What is Your RoadTrip Profile?

In the continuing effort to define whatever a roadtrip is, here is another stab --

Road trip! These two little words conjure dreams of freedom and adventure, yet they mean something different to every person who utters them. Is it a jaunt? A quest? A rendezvous with serendipity? The answers and a few more tidbits can be found on my MSNBC column this week (they left off my byline -- but it is me nonetheless...)

So, what I really want to know is -- What is YOUR RoadTrip Profile?
{Hint: You may have to read the article to properly identify your own profile....}

Mark

I don't think that I really fit any one of those categories, yet I also fit several of them. I don't see a category for wild hair to see xyz, after attending the F1 race, but before continuing my quest to see all 50 states within the span of 1 week. :) (Yeah - I know I'm nuts).

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Originally Posted by lhuff

I don't think that I really fit any one of those categories, yet I also fit several of them. I don't see a category for wild hair to see xyz, after attending the F1 race, but before continuing my quest to see all 50 states within the span of 1 week.

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Just kidding... (sort of). Actually, I set this poll up so you can vote for all five if you want. I voted for two... So let's see where you are.

mark

When I first saw this survey, I thought "Of course my answer is The Jaunt". It's really why I hit the road. To see a bit of America (or wherever). To learn something. To see what, and who, is around the next bend. To enjoy the freedom and the newness. To watch the world roll by. And to a very large extent that is and has been true of all my RoadTrips. The main thing that has changed is that I no longer feel that each trip has to have big 'must sees', I have found that I have as much fun, learn as much, and meet a whole lot more people in the quieter venues and smaller attractions. And so I voted for The Jaunt.

But there have been times (maybe 10% of my RoadTrips) that have been driven by The Challenge. Those trips to the unique or just odd geographical location, Quody Head, ME; South Point, HI; Point Roberts, WA; Kentucky Bend, KY; Mars Hill, ME for dawn on the 4th of July, 1976; East Port, IA when I finally drove in my 50th state, oddly enough, the state I was born in. Also included in this category are some trips where the challenge was to use (or not use) certain roads - Chesapeake Bay to the Finger Lakes using only 3-digit state highways, or across Wisconsin on county trunk roads, trips where I just got tired of driving the same old roads again and again.

And finally I remembered way back to my first car, a 1957 Saab 93, when The Vehicle was the thing. I would take long drives for no other reason than to see the look on the gas station attendant's face (Remember when gas stations had attendants?) when I would open those suicide doors and pour a quart of oil into the gas tank to feed that monstrous 33 cubic inch, 3 cylinder, two-stroke engine under the forward hinged hood. The best of all was when the pump jockey in Harrington, DE asked me if I had made the car myself.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by Editor

Is it a jaunt? A quest? A rendezvous with serendipity?

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When Megan and embarked on our first long roadtrip (6.5 years in length) we both had the notion that we were "going out to seek our fortune" and maybe even "discover the meaning of life" -- We found it and we are still doing it. All that said, I have never passed a dirt road that was heading off for a distant horizon that I didn't immediately want to follow. Is that the jaunt's siren call or do I just like the risk of not knowing where I am going? Hard to know, but I think these questions are an interesting way to look at the activity that we all love to do.

I am really curious about how Moderator Judy will respond to this poll --since we know she loves her car....

Mark

I'm certainly a little of most of these, it just depends upon the day. Some days I just look forward to getting out on the road, other days I'm looking for the spiritual enlightenment that I find much more so behind the wheel than in any church. Of course, I'm always trying to find a way to stop by a state or province I haven't been to yet - or check off a major or minor league ballpark I haven't yet seen. And of course there's some of the risk in there too, as I almost never make reservations because the ability to totally change directions and just see where I end up.

The only one I don't really relate to is the Vehicle driven trip. You give me a working car, and I'll take it on a roadtrip. In fact, in these days of $3+ gas, I'm just as likely to be on the road in my 1990 Toyota Subcompact with overheating issues as I am in my nice roadtriping SUV - but maybe that goes back to the risk factor again....

