Road Trip From Hell...

[mpasq66]

Maybe New River Gorge in your WV segment? Bridge Walk West Virginia | New River Gorge Bridge Catwalk Tours :camera:

 

[GerryDavid]

While in WV, be careful of the back roads and GPS's. We had to go to Charleston one day and on the way back we told the gps to avoid highways so we could see the country side. It became a big adventure and made us get creative with our route since it wanted us to drive off of a cliff a couple of times where it thought there would be a road. I guess there was a big storm a few days before so there were driveway bridges washed out, fema trucks, etc. I knew I should have taken pictures to document it but I didn't realize it would be such a journey.

Literally the minute we entered VA the sky cleared up and the sun came out, and there wasnt any more tree's in the road, etc.

 

[Steve5D]

If you do Mt Rushmore, make sure to also see Crazy Horse. And take some time in Custer State Park, some really fantastic rock formations. Have fun, it's really beautiful out there.

Yeah, Crazy Horse is definitely on the short list. I'll spend two or three days in Rapid City and make excursions down to the monuments.

I was looking at Little Big Horn, as well.

The thing about me is that, when I'm driving, I can drive forever. I just don't get tired. When that starts to become a detriment is when I start saying "Well, I can go another 200 miles and then stop". I'm really going to have to discipline myself to stop when I plan on stopping. I'm like Clark Griswold, otherwise...

 

[albertaclipper]

South Dakota is a must. Absolutely beautiful and so much to see in history. Crazy Horse was amazing I wouldn't have missed it at all. I hope to return there in about 10 years just to see how far the statue of Crazy Horse has progressed into the mountain. It's an incredible journey,it touched me deeply.

 

[Steve5D]

South Dakota is a must. Absolutely beautiful and so much to see in history. Crazy Horse was amazing I wouldn't have missed it at all. I hope to return there in about 10 years just to see how far the statue of Crazy Horse has progressed into the mountain. It's an incredible journey,it touched me deeply.

Yeah, I'm planning on Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and... Palisades, I think? Out near Sioux City?

I've also decided that I'm going to try to leave a day or two earlier than planned. Hope I can pull that off!

 

[Vautrin]

Im actually from around near the wallkill area.

Not sure if you've been there a lot as your dad is living there?

But, if I were you, I'd consider:

1. Gilded otter. Maybe 20 minutes north of wallkill, it's a brewpub where they make their own beer. Killer wings and burgers
2. New Paltz: a college town where you'll find the gilded otter. It's a nice pit stop
3. Shawangunks -- go out that way past newpaltz and you'll be in some of the best rock climbing country around. (arguably)
4. You might be able to make the drive, depending on how you go, via the finger lakes. I especially recommend Ithaca in summer. "Ithaca is Gorges" is the local motto : all kinds of gorges are carved out by water. You've got beautiful hikes, a cool hip college town and it's fantastic. This area was called Oneonta by the local indians : literally translated it means "land in the sky" (not to be confused by town of the same name)
5. Dinosaur BBQ. THere's one in rochester, syracuse (the best), and I hear also albany now. It's a really great, northeastern savory BBQ joint. It's an old biker bar that is ALWAYS packed an a hell of a lot of fun. You'll haveto wait in line for a few hours, but trust me, it's worth it

What I would do if I were you, if you find yourself on the highway between buffalo and albany (and south to NYC), which is where tom tom probably takes you, is this:

Stop at Syracuse for dinosaur. Maybe spend the night
Drive south via towards ithaca. There will be crazy nature, wineries, and TONS of gorges.
Stop often. Enjoy the nature, the college town, and the great sights. Go for a hike.

In total you'll add maybe 1-2 hours to your trip driving time, but trust me it's worth it. Buffalo => Albany => NYC is THE MOST BORING stretch of highway in the world. Buffalo => Syracuse (3 hours) => Ithaca (1-2 hours) => Walkill (3 hours) will be beautiful to drive along, and your pit stops won't be McDonalds on the thruway

 

[Vautrin]

Oh yeah, there are camping sites all along the way. Maybe consider bringing a tent. A good tent and gear will cost you less than a few stays at a motel (nothing fancy, just a sleeping bag) and you will really see the country

 

[Steve5D]

Im actually from around near the wallkill area.

Not sure if you've been there a lot as your dad is living there?

Yep. I've been there a lot, especially over the last few years...

4. You might be able to make the drive, depending on how you go, via the finger lakes. I especially recommend Ithaca in summer. "Ithaca is Gorges" is the local motto : all kinds of gorges are carved out by water. You've got beautiful hikes, a cool hip college town and it's fantastic. This area was called Oneonta by the local indians : literally translated it means "land in the sky" (not to be confused by town of the same name)

A buddy of mine went to Ithaca College back in 19... Well, it's been a while. I've been there once. I'm going to be coming up into New York State through eastern Pennsylvania, though...

5. Dinosaur BBQ. THere's one in rochester, syracuse (the best), and I hear also albany now. It's a really great, northeastern savory BBQ joint. It's an old biker bar that is ALWAYS packed an a hell of a lot of fun. You'll haveto wait in line for a few hours, but trust me, it's worth it

I've been to the one in Rochester and, yeah, it's ridiculously good. We waited about an hour on a snowy Thursday night. It was pretty damn amazing...

In total you'll add maybe 1-2 hours to your trip driving time, but trust me it's worth it. Buffalo => Albany => NYC is THE MOST BORING stretch of highway in the world.

Clearly, you've never driven the Trans Canada Highway between Winnipeg, Manitoba and Regina, Saskatchewan. If there's anything in this world that would make you want to end your own life, it's those seven and a half hours...

 

[Steve5D]

Oh yeah, there are camping sites all along the way. Maybe consider bringing a tent. A good tent and gear will cost you less than a few stays at a motel (nothing fancy, just a sleeping bag) and you will really see the country

You know, once upon a time, I'd be on board with that.

These days, though, not so much. Now, for me, "camping" means that there's no bar at the hotel...