Help Me Plan My Trip

[nidena]

Mar 30, 2022 16:25:32 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

Mar 30, 2022 13:36:40 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

I don't have any suggestions but I do love a good long solo road trip. The best I ever went on was the grand circle Utah route. Have a blast!

You did Utah?! I'm planning to do a pass through there soon as a bucket list trip for gramma. She loves the outdoors but can't hardly walk anymore. Please, find me ideas!

One of my favorite drives is the part of I80 between SLC and Evanston, WY.  There is a valley there that is stunning as the sun goes down.

Driving across this country is an amazing experience, traffic cone season aside.

[Deleted]

I've been to Asheville 3 times and it's awesome. I've been to Smoky Mountains National Park and it's awesome too, probably awesomer if you aren't afraid of heights like I am My companion kept saying "Look, look" and I, "No, no" but it was spectacular when I peeked between my fingers

[tskeeter]

Mar 30, 2022 11:17:29 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Mar 30, 2022 9:49:25 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Hmm don’t know about some areas, but I would come down from WV to NC and head west - Asheville NC is worth a visit, beautiful Blue Ridge vistas. George Vanderbilt built a giant Golden Age mansion in French chateau style in Asheville- interesting for history buffs - and the city has the second highest number of micro breweries per capita in the US. Then go west towards Knoxville, stop at the Smoky Mt National Park if you like mountains and trees, then head South to Chattanooga. If you like American civil war history stop at the Chickamauga battlefield just South of Chattanooga. From there take 59 to Alabama. If you’re a space enthusiast the Huntsville Air and Space Museum is really good - or visit their minor league baseball team the the Rocket City Trash Pandas. My favorite part of Alabama though is Gulf Shores.

I do like Civil War history.  The only battlefield I have been to was in Mississippi and it was pouring the entire day so didn't really see much.

I don't care for space history and I'm not wanting to go as far south as the Gulf Shores.  Just hit the northern part of Alabama and start home.

A couple of side trips you might consider.

The Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, GA.  This was the largest Confederate prison camp, holding thousands of Union prisoners.

Natchez, Mississippi.  Tour antebellum mansions and see how rich plantation owners lived before the civil war.

[tskeeter]

Mar 30, 2022 16:25:32 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

Mar 30, 2022 13:36:40 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

I don't have any suggestions but I do love a good long solo road trip. The best I ever went on was the grand circle Utah route. Have a blast!

You did Utah?! I'm planning to do a pass through there soon as a bucket list trip for gramma. She loves the outdoors but can't hardly walk anymore. Please, find me ideas!

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Drive, Salt Lake City
Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT
Golden Spike National Historic Park, Provo, UT
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives locations in Salt Lake City
Great Salt Lake tour
Kennecott Bingham Canyon copper mine tour, Salt Lake City

[nidena]

TheOtherMe, since you're planning to go to New Castle, I recommend Jessop's Tavern.

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 30, 2022 17:14:38 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I've been to Asheville 3 times and it's awesome. I've been to Smoky Mountains National Park and it's awesome too, probably awesomer if you aren't afraid of heights like I am My companion kept saying "Look, look" and I, "No, no" but it was spectacular when I peeked between my fingers

We went to Smoky Mountains in a 28' Winnebago. That really gave me a birds eye view of everything. That's really up high. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights. I could stand on top of empire state building without a guard rail but you have to bribe me to go down in caves - I've been but only did that so my son wouldn't call me a wimp and didn't want to transfer my fear onto him  

Also agree with Asheville!!

[cooper88]

Mar 30, 2022 17:44:30 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Mar 30, 2022 16:25:32 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

You did Utah?! I'm planning to do a pass through there soon as a bucket list trip for gramma. She loves the outdoors but can't hardly walk anymore. Please, find me ideas!

