, the only pass we made at Bonneville was driving pass it on I-80 :(

shame on you !!
 

you drove thru Tucson up I-10 I bet
and didnt stop by our shop !!! :D

Nope, the closest I was to Tucson was when I was in Holbrook on I-40. I'd love to stop by though, maybe when we do another road trip next year. We want to spend more than two hours at the Grand Canyon next time.

Nice pictoral story. It was funny seeing your car get progressively dirtier as the trip went on!

I love taking road trips in my car as well. Farthest one has been to see svxfiles in WVa which was right around 200 miles each way. The SVX is such a comfortable highway cruiser... :)

-Chike

NJ to LA. 78 hours. 3000 miles. Yeah baby. :)

ugh. i want to go on a road trip in my svx. will probably go to omaha in february and/or oklahoma city in april. i'll get to take an svx if we don't have company. my desire to break the 30 mpg threshold is increasing. :)

Easy...come to Canada. Our gallon has more fuel in it.

fixed my own post! :D

thanks for sharing with alot of nice pictures. :)

i can imagine your trip must be comfortable and wonderful with the svx.

Shame on you!!!! I live right on I-70! Why didn't you stop?

road trip
 

I haven't been south for years. Your pics are great. Really gets the heart longing for travel. Thanks for the sentimental journey. :)

I live in FLAGSTAFF right next to the Grand Canyon. I could have given you guys free pizza at Pizza Hut. :( C'mon.

I used to go to Hollbrook for track meets.

Oh well, sounds like you guys had a really fun time. :)