Head West not so young Man

[3930dave]

Cahokia Mounds | Explore

Whoa. How come I wasn't taught this in school? Never heard of the place.
I was taught only the American Indians lived out there.
I'm going through that very interesting list carefully, giving me some good ideas.

I often find the lesser known stories to be the most interesting. Many places contains segments of history that even many locals don't know well.

I was poking around on the venue site this morning.

I managed to do a bit of site-seeing on the one business trip I had to San Francisco, a number of years back. Took a cable car ride, of course.

If I'd have known about this building, I would have definitely made it there:

Beneath the Streets, Wheels - Venue

(I'm sure that you know already, but meaning toad or transit travel, not suggesting the RV for San Fran.)

Rgds, D.

 

[mostly_gas]

Cahokia Mounds | Explore

Whoa. How come I wasn't taught this in school? Never heard of the place.
I was taught only the American Indians lived out there.
I'm going through that very interesting list carefully, giving me some good ideas.

Now I know I want to go to the Waterloo Iowa JD plant, and frankly any other major ag equipment maker on the way, but I also want to see the cool history
of this land, like Mt. Rushmore, the Western US parks, etc. Sorry historical war buffs, battlefields are not a priority for me.

Drew, the last time I was there, nothing was built above ground , no museum,etc. I think they are just now understanding the extent of the civilization, They knew the size but had not done much research as to life style etc.

 

[daugen]

pleased to report my little cruise down the highway this morning went well, everything started and ran fine. Sure is weird getting out of a VW Golf and driving that thing...
Just a little different steering feel...

$180 worth of premium fuel later (runs on regular but figure the premium is better sitting in there for the next three months), and managing to not clip the fuel island, whew, the needle read F.

Showed my trip on the laptop to a friend and he said I had to get on the Natchez Parkway(?), so maybe I'll come through St. Louis on the way back

 

[wngsprd]

If Cahokia is of interest to you, then please try to get up to Mesa Verde NP in the 4 corners, and if time allows, try Chaco Canyon Nat'l Historical Park, a bit further south and less known in New Mexico. However, the drive to Chaco is over 10 miles on improved gravel, so not sure your RV will like it as much as you will.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

 

[wngsprd]

One other thought about your RV...since you are returning home through Virginia, here is a recent article in the paper about a RV dealership north of Richmond (Ashland) that fronts on Interstate 95, near Bass Pro Shop. Although it seems like they have a million RVs seen from the interstate - it wasn't until I read this article last week that I learned they are the 2nd largest RV dealership (31 acres), after one in Tampa. If you are needing parts/maintenance, or trade in, near the end of your trip, stop by.

Biz Buzz: McGeorge

 

[daugen]

After getting a few chores done, I'm settling down with my maps, the laptop running right next to the PC, and will continue my pushpinning. I'm also reading some of those "best drives" books, and may change a few things just to go down the Natchez Parkway for example. Or certainly any skyline drive. But I also don't want to spend a huge amount of time in higher elevations, pretty hard on the rv running that big gas engine hard for long stretches. My goal is to keep the RV "low" and take the VW Golf diesel from there to explore. So I'm finding nice rv parks in the general area of the attractions and recommendations, then I have to pushpin everything and let the software take it from there, to guide the "toad".

 

[MacLawn]

daug, I envy ye trip! Should be great! In Colorado Springs, see Garden of the gods. I love that place! Also, eat a fantastic hamburger at that place downtown, anybody can tell you where it's located. Cain't remember it's name. Barely keep mine in me haid. But it's definitely a good place to eat. The other places you're going, all I know is South Dakota. Right, be prepared for a heap of just brush land. I drove across SD a few years ago, and one word stuck in my haid - BUFFALO!! Didn't see any, but, a human couldn't have lived there years ago without buffalo!

In TEXAS, eat at that famous Big Tex steak place. I've never been there, but I'd go anyway just because it's TEXAS. Looking forward to ye reports!

 

[caver]

Iowa: If you stray closer to Des Moines there are a cluster of covered bridges.
North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt NP is along your way. A pretty little spot. My dad and I camped there but the weather was so gloomy we took very few pictures.
Colorado: St Elmo ghost town near Buena Vista. Durango Silverton narrow gage railroad someone else mentioned. Great Sand Dunes and hot springs in downtown Pagosa Springs.
The four corners monument is nothing but a tourist trap. It's a Native American trinket flea market. You have to pay to access it.
Arizona: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a much quieter place and higher in elevation. But if it's your first time I think the views are more dramatic on the south end. Sunset Crater NM just east of Flagstaff. A little farther east is Meteor crater. I visited it maybe 20 years ago and went back again two years ago.
New Mexico: At Santa Rosa there is Blue Hole which would make a nice spot to take a break for a few minutes.
I've been all over out west so if you narrow to more specific places I might have some out of the way spot to visit.
I did this with a mapping program but it's the same process as with Google maps like another member suggested. This was my trip back in April. Different colors represent different days.

