You would love the Blue Ridge, its all fiddlin and folk art through the original lands of mountain music....a great ride if youre ever over this way...
Hiways 1 and 101 in California. North of San Francisco, through the Redwoods of northern California it's 101, then down through San Francisco and over along the the rugged California coast and the hidden beaches, surf and sand -- it's Hiway 1, the Cabrillo Hiway. Been too long since I've seen it. Thanks for reminding me.
Used to head home to Indiana via I-65 (once I got into the state), to get there. That meant going around Chicago (toll-way) from Wisconsin, and then *over the top* of Indiana on I-80 East (20 some miles of the nastiest freeway on the planet!) :(
My dad told me of another route that would eliminate Chicago, the hate filled I-80, and the toll-way entirely.
I balked at first. I refused. It was *state roads*, and you couldn't cruise at real speeds.
No way would you catch me taking a road like that, when free-way was available.
I wanted to make good time -- with the emphasis on *time*
Then one trip down there, I saw (posted on an electronic sign on the I-294 toll-way ---
(as I got out of Wisconsin), that the east-west tollway was backed up 17 miles due to an accident.
17 miles of *stop and go* did NOT appeal to me -- so I decided to try Dad's route.
I took off on the road less traveled, certain that I would be spending many extra hours behind the wheel,
but that was preferable to sitting in traffic not going anywhere.
Surprisingly -- I made good time. Surprisingly -- it was about the same mileage wise.
Surprisingly -- I got to see some small towns and the life that went on there.
Pretty countryside, garage sales, folks hanging out on their front porches,
a slice of life in mid America that you don't get from the freeway perspective.
I found myself relaxing the more I drove. No hassles, worries seemed to disappear,
folks actually wave at you as you go by, that sort of thing.
Now --- I am still interested in making good time, but the emphasis is on *good*!
That's funny, the first thing I thought of when I started pondering scenic routes was Hwy 1.
It's not for the faint of heart, though. There are sections of it where you're hard-pressed to do much more than 20 mph for the curves and loops. But you can't get closer to the coast without getting wet. A beautiful drive.
If you ever get up Washington way, the North Cascades Highway is pretty hard to beat for mountains, lakes (all tourquoise green from the copper in the area) and rivers. It wasn't even completed until the 1970s. The terrain was so rough that it took modern earth-moving equipment to finish it.
Mstar, thanks for posting this. I have traveled through about 35 states but have not traveld up the northeastern coast. I definitely will use your routes. I have lived off of 95 for three years now and there is no joy of driving it, why take away from your trip when you can add to it,makes sence to me...did you save any time in your trip?
Highway 127 through Kentucky, Tennessee and into Georgia is the longest Flea Market, Yard Sale drive in the world. You can not only see alot of native culture, but its even for sale at bargain prices.
I'll secong the Blue Ridge Pkwy & Natchez Trace as favorites, along with the Cabrillo ( a bracing chilhood favorite). I'll add the Kakamangus Hwy. in New Hampshire, along with that amazing highway north in NH past the Conneticuit Lakes to the Canadian border. Wow.
littlehawk- I have heard of that info. I would love to do they trip...I collect copper items for use in the kitchen and house..bet I can find some cool things..can you imagine, I found a copper coal bucket e/porcelin handles for 2 dollars...
In July I drove to San Diego and back from Fort Worth with my daughter. I did the trip in 8 days. Sounds crazy, but we had a great time, even if it was 1400 miles each way in my little Ford Focus. (Thank God for cruise control and A/C!) I had always wanted to see Carlsbad Caverns and I found it would only add about 50 miles to my trip. I took a right off of I-10 (speed limit 80!) at Pecos, TX and made our way to the caverns. To my surprise, the caverns are at the top of a mountain! The caves are really cool - literally! All those stalactites and stalagmites I learned about in high school. And lots of other bizarre rock formations. The walk in the caverns is something like a mile long! You can go down by elevator.
That evening we camped about 50 miles south of Carlsbad. At something like 5000 feet, it was nice and cool, even in July. I hooked back up to the interstate in El Paso. The rest of the drive was enjoyable, even if it was all Interstate. I love the desert. I didn't know there are so many mountain passes between Texas and California. On one of the mountain ridges on I-8 in California there is a huge array of those giant three-bladed windmills. It was surreal.
