Gallery

Every day, every frame.

Real photos drop in here as we make them. Each day's grid is keyed off its primary tag for a placeholder mood until the camera card comes off the dash.

Actual route Planned ahead

Day 01 · Thursday, May 14 · 63 mi

Out of storage, shakedown at Boulevard

Mission, the senior black-and-tan German Shepherd, on a red leash by his water bowls beside the white Rivian R1T before the staging run — Mission, copilot emeritus. Probably his last big one.

The Airstream tongue with the jack down on the asphalt at the storage lot, next to a Trailer Valet RVR motorized mover, about to be hitched up to the Rivian — Storage lot, La Mesa. First hitch of the trip.

The Rivian R1T's compact bed packed tight with a Gazelle gazebo bag, an electric skateboard, tools, folding tables, a portable power station, and camping gear — Small Rivian bed, big to-do list. Gazebo, electric skateboard, tools, tables, camping gear, all in.

The Rivian R1T's gear tunnel packed with a folding electric scooter, a portable power station, charging cables, and bags — Gear tunnel Tetris. The scooter fits :)

Looking down on the Rivian R1T's roof rack and powered tonneau cover with a flat solar panel mounted, ready for the long haul — Roof rack and panel, dialed in.

The white Rivian R1T plugged in at the Boulevard KOA campsite at golden hour, parked under California oaks with the e-bikes on the bed rack — Boulevard KOA, golden hour. 50A plugged in for the first overnight.

The 2024 Airstream International parked next to the white Rivian R1T at the Boulevard KOA campsite, both under oaks at sunset — Set up under the oaks. First night on the road.

Day 02 · Friday, May 15 · 340 mi

San Diego to a Wellton truck rest area

A Camco RV water tank filler with shut-off valve, still in its plastic clamshell packaging, held over a wood floor — 3:16 PM, La Mesa. Last-minute gear; the shut-off valve saves a couple of forgetful moments at the spigot.

Mission, the senior black-and-tan German Shepherd, asleep on a pillow across the back seat of the Rivian R1T mid-drive — Mission, settled on the climb out to Boulevard. The trip suits him.

The white Rivian R1T parked at the Boulevard KOA campsite under California oaks, with a fifth-wheel trailer visible at the neighboring site — 5:26 PM at Boulevard KOA. Drop off, pick up Smugglers Escape, head east.

The white Rivian R1T with headlights on, hitched to the silver 2024 Airstream International at the Boulevard KOA campsite under California oaks at golden hour, ready to roll east — Hitched up. Boulevard KOA, golden hour, heading east.

The silver Airstream International parked between two semi-truck trailers at an I-8 rest area east of Yuma at 1 AM, red running lights glowing in the desert dark with the Milky Way faintly overhead — 1 AM at the Wellton rest area. The plan said Gila Bend; the driver said enough.

Day 03 · Saturday, May 16 · 330 mi

Sonoran sunrise to Holbrook

The silver 2024 Airstream International rear with SMUGL California vanity plate, parked alongside a TESLA solar-canopy Supercharger plaza at dawn, dozens of V4 pedestals lined up under the canopy — Dateland, 5:34 AM. The Tesla canopy doubles as a solar array; the SMUGL plate caught the first light.

Two Electrify America DC fast-charge pedestals tucked behind a eucalyptus tree at the Dateland Travel Center, with the pre-dawn sky shifting from peach to lavender — The other half of Dateland. Electrify America pedestals share the lot, behind a windbreak of eucalyptus.

Mission, the senior black-and-tan German Shepherd, eating from a stainless steel bowl on a concrete curb at the Gila Bend RAN, the silver Airstream with SMUGL plate behind him in early-morning sun — Mission's breakfast on the gravel while we charge.

Wide view of the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked at the Gila Bend Rivian Adventure Network charger, with a tanker truck and Love's travel-plaza signage in the distance under a flare-lit blue sky — Plugged in at Gila Bend RAN, a tanker idling at Love's across the lot.

A Celsius Electric Vibe sparkling tropical-freeze energy drink can held up in the Rivian R1T cab with the AZ-85 highway and Pima Street signage visible on the center display behind it — Provisions for the climb to Phoenix. Electric Vibe felt on-brand.

A "City of Goodyear" wedge-shaped sign on a roadside median against the Estrella Mountain range, viewed from the passenger side of the Rivian R1T with the side mirror in the corner — Crossing into Goodyear. The Estrella Mountains rise straight out of the farms.

The silver Airstream International and white Rivian R1T parked broadside on a dirt pullout at Estrella Mountain Regional Park, with a low desert hill, sparse mesquite, and a strip of green park grass behind them under a deep blue Arizona sky — 9:37 AM at Estrella. 48 mi up from Gila Bend.

Park sticker for the Airstream. Estrella stays on the rig.

The Rivian app social tab showing the All-Time Roamer Plus leaderboard with Pablo's Revenge (our R1T 2025) ranked second at 4,176.9 miles towed — Pablo's Revenge sitting

Windshield-pov shot inside a red sandstone canyon on AZ-179 north of Phoenix, dual-lane highway flanked by towering rust-red rock walls, Bell Rock visible in the distance, a GoPro mounted on the dash and the Rivian center display showing 47 mph and a 1.01 hr ETA — AZ-179, Red Rock Scenic Byway. The payoff after the I-17 climb.

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked at a green Rivian Adventure Network pedestal in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, framed by pine trees and adobe-tile rooflines under a deep blue Arizona sky — Plugged in at the Sedona RAN. Tlaquepaque adobe across the lot, red rocks just out of frame.

Day 04 · Sunday, May 17 · 290 mi

Painted Desert + arrival at American RV Resort

Mission, the senior black-and-tan German Shepherd, walking on artificial-turf inside a chain-link dog run at the Holbrook KOA at sunrise, with the silver Airstream and the KOA office cabin visible through the fence behind him — Mission, first dog-run lap at the Holbrook KOA. 5:42 AM, sun barely up.

A massive petrified-wood log on a manicured lawn at the entrance to the Holbrook KOA, with a smaller upright petrified-wood stump beside it, framed by tall cypress trees and a "Welcome" sign — Petrified log at the KOA gate. The actual park is a few miles east.

The Holbrook KOA office, a green-roofed wooden cabin with rust-painted siding, surrounded by trees and a small parking area — KOA office. Receipt for the campsite and a tip on Petrified Forest entry.

The Chuckwagon breakfast bar at the Holbrook KOA, a small wooden order-window stand with a Pancake Breakfast Cowboy Cookout sign next to it, cypress trees in the background under morning light — The Chuckwagon. Cowboy-cookout pancake breakfast before the Painted Desert run.

The painted-aluminum side panel of the Airstream covered in adventure stickers, including Route 66 Holbrook AZ, Quartzsite AZ roadrunner, Big Bear Discovery Center, Adventure Is Always Out There, Estrella Mtn Regional Park Arizona, Electric Route 66, Yosemite, Idyllwild, San Diego Airstream Club, Valley of Fire State Park, Patagonia Cardiff, Dos Picos, Route 66, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Ardo's Other Oil — Sticker collection on the Airstream. Every place that earned a sticker, in one frame.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked at a tan Rivian Adventure Network pedestal in Holbrook AZ under a bright blue sky with mid-day cumulus clouds, no other vehicles around — Plugged in at the Holbrook RAN. Empty lot, big sky, charge curve.

The Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked at the brown "Petrified Forest National Park" entrance sign with a stop sign and a small National Park Service kiosk behind, under a bright Arizona sky with scattered cumulus clouds — At the Petrified Forest gate. Hit the Painted Desert overlooks from the north entrance.

A wide Painted Desert vista from one of the rim overlooks, layered red and pink bentonite hills receding to the horizon under a deep blue sky with scattered white clouds, no people or vehicles in frame — The Painted Desert from the rim. Red bentonite hills all the way out.

Side view of the white Rivian R1T with roof rack hitched to the silver Airstream International, parked at a Painted Desert overlook with the rust-red badlands visible through the gap between the truck and the trailer — Rig at a Painted Desert overlook. Hard to leave this view.

Mission at the rim. Painted Desert dog portrait.

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked at the Painted Desert Inn, a 1937 adobe National Historic Landmark with a flag pole at the back, against the layered red Painted Desert and a sky full of cumulus — Rig at the Painted Desert Inn. 1930s adobe, NPS landmark, classic overlook.

Rear angle of the silver Airstream parked at a Painted Desert overlook with the layered red sandstone hills and a small mesa in the distance under a partly-cloudy sky — Airstream at the overlook. The view earns the parking lot.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked over a yellow stenciled "EV TRAILER PARKING ONLY" marking on the asphalt at the Gallup Rivian Adventure Network site behind the Safeway, late-afternoon sun — Pulled into the EV Trailer Parking Only stall at the Gallup RAN. First time we have seen a stencil dedicated for the rig.

Wider landscape view of the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked at the Gallup RAN trailer-marked stall, with the tan RAN pedestal at left and the Gallup mesa skyline behind — Rig at the Gallup RAN. Tan pedestal, blue sky, Gallup mesa skyline.

