new orleans/fl, corpus christi/s padre, or amarillo/santa fe/colorado?

[raven18]

I'm in Austin, and I am thinking of these different choices for roadtrips this summer.

Choice1: Austin -> Houston -> New Orleans -> Pensacola
Choice2: Austin -> Corpus Christi -> S. Padre Island (shorter road trip)
Choice3: Austin -> Amarillo -> Santa Fe -> Durango Co

These are all going to be round trip. So which one would you suggest and why? And anything along the way of any of these routes that you think I should look at, or any suggestions at the actual locations?

[Quebec Gen]

Hum...This will be a tough choice to make! Maybe if you tell us more about yourself (hobbies, interests, sports,...) we could help you plan an itinerary.

Gen:-)

[raven18]

Let's see. It'll prob be a semi short road trip, less than a week long.
I'm 21 and a student so I don't have that much money, and I'll be goin with my boyfriend, who's also 21.
I guess I want to get out of Austin and just see some new sights, and take lots of cool pictures.
We'll probably camp (not positive right now). And we'll by driving a maxima.
I've only been on road trips with my fam before and never planned one myself, esp with limited funds (without my dad's wallet lol), so we're trying to save as much money as possible in this trip, like making a lot of sandwiches and a hotpot and stuff.
We also have dig cameras and a laptop to upload them onto, which we might bring too. I've gone camping once back in 01 but it was only three from where I lived.
So any tips on camping equipment would be great too.

[raven18]

As for activities - we're not into sports, we like peaceful beautiful scenery but not anywhere middle of nowhere that there isnt anything to do, and of course, cheap fun ideas is always great.

[Quebec Gen]

Ok, personally I'd go with #3 with a few "side trips" because I think #1 and 2 involve more cities while #3 go through more rural areas plus #2 sounds more "beachy" than anything to me:o). Also #1 will probably be more expensive on accomodation, especially in New Orleans. I think you're more likely to find campgrounds in western TX, NM and CO. For your money issues, Bob Schaller and I wrote an article about saving money while on road trips. For an idea of locations of campgrounds and attractions, maybe you should order free travel packages from AAA if you are a member and from the tourism agency of every State you plan to go through :

• Texas : www.traveltex.com/
• Colorado : http://www.colorado.com/
• New Mexico : www.newmexico.org/
• Louisiana : http://www.louisianatravel.com/freeinfo/

Many people told me about Big Bend Country in TX, a very remote area along the Mexican border with beautiful sceneries. You'll have plenty of beautiful sights in NM and Colorado, regardless of the route you choose I think. You could visit White Sands NM near Alamogordo (huge sand dunes) (3$), Monument Valley in AZ, Grand Canyon (20$ - buy an annual pass!), Zion and Bryce (20$) in UT. For a cheap motel room between GC and Bryce stop at the Crazy Jug Motel (40$ in the summer) in Fredonia, I'm not telling you more you'll see by yourself:o)lol Bob Schaller wrote an interesting article about <!-- #BeginEditable "Dateline" -->the Durango & Silverton Railroad. Also, if I were you, I would make a detour by southeastern Arizona (Bisbee, Tombstone, Chiricahua Mountains, etc.) for some amazing free sceneries. Obviously, since you only have a week, you'll have to make some choices.

So any tips on camping equipment would be great too.

I'm not really familiar with American camping gear, but some people told me about REI http://www.rei.com/ which is kind of our Canadian Mountain Equipment Coop. They're probably selling some cheap or used equipment, and they might even do some renting, I don't know. You can even go to Wal-Mart to check their sporting goods. It's not a very exciting place to go but when you 're a student you don't have the kind of budget that allows you to be snobby:o) For cooking, I use a butane stove (about 25-30$ at Wal-Mart).

Hope this will help you to get started!

Gen:o)

[Robert Schaller]

REI is not inexpensive, but their equipment is top quality -- and they do rent if you'd prefer to go that route. Keep it spartan -- you don't need a lot of gear for a road trip-camping trip since the idea is to keep moving rather than sit in one place. Sleeping bags, a small tent, ice chest, lantern (or just a couple of good flashlights). I always carry a couple extra blankets in case the nights are colder than expected -- a blanket folded in half length-wise with the open side against the sleeping bag zipper will keep you warm on the coldest night -- it's that "layering" thing. Don't forget pillows and the ubiquitous partial roll of TP! Oh! And whatever you need to prepare a meal or two -- either cold or hot.

There's more information in the article Gen mentions! Bob

[Dr. T]

Gen: I really enjoyed your post suggesting various sites to visit. I've enjoyed so much of what you discussed -- the Durango & Silverton Railroad, Bisbee (Dot's Diner is a great to visit and have breakfast), and Tombstone (I feel like a kid when I visit this town and see all of the cowboys).

My one recommendation to Raven18 is to time her trip. What I mean by that is that I've driven by White Sands, NM but it was around 10 p.m. in the evening. My husband and I made this timing mistake on a road trip several years ago. We "viewed" the White Sands area when it was totally dark. We were so frustrated by not being able to see this wonderful place. We've vowed to return someday to truly see it. But, Raven18, since you said this was the first roadtrip you've planned for yourself, please keep the timing of your trip in mind. Try to determine the time of day you'll be driving by your more scenic locations. We've always regretted not really seeing White Sands.

[Quebec Gen]

Dr. T,

What I mean by that is that I've driven by White Sands, NM but it was around 10 p.m. in the evening. My husband and I made this timing mistake on a road trip several years ago. We "viewed" the White Sands area when it was totally dark. We were so frustrated by not being able to see this wonderful place. We've vowed to return someday to truly see it.

I totally agree with you, timing is an important part of the trip! I did the same thing with Petrified Forest NP. I wanted to go there on my latest roadtrip but I got there at about 8 p.m. (during the winter)... The thing is forgot my wallet in Santa Rosa, NM and noticed it was missing only in Alburquerque so I had to go back, grrrr...:o) Fortunately the scenery is amazing in these parts...

Gen

[observatory2]

HEllo.. Might I suggest AUstin> Houston (just driving through/around Houston on The 1-10 is an awesome sight..but keep going..), then take the 288 or whatever it is out to FREEPORT, QUINTANA.. once You gey past all the 3M and BASF plants, basically, go sta-raight to the Gulf Coast, then Mosey North on the Coastal Road, up through Galveston, ride the Chug-Chug- Ferry, and continue around to Louisiana Coast.. If You run out of $$$ or Tires, you can always hang a Left and head back for Civilization...[comments edited by Editor]

[observatory2]

If I may Continue ( New Guy, Can Ya Tell ?).. I remember EASY Camping on The VAssst UNPOPULATED Beaches.. especially in Freeport ( S of Galveston)
and then North of Galveston We had the Wide Open Spaces to Ourselves.

Out there in Freeport (technically QUINTANA, TX) there are little icehouse/bar Communities that welcome cool visitors, usually have some Music or BBQ going on..and they'll let You Crash out or Park on their strip of Beachfront- Word To The Wise- That TIDE can Float a VAn, and comes IN FASSST. Park well away from where You THINK High Tide Is...if'n You Go That-A Away