Totals and Top 5's

We are wrapping up our trip, over 40 days on the road.  We've seen some amazing stuff, and equally amazingly after 40 days on the road we are still talking to each other!

By the numbers:

42:  Total days on the road
19:  Total states visited (James has now been to 45, Kate has been to 42)
8204:  Total miles driven

In our many, many hours on the road one of our favorite topics was favorites: favorite food, favorite city, etc.  We've decided to put together highlights from the trip in the form of top 5 lists (who doesn't love lists?).  Generally, this will be a consensus between the 2 of us, though sometimes we'll note some differences.  Anywho, here we go.

Top 5 Places to Live

This is just based on what we saw on the trip... and not based on things like whether we could actually find a job there...

5)  Seattle, WA

Funky in a good way, urban enough but not too urban,
mountains and ocean close by.

4)  Los Angeles, CA

Who knew the beaches were so clean?  Benefits of big
city living, but with a laid-backness you don't find
on the east coast.

3)  Santa Barbara, CA

Great weather, manageable size, 'arty', palm trees.
Did we mention the ocean?  (Kate is not sure this is a
plus, because there was a great white advisory there this
summer.)

2)  Portland, OR

Cool vibe, plenty of good restaurants, local wines and
beers abound.  Big enough to be interesting.  

1)  Carlsbad, CA

Beautiful beaches, takes laid back to a whole new level.
Everybody is a surfer.  What's not to love?

Top 5 Meals

We couldn't do 5, because the 5th spot was a multi way tie.

4) Breakfast at Mattie's Pancake and Omelette House in Brookings, Oregon

Best french toast either of us ever had.  Hash
browns were exactly what hash browns should
be.

3) Burrata at Tavola in Vancouver

There's a daily burrata special!  Everything else was amazing,
too.  They also had the best IPA selection of the entire trip.

2) Burnt Ends at Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, Kansas

OMG.  We understand why burnt ends are legendary
in the BBQ world.  Kate's favorite ever.

1) Pizza at Bob's Biga in Missoula, Montana

I want to go to there.  James' favorite pizza ever.
Other stuff was great too.

Top 5 Drives

Out of the 8204 miles we drove, these stood out:

5) East across Colorado

Snow capped peaks of the Rockies peeked out
around every corner.

4) Redwoods

Those trees were enormous.

3) California coast

Big Sur lived up to its billing.

2) Grand Canyon to Moab

The spectacular landscape is hard to convey via iPhone photos.

1) Oregon Coast

So cool.

Hotels: Highlights and Lowlights

Best Hotel- The Cody, Cody WY

Sunset at the Cody--from our balcony

Why we liked it:

1. Great mountain view

2. Luxurious rooms

3. Free internet

4. Free Breakfast

5. Walking distance to the rodeo and a couple of restaurants

6. Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies

7. Nice, clean gym

8. Well maintained laundry facilities (a must on a long road trip)

Best Ambiance- The Arctic Club by Double Tree Hilton, Seattle, WA

The bar at the Arctic Club

1. Old gentlemen's club (not in a pornographic way) re-purposed as a hotel

2. James liked the walruses everywhere

3. Well appointed rooms that were modern, but cozy

4. Bold accent colors that added to the room's interest without making it stuffy

5. Nice location in downtown Seattle

6. Bonus points ***The valet directed James where to renew his passport (as we were on our way to Vancouver)

Best View- Best Western Plus, Brookings OR

View from the bed

1. Full frontal unobstructed Pacific Ocean view. It was so loud that the waves crashing woke us up during the night. Need I say more?

Most Nature-y- Grand Canyon Lodge, Grand Canyon National Park

Pretty close to nature

1. It's the only hotel in the park

2. Log cabin 

3. Creepy animal stalking the outside of our cabin while we tried in vain to sleep

4. 2 minute walk to the edge of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Best Pool- Amara Hotel and Resort, Sedona AZ

1. Infinity salt water pool

2. View of the red rocks of Sedona

3. Relaxed and attentive pool staff

4. No kids at the pool

Best Chain- Hampton Inn (pretty much everywhere, no pics because they all look the same)

1. Great price

2. Always clean

3. Free breakfast

4. Free internet

5. Always a fitness center

6. Friendly staff

Most Naked- The Sweetwater Inn, Mendocino, CA

There's no door.  No door.  On the toilet.

1. Co-ed clothing optional changing room served as our hotel room's toilet
2.  Naked old gay dudes everywhere

Most like the movie "Vacancy"- America's Best Value, Kadoka SD

Hotel parking lot--shared with gas station

1. A door that didn't completely shut and lock

2. The front desk was staffed with a man who had a stain on his shirt

3. View of trucks in the parking lot from our room

Best Bed and Breakfast- The Orchard House, Leavenworth, WA

Tricky Woo

1. Tricky Woo- the cutest dog we encountered on the trip

2. Fantastic and simple breakfast

3. Comfortable, clean room

4. Evening wine tasting

5. The hostess asked that we did not post anything on trip adviser. She didn't want to have to deal with people calling and trying to stay there. 

Best Night's Sleep- Rocky Springs Inn, Lancaster PA

Grounds aren't beautiful, but the bed was
super comfortable

1.  Just an incredibly refreshing night's sleep.  Don't know why.

And that's it.  Thanks for joining us on this incredible chapter of our lives.  We had some great times, and it was fun sharing them with so many of you.

Until next time,
James and Kate
October 19, 2012