This morning, we set off on our coast-to-coast journey! My plan is for us to be on the road for most, if not all, of April. During the first half, I’ll primarily follow the Southern Pacific route via US 80, formerly known as the Dixie Overland Highway. This East-West highway system was the first of its kind in the U.S., stretching from San Diego to Savannah. Although much of the western portion of US 80 has been replaced by other highways, I’ll generally stick to the original route. On my return, I’ll be taking a combination of routes, including large portions of what was Route 66. At least, that’s what the plan is for now.

Today, we set out for Yuma, known as the “Sunniest City in the World” with over 90% sunshine annually. It also served as a crucial crossing point on many Old West trails. Upon arriving, I couldn’t help but notice the pride Arizonans have for their state, evident in the numerous “Welcome to Arizona” and Yuma signs along the way.

Today, we set off for Bisbee. Founded in the late 19th century as a copper mining camp, it flourished during the mining boom, becoming one of the largest cities between St. Louis and San Francisco. Today, Bisbee is known for its vibrant arts scene and although most, if not all, of the mines have been shuttered, many open-pit mines still remain.

This morning we visited Tombstone, celebrated for its storied past as a notorious frontier town of the Old West. It’s notable for the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881, involving iconic figures like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Today, it’s a tourist destination offering reenactments of historic events, opportunities to explore authentic Wild West architecture, and a chance to immerse oneself in the vibrant cowboy culture of the town. I’d say that Tombstone residents fully embraces this legacy, evident in the many locals donning cowboy gear and taking part in the reenactments.

Today, we departed from Bisbee for Terlingua, a town located outside of Big Bend National Park. After speaking with Sterling yesterday, he convinced me to include this destination in our itinerary. The drive was intense, spanning the eastern half of Arizona, crossing through parts of New Mexico, and delving deep into southwest Texas. In total, it took us over 12 hours to reach our campsite, including breaks. These are some roadside photos that I captured along the way.

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!

This morning, I visited the Alamo. It’s an iconic symbol of Texas independence. This historic mission-turned-fortress was the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Despite being vastly outnumbered, a small group of Texan defenders held off Mexican forces for 13 days before ultimately being defeated. The bravery displayed at the Alamo became a rallying cry for Texas independence and continues to be revered in American history.

Experiencing a total eclipse today was incredible. Initially discouraged by intense cloud cover, I decided to stay in San Antonio through totality just to experience the total darkness. Instead of watching the eclipse from the my hotel’s parking lot, as I had planned yesterday, I opted to drive to a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio. Surprisingly, they offered me eclipse glasses without me even asking. I had called over a half a dozen places, but none had them in stock! I hadn’t planned to use them, instead I had planned to rely on the LCD of my DSLR. However, I’m grateful I had them because the DSLR struggled to capture anything due to the cloud cover and sun rays. With the eclipse glasses, I managed to catch glimpses of the partial eclipse during breaks in the clouds.

This morning, we visited Galveston’s East End Historic District, known for its Victorian-era architecture. Primarily residential, it boasts grand mansions, ornate homes, and elegant churches. For instance, Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Gresham House, is the most famous home in this neighborhood. It’s a Victorian mansion built between 1887 and 1893 for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham. Later purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston in 1923 as the residence for the Bishop. The mansion includes elaborate architectural details, including intricate carvings, stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork.

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.