California to Tennessee

Printable View

08-03-2005, 06:48 PM
bmb1881

trip from Calif. to Tenn.

This is my first time posting, I though I would try it out & see if I could
get any suggestions.
My husband & I were wanting to take a road trip from California to Tennessee. We bought an RV a couple months ago. We have family in Tenn.
So we wanted to drive out to Tenn.
I was wondering does anybody have any suggestions about nice places to stop along the way? Any places of interest? We wanted to stop & see some different places on our trip, besides just drive straight from Calif. to Tenn.
My husband was also wondering if there were any nice towns that look like
the town in the tv program of "EVERWOOD" (I think that's filmed in Ogden, Utah).
If anybody knows of any neat little towns & places along the way to Tennessee let me know.
I just wanted to get some ideas of places to stop along the way to Tennessee.
Thanks,
Bonnie
08-03-2005, 07:56 PM
Mark Sedenquist

When is this adventure planned for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb1881

This is my first time posting, I though I would try it out & see if I could get any suggestions.

Welcome to the Forum! What kind of RV did you get? Be sure to read, print out and carry Mark Helmlinger's suggested tips for operating a RV.

Quote:

My husband & I were wanting to take a road trip from California to Tennessee. We bought an RV a couple months ago. We have family in Tenn.
So we wanted to drive out to Tenn.

Tennessee is a pretty cool destination -- when would the trip be?

Quote:

My husband was also wondering if there were any nice towns that look like the town in the tv program of "EVERWOOD" (I think that's filmed in Ogden, Utah).

I have never seen the show, but America is full of small towns that are pretty fun to visit. What kinds of things interest you?

Mark
08-03-2005, 08:29 PM
PNW Judy

I'd love to help but I've never seen Everwood either. Sorry.

What route are you considering? Or do you want route suggestions? What kinds of things do you like to do and see? How much time do you have for the drive?

It will be easier to give you ideas if we have some idea of what interests you.

Hint: below the posts on this page, there are other threads that have similar topics. That's a good place to start to do some research. You can also do a search on the forums here to get ideas.
08-03-2005, 08:32 PM
bmb1881

road trip suggestions to Tenn.

We got a 28 foot 1994 Fleetwood Coronado motorhome.
We just got back from short 2 week RV trip. So we have operated the motorhome before. I will look at the operating guide. & save it on my desktop. Thanks for the link.
We are thinking of leaving in a couple of weeks.
We are looking for any small, neat, fun towns to visit.
We think taking the main highways would be boring. So we would like to take
the road(s) less travelled. We would like to stop along the way & see some things.
Any suggestions.
Thanks,
Bonnie
08-03-2005, 08:40 PM
PNW Judy

Ya know, there are some ugly highway areas in this country. No doubt about that. But once you get out of the cities, the interstates offer some terrific scenery. Don't rule out the interstates solely because you'll thinkt they're boring. Once you get into the deserts, mountains, and wide-open plains, they go past some tremendous sights.

What route are you planning on taking? That will help with giving you suggestions on what to see and do along the way.

What kinds of things do you want to see in the small towns? Just the towns themselves? Or neat, old architecture? Or roadside kitsch? Or historic sites? I hope I'm not sounding like a broken record but some more input on your interests would really help.
08-03-2005, 08:55 PM
bmb1881

Hmmm... Lets See,
We Don't Have A Specific Amount Of Time For The Trip. We Just Wanted It To Be Really Nice & Relaxing Drive To Tennessee.
I'm Not Sure About A Specific Route We Were Wanting To Take To Tennessee.
We Love The Mountain Stuff (lakes). Tons Of Green Trees, Forest.
It Might Be Nice To See Some Neat Old Architecture, Roadside Kitsch, Historic Sites. Also Ghost Towns.
I'm Not Sure What Else I Can Think Of Right Now.
Thanks,
Bonnie
08-04-2005, 08:42 AM
PNW Judy

If you want forests and mountains, you might want to consider taking I-70 through Colorado. Another route, but it will add time and miles, would be to go up to I-90/94 through Washington, Idaho, and Montana. However, once you get through the mountainous and forested areas along these routes, you're going to be getting into the Great Plains states with virtually none of either. I don't think there's any route that will keep you in forests the whole way. Desert, plains, etc. will have to be driven through no matter what at some point.

Each route is going to have interesting small towns, architecture, and history. I'm having trouble figuring out how to help you because there are literally hundreds of ways to get from CA to TN via combinations of interstate/smaller roads.

