Scenic trips to take before I get too old or die!

ROUTE 66 road trip (with loved ones) **BUCKET LIST MUST**

(CITED SOURCE: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/maps66.html)

After watching all these horror slashers, I am hesitant to attempt this but I SO AM GOING TO DO IT in a few years. It doesn’t help feeding my fear by watching these partially fictitious accounts of friends going on an adventurous road trip across the country until *cue in the doomsday beat* DUN! DUN! DUUUUUN! A serial killer is on the loose. What’s so great about that is not only is the serial killer a deranged psychopath but now the maniacal being is on the rampage with serious road rage and seeks vengeance by eliminating one roadie at a time…I would imagine the annoying or naive friend would be killed first as most movies have shown it. My imagination digresses as my hesitancy increases because unfortunately, reality imitates art or vice versa. Be what it may, with EXTREME caution, I will have to work on convincing close friends (those who you could bear being in the same air space for more than 24 hours) to do this with me.

 

SUGGESTED 14 United States Road Trips To Take Before I die!

(cited source: http://www.placesyoullsee.com/14-united-states-road-trips-to-take-before-you-die/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=posts&utm_campaign=14-road-trips-usa-20170605)

I came across this page, Places You’ll See, while on Facebook and liked it! It is another source of information to look at when interested in travelling somewhere in which you may not know much about…that was and is my case. Places You’ll See had suggested these road trips that I’ve never heard of and surely, I will be convincing the same loved ones that will (in a few years) travel with me on Route 66 to do some if not all of these suggested trips before any of us get too complacent, too tired or gone with the Reaper.

