Trans-America Road trip
I've done a lot of overnight travel for work, but it was always on a tight schedule with no time left to stop and smell the roses. Places I mostly covered were: MI, OH, IN, KY, SC, TN, MS, AL and Mexico.
I always wanted to travel across America. Just me and my GPS, with no planning, no hotel reservations, to drive, to stop for food and sleep when and where I feel like, to see new places, visit old friends and meet new ones. I'm thinking that if I delay it any longer, it might not happen. For obvious reasons.
Here's a rough plan and I reserve the right to change it at will. I think the best time to do it is in spring. From Toronto down the East Coast through MA, NY, NJ, PA, VA, GA to FL, west through LA, TX, AZ to CA up the West Coast, then north-east to NV, CO, UT, MO, IL, MI and back to Canada. Total distance: 8,500 miles. Total driving time: 140 hrs. Driving no more than 5-6 hrs a day and leaving lots of time to rest and sight-see, it should take me about 2 months. I drive a fairly new and fast 2-seater with minimum trunk space. I will pack light. Of course I will write. Maybe I'll pick up handsome hitchhikers and get in trouble with the law to make my posts more interesting. Move over "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Thelma & Louise" 
Anyone besides me thinks that's a good idea? Today a dear friend wished me a Happy National Mental Health Day, so I would like an honest opinion.
P.S. I just estimated the cost of gas, tolls, lodging and food. It ain't cheap. Then there's also cost avoidance of me not sitting at home all day ordering crap off eBay.
P.P.S. Map updated to include Boston, MA (thanks Eileen) and St. Louis, MO (thanks Susan).
Comments
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Fantastic idea.... Why
Fantastic idea.... Why aren't you coming to new england area... No new Hampshire or Maine????
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It sounds great, but
maybe you will consider tweaking your itinerary just a bit....
When you leave Kansas City on your way to Chicago, could you stop off in St Louis for a night or 2? St Louis is 3 1/2 hours from KC and 5 hours from Chicago.
I will feed you and do your laundry!
I would love to meet you in person!
Susan
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Absolutely, do itscatsm said:It sounds great, but
maybe you will consider tweaking your itinerary just a bit....
When you leave Kansas City on your way to Chicago, could you stop off in St Louis for a night or 2? St Louis is 3 1/2 hours from KC and 5 hours from Chicago.
I will feed you and do your laundry!
I would love to meet you in person!
Susan
Don't even think twice. Will you take us with you vicariously via your computer? Please?
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I really, reallyConnieSW said:Absolutely, do it
Don't even think twice. Will you take us with you vicariously via your computer? Please?
Really, really think you should do it. What do you care about somebody else's negative opinion?
My friends thought I was nuts to go on a bobsled ride with my grandson. Now I'm looking for a zip line to do. Hang gliding sounds good too.
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Go for it!
Like many others, I want you to change your itinerary and come my way!
And don't take this as a negative comment. It's just a question. Aren't you still working? I suppose that is a silly question. Why would you let work stand in the way of a great dream adventure.
I'm jealous of your courage!
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Road Trip
Hi Alexandra,
I say go for it !!!
Life is meant to be lived fully. For so many it's very hard to do. Work, family etc. gets in the way.
I have found that since my dx I have done so much more than I ever could have dreamed I would do. From facing my fear of heights (parasailing over the gulf) to taking the grandkids on a week long trip to Disneyland, just me and them. The past six months I have travelled across country to FL every month by myself. Planned and accomplished a beautiful over the top wedding for my daughter. I could go on and on. For me I try to live with no regrets. Just do it. I am bigger than my fears..
BTW I did a road trip a few years back with my daughter from Calif. to Texas. Just drove and arranged our hotel for the night as we got close to being tired. One of us would drive and the other would call ahead to the next big town to book a room. It worked out really great.
When you do this great adventure, you must let me know when you are near San Francisco. I would love to meet up with you and have some fun!
Go, Live, Love Life.
Biggest hugs,
Lisha
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Nope, not workingwholfmeister said:Go for it!
Like many others, I want you to change your itinerary and come my way!
And don't take this as a negative comment. It's just a question. Aren't you still working? I suppose that is a silly question. Why would you let work stand in the way of a great dream adventure.
I'm jealous of your courage!
Once I found out about cancer recurrence in September I stopped working and went back on long-term disability. Since then my company has announced closure of their plant in Canada, where my office was. So now even if I got cured by some miracle, there's no place for me to go back to.
I had CT scan this Tuesday, will be hearing results next Tuesday and I'm pretty sure that my spot in the trial is gone and I'll be sent home with best wishes and a large supply of painkillers.
And certainly a detour can be arranged into Ohio. Merrily, you're on I-77, 70 miles south of Akron, right?
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Thanks Lisha!forme said:Road Trip
Hi Alexandra,
I say go for it !!!
Life is meant to be lived fully. For so many it's very hard to do. Work, family etc. gets in the way.