On the return trip, I took a two-lane road heading east out of Las Cruces, NM, though Cloudcroft, a town I had previously never heard of. I want to retire there! It's at about 8,000 feet. It was sooo beautiful there. It looked a lot like Colorado. Continuing east and descending, the road gradually straightened out back to the desert.
I love to look at a road atlas and dream of trips I'd take around the country.
Wow good -this thread is starting to go somewhere, i didnt know if it would take hold or not.....Thanks everyone...I know that feeling of wanting to retire somplace you just got to,,heck this trip I wanted to move now to a bunch of places in the old south that were gems
why take away from your trip when you can add to it,makes sence to me...did you save any time in your trip?
I scheduled the trip loosely so that I wasnt in a huge rush, then all the work went better than anticipated so that saved me time. The driving time probably took a little bit extra but was well worth it.
I used to find the quickest way from point A to point B, drive like a maniac and eat the crappy highway food along the way which always took me a few days to recover from, Im learning that taking my time through good roads, getting out and walking every once in awhile in a good place, and eating in the better local restaurants although it takes longer actually saves me time because i feel great at the end and dont need any recovery time.
I'd like to find ways into Atlanta or Washington that would work, those people that drive the main roads there are out of their minds! (as are a lot of bigger city places)
While living in Ft Worth, a friend and I decided to play hooky for a couple of days and headed to the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City. Even though East Texas in April is beautiful (even from the interstate) we decided to get off the main drag and take some back roads to see what we could find.
We had a blast! We stopped at about every small town square we could find and had a ball wandering in and out of the small shops. One place we found sold baby dolls. Not your typical crying bedwetters, but life size ones that looked and felt so real you felt you were holding a real child. They also sold larger ones that were just as amazing. One of them was set up on a park bench in the center of the store, and you had to look twice to see that it wasn't a real child. The owner of the store told us that townspeople would come sit on the bench and talk to the "child". They had taken it away once for cleaning, and people were actually upset it was gone. It was an amazing place.
We stumbled across another small town that was an artists colony. The shops were in little houses grouped in a square. Pottery, paintings, quilts, metal works-all original. Could have spent a fortune. We walked into one shop and realized no one was there. Instead, there was a sign propped up next to the cash register that informed us to find what we wanted and just leave our money on the table! As credit managers who were responsible for collections and cash controls, we laughed until we cried over that one.
It was a wonderful trip, and we never would have found any of it if we hadn't gotten off the freeway. I highly recommend doing that as much as possible.
Great thread, mstar! Years ago there was a book out about traveling the US without going on the freeways. I can't remember the name of it though.
Maybe it's because my first cross-country trips with my mom and dad happened in the early 50s, before there were interstates, but I have a real fondness for taking what I call the "regular roads". There's so much to see and hear and smell that way. In fact, I add about 10 minutes each way to my daily commute because, to me, the 10 minutes I might save on the interstate (barring wrecks and tie-ups) isn't worth the aggravation.
I enjoy my drive to work. And even though the route is through the city, and therefore not filled with views of rivers and mountains and trees, I see things you'd never see on the highway. People doing funny things (a guy losing his pants in the middle of a crosswalk), people doing kind things, dogs watching traffic lights to see when to cross, people walking their dogs before work--just everyday stuff, but much more engaging than hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life and watching the concrete fly by. And I'm in love with the architecture in the old neighborhoods I travel through. I never tire of looking at some of these houses.
I also share Kit's love for California's coastal route. I remember so fondly stopping in the redwood forest at Big Sur and just sitting there, smelling LIFE all around us. I can almost still smell it. It was amazing. And watching the ocean perched on some cliffs just above the beach. Beautiful part of the state, for sure. I don't know how it is now, but there were surely no billboards or any signs of commercialism back then.
I don't know if you want to hear about Ohio routes, but when I lived at twi's HQ, I often came to Cleveland to visit my folks on weekends, I took I-75 only a little past Lima and then took state routes (Ohio Rte 12, Rte 20, etc.) the rest of the way. There were some excellent thrift/antique stores along the way, lots of fun garage sales, and plenty of those roadside food stands.
