Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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Have a great time Ernie. Stay Safe.
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Green with envy! LOVE that drive - so much to see and do along the way. Have a fab time!
And - if you have time - Sonoma and Red Rock area is fun. Grand Canyon is a must of course. Santa Fe! Taos! Oh, I want to go! Ohhhh if you luck out, the desert BLOOMS in March!
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Ernie, are you travelling alone ? I don't think i could drive for more than a couple of hours alone..perhaps i don't like my own company. And then i would fret about shortening the warrenty on my car ! Anyway i am sure you will have an adventure. I have travelled the East coast Maine to Key West and places that Uncle Sam sent me,Texas,Mississippi,Nebraska ..i would like to see the National Parks.
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Ian,
Thank you bud. Will do!
Theresa,
Sedona is definitely on the list. I've been to the Grand Canyon so I'll see how it goes. The route I'd REALLY like to take is up through St. Louis, see the Arch, and then west from there but the way everyone's calendars align I need to take the southern route out there but as you said, that's awesome too! I hear the 800+ miles across Texas are a back breaker! From my experience, some of the best trips are when you stop unexpectedly.
Phil,
Yes, traveling solo on this one. My wife couldnt get away and my mom wasnt feeling up to it. I think if I shoot for between 8-9 hours a day behind the wheel I'll have plenty of time.
Its gonna be a crazy trip. At least 5,000 miles in just under two weeks. I'm getting new tires tomorrow.
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Check out these 2 site links for a few interesting quick stops along the way!
https://www.dreamsmithphotos.com/arrow/arrows.html
https://sometimes-interesting.com/2013/12/04/concrete-arrows-and-the-u-s-airmail-beacon-system/
Wish I could ride along!!
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Yosemite Valley!
We were there in February many years ago. Arrived on a beautiful afternoon, a few hours before the snow began to fall. Apparently, snow is very rare in the valley, but several inches fell that night. Very few visitors and very quiet except for the echoing sound of the frequent small avalanches cascading down the into the valley in the distance. The only set of tracks on the trail along Tenaya Creek the next morning belonged to some kind of cat. Not a house cat! 
It's an amazing place, but I would never try to visit in the summer. Too crowded and too noisy.
Tom
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My wife and I had many holidays in the United States. After visiting Disneyworld, Disneyland, and Las Vegas (each of them several times) we decided we would just strike out On the open road. We then had fantastic road trips to New England, Chesapeake Bay and Washington area, Arizona and Utah, and a couple to California. In total we managed to visit 32 states travelling on back roads wherever possible. We met wonderful people and have great memories of all our trips.
I then spent every night for months working on a plan to visit all 50 states on a 6 month road trip on our retirement. I tried to cover every detail such as accommodation, fuel, costs, etc. My wife was annoyed at all the spreadsheets I produced, but we were both 100% committed to the trip. I then fell ill, was forced to retire early, and now my vacations are all spent on cruise ships. Any extra funds my wife uses on stamps.
How I envy you and your wife your forthcoming trip. Have a brilliant vacation.
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The only advice I would give from my US road trip in the mid-1970s is not to speed in Arkansas. It was only state I was stopped in and then I was made to drive back to a 2-bit town that must have survived on speeding fines. Can't remember what it was called but it was close to the Texas border. (This was during the 55MPH limit times.)
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If you haven't had it done recently, I would recommend
having your mechanic give your car a trip inspection before you leave.
As with our human bodies, preventative care and maintenance is important.
(This from a certified mechanic of 30+ years )
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Randy,
Yes, absolutely. As Phil points out, who knows what kind of weather and driving conditions I run up against. Today I did just that. New tires, synthetic oil change and full inspection. I have a new battery and they said brakes looked good. Crossing my fingers that my 2010 Acura TL is up to the job. Truth be told, you just never know. That thing may blow up on the side of the mountain in Colorado.
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As we tell our customers, we are not psychics, but sometimes we do have
the ability to foresee potential problems and help you to avoid them
in the near future.
Well done, Ernie. All the best on your trip!
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Sounds amazing. Hope you have a great time. If you haven't seen the San Diego Zoo it is beautiful. Even if you don't like zoos, just walking through it is so nice. Balboa Park is beautiful too.
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Yalaynia,
Thank you for the well wishes. Yes! I have him Friday night, Saturday and Sunday for most of the day. From my experience it's important to be realistic with your planning. Better to focus on one or two cool places and then just enjoy the remaining time together. I'm thinking Disneyland Saturday and the world famous San Diego zoo on Sunday. Thanks again. Ill let you know how it goes!
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Chris,
Will do! I should be there about 2-3 days early next week. I will definitely message you later this week. Thanks Chris. That would be great.
Phil,
I've got those new fangdangled tire valves on mine too. One is fouled out so my dashboard shows "low tire pressure". Would you believe one of those things is $80 to replace? Oy vey.
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Danny,
I think I'm steering clear of the Ozark state on this one. Google Waldo, Florida. They've streamlined how you pay the tickets but Waldo is nationally known as a notorious, money grubbin' speed trap.
I think alot of that has changed but then small southern sherrifs deputies will sure getcha. haha.
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Ernie i paid $115 each for 2 valves...i do think different ones cost different prices. No wonder people trade cars every few years. I always thought that speed trap billboard in Waldo was a joke...but best to do the speed limit when passing through.
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The UK has average speed cameras that will read your licence plate and if you exceed the speed limit over a certain distance will send the registered owner a speeding ticket and you have no excuse.
But then I wonder how many really think they are saving time by going over the limit, if they do the math it would probably amaze them.
On a separate note I see that parts of central London (UK) have 20mph speed limit enforced by cameras during certain hours. Usually even the taxi drivers, who know all the shortcuts, can hardly manage 11 mph so not really sure how this is going to help anyone.
Enjoy your break, steer clear of Washington state and the Covid 19 outbreak.
