101 Things
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October 18, 2009

Route 53

Filed under: Planned Things — Tags: , , , — marginmil @ 5:52 pm

I guess it’s time to start planning our coast-to-coast road trip (Thing 53), even though it’s still a couple years away.  I’d hate to miss a once in a lifetime opportunity in a state in the middle of nowhere and have to buy a plane ticket to re-visit.  My husband and I have decided to explore the northern part of the U.S., since we were both raised in the south.  Growing up in Texas, I was able to make road-trips to the east and west coast of the southern states.  I also made several trips to Missouri for family reunions and one to Wisconsin for a Green Bay Packers game.  Now that we live in Florida, we’ve gotten to see much of the east coast – from the southernmost point in the 48 contiguous states (Key West) to New York.  I can’t wait to see how the north compares.  Get this – our family of four is planning to travel the entire way in a camper van (see Thing 97)! Our tentative plan is:

Maine:

- Start in West Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine (the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous states)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Quoddy_Head

-  Drive down to Acadia National Park to explore more than 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads

http://www.acadiamagic.com/welcome.html

New York:

- Kayak or hot air balloon through a section of Adirondack Park

http://visitadirondacks.com/

Ohio:

- Chow down at Chrissie Hynde’s The Vegiterranean Restaurant, Bar, Coffeehouse, and Bakery

http://www.thevegiterranean.com/

Indiana:

- Ransack The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/

South Dakota:

- Dig for fossils in the Badlands National Park

http://www.travelsd.com/placestogo/badlands.asp

- Stroll the half-mile Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore

http://www.travelsd.com/placestogo/rushmore/index.asp

Wyoming:

- Catch a glimpse of bison, elk, bears, and wolves at Yellowstone National Park

http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

Idaho:

- Pretend like I’m training to be an astronaut and walking on the moon at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

Washington:

- Officially complete our coast-to-coast trip in Cape Alava, Washington, the westernmost point in the 48 contiguous states

http://www.experiencewa.com/attraction.aspx?id=1513

plan_oct09.jpg

I’m really excited that our journey starts at the easternmost point and ends at the westernmost point of the 48 contiguous states; although, I hate that we’ll probably have to miss the northernmost point, Northwest Angle in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota.  Other than that, what other must-sees should we add to the agenda?

8 Comments »

  1. So jealous-especially of traveling in the camper. How long do you think the trip will take?

    I guess I’ve always figured I’d just take I-40 across to California, although that’s a LOT of Midwest!

    Comment by Jessica — October 19, 2009 @ 8:19 pm

  2. I have a bit of experience in Illinois, will you be making it through Peoria, IL? I could give you some tips!

    Comment by Miranda — October 19, 2009 @ 10:44 pm

  3. I’m planning between 4 and 6 weeks. I-40 would be an awesome trip. You’d hit several major cities along the way - Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, etc. Have you been through any of those cities before?

    What’s in Peoria, IL? From our route, it looks like we could either go up through Peoria to I-80 or up through Chicago to I-90.

    Comment by Gina — October 21, 2009 @ 3:38 pm

  4. Gina, you probably did not read this comment since I wrote it in an earlier post, to be more precise the one about the space shuttle, so I write it again. First and foremost, let me tell you how much I apprecciate the fact that you decided to do something good for someone - adopting a kid, that is, that needs a family. The fact that the child is called “Katlyn” as the Katie that you wanted seems as if the signs are in favor of your decision. I am sorry you could not make it with the space shuttle, obviously the timing is not right. I am sure that, if it has to happen, when the moment is right, the opportunity will be given to you. Gina, as far as I came to know you from the conversations we have had, I have understood that you are very kindhearted person, that you want to live life to the fullest and that you are looking or at least trying to look at everything from a positive viewpoint - which I find exceptional and makes it a real pleasure having conversations with you - but the three comments Mr. Horne made; a) that you may look at an alternative in order to achieve those 101 things, b) to think out of the box and that not every of these suggestions may be your cup of tea and c) to be honest especially with yourself, could not have been said better by me and I fully agree with him.

    Comment by Manos — November 17, 2009 @ 6:17 am

  5. Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement, Manos. I just had a great night with Kaitlyn. She got to play “Mom” and let me eat all the candy I wanted, break anything I wanted, and stay up late on a school night. She is such a joy! I feel confident that the shuttle launch “Thing” will work out soon. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying planning other “Things” with my family.

    How have you been? It’s been a while since I’ve seen an update from you on how things are going.

    Comment by Gina — November 18, 2009 @ 1:09 am

  6. Well, the reason you haven’t heard from me for a while is because I am not sure whether I want to continue with this 101 things to do list. Or better, because I am struggling to decide whether I shall do them or not. Some things are in alignment with the things I want to do, some of the things however, I have trouble with. Before the book fell into my hands, I was trying to make myself popular here in Greece and elsewhere. Well, I think it’s about time I trust you my little secret: There is a girl in San Francisco I have been interested in for the last 12 years. She went into my college the time I graduated, she made an immediate impression to me (if you have ever met a person and from the first moment knew that person was an answer to your prayers, I guess you know how I feel), and I met her again a couple of times. She decided to go to the States, and by a very, very crzy coincidence I later found out she was in San Francisco. Now, it happens that my sister’s best man lives in Mill Valley, so I took the plane and went to S.F. (It was my dream anyway since I was 13 - imagine this: the girl that I like in the town that I love in the country that I love.) In any case, the timing was obviously wrong, I couldn’t find her, but S.F. reminded me a lot of Greece. So, I took it as a sign and try to do the best I can out of being here in Greece until God helps / allows me to get there again. Needless to say, I guess, tnat getting arrested, getting revenge or harming myself by drinking 26 drinks in day (Monopoly Pub Board Crawl), just to name a few, is not exactly what I imagine as becoming popular. (And to be quite honest, I am not quite sure whether I have the guts to chase a tornado.) As for the girl, for the moment being, people who don’t even know her talk me off her, I am getting constantly impediments in my way, various other girls have upset my heart, and I don’t know whether I will ever see her again. So, as you see, I am currently trying to re-scheduile my priorities, and this is the reason why you haven’t heard from me.

    Comment by Manos — November 24, 2009 @ 11:23 am

  7. Awe - that is a very sweet love story. I wish the best for you and can understand why you would put the list on hold.

    Comment by Gina — December 1, 2009 @ 9:08 pm

  8. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
    :-):-):-):-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
    :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
    :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
    :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

    I could fill the entire blog with smiley faces, that’s how many smiley faces you are worth (i.e. countless). Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for you support, I needed so much these encouraging words. Although I tend to believe that, IF we have to do these 101 things Mre. Horne suggests, find ourselves with Ifigenia (the girl in S.F.) or anyone else we need to have in our arms or to do anything else we came to do, the opportunities will present themselves at the right moment - and the less we press them the easier they will usually come. Of course, in order for them to come, we have to do SOMETHING, but what? In any case, I know your blog serves other purposes than being my personal love story board, so I will emd it here, but if at any point you feel you may be of assistance in finding Ifigenia, I MAY ride a storm with you! (No guarantee) :-) Ciao!

    Comment by Manos — December 3, 2009 @ 12:58 pm

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