Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
Lunch break: I was out-and-about gathering up those last minute items for a summer vacation.
Impeccable timing: The Red Hot Chili Peppers came on the radio, “Road Trippin.”
Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town, it’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost anywhere in the USA
Let’s go get lost, let’s go get lost
The simple lyrics were captivating. The family and I will be “Road Trippin” in about 18 hours. Our destination, the Southwest corner of Utah (St. George) and a journey through time exploring 500 miles through the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument area.
The Grand Staircase, Utah
For many of us, vacation planning starts well in advance of the trip. Back in the winter, I began reading the TDR book, Ready to Travel. It is a compilation of travel articles from past issues of the Turbo Diesel Register magazine.
Immediately, I was drawn into the book by Kevin Cameron’s introduction. Masterful writing. Check it out when you download the book.
Thumbing through, I landed on the “Grand Staircase” article written by Jeannette Vallier. I was hooked. I understand why she and her husband Robert were long-time travel writers for the Turbo Diesel Register. And, I understand why the magazine’s editor was inspired to put together this compilation of travel stories.
Jeannette describes the Grand Staircase as “the most amazing four days that any traveler could hope for: A road meandering 500 miles through southern Utah.” She explains the geological purpose behind the name Grand Staircase: “Literally the rock formations step down through successively more ancient ages of the basement of the world.”
Below is a link to read this article. You can either read on your screen or download and print to read later. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Perhaps one of the articles will be the basis for your next vacation. Or, simply, an escape from reality for a few moments.
CLICK HERE TO READ (pdf)
About the Author(s): Jeannette and Robert Vallier
In their retirement years, Jeannette and Robert Vallier were long-time TDR writers who chronicled their travels throughout the US for the magazine. They were both retired college professors, that is, English professors. Their travel adventures through the southwestern states are the basis for about half of the Ready to Travel book. In addition to bringing their writing skills to the TDR community, the Valliers provided invaluable services to the TDR with their editing and proofreading.
The Sales Pitch
Ready to Travel is the latest publication from the Turbo Diesel Register. Each chapter covers a different location. The writers are all over the North American map with their adventures and experiences to well known and lesser known, but all road-trip-worthy, adventures.
The Ready To Travel book is another benefit of TDR membership – access to the publication is free with your membership – along with numerous others.
Annual membership to the TDR costs $35 for four magazines, the annual TDR wall calendar, TDR forum access, and the following downloadable publications: JOIN THE TDR HERE!
