Road Trips

[HisArpy]

Ugh. There is almost nothing worse than traveling with a tour-group. Sounds excruciating. And expensive. I hear you. I want to make it happen soon, but someplace else keeps coming up first. Maybe if I stop going to Hawaii over and over... Plan is to make Cuba happen first. It’s my number one next destination. But, then Eurail is after that.

I've never done it, but taking the train through Banff in Canada is supposed to be amazing.

For me, personally, I can't stand commercial travel for the same reason that Thor mentions in his post - you go where they want you to go and that's it. And you miss a lot because of it. For instance, in Tehachapi Ca, there's a little restaurant that used to be a warehouse for the railroad. It stood empty for a long time and someone turned it into a restaurant. The Apple Shed. While you're eating there, a train rumbles by every 15 minutes or so heading either to Bakersfield or Mojave on the tracks right out back.

The place isn't much but the fact that the people there are friendly gives it a good atmosphere. Coupled with the fun fact of what it used to be and the train traffic, it's an experience that's memorable.

Those are the kinds of things I remember best and I try to plan trips around stuff like that. For instance, in Globe, which is east of Phoenix, the town has historical interest AND is supposed to have some paranormal activity. There's a restaurant there that also features a cook who goes armed, even in the kitchen. Do I want to go? Absolutely. Why? Because I can say I've been there and survived the food, the cook and the ghosts. What could be better than that?

You won't get there by flying into Phoenix and taking a cab to the hotel.

 

[Rightguide]

I've never done it, but taking the train through Banff in Canada is supposed to be amazing.

For me, personally, I can't stand commercial travel for the same reason that Thor mentions in his post - you go where they want you to go and that's it. And you miss a lot because of it. For instance, in Tehachapi Ca, there's a little restaurant that used to be a warehouse for the railroad. It stood empty for a long time and someone turned it into a restaurant. The Apple Shed. While you're eating there, a train rumbles by every 15 minutes or so heading either to Bakersfield or Mojave on the tracks right out back.

The place isn't much but the fact that the people there are friendly gives it a good atmosphere. Coupled with the fun fact of what it used to be and the train traffic, it's an experience that's memorable.

Those are the kinds of things I remember best and I try to plan trips around stuff like that. For instance, in Globe, which is east of Phoenix, the town has historical interest AND is supposed to have some paranormal activity. There's a restaurant there that also features a cook who goes armed, even in the kitchen. Do I want to go? Absolutely. Why? Because I can say I've been there and survived the food, the cook and the ghosts. What could be better than that?

You won't get there by flying into Phoenix and taking a cab to the hotel.

Drove down through the Apache Reservation on US Hwy 60 from Show Low AZ to Globe last year. Beautiful country along that road. Stayed in Globe for the night before heading into Phoenix.

 

[Comshaw]

Have you taken many? Tell me about them. If in the U.S. - which would you recommend?

Back in 2000 my wife, I and two friends took a 5800 mile, 17 day, 18 state motorcycle ride. We saw a lot of the west and mid-west. It is an absolutley gorgeous country we have. We met some cool people, had some fun times (a summer rain shower in Nebraska comes to mind, riding down a country road in the warm rain, my hand behind me in her panties) and saw some awesome country side.

We also made a 2400 mile trip down the coast: US 101 to California highway 1, then back up the central valley into Oregon, eastern Washington and home.

Unfortunately we may not be able to make another ride like those, but the memories are fabulous.

Edit: I forgot to add that one of my favorite short rides (one or two days) is across SR20 from Discovery Bay to Newport on the Washington/Idaho border. It's also called the North Cascades highway.

Among bikers there are a few coveted rides that all most everyone on two wheels wants to do. The two I want are The Angel Crest highway out of LA and Deals Gap, the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee.


Comshaw

 

[albertaboy]

We've driven across Canada and other long trips several times. In the US our best was Edmonton, Alberta to Palm Springs. Took 5 days to drive 3100 km, spent time in Utah on both ends of the trip. Salt lake was fantastic.

 

[MonaLittle]

Late Sept or early October for max leaf peeking. Berkshires in western Mass is beautiful area. Lovely little town of Stockbridge. Lake Champlain area in NH.

Lake Champlain is nice, more in Vermont and upstate NY. In Vermont, stop in Burlington and head over to Church St. Cross over to NY and go to Lake Placid. NH, be sure to drive thru the White Mountains, especially around the 1st and 2nd week of October, which is peak foliage.
I am available as a tour guide!

Your hired! I have heard the best things about the white mountains. Take Arde and Me!! I love a good tour guide.

 

[MonaLittle]

I like the drive up Pacific Coast Highway from Morro Bay, through Big Sur, and to Monterey and Santa Cruz

Me, too. Love that drive.

Also love Show Low/Pinetop to Phoenix in AZ. Really gorgeous drive.

Drove from NYC to DC last year to hop on the Amtrak Auto-Train to Orlando. We booked a sleeper car and it was great to watch the lovely countryside go by.

These all sound wonderful. I would love to do a train trip, too. I think my first choice of destination would be the Canadian Rockies.

