Drive across this country

[MossRoad]

In 2006 we drove from Indiana to Wyoming and Montana and back. Yesterday I drove from Indiana to Mass. I continue to be amazed by this country and all of the different things you can see in such a short time. The fall colors were at or just past peak in Ohio, Penn., and western N.Y. The drive down I 90 down the hill between Penn and N.Y. was beautiful with the orchards, vinyards and lake Erie in the distance. The only bad part was that since D.S.T. ended Sunday morning, it started getting dark on me about 4:30 in eastern N.Y and I couldn't see any more.

If you ever get the chance, take a drive and soak it all in. We are very fortunate to live here.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

You drove thru our property and didn't stop in to say Hi?

Our property is split by the 90 just past the Dunkirk/Fredonia exit but before you get to the Indian Reservation. Thanks to the high winds most of the leaves are leaving the trees now.

 

[frank_f15]

HEY MOSS you went right by my place about 15 min after you went by Roberts. as Robert said a lot of the leaves came down but there are some places where the colors are still pretty awsome.

 

[ToadHill]

You missed my farm by about 20 miles and my town home by about 3 miles.

 

[MossRoad]

You drove thru our property and didn't stop in to say Hi?

Our property is split by the 90 just past the Dunkirk/Fredonia exit but before you get to the Indian Reservation. Thanks to the high winds most of the leaves are leaving the trees now.

It was a 14 hour drive. I only stopped twice for gas and nature. I'm in the Wilmington/Andover, Mass. area. I head back Friday afternoon, hoping to make Penn. before stopping to sleep. I should get to see most of Mass and part of Eastern N.Y. before dark Friday afternoon. I need to be back home ASAP Saturday as it is my F.I.L.'s B-day... he turned 80 and has treated me very well for the last 28 years and I don't want to miss it. Plus, it is only Monday and I miss my wife and kids.

That area was really pretty. I saw a few small towns tucked into valleys between 90 and the lake. You and Frank are very fortunate. Where I live it is mostly flat, with a few rolling hills, lots of corn fields, and lots of patches of woods. There are lots of housing developments along 90 going east from South Bend, In, until you get about 30 miles east. Then, the land opens up and almost to the eastern border of Ohio, with the exception of the Toledo and Cleveland areas, there are so many farms and so few housing developments, it is very encouraging to see.

 

[Casco1]

If you ever get the chance, take a drive and soak it all in. We are very fortunate to live here.

I was able to start taking driving vacations in 2001. Here's my map so far.

 

[KentT]

I was able to start taking driving vacations in 2001. Here's my map so far.

Being retired Air Force, I've driven through all the lower 48, and flown into Alaska. Want to drive the AlCan some day...

Don't think I'll try driving to the 50th though...

Hey Moss, you'll be within 15 miles of my house -- where the MassPike (I-90) meets I-84 in Central MA...

 

[MossRoad]

Being retired Air Force, I've driven through all the lower 48, and flown into Alaska. Want to drive the AlCan some day...

Don't think I'll try driving to the 50th though...

Hey Moss, you'll be within 15 miles of my house -- where the MassPike (I-90) meets I-84 in Central MA...

No kidding? Man, lot's of TBNers out this way!

I think that's where the traffic started picking up last night. I was surprised how busy it was on a Sunday evening.

 

[Casco1]

It was a 14 hour drive. I only stopped twice for gas and nature. I'm in the Wilmington/Andover, Mass. area.

You're about 10 miles from me, if you have the time I'll buy supper. I just visited a fellow TBNer down south two weeks ago it was nice to say hello face to face

 

[KentT]

No kidding? Man, lot's of TBNers out this way!

I think that's where the traffic started picking up last night. I was surprised how busy it was on a Sunday evening.

Yep, that's a lot of the NYC-Boston traffic... I-95 down on the coast is MUCH worse on weekends.

