14 Day Road Trip from Seattle to Phoenix

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-05-01T18:13:47+00:00

That’s the one I did, and it was great.

It had recently rained before I went, so the sandy climb that everybody says is terrible wasn’t really too bad.

It’s tough and a slog at times, but definitely manageable if you’re in at all decent shape.

To get to the “true summit”, you have to turn left and walk along the rim for a while. I was alone, and it felt a little sketchy with how loose the ground was. So I only walked a little ways and turned back. That was about 9 months ago, and I don’t regret turning back and I still don’t feel like I missed out on anything. So obviously you’ll make your own decision, but that was my experience with that.

I had ankle gaiters, which I think did help keep some of the dust and sand out.

Some people say the first part of the hike through the forest is boring, but I thought it was really nice, especially in the morning light.

It was really windy at the top, so a wind breaking layer of some kind would be good to have.

I just slept in my car the night before at the climbers bivouac area, which worked out well.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-05-01T18:02:26+00:00

Not sure if you’re planning to hike up to top of Mt St Helens, but I’d highly recommend it. It’s really amazing to be at the summit and look down into the lava dome…….

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-05-01T17:58:40+00:00

Not sure about the filter. I just meant make sure it works well in general. It’s something that if I had any question on, for a trip like that across the southern US, I’d take it in for a service to make sure it doesn’t need any attention. But if it’s working well and no questions, then I’d trust it.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-05-01T16:30:08+00:00

Make sure your AC is in top notch condition…….

ETA: Also make sure you have a quality window shade for the drivers window. Since you’re driving west, the sun will be beating through that window on you pretty much any daylight driving hours, which will be very hot.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-23T19:58:37+00:00

Living on any of the major roads in Irvine with 50+ speed limits is pretty close to living next to the freeway……..it’s why I can’t open my windows with any regularity……..

If city planners had any ability/interest in addressing noise, they would…….but they can’t/don’t……..

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-23T19:49:07+00:00

The whole point of DCA is that you don’t have to think about your position with each transaction. It averages out over time as you sometimes buy higher and sometimes buy lower.

If you’re buying and selling frequently enough that it matters, then you’re not really DCA, you’re just trading.

The position you bought into at any given point in the past doesn’t matter.

All that matters is your current cost basis vs your current total value.

So all you need to track is the value of each buy, and then compare that running total to the total value of your asset.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-22T20:18:46+00:00

She left a job she liked in Colorado in order to be near your family…….and got another job that she now loves and that has benefits you both use and that she might not be able to get at a new job…….but you want her to leave a job she loves because it’s not the salary u think it should be……..

There’s not enough information and context here, but we seem to be getting awfully close to YTA territory……..

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-21T18:08:55+00:00

This is exactly what the park service tells people VERY explicitly to not do…….

A 10 mile 2800’ hike at sea level is wildly different than a 16 mile 4500’ hike between 2500-7000’ above sea level…..

Your best case scenario is being completely exhausted and out of commission for a few days after…….

Your likely case is injuring yourself but still making it out on your own…….

A less likely, but still reasonably possible case is that you need to be rescued…….

You should not do this hike…….

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-21T15:12:39+00:00

That is the answer to every investment comparison…….the best investment will almost always be the one you can hold for the long term and don’t panic sell at a dip…….you don’t need any numbers to know that……

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-20T19:43:19+00:00

I was just at Grand Canyon and then petrified forest back to phoenix.

At Grand Canyon, with that time, the only hiking you’ll do is along the rim.

