Last Thursday I ran into an old writing acquaintance at Barnes & Noble. She asked me what I’ve been up to. “You wouldn’t know about this,” I started, “but in September I drove cross-country with my dog . . .”
“Of course I know about that, ” she interrupted.
This happens to me all the time. I tend to forget that via BEAGLE MAN, and via my “Home Team” column in the Westport News, my life is an open book. I have no secrets.
She went on to say, “Yeah, I followed your trip with Ricky. And I thought you were crazy for doing it.”
I get that a lot, too.
Crazy, maybe — but I’m starting to think about doing it again this fall. In fact, I’m considering it, possibly, as an annual adventure — at least for as long as Robby’s at USC. (Which, if he’s smart, he might be able to string out to 6 or 7 years . . .) What better way to really get to know this great country of ours, and to develop a familiarity with those fabulous, high-end motels (Comfort Inn, Motel 6, Baymont Inn & Suites) that welcome pets? 🙂
As I’ve alluded to in earlier posts, I’m sorely tempted to do the trip in my Jeep this time. Sure, the Acura served us well, but I really missed cruising in a convertible. What could be more inviting than covering those wide open spaces in fine September weather in my wide-open Jeep Wrangler? Of course, ask me that again when Ricky and I are caught in a violent Texas thunder storm and it takes me 15 minutes to haul the top up. Or when I need to make a pit stop and have no enclosed, secure place to leave my dog.
All right, so maybe there are a few kinks to be ironed out . . .
Now here’s where y’all come in. If I actually do embark on LA/XC-2, what stops should I make this time around?
Last fall, you may remember, I hit Nashville and Tulsa and Albuquerque and the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas and Big Sur and Lake Tahoe and Mount Rushmore and the Badlands and Denver and Grinnell College. (Had to visit Robby’s good friend Luke; couldn’t think of anything else to see in Iowa.) Also passed the Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas, but it was 10 PM, pitch-black, and I couldn’t see a thing — so I probably shouldn’t count it.
But it’s a new year, and it’s a big country. So please tell me, in 50 words or less: WHERE DO HANK AND RICKY ABSOLUTELY NEED TO STOP? Send your ideas via “Comment” (click on “Add a Comment” below). There’ll be great prizes if I wind up using your suggestions; don’t forget that Mike Payne, winner of last September’s GUESS MY RETURN MILEAGE contest, won a fabulous cardinal-and-gold USC Trojans 100% felt pennant!
Gentlemen and ladies, don your thinking caps!
I don’t know what route you should take (Boulder CO comes to mind) , but I think you should let Ricky take a friend with him this time. Frankie is free this September!
Hi Hank – a few thoughts:
In Southwestern PA – Visit “Fallingwater,” the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
http://www.fallingwater.org/
Not far from there — If you can get a permit, check out “Ice Mountain” in West Virginia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Mountain
Heading further west, stop at the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, IN.
http://www.ncaahallofchampions.org/
Continuing on, go to Baraboo, WI to see the Circus World Museum.
http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/
Of course, if you want to veer further south, or maybe on the way home, there’s plenty to see along “Route 66.”
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
(Cadillac Ranch has a Penn connection.)
Well, if I can possibly win a 100% Felt, Cardinal and Gold USC Pennant, I’m going to give this a shot! Be Back Soon!
Carole: Boulder — I like it! Steve: Lots of good thoughts! Btw, spent some time on Route 66 last time around; would definitely do it again. Mimi: Keep thinking!
Catch a game in South Bend… Notre Dame vs. Michigan State on 9/21 or vs. Oklahoma on 9/28.
There are hundreds and hundreds of great places to see, from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Bryce Canyon. But the one must-visit-destination is Sherman Oaks, which you missed last time around!
My part of Fairfax County, VA is really nice. Lots of good smells and terrific mushrooms. And good big bags of food in our storage room. We got foxes at night, too. Woof.
Here is what I would do….tape “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive” on Food Network…..pick the joints that you fancy the most and then plot their locations on a map and you will effectively have your round trip planned for you. Bill Ryan
ps: I know a good cardiologist if you make it back.
Washington, D.C.: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Great minds/Carols think alike … Carol’s St. Elizabeth’s Hospital suggestion is the funniest thing ever!! For those of you not familiar with this landmark, it’s one of the more famous mental hospitals in the country. Unfortunately, I fear Hank is so far gone that they wouldn’t even take him:)!!