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Photo from Mike Tiga's photo stream

While not technically the first state of the Great Plains, Nebraska is the beginning of flat roads and corn fields.

Knowing that it was about to be a few days of hypnotic straight driving, we didn’t make many stops in this state.  Our most interesting find was the Mormon Island State Recreation Area.  Immediately off highway 80, it’s a roadside motel version of camping.

Unlike the Koa campsites you see advertised at highway exits across America, this is not a corporate chain, rather it’s run by the State. And at $6.00 a night for a basic campsite the price is unbeatable.  To use the showers you’ll need to ask for the code for the bathrooms found in the RV area- but the staff seems more than happy to give out the information to any paying guests.  And there’s even fishing available if you happen to be traveling with gear!

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Home to Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, and Monument Valley, Utah has a crazy other-planet kind of landscape- and sky high campsite fees to match it.

Make sure you have a camera on hand- the landscapes are out of this world!  One of my favorite views along the road was after we left highway 15 and got on 70.  We had been driving through the hot dry desert towards portentously black clouds dramatically gathering over the San Rafael “Reef.”  We pulled into a turnout to get a better look at what seemed like a promising viewpoint.  Getting out of the car we were assailed with a heavy gust of wind followed by a burst of hail.

But despite the intense weather, the stop was totally worth it.  The landscape was beautiful- although with the all hail we couldn’t take any photos once we got out of the car.  There’s a trail that goes through the canyon with rock art along the canyon walls and we didn’t get out the bikes at this stop, but it looks like it could be fun to ride through with a view of the chasm at the end.

We didn’t know it at the time, but this may also be a good place to camp if you have a vehicle that can go off road.  Instead we camped a ways before we got to the canyon at the Fremont Indian State Park.  The sites were 13.00- a good deal compared to the 20+ you’ll pay at some of the sites off of highway 15.  The sites were nicely spaced out, not too many people, but not empty either, and surrounded with plenty of neat sandstone formations to keep you busy for an afternoon of exploration.

As a side note- after writing up this post, I found out I’m not the only one who thought Utah was a little “otherworldly” – the Mars Society set up a desert research station here to simulate a mars habitat.

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Before you get on the road go through the checklist.  Yeah, I know, it can be seem like a pain because it takes a little time and you already have plenty of packing to get done.  But this is just a basic list and it’s worth the time.  Just think, rather than sitting by your overheating car in the blazing sun, hungry and phoneless, surrounded by miles of Kansas cornfields, you could spend 20 minutes making sure everything’s ready to run smoothly before you get on the road.

1.) Get to know your engine- check your fluids.

• You may know how to check your oil, but do you know what kind of oil to buy when its low, or where to put washer fluid to clear away the thick layer of bugs that will coat your windshield each day? For starters take a look at this video (okay, the guy isn’t exactly thrilling, but it’s under 2 min- you can handle it)

2.) Find out if you have roadside assistnace and whether or not it’s still valid.

• Invariably, if you’re on the road long enough you’re bound to lock yourself out of the car, get a flat, or whatever.  And when you’re 500 miles from home, on-call road side assistance is a life saver.  You can go through AAA, your insurance provider, or if you have a relatively new car, it may have come with this service.  Some services allow you a certain number of calls a year, or offer the service up until you’ve hit a certain mileage on your car, so find out the details of your service.

3.) In case you do get stuck somewhere, be prepared: Cell phone, phone charger, and flashlight.

• Even if you have road side assistance, it won’t do you much good if you can’t call them. So have your phone and have it charged.  If you get a charger for your car with a USB connection you’ll be able to charge you Blackberry, iPhone, iPod, or camera.
• Also, carry a flashlight- don’t expect AAA to have one.  I once spent an hour searching around in the dark on the side of a Vermont interstate highway for a role-away spare tire because neither I nor the triple A guy had a flashlight.

4.) Make sure your tires can get you to the other side.

• How’s the tread on those tires? If the tread isn’t deep watch out for wet conditions where you can hydroplane, but if the rubber is cracking its a heads up that the tires are getting ready to blow out.  And while you’re out their check the air, under inflated tires will cost you up to 5 cents more per gallon of gas!

5.) It’s gonna be a long ride. Get ready to settle in and get comfy.