When I go up to the Lake Erie Islands (across from Port Clinton and Sandusky, Ohio), I take the highway going there because I'm so eager to get out in the middle of the lake and feel the breeze and decompress. But coming back I take the less traveled roads and sometimes just sorta "follow my nose" through the small towns. I almost always drive out to the Marblehead lighthouse and sit on the rocks and watch the waves crash to shore, then I like to drive through Milan, Thomas Edison's birthplace, which has a neat little town square, a great antique shop, and cozy little home-cookin' type restaurants.
My dream vacation, someday when I have the time, is to just get in the car and start driving wherever my whim takes me, without ever getting onto an interstate. So mstaar, you've started a thread after my own heart!
This is getting good, I feel a vacation coming on! maybe I should expand this to cover B&B's and towns not to miss......
My dream vacation, someday when I have the time, is to just get in the car and start driving wherever my whim takes me, without ever getting onto an interstate
I couldnt agree more.....
Foliage season is coming on, which I live in the heart of, Route 7 north from Connecticut along the Housatonic River runs through western New England, through all the very quaint New England Towns.
I will probably take route 100 up through Vermont which winds through the Green Mountains, past all those covered bridge type Vermont scenes this fall, and cut over to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to the Kangamagus that Evan mentioned...there is nothing on earth quite like New England during foliage time....and I am pretty sure this will be an incredible year for it because of the very heavy spring rains.... HERE is a flash presentation of projected peak dates for Vermont.(plan now for October kids!)
Also--if for some reason you ever have to head west out of Boston -The Mohawk Trail (route 2 -out of Concord) is lightyears above I-90 (The Mass Pike) and one of my favorite local drives..
Mstar- my daughter Lives in Nashua,New Hamoshire. I was in Boston back in May for her oceans front wedding. I will forward this info about foilage, they are always on the go out checking the scenery..great topic...I agree the foilage on the Blue Ridge would be absolutely breathtaking. So Im sure you drove the neck of the Shenandoah Valley around Harrisonburg,Va. I lived 2 hrs from there.
I agree with Kit and Linda - although they mentioned more roads than I will. I love Highway 1 in California. There's just something about lush green fields with fat, happy cows on one side, and the ocean on the other side, for hours and hours, that is incredibly right.
In Montana, the Seely --Swan Highway beween Helena and Kalispell--lakes, forest. Highway 93 beween Kalispell and Missoula--Flathead Lake and the Mission Mtns. Highway 93 near Bozeman MT, Crazy Mtn and the Beartooths, Also Pipestone Pass, same highway. Pintler Scenic route, Whitehall/Butte MT. The drive from Kaslispell To Glacier National Park, and Going to the Sun Highway.
I've been riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway for almost 50 years now and it doesn't get much better than that. Just the fact that there's not a McDonald's or a Wal-Mart anywhere in sight is a huge plus.
There's another road in the mountains of western North Carolina that's not as well-known but it's almost the equal of the Parkway - Highway 64 from Franklin to Highlands. Beautiful scenery and not as crowded, plus there are three beautiful waterfalls along the way. The road follows the Cullasaja River Gorge and it's not really on the way to anywhere else, but it's a really nice drive.
If you want somewhere to stay in the area, it's hard to beat this place:
Just north of the DC Beltway one can pick up River Road, on the Maryland side, which winds along the Potomac River until it dead ends after about an hour and a halfs drive north. A beautiful and scenic drive, with a pass through the opulent but quaint town of Potomac, MD. Very close to the town of Potomac, there is a place on the river known as Great Falls, where there are some very awesome water falls. Not a Niagara, but very very impressive just the same. Heading north, there are number of "locks" that you can stop at which are historical sites of the locks that helped in the navigation of the C and O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal. The River is beautiful, as is the canal. One can hike for miles and miles and along the "tow path", and you can also camp along the way. But since this is a "drive", you can head north and stop at Swain's Lock, rent canoes and paddle the canal, or, you can stop at Violet's Lock where there is nothing official but the view, or, you can stop at Seneca Creek a little further north where there is a little shop there at Seneca Lock. Seneca Creek flows in to the Potomac there.
