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03-28-2015, 04:41 AM
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#1
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gone traveling
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,135
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Bucket list road trip
I want to take a couple months or more to do a pan-USA motorcycle road trip.
I can stop back in to home base but want to do some serious exploration of America as I've spent most of my adult years traveling the world and not seeing much of my own country.
Probably do this solo but maybe DW will want to tag along for parts of the journey.
I am looking for some itineraries. Years ago there was a book called "seeing American on her two lane highways" or something like that with various itineraries to see the historic sites. I'm starting to research this but a part of me wants to not do much planning and just get up and go. Sorta plan along the way and see what happens.
Has anyone done such a trip - maybe by motorcycle or RV ? What do you recommend? Should this be a year long odyssey? Or is it a 2 month road trip or a few 2 week road trips ? Any ideas what to budget (ok camping and cooking along the way to save some money) and what is your must-see stuff?
The wind is calling .....
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03-28-2015, 07:03 AM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,198
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This may be the book you're thinking of. I remember enjoying it when it came out. Should be in the library.
Blue Highways: A Journey into America
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03-28-2015, 07:16 AM
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#3
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 435
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i retire in 6 weeks and plan on the same thing...
i'll leave may 4th for 2 weeks with a vstrom rally may the 17th before the ride back home. this will be primarily the blue ridge mtns. Sept/Oct will be another trip --Tx, Ariz, Ut, Co and states inbetween. this trip will be in my Miata with my wife. camping only both trips. I'm also working a deal for Extended trip out of Ireland. advrider.com has lots of ride reports to draw info from.
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03-28-2015, 07:55 AM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,294
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DH has taken several 'epic journeys' thru the US and Canada on his m/c.
This year he plans to do the remaining eight states of the lower 48. He does map out a plan with an itinerary that for the most part is for my benefit. I think it helps him as well since he'll know where lodging accommodations are available. Sometimes he'll stay with friends, at hotels or KOA campgrounds. He's always had good luck with KOA. He takes a one man tent, sleeping bag and three days of clothing. He also takes a journal and writes of the day's adventures.
His favorite states to ride are Colorado and Wyoming. He says he could take a month just to ride in each of those states. He's put 50k miles on his m/c since he retired in 2009.
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
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03-28-2015, 08:27 AM
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#6
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,173
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Motorcycles are addicting. Trips planned for this year is Run For the Wall, NC, TN, TX, CO, Sturgis 75th Anniversary Rally (est 1M bikers), Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Rally in AR, and I am sure several trips in between. Longest trip at one time will be about a month. Others are about a week at a time.
JDARNELL
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03-28-2015, 11:43 AM
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#7
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 129
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I took a nine week, 7,000 mile car trip around the U.S. when I retired. * *My focus was to visit friends and family along the way *and to see some sites. *It was a fantastic trip! *Time visiting with family and friends was definitely the highlight. I renewed some relationships that had gotten sidetracked over the years and have maintained them.....priceless!! *It did take more planning than I like, but I was flexible and managed to see everyone on my list. *Plans for the next trip will be to have an open itinerary!
The book, Off the Beaten Path, by Readers Digest offers 1,000 scenic and interesting places to visit. There are many similar titles. *I can't give any specific advice since you will go the motorcycle camping route, but would love to hear of your experiences.*
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03-28-2015, 12:39 PM
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#8
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 982
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My current lease (lakefront condo) expires at the end of the month so I decided to buy another small RV (Phoenix Cruiser) with plans to travel around the US for a few months. I bought the RV last week (2012 model with 12k miles) and will hit the road on 3/31. I will travel with no real itinerary but hope to visit a few old friends and distant relatives that I rarely see anymore.
Since my lab (Coal, recently turned 12) and I are not getting any younger, there will likely be no better time for a long road trip. This may even help me decide where I want to live in the near term.
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03-28-2015, 12:52 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Western US
Posts: 1,205
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No discussion of 'bucket list' would be complete without mentioning Ray Jardine. Here is a link to his motorcycle adventure page.
Ray Jardine's Adventure Page
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03-28-2015, 02:48 PM
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#10
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gone traveling
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,135
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Thanks for the info. I keep having this vision in my head about a big ball of string and wanting to see it - funny as it is I suddenly realize that for the past 25 years while working... As bob Marley poetically put it .... I knew it was raining but I never really felt the rain.
I've done some long mc trips - longest was 11k miles but we did it in less than 2 weeks. I want to slow down and take my time and see stuff and maybe visit a few people along the way.
DW and I are discussing approach. We have a dog and a kid still in HS so probably will have to initially stretch this out over several smaller segments each being 2 weeks to start. Hard to get away longer... That will come later down the line.
Do maybe some Hub and spoke itineraries to start.
