Holiday in america

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Eddie123

Member
Joined
May 14, 2010
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57
Location
Hordaland, Norway
Hello fellow penturners.

I am planning a holiday in america, the coming weekend, and planning on staying for about 2 weeks.

The plan is to fly in to Dallas, and leave again from Los Angeles. I have been to Dallas before, and like it very much.

But, I dont know much about the places between Dallas and Los Angeles, except that the wife is interested in seeing Grand Canyon and Rio Grande.

Does anyone have good pointers to what there is to see and do on the route we have selected ?

All advice appreciated !!

Thanks

Vegard
 
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While in TX I would take the opportunity to see the Hill Country - San Antonio/Austin. And I would also spend some time in Las Vegas...
 
Hugh is right. From Dallas dip down to San Antonio. There are other missions besides the Alamo which are just as interesting and can been seen in a day. http://www.nps.gov/saan/ And while there have dinner on the river walk. Then from San Antonio you can head west. Maybe some members from the valley can recommend something in that direction. I am with Hugh on Las Vegas and Hover Dam along with the Gand Canyon are both close by.
 
+1 on San Antonio.

Are you driving from Dallas to Los Angeles?

If so, stop over to see Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico before you reach El Paso.

Not sure what the draw is for the Rio Grande, but if you go to the Grand Canyon, you'll see a pretty amazing Colorado River as part of that visit.

Once you get to California, head north for a day to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, maybe up to Yosemite if you have the time.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Yes, the idea was to drive from dallas to Los Angeles, I am not sure how far it is, but I hope it is a trip that is doable in 2 weeks, with a lot of stops at good places, so I dont have to drive every day.

Vegard
 
You need to see the Grand Canyon, of course, and Las Vegas is on the way to LA....and they could sure use a few "tourist" dollars. It is a fun place, hit hard by the recession.
 
If your driving, you can take hwy89 out of Flagstaf and take hwy 64 across and back down into Whillits Mush less trafic than going into Whillits and up. We took that drive two years ago and really enjoy it
 
You could go south out of Dallas and visit the Texas Hillcountry. While here, I would be DELIGHTED and honored to have you as a shop visitor. I live just off I-35 which would be the route you would come. After you visit here, you could go on to San Antonio and see the Alamo and other sites. Then take I-10 out of San Antonio and end up in LA. Let me know if you are interested in a visit!
 
If your driving and going through New Mexico swing north and spend a day in Santa Fe, visit the Basilica and the plaza with all the unique shops.
 
OKLAHOMAN said:
If your driving and going through New Mexico swing north and spend a day in Santa Fe, visit the Basilica and the plaza with all the unique shops.
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After Santa Fe, drive back down to Albuquerque, head west on Route 40, and it will take you just to the south of the Grand Canyon. And while you're in New Mexico, they'll ask you if you want red or green. Say green if you like spicy, red if you like hot. And make sure to get a few soapapillas! Have a great trip!
Doug
 
So far with all the suggestions you only need a month. Take in as much as you can but it's a pretty long drive from Dallas to LA. Have fun.
 
workinforwood said:
Don't know how it's spelled exactly, but I'd want to go to Shliterbaum's water park in Texas.
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Jeff, it is Schlitterbahn and it is about 5 miles from my house. As a matter of fact, the fellow that owns the 40 acres that joins my land is the one who is in charge of all the construction and maintenance. He is the one who figured out how to build many of the cool things they do. The owner did most of the early design stuff but Phil had to figure out how to build it and keep it running.

Come on down for a shop visit and I MAY be able to get you some free tickets! I know the last time I saw Phil (my neighbor) he said to call him if/when I wanted to take my family and he would take care of me. He is pretty much at the top of the ladder with them.
 
Wow, lots of replies and suggestions !

I think I am going to take up on the offer to visit you, Mesquite Man, and then decide from there where to go !

How long will it take to drive from Dallas to Los Angeles? Google thinks it takes just over 24 hours straight driving, but I am not sure how good Google is at calculating time.

Vegard
 
Eddie123 said:
Wow, lots of replies and suggestions !

I think I am going to take up on the offer to visit you, Mesquite Man, and then decide from there where to go !

How long will it take to drive from Dallas to Los Angeles? Google thinks it takes just over 24 hours straight driving, but I am not sure how good Google is at calculating time.

Vegard
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Fantastic!! What day(s) will you be here? Do you want me to help arrange accomodations for a night? I can be free any day that you hapen to come. I am self employeed and will just take the day off if it is during the week! Also, there is a super big outlet mall here in my town if you or the wife are up to some shopping. I will be happy to show you around as much or a little as you want and of course, will insist on treating you to some good Texas food!
 
Oh yeah, as for driving time to LA...I would think the Google estimate is pretty close for actual drive time. I have not made that trip since I was a kid but I know it could be done easity in 2 weeks with nice stops along the way.
 
Texas is almost 800 miles across and I have driven from Dallas to Los Angeles and if you do it non stop it is almost 36 hours. If you do it slowly it will take at least 3 days of driving with only short breaks and sleeping. There are two states between Texas and California. It is 1241 miles one way.
 
From where you're going to be starting I'd pass on the Rio Grand if I were you. Depending on where you see it it'll either be a dried up river bed or a muddy creek.
 
Bandera TX, west of San Antonio. Cowboy town.
Ruidoso, New Mexico. Nice casino and Billy The Kids hang out.
Palo Duro Canyon, TX (The TX Grand canyon)
Houston, TX. For the Jonson Space Center and the Kemah Boardwalk(Eating Paradise)
 
Wow.

Thanks again for all the ideas !

We have now booked our flight to America, so we will be arriving on the 24th, in Houston. Decided it was better than Dallas. So, now it is a matter of plotting in the ideas you have given us all, and find the best route for us !

We would love to see a rodeo while we are there, anyone know where we can find on next week ?

Vegard
 
Trip Ideas

+1 fro Santa Fe, but be sure to see Old Town Albuquerque and Taos Pueblo. Also +1 for Mesa Verde and then go to Moab, UT and see Arches and Canyon Lands.
 
Well, trip is now booked, but have made small changes to initial trip.

We are now starting in Houston, and leaving again from San Fransisco ! We want to make this a memorable journey, and I am sure it will be !

We havent nailed anything yet, today will be planning day, only thing we have decided for sure is to pay a visit to Mesquite Man, and also visit at least one wood worker shop for pen supplies !

Thanks to all for good advice !

Vegard

PM: Which shops to visits, for pen blanks, kits, tools, etc ? Got a list of Woodcraft shops., but are there any other good ones ?
 
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