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Goodbye Biloxi, Mississippi. Ok, so is it ever a good idea to stop at a casino?
I got out of there way before it got ugly and then when you consider all of those "free" Goose Island they gave me I actually won, right? That's ok. I'll get it back in Reno on my way home. 
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Ernie,
I've always been a fan of Roadside America (http://www.roadsideamerica.com). It's good for silly stuff like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX, interesting restaurants like the Safe House in Milwaukee, WI, and museums like the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota. (And yes, I've been to them all)!
I never went very far out of my way, but when I had driving days where I was on the road for more than 5 or 6 hours it was nice to have a silly little something only an hour or two away to look forward to and stretch my legs for a few minutes at least.
Enjoy your trip!
Lars
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Smack dab in the middle of the great state of Texas this morning. Texas is huuuge! I've been all over Texas quite a few times but I always flew in and took an Uber around. You can't truly appreciate Texas without driving across.
I'm a Starbucks this morning sipping on Veranda blonde waiting for some rain to stop and taking a little break.
Lars, thanks for the website! I knew it was a good one when the first thing I saw was South of the Border in Dillon, SC. I love that place. I'll be checking that site often to see what might be up the road.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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I driven by South of the Border many many times but have only stopped once and never saw much to interest me. It seems deserted when I drive by and more a relic of 40 years ago - a time capsule. The interstate has a lot more competition for gas, food, and lodging.
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Long day today. Left Houston very early and just got checked in here in El Paso. I successfully traversed Texas in its entirety.
Texas Hill Country is absolutely breathtaking. This little photo doesnt begin to do it justice. The area between San Antonio and El Paso is simply gorgeous. For three hundred miles I marveled at the scenery as I contemplated God's handiwork. There were many places where you could not see one road or man made structure in any direction as far as the eye could see. I now know the definition of wide open spaces. There is a US stamp commemorating the area. From a distance, I thought the light area at the top of this mountain was sunlight. As I got closer, I was stunned to discover that it was snow! It's not that high and it was in the 50s today. The only snow that I saw for 700 miles!
Theresa, I saw the sign for Sonora Caverns and pulled in. I didnt get a chance to go down because the next tour was an hour and half later and I wanted to get down the road. I did stretch my legs though, had a soda and chatted with the lady. She said the caverns were 70 degrees year round and 98% humidity. I have to google it but I think that's warmer than Appalachian caverns. Is that possible?
New Mexico and Arizona tomorrow.
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Arkansas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Renowned collection ranging from Rockwell to Warhol in a striking structure set on 120 lush acres.
(Thanks to the American and foreign shoppers who buy at Walmart!)
Address: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
Hours: Open ? Closes 9PM
Phone: (479) 418-5700
In a couple of years my wife and I will be hitting the road to see the U S A!!
If you have the time:
Napa and Sonoma wine discovery tour on your own. Delicious.
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"Texas is huuuge!"
Yup! I moved to Western Kentucky from Dallas because El Paso was too far away. It is literally a shorter trip from Dallas to Paducah, KY than from Dallas to El Paso.
When I did make the drive to El Paso (I went farther north through Abilene) I missed the beauty of the hill country. All I saw was miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles! It seemed there was a 12 mile treadmill with a couple dozen cattle and oil derricks with three or four tumbleweeds that just kept repeating over and over and over until you got to Sierra Madre in West Texas.
Keep us posted!
Lars
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So El Paso through New Mexico and Arizona is a tough, hard-scrabble piece of the world. The big shiny glass corporate office buildings of Austin and San Antonio are replaced by the infrequent roadside gift shop, trailer park and junk yard.
I love the New Mexico desert. This picture was taken at a roadside place on the continental divide. The lady I talked to said her dad started selling sandwiches there on the side of the road in 1946. I had only intended to stop in for a quick restroom stop but she was so nice I bought a T-shirt and a package of Roman Candles. I didnt want to be rude and not make a purchase. I was telling her how I loved the old Buick out front so she volunteered to snap a picture for me.
Artstamp, thank you for the recommendation. I was not originally planning on coming back through Arkansas but now, who knows!!?? Coming out here, there was no trip planning, it's very straightforward, I 10 west. Coming back once I leave San Francisco there is no one clear obvious path. My plan is to try to talk to some folks in Reno about the best routes east.
Lars, you gotta make a run through Texas hill country if you ever get a chance. I was so tired of being behind the wheel but when that amazing landscape arose on the horizon, it literally woke me up.
So I'm on the far side of Phoenix now and I'm about 4 1/2 hours out from Camp Pendleton on the way to pick up my son. I booked us a nice place close to the beach in Carlsbad. Cant wait to see my sonny boy.
Randy, my car flashed a message I had neverseen, "low brake fluid". A nice man at Jack in the Box told me theres a Pep Boys close so I'm gonna head over there to get them to check it out.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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"Low Brake Fluid"
Hmmmm.....
Hopefully nothing serious!
Keep us updated.
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"Lars, you gotta make a run through Texas hill country if you ever get a chance. I was so tired of being behind the wheel but when that amazing landscape arose on the horizon, it literally woke me up. "
Ernie, I've made many runs through hill country. I lived in Dallas for 20 years. In about 4 weeks the wildflowers will be awesome. I just said that when I made my road trip out West, I took I-20 through Abilene. I-20 merges with I-10 around Van Horn. That's where you finally hit the mountains. I think I said Sierra Madre, but I meant Sierra Blanca. Must have been thinking of a Bogart movie. "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"
Anyway, New Mexico is WAY different. All those scraggly looking scrub trees you see are Mesquite trees. Time to find some Mesquite smoked meat! Yum, yum!
