Winds blow BG higher in Big Bend National Park
DAY 18 – Despite some hardships – natural, human, and diabetic – camping in Big Bend National Park was one of the most restful nights of the road trip so far. [keep reading]
Guadalupe Mountains NP, good BGs and spectacular stars
DAY 14 – Spending the night in a tent in Guadalupe Mountains National Park not only straightened out my diabetes for the day, it gave me a stellar sky show. [keep reading]
The diabetes cowboy in Carlsbad Caverns National Park – yeehaw!
DAY 13 – Intense exercise directly after an insulin shot is daunting, but I got through it almost perfectly on a trip to wondrous Carlsbad Caverns National Park. [keep reading]
Sand-blind at White Sands National Monument
DAY 12 – I was blinded by the sun's glare and my BG was a little high but an afternoon at White Sands National Monument was like a mesmerizing trip to some alien beach. [keep reading]
Why you should get off the interstate
DAY 11 – Longer, less-efficient, slower, and much more beautiful: small highways are definitely better than big interstates when you're on an epic road trip like this one! [keep reading]
Hot insulin and tall cacti in Saguaro National Park
DAY 11 – Keeping insulin cool in Saguaro National Park is a challenge but worth the trouble: these cartoonish and gigantic cactus plants are an unbelievable sight. [keep reading]
The art of Ajo and chilly desert observatories
DAY 9 – Roller-coaster blood sugars didn't diminish the excitement of an artists' oasis in the Arizona desert and a vast collection of observatories high above an Indian reservation. [keep reading]
Cactus vs. sky at Organ Pipe
DAY 9 – I had both the lowest and highest blood sugars of the trip so far at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, but it was still an extraordinary camping experience. [keep reading]
A lizard beckons us towards ancient desert petroglyphs
DAY 8 – On a side trip to see some ancient Native American petroglyphs in southern Arizona, I met a lizard and got a great blood sugar reading thanks to a kindly cactus. [keep reading]
The whole world in two hours, courtesy of Southern California
DAY 6 – From a dusty little box canyon to lush green vineyards to a low saline sea to wild, unforgiving desert sand dunes, southern California said goodbye in style. [keep reading]
Sun, moon, and cacti: Joshua Tree National Park
DAY 6 – Camping plans didn't work out but Joshua Tree National Park gave us everything: sunset, full moon, cactus gardens, wildlife... and those insane trees. [keep reading]
L.A. glitz, meet the San Bernardino Mountains
DAY 5 – The Hollywood sign, a motel made of wigwams, an alpine lake picnic and a dusty desert drive, all within in a few hours. Plus some encouraging blood sugar signs. [keep reading]
High winds block access to Channel Islands National Park
DAY 3 – Fierce winds canceled all boats at Channel Islands National Park, but the visitor center was still worth it. And my blood sugars finally improved today. [keep reading]
First impressions of America, from an outsider-insider
DAY 1 – On Day 1 of this epic road trip, my reverse culture shock upon returning to the US asserted itself in some embarrassing ways. People still vape! [keep reading]
Mini-travel: Akashi, Japan and octopus blood sugar
A day of eating octopus balls and guessing insulin doses in Akashi. Blood sugar got low but I evened it out. And saw the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan! [keep reading]
Mini-traveling: Hankai Tramway in Osaka/Sakai
Another day of mini-travel took us to every station on both branches of the Hankai Tramway that runs between Osaka and Sakai. Blood sugars excellent the whole way. [keep reading]