But, with only 11 days, I had to pick and choose carefully.
Highway 50 across Nevada, for sure. Moab is a no-brainer.
It would have been great to head south in Colorado, to Durango and the Sangre de Cristo range, but time didn't allow it. Instead I settled on Aspen, then highway 24 through Leadville into Colorado Springs.
Heading home we went through Laramie, Wyoming to see the University of Wyoming where I got my BS degree, then across I-80 through Salt Lake City to Reno.
It would have been cheaper and faster to fly to Colorado for Thanksgiving. Drive to Sacramento, catch a Southwest or Jet Blue flight direct for about $125 round trip. So why drive?
Because the fun is in the seeing; experiencing the journey.