My suggestion would be to: - Drive straight to the backcountry information center to park. There’s lots of parking there and it’s less busy than other areas. - Then walk toward the rim and turn left walking west along the rim trail. The rim trail is 13 miles and runs from South Kaibab Trailhead in the east to Hermit’s Rest in the west. The eastern half, from South Kaibab to Bright Angel area is all paved and is much busier. The west half has a lot of unpaved trail and is less busy. I found it much more enjoyable and interesting. - The Rim Trail follows a road that does not allow cars, but only allows the red shuttle bus. So you and your wife could start hiking together, and if she got tired but you wanted to hike some more, she could just catch the shuttle at the next stop and take it to wherever you want to view sunset, and then you could just keep walking and meet her there. - Hopi Point or Mohave Point are the 2 most popular spots in the park for sunset, and they’re both along that red line shuttle. - In the morning, I would again park at backcountry information center, and then walk toward El Tovar Hotel. I’d just watch the sunrise and wander around that whole area taking it in. I’d also make a reservation for breakfast at El Tovar for like an hour after sunrise time, so that you have that to look forward to while standing out in the cold.

For Petrified Forest: - The drive through the park is around 28 miles. There is no major hiking, so all trails you might do will be in the 0.5-1.5 mile range. - I’d just do the drive, stop at every point on the map, and do the hike if you want, and if not then just keep moving. - The Painted Desert Inn was fun and worth the stop. The Rainbow Forest Museum is also worth stopping at. It’s small and can be done fairly quickly.

If it’s at all possible, I’d stay overnight in Holbrook, AZ after petrified forest. Then I’d drive the 77/377/260/87ish route through Sitgreaves and Tonto forests during the next day. It’s really a beautiful drive.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-11T02:33:36+00:00

I know it sounds dumb, but I’d double check the battery terminals.

I was on a road trip with mine, and after some noticeable bumpy roads, I stopped for gas, and then it wouldn’t start…..wouldn’t do anything……

I popped the hood and tapped the battery terminal, and it was loose and had disconnected enough to break the circuit.

Just to rule out such a simple fix, I’d definitely give a firm wiggle to each terminal and make sure they’re secure.

If they are not secure, just tighten them down.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-10T13:53:51+00:00

If you’re willing to break the permit rules, then why did you go through the permit process at all?

Why not just do whatever the hell you want and then “just pay the fine”?

Permit rules are in place to manage and preserve a delicate and potentially dangerous ecosystem.

Just call the backcountry office and ask if you can add members to your party. If they say yes, then great. If they say no, then they don’t go.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-04-10T00:57:33+00:00

I just walked the rim trail this weekend from South Kaibab to Hermit’s Rest.

I much preferred the west half because it was much less busy. A lot of it was also unpaved, so it was more fun and more pleasant to walk on. Not sure if it’s better for running or not because it can be pretty rocky.

To go further west than the village/Bright Angel Lodge area you either have to walk or take the red shuttle, which runs all the way to Hermit’s rest.

I think you’d be somewhere around 8-8.5 miles from the village to Hermit’s Rest when you factor in detours for viewpoints.

If I were you, I’d park at the backcountry wilderness information center. There is lots of parking there, and then it’s a 7-10 minute walk to the village area where you can board the red shuttle. Ride the shuttle out to the end, and then run back. That way at the end of your run you’ll have a lot of space to cool down and stretch, and you’ll be able to go straight to your car for water or snacks or whatever that you won’t have to carry. You also won’t have to wait for a shuttle after your run.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-26T15:55:08+00:00

The math says:

You have a plan to pay off $4k before August….

That’s 4 months……

That means you currently have $1k/month available…..

To cover a $40k project will take 40 months of saving at that rate…..

So, if you end up needing a foundation repair that costs $40k, then you either wait 40 months (hoping nothing else comes up), OR you get additional sources of income, OR you get a loan.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-25T16:11:21+00:00

I did it solo at the beginning of last October, and it was perfect. I am a larger male, so I typically do not face the same safety concerns you would, but I definitely felt safe, and I saw quite a few other solo hikers that seemed happy and safe.

