The Plan: Gettin' There

[thehefner]

So as soon as I can after voting here on Election Day, I'm heading to Chicago to see a couple ex-girlfriends for a weekend, and then, I'm driving to L.A. following the remnants of old Route 66 and seeing as much as I can along the way.

That reminds me, I need to see if I can crash with a relative of mine. Remember the music video of Radiohead's "High and Dry"? My cousin-in-law was the guy who got blown up in that!

And from there, I'm gonna head up North via the Pacific Coastline, hopping on over to Seattle to spend the holidays with my brother and sister-in-law.

Has anyone traveled along these routes? Any tips or hot spots I need to add to the list? This is all about getting as much experience as I possibly can while I'm out there, so help me make the most of it!

And of course, I wanna meet up with any of you out there who are along the way, especially certain particular someones I haven't actually met yet! adaptor, kali921, I'm calling you out! The Hefner is coming to your home town, and he demands tea!

Comments

Old 66

[american-arcane.livejournal.com]

That's going to be a fantastic trip!

Lots of chances to see ghost towns and abandoned roadside attractions/diners or whatnot.

Take lots of pictures and have a great time!

I think there's a book out there somewhere about the stuff along old Rt. 66... of I suppose you could just watch some episodes of the old TV show. :)

Re: Old 66

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Someone warned me that it's a very depressing trip just because of how many ghost towns and ruins are along the way. I said, "PERFECT!" That's the point. Yes, there will definitely be lots and lots of pictures, rest assured! I'll be posting here when I can find the wireless internet.

[ernmissprism.livejournal.com]

Dude, I'm from Ventura!

It's a fantastic drive up the coast. From LA, be sure to go up the Malibu coast on Highway 1. Stay off the 101!!

Ventura's a nice place to stop for lunch. The Main Street has been redone recently and there are tons of funky vintage stores, surf shops, and cafes. And a mission.

If you're feeling ambitious and want to test your driving skills, detour into Ojai for an afternoon (funky hippie scene, plus celebs in disguise) and then head up to Santa Barbara via the Casitas Pass. Hairpin turns and gorgeous views all the way! Santa Barbara beaches are 'rully sweet', and lower State Street has great bars and restaurants.

I hope you're investing in a GPS before you go. It will be worth every penny.

Have a great trip! Post photos, someday, Ok?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I haven't checked out the route I'm planning to take in great detail yet, but checking the link above, does it correspond to that advice? Staying off 101?

Awesome, I'll make notes of all these. And yes, I already have a GPS, plus maps! I doubt I could do this alone otherwise! And furthermore yes, there WILL be tons o' pictures!

[ernmissprism.livejournal.com]

The 101 and 1 are, in places, the same road--Pacific Coast Highway. Around LA they split, and the 101 becomes a nasty, messy inland freeway (the "Ventura Freeway") and 1 remains a lovely, winding coastal route. Since you're taking the trip partly to see the sights, the coast is always the way to go. Unless you really want to experience some of LA's famous traffic jams.

Your route map is all about seeing the coast, and I think that's a good rule of thumb--wherever possible, stick to the coast routes. You're in no hurry, and the scenery is well worth the extra miles. Trust me.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Aha, yes, I know the song by the band America! No, I'm going to avoid the famous traffic jams best as I possibly can. I don't have to be up North until mid-December, so assuming I get down there in a enough time, I'm gonna take my sweet damn time getting up! I keep hearing too much about the scenery not to!

[tompurdue.livejournal.com]

It doesn't really count if you're not driving a 64 Vette


(Mind you, in searching for that image, I chanced on THIS, which is WAY more fun and WAY NOT SAFE FOR WORK.)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

True, true. Hell, pally, I need a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, sky blue. Even my first car, the fire engine red Chrysler Lebaron convertible which I named "Radar Love" and then promptly literally melted down.

No, sadly, this shall be done in a minivan. Don't you had when practicality overrides style?

As Promised

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

As you take 66 thru Albuquerque, you will pass UNM on the right. Across from the UNM arch is the Frontier restaurant on the left. You will order a Frontier Burrito with green chile on the side (cause you have puss tongue), a sweet roll, lemonade, and coffee. You will eat it under a painting of The Duke.

Re: As Promised

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Noted, and will report back upon consumption of sweet roll. End communication.

[pokeyburro.livejournal.com]

At last: a story of a Hefner seeing some ex-girlfriends in Chicago, that I will want to read!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ha! It'll likely be very low key. At most, a slightly awkward meeting over awesome tacos. Hardly up to Hef standards, but perfectly in keeping with Heffie.

[pokeyburro.livejournal.com]

Mmmm. Perhaps. Not that I'm an expert, but from what I've heard, Hef standards are what I would call peculiar, yet not high.

(Tacos, indeed.)

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

Dude...I still owe you tacos (or if you prefer, Bacci's pizza and milkshakes)! And since route 66 is Ogden Ave in Chicago, it passes right through my hometown, thus making me practically a Point of Interest.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hot damn! You can be my kickoff! I'm shooting for the weekend of November 8th and 9th, if I can get my act together by then. I will keep you updated!

"Keep your sodding coffee in your proper, copper coffee pot..."

[adaptor.livejournal.com]

I've got more tea than you can shake a British empire at!

I also highly recommend seeing Roswell. And the London Bridge (which is in Nevada)(I've never done drugs, but wrapping my head around that certainly felt like a trip of some kind).

Re: "Keep your sodding coffee in your proper, copper coffee pot..."

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hot damn! THERE WILL BE TEA.

Roswell! That's one I hadn't considered, but I'm sure is probably in the ROAD TRIP USA book, as is London Bridge. Definitely gonna do both.

Say, you free to chat tonight, as per my jumbled and entirely sober message, in case you were wondering?