So hey guys, some of you may have heard in posts I’ve made over the last couple months that I’m going on a Road Trip™ this summer. I thought I’d tell you all a little bit more about it, both to share, and to ask people I might be driving nearby if they want to grab a bite to eat, and to see if there’s anything local that I should see that’s especially cool. One of the things we (my two friends who I’ll call K and N) want to see on the trip is cool local things, whatever they may be.
The trip will start on July 31st at midnight. We’ll be leaving Detroit at midnight to drive to Ohiopyle, PA, where we’ll be white water rafting (Class III rapids). None of us has ever done it before, but the website assured me that Class III is okay for first timers, we just have to be alert. After that we’re backtracking a little bit to Uniontown, PA. There we’re going to Laurel Caverns (okay apparently it's a fake cave, though I just realized that. Either way it's the site of a real cave!), for cave putt putt golfing. After that we’re visiting the United Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, then there’s a teapot shaped building (halfway down the page) in Bedford, and something called Tiny World in Shippensburg, though I’m not entirely sure what that is. Somewhere in there, if we can squeeze it in, we want to visit Falling Water, which is supposed to be the most famous of all houses architect Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed. We end the first day in Gettysburg , PA. The weird stuff we’re doing, like the teapot building and Tinyworld were found by K, so, I have no idea what they are.
Day 2 we’re spending the morning in Gettysburg then driving to Philadelphia. There we’re seeing the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, running up the stairs at the Museum of Art like in Rocky, and seeing the water works buildings, which are ancient Greek styled and behind the museum. We also plan to get a cheese steak somewhere in town. Then we’re going to the Mutter Museum, which is this wretched looking museum of medical oddities that I was outvoted on. After that we leave for Baltimore, where we’re taking a brief stop to take a picture of the Blacks in Wax museum (can’t afford the admission, but we thought the name sounded funny so we’re stopping anyway). Then we end the day in Washington DC.
Day 3 is spent in Washington DC. There’s various monuments and tours we hope to take while we’re there, including seeing the monuments lit up at night, which I’ve missed the last two times I was there.
Day 4 was originally going to be whitewater rafting in Richmond, but that fell through when the rafting company lost their license to raft on the James River. So instead we’re going to Arlington National Cemetary, then to Fredericksburg to check out the battle site and look around a little bit. We’ll probably grab lunch in Fredericksburg then. After that it’s off to the Mariner's Museum in Newport News where they have parts of the USS Monitor. We end the day in Virginia Beach, where if the hotel doesn’t screw us over, we have a hotel room right on the beach.
Day 5 is probably the busiest day. We’re leaving the hotel early and going to Kitty Hawk, then Roanoke Island. We’ve changed our minds about a dozen times on what to do this day, but we settled on driving down the Outer Banks to see Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which we hope to tour. It wasn't open the last time I was there. Somewhere in there I’m hoping to get some sort of utterly fantastic seafood lunch that I can only get on the east coast. We’d hoped to take the ferry to the mainland to save time, but apparently the ferry is slow as molasses so we’re going to backtrack and drive back up and around. There’s a couple little roadside things we’re going to stop and see, like New Bern, where Pepsi was invented, and Belhaven, where I guess some crazy lady has a museum of weird stuff. Frankly I despise these medical oddity museums, but I've been overruled. Then we drive to Myrtle Beach where we might visit Alligator Adventures , it’ll depend on what the time of day is and if they are still open. We end the day camping in Charleston.
Day 6 we really don’t have planned out yet. We’re going to stay the morning in Charleston and check things out there, and we wanted to stop in Savannah on the way to Orlando, but basically it’s an open day. We’ll end the day arriving at Disneyworld.
Day 7 & 8 we will be in Disneyworld. We’re going to get two day tickets and pick two parks to visit. Right now I think we’re set on MGM and Magic Kingdom. I was hoping somewhere at night around here to go on a fanboat tour of a swamp or something to see Alligators. I saw a place called Boggy Creek around there that does night tours, but that’s still up in the air. I know Icarus and others are in the area, if you have any suggestions that’d be welcome. One thing I know I want to do while I’m down south is go on some sort of nature hike in a swamp or something where I can see Spanish Moss. It always looks so beautiful in pictures, but I’m not sure where to find it down south, and it’s certainly not up here.
Day 9 was originally going to be us visiting Okefenokee National Wildlife Reserve, but we had to cut it out due to time constraints. That’s part of why I wanted to get the fanboat tour out of the way in Orlando, as in the words of K “I want to see me some gator!” So now instead we’re driving to Macon, in Georgia to see the Ocmulgee National Monument , briefly, then onwards to Atlanta. Now when we originally planned this road trip, the point was to go to Atlanta to see the Georgia Aquarium , one of the biggest in the world. So we’re going to see that, for a couple hours, then hopefully we’ll go to Underground Atlanta to check that out and maybe go on a hot air balloon ride . To end the day we’re going to Medieval Times, and then driving to Lookout Mountain, which is just south of Chattanooga in Georgia.
