BS: Road Trip

Subject: BS: Road Trip
From: robomatic
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 04:38 PM

I'm about to drive across the US from Boston to San Diego. I don't have a LOT of time as I'm due to make the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I have my heart set on seeing Indianapolis (Because I never saw it before and I met someone nice from there) and Glen Canyon, since the water is apparently at a historical low level (since the dam, that is). Also Albuquerque since I love the Southwest. Any suggestions for places to make sure I take in, and especially roadside dining attrractions or oddities, please enter here, and I'll check it from the web cafes I sample along the way.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 05:15 PM

Well, if you're going through Abq, pop up to Tuba City and Window Rock and visit the Navaho country. Monument Valley is up that way, and so in Canyon de Chelley. There's the Grand Canyon, too. Flagstaff, AZ is nice. If you do get to Tuba City, have a Navaho Taco at the Tuba City Cafe. Time it right and you could attend a rug auction, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: open mike
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 06:08 PM

Taos is definately interesting as is Bandolier, although there have
been some fires which have destroyed some of the ancient areas near
Frijoles Canyon in new mexico. Absolutely the land of enchantment.
There are some intesting people form ABQ who are pal talk musicians.
You might check out a thread by Marion a year or so ago when she was
asking for pilgrimage sites....many of which ended up in her Pilgrim song. There are many hot springs in teh west, one of which is used
to warm ponds that grow frogs at a frog farm. The Bahai temple in Willamette Illinois, just north of Chicago is beautiful and special
to many. In Nebraska there are some scupture gardens along the interstate..Hiway 80, and Arches Nat'l Park near Moab utah (no that is not the Mother Of All B.s. (MOAB) West of Salt Lake City is a strage sculpture which looks like a giant alien flower which has sprouted a hatching seed pod. This time of year you are bound to see several corn mazes or labyrinths..and there are several labyrinths you cvan walk...one easy to access one is at St. Catherines (St. Kate's) in Mineapolis or St. Paul. happy trails and let us know what you find..

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: artbrooks
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 06:16 PM

PM me for the address of the semiofficial Mudcatter rest home in Albuquerque...we have family coming in from 11/23-12/2, but otherwise there should be a bed and shower available.

ABQ Old Town is worth a visit, as is Sandia Crest (the mountains just east of the city).   Going west from here, Acoma Pueblo is a short side trip, and Zuni Pueblo isn't much further. You're likely to run into snow at the Grand Canyon and Canyon de Chelly, so hiking might be limited.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 08:54 PM

If you get anywhere near Moab, UT, you shoulda/oughta come on over the 40-50 miles or so to the Western Slope of the Rockies in Colorado...take a look at what we have to offer:

National Monument at Fruita, CO

Dinosaur National Monument the Quarry is well worth the visit.

Hot Springs at Glenwood Springs

The Grand Mesa which I can see out my eastern windows .

There is a harp maker here willing to give tours anytime except Saturdays. Also a decent Museum of Western Colorado.

There are loads of other places to go to but anything this far north may entail mountain passes full of snow, so the southern route might be preferable.:-) Give me a holler if you think you'll be coming through this way!

If you go the southern way, Four Corners is interesting and close by some of the other places mentioned, well, close-by in the West.:-) Also Mesa Verde is down in that corner of CO, too.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 09:45 PM

And, I'm in the extreme southeast corner of Wyoming....Torrington, at the junction of US 26 and US 85. Mudcat rest home here too. PM me if needed.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 10:27 PM

I can help you with the Indianapolis part. Just stay on the interstate loop and drive around the place as quickly as possible 'cause there ain't nothin' there. There's a reason why the folks in Bloomington (about an hour south of Indianapolis) call it "India-noplace".

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 11:57 PM

Got lost there once at 3 AM....LOL. Got lost in Lufkin,Texas too and that is a real trick! Spent Saturday night in a church parking lot (pop up camper trailer), left before daylight with a $20 in the collection box.....LOL.....And then there was Dallas Texas....in the 'bad part' of town.....
My Dad at 3 AM....Can you tell he where Irving Boulevard is?
Ganger, very black...Irving Booolayvart? Mon, you is wayyy lost....
Dad...Well, which way then?
Ganger....about tree mahls dat away....
Dad....thank you very much.....
No other probs...Finally found Irving Booolayvart.....LOL....
Why did I always have to be the Navigator for these trips?

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:42 AM

I agree that the B'hai temple in Wilmette, just up Sheridan Road from Chicago going north, is one of the most beautiful structures in the United States.

Further West, the two National Parks I love the best are Bryce Canyon (The epitome of Red Canyonland) and Zion National Park, both in Utah.

If you are going through Arizona, there is a simply magical drive from just north of Tucson that takes you through Sedona and up to Flagstaff. It's through Oak Creek Canyon, and one of nature's wonders.

North of Albequerque is Sante Fe, still one of the most beautiful towns in the West...and from there, it's a straight shoot up through the Rockies.

If you stay more south (I just remembered you're going to San Diego, sorry I got carried away with all the natural beauty there still is in the US, and I guess I'm a wee bit homesick) just South of San Diego is La hoya (I might be spelling that wrong). If you ever wanted to know what Greece looks like, the rocks and coastline around there are dead ringers.