A wide view of the strip-mall parking lot behind the Gallup Safeway with the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked at the Rivian Adventure Network site, surrounding storefronts including a Big Lots and Family Dollar in the background — Gallup RAN parking lot. Strip-mall edge of town, but the stencil + pull-through made it easy.

Day 05 · Monday, May 18 · 290 mi

Los Pollos Hermanos + Breaking Bad houses → Amarillo

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked in the Hotel Albuquerque lot in Old Town ABQ at 9:29 AM, the Spanish Colonial tower rising behind them under a deep blue New Mexico sky — Hotel Albuquerque, Old Town. Trailer-friendly lot with the Spanish Colonial tower as backdrop.

The Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked at the curb in front of the Jesse Pinkman house at 322 16th St SW, a Spanish Revival single-story with terra-cotta tile roof, ivy on the side wall, and a large cottonwood tree shading the driveway — Curb shot at 322 16th St SW. The Jesse Pinkman house from Breaking Bad.

Closer angle of the rig parked at the curb at 322 16th St SW, the front quarter of the Rivian R1T visible alongside the silver Airstream, the Spanish Revival house and terra-cotta roof behind under bright morning light — Front quarter at Jesse's. Cottonwood shadow on the Airstream.

Wide street view of the Rivian R1T pulling the silver Airstream past 322 16th St SW, the Jesse Pinkman house framed by mature cottonwoods, terra-cotta tile roof and stucco walls in late-morning light — Wide curb view. The Jesse Pinkman house under big cottonwoods.

The Jesse Pinkman house at 322 16th St SW, a Spanish Revival single-story with stucco walls, terra-cotta tile roof, and ivy on the side, with the rear of the silver Airstream parked at the curb at right edge — Wider view of the house, Airstream just in frame at the curb.

Three-quarter view of the rear of the silver Airstream International with California SMUGL plate parked in the street, the Jesse Pinkman house in the Spanish Revival style at left, ivy on the side wall, classic Breaking Bad framing — SMUGL plate, Jesse Pinkman house behind.

Eric (the author) standing in the front yard of the Jesse Pinkman house at 322 16th St SW, wearing a Mesa Rim 10 Years t-shirt and a baseball cap, the Spanish Revival house with terra-cotta tile roof and ivy framed behind him under a blue New Mexico sky — Yard selfie at 322 16th St SW.

Closer selfie in front of the Jesse Pinkman house, Eric smiling under a green ball cap, the Spanish Revival exterior with ivy and bay windows clearly visible — Front-yard selfie at Jesse's. The Mesa Rim shirt and the ivy.

The rear of the silver Airstream International with California SMUGL plate parked next to a vintage 1960s polished-aluminum Airstream travel trailer displayed as public art under a canary-orange canopy, the contrast between new and old visible on the same lot — New International next to a vintage 1960s Airstream art piece. Route 66 ABQ.

Wider view of the vintage 1960s polished-aluminum Airstream travel trailer under the canary-orange canopy with a porthole window in the white wall behind, a Route 66 era public art installation in Albuquerque — Vintage Airstream art under the orange canopy. Mid-century lines, modern Route 66.

Front-three-quarter view of the Rivian R1T and Airstream parked along the curb at the Walter White house, the black wrought-iron fence and gravel landscaping of the property visible at left, midday sun and a deep blue New Mexico sky — Front-three-quarter at the Heisenberg curb. Iron fence keeps the pizzas off the roof.

Closer view through the wrought-iron security fence at the Walter White property at 3828 Piermont Dr NE, mature trees on a manicured xeriscape lawn inside the fenced yard, a partial home address visible at left — Through the fence at the Walter White property. Tree, gravel, no front door in frame.

A "No Photographs" sign on the wrought-iron security fence at the Walter White house, with mature trees, gravel landscaping, and a glimpse of the iconic two-story brick home behind, the sign a result of years of Breaking Bad tourists overwhelming the property — "No Photographs" sign on the fence. Shot from the public curb across the street, of course.

Mission watching the rig at the ABQ Uptown RAN.

Mission and the pedestals. Modern minimalism at the ABQ Uptown RAN.

The rear of the silver Airstream International with California SMUGL plate parked in the Twisters Burgers and Burritos lot at 4257 Isleta Blvd SW, the rust-orange building with red TWISTERS signage visible across the lot under a deep blue New Mexico sky — Twisters parking lot. The Airstream and the actual Los Pollos Hermanos filming location.

The Los Pollos Hermanos painted signage from across the lot. Airstream tail-light framing the shot.

Inside the restaurant. The Pollos chicken-couple mural that closed every Breaking Bad cold open.

A back-counter shrine at Twisters covered in Breaking Bad memorabilia, a large painted portrait of Bryan Cranston as Walter White and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman heavily signed in marker by fans, sticker-covered tile, a "Breaking Bad Extremely Volatile" sign, and a guestbook on the counter — The Walter + Jesse mural inside Twisters. Every inch signed by Breaking Bad pilgrims.

A signed banner at Twisters advertising www.breakingbadrvtours.com, with three photographs showing the Twisters storefront, the Los Pollos Hermanos painted exterior, and the Krystal Ship Breaking Bad RV tour vehicle — The Breaking Bad RV Tours banner inside Twisters. They run the rig that doubles as the Krystal Ship.

View from the Rivian R1T driver seat on I-40 east at 1:49 PM, an action camera mounted on the dashboard, the rig holding 55 mph in a 75 mph zone, a double-decker car-hauler truck in the next lane carrying a load of new Hyundai Ioniq 5 EVs being delivered east — Truck-on-truck delivery, EV edition. A car-hauler stacked with Hyundai Ioniq 5s passing us on I-40 east.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked in the Blue Hole lot at Santa Rosa NM, the park's blue picnic shelter at left, a cottonwood tree shading the gravel, and a horse trailer parked across the lot — Rig at the Blue Hole lot, 3:40 PM Santa Rosa. Five-minute leg stretch off I-40.

The hand-painted Blue Hole arrow sign at Santa Rosa NM listing depth 81 ft, diameter 60 ft, outflow 3,000 gallons per minute, and water temperature 61°F, framed against a desert juniper and a deep blue sky — Blue Hole stats. 81 ft deep, 60 ft across, 3,000 gpm of clear water at a constant 61°F.

The Blue Hole at Santa Rosa NM, a crystal-clear deep-blue circular artesian spring with orange and pink safety buoys floating on the surface, sandstone rim walls and high-desert vegetation around the edge — The Blue Hole itself. Sandstone rim, sapphire water, deep enough to dive in.

The Tucumcari Route 66 Monument, a giant orange-adobe pyramid sculpture with a steel ROUTE 66 cutout and chrome eye-like circles on top, the silver Airstream International parked alongside, a wind turbine spinning in the strong SW wind in the background — Tucumcari Route 66 Monument. The big adobe pyramid, an Airstream alongside, a wind turbine spinning behind on the 25 mph SW tailwind that made the segment.

The white Rivian R1T parked at the teal-and-orange IONNA Rechargery pedestal in Tucumcari NM, dual cables for stalls 4A and 4B, a Native-American-chief mural on the side of the adjacent Apache Motel building visible behind, "Charge 2 cars at the same time" graphic on the cabinet — R1T at the IONNA pedestal. Apache Motel mural next door, classic Route 66 Tucumcari context.

Three-quarter at the IONNA. Tucumcari Route 66 signs down the boulevard in the distance.

The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari NM, the most intact 1939 Route 66 neon motel, shot from the side window of the moving Rivian, pink-coral stucco office with neon "Blue Swallow MOTEL" sign topped by a stylized blue swallow bird in flight, "100% AIRCONDITIONED" / "VACANCY" / "TV" panels, a period-correct 1951 Chevy sedan parked at the curb out front, the Rivian's side mirror visible at the bottom right — Blue Swallow Motel, 5:48 PM. The neon, the bird, the 1951 Chevy at the curb. Quick drive-by out the side window.

Through-the-windshield view eastbound on I-40 east of Tucumcari at 6:05 PM, the road curving gently through the high-desert mesa country, the action camera mounted on the dash, sage-and-sandstone landscape stretching to the horizon under a deep blue late-afternoon sky — I-40 east of Tucumcari, 6:05 PM. Empty road, action cam rolling, Texas panhandle ahead.

The rear of the silver Airstream International with the California SMUGL plate at Cadillac Ranch, the buried Cadillac sculptures lined up across the gravel field with their layered spray-paint graffiti catching warm sunset light, a graffiti-covered gate post in the foreground — Cadillac Ranch at sunset. Buried Cadillacs, layered graffiti, Texas panhandle dusk.

Night arrival at the Amarillo KOA Holiday, a wooden picnic table with a "Happy Camping" silhouette engraving in the foreground under warm campsite lighting, a neighbor's fifth-wheel partially visible, KOA power pedestal lit at left — Night arrival at the Amarillo KOA. Happy Camping picnic table, 50A pedestal ready, Day 5 done.