Day 10 we wake up to explore Lookout Mountain, which has both Rock City and Ruby Falls , which we’re really excited about. We’re considering going to the underground lake nearby, but that’s a little out of our way, as next we’re going to briefly stop in Nashville. If anyone knows of anything cool to do in Nashville, let me know, as of right now we’re just stopping to see their life size recreation of the Parthenon and grabbing some lunch. After that we head off to Kentucky and Mammoth Cave National Park . We’re thinking of staying at a Bed and Breakfast here, as they are a lot cheaper than any of the cities we’re going to over the course of the trip. There’s an underground riverboat tour that looks really exciting, as well as several tours of the Mammoth Caves themselves. We’re also hoping to partake in some of the small town stuff around, like the markets and shops and such.
Day 11 is a continuation of Day 10, with more exploring of Mammoth Caves in the morning. After we finish that we head for Detroit. We really haven’t decided if we’re going to drive through Louisville or Lexington on the way through Kentucky, but if we can’t find anything to do, we might just skip both. We are stopping in Cincinnati for a brief period though. There’s some roadside weird stuff that K wants to see in the area, and I’ll probably just want to grab dinner. After that it’s on to home, which we hope to reach around midnight or so, as I will have to work the next day!
So that’s our whirlwind tour of the south and east coast. If anyone has any suggestions for things we NEED to see, or places that are good to eat (K really wants to eat at a lot of road side diners), I personally would just like to eat at local landmarks, or places that serve food that would be hard to get in Detroit, or just somewhere with really, really good food (but not too expensive). Also if anywhere knows places that have cool open air markets or something like that, something that isn’t a chain store that would have something we can’t readily buy at a local mall, that’d be cool too.
Further, I’d REALLY love to use this trip, when I have time, to meet some Hatrackers. Chances are at any given time I won’t have a lot of time to meet anyone, as this trip is ridiculously rigidly planned (literally down to the minute), but whenever time permits I want to meet people. If anyone lives near some of the cities I’ve mentioned, and will be available on the day in question (in early August), let me know.
[ August 13, 2007, 06:19 AM: Message edited by: Lyrhawn ]
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
This is where I would recommend taking an airboat ride and eating. They have great gator tail and you can sit on the deck outside and just watch the gators float around in the St. Johns River. The place you were looking at is a whole lot closer though.
edit: How far do you want to go to see Spanish Moss. I can think of several places, but you'd have to come farther into Orlando.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
You are going in the wrong direction! You might want to check for music festivals on your route. 'Tis the season!
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
You've got a lot of car time scheduled. I think you're really overestimating the amount of time you'll have to do stuff.
(But then, all travel plans I make subconsciously take in the effects of 4 small children-- so I may be overestimating my capacity to judge your particular situation)
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
If you want cheese steaks in Philly, talk to me. I'm in walking distance from the most famous ones.
Oh yeah...and the Mutter Museum is AWESOME!
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Javert, are they the two feuding family ones?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Adam, I think both Ruby Falls (which my uncle says he can piss more than) and Rock City are over rated. They were great in a weekend that we had three whole days in Chattanooga, but otherwise overrated. If it is a really clear day rock city would be worth it for the seeing five states, but otherwise it's just walking in a garden, with glow in the dark gnomes.
Also, Spanish moss was everywhere I was in Florida, lots at St Augustine, horse farms named after it in Ocala. I didn't spend anytime in Orlando (other than the airport) so I'm not sure if there was any there.
This trip sounds fun, but more planned than my high school orchestra trips. There are a few days that sound good, and a few days that sound very very very draining even if everything you do is totally fun. Like Day 10, trying to be in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Bowling Green all in one day.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
quote:Originally posted by Elizabeth: Javert, are they the two feuding family ones?
I don't know if the families actually feud (I'm a Philly transplant).
Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks. Directly across the street from eachother, so they can't really avoid feuding.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
It isn't a trip on the East Coast without visits to NYC and New England
-Bok
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Lyr, I'm an hour from Philly, so I can easily meet up when you're in this area.
-also, i agree with Bok!
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bokonon: It isn't a trip on the East Coast without visits to NYC and New England
-Bok
Next year, if this year works out well enough, we're planning on either a trip to New York and New England, sort of like what Verily is doing right now, or a trip out West, but we haven't really decided yet, and it sort of hinges on how well this goes. I've still never been to NTC, and I'd love to visit Maine and other cities in the area.
quote:Posted by Scott R: You've got a lot of car time scheduled. I think you're really overestimating the amount of time you'll have to do stuff.
(But then, all travel plans I make subconsciously take in the effects of 4 small children-- so I may be overestimating my capacity to judge your particular situation)
We know it's a lot of car time, and it's killed a half dozen of the things we really wanted to do. I checked mapquest to see the drive times between points A and B all through the trip, and I looked at about what times we'd be driving, and when we'd be going through major traffic centers, and I added on extra time accounting for bad traffic. We planned on the road time, I mean hey, it's a road trip. Originally we were going to drive all the way from Virginia Beach down to Orlando, but not do anything. Then we found stuff we wanted to do, so we broke it up into two days.
Usually I find Mapquest overestimates the amount of time it'll take to get between point A and B, so I think it will be a wash in the end. I think we're still going to end up cutting out some of this stuff before we go, but we want a lot of options, especially if we find ourselves with extra time.
