Looking for the "Real America"

Hey Matt..

I'm taking a road trip too very soon and, living in Chicago, I debated between going West or East. Which road would lead me to that "Great American Experience"? Go West. To go west you will experience many different American "cultures". Small rural towns with county fairs.. Native Americans in New Mexico and Arizona.. Mormons in Utah.. Each has something unique to enrich your life. I did a Grand Canyon trip two years ago and, besides our hotel stay in Vegas, everything was spontaneous. We found a great little place called Cliff Dweller's Lodge and ended up staying there. We needed gas and were a bit hungry so we stopped there.. a momentary stop I thought. But the chef and waiter were great fun and we ended up talking all night long. We also talked to other guests at their motel who were from South Africa. The best part of it all, the sky is dark at night and that allowed us to lay down on the roof of our car and just watch the stars. We woke up at the crack of dawn and watched the sun come up. It was exactly the kind of American Experience I needed. Hopefully you can find your own little gem of a place. I'm heading West in about 2 weeks, hoping to find another great place.

I can think of hundreds of possible destinations. But two that come to mind would be Angel Fire, New Mexico and Enterprise, Oregon.

Matt:

Something no one else has mentioned: STAY OFF THE INTERSTATES. Take the "red roads" on the maps. The old U.S. routes are fun: US6 from Provincetown, Massachusetts to California; Route 66 from Chicago to California; US2 from Houlton, Maine to Seattle, Washington. On the interstates you'll miss the old country stores, the diners, and the giant animal statues (a la Salem Sue in Salem, ND http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/cow.html).
I suggest that website for other ideas, too. Great place to start!

When you're in Oklahoma, stop at Van's Pig Stand in Norman, OK for some great BBQ!

Dev & Kip
Currently parked in OKC