Road Trip

[muon2]

My family and I have decided this is a rare chance for us to get away for a vacation. We all like road trips so we'll be heading to the East Coast for the next ten days. A rough plan expects us to head to the DE shore by way of Columbus, OH. Then up the coast through NJ, NYC, CT, and RI, to MA. After a few days there we'll head back.

My posts may drop out occasionally depending on my level of internet access. In the meantime, feel free to throw out any advice on places I ought to see, but aren't obvious. keep in mind that I lived out east for eight years during graduate school in the 80's and traveled a lot then. But, now I travel with a 12 and 10 year old.

[ATFFL]

When in the NY area, hit a Nathans hot dog place.  Both for the best dogs in the US and for the best damn french fries.

ALso, hit a White Castle at some point.  Be sure to do this before heading to a hotel for the night.

[Joe Republic]

Have fun on your vacation, and I hope all hell doesn't break loose in West Chicago while you're gone.

[Cashcow]

If you like beach towns, don't miss Rehoboth in Delaware and Stone Harbor in New Jersey.

[Keystone Phil]

If you like beach towns, don't miss Rehoboth in Delaware and Stone Harbor in New Jersey.

Stone Harbor is very nice. My family always takes a drive down there for the shops. But nothing beats Sea Isle City, New Jersey. Make sure you stop there, muo2. You'll be close to me! (I'm actually starting my week vacation down there tomorrow)

[muon2]

If you like beach towns, don't miss Rehoboth in Delaware and Stone Harbor in New Jersey.

One of my best friends lives in Rehoboth Beach. It's a nice spot. I'll be spending a day or so there.

[Nation]

If you like beach towns, don't miss Rehoboth in Delaware and Stone Harbor in New Jersey.

One of my best friends lives in Rehoboth Beach. It's a nice spot. I'll be spending a day or so there.

That's awesome! I've been to Rehoboth for times than I can count --- my best advice is catch breakfast at the "Dream Cafe," they have some amazing Belgian Waffles. Get up early the next morning, and you might be able to catch some Dolphins not too far out in the ocean.

If you've got young kids, there are some fantastic mini-golf places scattered around, including a cool roof-top one on the boardwalk.

Make SURE to get at least one slice of Grotto Pizza while you're there as well -- best stuff in Delaware and Jersey.

[nini2287]

That sounds like a really nice trip.  Especially be sure to stop at some of the Boardwalks, such as the one in Ocean City, NJ

[muon2]

If you like beach towns, don't miss Rehoboth in Delaware and Stone Harbor in New Jersey.

Stone Harbor is very nice. My family always takes a drive down there for the shops. But nothing beats Sea Isle City, New Jersey. Make sure you stop there, muo2. You'll be close to me! (I'm actually starting my week vacation down there tomorrow)

I might get through there on Monday. Watch for my license plate, you'll know it's mine.

[dazzleman]

There are some great places in Connecticut along the water.  Stonington is supposed to be a great town, up near the Rhode Island border.  Litchfield, which is inland, is a great town to pass through and relax, and has a really good vineyard in it, which is rare on the east coast.

The Finger Lakes and wine region in upstate New York is also a great area.

Have a great trip.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

That's awesome! I've been to Rehoboth for times than I can count ---

I've been on vacation in Bethany.  Definitely a nice part of the country.  I remember having french fries with vinegar for the first time.  It was 1984 and I was 7 years old, so my memory might be a little fuzzy though.

[Nation]

That's awesome! I've been to Rehoboth for times than I can count ---

I've been on vacation in Bethany.  Definitely a nice part of the country.  I remember having french fries with vinegar for the first time.  It was 1984 and I was 7 years old, so my memory might be a little fuzzy though.

Word. Bethany I think is the "rich" area of the 3 main Delaware beaches (Dewey, Rehoboth, and Bethany). Rehoboth is known for being pretty gay-friendly, Dewey's great for surfing -- and well, they're all great for a damn good time.

[muon2]

Road Diary - Day 1

We made a good early start at 7, and I was very pleased to find that the morning rush hour traffic was quite light. I'm guessing that some folks were taking short weeks to have long summer weekends. Driving was smooth and our first gas stop was in Lafayette, IN. Everyone was still fine with the donuts we picked up as we left at 7, so no new snacks were needed.

