Road Trips
Long ago, I twice visited the United States for extended periods, mainly on the West Coast. A road trip from San Francisco to Alaska was one of the highlights of those visits. Oh, except for the ancient hippy bus and some not insignificant soap-operas therein.
Ever since I've long dreamed of a road trip across the States, by car of course, through the mythical Mid-West. And to keep the dream alive I simply visit Aaron the American trucker and road-movie maker extraordinaire. See what I mean, click images or links...
we did Route 66 from CHicago to LA last year - total trip of a lifetime - going back in 07 to do it again - would recommend it to anyone !!
Posted by: ~Kathryn~ | July 31, 2006 at 10:00 PM
Oddly enough I've always wanted to do a drive from Sydney to Melbourne. Would be a good time, I think.
My vacation last year was a good one, a road trip down the US east coast from Norfolk, VA to Savannah, GA. Good time. Longest East-West distance is from Virginia to Colorado, which I've done a few times.
Posted by: Walter | August 01, 2006 at 07:09 AM
I'm curious about your mention of the "mythical" Midwest. What have you heard about it that appeals to you? I live in the Midwest (Nebraska) and am not used to hearing people say they want to visit the region. Usually people want to fly over it as quickly as possible.
Posted by: Marcia | August 05, 2006 at 07:15 AM
At one point, quite a number of years ago my ex and I were going to pick up a motor home in LA, go down to the Yucatan, then back up across the States to New York and then back to LA by a different route, then back home to Aus. Unfortunately, life got in the way and we never did do it. It would have been a great trip. We were going to take about six months travelling. Prior to us marrying, he had lived in New York city for nine years and had travelled quite extensively in the States and Central America so it would have been even better going with someone who knew the States. Such is life!
Posted by: lg | August 05, 2006 at 04:45 PM
Marcia, I guess it's to do with a mythical past, a Midwest which most probably no longer exists. Cattle and railroad pioneers. Tumbleweed rolling down dusty and deserted streets, cowboys dozing on rickety verandahs. Paris, Texas and Boise, Idaho. Scenes populated by hard-bitten characters inured to a harsh enviroment and wary of outsiders. Shabby motels and sweating overweight proprietors. Hollywood stereotypes I guess.
Posted by: adrian | August 06, 2006 at 05:36 AM
Marcia
Nebraska has a Straw Bale Church, Carhenge, the Kool-Aid Man's Footprints in Cement AND the gas stations with the dinasaur statues.
Ok, maybe not mythical today, but it will be someday!
Posted by: Aaron The Truck Driver | August 06, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Ah...'Paris, Texas'....terrific movie and great soundtrack by Ry Cooder.
Posted by: lg | August 06, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Ah, I understand now. Thank you for the reply, Adrian. It's true you may not find those images exactly, but there are still some wide open spaces, small towns (some with that deserted feeling, unfortunately), good and interesting people and, as Aaron pointed out, more than a few things that fall into the Unique Character category. Hope you get a chance to visit!
Aaron, I didn't even know about the footprints. I feel a roadtrip coming on...
Posted by: Marcia | August 10, 2006 at 04:41 AM