Elizabeth, thanks for the link, I'll check it out! We were actually hoping Bonaroo would be in August, but we were way off on that one, I think it's in June. I was hoping there'd be a Dave Matthews concert while we were down there, but we missed that by like a week. I hope we can find something.
quote:Posted by Javert If you want cheese steaks in Philly, talk to me. I'm in walking distance from the most famous ones.
Oh yeah...and the Mutter Museum is AWESOME!
The Mutter Museum is really that good? Frankly I thought it looked too weird to be entertaining. And those are the two places we were thinking about going! I was hoping to go to both, I figured we'd just split a sandwich at both places. If you want to come meet us for lunch, that'd be awesome. Is there anything else in the area you like or think we should see?
Strider, do you think you could meet up with us for lunch?
I have to clear all these lunches and meetings and such with my friends. I haven't really pitched it to them, so I have no idea how they'll take meeting a bunch of people they've never even heard of before, but I imagine I can talk them into a lunch here and there.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Lunch should be fine, my daily schedule is pretty open, i would just need some notice.
What's this about Bonaroo? Me and a few friends are going this year.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by breyerchic04: Adam, I think both Ruby Falls (which my uncle says he can piss more than) and Rock City are over rated. They were great in a weekend that we had three whole days in Chattanooga, but otherwise overrated. If it is a really clear day rock city would be worth it for the seeing five states, but otherwise it's just walking in a garden, with glow in the dark gnomes.
Also, Spanish moss was everywhere I was in Florida, lots at St Augustine, horse farms named after it in Ocala. I didn't spend anytime in Orlando (other than the airport) so I'm not sure if there was any there.
This trip sounds fun, but more planned than my high school orchestra trips. There are a few days that sound good, and a few days that sound very very very draining even if everything you do is totally fun. Like Day 10, trying to be in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Bowling Green all in one day.
Well, originally we were just going to sort of go and whatever we saw we'd do, but there's just no way I could deal with that lack or organization, I had to make sure we'd have time to do the things we wanted to. And I know it's cramming in a LOT of stuff in a relatively short amount of time, but we want to make the most of the trip and see as much as we possibly can.
Skipping Ruby Falls and Rocky City are both possibilities. Frankly I'd be okay with driving straight to Nashville after Medieval Times and just stay in a hotel after getting there late. But, that would depend on whether or not we could find something to actually do in Nashville, and whether or not the others would be okay with that. Ruby Falls and Rock City combined cost almost $30 for admission, so we might have to cut them out for that reason anyway. The pictures make them look much more cool.
I think in May, when K and N and I get together again when school is over, we're going to go through the trip and cut a few things out here and there, but I'm not sure what we'll end up cutting. We're all fairly attached to 99% of the stuff planned.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
quote:Originally posted by Strider: What's this about Bonaroo? Me and a few friends are going this year.
Evidently so is my sister. You could always meet her... or not.
Unfortunately, I won't be anywhere near your trip at the time. I won't be out in NC until almost mid-August, and even then I'll be busy trying to make an apartment livable. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Strider: Lunch should be fine, my daily schedule is pretty open, i would just need some notice.
What's this about Bonaroo? Me and a few friends are going this year.
I can give you about 3 and a half months notice, we'll be in Philly on August 1st.
I was just hoping that Bonaroo would fall in August so we could hit it for one day, but it's in June. I've always wanted to go to it, but I've just never had the chance to get down there. I know a half dozen or so people at work and some friends who are driving down there to see it this year.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I've had friends that have gone almost every year and I never went. Last year was the first year I really really wanted to go(Radiohead) and it was the first year none of my friends were up for it. Now suddenly they all want to go again this year!
quote:I can give you about 3 and a half months notice, we'll be in Philly on August 1st. [Smile]
I think I'm going to be washing my hair that day...sorry. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
This is where I would recommend taking an airboat ride and eating. They have great gator tail and you can sit on the deck outside and just watch the gators float around in the St. Johns River. The place you were looking at is a whole lot closer though.
edit: How far do you want to go to see Spanish Moss. I can think of several places, but you'd have to come farther into Orlando.
That place looks really good. It'll depend on price and how far away it is really. I don't want to take time away from Disneyworld, so we'll either have to go at night or the next morning. The food looks great there though.
The Spanish Moss will have to be somewhere along our route. We're coming down the east coast of Florida and then cutting in to Orlando, then driving up I-75 (I think) north to Atlanta on the way out. We'll have to fit it in there somewhere. Where in Orlando would you suggest?
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
With regards to Tiny World in Shippensburg, PA... I think that's the cat guy. A miniature village for all of his millions of freakin' cats. To be honest, I'd avoid Shippensburg entirely. Unless you're really into the Amish scene (or in this case, Mennonite, more likely). It's just down the road from me here in Carlisle, and I'm happy to keep it that way. Might be worth scratching for the sake of more Gettysburg time. Then again, it might just be weird enough to merit a visit--that's the sort of thing that make road trips terrific.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Are you coming down I-4 from I-95 or all the way down to SR 528 and cutting across due west to get to Disney? Coming down I-4 will take you right through Orlando and I'm sure I can think of a good park off the interstate to see moss. However, going by way of 528 will take you very close to Lonesome Cabbage.
