About three weeks ago I realized gas prices had bottomed out and were on their way back up, again. I wasn't sure how long that would take but wanted to capitalize while it lasted. So, I set out on what would become a pretty epic road trip. I didn't really have a destination in mind but knew it would all work out. Five days, 2,122 miles, 5 National Parks, 6 states, 128 gallons of gas and zero mechanical failures later and this is what I have to show for it...

 

Looks like you had a good time! Which state do you live in? Looks like you were in Sedona.

 

Thats awesome!

 

Looks like fun! Thought I recognized a few spots from arches/canyon lands (Utah).. one trail looked like "fins and things". Could be totally wrong... desert all looks similar :P

Sweet video dude!

 

Holy crap this is awesome but what kind of job do you have where you can just up and go on such an adventure?

 

Almost all decent jobs give you AT LEAST 14 days paid vacation This was 5.

 

I live in Southern California. Ian, I don't remember the names of all the roads but I drove through both Arches and Canyon Lands so you may be right about Fins and Things, it seems familiar. As far as my job, I'm a carpenter... a reasonably good one and that has blessed me with the freedom to exercise my sense of adventure relatively unencumbered.

 

Just read your road trips. Nice writing. Nice photo reportage. Good for you, and thanks for positing for us all to enjoy

 

Wowsers!!

 

Looks like a good time. Glad you experienced Arizona. Everyone should at least once in their life

 

Great video! Do you do films for a living or is it just another hobby?

 

Thanks for the video OP! Did you use a drone for the aerial shots?

I dabble a little in video too and you have successfully inspired me.

 

I spotted the drone shadow in a few spots. What I don't get is he appears to be alone on this trip, but the drone is following while he's driving. Who's running it? Drone has target lock or XJ is on auto pilot?

 

16 MPH eh?

 

Hey, thanks everybody. Yeah, I was alone which means I was driving and flying the drone. It was probably easier than it sounds, mostly. I just set the controller in the passenger seat then pushed the yoke forward as I started rolling. It was set so that when I released the yoke it would default to hover. I was using a DJI Phantom II with a Zenmuse H3-3D gimbal and an FPV (so I could sort of see what I was filming). I am not a professional, I just do this stuff for fun. Glad I unintentionally inspired ya, 4Banger.