I've done all the above but I chose "the jaunt" because most roadtrips are probably for that reason, I guess. Fun, after all, is a must on a roadtrip. But I usually do a little of all of these things on each roadtrip, too. I usually find out something about myself or discover something that brings me great joy so while a quest might not be the major goal, I consider my whole life a quest for enlightenment and personal growth so why shouldn't it happen on a roadtrip? And, well, I do collect magnets (cheap, easy to pack away, and they bring back memories everytime I look at them). And I am always seeking quirky TTT's, Tacky Tourist Traps. I don't think I've ever done a roadtrip without seeking the world's biggest egg or Muffler Men or something else strange and bizarre along the road. So The Challenge kinda fits, too. I don't mind having a goal but I don't like being tied down to an itinerary or reservations if I can help it so, yeah, the Risk Factor fits but it really doesn't feel risky at all to me. And, now, to the car. I do love driving my car. And I think I look quite cute in it going down the road. And the second thing I collect is pictures of my car in front of things. And I find myself feeling sorry for people who aren't traveling in such a fun, little car. So, yeah, while The Vehicle might NOT be King as I've enjoyed roadtrips in less fun/cute cars, it sure does make a difference, imo.

Gosh, how can anyone choose?

I convinced my wife to take a trip to the Iowa State Fair in 1996. The last day of the Iowa State Fair was our drop dead date, we had to make it to Des Moines by then. The convincing factor for her was that I promised that we would visit the Mall of America. There were a few stops to make to visit friends that I met, Jim in East Moline, IL and George in Cedar Rapids. We didn't get the chance to see Jim and his wife since she delivered a new son days before, but Jim managed to give us a short boat ride on the Mississippi. There were some must stops on the trip, the Hooters in Davenport since that opened after I left Iowa and the one in Cincinnati that I missed on my move back home.

Paula and I drove to Paducah, KY when we ran out of gas (physical exhaustion) and found a motel, stopping at the Hooters in Chattanooga and Memphis along the way. The next day, Paula asked "Want to go to St. Louis?" and I said "Sure, why not?". So we took a side trip to St. Louis, visited the Arch and had lunch at the Hooters in Union Station. On the way up to Moline, we saw signs of the "Home of Superman" at Metropolis, IL; so we visited Metropolis a bit, visited a few stores and took some pictures.

After Moline and spending the night in Cedar Rapids, it was on to Des Moines for the state fair. The Iowa State Fair is huge! (Much bigger than the South Carolina State Fair) Try finding a vacancy in Des Moines during the state fair. It is impossible! Nothing inside of 50 miles has vacancies, finally in downtown Des Moines, we spotted a vacancy sign at Hotel Fort Des Moines.

The next day, it was onto the Mall of America. We skipped the chain stores, Sears is Sears in Anywhere USA, and even the regional chains. We stopped at the unique stores. On the return home, we stayed at a motel in the middle of nowhere Illinois surrounded by cornfields and made a stop at the Hooters on the river in Cincinnati.

It was a fun trip and none of the trip was planned, no reservations; just one firm date, visit the Iowa State Fair before closing day.

So I reckon that vacation trip was a combination of "The Quest" and "The Risk Factor".

Why Iowa and their State Fair?

I had a short-term contract working in Cedar Rapids, IA from April through October, 1994. I decided to make the most of my stay and visited places in the surrounding area. As a Southerner, used to fresh seafood, I wanted some raw oysters; Red Lobster quit serving raw oysters, then I remembered that Hooters Restaurant serves raw oysters at their location in Columbia, SC; I went on the computer and found there was a restaurant in Des Moines, IA and I drove there for lunch on a weekend.

Then I developed an off-beat hobby, visiting as many Hooters Restaurants that I could. I made a day trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN. One of my craziest trips was to drive from Cedar Rapids, to Omaha for lunch, then to Kansas City for dinner. I couldn't find a motel room on the return leg, so I just drove back to Cedar Rapids through Des Moines, a 900 mile road trip.