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I drove twice from Birmingham, AL to Seattle, WA two weeks apart, once in a Ford Focus with my step-father and the second time in a U-Haul F350 V-10 powered truck pulling a trailer (underestimated the size of the truck by forgetting the bicycles and other items from the garage) and my wife with my college roommate in our van with the kids who got to alternate riding with me in the U-Haul. Best part of the trip was driving the U-Haul with trailer through the Bad Lands in South Dakota with my wife following with the kids in our Dodge Caravan. Also, stopped twice at a truck stop that served Bison burgers in South Dakota as well, once for each trip. Much of the trip was on I-90. We currently live one mile up the hill at Exit 18 on I-90.
We left my mother on the porch in Birmingham who was supposed to come with us as she was adamant that we not take the interstate during any part of the trip. My wife said it was the only time she had ever seen me really upset during our 17 years of marriage at the time. 
My step-father said, "Yes, that sounds like your mother." and drove round trip from Ducktown, TN for the second time in two days to pick her up as he had left to go home earlier in the day. I was raised by my father who re-married a wonderful woman who took on five kids from 8 years (me) to 10 months (my youngest sister). Both my step-mother and step-father were wonderful people as were my father and mother (although she did have her odd moments which make for wonderful stories 
). One of the best parts of the story that we heard later from our neighbors was their son running into the house saying "They left grandma sitting on a rocker on the front porch." Makes me think of Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies sitting in her rocker on the top of the truck during the opening to the show. Everything worked out well though and later they drove from Tennessee to visit us driving a Toyota Tundra pickup pulling an RV which they camped in on the way and through a good part of the winter months before heading back home to the Ocoee River near where the movie Deliverance was filmed. They did NOT, however, make the whole trip staying off the interstate!
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Well, I finally made it. Pulled into San Diego about 4:00 and met up with my son for dinner. I've got to admit, there was a time or two along the way way when I asked myself "why did I do this?" but they were fleeting and far between. I have seen some incredible sights.
Lars, yes I think it was probably too early for the wild flowers in Texas but spring has definitely sprung in Arizona. I smiled when I read your comment about Wild flowers because I called my wife to tell her about the amazing colors all over the desert. Bright yellow was the main ones (they looked like little daisies) but there was also tons of red and purple flowers also. Entire mountain sides were lit up with bright yellow; it looked like gold! It was truly amazing. I pulled over and took this picture:
When you first get into California there's a place on I-8 called Devil's Canyon. I took a picture but its lame and doesnt do it justice. The landscape is incredible. This place is just made up of huge boulders the size of refrigerators and cars. I cant imagine a more rugged landscape. Hiking through this area would be very, very difficult. I pulled the car over and walked over to the shoulder. It was a sheer drop of at least 1000 feet with no guardrail. It freaked me out a little and I got back in the car and put my seatbelt on! This is Devils Canyon:
Baxter, that's a great story. My wife suggested that I take the dog. I said "hell no!". I wouldnt have been able to manage it with him.
Well, my son is sleeping hard. I talked about climbing up Cowell Mountain. It's the highest place in San Diego. I think hes just glad to get off the base for a while.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Randy, by the way, the low brake fluid light was nothing. Good to go! My 2010 Acura TL is handling like a champion (knock on wood).
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Congratulations on the trip and enjoy your visit with your son! Thanks so much for the pictures along the way!!
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Ernie,
Good to hear no brake problems!
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I’m just DELIGHTED that you caught the desert in bloom! Perfect timing! Great pic, Ernie. Thanks for sharing.
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Had a very nice weekend with my son. We spent all of our time in Ocenside and Carlsbad around the base. I had a good time at the pier meeting and chatting with all the young marines. It's very tough to say, "see you later son".
I'm just past Bakersfield headed to see my daughter in SF.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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So had a great visit to the Bay area. My daughter had to work so my time with her was limited. We did have a couple of great dinners. She is almost finished with her clinical fellowship to complete all requirements for speech pathology national certification.
Yesterday rode the train into San Francisco and rented a bike. Rode all along the piers and then pedaled across the bridge. The natural beauty of the bay area is amazing. Absolutely breathtaking.
Shoutout to SoR's very own Anglophile for his gracious dinner invitation. Although I was unable to make the trip out to his place due to time constraints, he was able to give me some great local perspective Intel that made my day trip better. Thanks again Chris!
So I'm packing up and headed back to Florida today. I'll drive up to Sacremento and grab highway 50 east which has been dubbed "The Loneliest Highway in America". It goes east over the Sierras through the Donner Pass all through Utah and then the Rockies through Colorado. I will encounter some of the most stunning landscapes in America today and tommorrow. I checked all the state highway advisories and the weather forecasts look good but it is very common to get a freak blizzard in March. Nothing like an element of uncertainty to keep things fun!
I'm just not happy with the images that I'm capturing with this cell phone so I'm going to stop at CVS drugstore and pick up a couple disposable panoramic cameras.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Good that you will see different scenary on the way back..my oldest son drove back from the coast many years ago and thought Kansas would never end.
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Staying the night in Austin, Nevada on Highway 50. This is literally in the middle of nowhere. Highway 50 is a rough, two lane blacktop that cuts across Nevada and Utah into Pueblo, CO. This area was incorporated in 1862 as the Union was looking for areas rich in mineral deposits to fund the war effort. The town has experienced several booms and busts over the past 150 years. Current population, 200.
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Now that really looks off the beaten path!
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Okay so it's 3:45 in the morning and I'm about to shove off. This Starts Day 3 and I really haven't covered that much ground. I have spent the majority of my time on CA - 4, CA - 88, and Hghway 50. I am only in Salina, Utah. I have seen some of the most incredible landscapes this country has to offer. I drove through the Sierra Nevadas, saw the pass where the Donner party couldnt get through, drove across high desert mountain ranges and drove across great basins. I saw vast salt flats and deserted homesteads that have long been forgotten. The last two days have been an experience I will never forget. Late yesterday I was grabbing a bite and realized that I still had a long, long way to go. I decided to make my way over toward I-70. As I got on I-15 the speed limit increased to 85 mph, there were three lanes in both directions and I started to see massive billboards for McDonalds and Hardees. I was back in 2020, rat race corporate America. I must admit; this made me a little sad. For two days I went back in time. When you're off the beaten path you dont see alot of people, you eat at ma and pa roadside places and stay in little 10 room motels. If I ever do this again I will make sure I have enough time to never look at an interstate. I couldnt resist:
I will be on I-70 east today to see how many miles I go. I really dont know which way is the best route home. I would love to find another route off the interstate where you can actually make good time. I dont think such a road exists. This trip is far from over though; next stop, Denver!