I would suggest that you look at a map of the US and mark the stuff you really want to see. Maybe the Grand Canyon? Maybe Glacier NP? Maybe New Orleans? Any and all places that you really want to see should be marked in some way. Then see if you can figure out a route that lets you see them all. Come back here for suggestions. Once we get some specific ideas, we can more easily offer suggestions for things to see (or avoid) along the way.

For kitsch, Roadside America is a great website to check out. One of the best websites for architecture is Roadside Peek. For great road food, often in unusual/unique restaurants, check out Road Food. Many of these websites and more can be found at the links our dear editors have so graciously provided. Check out all the wealth of information available when you click on "Site Directory" at the top of this page.

You might also check out Road Trip USA which details several routes across the US. They have a great book as well as an informative website

Hopefully this will give you some ideas to get you started on narrowing things down. I think the planning is half the fun myself.
08-04-2005, 10:17 AM
swainsam

Hey,

I'm also planning a trip which involves Tennessee to California (i'm actually starting in Toronto but I will go through TN to CA) I've never done it before, so don't know if what I say will help or not but i'll kind of let you know the route i'm planning on taking and then maybe someone who knows can pick it to death!!

Memphis, TN (Graceland) -

Little Rock, AR -

Hot Springs Nat Park ("The American Spa") -

The Crater of Diamonds State Park (Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world where the public can search for diamonds. And the policy there is “finder’s keepers.” ) -

Dallas, TX (JFK shooting) -

Amarillo, TX (Route 66, Cadillac Ranch,) -

Santa Fe, NM (historic) -

Albuquerque, NM (panoramic views of the world longest aerial tramways) -

Monument Valley, UT -

Zion Nat Park, UT -

Grand Canyon, AZ -

Hoover Dam, NV -

Las Vegas, NV -

California

Ooop's just through you would probably want to do that backwards if your starting in CA!! :-)

Not sure if that helps??

Sam
08-04-2005, 10:38 AM
Mark Sedenquist

Some ideas

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb1881

We Don't Have A Specific Amount Of Time For The Trip. We Just Wanted It To Be Really Nice & Relaxing Drive To Tennessee.

Bonnie,
I would suggest that you allow a full week for the trip to Tennessee -- unless you are used to rigors of RV travel -- I would suggest that you plan to spend no more than five hours each day doing actual highway miles and the rest of the day exploring and relaxing.

One place that I really enjoyed for architecture was Columbus, Indiana -- if you, be sure to take the walking tour of downtown where you can see buildings designed by Richard Meier, I. M. Pei, Kevin Roche, and Robert Venturi. Another architecture site that explores the world of Googie can provide ample examples of amusing strutures closer to California. RTA is a member of Commercial Archeology and I think their site is a treasure trove of unusual Americana for roadtrip.

On your way east, you can drive part of the old Route 66 and there are two sites that I think provide the best resources on the web. The first was created by Guy Randall and can be used like an on-going travelog and the second is a relatively new site by Kathy Weiser, who like Guy, has a incredibly rich collection of places to explore and experience as you make your way eastward.

Quote:

Also Ghost Towns.

The best resource I have found for western ghost towns is this one.

Also -- Wesley Treat's site about zany sites in Texas is really fun. And for explorations near Tennessee itself -- check out the Boston Wrangler's field report here.

Mark
08-04-2005, 11:43 AM
Mark Sedenquist

Take the "Treatment"

Quote:

Originally Posted by swainsam

I'm also planning a trip which involves Tennessee to California (i'm actually starting in Toronto but I will go through TN to CA) I've never done it before, so don't know if what I say will help or not but i'll kind of let you know the route i'm planning on taking Hot Springs Nat Park ("The American Spa") -

Sam,
When you are at Hot Springs National Park -- first you are going to be surprised -- the entire park is downtown on city streets -- be sure to "Take the Treatment" where you will be bathed by professional bathers. It is quite an experience. My bather was 3rd-generation professional.

Quote:

Albuquerque, NM (panoramic views of the world longest aerial tramways) -

That is interesting, I have been to Albuquerque dozens of times and I never even knew it HAD an aerial tramway.

Quote:

Monument Valley, UT -
Zion Nat Park, UT -
Grand Canyon, AZ -

You are zig zagging around here a bit. Is that intended?

