Brainbucket Mike

Well, 2013 has started out with a lot of road tripping for the wife and I. So far we have made the 400 mile round trip up to Washington D.C, A 700 mile round trip to Myrtle Beach through North and South Carolina, and an almost 1200 mile through Va., Md, WV and Pa. to the northwest cornwer of PA. Puttin on a lot of miles on my Jeep Wranger. Last weekend we drove home from SC with the top down, and then this weekend it was 19 degrees and snowing like crazy as we left NW Pa. But gotta say the scenery through the backwoods of West Virginia and Maryland is incredible. Even had deer running out across the road in front of us. But my poor jeep took a stone and now I have to replace the window. Bad thing is, I just replaced it in November for the same reason. Also took lots of pictures for "South of the Border" in S.C. a kitchy rest stop, tourist atraction that's been on the NC/SC border since 1950 where it started as a beer stand. I will post pictures later. They have some very catchy and colorful billboards with witty sllogans like "Pedro's Weather Forecast: Chili today, Hot Tomale", and "You never Sausage a place (You're Always a Wiener at Pedro's!)". So, has anyone else started of the new year with lots of miles? And what interesting places have you seen?

Thanks Becky!

Seems like the issues have been resolved. Thanks to all involved.

me too

Well the wife has a Conference to attend in Chicago in July, so we have decided to make a road trip out of it. We will drive from Va Beach to Erie Pa to see her family for a few days, then drive to Chicago for a 3 day stay. After that we are going to drive the one section of Route 66 we haven't been on yet, Chicago to St. Louis. Then back to Va Beach. When all is said and done, it will be about a 2,200 mile, 10 day road trip. I'm pretty psyched about it. Really excited about getting back on the Mother Road again, even though that's just a small part of the trip.

Well the wife has a Conference to attend in Chicago in July, so we have decided to make a road trip out of it. We will drive from Va Beach to Erie Pa to see her family for a few days, then drive to Chicago for a 3 day stay. After that we are going to drive the one section of Route 66 we haven't been on yet, Chicago to St. Louis. Then back to Va Beach. When all is said and done, it will be about a 2,200 mile, 10 day road trip. I'm pretty psyched about it. Really excited about getting back on the Mother Road again, even though that's just a small part of the trip.

You can also get a Memory card for your GPS with all of the Route 66 Points of interest one it. Also very helpful. You can also download the GPS info at http://www.historic66.com/gps/ Viva Route 66! ike

OK, who's making a road trip this upcoming weekend, and where are ya headed? The wife and I are headed north to the Washington D.C area to spend the weekend with old friends. Mike

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fellow road trippers!

@ Denny, I'll be in the VA Beach area for probably the next 11 years till I retire and move to NM or AZ. But unfortunately this weekend I'll be up in the DC area with friends. Maybe next time you're in the area? @mga707 We like the OBX area and get down there a few times a year (usually in the summer, on the bikes). Another great thing about OBX is the light houses. There are three you can get to without taking a ferry and another 2 if you don't mind the ferry.

Dave and Denny, It's funny you mention the Cape Henry Lighthouse and the Wisconsin. The wife and I have been to both of those spots twice in the last 3 months. Both times taking friends and family we had visiting us. The lighthouse is only about 5 miles down the road from us on the Chesapeak Bay and the Wisconsing a bit further (Maybe 8 miles) the other way in Norfolk on the Elizabeth river. The Colonial Parkway is a great ride on the bikes. And that whole Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown area is very nice. We ride the Colonial Parkway from Yorktown, thru Williamsburg to Jamestown, then take a 15 minute ferry ride across to Surry and head back down south to VB. Will try and get some pictures posted when I get home.

OK folks, I am in Virginia Beach area of Virginia. Who can recommend some good day trips in the SE Virginia/NE North Carolina area? Also any recommendation for good Mom and Pop eateries and motels would be appreciated.

Becky, You did indeed fix the glitch. Thanks much. I love this site and look for new content every day. regards, Mike

Ha ha ha! I agree 100% on all points. Long live Nucky!

@ sit properly (eric) Going back to the original topic. I watched the Season Finale of Boardwalk Empire, and they were back on the same road. Only this time they didn't CGI in the blacktop and it was the sand road that it actually is. Poor Gyp Rosetti met his untimely demise just of the road.

Thank you Dave, and Thanks to your son. I see you're in Allentown, PA. I grew up in Warminster/Hatboro area and we used to go to Dorney Park every summer. And after High School, a buddy and I hitchhiked up the PA turnpike to the Allentown Fairgrounds to see a heavy Metal concert. Good times.

Denny, congratulations to you and your son on his career. There are few ways to spend your life that are more honorable than to spend it defending our freedom in our Armed Forces (and of course the Navy is the best, but I am biased).

Eric, Love the pics! Many times the polaroids give the photo an Otherworldly look. WRT the mural painting Hippie comment, I could easily see myself living a Bob Waldmire lifestyle, unfortunately I don't think my wife or my debtors would go for it... :-)

Hello everyone! My name is Mike and I am relatively new to the forum but am enjoying it a bunch already. A bit about me, I am retired from the U.S. Navy after 23 years active duty and now work for the Navy as a Civil Servant here in Virginia Beach, Va. I grew up in the Philadelphia, PA. area but now call the south my home. During my time in the NAV I was lucky enough to do a lot of travelling, by Air, Sea and Land. I have visited almost 40 countries around the world and greatly enjoyed most of them. I have also lived in Spain, Italy and Japan. Now that I am out, one of the items on my bucket list iis the see all 50 U.S. States. I have been to 35 so far with only 15 left to go. Most of the states I have left are in the Northern Midwest and Northwest parts of the country. I am an avid roadtripper, motorcyclist, and have an almost obsessive interest in Route 66. My wife and I cruised the mother Road last year on our Harleys (missing only the stretch between St. Louis and Chicago) and it was three of the most memerable weeks of my life. Virginia Beach to Santa Monica and back. Stops included all the great places along 66, side trips to Vegas and The Grand Canyon, and two days in Nashville on the way home. When possible, I only stay at Mom and Pop motels, I Iove Neon, Kitsch, tourist traps and all things about driving the open road. It's my own personal time machine back to a better time. Look forward to sharing stories and with all of you and browsing all the great photos on the site. Safe travelling, Mike