Bucket List Road Trip ...Poll

[Rob in PA]

Ok gang, so I'm from about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh and except for one quick trip to Wyoming, I have not really seen any of the U.S. west of Ohio.

The other day I was presented an opportunity that i could not pass up. A married couple whom are close friends of mine asked me if I'd like to drive their car (they are in their 70's and 80's) to San Diego where they reside for the winter months. They have been after me for years to visit them out in California but it just never seemed to work out either because of money being short or treatments or having two young kids.

Now, I have no excuses. They graciously offered to cover all my costs to get the car out there (otherwise they would have to ship it out there) and then they will fly me back via Montana (I have a friend that lives near Helena that I'll stay with for a week or so). My kids are now 16 and 13, so I don't feel too bad about leaving my wife with them for a couple weeks. And lastly, I am currently healed up from my VATS surgery and just last week my Onc told me NO chemo follow up! WooHoo! I was prepared to turn chemo down if he wanted me to do it, but he said between his talk with my surgeon and viewing the pathology report, he did not think chemo was a good idea right now. He wants a scan in late November.

So, this eventually brings me back to my original reason for posting....

One of the perks of this here club is that we are from all over the world and I thought I'd put it out there to y'all to see which route and what sights (other than the obvious like the Grand Canyon or Vegas) that I should try and see.

Looking at the map, there are two general directions that I could go: 1.) To Indianapolis and out through Kansas or Nebraska and down through Denver and either to San Francisco and then san diego, or straight line from Denver to San Diego. 2.) To Indianapolis and down through St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo Texas, Alburquerque N.M., Phoenix, Yuma, San Diego.

So what do y'all think? I may run into some snow on the northern route, which doesn't typically bother me if i'm driving my truck, but I'll be driving their car which is a toyota Avalon (front wheel drive i assume).

P.S. I'm not a big gambler, so while it would be nice to experience Vegas, I could take it or leave it. I'm more into mountains, rock formations, old west, etc...


Thanks all for any input towards one of my big bucket list items!


Rob

[justin case]

Route 66, as far as it will let you travel, and San Diego is a wonderful destination, although there is this Wife of Mike problem down there
Michael

[mstults]

You could easily do Grand Canyon and Vegas.

[SugarBubbie]

I'm for Amarillo so you can stop off and see Palo Duro Canyon. It's awesome!! Also, several Hollywood movies were filmed there when westerns were popular.

[justin case]

I'm for Amarillo so you can stop off and see Palo Duro Canyon. It's awesome!! Also, several Hollywood movies were filmed there when westerns were popular.

Palo Dura Canyon does get cold in the winter, as with Amarillo, so bring a jacket or coat, Justin Case.
Michael

[skypup]

Oklahoma City to Amarillo to Albuquerque is BORING and LONG! I do that drive often going to Santa Fe and Colorado...do yourself a big favor and skip it! Def head to Rocky Mountain National Park if you can and, of course, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. (Uh, I am a mountain nut, though, so take what I say with that understanding. You might be a city person.) Heading over to San Francisco and down would let you visit Yosemite (wow and WOW), drive the coast highway, have a soak and get a massage at Esalen Institute (not for the shy), visit Heast Castle... Sounds wonderful however you go (except Amarillo).

[skypup]

Oh, and don't forget the wine country if you go San Fran route.

[Stanfordmom]

I agree with Skypup. Yellowstone national park then to Yosemite, and then San Framcisco is the best route! I will be back in the San Francisco Bay Area late Oct., I'd love to host you and take you around if you come after that!

sha

[justin case]

Oh, and don't forget the wine country if you go San Fran route.

San Francisco can be cold this time of year, but the coast highway down, takes you through a lot of good sights, including Big Sur.
Michael

[peanut_8]

I'm familiar with many of the routes from Nebraska westward. Having grown up in Ne, I can unequivocally state interstate 80 is a very boring route. However there are a few gems, not to be missed. So if you were to take that route, I would suggest a stop in Paxton, Ne at Olly;s Big Game Steak House. Paxton is very small, and Olly's is right off the interstate. Nebraska is justifiably famous for great steaks, and that football team they have.

