A road trip made this woman (who I don't know) very happy. Photo courtesy of R.P. Piper via Flickr (Creative Commons license).
As I mentioned last week, I just gave up my NYC digs. At the moment, I’m happily writing from the family not-an-estate in the highly misunderstood state of New Jersey. OK, some of the criticism is justified. (More on all of that in the coming months.) But, though I have yet to buy a car, I’ve already started dreaming up my first cross-country road trip. I’m 39. It’s about damned time I took that drive. (Sophie took her first at 19. I feel so lame. I know. It’s not a competition. But still.)
My plan: drive from Jersey to Alaska next spring and then back the other way in the late summer/early fall. That’s the dream, man. (Ooh, is there a VW Bus in my future?) But, already, route confusion is pulling me this way and that. I know I’ll skitter around a bit and take a wibbly-wobbly route to visit friends, and see this, that, the other thing, but…I’d like to start with somewhat of a plan.
So, your favorite cross-country routes? Discuss. Oh and…see you for dinner when I’m out there?
Now you’re speaking my language. I’ve got miles of road-trip routes, anecdotes, and photos to share with you! Will write more as soon as I get this book off to the publisher.
Oh, please post some here, Sarah, so we all may learn and enjoy! (But first, go make your deadline…)
Make sure you route yourself through the desert southwest – you must go through the Mojave, New Mexico and Oklahoma – stay off the interstates and the scenery and tranquility will blow your mind. There are places in Arkansas that you will never believe.
If you go through Oklahoma, you have to stop at Enrique’s, a small Mexican restaurant in the Ponca City Municipal Airport. The food is to die for, so good that people actually fly into the airport to eat, then fly back out. (There isn’t much else to do there – I know, I went to high school in Ponca.)
Ok, for my Alaska driving adventure…Chicago to New orleans on good ole I-57..then west on the ten all the way, getting to see texas, and defnitely stopping for an extended rest at joshua tree. From LA up the 101 to san fran, get on the 1 and really slow down..the coast road(101) through oregon with a pit stop in Bend, and then on to portland and up the 5 through washington. I think after that it’s put the truck on the ferry, see southeast alaska..get off in Haines, because I believe I can get back into BC, and on the alaska highway from there.. drive the highway..then figure out how to get home..:) Of course this route is always subject to change depending on friends, travelers, and beautiful detours… Get on that road Jenna! Cheers.
Hm, well if you do aim for Ponca City to eat at Enrique’s then you can first go through Bartlesville and stay at the Inn at Price Tower, in a crazy-ass Frank Lloyd Wright building, and visit the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. And you know how I feel about the prairie…
On your way back you definitely want to come down the Pacific Coast, starting at Olympic NP. There are hundreds of great stops, but I really liked Astoria Column and Ecola State Park in Oregon. Once you get into California go see the redwoods, then drive down the center of the state to Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia. I’d go from there through the mountains to Death Valley, then Vegas and on to the Grand Canyon. I’ll bet Sophia can give you some clues about Texas. You have to make a swing through the South and come visit us in Huntsville too!
I am jealous. I did the road trip by bicycle a few years ago and started in Astoria and would agree that you shouldn’t miss it. With a car, it’s easy to adjust your itinerary on a whim, so when you hear about a great place 100 miles away, it’s simple enough to get to. So, I would recommend having a vague itinerary that you can easily change on a whim. Be sure to go through the Columbia Gorge, John Day National Park and Glacier NP. Join Couchsurfing so that you meet the locals.
Lucky you.
Do NOT. . . I repeat. . . do NOT attempt to get to Alaska in a VW Bus!
The old Westphalias with the pop-up roofs (rooves?) are very appealing and comfortable and homey, but after owning one and traveling from Washington to Texas, I am convinced that futons and VW buses were foisted upon Americans by the Japanese and the Germans as a cruel joke. (Not that “We” don’t deserve to be pranked every now and then.)
On the other hand, EuroVans (made by VW), with their engines upfront, would be fine for overland travel in the Great, Great North Woods. . .
[...] without giving everybody I know advance notice of my plans. But with January just days away and my cross-country drive plans far from moving ahead, I might as well put a New Year’s resolutions spin on the whole shebang [...]
Looking forward to hearing your suggestions Sarah. And, ya, please share with the class. Would love to keep the cross-country ideas bubbling away for everybody. (And, on a selfish note, have to keep the excitement up for months–especially during the must-buy-car phase. $ ahead.)
I love New Mexico. Can’t wait to spend more more more time there. And, between you and Ms. Sophie, my Oklahoma curiosity is in overdrive. And I was definitely inspired by your recent wanderings…
For anybody who would like to see what TR has been up to–and believe, me you do wanna see: http://www.adventuresoftimtim.blogspot.com/
Ponca is a great name–especially since it’s a town that serves up great chips. I will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks for the tip.