I don't think missing Medieval Times would be a big deal. We went fairly recently to the one near Disney after wanting to go for years and were very disappointed. If you've been to a medieval fair, than you've probably seen much better jousting.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
Well dang, sounds like you've got your time in Florida pretty packed. I believe I'll be in the Orlando/Ocala area (meaning right in between the two) then. If your schedule permits it, I'd love to hang out. Depending on my monetary situation, Disney might be a possibility.
It's really weird to me that you want to see Spanish moss. I guess because I've grown up around it it's not all that fascinating. One word of advice though: However tempting it may be, do not place any on your head. Trust me.
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
I'm FROM Shippensburg and I've never even HEARD of Tiny World. Well, I guess it sounds vaguely familiar, but I've certainly never been there. I hope you go so you can let us all know about it!! Hee hee.
Other than that, I have to agree with Fusiachi. There's nothing to do in Shippensburg. (Carlisle, either, for that matter. ) Or am I just channeling my 16-year-old self again???
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: One word of advice though: However tempting it may be, do not place any on your head. Trust me.
Amen. When I was a kid, I dressed up as a swamp monster for Halloween using Spanish moss. I sprayed it heavily with bug spray first though. I'll probably have cancer at some point because of it, but at least I didn't get eaten at the time.
BTW, between Orlando and Ocala? Where do you live - Belleview?
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Lucky I saw this . . . I'm pretty much off Hatrack until after finals.
Did I read correctly that you plan to do two Disney parks and a swamp tour in two days? I'm not so sure about that . . .
If you're interested in getting together with me, I'd be happy to meet you. (You are over eighteen, yes?)
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
he's over 21 and I think most people in his group will be as well (certainly over 18).
Adam, I talked to my uncle who thinks you should just head from Atlanta to Mammoth cave, and stop at less monumental stuff along the way, I don't really know though.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Missing Medieval Times wouldn't kill me, I went to the one in Toronto. I thought the show was fairly entertaining, but the dinner part of it was ridiculously crappy for what the ticket cost. I think, though I'm not sure, that we might not end up going, based just on the price of the ticket. I'm getting a lot of conflicting information (between what I thought I wanted and what people who are actually AT the places in question are saying) on my plans.
We will be visiting two parks in Orlando, that much is more or less set in stone. A swamp tour, though greatly desired, is expendable. Spanish Moss just looks so cool! I want to see it all cool like draped on the trees and stuff and the water. I dunno, it's just an image I've always liked.
quote:Posted by Icarus Did I read correctly that you plan to do two Disney parks and a swamp tour in two days? I'm not so sure about that . . .
If you're interested in getting together with me, I'd be happy to meet you. (You are over eighteen, yes?)
I have absolutely no idea how that is going to work out really. We already know that we're going to miss some stuff at both parks, it's just a reality of the situation and our time constraints. The swamp tour is something we had our hearts set on, but I don't know if it will work out, and I don't know what we'd be willing to cut out to do it. Ideally we could make the trip 3 days longer and just take off two full weeks, and I suppose that's something to consider....but I don't know if we could afford that or not.
We're all over 18, only one of us will be less than 21 (barely, to our dismay). I don't know how much time I'll have but I'd at the very least be happy to meet you and maybe share a hot dog at our camp site, if you can make it there. If you have any suggestions on how to make a 2-day schedule work and fit some or all of the stuff we want to do in, I'd love to hear them.
breyer -
Well, part of what we wanted to do on the road trip is see stuff that we sort of know isn't fantastic, like the goofy and ridiculous roadside attractions we're going to stop and see. It doesn't need to be utterly fantastic, though I think my patience for non-cool things ends when they charge almost $30 to see them.
I would seriously consider cancelling Ruby Falls and Rock City if there was at least something to see in Nashville instead. We're already doing a lot of cave stuff in Mammoth Cave, so skiping those wouldn't bother me.
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Liz B: I'm FROM Shippensburg and I've never even HEARD of Tiny World. Well, I guess it sounds vaguely familiar, but I've certainly never been there. I hope you go so you can let us all know about it!! Hee hee.
Other than that, I have to agree with Fusiachi. There's nothing to do in Shippensburg. (Carlisle, either, for that matter. ) Or am I just channeling my 16-year-old self again???
There's plenty to do in Carlisle, so long as you enjoy... watching it rain.
I hope Tiny World in Ship is still in operation, I'm told the guy that ran it was pretty elderly. My mother (who works in Shippensburg) knows nothing of it.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
You will be in the Pittsburgh area right when I plan to be leaving the Pittsburgh area. For my money, the rafting here is quite good (though I have to admit I never went white water rafting anywhere else). I'm not sure the putt putt expedition is worth your time in uniontown though. If I remember, there is an excellent putt putt place somewhere between pitt and gettysburg that would be better. I'll ask my old roommate (who happens to be from New Bern), who is an expert on minigolf locations for some strange reason.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Oh, and if you really like stupid roadside attractions, feel free to stop at the Giant Sombrero place just across the NC/SC border. Though I am unclear on the technical name, I am sure you will know it 90 miles away when you start seeing the roadsigns. It is most definately a tourist trap, but I find it amusing. Plus, where else can you see a view from the top of a giant sombrero?
South of the Border! That's the dumb name. How could I forget.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Yeah, we looked at that, and originally planned to go there, but then we ended up going closer to the shore and South of the Border is like an hour further inland. But, if we get there before they close and decide not to do Alligator Adventure, it's still something we'll consider.
