My first USA road trip started on Christmas Day. Our first stop was Buc-ee’s, which has been on my wishlist for a long time. We tried the “all you can eat” approach, but I think we ended up eating the same portion as normal because everything is just bigger in Texas!
Route 66 and the Casino Night
Another wishlist item checked: Route 66. We spent the night at a casino in Gallup, where we managed to turn $4 into $0.25. We ended up sleeping in the car on a freezing night to save money.
Zion National Park
Finally, we arrived at Zion National Park. Our first hike was the Canyon Overlook. The views were incredible despite the misty weather.
We set up our tent at the Watchman Campground and chased the sunset at the Watchman Trail. Our diet consisted mostly of hotdogs and macaroni and cheese (until Indira couldn’t take it anymore!). At night, the sky was so clear we could see the stars with our naked eyes.
On the second day, we hiked The Narrows and headed toward Angel’s Landing. We didn’t get the permit to go to the very top, but we were welcomed by a beautiful rainbow and picked up some souvenirs.
Craters and Canyons
We visited Horseshoe Bend (very crowded with a “mid” view) and then went “alien hunting” at the Meteor Crater. It was created thousands of years ago and is the best preserved meteor crater in the world. It is massive—literally the size of several football fields.
Carlsbad Caverns
On the last day, we drove south to Carlsbad Caverns. It was absolutely mesmerizing. The temperature inside is a constant 12°C, and the stalactites and stalagmites are unbelievable.
Expedition Gallery