I normally loath driving the interstate but on this trip it was a necessary evil in some sections.

 

[daugen]

big change in plans. Well not so big. My good friend who lives in Memphis seems to have moved to St. Augustine Florida, so.....
On the heading West part, I will now head South first, probably down to Charleston from Wilmington NC, then headed down to St. Augustine, then
West to Altha Florida where I'm going to mooch for several months... and then along the Gulf to New Orleans. This way I get to see more ocean and beaches, which is fine by me. No desire to go to Disneyland, again...too many people. No desire to wrestle an alligator, much less eat one. I really need to leave Florida for a separate trip, as I want to spend time down near Sanibel. Maybe next winter, there's a plan...

So I know on the way home I'm coming through St. Louis now but I need to redraw my lines again and start investigating rv places along the Gulf of Mexico. And a different route coming home. all fun to do. That I will start working on this afternoon.

 

[3930dave]

You knew already we were going to demand pictures....

Esp. this time of year, us frozen northeners need to see sandy beaches !

Sounds like a great detour !

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Looks like no San Francisco and surrounds in the plans?

 

[daugen]

not this time Ultrarunner, it just made the trip too long.
But I do want to see California before it slides into the sea
so I'll get there. Besides, my sister is constantly talking of retiring to SF, she loves the place.

I'd love to tour the vineyards, but think I'll fly out and rent a fun car to do that. Some day.

 

[ultrarunner]

Just had visitors from Switzerland.

They had never been to the United States and with the winter storm airport problems they were diverted to SF for a 30 hour layover going home from Hawaii.

They loved seeing SF and insisted on a quick trip to the redwoods. I'm sure they will be back.

 

[daugen]

One of the things I want to do as i come home through the Heartland and into Ohio and Indiana is to find several Quaker Meetings "out there" and visit with them
on Sunday mornings. It will be quite new for me since those Mid Atlantic Quakers who are members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, sort of the birthplace of US Quakers, William Penn, etc, worship in mostly silence and individuals speak if they are so moved to. There is no organized clergy, no pulpit and it's fairly quiet. My late wife likened it to watching paint dry...ok, it's definitely an acquired taste. But out West, meaning further out than PA, the Meetings are mostly different, having a leader/clergy, singing and whatever else I'm going to find out. Kind of curious how "lively" the experience will be. Some of the Meetings are almost evangelical Christian types and those I try to avoid. But this is my time to experience "the other way" and bring those experiences home to share with local friends/Friends.

So I'm on a "church" hunt of sorts. I'd like to visit different religions too. Too bad Dearborn Michigan is so far North and out of my route to come home. That would be interesting. Certainly not going to get into any Mormon churches.

So...US cathedrals? They would be neat to see also. I've done the European castle and church tour once, but not in the US. I don't care if you have faith or not, stand inside a huge cathedral and most folk get goosebumps.

 

[ronjhall]

Too bad Dearborn Michigan is so far North and out of my route to come home. That would be interesting. Certainly not going to get into any Mormon churches.

65 miles north of I-80,90 is too far out of the way. It's RVing. Enjoy the side trips. :thumbsup:

 

[dmccarty]

big change in plans. Well not so big. My good friend who lives in Memphis seems to have moved to St. Augustine Florida, so.....
On the heading West part, I will now head South first, probably down to Charleston from Wilmington NC, then headed down to St. Augustine, then
West to Altha Florida where I'm going to mooch for several months... and then along the Gulf to New Orleans. This way I get to see more ocean and beaches, which is fine by me. No desire to go to Disneyland, again...too many people. No desire to wrestle an alligator, much less eat one. I really need to leave Florida for a separate trip, as I want to spend time down near Sanibel. Maybe next winter, there's a plan...

So I know on the way home I'm coming through St. Louis now but I need to redraw my lines again and start investigating rv places along the Gulf of Mexico. And a different route coming home. all fun to do. That I will start working on this afternoon.

We keep planning, but never quite make it to Charleston, SC. We want to visit the city but I especially want to see Patriots Point which has an air craft carrier and some other ships I would love to see. One of the ships the Laffey, was in WWII and was hit by four bombs and six Kamikazi's yet somehow managed to stay afloat. There are photos of her after the battle were her main deck was just barely above water. Somehow the ship survived the battle and return the US where she was repaired, which is surprising given the damage, and she returned to service. The Laffey served until the mid 70s. I think most people visiting Patriots Point want to see the carrier, I know I do, but I really want to see the Laffeey.

Also Wilmington, NC has the USS North Carolina which is a great ship to tour. I can spend all day on her but never get but 3-4 hours at best. You should be able to easily park at the USS North Carolina. Avoid a Friday as it seems that day they get a school field trips and their can be lots of kids running around.

