Road Trip!! Vote on which way we drive!

[shalanna]

Do you know that we haven't been on a vacation or road trip of ANY kind since I got that first-place award in Beaumont (Texas) (*stinky*) back in around 1990 at the Golden Triangle Writers' Conference? Before that, we had been to Hot Springs over a Memorial Day weekend, but that was ruined because we arrived home to find that my husband's brother's wife had been killed on the way home from a family vacation . . . and before that, we hadn't been anywhere since our honeymoon (which we enjoyed, but which we ended by blowing out the two left tires on the TransAm as we rolled into Richardson on the way to the grocery store so we'd have something to eat in the house) . . . and since then, we just haven't traveled except on business or on "duty" (meaning a family member or close friend needed help--usually because hesh was in the hospital or worse.) Aaack!! And we have house-to-phobia now, cabin fever, insanity of staying home.

But! BUT! And again, BUT!!

Around the end of April, my closest cousin is going to Savannah with her hubby to participate in a motorcycle event. (Don't ask . . . 'cause I don't really know. I only know he's going to ride up into the mountains with a group that is presumably not the Hell's Angels.) They're going to drive. It'll be a two-day trip, but the countryside is beautiful and we could stop in some interesting towns. We wouldn't be alone on the road, so that would be cool--we'd follow their truck. (He's going to ride the motorcycle part of the way, and we could bracket him from the back while she brackets him from the front.)

Okay, well, we have the vacation time, assuming no one gets the flu again and so forth. We could do this!

But! (etc.) Many of y'all know that the place I have always wanted to go back to (and show to my family) is in California. The Big Sur/Pacific Grove/Carmel-by-the-sea area. Highway 1, the 17-mile-drive, Big Sur, the little town of Pacific Grove, the places in Monterey where author John Steinbeck held court, the Monterey Aquarium, Lovers Point beach, and so forth. On the way there, we'd go through Albuquerque (where I have an acquaintance who runs a B&B) and right past the Grand Canyon. However, it's mostly desert and there's a lot of "Nothing" to be seen. It's a little farther, by about 500 miles as the SUV putts. But it's the place I've always wanted us to go!

There's the dilemma. Should we go on the family trip thing and travel around 1,037 miles (about 15 hours and 36 minutes as the Google drives, but longer because we stop at every tinkle spot and scenic overlook) to Georgia and see the pre-Civil War sights in a town so purty that General Sherman didn't burn it? OR should we say, "Hell, if we're gonna roll the tires off the car, let's go where we have wanted to go," and travel 1,695 miles to Carmel-by-the-sea (about 1 day and 2 hours by their calculations, but actually much longer, I'll bet)?

We may not get to go anywhere at all. But if I'm going to spend the money (ga$ at three dollar$ plu$ a glug, and a minivan!) and the time, I'd rather make a sensible choice. So (as tradition dictates in this world) I'm putting it up for a vote!

Have you been to these places? Do you know the route? Have you experienced anything not-to-miss or a weird roadside attraction (such as the Cadillac Ranch or the biggest peach in the world)? Do you have a suggestion? Love to hear it in the comments!

[Poll #1162106]

Comments

[madkestrel.livejournal.com]

I think I might be misunderstanding the route you propose, but just in case...I-20 doesn't go near Savannah. It's nearly 150 miles away.

With that said, I can highly recommend Savannah - it's pretty, and pleasant, and there's usually lots to do.

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

Oops! I should've said that those are just the major arteries going that direction. We'd be starting out from Dallas by taking I-20 to the east. That goes all the way through Atlanta or thereabouts, it looks like. Then we'd have to get on whatever roads swerve towards Savannah.

I would love to see those pre-Civil War buildings and sites. Also, there's the Atlantic Ocean. So there IS a beach. It's just the Other Beach. (grin)

I'll never make up my mind. But this is fun to think about, anyway!

Thanks for the recommendation! (ticking a box)

[wildcelticrose.livejournal.com]

The Northern California coast will be cold at the end of April, so Savannah would be your best bet weather wise.

but Carmel is BEAUTIFUL and spectacular.

My vote would be Georgia in the Spring, and Northern California (a MUST) in the late Summer/Fall

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

Okay . . . point taken. I had to wear a sweater both times that I visited the area before (I got sent to Palo Alto on two business trips for a seminar at Stanford, a week each time, and I took my rental car down the coast over the weekend.) Carried a cardigan after 6 PM all through San Francisco and the Monterey area! But . . . even if it's cold . . . it's going to be our big-time road trip. Don't know if I could rook hubby into taking a second one this same year.

However, that's two votes for Georgia! (cue Ray Charles "Georgia on my Mind") I suppose I'd better take this gift card I got for Barnes and Noble and go pick up a few travel books about Savannah and the drive east . . . it's weird, as the card came in the mail the week after my birthday from an old friend ( a guy, but not a ex ) who said, "I think you just had an important birthday. . . ." It wasn't one of the even-numbered birthdays, but it did get ignored by all the flu-afflicted family people around here, so that was still kind of cool. Have not heard from this guy for years until now, so I wonder what made him think of me. Hmm. There's a book or at least a novella in that!

Thanks for the recommendation! Will try to make myself more enthusiastic about going the "wrong way." **GRIN** After all, we'd be with my cousin and her hubby at least part of the time until they get on their Hawgs! *eep* I don't DO motorcycles any more. Not with this bum knee.

[wildcelticrose.livejournal.com]

I'm stuck going on a business trip to Florida in JUNE.

Yeah, bug and hurricane season.

UGH.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Hey, that drive up along the Colorado river is AWESOME--beautiful park after beautiful park. Do not miss arches! Zion! The drive along the river alone is gorgeous!

[mela-lyn.livejournal.com]

I'm in Cleveland... heehee.. But we have a Route 20. ;) Have a good trip!!

[dennismhavens.livejournal.com]

Savannah! A city redolent of history. That wonderful old cemetery from "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Johnny Mercer's grave. Great restaurants. Grand antebellum houses, not McMansions. The true beauty spot of the South.

You've seen the central California coast, albeit not under the best of circumstances. I've seen it too, but I've seen Savannah as well. To me, Monterey/Salinas/Pacific Grove doesn't come close.

[imafarmgirl.livejournal.com]

california is awesome! I used to live in santa cruz. It's a neat town to check out. Heck, drive a bit further, check out the beaches of half moon bay and go see San Fran. Catilac ranch is neat, I saw it as a kid. Wonder if it is still there. New Mexico rocks. East is boring and sucky and the weather sucks.