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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 01:48:55 PM

Title: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 01:48:55 PM
I'll have about three weeks off coming up, giving some thought to a road trip.

So far I've come up with Madison,  Wisconsin, Tulsa,  Oklahoma, and Memphis  TN as possibilities.

Anyone  think of  other places driveable from  Iowa City that would be worth checking out?
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: mongers on May 19, 2014, 02:15:55 PM
If you stretched yourself, could you make it to the Mexican border?

Maybe one of those twin border cities/towns, do some sight-seeing with a bit of political insight thrown in ? 

Seems to be a 'happening' region in North America, for several reasons, most which are somewhat negative.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:17:16 PM
That's probably a 16 hour drive with no stops.  Maybe  20,  since Tejas is so big ass.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Capetan Mihali on May 19, 2014, 02:24:23 PM
What do you want to do when you get there?

Of the three, I've only been to Memphis for an afternoon/evening.  I had a good time.  The Stax/Volt museum is great.  Lots of nightlife, Beale Street of course (kind of a watered down Bourbon Street), top-notch fried chicken.  I went to a bar in an old brothel where you could wonder around the rooms, very spooky.  The bars can stay open til 4:00, and as of 2011 you could smoke in them; some of them are beer-only though, a fairy common TN thing.  I would exercise caution walking around alone at night.  Even coming from a violent city perspective, Memphis felt kind of dangerous anywhere outside the really touristy areas.

EDIT:  I would add Minneapolis as an option if you haven't been already.  Seems like a decent place to visit especially in the summer.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Capetan Mihali on May 19, 2014, 02:25:55 PM
Take that back, I of course recommend you take the much shorter trip to Jefferson City, Mo. and square off against Raz in a series of face-to-face Lincoln-Douglas style debates. :)
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:27:27 PM
I can't go  to Jefferson City.  If I do  I have to give Raz a foot massage.

I'd like to do what I do whereever I go: nudie bars, karaoke, and talking to interesting locals.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Capetan Mihali on May 19, 2014, 02:33:51 PM
I think Memphis is putting the kibosh on strip clubs, but I don't think it'll be in effect yet.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: grumbler on May 19, 2014, 02:35:38 PM
Canoe down the Cahulawassee River. They'll be putting in a dam next year, so now's your last chance.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Savonarola on May 19, 2014, 02:40:34 PM
I've been to Madison.  It's a nice college town; but it isn't very big.  You might prefer Milwaukee.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:45:06 PM
Another consideration is the ability to tell  people "I've been to  X."
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Savonarola on May 19, 2014, 02:54:48 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:45:06 PM
Another consideration is the ability to tell  people "I've been to  X."

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is gorgeous and remote:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww-personal.umich.edu%2F%7Ejensenl%2Fvisuals%2Falbum%2F2006%2Fpictured%2FIMG_4211.JPG&hash=de54101ac4631e5486e7659289c6a2ee873c3e07)

A little closer to you (in northern Wisconsin) are the Apostle Islands:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennalaphotography.com%2Fuploads%2Fprocessed%2F0030%2F0610301425101apostle_islands_32.jpg&hash=8d5a4fe74b7d3d4e74af0c83f4a7614de05433c3)

Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:56:59 PM
I don't see any nudie bars in those pics.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 19, 2014, 02:59:45 PM
Other side of the rocks.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Savonarola on May 19, 2014, 03:00:36 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 02:56:59 PM
I don't see any nudie bars in those pics.

The Ojibwa have casinos up there; if that appeals to you.  I wouldn't go to a nudie bar in the Upper Peninsula or northern Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Queequeg on May 19, 2014, 03:07:39 PM
I enjoy Madison immensely.  Beautiful.  Good food. 
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:16:04 PM
What is the timeframe? Summer heat should be a consideration.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: grumbler on May 19, 2014, 03:24:31 PM
Go to Ann Arbor.  See the Big House.  Eat at Zingerman's and the Little Brown Jug (you'll see the actual LBJ in the Big House).  Then go west, hit Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and some of the little towns along the east shore of Lake Michigan.  Then Chicago.  Then home.  You'll get your karaoke, nudie bars, and nice restaurants along the way.

If you want to talk about it, forget the Cahulawassee River.  the last guys to take my advice on that still don't want to talk about it.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: garbon on May 19, 2014, 03:30:23 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

:D
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:32:12 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

As alluring as a Puerto Rican nipple show sounds, Bama might be too far a stretch.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: alfred russel on May 19, 2014, 04:11:50 PM
Fly to Vienna or other locale and do a road trip through the balkans.  :)
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: mongers on May 19, 2014, 05:32:45 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 19, 2014, 04:11:50 PM
Fly to Vienna or other locale and do a road trip through the balkans.  :)

He'll not need a car, but a boat when he arrives.  :(
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: mongers on May 19, 2014, 05:34:31 PM
Quote from: grumbler on May 19, 2014, 03:24:31 PM
....
If you want to talk about it, forget the Cahulawassee River.  the last guys to take my advice on that still don't want to talk about it.