Disneyland is in CA. Disney World is in FLA. :laughing::laughing::laughing: In case you did not know it, Disney World has a campground called Fort Wilderness. You can tent camp or park a huge RV. It is one of the cheapest ways to stay at Disney World. The camp ground is a hidden gem and very nice. Depending on when you go to FLA, there are slow times, mainly in the fall, winter or spring, where there are not that many people at WDW.

I have seen Apollo moon missions and space shuttle launches from various places over FLA but I have never been to Cape Canaveral. :shocked: We though we might in 12/2012 but we did not make it. Seems like I remember seeing that they had RV parking.

Later,
Dan

 

[daugen]

Chevrolet Spark Only Subcompact To Pass IIHS Small-Overlap Test

not looking too good for the Honda Fit...

well my arm is in a cast; can't do much so going to work on this for a few days.
hope to post a new map soon.

 

[grsthegreat]

I am starting the process of planning my motorhome trip out West this coming Spring. I know it's lame to post pics of a pc screen; I sure am not smart enough to capture the Google image, and I haven't joined them as a member yet,(do I want even more tracking of my activities?...)so this is the best I can do.

Most of the places with push pins are relatives and friends. I also want to see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Along this general path, can some of you make suggestions on what to see/not miss? I'll be pulling a Golf TDI so I can go exploring pretty easily. I noticed immediately the path takes me right through Waterloo Iowa. Now we all know what's there...sure not going to miss the home of Big Green. My actual route will be determined by the locations of the campgrounds I will stay in, but in this general path shown on the pics, what should I see? Can't do the West Coast on this trip, too long.

I intend to take as many farm equipment pics as possible, and will post them here as the trip goes along. Probably leaving late March.

Not interested in sports attractions, sorry diehard fans, nor Nascar, one thousand sorries..., but love history and local culture.
Travels with Charley, 2014 style.

thats a heck of a trip. The wife and i rented a car and drove from Idaho to the world equestrian games in Kentucky a few years ago. was a 5,000 mi give or take trip. Made lots of stops and detours (custers battlefield, mt rushmore and crazy horse, deadwood, yellowstone, grand teton, some cave tours, etc). was both alot of fun...and very boring at times.

after 5,000 miles i was glad to be home. haven't planned anything like that again, as im not a fan of driving. However we do like to site see. I just plan on doing smaller trips in the future..not so much at one time.

Have fun on your trip. you'll probably end up with 5,000 digital pics too. I still haven't worked through all of ours.


Oh, and i did get to trust my GPS. it only failed me one time in Nashville....it kept directing me into the projects and wanted me to go the wrong way on a one way street.

 

[daugen]

Well, I've made good progress. First of all, i decided not to go to Florida because it would've done the same thing that going to California would do, made this trip impossibly long.

I know that it is seriously lame to post pictures of the screen but no I still can't figure out how to do a screen capture; granted I didn't try very hard. Several realities became very clear to me after trying to plot this trip by the actual highways taken and not just from point-to-point. I had to really stare at the screen and zoom in to find a road going from west to east across South Colorado. Wow what a curving road. But that didn't hold a candle to the road going into Yellowstone Park. By the time I had drawn that line which curved about 2000 times, I wasn't sure I really wanted to drive a motorhome through there. Maybe a Porsche But I'm sure an awful lot of people do; it's just that you seem to get on the only road heading west into the park and it goes here there and everywhere and anywhere but straight.

And then to get out of Yellowstone Park is a real treat. Apparently you either backtrack and come back the way I came or I head North through some seriously rugged country and then head east into Idaho. I think by the time I get to Colorado I will know whether I have the energy to make that drive.

There is another drive that I'm not at all sure about either. I thought it would be nice to go into Charleston West Virginia. But then how does one get out? Again, either back up like crazy or head north on this apparently small road that goes through an unending amount of forest and likely mountains and finally winds up near Pennsylvania. Boy I sure wouldn't take that road in the winter. And what was really strange is that there are almost no RV facilities along that entire stretch. I'm sure there are some Walmarts along the way so there's always some place to stop for the night, but maybe I should go back West a little and then head north to avoid driving up through the entire state of West Virginia. However it might be very pretty.

So if anyone knows or has driven on Route 79 in West Virginia, is it a nice road?

All of the pushpins shown here are RV resorts, which I would then take my car out from to explore. So basically anything within about an hour of this general line, or more I suppose if it's pretty neat, is fair game.

I have an awful lot more work to do here and I haven't incorporated any of the suggestions given to me: most of those will be on day trips in the car. There is a whole section in Iowa but I'm not sure of, other than I know I want to take the factory tour of the John Deere plant.

If I stay three days at each of my stops I'm up to about four months now, so needless to say, a few of these stops will be over nighters. Because I'm sure there will be a few places I'm going to want to stay a while.

Lastly, I haven't sorted out Texas but I'm sure I will get some advice on that.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I79 in WV is OK, some hills.

screen capture:
hold ALT and press PRTSC (ALT captures current window, CTRL captures entire screen)
open photo program, like paint or Irfanview, and paste into it. save the file.

Rt 160 crosses southern colorado