Day 06 · Tuesday, May 19 · 370 mi

Amarillo Buc-ee's + Shamrock U-Drop Inn east toward Tulsa

The U-Drop Inn front view, the cream Art Deco Conoco tower with green spire and vertical "CONOCO" lettering rising above the canopy, the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked under the green-and-cream Art Deco canopy alongside the vintage Conoco gas pumps with red triangle logos, Shamrock TX overcast sky — The hero frame. R1T + Airstream parked under the U-Drop Inn Conoco canopy with the vintage red-triangle pumps.

Wide-angle exterior of the U-Drop Inn from the parking lot, the silver Airstream and white Rivian R1T tucked under the Art Deco canopy with the cream Conoco tower above and the vintage gas pumps in the foreground, downtown Shamrock TX visible across the street — Wide frame at the U-Drop Inn. Airstream alongside the historic Conoco pumps, the canopy + tower above.

Amarillo KOA office building, morning of departure.

Wider exterior of the Amarillo KOA office and entrance, Texas-themed wall art including a Texas state silhouette, KOA emblem, windmill, oil derrick, and lone star on a white siding wall — KOA Texas wall art. Texas flag, windmill, oil derrick, lone star, the full Panhandle iconography.

Inside the Buc-ee's Amarillo store, a tiered display of red "I LOVE AMERICA, BUC-EE'S" t-shirts arranged on a teal-blue circular table with branded mugs and rubber-duck figurines, the rest of the apparel section visible behind — Buc-ee's apparel pyramid. I LOVE AMERICA Beaver Nuggets, branded mugs, rubber ducks.

Buc-ee's-branded flip-flops with the smiling beaver mascot. The full Texas roadside experience.

A Buc-ee's-branded "Mesquite Peppered Beef Jerky" bag held up in the cabin of the Rivian R1T while driving east on I-40, the action camera on the dash visible and the Texas Panhandle landscape blurring past through the windshield — Buc-ee's mesquite-peppered beef jerky, riding shotgun east on I-40.

Two Electrify America DC fast-charge pedestals at the Erick OK Love's Travel Stop with the white Rivian R1T plugged in, the asphalt in the foreground stenciled in white "UP TO 350 kW EV CHARGING ONLY", three lightning-bolt graphics between the digits and the text — "UP TO 350 kW" stenciled on the pavement at the Erick OK EA. Reality was an 80 kW average across the session.

The silver Airstream International parked next to a red-and-white battery-electric BAT regional transit bus at the Erick OK Love's Travel Stop, a Days Inn sign visible behind, two electric vehicles on the same lot — EV-on-EV at Erick. Our rig parked alongside a battery-electric BAT regional bus.

Wide-angle view of the Erick OK Electrify America charging lot, the silver Airstream and white Rivian R1T plugged in at left, a red battery-electric BAT bus to the right, a Days Inn motel sign rising behind under a clear blue Oklahoma sky — Erick OK EA lot, the full scene. Rig + Airstream + BAT bus + Days Inn behind.

Eric standing under the green-glazed Art Deco tile canopy of the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock TX, the cream and green Art Deco facade behind him, a Holiday Inn Express visible across the street, overcast Texas sky — Under the U-Drop Inn canopy in Shamrock TX. 1936 Art Deco Conoco, the inspiration for Ramone's House of Body Art in Cars.

Eric selfie in front of the U-Drop Inn in a blue puffy jacket and Mesa Rim cap, the cream Art Deco Conoco tower with vertical signage rising behind, the rig parked under the canopy in the background — Selfie at the Conoco tower. Rig under the canopy, the green-tile facade behind.

The white Rivian R1T parked at the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock TX, the green-glazed Art Deco tile facade behind with signage reading "AUTO LAUNDRY · LUBRICATION" and "VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER SHAMROCK TEXAS GIFT SHOP", overcast sky — R1T at the U-Drop Inn. Auto Laundry signage, visitor center, the canonical Art Deco filling-station frame.

The U-Drop Inn from the street level, the cream Art Deco "CAFE" tower visible above and the Texas-shaped "U DROP INN" neon arrow sign hanging from a black bracket, the silver Airstream International + white Rivian R1T parked alongside, an antique red truck across the street for vintage Route 66 atmosphere — U-Drop Inn from the street. CAFE tower, Texas-shaped neon, the rig parked under the canopy, antique red truck across the road.

Day 07 · Wednesday, May 20 · 130 mi

OKC → Pops 66 → Tulsa, Diana airport pickup

The 66-foot stainless steel Pops 66 Soda Ranch bottle sculpture in Arcadia OK rising against an overcast May morning sky, with the silver Airstream International parked under the swept architectural canopy at the base, the white Rivian R1T just visible alongside, the metal bottle's steel rings glinting overhead — Pops 66 in Arcadia. The 66-foot bottle, the rig under the canopy, the canonical Route 66 Oklahoma frame.

Wide-angle view of Pops 66 Soda Ranch in Arcadia OK with the full 66-foot pop bottle sculpture at right, the sweeping architectural canopy over the gas and charging area at left, the silver Airstream International and white Rivian R1T parked under the canopy mid-frame, overcast Oklahoma plains sky — Pops 66 wide. The Rand Elliott canopy + bottle, the rig parked underneath, OK plains behind.

Wide ground-level view of Pops 66 Soda Ranch from the front lawn corner, the swept architectural canopy at left running across the gas + charging bays, the 66-foot stainless steel bottle sculpture at right rising into the overcast sky, the silver Airstream and white Rivian R1T parked between, grass apron and bench seating in the foreground — Pops 66 from the corner of the lawn. Canopy + bottle in proportion, rig parked between the two.

Vertical view of the 66-foot Pops 66 stainless steel bottle sculpture rising into the overcast sky with the architectural canopy and the silver Airstream visible at the base, a slight angle variant from the primary hero shot — The bottle in vertical proportion. 66 ft tall, stainless steel rings, the swept canopy at the base.

A Route 66 highway shield painted on the asphalt with "66 / OK / ARCADIA" lettering, two yellow center lines crossing through the frame, green grass and trees at the road edge — "Route 66 / OK / ARCADIA" painted on the pavement just outside Pops 66.

The wall of 700+ sodas at Pops 66. Glass-front coolers running floor-to-ceiling, Route 66 state panels above.

Close-up of a W.T. Heck Bacon Soda bottle on the Pops 66 shelf with a top-hat-and-mustache mascot illustration on a label of bacon stripes, ruby-red liquid visible through the clear glass, identical bottles flanking it — W.T. Heck Bacon Soda at Pops 66. Top-hat mustache mascot, bacon-stripes label, ruby liquid inside.

Close-up of an Always Ask for Avery's Unicorn Yack soda bottle at Pops 66 with a cartoon pink unicorn on the label, "raspberry orange cane sugar" caption, purple-tinted liquid in clear glass, more identical bottles behind — Avery's Unicorn Yack. Raspberry, orange, cane sugar, purple liquid, a cartoon unicorn.

Five Pops 66 four-pack boxes lined up on the checkout counter, each with rainbow Route 66 themed graphics, filled with assorted glass soda bottles in red, green, blue, and brown colors with bottle caps still on, a Jones Soda glass-front cooler in the background — The Pops 66 haul. Five rainbow-printed four-packs loaded with assorted bottles, Jones cooler in the back.

Inside the Pops 66 gift-shop at the checkout counter, a Pops 66 four-pack box with blue, black, and green Route-66-branded soda bottles in front, single bottles of Bacon Soda and Apple Pie soda on the counter behind, retail apparel racks visible in the background — Pops 66 checkout. Bacon Soda, Apple Pie soda, and the Route-66-branded four-pack. 700+ flavors inside.

The white Rivian R1T tailgate with its black cross-rack at left foreground, the silver Airstream International rear at right, framing a bright red roll-up door on a wood-sided Arcadia building that holds a large black and white Route 66 shield panel with "1926 - 2026" centennial dates and CENTENNIAL on a blue-and-white banner below, an overcast Oklahoma sky above — The Arcadia Route 66 Centennial sign, framed between the R1T tailgate and the Airstream rear.

The silver Airstream International side panel at left foreground, the wood-sided Chicken Shack restaurant entrance at right with bold red-and-yellow "CHICKEN SHACK" block-letter signage above the doorway, a parking lot bollard and a trash receptacle by the entrance, overcast plains sky — Lunch at the Chicken Shack in Arcadia. Wood-sided storefront, the red-and-yellow CHICKEN SHACK sign over the door.

Wide view of the Arcadia Route 66 plaza, the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked along the gravel lot, the wood-sided Chicken Shack / Centennial sign building running across the back, red roll-up doors and the centennial panel mid-frame, the partial "HILL'S" signage visible at right — The Arcadia Centennial plaza. Chicken Shack + Centennial sign + Hill's adjacent, rig parked in front.

Eric in a black puffy LULU jacket and white cap standing in front of the Arcadia Route 66 Centennial sign, the family German Shepherd Mission sitting at his feet to the left looking right with leash in hand, the banner above reading "Arcadia" and "100 Miles of Christmas", the Route 66 1926 to 2026 Centennial panel filling the red roll-up door behind — Eric + Mission at the Arcadia Route 66 Centennial sign. "100 Miles of Christmas" runs on the same property in December.

