Next week, I’ll make the 1000 or so mile drive from the port in Baltimore, to Kansas City, MO. After a week there, I turn SE and head to Georgia for a ~100 day course. After that, or during that, I need to get my Mini Cooper S on a boat and pointed at Hawaii, so I can hop a plane myself and head to the islands.
All good trips need a name. Tess Takes The States (TTTS) — I think that’ll work.
Right now, the plan is to head first to Louisville and spend the first night there. It’s a decent drive there and a good stopping point — a hair over 600 miles, and it’s not on Highway 70.
Louisville — it’s such a great city. I’m looking forward to the chance to get out and wander some, and to take a ton of photos (Flickr – please excuse the bikinis). From what I’ve read, the downtown has really turned around in the last couple of decades, which I am anxious to see as well.
And, if all else fails, I know where to find the house where Hunter S. Thompson grew up. I could make this adventure all Gonzo and stuff, just without the booze and drugs and, well, most of it.
From Louisville, I will head to Kansas. I may or may not swing by and see my cousin on the way; still waiting to hear on that one. There’s no real way to get from St. Louis to Kansas City without hitching onto Highway 70. Ugh. Oh well. If the visit works out, that’s be great. If not, I’ll stop for lunch in St. Louis (maybe by the arch), tank up, and zip on over to Kansas City.
The week in Kansas City should be good. I have a few friends in the area, in addition to a full schedule with my boys. So, I am sure I’ll get some running in (somehow) and some good grub, maybe a free home cooked meal or two, and a baseball game. Our hotel is about a 20 mile drive from where we’ll be during the day, which kind of sucks. I bet they’ll have vans or something to shuttle us; I’ll probably try and drive my car anyway. We’ll still be all cute together, like newlyweds.
After the week there, I’ll head to my uncle’s house near St. Louis. Been a while since I’ve seen him and his family, and I am excited about the chance to catch up. I’ll be heading there after the last (half) day of our work, so it’s a decent drive, not too long. The drive from KS to GA is a real hump, so this little head start will help.
But from there, I’m going to aim for Nashville. Shooting down the highway, it’s something like 350 miles. Which means I should have ample time to get off of the highway and seek other routes. Assuming my GPS is up and running in the car (I am bringing two different DVD’s for it, so one should work), it’ll be nice to get off of the main roads and to see some of the parks and wildlife preserves in the area.
And if I get into Nashville early enough, it looks to be a great city for going for a run. I can’t recall ever being there, so it’ll be nice to get out and about, find some grub, and take some photos while seeing what the city as to offer.
From there, it’s off to Augusta. I would swing through Atlanta and see a friend from High school, but really, on Sunday, I need to get to Augusta at a decent hour and get checked in. I can drive back to Atlanta on another weekend, just for a visit.
What I don’t know is what will happen after that. I’ll be in Augusta for a while — about 100 days — and somewhere along the way, I need to put Tess on a boat for Hawaii. If I can sneak off and do that while in school, great. If not, I’ll drive her to Los Angeles and throw her on a boat there. But that’s a whole other chapter to this tale, I fear. One that I kind of hope happens. It’s be awesome to do something like pick up Route 66 in Oklahoma City and drive it out west.
More to follow, I suppose.
June 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Look on the map where I-39, I-74, and I-55 converge. It’s not precisely on your way, but it’s not far out of your way, either. We even have an empty garage bay, so Tess can sleep inside.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I’ve been meaning to suggest that Tess can stay with me while you go to the big sandbox. I’ll take very good care of her and take her out for weekly (or daily, if you insist…) drives. As you know, Marin has lots of good, winding roads, as well as straight-aways where she can just let go.
June 15th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Oh, I bet you’d do a good job, too.
I’m sure I’d get press reports of Tess at Sears Point!
June 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Los Angeles? That’s in California isn’t it? Well I live in Ca too. So how about a visit? Maybe you could leave her with me. I could see a not-so-subtle chop, maybe lean back the windshield, bigger wheels and lots more power. What about that? Opa
June 17th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Hey there -
Let me know if it doesn’t work out to see your cousin…I am in Saint Louis as well and work about 10 miles west of the arch (and not off of Hwy 70!) and live about 3 miles slightly south and west from it in the . Or if you need a place to bunk, shout and I’ll see if Ricky & Lucy will share the guest room with you. I think you have my phone # – if not let me know and I’ll send it.
Either way – safe travels!