Life just handed me an unexpected ‘gift’. I no longer have my job in The Dalles, Oregon and have loaded a uhaul and journeyed south to free housing in Catalina, Arizona. My friend Eric flew up to help in my transition from the duplex condo to uhaul to storage/housing in Arizona
Photo by Eric Peffer Photography
While this trip is simply to get Dave from Point A to Point B, we will go for the improved version of a Uhaul travel episode and slide toward the journey being a photo adventure.
Our first major stop would be White River Falls State Park in Maupin, Oregon. This area has been on my list of places to visit and the relocation has created the perfect opportunity to visit this unique, historic and beautiful spot.
The falls were outstanding, but my real interest was exploring the abandoned hydro plant.
The power plant supplied power to Wasco and Sherman Counties from 1910 until the completion of The Dalles Dam in 1960. Exploring the plant, while a short, self-guided tour, was interesting and made for some good photos within a unique setting.
The open road awaited us after our cameras were packed into our backpacks and we ambled south with Nevada on the radar.
We had exited The Dalles with a short timeline since the Uhaul was due in Tucson in a short number of days. The Uhaul adventure had become a Uhaul Challenge.
We chose a backroads route through Nevada as we churned up the miles in a southward direction. Churning might night be the best word for a lumbering Uhaul but we were committed to putting miles behind us, unless, of course, there is a brilliant photo/video opportunity.
Nevada
Eric and I have driven across Nevada (north to south) in the past and are always impressed with the varied and stunning topography that greets those willing to take the backroads and scan the landscape.
Near Highway 50 - The Loneliest Road in America
We rolled into Winnemucca at the end of the first day, tired, hungry, and let’s list tired a second time, for a little extra emphasis. Surprised to see deep snow in the mountains in Nevada at the end of May.
Boulder City, Nevada
After a super long grind we rattled into Catalina, Arizona late the next day. Still hard to envision over 1300 miles in about two days, in a Uhaul. Urrrrggghhhh, now time to unload!
Pulling into Arizona after crossing the Hoover Dam.