USA
Crossing America, One Mile at a Time
5 May 2015 – 14 May 2015
East coast to West coast of the USA
In May 2015, Jane and I set out on a journey that would become one of the defining adventures of our lives. Two Wrinkly Nomads, one Dodge Challenger, and nearly 3,000 miles of open road stretching from the Atlantic shores of Florida to the sun - soaked edge of Los Angeles. It wasn’t just a road trip - it was a celebration of life, resilience, and the simple joy of seeing the world while we still can.
🌴 Florida: Where the Adventure Began
Our story started under Florida’s big skies and warm breezes. Palm trees, coastal roads, and that unmistakable feeling that something exciting was about to happen. With the Challenger packed and spirits high, we pointed ourselves west and began the long, beautiful drive across the continent.
🎷 Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana: Music, Culture, and Soul
The Deep South welcomed us with charm and character. Alabama’s rolling landscapes gave way to Mississippi’s quiet towns and long highways. But it was Louisiana that truly stole our hearts.
New Orleans - vibrant, musical, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. We wandered through the French Quarter, soaked up the jazz, tasted food that should be illegal, and felt the pulse of a city that dances even when it sleeps. It was one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left.
⭐ Texas: Big Skies, Big Roads, Big Stories
Crossing into Texas felt like entering a different world. The roads stretched endlessly, the horizons widened, and everything — from the food to the personalities — seemed larger than life.
We drove through deserts, cities, and tiny towns with names we’d never heard before. Every mile felt like a postcard from the American West.
🌵 New Mexico & Arizona: The True Wild West
New Mexico greeted us with red earth, open plains, and skies so wide they made you feel small in the best possible way. Then came Arizona, where the Wild West still whispers through the dust.
One of the highlights: Tombstone. Walking its historic streets, you could almost hear the echoes of old saloons, the clink of spurs, and the legends of the gunfighters who once stood where we stood. It was history brought to life - and we loved every minute.
🎰 Nevada: Neon Dreams and Desert Silence
Nevada was a land of contrasts. One moment we were surrounded by desert emptiness, and the next we were rolling into Las Vegas, where the lights never dim and the energy never fades.
We didn’t go for the gambling - we went for the spectacle. The shows, the architecture, the sheer madness of it all. And after the neon glow, we visited one of America’s greatest engineering marvels: Hoover Dam. Standing on its edge, looking down at the Colorado River, we felt the awe of human ambition carved into stone.
⛰ Colorado: Mountains, Fresh Air, and the Final Stretch
Colorado brought cool air, rugged mountains, and a sense of calm after the intensity of Nevada. It was the perfect place to breathe, reflect, and prepare for the final leg of our journey.
🌅 California: The Pacific Awaits
Crossing into California felt like reaching the last chapter of a great book. The landscapes softened, the air changed, and before long we were rolling into Los Angeles, the end point of our 3,000‑mile odyssey.
Standing at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, we realised just how far we’d come - not just in miles, but in memories.
💬 Reflections from the Road
This trip wasn’t just about travelling from one coast to the other. It was about celebrating life after hardship, embracing adventure, and proving that age doesn’t limit the desire to explore.
We laughed, we got lost, we found incredible places, and we met people who reminded us why travel matters. Every state gave us something different. Every mile gave us something to remember.
We were - and still are - The Wrinkly Nomads, living life, loving the road, and collecting stories one journey at a time.
🌴 Florida: Where the Adventure Began
Our story started under Florida’s big skies and warm breezes. Palm trees, coastal roads, and that unmistakable feeling that something exciting was about to happen. With the Challenger packed and spirits high, we pointed ourselves west and began the long, beautiful drive across the continent.
🎷 Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana: Music, Culture, and Soul
The Deep South welcomed us with charm and character. Alabama’s rolling landscapes gave way to Mississippi’s quiet towns and long highways. But it was Louisiana that truly stole our hearts.
New Orleans - vibrant, musical, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable. We wandered through the French Quarter, soaked up the jazz, tasted food that should be illegal, and felt the pulse of a city that dances even when it sleeps. It was one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left.
⭐ Texas: Big Skies, Big Roads, Big Stories
Crossing into Texas felt like entering a different world. The roads stretched endlessly, the horizons widened, and everything — from the food to the personalities — seemed larger than life.
We drove through deserts, cities, and tiny towns with names we’d never heard before. Every mile felt like a postcard from the American West.
🌵 New Mexico & Arizona: The True Wild West
New Mexico greeted us with red earth, open plains, and skies so wide they made you feel small in the best possible way. Then came Arizona, where the Wild West still whispers through the dust.
One of the highlights: Tombstone. Walking its historic streets, you could almost hear the echoes of old saloons, the clink of spurs, and the legends of the gunfighters who once stood where we stood. It was history brought to life - and we loved every minute.
🎰 Nevada: Neon Dreams and Desert Silence
Nevada was a land of contrasts. One moment we were surrounded by desert emptiness, and the next we were rolling into Las Vegas, where the lights never dim and the energy never fades.
We didn’t go for the gambling - we went for the spectacle. The shows, the architecture, the sheer madness of it all. And after the neon glow, we visited one of America’s greatest engineering marvels: Hoover Dam. Standing on its edge, looking down at the Colorado River, we felt the awe of human ambition carved into stone.
⛰ Colorado: Mountains, Fresh Air, and the Final Stretch
Colorado brought cool air, rugged mountains, and a sense of calm after the intensity of Nevada. It was the perfect place to breathe, reflect, and prepare for the final leg of our journey.
🌅 California: The Pacific Awaits
Crossing into California felt like reaching the last chapter of a great book. The landscapes softened, the air changed, and before long we were rolling into Los Angeles, the end point of our 3,000‑mile odyssey.
Standing at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, we realised just how far we’d come - not just in miles, but in memories.
💬 Reflections from the Road
This trip wasn’t just about travelling from one coast to the other. It was about celebrating life after hardship, embracing adventure, and proving that age doesn’t limit the desire to explore.
We laughed, we got lost, we found incredible places, and we met people who reminded us why travel matters. Every state gave us something different. Every mile gave us something to remember.
We were - and still are - The Wrinkly Nomads, living life, loving the road, and collecting stories one journey at a time.
Photo Gallery
Tap a photo to see it larger.
Where in the world
See every trip on one map →The spots that made this trip — tap a pin for details. The line traces them in visit order.
Sightseeing