Heading north, there is also a nice stop where the Monocacy River flows into the Potomac. The road that you turn off onto is called "Monocacy Aqueduct" because there is an aqueduct where the C and O Canal once crossed over the Monocacy. It is no longer functioning because the need is gone now, but it's construction is way cool. And, toward the end of River Road, there is the McKee Bashur Wildlife Refuge, home to many water fowl as well as quail. Just after the Wild Life Refuge, just before River road turns to gravel and eventually dead ends, there is a right turn on "Willard Road" which heads on up into the little town of Poolesville, MD. And let me tell you, Willard Road is the greatest little "dip road" that I know of. The reason it is so great for riding the dips is because it is straight, the "dips" are short but sharp little rises, and you can see if another car is coming, and when one isn't, you can mash the pedal down and just go a flyin! We used to drive out there from high school smokin dope and drinkin beer and have the best of times! None of the kids in my highschool class ever got hurt on it.
And, when you get to Poolesville, you can follow the signs that will get you onto Highway 270, an interstate that takes you to the Pennsylvania line and then onto Interstate 70 which will take you all the way to Vail Pass Colorado, should you be headin that way. Or, you could head just a little north of Poolesville, and pick up Route 28 and head west past Sugar Loaf Mountain, and then on up to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. A gorgeous drive along the upper Potomac River. Fabulous small mouthed bass fishing along that way, and up around Harper's Ferry, the beautiful Shenandoah River flows into the Potomac. You could even stop in Burkittsville, the town where the movie The Blair Witch Project was filmed. If you did these drives in the Fall, obviously the beauty is enhanced by the splendor of Autumn colors... :)
And, thanks for stirring up the memories!
"Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you, away, you rollin river.." Shoot. Brings tears to my eyes. I think I just got home sick.. :(
Linda Z----------Put-In-Bay has always been one of my spots along with the lighthouse at Marblehead. I no longer remember the route number of the road where we had our weekly branch meetings but I'm pretty sure it was called Center Ridge Rd. Mason's Hall on Sunday nights.We sure had some sweet fellowship meetings in those days. Brookpark Road is one of the most tedious, boring roads you could possibly drive but I still remember the anticipation we felt as we made our way to those meetings. "What a Fellow's Hip!"
while your in DC area you can meander south, down to Chicotoque,Va.Home of a wild horse refuge.(2hrs I would say).this is a sanctuary where wild horses and ponys are brought to be thier own habitat. Once a year they have a release. THe horses are driven by some cool cowboys( smile) across the river into Asoteaque,MD. where they actualy give them away for almost free to anyone who wants them....Virginia is known for ranching...I have heard people even pick up ponies and put them in station wagons and suburbans...I was up there for 2 years and never made it out there....
Did you know, Nags head Beach is known to be an area where wild horses meander naturaly in thier own habitat(North Carolina)...You can see them from the beach,usualy hanging around high up on the sand hills...there is a website for this area.
Waysider, yep, it was Center Ridge Rd., and it's Ohio Rte. 20. It's a pretty cool road through the farmlands.
Yes, there sure was a lot of enthusiasm and a huge sense of family back at those branch meetings. I looked forward to them, too. Remember how long we all stuck around afterwards? No one ever wanted to leave. That was long before teaching topics became mandatory and the iron grip of legalism had choked the life out of everything. I do remember those days fondly.
Do you remember taking any classes in that little church down the street from there? I took TIP there, but that was the only time I was ever in that place that I can recall.
Back to the topic of roads:
MStar, Waysider has mentioned one road you want to put on your "never ever ever go there" list: Brookpark Road. It is the ugliest road I know, cluttered with fast-food restaurants, ugly signage, light industry, car dealerships, an automotive plant, gas stations, strip joints, porn stores, cheesy hotels--you name it. I've never seen a worse looking street in all my travels around the USA and Canada!
Likeaneagle, I've heard about that place with the wild horses. That must be something to see.
If you stuck to the interstates, you'd never see anything as cool as this:
Forgive the smudges. This photo's 36+ years old, and brings back memories of traveling from Los Angeles to Cleveland in an old VW bug: 3 adults, one baby (mine), and a huge German shepherd! When we stopped for food and gas, we looked like we were crawling out of one of those clown cars.
Recommended Posts
dmiller
Ahhhhhh yes! If you have the time -- ALWAYS take the road less traveled. ;)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mstar1
...It does make all the difference.....
I'll make the time....
You would love the Blue Ridge, its all fiddlin and folk art through the original lands of mountain music....a great ride if youre ever over this way...
whats out your way?....
