Why is it that we see so few people choosing to drive anywhere for a vacation? Is it because of so many web sites that allow us to search so easily for that cheap air fare? Or is it the cost of gas that seems to escalate by the hour? Or possibly, maybe probably, it's the lack of time we all have earmarked for vacation. If we're looking at a 2 week break - do we really want to spend 50-70% of it crossing country?
No we don't - But we should - I'm embarrassed to say that I've reached the half century mark and have only this month made my first driving trip across country - and what a ride it was!
Starting in LA - a city I had missed on my prior trips (via air) to the west coast, I had only 2 days to get a feel for the city. Interesting for me was to see how the entire city moves to the pulse of the acting industry. Everywhere you turn (the condo complex I was staying at with a resident /friend, the local burger king) some filming is occurring. Funny to see how the locals aren't bothered or interested in the process...
Never knew how close Las Vegas was to LA or how enormous the playing field of that city is, from the old down town area to the outskirts of the city - all brimming with activity 24x7 - It may seem strange that I've missed this city for 50 years now - Not exactly a city that calls me (although our convention is there next year - I no doubt, will FLY in) - but interesting nonetheless...
Oh but the beauty of Utah - The unbelievable national parks - Just as I once had teary eyes seeing the Rockies for the first time, I was amazed at Utah - I even enjoyed the turn of events as we crossed the "passes" in Colorado that brought a winter blizzard in May and a REQUIREMENT that commercial vehicles have chains to cross the passes...What about us non commercial drivers? Any recommendation on whether we should stay off the roads until the storm passes? We searched the radio for some advice - Not hearing anything, we drove on- We couldn't believe we drove from 86 degree weather the day before to a wind chill of 5 degrees and our gas cover freezing CLOSED... Took us part of two interesting days to cross those passes...with sleet and snow ... Is this a normal occurrence for Colorado in May? I wonder...
Everyone says the plains of this country is boring to drive through - Not me! - We crossed Kansas at a time of "High Wind Advisories" - They weren't kidding as we saw a 16 wheeler begin to totter and end up for a moment only on the wheels on the right - Wheels on the left had totally lifted the ground ! It was the week in May when we heard so much about tornadoes cropping up everywhere - Sage Brush was blowing everywhere and actually sticking to our car. Visions of Dorothy were dancing in my head! It gave me pause as I looked at the beautiful scenery of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana to think that weather disruptions as severe as tornadoes are a part of life there.
Ohio - Pennsylvania and New York just sparkled with the start of spring popping up in the fields and wooded area. We spent the night in Weedsport, NY. If EVER you travel in NY near this town STOP and go to a wonderful restaurant call the Old Erie Restaurant. Not sure how that restaurant survives in the small town, might be the Finger Lakes nearby and the nearby Wineries. Excellent food and ambiance. What a find!
And because I don't take enough time to smell the roses, I was pleased to see that my state, Massachusetts, provided exceptional views of the countryside of Western Ma (we won't talk about how the rest area baths compared to other states though!! )
Why would a realtor blog about a cross country trip ? I don't know I was just so amazed at the beauty of the country from this vantage point and not flying over it at 500 miles an hour, I wanted to share it with you. If you have an opportunity to drive cross country - DO IT - You won't be disappointed and it will give you a bit of a different perspective as you sell pieces of this country to your clients - or refer a client to one of the beautiful states that you've traversed!
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