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A little help...

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PlanetFrnd

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OK, so my girlfriend and I have to move from NYC to San Fran this month. We are going to drive across the country as our vacation in between jobs, so I need some advice:

We are going to take the northern route from NYC through Buffalo (to see friends) and through Detroit (to see her family) and maybe dip into the 'Bus (to see both of our families) but we are going to try to see the following cities on the way:

Buffalo
Toronto
Detroit
Cleveland
Chicago
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
South Dakota (for Mt. Rushmore)
Cheyenne
Denver
Colorado Springs
New Mexico (for Taos, White Sands)
Arizona (for Grand Canyon, Phoenix)
San Diego
LA
Central CA (for Monterrey, Kings Canyon, Redwood)
San Fran

We might try to hit KC and St Louis on the way as well.

The idea is to hit baseball games along the way, but if anyone has any ideas about great bars to hit or landmarks to see along the way, we would LOVE to know. I think we'll have 4-5 weeks to work with, so time is not an issue.

So, if anyone knows of any cool stuff PLEASE let me know. I hate to create a thread for personal reasons, but you all are from so many places that someone MUST know something cool to do.

I'm also looking to get a hybrid Honda Civic... any info on hybrid cars would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks, BN
 
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Well when you get to Columbus go to Westerville and go to Inniswood Metro Garden. It's got an exhibit going on through Oct. 15 called Big Bugs. It's pretty cool and more importantly....it's free so you don't have to spend any money.
 
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Might want to reroute around Minneapolis...

In Milwaukee, aside from Miller Park and maybe a brewery tour, if you are looking for an unusual meal experience, head downtown and ask one of the hotel staffs to point you toward the Safe House. No sign, so you'll need directions. I can send you the password if you like, or you can see how you do without one. :wink:
 
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Taos is gonna be way out of your way to visit. :(
But, it's a great time of year to visit.
White Sands is clear at the bottom of New Mexico. Pretty out of the way, also.
Albuquerque to Taos is 140miles! (3 hours)
Albuquerque to White Sands .(184miles)
Denver to Albuquerque(335)
 
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Mt. Rushmore is a waste. Go there, spend about 5 minutes and leave. Much better things right around it - Badlands National Park, Wind Cave which has free ranging buffalo all over the place, and the Black Hills. Very scenic.

Walker Arts CEnter in Minny has a nice outdoor sculpture garden.
 
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from Car and Driver review;Honda Civic Hybred
The EPA testifies that the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in city driving and 51 on the highway. But those numbers are rarely achieved. To get mileage in the high-40-mpg range requires gradual acceleration, timid cruising speeds, and cautious use of the throttle. Suffer a short lapse in concentration or accelerate immoderately, and fuel economy will suffer. Fact is, to do this right, you will drive more slowly than you ever have.
Honda Civic Hybrid - Road Tests - Car and Driver January 2006
 
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Taosman;893881; said:
from Car and Driver review;Honda Civic Hybred
The EPA testifies that the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in city driving and 51 on the highway. But those numbers are rarely achieved. To get mileage in the high-40-mpg range requires gradual acceleration, timid cruising speeds, and cautious use of the throttle. Suffer a short lapse in concentration or accelerate immoderately, and fuel economy will suffer. Fact is, to do this right, you will drive more slowly than you ever have.
Honda Civic Hybrid - Road Tests - Car and Driver January 2006
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My Uncle Enrie always said that I should drive like I have an egg under my foot on the accelerator. A couple of 11.90 passes at Milan and we had scrambled eggs. Ok, that was when gas was 35 cents a gallon and LBJ was the Prez, my driving habits have improved since then. I tell my daughter to drive like Uncle Ernie and the egg theory is still a very good way to keep the manifold vacuum as low as possible. I know a guy with an Insight (Hybrid) and he gets 48 avg. I think he had an hour commute to work each way and bought a Civic CRX as a second gas miser. It too gets that sort of mileage.

Now here's the best story. Another friend with a Honda CRX changed all his fluids to Synthetics and averaged 75 mpg on two occasions driving through PAs hills on I-80. We were working on engineering of a Honda engine plant when they found out about his mileage numbers. They wanted to take the car apart and study the engine and drive train. Nothing like good ring seal and upper cylinder pressure to improve fuel economy. Of course, the Uncle Ernie theory was at work here on Bob was a penny pincher. true story.
 
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Appreciate all of this so far, thanks!

TM, I've actually been through Taos and White Sands before and thought both were amazing - which is why I wanted the special lady friend to get a chance, even if it adds a day or so to the trip.
 
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Mt. Rushmore is a waste. Go there, spend about 5 minutes and leave. Much better things right around it - Badlands National Park, Wind Cave which has free ranging buffalo all over the place, and the Black Hills. Very scenic.
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I agree - but you do want to spend those five minutes. Do not waste time chasing the Crazy Horse Monument beyond what you can see from the road.

Do try to track down the Buffalo herd in the Black HIlls (Custer Park). I was literally driving in the midst of thousands. But they are off the beaten path (hell, they are the ones that beat the path) on back roads and move around.

If you like to hike and have the time it is fun to scramble through a bit of the Badlands. It is like hiking in a maze. But with all you have on your itinerary it may not merit the time.

And while you are in the area might as well stop by Wall Drug Store just to say you were there.


Of course if you are in Buffalo you are close enough that you have to go to Niagara Falls. I would make that one of my overnight stops.

If going through New Mexico why not stop by Carlsbad Caverns?


And whatever you do don't miss the bridge going into Minneapolis that is made of a single 450 foot steel arch - oops, too late.
 
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Based on early feedback, I'm thinking that badlands might be worth a day. I love that part of the country anyway. I completely forgot about Carlsbad - another great stop. Looks like NM might be a day or two... keep 'em coming, this all very helpful.
 
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Big Papa;893875; said:
Cool idea. Sounds like a blast. Look forward to seeing pics when you get back. When you are in the Cleveland area, and you take in a game, don't miss The Flats. Great bars, cool atmosphere.
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Wrong, except for Shooter's and Christy's, the Flats are D-E-A-D. Rock Hall during the day, Morton's for dinner, Tribe game at night, hit the Warehouse District post game, nightcap and a lapdance at Christy's.
 
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iambrutus;894024; said:
i would suggest - not doing it, dont spend that much time in the car with your girl, you will kill her (post pics if you do)
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Which brings up an important point... you're gonna need more trunk space.
 
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