Edited by mstar1Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kit Sober
Hiways 1 and 101 in California. North of San Francisco, through the Redwoods of northern California it's 101, then down through San Francisco and over along the the rugged California coast and the hidden beaches, surf and sand -- it's Hiway 1, the Cabrillo Hiway. Been too long since I've seen it. Thanks for reminding me.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dmiller
Used to head home to Indiana via I-65 (once I got into the state), to get there. That meant going around Chicago (toll-way) from Wisconsin, and then *over the top* of Indiana on I-80 East (20 some miles of the nastiest freeway on the planet!) :(
My dad told me of another route that would eliminate Chicago, the hate filled I-80, and the toll-way entirely.
I balked at first. I refused. It was *state roads*, and you couldn't cruise at real speeds.
No way would you catch me taking a road like that, when free-way was available.
I wanted to make good time -- with the emphasis on *time*
Then one trip down there, I saw (posted on an electronic sign on the I-294 toll-way ---
(as I got out of Wisconsin), that the east-west tollway was backed up 17 miles due to an accident.
17 miles of *stop and go* did NOT appeal to me -- so I decided to try Dad's route.
I took off on the road less traveled, certain that I would be spending many extra hours behind the wheel,
but that was preferable to sitting in traffic not going anywhere.
Surprisingly -- I made good time. Surprisingly -- it was about the same mileage wise.
Surprisingly -- I got to see some small towns and the life that went on there.
Pretty countryside, garage sales, folks hanging out on their front porches,
a slice of life in mid America that you don't get from the freeway perspective.
I found myself relaxing the more I drove. No hassles, worries seemed to disappear,
folks actually wave at you as you go by, that sort of thing.
Now --- I am still interested in making good time, but the emphasis is on *good*!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
George Aar
Kit,
That's funny, the first thing I thought of when I started pondering scenic routes was Hwy 1.
It's not for the faint of heart, though. There are sections of it where you're hard-pressed to do much more than 20 mph for the curves and loops. But you can't get closer to the coast without getting wet. A beautiful drive.
If you ever get up Washington way, the North Cascades Highway is pretty hard to beat for mountains, lakes (all tourquoise green from the copper in the area) and rivers. It wasn't even completed until the 1970s. The terrain was so rough that it took modern earth-moving equipment to finish it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dmiller
THE GREAT RIVER ROAD is one of the prettiest highways I have ever been on. The southern Minney-soda part of it is especially spectacular.
Edited by dmillerLink to comment
Share on other sites
likeaneagle
Mstar, thanks for posting this. I have traveled through about 35 states but have not traveld up the northeastern coast. I definitely will use your routes. I have lived off of 95 for three years now and there is no joy of driving it, why take away from your trip when you can add to it,makes sence to me...did you save any time in your trip?
Edited by likeaneagleLink to comment
Share on other sites
Littlehawk
Highway 127 through Kentucky, Tennessee and into Georgia is the longest Flea Market, Yard Sale drive in the world. You can not only see alot of native culture, but its even for sale at bargain prices.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TheEvan
I'll secong the Blue Ridge Pkwy & Natchez Trace as favorites, along with the Cabrillo ( a bracing chilhood favorite). I'll add the Kakamangus Hwy. in New Hampshire, along with that amazing highway north in NH past the Conneticuit Lakes to the Canadian border. Wow.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
likeaneagle
littlehawk- I have heard of that info. I would love to do they trip...I collect copper items for use in the kitchen and house..bet I can find some cool things..can you imagine, I found a copper coal bucket e/porcelin handles for 2 dollars...
Link to comment
Share on other sites
outintexas
In July I drove to San Diego and back from Fort Worth with my daughter. I did the trip in 8 days. Sounds crazy, but we had a great time, even if it was 1400 miles each way in my little Ford Focus. (Thank God for cruise control and A/C!) I had always wanted to see Carlsbad Caverns and I found it would only add about 50 miles to my trip. I took a right off of I-10 (speed limit 80!) at Pecos, TX and made our way to the caverns. To my surprise, the caverns are at the top of a mountain! The caves are really cool - literally! All those stalactites and stalagmites I learned about in high school. And lots of other bizarre rock formations. The walk in the caverns is something like a mile long! You can go down by elevator.
That evening we camped about 50 miles south of Carlsbad. At something like 5000 feet, it was nice and cool, even in July. I hooked back up to the interstate in El Paso. The rest of the drive was enjoyable, even if it was all Interstate. I love the desert. I didn't know there are so many mountain passes between Texas and California. On one of the mountain ridges on I-8 in California there is a huge array of those giant three-bladed windmills. It was surreal.
