Southwest USA Road Trip Part II (page 4 of 4)

This topic still holds a deeply passionate impact for our generation, at the very least. It feels like just yesterday. And even the declassification of archives hasn’t cracked this mystery! They’re not telling us everything 😮

This topic still holds undeniable emotional resonance for our generation, at the very least. It was just yesterday. And even the declassification of archives hasn’t unraveled this mystery! They’re not telling us everything 😮

Yes! We’re on the same page! ;)

Ah, these questions! And it's precisely when you're on the spot, in Dallas, that some of them take on a whole new dimension. ..

Speaking of being on the spot, I thought the lone gunman theory was plausible…

But no matter which theory you subscribe to, being there, on that Plaza, gives you that little shiver of brushing up against major history…

On this August Sunday, after spending a long time visiting the famous Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, we step back into the daylight... and especially the Texas heat! Because, believe me, it’s seriously scorching out there!

We stroll leisurely through the sweltering streets of Downtown Dallas, just to explore this city a bit more—a city that, for me, will always be inseparably tied to American history.

But at some point, history is all well and good, and walking miles is too, but we’ve got to feed the tourists! So, we head to Main Street, where we’d spotted an Italian restaurant that looked pretty great: Porta Di Roma!

And since we’re fans of Italian food, we might as well go all in! The welcome is friendly, the dishes are tasty, and the waitress is Italian... about as much as I’m Javanese! 😜😄

But she’s charming, smiley, and really pleasant, which doesn’t hurt at all. Plus, we didn’t come to Dallas to give her a transalpine geography test!

All in all, a great experience and a solid spot!

After all that excitement, sightseeing, walking, and heat, there’s only one destination left: the hotel and bed! Because vacations are amazing, but they’re still a full-time job! 😄 Alright, here are a few pictures of Dallas streets under the Texas sun! 📸🇺🇸

Monday, August 24 – Dallas. The second-to-last day!

Yeah, it's true! All good things must come to an end, or so they say... And our big American adventure is really starting to feel like it's time to head back home!

For this second-to-last day in Texas, we didn’t plan anything too ambitious. We decided to take it easy.

So, we’ll be wandering through a bit of a weird neighborhood in Dallas—frankly, one of those places where you wonder what you’re even doing there, but since we’re here, might as well take a look!

After that, we’re heading to a shopping mall to stroll around, enjoy the air conditioning, and maybe spend the few dollars that miraculously escaped our banker’s watchful eye! 😆

Then back to the hotel for a good nap. And trust me, it won’t be a luxury!

Because the fatigue is real. And it’s hitting hard! After all these weeks on the American roads, thousands of miles traveled, visits, museums, national parks, long walks, and that sometimes crushing heat, our bodies are really starting to feel it.

Let’s just say we didn’t exactly take it easy on ourselves!

To wrap up the day, we’ll head back to our favorite Italian spot on Main Street. A great place we’ve already tried and loved. Why change a winning team, right? Tomorrow will be another story...

The big return is coming, with all its formalities, waiting, long hours of travel, and that fatigue that’s just begging to settle in a little more.

And something tells me the return is going to be tough, tough... Really tough even! And it will be, believe me!

But we’re not there yet.

For now, let’s enjoy this second-to-last day in Dallas—no rushing, no hurrying, just for the pleasure of still being in Texas a little longer. Come on, let’s go for a walk! Some pictures of Dallas! 📸🇺🇸

Tuesday, August 25 – Dallas. The grand return! 🇺🇸✈️🇫🇷

Well, here we are! This time, it’s really over! Our big American adventure is coming to an end, and we’ve got to face the music and head back home.

This morning’s agenda: packing, a final check to make sure we’re not forgetting anything, and zipping up the suitcases. A task that’s now a high-tech operation, given everything we’ve accumulated during the trip! 😅

The taxi arrives right on time. We load up the bags and head to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, better known as DFW. 65 dollars later, we’re at the terminal.

A luggage cart, and off we go!

The self-check-in goes smoothly. Sure, a few little glitches spice things up—just to remind us that tech can still be a bit hit-or-miss—but nothing major!

And since we’re talking about DFW, let me take a quick detour.

I’ve read here and there, especially on social media, that this airport is one of the worst in the world.

Well, let me laugh! The naysayers spreading such nonsense would do well to travel a bit more and talk a bit less rubbish!

With the rise of some influencers—whose general knowledge sometimes seems inversely proportional to their follower count—we’ve got plenty to chuckle about! 🙄😅

Anyway, for us, DFW is a massive airport, sure, but it’s well-organized and actually pretty convenient.

