old US highways photographic trip suggestions?

[gtc]

hi all

I am thinking of a road trip,maybe next year,across the US.I want to avoid interstates and follow old highways.I will probably start in the east coast and work my way west,flying out of LA.I would like to head up to the north east and north west coasts as well -maine,washington state etc and into canada

I will have 4-6weeks,maybe a little longer if i can get extra leave approved.

the choices so far-


getting my kicks on route 66 (not much left?)


lincoln highway


the road to nowhere


the lost highway

any other suggestions?

I am looking for photographic interest-landscape,cityscape,roadside diners,classic motels,unusual craniums of local folk,petrol stations , national parks.

So-any experienced advice on highway choice?

Greg

[ian408]

66 still gets a lot of press though some parts of the old roadway are
fading fast.

I just replied to a motorcycling buddy that the Peak-to-Peak in Colorado
as well as the Trail Ridge Road (Rocky Mountain National Park) were two
in that area that I love.

Ian

[gus]

Nothing to do with the thread Buuuttt a while back i found a link to a video download of 2 blokes that set up a camera on the parcel shelf in their car (convertable) & filmed their entire trip across the US & compressed it to a high speed movie...its big ..maybe 50 odd meg but it was great viewing..

As you were.

Gus

PS..watch 'em over there though gtc...they all drive on the wrong side:1drink

[mary]

Have you thought of following the Lewis & Clark historic route? It's more of a diagonal across the midwest instead of directly west, but it's beautiful. Maybe take it for a while.

[gluwater]

I haven't been there myself but have been told by a couple friends that it is a very beautiful ride. It goes through Virginia and North Carolina.

You can check out here to find more more routes:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/byway/byway.htm

Another possible place to check out is the Tail of the Dragon in the Smokey Mountains.

[David_S85]

Probably not many people realize that US34 goes all the way from Chicago to the back side of Rocky Mountain National Park, in Colorado. Most just think of it as a local road through their own town with names such as Ogden Avenue or Main Street.

[Aaron Bernard]

I just went down route 66... at least the last bit in Ca. near Amboy, Essex, Ludlow and that area. There are some buildings left but not to many. Amboy is still there and pretty much abaondond.

O yeah, I got to pay $3.89 per gallon of gas out there so that was a treat.

Off Route 66 near 29 Palms was somewhat interesting. Lots of abandond houses all over the area next to the road. I'll post some shots later this week.

Anyway, sounds like an great trip! have fun - drop me a line when you get to the west cost! my other half is from nobel park in melborne. :thumb

[PossumCorner]

Hi greg, I did that trip alone in 1980, I know things change but my advice is don't tie yourself to a route. Too many times a side-road destination pops up, I zig-zagged for 4 weeks changing my mind, it was a magic experience. Like I said times change but then, CB radio was all the rage. My NY friends put one in my car and said play safe don't open your mouth, not once, just listen out for accidents and stuff. Finally opened my mouth as it was a joke, all the truckies saying "that little girl in the red Vega won't talk to anyone" and they all looked out for the Vega and gave me flak. So I started talking and it was more magic, met the most amazing people, families travelling, invitations everywhere, never a moment problem the whole way. I'd finished my 2 yr contract at our UN Mission in New York, sold the old Vega to a used car yard the day I arrived in SF and flew home to Melbourne that night. Do it, do it.

And thanks for that Melbourne Google which I had not seen and I've just spent an hour looking for my place in Belgrave but think I was up the Baw Baws and my eyes are falling out. (Picked up on that in your comment under Lynns beautiful horse image).