I plan the best road trips.
I do a lot of research, find the most interesting attractions and activities, and confirm the mileage to not wear out car or driver.
See, the planning isn’t the problem, it’s the implementing of said trips that needs some help.
For example, I had my dream trip completely planned out and booked: flight to Anchorage, AK, and then road trip from the Anchorage area to Fairbanks. Activities included seeing the bears, taking a small cruise, staying at an authentic Alaskan dive bar, getting a shirt that said, “I got laid in Chicken”, riding on a dog sled, and going to a salmon festival. I swore nothing short of a zombie apocalypse was going to stop me from going.
And the gods said, “Challenge accepted.”
Oh, did I mention my trip was scheduled for September 2020?
A string of un-tripped trips followed that one. I had a great Rte. 66 trip planned. Starting in NY, I was planning to drive to Illinois, down to Texas - with stops on both the famous route and other areas - and then through the south back up to NY.
Instead, I had to move to Tennessee (Well, I had to move somewhere other than NY. I chose TN).
I did manage a road trip to Kentucky; it wasn’t my best level of planning, but it was something, at least (I will review that at another time).
Then I planned a trip around TN, from Knoxville (near where I am) to Nashville to Memphis and back, with a whole bunch of stops in between. Hotels were all booked, itinerary was confirmed… and then my car needed $3k in repairs.
I then planned a road trip through five states with a few-days stop in NJ to visit friends and family… and then my car needed another $3k in repairs.
Grrrrr…
I probably wouldn’t have tried that last trip again, except there’s a beautiful 6 year old who happens to be my niece who knows exactly how to make me feel guilty about not seeing her for years. She also now had two sisters that I had never met.
So, I once again planned a road trip through five states with a stop in NJ.
And it actually happened.
And now I will review it. The good, the bad, and the funny.
Starting with day #1…