Bags checked, we’re now hands-free.

And you can guess what’s next, right?

The last-minute shopping! Mostly *her* last-minute shopping, of course!

Because there’s *always*—but *always*—a gift forgotten at the last second. A little souvenir for so-and-so, a trinket for such-and-such... And naturally, it’s a matter of the utmost importance! 😅

Luckily, DFW has a particularly handy feature: the Skylink, a free automatic train that connects the different terminals.

It loops around, it’s fast, and it’s super practical!

Can’t find the *essential* gift in your terminal’s Duty Free? No problem! Off to another terminal!

And so we’re off on another little shopping expedition. Honestly, even at the airport, the vacation isn’t over yet!

After these final supply runs, we grab a meal at a restaurant before heading to our gate.

Then comes the moment to board the plane. Our seats?

The last two seats side by side, all the way at the back of the plane! Madame picked them. Her reasoning is simple: at least we’ll be left alone!

Well, I’m not entirely sold on the theory, but since Madame has spoken, we’ll just have to agree it’s a brilliant idea! 😅

And off we go for the big Atlantic crossing. Heading to Paris!

On arrival, a new challenge awaits: a five-hour layover! Five hours!

And as if that weren’t enough, the lounge is full! Ouch...

At this point, the end of vacation really starts to hit. The exhaustion from weeks of travel, jet lag, and long hours in transit all come rushing back.

But we’ve got to power through!

Finally, we board the last flight, bound for Montpellier.

And when we finally set foot on our good old Languedoc soil, I can assure you we’re *not* in the mood for sightseeing!

Just 35 more minutes by car to get home.

The bags are unloaded, dumped in a heap—no attempt at organizing them. We’ll deal with that later!

Much, *much* later!

Because right now, there’s only one thing that matters: THE BED! And *fast*, please! 😅

And so ends our great American adventure.

Thousands of miles, incredible landscapes, legendary cities, unlikely encounters, a few disappointments, lots of discoveries, and above all, an amazing collection of memories.

And photos! Thousands of photos to sort through now. But that’s another story...

Alright, this time it’s really over! Goodbye, America! 🇺🇸 Hello, France! 🇫🇷 See you soon for new adventures... But first, let us sleep! 😴😅

USA 2026 – The wrap-up of our great American adventure!

Well, here we are! All good things must come to an end, as they say, and our big 2026 American trip is no exception!

After thousands of miles, extraordinary landscapes, unlikely encounters, a few surprises, and loads of memories, it’s time to take stock. And let me tell you right away: it’s overwhelmingly positive!

💰 Let’s start with the finances! Because traveling is all well and good, but you still have to keep an eye on the wallet! And here, a great surprise! Budget well under control! We treated ourselves without holding back on much, and we didn’t even spend our entire projected budget! Proof that you can still explore the United States without selling the house, mortgaging the car, or putting the banker on life support! 😄

Okay, we have to admit that prices have seriously gone up since our last trips. But we anticipated it, and in the end, everything went perfectly on that front.

❤️ The highlights! For me, it’s simple: they’re non-stop! I’ve always loved this America.

This America of wide-open spaces, endless roads stretching straight to the horizon, little towns lost in the middle of nowhere, vast landscapes, and that sense of freedom I find on every trip.

Langtry and Judge Roy Bean! An unlikely place, steeped in history, where you can still imagine the Wild West and its larger-than-life characters.

Tombstone! Its cowboys, saloons, stories of sheriffs and showdowns. Pure Western vibes!

Sedona! Its red rocks, stunning landscapes, and incredible light. A photographer’s paradise!

Tucson! Its giant cacti, desert, mountains, and that unique atmosphere of southern Arizona.

And then all those places I’ve told you about along the way. But there’s also something that really stood out this year. American gas stations! Yes, gas stations! 😄

These places, sometimes huge, sometimes tiny, lost by the side of the road, where you can find absolutely everything.

You go in to fill up and sometimes come out half an hour later after browsing the aisles, chatting with someone, or discovering some totally random curiosity. For some, they’re just gas stations.

For me, they’re an integral part of the trip and the America I love so much! And above all, the friendliness of Americans.

The smiles, spontaneous conversations, kind words, encounters in hotels, restaurants, or just out for a walk.

That ease of striking up a conversation with complete strangers still amazes and delights me.

Of course, the United States has its flaws. And quite a few! But no country is perfect, and I’m certainly not going to spoil my fun just because not everything works the way I’d like.

This America—the one of ordinary people, wide-open spaces, and encounters—I love deeply.