1. The Mohawk Trail—I’ve never heard of it but Places You’ll See suggests to take this New England (MA) trip during the Fall where you’d enjoy the scenic route.
2. Peak to Peak Highway—Again, never heard of it but the travelling page suggests you take this Rocky Mountain adventure to be inspired by the natural beauties and landscape.
3. Tunnel of Trees—It doesn’t give an actual location Places You’ll See Facebook page, but with the magic of Google, this foliage based trip is found in the Great Lakes State on M-119 (cited source: http://mynorth.com/2017/05/guide-to-a-scenic-michigan-getaway-m-119-tunnel-of-trees-in-harbor-springs/). Though I’ve been in Michigan, I’ve only been in Detroit and the southern cities of Michigan. I have yet to return to this state and visit its northern part like Macinaw Island, the road side towns and cites along with this road trip.
4. Maui Hana Highway—When I was in Maui, I had the opportunity to see parts of the trails all due to my uncle and his family that lives in that beautiful island. My cousin took us on a short drive from the town of Lahaina to Kihei and took us to several sites along the coast. When I return for another visit to Maui, I know to take this trip along with tips from the website Road To Hana (cited source: http://roadtohana.com/) which gives us specifically the options of travelling along this roadside treasure.
5. Blue Ridge Parkway—Places You’ll See states that this close to 500 mile of travel between North Carolina and Virginia will give one an incredible scenic route of the landscape. Along with that, I definitely would like to check out their southern BBQs.
6. Glen Highway—These past two years, I haven’t had the leisure of watching basic TV shows, so I’ve been updating myself by watching Youtube channels and Netflix to catch up on shows I may have missed. Because of that, since last quarter, I’ve been binge watching on Netflix “Life Below Zero.” Now, the beauty of watching this show is that #1) I can live vicariously through each Alaskans daily activities and #2) I have some bit of awareness of cities in Alaska, the landscape, and the fact that it is a tough place to be. I know for this trip I am DEFINITELY using Viator (I am NOT sponsored by this company, but I use it often when I book tourist attractions on all of my travels) and TripAdvisor (which I also use for travelling research purposes).
7. New Mexico’s High Road—Again, I have no idea what entails this road trip, but according to Places You’ll See, it simply says that this literally takes you up the high road. Looking more into this, I found a website called High Road to Taos (cited source: https://www.newmexico.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways/high-road-to-taos/) that gives more detail into taking this trip. Because I have a fear of getting stranded in any hot weather (I consider 85 degrees hot temperature…sorry, I’m a native San Francisco Bay Area) and that some psychopath serial killer may be on the road (please refer to the Route 66 bucket list section), I will definitely book this trip with a professional company along with loved ones. 
8. Olympic Loop Peninsula—A few months ago, I had just returned from a family reunion that was held in Portland, Oregon. I wanted to drive along the Pacific Northwest region especially to look more into the “Cascadia” region. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to even travel to Seattle, WA but I figured, I have family in this region, so I will definitely revisit family as well as travel along the Pacific Northwest with this trip in mind.
9. Highway 12 in Utah—I’ve been to Utah many times as a kid to join in my great-auntie’s family’s reunions since I was in elementary to middle school age. I remember the joys of waking up with huge welts left by the mosquitoes and spiders (sorry, did I mention we camped in the middle of summer?). For anyone who has been to Utah in the middle of summer, it is…ROUGH if you are not indoors with that refreshing AC to keep you comfortable and loving life. I have family that is in different parts of Utah, so taking this road trip is highly achievable. Places You’ll See states that this highway takes you to the “heart” of the state.
10. The Florida Keys—A few co-worker of mine are Floridians or lived in the Sunshine state and had mentioned that it is a MUST to visit “The Keys” and have some Key Lime pie while in this state. One co-worker said that she managed a company that was headquartered out in the Keys, and she said it was the BEST views of any job she’s ever witnessed…until there was a hurricane that changed her life to packing up to leave the Sunshine state. Though that experience was a life-changer for her, she HIGHLY suggested to at least visit the Keys due to its beauty and history as so does Places to See.
11. The Park Loop Road—Though I am not a fan of seafood and fish, I have wanted to visit the Lobster Roll state of Maine since I ate a bowl of fresh, authentic New England clam “chowdah” in Boston, Massachusetts. Some acquaintances have suggested I go there after sharing their personal experiences of being along the coast and experiencing the coolness of the Atlantic. Places You’ll See states that there is a 27-mile road that stretches along the state in which one will be able to marvel at the Arcadia National Park.
12. Going-to-the-Sun Road—Like this whole entire post, I haven’t heard of this trip, but I did have a church member friend who served her Christian LDS mission in the Plains region of the U.S. and she had mentioned the vast beauty of the Plains. Places to See says that “Montana is a big sky country and you’ll feel like you’re up in the sky” while snaking a 52-mile cliff-side road (Places You’ll Go, Facebook, 2017). Now, I’m one for an adventure…that will not have me dead within the next 6 hours. As much as I’ve been told by this church member friend and even a bishop (LDS church leader of a congregation) how beautiful the landscape and the night sky of the Plains, the “cliff-side” road trek is worrisome to me. Most likely I can kindly have a loved one drive or we shall enjoy the view from the bottom.
13. Delaware River Loop—The closest that I have been to the state of Delaware is when I was giving some love to a Philly cheese steak at the Terminal Market. Places You’ll Go suggests to simply get a historical lesson by enjoying the beautiful 80-mile scenic journey from the Delaware River and the Kittatinny Ridge. Is that the Liberty Bell I hear in the background telling me to stop by Philly after this Delaware road trip? 
14. The Pacific Coast Highway—Now, not to sound biased but Places You’ll See said and I quote “this is the granddaddy of United States road trips, taking you up the full length of California’s coastline. It’s not to be skipped by anyone!” (Places You’ll See, Facebook, 2017). With that, I “hella” agree! I have only partially traveled the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) or Highway 1. The windy one lane in each direction trek literally goes from the northern part of the Golden State to its southern region. I’ve traveled from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and YES!!! The Pacific is BEAUTIFUL!!! When I traveled, I went with my immediate family members for a building project competition in SLO and we were able to stop in Santa Barbara, Carmel, San Simeon and take a few photos of the coastline (at that time, I only had disposables on hand so I have yet to upload). It was “hella” pretty being there and as usual, the Golden State weather is always “hella” nice (okay, that’s enough Yay area hellas for now). **BUCKET LIST MUST**

 

SCENIC TRAIN TRIPS IN THE WORLD

(cited source: http://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g4726/best-scenic-train-rides-around-the-world/)

According to Countryliving.com, it stated Everett Potter’s article in National Geographic’s list of 16 scenic train trips around the globe. I’ve heard of the obvious, The California Zephyr, but I have not taken that train excursion. The only train rides that I’ve taken was on the local Caltrain that dropped you off within the local zones from Silicon Valley up to the Golden Gate city and some of the time, I pass out because I wouldn’t consider sardine packed trains as a “comfortable ride,” but these I would like to experience especially the first one since I am Californian. 

