48 States, 59 Days and 14,242 Miles Dayman Baker

During the pandemic of 2020, I packed up the Jeep and drove solo around the U.S., crossing all 48 contiguous states in 59 days, covering 14,242 miles, 0-14,111 ft. in elevation change. Sound Impressive? Well, to be honest, the impressive part is that I actually left the driveway.

We all too often allow excuses to jump in our way. Can’t afford it. Can’t take the time off from work. It’ll take too long. And what about all of those “what ifs” that could happen? For the first time in my life, I took control and made it happen. This journey deserves a book, but here is just a glimpse of what it was like.

As spontaneous as it may have seemed to my family and friends, the trip involved a planning process for sure. A friend and mentor of mine, Logan Stout, wisely reminded me that whatever I was planning will certainly take longer and cost more than I ever expected. He has always been correct, and this trip was no exception.

With this knowledge, I added up what the mileage and cost would be and then I added another 50 percent to those numbers. Well, the estimated vs. actual mileage and costs were more than my original estimations, but were just below my adjusted estimation of the additional 50 percent. Win in my books! Thanks, Logan! (@loganstout)

I left Tampa and traveled clockwise around the country. I blew through some states that I had already been through. My first stop was to see my parents in Texas. They live in the Sam Houston National Forest on their little Texas farm. After a good visit, I launched out towards my brother’s place in Colorado Springs. I spent three weeks wandering and exploring much of the southern half of Colorado, from Colorado Springs, The Great Sand Dunes, Medano Pass, Cache Creek, Durango, Silverton and Ouray. I met up with some old Air Force family members and camped/explored for four amazing days together. I met up with new friends as well – one made me hunt them down in the mountains north of Silverton – Kit, thanks, brother, for the tour of your home turf. Camping was amazing. If you love overlanding, Colorado is a MUST!

48 States, 59 Days and 14,242 Miles

Off to the western states. I left Colorado and went straight to Moab, Utah. I didn’t play much there – Moab isn’t as much fun when you are solo. I’ll be going back with friends for sure. Leaving Moab, I shot south towards Phoenix, Arizona. I drove through the Valley of the Gods, ran where Forrest Gump ran and visited Mexican Hat. All so beautiful. I camped at a reservoir in the middle of nowhere along the way. No cell service, no WiFi, nobody anywhere around. It was so peaceful and those stars! WOW.

After visiting family just outside of Phoenix, taking a hot shower and doing laundry, I headed up through Nevada. Finding another campsite on BLM land, I woke up to the best sunrise of the trip. Because of the fires of 2020, I didn’t linger in California, Oregon or Washington. I did have a spectacular campsite in Oregon on Crescent Lake. It was a heartbreaking drive, though. The scorched earth, burned RVs and houses were surreal.

After a night with friends in Everett, Washington, I headed to some bucketlist items. Northwestern Montana was a dream. I was able to stop at a friend’s house in Kila, Montana. We served together in the Air Force 30 years earlier. There is more adventure left for me here! I left there and headed to Yellowstone. Camping just outside the northwest entrance, I woke up to the coldest temps yet while camping. 21 degrees was refreshing for sure! Driving Yellowstone was so much fun. I could spend several days just going around that iconic park, but I had to keep heading east. Devils Tower is etched into the memories of every person my age who grew up watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I was so excited, I got there about an hour before sunrise. The pictures I captured were mind-blowing. Sunrise was epic. Then, off to Mt. Rushmore. Think about this – four bucket-list items in three days.

The drive north to Fargo and then south to Madison, Missouri, was just as expected - a lot of farmland and flatness, although it was actually very beautiful. I was happy to get back to some rolling hills in Missouri though. These states required dedicated driving and not much sightseeing.

My next stop to see friends was just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. There, I crossed off a few other things on a list I didn’t know I had - cheese curds and a few Brandy Old Fashions. My friends were amazing hosts. I even got to meet Husky SeQuoi the Siberian Husky @ huskyquoi. Then, it was off to a couple of more bucket list items – I put my hand in all of the Great Lakes and got to see Niagara Falls in person.

Stopping in New Hampshire, I got to see some amazing friends. Before making the turn south to my son’s place in Arlington, Virginia, there was lobster to be eaten. Jim and Janine never disappoint in taking good care of this traveler. Once in Virginia, I got to visit several sites with my son and his girlfriend. Great Falls Park and Shenandoah National Park were spectacular. It was bittersweet leaving the kids, but I had to move on down the road.

I stopped for a quick visit with some of my Air Force family before driving through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. After working my way through South Carolina, I drove the Tail of the Dragon, Deals Gap. I have been there a few times on two wheels, but this was the first in an overland vehicle … it was a blast!

I left there and drove the remainder of the states, working my way back to mom and dads in Texas. Up to Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, I didn’t miss a single state, even if it was just to cross the state line and back. On the way back to Florida, I popped into Georgia to close out the 48 states. There is so much more exploring to do in our beautiful and amazing nation.

Lessons learned: It WILL take longer and cost more than you expect. Stop and smell the roses, see the sights, don’t make excuses and soak it in as much as possible. Overlanding allows us to take our hotel and kitchen

with us. Don’t be afraid to get out there. Biggest lesson comes from Peter Van Stralen and his family from Epic Family Road Trip – Work/Play/C.A.R.E. (Create A Remarkable Experience) wherever the road leads you! IG: epicfamilyroadtrip

So…what’s next? In August 2021, my brother and I will be headed from Colorado Springs to Alaska. We will be taking our time for sure. Hope to see you on the roads and trails!

Dayman Baker

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