:D

I presume most others got the 'Ned Beatty' reference.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: MadImmortalMan on May 20, 2014, 12:52:17 AM
If you're willing to go as far as the UP, then maybe the other direction to the Black Hills and Badlands would be fun.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on May 20, 2014, 02:18:55 AM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

The perfect host  :cool:
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Josquius on May 20, 2014, 04:39:20 AM
Denver. Enjoy the smell of freedom.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 20, 2014, 05:14:44 AM
Does freedom smell like smoke?
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Ed Anger on May 20, 2014, 06:44:44 AM
Zanesville Ohio
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 20, 2014, 08:55:32 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 20, 2014, 02:18:55 AM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

The perfect host  :cool:


:)
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Syt on May 20, 2014, 08:56:50 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 19, 2014, 04:11:50 PM
Fly to Vienna or other locale and do a road trip through the balkans.  :)

Yeah, driving as foreigner with visibly different ethnic look and no local language skills through the Balkans sounds like a terrific idea.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 20, 2014, 08:57:54 AM
Talking about summer road trips, anyone here gonna be anywhere on I40 between Memphis and Albuquerque on July 10th and 11th?
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 20, 2014, 08:58:52 AM
? Planning a rest stop party?
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 20, 2014, 09:07:54 AM
I'll be going to Moab UT and Ouray CO, on the way there not in a big hurry if anyone wants to meet up. I'll also take recommendations for good places to eat. :)
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: alfred russel on May 20, 2014, 09:21:24 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 20, 2014, 08:56:50 AM
Quote from: alfred russel on May 19, 2014, 04:11:50 PM
Fly to Vienna or other locale and do a road trip through the balkans.  :)

Yeah, driving as foreigner with visibly different ethnic look and no local language skills through the Balkans sounds like a terrific idea.

I know someone that did this. Its okay. That, along with a trip through Turkey, are the two big road trips I want to take.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Josquius on May 20, 2014, 09:23:57 AM
I know a very small Japanese girl who backpacked around the balkans alone.
Apparently they're not so bad these days.
Except for Albania.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 20, 2014, 09:33:02 AM
Any of you been to The Grand Canyon? I've been to Canyonlands in the Moab area, and may go there again this year.
Should I take a day away from Moab area to go see the Grand Canyon? North Rim or South?  :hmm:
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: MadImmortalMan on May 20, 2014, 12:09:19 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 20, 2014, 09:23:57 AM
I know a very small Japanese girl who backpacked around the balkans alone.
Apparently they're not so bad these days.
Except for Albania.

Bring a swimsuit.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: alfred russel on May 20, 2014, 12:24:23 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 20, 2014, 12:09:19 PM
Quote from: Tyr on May 20, 2014, 09:23:57 AM
I know a very small Japanese girl who backpacked around the balkans alone.
Apparently they're not so bad these days.
Except for Albania.

Bring a swimsuit.

A speedo if you want to fit in with the locals.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Savonarola on May 20, 2014, 04:19:35 PM
Quote from: grumbler on May 19, 2014, 03:24:31 PM
Go to Ann Arbor.  See the Big House.  Eat at Zingerman's and the Little Brown Jug (you'll see the actual LBJ in the Big House).  Then go west, hit Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and some of the little towns along the east shore of Lake Michigan.  Then Chicago.  Then home.  You'll get your karaoke, nudie bars, and nice restaurants along the way.

This would be a good road trip if you like beer; all the little cities along I-94 have some sort of brew pub.  The best are in Marshall (Dark Horse), Battle Creek (Arcadia) and Kalamazoo (Bells).  The St. Julian's winery in Paw Paw is nothing to write home about; the better wineries are much further north in the Old Mission and Lelenau peninsulas.

Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Tonitrus on May 20, 2014, 05:28:29 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 20, 2014, 09:33:02 AM
Any of you been to The Grand Canyon? I've been to Canyonlands in the Moab area, and may go there again this year.
Should I take a day away from Moab area to go see the Grand Canyon? North Rim or South?  :hmm:

Grand Canyon would make for an exhausting day trip from Moab.  A few days would be more practical.  South Rim is very touristy, and crowded, but awesome views of course.  Never did the regular North Rim (was still closed for the season when I went through in April 2008), but to give the FJ some exercise coming east in 2011, I drove down to a place called Toroweap on the far western North Rim.  Very remote (and good moderate, not too crazy FJ Cruiser exercise), very awesome, but not as post-card scenic as the more popular areas.  The campsite there is awesomely primitive and scenic.  I was there in June/July, and there was one other couple there camping.  The quiet and solitude was awesome.

If you're out at Moab/Canyonlands with the FJ, have you checked out the Needles district of Canyonlands?  I heard it's got lots of awesome off-road opportunites.

