{"id":61957,"date":"2022-05-17T18:23:40","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T16:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.misterunique.de\/?p=61957"},"modified":"2025-05-22T07:44:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T05:44:27","slug":"wild-west-usa-2022-funny-and-bizarre-stories-from-our-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.misterunique.de\/?p=61957&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Wild West USA 2022 \u2013 Funny and Bizarre Stories from Our Road Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

From September 1st to September 23rd, our road trip through the western United States took place. We covered exactly 4,719 kilometers with our Chrysler Equinox. How do I know that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, definitely not because I kept meticulous notes \u2013 but because Google pointed it out to me. And I have to admit, the results from the Google Travel app really amazed and surprised me. Google knew every stop, every move, and every shop and restaurant we visited. Just saying. But thanks to that information, I was able to retrace our entire route on the map and now know exactly where we\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n

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But I don\u2019t want to bore you too much with numbers \u2014 I\u2019d much rather share interesting facts, stories, and anecdotes from our journey. And believe me, there was plenty to tell.<\/p>\n

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HELLO LOS ANGELES \u2013 NEVER PRAISE THE FLIGHT BEFORE YOU\u2019VE CLEARED IMMIGRATION!!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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For example, when we arrived in Los Angeles after nearly 11 hours of flying \u2014 tired, drained, and really just wanting to get out, grab the rental car and crash \u2014 the first thing that, as always, awaited us was passport control.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That can take as little as 5 minutes, like it once did for me in Miami, or, as in this case, a painfully long 1.5 hours. This usually happens when several large planes land at the same time. So, you find yourself in this massive room, winding through queue lines like you’re in a theme park, slowly inching your way toward the officer. The air in this area, when at full capacity, is thick enough to cut with a knife.<\/p>\n

And when you finally get to the front, you’re usually pretty annoyed and just hoping that the officer doesn’t immediately pick up on your mood \u2014 because of course, you want to make a good impression and be let into the country.<\/p>\n

For those who don\u2019t know: When entering the U.S., you get your photo taken and have to give your fingerprints \u2014 digitally scanned via a kind of touchscreen. Only then do you get your passport stamped and are officially in.<\/p>\n

By the time you\u2019re done, the baggage carousel usually isn\u2019t even running anymore, and the unclaimed luggage is either still on the belt or already stacked next to it. And when you finally find your luggage, that\u2019s always a moment of pure joy \u2014 because everything\u2019s there and the trip can officially begin. These days, especially post-COVID, it\u2019s not a given anymore that your baggage makes it. So, even more reason to celebrate when it does.<\/p>\n

Then we headed outside and took the Alamo shuttle bus to the rental car lot. After dealing with the paperwork, we were allowed to go to the lot and choose a vehicle from our booked category.<\/p>\n

Well\u2026 \u201cchoose\u201d might be a bit of an overstatement \u2014 there was exactly one<\/strong> car available: a black Chrysler Equinox. Two spots over was a white Ford SUV that I thought looked nicer, but according to a note on the rear window, it was missing the key. So, decision made \u2014 and off we drove in our black Equinox.<\/p>\n

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Now, for our first little story:<\/h3>\n

We were finally headed to our first hotel \u2014 Studio 6 Suites Lawndale<\/em> \u2014 ready to recover from the travel madness.<\/p>\n

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OH MAN, WHAT\u2019S WRONG WITH MY CREDIT CARDS?<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

At check-in, I went to pay using my Barclays Visa card. Just to be clear \u2014 I had literally just used that same card 30 minutes earlier at Alamo without any issues. But now, at the Studio 6 card reader? Error<\/em>. Card declined.<\/p>\n

I knew it had just worked, which made the situation extra frustrating. Arguing doesn\u2019t help in such moments, so I tried my VISA debit card. Same result \u2014 transaction failed.<\/p>\n

And all of this, right after a long-haul flight and at the very first hotel.<\/p>\n

In the end, I cancelled the check-in process, told the guy to please cancel the Booking.com reservation, and searched for a new hotel right there in the lobby. Found a Best Western nearby. And what can I say? My Barclays card worked like a charm there.<\/p>\n

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WHOA, THIS SINK IS CLOSE!<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Speaking of hotels: If you book American hotel chains \u2014 especially the mid-range ones \u2014 you might be in for a surprise the first time you walk into your room. Why? Because the sink isn\u2019t in the bathroom. It\u2019s just there<\/em>, in the room itself.<\/p>\n

The actual bathroom usually only contains the shower\/bathtub and the toilet. It\u2019s kind of funny. And it gets even weirder if there\u2019s carpet underneath the sink area. Ick\u2026 that\u2019s just nasty. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n

