Drive across this country

[Bird]

I barely crossed the border into Maine in Oct. '91, so I haven't seen much of that state. I've driven in every state except Hawaii and California. I've flown to San Diego, Sacramento, and Los Angeles at different times but never been to Hawaii. I've flown from Wichita, KS, to Anchorage, AK, once in a new Cessna 152, I've driven to Alaska 3 times, and drove all the way to Prudhoe Bay once. My wife and I have probably seen about as much of this country (plus a bit of western Canada) as almost anyone, and yet there's still so much we haven't seen and so many places I'd like to go see again.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I've done a lot of road trips and I agree, they're wonderful. I've driven, in separate trips, literally from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I have a lot of states left to collect - I've driven maybe 25-30 so far. Always amazed by the drive across the plains on either I-80 or I-90 - at once it takes a long time and yet goes by quickly. I-90 is slightly more interesting, IMHO, mostly because of the Missouri river crossing and the badlands area. Going through the Rockies it's hard to beat I-70 for scenery (and treacherous roads if snowy). I find I-80/90 across Indiana and Ohio to be as boring as it gets, and most of the NY Turnpike not much better. Funny how certain far away places can look similar - southern Ontario (Canada) around London looks a whole lot like SW Minnesota along I-90.

Casco, how could you skip Michigan???

 

[shvl73]

Yep, that's a lot of the NYC-Boston traffic... I-95 down on the coast is MUCH worse on weekends.

I-95 from NW Boston to Foxboro was a real pain in the butt tonight, stop-go, stop-go, stop-go...

 

[jimg]

Mossroad: A couple yrs ago I drove between WA to NH 3 times using a diff route each time. I agree that this country is some kind of amazing!! BTW I drove it during the winter, spring and summer so I got the see the seasonal diffs too. I liked NE and SD best of all the places I drove thru esp E SD.

 

[Cottonhawk]

If you look, you'll find that this is an amazingly beautiful place we call home! We used to fly to different part of country, pick up a rental car, and enjoy the region by driving around and sight seeing. We do that for a week to ten days each trip and two or three trips a year. From Alaska to Hawaii and from Pacific to Atlanta ocean beaches you will see the most beautiful country in the world.

 

[SnowRidge]

Offhand, I can't think of a state that I haven't driven in, save Hawaii, which I can say I have been in courtesy of a one hour aircraft stopover.

KenT, since they paved the Alaska Highway, it's not so much of a challenge as it used to be. I guess the biggest hazard these days is the horde of RVs clogging it. If you plan on driving it, get yourself a Milepost travel guide and wait until September. It's the best time of year.

 

[MossRoad]

You're about 10 miles from me, if you have the time I'll buy supper. I just visited a fellow TBNer down south two weeks ago it was nice to say hello face to face

Thanks for the offer. I am most likely free Wednesday or Thusday evening. Traffic where 93 meets 495 was a peach this morning... looked like a fender bender where the north bound 495 exits to the south bound 93. Only took me 45 minutes to go 7 miles.

 

[hazmat]

Thanks for the offer. I am most likely free Wednesday or Thusday evening. Traffic where 93 meets 495 was a peach this morning... looked like a fender bender where the north bound 495 exits to the south bound 93. Only took me 45 minutes to go 7 miles.

Moss - just sent you a PM (I'm free Wednesday) I'll pay for 1/2 your dinner. I work in Andover (1 mile from that interchange).

 

[Bird]

Offhand, I can't think of a state that I haven't driven in, save Hawaii, which I can say I have been in courtesy of a one hour aircraft stopover.

KenT, since they paved the Alaska Highway, it's not so much of a challenge as it used to be. I guess the biggest hazard these days is the horde of RVs clogging it. If you plan on driving it, get yourself a Milepost travel guide and wait until September. It's the best time of year.

The first time we drove to Alaska was July, 1972; over a thousand miles of dirt and gravel each way and it was a tough trip with a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 25' travel trailer. Your comment about the "challenge" reminds me of a older gentlemen we met on the trip in 1991. He had driven it several times himself and said, "It's not a challenge anymore; just hard dirty work." The last time we drove up the last week of March in a one ton truck with a 32' fifth wheel and it was the easiest trip ever even though it was 5 below zero when we crossed from Canada into Alaska; easy because there was no construction as you have in warmer weather. We came back in September that year.

If anyone tells you what it's like to drive up there, and then you do it, you'll swear you were lied to, because it'll be different every trip because of the frost heaves, construction in different areas, etc. Every time we're driven it, the bad spots going up were good coming back and some of the good spots going up were terrible coming back. But it's always interesting.

 

[SnowRidge]

Alaska has four seasons:

1. Breakup -- refers to the river ice, the roads, and your skin from the bug bites, and it's what the locals call it.

2. RV Rodeo -- which is pretty obvious.

3. Late fall -- also obvious, and the only time go.

4. Squeaky Snow -- try planting a pole at 10 below and you will see what I mean.

I have only exaggerated slightly.