This morning, we set off on our coast-to-coast journey! Although this family photo would suggest that we’re all going, it’s just Bruno (the dog on the left) and me. Jean has to stay behind for work, and Benny, as much as I’d love to bring him, is getting older. I don’t think he could handle all the time on the road, not to mention the heat and humidity. The old guy has gotten very used to the cool weather in San Francisco.

I took Bruno out for a long walk around the Silver Strand neighborhood, and we eventually made our way to the pier. There we came across a large group of sea lions. Bruno usually loves to bully animals, but this time he wisely kept his distance. He seemed to understand he was undersized for this crowd.

We spent some time this morning exploring Yuma’s Historic Downtown. Once a key stop for riverboats and railroad travelers, the area still looks like an old Western town, with brick storefronts, sun-faded signs, and a few buildings that feel frozen in time. Our visit was short, but I managed to grab a few photos and take Bruno on a leisurely walk before we hit the road for the five-hour drive to Bisbee.

This morning we stopped by Tombstone. It’s an old frontier town best known for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881, when Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday faced off against the Clanton and McLaury gang in a shootout that left three men dead. These days it’s a full-on tourist destination, with reenactments, saloons, and plenty of old Western buildings to wander through. The town really leans into its Wild West past. Locals stroll around in cowboy hats and boots, and some even take part in the daily shootout shows.

We left Bisbee this morning after saying goodbye to a few of the local fixtures around camp. Along the fence line were two coyote carcasses, likely placed there to keep others from approaching the sheep pen. It was a jarring sight, but not surprising in this part of the country where ranchers have to protect their livestock. The desert can feel harsh at times, and reminders like that make it clear how thin the line is between wild predators and the animals people depend on.

This morning, we visited Big Bend National Park, situated in southwest Texas along the Mexico border. It’s known for its rugged beauty and vast wilderness. The park features diverse landscapes, from desert terrain to towering mountains, offering breathtaking vistas, winding river canyons, and abundant wildlife. Although we could only spend an hour inside the park due to another long drive ahead, it was enough to leave me convinced of the need to return. Perhaps next time, I’ll explore it further on my motorcycle!

I visited the Alamo this morning, one of the most iconic symbols of Texas independence. Originally a Spanish mission, it was later turned into a fortress and became the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836 during the Texas Revolution. A small band of Texan defenders held out against Mexican forces for 13 days before being overrun. Their stand, though doomed, became a rallying cry for Texas independence and remains one of the most remembered events in American history.

We almost gave up on the eclipse today. The cloud cover was so heavy that I figured there was no way we’d see anything. Still, we decided to stick it out in San Antonio through totality just to experience the darkness, and I’m so glad we did.

This morning we explored Galveston’s East End Historic District, a neighborhood known for its Victorian-era architecture. The area is mostly residential, filled with grand mansions and elegant churches. Many of the homes are brick with tall windows and wraparound iron patios, the kind of detail that reminded me a little of New Orleans. Walking through, you can sense the wealth that once defined Galveston and how much pride still goes into preserving these buildings.

This morning, we visited the Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge. Notable for its towering height, it stands as the tallest capitol building in the United States. The structure’s striking design features an Art Deco style, highlighted by a distinctive 27-story tower crowned with a lantern and cupola.