A good friend of mine is in the Navy, and next month he’s coming back from Okinawa to go to dive school in Florida. He wants to have his truck when he goes, so he’s driving it there. I’m going with him because, lets face it, how often does an opportunity to drive across the country come up?
Neither of us have any long-distance driving experience of more than 500 miles, have ever been to any of the states we’re going through, or have a very strict time table or budget. So, give me any advice on road tripping, recomendations for places/things to see or avoid, and anything else you might think is pertinent or interesting.
Where in Florida? Because there’s a great Italian resteraunt by where I live that is definately worth stopping by for if you’re passing through.
When you get to Texas, if you have the time, turn right and go down into the Big Bend country. You will pass Langtry, Texas, the home of Judge Roy Bean, the Law West of the Pecos. His old saloon is still standing, I think, and it is worth seeing IF you happen to be in the neighborhood. Somewhere around there is Bracketville, Texas, where John Wayne built his replica of the Alamo—I think it is still standing.
The Big Bend is worth the trip, if you have time. Then, visit Padre Island for a day or two. Go straight along the coast and hit Houston and Galveston, then head on for New Orleans. Surely you don’t need advice about New Orleans, The Big Easy. After that, be sure to visit the casinos in Biloxi—take a look at the AnteBellum plantations that still survive and then head for Alabama. Ain’t nothin worth seein’ in Alabama. You will hit Florida in the panhandle and since I don’t know where in Florida you are going, I can’t recommend much. I had to spend the night in DeFuniac Springs once and I can recommend that you don’t go there. But the main point of a road trip is to take your time and be flexible. There is lots to see between SoCal and Florida and as you say, how often do you get the chance to see it? I’ve made that same trip several times and I hope to do it again some day.
As you will probably be passing right by it, the Grand Canyon is well worth seeing. If memory serves it’s about a one hour detour off the interstate.
Road trips are cool. Take lots of pictures and take your time as much as possible, lots of country to see.
Austin, TX and New Orleans, LA are two interesting cities. You might want to spend a day or two in each.
Texas will take two days to cross. Don’t rush. I got a speeding ticket in Texas.
We drove from FL to So Cal and back when Ivylad was in the Navy. Somehow, both times we stopped in this little town called Benson, Arizona. Tiny town, almost like Mayberry, and I kid you not, when we stopped at the Dairy Queen for ice cream a pickup truck drove up and an entire team of Little Leaguers came pouring out of the back.
New Orleans is fun. But I knew we’d gotten home when we stopped in Alabama and I ordered iced tea with lunch. The darling waitress asked, “Sweet or unsweet?”
The scenery changes as we crossed the country were amazing. I also remember driving through Texas fairly close to the Mexican border and the difference between the two was incredible. Tall, gleaming skyscrapers on one side, shacks barely hanging on to the hillside on the other.
Where?
Oh, and Ender_Will, stop in and say “hi” if you get in the neighborhood.
The Grand Canyon is quite a ways away from the most direct route (I-10) but it’s definitely worth the side trip if you have time. Take I-15 to I-40 to Williams (Kingman is a nice place to stay overnight and is cheaper than touristy Williams. Avoid Seligman unless you want to really experience a run-down, white trash desert town.)
Also along I-40 in Arizona are several Indian ruins and scenic National Monuments – Tuzigoot, Montezuma’s Castle, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, Painted Desert. In New Mexico, you can visit Roswell and Carlsbad Caverns, both are close to each other and only a slight detour from the interstate.
Remember to check your spare and pack a couple gallons of drinking water; breaking down in the desert can be lethal.
A couple things I forgot in my OP, and one I didn’t know at the time.
First off, we’re going to Panama City, FL. Second I’m 20, so gaining entrance to casinos and saloons could be a bit of a problem.
I just found out the timetable today, he’s getting back to the states on August 1st and has to report to school on the 15th. The truck is at his brother’s house in San Jose, and I think he’s gonna spend a couple days up there. This kind puts a damper on spending more than a night or maybe a night and a day in any one city, I think.
Check out a book called “Roadside America”. Great info on places to see when roadtripping. (Notable, historic sites as well as “odd” places.) Have fun!! And be sure to post a link to your pics when you return!!
Yogini
I once drove on the I-8 / I-10 combination from San Diego to New Orleans (at that point, our route demanded we turn north toward home, which is New York City). I don’t know if you have a timetable, but in five days, my wife and I (pre-kiddies) managed to see:
Arizona - Gold Mine Tour and Ghost Town in Apache Junction, Hall of Flame firefighting museum in Phoenix
New Mexico - Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the Million Dollar Museum in White’s City (just outside it).
Texas - The Alamo and Space Center Houston
Louisiana - The Pharmacy Museum and the Old US Mint Museum, both in New Orleans.
There’s not a single one of the above that I wouldn’t heartily recommend you see.
As an Orthodox Jew, I probably can’t recommend much to you in the way of restaurants. I will say, though, that the Kosher Cajun Deli in Metarie (a suburb of New Orleans) served us what remain the best french fries we’ve ever tasted. But, despite the name, they don’t serve anything distinctively Cajun, it’s just a Kosher deli.
One motel recommendation. I don’t know if it’s still there (this trip of mine was 8 years ago), but there’s a motel off exit 16 of the I-10 in El Paso, TX that has the most comfortable bed I’ve ever had the pleasure to sleep in. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the motel’s name, but it wasn’t one of the major chains. Maybe my mentioning this will trigger the memory of someone else on this board.
Enjoy! I miss the days that I could take off of a cross-country road trip. But my work vacation days situation is much less flexible now. (The kids are not the reason we no longer do it.)
Advance welcome to Panama City, home of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches! 
Your friend is probably going here, to the Navy Coastal Systems Station. Outstanding facility!
As you pass by Pensacola, Florida, if you have time you might want to stop by Naval Air Station Pensacola and visit the National Museum of Aviation. It’s stuffed full of every kind of military aircraft imaginable, and it’s free! (sorry, they don’t have a website).
Good luck, and have a safe trip.