 

[MonaLittle]

Back in 2000 my wife, I and two friends took a 5800 mile, 17 day, 18 state motorcycle ride. We saw a lot of the west and mid-west. It is an absolutley gorgeous country we have. We met some cool people, had some fun times (a summer rain shower in Nebraska comes to mind, riding down a country road in the warm rain, my hand behind me in her panties) and saw some awesome country side.

We also made a 2400 mile trip down the coast: US 101 to California highway 1, then back up the central valley into Oregon, eastern Washington and home.

Unfortunately we may not be able to make another ride like those, but the memories are fabulous.

Edit: I forgot to add that one of my favorite short rides (one or two days) is across SR20 from Discovery Bay to Newport on the Washington/Idaho border. It's also called the North Cascades highway.

Among bikers there are a few coveted rides that all most everyone on two wheels wants to do. The two I want are The Angel Crest highway out of LA and Deals Gap, the Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee.


Comshaw

We took a family trip when I was in my teens - from Illinois to Wyoming. Stopped so many places along the way. We were gone for a month. The first few days on the way across Iowa and into South Dakota there were 1000's of motorcycles on the road passing us. It was the week of Sturgis. My Dad and Brothers went crazy. They loved it. My dad always owned Bikes.

 

[pink]

I've driven 2100 miles, 3 times, Ohio to Washington.

 

[Adre]

Your hired! I have heard the best things about the white mountains. Take Arde and Me!! I love a good tour guide.

I’ll bring the wine!

 

[jaF0]

I would love to do a train trip, too.

The City Of New Orleans is a real train, not just a song:

https://www.amtrak.com/city-of-new-orleans-train

 

[Ziggins]

Road trips in cars are limited to places with roads and gas stations.

 

[thør]

Your hired! I have heard the best things about the white mountains. Take Arde and Me!! I love a good tour guide.

The White Mountains are awesome. Best accessed in winter. You're gonna need back country touring skis. Or, if the snowmachines have got the trail packed, a fatbike will due. Dress warm.

 

[silver gurl]

Your hired! I have heard the best things about the white mountains. Take Arde and Me!! I love a good tour guide.

I’ll bring the wine!

I am in!

The White Mountains are awesome. Best accessed in winter. You're gonna need back country touring skis. Or, if the snowmachines have got the trail packed, a fatbike will due. Dress warm.

Should be camping there now.

 

[thør]

Should be camping there now.

The White Mtns here in Alaska are not a great place in the summer unless the wind is blowing or you've got a lot of skeeter dope on.

 

[Tigersman]

I took a road trip back in 2005 by motorcycle from Houston to Vancouver Island British Columbia. I rode through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington going up. I saw snow in the Rockies, great scenery in most states. Coming back I rode through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. I never ate at any chain restaurants. I made one big mistake that fortunately I overcame. I failed to realize that I was starting my trip during graduation exercise weekend which meant all the hotels were mostly filled up.

 

[AlotLikePsyche]

I've never done it, but taking the train through Banff in Canada is supposed to be amazing.

For me, personally, I can't stand commercial travel for the same reason that Thor mentions in his post - you go where they want you to go and that's it. And you miss a lot because of it. For instance, in Tehachapi Ca, there's a little restaurant that used to be a warehouse for the railroad. It stood empty for a long time and someone turned it into a restaurant. The Apple Shed. While you're eating there, a train rumbles by every 15 minutes or so heading either to Bakersfield or Mojave on the tracks right out back.

The place isn't much but the fact that the people there are friendly gives it a good atmosphere. Coupled with the fun fact of what it used to be and the train traffic, it's an experience that's memorable.

Those are the kinds of things I remember best and I try to plan trips around stuff like that. For instance, in Globe, which is east of Phoenix, the town has historical interest AND is supposed to have some paranormal activity. There's a restaurant there that also features a cook who goes armed, even in the kitchen. Do I want to go? Absolutely. Why? Because I can say I've been there and survived the food, the cook and the ghosts. What could be better than that?

You won't get there by flying into Phoenix and taking a cab to the hotel.

I’ve been all these places and don’t remember anything in particular about them. The way you describe them here makes me want to go back and see what I missed.

I don’t think of Canada as a travel destination. I imagine it frigid and lily white. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

 

[HisArpy]

I’ve been all these places and don’t remember anything in particular about them. The way you describe them here makes me want to go back and see what I missed.

I don’t think of Canada as a travel destination. I imagine it frigid and lily white. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The Fairmont at Chateau Lake Louise


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/ski/fairmont-hotel-lake-louise-xlarge.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/55/77/ab/5577abfc83304be98ca105d78c59b6cd.jpg



There are other resort hotels in Banff as well. Some rustic, some not. Lots of couples apparently go there to honeymoon.

 

[HisArpy]

I was thinking about a road trip in Asia, for example, in Cambodia. But I had to put my plans off because of the lockdown. By the way, I've recently found out about a possibility to visit many countries with evisa. What is the best about it is that you can easily get it without leaving home as the entire process can be done online. I hope, I'll go on a road trip next year. And thanks for sharing your experience, guys!

https://www.storypick.com/worlds-oldest-hotel-continuously-running-business/

 

[Sean]

Road trips in cars are limited to places with roads and gas stations.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YncAno1gXj4/maxresdefault.jpg