On my moving trip back home, I stopped at the Hooters in Indianapolis, tried to find the one in Cincinnati and decided to press on; spent the night in Lexington, KY and had dinner at the Hooters and had lunch at the Hooters in Knoxville. I also did not want to unload my van on the twisting curves of I-40 or I-26 in the mountains, I put the spare tire in the passenger seat and the jack and lug wrench under the seat.

Since I started my Hooters Restaurant Quest, I have visited 23 Hooters in 14 states. I have an understanding wife and she doesn't mind eating there either.

PS:
I see material in here for a Toastmasters speech.

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Originally Posted by RalphHightower

I also did not want to unload my van on the twisting curves of I-40 or I-26 in the mountains, I put the spare tire in the passenger seat and the jack and lug wrench under the seat.

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Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Uh, I see your point, but somehow don't like that solution -- can you imagine what a spare tire would do rocketing around (inside) a car trying to stop for an errant deer on the highway?

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Since I started my Hooters Restaurant Quest, I have visited 23 Hooters in 14 states. I have an understanding wife and she doesn't mind eating there either.

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Well, you know -- you need to factor in Las Vegas... There is a Hooters hotel here and the Hooters gals are in good supply. Maybe you could even fly part of the way on the Hooter's public jet?

Mark

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Originally Posted by Judy

Gosh, how can anyone choose?

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I think that is the primary point that all of these posts are making -- the best roadtrips are those where the motivations are clearly understood and appreciated and, most importantly, embraced --

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So, yeah, while The Vehicle might NOT be King as I've enjoyed roadtrips in less fun/cute cars, it sure does make a difference, imo.

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Gosh, why am I not surprised by that? Actually, maybe the phrase should have been -- the vehicle reigns supreme???
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/jcarter.jpg
Above is Moderator Judy in her beloved roadtrip car "Bilbo."

Mark

I had to choose all but the last. While I love my primary vehicle's, they just aren't financially smart to drive long long distances. I took my Yukon into Canada for my last roadtrip of near 3000 miles in January, gas was super expensive, and in Quebec it was even worse, after the exchange it was probably $3.50+ per gallon, and about $80 each fill up. After using the AWD and leaving it running all night long, and operating in -12 temp's, it got very expensive very quick. At some points during the trip, I was averaging only 10-12mpg. My next trip will be in my less fun, less exciting, even less to look at Civic Hatchback, but, it gets 50+ mpg so you have to kind of accept the fact its a much smarter vehicle to pick. Plus more mileage means I can go further than in the Yukon on less money. Therefore I see more, and I suppose overall means more fun. So it all works out one way or the other.

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Originally Posted by NickF829

Plus more mileage means I can go further than in the Yukon on less money. Therefore I see more, and I suppose overall means more fun. So it all works out one way or the other.

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Yukons are great cars -- even you might be amazed where I have squeezed that long Yukon chassis through tight gaps in the back country. I have had a love affair with cars and trucks as far back as I can remember and often these gas-guzzling four-wheelin' have provided the means to reach places I would never have gone without them. Yep, they do drink the fuel --
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/Getti...acetrack05.jpg
but very few Civics are going to get to the RaceTrack playa....