And just so you know \u2014 having the sink out in the open, right by the beds, isn\u2019t rare at all in the U.S. Why they do that? No idea. Still a mystery to me.<\/p>\n

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After just two nights in the States, it was time for our first national park: Joshua Tree National Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One of the most magical times to visit a national park is during sunrise or sunset. We chose the sunrise and entered the park around 5:45 AM \u2014 in complete darkness. The best part? No entry fee! Why? Because the entrance stations are unmanned that early in the morning. The parks are open 24\/7.<\/p>\n

At that point, we hadn\u2019t yet bought an annual pass (called the America the Beautiful Pass<\/em>) for $80. So yeah, driving in without paying did feel a little bit like sneaking in through the back door.<\/p>\n

Quick note: A single park entry for one vehicle usually costs about $35. But since we ended up visiting six<\/strong> national parks during the trip, that would\u2019ve added up to $210. Which is outrageous. So getting the annual pass for $80 was definitely the smarter move \u2014 and we saved $130 in the process.<\/p>\n

Back to that sunrise: It was absolutely beautiful. Joshua Tree might not be the most dramatic park, but it has a special vibe \u2014 thanks to its iconic trees and surreal rock formations. The park has this calming energy. Or maybe that was just because it was early morning and we were pretty much alone. Either way, it was gorgeous.<\/p>\n

Just before 8 AM, we exited the park from a more eastern gate \u2014 and then came something that you\u2019d never<\/em> experience in Europe\u2026 or Germany.<\/p>\n

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THE HILLS HAVE EYES\u2026 OR: DON\u2019T PANIC!!!<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Our route now took us further east along a road that, over a stretch of roughly 148 kilometers, gave us a grand total of five<\/em> cars and one<\/em> truck.<\/p>\n

The rest? Pure, glorious isolation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Our tank was half full when we passed the sign at the beginning of the road: \u201cNo Service for the next 92 Miles\u201d \u2013 meaning no gas station for the next 148 kilometers! I have to admit, I had never experienced anything like that before. We’re not talking about 2 kilometers or so \u2013 this was a seriously long stretch of road that took us through barren rocky and desert landscapes. The road itself was in great condition, but I really wouldn\u2019t have wanted to run into car trouble here \u2013 let alone spend the night.<\/p>\n

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Just watch the horror movie \u201cThe Hills Have Eyes\u201d<\/em> and you\u2019ll know exactly what was running through my mind during this drive.<\/strong>
And believe me, I was beyond relieved when we finally saw a gas station appear on the horizon. Okay\u2026 that relief didn\u2019t last long. Because the moment we saw the price, our jaws dropped. The location of that gas station was shamelessly exploited.<\/p>\n

Yes, inflation is real in the US too, and gas prices are generally higher than usual \u2013 but this? This was outrageous: about $7.69 per gallon! Just to be clear: that\u2019s not the price per liter, but per gallon \u2013 and a gallon equals 3.78 liters.<\/p>\n

The cheapest gas we found on our entire trip was in Page at Lake Powell, for about $3.29 per gallon \u2013 which would be around \u20ac1.14 per liter back home. But back to our tank after that eerie stretch through nowhere: it was running on fumes.<\/p>\n

Still, we refused to pay that ridiculous price. So we opened Google Maps and searched for nearby gas stations\u2026 and boom \u2013 just 28 kilometers further down the road, in a small town called Parker, gas was only $4.29 per gallon. Almost half the price!<\/p>\n

P.S. There are plenty more lonely stretches like this across the States. Luckily, this was the only really creepy and isolated one we encountered on our road trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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HORSESHOE BEND \u2013 TIME TRAVEL, BUT DIFFERENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

After visiting the Grand Canyon, our next destination was the desert town of Page at Lake Powell. Funny enough, Page isn\u2019t actually that old. It was only founded in 1957, when the Glen Canyon Dam was set to be built nearby. Back then, it was mainly a housing site for the dam workers.<\/p>\n

Today, Page has grown into the tourist hub of the entire region. The southern part of Lake Powell is now a huge recreational area, offering endless water activities for both Americans and international visitors.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re driving from the Grand Canyon to Page via Highway 89, you\u2019ll find a must-see spot just about 2 km before reaching the town. It doesn\u2019t look like much at first \u2013 just a turn-off with a big parking lot and ticket booths that charge you $10 per car.<\/p>\n

Back when I first visited in 2015, none of that existed. There was just a makeshift dirt lot, and no entrance fee at all. How times have changed.<\/p>\n