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Thanks for posting all this - it's fun to travel along with you!
If you have time in Denver, the Mint gives tours. If you are into bookstores, check out The Tattered Cover.
You are right about the interstates- you can go fast but miss out on all the scenic stuff that really makes a trip memorable. Stay safe and keep posting.
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Yesterday was memorable. So I went to sleep Thursday night thinking, "okay, this is it. I gotta make up some ground. I'm gonna wake up bright and early and hit it hard!" So I get up, get showered and I'm on the road at 4:30. My thinking was that I would get way out of Utah, past the Rockies and be well on my way. It didnt quite happen that way. So I leave Salina, Utah and go straight up the mountain and then it starts snowing...snowing hard. I haven't seen snow in over 20 years much less driven in it. I'm on these steep 7% grades with the road winding back and forth. It was definitely a white knuckle moment. So I find a place to get off the road to take a nap until the sun comes up. At 7:30 I strike back out and I'm on my way. One of the last exits in Utah. If you ever find yourself in this part of the world you should consider visiting Arches National Park in Moab. This place is absolutely breathtaking. As imposing as the Grand Canyon.
Of all the places I have seen so far, I really want to go back to Moab. It's an incredible place.
After leaving Moab, I made my way east up into the Rockies..I almost made it to the continental divide before the slushy road and 12 hours in the car took their toll. I found a room in Frisco, CO elevation 9,000 ft. I'm only a paltry 322 miles from Salina, Utah!
I gotta get home! St. Louis here I come. The Great American road trip continues!
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Yes, beautiful country. Visited Arches in July, 1985. We were visiting friends in Denver, then took the train to Grand Junction, Colorado, rented a car and drove down to Dead Horse Canyon (I think that's the correct name) and Arches. We were supposed to catch the train again in Grand Junction to go back to Denver, but a fire on a freight train west of Grand Junction was blocking rail traffic. Fortunately, we were able to catch a flight back to Denver from Grand Junction.
We have wanted to go back to that part of the country, but never got there.
Tom
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Sally, thanks for the positive feedback. It's been one helluva journey. I gotta be honest, I'm tired. I dont sleep well in motel rooms and tomorrow makes two weeks since I left Jacksonville. I'm in Paducah, KY on 24 east ready to knock out the final 10.5 hour drive to Jacksonville. The return trip has definitely been more taxing. Driving east from SF to finally make it over the continental divide ain't no joke. Add a little snow drama and you've really got a good time.
Keensidy, I agree; the Moab area is stunning. The National Park rangers were telling me about the "Southwest Circle" that includes the Grand Canyon, Arches and some other sights. I'll be back!
Made it in to St. Louis for lunch and got a chance to see the Gateway Arch. Pretty cool. They have a real time live camera feed so I called my wife in Florida, she pulled it up on her computer, snapped this pic and texted it to me.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Wow - you and only one other person!
Sate travels home. Thanks for sharing your journey....
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Good point Sally!
Ernie, please let us know if you see dead bodies littering the highways, or piled up against the padlocked doors of Bed Bath and Beyond stores, expired in a frantic, desperate attempt to obtain lifesaving sheets of toilet paper.
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Hey, I'm in Mexico, and have been drinking Modelo beer this whole time. I just realized I've got a case of [b]Corona[/b] beer in the cupboard! No, don't worry, it.s not contagious..HaHa.
Maybe I'll just pop-a-top right now.
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Great trip! I haven’t been on the board so this is the first I’ve seen it and enjoyed following along! Get home safe with all that’s going on!
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Sally,
Actually I was the only person out there. The other figure you see in the picture is a statue!
I made it home last night about 9:30. I had to hurry back to take care of my furry son. Over 6,000 miles in 14 days. 4 of those days I was visiting my kids and didnt drive much. The end was quite gruelling!
I've got a greater appreciation for this country. It's an amazing place. Thanks to all who followed along.
Mods..my next posts will be more philatelic in nature. I promise! I hope everyone makes the best of the spring in spite of what is going on. Be well!
Ernie
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Glad you are home! No worries that this thread isn’t philatelic, but you could’ve gotten some commemorative postmarks along the way! ????
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Hey Tom..to be honest, there were days I was just trying to make it to the next goal. I would be interested in Nevada postal history though. Might be a new area of interest.
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From a future point of view, how do you think the trip would have gone in an electric vehicle. Were there plenty of charging points at decent intervals?
Maybe next time take a self driving car and you could see more of the scenery.
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Hey Vic,
I saw a ton a Tesla vehicles in California. I don't know this to be true but I doubt that there is a sufficient charging network to get an electric vehicle into and out of the most remote parts of the country. I may be wrong on that but I covered some ground where you would be hard pressed to find the next gas station much less a plug in spot for an electric vehicle. I actually didnt mind doing the driving. It would have been nice to have a full month to do it. You could put some really nice camping gear in a pick up truck and hop from one national or state park to the next. Next time!
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Welcome back Ernie
LEGEND
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Well, I'm doing it. I'm leaving Monday around noon and I'm heading west. I'm going to strike out from Jacksonville and drive west and plan on meeting up with my son Friday evening in San Diego at Camp Pendleton. Monday morning I'll point the car north and head up to San Francisco to to see my daughter. After that my plan is to head east and find a great route over the Rockies and then head home to Florida. I hope to post a picture or two along the way. I'm not super pressed for time so if any one has any suggestions regarding "must sees" I would appreciate the feedback. I have wanted to do this for long, long time and the time is right so I'm going! I could fly for half the price but what fun would that be?? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Go west young man!