I have found that since my dx I have done so much more than I ever could have dreamed I would do. From facing my fear of heights (parasailing over the gulf) to taking the grandkids on a week long trip to Disneyland, just me and them. The past six months I have travelled across country to FL every month by myself. Planned and accomplished a beautiful over the top wedding for my daughter. I could go on and on. For me I try to live with no regrets. Just do it. I am bigger than my fears..
BTW I did a road trip a few years back with my daughter from Calif. to Texas. Just drove and arranged our hotel for the night as we got close to being tired. One of us would drive and the other would call ahead to the next big town to book a room. It worked out really great.
When you do this great adventure, you must let me know when you are near San Francisco. I would love to meet up with you and have some fun!
Go, Live, Love Life.
Biggest hugs,
Lisha
San Diego (been there), Los Angeles (been there twice) and San Francisco (never been) are all on my map. I would be very happy to meet with you.
2 years ago right before I got diagnosed I did a week long road trip alone Toronto to Washington, DC to New York / New Jersey and back to Toronto. It was awesome, but I won't drive now for 12 hrs non-stop like I did then. Many-many times I drove on business non-stop alone from Toronto to Louisville, KY, to Columbus, IN, to Sturgis, MI. I've driven up and down on I-75 between Toledo - Dayton - Cincinnati, OH so many times, they should have a billboard with my picture. Oh, the memories...
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Yes, do it, Alexandra!Alexandra said:Thanks Lisha!
San Diego (been there), Los Angeles (been there twice) and San Francisco (never been) are all on my map. I would be very happy to meet with you.
2 years ago right before I got diagnosed I did a week long road trip alone Toronto to Washington, DC to New York / New Jersey and back to Toronto. It was awesome, but I won't drive now for 12 hrs non-stop like I did then. Many-many times I drove on business non-stop alone from Toronto to Louisville, KY, to Columbus, IN, to Sturgis, MI. I've driven up and down on I-75 between Toledo - Dayton - Cincinnati, OH so many times, they should have a billboard with my picture. Oh, the memories...
I admire your confidence, sense of adventure and pure zest of life! Please keep us posted as you make your way through America the beautiful!
Kelly
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Trip
Sounds just your style! Go for it! Watch out for Louisiana{ one of my sons calls it "Lousyana"}, sorry ladies from Louisianna! I live just 20 miles inside Texas from Louisiana so I know it HAS to be the biggest redneck speed trap in the Union! A lot of major roads ar 55 MPH. They'll let you slide up to 60, but after that Louisiana Highway Patrol is up your tail pipe! You AIN't lived til you spend some time in a Louisiana lockup in July! Just saying! Don't forget to get a Blue Bonnet report from Texas Tuorism department then go up the Hill Country and to San Antonio and the River Walk. Got some wild Texas Cowboys in the AlamoCity! Best, Debra
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Onward!
What a wonderful idea! We can all live vicariously thru you. I envy your boldness. There's so much to see along the way--how long do you think it will take, or did I miss that?
If I may offer an opinion--skip the middle, NV-UT-CO-KS-MO-IL-etc. Instead, keep going up the Pacific Coast all the way to BC. The Pacific NW is much more interesting & scenic than the plains (yes, I do know there are mountains in CO; & sorry, those of you who live there). I've made that drive across the middle of the US numerous times by necessity, & I think it can get pretty boring compared to OR-WA-ID-MT.
I live outside Tucson, which appears to be on your I-10 route, so I'll buy you a margarita here. Plus, I can tell you about every creosote bush between PHX & San Diego, since I can practically make that drive in my sleep.
Love your new atavar! Is that a crab, or am I seeing things?
Good luck! Will be waiting to hear how your plan develops.
Carole
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No,noseatown said:Onward!
What a wonderful idea! We can all live vicariously thru you. I envy your boldness. There's so much to see along the way--how long do you think it will take, or did I miss that?
If I may offer an opinion--skip the middle, NV-UT-CO-KS-MO-IL-etc. Instead, keep going up the Pacific Coast all the way to BC. The Pacific NW is much more interesting & scenic than the plains (yes, I do know there are mountains in CO; & sorry, those of you who live there). I've made that drive across the middle of the US numerous times by necessity, & I think it can get pretty boring compared to OR-WA-ID-MT.
I live outside Tucson, which appears to be on your I-10 route, so I'll buy you a margarita here. Plus, I can tell you about every creosote bush between PHX & San Diego, since I can practically make that drive in my sleep.
Love your new atavar! Is that a crab, or am I seeing things?
Good luck! Will be waiting to hear how your plan develops.
Carole
Don't skip Utah. I lived there for a few years and it and Cape Cod were my favorite USAF tours. My daughter was born there and not quite 3 when we left. my dream is to take her there someday and introduce her to her past. Kansas, my birthplace, IS flat but you could really open your little car up. I lived in Colorado for 6 years but Utah still has the edge. And I- 77, 70 miles south of Akron brings you almost to Cambridge, Ohio where my mom currently lives and very, very close to where I grew up (Hint: hometown of astronaut John Glenn).
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Colorado / Nevadaseatown said:Onward!
What a wonderful idea! We can all live vicariously thru you. I envy your boldness. There's so much to see along the way--how long do you think it will take, or did I miss that?