👎 The lows! Honestly?

Meh! The heat? Yeah, it was hot. Sometimes *really* hot! But come on, going to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in August and expecting the coolness of the Alps would be pretty naive! 😄 We knew what we were getting into, so no surprises there.

The food? Same as usual! Let’s just say American gastronomy and I aren’t always a great love story. Fortunately, there are Italian restaurants to save the day and a few evenings! 😬

The prices? Oh yeah! They’ve shot up like crazy! Hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops... Dollars can sometimes disappear at an alarming rate. But as I told you, our budget was well-prepared. So no nasty surprises in the end.

🐍 My one real regret! And here, I’m dead serious! Not a single rattlesnake in the wild during the whole trip! Not one! Thousands of miles, hikes in the desert, cacti as far as the eye can see, places where you almost expect to hear that famous rattling sound... And nothing! Zilch! Nada!

Okay, I did see some at the Albuquerque snake museum, but behind glass, it’s just not the same!

My wife, on the other hand, who has a rather tense diplomatic relationship with these charming creatures, clearly didn’t share my disappointment! 😄 Go figure!

😵 The physical toll... Ouch! Here, though, we have to admit one thing. We came back *very* tired! And not just a little passing fatigue. The miles, changing hotels, days of sightseeing, walking in the heat, early mornings... It all adds up and really takes a toll on the body. We didn’t exactly take it easy, either.

And let’s be realistic: we’re not twenty anymore! 73 and 75 years young! So naturally, we’re starting to ask ourselves some questions about how to plan our future trips. Fewer miles? Longer stops? More rest? A slightly lighter schedule? We’ll look into all that.

Especially since my wife will retire at the end of this year, which will have financial implications. So we’ll probably need to adjust some budgets and adapt our plans.

But let’s be clear: adapting doesn’t mean giving up! Come on, that’s going too far! 😄🌍 What’s next? Because you didn’t think we were going to put the suitcases away in the attic for good, did you?

Late December 2026 – Early January 2027: Rapallo! Like every year for the past ten years, we’ll spend New Year’s week in Rapallo, on the beautiful Italian Ligurian coast. A tradition we’re particularly attached to. The sea, walks, Italian restaurants, and that lovely Riviera atmosphere. And for once, a much more relaxed program!

Next, off to Israel! At a friend’s request, we’ll head to the little brother of the Great Satan, as some like to call it! And this time, it’ll be a guys’ trip! My friend and I, just the two of us, without our wives! A little five-day getaway with one clear goal: to show him Jerusalem. He’s really keen on it. And I totally get it!

Jerusalem is an extraordinary city. A place where history, religions, civilizations, and human passions intersect at every street corner. A city that never leaves you indifferent. And I have to admit, I’m already looking forward to showing him these places I know and love so deeply.

And in July, back to Israel for three weeks! This time, it’ll be a family trip since our eldest son will be joining us for the first time. And guess what he absolutely wants to see? Jerusalem, of course! I’m starting to think I could offer my services as a tour guide! 😄 But more seriously, it’ll be a huge pleasure to share this discovery with him, to show him the iconic sites, tell him their stories, and help him feel that unique atmosphere.

Three weeks to take our time, visit, explore, and enjoy—naturally, if circumstances allow for peaceful travel. Some great plans ahead, then!

❤️ To conclude...

This 2026 American trip will remain an excellent memory. Of course, there are the landscapes, the cities, the national parks, the museums, and all those photos I’ll now have to sort through. But above all, the joy of rediscovering this America I love so much. The one of endless roads, forgotten little towns, unlikely gas stations, warm encounters, and boundless horizons. An America with its flaws, contradictions, and excesses, of course. But an America that still makes me dream.

And then there’s the pleasure of sharing all this with you.

My discoveries, my favorite spots, my rants, my little jokes, my photos, and my various musings!

Always with my way of seeing things, which isn’t necessarily everyone’s. And so what? Thank goodness! The world would be a sad place if we all thought the same way!

There you go! The 2026 American travel journal is now closed. Thank you to all of you who followed us along the way, who took the time to read my stories, look at my photos, and sometimes leave a little comment.

It really means a lot, believe me! See you soon for new adventures! And until then, take care! God Bless America! Arrivederci! And see you soon in Jerusalem! 😬😄

A huge thanks, Mitch! I followed these "adventures" like a TV series 📺. This joy, this passion, and this love for this fascinating America are shared! But it’s really a shame to return to Europe without having tasted a single chili! Lt. Columbo is left speechless 😅

Thanks for this really vivid account... it just goes to show that even in front of the same landscape or place, we don’t necessarily see the same things.