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Drive, Salt Lake City
Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT
Golden Spike National Historic Park, Provo, UT
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives locations in Salt Lake City
Great Salt Lake tour
Kennecott Bingham Canyon copper mine tour, Salt Lake City

Excellent list. I would add Goblin Valley.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2022 19:10:58 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Mar 30, 2022 17:14:38 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I've been to Asheville 3 times and it's awesome. I've been to Smoky Mountains National Park and it's awesome too, probably awesomer if you aren't afraid of heights like I am My companion kept saying "Look, look" and I, "No, no" but it was spectacular when I peeked between my fingers

We went to Smoky Mountains in a 28' Winnebago. That really gave me a birds eye view of everything. That's really up high. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights. I could stand on top of empire state building without a guard rail but you have to bribe me to go down in caves - I've been but only did that so my son wouldn't call me a wimp and didn't want to transfer my fear onto him  

Also agree with Asheville!!

I did a cave thing in West Virginia and it was much better than I thought it would be.  The part where they turn off all the lights and you finally understand what dark means was pretty weird but I just hugged the rock next to me and remembered all the breathing techniques my yoga instructor taught me. 

[happyhoix]

Mar 30, 2022 17:19:30 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Mar 30, 2022 11:17:29 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I do like Civil War history.  The only battlefield I have been to was in Mississippi and it was pouring the entire day so didn't really see much.

I don't care for space history and I'm not wanting to go as far south as the Gulf Shores.  Just hit the northern part of Alabama and start home.

A couple of side trips you might consider.

The Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, GA.  This was the largest Confederate prison camp, holding thousands of Union prisoners.

Natchez, Mississippi.  Tour antebellum mansions and see how rich plantation owners lived before the civil war.

Actually if you’re into history and architecture, Savannah Georgia is good too. Near the waterfront are colonial style houses, and as you walk inland from the river, you go through the different styles - Queen Anne, gothic revival, through to Tudor and then Victorian around Forsyth park. Lots of them are open to visit. Lots of restaurants and no law against walking around downtown as long as it’s in a cup, not bottle.

You might need to do a northern trip and then later spend another two weeks visiting the South. Don’t visit in the middle of summer though- the humidity is killer.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2022 19:29:28 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Mar 30, 2022 19:10:58 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

We went to Smoky Mountains in a 28' Winnebago. That really gave me a birds eye view of everything. That's really up high. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights. I could stand on top of empire state building without a guard rail but you have to bribe me to go down in caves - I've been but only did that so my son wouldn't call me a wimp and didn't want to transfer my fear onto him  

Also agree with Asheville!!

I did a cave thing in West Virginia and it was much better than I thought it would be.  The part where they turn off all the lights and you finally understand what dark means was pretty weird but I just hugged the rock next to me and remembered all the breathing techniques my yoga instructor taught me. 

I went spelunking and spent the night in Cumberland Caverns on a school field trip for CLUE students when I was in 4th grade. We toured some of the wild parts of the caves, which involved crawling through small spaces and stuff. CLUE is (was?) a program for “gifted” students. We’d already learned some things about caves and stalactites and stalagmites and how important it was to not touch stuff and why. My Mom went on the trip, as a chaperone I guess, but she’s never been a small woman, and she was advised that she should maybe not go on that part of the tour. So she missed that part.

I’ve seen what seems to me like real dark, out in the country in Mississippi, where relatives lived. I will never forget being outside and unable to see my hand right in front of my face. I don’t like not being able to see.

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful. Especially when you are so far up one of the mountains that you can look out over everything. And see why they’re called the Smoky Mountains. We stayed high enough that that was our view.
……………………….

Close your ears and cover your eyes………………

I don’t give a fuuuuuuck if I never fool with mountains again. Mister agrees. We’re both good if we never even drive up a huge hill again. The way that road up the mountain was set up, and the way my NERVES are set up, just let me cruise some beaches.

[CCL]

If you are going thru South Carolina, I'd recommend Charleston. It's a beautiful and historic city. We love Hilton Head, too. Although if you don't like the water Hilton Head may not be to your liking. You could also head down to Savannah from there.

