Super Epic - Super Pacific Road Trip - Days 8 - 13: Playing Catch Up
Holy Moly!
Since last Wednesday, when we rolled into Ennis MT, we've hardly had any cell reception.
The truth is, we've barely had any since we left San Francisco.
That's been a real problem because:
--> No phone calls.
--> No text messages.
--> No emails.
--> No internet.
To me, that's usually heaven.
Off-grid is my favorite place in the universe, and I plan time there regularly.
The key word, though, is PLAN.
Since we headed for Portland, we've been essentially without cell reception. Even along the interstates and highways, it's zero bars.
I didn't plan for that,
At all.
In Yellowstone, I knew there would be no reception. And I didn't figure I'd have a signal at the middle-of-nowhere places we camped.
But I did assume that along the way, especially along the interstates, I'd have good cell service and, therefore, the ability to work.
Julia and I had envisioned splitting driving with one of us at the wheel and the other able to tend to calls, zoom meetings, emails, and whatever else.
I even went so far as to bring the travel monitor I use for a 2nd screen and a lap desk.
But for all the reception we've had, I may as well have left it at home because my assumption about cell service out here was dead wrong. The scenery is beautiful, but the cell reception is about as good as it is on Mars.
More than once, one of us has said to the other, "How the hell does anyone get anything done out here?"
Thankfully we've had a couple of nights at Airbnbs with WiFi to handle the urgent stuff.
But the list of things I wanted to get done on this trip is nearly as long today as it was 12 days ago.
That'll make for some long days when I'm back in the office with plenty of catching up to do. But it'll be worth it because the stuff we have seen on this trip has been amazing.
We've now been through Montana and Wyoming. Today we pit-stopped in Rapid City, SD, and we are heading to the Badlands this afternoon. I did plan for this part, so I know we won't have a signal again until Wednesday afternoon.
I can't wait to do this again.
But next time, we'll have Starlink.