If I may offer an opinion--skip the middle, NV-UT-CO-KS-MO-IL-etc. Instead, keep going up the Pacific Coast all the way to BC. The Pacific NW is much more interesting & scenic than the plains (yes, I do know there are mountains in CO; & sorry, those of you who live there). I've made that drive across the middle of the US numerous times by necessity, & I think it can get pretty boring compared to OR-WA-ID-MT.
I live outside Tucson, which appears to be on your I-10 route, so I'll buy you a margarita here. Plus, I can tell you about every creosote bush between PHX & San Diego, since I can practically make that drive in my sleep.
Love your new atavar! Is that a crab, or am I seeing things?
Good luck! Will be waiting to hear how your plan develops.
Carole
Maybe you're righ Carole. I'm not great driving on mountain roads. I drove once from Denver to Vail / Keystone up a serpantine country road in the dark in a slow 4-cylinder rental Jeep and was almost crying and swearing in 3 languages. The drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (NV/AZ) was no picnic either. About 100 cars were stuck behind me honking and giving me a finger.
Never been in Seattle / Vancouver. So many places I've never been. So little time.
My current picture is one of the pieces of jewellery I recently bought. It's a crab ("cancer"). See the whole set (ring, earrings, pendant) here http://csn.cancer.org/node/265601
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Louisiana / Texasdebrajo said:Trip
Sounds just your style! Go for it! Watch out for Louisiana{ one of my sons calls it "Lousyana"}, sorry ladies from Louisianna! I live just 20 miles inside Texas from Louisiana so I know it HAS to be the biggest redneck speed trap in the Union! A lot of major roads ar 55 MPH. They'll let you slide up to 60, but after that Louisiana Highway Patrol is up your tail pipe! You AIN't lived til you spend some time in a Louisiana lockup in July! Just saying! Don't forget to get a Blue Bonnet report from Texas Tuorism department then go up the Hill Country and to San Antonio and the River Walk. Got some wild Texas Cowboys in the AlamoCity! Best, Debra
Hey Debra. I will have to brush up on my knowledge of Louisiana by watching Duck Dynasty, one of my favourite shows.
Maybe I will buy cowboy boots and hat, that will go well with Canadian license plates and Russian accent. Just to mess with people.
About speeding: I once was stopped for driving about 80 over the limit in Indiana; the nice deputy sheriff let me off without a ticket because I asked him to help me convert miles into kilometers. He drew a blank and told me to follow other cars.
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Your Road Trip.
What an incredible lady you are! I never cease to be amazed at your ability
to inform, advise, amuse and most importantly inspire us all with
your words,actions and stories! You will have us all travelling with you in spiritand eagerly waiting to hear of your adventures . I envy those fortunate
people who may be able to meet up with you - but who knows- perhaps
you might decide to fly down to Australia next! I adored my holiday
in Vancouver , Victoria and the Rockies 2 years ago, Canada is a beautiful
country. Unfortunately I have not yet visited America but would love to do so.
All I can add is GO GIRL (we'll all be travelling with you on your coat tails)!!!!!
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Beautiful!Alexandra said:Colorado / Nevada
Maybe you're righ Carole. I'm not great driving on mountain roads. I drove once from Denver to Vail / Keystone up a serpantine country road in the dark in a slow 4-cylinder rental Jeep and was almost crying and swearing in 3 languages. The drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (NV/AZ) was no picnic either. About 100 cars were stuck behind me honking and giving me a finger.
Never been in Seattle / Vancouver. So many places I've never been. So little time.
My current picture is one of the pieces of jewellery I recently bought. It's a crab ("cancer"). See the whole set (ring, earrings, pendant) here http://csn.cancer.org/node/265601
Yeah, I thought it was cancer/the crab. If there has to be a depiction of disease, what a beautiful one that is. I may search it out.
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I'm in Powell, not CambridgeConnieSW said:No,no
Don't skip Utah. I lived there for a few years and it and Cape Cod were my favorite USAF tours. My daughter was born there and not quite 3 when we left. my dream is to take her there someday and introduce her to her past. Kansas, my birthplace, IS flat but you could really open your little car up. I lived in Colorado for 6 years but Utah still has the edge. And I- 77, 70 miles south of Akron brings you almost to Cambridge, Ohio where my mom currently lives and very, very close to where I grew up (Hint: hometown of astronaut John Glenn).
Just to set the record straight, I'm in Powell, about 20 north of downtown Columbus. I certainly understand if that is too far off your route, but if you call me when you are getting close, I will drive up north to meet you as you come across Michigan!!! I will come to you!....after you drive 7,500 miles!
I have to say that I also think the drive up the Pacific coast would be so worth it! I haven't traveled nearly as much as others, but I love the coast, and Oregon is so beautiful. But I loved Colorado when I visited there, too. So many places to consider!
I am excited just thinking about your possibilities!
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Pacific Northwest ?
Oh, Seattle is a great place to visit too. Catch a fish still Pike Place Market, ride up in the a Space Needle, ride a ferry across Pudget Sound. I think it is a great idea to travel!
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