Ultimate American Roadtrip

[UAR]

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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

[Mark Sedenquist]

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

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

[UAR]

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

[Syv]

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.

[UAR]

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

[Quebec Gen]

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

[Chuck C]

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.

[UAR]

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

[UAR]

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

[Quebec Gen]

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)