Even during summer it may be hard to get away for long stints. That's ok by me.
can u believe at age 45 I've only bought one vehicle brand new and it was a Toyota corolla? Ha ha Not sure yet what I go with but either a slightly used bmw GS or harley bagger.
What was your favorite itinerary and why?
This was the book I was thinking about. http://www.amazon.com/Road-Trip-USA-.../dp/1598809253
Thanks ! ImageUploadedByEarly Retirement Forum1427575423.717278.jpg
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03-28-2015, 05:30 PM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbbamI
DH has taken several 'epic journeys' thru the US and Canada on his m/c.
This year he plans to do the remaining eight states of the lower 48. He does map out a plan with an itinerary that for the most part is for my benefit. I think it helps him as well since he'll know where lodging accommodations are available. Sometimes he'll stay with friends, at hotels or KOA campgrounds. He's always had good luck with KOA. He takes a one man tent, sleeping bag and three days of clothing. He also takes a journal and writes of the day's adventures.
His favorite states to ride are Colorado and Wyoming. He says he could take a month just to ride in each of those states. He's put 50k miles on his m/c since he retired in 2009.
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Very cool bbbaml. Your DH looks like a bad ass. I envy his trips and hope to do something similar upon retirement.
Muir
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
__________________
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir
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03-28-2015, 06:54 PM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MuirWannabe
Very cool bbbaml. Your DH looks like a bad ass. I envy his trips and hope to do something similar upon retirement.
Muir
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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Heh...you should see him by the time he gets home from one of his epic journeys.
I've gone on short trips with him, but only when the weather is perfect. His longer trips, well I'll just say I stay at home because I want him to enjoy his trip...it wouldn't be much fun for him listening to me freak out when I felt a raindrop.
...and Muir, I hope you get to enjoy that type of adventure as well.
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
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03-28-2015, 07:18 PM
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#13
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 254
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I would highly recommend riding California Hwy 1. Some of the prettiest views around and it is an especially scenic view from a motorcycle.
__________________
Don't you know that dynamite always blows down ? --- Moe to Curly
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03-29-2015, 06:35 AM
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#14
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kypix
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+1 I was going to post this one as well. I did notice the route misses Niagra Falls, although it goes pretty close to that attraction.
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03-29-2015, 07:01 AM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kitesurfer2
i retire in 6 weeks and plan on the same thing...
i'll leave may 4th for 2 weeks with a vstrom rally may the 17th before the ride back home. this will be primarily the blue ridge mtns. Sept/Oct will be another trip --Tx, Ariz, Ut, Co and states inbetween. this trip will be in my Miata with my wife. camping only both trips. I'm also working a deal for Extended trip out of Ireland. advrider.com has lots of ride reports to draw info from.
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I RE beginning of March. I would do something with the blue ridge parkway or Shenandoah NP. I did that several years back on a Wee Strom... Those were not great twisties, but just get off the BRP and there are plenty of them.
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03-29-2015, 08:53 AM
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#16
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
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I've used this book a few times to plan out MC trips.
http://www.amazon.com/Most-Scenic-Dr...0+scenic+roads
My second trip I was planning on camping but after 12 hours on a bike I wanted a hot shower and a bed. I didn't camp once. lol
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03-30-2015, 09:27 PM
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#17
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gone traveling
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,135
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Great inputs. Thanks. Can anyone recommend motorcycle friendly tent camp grounds or do you typically camp in state or national parks ?
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03-31-2015, 04:29 AM
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#18
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gone traveling
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 435
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papadad111
Great inputs. Thanks. Can anyone recommend motorcycle friendly tent camp grounds or do you typically camp in state or national parks ?
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BlueRidge MC campground in Cruso NC is good. Willville at Meadows of Dan Va is the best! Iron Horse just off 28 near deals Gap is MC only too. I have camped at many others over the years with no problems. I usually look for RV's. If RV's are there, i go elsewhere.
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03-31-2015, 05:33 AM
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#19
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 16,543
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Bucket list road trip
I try to take as many National Scenic Byways routes as possible when I road trip. I go online, find the scenic byways for each state, and then plan my trip to best fit these routes. Just went through Arizona and Utah, now in Colorado. But road tripping can be rough when you spend long days in the saddle ImageUploadedByEarly Retirement Forum1427801581.972496.jpg
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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03-31-2015, 06:42 AM
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#20
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronstar
I try to take as many National Scenic Byways routes as possible when I road trip. I go online, find the scenic byways for each state, and then plan my trip to best fit these routes. Just went through Arizona and Utah, now in Colorado. But road tripping can be rough when you spend long days in the saddle Attachment 21388
Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum
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Is that the motorcycle before the invention of the motor?
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