On the return trip, I took a two-lane road heading east out of Las Cruces, NM, though Cloudcroft, a town I had previously never heard of. I want to retire there! It's at about 8,000 feet. It was sooo beautiful there. It looked a lot like Colorado. Continuing east and descending, the road gradually straightened out back to the desert.
I love to look at a road atlas and dream of trips I'd take around the country.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mstar1
Wow good -this thread is starting to go somewhere, i didnt know if it would take hold or not.....Thanks everyone...I know that feeling of wanting to retire somplace you just got to,,heck this trip I wanted to move now to a bunch of places in the old south that were gems
I scheduled the trip loosely so that I wasnt in a huge rush, then all the work went better than anticipated so that saved me time. The driving time probably took a little bit extra but was well worth it.
I used to find the quickest way from point A to point B, drive like a maniac and eat the crappy highway food along the way which always took me a few days to recover from, Im learning that taking my time through good roads, getting out and walking every once in awhile in a good place, and eating in the better local restaurants although it takes longer actually saves me time because i feel great at the end and dont need any recovery time.
I'd like to find ways into Atlanta or Washington that would work, those people that drive the main roads there are out of their minds! (as are a lot of bigger city places)
Edited by mstar1Link to comment
Share on other sites
topoftheworld
While living in Ft Worth, a friend and I decided to play hooky for a couple of days and headed to the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City. Even though East Texas in April is beautiful (even from the interstate) we decided to get off the main drag and take some back roads to see what we could find.
We had a blast! We stopped at about every small town square we could find and had a ball wandering in and out of the small shops. One place we found sold baby dolls. Not your typical crying bedwetters, but life size ones that looked and felt so real you felt you were holding a real child. They also sold larger ones that were just as amazing. One of them was set up on a park bench in the center of the store, and you had to look twice to see that it wasn't a real child. The owner of the store told us that townspeople would come sit on the bench and talk to the "child". They had taken it away once for cleaning, and people were actually upset it was gone. It was an amazing place.
We stumbled across another small town that was an artists colony. The shops were in little houses grouped in a square. Pottery, paintings, quilts, metal works-all original. Could have spent a fortune. We walked into one shop and realized no one was there. Instead, there was a sign propped up next to the cash register that informed us to find what we wanted and just leave our money on the table! As credit managers who were responsible for collections and cash controls, we laughed until we cried over that one.
It was a wonderful trip, and we never would have found any of it if we hadn't gotten off the freeway. I highly recommend doing that as much as possible.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Linda Z
Great thread, mstar! Years ago there was a book out about traveling the US without going on the freeways. I can't remember the name of it though.
Maybe it's because my first cross-country trips with my mom and dad happened in the early 50s, before there were interstates, but I have a real fondness for taking what I call the "regular roads". There's so much to see and hear and smell that way. In fact, I add about 10 minutes each way to my daily commute because, to me, the 10 minutes I might save on the interstate (barring wrecks and tie-ups) isn't worth the aggravation.
I enjoy my drive to work. And even though the route is through the city, and therefore not filled with views of rivers and mountains and trees, I see things you'd never see on the highway. People doing funny things (a guy losing his pants in the middle of a crosswalk), people doing kind things, dogs watching traffic lights to see when to cross, people walking their dogs before work--just everyday stuff, but much more engaging than hanging onto the steering wheel for dear life and watching the concrete fly by. And I'm in love with the architecture in the old neighborhoods I travel through. I never tire of looking at some of these houses.
I also share Kit's love for California's coastal route. I remember so fondly stopping in the redwood forest at Big Sur and just sitting there, smelling LIFE all around us. I can almost still smell it. It was amazing. And watching the ocean perched on some cliffs just above the beach. Beautiful part of the state, for sure. I don't know how it is now, but there were surely no billboards or any signs of commercialism back then.
I don't know if you want to hear about Ohio routes, but when I lived at twi's HQ, I often came to Cleveland to visit my folks on weekends, I took I-75 only a little past Lima and then took state routes (Ohio Rte 12, Rte 20, etc.) the rest of the way. There were some excellent thrift/antique stores along the way, lots of fun garage sales, and plenty of those roadside food stands.
