Carolina Countdown

[Foy]

The volcano cinder cone is Sunset Crater National Monument.

Also close by us Wupatki National Monument, a large Native American pueblo.

And you're going to love South Carolina. After all, it's right next door to Heaven on Earth--North Carolina!

Best,

Foy

[Unlikely Tripper]

Thanks, Foy! I've added these to the list.

So, the Sunset Crater National Monument is the one you can drive the loop, correct? I looked on the website, but couldn't really find the loop.

Thanks for the re-assurance on South Carolina ... we can't wait.

[Unlikely Tripper]

I need to ask what could be a stupid question ...

At either the Airplane Graveyard in Mojave or the Airplane Boneyard in Tucson, can one get within touching range of these airplanes -or- are you fenced off from any actual contact with the planes?

I ask this question because if we can't get that close to the airplanes, what's the point? I'd rather just skip it altogether and find something else to do. As a light aircraft private pilot, I've been in the cockpit of airplanes, but never been close enough to feel the skin of a huge iron jet. That's what I'm hoping for ... and anything else ... would, really, be kind of a waste.

[Midwest Michael]

I've only driven by the Mojave boneyard, so I can't say with any certainty about how close you can get there. The boneyard in Tucson does give tours through the Pima Air and Space museum (website/more info in the previous link). I have visited the museum in tucson and driven around the edge of the boneyard, I haven't actually taken the boneyard tour so I don't know if you're allowed to walk right up to the planes. I'd contact the museum directly for more information on what you get to do during the tour.

[MrsPete]

[QUOTE=Unlikely Tripper;73965We've got a redwood stop on Day 2 ... the drive-thru redwood. Is there another redwood stop we should make?
[/QUOTE]While you're in the San-Fran area, you could pop up to Muir Woods in no time at all, and you could see the redwoods there.

The drive-through redwood WAS in Yosemite, but I was under the impression it had died and the national park service didn't plan to create another such tree (because though it was great advertising, it did kill the tree). I could be wrong.

One word of advice about going to Paula Dean's restaurant: Don't eat all day before you go. Yes, I'm serious. You'll want to have the buffet, and you want to be able to make the most of it. They start you off with hoe-cakes and cornbread. On the buffet you'll find a fish, a beef (probably pot roast), and her signature fried chicken. Oh, the vegetables . . . oh, the vegetables. My personal favorite is the corn-pone, or corn casserole. For dessert you'll have several choices, probably including banana pudding and pecan pie. My other hint: wear loose pants.

Next door to the restaurant is a new bookstore /kitchen gadet store -- also Paula's creation -- which you'll have to visit.

[MrsPete]

My wife, fortunately or unfortunately, wrinkled her nose at the possibility of a Wig-Wam. In my best interest, I think we'll hit the forest and pass on the Wig-Wam. Thanks again!

Having slept in a REAL tipi many times, I assure you they are quite comfortable. They're a pain to move and you do not want to put them anywhere near trees, but once they're up, they're wonderful. The interior is spacious, you have a fire right there, and in the winter you hang those great "curtains" to hold in the warmth. The early native Americans knew exactly what they were doing!

[MrsPete]

And you're going to love South Carolina. After all, it's right next door to Heaven on Earth--North Carolina!

Even if my job didn't have me chained to North Carolina, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Moderate weather, beaches and mountains, low cost of living, great food.