sms@petrus.UUCP (Stephe Sutor) (07/23/85)
I am driving 4 weeks from NJ to LA, Cal and would like some pointers on what is beyond Ohio. I have done this trip twice in the past, but this trip will be more of a vacation, at moderate budget. I am looking mainly for the 'vast unspoiled nature' and interesting events, so plan to cross the midwest, and enjoy the rockies from CO to Tetons, to Baniff, and then south along Pacific Coast. Let me hear of your experiences with camping, hostels, zen centers, and strange local sights. I have had great times just wandering semidirected in Japan and Europe, and it is time to visit my own country. trying to not waste a day on Nebraska. stephe
trz@drume.UUCP (ZehrbachT) (07/25/85)
Having lived in Indiana (3 years), Illinois (9 years), Iowa (5 years),
Kansas(2 years), and now residing in Colorado, I suppose I am fairly well versedon the first leg of your journey. In Indiana, skip Indianapolis, as well as therest of the state (actually, I recall my brother going camping in The Dunes, or something like that, you might want to check that out, and Brown County State
Park was a favorite haunt of my family for camping, don't remember it much,
though).
Illinois: skip it, too. Unless you're into big cities, then stop by
Chicago. (I guess the southern part of the state actually has some trees and
hills in it, but that is a little out of your way).
Iowa: I really didn't appreciate Iowa much until I graduated from there andlanded a job down in Kansas. Compared to Kansas, Iowa is an oasis. Fairly pretty state. Nothing spectacular, just nice and green and rolling hills.
Kansas: skip. It would be a real toss-up as to whether Nebraska is
a better or worse route. Probably the deciding factor would be which state
has the more lenient speeding laws. Definitely drive through either state
at night.
The one thing about all of the above states: NICE people (on the whole)
if you happen to be white and ordinary looking (this seems to be more of a
factor in the southern states i.e. Kansas).
Colorado: just moved here a few months ago, but I love every minute here.
As to MUST SEE things, you really should experience Boulder on a friday or a
saturday night. Street performers are around to entertain, people walking
all around eating ice cream, pizza, cookies, etc. Great place to people
watch. As far as nature goes, I have not been disappointed in any place I
have been so far. I guess once I get into the Mountains, I am happy.
One place you really should go is to the town of Idaho Springs (in the
mountains, just west of Denver, on I-70) and eat in a place called Beau Jo's
Pizza. Great stuff. If you have a heafty appetite, and a friend, you could
take them up on the Challenge. If you and a friend can eat this pizza (the
Challenge), which is 12 to 14 pounds of good stuff, within an hour,
without getting up from the table, then you get the pizza for free and they
will even throw in $100 (maybe enough to get your stomache pumped).
If you can overlook the pretentious air about it, Vail is a fairly
neat town. No cars are allowed on the mall streets, free busses take you
around, lots of designer-stuff shops, restaurants galore, horseback riding,
camping, rafting, bicycling, etc. It might be worth a day. Aspen is supposed
to be better that Vail, but I have no first-hand knowledge.
Telluride is supposed to be magnificant. To borrow a comparison from
a friend, the difference between Telluride and Denver (its nearby mountains)
is on the same magnitude as the difference between Denver and Iowa.
I have been up to the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming. NICE territory up
there.
In a nutshell, skip as much of the midwest as possible, come straight to
the Mountains. Once here, romp around the mountains wherever you are. You're
going to miss alot, so don't worry about what to see and what not to see.
Do as you did in Japan and England (?), just kinda bum around and explore
the mountains around you wherever you are. One rule of thumb, the more North
you go, the more spectacular the Mountains are. Colorado Springs (south of
Denver) is a nice area, but the mountains are smaller. It all depends on what
you want.
Have fun,
Tom Zehrbach9234dwz@houxf.UUCP (The Rev. Peak) (07/25/85)
Upon hotfooting it out of Cleveland, I'd have to state that
St.Louis should be aimed for. Indiana & Illinois have some
worthwhile features but not memorable enough for a detour.
(you can presumably visit Chi-town anytime right ?).
After a day or two in St.Louis head for Ozark country in
southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Pick up Rte 21
SW of St Louis before heading west on either Rte 160 in
Missouri or Rte 62 in Arkansas ( I prefer 62). This will
take you through a fantastic forested area with numerous
lakes and small towns.
Unfortunately this area does not extend far enough for soon
you'll reach the Oklahoma border. As others have said driving
across Oklahoma,Kansas can be a mind numbing experience unless
you can get first hand experience about some of the nice spots
along the way.
Good Luck
Dave Peak
@ ihnp4!hotel!dxp
"All the net's a stage and all the men and women merely ham actors !"
- Rev Peak (apologies to Bill S.)hgp@houem.UUCP (#H.PAGE) (07/26/85)
Well... Thie word is that there is not much after Cleveland. Trust me. But in Cleveland, you can... 1) Visit the Cleveland Art Museum, one of the world's finest. 2) Visit Blossom Music Center and see the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world's finest. 3) Visit the Flats, the oldest section of town, by the Cuyahoga (No, it hasn't caught on fire lately) River. 4) Visit the Natural Science Museum and the Historical Society. 5) My favorite: Drive along Shaker Blvd. and South Park Blvd. in Shaker Hts. The nation's first sub-division type housing development was built in Shaker Hts. before the Depression. It's been downhill ever since. 6) For a beautiful drive in the city, drive down Liberty Blvd. (but don't get out of the car). Oh, yes, one more thing, after you have a great time in Cleveland, don't tell anybody. We wouldn't want to ruin our reputation. A transplanted Clevelander (and proud of it). Hoeard G. Page ..!houem!hgp
ward@ttidcc.UUCP (Don Ward) (08/04/85)
In article <418@petrus.UUCP> sms@petrus.UUCP (Stephe Sutor) writes: >will be more of a vacation, at moderate budget. I am looking mainly for the >'vast unspoiled nature' and interesting events, so plan to cross the midwest, >... >and enjoy the rockies from CO to Tetons, to Banff... I suggest emphatically that since you're planning to go to Banff, you drive up the "Icefield Highway" to Jasper. It's 170 miles of probably one of the most beautiful highways in the world. One interesting routing would be to drive from Calgary to Edmonton, stopping along the way to see the dinosaur stuff and then to Jasper and down to Banff. Along the way, make sure to stop at Lake Louise (if you like to hike, there is a great trail starting from the West end of the lake). In the Jasper area, make sure you take the Maligne Lake tour (only if the weather is nice). Lake Maligne is utterly spectacular. Sounds like a great trip, but don't waste too much time in Nebraska!