When I got back from Desert Storm I had 56 days leave built up. They stop giving it to you at 60 days so I had to burn some. I took 28 days and tossed a tent, Coleman stove and a sleeping bag in my truck and took off.
I tried to cross Texas, but damn man, there’s only so many red rocks and mesquite you can look at before you lose your mind. I pulled out the atlas and found the shortest route out of Texas and that was US 285 to Carlsbad. From then I never drove at night and refused interstates.
Went to Carlsbad Caverns, RMNP, Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP and all kinds of other random stuff like Billy the Kids grave, some damn ghost town in Idaho, the great divide basin in WY, etc. it was a great trip.
Have fun and interact with the locals.