Journey to the Mississippi from Brooklyn

He Man · March 14, 2011, 08:59:25 PM

Planing a much needed trip. My friend really wants to get away for a while so i'm joining him on a little 10 day road trip. Anyone looking to house 2 guys from brooklyn? I'll bring fresh bagels.

Anyway, I need some help on some routes/ things to do/ places to go. Heres the schedule so far

April 15th- Leave around 1pm, make it to DC by 7pm and stay with afriend.
April 16th - wake up around 8-9ish and check out Washington DC, and leave by 11. We are thinking about going through Sky Line Drive and perhaps camping out in Shenandoah National Park, or make our way to the begining of the tail and find a motel or something.
April 17th- ride the tail and make it to jacksonville to stay at another friends house.
April 18th- Kennedy space center to watch the endevours last launch. After launch (around 3pm i think), make it to tallahasse by 9pm and stay with another friend.
April 19th- wake up early and make our way to New Orleans.
April 20th- NEW ORLEANS
April 21th?

April 22nd???
April 23rd?

April 24 be back in brooklyn.

Suggestions HIGHLY requested. Places to visit etc. I do not mind superslabbing it a home if i can be at more places.

yes this is rushed, but i have no choice. I am doing this. My friend took the time off and i bought a ventura rack and new tires for this 3500+mile trip.

muskrat · March 14, 2011, 11:27:54 PM

if you can squeeze Arkansas do it. Highway 7 from Hot Springs Northbound is incredible but anything surrounding Eureka Springs kicks ass! I have routes for Arkansas and can scan them and send to you. Also, around New Orleans, if you don't have time to go to Arkansas try your hand in and around Kisatchie National Forest. Just be aware that in bayou country you miss a turn and off into the ditch you go, very little run off if any.

thought · March 15, 2011, 07:02:33 AM

no recommendations from me, just wanted to say that that sounds awesome... esp seeing the last launch. if i had the time, i would def do something like this too.

ducpainter · March 15, 2011, 07:08:52 AM

Two hours to check out DC?

Have fun.

duccarlos · March 15, 2011, 07:25:16 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on March 15, 2011, 07:08:52 AM
Two hours to check out DC?

Have fun.

Not likely. There are a few places near the beach where you can "watch" the launch. Good luck getting tickets to watch it at KSC.

He Man · March 15, 2011, 09:09:45 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on March 15, 2011, 07:08:52 AM
Two hours to check out DC?

Have fun.

Been to DC 3 times already. Not sure if you think its too much or too little. But i kinda just wanted to sit and eat a sandwich next to Lincoln.

Quote from: duccarlos on March 15, 2011, 07:25:16 AM
Not likely. There are a few places near the beach where you can "watch" the launch. Good luck getting tickets to watch it at KSC.

tickets are all sold out already. im assuming you can see the launch from somewhere nearby.

ducpainter · March 15, 2011, 09:45:26 AM

Quote from: He Man on March 15, 2011, 09:09:45 AM
Been to DC 3 times already. Not sure if you think its too much or too little. But i kinda just wanted to sit and eat a sandwich next to Lincoln.

<snip>

I thought it was a 'bit' short.

I've been there once, and a couple of days wasn't enough to really see much.

duccarlos · March 15, 2011, 09:56:32 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on March 15, 2011, 09:45:26 AM
I thought it was a 'bit' short.

I've been there once, and a couple of days wasn't enough to really see much.

+1 Been there a few times and can never really see it all.

Quote from: He Man on March 15, 2011, 09:09:45 AM
tickets are all sold out already. im assuming you can see the launch from somewhere nearby.

There are a few bars close enough that you'll see it once it clears the launch pad. To see the actual launch, you'd need to be within the KSC area, which is locked down. I can ask a few friends that live in the area to recommend a good place to watch it. I might be watching it with you.

He Man · March 15, 2011, 10:18:29 AM

That'd be awesome, im looking online for popular places to watch the launch. its a 7:48pm launch and im hoping to be set up by ~2pm somewhere near by.

duccarlos · March 15, 2011, 10:25:38 AM

Yeah, those places get filled up quickly. Keep in mind that the launch might be postponed by a few hours or even a day, so you might need to be flexible. It should not be due to weather since April is pretty dry down here. It might be a good idea to call the places to see if they have a reservation policy for the launches.

duccarlos · March 15, 2011, 10:34:32 AM

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Teutonics · March 15, 2011, 11:12:57 AM

Blue Ridge Parkway or ~~Tail of the Dragon~~ along the way (or back)? (edit, just noticed your reference to "tail")
Barber Motorsports Park and Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham AL?
BMW Zentrum Museum and manufacturing tour near Spartanburg SC?
Corvette stuff in Bowling Green KY?

What interests do you have other than Ducati? If you go through ATL:

World of Coca Cola is pretty cool
Georgia Aquarium ($$$, but if you like that kind of stuff...

)
Lots of good local restaurants/eats

DRKWNG · March 15, 2011, 04:06:05 PM

I can't offer much towards a place to stay, unless you want to share a sofa with a dog, but I'll be more than happy to buy the first round when you guys stop off here in DC. I just posted up in the local board (CAM) that you'll be coming through, so maybe we'll work some kind of festiveness out of it.

herm · March 15, 2011, 05:49:48 PM

recommendation-
you have too much planned for the time frame and distance you are considering,...best laid plans and all that. one or two delays could wreck your whole itinerary. pair down your schedule and build in more time to for relaxation/unexpected stuff.

best of luck regardless.

muskrat · March 15, 2011, 05:59:15 PM

The Tail of the Dragon is not so bad mid-week but stay away on the weekend.

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Journey to the Mississippi from Brooklyn