Ultimate American Roadtrip

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In June myself (from New Zealand) and a friend (from England) will be departing Washington, DC to begin a year-long road trip to 49 US states and Canada (have to drive through it to get to Alaska). Along the way we'll videotape it, photograph it and write about it. Along the way we hope to find out exactly what America is through it places and people - not it's policies.

If you have any ideas for places we should go (we prefer off the beaten path) or people we should meet, please let us know. We'd love your suggestions, tips, etc.

Thanks!
Peter & Stewart
www.UltimateAmericanRoadtrip.com

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If you have any ideas for places we should go (we prefer off the beaten path) or people we should meet, please let us know. We'd love your suggestions, tips, etc

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Terlingua and the Big Bend area is a ways off the beaten path. If you can find Doug Davis or Angie, you should.

Big Bend is definately on the list. You do mean Texas, Im assuming.
THANKS!

I think you should do a bit more of Canada too.

On your way to Alaska, you'd hate to miss YOHO / BANFF / JASPER national parks (British Columbia / Alberta border and into Alberta). The Columbia Icefield / Athabaska Glacier has a great ride out onto the glacier.

Also, jump over to the Canadian side (Ontario) to see NIAGARA FALLS. Much better view, and lots to see and do nearby. On the Ontario side of the falls, there is a long walkway (or drive) east from the falls to the whirlpool view (pretty neat). Drive west from the falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake if you have any women with you! Or not... if you don't want any money spent.


For the USA, the drive from DURANGO to OURAY in Colorado on the "million dollar highway" (# 550) is very nice. You can take some pretty amazing 4X4 jeep rides from Ouray through the tallest mountain passes in the area. I had an amazing day with Switzerland of America (SOA) on the "Black Bear/Imogene Pass" tour.

To the east of Durango is GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK - skipped over by many.

Be sure to see BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK South Dakota. Again, often missed by many.

THANKS Syv!

We certainly want to see as much of Canada as we can. As we have no real schedule, or route, it shouldnt be an issue.

Again, thanks!
Peter

You got it!

Hablas español? Drive along the Mexican border from Nogales, AZ to El Paso, TX (SR9, SR80, SR82) and cross the bridge to Ciudad Juarez, Mex. A beautiful drive! Don't miss San Xavier Del Bac (spanish mission just south of Tucson), Bisbee and Tombstone (tourist trap but fun), the Chiricahua mountains, Ft. Bowie, Columbus and Douglas and the Old Mission Trail starting from El Paso.

Parlez-vous français? After Niagara, go east and visit Quebec City. Take SR138 to the Charlevoix Region and Tadoussac. Or visit the Gaspe peninsula, eat seafood en route at Baie des Sables and stop for the night at Chez Choinière B&B in St. Simon or at the campground du Parc de la Gaspésie and while you're there, hike Mts Albert and Xalibu. The next day visit the Jacques Cartier Museum in Gaspe and sleep at Parc Forillon. Set your alarm clock very early, drive to Perce and at low tide, walk to the Rocher (Pierced Rock). Then visit the Bonaventure Island and watch the white immaculate Fous de Bassan take wing. Then you could visit the Maritimes (Nova Scotia : Cabot Trail++) and take the ferry to the Magdalena Islands.

Cowboy Country : If you're going through Wyoming, follow the Oregon Trail (SR26) from Ogallala to Table Rock. Along the way don't miss Ash Hollow SP, Chimney Rock, Scottsbluff Nat'l Monument, Ft. Laramie and all the nice small "cowboy" semi ghost towns.

Have a nice trip!:-)

Gen

Ever cross a 5-mile long suspension bridge on foot? You can do that at the Mackinac (pronounced "Mackinaw") Bridge Walk (click on the "annual bridge walk" link on the left). It's only one day a year (Labor Day, the first Monday in September), so I don't know if that would fit into your schedule, but I had a great time doing this in 2004. Admittedly, the weather was perfect, and I can imagine it would be decidedly less fun if it were raining, but I still heartily recommend it.

WOW! Great ideas ALL!

We'll certainly cross into Canada (atleast on the way to and from Alaska) and possibly at Niagra Falls.

As far as Mexico, Ive heard its both risky and dangerous to actually drive in to Mexico. However, thats only speculation. Has anyone actually driven in to Mexico?

Wyoming and Montana are definately places Im anxious to go through. I cant wait to see them and the rest of the 'West'.

Again, Gen, thanks for the ideas. I appreciate them.

CHEERS!
Peter

Chuck,
No I havent ever walked across a 5 mile-long suspension bridge. Im from New Zealand and we have our fair share of suspension bridges, but certainly NOTHING near that length.