I'm glad to hear you say the rafting is good in PA. I was a little nervous about it. Everyone told me that anything outside of West Virginia sucks for rafting.
Let me know about the putting, I'm curious.
Posted by RunningBear (Member # 8477) on :
My goodness I am horrified.
You are bypassing Busch Gardens! You must go there and at least drive through Williamsburg. And when you are in that area if you have the time (and money) the best seafood buffet on earth is there.
How much better is the best seafood buffet than the worst one? I mean, really?!
-o-
Oh, two parks in two days is reasonable. It's the two parks and a night tour of the headwaters of the Everglades I wasn't so sure about.
Incidentally, Fort Wilderness is absolutely gorgeous. It's a shame that with your schedule you won't be able to just enjoy that part of your stay. I have half a mind to reserve a "cabin" there myself.
If you're really interested in a dinner show and Medieval Times isn't quite right, you might enjoy the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review. It's corny western-themes pseudo-vaudeville, but I rather enjoy it. And it's right at Fort Wilderness. Of course there are only like three hundred dinner shows in this town.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
RunningBear -
Busch Gardens is a roller coaster park right? I can stand missing those, as I live close enough to Cedar Point to not desire a hard core coaster park. Williamsburg we thought about stopping in, but frankly all the period specific speeches and such wear thin on me quite quickly. I prefer reading about it, to be honest.
That seafood place looks great. We'll be in three of the locations they have a restaurant at. Shouldn't be too hard to stop at one of them. How much does it cost?
Icarus -
I'm not 100% sure how those two days will go. It might just be that the kid oriented stuff of the trip doesn't interest us and we end up going back to the camp early, or going to the park late, so we can enjoy it. Let me know if you do reserve a place there, we could be neighbors! From the checking I've done, they aren't really so much cabins as they are rustic styled hotel rooms, albeit much more isolated than anything else.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Review is something we were looking at doing, only because my mom and my aunt and uncle have been talking about it ever since I told them I'm staying there.
What other dinner shows are in the area that might be a good idea, or that you enjoy personally? I've always wanted to do one of those murder mystery dinners.
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
We went to Okefenokee National Wildlife Reserve when I was a teenager and it was very cool. I still remember walking along paths and there were alligators (without fences) all over the place. It was cool. If you change your mind about going, or if anyone else has been recently, I'd love to hear if it's anything like I remember.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Oy, now that makes me want to go again!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
quote:From the checking I've done, they aren't really so much cabins as they are rustic styled hotel rooms, albeit much more isolated than anything else.
They're neither. They're Fleetwood trailers dolled up to look like cabins. They're also one of the best values on Disney property, especially for families.
There's a lot to do at Disney World that is geared toward adults. One of my pet peeves is the misconception that it's just a kids' place. On the other hand, most people feel that they've missed out if they come and don't see parks, so a lot of the rest of the stuff to do is good for longer stays.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo is actually my favorite dinner show. I've been meaning to give the Polynesian Luau another shot, because I haven't been since they revamped it, but I can't recommend it as enthusiastically. I get to go to Medieval Times and Arabian Nights every year because they do specials or freebies for public school teachers. I think MT has a far better show, but AN has better food. Pirates may be the best dinner show I have ever seen, but the food made almost our entire party violently ill, and none of us have ever forgiven them. I have yet to try Sleuths or Capones. I will try Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede next weekend; I'll let you know.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I wasn't aware Hoop-Dee-Doo came with dinner, I thought it was just a show of some sort. Do you know what it costs?
The pirates thing sounds cool...maybe the food was just a one time thing. What's that like? (the show, not the violent illness )
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
The Hoop-Dee-Doo ranges in price from $51 to $59. I might be able to get a discount, but I can't promise it. Generally, discounts are available at the late show, and if I go, I would probably want to bring my kids, which would rule the late show out for me (personally). The difference in the prices are for whether you sit on the second floor (awful), in the back of the first floor (good) or in the front of the first floor (I've never sat closer than the back of the first floor). The meal includes made-from-scratch bread with honey butter, salad, fried chicken, pork ribs, really good baked beans, succotash, strawberry shortcake, and all you can drink beverage. For the twenty-one year old in your party, that beverage may be draft American beer, sangria, chardonnay, merlot, or rose. That's right, I did say all you can drink alcohol. (Actually, virtually all of the dinner shows have all-you-can-drink alcohol.)
Pirates is a musical pirate-themed show with some truly impressive acrobatics. I doubt I could personally convince anyone in my family to return, but think of that as just a measure of how bad the sickness was, and not as me trying to control your plans. Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
quote:Originally posted by zgator: BTW, between Orlando and Ocala? Where do you live - Belleview?
Looking at a map, I suppose I should say I live at a right angle to both Orlando and Ocala. I live in DeLeon Springs, which is about 10 miles north of DeLand. Nice little place. Pretty much a straight shot up 40 to Ocala. We actually take 326 to 40 from 75 to get home from Tallahassee (I'm at FSU right now), so I'm passing through the general Ocala area pretty regularly.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
So why haven't you ever joined us for Jai-Alai?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Ooo, the show sounds fun. My friend, who I'm referring to as N, will certainly enjoy the all you can drink alcohol. Personally the all you can drink liquor isn't super appealing to be, as it only usually takes a drink or two to get me pretty silly (I rarely drink, and I was a lightweight to begin with).
