Laura, I really think you should be accompanying me on this trip, as my personal guide!! Thanks for the tips, once again! :)
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Laura, I really think you should be accompanying me on this trip, as my personal guide!! Thanks for the tips, once again! :)
I really wish I had another day on this trip!
Just reading this post by AZBuck has given me more ideas. I am booked into a hotel for the final Saturday and Sunday night but this, to be honest, is 75 miles in the wrong direction and I was considering cutting it loose for the Sunday and heading South after the race. I looked for a town a couple of hours drive South of Talladega and came up with Montgomery.
However, knowing nothing of Montgomery, and having already paid for the hotel elsewhere!, I decided to follow the path of least resistance. Now, having put two and two together and done some research, I feel that it'll be a nice idea to do exactly that. ie head south after the race, find somewhere to stay in Montgomery, then get up early the next day and go explore the place a bit.
I'll then head south to New Orleans, explore the French Quarter and Garden District on foot, then head west, stopping en route for the night.
Bit of a random one, but has anyone visited Southfork (from the TV show, Dallas)?? I remember my parents watching it when I was a kid and it might be fun to get a couple of photos, seeing it's going to be about 6 miles off my planned route.
It'll be a real flying visit, I'll not be planning on stopping for their tour, not unless anyone suggests it's really worth doing? I just want to get a couple of photos and maybe get a souveneir from their visitor center. Does anyone know if this is possible or will I have to buy my way onto their tour for this?
Thanks!
Right, I suddenly find myself 36 hours away from this trip, and haven't even started thinking about getting ready. ooops. Just wanted to post and see if anyone else has any tips or suggestions. I've been warned about the weather (can't believe it, I've booked a convertible expecting SUN!!) so will now be packing trousers as well as shorts, but, anything else I need to know or any new input on the itinerary?
Oh, just heard that the Pound just hit record levels against the Dollar... 2 Bucks to the Pound, fantastic!! It certainly explains why I'm seeing less and less of you guys over here though, it's a horrific exchange rate from your poin of view.
Apologies for having to make a new post but, for some reason, I don't seem to be able to edit my previous itinerary post anymore.
[Editor's Note: It actually works better, if previous posts of itineraries are not edited -- so that the discussion makes some sort of continuity sense to others reading the thread for the first time. So, a re-post of your revised itinerary is not only OK, it is preferred....]
Anyway, here's a revised itinerary, gonna be pretty busy, I think!
Fri 20/4 Arrive in Houston (pm), collect car and check-in to hotel. Collect tickets for race and look around. Overnight Holiday Inn Kirby Drive, Houston.
Sat 21/4 Look around city in the morning, visit Minute Maid Park and then return to circuit to meet up with Laura at 1pm. Watch Champcar qualifying and the ALMS race at 5pm. Overnight Holiday Inn Kirby Drive, Houston.
Sun 22/4 Champcar race. Overnight Holiday Inn Kirby Drive, Houston.
Mon 23/4 Leave city and drive to Arlington. Set up camp at Cedar Hill State Park and then drive to Ameriquest Field to watch Rangers vs Mariners at 7.05pm. Return to Cedar Hill for the night.
Tues 24/4 Visit Texas Motor Speedway for tour and then explore downtown Dallas. Have lunch at Record Grill and then visit Dealey Plaza and finally take in the view from Reunion Tower. Leave the city and head north to Premium Outlet Center to stock up on cheap clothes. Find motel or hotel nearby.
Weds 25/4 Visit Southfork Ranch before heading on to Crater Of Diamonds State Park. Visit Hot Springs National Park and take the opportunity to go on a hike in the mountains. If time permits visit the Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens and then continue onwards towards Memphis and find motel or campground in Little Rock area.
Thurs 26/4 Drive past Little Rock Central High School before driving to Memphis and visiting the National Civil Rights Museum and Sun Studios. Find hotel in/near Beale Street.
Fri 27/4 Visit Graceland and then head south to Tupelo and visit Elvis' Birthplace. Find local campground.
Sat 28/4 Drive to Talladega, stopping off in Birmingham. Collect tickets and watch Aarons 312 Nascar Busch Series race. Have overnight lodgings booked but, depending on availablility, try to camp at the circuit. If camping is unavailable then head to the Holiday Inn in Cedartown via the Talladega Forest Scenic Drive
Sun 29/4 Meet up with Simon, Tabby, Jo and Adie for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Oxford at 10am. Afterwards, head back to Talladega, in convoy, for the Aarons 499 Nascar Nextel Cup race. Visit infield before race and, afterwards, head south to Montgomery and find overnight accomodation.
Mon 30/4 Get up early and visit the Civil Right Memorial Center before getting back in the car and driving down to New Orleans via the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Explore the French Quarter and the Garden District on foot. Overnight in the city.
Tues 1/5 Finish exploring New Orleans and then continue west, visiting Baton Rouge and Lafeyette. Find motel or campground somewhere between Lafeyette and Beaumont.
Weds 2/5 Get up early, quick stop at the Gusher Monument and Worlds 3rd Largest Fire Hydrant (!!) for photos, then head back towards Houston. If the weather is good, turn south at Winnie and pick up the Bolivar Free Ferry to Galveston and spend a couple of hours reflecting on the beach. If weather is poor, continue towards Houston, and visit the San Jacinto Museum. Finally, back to the airport.
Thurs 3/5 Get home. Bah.
Craig,
That sounds like rather an amazing road trip holiday. Looking forward to your field report -- especially about the Record Grill!
Mark