Yup, Me and the Old Lady are heading out to Chicago (We're from that area), Getting Hitched, and then taking our sweet ass time comming back...I'll have my eye out for old Iron along the way of course but is there any cool roadside attractions we should see? You know like the worlds largest ball of Mud, or the worlds largest frying pan...the cool stuff! We'll be kinda hanging close to the old 66 route as we wander back to the west... Thanks Guys BYC
I know this isn't the "cool rockabilly thing to do", but having seen both, I'd skip route 66 & take I80 to I29 (in Iowa), go north to I90 an drive through S. Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, etc. I personally think that trip blows route 66 away.
We went to the Museum of Barbed Wire in Arzona, I can't remember it's exact location. The Painted Desert, Meteor Crater, Carlsbad Caverns and The Grand Canyon are must sees.
awesome.. my wife and I realized our dream to travel cross country last year you should skip the arizona route 66. shoot for vegas maybe? also.. I would seriously think about staying north on the way home.. GO TO YELLOWSTONE! it rocks..
Personally, I'd stay on the right side of the road... When you get to Iowa, take old Hiway 30 (the Lincoln Highway)...the majority of it is still there...and it's still two lane...it'll take you to hill country on the river side (eastern Iowa)...and there's tons to see there. I also stay off Interstates when I go cross-country...two-lanes are so much more relaxing...no traffic, no idiots, no eighteen wheelers running 90 mph, and few wiegh stations...lots of Mom & Pop cafes...and all the small towns you go thru offer a bonanza of old tin you'll NEVER see on the west coast...or the Interstates!!! Get yourself a map of EACH state...don't rely on an atlas! Take the two lanes thru northern Nebraska and then drop down into ColoRODo. Highway 50 (south of Denver) thru the heart of the Rocky Mountains is a ten hour ride from the Springs to the Utah border, more if you stop to see everything there is to see...then run up to see Moab...you will not believe that is there in the heart of the desert...go on up to Bo Huff's kustom emporium/mercantile shop in East Carbon, Utah (near Price), tell him "Jetter" told you to stop by...you'll get an unbelievable tour! Also if you want to do "The loneliest hiway in the US", take Hiway 50 across Nevada... which you can catch just north of I-70 and way south of SLC...once yo hit Cali...you're on your own... R-
stude dude is right.. 2 lanes rule.. i saw more tin in 300 miles out west than I saw in the entire state of pa! too bad we didnt take my 48 pickup or I'd a come home with more stuff.. when we headed out we went through pueblo colorado and then on toward a national park called mesa verde.. if your into national parks yellowstone followed by mesa verde are my two favorites...
The Lincoln Highway is supposed to be great... http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/ 40 stude, I tend to disagree with you about the interstates vs. 2 lanes. In my opinion, you are more apt to run into alot more grief on the 2 lane roads. Speedlimits that go from 30 to 55 to 25 to 60 to 35, and before you know it, you miss ONE sign and you get nailed by some small town cop on a "MY road" kick. At least, that is what New England is like. But, I DO agree, that if you are trying to take it slow and SEE America, not just get from point A to point B "balls out" stay off the interstate. My New Hampshire roots have me PARANOID and distrusting of police officers.