Thanks for the response and your vote in the poll

Mark

I had to pick all five as I have done them.
The Jaunt: A solo run to South Dakota only to see what there was to be seen. I took my road atlas and a wad of cash and headed out. Had an awesome time, met some great folks along the way(still friends with most of them and visit as often as I can) and have made the state a regular destination for road trips.
The Quest: A solo run around Lake Superior to find the coolest secluded beach that I could find. Many thanks to the local Canadian who pulled my stuck car off said beach.
The Challenge: Road trip to Chicago for pizza. Left Sunday morning and had to be back to work on Monday at 0700.(Chi-town is about six hours away from here one way). I did make it to work on Monday, dont know if I was very productive or not though.
Risky Business, Reservations or Winging It: I have found some really neat and CHEAP lodgings travelling that way. Some of the places, I just was too grossed out after a tour of the rooms(always insist on a tour before laying down money, learned that one the hard way). Its too bad that the cleanest and cheapest place I found is no longer there, chain motel bought it out and built a box there.
The Vehicle is King: No cookie cutter economy box for me thanks. I like to stretch out and have plenty of room for the whole gang or just myself while travelling. Be it my 73 Olds 98 or my beloved 59 Ford Galaxie 500, I am at home on the road with either one. Both cars will seat six to ten(depending on how cozy everyone is with each other) and has plenty of room for luggage and supplies to boot. While both are monsters when it comes to fuel consumption, being able to run all day long at speeds way beyond legal interstate speeds has a certain appeal to it.

I had to choose all of them, because at different times in my life, I am inclined towards different activities - even during different times of the year.

I am amazed at how many people I've met at car shows who DON'T take their vehicles for extended trips, instead choosing to just show them off around town. Within days of getting my first car, I was highlighting all the roads I had driven on in the atlas. I had to give that up, however, because I kept running out of markers!

We usually have a good idea of where we are going to go and set up reservations in advance (though not always), but I have a feeling that the next long trip we take is going to be one with no real destination in mind. I think we've become a little too burdened by setting even a loose schedule on our trips.

Solo trips, I don't make reservations at all and just wing it, and so far things have worked out well. These are sometimes jaunts and quests, but usually they turn into something else entirely: reflective moments and time for re-evaluation.

Most often I seem to go on Jaunts. For example, there is my upcoming trip to northern Idaho, within two days' drive. I also like Jaunts of a different sort, the fly/drive combo. I like to tag along with my parents when they fly down south, then I drop them off at the golf course and drive to fun and interesting places in the area.

Last year I completed a sort of Quest, my trip to the Yukon and Alaska. I had been dreaming about this journey for four years, and finally accomplished it with an unforgettable five-week trip up north. Now I guess I have to set other goals!

There is also an element of the Challenge in some of my trips. When possible, I like to fit in pro hockey or baseball games into the trips. Edmonton Oilers, or Minnesota Twins, or even taking the T to Fenway Park. I also like hiking and enjoying the outdoors in the places that I visit. How about going from 475 feet to 9800 feet in elevation and back in the same day? Or climbing 1200 feet in only 1.2 miles?

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Originally Posted by wacko2

How about going from 475 feet to 9800 feet in elevation and back in the same day?

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Wow, where did you this opportunity?

Mark

Easy enough the next time you're in Palm Springs, California. There is a tramway that goes up Mount San Jacinto to an elevation of 8,500 feet. The cost to ride the tram is roughly $20 per adult. From the mountain station, you can hike up to Wellman's Divide which is above 9,700 feet. It's a moderate hike, about 6.5 miles round trip, and results in totally awesome views of the valley and surrounding mountains! The whole excursion, including the tram, can easily be done within 6 hours if you're in good shape and hike at a fairly good clip. You will need to obtain a (free) day use wilderness permit, but you can get this at the Long Valley ranger station. Among other things, you will need to know your vehicle license plate number.

I went up the mountain last year in mid-November, and somehow I picked probably the best day to do it! The weather was great for hiking, and I enjoyed the mountain scenery and the temperatures which were 30 F cooler than the valley bottom. I even spotted some small patches of snow. (Snow in southern California! A revelation for a Canuck like myself!) And from Wellman's Divide, I was able to see the Salton Sea which had to be some 50 miles away. Naturally, I took some awesome pictures of the scenery!

I do have to note that between December and April, the mountain is often covered in snow up to 10 feet deep. So always come prepared for the weather, and for sudden changes in weather. As well, altitude sickness may be a concern for some people, although I felt no ill effects myself. Also, for those early birds who are up to the challenge, it is possible to hike to the summit at 10,800 feet, which adds another 5.5 miles to the journey.

Oh, and don't rush to Palm Springs too soon... the tramway is closed for a maintenance period each August. (Palm Springs in August is probably like baking in an oven anyway.)