Inside the Chicken Shack restaurant looking up at the rafters, a "WHISKEY / BEER" neon sign hanging from a corrugated metal ceiling with industrial steel duct work, exposed brick walls below with multiple flat-panel TVs showing sports, string lights and Route 66 themed decor, dining tables visible at right — Inside the Chicken Shack. WHISKEY / BEER neon, corrugated metal ceiling, ductwork, brick walls, sports TVs.

An Oklahoma-shaped Coca-Cola neon sign hanging from the wooden rafters of the Chicken Shack interior, a stylized white Coca-Cola contour bottle on a red Oklahoma silhouette with neon "REFRESHING OKLAHOMA" lettering beneath, multicolored string lights below, wooden support beams flanking — The "REFRESHING OKLAHOMA" Coca-Cola neon. Oklahoma silhouette, bottle silhouette, hand-drawn Coca-Cola script.

Interior dining area of the Chicken Shack with a large black and white floral Route 66 shield wreath on a wood-panel wall at left, a metal "Route 66 / Historic Route 66 / The Mother Road" tin sign with a motorcycle illustration at center, wood booth seating and red-checkered tablecloths in the foreground, corrugated metal ceiling above — Chicken Shack dining wall. Floral Route 66 wreath, "The Mother Road" tin sign, red-checkered tablecloths.

Eric in a black puffy LULU jacket and dark cap, selfie outside at Rockwell RV Resort with the white Rivian R1T side panel in the frame, a red pickup and white travel trailer across the lot, overcast Oklahoma sky — Morning at Rockwell. Puffy-jacket weather, 60°F, the rig parked behind.

Overnight L2 at Rockwell. The yellow NEMA 14-50 head + Rivian portable charger taking the pack from 30 percent to 100 percent on site power.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International parked broadside in the Rockwell RV Resort lot, a tree at left center, an overcast Oklahoma plains sky, ready to roll — Rig in profile at Rockwell. Hitched, full pack, ready to roll east on Route 66.

A dark-bronze bison sculpture mounted on a rust-red rock base near the Rockwell RV Resort entrance with the head tilted up to the left, a tall American flag on a white pole at right, an overcast Oklahoma plains sky — The Rockwell RV Resort bison + flag at the entrance. OKC's quiet take on the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The collected sticker board. Fresh Rockwell RV Resort badge top-center, alongside Amarillo KOA + Route 66 Holbrook + Petrified Forest + the rest of the trip.

Inside the Airstream wardrobe at Rockwell RV Resort, a hand reaching for a hanging short-sleeve shirt with a Route 66 shield motif and "Oklahoma" lettering, surrounded by other Route 66 / Oklahoma themed shirts on hangers — Morning wardrobe choice. The Route 66 / Oklahoma shirt picked for the day's Route 66 run.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the silver Airstream International at a roadside pull-off on old Route 66 east of Arcadia OK, with a tall mosaic stained-glass art totem in vivid patchwork color standing beside the trailer, overcast plains sky and a red-curbed turnout — Roadside Route 66 art totem east of Arcadia. A mosaic-glass sculpture between the truck and trailer on the original two-lane.

The silver Airstream and white Rivian R1T parked in front of a "Welcome To Davenport" Route 66 mural building in Davenport OK, the Oklahoma Route 66 shield painted at right, an American flag flying above the metal-roofed structure — "Welcome To Davenport." The Oklahoma Route 66 shield mural on the historic alignment east of Chandler.

The red-and-blue "Route 66 Stroud EST. 1892" neon sign on a tall pole over the main drag in Stroud OK, the Route 66 shield at top and Stroud in script below, the silver Airstream and white Rivian R1T passing on the road behind — Stroud, est. 1892. The Route 66 neon on the main drag, a block from the original Rock Cafe.

A vintage blue Volkswagen Beetle parked in front of the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa OK, with the museum's 66-foot-tall stylized red gas-pump tower rising behind topped by a clock-faced globe, a 1940s sedan parked to the right — The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum gas pump in Sapulpa, 66 feet tall, with a vintage Beetle out front.

A large OKLAHOMA Route 66 shield mural painted on a cracked-plaster brick wall at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum in Sapulpa, framed by the white Rivian R1T rear with the SMUGL plate at left and the curve of the silver Airstream at right — OKLAHOMA 66 mural at Sapulpa, framed between the R1T tailgate and the Airstream.

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked at a Mingo RV Park site in Tulsa, with the red log-cabin Camp Mingo office building behind among pine trees, the Oklahoma state flag flying and a tall carved totem pole at left — Set up at Mingo RV Park, Tulsa. The Camp Mingo log cabin + Oklahoma flag behind, plugged in for the overnight charge.

Mingo RV Park entrance, Tulsa. Gated, five minutes from TUL for the evening airport run.

Day 08 · Thursday, May 21 · 225 mi

Tulsa → Branson, MO

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International parked on wet pavement at the Blue Whale of Catoosa on a rainy overcast morning, the blue sperm-whale sculpture sitting in its spring-fed pond in the background among green trees, concrete sphere bollards lining the lot — The Blue Whale of Catoosa in the morning rain. Rig parked by the pond, the smiling blue whale behind.

The "Blue Whale of Catoosa" sign at the attraction entrance, a black starburst-bordered panel with a painted leaping light-blue whale and yellow arrow, mounted above the pond's edge with green trees behind under a grey sky — The Blue Whale of Catoosa entrance sign, painted whale and all.

A "Route 66 Roadside Attraction, Blue Whale, Catoosa, Oklahoma" interpretive sign in the foreground, with the blue whale sculpture and the white Rivian R1T towing the silver Airstream lined up along the pond behind it on a wet overcast morning — The "Route 66 Roadside Attraction" sign, the whale, and the rig all in one frame.

The light-blue concrete sperm-whale sculpture resting in its green spring-fed pond, the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked on the access road alongside, reflections in the rain-wet pavement, leafy trees and overcast sky — The whale in its pond with the rig alongside, reflections on the wet morning road.

Close-up of the Blue Whale of Catoosa's smiling head and the metal slide built off its side, the painted concrete snout rising over the rock-lined pond, rain dimpling the water — Up close with the whale, the grin and the slide that made it a swimming hole.

The Route 66 Rising sculpture at the Avery Traffic Circle in Tulsa, a large steel Route 66 shield reading "TULSA" with an oversized "66" half-submerged in a grassy island and ringed in swirls of tan, orange, and teal, under an overcast sky — Route 66 Rising, first stop of the day. The Tulsa shield + 66 half-buried in the Avery Traffic Circle, a half mile from the campsite.

Eric in an olive shirt and dark cap and Diana in a blue tee and cream cardigan, selfie outside Hometown Coffee on the main street of Locust Grove OK, the white Rivian R1T and a brick storefront behind them, overcast morning — Eric + Diana outside Hometown Coffee, Locust Grove. First coffee stop of the morning on US-412.

The interior soda-fountain counter at Hometown Coffee in Locust Grove, the original carved "Cigars / City Drug Store / Ice Cream Soda & Mineral Water" sign mounted on the white shiplap wall above a long wooden counter lined with flavored-syrup bottles, a red cast-iron tractor-seat stool, tumblers and tin ceiling above — The City Drug Store soda fountain inside Hometown Coffee. Original sign, a wall of syrups, a tractor-seat stool.

The white Rivian R1T towing the silver Airstream International parked along the brick main street of Locust Grove OK outside Hometown Coffee, low storefronts and a utility pole down the block, overcast morning sky — The rig on Main Street, Locust Grove, pulled up outside Hometown Coffee.

The "Welcome to Our Porch" back lounge at Hometown Coffee, a vintage gold-floral couch with black "Hello" and red "Welcome" throw pillows, a roll-down world map on the green cinder-block wall, string lights overhead, an oval white coffee table on a paisley rug — The "Welcome to Our Porch" lounge, vintage couches, a roll-down world map, and a wall of paperbacks.

A reading nook inside Hometown Coffee, a tall ladder bookshelf packed with paperbacks, a woven hanging pendant lamp, a wooden table and chairs against an exposed brick wall, a giant red Connect Four set standing beside the shelf — The book nook inside, a ladder shelf, a giant Connect Four, and a chandelier over a barn-board table.

The vintage Phillips 66 tanker truck out front, flanked by old visible-register and DX gas pumps.

The old DX pump in the gas-station display, red enamel and chrome.

A white GM BrightDrop electric delivery van charging at the Lowell AR Tesla Supercharger right beside the white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream International, red-and-white Supercharger stalls under an overcast NW Arkansas sky — EV-on-EV at the Lowell Supercharger. A BrightDrop electric delivery van plugged in right next to the R1T and Airstream.

A stainless-steel Tesla Cybertruck and a dark Tesla Model Y charging at the Lowell AR Supercharger, the red-and-white stalls and a Love's-style travel stop behind under an overcast sky — More EV company at Lowell, a Cybertruck and a Model Y on the next stalls over. Busy charger in Walmart country.

