We just got back from our grand adventure, NY to TX to FL, and then back to NY, and I have to say that I really love road trips. On Thursday, we went through South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Jersey, and then finally NY. Whew! I bought an atlas and the kids laughed at me, but when you’re moving state to state, a phone just doesn’t cut it. Eventually, they understood. 
Part of the fun was the different foods in unexpected places. We ate pizza in South Carolina (not too bad), had burgers in a dive in Baton Rouge, and seafood in Florida. All were yum!
Along the way I discovered the states that I could live in, the states that I couldn’t, and the states that I want to see again, to stay a little longer and explore. I think Alabama was my biggest surprise. We stayed in Mobile one night, and I thought the downtown architecture was beautiful. Not anything like what I was expecting. When I’m on a trip, I judge by the landscaping along the highway. Alabama gets high marks for pretty highways (at least along i-10). I have never wanted to stay in Louisiana because it’s so much its own beast and yes, the people are so alien that it makes me nervous. (Apologies to anyone who lives in LA, but I’m sure you feel the same way about TX).
Downtown College Station
I had a lovely day with fellow whine sisters Julia London and Julie Kenner, and saw Julia’s new renovations (love the chairs). After that we drove to College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M (WHOOP!), and I got to show off the campus to the kids. There is construction everywhere, but it only cements my love for my alma mater.
So, that’s why I have been so quiet. I’ve been seeing the USA. What about y’all? What are your favorite states and why? Any states that you don’t like? Are you a planes, trains, or automobiles person?
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Your trip sounds fabulous, Kathleen! I love road trips–and trains and planes, too. I just love GOING somewhere. When I was a kid we used to drive to Florida every Easter and up to Maine every fall. My favorite state is Hawaii.
A few years ago I drove Cross Country from NY to CA to bring my daughter her car. 12 days on the road, alone. It was fantastic!! I want to do it again. We bought an RV for just that reason, but hubby’s health problems have kept us closer to home.
It’s almost time for me to make my yearly trek from NY to Atl for Dragon Con. I take the same route you took home. This time my first stop will be in Fayetteville so I can see my G-Granddauther!!
We love road trips. I found that I could live in Montana, Colorado, Nashville, Myrtle Beach (but not in high season), or the New England states. We love visiting national parks. Wyoming is interesting to drive through. One side is brown and hardly any cars. I counted antelope since that was the only moving thing that we saw. The other side is green with antelope. I wanted to bring one home with me.
Sandi, that sounds fascinating about the antelope. “green” with antelope?
I love road trips. My love of road trips stems from my childhood. Some of my best childhood memories are of the road trip vacations my family took. There is just something fun and exciting about piling in the car and going on an adventure. Just think about all the quality family time spent together as well. Some off our roadtrip favorites are the coast of Maine, North Conway, New Hampshire and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There is so much to do and such beautiful sites to see.
I know just what you mean. Just say road trip and I think of my mom and dad and brother–usually the dog, all piling in the car to head for Colorado.
Yup, Chris, we did the same when I was a kid. I still haven’t seen New Hampshire, and I really want to.
I think if we were to move back to the US I would want to move to the Smoky Mtns of NC or TN. Just too beautiful.
I love when we road trip here in England. Everywhere you go are castles abbeys and ruins. How amazing they must have been in their height of use.
Trains are ok. They are fairly cheap to ride here.
I take a bus almost daily.
But I prefer the freedom of the car.
£59 to take your car (one way) to France. (About $73). Not bad.
Ti, do you drive there? Did it take some time to get used to?
No. Cannot drive. Too confusing. So since American driving is confusing to him we made a deal. He drives UK and I drive USA.
Road trip! So fun. I love that you went old school with the atlas. And that you were brave enough to eat pizza in the South (usually not what passes as pizza up here).
I actually love a good meandering road trip, discovering new things. States I love, all of New England, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware. California. States I don’t love, except for some key people I love, Texas. Sorry, Texas friends. I try to love, but haven’t quite gotten the appeal. Yet. Oh and except for Disney World and some stretches of beach, not really into Florida either. Must know more about the midwest, but was not keen on living in Michigan. But I’m not sure I can rule out entire states for parts of states that I have seen.
As for the pizza in South Carolina, we were desperate, and it was either that or Chinese. And the pizza place looked a lot more crowded.
As for Texas, no worries, I completely understand. I think that if you’re not born in Texas, you might never understand it.
Where in SC??
I have travelled more throughout the USA, then in my own country Canada. I loved the trip I took from Florida to Toronto, where I lived. I drove with my aunt back to Canada to bring her car home for the summer. I fell in love with alot of the souther US.. South Carolina and Charelston was one of the best places we stopped. I also enjoyed our time in Washington.
We also did another trip to go to a wedding in Boston. We stopped in Utica NY to stay with a friend of my aunts, and then on to Boston, in Waltham Mass, and we also visited friends in Rhode Island…
I would love to do the west coast of the USA. I think the pacific coast highway would have some wonderful sites to see..
Charleston’s fun. I also liked Savannah GA. I do like Canada, Toronto and around there.
I love Savannah! And the pacific coast highway is gorgeous, but it also makes me car sick. So mixed blessing, I guess. And for the record, we always take the Atlas with us when we travel. (And we use our GPS phones too)
We almost stopped at Charleston, but it was SO late and we were running so far behind that I felt like it wasn’t wise. However, I want to see that, and Myrtle Beach and Savannah… Sigh.
I love Canada. We did our honeymoon in BC, and I’ve been to Toronto quite a bit. It’s truly a great country. Someday I’ll do the train across Canada. Now THAT would be a great trip.
We want to do that train trip too!
I think a road trip would be great fun if someone else would do the driving and I had room to stretch out and not get stiff. You know in movies, on road trips, they are always on some backwater road that’s so pretty, or driving through cornfields on a deserted road. What roads are they? Kathleen, you should go have a look. Take you atlas
LOL, Julia London. You are SUCH a diva!!! I will look for those backwater roads, and I will drive you like in Driving Miss Daisy, only it will be Driving Julia London, and we will film it for RWA.
I would have the best time in the world if you would drive me, Kathleen. I am going to make you do it!