Checking in at Madras, OR. On schedule.

That drive along the Columbia is gorgeous. And because I’m listening to music instead of audiobooks, there is very loud, very off-key singing involved.

It occurred to me: not only does the Rivian have wi-fi (which is awesome), but I have Android Studio installed. So, in theory, I could install any EV charger apps into the emulator, and operate them that way. I’m not at that point … but it’s nice to know I have options.

#RickOnTheRoad #BringRickHome

True story:

- I hit 2600 miles driven this morning for #RickOnTheRoad
- My phone just died. Like, bricked. (One might say: 2600 hurts.)
- But, my entire route today is nothing but Rivian chargers, which are free to me.

So I should be able to get home, even without a phone. (Which would normally be tricky in an EV route of this length.)

I normally wouldn’t post this much personal info, but just in case …

(I’ll be fine.)

#BringRickHome

#RickOnTheRoad Day 14. Pendleton, OR, US.

Sweet salty balls, I am ready to be back home. I miss my boo.

Today's itinerary:

- Madras, OR (200 mi)
- Crescent, OR (+90 mi)
- Klamath Falls, OR (+90 mi)
- Crescent City, CA (+180 mi)
- Fortuna, CA (+100 mi)

At 640 mi and ~13 hrs, that's probably where I'll stop for the night. The next stop after that would be Ukiah, CA, which is +140 mi, and likely pushing it too far.

Ready.
Steady.
Goooooooo!

#RickOnTheRoad Day 13.

Had a good day yesterday. Enjoyed breakfast and board games with my sister in law. (Check out Game Train in Denver. Food, drinks, games, and nice folks!)

This morning, I find myself in Green River, UT. The goal for today is to make it to Madras, OR, via Boise, ID. That'll be ~15 hours of driving and charging.

Guess I'd better get started.

I hope y'all have a lovely day.

Somehow, it is #RickOnTheRoad Day 12.
Somehow, I am still in the Denver area.

Also: I have reached semantic satiation for "somehow". What a weird word. Anyway.

Today's schedule is supposed to be breakfast and board games with my sister in law before I get on the road back toward home.

My headspace is pretty good. If I'm honest, it feels like I'm holding more tension than I should be. I'm curious to see if that's only about the travel.

(Note for me: remember to pick up more 'rona tests.)

Photos taken earlier today at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I know nothing about flowers, so I can't identify any of them. Sorry!

See my bio for license and reuse information.

#BloomScrolling #Flowers #NaturePhotography #Denver #DBG #RickOnTheRoad

🧵 5/4 (oops)

Photos taken earlier today at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I know nothing about flowers, so I can't identify any of them. Sorry!

See my bio for license and reuse information.

#BloomScrolling #Flowers #NaturePhotography #Denver #DBG #RickOnTheRoad

🧵 4/4

Photos taken earlier today at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I know nothing about flowers, so I can't identify any of them. Sorry!

See my bio for license and reuse information.

#BloomScrolling #Flowers #NaturePhotography #Denver #DBG #RickOnTheRoad

🧵 3/4

Photos taken earlier today at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I know nothing about flowers, so I can't identify any of them. Sorry!

See my bio for license and reuse information.

#BloomScrolling #Flowers #NaturePhotography #Denver #DBG #RickOnTheRoad

🧵 2/4

Photos taken earlier today at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I know nothing about flowers, so I can't identify any of them. Sorry!

See my bio for license and reuse information.

#BloomScrolling #Flowers #NaturePhotography #Denver #DBG #RickOnTheRoad

🧵 1/4

Because I have an extra day here in Denver, I hit the Denver Botanic Gardens. I'll upload more photos later, but for now: hello, bees!

#NaturePhotography #RickOnTheRoad #DBG #Denver

Just got word that I'll need to be here in Denver through Saturday at least. Frustrating, but it'll help with [REDACTED], so it's for a good cause.

I'm ready to head home, but this is fine. My headspace is decent, and my physical health seems to be consistent. No significant anxiety.

If tomorrow morning's weather is good, maybe I'll hit the Botanical Gardens and get some more photos.

#RickOnTheRoad

#RickOnTheRoad Day 10. My last full day in the Denver area, with the drive back starting tomorrow afternoon.

Today included a trip to the Denver Zoo. Where, as near as I can tell, I was one of exactly 2 people masked, out of several thousand.

Sure, you’re (mostly) outdoors so masks aren’t necessary, right? But also: thousands of kids, coughing and sneezing and touching everything. Yeah, nope. (How can you bring your coughing child to the zoo? Seriously?)

Photos later, maybe tomorrow.

#RickOnTheRoad Day 9. Early morning trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. More photos later, but here's a grey crowned crane to tide you over.

#CMZ #AnimalPhotography #BirdPhotography

#RickOnTheRoad Day 8.

Without getting into redacted territory, I can say this: I think we got to a local maximum/optimum milestone. It's not a perfect solution. Not everyone is happy or even better off. But everyone can agree it's good progress.

I struggle to see my value in being here, but people keep telling me I've had an impact, so 🤷.

No photo today, sorry. I basically didn't slow down all day. Tomorrow and Thursday should have all the photos.

Very tired now.

#RickOnTheRoad Day 7. Still in the Denver area, likely through Friday.

Everything else is redacted, sorry.

Instead, here's a bunny.

#RickOnTheRoad Day 6. Long day. All details would need to be redacted, so I'm just going to skip them.

My mental health is fine so far. I'm physically running low on energy, but tonight should be a solid night's sleep. Outlook for the next week is mostly positive.

I did get to introduce my family to the card game "Beyond Baker Street", which was hilarious. (Think "Hanabi" but better.)

I haven't been outside much to take photos, so here's a Pride heart sorbet popsicle.

Arrived in the Denver area.

Found out I have some additional family who will be in town, including my Mom. Which is ... a whole thing. But with [REDACTED], I can't really fault her.

Also, it's rainy and gross through this whole area for the next week at least. I had really wanted to carve out time to see the Zoos and photograph all the things. Ah well.

The current plan is to get back on the road Friday morning. Maybe 60% confidence. We shall see.

#RickOnTheRoad Day 5

Climax, CO.

Nope, not even kidding.

#RickOnTheRoad #Rivian

Greetings from Salida, CO, US. Home of one of the best-looking Rivian Adventure Network setups I've seen.

#RickOnTheRoad Day 5. Almost to Denver.