Travel

[john e. holliday]

On the pictures of 73 NATS someone said something about traveling at night.  My Dad was like that.  I too like to travel at night when I feel good.  Traveled to Tuscon several times driving all night and thru the day,  23 hours from my house to Aunt Betty's.  It is cooler and less traffic.   Also I like to start out the trip by driving first and then hand off to someone else when I start seeing things, hit the rumble strips twice. 

[Paul Taylor]

Hey Doc,
I guess that is where you and I are different. I would rather get up early in the AM and get a early start.

I get tired watching the white lines go by.

I do agree it is much cooler and less traffic.

[Steve Helmick]

I've got A/C (and heat of both kinds), so don't care about day or night from that standpoint. I don't like driving in low light conditions, when the venison is on the highway. I saw a herd of elk near the highway on I-90 up in the Cascades, on the way home from my first trip to VSC. One of those will put the hurt on an 18-wheeler, and I've seen dead elk on the shoulder of the road in that area. Not good! But generally, I'll leave by 6am and call it quits by 8pm or earlier.  Usually leave by 5am if I've got a lot of city driving to do before hitting the open road. I don't like driving into the rising or setting sun, but it always happens, at some time during any trip. I've done straight through drives, and was so bushed when I got there, I was totally out of it for a couple of days. From my place, it's 1,611 miles to Tucson, according to MapQuest, via Boise and SLC. It's a tough two day drive. I'd rather do it in three. Better safe than sorry!    Steve 

[Howard Rush]

I used to drive at night, but now tires and AC are better, I can't see at night very well, there's the venison issue, and now I enjoy the scenery, particularly in the West.  I had been taking three days to get to Muncie, but now I do it in four.  My wife likes to go along to contests, and lately we've been stopping at national parks on the way.  My favorite contest trips have been three-corner ones to Muncie and Riverside, CA. Too bad more folks don't have contests the week before or after the Nats.  I tried to go to Tulsa on the way to the team trials this year, but couldn't make it.     

[Randy Powell]

Man, I wish I was 23 hours from Tucson. I've only driven it once. 2.5 days and about 1850 miles.

[john e. holliday]

Well Randy I now do it in 2 days.  Tucumcari is the almost halfway point.  Getting old I guess.  No matter which route I take, it is still 1250 miles one way.

[Dennis Moritz]

Five years ago (I think) I couldn't decide whether or not to go to my first NATs since 1973. One day around 4:30 PM I decided what the heck. Did the 630 miles or so from Philly, PA by 1:30 a.m. the next day. Even went through a thunderstorm or two. That was in my 75 Vette, a mildly hot rodded turnpike cruiser. Don't think I'll do that again. How my body has aged in that short time...