4k Miles. 6 States. 7 National Parks. 16 Days in a Van
Zero to Sixty (Degrees): Truckee Delays, Desert Dreams
Leg: 0. Start Here: Solo, Scrappy, and Headed for the Desert sets the stage for a 4,000-mile van trip with last-minute gear checks, a freezing night in Truckee, and a surprise delay that tests the traveler’s patience. Between upgrades, supply runs, and organizing a tiny mobile home, this leg is all about the behind-the-scenes prep. It’s not about the views—yet—but about getting road-ready and trusting the miles ahead.
LA to Saguaro National Park – Greed Speed
Leg: 1. LA to Saguaro National Park – Greed Speed marks the wild start of a 4,000-mile solo van trip, full of late-night drives, roadside meals, and a surprise visit with a vanlife YouTube legend. From the chaos of LA traffic to the cool relief of the Colorado River, this leg captures the highs and lows of life on the road. A night at the dunes, a peaceful KOA stay, and the towering beauty of Saguaro National Park round out a journey that’s equal parts grit, heat, and wanderlust.
Tucson AZ to White Sands National Park – Tired Trepidation
Leg 2: Follow the “Redneck Ferrari” trading horsepower for hiking boots on an epic RV journey across the Southwest! From questionable KOA campgrounds and quirky roadside attractions to serene hot springs and the blinding White Sands of New Mexico’s National Park’, this blog chronicles the unexpected beauty and challenges of van life. Get ready for desert landscapes, moments of quiet reflection, and maybe a few questionable decisions along the way.
White Sands to Guadalupe Mountains National Park – SKETCHED OUT
Leg 3: After the dazzling White Sands NP, our “Redneck Ferrari” questions if every national park truly earns its title in this leg of the journey. Expect a detour through a quirky roadside RV park prepping for a concert, a less-than-thrilling visitor center, and quiet moments amidst the Guadalupe Mountains. While not a must-see destination, this chapter highlights the unexpected stops and personal reflections that make a road trip an adventure, for better or for less-than-amazing. Buckle up for honest opinions and the open road!
From Dust to Depth: Guadalupe Mountains to Carlsbad Caverns
Leg 4: Venture from dusty desert landscapes to an alien underworld with the “Redneck Ferrari.” This leg of the journey descends into the breathtaking, unbelievable depths of Carlsbad Caverns, a place that redefines “awe.” Prepare to be floored by colossal formations and an atmosphere so profound it leaves visitors feeling strangely uplifted. Forget what you think you know about caves – this is a subterranean adventure that will leave you slack-jawed and questioning reality.
From UFOs to Underwater: Redneck Ferrari’s New Mexico Adventure
Leg 5: From the depths of Carlsbad Caverns to the quirky charm of Roswell, the “Redneck Ferrari” unexpectedly lands in alien territory. Discover a surprisingly pleasant Walmart, a museum dedicated to UFOs, and the refreshing waters of Bottomless Lakes. This leg showcases the joys of spontaneous detours, the kindness of strangers offering local tips, and the triumph of a new wetsuit in a desert oasis. It’s a blend of earthly relaxation and otherworldly intrigue you won’t want to miss!
From Bottomless Lakes to Santa Fe: Scootin’, Soakin’, and Splurging in the High Desert
Let #6: This leg of the Redneck Ferrari journey is all about trading desert swims for desert art, scootin’ through Santa Fe’s adobe streets, and splurging on the kind of treasures that make a road trip feel larger than life. From floating in the sapphire waters of Bottomless Lakes to geeking out at Candyman Strings, soaking up Georgia O’Keeffe’s bold colors, and wobbling around town on a $400 Costco scooter, it’s a blend of high culture and low-key comedy. Throw in a pricey turquoise bracelet for the wife, a cheeky gallery purchase for himself, dim sum in a parking lot, and a frosty KOA morning capped with an icicle on the van—and you’ve got a snapshot of vanlife at its most human: part grit, part indulgence, and all story.
From Frost to Firelight: A Day’s Drive to the Valley of the Gods From Santa Fe
Leg# 8: This chapter of the Redneck Ferrari road trip trades Santa Fe’s adobe streets for the raw silence of the desert, a day that begins with frost on the windshield and ends with fiery sandstone cliffs glowing like embers. It’s equal parts grit and grace: dodging frozen water tanks, crawling behind farm trucks on reservation roads, and finally rolling into the Valley of the Gods just as the sun dipped low, painting buttes and mesas in impossible shades of red. The night is a mix of creature comforts and wild solitude—air-fried dim sum in a camper van, diesel heater humming, a one-gallon shower to chase off the chill, and a restless nighttime wander among scattered campsites under a moonless sky. Out here, silence isn’t empty—it’s a presence all its own, and by morning the Valley feels less like a stopover and more like a secret kept by the desert.
Hail, Red Rocks, and Hard Choices in the Valley of the Gods
Leg# 9: I woke up in Utah’s Valley of the Gods to red rock, fresh snow on distant peaks, and a hard wind that never quite let go. A 17-mile dirt loop through sandstone “warriors” and named spires pulled me in, so I aired down the tires and crawled it slow, stopping for photos and silence. Then the weather swung to hail and a deep freeze warning that could crack my water system. Beauty kept me lingering; prudence said move. By late afternoon I pointed the van toward warmer Sedona and lucked into the last RV spot in town. It was a day of big skies, small decisions, and the reminder that the road, not the plan, is in charge.
Ultimate Desert Road Trip: Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley, and Sedona Adventures
Leg #10: Cold chased me out of Valley of the Gods, so I aimed for Monument Valley and Sedona. I rolled past Mexican Hat and the Forrest Gump photo spot, grabbing quick shots while racing the light. Then the sky flipped to hail and snow, and I crept over the mountains into Sedona, landing the last RV spot in town. Morning reset everything with bluebird views from Airport Mesa and a stop at the Chapel of the Holy Cross set into the cliffs. A short red rock hike and a wander through Tlaquepaque rounded out the day. Next up: Petrified Forest.