[azucena]

Theo - seems like a lot of states to cover so maybe split NE and South into two trips like someone else suggested. Although I did read Alabama and think hmm, StL is between AL and IA

[TheOtherMe]

Mar 30, 2022 20:25:31 GMT -5 azucena said:

Theo - seems like a lot of states to cover so maybe split NE and South into two trips like someone else suggested. Although I did read Alabama and think hmm, StL is between AL and IA [img src="https://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff155/JiminiChristmas/ymamsmiles/wink.png" alt="" class="smile" src="//storage2.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png"]

I am going to split it.  I've undertaken too much.  I am going to do the NE and the Greensboro North Carolina area.  

St. Louis could be between there and Iowa. 

Will have to do the rest of the south on another trip.

I do now have the cat sitter lined up and he is shocked at how long I will be gone.

I'm sure by now that my sister can't figure out where I am going next week--unless she figures out those are the dates she was asked to babysit and said her son was bullying her.  

She did know I was going to Toronto and planning to come home the long way.  I will be back before she would be taking her other grandchildren on their annual vacation so I'm good.

[TheOtherMe]

Mar 30, 2022 19:39:31 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Mar 30, 2022 17:19:30 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

A couple of side trips you might consider.

The Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, GA.  This was the largest Confederate prison camp, holding thousands of Union prisoners.

Natchez, Mississippi.  Tour antebellum mansions and see how rich plantation owners lived before the civil war.

Actually if you’re into history and architecture, Savannah Georgia is good too. Near the waterfront are colonial style houses, and as you walk inland from the river, you go through the different styles - Queen Anne, gothic revival, through to Tudor and then Victorian around Forsyth park. Lots of them are open to visit. Lots of restaurants and no law against walking around downtown as long as it’s in a cup, not bottle.

You might need to do a northern trip and then later spend another two weeks visiting the South. Don’t visit in the middle of summer though- the humidity is killer.

This is why I am going in May.  

I don't have to be concerned with alcohol laws because I don't drink.  

[TheOtherMe]

The places I have been in the south have mostly been for basketball games.  We played in a tournament in Ruston, LA and I flew in to Shreveport and rented a car.  It was on the off day that I drove in the rain to a civil war battlefield.  For some reason, I kept thinking it would stop raining but it never did.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Mar 30, 2022 19:29:28 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

Mar 30, 2022 19:10:58 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

We went to Smoky Mountains in a 28' Winnebago. That really gave me a birds eye view of everything. That's really up high. Thank goodness I'm not afraid of heights. I could stand on top of empire state building without a guard rail but you have to bribe me to go down in caves - I've been but only did that so my son wouldn't call me a wimp and didn't want to transfer my fear onto him  

Also agree with Asheville!!

I did a cave thing in West Virginia and it was much better than I thought it would be.  The part where they turn off all the lights and you finally understand what dark means was pretty weird but I just hugged the rock next to me and remembered all the breathing techniques my yoga instructor taught me. 

Mammoth Cave in KY is cool.  We might hit that again this year.  Last time we went Carrot was a year old and I had to carry him through it.

[daisylu]

Mar 31, 2022 8:36:33 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Mar 30, 2022 19:29:28 GMT -5 soupandstew said:

I did a cave thing in West Virginia and it was much better than I thought it would be.  The part where they turn off all the lights and you finally understand what dark means was pretty weird but I just hugged the rock next to me and remembered all the breathing techniques my yoga instructor taught me. 

Mammoth Cave in KY is cool.  We might hit that again this year.  Last time we went Carrot was a year old and I had to carry him through it.

I love visiting Kentucky. When we were there last year, we missed out on underground kayaking that DH really wanted to do. I sent the link to Mammoth Cave to DH, he is all in. Will likely be next year.

[happyhoix]

Mar 31, 2022 10:47:28 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Mar 31, 2022 8:36:33 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Mammoth Cave in KY is cool.  We might hit that again this year.  Last time we went Carrot was a year old and I had to carry him through it.