Quote:

Hoover Dam, NV -

Be sure to take the tour
08-04-2005, 01:22 PM
bmb1881

Thanks

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I will keep them all in mind.
When I get back from my trip I will let you all know how it went.
Bonnie
08-04-2005, 01:33 PM
swainsam

Zig Zagging

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

Sam,
You are zig zagging around here a bit. Is that intended?
Be sure to take the tour

Hey

Thanks for your reply, I didn't intend to zig-zag but I'm not sure of the best way to see all the best national parks in Utah!!!

Can you help with the best route through all the best places to see in Utah/Arizona??

Thanks
Sam
08-04-2005, 02:14 PM
swainsam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editor

That is interesting, I have been to Albuquerque dozens of times and I never even knew it HAD an aerial tramway.
[/URL]

Ooops also ment to comment on the above, the aerial tram is apparently 10mins away from Albuquerque in Tijeras!! Sounds Cool
08-04-2005, 03:13 PM
Syv

Open to ideas?

I agree with the last post and also with Judy's idea about I-70.

If you have no time constraints, here's a suggestion:

#15 - to ZION nat'l pk and BRYCE CANYON nat'l pk
#I-70 across & then down to MOAB Utah - a great small town to stay in & explore
From Moab you'll want to explore ARCHES nat'l pk as well before moving on.

Hop back up to I-70 and continue east to Grand Junction. Now you could continue across the Interstate to Denver, but my preference by far would be to:

At Grand Junction, take #50 towards Montrose & #550 to OURAY Colorado. Another great small town to stay in. Leave the RV parked in Ouray & take a day mountain pass jeep tour with "Switzerland of America" - S.O.A. Breathtaking, beautiful area. I really enjoyed the "Imogene/Black Bear" tour.

You also may want to take a day to take the TRAIN ride between Ouray & Durango - especially if you enjoy the mountains. You could drive the RV but it might be easier on your nerves to take the train.

Go back up to Montrose & continue east on #50 (or you could go back up to I-70). On #50 you could stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison nat'l pk, Dodge City, KS (historic town). At Wichita, go up #135 back to I-70 east. Make a stop in Abilene KS (historic town).

Stop in St. Louis Missouri at the Gateway to the West, the ARCH.

My preference then would be I-64 to go through Louisville & Lexington KY. A nice drive & lots to see in those towns. Look up "Kentucky Horse Park" if that suits your interest. Very nice place. Also Churchill Downs gives tours.
Not far (in the big picture of things) off the route is MAMMOTH CAVE nat'l park. Again, a great place - reserve a couple tours in advance.

Then head down toward Knoxville & be sure to go to Great Smokey Mountain nat'l pk while in the area.

Another great site for finding the GHOST TOWNS by state is www.ghosttowns.com

Syv
08-04-2005, 04:14 PM
bmb1881

A couple of weeks ago my husband did try out our trip (Calif to Tenn. It didn't work out. We just got back last saturday.
We ended up coming back home. We got as far as Albequrque New Mexico, & had to come back to Calif.
We started out driving I-40, nothing really to see though.

My husband has to take the RICA (teaching test for reading). It's required for a calif. teaching credential. After his test, we are going to go to Tennessee again. So we would like to leave in a couple of weeks from now.
Thanks Syv. I like your suggestions & all others are great.

Let me tell you about the last time we went on our trip.
I misunderstood that my husband wanted to stop along the way & see some things.
I feel bad because all we did was drive the whole time & didn't stop at all.
This time I want to find some places along the way to Tennessee we could stop at.
Last time on our trip we started along the I-40 east, nothing much to see really. We did stop in Flagstaff Arizona, really pretty town. Theres also this neat place in Arizona called "oak creek canyon" That was really pretty.

On the way back we decided to drive up I-25North. (from New Mexico to Colorado). That was so pretty. Tons of green. We stopped at a couple of ghost towns in colorado, pretty neat. (st. elmo ghost town, & independence ghost town) you could probably look them up online.
Then we drove down I-70, Through Utah it was neat because of all the rock formation stuff.
We live in the desert so then we drove down I-15south, We stopped 1 night in Mesquite Nevada. We stayed the night at a casino motorhome park. I forget which 1. It was so nice the stay was $15 per night, full hookups, & a $10 coupon for dinner. It was so nice because our dinner was free. & we could plug in to get air conditioner for our motorhome, the weather is sort of hot though.
My husband & I continued our
I have a suggestion if you love clam chowder & fish & chips, you all have to stop at the New York New York (I think it's called "fulton fish market" something like that). They have the best clam chowder there, & really good fish & chips. We stopped & had fish & chips. Then we went back home.