And that’s exactly why travel stories like yours are so fascinating...

Hi Michel,

I really love your writing—it’s so vivid and personal. You took the time to share your journey in your own words, and at times, it almost felt like we were part of your adventures. Thank you so much for that! 🙂 Maybe see you soon for a new travel journal on Jerusalem?

Hi Michel,

Is this really the end? Oh no, we were having so much fun! Thanks again for this lively and hilarious travel journal!

A huge thanks, Mitch! I followed these "adventures" like a TV series 📺. This joy, this passion, and this love for this fascinating America are shared! But it’s really too bad to return to Europe without having tasted a single chili! Lt. Columbo is left speechless 😄

😎 Thanks for your message.

Thanks for this really vivid account... it just goes to show that, faced with the same landscape or place, we don’t necessarily see the same things...

And that’s exactly why travel stories like yours are so fascinating...

😉 Thanks for your message.

Hi Michel,

I really love your writing—it’s so vivid and personal. You took the time to share your journey in your own words, and at times, it almost felt like we were part of your adventures. Thanks so much for that 🙂 Maybe see you soon for a travel journal on Jerusalem?

😉 Thanks for your message. With 20 trips to Jerusalem and other parts of the country, there’s definitely enough for a journal. And hundreds of photos. But I’ll wait for the guys-only trip in March or July 2027.

Good evening Michel,

Is it really over? Oh no, we were having such a great time! Thanks again for this lively and hilarious travel journal!

😉 Thanks for your message.

Thanks for your story and safe travels ahead!

It's always interesting to read about a road tripper who travels very differently than I do.

I'm really "roots" (camping and tent bivouacs), but like you, age is catching up with me, even though I'm younger than you.

Thanks for your story and safe travels ahead!

It’s always interesting to read about a road-tripper who travels in a very different way than I do.

I’m very much "roots" (camping and tent bivouacs), but like you, age is catching up with me, even though I’m younger than you.

Hello! I’ve done my fair share of bivouacs in my old job! Some amazing evenings around the fire after great days of hiking and briefings, all generously lubricated, of course! 😜🍷🔥

When we were younger, we also used to bivouac in France. But let’s be honest, the Boss has never been a huge fan of it! So today, we fully embrace our status as real old-timers! 😂

Sleeping under the stars, the sleeping bag, the ground mat, and the rocks in your back—it’s all over! Now, it’s a hotel at every stop, with a good bed, a real bathroom, and, if possible, a little comfort! We still love adventure... but only if we can sleep well at night! 😜😂

And more seriously, I have to admit that with the years, I’ve started to really appreciate beautiful hotels. The truly stunning ones—the places with soul, history, character... and a certain level of luxury, of course!

After all, we can treat ourselves once in a while, right? We’ve worked our whole lives, so we might as well enjoy it while we can!

My little dream? To book a room at the legendary King David Hotel in Jerusalem, for its history, the famous figures who’ve stayed there, and everything that place represents.

Or, in a completely different style, a beautiful suite at the Martinez in Cannes, just for the fun, the luxury, and the sheer pleasure! 😎🥂

Of course, I’ll probably have to convince the Boss... and negotiate with the bank! 😂

But in the end, luxury isn’t necessarily about living in it all year. It’s also about being able to enjoy it once in a while and savoring every moment!😉

Thanks Michel,

I’m joining the chorus of praise for this super colorful trip report!

There’s nothing to fault—everything’s great. BRAVO, man...

I love this country too, the Italian restaurants, Italy, and I hope to visit Jerusalem for a week someday (but you already know that).

You missed Carlos Santana, and I missed Taylor Swift (hello, no but *hello*...) in May 2013 at a concert in Nashville! She was only well-known in the US at the time and was supposed to perform there the following week. The headliners that day were still great, though.

Keep up the great work. Jean from the Nooord.

Thanks Michel,

I’m joining the chorus of praise for this super colorful trip report!

There’s nothing to fault—everything’s great. BRAVO, man...

I also love this country, the Italian restaurants, Italy, and I hope to visit Jerusalem for a week someday (but you already know that).

You missed Carlos Santana, and I missed Taylor Swift (hello, no but *hello*...) in May 2013 at a concert in Nashville! She was only known in the US at the time and was supposed to perform there the following week. The headliners that night were still great, though.

Keep up the great work. Jean from the Nooord.

Thanks, Jean from the North! You know your experiences help a lot of people—me first!

Next year in Jerusalem! You’ll love it! But no RV this time! 😎