The view through the Rivian windshield on a two-lane road approaching a stone railroad underpass in the green Ozark woods, heading north from Arkansas toward Missouri — Off the interstate, up the two-lane through the Ozark woods toward the Missouri line.

A blue "Missouri Welcomes You" state-line sign with the Missouri state seal beside a wooded two-lane highway, a soil-and-water conservation district sign next to it, overcast Ozark sky — "Missouri Welcomes You." Crossing the last state line of the outbound leg, Branson just ahead.

The silver Airstream International set up beside a screened gazebo tent on the wooded lakeside campsite at Indian Point on Table Rock Lake, gravel pad and tall trees, the white Rivian R1T alongside — Set up at Indian Point on Table Rock Lake. The Airstream parked lakeside for the next four nights, the basecamp for Branson.

The Airstream, the Rivian R1T, and a screened gazebo arranged on the Indian Point campsite among the trees, camp chairs and gear out, late-afternoon Ozark light — Camp made. Screen room up, chairs out, the rig plugged into 50A for the lake days ahead.

A stainless-steel Solo Stove fire pit standing on the gravel at the Indian Point campsite, trees and a neighboring site behind under evening light — Fire pit out for the first lake evening.

A laptop open beside a plate of barbecue on a camp table under the screened gazebo at Indian Point, the lake and trees beyond the screen — Working from the lake. Laptop and a barbecue plate under the screen room, Table Rock just past the mesh.

Diana smiling at the camp table under the screened gazebo at Indian Point, a plate of food in front of her on an adventure-print tablecloth — Diana at the camp table. First dinner at the Branson basecamp.

The silver Airstream International glowing warm from its interior lights at dusk among the trees at the Indian Point campsite, deep-blue evening sky behind — The Airstream lit up at dusk. First evening on Table Rock Lake.

Mission, the German shepherd, stretched out on a camp blanket on the grass at the Indian Point campsite in the evening light — Mission claims the camp blanket.

Rows of covered boat slips at a Table Rock Lake marina at dusk, ducks on the still water, wooded shoreline behind under a grey-blue sky — Table Rock Lake at dusk, the marina just down from camp.

The stainless-steel Solo Stove fire pit glowing with flames on the picnic table at the Indian Point campsite at dusk, the lake visible behind through the trees — The Solo Stove going as the light drops over the lake.

The Indian Point campsite after dark, warm lights glowing on the rig and a neighboring camp under the trees, the white Rivian R1T parked alongside the Airstream — Indian Point after dark, the campground all warm light.

The full Indian Point campsite at blue-hour dusk, the Airstream lit from inside, the Gazelle screen gazebo glowing orange, and the white Rivian R1T parked alongside under the trees — Blue hour at camp. The Airstream, the screen room, and the rig all lit up on Table Rock Lake.

Inside the Gazelle screen gazebo at night, string lights glowing warm overhead, the lit Airstream visible through the mesh wall at the Indian Point campsite — Inside the screen room after dark, string lights and the Airstream just beyond the mesh.

Day 09 · Friday, May 22 · 5 mi

Branson Day 1, Dolly Parton's Stampede

The white Rivian R1T parked at the Indian Point campsite on a clear morning, gear staged in the bed, trees and other campers behind — Morning at camp. The Rivian ready for a truck-only day around Branson, the Airstream stays put on the lake.

The Indian Point campsite in the morning, a neighboring A-frame pop-up camper and the white Rivian R1T along the wooded campground road, people stirring in the distance — Branson basecamp morning, the campground waking up at Indian Point.

Mission the German shepherd walking across the grass at the Indian Point campsite on a clear morning, campers and the wooded campground road behind — Mission on patrol, Branson basecamp morning.

Eric and Diana with two friends posed in front of the Dolly Parton's Stampede entrance, a brick wall and red rope barrier behind them, before the evening show — Showtime at Dolly Parton's Stampede, the four of us before the doors.

Horses standing in a wood-railed stall in the stable area at Dolly Parton's Stampede, viewed during the pre-show stable walk — The stable walk before the show, the Stampede's horses up close.

A brightly hand-painted decorative horse statue on a stand in the lobby at Dolly Parton's Stampede, rainbow colors against dark wood paneling — A painted pony in the lobby on the way in.

A diner in a cowboy hat at a table at Dolly Parton's Stampede with the signature platter, a whole rotisserie chicken and sides served with no silverware — The feast you eat with your hands. Whole rotisserie chicken, no fork in sight.

The dirt arena floor at Dolly Parton's Stampede lit deep blue with "Dolly Parton's Stampede, Dinner Attraction" projected onto the ground before the show — Lights down, the arena lit up for the show.

A longhorn steer standing on the dirt arena floor during the Dolly Parton's Stampede show — A longhorn takes the arena.

A covered wagon on the dirt arena floor during the Dolly Parton's Stampede show, stage lighting overhead — Covered wagons in the Wild-West round.

Performers and riders in action on the lit dirt arena floor at Dolly Parton's Stampede, the audience tables ringing the round — The show in full swing, riders and music in the round.

Eric and Diana in a selfie at Dolly Parton's Stampede, Diana holding a blue "VIP 2026 Stampede" lanyard card, warm arena lighting behind them — VIP night at the Stampede.

The patriotic finale at Dolly Parton's Stampede, riders carrying American flags around the dirt arena beneath an enormous Stars and Stripes — The flag finale, the whole arena on its feet.

Sunset through the trees at the Indian Point campsite, the sun a bright point low on the horizon over Table Rock Lake — Sundown over Table Rock from the campsite.

Day 10 · Saturday, May 23 · 10 mi

Branson Day 2, Table Rock Lake + Top of the Rock

Eric eating at the camp table under the screened gazebo at Indian Point, a big potluck spread of skillets and plates across the table — Potluck breakfast at camp, the EV-meetup spread under the screen room.

The EV-meetup group gathered in camp chairs around the fire ring at the Indian Point campsite, their RVs and rigs parked behind under the trees — The EV crew gathered at Eric's campsite, rigs parked all around.

The group standing around the potluck table in the screen room at the Indian Point campsite, plates of breakfast food spread out — Everyone bringing a dish, potluck style. So yummy.

The whole crew loaded into a golf cart at the start of the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail at Top of the Rock — Loading into the cart for the Lost Canyon Cave trail.

Diana and Eric smiling in a selfie from the front of the golf cart on the Lost Canyon Cave trail, green Ozark woods behind — Diana and Eric, cave trail underway.

A golf cart on the paved self-drive Lost Canyon Cave trail winding between rock walls and trees at Top of the Rock — The self-drive trail winds toward the cave.

Inside Lost Canyon Cave, the man-made cavern lit deep blue and red, water on the floor and the cart path running right through the lit passage — Inside Lost Canyon Cave, lit blue and red, the trail running straight through it.

Eric on the Top of the Rock boardwalk overlook beneath a giant open-frame steel fish sculpture, Table Rock Lake and the Ozark hills falling away behind — Under the big steel fish on the Top of the Rock overlook, the Ozarks dropping to the lake.

Towering dolomite rock bluffs and an arch along the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail at Top of the Rock — Dolomite bluffs along the trail.

A long wooden boardwalk bridge winding through dense green Ozark woods on the Top of the Rock nature trail — The boardwalk stretch of the nature trail.

A stone overlook structure at Top of the Rock with the Ozark hills and Table Rock Lake spread out beyond — The view from Top of the Rock.

A mounted prehistoric animal skeleton in a lit diorama at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock — Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, prehistoric bones under glass.

A small stone chapel with a steeple on a green bluff at Top of the Rock, the rolling Ozark hills behind under a cloudy sky — The stone chapel at Top of the Rock, the Ozarks rolling out behind it.

The sweeping view from Osage Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge, Table Rock Lake and the wooded Ozark hills spreading out under dramatic storm clouds — The sweeping Ozark view from Osage Restaurant.

Eric and Diana on the railed terrace at Top of the Rock, the Ozark hills and Table Rock Lake spread out behind them under cloudy skies — Eric and Diana on the terrace, the Ozarks and Table Rock behind.

The dinner group together on the covered patio at Osage Restaurant, the Ozark view and an American flag behind them — The whole crew at Osage, dinner with a view.

The group around the dinner table at Osage Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge, plates and drinks out in the warm stone-and-timber dining room — Dinner at Osage Restaurant, upscale regional plates to close the day.

Day 11 · Sunday, May 24 · 45 mi

Branson Day 3, Table Rock Lake + Bigfoot on the Strip

The white Rivian R1T parked beside the screened gazebo at the Indian Point campsite on a clear Sunday morning, trees and the campground road behind — Sunday morning at camp on Table Rock Lake.

The white Rivian R1T parked at a Table Rock Lake overlook under a big blue sky with scattered clouds, the lake and wooded hills beyond — The Rivian at a Table Rock overlook.

The white Rivian R1T lined up with friends' electric trucks at the Table Rock Lake overlook, the water and Ozark hills behind — Rigs lined up at the overlook, EVs all around.