First weekend of September? That sounds like something we should certainly keep in mind. What an experience!

Thanks Mate!
CHEERS!
Peter

Peter,

I tend to think it is actually quite dangerous to drive through Mexico because of all the corruption. Apparently, getting in by car is not that bad but getting back to the US can take forever. Plus the street plan in Mexican cities are very chaotic, worse than Boston actually:o) I am not an expert but as a white skinny blonde female I crossed the border by foot once to C. Juarez (35 cents to get in, 25 cents to get out). I think it was fascinating, but I didn't feel very safe partly because I didn't crossed near the marketplace like all the other tourists but in a residential neighborhood and of course there were no white folks in sight and my spanish is really really basic! However, the experience was thrilling. I'm not sure I would go back there alone, but I certainly would with someone who speaks spanish. I think our moderator Bob went a few times to Mexico by car, maybe he could tell you more.

I would give it a try (by foot) if I were you. Exchange some US dollars for pesos at a Casa Del Cambio, cross the bridge over the Rio Grande and don't forget to read the bilingual graffitis en route. Then you will be able to tell your friends that you visited 3 countries instead of just two!:o)

Gen

Ps-I took a peak at your website, maybe I'll order a t-shirt someday:o)

It's not the most fun you'll have, especially since y'all are not technically covered under the open-border policy, being non-US-or-Canadian citizens. If you do venture to drive across, expect to be stopped and have your vehicle searched on the way back into the US. I'm a Texas resident and still get stopped half the time myself.

The easiest way to cross, if you don't mind a little cash spent, is to stop near the border in one of the border towns and locate a taxi (they tend to congregate in parking lots near the border). These guys will usually take you from one side into the marketplace on the other for about five bucks a carload. And since they drive back-and-forth all day they tend to get waved through the border gates. To get back this way after spending an afternoon drinking cheap booze, there are usually taxi jockeys in the marketplaces who will rope one for you. On the return, they will drop you on the bridge just at the border station, where you will have to walk across the actual border and pass through US customs.

You can of course walk the bridge in both directions, but if you are trying to do so on a busy market day, or during rush hours, expect to spend over an hour on the bridge in 100-degree-90%-humidity heat.

If you do intend to drive into Mexico, keep in mind that there is one underlying rule in Mexican traffic laws (and only one) - the biggest vehicle has the right-of-way. In case of a tie, it's the one with the loudest horn. Stoplights, stop signs, speed limits, yields, right-turn-only lanes... these are all open to interpretation on the spot. Also understand that there is absolutely NO rental car company in the US which will 'allow' you to drive into Mexico - which means that if you do get into a fender-bender or it gets stolen, all of that insurance you paid for won't cover you.

A couple of other little Mexico tips - know beforehand what the exchange rate is, if you intend to buy anything. If you stick to the border towns you won't need to exchange, but nine-to-one can become seven-to-one in a hurry if they sense a tourist. Have spare change for the restrooms. Most of all, take a deep breath and shift into low gear... things over there move at a laconic pace most of the time (exception: the aforementioned traffic).

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As far as Mexico, Ive heard its both risky and dangerous to actually drive in to Mexico. However, thats only speculation. Has anyone actually driven in to Mexico?

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There have been some great tips in previous posts, but the one thing to keep in mind is that Mexico is beautiful and exciting and a little challenging. Most of my in-country driving has been limited to Baja California, and I agree the last thing you want to do is get in a traffic accident. In addition, to the largest vehicle rule there is always the presumption that a Mexican citizen is in the right over any action by a visitor.

That being said, with a healthy dose of common sense you will be fine, unless you are driving a USA car rental.

Mark

I think we're, at this point, decided upon walking into Mexico. After entering Mexico, and trying to get a feel for the place, maybe then we'll drive into Mexico. As the vehicle is also going to be our home for the next year, anything that happens to the vehicle happens to our home, too.

Nonetheless, I appreciate all the good ideas and feedback.

As for Canada, we are definately going to drive into and through it. Atleast up and down Canada's westcoast as we drive to and from Alaska. Also, there is a place called Chapleau (I believe in Ontario), its the world's largest game preserve (or somethinglike that) that I'd love to visit.

Keep the ideas coming. I appreciate them all.
CHEERS!
Peter

I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread, but if you take your car into Mexico, you will have to buy car insurance before crossing the border. Your US policy will not cover you in Mexico. Mexico requires that you buy from a Mexican company. There are usualy several agencies in the border towns that can set you up, or I believe AAA also sells such insurance.

AZBuck

Thanks Buck! Duly noted.

That sounds like the #1 think on my to do list before I die. Reminds me of the Dublin to Sidney a few guys from Ireland did not too long ago.