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Big Rig
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« on: June 10, 2020, 05:23:45 PM » |
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OK, so I have two teenage 6' plus boys. We typically vaca along the shore in NJ. I floated the idea of a cross country trip to the Mrs' and she is interested...
So now I am looking for one must see in each state...over a 17 day period...eights days out and 8 days back...
So I am asking you...if you could list state and POI I/we would appreciate it.
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12613
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2020, 07:48:36 PM » |
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PM me
Northern route will be nicer during the summer
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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old2soon
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« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2020, 08:45:01 PM » |
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Try too avoid-we gotta make X miles a day. The gotta make X miles a day Is the Professional Truck Drivers purview. Sides too many hours in the cage if you are Not used to large miles a day is NOT FUN. I M H O too many miles a day in a cage do Not equate to a Vacation. But make Sure your Entire vehicle IS up to snuff and mechanically sound. Fresh service before leaving and Excellent tires. Battery questionable Replace with new. But you already know this!  Short version-don't push too hard. Enjoy. RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2020, 08:57:31 PM » |
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Going through Iowa: If on I-80 the Freedom Rock is a must see. https://www.thefreedomrock.com/Exit 86 and about a mile and a half south on Hwy. 25. The artist Bubba Sorensen is on a project to paint one in all 99 Iowa counties. Again, on I-80, in West Branch, just east of Iowa City, is the Hoover Presidential Library. It is worth a visit. Will learn a lot. Farther north is Hwy. 20. 4 lane all across the state, much of it pretty brand spanking new. Along or near by on this route is the Field of Dreams Movie site in Dyersville. If you loved the movie it is a must stop, if you thought the movie was ok then maybe not so much. Abit off the beaten path is Anamosa. Lies between Iowa City and Dyersville. National Motorcycle Museum. https://nationalmcmuseum.org/ If you are in the vicinity it is worth stopping to see. They even got a Valk in there. Another off the beaten path a bit on western North Central Iowa is West Bend, Home of the Grotto. http://www.westbendgrotto.com/ If your route gets you nearby this, it is a sight to see. If you were looking to spend some days in Iowa there is much more to do and see. Particularly on the eastern side. Otherwise pretty much corn and beans. Everywhere. Nebraska: Not sure when you're planning this but if you are going through Nebraska check this out. https://www.caseih.com/northamerica/en-us/connect-with-case-ih/plant-toursThey are not doing the tours now due to Covid but check with them anyway. The tour has you follow the construction of a combine from start to finish. It is awesome. It is free. 48 hour notice to get on the tour. If they have it. 2 hours, walk about 2 miles through the plant. Just outside Omaha is the SAC Air and Space Museum. Got some neat stuff. SR-71 hangin from the ceiling. Rockets. Big planes. North Platte has the world's largest rail yard. https://goldenspiketower.com/I have only seen it from an airliner. At night. But I can attest to the size of it. Been meaning to go see it. |
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2020, 08:58:56 PM » |
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Try too avoid-we gotta make X miles a day. The gotta make X miles a day Is the Professional Truck Drivers purview. Sides too many hours in the cage if you are Not used to large miles a day is NOT FUN. I M H O too many miles a day in a cage do Not equate to a Vacation. But make Sure your Entire vehicle IS up to snuff and mechanically sound. Fresh service before leaving and Excellent tires. Battery questionable Replace with new. But you already know this! Short version-don't push too hard. Enjoy. RIDE SAFE. But think of the great memories they will have if they just go at it with reckless abandon!!! |
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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cookiedough
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« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2020, 04:51:38 AM » |
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my one advice would be to get a plug in ear buds for YOU the driver so when the kids ask 'are we there yet', you do not get annoyed at them since not hearing them.
one thing I found out driving back from Florida to WI in less than 24 hours straight thru is the state of Illinois is boring and very time consuming to drive all Interstate mostly from south to north taking 8 hours - Arggghhh!
Also, males can hold their bladder much longer than females having to stop at rest stops way way too much off the Intestates.
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2020, 05:58:48 AM » |
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There are 2 kinds of trips, with different agendas and goals.
1 is like O2S described- need to make time, be at a given destination at a given time. Truckers and others who have taken their POVs for these can both tell you this is not a "fun" way to make a trip - its get in the car, drive until you need relief (or the vehicle needs fuel , and you take your relief at the same time).
Trip style 2 is entirely different. You get up, get going after a leisurely breakfast. As you drive down the road, you see a sign that says "World's deepest handdug well" (yes it does exists, and its here in KS) and you decide on a whim to go take a look. These trips are fun, and if your doing it in an RV - home for the night can be any campground / state park that is allowing camping. Take some time to enjoy your surroundings, splash around in the lake / pond / pool. Everybody pitches in with the chores of cooking and cleaning. S'mores over a campfire in the evening. These are the trips that build memories. As you're driving down the road, you start a game of "license plate spotting" (or some variation).
