Tag Archives: road trip

Is the Great American Road Trip Running Out of Road?

Posted on by | 2 Comments

 

**đźš—Road Trip, the call of a generation

Rt 66 in arizona has a load of attractions including more modern ones like Mater from Cars

A Cross‑Country Daydream from Route 66 to Route 20**

America’s Love Affair With the Open Road

With gas prices climbing and no relief in sight, it’s fair to wonder whether the classic American road trip is slowly becoming an endangered species. Then again, air travel isn’t exactly a walk in the park these days either.

Still, before we declare the road trip obsolete, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the romance, freedom, and pure Americana that grew out of our national love affair with the automobile.

The Mother Road: Route 66

One iconic road immediately comes to mind — and I’m pleased to say I’ve explored a small slice of it.

Route 66, the legendary “Mother Road,” was established in 1926 and stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. It wound through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, carrying generations of dreamers westward.

Though officially decommissioned, roughly 85% of the route is still drivable. Vintage neon signs, retro diners, quirky roadside attractions, and weathered motels still line the way, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era.

America’s Longest Road: Route 20

If Route 66 is the most famous, Route 20 is the heavyweight champion. At 3,365 miles, it’s the longest road in the United States — and it starts right here in Boston.

A Route 20 adventure would take you through 12 states and across the entire country, ending in Newport, Oregon. Along the way, you could:

  • Stroll the Boston Esplanade
  • Visit the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield
  • Wander the Finger Lakes of New York
  • Detour to Niagara Falls
  • Swing up to Lake Placid, home of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”

Then it’s onward through Pennsylvania and into Ohio, where Cedar Point awaits with some of the best roller coasters in the nation. Once you catch your breath, Route 20 rolls into Indiana and the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Across the Heartland and Into Big Sky Country

In Illinois, Route 20 carries you straight through Chicago before crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa.

Then comes Wyoming — Big Sky Country at its finest. You’ll pass through Lost Springs, the least populated municipality in America, and you’re just a side trip away from Yellowstone. Keep an eye out for bison; they don’t yield.

Getting ready to pass by

Montana only gets about ten miles of Route 20, but it’s close enough to tempt you toward the famous Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, a bucket‑list drive if ever there was one.

The Final Push to the Pacific

Idaho brings a breather in Boise before the home stretch. The last state is Oregon, but don’t be fooled — there are still 451 miles to go before you reach Newport and the Pacific Ocean.

Quite the road trip indeed.

And Then… Maybe the Overseas Highway?

Once I’ve conquered Route 20, maybe I’ll head south to Florida for the Overseas Highway — 113 miles and 42 bridges ending at the Southernmost Point in Key West. A completely different kind of road trip, but just as iconic.

So… Is the Road Trip Doomed?

Maybe gas prices will rise. Maybe travel will keep changing. But the American road trip isn’t just about miles or money — it’s about freedom, curiosity, and the irresistible pull of the horizon.

As long as there are roads to follow and stories to chase, I don’t think the great American road trip is going anywhere.

 

Travel with an Adventure Mindset

Posted on by

Travel Needs an Adventure Mindset

Over my many trips and travels I’ve learned that no matter how prepared you think you are things happen. It’s much easier to work your way through them or around them or over them when you simply accept it as part of the adventure. Travel is made for Murphy’s Law– Whatever can go wrong will and at the worst possible time.

My Murphy’s Law Moment

My Murphy’s Law Moment came at baggage claim. No, they didn’t lose my luggage, but I discovered I didn’t have my car rental confirmation. That wouldn’t have been a big deal if the car rentals were in the airport. I could have gone from desk to desk to locate my car since I didn’t remember who I rented with. I’ve used Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Payless. It’s kind of who haven’t I used. To get to the rental cars you have to catch a shuttle and you have to know which vendor’s shuttle to take.