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re: The Great American Road Trip
Green with envy! LOVE that drive - so much to see and do along the way. Have a fab time!
And - if you have time - Sonoma and Red Rock area is fun. Grand Canyon is a must of course. Santa Fe! Taos! Oh, I want to go! Ohhhh if you luck out, the desert BLOOMS in March!
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re: The Great American Road Trip
Ernie, are you travelling alone ? I don't think i could drive for more than a couple of hours alone..perhaps i don't like my own company. And then i would fret about shortening the warrenty on my car ! Anyway i am sure you will have an adventure. I have travelled the East coast Maine to Key West and places that Uncle Sam sent me,Texas,Mississippi,Nebraska ..i would like to see the National Parks.
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re: The Great American Road Trip
Ian,
Thank you bud. Will do!
Theresa,
Sedona is definitely on the list. I've been to the Grand Canyon so I'll see how it goes. The route I'd REALLY like to take is up through St. Louis, see the Arch, and then west from there but the way everyone's calendars align I need to take the southern route out there but as you said, that's awesome too! I hear the 800+ miles across Texas are a back breaker! From my experience, some of the best trips are when you stop unexpectedly.
Phil,
Yes, traveling solo on this one. My wife couldnt get away and my mom wasnt feeling up to it. I think if I shoot for between 8-9 hours a day behind the wheel I'll have plenty of time.
Its gonna be a crazy trip. At least 5,000 miles in just under two weeks. I'm getting new tires tomorrow.
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re: The Great American Road Trip
Check out these 2 site links for a few interesting quick stops along the way!
https://www.dreamsmithphotos.com/arrow/arrows.html
https://sometimes-interesting.com/2013/12/04/concrete-arrows-and-the-u-s-airmail-beacon-system/
Wish I could ride along!!
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Yosemite Valley!
We were there in February many years ago. Arrived on a beautiful afternoon, a few hours before the snow began to fall. Apparently, snow is very rare in the valley, but several inches fell that night. Very few visitors and very quiet except for the echoing sound of the frequent small avalanches cascading down the into the valley in the distance. The only set of tracks on the trail along Tenaya Creek the next morning belonged to some kind of cat. Not a house cat!
It's an amazing place, but I would never try to visit in the summer. Too crowded and too noisy.
Tom
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12:25:56am
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My wife and I had many holidays in the United States. After visiting Disneyworld, Disneyland, and Las Vegas (each of them several times) we decided we would just strike out On the open road. We then had fantastic road trips to New England, Chesapeake Bay and Washington area, Arizona and Utah, and a couple to California. In total we managed to visit 32 states travelling on back roads wherever possible. We met wonderful people and have great memories of all our trips.
I then spent every night for months working on a plan to visit all 50 states on a 6 month road trip on our retirement. I tried to cover every detail such as accommodation, fuel, costs, etc. My wife was annoyed at all the spreadsheets I produced, but we were both 100% committed to the trip. I then fell ill, was forced to retire early, and now my vacations are all spent on cruise ships. Any extra funds my wife uses on stamps.
How I envy you and your wife your forthcoming trip. Have a brilliant vacation.
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The only advice I would give from my US road trip in the mid-1970s is not to speed in Arkansas. It was only state I was stopped in and then I was made to drive back to a 2-bit town that must have survived on speeding fines. Can't remember what it was called but it was close to the Texas border. (This was during the 55MPH limit times.)
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If you haven't had it done recently, I would recommend
having your mechanic give your car a trip inspection before you leave.
As with our human bodies, preventative care and maintenance is important.
(This from a certified mechanic of 30+ years )
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Randy,
Yes, absolutely. As Phil points out, who knows what kind of weather and driving conditions I run up against. Today I did just that. New tires, synthetic oil change and full inspection. I have a new battery and they said brakes looked good. Crossing my fingers that my 2010 Acura TL is up to the job. Truth be told, you just never know. That thing may blow up on the side of the mountain in Colorado.
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As we tell our customers, we are not psychics, but sometimes we do have
the ability to foresee potential problems and help you to avoid them
in the near future.
Well done, Ernie. All the best on your trip!
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05:28:49pm
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Sounds amazing. Hope you have a great time. If you haven't seen the San Diego Zoo it is beautiful. Even if you don't like zoos, just walking through it is so nice. Balboa Park is beautiful too.
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Yalaynia,
Thank you for the well wishes. Yes! I have him Friday night, Saturday and Sunday for most of the day. From my experience it's important to be realistic with your planning. Better to focus on one or two cool places and then just enjoy the remaining time together. I'm thinking Disneyland Saturday and the world famous San Diego zoo on Sunday. Thanks again. Ill let you know how it goes!
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Chris,
Will do! I should be there about 2-3 days early next week. I will definitely message you later this week. Thanks Chris. That would be great.
Phil,
I've got those new fangdangled tire valves on mine too. One is fouled out so my dashboard shows "low tire pressure". Would you believe one of those things is $80 to replace? Oy vey.
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Danny,
I think I'm steering clear of the Ozark state on this one. Google Waldo, Florida. They've streamlined how you pay the tickets but Waldo is nationally known as a notorious, money grubbin' speed trap.
I think alot of that has changed but then small southern sherrifs deputies will sure getcha. haha.
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Ernie i paid $115 each for 2 valves...i do think different ones cost different prices. No wonder people trade cars every few years. I always thought that speed trap billboard in Waldo was a joke...but best to do the speed limit when passing through.
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The UK has average speed cameras that will read your licence plate and if you exceed the speed limit over a certain distance will send the registered owner a speeding ticket and you have no excuse.
But then I wonder how many really think they are saving time by going over the limit, if they do the math it would probably amaze them.
