LET'S TALK: Road Trip!
Many of us found ourselves on the road recently. Cory was the real road warrior, dancing down the road and getting his commercial driver's license so he can take a crowd with him. Our scuba guys headed out to a favorite dive site. Some of us found great places to stay, withcampground surprises at Yellow Creek and unexpected perks at a motel in Enola, PA. And along the roads, whether from the strawberry fields close to home or a taste of a land far away, the food was great!
Now here's a question that's bound to attract some interesting stories: What was your best road trip ever?
Comments
Two fun trips
One of our favorite road trips is to McConnell's Mill, on Route 422 between Butler and New Castle, Pennsylvania. It is an old grist mill that is maintained by the Park Service, and it is in an awesomely beautiful setting. The white water surrounding the mill is due in part to to the many gigantic boulders deposited in the area by the advancing glacier eons ago. There are a number of fun hiking trails for different ability levels, and a restored covered bridge.
Nearby is the natural beauty of Moraine State Park, complete with the huge man-made Lake Arthur. The term "moraine" refers to detritus left behind when a glacier recedes; hence the marvelous boulders. They truly appear as though they were casually tossed around the area.
Another fun destination is Dolly Sods in West Virginia. This area is within the Monongahela National Forest, on the Allegheny Plateau. Hiking there is as if you have been dropped into an alien environment. You can expect fog and chilly weather at most times, and the ground is very boggy. Blueberries grow in abundance. Boulders are strewn around this area too. Something else you might find in the area - not hiker friendly at all - is unexploded artillery shells! The area was used for military practice in the past, and hikers continue to find these shells. Visitors to the area are warned to not touch these shells, but to report the location to the park service for removal. Anne H.
TOMMY BOY
My first road trip with my pal Tommy Boy Miller was just like the road trip in the actual movie, TOMMY BOY, starring Chris Farley and David Spade. The car, the hotel, the restaurants. I will have to blog about it. Funny.
" I hate a dirty joke, I do. Unless it's told by someone who, knows how to tell it. " Groucho Marx as Captain Spalding
rough road trips
Road trips were always rough for me as a kid, and there were many to visit my mom's family and such, b/c i was always carsick. and not lil nauseous, but hellaceously so. I must have been a peach to raise.
In college road trips were truly the adventures....jsut to get out of dinky carlisle and experience SOMETHING we'd get someone's car and go go go! My girlies and i still chuckle over some of those!
In Germany, my host family roadtripped us to the North Sea....and this was a big deal, b/c to use their car and go somewhere that far is a huge excursion....most of the time ppl use public transport to get around. The beach at the North Sea was awesome, gorgeous.
Since Al and I both lived at home while we dated (we boomerangers), we road tripped A LOT just to be on our own....and those were great times. I'm glad we have those memories now to maintain us thru roadtripping with babies and toddlers!!
This saturday, we're roadtripping in the family truckster to Ocean City MD, the annual pilgrimageof the Antesberger family vacation....and I'm already getting us prepped for 6 hours with the kidlets in the backseat!!! Benadryl, anyone??? lol!
Go West Young.... Woman!
I had left school after a breakup with a fiance and moved back home. I worked babysitting full-time for about a year or so. (Gotta admit I don't remember the amount of time I was at home but I'm sure my folks do!) I had explored several different options of what to do for school but nothing was fitting. I just couldn't figure out what to do with my life or where to go.
I had always had a desire to go to Colorado. To go west and discover new things. I had no friends out there but just felt like maybe I just needed to get out and figure some things out. With my parents blessing, I loaded up my Dad's truck with this really cool tent that popped out into shape, some other more useful camping gear and my trusty black lab Lady Jo. I went to Michigan first to spend a little time with my Grandma and Grandpa. That time is now full of incredible memories of my Grandpa whose health was failing fast. Grandpa wasn't too happy about me heading west by myself but was willing to let me go when he knew Lady was going with me. Lady Jo attacked my Grandma's feather duster while we were there. My grandparents and I came home one afternoon to find colorful feathers all over the house. We still laugh about what it must have looked like watching my trusty watchdog tearing apart this new toy!
