GR84RED is Heading West, Again…
GR84RED Heads West: A Cross-Country Adventure from Danbury, CT to Highlands, CA (and Back Again)
8,122 miles in 60 nights
The bags are (almost) packed, the playlists are ready, and GR84RED is itching to hit the open road again. This isn’t just any road trip. We’re heading from Danbury, CT, all the way to Highlands, CA for a family wedding, with a route that zigzags through some of the most scenic, soulful, and story-worthy places in the country.
Spoiler: this trip has it all—family, friends, fly fishing, quilt shops, golf and more than a few miles of backroad magic.
The Route (and Why It’s Awesome)
1. First Leg: North by Northwest
We’re not making a beeline for California—we’re heading north and west to kick things off right. SkyDog Adventures will cruise through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and make our way into Michigan, with time set aside to explore the beautiful Upper Peninsula. We’ll also take in Mackinac Island, where motor vehicles are restricted. It’s either walk, bike or hire a horse drawn buggy, to explore the island’s history.
2. Rally Time in Spearfish, SD
Next up: the Vienna/Villagio RV Rally in Spearfish, South Dakota. It’s a chance to swap stories, admire rigs, and reconnect with fellow Renegade Sprinters. A highlight of the trip for sure.
3. Big Sky and Bigger Fish in Montana
From there, it’s time to unwind in Montana, where I’ll be casting lines on the Big Horn and Bitterroot Rivers—two fly fishing paradises. We’ll also be dropping in on my cousin in Billings and spending time with dear friends in Anaconda. Mountains, rivers, and Montana hospitality? Yes, please.
4. Down Through Idaho and Nevada
After Montana, the route dips south through Idaho and Nevada—mountains turning to desert and endless skies above. This is the quiet stretch, the think-about-life stretch, the listen to podcasts stretch.
5. Family Time in Grass Valley, CA
We’ll camp out for four nights in Grass Valley RV Park, with my brother and sister-in-law—a peaceful pause in the Sierra foothills before the wedding excitement begins. There will be campfires, wine, stories, and the inevitable McBeth laughter.
6. Clovis, Then Highlands!
A stop in Clovis to see my sister and her family, then it’s on to Highlands, CA, for a long-awaited family wedding. By now, the Rig will be full of dust and stories—and that’s just the halfway point.
🛣️ The Journey Home
7. Utah for the Fourth
No better place to celebrate July 4th weekend than in Utah—red rocks, fireworks, and maybe some more fly fishing on the “Provo”. We’ve secured a premium site at Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City, a favorite of ours from a prior cross country trip.
8. Steamboat Springs & Denver
Onward to Steamboat Springs, CO, to visit an old friend, then a swing through Denver to catch up with former neighbors from Danbury who now call the Mile High City home.
9. The Final Stretch: I-70 Burn Run
From there, it’s pedal to the metal as we “burn run” it home on I-70, taking in those final miles with a mix of exhaustion and awe of where we’ve been and what we saw.
Why This Trip?
Because life’s short and we wouldn’t let a year go by without a cross country trip. Because the best stories come from backroads and rest stops and unexpected detours. This trip is a celebration—of family, friendship, and the freedom of the road.
So follow along—there’ll be blog posts, photos, possibly a few fly fishing tales (some of them true), and guaranteed laughs along the way.
Next stop: somewhere unforgettable.