here's a portion of an e-mail message i sent to a friend that was going to take a harley vacation in colorado. she was only interested in the southern half of colorado, but north of I-70 is the rocky mountain national park, which is worthwhile. if you're going/coming along the I-90 corridor there's lots to see/do in southwest south dakota in the black hills. don't know when you're doin' this trip, but bonneville is right on I-80 west of SLC. anyway, here's the excerpt i mentioned: While you're at Colorado Springs you (of course) have to ride up Pike's Peak. The last 14 miles used to be gravel, but it's paved now. Not very well, mind you, but paved. Garden of the Gods is good, too. They say Seven Falls is worth seeing, although I haven't. Don't know what the security is like at the Air Force Academy now, or even if you can get in. After pueblo you can go straight west on US 50 (yes, the same 50 that goes through Tipton) about 40 miles to Canon City. That is pronounced canyon, but spelled canon. Spanish, I guess. Anyway, as you leave Canon City going west you'll go around a curve to the right which goes around a small mountain. About 2-3 miles up the road look for a small blacktop road on the right. There's an arch over the road with a sign that says "Skyline Drive". You gotta go up that sucker and ride the ridge. It's one way because at the top there isn't enough width on the ridge for a two lane road. In places they had to build it up to make it wide enough for one lane. 800 feet down on each side. Scared the pee-waddin' outa me, but it's REALLY pretty and well worth the few minutes it'll take you to do it. You come down back in Canon City and make your way back to 50. Then it's only 10 miles or so west on 50 to the Royal Gorge. 50 doesn't go over it; you have to watch for the signs and turn left to go over to it. It's kinda pricey ($12/person or so) if you're paying for a family, but for one or two people who cares? You can walk across the bridge; you can ride your bikes across it; you can ride their tour bus across it; you can ride the cable car across the gorge; and you can ride the cog train down to the bottom. All pretty impressive, but heights do me in. It was all I could do to drive the panel truck on Skyline Drive. The other people I was with kept talking to me on the CB radio but I wouldn't let go of the steering wheel to get the microphone and answer. About 50 miles straight (more or less) south of the Royal Gorge is Great Sand Dunes National Monument. It's about 100 miles (or more) by road, though. If you are on 149 between South Fork and Gunnison there's a waterfall you just have to see. I don't remember the name of it, but I believe it's between Spring Creek Pass and Slumgullion Pass. Ask the locals before you get there. They'll be able to tell you. It's just a quarter mile off of the highway, or so, but you can't see it from the road. All you can see is a little blacktop road leading over to a parking lot. There's only a small sign, too. You walk from the parking lot a little ways and viola! Amazing. Just west of Gunnison is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. You can ride up to the south rim from 50 on 347. It's just 3-4 miles and is all paved. You ride along the edge of the canyon for 5 miles or so, turn around, and come back the way you came. 1100 feet wide and 1100 feet deep. Sort of like the Royal Gorge. About the same size, but the river isn't as large or wild as the Arkansas River in the Royal Gorge. If you go to the north rim (up 92 to Crawford and then out to the rim; look it up on the map) it's further out of the way, but not so many tourists. It also isn't paved the last few miles. However, you can stop in at Joe Cocker's bar and have a cold one with him and his wife. He's purported to really like it when bikers stop in. (the same 60's singer/rocker Joe Cocker) Or if you go over Wolf Creek Pass (on 160) there's a tourist cable car to the top of the mountain that's supposed to have the best view in the state of Colorado. I wouldn't know; I don't ride cable cars. Once near Durango ride around the "San Juan Skyway." That's what they call the loop from Durango through Silverton, Ouray, Ridgeway, Placerville, Telluride, Dolores, Cortez, and back to Durango. Of course you can start anywhere on the loop, and I highly recommend it. It's a good half day or more just to ride. Longer if you stop for sightseeing. While in Durango you've got to ride the train on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge RR up to Silverton and back. It takes all day, but is worth it. I shot 8 rolls of film the day I rode it. You need to get tickets ahead of time. You might be able to get them as soon as you get to Durango, but then again they may be sold out. They have enclosed cars and open cars on the train. I recommend the open car; you get to lean out of the car and look down. The best view is on the right side going from Durango to Silverton and the left on the way back. You get to spend a couple of hours in Silverton eating lunch and buying "tourist trap junk." You'll need a shower when you get back 'cause you'll get some coal dust/ash on you from the steam engine exhaust. Not necessarily a bad thing, just be prepared. For some reason I was able to lean out of the car and look straight down a hundred or so feet and take pictures. I trusted that train more than cable cars. Did you see the two posters on my living room wall? They were this train. The Chimney Rock Anasazi Ruins are between Durango and Pagosa Springs just off of 160. Mesa Verde National Park (with the cliff dwelling ruins) is between Durango and 4 Corners, also off of 160. If you happen to be on I-70 Glenwood Canyon is just east of Glenwood Springs. I-70 goes through it. Probably the prettiest stretch of interstate highway in the US. If you're around Moab, Utah, be sure to go to Arches National Monument. Arches can be an hour ride or all day adventure. Also ride 128 between Moab and Cisco. I've never been to Canyonlands National Park just southwest of Moab, but I've seen pictures and it looks like a "must see" if you can get there.