Continue on I-80 until Cheyenne, Wy. A great weastern town. From there head south on I-25 to Denver. There's much to see and do here. From Denver continue west on I-70 through the mountains. If you are traveling in the winter it may be snowy. You will pass through beautiful mountain towns and many ski areas. Continue on until you get to Utah. This is some of my all time favorite scenery. The National Parks here are spectacular, if you are into rock formations and such. Here is a partial list from google.

National Park. Arches. Moab, UT. ...
National Park. Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon, UT. ...
National Historic Trail. California. Various States, CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY. ...
National Park. Canyonlands. Moab, UT. ...
National Park. Capitol Reef. Torrey, UT. ...
National Monument. Cedar Breaks. Cedar City, UT. ...
National Monument. Dinosaur.
Visit as many as time and interest allow.

This route naturally leads you into Vegas. Even if you are not interested in gambling and decadence it is interesting to see once. There are many world class hotels and restaurants.

From there you will head over to Ca. It would be a shame if you were to miss Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego. It is unparalleled, seriously that don't call it Highway 1 for no reason.

I suspect that somewhere in an alternate universe I would have been a tour guide.
cheers, peanut

[WifeOfMike]

justin case »
Route 66, as far as it will let you travel, and San Diego is a wonderful destination, although there is this Wife of Mike problem down there
Michael

I SAW THAT
Well California is HUGE......... other than TEXAS..... WE are BIG baby cakes
You could spend your entire vacation going from the[b] border by Mexico (don't suggest going over) up to the border by Oregon and never be bored[/b]

San Diego:
1) BEACHES Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Point Loma, Coronado Island (over a kool bridge)
2) COAST HWY 101........Lots of shops, (including ours), restaurants, quaint hangouts
3) if you like cruising WaWa-zoom neighborhoods........... Rancho Santa Fe..... for the likes of the Vanderbilt Jeans heirs, etc.... Gates has a house hidden around here
4) Hotel Del Coronado is a historical monument 5-star hotel/restaurant & has G H O S T S
5) La Costa has world class Golf/spas, etc
6) lost of antiques if your into that
7)Seaworld, SD Zoo/ Wild Animal Park
8 )Seaport Village and Old Towne -tourist thingies
9) USS Midway & Maritime & Many San Diego Museums
10)Torrey Pines state natural preserve
11) water sports up the yazoo- snorkling, boating, fishing, jet skis, boogie boards, surf boards
12)Hot Air Balloons
13) Indian Casinos up the ying-yang.......(same as Vegas without the HEAT)
and a boatload more
You could come to San Diego from the East (Vegas) Via HWY'S 215/15 coming thru Temecula Valley/ Wine Country
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... an%20diego

Going north via Coast line you run into South Orange County..........more of the same stuff only More ritzy neighborhoods
You can almost take 5 North the entire State.... or 101 coast Hwy for a better Ocean View
keep going & your into Orange County- Disneyland, Knott's berry Farms,
Hollywood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive............now your talking RICH & FAMOUS
Keep going......... Santa Barbara.....wine country, Mammoth Mountain

I just got back from both Vegas (Palazzo/ Venetian Hotels are 5 star but not the price and FAB)
and Hearst Castle runs (we spent 1 1/2 days at castle doing ALL of their tours... then another 1/2 driving further north up outrageous mountains with coastline views as far as your eyes could see
You've got the Redwoods, Big Sur Mountains, and a whole lotta green mountains up there

Heading towards Wine Country, San Francisco, Saucilito.......... Alcatraz (don't stay there)
keep going and Sacramento (not my cup of tea)

hmmmmmmmmm.... Lots to see here..........This is a good start
But I DO LURK HERE..... .... so warning... ....ForceOfNature, BadAssWife, "OH HER" IS on the loose
Vicki