The next drive of the day was dampened by intermittent rain as we turned east at Indy to head for Columbus. The goal was COSI, the Columbus interactive science musuem. It's been a favorite of my kids since they were starting grade school, and it hasn't lost their interest as they get into middle school. However, with the rain-slowed driving, we were looking at a 2:30 pm arrival (1:30 pm by our central time view). The passengers were getting hungry, and the driver had left their popcorn for snacking on the kitchen table.

However, the knowledge that COSI closed at 5 was incentive for everyone to buck up and wait for food at the museum cafeteria. That's exactly what we did and we still had a good two hours to enjoy the exhibits. Time constraints had us skip the scheduled demonstrations this year, but Space, Progress and Ocean pretty welled filled the time. The doubly good part about  our visit was that the museum was free to us. COSI is part of a national organization of museums that recognize each others members. As members of the Field Museum in Chicago, we are treated as members at COSI.

Finally we drove another three hours or so to Greensburg, PA. The rain continued off and on while the driver selected The Who's Who's Next, and Bela Fleck's Left of Cool, before the backseat finished our drive with a CD of Disney tunes spanning 50 years (yeah, there are some numbers we all sing along with). A slab of ribs at the nearby Chili's has me ready to stop for the night.

I should add that it's nice to have a hotel room with free high-speed internet access.

[Cashcow]

I should add that it's nice to have a hotel room with free high-speed internet access.

It's spreading rapidly, actually - a year from now every competing hotel will have it. In my trip through Wyoming, South Dakota, and various other western states last month, every hotel had free high-speed wireless internet access. In a few years it will be available on airplanes I'm sure!

Good stuff.

[muon2]

Road Diary - Day 2

We picked Greensburg yesterday because it wasn't too far from the key stop today -- Fallingwater. This was my pick, since the kids got to choose COSI yesterday. I love architecture and this has long been on my list. We took the scenic roads to get there, but we had a few minutes of great concern when we got to the gate. It said that all tours were sold out. Ouch. We wooried that at best we could stroll the grounds and see the house from a distance.

At the gate things seemed a bit brighter. They would sell us tickets, but thought we might have a two hour wait to get a tour. The pavilion attendant took my name, and said we might get called within an hour, but in the meantime we should take a half hour to stroll the paths to view the house. We did that, and the view was well worth it.

If Frank Lloyd Wright is the Einstein of architecture, then Fallingwater is Wright's theory of General Relativity. The meshing of the building to the stream and waterfall is impressive. The detail inside encompasses Wright's overall vision and ideas for living space. You could imagine it built today, yet it's 70 years old. And to move the analogy one step further, Einstein visited the residence as a guest, and may have spent the night.

The house and tour was well worth it for anyone who appreciates art and architecture. My 12-year-old was extremely negative about the prospects for the house and tour, and she enjoyed the hour tour, too. The Fallingwater cafe had tasty-looking, trendy foods, but nothing like a hot dog for my 10-year-old, so we left at 1 for a lunch spot.

Nearby was Ohiopyle State Park and it had plenty of snackshops as well as walks and views for us. My kids now want to return for the rafting and biking. I was still thinking about the trendy foods, so at the snack shop I had Thai Tofu wrap. My son had the hot dog he was looking for. The mere opportunity for the kids to take off their sandals and dip their feet in the Youghiogheny (pronounced Yock-a-ganny there) prompted cheers from the back seat.

The rest of the day was the long drive from southwest Pennsylvania to southern Delaware. Lest anyone think that my lunch implies too much health conciousness, my dinner was a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Annapolis. By 9 pm we reached Millsboro, where we stopped for the night.

[Max Power]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

[muon2]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

We didn't see much except US 30. Dinner at Chili's and a night at the Hampton Inn. The drive the next morning down 130 to Stahlstown was very scenic. We were impressed at the organization of the Laurel Highlands area to market their roads and attractions.

[Max Power]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

We didn't see much except US 30. Dinner at Chili's and a night at the Hampton Inn. The drive the next morning down 130 to Stahlstown was very scenic. We were impressed at the organization of the Laurel Highlands area to market their roads and attractions.

Was it the Chilis right by a Walmart or a different one?

[muon2]

Road Diary - Day 3

OUr first rest day, without much driving. The major event was a day on Rehobeth Beach. It was a washout.

We got to the beach around noon, so lunch at Grotto's Pizza came first. I'd been there before, but with a large group of kids it's a good choice. After lunch, grey clouds were looming and the smell of rain was in the air. We started to set up our chairs and blankets, but the crackle of lightning caused the lifeguards to clear the beach.