On a separate note I see that parts of central London (UK) have 20mph speed limit enforced by cameras during certain hours. Usually even the taxi drivers, who know all the shortcuts, can hardly manage 11 mph so not really sure how this is going to help anyone.
Enjoy your break, steer clear of Washington state and the Covid 19 outbreak.
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Goodbye Biloxi, Mississippi. Ok, so is it ever a good idea to stop at a casino?
I got out of there way before it got ugly and then when you consider all of those "free" Goose Island they gave me I actually won, right? That's ok. I'll get it back in Reno on my way home.
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Ernie,
I've always been a fan of Roadside America (http://www.roadsideamerica.com). It's good for silly stuff like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX, interesting restaurants like the Safe House in Milwaukee, WI, and museums like the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota. (And yes, I've been to them all)!
I never went very far out of my way, but when I had driving days where I was on the road for more than 5 or 6 hours it was nice to have a silly little something only an hour or two away to look forward to and stretch my legs for a few minutes at least.
Enjoy your trip!
Lars
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Smack dab in the middle of the great state of Texas this morning. Texas is huuuge! I've been all over Texas quite a few times but I always flew in and took an Uber around. You can't truly appreciate Texas without driving across.
I'm a Starbucks this morning sipping on Veranda blonde waiting for some rain to stop and taking a little break.
Lars, thanks for the website! I knew it was a good one when the first thing I saw was South of the Border in Dillon, SC. I love that place. I'll be checking that site often to see what might be up the road.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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I driven by South of the Border many many times but have only stopped once and never saw much to interest me. It seems deserted when I drive by and more a relic of 40 years ago - a time capsule. The interstate has a lot more competition for gas, food, and lodging.
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Long day today. Left Houston very early and just got checked in here in El Paso. I successfully traversed Texas in its entirety.
Texas Hill Country is absolutely breathtaking. This little photo doesnt begin to do it justice. The area between San Antonio and El Paso is simply gorgeous. For three hundred miles I marveled at the scenery as I contemplated God's handiwork. There were many places where you could not see one road or man made structure in any direction as far as the eye could see. I now know the definition of wide open spaces. There is a US stamp commemorating the area. From a distance, I thought the light area at the top of this mountain was sunlight. As I got closer, I was stunned to discover that it was snow! It's not that high and it was in the 50s today. The only snow that I saw for 700 miles!
Theresa, I saw the sign for Sonora Caverns and pulled in. I didnt get a chance to go down because the next tour was an hour and half later and I wanted to get down the road. I did stretch my legs though, had a soda and chatted with the lady. She said the caverns were 70 degrees year round and 98% humidity. I have to google it but I think that's warmer than Appalachian caverns. Is that possible?
New Mexico and Arizona tomorrow.
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Arkansas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Renowned collection ranging from Rockwell to Warhol in a striking structure set on 120 lush acres.
(Thanks to the American and foreign shoppers who buy at Walmart!)
Address: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
Hours: Open ? Closes 9PM
Phone: (479) 418-5700
In a couple of years my wife and I will be hitting the road to see the U S A!!
If you have the time:
Napa and Sonoma wine discovery tour on your own. Delicious.
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"Texas is huuuge!"
Yup! I moved to Western Kentucky from Dallas because El Paso was too far away. It is literally a shorter trip from Dallas to Paducah, KY than from Dallas to El Paso.
When I did make the drive to El Paso (I went farther north through Abilene) I missed the beauty of the hill country. All I saw was miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles! It seemed there was a 12 mile treadmill with a couple dozen cattle and oil derricks with three or four tumbleweeds that just kept repeating over and over and over until you got to Sierra Madre in West Texas.
Keep us posted!
Lars
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So El Paso through New Mexico and Arizona is a tough, hard-scrabble piece of the world. The big shiny glass corporate office buildings of Austin and San Antonio are replaced by the infrequent roadside gift shop, trailer park and junk yard.
I love the New Mexico desert. This picture was taken at a roadside place on the continental divide. The lady I talked to said her dad started selling sandwiches there on the side of the road in 1946. I had only intended to stop in for a quick restroom stop but she was so nice I bought a T-shirt and a package of Roman Candles. I didnt want to be rude and not make a purchase. I was telling her how I loved the old Buick out front so she volunteered to snap a picture for me.
Artstamp, thank you for the recommendation. I was not originally planning on coming back through Arkansas but now, who knows!!?? Coming out here, there was no trip planning, it's very straightforward, I 10 west. Coming back once I leave San Francisco there is no one clear obvious path. My plan is to try to talk to some folks in Reno about the best routes east.
Lars, you gotta make a run through Texas hill country if you ever get a chance. I was so tired of being behind the wheel but when that amazing landscape arose on the horizon, it literally woke me up.
So I'm on the far side of Phoenix now and I'm about 4 1/2 hours out from Camp Pendleton on the way to pick up my son. I booked us a nice place close to the beach in Carlsbad. Cant wait to see my sonny boy.
Randy, my car flashed a message I had neverseen, "low brake fluid". A nice man at Jack in the Box told me theres a Pep Boys close so I'm gonna head over there to get them to check it out.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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"Low Brake Fluid"
Hmmmm.....
Hopefully nothing serious!
Keep us updated.
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"Lars, you gotta make a run through Texas hill country if you ever get a chance. I was so tired of being behind the wheel but when that amazing landscape arose on the horizon, it literally woke me up. "
Ernie, I've made many runs through hill country. I lived in Dallas for 20 years. In about 4 weeks the wildflowers will be awesome. I just said that when I made my road trip out West, I took I-20 through Abilene. I-20 merges with I-10 around Van Horn. That's where you finally hit the mountains. I think I said Sierra Madre, but I meant Sierra Blanca. Must have been thinking of a Bogart movie. "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"
Anyway, New Mexico is WAY different. All those scraggly looking scrub trees you see are Mesquite trees. Time to find some Mesquite smoked meat! Yum, yum!
