Road Trip suggestions

Being up in Canada, I can't help you too much, but years ago I traveled a bit to Dallas and took a few excursions westward

First, I'd consider taking in the aircraft 'graveyard' down in Tucson Arizona...

http://www.thepepper.com/tucson_airplane_graveyard.html

From there, I'd try to take in Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico (I went there years ago, the caves were outstanding - I stayed in a little motel in Whites City (just outside of the national park), and they had a vaudeville style show that was put on by the towns folk - I couldn't find any reference to it on the web, so it may not be around any longer).

If you need cowboy boots, hit the small town of Justin - just north west of Fort Worth ... you can buy the full-priced boots in the Justin Factory Outlet, or go to their factory seconds shop across the street and get a great pair of boots for much less and other than the stamp inside saying 'Second' you'd be hard pressed to find the defect in a lot of the boots. This is another place that I'd been to >10 years ago, so I don't know how it may have changed.

If you're into steam trains, there's the Tarantula train that takes you from Grapevine into Fort Worth - grab a bite to eat, then take the ride back ...

http://www.fortworth.com/01visitors/0101westernher/0101...10105tarantula.shtml

Continuing eastward, I've always wanted to visit Natchez, Mississipi to understand some of the history of this region of the U.S., then continue southward to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, then follow the coastline to Florida.

Others who live in these regions may be able to give you more pointers (I'm a history and nature buff, so my tastes may be different from yours), and hopefully pointers to places where the Pantera will get some attention - although I can promise you, every gas station you stop at, you'll have a flock of admirers come over to ask about the car.

A word of caution, I was warned about the southern states having a reputation for car theft - I can't imagine someone getting a Pantera very far unnoticed, but just be cautious and do a bit of research about the areas you'll be in (e.g. I did a quick search on "Car Theft per capita" and found both Phoenix and Tucson showed up in the top 20 - http://money.aol.com/insurance/auto/top-car-theft-cities I don't want to make you paranoid, I just want you to be careful so that we can hear great stories about your journey home with the cat.

Great Russ, thanks, Air plane graveyards and Steam trains I do like!
Very true about car theft, I will take every precaution possible.

I will post the final road trip scenario on this board, but be sure two of your suggestions already go in.

Wondering about New Oreleans? Some say that the city is yet to recover from Katrina...anyone?

Michel

Found a better link to the air-museum and bone-yard tours...

Museum

Bone-Yard (it recommends making advanced reservations)

Hopefully someone in the New Orleans area can give more insight on the city's condition, the damage from Katrina was terrible, if sufficient restoration has occurred to make a stop worth it for you, then consider going - I'm sure every bit of cash flow to the local businesses will help them continue the rebuilding processes.

Good luck, and I definitely want to read about your journey home!

I was there last year and while most of the city is almost back to normal, the 9th district I think is still really bad. But most of downtown and the french quarter is ok.

I will add New Orleans to the road trip as well.

Michel

If you're going via Tucson:

Karschner Caverns

Tombstone

Titan Missle museum

They also have a couple of awesome nature/wild animal exibits

Let me know if you need more suggestions, my sister lives there.

quote:

Karschner Caverns

Been there. Done that. AWESOME!!

However, pretty sure you will need to make advance reservations. This was an amazing set of caverns discovered by a rancher and not made public for years. It was studied, explored, and very scientifically measured. Goal was to learn its natural workings(temperature, humidity,air movements, etc) PRIOR to admitting public so no adverse reactions would upset (destroy) the delicate balance of things.

Bit out of the way, but surely worth the drive.

And then seeing Carlsbad in New Mexico would be an interesting comparison. I saw Carlsbad decades prior to Karschner - serious CRS syndrome regarding that visit.

If you make New Orleans, do make it down to the Cafe Du Monde and get some of their Chicory coffee and an order of beignets. Classic New Orleans. And a visit to one of the city's oyster bars, if in season, is also a must do!

Larry