And so we begin- 6k miles part deux

[e30cabrio]

Meteor crater is great. Have a great trip!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Meteor crater is great. Have a great trip!

Thanks! I just changed the oil, air filter, and washed it up! Next a vacuum and interior refresh and we're ready to pack up.

Have you ever seen how much two females can pack? We have a bag dedicated to shoes and toiletries!

[kvc]

Took my family to the states last year for a road trip from NYC to LA, via DC, Virginia (and the Confederate Whitehouse) the Carolina's, Clarkesdale Mississippi (if you love Blues then this is heaven), all over Alabama, New Orleans for the Mardi Gras, across Texas, the four corners region, Grand Canyon (breathtaking), Monument Valley (stunning), Las Vegas, across death valley to the Bay area and finally LA. We had a blast, loved the food, all the people we met and the quiet roads we traveled along the way, including sections of route 66. Clocked up over 7500 miles in two rentals (first was a Kia because the Jeep was snowed-in at Jersey City, second was a Charger collected from Birmingham - much nicer to drive and arranged by our new friend at the Wellborn Muscle Car museum). Would I do it all again - in a heartbeat!
Take heaps of pics and post a blog to share with everyone - love these types of trips!

[motordavid]

That famous road into Monument Valley, from the north in UT, is heavily patrolled, and the speed limit is 45ish...thus the low go.

Our '02 VetteVert saw triple digits many times on our trip, including an hour+ of 140, while set on cruise, in NV. One can cover some ground at that speed and backing down to 85 was like we parked, lol! We did not see another vehicle in that hour...

Hit 170 observed for a brief stretch in southern UT, (the car just flowed & it was matted for a few mins to get to that speed), and later in trip doing 90ish, we got a blue light flash and a wave from a MT state cop, hiding in the median on I-15 in nw Montana, but no stop. Lucky, and we got no tix the entire 13,000 miles in 36 states and 6 provinces.

[mam4.6]

Ohhhhhhh, how I love the open road..!! You're makin' me all kind of jealous!!! Sub'd for pics, TAKE LOTS OF THEM!!!! YES, I'M YELLING, SO YOU'LL LISTEN!!! Lol...

Looking forward to our mini-trip to Cape Cod in August. I'd love to plan a western trip, but I'm holding out till my little girl's a little more growed up, a can make memories with her... I have many good memories of road trips with my family while I was growing up! Here's to good times for you all, good luck... Have a blast...

[StephenVA]

Sign me up!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by motordavid

That famous road into Monument Valley, from the north in UT, is heavily patrolled, and the speed limit is 45ish...thus the low go.

I will keep that in mind. That one pic reminds me of our drive to Seattle and back last year. This was in the middle of Colorado. Nothin to see here!

[Ricky Bobby]

wow between that pic ^ and mD's pics and stories of 140+ cruising, just amazing on what the open road brings you once you get out of the metropolis....

[bcredliner]

You've planned a great trip and lots of time with your daughter. Hope you have a great time!

[PropellerHead]

Thanks Everyone! We've had some GREAT times and some VERY late nights in our cities. We've even met some GREAT X5 folks from California as well!

The family was on the last two days of a SEVEN WEEK long trip from California to Upstate New York and back. Just awesome folks. I have pics of everything!

We've spent a lot of time catching some Rt 66 icons and learning some history as well. It started out in earnest at our stop at the Oklahoma City Memorial. My daughter had never heard of the Oklahoma City bombing. She was very touched by what she learned.

The memorial features empty chairs that represent the 168 people- including 19 children who died in 1995. It is a very moving and solemn place. It is situated within the footprint where the building actually stood.

Sometimes, and some places, a smile just doesn't feel right.

The 'survivors wall' is the last remaining part of the original structure. It frames the rear of the memorial.

It is a nice place to sit in the shade and reflect on the thoughts brought forward by being there.

By the end of our short time there, my daughter was really struck by the events. She was especially mindful of the innocent children who died that day.

Because so many children around the world were touched, the memorial features a wall with tiles made by school children after the bombing. In front of that wall are tiles on which people can leave messages. My daughter was moved to write her thoughts.

Also featured along the street is a chain fence that people leave memorials or thoughts behind. On the wall are many thoughts even from victims children who were only babies then, but now have children of their own. It was wonderful to see the survival of the family even after such a loss.

Like so many before us, my daughter left a memento. A hair band that held her pony tail. We were quiet and in need of some fun. I'll hit that stop in the next post!

For now, I am off to pick up my wife who has flown to Phoenix to meet us! The fun starts now, fellas!