Diana and friends wading in the shallow clear water of Table Rock Lake off a wooded shoreline on a hot, bright day — Into the lake with friends. Table Rock warm and clear.

Mission the German shepherd standing in the shallow water of Table Rock Lake, soaked and happy, the wooded shoreline behind — Mission takes to the water.

Eric in an orange shirt with Mission the German shepherd in a lakeside selfie at Table Rock, both wet from the lake — Eric and Mission, lake-soaked and happy.

A dark green electric pickup parked at the Table Rock Lake overlook, lake and hills behind under a cloudy sky — A friend's rig at the overlook.

The large illuminated Bigfoot Fun Park sign on the Branson strip at dusk, a stylized Sasquatch on a tall lit structure — Bigfoot on the Strip lit up at dusk.

A large Bigfoot statue lit green at night at the Bigfoot Fun Park on the Branson strip — The big guy himself, Bigfoot Fun Park after dark.

Eric lining up a putt on a mini-golf course at Bigfoot Fun Park, the tall Bigfoot tower and a bright sky behind — On the course at Bigfoot mini golf.

A camouflaged BIGFOOT monster truck on display out front at the Bigfoot Fun Park in Branson — The Bigfoot monster truck parked out front.

A hand holding two filled-in Bigfoot mini-golf scorecards reading "Branson's best place to play" — Two courses, two scorecards. The competition was on.

Diana posing with arms out beside a large Bigfoot statue at the Bigfoot Fun Park in Branson — Diana and the big guy.

Day 12 · Monday, May 25 · 245 mi

Branson → family's farm past St. Louis

A friend's white Ford F-150 Lightning towing a Coleman travel trailer parked beside a blue car at the Indian Point campsite, the EV-meetup crew packing out the same morning — The EV-meetup friends pulling out too, their Ford Lightning hitched up at Indian Point.

The Airstream's sticker board with a new "Top of the Rock, Table Rock Lake" patch sticker and a "Lowell, AR" sticker added to the growing trip map — New stickers for the board, Top of the Rock and Lowell, AR.

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked at the Tesla Supercharger in Springfield, MO, red-and-white stalls under a bright sky — Hitched up and charging in Springfield, first stop out of the Ozarks.

The view through the Rivian windshield approaching the I-44 interchange in Springfield, green highway signs for Joplin, St. Louis, and Springfield overhead — Onto I-44 at Springfield, eastbound for the Mississippi.

The white Rivian R1T and silver Airstream parked at the St. Robert MO Supercharger beside a red pickup, gas-station canopy behind under a bright sky — The big top-off at St. Robert, by the Fort Leonard Wood exit.

A Culver's tray with a double bacon cheeseburger and crinkle-cut fries and a drink, lunch at the St. Robert stop — Lunch at Culver's. A double bacon cheeseburger to share, yummy.

The St. James, Missouri water tower standing tall over green roadside trees along I-44 under an overcast spring sky — The St. James water tower on I-44, Ozark wine country rolling by.

The tall illuminated orange Wally's travel-center sign rising over the Fenton MO interchange under cloudy skies, the fuel canopy below — Wally's, Fenton. The orange tower over I-44 exit 274.

A vintage white Winnebago motorhome with a WALLY'S front license plate parked on display at the Fenton travel center — A vintage Winnebago flying Wally's colors out front.

The interior of the Wally's travel center in Fenton MO, aisles of camping coolers and outdoor gear with a small camper on display — Inside Wally's, a road-trip general store stocked for camping.

An overhead highway sign on I-44 East approaching St. Louis, green panels for I-55 North to Chicago and I-55 South to Memphis with exit-only lanes — The St. Louis interchange. I-55 North reads Chicago, the way home.

The silver Airstream parked on a grassy farm pad at dusk beside a pickup truck, an open Illinois field and tree line behind — Boondocked at the family farm, dusk settling over the field.

A still farm pond at sunset with an orange and gold sky mirrored on the water, a tree line and a canoe along the far bank — The farm's pond at sunset, the whole sky laid out on the water.

Mission the German shepherd walking along the grassy bank of the farm pond at sunset, the sky reflected on the still water — Mission working the pond bank at golden hour.

The rear of the silver Airstream against a purple and pink sunset at the Illinois farm, the SMUGL vanity plate reading Smugglers Escape — Smugglers Escape under a violet sky, the SMUGL plate at dusk.

The rear of the silver Airstream at sunset on the farm, a gravel drive curving out across the open field under an orange sky — The drive curving out into the field, last light at the farm.

A marshmallow on a long roasting fork held over the flames of a Solo Stove Mesa XL fire pit at night, with a bag of marshmallows, a Hershey's milk chocolate bar, and a red Solo cup on the table beside it, the makings of s'mores at the farm — S'mores by the Solo Stove Mesa XL. Marshmallow on the fork, Hershey's and the bag of mallows at the ready.

Day 13 · Tuesday, May 26 · 222 mi

Family's farm → Kamp Komfort, central Illinois

The white Rivian R1T parked at a row of Tesla Supercharger pedestals on a bright day, a white pickup alongside — Morning charge on the way north.

The Airstream's sticker board filling in with travel-map stickers from the trip so far — The sticker board, filling in as the miles add up.

Day 14 · Wednesday, May 27 · 186 mi

Kamp Komfort → friends near Fox Lake (Mission to the vet en route)

The silver Airstream's coupler latched onto the white Rivian R1T's hitch on a gravel campground pad, safety chains crossed, ready to tow — Hitched up at Kamp Komfort, ready to roll north.

A green highway sign near Carlock, Illinois pointing left to Carlock and right to Rivian Motorway, the road to Rivian's Normal plant, under a clear blue sky — Carlock one way, Rivian Motorway the other. Charging in Rivian's own backyard.

A column of dark smoke rising over the empty I-39 horizon from a distant burn, the highway running ahead under blue sky — Smoke on the horizon up I-39, a distant burn off the road.

The white Rivian R1T and the silver Airstream parked at a row of tall white Tesla Supercharger pedestals at the Rochelle, Illinois site under a clear blue sky, the day's first third-party SC attempt — At the Rochelle Supercharger around 1 PM. Membership-pricing handshake refused; we gave up and pushed on.

Mission the German shepherd lying on the grass beside a food bowl and a water bowl, ears up, easing into recovery from a back-leg episode — Mission resting in the grass, food and water close to hand.

Mission lying on his side on the tile floor of a quiet veterinary exam room, a sheet beneath him, the exam-room door closed behind — At the vet after the back-leg episode, waiting for the meds to start working.

The white Rivian R1T and the silver Airstream parked together at a wooded roadside pullout, sunlight filtering through the trees — A roadside pause on the long day north.

An Italian beef sandwich in a foil-lined foam takeout box on a diner table at Orlando's in Round Lake, a red vinyl booth and black-and-white checkered floor behind it — Dinner at Orlando's, a Round Lake favorite. Italian beef in the box, red booth and checkered floor behind.

A close-up of the Orlando's Italian beef sandwich, shredded beef under a blanket of melted provolone on Italian bread in the takeout box — The Orlando's Italian beef up close, provolone melted over the beef. The comfort food a hard day called for.

The flavor board behind the counter glass at Diana's Ice Cream Shop in Round Lake listing Paul Bunyan, Mango Sorbet, Lemon Cheesecake, and Salty Jack, a customer ordering at the window — Paul Bunyan at Diana's Ice Cream Shop to close out the day. The flavor board does not mess around.

The silver Airstream parked at the friends' driveway in soft evening light, trees overhead — Parked at the friends', the rig settled for the Chicago-area stay.

Day 15 · Thursday, May 28 · 144 mi

Fox Lake basecamp + solo Rivian to Rockford and back through McHenry

A close-up of the TornadoSafeRoom registered plate inside a prefab steel storm shelter we saw visiting family, with the manufacturer's toll-free number and the FEMA 320 verification note — TornadoSafeRoom plate inside the shelter, FEMA 320 verified.

The interior of a steel TornadoSafeRoom storm shelter, corrugated metal walls and a small vent at the top, ready for a midwest summer storm — Inside the tornado safe room, corrugated steel walls and a roof vent.

Folding chairs and a bin of emergency supplies stored inside a steel TornadoSafeRoom storm shelter, the floor mat down and ready — Chairs and a supply bin staged inside the shelter, ready for the next warning.

The white Rivian R1T pulled into the open bay of the Lentz Detail shop in Cherry Valley, Illinois, a small white detailing garage with a person standing by the office door — The Rivian in the bay at Lentz Detail, Cherry Valley. First real clean since San Diego.

The Lentz Detail mobile detailing van, a white cargo van lettered with their services and the phone number 815-323-2505, parked on a residential street — Lentz Detail, the come-to-you crew that made the truck look new again.

The white Rivian R1T parked at a row of tall IONNA Rechargery pedestals at the McHenry, Illinois site on a clear evening, the Casey's storefront behind — The Rivian at the McHenry IONNA Rechargery for the evening top-off.

Mission the German shepherd lying on the grass beside a pair of blue and white shoes in the foreground, easing through the recovery from the back-leg episode the day before — Mission resting in the grass by my shoes, still on the steroids and pain meds but holding steady.

