From Florida to California and Back:
6,169 Miles of Adventure in Our Jeep Gladiator

There is something special about packing up the Jeep, pointing it west, and watching America unfold mile by mile through the windshield. What started as a road trip from Florida to California quickly turned into an unforgettable 15-day adventure covering 6,169 miles across beaches, deserts, mountains, casinos, historic towns, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

Our trusty Jeep Gladiator handled every mile of the journey as we crossed multiple states, explored famous landmarks, and made memories we will never forget.

Our first stop was beautiful Biloxi along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After leaving Florida, Biloxi Beach was the perfect place to relax and officially begin the adventure. The calm water, white sand, and palm trees gave us a chance to slow down after a long day on I-10. We stayed at Treasure Bay Casino and Hotel and enjoyed some excellent seafood at The Den before getting back on the road the next morning.

From there, we pushed west through Louisiana and Texas with overnight stops in Forney and Wichita Falls. Texas roads seemed endless at times, especially while driving through severe weather and tornado warnings, but the open highways and changing scenery kept things exciting.

One of the most unforgettable roadside attractions of the trip was the massive cross in Groom. The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ stands 190 feet tall and is impossible to miss from the highway. Seeing it in person was incredible and made for one of the most memorable stops of the journey.

As we crossed into the Southwest, the scenery completely changed. The landscapes around Gallup brought classic desert views, red rock formations, and long stretches of open road that felt straight out of a old western movie.

The next major highlight was arriving at the Grand Canyon National Park. No matter how many pictures you have seen, nothing compares to standing on the rim and seeing the Grand Canyon in person. The size, colors, and depth are almost impossible to describe. It was easily one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire trip.

After leaving the canyon, we continued through Kingman before stopping at the legendary Hoover Dam. Standing above the Colorado River and seeing the engineering masterpiece up close was incredible.

Soon after, the bright lights of Las Vegas appeared in the distance. Las Vegas was a complete contrast to the quiet desert roads we had just traveled. The casinos, lights, crowds, and nonstop energy made for an exciting stop before continuing toward California.

Finally, we reached California with stops in Nevada City and Campbell. One of the most memorable parts of the journey was visiting Nevada City, a charming Gold Rush town that also served as the filming location for the movie “The Christmas Card,” which added a special sense of familiarity while walking through its historic streets. We also spent time in Campbell, where we attended Sunday morning Mass at St. Lucy’s before beginning our journey back home.

A major highlight of the entire trip was attending our nephew’s wedding at Testarossa Winery. The winery setting in Northern California was beautiful, with rolling vineyards and a perfect backdrop for a celebration, making the long drive completely worth it.

After spending time in California, it was time to begin the long drive home. We crossed the desert once again with stops in Blythe and El Paso before continuing east across Texas to Columbus.

The final major stop before returning home was New Orleans. After days of driving through deserts and highways, the French Quarter felt alive with music, history, incredible food, and nonstop energy. We stayed at Hotel St. Marie, which was perfectly located just steps away from Bourbon Street while still offering a relaxing place to unwind after long days of exploring. Walking through Bourbon Street, visiting St. Louis Cathedral, and enjoying amazing Cajun food throughout the French Quarter was the perfect ending to the adventure.