[justin case]

Ahhh. I-70 From Kansas City straight to Colorado Springs. I was a teenager working 4 days a week, with Friday , Saturday , and Sunday off. I owned a VW Bug, and gas was 18 cents a gallon. I could enjoy Colorado for about $7.50, round trip I could afford it , I made $6.00 an hour, as an assistant chef
Michael

[justin case]

justin case »
Route 66, as far as it will let you travel, and San Diego is a wonderful destination, although there is this Wife of Mike problem down there
Michael

I SAW THAT
Well California is HUGE......... other than TEXAS..... WE are BIG baby cakes
You could spend your entire vacation going from the[b] border by Mexico (don't suggest going over) up to the border by Oregon and never be bored[/b]

San Diego:
1) BEACHES Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Point Loma, Coronado Island (over a kool bridge)
2) COAST HWY 101........Lots of shops, (including ours), restaurants, quaint hangouts
3) if you like cruising WaWa-zoom neighborhoods........... Rancho Santa Fe..... for the likes of the Vanderbilt Jeans heirs, etc.... Gates has a house hidden around here
4) Hotel Del Coronado is a historical monument 5-star hotel/restaurant & has G H O S T S
5) La Costa has world class Golf/spas, etc
6) lost of antiques if your into that
7)Seaworld, SD Zoo/ Wild Animal Park
8 )Seaport Village and Old Towne -tourist thingies
9) USS Midway & Maritime & Many San Diego Museums
10)Torrey Pines state natural preserve
11) water sports up the yazoo- snorkling, boating, fishing, jet skis, boogie boards, surf boards
12)Hot Air Balloons
13) Indian Casinos up the ying-yang.......(same as Vegas without the HEAT)
and a boatload more
You could come to San Diego from the East (Vegas) Via HWY'S 215/15 coming thru Temecula Valley/ Wine Country
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... an%20diego

Going north via Coast line you run into South Orange County..........more of the same stuff only More ritzy neighborhoods
You can almost take 5 North the entire State.... or 101 coast Hwy for a better Ocean View
keep going & your into Orange County- Disneyland, Knott's berry Farms,
Hollywood, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive............now your talking RICH & FAMOUS
Keep going......... Santa Barbara.....wine country, Mammoth Mountain

I just got back from both Vegas (Palazzo/ Venetian Hotels are 5 star but not the price and FAB)
and Hearst Castle runs (we spent 1 1/2 days at castle doing ALL of their tours... then another 1/2 driving further north up outrageous mountains with coastline views as far as your eyes could see
You've got the Redwoods, Big Sur Mountains, and a whole lotta green mountains up there

Heading towards Wine Country, San Francisco, Saucilito.......... Alcatraz (don't stay there)
keep going and Sacramento (not my cup of tea)

hmmmmmmmmm.... Lots to see here..........This is a good start
But I DO LURK HERE..... .... so warning... ....ForceOfNature, BadAssWife, "OH HER" IS on the loose
Vicki

See there,
nothing gets by Victoria
Michael

[O Stoma Mia]

...( I am a mountain nut, though, so take what I say with that understanding. You might be a city person.) .

... P.S. ... I'm more into mountains, rock formations, old west, etc...
Rob

Skypup - I think that Rob, like you, is probably more a 'mountain' person than a 'city person' -- based on what he just said, and based on the photo of himself in his Aussie hat.

[canadiandaughter]

If you venture north out of your way a bit (if you were going to think of yellowstone this might work) South Dakota has lots to see. We spent a week there a few summers ago and didnt see everything we wanted to see. Mount Rushmore we thought was pretty cool In Wyoming on your way thru is Devils Tower, that was interesting as well. Deadwood might be good for you as you mention you enjoy the old west stuff.