Road Trip 2005

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 11:04 am

As other's have posted their holiday snaps I thought I'd show a few of my own. We covered 3500 miles in 2 weeks from Florida to Tennessee then onto Texas and back via Louisiana & Alabama. Sadly did not go as far south as we had planned and saw only minor storm damage left from Katrina. The cheapest gas we saw was $2.42 in a Wal-mart in Louisiana. Spent far to much on car parts and clothes (took 1 bag came home with 4) but had a great time. Thank God for Premier seating!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 11:11 am

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 11:17 am

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 11:21 am

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 12:24 pm

great pics Steve!

How did you see through that rain?????

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon Sep 26, 05 12:53 pm

I love these holiday snaps, great shot of that clear road

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 1:14 pm

Great shots Steve, really caught the ambience and atmosphere of the places, that shot of the Muzzy in the tanker reflection is supurb 8)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 2:50 pm

We were doing 80 when hit the storm all of a sudden. I thought about stopping but nobody else did so I put the wipers on full and slowed (and prayed!)
The Missus took the reflection shot, I've got one I took in my Camaro years ago on the way to Billing. I did that one from the drivers side at 55!!
I was speeding most of the time and only got stopped twice. Once in Texas and got a written warning from the State Trooper (75 in a 70.. speeding?? Yeah right I'd been doing 90!) and then in Louisiana where I got pulled for 78 in a 55. Told him we were lost and were having a...... conversation..!!

He was ages in his car trying to get me to sweat... it worked. Came back and told me to slow down, but no ticket! Thought it wise not to do the burnout pulling away. This one shocked me the most as he was in the oncoming lane in a plain car. Sneeky git! I did slow down just a little after that but did get the Stang up to 110 on a county road while on a detour as Interstate was closed. Thought I'd have to be REALLY unlucky to meet a cop there.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 2:52 pm

Oh and guy on the Bull. Didn't last 8 seconds, but landed in a heap at the bottom of the gate just in front of where we were sitting. There was a loud clang as his head hit but he was more worried about the Bull..!!

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Wed Sep 28, 05 12:51 am

great pics and cars there, planning on going to the states next year for the first time

. did you stay in hotels / motels as you found them or was it all arranged before you flew over?
we are hoping to go through louisiana, alabama, georgia etc is it better to just book flights and hire car or not?

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Wed Sep 28, 05 7:22 am

We always get flight and car then set off in the rough direction, done coast to coast a few times

depending on your budget you can stay at Super 8's etc pretty cheap but they are basic to say the least...for a bit more you can stop at Holiday Inns which are far nicer/cleaner. We used to do the cheapo routine but you get to see and hear some pretty rum things depending on where you are! last time over we did the Holiday Inn thing and felt much safer and more comfortable.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Sep 28, 05 10:35 am

Just booked next years trip! Flying to NY, taking two weeks to drive to house in Florida, Then three weeks at home in FLA!

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Wed Sep 28, 05 6:53 pm

2 weeks

you walking??? I did the cape to kennedy non stop barring gas stops !!

Seriously though, make sure you do the Skyline drive, it is stunning up there

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Wed Sep 28, 05 7:53 pm

I'm with Alex on that Stunning also try and call into Sevierville, Tn the Muscle car muesem is something else loads of ex factory race cars and other very rare motors all to a very high standard.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Sep 28, 05 8:03 pm

Rebel wrote:great pics and cars there, planning on going to the states next year for the first time . did you stay in hotels / motels as you found them or was it all arranged before you flew over?
we are hoping to go through louisiana, alabama, georgia etc is it better to just book flights and hire car or not?

Last years Route 66 trip was done all on the fly. I'd bought the Lonely Planet Guide (I love those things - we have a dedicated shelf for them!) But this year we'd done some research on www.tripadviser.com and booked the first week (except the Thrusday). I'd got some great deals by paying with my card in $ rather than ?'s and stayed in some great hotels (from 3 to 5 star) The 2nd week was done as we went, found a great Holiday inn on the beach in Derkin. It was ocean front, I'd asked for a partial view as it was the middle of the 3 prices I'd been offered and got a great view. We spent the evening eating Pizza Hut pizza we'd had delivered, drinking Bud and watching a thunder storm out in the Gulf.... in our pants!! (Too much info there sorry!) I prefer Motel 6's to Super 8's but each to his own. I find the 6's to be cheaper and the level. We actually quite like them and have not have a bad one yet (touch wood)
But seriously I suggest buying the LP guides to which ever States you are visiting and then plan your trip, as much as you want too, round where you want to go. One of my mates from work just got back from Utah, he'd driven the 66 too, and was camping in a 1 man tent along the way...!

Now that's plain weird!
Oh and the hire car? 2005 Mustang Convertible for $400, 2 weeks, unlimited mileage and ALL insurance possible. Paid for on my Mastercard (got 10% discount for that) in July, got $200 off for paying early. We actually had a ring binder will all our info in that we'd started when we booked the trip back in April. All the sights and pages printed off the net all in order so we wouldn't forget anything. Yes my other half in very organised!