I found myself a bench, nothing is quiet at an airport but at least I could sit while I pondered. Maybe I had an email? I’d rented the car when I booked my flight, maybe there was something on Delta’s website with my trip itinerary. I began scrolling through emails without success. Then I tried the Delta Skymiles site. At first, I didn’t have any luck there either but then I spotted a notation in tiny print- for help call Alamo.

I grabbed the next Alamo Shuttle and sure enough, they had the reservation.  They put me in a little hybrid SUV that cost more than a week’s pay but promised to save me money on gas. The attendant gave me some rough directions and assured me that Colorado drivers were not like Boston drivers. They are “very forgiving”. 

Breckenridge Here I Come

The drive to Breckenridge is only about 100 miles. Not a lot of different roads so the directions were pretty easy to remember but like most areas with seasonal weather we weren’t in summer. We were in road construction season. Traffic rivaled Boston for starts and stops and slowdowns. There wasn’t much to look at even if I dared to steal a peak at the scenery. The Rocky Mountains were covered in haze, so they didn’t stand out much. My first thought was that the Grand Tetons, Wyoming, made a bigger first impression.

There were lots of signs for Colorado Springs. Then came the signs for Steamboat Springs and I saw an entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The road took me down a long grade into a little narrow valley where the skies opened up in a deluge. Once out of the valley the sun came out and I spotted a sign for Big Horn Sheep viewing. As tempting as it was to explore a little, I was more anxious to find Breckenridge and my resort. 

Are we there yet?

When I saw a Wendy’s at the intersection of RT 70 and RT 9 I decided it was time to take a break. This Wendy’s was very busy, but the restroom was clean. Even with a load of teenagers in line the service was quick. I had no idea how much further I had to go but I’d already taken far more time than expected because of the traffic. Time to get back on the road.

 

Road Trip! Time for a Drive Vacation

Posted on by

Road Trip!

It’s a summer drive vacation aka road trip.  Covid has put a real damper on travel. I canceled my vacations for this year. I’m waiting for the pandemic scare to subside. I hear plane fares are going to be at an all time low this fall. I also hear that lots of flights may be canceled or consolidated and some airlines may fail. But someone with my wanderlust can only be slowed down so long. So even with arthritic joints and a Covid 15 weight gain, it was time to do something. My choice…ROAD TRIP! God bless my brother. He gave me an excuse to travel. I decided to go visit him in Lake George, New York.

Camping 2020 Style

Road Trip began with a drive to the Northway aka route 87, the north-south highway through eastern New York. I picked it up from the the turnpike (Route 90) in Albany.  All in all it was about a 3.5 hour drive from my house to Exit 23 for Diamond Point/ Warrensburg. Of course I went to exit 24. That was the exit if I wanted to go to my brother’s house or to our “old homestead”. Old habits die hard I guess. Anyway I had to turn around to get to exit 23 which was my destination. We were going to spend the week camping 2020 style. No tents for us. We had an RV to use. 

Communication is everything

Of course I got my wires crossed. Got to love texting. You try to keep everything short and the result is we get totally twisted up. Because I’d gone to the wrong exit my brother thought I was meeting him at his house but by the time he replied I’d turned around and was headed back to the correct exit – exit 23.  He said come on to the house so I said ok I’m just getting gas. He thought I was in Bolton the town on the lake when I was really in Warrensburg.  I finally found my way back to exit 24 and then it was just a hop, skip and jump to his house. We then caravan-ed back to where I started at exit 23. We are still laughing about that.

Puzzle update:

Here’s where I left off on the puzzle before my road trip. Making slow but steady progress

 

A Trip of a Lifetime

Posted on by | 4 Comments

Alaska Road Trip

The last trip that was suggested was another chance to see Alaska. As you all know I took a land cruise tour in 2013. It was nice but I’m convinced it could have been so much better. “Pete” who lives in Alaska recommended a road trip that included Homer, Denali, Fairbanks, Valdez, ending in Anchorage. This immediately caught my interest. A road trip like that would take some planning so I started pouring over guidebooks, maps and Alaska Blogs. I think I have the framework laid out.

