Bill_Walker Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Since this is "drive planning" rather than "ride planning", I'm posting in "other topics". My daughter starts law school at Duke in a few weeks. Since we have to get her car and stuff there, we're going to drive there together. She only wants to take five days, so we don't have much time for side trips. She wants to leave July 27. Does the hive mind here have any advice on routes to take and things to see? So far, we're looking at three basic options: North: I-15 to Utah, I-70 through Denver (where we have relatives), I-64 in Louisville etc.. Central (and obvious route): I-15 to Barstow, I-40 to Durham. South: She wants to visit New Orleans, so we'd go east through Texas to New Orleans and then up to Durham (too many highways to list, click for map). I'm thinking the southern route will be beastly hot in late July, although in the car, do I care? I think I care, she things it's no big deal. What's New Orleans like in late July? I think she should hit NO on the return trip in May/June. We could easily hit the Grand Canyon, which she hasn't seen, on the central route. Maybe some Route 66 or Dust Bowl stuff. The northern route has the beauty of I-70 through Utah and Colorado. Thoughts? Link to comment
Whip Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Ya know Whipville would love to have ya as our guest. The skunk smell should be gone by then. You could go south to Victoria from SA and drive along the coastal roads. Freeport to Galveston, then take the ferry across to Crystal Beach. Get back on I-10 in Winnie and over to NOLA. (To avoid Houston) You would be able to checkout the results from Hurricane Ike, Rita, and Katrina along the way. L and L Link to comment
Matts_12GS Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 the upside to NOLA in July is that it has probably rained enough to get rid of the smells of urine and vomit left from Mardi Gras. If you go that route, check out the plantations west of the city, Oak Alley and Laura are definitely worth the detours. Well, they were pre-Katrina anyways. Link to comment
DavidEBSmith Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 All the routes will be beastly hot in late July. All the routes will have 2 - 3 insanely boring days in the middle. North: Utah to Denver nice, West Va into NC nice, rest boring. Middle: nice to Albuquerque, hideously boring to Knoxville, nice over the Blue Ridge. South: interesting to El Paso, OMG-will-Texas-never-end? to NOLA, nothing to see past Mobile. I've been to NOLA in May, it's cooler than in July just like a 350 oven is cooler than a 425 oven. I say, if she wants to go to New Orleans, take her there. It may be the last fun she has for 3 years. Link to comment
Quinn Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Well, it's beastly hot here in Durham today. High 90s with high, muggy humidity and a haze over everything. New Orleans is probably worse. --- Link to comment
Whip Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Bill... Are you sending your daughter to college in a car without A/C? Link to comment
roadscholar Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I'm thinking the southern route will be beastly hot in late July, although in the car, do I care? I think I care, she things it's no big deal. What's New Orleans like in late July? I think she should hit NO on the return trip in May/June. We could easily hit the Grand Canyon, which she hasn't seen, on the central route. Maybe some Route 66 or Dust Bowl stuff. Bill, take her to Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde N.P. (Monument Valley is in between) on the way to Denver, N.O. can wait. Hit Little Switzerland, the Barber Museum, and Whipville on the way home. Let me know when you're heading back, maybe we can hook up. Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Bill... Are you sending your daughter to college in a car without A/C? No. Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Bill, take her to Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde N.P. (Monument Valley is in between) on the way to Denver, N.O. can wait. Hit Little Switzerland, the Barber Museum, and Whipville on the way home. Let me know when you're heading back, maybe we can hook up. Thanks for the recommendation, Bill. As for the trip home, I'd love to meet up with you, but I'll be traveling above ground level. Those flying buses hate to make intermediate stops. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 For some reason I was picturing you cruising around the southeast in a big blue Crown Victoria. In that case, after Mesa Verde (forget the relatives) head across the top of New Mexico on 64 then get back down to I40. When you get to Memphis tell her you need to make a quick stop (six hours oughta do it) in Birmingham. If you haven't been to The Barber, it is required viewing, especially for a gearhead like yourself. Maybe we'll catch you on another trip, maybe we'll see you in California, who knows. Link to comment
Rougarou Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 What's with the side trip to NOLA for?, anything in particular? Reason I say is that if she just wants to experience Cajun Country, visit around Lafayette and the surrounding communities. Much better food, much better people. Also, if looking into plantation homes, Rosedown is a nice one to visit as well in St Francisville and don't forget the Myrtles (haunted), just a hop up from Baton Rouge. Anyway, I made the coast to coast trip in 2.5 days, from Jacksonville, NC to San Diego, CA. Link to comment
Husker Red Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 One more vote for the high road over the mountains. I-10 is so congested and the roads around NOLA are horrible. NOLA would make a lovely airplane destination for a weekend trip sometime cooler. Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 For some reason I was picturing you cruising around the southeast in a big blue Crown Victoria. LOL! In that case, after Mesa Verde (forget the relatives) head across the top of New Mexico on 64 then get back down to I40. When you get to Memphis tell her you need to make a quick stop (six hours oughta do it) in Birmingham. If you haven't been to The Barber, it is required viewing, especially for a gearhead like yourself. Maybe we'll catch you on another trip, maybe we'll see you in California, who knows. The good news is that I've already seen the Barber Museum (and I rode there on my RT). Six hours wasn't enough, though, and I'd happily see it again! Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 The really annoying thing about this trip is that at the end of it, I'll be about 200 miles and two days away from the UN, but without enough time to go there. Link to comment
Dan5620 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 The really annoying thing about this trip is that at the end of it, I'll be about 200 miles and two days away from the UN, but without enough time to go there. Do not fret. The way things are going, it will probably be moved to California in short order. Link to comment
tallman Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 The really annoying thing about this trip is that at the end of it, I'll be about 200 miles and two days away from the UN, but without enough time to go there. They'll come to U. Link to comment
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