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Originally Posted by wacko2

(Snow in southern California! A revelation for a Canuck like myself!)

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There are several ski areas within an hour of downtown Los Angeles...

While not southern California, per se, the worst case of snow blindness I have ever had was near the Nevada/California state line on early February morning a few years ago. I have driven in full-on blizzards elsewhere in USA and Canada, but I have never been that dis-oriented as I was near Mountain Pass, California. The only way I can tell I was still on a road, any road, was by watching my speedometer...

Plus, we get snow every year in Las Vegas -- not a lot but still a winter wonderland-look for most Chrismases.

Mark

Mark probably has heard me say this many times over, but probably never together... unless my trip has a specific destination (which usually involves moving, vistinging family, etc.), my favorite road trip is to just pick a direction and drive. So, that would mean my primary "Roadtrip Profile" would be the "risky business" type Mark has refered to.

Even my trips that have a set destination are just winging it. No reservations, and I mean that both ways. Usually the only contingent is that I get between destinations in the shortest amount of time. 2 Days from Phoenix to Wenatchee, Washington is my standard trip, and I love it! Other than that, the route can change at a moments notice, and I never have a clue where I'm going to stop, because I only stop when I need to stop.

Some may call me crazy, and I just may be, but those are the type of trips that are for me. No planned stops, nothing like that, just if it looks interesting, I'm going to do it.

My last trip was like that. I took a brief trip up to Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson, AZ. After that, I didn't feel like going home, so I visited Strawberry, Pine, Camp Verde, and Arcosanti (it was closed, but I did get to the gate!). Those trips are the best. Infact, its time for another one... as soon as I get my car repaired.

-Brad

I am sort of the opposite of Arizona Brad. Given the limited time and resources I have, I feel that my chances of a highly successful trip are enhanced by extensive planning. I pore over maps, research distances and costs, and find out useful things to know way in advance. So by the time I actually get to my destination, I can hit the ground running, even if I have never been to that particular place before!

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Originally Posted by Editor

I have driven in full-on blizzards elsewhere in USA and Canada

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Common sense would dictate that you should never drive in a blizzard. Still, I've seen a couple of white-outs when my dad was driving.

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Originally Posted by Editor

Plus, we get snow every year in Las Vegas -- not a lot but still a winter wonderland-look for most Chrismases.

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Really? It snows that often in Las Vegas? I was under the impression that snow in Vegas was a once-in-a-decade type of thing. (For the record, I've been to Las Vegas exactly twice, so just ignore me...)

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Originally Posted by wacko2

I am sort of the opposite of Arizona Brad. Given the limited time and resources I have, I feel that my chances of a highly successful trip are enhanced by extensive planning. I pore over maps, research distances and costs, and find out useful things to know way in advance. So by the time I actually get to my destination, I can hit the ground running, even if I have never been to that particular place before!

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I do tons of research before I go somewhere. Between guidebooks, notes, printouts from the internet, etc., I'm well-armed. However, my trips are still spontaneous with little real planning. A paradox? Maybe. But I just take all this information and still make decisions spontaneously depending on my mood that day, the weather, the status of my pocketbook, my energy levels, etc. Few days, if any, are set in stone but I have the information I need to go and do the most important things to me at the time.

Is this kind of what you mean?

I too do tons of planning before I go, but I make almost no firm plans until I'm on the road.

For example, I'm heading out on my annual roadtrip with the guys later today. I've spent lots of time researching possible routes, campsites, and attractions, but as of right now, I don't even know where we are going to be sleeping tonight. But When it comes time to make a decision, I'll know what my options are.

And of course, if this method of traveling has shown me anything, its that no matter how much research you do before a trip, you'll always find things that you'd never anticipate until you're on the road. Which of course is what makes these adventures so much fun!