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2020, 07:12:57 AM » |
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OK, so I have two teenage 6' plus boys. We typically vaca along the shore in NJ. I floated the idea of a cross country trip to the Mrs' and she is interested...
So now I am looking for one must see in each state...over a 17 day period...eights days out and 8 days back...
So I am asking you...if you could list state and POI I/we would appreciate it.
Could you post your anticipated route too? Out and back? Or routes you are considering. |
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Big Rig
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« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2020, 09:46:06 AM » |
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We have been to Disney and Florida quite a few times...so we know about the drive....LONG drives... No route planned, was hoping for some "must see" touristy stuff per state and then discuss and then plan route...ie: Rushmore, Vegas, Grand Canyon and so on...So it is a plan in a state of flux...also will depend on weather... Vehicle will be serviced prior to trip...just like the bike before a long ride...  |
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Valkorado
Member
Posts: 10499
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2020, 10:05:41 AM » |
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Colorado sure has lots to see. You mentioned touristy stuff which can be nice but I usually try to avoid. If you want touristy Pikes Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, Hanging Lakes (reservation only now I think) and Red Mountain Pass are all spectacular but draw big crowds and heavy traffic. Switzerland of the Rockies Ouray is really jaw dropping, again touristy. Colorado National Monument by GJ is nice, hot in summer. The Dinosaur National Monument in NW Colorado is worth seeing -- the Wall of Bones there is mindblower your sons would likely enjoy that. Hwy. 92 is less touristy, and has some great twists on a bike, so watch for bikes when in a cage. The (pull off) views of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are very impressive. Also up around Lake City and Creede the views are fantastic. Slumgullion Pass is a must see and is less prone to heavy traffic than Red Mountain. Colorado. It's all good! |
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« Last Edit: June 11, 2020, 11:50:45 AM by Valkorado »
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2020, 12:30:01 PM » |
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We have been to Disney and Florida quite a few times...so we know about the drive....LONG drives... No route planned, was hoping for some "must see" touristy stuff per state and then discuss and then plan route...ie: Rushmore, Vegas, Grand Canyon and so on...So it is a plan in a state of flux...also will depend on weather... Vehicle will be serviced prior to trip...just like the bike before a long ride... Hey, Dave. I’m not sure if you will make it this far. But if you do, finding stuff that teenage boys will also enjoy can be difficult some times. Kartchner Caverns would likely be something the whole family would like. The bus ride back into Zion is also good. If you make it this far the Grand Canyon is a must see. The west side of the park is not as packed with tourists. |
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sdv003
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« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2020, 01:12:38 PM » |
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There's only one Vegas and I've always felt everyone should see it once. No need to gamble, just a drive down the Strip is worth it. The story I always told my kids was "they didn't build these buildings because you were winning..."
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12613
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #12 on: June 11, 2020, 02:08:33 PM » |
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Karchner was fun. Went there with Tammi and Czuch It is east of Tucson maybe 10 minutes off I 10
but you have to call for reservations (no big deal) but a long ways from NJ
Zion you can stay at best western or other place at west end of Zion and take free bus to the park then another free bus into the gorge and the kids will love walking the trail to end of the world then walk in the water the length of the gorge back.
It all depends on whether BigRig's family want a southern or northern route I suppose as to which parks to visit My 2 cents is get past the Mississipi as quick as possible so more time to do fun stuff if all is open
ANd get a national park pass
I am a RR buff so any train ride for a few hours or even a day is worth it to me From Durango north to Silverton is one I want to do
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« Last Edit: June 11, 2020, 02:11:32 PM by Oss »
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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Ramie
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« Reply #13 on: June 11, 2020, 08:29:29 PM » |
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If you come to Minnesota you can visit the home of Rocky and Bullwinkle. Gooseberry Falls,MN https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00172#homepageThen head up the North shore of Lake Superior to Hwy 1 to Ely the gateway to the Boundry waters canoe area then west over to Soudan, MN and go down inside an Iron Mine. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_vermilion_soudan/tours.html.Be watchful on Hwy 1 for Bear, Moose, deer and other critters. One of my favorite roads ever. |
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“I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a little, and then more and more. A deep breath and a leap.”
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« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2020, 08:31:33 PM » |
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Colorado sure has lots to see. You mentioned touristy stuff which can be nice but I usually try to avoid. If you want touristy Pikes Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, Hanging Lakes (reservation only now I think) and Red Mountain Pass are all spectacular but draw big crowds and heavy traffic. Switzerland of the Rockies Ouray is really jaw dropping, again touristy. Colorado National Monument by GJ is nice, hot in summer. The Dinosaur National Monument in NW Colorado is worth seeing -- the Wall of Bones there is mindblower your sons would likely enjoy that. Hwy. 92 is less touristy, and has some great twists on a bike, so watch for bikes when in a cage. The (pull off) views of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are very impressive. Also up around Lake City and Creede the views are fantastic. Slumgullion Pass is a must see and is less prone to heavy traffic than Red Mountain. Colorado. It's all good! If only it didn't snow. |
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