624 Miles – Addendum 1: A Detailed Guide to My West Coast Road Trip
624 Miles Addendum 1
Have you ever dreamed of taking a road trip across the West Coast of the United States? If so, you might be interested in reading about my experience of driving 624 miles from Seattle to San Francisco in five days. In this article, I will share with you the details of my journey, the highlights and challenges of each day, and the lessons I learned from this adventure. This is an addendum to my original blog post, where I explained why I decided to take this trip and how I prepared for it. If you haven't read it yet, you can find it here.
624 Miles – Addendum 1…
Download Zip: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fimgfil.com%2F2ucUc7&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw26N01IQrhIgtMMZNBB3ES8
Introduction
Before I dive into the details of my trip, let me give you some background information on what 624 Miles is and why I decided to write an addendum.
What is 624 Miles?
624 Miles is the name of my personal project, where I challenged myself to drive from Seattle to San Francisco in five days, stopping at different cities along the way. The goal was to explore new places, meet new people, and have fun. I also wanted to document my experience through photos, videos, and blog posts.
Why an addendum?
After I published my original blog post about 624 Miles, I received a lot of positive feedback from my readers. Many of them expressed their interest in knowing more about my trip, such as where I stayed, what I ate, what I saw, and how I felt. Some of them also asked me specific questions about the route, the budget, the tips, and the challenges. I realized that there was a lot more to share than what I had written in my first post. That's why I decided to write this addendum, where I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions and provide more details about each day of my trip.
The Journey
Now that you know what 624 Miles is and why I'm writing this addendum, let's get into the journey itself. Here is a summary of my itinerary:
Day
From
To
Miles
Hours
1
Seattle
Portland
174
3
2
Portland
Eugene
111
2
3
Eugene
Medford
172
3
4
Medford
Redding
144
2.5
5
Redding
San Francisco
223
4
As you can see, I drove an average of 150 miles and 3 hours per day, which was not too bad. I also had plenty of time to explore each city and enjoy the scenery along the way. Let me tell you more about each day of my trip.
Day 1: From Seattle to Portland
I started my trip on a Monday morning, after packing my car with all the essentials. I had a full tank of gas, a cooler with snacks and drinks, a playlist with my favorite songs, and a GPS with my destination. I was ready to hit the road!
Highlights
The drive from Seattle to Portland was smooth and scenic. I enjoyed the views of the mountains, the forests, and the rivers. I also crossed the Columbia River, which is the border between Washington and Oregon.
I arrived in Portland around noon and checked into my Airbnb. It was a cozy studio apartment in the downtown area, close to many attractions. I liked the decor and the amenities of the place.
I spent the afternoon exploring Portland by foot. I visited some of the famous landmarks, such as the Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Powell's City of Books, and the Voodoo Doughnut. I also walked along the waterfront park and enjoyed the fresh air and the sunshine.
I had dinner at a vegan restaurant called Blossoming Lotus. I ordered a tofu curry bowl with brown rice and vegetables. It was delicious and filling. I also tried their chocolate cake for dessert, which was moist and rich.
Challenges
The traffic in Seattle was heavy and slow. It took me longer than expected to get out of the city. I had to be patient and calm while driving.
The parking in Portland was expensive and scarce. It was hard to find a spot near my Airbnb. I had to park a few blocks away and pay $15 for overnight parking.
The weather in Portland was unpredictable. It was sunny when I arrived, but it started raining in the evening. I had to bring an umbrella and a jacket with me when I went out.
Day 2: From Portland to Eugene
I woke up early on Tuesday morning, feeling refreshed and excited. I had a light breakfast at my Airbnb and then checked out. I got back on the road around 9 am, heading south to Eugene.
Highlights
The drive from Portland to Eugene was shorter and easier than the previous day. I only had to drive for two hours on Interstate 5, which was mostly straight and flat.
I arrived in Eugene around 11 am and checked into my hotel. It was a budget-friendly motel near the University of Oregon campus. It was clean and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
I spent the afternoon exploring Eugene by bike. I rented a bike from a nearby shop and rode around the city. I visited some of the attractions, such as the Skinner Butte Park, the Owen Rose Garden, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. I also rode along the Willamette River Trail, which was scenic and peaceful.
I had dinner at a pizza place called Track Town Pizza. I ordered a large veggie pizza with extra cheese and olives. It was hot and cheesy, just how I like it. I also had a salad and a soda to go with it.
Challenges
The bike rental was more expensive than I expected. It cost me $20 for four hours, plus $5 for insurance and $10 for deposit. I had to pay with cash, which I didn't have much of.
The bike ride was more tiring than I expected. Eugene is not very flat, so there were some hills and slopes that made me sweat and pant. I had to take breaks every now and then to catch my breath.
The pizza place was more crowded than I expected. It was near the campus, so there were many students and faculty members there. I had to wait in line for 15 minutes to order and another 15 minutes to get my pizza.
Day 3: From Eugene to Medford
I slept well on Wednesday night, feeling relaxed and happy. I had a hearty breakfast at my hotel and then checked out. I got back on the road around 10 am, heading south to Medford.
Highlights
Challenges
The drive from Eugene to Medford was longer and more adventurous than the previous days. I had to drive for three hours on Highway 58, which was winding and narrow. I also had to cross the Cascade Mountains, which were steep and snowy. I had to be careful and alert while driving.
I arrived in Medford around 1 pm and checked into my Airbnb. It was a rustic cabin in the woods, about 20 minutes away from the city center. It was cozy and charming, but it also had some drawbacks. It had no Wi-Fi, no TV, and no heating. It also had a lot of bugs and spiders.