Day 16 · Friday, May 29 · 85 mi

Racine and Kenosha: a Lake Michigan day trip from the Fox Lake basecamp

Mission the German shepherd resting on a navy, canyon-red, and cream camp blanket on the rocky Racine breakwater with Lake Michigan behind him — Mission on the blanket at the Racine breakwater, Lake Michigan flat and blue behind him.

The Racine harbor breakwater and a small white beacon light tower reaching out across Lake Michigan under a clear sky, rocky riprap in the foreground — Racine's harbor breakwater and beacon light reaching out into the lake.

The white Rivian R1T parked beneath the gold saucer-shaped roof of the Golden Rondelle Theater on the SC Johnson campus in Racine, Wisconsin, red brick walls around it — The Rivian under the Golden Rondelle, a 1964 World's Fair saucer parked in Racine.

The white Rivian R1T parked at the Kenosha lakefront with the red North Pier pierhead lighthouse and Lake Michigan in the background — White truck, red light. The Rivian at the Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse.

Hanging green New Glarus Brewing signs inside Mars Cheese Castle reading Welcome to Wisconsin, Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, Moon Man, Two Women, and Seasonal, against a stone wall — Inside Mars Cheese Castle. The whole New Glarus lineup on the wall, Spotted Cow down to Seasonal.

Two travelers seated in oversized carved wooden thrones in front of a Mars Cheese Castle, Kenosha Wisconsin banner — Thrones at Mars Cheese Castle. You sit, you pose, those are the rules.

The white Rivian R1T parked nose to nose with a stainless Tesla Cybertruck in the Mars Cheese Castle lot in Kenosha, the tall red Mars Cheese Castle sign and an I-94 overpass behind them — A Rivian and a Cybertruck nose to nose at Mars Cheese Castle, the two ends of the electric-truck spectrum sharing a lot.

A wall of framed Best of Racine County Best Pizza awards for Wells Brothers Restaurant dating from 2013 onward, mounted on wood paneling — The award wall at Wells Brothers. A decade-plus of Best Pizza in Racine County.

Day 17 · Saturday, May 30 · 155 mi

Milwaukee: Harley-Davidson Museum and demo rides, charging home through Kenosha

A row of custom motorcycles in a Milwaukee lot against a wall of bright murals, a pink hardtail chopper in front of baggers and a vintage truck, vendor tents along the fence — An outdoor bike show against the city murals. A pink hardtail chopper leading the row.

A Milwaukee-blue Harley-Davidson CVO ST Road Glide parked on the pavement in the Menomonee Valley, the old FALK works building behind it under a bright sky — A Milwaukee-blue CVO ST Road Glide, one of the demo bikes, with the old Falk works behind.

A rider in a black helmet mounting a red Harley-Davidson Sportster at the cone-lined demo-ride course on the Harley-Davidson Museum campus, an attendant standing by — Eric and Will test-driving Harleys in downtown Milwaukee, off the cone-lined demo course.

Serial Number One, the c.1903 Harley-Davidson atmospheric-valve single, displayed on a lit white plinth inside a glass vault at the Harley-Davidson Museum — Serial Number One. The c.1903 Harley in its glass vault, the oldest one there is.

A 1911 Harley-Davidson Model 7-A atmospheric-valve single in original patina with its info placard at the Harley-Davidson Museum — A 1911 Model 7-A, the "Silent Grey Fellow" era, kept in its original patina.

A vintage U.S. Mail Harley-Davidson sidecar delivery truck with a green cargo box, displayed below a wall of early Harley package-truck advertisements — A U.S. Mail Harley sidecar truck, from when the company sold delivery rigs to the post office.

A carbon-fiber Harley-Davidson factory race bike with gold Öhlins shocks on display against a dark red wall in the Harley-Davidson Museum — Carbon fiber and Öhlins gold, the racing side of Milwaukee iron.

The soaring Art and Engineering atrium at the Harley-Davidson Museum with a motorcycle mounted climbing the wall above rows of bikes on the floor below — The Art and Engineering atrium, a bike riding straight up the wall over the collection.

The Harley-Davidson Archives in Milwaukee, aisles of motorcycles racked floor to ceiling on red steel shelving behind the round Harley-Davidson Archives seal — A look down the Harley-Davidson Archives racks, the working library behind the museum.

A 1970s AMF-era Harley-Davidson 440 snowmobile and a red-white-and-blue freedom-fashions snowmobile suit on display in the Harley-Davidson Museum — The AMF-era 440 snowmobile and the 1976 freedom fashions, the years Harley-Davidson tried everything.

Diana sitting on a new red Harley-Davidson Road Glide 3 trike in the sit-on Experience Gallery at the Harley-Davidson Museum — Diana sizing up a red Road Glide 3 trike in the museum's sit-on gallery.

The white Rivian R1T charging at the Kenosha Tesla Supercharger next to a silver Chevrolet Equinox EV, a row of Tesla pedestals along the building — Charging home through Kenosha, the Rivian sharing the lot with a Chevy Equinox EV. The Tesla stalls fill up with everything now.

A flight of craft cocktails lined up on a terrazzo bar at the Colony House supper club, an espresso martini and an old fashioned among them, a bartender mixing behind — The drinks lineup at Colony House, espresso martinis and old fashioneds on the bar.

A bartender pouring a freshly shaken espresso martini into a glass at the terrazzo bar at Colony House, an old fashioned and a friend at the bar nearby — An espresso martini going down at the Colony House bar.

Four friends smiling at the wood-paneled bar at Colony House supper club, cocktails in front of them under warm light — Dinner with friends at Colony House. The whole reason for the detour.

A spread of supper-club plates on the bar at Colony House, Eric's ribeye steak, Diana's halibut, a grilled vegetable plate and mashed potatoes, a server carrying a tray — Supper-club plates at Colony House, Diana's halibut special and Eric's ribeye, the works on the side.

A creamy caramel dessert cocktail topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle in a stemmed glass on the bar at Colony House — A creamy caramel dessert drink to close it out.

Day 18 · Sunday, May 31 · 116 mi

Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, then a charge home through Kenosha

A person and Mission the German shepherd posing inside an oversized blue eyeglasses sculpture in Catalano Square in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, brick warehouses behind — The giant glasses at Catalano Square. Mission sat for this one.

Food trucks at an open-air park near Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, Elevate Coffee's Mexican-inspired espresso bar truck and a blue Isa's juice truck against a wall of murals — Back to the food trucks near the Third Ward for coffee, Elevate Coffee under the murals.

A shaded Milwaukee beer garden under big oak trees with long communal picnic tables and people gathered, brick buildings beyond — A beer garden with family and live music, Mission relaxing under the oaks.

A watermelon, feta, and candied-walnut salad with balsamic in a white bowl, fried empanadas with pesto on a tray behind it — Diana's watermelon salad at Camino, still hunting for the salad part. Mostly just watermelon.

A turquoise enamel camp mug held up in a green backyard near Fox Lake, Illinois, with Mission the German shepherd lying in the grass in the background — Breakfast in the friends' backyard near Fox Lake, coffee and Mission in the grass.

The white Rivian R1T parked under leafy trees near Fox Lake, Illinois, a polished Airstream and a motorhome alongside it — The rigs at rest near Fox Lake, the last quiet morning before the hitch goes back on.

Day 19 · Monday, June 1 · 582 mi

The hitch goes back on: a 582-mile marathon to Kansas City

The freshly washed front of the polished aluminum Airstream gleaming under the lights of a car-wash bay, hitched to the white Rivian R1T with water pooled on the concrete floor — All cleaned up at Rochelle's Hub City Car Wash, the polished Airstream gleaming before the run to Iowa.

Rochelle calls itself the Hub City, a rail-line crossroads, and the water tower says so.

The exterior of Hub City Car Wash in Rochelle Illinois, a green-and-yellow Super Bay with a cartoon duck mascot and a 10-foot clearance sign, the Airstream parked inside the tall bay — The Super Bay at Hub City Car Wash, ten feet of clearance and just enough room for a 23-foot Airstream.

The white Rivian R1T and the polished Airstream parked together inside an open-sided car-wash bay, a gas station visible through the far opening — Both rigs in the bay, the truck on Car Wash mode and the trailer pulled in behind.

The rear of the polished aluminum Airstream parked in a self-serve high-pressure car-wash bay, its SMUGL plate visible, pressure-washer signs along the walls — The 23-footer in the wash bay, first proper clean since the detail in Cherry Valley.

A view out the Rivian's passenger window of GROWMARK fuel-storage tanks across a fenced field under a clear blue sky, the side mirror in frame — West across the Illinois plains, GROWMARK tanks and open country out the window.

Passing John Deere on I-80 through the Quad Cities, deep in tractor country.

The Iowa 80 Truckstop entrance arch reading "Welcome Drivers" and "Iowa 80 Kitchen Homestyle Cooking" with a red Prime semi pulling a flatbed underneath — The World's Largest Truck Stop at Walcott, Iowa, Welcome Drivers and all.