[ QUOTE ] 40 stude, I tend to disagree with you about the interstates vs. 2 lanes. In my opinion, you are more apt to run into alot more grief on the 2 lane roads. At least, that is what New England is like. My New Hampshire roots have me PARANOID and distrusting of police officers. [/ QUOTE ] Can't speak to New England roads or your paranoia, Deyo...but nearly any two lane west of Pennsylvania is worth the time to drive it...and they are going to Chicago...which is in Illinois...so your caution of New England two lanes is moot. R-
Last summer we went to Indianapolis, here is the list of memorable stuff. 1. Sunrise/sunset at the Grand Canyon. One of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. 2. Roswell was campy and fun. Alien crap everywhere. 3. The Oklahoma City Federal Building Memorial. I think that I might have actually cried a little bit. Okay, A LOT. 4. Branson, Missouri. A place I now refer to as the Hillbilly Riveria. 5. Take the Budweiser tour in St. Louis but do yourself a favor and get a hotel near by and take a cab... Those people like to get you shitfaced before you leave. 6. For god's sake what ever you decide to do take a camera and a lot of film!!!
Stop at the hungry Texan in Armerdillo at eat ya a 72oz steak! And if I were you I would take a truck and trailer so you can bring back any old iron you may find. That always makes for a great honeymoon!
HOLY Crap! You guys rule...There's more stuff already than we'll have time to do! I was planning on bouncing back & forth between the blue roads & interstate when needed But you guys might be convincing me to run the northern route...Not sure yet...Maybe I'll just take another week off of work... Oh Yea, We're leaving tonight..... THANKS! BYC
on i-40 "rt.66" in texas u-drop inn and gas station in shamrock tx. just restored by the state and has been in many rt. 66 books. south side salvage 30-40 acres of 30's-60's car and trucks lots to see and a great way to spend a day in wellington texas. barb wire museum in mc lean tx. cadillac ranch and big texan cafe (home of the free 72 oz. steak) in amarillo tx. come by wellington and i'll show you around town.
[ QUOTE ] I know this isn't the "cool rockabilly thing to do", but having seen both, I'd skip route 66 & take I80 to I29 (in Iowa), go north to I90 an drive through S. Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, etc. [/ QUOTE ] Without sounding like a fairy, Western South Dakota has some beautiful scenery....the black hills are worth seeing.... plus there is some old tin here and there if you get off the main highways.....and even some on the main highways....
your doing the smart thing, take the 2 lanes if you have time. that is seeing the real US of A. I have drove cross country three times now with the longest taking 62 clock hours. with the shortest being last year at 51 (I was in a hurry to get to Paso and get my sister moved to Cal).. I am seriously thinking of drive my wagon to Paso this year. It will be another freeway blast and 20 plus hour days on the road. its a long way from SC to Paso... will leave the car at my parents out there and fly back home and then get the car later in the summer and drive back after Pleasanton.. I plan to make that one a pleasure drive with the wife and see sites.. (try and take a full week to go from coast to coast.). Congrats on the marriage....
Not trying to hoard old tin here but you wont find Shit in the Dakotas. You just cant drive down the road and see a 32 in a farmyard! I get a kick out of rodders that think we are all hicks in the sticks and have no idea what stuff is worth. I will give you an idea WE SELL that shit at top dollar to all of you on EBAY! But seriously, there really is not that much that has not been scrounged up already. If you do want scenery, DO visit the Black Hills. I'll buy you a beer!
If you go South, in Santa Rosa, Mew Nexico tm eat the Chili Rellenos at "The Comet" restaurant. Yum. Also, just West of there take highway 84 North to Las Vegas and over to Santa Fe. You'll be on the part of Route 66 in use before 1927. Cool enough drive. All the other junk everyone is saying is true. Swell road trip. Wayno
[ QUOTE ] Not trying to hoard old tin here but you wont find Shit in the Dakotas. [/ QUOTE ] Come to eastern SD more often then....I see old cars all the time in fields and shelter belts....sure might not be any cherry 32's but there is still some neat stuff....
Lived in Brookings for the first half of the 90s, farms are cleaned up even more there than out west! Point is though, I90 is a fun drive across the northern US, you can stay as busy as you like playing tourist. I always try to find a small cafe off the road a ways for homestyle food.
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