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What are your favorite drives and destinations in the region

PostPosted: Fri May 21, 2010 10:27 pm
by WesGrimes
I want to start planing an adventure to get my build motivated and set an end goal to work for.

I was thinking of Route 66, but it looks like it is kind of run down.

I did the Talimena scenic drive to Queen Wilhelmina last year, and it was great, but did not have many stops or attractions.

What are your favorite drives and destinations in the region, and slightly out of the region?

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 11:26 am
by Justin & Katy
Parts of 66 are run down because a lot of those small towns have dried up. However, if you're looking to see Americana, you can't go wrong!

:vroom:

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 11:57 am
by Toytaco2
Old Route 66 has long been on my "to do" list. Here's a link to a member's post from a while back that looks really interesting. Be sure to follow the link in the Original Poster's entry. Lots of pics and interesting places. In fact, I think it would be a great idea to get a few of us together and travel this together some some. It looks like some of the places could be a little remote and more fun with a group of campers.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=33139

Good Luck,

Mike

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 12:30 pm
by caseydog
I have a BBQ and Bluebonnets route that I've done with a few car clubs. It runs through the Texas Hill Country, and is best around mid April, when the bluebonnets are in bloom.

CD

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 7:08 pm
by 2bits
I really enjoy cruising down Hwy 80 to the East. Once you hit Terrell is where it gets nice. It is two lane road and small town to small town over and over. I went to Mineola a while back to pick up a truck, and it was a great cruise. From your place to Mineola is an hour and 45 min, a nice one days cruise.

To keep it country as quick as possible, I would probably take 66 East to enjoy crossing the lake, then take 205 down south into Terrell, then go left on Hwy 80, and don't stop until you want to. Don't speed through Elmo ;)

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 7:49 pm
by aggie79
I've lived in San Antonio and Longview, so I like both regions.

In east Texas, these are interesting stops for a long day trip or overnight trip:

1. Tyler, Caldwell Zoo - private zoo with animals in native habitats
2. Tyler, Kiepersol Winery - amazing grounds and facilities
3. Gladewater, Opera House Theatre - on most Saturday nights they have a collection of amazing regional C&W talent. It's worth seeing if you don't like C&W music.
4. Jefferson, too much to list - wonderful historic town with incredible historic homes if you're into that sort of thing.

In the hill country, I can just drive for days on end, stopping at all the things along the way.

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 9:56 pm
by Oasis Maker
Without question, California Central Coast, Pacific Coast Highway 1.
:thumbsup:

Scott G.

Traveling

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 10:16 am
by goramsey
Many years ago when I was in the military, I was traveling in my 1963 VW bug back to Calif. Getting ready to ship to Viet Nam. I was taking some back roads of the southern states. I felt like I was in "Deliverance". Going through the small country towns, I got "the look". I mean scary stuff. If you were not a good ol' white boy and a local you were going to be in trouble. I drove quickly through the south, never to return.

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:43 am
by caseydog
Oasis Maker wrote:Without question, California Central Coast, Pacific Coast Highway 1.
:thumbsup:

Scott G.


Great road, but just a wee bit out of our region. :lol:

CD

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:50 am
by Laredo
little out of y'all's region too but one of my favorite drives is the Texas Plains Trail, which is good last weekend thru mid-June for wildflowers &c.

another good one is the Forts Trail ... I haven't done the Forests Trail, but that's handy for y'all east of Fort Worth, isn't it?

maps / routes available at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and www.traveltex.com.

Re: Traveling

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:57 am
by caseydog
goramsey wrote:Many years ago when I was in the military, I was traveling in my 1963 VW bug back to Calif. Getting ready to ship to Viet Nam. I was taking some back roads of the southern states. I felt like I was in "Deliverance". Going through the small country towns, I got "the look". I mean scary stuff. If you were not a good ol' white boy and a local you were going to be in trouble. I drove quickly through the south, never to return.


There are some great driving roads in some parts of the south -- especially Arkansas. And, there are some "less evolved" people in some of these areas. But, it's pretty easy to tell when you are in seriously backwards areas, just look at the roadsigns along the highways. The more bullet holes per sign, the more likely you are to be in Bubbaland. :lol:

Image



CD

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 12:07 pm
by Oasis Maker
caseydog wrote:
Oasis Maker wrote:Without question, California Central Coast, Pacific Coast Highway 1.
:thumbsup:

Scott G.


Great road, but just a wee bit out of our region. :lol:

CD


:lol: oops, I didn't read the "region" part.

But now that I have, isn't the post still correct? I mean, is it even possible to have a "favorite drive" anywhere in the state of Texas?

*duck*

Scott

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 12:15 pm
by caseydog
Oasis Maker wrote:
caseydog wrote:
Oasis Maker wrote:Without question, California Central Coast, Pacific Coast Highway 1.
:thumbsup:

Scott G.


Great road, but just a wee bit out of our region. :lol:

CD


:lol: oops, I didn't read the "region" part.

But now that I have, isn't the post still correct? I mean, is it even possible to have a "favorite drive" anywhere in the state of Texas?

*duck*

Scott


Well, I can't think of any that compare to the Central Coast section of the PCH, but there are some decent roads and a few scenic drives worth taking.

But then again, as bad as Dallas and Houston traffic is, it can't come close to the misery level of LA traffic. :no:

CD

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 12:43 pm
by chorizon
My favorite destination in Texas is the Big Bend country.

Whether we stay at Balmorrhea, Davis Mountains, or at my folks' place down at Big Bend National Park I always love getting out into the desert.

Without a doubt the drive on 170 between Lajitas and Presidio is my favorite drive. It consistently ranks as the number-one "most scenic drive in Texas."

Image

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2010 4:25 pm
by caseydog
The Hill Country is known for it's bluebonnets, which are incredible in the spring. They are the subject of many, many paintings...

Image


And one other very pretty sight to see is Cooper's in Llano...

Image

CD :)