packrat44
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
DW and I are leaving on a 4/5 week trip starting 1 Oct. Starting in WA state we will stop in Bozeman MT to visit FIL and MIL, then travel through Custer's Battle Field and the Bad Lands on the way to Dayton OH to visit DD. After several days (when our welcome becomes stale) head toward the Appalacians in a generally southern direction. DW has cousins near Nashville and Charleston who we will stop and see. Then, it is south to Florida and west to southern Arizona where we will winter.
Since we have not traveled much; and never back East or in the South we are virgins and need help. We are looking for what are "must see" and "must do" along the trip. Things we think we want to see/experience are the Appalacian trail; Southern plantations/old mansions; the Everglades; Key West (the bridges); New Orleans. NOT interested in Dollywood; Graceland; Disney World or places like that. Also, interesting/good (but not expensive) places to eat local cuisine. We like to explore natural wonders and are interested in history of farming, industry, hot rods and distilleries. Bottom line, we would like to have a cultural experience of the South East. Being retired military, we may look for lodging at military bases (frugal and they are a gated community with armed guards).
I know it is late to start planning this trip, but retirement keeps us so busy we hardly have free time. Besides, why do today what we can put off until tomorrow. All help/ideas/guidance would be appreciated. Also, any advice for a couple of green-horns as what and where to avoid would be helpful.
Since we have not traveled much; and never back East or in the South we are virgins and need help. We are looking for what are "must see" and "must do" along the trip. Things we think we want to see/experience are the Appalacian trail; Southern plantations/old mansions; the Everglades; Key West (the bridges); New Orleans. NOT interested in Dollywood; Graceland; Disney World or places like that. Also, interesting/good (but not expensive) places to eat local cuisine. We like to explore natural wonders and are interested in history of farming, industry, hot rods and distilleries. Bottom line, we would like to have a cultural experience of the South East. Being retired military, we may look for lodging at military bases (frugal and they are a gated community with armed guards).
I know it is late to start planning this trip, but retirement keeps us so busy we hardly have free time. Besides, why do today what we can put off until tomorrow. All help/ideas/guidance would be appreciated. Also, any advice for a couple of green-horns as what and where to avoid would be helpful.