I'll discuss it with the others, but based on your recommendation, Hoopdedoo sounds like a winner thus far.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
A reminder though: it is corny. So you have to have the right sense of humor to enjoy it (which I do). If you don't think you'd be in the spirit of it, then something else would work better.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
OOh good to know about Arabian Nights Icarus, I have seen their show (or most of it) when they brought it to a horse show in Louisville, but I'd love to see the whole thing next time I'm in Florida. I'm a major supporter of The Black Stallion Literacy Project and Al-Marah Arabians both of which it is associated with.
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I can give you about 3 and a half months notice, we'll be in Philly on August 1st.
What gives? A Wednesday!? People gotta work during the day! Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
That's the idea. Hopefully it won't be busy wherever we go.
Besides, me coming into town should be an event worthy of taking the day off work.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Sarah,
I was looking at cheaper alternatives for something to do that day other than Lookout Mountain and now I'm thinking of camping that night north of Atlanta.
Springer Mountain is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Originally we were going to spend a day in Shanendoah National Park, and we wanted to hike a couple miles of the AT, basically just to say we did it. But we ended up having to cut out SNP. I'm thinking now, if we camped north of Atlanta, we could find our way to the forest road outside of where the Mtn is, we could hike up to the starting point, take a picture and then hike back. It'd probably end up being more satisfying in the end, and certainly a lot cheaper, and then drive to Nashville for lunch, see the fake Parthenon, and go right to Mammoth Cave.
It'd still end up being a couple of our lighter days.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
I forget exactly when my summer courses break, but i might be available August 1st for a Philly thing.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Busch Gardens is a mixture of a roller coaster park and a zoo. It really is a lot of fun...I go to the one in Tampa several times a year. They actually have a ride where you get on a jeep that goes through the animal habitat so you get right up close to rhinos, giraffes, elk and such.
You will also get to see Lions, Tigers, and other animals. They also have good shows, and of course rides.
Personally, judging by your age group you all would find it a lot more fun than Disney and MGM. However, if you are stuck on the whole Disney thing, I would recommend Epcot over MGM.
Just don't get yourself so married to your schedule that you let the trip wear you out. Make plans for what to do if you get warn out...and want to cut some stops. Decide ahead of time which stops are expendable.
Oh, and Class III rapids are perfectly fine for novices. I went on worse than that when I was a teenager...and a novice. My sister did fall out of the raft once, but if you knew my sister you wouldn't be surprised by that, and she was perfectly fine, just a bit wet.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Usually I find Mapquest overestimates the amount of time it'll take to get between point A and B, so I think it will be a wash in the end.
This is most assuredly not my experience. IME, Mapquest times assume almost no traffic. Real-life trips take 1.3-1.5 times as long with moderate traffic and can be as bad as 2 (or more) times during rush hour.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Really?
Hm. Well I automatically added more time to our trips when driving through major city centers and during rush hour.
Mapquest also assumes you're driving the speed limit 100% of the time. That cuts in both directions .
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I always get places faster than what the online map places say. But I'm usually driving faster than 55 or 65 or whatever the speed limit may be. So the longer the trip, the larger the difference in projected time to actual time.
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: So why haven't you ever joined us for Jai-Alai?
1: My car situation is complicated. 2: My monetary situation is complicated. 3: Until July of last summer I was under 18, and in August I came up to FSU.
Hopefully sometime this summer we can have some sort of get together.
Posted by RunningBear (Member # 8477) on :
I don't know how much it costs today, but when I went it was about 15 dollars a plate. But it was so worth it.
A friend of mine who traveled down the east coast stopped by there and references it as a religious experience.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: Mapquest also assumes you're driving the speed limit 100% of the time. That cuts in both directions .
True. But sometimes exceeding the limit is not an option, simply based on traffic (or road/weather) conditions.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by RunningBear: I don't know how much it costs today, but when I went it was about 15 dollars a plate. But it was so worth it.
A friend of mine who traveled down the east coast stopped by there and references it as a religious experience.
Hmm, seafood is my temple, so maybe I think I should pay this place a visit for sure. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
If you visit Fallingwater (what do you mean, maybe?) you are sending me photos!
Sounds like you've got a full one and a half weeks Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Usually I find Mapquest overestimates the amount of time it'll take to get between point A and B, so I think it will be a wash in the end.
This is most assuredly not my experience. IME, Mapquest times assume almost no traffic. Real-life trips take 1.3-1.5 times as long with moderate traffic and can be as bad as 2 (or more) times during rush hour.
I find that Mapquest estimates 60 mph on interstate trips. I never average that slow on interstate trips. Including stops for gas and food, I averaged 74 mph on my last road trip.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Admittedly, I rarely drive interstate.
I also do not ignore posted driving speeds to the degree that you clearly do. But that's another thread.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
It's not that I ignore them.
Well, not entirely, anyway. I just typically drive 80 on the interstate, traffic and weather allowing. And I don't stop much.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I go five mph over the posted limit, usually.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
I live just over the bridge from Port Huron, so it would probably be fair to say that I live near Detroit... not that Detroit is really part of the trip itself. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: I go five mph over the posted limit, usually.