I read what Syv posted & a few of those places we were thinking about going to.
Lets see.... on our last trip we did drive through Utah & saw the signs for Moab, Utah. On our next We are thinking of driving there. Maybe we will go to Arches NP. those sound like really neat places.
we were thinking of also going down I-50 too. We stayed a couple of nights at a small park w/ a lake in Colorado. & a couple (husband & wife) mentioned grand mesa national forest. They also mentioned montrose, colorado. I think those would be nice places to see.
Maybe we will go on the tour you mentioned Syv ("Imogene/Black Bear" tour)
Do you see bears on the tour?
Maybe we will stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison nat'l pk.
Last time we did drive up the I-50, then cut up the I-24 in colorado.
So we might try driving I-50/ I-550.
Those other places all sound really nice too.
We would love to go see the Great Smokey mountains.
My husbands brother in law has family in Tennessee. So we wanted to go visit.
& see Tenn. They live in Harrogate, TN. Right by Cumberland Gap Hist. NP.
And We will be really close by the great smokey mnts.
Sorry this is so long, I thought I would write all of that down.

BONNIE
08-04-2005, 05:40 PM
Syv

bears

Imogene and Black Bear are names of the mountain passes. I don't recall seeing any bears - although you'd think if they named the mountain after a bear ;-)

Anyhow, it is their most spectacular tour & climbs to 13,114 feet. A continental breakfast is included and they take you to a restaurant for lunch. The website is www.soajeep.com
08-04-2005, 05:47 PM
bmb1881

I see, sorry Syv,
I guess I misunderstood. Thanks for clearing that up.
Thanks so much for all of your helpful suggestions.
08-05-2005, 07:21 PM
bmb1881

towns along the way to Tenn

Lets see....
I was talking to my husband about our trip to Tennessee. He & I were wondering are there any cute, small/little quaint towns on the way to Tennessee? If there are any lakes that would be great 2. I guess like I mentioned sort of like Ogden, Utah. That's exactly the kind of place we would love to move to.

Right now we live in So. Calif, the desert. it's not that pretty here.
I guess Tennessee has a lot of green, rolling hills; stuff like that.
We would love to move somewhere with tons of green, pretty.
So anyways... if anybody knows of any cute, small/little, quaint towns.
along the way to Tennessee, from Calif. I would really appreicate it so much.
Thanks,
Bonnie
08-05-2005, 07:39 PM
bmb1881

wondering about the great river road(s)

I'm not sure where to post this at.
I was reading the other posts. & there was 1 about the great river road(s).
I'm wondering what is that exactly? Where is it located at (locations/states)?
Would it be nice to drive on the way to Tennessee?
Would it be easy enough to get to on the way to Tennessee from Calif? If my husband & I wanted to drive a little bit of it on our trip?
Or is it 2 far out of the way?
Thanks,
Bonnie
Sorry if this is sort of a dumb, i'm just trying to get some more ideas for my trip to make it nice.
08-05-2005, 09:51 PM
Mark Sedenquist

Great River Road

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb1881

I was reading the other posts. & there was 1 about the great river road(s).
I'm wondering what is that exactly? Where is it located at (locations/states)?

There are several posts on this subject. Look at this one and this one.
08-05-2005, 09:54 PM
Mark Sedenquist

Now it is your turn

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb1881

So anyways... if anybody knows of any cute, small/little, quaint towns along the way to Tennessee, from Calif.

Bonnie, several folks have suggested routes and places to stop. Plus, there are ample suggestions of books and other resources -- I think you need to spend some time doing your own research at this point.

Have a good trip.

Mark
08-06-2005, 12:37 AM
PNW Judy

I agree with Mark. Planning a roadtrip can be just as much fun as the roadtrip itself. When you get a better idea of where you wanna go, come on back and we'll try to help you out with the specifics. Happy planning!
08-06-2005, 12:58 PM
bmb1881

I'm just going to do some research on my own, like you said. My husband & I are going to sit down together & look at some maps & agree on some places we would like to stop at. Everybody had some really great suggestions thanks so much.
BONNIE
08-06-2005, 01:51 PM
Mark Sedenquist

When you are ready...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb1881

I'm just going to do some research on my own, like you said. My husband & I are going to sit down together & look at some maps & agree on some places we would like to stop at. Everybody had some really great suggestions thanks so much.

BONNIE,
When you are ready for more in-depth ideas, come on back.

mark