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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2010 12:04:15 GMT
As a graduation gift for my two oldest boys, I wanted to take them for a big road trip across the USA and (back via) Canada. This won't be until next summer (2011). I'm guessing it will be around 7 to 8 thousand miles altogether. Probably more in fact. I'm going to try and keep it to a two month limit. As they need to go into further study fields in the fall. I'll be taking all three of my boys with me. The two older ones drive also. And can change tires We will be (mostly) camping along the way. Starting in Eastern Canada, going South to Florida and then West towards California. Finally back up North to British Columbia and then across Canada to the East, where we live. Any advice or tips or suggestions on places to see (or avoid) along the way, most welcome.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2010 12:05:46 GMT
Oh and they really want to go across route 66, (who doesn't?), but I have a feeling most of it is closed now? Any parts of it open at all?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2010 12:51:01 GMT
I think there are still some pretty big stretches in Arizona and such. My own recommendation is U.S. 50 crossing Nevada, "the loneliest road in America."
There are obviously lots of "wikis" on just about every highway with lots of good information and photos.
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Post by lola on Jun 16, 2010 13:31:52 GMT
You can find a fun stretch of Old 66, so they can say they did it. Many weary miles of it now run through stretches of suburbs, with stoplights every few blocks. I like Kerouac's US 50 suggestion; it stretches from the DC area through pleasant countryside in the east and midwest, then through rugged lonely country further west to San Francisco. I'd start on the East Coast so they'd have the West to look forward to. 66 and 50 intersect in St. Louis, and Ted Drewes frozen custard stand still packs them in along an unrecognizable stretch of 66. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ted_Drewes.jpg#metadata
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2010 11:15:03 GMT
Kerouac, I'll look into US 50 crossing Nevada. So there are still some quite long stretches of route 66? That's good to know. They obviously want to see Las Vegas, but unfortunately only the eldest would be allowed in the casinos I believe. Is the age 18 to get in? On will be just a few months short of that.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2010 11:18:49 GMT
You can find a fun stretch of Old 66, so they can say they did it. Many weary miles of it now run through stretches of suburbs, with stoplights every few blocks.
Lola, have you done this stretch before? Yes, I think it's just a matter of so that they can say 'we did route 66'. I travelled on it some 20 plus years ago, I imagine it's not the same now though.
Thanks for the link, that's so useful. Would it still be possible to join the route 66 from New Mexico, going towards Nevada?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2010 11:04:14 GMT
I'll bookmark this thread. So that I can get back to it after the trip and report what happened!
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Post by gertie on Jul 4, 2010 17:10:47 GMT
As far as it goes, didn't you say Florida? You can come across I-10 (warning there are some LOOoOooooong stretches of nothing on this route), head north in Texas on 45, pick up 35 south of the Dallas metro, and eventually come along to some of what is left of 66 in Oklahoma (Clinton has a museum). If you end up going through Texas, give a shout. I can probably give you some help with places to camp, etc. An alternative if you're coming from Florida is to come up to I-20 and across. Still some pretty empty stretches of highway, but we thought the road was a little better overall last time we were out to Florida. Sounds like an awesome trip!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2010 19:40:43 GMT
It should be quite the trip, gertie. Thanks for the information.
I've been talking to my neighbor about this trip, she is a Canadian lady who works in Vermont, where she takes care of multi-million dollar houses for the rich and famous. She is only home 2 weeks in year, the rest she spends in Vermont. Anyway, she tells me that it may not be all that safe, going with three kids, especially in the Southern areas. She says there is a heightened sensitivity regarding illegal Mexicans in the South. Police stop them at random to question them and ask for I/.D.s etc. A certain hostility prevails in that department, by the looks of it. Since I am often mistaken for Spanish, I worry about this.
So now I'm wondering if I shouldn't go a different route. For instance I could start off here (Eastern Canada), drive all the way across Canada to the West. Then South to California (Disney land). And then back up North and head East, while staying in the States. I really don't want to cross Texas, as you know it's a HUGE State, with a lot of nothingness most of the way. Somehow I need to get to see The Grand Cannons, Vegas and NASA though.
