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Road Trip!

323 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 8:55 AM

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Messages Page 32 of 33

#303 of 323 Re: this looks like fun [steve_] by gagrice

Feb 13, 2013 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 13, 2013 11:08 am)
Bethel was the wild west in the early 1970s. Our Alascom people were out there a lot as it was jump-off to all those villages. It was the time when a sat phone system was being installed in every AK village. You had to be tough going to the villages back then. Most installers packed a 357 with them. The whole thing of booze in the villages is kind of a joke and very sad. Most of our 9 villages were either damp or dry. About 10-12 years ago the PSOs started to check everyone's luggage getting off the plane in the real bad places. We had to stop taking a bottle for our own use or get into trouble.

#304 of 323 thinking about a new tent by steve_ HOST

Mar 31, 2013 (9:28 am)

And this one caught my eye.

#305 of 323 San Diego to Ohio to Indiana by gagrice

Apr 28, 2013 (6:26 pm)

The first leg was brutal. We traveled across AZ and NM at night to see the meteor showers. They were a "NO SHOW". Filled in El Paso Costco for $3.11 per gallon. By then it was 7 AM and did not want to stop so early and get a room. So the plan was Odessa. No rooms available at 4 PM. Mostly yucky places. Checked in Midland, same junky motels booked up. One really sleazy place had a room I would not stay in for $269 per night. We called ahead to the Best Western in Big Springs and they had one room for $180 per night. By then we were so beat we took it. It was clean though the Internet was out due to the wind???? 1040 miles in 22 hours with only a couple rest breaks. Speed limit on I20 is 80 MPH. We did not let many pass us and got 16.05 MPG. Not much different than cruising 65 MPH.
 
Our next leg got us out of TX to Hope Arkansas. Had a nicer room at the Best western for $71 per night. Also had the best BBQ of the trip at Jake's. Drove by Bill Clinton birthplace and had nice weather. Filled Chevron West Memphis AR for $3.11.
 
We drove from Hope AR to Paris Landing State Park Inn, TN. Nice room overlooking the lake for $70 per night. We hit Paris during the annual catfish festival. The hotel had all you could eat catfish and hushpuppies. Very good meal and stay. Next day on to Ohio via Bowling Green, KY. Went to the Shaker Museum. Tried to visit Mammoth Caves and the waits were too long for the tours. We did get Shell gas in KY for $3.29. We spent the last two days here in Ohio. Plan to leave in the morning for Indiana. 2595 miles so far at $509 or 19.6 cents a mile
 
to be continued.......

#306 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [gagrice] by steve_ HOST

Apr 28, 2013 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Apr 28, 2013 6:26 pm)
Durn you, it'll be at least two months until I visit family in Chattanooga, and I'll be jonesing for hush puppies from now until then.
 
On the bright side, the fumes around Midland from all the stripper wells probably would have gotten to you if you had found a room there.
 
Next time, try stopping at McDonalds a couple of hours before your destination, get on their free wifi, and scope out some places on Travelocity or Expedia. You could even Priceline one that looks okay.
 
Surprised the lines are long at Mammoth so early in the season. Maybe because of the sequestration?

#307 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [steve_] by fintail

Apr 28, 2013 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Apr 28, 2013 7:10 pm)
I was going to say, pricey hotels! I use priceline or hotwire almost every time I travel. Everything has been OK.

#308 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [fintail] by steve_ HOST

Apr 28, 2013 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Apr 28, 2013 7:29 pm)
For Seattle, we looked at reviews and prepaid direct for one "off-site" to SeaTac over in Des Moines. I was concerned about not being able to eyeball it. But it worked great and the Mexican restaurant next door was excellent to boot. My wife is about to get a 4G refurb iPad so maybe we'll be better at researching restaurants on the road too, assuming we actually break down and buy some air time. Only really got burnt once on food on the last trip though.

#309 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [steve_] by hpmctorque

Apr 28, 2013 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Apr 28, 2013 7:10 pm)
Steve, from your response to Gary's message I assume you've been to Mammoth Cave. I've been tempted to include a tour of it if I should pass near it. The name alone intrigues me. If you've visited other caves how does Mammoth rate, in your opinion?

#310 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [hpmctorque] by steve_ HOST

Apr 28, 2013 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Apr 28, 2013 8:24 pm)
Ah, the part I visited was more of a "historic" tour and was a bit of a let down. That was decades ago, and now I'd simply take some of the more "wild" tours that are available.
 
I'm not a big cave fan but Carlsbad was more impressive, but a bit further away for many people.
 
The other US cave I'd be interested in is Kartchner Caverns in Arizona. It sounds like a neat one; reservations used to be hard to get but I'm not sure if that's true now.

#311 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [steve_] by gagrice

Apr 29, 2013 (2:55 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Apr 28, 2013 7:10 pm)
I use a Verizon Jetpack so finding hotels was easy on the Wifi tablet. The Google NAV works very well finding places as well. Last time I used Travelocity it was not up to the minute. So making hotel reservations on the fly was not possible. I would rather call the hotel and get a name. Too many Expedia horror stories and don't want them having my CC #. Speaking of Midland Odessa. The economy is booming thus the over priced rooms. Dive hotels are full at $200 per night. I looked at about 6 rooms I would not risk staying in and none under $200 per night. The decent places like Hamptons were sold out. I will try to avoid that route ever again. I prefer I40. Just wanted to avoid the late snows.
 
On the Road Again......

#312 of 323 Re: San Diego to Ohio to Indiana [gagrice] by steve_ HOST

Apr 29, 2013 (6:37 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Apr 29, 2013 2:55 am)
We usually book direct too, but get info from Travelocity or Expedia. Actually my wife usually tracks this stuff down and she uses TravelZoo and Orbitz too. For Seattle she just searched "Seattle airport hotels".
 
Got a cousin in Midland in the oil patch biz; don't keep up with her frequently but glad to hear business is booming.
 
Good to hear the Jetpack is working well for you. The reviews for it are lousy.

Messages Page 32 of 33

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