Every Friday I enjoy the Open Road at daily timewaster and there is always at least one profound photograph that shouts at me about life and other things. One of the many reasons that I enjoy this photo is because I did this for years traveling back and forth between San Diego and San Francisco in the 90s and because I have driven all over this country and Canada again and again.
My bus was orange and fully loaded with comfy chair, books, drinks and luggage it would tear up the Grapevine at 75 mph but it usually took Pacific Coast Highway and ventured west out of LA into Santa Monica and Malibu and then all the way up to Big Sur and beyond. I usually camped like this around Big Sur or spent the night at the BOQ in Monterrey because that's pretty nice too. I would tend to my business in Treasure Island, Coast Guard Island or Albany and then head back home.
The funny thing was that this was completely flipped when I moved to the Bay Area and then had business every month in San Diego. Same road trip but I'd spend the night at Port Hueneme on the way down because the best time to drive the PCH is daytime.
I used to ask my European friends if they ever thought about driving this country and many years later one of them said he's been bringing his family here every year for a month of just driving around looking at America. Europe has a lot to offer but you don't find the Wild Places out of Nature there.
I grew up this way and I've always been intrigued that 99% of the people I know have never driven cross country or even like to go for very long road trips.
5 comments:
I've always dreamed of either taking Rt 20 from Fenway Park and driving it to Seattle. Or taking Rt 1 (and 1A) from Maine to the Florida Keys. Or both. One day.
Have done parts of both but want to take my time and just really enjoy driving them.
When I was younger drive and camp was the game.
Now it's sail and camp along the intercostal waterway. With occasional trips to Bermuda.
Don't have to set up much equipment for camp as the boats cabin is nice enough along with the BBQ grill.
Do it!
I have a post all ready to go about Dove which I read in Fort Riley when it came out. We moved to Newport, RI after that and then Alabama. I was going to sail around the world starting with the Tennessee. I joined the Navy instead. Still, all the years in I lived in California I kept up with things via Latitude 38 and got plenty of sailing in San Diego and the Bay Area. That was back when I could sign out a very nice Ranger at Navy Base Long Beach and sail to Avalon for the weekend and get in some scuba diving with friends.
As I said, I cannot imagine not taking the time and making the effort to see the country. It is a very awesome place.
When I was still living at home and going to jr high/high school in the southeast, we took a driving vacation every year. We ended up driving through every U.S. state except for Washington, Oregon, and California. I've personally driven in the Tetons, and across Montana, in the Ozarks, and across Texas. I've also been to Pike's Peak, and beaches in TX, MS, AL, FL, SC, MA, ME, ( and HI and The Netherlands but those two don't count because a jet was involved.)
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