Calling all wanderers, vagabonds and travelers!
We need you.
Well, I guess, we want you.
We want you to tell us all the secret, special, awesome nooks and
crannies of the places we will be rambling through on our six week ‘venture
across the great (yes, I still think it’s great) US of A.
My co-pilot already posted a map on Facebook regarding our
trip, but I wanted to ask about specific places, things, doings, to see if my
wonderful traveling people had some extra insight for us.
When we got married we drove in our truck from Middlesex,
Vermont to Wasilla, Alaska in 6 days. We
slept in the back of the truck on an air mattress in Wal-Mart parking lots,
next to bridges, and in gravel lots on the side of the road (talk about
regretting an obsession with Criminal Minds in those moments). We stayed in hotels two of the nights so we
could shower, we drove for 18 hours a day, only stopping to pee, get diesel,
and eat all the Tim Bits I could physically manage stuffing into my mouth- as
well as poutine. We had no time (or
energy) to do any touristy things, visit any cool places, or take any pictures
that did not have the Alcan in the background.
This was our NOT honeymoon.
Here we are nearly two years (exactly) into our marriage and
we are finally taking an epic road trip to add to our not honeymoon.
That being said- we cannot wait to hit the road! See some things! Hike some things! Eat all the things! Drink
all the things! Here is where you come
in…
Jasper and Banff Alberta, Canada- any amazing trails, roads,
or lesser traveling sites to enjoy these beautiful places in Canada?
Vancouver, BC- Ben has been here before and has a few things
planned out thus far, but any favorite activities or restaurants worth trying
out?
Aberdeen, WA- what to do in Aberdeen?? Or in between Vancouver and Aberdeen? We are doing our best to bypass Seattle,
which could give way to some quaint Washington towns- WA peeps??
Lincoln City, OR- at this point, we are making our way onto
the PCH- any favorite dog-friendly beach access locations? Restaurants? Artsy
towns?
Redwood National Forest, CA- I have looked online and there are
several trails to choose from, any favorites?
Any favorite places to eat around the parks? Any dog-friendly trails around the park (as far as I can tell you cannot bring pups into the forest)?
San Francisco, CA- I know, I know, the options are endless for
this place! We will be there for three nights, so hopefully we can get our lion's share (or at least a start) of San Fran. Food, drinks, hikes, shops,
boardwalks, people watching- just looking for some help to steer us in the
right direction. My friend Maria already
sent me an awesome ‘hikes with your dog in the Bay area’ book, but any other
pearls are welcome.
Morro Dunes (near San Luis Obispo), CA- don’t really know
anything about this place, but this is where we are turning east. Any places or beaches to check out? Favorite farmer’s markets or U-pick places to
get some yummy Cali produce?
Zion National Park, UT- we visited Zion two years ago and
hiked Angel’s Landing. This was
pre-diagnosis of Ben’s atrial fibrillation, so needless to say, he struggled a
bit. Okay, he struggled A LOT. There’s a story he loves to tell
about him telling the cardiologist that he was short of breath, dizzy,
borderline blacking out and I’m standing there yelling “This is why you need to
work out! You can’t even handle a simple hike!” and the cardiologist said “yea,
you were probably in continuous A fib during that if you take into
consideration the exertion and the elevation…basically you were dying”. ( 2014 Wife of the Year Winner right here) AnYwAyS....we would like to try Angel’s Landing
again, for science, to see if his ablation helps him survive it more smoothly. Anyone been through the Narrows? Are they worth it? Do you need a ton of gear to make it through there safely? Any other hikes in the park that are your
favorites?
Bryce Canyon, UT- Ben has gone through here before, I have
not. Any favorites here regarding activities,
food, scenery along the way? We will have the motorcycle too- any favorite roads or routes to ride on?
Grand Junction and then Julesburg, CO- we will be passing
through these two towns, one night a piece, which puts us in Denver mid-
day. Any favorite things in these two
towns or anywhere in between? I’ve been
to Red Rocks, Mt. Evans, Avon and Golden (Ben has probably been to other
places too), anywhere else that has awesome hiking in the mountains or along rivers
would be fun by us!
This is where the answers may be scarcer as far as things to
do/see/eat- no offense mid-west folks…
Des Moines, Iowa- passing through here on our upswing
towards the northeast- anything to see or do in and around Des Moines?
South Bend, Indiana- we are most likely going to try and see
some family friends here, but any suggestions are welcome as well
Buffalo, NY- Is this really where buffalo wings originated from?
From Buffalo, we will be in Vermont for a week or so, harassing
Ben’s parents and eating all the Ben & Jerry’s, then heading to PA to harass
more family friends, to finally end up in Bristol, TN!
You thought we were moving to Asheville? Psshhh, Bristol actually seems to be the
cultural hub we’ve been searching for all along.
Just kidding.
But we will be stopping there and camping a few nights so we can see Virginia Tech and the University
of Tennessee play football at Bristol Speedway!
It’s been at least five years since I’ve seen the Hokies play and Ben
never has, so I am looking forward to this- as well as seeing my dad, niece,
cousin, and some more family friends!
** In addition to points of interest- if anyone has any
books to recommend for reading on the road, games to play in the truck, or ‘tips
to avoid killing your spouse while living in less than 200 square feet with 3
insane dogs for six weeks’- I would be greatly appreciative :o)
Thanks in advance for the help!!
-S