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I drove twice from Birmingham, AL to Seattle, WA two weeks apart, once in a Ford Focus with my step-father and the second time in a U-Haul F350 V-10 powered truck pulling a trailer (underestimated the size of the truck by forgetting the bicycles and other items from the garage) and my wife with my college roommate in our van with the kids who got to alternate riding with me in the U-Haul. Best part of the trip was driving the U-Haul with trailer through the Bad Lands in South Dakota with my wife following with the kids in our Dodge Caravan. Also, stopped twice at a truck stop that served Bison burgers in South Dakota as well, once for each trip. Much of the trip was on I-90. We currently live one mile up the hill at Exit 18 on I-90.
We left my mother on the porch in Birmingham who was supposed to come with us as she was adamant that we not take the interstate during any part of the trip. My wife said it was the only time she had ever seen me really upset during our 17 years of marriage at the time. My step-father said, "Yes, that sounds like your mother." and drove round trip from Ducktown, TN for the second time in two days to pick her up as he had left to go home earlier in the day. I was raised by my father who re-married a wonderful woman who took on five kids from 8 years (me) to 10 months (my youngest sister). Both my step-mother and step-father were wonderful people as were my father and mother (although she did have her odd moments which make for wonderful stories ). One of the best parts of the story that we heard later from our neighbors was their son running into the house saying "They left grandma sitting on a rocker on the front porch." Makes me think of Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies sitting in her rocker on the top of the truck during the opening to the show. Everything worked out well though and later they drove from Tennessee to visit us driving a Toyota Tundra pickup pulling an RV which they camped in on the way and through a good part of the winter months before heading back home to the Ocoee River near where the movie Deliverance was filmed. They did NOT, however, make the whole trip staying off the interstate!
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Well, I finally made it. Pulled into San Diego about 4:00 and met up with my son for dinner. I've got to admit, there was a time or two along the way way when I asked myself "why did I do this?" but they were fleeting and far between. I have seen some incredible sights.
Lars, yes I think it was probably too early for the wild flowers in Texas but spring has definitely sprung in Arizona. I smiled when I read your comment about Wild flowers because I called my wife to tell her about the amazing colors all over the desert. Bright yellow was the main ones (they looked like little daisies) but there was also tons of red and purple flowers also. Entire mountain sides were lit up with bright yellow; it looked like gold! It was truly amazing. I pulled over and took this picture:
When you first get into California there's a place on I-8 called Devil's Canyon. I took a picture but its lame and doesnt do it justice. The landscape is incredible. This place is just made up of huge boulders the size of refrigerators and cars. I cant imagine a more rugged landscape. Hiking through this area would be very, very difficult. I pulled the car over and walked over to the shoulder. It was a sheer drop of at least 1000 feet with no guardrail. It freaked me out a little and I got back in the car and put my seatbelt on! This is Devils Canyon:
Baxter, that's a great story. My wife suggested that I take the dog. I said "hell no!". I wouldnt have been able to manage it with him.
Well, my son is sleeping hard. I talked about climbing up Cowell Mountain. It's the highest place in San Diego. I think hes just glad to get off the base for a while.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Randy, by the way, the low brake fluid light was nothing. Good to go! My 2010 Acura TL is handling like a champion (knock on wood).
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Congratulations on the trip and enjoy your visit with your son! Thanks so much for the pictures along the way!!
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Ernie,
Good to hear no brake problems!
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I’m just DELIGHTED that you caught the desert in bloom! Perfect timing! Great pic, Ernie. Thanks for sharing.
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Had a very nice weekend with my son. We spent all of our time in Ocenside and Carlsbad around the base. I had a good time at the pier meeting and chatting with all the young marines. It's very tough to say, "see you later son".
I'm just past Bakersfield headed to see my daughter in SF.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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So had a great visit to the Bay area. My daughter had to work so my time with her was limited. We did have a couple of great dinners. She is almost finished with her clinical fellowship to complete all requirements for speech pathology national certification.
Yesterday rode the train into San Francisco and rented a bike. Rode all along the piers and then pedaled across the bridge. The natural beauty of the bay area is amazing. Absolutely breathtaking.
Shoutout to SoR's very own Anglophile for his gracious dinner invitation. Although I was unable to make the trip out to his place due to time constraints, he was able to give me some great local perspective Intel that made my day trip better. Thanks again Chris!
So I'm packing up and headed back to Florida today. I'll drive up to Sacremento and grab highway 50 east which has been dubbed "The Loneliest Highway in America". It goes east over the Sierras through the Donner Pass all through Utah and then the Rockies through Colorado. I will encounter some of the most stunning landscapes in America today and tommorrow. I checked all the state highway advisories and the weather forecasts look good but it is very common to get a freak blizzard in March. Nothing like an element of uncertainty to keep things fun!
I'm just not happy with the images that I'm capturing with this cell phone so I'm going to stop at CVS drugstore and pick up a couple disposable panoramic cameras.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Good that you will see different scenary on the way back..my oldest son drove back from the coast many years ago and thought Kansas would never end.
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Staying the night in Austin, Nevada on Highway 50. This is literally in the middle of nowhere. Highway 50 is a rough, two lane blacktop that cuts across Nevada and Utah into Pueblo, CO. This area was incorporated in 1862 as the Union was looking for areas rich in mineral deposits to fund the war effort. The town has experienced several booms and busts over the past 150 years. Current population, 200.
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Now that really looks off the beaten path!