Minimum 14 days

A road trip like this would hit most of the high points but it can’t be rushed. I think it will take at least 14 days to complete. I think the best time of year will be summer. That means I can’t go this year. I can’t get 2 weeks off this summer. Maybe 2019? I can probably use the time to make lodging reservations. Here’s my rough draft of the ideal road trip.

Alaska Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1:  Anchorage… Pick up rental car, drive north on George Parks Highway. Overnight in Talkeetna

Day 2: Talkeetna to Denali. Overnight in Denali National Park

Day 3: Denali National Park. Overnight in Denali

Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks. Overnight in Fairbanks

Day 5: Take a tour to the Arctic Circle. Overnight in Fairbanks

Day 6: Leave Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway for Delta Junction. Overnight Copper Center

Day 7: Wrangell St Elias National Park – Valdez. Overnight in Valdez

Day 8: Valdez, Prince William Sound-Ferry to Whittier/Seward. Overnight Seward

Day 9: Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park Overnight Seward

Day 10: Seward to Homer. Overnight in Homer

Day 11 : Homer. Overnight in Homer

Day 12: Leave Homer for a scenic drive to Ninilchik – the oldest settlement on the Kenai Peninsula. Overnight Cooper Landing

Day 13: Leave Kenai Peninsula and drive north through the Chugach National Forest to Portage Glacier. Overnight Anchorage

Day 14: Anchorage –  Turn in the rental car and catch the flight home

Denali

 

Comments Welcome

So that’s the first draft of the trip. Any suggestions? Any recommendations for accommodations at the various stops? I considered renting an RV and camping but changed my mind. I think an SUV is more to my liking. Suggestions and comments welcome!

 

 

One Waterfall Down Eight to Go!

Posted on by | 8 Comments

One Down and Eight to go

Saturday afternoon the sun came out and I ran for the car. I had several different options but would only have time for one. A drive to Royalston MA to visit Doane’s Falls was the winner. There are 9 waterfalls on the Ultimate Massachusetts Waterfall Road trip. Doane’s Falls was my number one choice. It was close (2 hours). A doable afternoon trip.

What Waterfalls are on the list?

  1. Doane’s Falls, Royalston, MA
  2. The Cascade, North Adams Ma
  3. Wahconah Falls, Dalton, MA
  4. March Cataract Falls, Williamstown, MA
  5. Bash Bish Falls, Mt Washington State Park, MA
  6. Race Brook Falls, Sheffield, MA
  7. Umpachene Falls, New Marlborough, MA
  8. Campbell Falls, New Marlborough, MA
  9. Glendale Falls, Middlefield, MA

Stone Bridge and Waterfall

I found the Falls with little trouble. The roads are paved and easy to navigate. No need for off-roading or mudding  here. There is limited parking but if you can park in the little lot the Falls start right there. The water spills out of the culvert under a lovely stone bridge. You probably just drove over the bridge to get to the parking lot.

You can hear the falls before you see them. Just a few steps onto the trail and you can see the racing water poring out of the culvert. When I walked back to the road and looked on the other side of the bridge the brook was quite calm. It’s an amazing contrast.

Doane’s Falls Recap

The drive to Doane’s Falls was pretty easy. I only made one wrong turn and that was quickly corrected. Once on the right road the falls themselves are clearly marked. It’s warming up ans the flying, biting  critters are starting to come out. I hadn’t thought of that. Next trip to a waterfall will mean bug spray (extra strength), a hat, and snacks. Fast food  and lunch places are few and far between  once you leave Framingham behind.

I didn’t get all  the way to the bottom of the trail. I think there are more falls and rapids further down but the giant mosquitoes drove me back. This will be really pretty in the fall. With a little less water and the colored leaves. I definitely need to plan a return trip.