Have a terrific trip!..xx..e

(PS-I don't know if they still do it, but AAA used to arrange individual "triptychs" for people, taking them through the most beautiful routes from one destination to another. I've used them in the past and been utterly delighted. Also, their maps clearly show which are the best routes through a state for sight-seeing. Great maps, and it used to be quite inexpensive to join, and well-worth it to be able to use their roadside pickup emergency facilities, etc)

(PPS-Did I say I envy you? I used to criss cross the states regularly just for the fun of it, (sadly, I haven't done it for over a decade) and took a different route each time. You'll be wishing you had longer to do what you're doing, I promise you.)

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:57 AM

Robomatic, if you try to get AAA to route you through all of the places suggested you'll be on the road until Christmas. Some of them are awfully remote. Pretty, and very interesting, but way off the beaten path. FWIW: The suggestion of Old Town in Albuquerque provides the easiest combination of convenient to the highway (I-40) and a great slice of an ethnic neighborhood in one of the oldest communities in America, let alone the Southwest.

If you decide that staying on the Interstate Highway system is the most efficient way to travel and if you find yourself as far south as Interstate 30 you'll pass through Fort Worth. And a few miles south of 30 is I-20, which is a few blocks from my house. Come visit the garden and compost pile. And we have a spare bed or three. Take home a Texas souvenir, a fossil from the creek in my back yard.

Are you driving back to Boston from San Diego? Maybe the places you miss on the way out you can catch on the way back. You'll get home by Easter that way. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 09:27 PM

I was about to recommend the Million-Dollar Highway which winds through the mining country of Colorado (Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, etc.) but realized its getting mighty wintry up there. Unless you have a full snow kit in the trunk of your car (chains, shovel, sand, blankets, etc.) don't just blindly point your itinerary through mountain ranges, scenery or no. Many roads are closed across the high passes or become just plain impassable deep in winter and others are really difficult driving. Don't mean to scare you away from anything, just be aware...

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Peace
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 09:34 PM

That is good advice. Winter survival is tricky. AMA should be able to provide road conditions and such. Be sure to check with them afew times a day, just to be safe. There is lots of few and far between in that part of the country, and miles and miles of miles and miles.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 02:13 AM

Yeah, I'd mention the Million Dollar Highway in a heartbeat if it was the dead of summer, though my sisters and parents travelled it year round for at least two years while going to college in Durango.

This time of year even the flatter spots, through Nebraska, Wyoming and the eastern plains of Colorado one needs to be prepared...blizzards can come up very fast and be deadly.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: robomatic
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 11:07 AM

Thank y'all:

Trip begins today. I'm going to concentrate on getting out of the Northeast, which I love but I'm going to spend more time in th eSouthwest this trip.

I've been so some of the places you have mentioned, and you show a lot of good taste. I'm an old hand at winter travel, and actually prefer cold to heat. I just don't want any of the liters of Bitter Lemon in the trunk to freeze, otherwise I've got a good sleeping bag.

Speaking of which, if anyone cares, why did Schweppes stop importing Bitter Lemon into the States? The only stuff I can find is a Northeast soda manufacturer which still makes some. So I'm bringing it South for Thanksgiving!

Cheers, all, and if anyone cares I'll make a report.

Robo

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: robomatic
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 08:52 PM

Okay, I made it to San Diego and an awesome Thanksgiving repast. I kind of scooted out of the Northeast, stayed with friends in St. Louis and some mudcat friends in New Mexico. Enjoyed the St. Louis Arch at night, the desperado-made-famous town of Coffeyville, Kansas and the Better'n Nuthin' cafe in South Coffeyville, the National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque, the Mokee-Dugway road right into and over a Mesa in South Utah and the incredble landscapes of the Natural Bridges National Monument.
I camped out at Glen Canyon which is rising again as a hiking wonderland as the water hits historical post-dam levels and shows every sign of not gaining its 'regular' level for years to come.
I went over a hogback road with steep dropoffs on both sides. I thought this was the 'million dollar' highway but it turns out it is 'another' million dollar highway.

So I camped out four nights, stayed with folks two nights, and moteled it one night.

This country is just fantastic, for people, places, and let's face it, wonderment. Thank y'all and may you all find pleasant passages to brighten your lives.

Photos available but why not get out there and take some of your own?

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 11:26 AM

Now what are you going to do on the trip back? Take a different route? We can make different recommendations for the return trip!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 11:46 AM

I believe he's flying back, SRS.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 12:04 PM

Then he's definitely taking a different route! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: GUEST,robomatic
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:28 PM

Yup, got an inexpensive one way Southwest Air ticket back to Providence. Then just got to arrange a taxi, a railroad, and another taxi or neighbor and Bob's My Uncle.

But if y'all know someone in SoCal who absolutley has to have their car driv back East, I'm innerested! Once I got the sand off the floor, the red clay off the mini carpets, and the bugs outten the rainwipers you could hardly tell the Toyota did anything but trips to the mall and back.

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Joybell
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:43 PM

Am I too late to mention the fountain bears. In Indiapolis there is the most wonderful fountain. It's sort of patriotic but the whole tableau is held up by forward-facing pot-bellied BIG bears. Lots of them. They have their arms up over their heads and are wearing silly grins - as you would. It's amazing. I saw it once and the memory keeps returning. Perhaps if you missed them robomatic, you could catch them on the return trip. Well worth it. Trust me. Have a great trip. Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Road Trip
From: Joybell
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:47 PM

OOOps! Got carried away didn't read everything. The BEARS are not too far for a day trip though maybe. Joy