 

[Bird]

I barely crossed the border into Maine in Oct. '91, so I haven't seen much of that state. I've driven in every state except Hawaii and California. I've flown to San Diego, Sacramento, and Los Angeles at different times but never been to Hawaii. I've flown from Wichita, KS, to Anchorage, AK, once in a new Cessna 152, I've driven to Alaska 3 times, and drove all the way to Prudhoe Bay once. My wife and I have probably seen about as much of this country (plus a bit of western Canada) as almost anyone, and yet there's still so much we haven't seen and so many places I'd like to go see again.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I've done a lot of road trips and I agree, they're wonderful. I've driven, in separate trips, literally from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I have a lot of states left to collect - I've driven maybe 25-30 so far. Always amazed by the drive across the plains on either I-80 or I-90 - at once it takes a long time and yet goes by quickly. I-90 is slightly more interesting, IMHO, mostly because of the Missouri river crossing and the badlands area. Going through the Rockies it's hard to beat I-70 for scenery (and treacherous roads if snowy). I find I-80/90 across Indiana and Ohio to be as boring as it gets, and most of the NY Turnpike not much better. Funny how certain far away places can look similar - southern Ontario (Canada) around London looks a whole lot like SW Minnesota along I-90.

Casco, how could you skip Michigan???

 

[shvl73]

Yep, that's a lot of the NYC-Boston traffic... I-95 down on the coast is MUCH worse on weekends.

I-95 from NW Boston to Foxboro was a real pain in the butt tonight, stop-go, stop-go, stop-go...

 

[jimg]

Mossroad: A couple yrs ago I drove between WA to NH 3 times using a diff route each time. I agree that this country is some kind of amazing!! BTW I drove it during the winter, spring and summer so I got the see the seasonal diffs too. I liked NE and SD best of all the places I drove thru esp E SD.

 

[Cottonhawk]

If you look, you'll find that this is an amazingly beautiful place we call home! We used to fly to different part of country, pick up a rental car, and enjoy the region by driving around and sight seeing. We do that for a week to ten days each trip and two or three trips a year. From Alaska to Hawaii and from Pacific to Atlanta ocean beaches you will see the most beautiful country in the world.

 

[SnowRidge]

Offhand, I can't think of a state that I haven't driven in, save Hawaii, which I can say I have been in courtesy of a one hour aircraft stopover.

KenT, since they paved the Alaska Highway, it's not so much of a challenge as it used to be. I guess the biggest hazard these days is the horde of RVs clogging it. If you plan on driving it, get yourself a Milepost travel guide and wait until September. It's the best time of year.

 

[MossRoad]

You're about 10 miles from me, if you have the time I'll buy supper. I just visited a fellow TBNer down south two weeks ago it was nice to say hello face to face

Thanks for the offer. I am most likely free Wednesday or Thusday evening. Traffic where 93 meets 495 was a peach this morning... looked like a fender bender where the north bound 495 exits to the south bound 93. Only took me 45 minutes to go 7 miles.

 

[hazmat]

Thanks for the offer. I am most likely free Wednesday or Thusday evening. Traffic where 93 meets 495 was a peach this morning... looked like a fender bender where the north bound 495 exits to the south bound 93. Only took me 45 minutes to go 7 miles.

Moss - just sent you a PM (I'm free Wednesday) I'll pay for 1/2 your dinner. I work in Andover (1 mile from that interchange).

 

[Bird]

Offhand, I can't think of a state that I haven't driven in, save Hawaii, which I can say I have been in courtesy of a one hour aircraft stopover.

KenT, since they paved the Alaska Highway, it's not so much of a challenge as it used to be. I guess the biggest hazard these days is the horde of RVs clogging it. If you plan on driving it, get yourself a Milepost travel guide and wait until September. It's the best time of year.

The first time we drove to Alaska was July, 1972; over a thousand miles of dirt and gravel each way and it was a tough trip with a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 25' travel trailer. Your comment about the "challenge" reminds me of a older gentlemen we met on the trip in 1991. He had driven it several times himself and said, "It's not a challenge anymore; just hard dirty work." The last time we drove up the last week of March in a one ton truck with a 32' fifth wheel and it was the easiest trip ever even though it was 5 below zero when we crossed from Canada into Alaska; easy because there was no construction as you have in warmer weather. We came back in September that year.

If anyone tells you what it's like to drive up there, and then you do it, you'll swear you were lied to, because it'll be different every trip because of the frost heaves, construction in different areas, etc. Every time we're driven it, the bad spots going up were good coming back and some of the good spots going up were terrible coming back. But it's always interesting.

 

[SnowRidge]

Alaska has four seasons:

1. Breakup -- refers to the river ice, the roads, and your skin from the bug bites, and it's what the locals call it.

2. RV Rodeo -- which is pretty obvious.

3. Late fall -- also obvious, and the only time go.

4. Squeaky Snow -- try planting a pole at 10 below and you will see what I mean.

I have only exaggerated slightly.