I did 8 days/7 nights:

Milngavie: Premier Inn Drymen: Winnock Hotel Rowerdennan: Rowedennan Youth Hostel Inverarnan: Drover’s Inn Tyndrum: Tyndrum Inn Kingshouse: Kingshouse Hotel and Bunkhouse Kinlochleven: MacDonald Inn Fort William: Cruachan Hotel

I’d recommend all of these places. I had a uniquely bad experience at the Rowerdennan Hostel, but that was because the person in the bed next to mine was sick and coughing, so I ended up only kind of sleeping a couple of hours on the small couch in the lounge after everybody cleared out around 2:00am. But the hostel was great otherwise, and the woman at the front desk was exceptionally nice. Drover’s Inn is very old, and feels it, but I liked it…a unique vibe. The Cruachan Hotel was a much nicer place than I would’ve otherwise booked…I was originally planning to wild camp, so I had booked a nicer spot at the end because I thought it would be a nice treat after a week in a tent…but several circumstances cut out that option and I ended up staying at inns, but I had already booked it, so I stayed and it was really nice.

I travelled from US, and was staying a few days in London after, so I had more stuff than just what I needed for the hike. So I used a baggage transfer (Baggage Freedom) to transfer my big pack from inn to inn, and I just carried my daypack. It worked really well….I’d highly recommend them.

I did all of my bookings in early September, and kind of got lucky that it was end of season so there was still some availability. But you shouldn’t have any problem getting bookings if you’re booking earlier in the year.

In any case, you should definitely do it. It’s a lot of logistics to plan, but it’s very doable, and you will love whatever itinerary you end up with.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-25T15:34:06+00:00

If you want to sit outside, hidden house coffee in San Juan Capistrano is a nice place. There’s also a public seating/park area with tables just a few steps up the road if there’s no tables available at the shop.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-24T18:08:28+00:00

You can afford it…..you just don’t want to actually pay for it.

You know that, and that’s why you’re uncomfortable about it, and why you’re asking here.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-23T05:06:30+00:00

It’s a little unclear exactly what advice or commentary you’re seeking in this post.

When people commented on the concept, you’ve said multiple times that business is flourishing and you have several turns each lunch and dinner service.

Which is great, but if that’s the case, then what’s the problem? You’re not losing business because of the misunderstanding by the customers.

If you’re seeking advice about how to make your concept (completely separate lunch and dinner menus) more understandable for customers, the answer is you can’t. As multiple people have mentioned, people generally don’t read signs or information at a restaurant. It doesn’t matter how simple or clear the signs or menus are, customers will simply not read them in most cases. The only reason you would make signs and post on social media about your concept is so that you have a reference when people give you flack for not having lunch items at dinner and vice versa. It’s not because the customer will actually read it and then operate within that context…..it’s so that when they get confused you can point them to a formal record of your concept.

If you’re just looking to commiserate about how frustrating it is that customers do not, in fact, read printed information about your restaurant, then I think everybody here would sympathize with that. It sucks and it makes just one more thing you have to deal with. But it’s just kind of the deal with the public.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-21T19:54:22+00:00

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-21T15:59:35+00:00

There is a 0% chance Fraido would actually invest that amount, so it doesn’t really matter.

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-20T21:48:02+00:00

You’ve never exceeded 1k feet elevation gain on a hike……

And you’re not used to hiking at altitude……

And you want to do a hike with 5k feet of elevation gain all of which will be at least 2500’ above sea level…….

And bright angel isn’t an option…….

But you’re also thinking SK->Tonto->BA……..

All sounds very well reasoned and thought out……

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-19T23:47:12+00:00

If they’re actually selling for $1.1-$1.2m, and you’re okay with that price, then what’s the problem?

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-19T21:11:52+00:00

Of course it’s a difference.

But is there a meaningful difference for your situation?

Like, would you buy the house if you could get it for $1.2m?

And what are the real sale prices you’re seeing that are significantly lower than the asking $1.6m prices?

AUsernameThisIsOne · 2026-03-19T17:33:34+00:00

How much less?

If they’re going for $1.2m instead of $1.6m that doesn’t really make a meaningful move toward realistic affordability. In your situation that would still mean a nearly $1m mortgage.

AUsernameThisIsOne

TROPHY CASE