For another possible day-trip from Moab, I'd check out some of the off-roads in Capitol Reef, like Cathedral Valley (didn't get a chance to check it out when I was there, and regret it), or the Burr Trail Road.

Also heard good things about Dinosaur National Monument.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 21, 2014, 09:54:33 AM
Thanks Toni, I'm leaning towards more Moab exploring, the trails are just too much fun, and very technical stuff.

It just feels like I am cheating myself of a "Must See" and I will be close enough to it, but I am so short on time. I need to do some more homework.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 02:00:27 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

Nyah, nyah,  nyah.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: alfred russel on May 28, 2014, 02:03:05 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 21, 2014, 09:54:33 AM
Thanks Toni, I'm leaning towards more Moab exploring, the trails are just too much fun, and very technical stuff.

Technical from a driving point of view?
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: lustindarkness on May 28, 2014, 02:07:41 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 02:00:27 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 19, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 19, 2014, 03:18:22 PM
Last week of May, first two weeks of June.

You can venture farther south then. I'll grill some burgers, buy you a beer and take my shirt off.

Nyah, nyah,  nyah.

:yucky:
Quote from: alfred russel on May 28, 2014, 02:03:05 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 21, 2014, 09:54:33 AM
Thanks Toni, I'm leaning towards more Moab exploring, the trails are just too much fun, and very technical stuff.

Technical from a driving point of view?

Yes.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: alfred russel on May 28, 2014, 02:13:42 PM
I'd like to get into that a bit, but I don't think it is on the agenda. Seems like a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 02:47:28 PM
Cincinnati is a mere 7 hours away.  Our strip clubs here suck, though :(
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Valmy on May 28, 2014, 02:48:26 PM
Are there places with superior strip clubs?  Like Vegas or something?  Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 02:50:01 PM
Quote from: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 02:47:28 PM
Cincinnati is a mere 7 hours away.  Our strip clubs here suck, though :(

No offense to you or Boner, but I've always considered Ohio to have the ugliest women in the US.  West Virginia turns up the ocaisonnal gem--God knows there are enough in DC nudie bars.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 02:51:22 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 28, 2014, 02:48:26 PM
Are there places with superior strip clubs?  Like Vegas or something?  Asking for a friend.

Montreal.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Valmy on May 28, 2014, 02:52:05 PM
That...was not an answer I expected.  Good to know.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 02:52:10 PM
Quote from: Valmy on May 28, 2014, 02:48:26 PM
Are there places with superior strip clubs?  Like Vegas or something?  Asking for a friend.

Philly had a couple decent ones, as did Colorado Springs.  There are also plenty outside each military base (quantity has a quality all its own).
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: derspiess on May 28, 2014, 02:59:05 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on May 28, 2014, 02:50:01 PM
No offense to you or Boner, but I've always considered Ohio to have the ugliest women in the US.

I bet an afternoon at a Reds game would change your mind.  Lots of Teutonic goodness to be found here in Cincy.

QuoteWest Virginia turns up the ocaisonnal gem--God knows there are enough in DC nudie bars.

I guess they all headed to DC before I saw them :(  Attractive women in WV are few, far between, and unapproachable.  My five best friends from high school & I all married non-WV natives.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Ed Anger on May 28, 2014, 05:43:56 PM
Yi doesn't know where to look.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: katmai on May 29, 2014, 05:09:56 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 28, 2014, 05:43:56 PM
Yi doesn't know where to look.
says the guy who imported his mail order bride from Indiana.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Ed Anger on May 29, 2014, 09:45:50 AM
Quote from: katmai on May 29, 2014, 05:09:56 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 28, 2014, 05:43:56 PM
Yi doesn't know where to look.
says the guy who imported his mail order bride from Indiana.

Who was living in Ohio. Seriously folks, you are becoming tedious.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Valmy on May 29, 2014, 09:48:26 AM
Ohio mail order brides?  Well at least she got to escape to France.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Ed Anger on May 29, 2014, 09:52:40 AM
Yep, tedious.
Title: Re: Summer Road Trip Suggestions
Post by: Admiral Yi on July 20, 2014, 03:56:48 PM
Just got back from Madison, WI. 

Wisconsonites really do put down the sauce.  Generally pleasant drunks though. 

Saw a restaurant with the a sign in the window that said "Burritos As Big As Your Head."

Had breakfast a couple times in a diner run by a Macedonian immigrant.  I've never met a Macedonian before.

Spent an afternoon on State Street, which is the bar strip next to the U of W campus.  Plenty of hippies, plenty of gays, plenty of lesbians.  Very different vibe than U of I.

Friday night I walked from my hotel to a bar that was doing karaoke.  Coming back I passed what appeared to be a black bar.  Something had clearly gone wrong, two cop cars came zooming in with lights flashing and the parking lot emptied like a disturbed ants nest.