I'll have to think about the actual route some more...
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Post by spindrift on Jul 5, 2010 10:31:26 GMT
Your trip will be a lot of fun, Deyana. You will need to be very organized with stowing camping gear, beds etc. in the back of your car which, I guess, will be a large one?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 12:16:21 GMT
Deyana, one of the first things that you will see in the American South is that more than half of the motels are owned and operated by Indians. The governor of Louisiana is of Indian origin. There is a lot of ignorance in the north about what the south is like. The clock did not stop with the making of Easy Rider.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 14:43:08 GMT
Spindrift, yes I have a large car, a V6. Which I will have a mechanic look over before we set out. I'm always organized, but no doubt the kids will dis-organize me soon enough. Really, Kerouac? I had no idea the governor of Louisiana is of Indian origin, that's interesting. Maybe I should head South then? Still don't want to cross Texas though.
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Post by lola on Jul 5, 2010 15:06:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 11:02:57 GMT
Tks for the link, lola. So much interesting stuff on their about route 66. A good article.
The last time I crossed over Texas I had no trouble at all. I guess I'm just being more cautious this time because I'll have my kids with me.
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Post by bjd on Jul 6, 2010 11:36:01 GMT
I think I read or heard somewhere that there is a group/caste of Indians that are traditionally hotel owners. Maybe called Patel? In any case, I stayed in an Indian-run motel in Peterborough, Ontario and an Indian-run hotel in Lisbon, Portugal within the past few years. Didn't ask if they were called Patel, though.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 11:41:16 GMT
That name rings a bell, bjd. Only because every Patel that I have ever known has been a business owner of some kind or another. Including a neighbor I had years ago back in the UK.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 11:49:51 GMT
I am in conflict with a Patel in Georgia who doesn't want to refund my duplicate debit! See how Governor Piyush Amrit Jindal of Louisiana fits in with the good looking ordinary locals? That's because he tells them that his name is Bobby!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 12:16:34 GMT
Do you want me to have a word with him, Kerouac? That's quite the picture, so that's the boss man, huh?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 12:36:02 GMT
Here is the Wiki about Bobby Jindal. It cracks me up whenever I see him on the news, because I never expect to hear a southern accent coming out of his mouth.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 12:46:32 GMT
Is there a video of him talking? That would be interesting to watch.
His resume is impressive. A lot firsts. The youngest current governor of the US. Only the second Indian-American elected to Congress? That's kind of disappointing, I think that will all change in the future though. Globally, the next 20 years or so will be interesting ones.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2010 12:59:11 GMT
I'm sure you can find him all over YouTube.
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Post by gertie on Jul 7, 2010 13:49:41 GMT
As far as your concerns about looking Mexican go...as long as you are obeying traffic laws while driving and have your travel documents in line, I doubt it would be troublesome in most places, although you might want to avoid Arizona. As far as I am aware, that's the only state with a law allowing -nay enjoining- the local constabulary to randomly stop people and ask for documents. Certainly saw enough Mexican-appearing people the last few times on I-20 driving out through Georgia that I can't think it is such a big issue between Dallas and Georgia. As far as what you say about Texas...it is a huge state, I wouldn't say there is nothingness most of the way. There is some pretty interesting stuff in far west Texas for instance. I will say the drive from Ft Worth to Abilene is pretty empty, but oh so excruciatingly beautiful. Given the arrangement of highways, no reason not to run through Dallas, which is full of all sorts of interesting things, and head north from there, catch a bit of the old Route 66 up in Oklahoma. Some pretty interesting old-style joints along there. If you decide to try this route, let me know, I can help you with the names/locations of some of the joints and of course I have tons of information about Dallas area having lived here all my life. For example, ever had Egyptian pizza? Hold up, why should we have a lot of Indian-American government representatives? It personally seems to me we'd want people who are Americans when they are our government representatives and whatever ethnic group they are would not be a consideration. After all, they are there to represent everyone in their district. Not just whomever is the same ethnicity as them. I'd guess we've had people who were full or largely of various ethnic extraction that purposely set that aside and didn't make a huge deal of it which I personally prefer and applaud.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2010 13:59:21 GMT
gertie, I get mistaken for Mexican/Spanish, or Native Indian, in fact I could probably go to any country which has brown skinned, dark haired people and they think I am one of them. It has it's advantages too Egyptian pizza in Dallas? That would be interesting to try out. I have been to Dallas before, some years back. I liked the city, we went over to 'South Falk Ranch', I wonder if that is still there? It's good to see that not a big deal is made of the color/ethnicity of the government representatives. I'm impressed with just how far Americans have come regarding this. It's a good and positive way to be. The person most qualified for the job should be the one who leads, and that is the bottom line. We have many more Indo-Canadians in politics here in Canada, but I guess that is to be expected.