From the parking lot, there\u2019s just one small hill standing between you and the famous Horseshoe Bend \u2013 a hill we simply walked up and down seven years ago. (see photo)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>But not this year. Now there\u2019s a well-maintained hiking trail that leads around the hill, making it accessible even for older, disabled, or otherwise frail individuals.
But what exactly is this highlight called \u201cHorseshoe Bend\u201d?<\/p>\n

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At this exact spot, you can marvel at the Colorado River winding its way 300 meters below, curving around a rock formation shaped like a horseshoe \u2013 which, unsurprisingly, gave the attraction its name. Just like in many places across the U.S., safety here is left up to the individual.<\/p>\n

There are hardly any safety measures in place to prevent people from tempting fate to snap the perfect selfie right at the edge. After all, it\u2019s \u201conly\u201d a 300-meter drop that awaits just beyond that ledge. In 2022 alone, two tourists tragically fell to their deaths at this very location. But the desire for the most thrilling and Instagram-worthy photo often outweighs caution.<\/p>\n

But what does any of this have to do with time travel? Don\u2019t be so impatient. \ud83d\ude0a The best time to take the most beautiful photos here is either early in the morning at sunrise or in the evening at sunset. Everything in between? Just regular photos. Boring. *yawn<\/p>\n

Since we had already watched the sunset at the Grand Canyon the night before \u2013 which had been absolutely breathtaking \u2013 it was clear that we wanted to experience that same magical moment here too. So, back at the hotel, after a relaxing dip in Lake Powell, we checked the time and saw it was just after 5:30 p.m. And just yesterday, the sun had set at around 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Canyon.<\/p>\n

We hit the road and didn\u2019t think much of the fact that the sun still seemed fairly high in the sky. We paid the $10 entrance fee, parked, walked the trail right up to the edge of Horseshoe Bend, snapped a few warm-up photos, and waited.<\/p>\n

6:30 p.m. came and went \u2014 and the sun still refused to set. Rude, honestly. Yesterday at this time, it was already halfway gone. What was going on??<\/p>\n

By the way, there we were, standing in the blazing sun with no shade, roasting away and scratching our heads, trying to figure out the problem\u2026 completely missing the simplest explanation that, in hindsight, should have been obvious.<\/p>\n

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At first, I thought it had something to do with time travel \u2014 and in a way, I wasn\u2019t wrong.<\/strong>
Only, we didn\u2019t need Michael J. Fox or a DeLorean \u2014 just our car and a drive into another time zone.
We were such idiots!!! From the West Coast to the East Coast of the U.S., there are four different time zones… and we had been in the Pacific Standard Time Zone<\/em> the entire time \u2014 even at the Grand Canyon. But not in Page. There, it was the Mountain Standard Time Zone<\/em>.
So while my watch still showed 5:30 PM, it was actually just 4:30 PM.
Which meant we were way too early for the sunset.
Shit happens!!<\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t have been a big deal \u2014 if the sun and heat hadn\u2019t completely worn us out\u2026
It was brutal<\/em>!
But hey \u2014 at least we still got some great pictures.
Yep. Time travel, the American way. hahaha<\/em><\/p>\n

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DEATH VALLEY OR: OH COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL…<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The day we left Las Vegas to drive through Death Valley didn\u2019t quite go as we had imagined.
The plan was to enter the National Park from the east and leave it again on the west side. That\u2019s what most tourists do \u2014 they cross the park heading either towards San Francisco or back to Las Vegas.
In total, this stretch was already supposed to be the longest leg of our tour under my original plan: 473 km.
But fate had other plans for us that day.<\/p>\n

So we drove from Las Vegas into Death Valley as scheduled.
Our first stop was the famous Dante\u2019s View<\/em>, offering a breathtaking panoramic view over the entire valley. Then we continued deeper into the heart of Death Valley.<\/p>\n

On the way to the visitor center, we passed by Zabriskie Point<\/em>.
Fun fact: This viewpoint was named in the early 20th century after Christian Brevoort Zabriskie from Wyoming \u2014 vice president and general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which was responsible for borax mining in the area.<\/p>\n

We then reached the entrance to the Badwater Basin<\/em> \u2014 the lowest point in the U.S. \u2014 but unfortunately, it was closed. Or rather, probably still is.
In early August, the area was hit by a natural disaster \u2014 a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall. It\u2019s said to have happened only twice in the last 100 years.<\/p>\n

And all of that \u2014 in a place that boasts three American superlatives:
The hottest, the driest, and the lowest region in the entire USA.<\/p>\n