Well, my past couple of trips were a different sort of road trip, the fly/drive combo. We flew to our destination, and then each day I would drop my parents off at whatever golf course they had booked, and pick them up when they were done their 18 holes. That leaves 5 hours in between to do what I want, so there's not quite as much room for spontaneous planning. I picked my spots to visit in advance, and informed my parents of the day's plan (safety first!). Given that we were in Palm Springs and Phoenix at the nicer times of the year, weather was not too much of a factor in my planning.

My next trip, we will be driving all the way to/through the mountains. So there will be more space for spontaneous decisions, and the weather will very likely be much more of a factor in deciding what we want to do. (Hope it doesn't rain the whole time!) But even if we do decide to do different things once there, at least through my planning I already know the general layout of the area, and which routes to take.

As well, when I went to the Yukon/Alaska last year, we had a rough itinerary mapped out, but we deviated from it whenever we found it convenient. As a result, we ended up seeing Denali National Park on a different day than planned. We totally lucked out and saw quite a variety of wildlife! Dall sheep, grizzly bears, moose, a fox and even a wolf! And it is quite rare to see a wolf anywhere near humans.

I call our trips Roaddoggin'. They are a combination of many of the choices above, but I went with The Challenge. Quite often it is lighthouses, or battlefields. Lately, it's been to follow one non-interstate road for a distance. We also like to play NTN along the way.

Unless we're visiting for a specific event, we never make reservations. That would make it difficult to explore anything we find along the way. Very rarely have we had a problem finding a place to stay, even at the last moment. There have been a few exceptions though, a 1976 bicentennial trip to Washington, DC, ended up with a sleepover in a Holiday Inn parking lot. More recently, we had long night cruises from Omaha, Nebraska, to Des Moines (Hint, stay away from Omaha during the College Baseball World Series if you're just passing through.)

I would truly love to take a trip in a Corvette but can only afford one from the 80s and that might mean mechanical problems. We're quite happy in the Malibu which has the room and the mileage.

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog

I need the choice: fulfill destination - all of the national parks

My quest is to use a vehicle to challenge the risk factor of a juant. Yeah, I guess that just about covers it.

I had to pick the last option because I just noticed the other day that Hertz, bless them, have snuck the 'Vette into the list of cars you can hire at LAX.

It's just too tempting to resist: I've been debating with my wife whether to return to California in 2007 or take a trip around the East coast, but this may just seal it...

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Originally Posted by dj toast

I had to pick the last option because I just noticed the other day that Hertz, bless them, have snuck the 'Vette into the list of cars you can hire at LAX.

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One of our RTA guides' rides is a Vette -- not very practical but still worth it!

Mark

A roadtrip is a time to spend with family or make new friends.Its the perfect picture, regional cuisine, or a hike into the wilderness. Its Main St USA, or a road that dead ends into a cow pasture.Its the smell of mowed grass,coffee,
bacon, or a fall festival. Its a mighty river,the ocean, or a mountain. Its a perfect view, a belly laugh, and a time for reflection. Its adventure, imagination, and excitement all rolled into one.Above all, its memories that last a lifetime

What a lovely, poetic way to express how I'm sure most of us really feel about a good roadtrip!

As a very new member here I have really enjoyed finding other crazies who love getting in the car and just GOING! Certainly the risk factor and jaunt profiles fit us - know where you are starting and where/when you have to be back, arm yourself with maps and a couple of guide books and then just head off. It has never ceased to amaze me the difference in experience between people who take a tour of a country and people who roadtrip. For instance, I doubt if anyone on a tour would have had the delight of visiting Haga Haga on the Shipwreck Coast in the south east of South Africa. Fortunately we had a heads up from a bunch of very friendly locals at a bar/restaurant in Port St Edwards who suggested Haga Haga as a must see. A tiny settlement, a very cheap self contained unit in a back yard with spectacular ocean views and a couple of kilometres walk along a pristine, wild beach confirmed their recommendation. The same goes for our fanstastic drive from Front Royal, Virginia all the way down to Baton Rouge, Louisianna mostly along Parkways.
To me that is the essence of roadtripping. Finding spectactular places that you would never see or read about by talking to people who live there and having the freedom to go to the places they recommend. It is the ONLY way to travel!