We were hoping for the rain to pass, so the kids went to the Funland rides. The outdoor ones closed beacuse of the rain, there were enough indoor ones to amuse for an hour or so. The price of the rides was unusually low compared to the cost of similar rides at the traveling carnivals that set up for local festivals back home. The rain was still coming down after a circuit through the rides so we went for a big bucket of Tharsher's fries. Some took the salt and others went for the vinegar.

With the rain still coming down after two hours, we decided to pack up. Of course, as soon as we got in the car the rain let up. Perhaps we'll get better beach weather at other points later this week.

Though the beach was a washout, not everything went amiss. Our host took us to set a couple of crab traps in the Indian River Bay this morning. There were seven keepers when the traps were pulled up late in the afternoon. A grocery run got a few extras for home-cooked dinner in the evening.

[muon2]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

We didn't see much except US 30. Dinner at Chili's and a night at the Hampton Inn. The drive the next morning down 130 to Stahlstown was very scenic. We were impressed at the organization of the Laurel Highlands area to market their roads and attractions.

Was it the Chilis right by a Walmart or a different one?

It was right on 30, about 3 miles west of 119. I think that was the road that took us from I-76 to US 30.

[Nation]

A shame Rehoboth got washed out. Funland is always a good time, though.

[muon2]

Road Diary - Day 4 and 5

Monday and Tuesday were both originally intented to take a slow pace up the coast. External events caused some changes to that plan. Then again, it's best to stay flexible when traveling.

We left early Monday from Millsboro to Lewes for the 9:15 ferry ride to Cape May, NJ. Lewes is a quite differnet place than most of the shore communities. It has a historical, bed-and-breakfast feel without the junk-food atmosphere of the boardwalk towns. We had breakfast there in one of the many coffee shops. Then boarded for the 80 minute ride across the Delaware Bay.

There are a number of interesting attractions in the Cape May area, so I gave the kids the choice of a few. They selected a lighthouse and a beach. We took the short drive to Cape May Point and climbed the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is part of a state park, and we next visited the modest nature museum there. Then there was the beach. Since Sunday had rained out, the kids were delighted to make sand castles and get their clothes soaked in the surf. My wife and I strolled over to see the old WWII artillery bunker on the sand. After an hour's visit the kids were told to ignore the "no changing" signs on the restrooms and put some dry clothes on for the drive.

I wanted to take the shore road, so we traveled through the Wildwoods then stopped in Stone Harbor for lunch at an Italian eatery, then did a bit of shopping at the art galleries and craft shops. After lunch we continued up the coast through the shore towns.

The next destination was Atlantic City. Both my kids like Monopoly so they really wanted to see the streets that gave names to the properties on the game board. My wife hadn't been there either so we decided a stop on the famous Boardwalk was needed. I parked in one of the big casino ramps, precisely to be able to walk through the massive floor of slots. Compared to our riverboat casinos in IL the scale in Atlantic City is really impressive. We took two hous to soak in the sights and get some snacks before continuing north.

This is a political forum, so it's appropiate to report on some politics here as well. While on the Boardwalk I noticed a lot of UNITE-HERE t-shirts, so I suspected a rally of some kind. Indeed there was a rally, and Sen. (but mostly Gov. candidate) Corzine showed up for the union crowd.

Politics also changed the rest of the day. Rather find a location to stop for dinner in the NYC area, I wanted to push on. It was important to get to my in-laws that night so hard driving got us to Acton, MA just before 1 am. The downside is the kids didn't get to see any of NYC other than the lit Manhattan skyline as viewed through the drizzle from the NJ Turnpike.

With family, Tuesday became a rest day for most of us: a dip in the pool, home-prepared meals, lounging-about. Oh yes, laundry got done as well. For me I was on the phone and email making some new plans.

At 3 pm I left the family and drove myself to the Manchester, NH airport. It's actually more convienient to much of the northern and western Boston metro area. I overheard someone there complain about just that -- things were getting more crowded there due to the folks coming up from Boston. I got a flight back to Chicago by way of Philly.

Why did I split from the vacation plans? What politics arose? The answer is that I have an invite to the Presidential signing of the transportation bill. When the opportunity presented itself, my wife even suggested that I ought to go back for the day. So I have, and that report comes next.

[Nation]

Sounds like an awesome trip so far -- and an even cooler side trip back to Chicago.

[J. J.]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

You're kidding, I use to live in Seward!

[Max Power]

You went to Greensburg? I live right outside of Greensbug!!

You're kidding, I use to live in Seward!

Really? That's a wierd coincidence!