Road Trip (non tiki) ~ Please Recommend - Beyond Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Mon, May 10, 2004 7:15 PM I have both editions of the Roadside America book, and a few others, but sometimes the best joys come from driving the smaller roads, not knowing what will come up. A few recommendations.... Buy a good road atlas - one with large pages, that show maps with a great amount of detail. You will often want to get off the main road, and a detailed road map is a must. The larger maps will also be more likely to highlight local interest points, or those dashed scenic roads. The nicer atlases will also have more detailed maps of the larger towns, which can be helpful. Road atlases with spiral binding will tend to last longer. When driving through a city or town, take the business route whenever possible. These will have more traffic lights, and it will take you longer, but they tend to take you through the older parts of towns, which tend to have neater signs and motels. Schedule lots of days for driving on the smaller roads. If I wanted to, I could drive from DC to Wisconsin in one day (about 14 hours) by using the Interstate. My favorite trip, though, was the one where I took 4 days to reach the same destination, taking side roads all the time. allow for last minute changes of directions. It is OK to roughly plan a general route, but be open for taking new routes and smaller roads when inspiration hits you. Try to be driving right before sunset. The low angle of the sun makes everything look more interesting ... best of all is when the sun is starting to set, and you see the neon lights of a motel coming up ahead. Take lots of pictures. If you pass something that looks really interesting, turn around so you can take a picture of it. I have many photobooks filled with pictures of neon signs, dilapitated mini golf courses, odd sights, and whatever else caught my whimsey. I can't recall any instance where I have regretted doing this. I might have some good recommendations for you Johnny .. I've driven the stretch from DC to the midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota) many times. Vern

I have both editions of the Roadside America book, and a few others, but sometimes the best joys come from driving the smaller roads, not knowing what will come up.

A few recommendations....

Buy a good road atlas - one with large pages, that show maps with a great amount of detail. You will often want to get off the main road, and a detailed road map is a must. The larger maps will also be more likely to highlight local interest points, or those dashed scenic roads. The nicer atlases will also have more detailed maps of the larger towns, which can be helpful. Road atlases with spiral binding will tend to last longer.
When driving through a city or town, take the business route whenever possible. These will have more traffic lights, and it will take you longer, but they tend to take you through the older parts of towns, which tend to have neater signs and motels.
Schedule lots of days for driving on the smaller roads. If I wanted to, I could drive from DC to Wisconsin in one day (about 14 hours) by using the Interstate. My favorite trip, though, was the one where I took 4 days to reach the same destination, taking side roads all the time.
allow for last minute changes of directions. It is OK to roughly plan a general route, but be open for taking new routes and smaller roads when inspiration hits you.
Try to be driving right before sunset. The low angle of the sun makes everything look more interesting ... best of all is when the sun is starting to set, and you see the neon lights of a motel coming up ahead.
Take lots of pictures. If you pass something that looks really interesting, turn around so you can take a picture of it. I have many photobooks filled with pictures of neon signs, dilapitated mini golf courses, odd sights, and whatever else caught my whimsey. I can't recall any instance where I have regretted doing this.

I might have some good recommendations for you Johnny .. I've driven the stretch from DC to the midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota) many times.

Vern

Post #90526 by ikitnrev on Mon, May 10, 2004 7:15 PM