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Originally Posted by Ali

As a very new member here I have really enjoyed finding other crazies who love getting in the car and just GOING!

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You are among friends here -- most of us ARE crazy.

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It has never ceased to amaze me the difference in experience between people who take a tour of a country and people who roadtrip.

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Yeah, I agree -- part of it is being open to seeing what the day brings. Some of my best tips have come my way after I stopped trying to fit a trip into a schedule. My favorite method of roadtripping (one that I don't have much time for these days...) is to wake up in the morning. Go stand by the car and flip a leaf in the air -- which ever way the leaf is pointing is the direction I will drive that day. Thanks for the report about Haga Haga

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! To me that is the essence of roadtripping. Finding spectactular places that you would never see or read about by talking to people who live there and having the freedom to go to the places they recommend.

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This is, in a nutshell, whey the Great American RoadTrip Forum exists. And please share tips with other folks -- there are always more questions than responders, although we all try to keep up...

Enjoy and welcome!

Mark

I'm a challenge/jaunt/risky in that order.
I'm mainly a nature collector, see beauty in the little things-seashells, feathers, twigs, pebbles. I like collecting rocks from everywhere and thimbuls for some strange reason.
Last year was my 'see how much national parks I could see' jaunt. This year, it's a mining/cash and treasures sort of expedition. Since i like rocks, figured it would be perfect :)
Never booked a motel/hotel in advance- you just never know where you'd end up at the end of the day.

A roadtrip to me is a way of discovering the world at a human pace, putting distances into a time perspective, of freedom- stopping when you want, seeing something beautiful and having the time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy a place, get a story from a local, meet fellow travellers, waking up to a wind storm on the edge of a canyon, be able to soak your senses, mind and body into different experiences, and come out a little better for it.

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Originally Posted by mikphire

Never booked a motel/hotel in advance- you just never know where you'd end up at the end of the day.

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Glad to know that there are others out there (although these days, I must have certain business features when I travel and so my "risk" factor is lower).

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....get a story from a local, meet fellow travellers, waking up to a wind storm on the edge of a canyon, be able to soak your senses, mind and body into different experiences, and come out a little better for it.

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Very poetic, thanks for sharing and contributing here.

Mark

The vehicle has always been supreme to me, since I rebuilt my first 1934 Chevy engine at the age of 11, and it actually ran when I finished it. Actually anything with an engine from RC to ocean liners always intrigues me. All that mass of metal apart is just a cold mass of metal, but properly assembled it is a living breathing entity.

I say all but challenge because the only thing I collect is pictures and memories, and have made many memories since becoming a full time traveler. Whether I am cruising down the road in our Southern Comfort 2004 Dodge Diesel dually, four door, pulling both trailers (36 ft Rv and 14 ft Cargo), or ripping down some trail or side road on our 1100 Yamaha Silverado the feeling is the same. There is no way to subdue the spirit of an adventurer.

Actually cruising the side roads of the SW deserts in the truck has the same
feel and thrill as the motorcycle, just no bugs on the teeth, so less protein. Driving the mountain trails and passes in the Sky Islands of Arizona and looking down from some perch where the American Indians once roamed and lived freely is a feeling no city or tourist trap could ever give me. The roads less traveled are the best roads for us (my wife and I), no need for shopping malls, cities, or the like. Don't get me wrong, we like our creature comforts and usually find a full hookup RV park at night but the natural beauty of our big wonderful country is what thrills us, and the plight and struggles of our ancestors (both of us being of Cherokee descent), be it whatever tribe thrill us and give us meaning for life.

After three years of on the road living we wonder why we did not go sooner, and the price of diesel and gas is just another part of our lifestyle. I jokingly tell my wife when Diesel Fuel reaches 6 bucks a gallon, we will buy a house and stay where we are at that time. I guess managing to afford the fuel to do what we do is sort of a challenge, but none of the collecting and such is part of our on the road experience.