• Music – Get a car adapter and charger for your iPod if you don’t already have one. Remember you’re going to be in the car for about a week. So think over your music selection. Make some playlists, and find some new albums- a road trip is a great time to get a feeling for an entire album at a time
• Tooth brush and essentials-  After a week in the car things get a little grungy. Do yourself a favor and put together a small and accessible bag with the essentials. Tooth brush/paste, tampons, and face/hand wipes.
• Snacks- There’s gonna be  long stretches of road with nothing but gas stations and cornfields. So consider packing a variety of affordable non-melting semi-healthy snacks so you don’t waste a ton of money on over priced candy bars along the way.

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From Etsy Ketsy's photo stream

The summer is coming to an end and its about time you get in that summer road trip.  Every summer we’ve done a road trip series here at soelsewhere- and we’re not about to stop now.

This time we’re featuring a California to New York adventure for those West Coast ladies getting reading to head back East for the Fall.  We’ll be taking the 15 to 70 to 76 to 80 and a few side roads along the way. We have a few good campsite to  recommend, some places to be avoided, and phone apps to get you through it.

Enjoy!

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In my last blog, Roadtrip America, I gave Eat Local as my number one piece of roadtrip advice. First, there’s the obvious reason that it just tastes better; nothing beats some home made eggs, real sausage, and fresh hash browns before a long day of driving through the Kansas cornfields.

But more importantly, there’s the issue of the endangered state of the mom&pop diner.  Driving through rural America, it is becoming more and more difficult to find any local diners.  On this last trip of mine, there were more than a few stops where the only option in town were the Arby’s, Subways, and Waffle Houses.  It’s true, it’s more expensive to support local, and I don’t expect everybody can do it, but if you have a little extra money please treat yourself and the local economy- buy a fresh unfranchised meal.  Otherwise, next time you drive through that little Indiana town, you won’t have the option.

Plus, if you’re doing a coast-to-coast trip you can then balance out your budget by buying from the 99c Only Store in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.  I personally make the moral leap by recognizing that in California most stores, including this one, carry local produce because most everything can be grown in this state.

On the one hand, the 99c Only Store would be an issue if it were competing in a small town; but I get the sense that it probably wouldn’t exist in small town because it keeps prices low in part by buying the excess and unwanted goods from other stores.  It therefore requires other stores in order to exist.

For some people more troubling than the moral issues, is the question of quality: How can food so cheap be edible? (yes they sell all sorts of produce too). As a seasoned 99c Only Store shopper I can vouch for the quality of this food as long as you follow a few simple rules.  Only buy what you can eat in the next 48 hrs; if you’re in an area like LA where there’re multiple stores shop around as different stores carry different produce; get there in the first half of the day closer to when the produce arrives to ensure the best pick.

The road trip season is over for the year. Having just completed my third cross US trip I thought that I’d share some of the tips that I’ve gathered in this last season.

1.)   Support Local: Buy food at local stores and restaurants.  If you can’t do that, then bring a camping stove, shop ahead, and cook your meals.  In fact, I feel so strongly about this one it will have a whole blog all to itself in a day or two.

2.)   Bring Blankets: If there’s any possibility of sleeping in the car, bring one warm blanket for each traveler. Never know when you might turn a corner in the Rockies or the Redwoods to find a beautiful turnout to camp in.  Even if daytime weather is bearable, you’ll be thankful for a little warmth in the night.

3.)   Use Facebook:  Line up hosts along the way. It’s affordable and it allows you more freedom to stop a few days to explore.  Find 3- 4 hosts, plan ahead, and break out Facebook.  Announce it on your status update; give people warning that you might be in their area. Then kamakze drive (14hrs) in between stays (make sure you have plenty of great music and a good companion), and rest up at your planned stop.  That way there’s no need to eat out (or futz w/the camping stove) and you have the luxury of a local to recommend interesting/cheap sites in the area.

4.)   Cheap motels: In a stretch where you just don’t know anybody and you’ve forgotten blankets, cheap motels can be a godsend.  But don’t take the 1^st thing off the highway.  Look out for places like the Budget Host Inn where 2 people should be able to stay for $50 or less, or the Casinos outside of Vegas (areas like Mesquite) for under $30.  If you have the resources, ask for a cash discount- that can take another $10 off.

