KillerBlackbird
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- Joined
- Aug 13, 2017
- Posts
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TL;DR - I drove 12,000 miles across the US.
At the end of July 2020 I started across America, leaving Vermont and making my way to the insane temperatures of the south west in the dead of summer, to the hottest place on earth during an intense heat wave. This is the 4th time my 2018 Raptor has made this trek and it makes a great road trip vehicle.
I had this trip planned for a few months, since I was still working I had the time off and things were “mostly” open so I went for it (not that I want to go to overpopulated areas anyway).
I spent the majority of my trip in the southwest, spending 10 days in Death Valley - 6-days after I left the 130-degree record day was recorded. The highest temperature I felt was 124. Climbing a significant grade with the AC on resulted in a 244-degree coolant temp, so when the sign says “Turn off AC to avoid overheating...” do it. Rolling down the windows with the heat on full blast in 120+ heat to avoid catastrophe will make you question your sanity and how blowing wind can actually be that hot.
Every time I make this drive Im baffled that others still want to travel overseas to other countries when the lower-48 alone contains so much. Driving as opposed to flying gives you a good dose of the diversity this country has and why its so unique.
If you’re on Instagram and want to share the photos, feel free to do so and tag me: @KillerBlackbird or check the rest out on my Flickr.
Dumont Dunes by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Roys Cafe by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Bonneville Salt Flats by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Joshua Tree National Park by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Borrego Springs by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Bonnie Claire by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Death Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Trona Pinnacles by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Death Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Death Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Death Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Dumont Dunes by Jim Davis, on Flickr
2018 Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
2018 Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Racetrack Playa by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Salvation Mountain by Jim Davis, on Flickr
Death Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
At the end of July 2020 I started across America, leaving Vermont and making my way to the insane temperatures of the south west in the dead of summer, to the hottest place on earth during an intense heat wave. This is the 4th time my 2018 Raptor has made this trek and it makes a great road trip vehicle.
I had this trip planned for a few months, since I was still working I had the time off and things were “mostly” open so I went for it (not that I want to go to overpopulated areas anyway).
I spent the majority of my trip in the southwest, spending 10 days in Death Valley - 6-days after I left the 130-degree record day was recorded. The highest temperature I felt was 124. Climbing a significant grade with the AC on resulted in a 244-degree coolant temp, so when the sign says “Turn off AC to avoid overheating...” do it. Rolling down the windows with the heat on full blast in 120+ heat to avoid catastrophe will make you question your sanity and how blowing wind can actually be that hot.
Every time I make this drive Im baffled that others still want to travel overseas to other countries when the lower-48 alone contains so much. Driving as opposed to flying gives you a good dose of the diversity this country has and why its so unique.
If you’re on Instagram and want to share the photos, feel free to do so and tag me: @KillerBlackbird or check the rest out on my Flickr.
Dumont Dunes by Jim Davis, on FlickrRoys Cafe by Jim Davis, on FlickrBonneville Salt Flats by Jim Davis, on FlickrJoshua Tree National Park by Jim Davis, on FlickrBorrego Springs by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrBonnie Claire by Jim Davis, on FlickrDeath Valley by Jim Davis, on FlickrTrona Pinnacles by Jim Davis, on FlickrDeath Valley by Jim Davis, on FlickrDeath Valley by Jim Davis, on FlickrDeath Valley by Jim Davis, on FlickrDumont Dunes by Jim Davis, on Flickr2018 Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrFord Raptor by Jim Davis, on Flickr2018 Ford Raptor by Jim Davis, on FlickrRacetrack Playa by Jim Davis, on FlickrSalvation Mountain by Jim Davis, on FlickrDeath Valley by Jim Davis, on Flickr