I love visiting Kentucky. When we were there last year, we missed out on underground kayaking that DH really wanted to do. I sent the link to Mammoth Cave to DH, he is all in. Will likely be next year.

Couldn’t do underground!! Triggers my fear of confined spaces. And bats. And bats in confined spaces.

Natahala rafting near Murphy NC is more my speed. Half the water comes from the bottom of a TVA reservoir so it’s cold, which feels amazing in hot weather, and it’s not very fast or full of rapids. For that there’s the Occoee in Tennessee- used to love to do that until I got old and more prone to breaking bones.

[NastyWoman]

My travel companion DSIS2 and her fear of bays keep us out of most any caves.

[daisylu]

I like bats.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Mammoth is so huge though.  It's not like squeezing through tight spots.

[tskeeter]

Mar 30, 2022 19:15:48 GMT -5 cooper88 said:

Mar 30, 2022 17:44:30 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Drive, Salt Lake City
Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT
Golden Spike National Historic Park, Provo, UT
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives locations in Salt Lake City
Great Salt Lake tour
Kennecott Bingham Canyon copper mine tour, Salt Lake City

Excellent list. I would add Goblin Valley.

I missed one.

Alf Engen Ski Museum, Olympic Park, Park City, UT
    (Watch summer ski jumping practice or take a run down the bobsled track)

[TheOtherMe]

After mapping things out, I think I will head to North Carolina from Toronto and do the southern route.  It's too much to do it all at once and it's also going to keep me away from my babies for too long.  

There's plenty of things I can do that direction when I get done with the historical society.

[tallguy]

Mar 30, 2022 17:44:30 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Mar 30, 2022 16:25:32 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

You did Utah?! I'm planning to do a pass through there soon as a bucket list trip for gramma. She loves the outdoors but can't hardly walk anymore. Please, find me ideas!

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park
Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Drive, Salt Lake City
Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, UT
Golden Spike National Historic Park, Provo, UT
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives locations in Salt Lake City
Great Salt Lake tour
Kennecott Bingham Canyon copper mine tour, Salt Lake City

Don't leave out Canyonlands and Capitol Reef either.  All of the Utah National Parks are great.  GF and I did a six-week+ road trip through the west three years ago before Covid hit.  Hit eleven national parks and at least two national monuments.  All of it was fantastic, but the single best thing for me was the amphitheater at Bryce.  Truly stunning in every way.  Another bonus for someone who can't walk much any more is that you can do Bryce in one day and that most of the great views can be seen from the roadway without strenuous or even moderate hiking.  

We are starting to plan a two-week trip to Colorado for September.  All four national parks and probably two national monuments, including Dinosaur on the way back.  So many great things to see in this country, but the national parks are amazing. 

[plugginaway22]

When in Utah do not miss Dead Horse Point State Park. We loved this park after spending time in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. 

[TheOtherMe]

I booked my first 3 nights out of Toronto today.

Night 1 will be spent in Morgantown, WV.  Purely for a night's sleep.  

Nights 2 and 3 will be at the eastern edge of Greensboro North Carolina.  I want to spend as much time at my ancestor's historical site as I want.  

Will get out the atlas and read this thread for stops in South Carolina and Georgia tomorrow.  I'm guessing by then I will be ready to head home via Alabama and St. Louis.

I think the last time I came home from Mississippi, I went through Memphis, Arkansas and then Missouri to St. Louis.

[TheOtherMe]

Tell me things to do in Savannah GA.  I booked a couple of nights there.

I also booked 3 nights in the Gulf Shores with a balcony on the beach side.  That's my luxury stay for this trip.  

[Cookies Galore]

Apr 7, 2022 12:27:21 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Tell me things to do in Savannah GA.  I booked a couple of nights there.

I also booked 3 nights in the Gulf Shores with a balcony on the beach side.  That's my luxury stay for this trip.  

Go meet my cousin's new baby! Lol

[CCL]

If I ever go to Savannah again, I want to do a ghost tour. Spooky!