When I go up to the Lake Erie Islands (across from Port Clinton and Sandusky, Ohio), I take the highway going there because I'm so eager to get out in the middle of the lake and feel the breeze and decompress. But coming back I take the less traveled roads and sometimes just sorta "follow my nose" through the small towns. I almost always drive out to the Marblehead lighthouse and sit on the rocks and watch the waves crash to shore, then I like to drive through Milan, Thomas Edison's birthplace, which has a neat little town square, a great antique shop, and cozy little home-cookin' type restaurants.
My dream vacation, someday when I have the time, is to just get in the car and start driving wherever my whim takes me, without ever getting onto an interstate. So mstaar, you've started a thread after my own heart!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mstar1
This is getting good, I feel a vacation coming on! maybe I should expand this to cover B&B's and towns not to miss......
I couldnt agree more.....
Foliage season is coming on, which I live in the heart of, Route 7 north from Connecticut along the Housatonic River runs through western New England, through all the very quaint New England Towns.
I will probably take route 100 up through Vermont which winds through the Green Mountains, past all those covered bridge type Vermont scenes this fall, and cut over to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to the Kangamagus that Evan mentioned...there is nothing on earth quite like New England during foliage time....and I am pretty sure this will be an incredible year for it because of the very heavy spring rains.... HERE is a flash presentation of projected peak dates for Vermont.(plan now for October kids!)
Also--if for some reason you ever have to head west out of Boston -The Mohawk Trail (route 2 -out of Concord) is lightyears above I-90 (The Mass Pike) and one of my favorite local drives..
Keep em coming--- Im making note of all these
Edited by mstar1Link to comment
Share on other sites
likeaneagle
Mstar- my daughter Lives in Nashua,New Hamoshire. I was in Boston back in May for her oceans front wedding. I will forward this info about foilage, they are always on the go out checking the scenery..great topic...I agree the foilage on the Blue Ridge would be absolutely breathtaking. So Im sure you drove the neck of the Shenandoah Valley around Harrisonburg,Va. I lived 2 hrs from there.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
notinKansasanymore
I agree with Kit and Linda - although they mentioned more roads than I will. I love Highway 1 in California. There's just something about lush green fields with fat, happy cows on one side, and the ocean on the other side, for hours and hours, that is incredibly right.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bramble
In Montana, the Seely --Swan Highway beween Helena and Kalispell--lakes, forest. Highway 93 beween Kalispell and Missoula--Flathead Lake and the Mission Mtns. Highway 93 near Bozeman MT, Crazy Mtn and the Beartooths, Also Pipestone Pass, same highway. Pintler Scenic route, Whitehall/Butte MT. The drive from Kaslispell To Glacier National Park, and Going to the Sun Highway.
Kit's fav, highway 101 is gorgeous.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pirate1974
I've been riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway for almost 50 years now and it doesn't get much better than that. Just the fact that there's not a McDonald's or a Wal-Mart anywhere in sight is a huge plus.
There's another road in the mountains of western North Carolina that's not as well-known but it's almost the equal of the Parkway - Highway 64 from Franklin to Highlands. Beautiful scenery and not as crowded, plus there are three beautiful waterfalls along the way. The road follows the Cullasaja River Gorge and it's not really on the way to anywhere else, but it's a really nice drive.
If you want somewhere to stay in the area, it's hard to beat this place:
Pisgah Inn
Link to comment
Share on other sites
J0nny Ling0
Just north of the DC Beltway one can pick up River Road, on the Maryland side, which winds along the Potomac River until it dead ends after about an hour and a halfs drive north. A beautiful and scenic drive, with a pass through the opulent but quaint town of Potomac, MD. Very close to the town of Potomac, there is a place on the river known as Great Falls, where there are some very awesome water falls. Not a Niagara, but very very impressive just the same. Heading north, there are number of "locks" that you can stop at which are historical sites of the locks that helped in the navigation of the C and O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal. The River is beautiful, as is the canal. One can hike for miles and miles and along the "tow path", and you can also camp along the way. But since this is a "drive", you can head north and stop at Swain's Lock, rent canoes and paddle the canal, or, you can stop at Violet's Lock where there is nothing official but the view, or, you can stop at Seneca Creek a little further north where there is a little shop there at Seneca Lock. Seneca Creek flows in to the Potomac there.