The red-and-cream exterior of the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum at Walcott Iowa, its tall vertical "Iowa 80 Trucking Museum" sign against a clear blue sky — The free Iowa 80 Trucking Museum next to the truck stop, walked while the pack charged.

The view from the Rivian on I-80 in Iowa following a flatbed hauling an entire house, "Oversize Load" banner across the back, rolling green hills beyond — West toward Iowa City behind a whole house on a flatbed, oversize-load banners flapping.

The white Rivian R1T and hitched Airstream plugged in at a Tesla Supercharger in a flat lot in Mount Pleasant, southeast Iowa, under a clear blue sky — South to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, hitched up at the Tesla Supercharger for a late-afternoon towing charge.

The white Rivian R1T and Airstream beside a red Tesla Supercharger post and a row of stalls, a black Tesla also charging, in Mount Pleasant Iowa — The Mount Pleasant Superchargers, the Rivian and the rig sharing the row with a Model 3.

A blue "Missouri Welcomes You" state-line sign seen through the Rivian's windshield over the white hood on a clear evening, US-61 ahead — Across the line into Missouri in the evening light, US-61 south toward a Rivian charger.

The white Rivian R1T and polished Airstream parked on a brick small-town main street at blue-hour dusk in Paris, Missouri, an American flag and warm streetlights alongside — Blue hour on Main Street in Paris, Missouri, the quiet kind of stop the back roads give you.

The white Rivian R1T and hitched Airstream pulled onto a rural highway shoulder on a cloudy morning, a red gas station across the two-lane road — Pulled over a mile past a snapping turtle, where Eric doubled back on the scooter to wave traffic around it.

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the polished Airstream, parked beside a motorhome under green trees on a damp morning near Fox Lake — Hitched and ready near Fox Lake, the Airstream back on the ball after five nights off.

Day 20 · Tuesday, June 2 · 300 mi

Independence, MO west across Kansas on I-70

Polished Airstream hitched to the white Rivian R1T at a Rivian Adventure Network pedestal as the sun rises over Independence, Missouri — Sunrise at the Independence RAN, packed up and pointed west across Kansas.

White Rivian R1T towing the Airstream plugged into a Rivian NACS fast charger at dawn, the German shepherd Mission lying on the pavement beside the trailer — Mission supervising the morning top-off before the long I-70 run.

The downtown Kansas City skyline through the windshield from I-70, a green UMKC Health Sciences Campus exit sign overhead — Through Kansas City on I-70, the last big skyline before the plains open up.

The white Rivian R1T plugged into a fast charger on a grassy lot near Topeka, wind turbines turning in the background — A Kansas charge with the turbines spinning, the plains doing what the plains do.

The Airstream and Rivian parked under the long orange IONNA canopy on a wet lot under heavy gray storm clouds in Abilene, Kansas — 129 kWh under the orange IONNA canopy at Abilene, charging in the rain.

The brown and tan Welcome to Colorful Colorado sign on a stone base beside two evergreens at golden hour, the high plains and a glowing sunset sky behind it at the Kansas-Colorado line on I-70 — Welcome to Colorful Colorado, crossing the line at golden hour after a 500-mile towing day.

Day 21 · Wednesday, June 3 · 135 mi

Arriba to the Front Range: a road friend at dawn, then north to Lyons

The white Rivian R1T hitched to the polished Airstream at the Arriba rest area at dawn, a Class A motorhome and a Freightliner semi alongside as the sun breaks through the clouds — Dawn at the Arriba rest area, packed up and pointed at the Front Range.

A friend's red GMC Sierra AT4 HD hitched to a polished Airstream travel trailer marked 6624 on the nose, parked at the Arriba rest area in the morning light — Woke up to a road friend behind us, Airstream 6624 and its GMC. On the road you stick together.

Dawn lineup at the Arriba rest area on I-70, the white Rivian R1T and Airstream, a second Airstream behind, and semis parked along the stalls — Two Airstreams and a row of semis, everybody pointed west.

The brick storefront of the Rivian Space in Cherry Creek, Denver, the RIVIAN name mounted above the entrance and a couple standing out front — The Rivian Space in Cherry Creek. Talked the whole trip over with Krystal and Steve.

A sign at the Rivian Space reading Countdown to R2, June 9th, reservation holders demo drives begin — Countdown to R2. Reservation-holder demo drives start June 9.

The white Rivian R1T towing the polished Airstream west on an open highway, the Front Range foothills rising on the horizon — Off the high plains and pointed at the foothills.

Red sandstone canyon walls and the St. Vrain Creek running past the campsites at LaVern M. Johnson Park in Lyons, Colorado — Camp on the St. Vrain, red rock at the mouth of the canyons.

Mission the German shepherd and a hiker out on the red rock above the St. Vrain at the Lyons campground — Mission scouting the red rock above camp.

The polished Airstream International with its awning out at dusk at the LaVern M. Johnson campground in Lyons, Colorado — Awning out, settled in at Lyons for two nights.

Day 22 · Thursday, June 4 · 130 mi

Rocky Mountain National Park from the Lyons basecamp

Windshield view from the white Rivian R1T on Trail Ridge Road at the Rock Cut, a jagged granite outcrop beside the two-lane road under big afternoon clouds in Rocky Mountain National Park — Up top on Trail Ridge Road at the Rock Cut. The highest paved through-road in the country, and the Rivian took the thin air without a complaint.

A couple taking a selfie at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, snow-streaked peaks and pine forest across the water behind them, the man in a white Rivian R1T t-shirt — Bear Lake at 9,450 ft, the Continental Divide still holding snow into June. Worth landing the timed-entry permit for.

A bull elk standing on the centerline of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, right beside the white Rivian R1T's mirror as the driver watches — Elk owns the road up here. We waited him out, mirror to muzzle.

Tall Engelmann spruce and fir along the Bear Lake Road corridor in Rocky Mountain National Park, a snow-dusted ridge visible through the trees — The Bear Lake Road corridor, deep spruce and fir with the divide peeking through.

Alpine tundra above treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park, green slopes streaked with late-June snowfields under a blue sky, a melting snowbank in the foreground — Above the trees, the tundra still half under snow in June. Eleven thousand feet and the air gets honest.

Mission the German shepherd resting in his back-seat hammock inside the Rivian R1T, snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park visible through the windows — Mission rode the whole alpine loop from his hammock, peaks out every window. Best seat in the truck.

The log-and-stone Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park, the National Park Service sign out front and snow still banked against the building — Alpine Visitor Center, 11,796 ft, the highest in the park system. Snow still piled against the walls in June.

The red sandstone entrance sign for LaVern M. Johnson Park in Lyons, Colorado, the town-run riverside campground that was our Rocky Mountain National Park basecamp — Home base for the park days, LaVern M. Johnson Park on the St. Vrain in Lyons.

The Rivian at the top of the world. Longs Peak over the shoulder, the whole Front Range stacked up behind.

Rear view of the white Rivian R1T with its California ESKOBER plate, parked on the alpine tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park with snowfields and a snow-covered ridge behind — Pablo Eskobear parked on the tundra. The plate pulls almost as many looks as the truck.

Selfie of a couple inside the Rivian R1T cab on Trail Ridge Road, a cartoon bear air freshener hanging from the mirror and snow-capped peaks through the windshield — Top-down the spine of Trail Ridge, the bear riding shotgun, peaks out every panel of glass.

A snow-filled alpine cirque and granite headwall high in Rocky Mountain National Park, dark rock streaked with late-June snow above the treeline — Granite and snow up in the high country, the divide still locked in white in June.

A rugged rock outcrop on the alpine tundra near the Lava Cliffs on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, snowbanks and tundra falling away below under a bright sky — Up past the Lava Cliffs, where the road runs right along the spine of the divide.

The white Rivian R1T plugged in beside the polished Airstream at the LaVern Johnson campsite in Lyons, red sandstone cliffs and a stormy evening sky behind — Back at the river camp, the Rivian topping up free on the campground hookup while a storm rolls over the red rock. We leave full in the morning at no charge.

The polished Airstream's endcap covered in travel stickers including Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake, Route 66, Iowa 80, and Petrified Forest, documenting the trip — The sticker wall keeps growing. Rocky Mountain and Bear Lake earned their spots today.

Day 23 · Friday, June 5 · 90 mi

Down from the foothills: Lyons to Golden, then Meow Wolf

Day 24 · Saturday, June 6 · 30 mi

Denver day + ITCHY-O at Mission Ballroom

Day 25 · Sunday, June 7 · 245 mi

Denver → Grand Junction, CO

Day 26 · Monday, June 8 · 110 mi

Grand Junction → Moab, UT

Day 27 · Tuesday, June 9 · 60 mi

Moab rest day, Canyonlands + Delicate Arch

Day 28 · Wednesday, June 10 · 150 mi

Moab → Torrey, UT (Capitol Reef)

Day 29 · Thursday, June 11 · 120 mi

Torrey → Bryce Canyon, UT (Scenic Byway 12)

Day 30 · Friday, June 12 · 220 mi

Bryce → Valley of Fire State Park, NV

Day 31 · Saturday, June 13 · 430 mi

Valley of Fire → San Diego, Home