Lady Jo and I then traveled out west stopping at campgrounds just off the interstate to spend the night with my trusty pop up tent. I was so proud of that tent!!! I'd get out of the truck, throw the blasted thing in the air and in seconds my abode was ready for sleeping. Little did I know!!!!!
We went up into the Rockies. Saw some animals. Did some shopping in Estes Park. (Still remember the Indian Booties I got for my new niece who is turning 12 in a couple of days. Yikes!) Lady Jo even stopped a young scruffy man from coming into my campsite by raising her hackles and giving a good growl. I was so proud of her and so invincible!! That night I settled into the tent with Joey by my side feeling so secure and strong and ready to take on life. Ahhh that feeling was so good. I fell asleep quickly. I woke up about 4 hours later...... FREEZING! The roof of the tent was about 2 inches from my face. We had gotten (what I now know as) a normal Memorial Day snow. We got about 3-4 inches of the wettest, heaviest snow I've ever seen. All of my belongings were soaked. I crawled out of the tent and into the truck trying so hard to get warm. I didn't want to wake anyone in the campground while it was still dark. I sat the rest of the night in the truck wishing I could get to a hotel. I looked in my wallet and had just enough to pay for gas for the way home. At the crack of dawn, I broke camp- wanting so badly to throw that dumb tent into the trash but knew I'd need it for the way home. Ended up leaving Colorado in the middle of a tornado warning.
Got home in record time!!!
wow
that was some road trip I'd say...good for you!! now can you imagine letting your own daught er do the same? i only hope i have that courage, lol!
Good Story
I never heard that story. I remember you taking the trip but I do not remember hearing about the snow. Cool story.
I bet Paula has a similar story.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
Heading to Florida
Certainly one of my families most memorable road trip is the road trip we took to Florida back in the late 80s. My best friend Cory joined us for this trip south. If any of you have driven to Florida you can understand and appreciate the length of the trip. Anyway traveling to Florida was a blast. It spawned some wacky characters Cory and I used in numerous skits, and movies we created and it spawned the creation of the Good Humor hat.
The Good Humor hat was a ridiculous looking sun/fishing hat. It was a gift I believe and Cory loved to wear it all the time indoors and outdoors. Whenever someone felt a tinge of crankiness, or seemed to be deeply troubled about the trip, Cory would put that crazy looking hat on their head and make everyone laugh. I know it sounds silly but it worked. We enjoyed the trip south and it made for a very memorable Christmas.
I suppose we enjoyed that trip because it was on that trip Cory became an adopted part of our family. The Good Humor hat has been lost in moves but it lives in our memory.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
Do you remember the grapes???
Oh I certainly remember the lovely hat that had Mom laughing so hard we thought she'd lose bladder control. But, do you remember the grapes Mom thought she'd bring for a healthy snack. They are only healthy if you put them in your mouth, chew them, and swallow them. Of course, Cory and Erin couldn't do something that simple. HA!! Yeah I know I sputtered about being the only girl in the back- but I'm glad I got another big brother!
Oh Yeah the Grapes
We stuffed grapes between our lips and our teeth. It gave us a rather comedic look and sound. I remember. Hard to believe it was that long ago.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
best trip ever?
Do couch trips count?
" I hate a dirty joke, I do. Unless it's told by someone who, knows how to tell it. " Groucho Marx as Captain Spalding
Beach trip
Ive had some good road trips and some bad ones.. The best road trip has got to be a road trip with friends for 9 hours to topsail beach in North Carolina. We made a stop at Virgina Beach and made random stops the whole way down... We took two huge wrong turns and didnt know it until a half hour later. Playing to many road games on the way down. I learned that its always good play road games with other passengers but playing with the driver might be a bad idea if you have a destination and a certain time you want to be at that destination.
Topsail Island -- my favorite too!
Topsail Island, North Carolina -- this is definitely in my top ten list of favorite destinations! Beautiful uncrowded beaches, family oriented, small towns, affordable beach houses right on the dunes -- who wouldn't love it? In October 2005, I spent two weeks there with much of my family. We had an absolute blast.