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Post by gertie on Jul 8, 2010 13:04:40 GMT
South Fork Ranch do you mean? I'm sure it is still there, they rent out the buildings and grounds for all sorts of things. Last time I was there, it was a huge 4th of July celebration about 7 years ago. This talk of Route 66 got me to thinking and somewhere I have pictures from some travel along the old route, but I am afraid they are not digital pictures. We visited the Cadillac Ranch about 10 years ago. I recall taking pictures of us inside one of the cars peeking out, oddly enough. We also ate at the Big Texan, although no one in our group opted for the 72 oz steak nonsense we did see someone being served one as we were leaving. On the east bound highway east of Amarillo there is a really amazing hm think they call it a rest stop? that has a travel center with some really nice and helpful staff, too. Or was, I admit it's been a few years who knows? Also traveled a bit of old Route 66 around Rolla, Missouri when my brother was up there going to college. In Jerome there is a memorial to the Trail of Tears a man built after being visited by the spirit of one of the dead Cherokee who died on the Trail. I looked it up, apparently that nice old man has died, and the property is empty and abandoned with no care taken of it. So sad. If you ever make it to the Dallas area, Deyana, give me a shout and I will happily take you out for Egyptian pizza.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2010 13:16:49 GMT
Thanks Gertie, that would be lovely. I would be really interested to see the memorial to the Trail of Tears, it's a shame that the property hasn't been kept up. I do remember that somewhere in Arizona, we discovered an old 'cowboy' town, really well preserved. It was a nice little find that we weren't expecting. I have written about my last journey across the USA on sunnysd. I can print it out on here too, if anyone is interested. It's going to be part of my second book. Yes I meant South Fork ranch! I have a photo of it somewhere when we last saw it, it's not digital either, so needs scanning. Will look it up though. It's interesting to know they use the building and grounds for other purposes too, so it's not sold to a private person? I'm planning to do this journey in July and August. I'm also planning to be in India for February and March next year. It's long overdue. I have to work around my kids schedule, and sometimes things get derailed. Hopefully it will all work out this time.
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Post by dahuffy on Jul 15, 2010 21:55:10 GMT
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Post by Don Cuevas on Jul 16, 2010 0:27:54 GMT
The Route 66 thing gets a lot of disrespect on TT U.S.Branch. They recently had a big fight over it. Names were called, etc. I sometimes am dismayed by several TT'ers on U.S. Branch.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2010 19:40:25 GMT
dahuffy. really? It's 21? Oh well, I guess we could go and see the lights from outside then! Thanks for the link, it's very interesting.
Don, I've seen some very hot 'debates' regarding route 66 too on TT. It always amazes me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2010 21:22:03 GMT
The Route 66 somewhere between Seligman and Kingman, Arizona. I had rented this motorcycle in Phoenix. It cost me a fortune but it was well worth it. There is nothing like a motorcycle to fully enjoy the scenery.
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Post by Kimby on Jul 17, 2010 13:56:17 GMT
And can't you just picture deyana on a motorcycle with the wind in her hair? (And her boys in a sidecar?)
Your photo looks like a scene from Easy Rider, askar.
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