Heading north, there is also a nice stop where the Monocacy River flows into the Potomac. The road that you turn off onto is called "Monocacy Aqueduct" because there is an aqueduct where the C and O Canal once crossed over the Monocacy. It is no longer functioning because the need is gone now, but it's construction is way cool. And, toward the end of River Road, there is the McKee Bashur Wildlife Refuge, home to many water fowl as well as quail. Just after the Wild Life Refuge, just before River road turns to gravel and eventually dead ends, there is a right turn on "Willard Road" which heads on up into the little town of Poolesville, MD. And let me tell you, Willard Road is the greatest little "dip road" that I know of. The reason it is so great for riding the dips is because it is straight, the "dips" are short but sharp little rises, and you can see if another car is coming, and when one isn't, you can mash the pedal down and just go a flyin! We used to drive out there from high school smokin dope and drinkin beer and have the best of times! None of the kids in my highschool class ever got hurt on it.
And, when you get to Poolesville, you can follow the signs that will get you onto Highway 270, an interstate that takes you to the Pennsylvania line and then onto Interstate 70 which will take you all the way to Vail Pass Colorado, should you be headin that way. Or, you could head just a little north of Poolesville, and pick up Route 28 and head west past Sugar Loaf Mountain, and then on up to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. A gorgeous drive along the upper Potomac River. Fabulous small mouthed bass fishing along that way, and up around Harper's Ferry, the beautiful Shenandoah River flows into the Potomac. You could even stop in Burkittsville, the town where the movie The Blair Witch Project was filmed. If you did these drives in the Fall, obviously the beauty is enhanced by the splendor of Autumn colors... :)
And, thanks for stirring up the memories!
"Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you, away, you rollin river.." Shoot. Brings tears to my eyes. I think I just got home sick.. :(
Edited by Jonny LingoLink to comment
Share on other sites
waysider
Linda Z----------Put-In-Bay has always been one of my spots along with the lighthouse at Marblehead. I no longer remember the route number of the road where we had our weekly branch meetings but I'm pretty sure it was called Center Ridge Rd. Mason's Hall on Sunday nights.We sure had some sweet fellowship meetings in those days. Brookpark Road is one of the most tedious, boring roads you could possibly drive but I still remember the anticipation we felt as we made our way to those meetings. "What a Fellow's Hip!"
Link to comment
Share on other sites
likeaneagle
while your in DC area you can meander south, down to Chicotoque,Va.Home of a wild horse refuge.(2hrs I would say).this is a sanctuary where wild horses and ponys are brought to be thier own habitat. Once a year they have a release. THe horses are driven by some cool cowboys( smile) across the river into Asoteaque,MD. where they actualy give them away for almost free to anyone who wants them....Virginia is known for ranching...I have heard people even pick up ponies and put them in station wagons and suburbans...I was up there for 2 years and never made it out there....
Did you know, Nags head Beach is known to be an area where wild horses meander naturaly in thier own habitat(North Carolina)...You can see them from the beach,usualy hanging around high up on the sand hills...there is a website for this area.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Linda Z
Waysider, yep, it was Center Ridge Rd., and it's Ohio Rte. 20. It's a pretty cool road through the farmlands.
Yes, there sure was a lot of enthusiasm and a huge sense of family back at those branch meetings. I looked forward to them, too. Remember how long we all stuck around afterwards? No one ever wanted to leave. That was long before teaching topics became mandatory and the iron grip of legalism had choked the life out of everything. I do remember those days fondly.
Do you remember taking any classes in that little church down the street from there? I took TIP there, but that was the only time I was ever in that place that I can recall.
Back to the topic of roads:
MStar, Waysider has mentioned one road you want to put on your "never ever ever go there" list: Brookpark Road. It is the ugliest road I know, cluttered with fast-food restaurants, ugly signage, light industry, car dealerships, an automotive plant, gas stations, strip joints, porn stores, cheesy hotels--you name it. I've never seen a worse looking street in all my travels around the USA and Canada!
Likeaneagle, I've heard about that place with the wild horses. That must be something to see.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Linda Z
If you stuck to the interstates, you'd never see anything as cool as this:
Forgive the smudges. This photo's 36+ years old, and brings back memories of traveling from Los Angeles to Cleveland in an old VW bug: 3 adults, one baby (mine), and a huge German shepherd! When we stopped for food and gas, we looked like we were crawling out of one of those clown cars.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.