1. America: The California Zephyr **BUCKET LIST MUST**
2. Canada: The Canadian **BUCKET LIST MUST**
3. Argentina: Tren a las Nubes
4. Europe: The Orient Express **BUCKET LIST MUST**
5. Ireland: The Belmond Grand Hiberian
6. UK: Caledonian Sleeper
7. Russia: The Golden Eage Trans-Siberian **BUCKET LIST MUST**
8. Serbia and Montenegro: Belgrade to Bar
9. Switzerland: The Glacier Express
10. Switzerland: The Gotthard Panorama Express
11. Africa: The Shongololo Express **BUCKET LIST MUST**
12. South Africa: The Blue Train
13. India: Royal Rajastan on Wheels
14. Japan: Train Suite Shiki-shima **BUCKET LIST MUST**
15. Australia: The Ghan
16. New Zealand: The TranzAlpine **BUCKET LIST MUST**

 

Most Beautiful Sights in America With This $213 (December 2016) Train Trip

(cited source: http://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/a41157/cheap-train-trip-united-states/)

As mentioned above, the California Zephyr is a one of my many BUCKET LIST MUST and according to travel expert and blogger named Derek Low, he mapped out a gorgeous train route from the West Coast in the Bay Area to the East Coast in the Big Apple. The website Country Living suggests to hop onto Derek Low’s blog (dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/) where he traveled by train on the California Zephyr (San Francisco to Chicago) then transferred and boarded onto the Lake Shore Limited (Illinois to New York). Low documents on his blog the experiences aboard Amtrak, picturesque views and the most important detail…the financial aspect of the trip. He said he paid (at the time in 2011) for a 15-day pass which included 8 train rides which he used to explore cities AFTER his U.S. coast to coast journey. He gives key examples of what is considered a train ride such as a 3-day route is 1 train ride and the same is for a 30-minute route, so he advises to CHOOSE WISELY how you would use your train rides if you get a pass. He said if you don’t want to purchase a pass and do your own exploration of U.S. cities, other people have opted to just do the above in which taking both the California Zephyr then transferring onto the Lake Shore Limited by using his traveling expertise. I am NOT sponsored or affiliated with Mr. Low, but I definitely will take advice and his travel advice/service when planning with loved ones in the near future.

 

SOMETHING ABOUT THE WEST COAST TRAVEL ONLY

(cited source: http://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/amtraks-coast-starlight-shows-the-west-coast-for-97/)

On his Seasoned Veteran album, local Bay Area rap artist Richie Rich was right when he said, “Something about the West coast. It makes me wanna ride” (Malek, Seasoned Veteran, 1996). Yes, I’ve heard from others visiting the Golden State how they’ve travelled from other states and even from foreign lands to binge on some In-N-Out, visit Universal Studios, Disneyland, Sea World, walk the Golden Gate, take selfies around Silicon Valley and enjoy the East Bay dining and clubs and so on. With all those reasons, I agree! Gladly taking sound advice from other locals, I’ve had the opportunity to experience most of these California attractions except  traveling along the state’s coastline by train. Thrillist.com suggests boarding onto Amtrak’s Coast Starlight which stretches not only within California, but literally from the most northern state to the southern state on the West Coast (Washington to California). The website states that it is a 35-hour ride that has one viewing all three states with 30 destinations that one witnesses the Pacific Northwest coast in its natural glory to the picturesque coastline of California. This trip is doable and with the other train rides that involve California travel, I feel that I can map out and do all 3 or 4 with one extensive trip. Wish me luck! **BUCKET LIST MUST**

 

STILL WANT TO MORE INFORMATION TO TRAVEL THE U.S.?

SF Globe writes about the use of science and math in mapping out the ultimate U.S. road trip written by Angela Brown (Brown, SF Globe, 2017).

(cited source: http://www.sfglobe.com/2016/07/06/scientists-have-figured-out-the-ultimate-united-states-road-trip-here-it-is/?src=swp_534737t=syn)

The article gives one the possibility of visiting ALL 48 of the 50 states in the U.S. by the use of scientific math by Randal Olson (www.randalolson.com). Brown writes about the rules of continuous travel throughout all 48 states and the rules are:

1. Stops are ONLY allowed at each National sites (monuments, memorials, parks, historic sites).
2. The entire car trip must stay within the U.S. borders.

Simple, right? Well, Olson calculated (if the roads were clear and perfect weather) that the journey to trek all 48 states  would take roughly less than 225 hours (less than 10 days) of drive time and one could start at any point on Olson’s website for the ultimate American road trip. He estimated that the entire trip would take about 2 to 3 months.

On Olson’s website, there is an interactive map that can help you figure out where you would like to begin. Olson also lists examples of stops which if I complete some of the above trips that I could easily mark those off my own bucket list for travel in the U.S.