By Michael Turton
Joe Brennan (Photo by M. Turton)
In 2015, Joe Brennan embarked on a cross-county odyssey in a one-man caravan — a bicycle mounted on the back of an SUV towed by a 35-foot RV. He has traveled 25,000 miles so far, returning to Philipstown for occasional pit stops with one of his brothers, Tim in Cold Spring or Jay at Manitou Station.
What led to this epic road trip?
I thought I had to either buy a house or start traveling. I wanted to see the beauty of this country — the monuments, state and national parks, the coasts.
What are the worst and best aspects of traveling alone?
Navigation can be difficult and a little risky at times. The GPS can never be totally trusted and it put me on some forest roads I never should have been on. But decision-making is easy. If I want to turn left, I turn left. If I want to go to the beach, I go to the beach. There’s no discussion.
How long do you stay in one place?
I move about 60 times a year, including one-night stays in Walmart parking lots. Usually I stay for a week at a campsite. Any more than that I start thinking I have to buy a lawn mower!
Have you made many friends along the way?
Travis is a good friend. He’s 74 or 75 and has been RVing fulltime for 23 years. He taught me how to play pickleball.
What’s the best meal you’ve had on the road?
It was a Mexican restaurant, but I can’t for the life of me remember where. It was either Texas or Louisiana and had crayfish enchiladas that were just unbelievable. Another was a heavenly 22-ounce prime rib somewhere in Virginia. I couldn’t finish it.
Each star represents a place that Joe Brennan has stayed since 2015.