5.)   Camp outside of state/national parks: If you’re trying to see some of the American Wilderness sleep just outside of the parks.  It’s safe, it’s free, and in the morning you can just walk into the park.  I never went so far as to pitch a tent, but sleeping in the car in these spots has never caused me any trouble.

Photo by oceanchampions.org

California Road Trip:

Welcome to San Onofre Bluffs, “a rare 3,000-acre scenic coastal-canyon park with high
environmental values and recreation use,” (parks.ca.gov).

At $16/night (Off-Season) or $20/night (In-Season), the sandy beaches of San Onofre are the perfect place to stop if you are completing/starting your California road trip in San Diego.

If you are looking for a romantic getaway for two, this might not be the best campground. Unless you have a trailer or RV, you won’t find much privacy here. Other than a small patch of dirt, you will be paying to camp in a parking lot near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station off Highway 101. Additionally, there are no indoor showers and very few bushes to sneak in a mid-night pee by your campsite.

On the other hand, San Onofre is the perfect place to visit with a group of carefree, sun-loving friends. The beach is well known for its grandpa waves, making it the perfect place to take a stab at surfing… worst comes to worst you will have a good laugh!

While the beach is “strictly” for day-use, minute signs of late night partying and campfires line the shores. You might even spot remnants of a once-popular nude beach off Trail 6 – some just don’t want to pay attention to the new “No Nudity” signs posted around.

If you visit during the summer months, you will find many 20-something groups of people laughing, listening to music and having a good time. I am sure they won’t mind the company!

Morgane Veronique Richardson, Editor/Writer

So Elsewhere has put together a comprehensive list of free (and incredibly cheap) things to do in the Los Angeles area. Enjoy!

The Getty Center
Visit The Getty Center off the 405 Freeway for free on Saturdays during the summer. Bring a picnic, something to drink and enjoy free music at this beautiful outdoor location.

Hammer Museum
Rock Thursdays at the Hammer Museum in Westwood.  Bring a desert picnic and your own alcohol (we are not sure that it’s allowed, but it looks like if you bring your own plastic cups you could get away with it). Arrive before nine if you want to take a look around the museum (also free); the headlining act usually starts a little after nine.

Olympic Spa
Sorry guys, this one is just for the ladies. Enjoy a day at the Korean Spa for just $15.  Most patrons go nude however you can wear a bathing suit if you feel uncomfortable. Prepare to take pleasure in three different kinds of saunas, four different tubs (hot and cold), free hot tea and coffee, and heated floors to lay down if you need a break from the pampering.

Hollywood Sign
Take a hike up to the Hollywood Sign. While there are a couple different ways to get to the sign, here is a hike that most people don’t know about.

Thai Potluck
Enjoy a Thai meal followed by a lecture and meditation session at Griffith Park. The event starts at 10:30am on Saturday mornings. At 11:00 the monks eat and then you are welcome to join in. The event is organized by Monk Chunya, Ph.d. in Policial Science.

Dollar Taco Night
Visit Don Antonio’s in West Los Angeles on Wednesday’s and make sure to purchase $1 Taco’s.

Hollywood Bowl
Have a picnic in front of the Hollywood Bowl concert hall prior to a performance. If you can’t afford one of the $10-17 tickets, you can listen from outside with a bottle of wine.

Alexandra Garcia, Editor/Writer
Morgane Veronique Richardson, Editor/Writer

California Road Trip:

As we came to the end of a long trip down the Big Sur section of the California coast we pulled over at a convenient parking lot to stretch our legs and let the dog have a pit stop.

As we wandered away from the car we heard strange wailing noises coming from the adjacent shoreline. Upon further inspection we spotted dozens of large long-snouted mammals that appeared to be beached on the sand.

We had unknowingly pulled into “Friends of the Elephant Seal,” a parking lot and short walkway bordering a small slice of the California coast.  Along the beach-line are scattered groups of elephant seals.  The animals, laying just 15-30 ft from the walkway, range from 5 ft long to 16ft (6,000 lb).

It’s a free stop as you come south out of the Big Sur stretch. Open 365 days of the year, and located at Piedras Blancas, we recommend it as a good spot to stretch your legs and see some enormous animals.

Alexandra Garcia, Writer/Editor