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Okay so it's 3:45 in the morning and I'm about to shove off. This Starts Day 3 and I really haven't covered that much ground. I have spent the majority of my time on CA - 4, CA - 88, and Hghway 50. I am only in Salina, Utah. I have seen some of the most incredible landscapes this country has to offer. I drove through the Sierra Nevadas, saw the pass where the Donner party couldnt get through, drove across high desert mountain ranges and drove across great basins. I saw vast salt flats and deserted homesteads that have long been forgotten. The last two days have been an experience I will never forget. Late yesterday I was grabbing a bite and realized that I still had a long, long way to go. I decided to make my way over toward I-70. As I got on I-15 the speed limit increased to 85 mph, there were three lanes in both directions and I started to see massive billboards for McDonalds and Hardees. I was back in 2020, rat race corporate America. I must admit; this made me a little sad. For two days I went back in time. When you're off the beaten path you dont see alot of people, you eat at ma and pa roadside places and stay in little 10 room motels. If I ever do this again I will make sure I have enough time to never look at an interstate. I couldnt resist:
I will be on I-70 east today to see how many miles I go. I really dont know which way is the best route home. I would love to find another route off the interstate where you can actually make good time. I dont think such a road exists. This trip is far from over though; next stop, Denver!
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Thanks for posting all this - it's fun to travel along with you!
If you have time in Denver, the Mint gives tours. If you are into bookstores, check out The Tattered Cover.
You are right about the interstates- you can go fast but miss out on all the scenic stuff that really makes a trip memorable. Stay safe and keep posting.
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Yesterday was memorable. So I went to sleep Thursday night thinking, "okay, this is it. I gotta make up some ground. I'm gonna wake up bright and early and hit it hard!" So I get up, get showered and I'm on the road at 4:30. My thinking was that I would get way out of Utah, past the Rockies and be well on my way. It didnt quite happen that way. So I leave Salina, Utah and go straight up the mountain and then it starts snowing...snowing hard. I haven't seen snow in over 20 years much less driven in it. I'm on these steep 7% grades with the road winding back and forth. It was definitely a white knuckle moment. So I find a place to get off the road to take a nap until the sun comes up. At 7:30 I strike back out and I'm on my way. One of the last exits in Utah. If you ever find yourself in this part of the world you should consider visiting Arches National Park in Moab. This place is absolutely breathtaking. As imposing as the Grand Canyon.
Of all the places I have seen so far, I really want to go back to Moab. It's an incredible place.
After leaving Moab, I made my way east up into the Rockies..I almost made it to the continental divide before the slushy road and 12 hours in the car took their toll. I found a room in Frisco, CO elevation 9,000 ft. I'm only a paltry 322 miles from Salina, Utah!
I gotta get home! St. Louis here I come. The Great American road trip continues!
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Yes, beautiful country. Visited Arches in July, 1985. We were visiting friends in Denver, then took the train to Grand Junction, Colorado, rented a car and drove down to Dead Horse Canyon (I think that's the correct name) and Arches. We were supposed to catch the train again in Grand Junction to go back to Denver, but a fire on a freight train west of Grand Junction was blocking rail traffic. Fortunately, we were able to catch a flight back to Denver from Grand Junction.
We have wanted to go back to that part of the country, but never got there.
Tom
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Sally, thanks for the positive feedback. It's been one helluva journey. I gotta be honest, I'm tired. I dont sleep well in motel rooms and tomorrow makes two weeks since I left Jacksonville. I'm in Paducah, KY on 24 east ready to knock out the final 10.5 hour drive to Jacksonville. The return trip has definitely been more taxing. Driving east from SF to finally make it over the continental divide ain't no joke. Add a little snow drama and you've really got a good time.
Keensidy, I agree; the Moab area is stunning. The National Park rangers were telling me about the "Southwest Circle" that includes the Grand Canyon, Arches and some other sights. I'll be back!
Made it in to St. Louis for lunch and got a chance to see the Gateway Arch. Pretty cool. They have a real time live camera feed so I called my wife in Florida, she pulled it up on her computer, snapped this pic and texted it to me.
The Great American Road Trip continues!
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Wow - you and only one other person!
Sate travels home. Thanks for sharing your journey....
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06:35:31pm
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Good point Sally!
Ernie, please let us know if you see dead bodies littering the highways, or piled up against the padlocked doors of Bed Bath and Beyond stores, expired in a frantic, desperate attempt to obtain lifesaving sheets of toilet paper.
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06:44:31pm
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Hey, I'm in Mexico, and have been drinking Modelo beer this whole time. I just realized I've got a case of [b]Corona[/b] beer in the cupboard! No, don't worry, it.s not contagious..HaHa.
Maybe I'll just pop-a-top right now.
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Great trip! I haven’t been on the board so this is the first I’ve seen it and enjoyed following along! Get home safe with all that’s going on!
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Sally,
Actually I was the only person out there. The other figure you see in the picture is a statue!
I made it home last night about 9:30. I had to hurry back to take care of my furry son. Over 6,000 miles in 14 days. 4 of those days I was visiting my kids and didnt drive much. The end was quite gruelling!
I've got a greater appreciation for this country. It's an amazing place. Thanks to all who followed along.
Mods..my next posts will be more philatelic in nature. I promise! I hope everyone makes the best of the spring in spite of what is going on. Be well!
Ernie
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Glad you are home! No worries that this thread isn’t philatelic, but you could’ve gotten some commemorative postmarks along the way! ????
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Hey Tom..to be honest, there were days I was just trying to make it to the next goal. I would be interested in Nevada postal history though. Might be a new area of interest.
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From a future point of view, how do you think the trip would have gone in an electric vehicle. Were there plenty of charging points at decent intervals?
Maybe next time take a self driving car and you could see more of the scenery.
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Hey Vic,
I saw a ton a Tesla vehicles in California. I don't know this to be true but I doubt that there is a sufficient charging network to get an electric vehicle into and out of the most remote parts of the country. I may be wrong on that but I covered some ground where you would be hard pressed to find the next gas station much less a plug in spot for an electric vehicle. I actually didnt mind doing the driving. It would have been nice to have a full month to do it. You could put some really nice camping gear in a pick up truck and hop from one national or state park to the next. Next time!
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