The Road, Let’s Travel

by Jennifer on March 24, 2009

To look up or down no road but it stretches and waits for you – however long, but it stretches and waits for you.

— Walt Whitman, Song of the Open Road

It’s no secret that I love a good road trip. Or even a bad one, really, since I’m not sure I can remember a road trip that was all bad. And that includes the one where an the kids and I got stuck in an ice storm in Amarillo and came close to spendig the night on the floor of a hotel conference room.

Though the closure of I-40 meant that we missed out on seeing my cousin and her family (and we missed a few nailbiting rounds of Ticket to Ride, a favorite board game) in Albuquerque, the forced detour ended up sending us on a beautiful drive through the mountains in southern New Mexico. A winding U.S. 82 took us to the mountaintop town of Cloudcroft, where I fell hard for its scuffed-up charm and the smell of woodsmoke in the air.

(P.S. Everyone needs a story that starts with “This one time when I got stuck in Amarillo…” You just do.)

To keep a log of favorite roads, I created a page, The Road, Let’s Travel, where you can find a list of routes I’ve explored and loved or that I want to drive. I would love it if you would play along.

If there’s a drive you think is spectacular or even just kind of nice for a Sunday afternoon, drop me a line and I’ll add it to the list. Long road trips or day trips, through mountains or across a northern prairie — all scenic drives are welcome to apply. You can email me through the Contact page, or leave a comment.

 

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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Mary Alice March 24, 2009 at 3:37 am

One of my favorite road trips is Hwy 1 in California, up through Big Sur. It is well traveled..but so spectacular. And I wouldn’t mind a little linky love 🙂

swankymama March 24, 2009 at 4:20 am

we just took our first long road trip as a family. We drove two days from Dallas to Disney World. Amazingly enough, it was great fun!

P.S. I would love a link!! :))

Mrs. Chili March 24, 2009 at 4:47 am

There are some pretty drives in New England. Perhaps I’ll send you some pictures?

(am I on your blogroll?)

Stacie March 24, 2009 at 6:48 am

This is a superb idea!

Smalltown Mom March 24, 2009 at 7:17 am

There are lots of nice drives in my area (Santa Barbara County, CA). I’d love to have a link.

Jenn @ Juggling Life March 24, 2009 at 7:54 am

Mary Alice and I have the same answer. (Both the route and the link). I must say that everyone needs to do the 17-mile drive between Monterey and Carmel at least once in their lives.

Jessica March 24, 2009 at 8:46 am

going up the hutchinson river parkway in westchester NY during the Fall. Nothing is more spectacular than to see the trees changing colors OH my .

the mama bird diaries March 24, 2009 at 8:57 am

Remind me to tell you about the time I got stuck in Amarillo.

Ok it never happened.

Green Girl March 24, 2009 at 10:05 am

I love that idea–I’m looking forward to the days of road trips once again and I know your stories will be helpful!

Daryl March 24, 2009 at 10:06 am

I look forward to someday getting stuck in Amarillo .. but more recently I got stuck in the bathroom .. it may end up a post … or not ..

jenrantsraves March 24, 2009 at 11:51 am

I have no ideas, and I’m already on your blogroll. So, what DO I want? A house swap, so I can see scenery like in that picture! WHY do I live here? Oh wait, I want you to swap. I LOVE it here. You’d love it here.

Louise March 24, 2009 at 2:11 pm

You are so brave to say you’ll update your blogroll. I haven’t since a month after I started blogging.

I have a trip for you, but have no idea of the route. I’ll have P. Charming get on that!

fancy feet March 24, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Great idea! Does it have to be road trips in the US? There are some pretty great ones here in BC, Canada particularly the sea to sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler.

Fancy Feet – Nope, it can be anywhere…I would love for you to add any you can think of. Can’t wait to look at the one you’ve posted here!

skywind March 24, 2009 at 5:39 pm

People can travel the nerve to relax, immersed in nature.
Health information
Humor & Fun World

Em March 24, 2009 at 6:42 pm

I’m so sorry I have not been over here in forever!!

Love what you’ve done with the place.

And I second swankymama – the drive from Dallas to Florida, through the old south, is actually quite entertaining. And a homecoming to me when I see kudzu and magnolias – Heaven on Earth to this Belle.

I’ll be around more often – I promise! I have missed your wonderful posts – Em

JCK March 24, 2009 at 10:19 pm

This is a great idea! And does make sense for someone who loves to drive like you. It will be fun to check out!

flutter March 24, 2009 at 11:05 pm

The ride up the California coast is gorgeous and so is the drive from Seattle to Vancouver…

fancy feet March 25, 2009 at 11:12 am

flutter is right…the drive from Seattle to Vancouver is gorgeous. I’ll be doing that in a week and a half except the other way around – from Vancouver to Seattle. Anyway….Jennifer, I’ll come back and post the Vancouver to Whistler one soon.

Chris March 25, 2009 at 11:13 am

Great idea! Makes me homesick for Arizona – your photos…

Bruce March 25, 2009 at 3:05 pm

I aplaud your idea for a road trip blog. Good Idea, however, I have my favorites that I return to over and over, because is it isn’t really the route I take or what I see along the way, it is what going through my head that I remember and long for. The road just opens a door. The journey is the thing, and not the asphault. In that vein, I need to get lost again pretty soon.

….and yes….get me added to your blogroll. I need all the exposure I can get……

Andrea's Sweet Life March 25, 2009 at 9:41 pm

I LOVE road trips, as long as I don’t have to drag my kids along. I can drive for hours – HOURS, I tell you, and never get tired of it.

Thanks for stopping by Sweet Life today!

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