Ditto.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Euripides: If you visit Fallingwater (what do you mean, maybe?) you are sending me photos!
Sounds like you've got a full one and a half weeks
Well if we go, we won't be going inside the house, the tour is very expensive for what is supposed to be a budget road trip. We'll stop and take pictures probably, but that's all.
..
Generally I don't go more than 10mph over the speed limit, regardless of what it is. If the speed limit is 60, I'll go 70, etc. When traffic and weather allow, that is.
...
Twinky -
We really need to have a Detroit-con (oo, let's call it AutoCon!). There's a half dozen of us that live in the area who've never gotten together. I actually might be coming somewhat near your neck of the woods in a few months. There's a city north of Windsor, I can't remember the name, that is supposed to have these white squirrels all over the place, and my best friend and I thought it was hysterical so we might go visit to check out the goofiness.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
Well if we go, we won't be going inside the house, the tour is very expensive for what is supposed to be a budget road trip. We'll stop and take pictures probably, but that's all.
Ah, I see. I hope you get to see it from the creek below. Should be amazing. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well I wanted to do a little update on the changes my friends and I have made in the last month. We decided to add two extra days, slow it down a bit, and cut some stuff out, in the name of relaxing.
On Day 1, we’re putting Tiny World and the stupid teapot shaped building on the cut list, in that, if we have time we’ll do it, otherwise it gets the axe.
On Day 2, Baltimore is on the cut list, if we have time, we’ll swing by Blacks in Wax, otherwise we just cruise on to DC.
On Day 4, Arlington was cut entirely, and the Mariner’s Museum is on the cut list, and Fredericksburg might get the axe too, but I’m dead set on stopping there for lunch, seeing part of the battlefield (especially after Dag talked about it in the Virginia thread) and visiting the town. Should allow us more time in Virginia Beach.
Day 5 has now been split into two days. Day one has us going to Kitty Hawk, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Outer Banks and Roanoke Island.
Day 5b we cut out Myrtle Beach, cut out the Belhaven crazy lady museum, and might cut out New Bern too. The main thrust of the day is driving to Dillon SC, where South of the Border is. Then we end that day in Charleston.
New Day 7 is pretty much the same. Morning in Charleston and then on to Orlando.
New Days 8 & 9 are still in Orlando. Still doing Magic Kingdom and MGM, we get extra hours because we’re staying at a Disneyworld location, so we’ll be going to Magic Kingdom, seeing as much as we can by 5pm or so, and then we’re heading to the 630 showing of that Pirates Adventure dinner show, which we’ve decided to brave despite Icarus’ review of their food (we LOVE pirates, we’ll take the risk ). After that we’re going to the night time airboat ride, then if we have time we might make it back to the park at night, but probably we’ll just turn in. Next day the magic hours let us stay late at MGM, and we’ll spend the whole day there. I know we’ll have to miss a lot at Magic Kingdom, but it’s the only way to fit in the Non-Disney stuff we really want to do. (PS, Icarus, I don’t suppose you got to Sleuths or Capones in the last month to see what they were like? Those were the only other two we were really curious about).
New Day 10 has us again going to Okefenokee for a canoe trail and maybe some hiking. We’ve decided we want to be outdoors as much as possible for the last few days of the trip. After that we’re going to Macon to see the Ocumulgee National Monument, and then we’ll find a place nearby to camp.
New Day 11 was the second day added, we’ll be going to Atlanta to see the Aquarium, Underground Atlanta, the hot air balloon ride, and whatever else there is time for. We’ll camp nearby.
New Day 12 we wake up and hopefully drive through some logging roads to reach the beginning of the Appalachian Trail, and we’ll hike a mile to get to it, then back to our car. Then we’re skipping Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain and heading right to Nashville, but I still don’t know if we’re doing anything there, probably not. We’ll end the day (probably getting there in midafternoon) in Mammoth Cave
New Day 13 is more caving, visiting local stuff then a long drive back to Detroit. We’re thinking about staying at a B&B near Mammoth Cave because they’re relatively cheap for the day we’re going.
So that’s the new trip. I really appreciate all the advice you guys tossed out last time, it gave me a lot of ideas. I’m still looking for advice on places to stop and get good food (especially seafood) on some of our Atlantic Seaboard locations. I still don’t know if I’ll have time to stop and see many of you, but hopefully I can fit anyone who is available in for a lunch or dinner here and there. But now I think our schedule is more or less locked in, we just have a few reservations to make still.
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
OK, im sorry i didnt want to read all of the posts to see fi anyone has mentioned this yet. but for here in GA there are a few cool things to see on your way to Savannah.
1. world's largest aquarium 2. Six Flags / White Water 3. Stone Mountain (very cool laser show at night) 4. CNN Building 5. World of Coca Cola Museum (fun even if u are a pepshi fan)
not sure how much time u have for anything, but stone mountain is a fun day trip for a couple hours and the laser show at night is pretty darn cool too. people bring blankets and stuff and sith on the grass and watch a laser show projected onto the famous side of stone mountain. The aquarium is supposed to be really cool, tho i have yet to go. if u just want a fun day, Six Flags and White Water are both great summer fun spots. My family used to go to Six flags early in the morning for shorter lines, head to White Water when it got later on and hotter, then back to six flags at night (cooler weather) for missed rides and shows.
hope this helped a little. have fun with your road trip.