During my work life for Uncle Sam I was fortunate to be in all 50 states, but my present wife had never been to many states, we are rectifying that now, and loving it. Some were whirlwind tours when working, but now we can take time to see and do what we want. Our motto is warm winters and beautiful cool summers. So far it has worked great.

80% of the times, the reason for my roadtrips would be a fun-filled escape. In that process, I end up satisfying my quest. I've very rarely taken risks with my trips(always reserve prior) sadly because, I've never had a leisure trip(yet!). Something to achieve, somewhere to go was always in my mind & itinerary. Once I've satisfied the 'tourist' in me, I'd realize I've not seen enough until I really take the off-beaten path. Until then...

cool

I actually chose 4 out of the 5 choices, in saying that, I did do this poll based on my journeys in my homeland of New Zealand. Back home, Jaunt covered the Day Trips- spur of the moment, fun escapes from reality and when reality hit us back, we returned home lol, and despite how many trips started most ended as Quest - somehow finding spiritual enlightenment, regardless of whether it was or was not sought, and with all of our whimsical road trips, it came with made up challenges of how many items we could collect for Free, or the number of ppl we would randomly go up to and hug, to how many phone numbers of long distancec probable dates we collected or how many times a certain word was said by certain ppl to how many trucks we could get to toot their horns, activities or challenges/dares ranging from mundane and original to just plain stupid and memorable.

However, if we were planning a Long Road Trip to a further destination, because NZ is soo small and u can usually make it from one side of one island to the other in one day the reservations were made before we left home, this was normally the case as our "Tour Group" usually consisted of 2-3 girls on their own.. with very strict parents - regardless of our age hahaha.

And with my very first USA Road Trip/Relocation fast approaching, no doubt the answers will change, this time the "Tour Group" will be myself, my gorgeous husband and the unknown road to our new home ahead. I'm very much looking forward to exploring my new country - needless to say, some of the activities noted above will not be used.. :D

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Originally Posted by airetos

...with all of our whimsical road trips, it came with made up challenges of how many items we could collect for Free, or the number of ppl we would randomly go up to and hug, to how many phone numbers of long distancec probable dates we collected or how many times a certain word was said by certain ppl to how many trucks we could get to toot their horns, activities or challenges/dares ranging from mundane and original to just plain stupid and memorable.

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These all sound like great challenges -- welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! That is quite an odessey from NZ to Florida to the Bay area!

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I'm very much looking forward to exploring my new country - needless to say, some of the activities noted above will not be used..

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I would bet that to be true!

Mark

Road trips are all things to all people I think. One of my first was running away from home (Inkster, Michigan) at age 17 in a 1930 Model A Ford. My two pals and I made it to Jacksonville Beach Florida. We didnt have much loot so we washed dishes in all night diners for meal and a few bucks. We lived on peanut butter sandwiches and watermelon for days on end. In those days (1953) having Michigan plates on the car, traveling in the south was a real chalenge to say the least. The same Model A took us back to Michigan to "face the music". We all had money from paychecks when we returned so we treated friends to cases of beer and a drive in movie where five of us got busted for being drunk and disorderly. After promising police officers we would return the next day with our parents we (five this time) jumped in the same model A and took off for Mardi Gras. We made it to Lexington Kentucky, where we ran out of money, got busted and spent five days in "juvee". I am now 70 years old(?) and I am still on the road. All of my trips all over the world have been great adventures. I am now in the Philippines and will be back in the states to do a 5000 mile trip. One of my greatest roadtrips was traveling with a carnival, with wife and three kids living out of a school bus in the late sixties. Wherever you go..........there you are. Keep on truckin, road tripper P.S. I voted for all.

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Originally Posted by road tripper

I am now 70 years old(?) and I am still on the road.

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I loved the telling of that tale!

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Wherever you go..........there you are.

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My favorite word for this concept is "Nowhere" which I always pronounce as being " Now Here". Thanks for the message and the votes!

Mark