Brit in serious first time trouble
I know this is a very open ended question but I am a complete novice calling on everyones experiance and guidance.
I am trying to plan a roadtrip for two in North America, however I am having little luck finding out what places are really like (brochures always lie). I am looking for the "real" america. You know these films with endless roads in the rockey deserts, cb radios and no turn offs for miles, and when you find one you stop for gas and find adventure, great people, old gas stations and cafes (like that old Levi's ad - remember?) We want to spend 2 to 3 weeks completely unguided (to the travel agents disgust) travelling at our own pace and stoppin when and where we like and for however long we like, finding things as apparently by accident as possible. We don't want to be trapped ina schedule but do need flights home - I don't wanna have to get a job to get more tickets. We want to try and stay in motels like you see in the roadtrip movies - much as I hate to say it and eat in real trucker/traveller cafes. My ideal is almost unimaginable I know. I have no idea where to start but I am going to be flying in and then, well, I hope you can help. Anything to do with places, routes or any other suggestions would be a big help.
We will also need to buy a car (probably cheaper than renting???) and fill it up with gas, etc. I have no idea how much money I need so any input for the cost of what I am talking about would be great. I'm not looking for 5 star, just a bed, shower and MAYBE a tv. (National Parks are good too.) Any suggestions on a real american roadtrip car? I'm thinking a '70's 2 door american thing (I'm british) or a convertable - but either way it must be used and cheap as hell but worthy of a few miles.
Thanks so much for any help or advise, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. (And I'm not just a tourist but a first time retarded traveller)
Your fantasy road trip can be real
Much of the road trip experience you have imagined still exists, but you may have to view current reality through rose-colored glasses.
For starters, you should pick up a fellow Brit's book "Drive USA" He has plenty of tips that will make sense to you, (if not to Americans). For some other ideas check out http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/international.htm
New Mexico really is an enchanted land!
'Way to go. Mosey rules and we love that you let each day find its own direction!
New Mexico has always been full of special places for us. One of the most spirtual places we visited was the Angel Fire DAV memorial near Eagle Nest (on US-64 NE of Taos). http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/angel.htm
Another truly awesome experience can be found at Bosque del Apache, near Socorro during the winter flyover: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/journals/Number12.htm
Thanks for sharing your discoveries!
M.