EDIT: instead of going to the beginning of the App. trail, tryin visiting Tallula Gorge. its a fun hike and has water falls. heres a quick link i found about it.
So you decided not to do Hoop Dee Doo? It's not for everyone, but it seems a shame since you're staying right there. (Aren't you?)
I still haven't been to Capone's, but I'm hoping to make it there this summer. I have been to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in the last month or so and was very unimpressed.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I have heard that the Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach is much much better than the one in Orlando. This was from my neighbor who worked for both, one for ten years, one for 8 months.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Could be. Thing is, though, it wasn't just a matter of the horsemanship or the food. I actually though the show, as written, was insufferably stupid.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Yeah we're going to pass on Hoop Dee Doo. It looked like fun, but the Pirate thing has us totally geeked, even though we are staying right there. Either way it's better than Medieval Times I think (I'm guessing).
krynn -
The way to Savannah through Georgia is just along the coastline from Charleston down to Florida, but we'll be seeing some of the things on your list on the way back.
1. That's the Georgia Aquarium no? We're going there. It was the very first thing we decided to do. 2. Avoiding strictly roller coaster parks for two reasons. A. One of the people with us hates roller coasters and gets sick on them. B. We live near Cedar Point, the best park on the planet, so we don't want to waste the time when we go there every year anyway. 3. Stone Mountain we looked at camp grounds, but you HAVE to stay for 2 nights if you want to reserve a campground, so we ruled it out, and that put it out of our way entirely. If it wasn't for that policy, we'd probably go. 4. We'll see the CNN building during our balloon ride, but I don't think we'll have time to go there. 5. This one is a possibility, and I am a HUGE Pepsi fan (hence the stop in New Bern to see the birthplace of Pepsi). We have a big Coke fan in our group.
That hike looks amazing, but where in Georgia is it? It says Athens on the site, which would be a bit out of our way. I love hiking trails, I wish there was a site for all the states and their trails so we could find other stuff. Hikes are a blast.
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
its in north georgia somewhere. i havent ben up there in a few years. i did really enjoy the hiking there and the gorge was awesome. Panther Creek is cool too but a longer walk. u dont have to reserve anything i dont think, but i never camped there overnight. we usually just go to Publix (great grocery store) and get their famous huge sub sandwiches and take them as lunch/dinner.
As for Stone Mountain, ive never camped ther eonce in my life. they have have a park and some other small historic touristy stuff there for a day trip. i hav eno idea about the laser show schedule either. anyway, have a great time.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
I would skip Underground Atlanta, unless you just want to shop. Some consider it charming, but to me it's just a normal small mall.
If you want to shop, try Little Five Points instead. There are some funky shops there.
My favorite shop there, a frisbee and other stuff store: IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1164 Euclid Avenue 404-524-4628
A popular junk and consigned/used clothing store:JUNKMAN’S DAUGHTER 464 Euclid Avenue 404-577-3188
A cool bar: MANUEL’S TAVERN 602 North Highland Avenue 404-525-3447
Plus lots of other bars, record stores and kitschy junk stores. And a lively street scene. I wish I still lived over there. Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Hey, that looks REALLY cool Morbo. We still want to do the airballoon thing that's at Underground Atlanta, but other than that we might just skip the rest and go there, that place looks really cool.
Can you get into bars in Atlanta is you are under 21? In most parts of Michigan they'll let you in but stamp your hand so you can't drink, and one person in our group will be two months shy of 21.
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
hmm, well at Underground they have this thing called Kenny's Alley. its a strip at underground with bars in it and u can leave one bar with your drinkn and walk into another bar. to get into the area u have to be 21 i think. again, i havent been yet, but it sounds like fun. and yeah, lil five is more of a hip scene than underground. a couple of my friends live there and i go out there to concerts sometimes at the variety playhouse and close by is Smith's Olde Bar.
EDIT: Morbo, u live in atlanta too?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well we leave tomorrow night. I probably won't have a chance to get on tomorrow night, but it's possible I'll be on once or twice during the trip for updates.
The plan has changed even more (we're staying at Stone Mountain now for a couple nights in Atlanta, among other changes), and 36 hours from now I'll be rafting down the Youghigheny River holding on for dear life.
I know I said before that I wanted to meet a bunch of you, but now it looks like there just won't be time. I have cousins meeting up with me in Orlando, and I've been told in no uncertain terms by two very cute very manipulative five and six year olds that I will be spending lots of time with them during my two days there. So I apologize, and it's sad, but I'll post tons of pictures of my time down south so you can all see what I was doing
So in case I'm not back on tomorrow or during the trip, I'll see you all again in two weeks, wish me luck!
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Hey all, I'm back from my little southern journey. I got back about an hour ago after a marathon 10 hour drive from Kentucky. I'll post details and pictures tomorrow. For now, suffice to say that it was amazing, incredible, agonizing, grueling, and memorable.
And it's good to be home.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Welcome home. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
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I'm FROM Shippensburg and I've never even HEARD of Tiny World. Well, I guess it sounds vaguely familiar, but I've certainly never been there. I hope you go so you can let us all know about it!! Hee hee. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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