I spent the afternoon exploring Medford by car. I visited some of the attractions, such as the Rogue Valley Mall, the Craterian Theater, and the Rogue Creamery. I also drove to the nearby town of Ashland, which is famous for its Shakespeare Festival. I watched a play called "The Tempest" at the outdoor theater. It was entertaining and impressive.
I had dinner at a Mexican restaurant called La Fiesta. I ordered a burrito with beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and guacamole. It was spicy and satisfying. I also had a margarita and a flan for dessert.
Day 4: From Medford to Redding
I woke up early on Thursday morning, feeling cold and itchy. I had a quick breakfast at my Airbnb and then checked out. I got back on the road around 9 am, heading south to Redding.
Highlights
The drive from Medford to Redding was shorter and smoother than the previous day. I only had to drive for two and a half hours on Interstate 5, which was mostly straight and flat.
I arrived in Redding around noon and checked into my hotel. It was a luxury resort near the Shasta Lake, with a pool, a spa, and a golf course. It was elegant and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
I spent the afternoon relaxing at my hotel. I swam in the pool, soaked in the hot tub, and got a massage at the spa. I also played a round of golf at the course, which was challenging and fun.
I had dinner at a steakhouse called Cattlemen's. I ordered a ribeye steak with mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was tender and juicy, cooked to perfection. I also had a glass of wine and a cheesecake for dessert.
Challenges
The resort was more expensive than I expected. It cost me $200 for one night, plus $50 for the spa and $40 for the golf. I had to use my credit card, which I didn't want to do.
The resort was more isolated than I expected. It was far away from the city center, so there were not many options for entertainment or shopping. I had to stay at the hotel for most of the day.
The resort was more crowded than I expected. It was popular among tourists and locals alike, so there were many people there. I had to wait in line for the pool, the spa, and the golf. I also had to make a reservation for the steakhouse.
Day 5: From Redding to San Francisco
I slept well on Friday night, feeling pampered and relaxed. I had a delicious breakfast at my hotel and then checked out. I got back on the road around 10 am, heading south to San Francisco.
Highlights
Highlights
The drive from Redding to San Francisco was longer and more scenic than any of the previous days. I had to drive for four hours on Highway 299, which was curvy and hilly. I also had to cross the Trinity Alps, which were stunning and majestic. I enjoyed the views of the mountains, the lakes, and the forests.
I arrived in San Francisco around 2 pm and checked into my Airbnb. It was a modern loft apartment in the Mission District, close to many restaurants and bars. It was spacious and stylish, with a balcony and a fireplace.
I spent the afternoon exploring San Francisco by cable car. I rode from one end of the city to the other, stopping at some of the famous landmarks, such as the Fisherman's Wharf, the Lombard Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge. I also took pictures and videos of the cityscape and the bay.
I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant called Z & Y. I ordered a spicy chicken dish with rice and noodles. It was flavorful and authentic, with a kick of heat. I also had a beer and a fortune cookie for dessert.
Challenges
The traffic in San Francisco was hectic and chaotic. It took me longer than expected to get into the city. I had to deal with congestion, tolls, and parking.
The Airbnb was more noisy than I expected. It was near a busy street, so there were a lot of cars, buses, and sirens. It was also near a nightclub, so there were a lot of music, people, and laughter.
The cable car was more crowded than I expected. It was popular among tourists and locals alike, so there were many people waiting for it. I had to squeeze in with strangers and hold on tight.
The Lessons
Now that you know more about each day of my trip, let me share with you some of the lessons I learned from this adventure.
What I learned from this trip
I learned that road trips are fun and rewarding. They allow you to see new places, meet new people, and have new experiences. They also challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and adapt to different situations.
I learned that road trips are also stressful and exhausting. They require you to plan ahead, budget wisely, and drive safely. They also expose you to risks, uncertainties, and inconveniences.
I learned that road trips are what you make of them. They depend on your attitude, your expectations, and your choices. You can either focus on the positive or the negative aspects of each day. You can either enjoy the journey or rush to the destination.
What I would do differently next time
I would do more research before I go. I would look up more information about each city, such as the best time to visit, the best places to stay, and the best things to do.
I would do more booking in advance. I would reserve my accommodation, my transportation, and my activities ahead of time. This would save me money, time, and hassle.
I would do more packing wisely. I would bring only what I need and what I use. This would make my luggage lighter, my car more spacious, and my trip more comfortable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 624 Miles was an amazing project that I will never forget. It was a road trip that took me from Seattle to San Francisco in five days, stopping at different cities along the way. It was a journey that gave me joy and sorrow, excitement and boredom, comfort and discomfort. It was an adventure that taught me valuable lessons about myself and the world around me.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about 624 Miles:
How much did it cost? It cost me around $1000 for the whole trip, including gas, food, accommodation, entertainment, and souvenirs.
How did you document your trip? I documented my trip through photos, videos, and blog posts. I used my smartphone camera for taking pictures and recording clips. I used WordPress for writing posts and uploading media.
How did you choose your route? I chose my route based on the distance, the time, and the interest. I wanted to drive around 150 miles and 3 hours per day, which was manageable and enjoyable. I also wanted to visit cities that I had never been to or that I wanted to see again.
How did you deal with emergencies? I dealt with emergencies by being prepared, calm, and resourceful. I had a first-aid kit, a spare tire, and a roadside assistance service in case of accidents or breakdowns. I also had a phone, a map, and a GPS in case of getting lost or needing help.
How did you have fun? I had fun by being open-minded, curious, and adventurous. I tried new things, met new people, and learned new facts. I also appreciated the beauty, the diversity, and the culture of each place.
I hope you enjoyed reading this addendum as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you have any questions or comments about 624 Miles, feel free to contact me. Thank you for your attention and support. 71b2f0854b