On The Road Again

On The Road Again

Road Trips through America

Blackwater Falls, VA- 1964- this trip was probably only 4 hours away but it seemed like a journey to the end of the earth.  I remember packing things to keep me occupied for the trip.  But the car was so packed with parents, kids, luggage, food and maps that there was no room to move.  So I just sat there and complained.

Expo 67- this was another family trip in the station wagon. I think there were 9 of us in the car.  We stopped in to visit with my aunt and uncle on the first night and then we headed up to Montreal.

Mardi Gras- 1976- my first college trip and it was too wild for me.  I found out that I lived a very sheltered life.

Key West, FL- 1977- it was my senior year in college.  We left from Penn State (PA) in February and headed south for some warmth and relaxation. We drove 24 hours straight and camped somewhere on the beach and drank too much.  The trip home was difficult.

Arizona by Grey Hound Bus- 1979- I think it took four, long, sweaty days. And I discovered that lots of creepy people travel cross country on the bus. I flew home.

Toronto- 1980- four of us borrowed my friend's mother's big ass yellow Cadillac and drove around like we had big bucks when in fact, we were graduate students and dirt poor.

Michigan by Bus- 1981- The Women's Music Festival- This trip wasn't too unpleasant.  But I did find a ride home and drove two days with a complete stranger.

In Search of Elvis and Charles Kaurat- 1997- I traveled with my niece, Teresa. I picked her up in Alabama and we headed to Memphis to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death.  It co-incident with the death of my TV commentator idol, Charles Kaurat.


The Last Road in North America- 2007- I drove by myself to the last passable road along the Hudson Bay.  It took me three days to get there from Philadelphia.

Wapoos, Canada- 2007, 2008, 2010- my friends owned two houses right on Lake Ontario so a group of us would go up there for a week and do nothing but eat, drink, laugh and hang by the lake.

Traveling with Jameson- 2010 - He was 12 and such a boy. We hit TN, OK, AK, NM and TX. He never changed his tee shirt and I am not sure he showered but he didn't smell so I left him alone.

Oregon or Bust- 2016- we left Colorado and headed to the Northwest String Summit.  About five hours in to the trip, my friend realized she left her purse at the diner, three hours down the road.  So we headed back and added another 6 hours on to our long trip.

Tennessee- 2018- I started in PA and drove to VA to spend the night with family.  Then I headed to TN for a few days.  I left there and went to KY to see Lincoln's birthplace.  My next stop was WV for the day and then I headed back to PA.  (1610 miles)

Other Highlights

I've traveled the entire length of Route 95- from Maine to Key West, Florida.

I've driven up the beautiful Pacific Highway in California.

I've driven across the scenic Route 6 in the northern tier of PA.

Nova Scotia, Canada- I've done this trip twice and that is enough for me.

I've been in spots on the historic Route 66 and all of these moments were exciting.