I know I said in my last post – The Finer Things in Life – that aside from the fact we will arrive in Washington, D.C. for the holidays, we have no set plans or destinations in mind for our upcoming 2-month road trip; and that is the truth of the matter.
A Game Plan
It has occurred to me, as reality settles in, we probably should have some sort of game plan.
I mean, we’ll be traveling in the dead of winter so I don’t think we’ll be taking a northern route across country. We may need chains to cross over the mountain passes leading out of southern Oregon. We will carry tire chains with us, but really – no way do we want to have to deal with putting on chains. And by we, I mean Abi.
With three maps and GPS in hand, I suspect we will make our way across country pretty much right through the middle of the country, leaning toward a more southern route. And once we leave Washington, D.C., we will most likely aim due south because aside from visiting the Miami area – in another lifetime – we have never explored the southern states and heading to the northeast in the dead of winter would not be ideal. I think to date, we have visited and/or passed through 33 states, not bad, eh?
Map Us!
So, here’s my task for all of you. Map us! I’m not clever enough to make this an interactive map, but I figure it will go a long way in refreshing your brain as to what this country looks like all spread out and when you see a particular state you may shout out, “Hey, you should see…”
photo credit: geology.com
Here’s a few things we’d love to know. Arches National Park and Mesa Verde look to be spectacular, am I right? Would you go to the Great Sand Dunes in winter? We love visiting National Parks, point us to any park you think we should visit along the way. Should we happen to find ourselves in Memphis, is it worth the price of admission to visit Graceland, even if one has never been an Elvis fan?
The Best Fried Chicken
What about the FedEx Museum at the World Hub in Memphis? Go or pass? I’ve been to the Grand Ole Opry (been there, done that) but what shouldn’t we miss if we pass through Nashville? What about Knoxville? If we want to visit a living history southern plantation, which one should we visit? How about Charleston, Fort Sumter and Beaufort, South Carolina? Where is the absolute best fried chicken in the south? Aside from New Orleans, what is another “must see” stop following the coast of the Gulf of Mexico? And just how good are the Beignets at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans?! What’s the best food truck in Austin, Texas should we find ourselves in Austin? How about San Antonio? We know The Alamo and the River Walk are the places to see, but what specifically should we not miss?
So help us out, point us in the right direction and laden us with suggestions of the best of the best as we make our way across country and back again!
Instagram Feed
I was surfing around your site tonight and realized I somehow missed this one, Patti! What an ironic turn of events huh? I’m so glad you two chose a different route because unless you were going to look at everything through the window of our vehicle it is absolutely MISERABLE outside anywhere on our previous route! Can’t wait and very excited for your first post on your trek! 🙂
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Thanks Mike. It’s a big part of why we had not made any reservations or definitive plans and as it turns out we did indeed have to make an 11th hour change. It’s all good though!
Good luck on your road trip. I love driving across the USA!
Yes, the beignets are great at Cafe du Monde. I would also eat Fried Chicken at the Willie Mays Restaurant in New Orleans. It’s very small, but good. We loved Fort Sumter and the diving pelicans! Also, if you were a Girl Scout (and maybe even if you weren’t) the home of Daisy, the Juliette Low Birthplace was awesome! In Oklahoma City, the National Cowboy Museum is a must! So is the Stockyard Auction.
I’m sure you will have a blast. There is so much to do and see on the way. Can’t wait to hear about your trip.
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Thank you so much Corinne for all of these great suggestions. I’ve been hoping someone would tell me where to have the best fried chicken, because come on, who doesn’t love fried chicken?! We have passed through OKC but only had time to visit the memorial so your cowboy museum and stockyard suggestions are great and no, I was never a girl scout (4H for me) I’ll look into the Juliette Low birthplace. Again, thanks so much!
Here’s one that’s a little off the beaten track: Plains, GA, home of former President Jimmy Carter. If you time it right you can actually see him speak–he teaches adult Sunday school at his local Baptist Church whenever he’s in town (which is often these days). Regardless of your political leanings, he has had some fascinating experiences post-presidency and he weaves them into his talk. Where else can you see a former US President, 15 feet away, for free?
This is great to have Larissa, thank you. I’ll definitely keep it in mind if we find ourselves in Plains, GA!
Hi Patti, when you’re in New Orleans the beignets at Cafe Du Monde is a “must” experience. Just try it once though, otherwise your hips may become too healthy 🙂
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Thank you Marisol! I’ve heard delicious things about Cafe du Monde! We will definitely partake if we find ourselves in New Orleans!
Hi Patti,
I’m Australian, so can’t comment on a lot of the USA. If it was a bit earlier, I would say explore Vermont and the coast of Maine, which are absolutely stunning in summer and autumn, but since you’ll be a lot further south, I can only echo those above – Don’t miss Arches NP and explore the national parks of Utah.
I really loved the Unsinkable Molly Brown’s house museum in Denver. http://www.mollybrown.org/. Also the Petrified Forest National Park in north-eastern Arizona and I loved Palm Springs too. (I loved all the places I’ve been in central/southern USA!)
Jane St Catherine recently posted…5 Utah national parks in winter
I didn’t realize there was a museum of the house of Molly Brown – I’ll have to remember that if we find ourselves in Denver. Thanks for the idea!
You will not be disappointed by Arches or Mesa Veda! They are amazing! The Great Sand Dunes are amazing, but I imagine there is the possibility of snow in December as it is at an elevation of 8200 feet. You would probably have the park to yourself at least 🙂
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Yeah, that would be our concern about the Great Sand Dunes, I think the cold temps might push us more south. Seems kind of silly to see dunes covered in snow?! Not sure how that would work! Ha! Ha!
I would have to agree with Gaelyn. Southern Utah would be awesome. Check out Zion and Bryce Canyon while you are in the area. We have never been able to make it into Monument Valley and would love to drive through there.
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Thanks Donny! We have been to Zion and Bryce Canyons and found them to be incredible, very much enjoyed our visit to both places. Weather permitting we’re hoping to make it to Arches and the surrounding area as there is so much to see. Monument Valley is a great idea, but I’m not sure we’ll make it to Arizona as we’ve been to the southwest many times, but thank you for reminding me of it. I’ll definitely keep it on the list of possibilities.
Definitely Arches, Moab and Mesa Verde. When you tour the later, think Balcony House faces east and Cliff Palace west. Depends on temps for that to matter.
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Thank you Gaelyn. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the parks near Moab. It’s an area we haven’t visited so we’re looking forward to the possibility of spending time there – if the weather holds for us.
Sulphur Oklahoma has Chickasaw National Recreational Park. Small town
Thank you Renee. I’ve looked it up and bookmarked it should we find ourselves in southern Oklahoma, it looks to be an interesting area and the photos of the water/springs are really nice.