May 07, 2008

Adventurous Motorcycle Road Trip to Alaska

Harley Every road trip planner dreams of conquering the roads of Alaska. Here is an idea for an adventurous motorcycle road trip over the 49th state.

This road trip will surely entice every motorcyclist all over the United States, wherever they are coming from. The first town you will encounter from the Alaska Highway is Tok where you can camp or lodge in a comfortable hotel for a good night's rest before continuing your excursion the following day.

Carry on with your motorcycle road trip through Alaska by making your way to Valdez. Take Alaska's first highway, the Richardson Highway. The scenic highway is absolutely made for the road trip enthusiast as it is full of twists and turns, a mountain pass, elevation gains, waterfalls and glaciers as you travel along Wrangell-St. Elias and the Chugach Mountains. Valdez houses a number of glaciers that you can check out by cruising, flight seeing, walking or just riding by. You can also take a break from riding by fishing for different species of salmon and halibut or you amaze yourself by watching marine and land wildlife such as sea otters, harbor seals, mountain goats, and black and brown bears.

Every motorcyclist taking an Alaskan road trip would most definitely want to visit the Harley Davidson shop in Anchorage. The ride from Valdez to Anchorage is over 551 miles. The experience is well-worth it as you take on the journey under Alaska's midnight sun. Take the tour around the Harley Davidson shop and get ready to be impressed by the innovative structures and engines of these world-famous bikes. You do not need to worry about accommodations as there is a campsite just beside the Harley Davidson building where you can set up your tent free of charge.

Continue your Alaska road trip on your motorcycle by driving 240 miles north of Anchorage to Denali National Park. Marvel over the majestic Mount McKinley and other spectacular mountains. The park is extremely huge and you are free to all the activities it offers. Give your bike a break and relax by doing some fly-fishing. If you are up to something active, you can ride a mountain bike and join a tour of the park, or go rafting or kayaking. Or, if you want to try something new, go on a helicopter flight seeing and heli-hiking and enjoy jaw-dropping views of Anchorage and other parts of Alaska. From Denali National Park, head north through Fairbanks to the isolated tundra of the Arctic Circle, where you are to experience almost twenty four hours of daylight. There are lots of campgrounds in the area for those who choose to stay for the night.

The thousands of miles you conquer, the challenging twists and turns, the picturesque sceneries you pass by, and the extraordinary experiences you get to tell your friends and family back home will make this journey to Alaska all worth it. It is certainly one of the most memorable excursions in every road trip planner's list.

April 21, 2008

Road Trip To San Diego, California

Image_by_flickr_user_scragz Relax and unwind. Here is one vacation you should build in your road trip planner: San Diego, California! Grab your friends, pack your flip flops and swimsuits, and get ready to experience all the fun things to do in San Diego.

San Diego is one of California's most popular vacation destinations, and it is no wonder why. The year-round  fair weather and the fabulous coastline with about seventy miles of beach front are already inviting enough. Add the extraordinary list of San Diego things to do, and you are sure to be planning a road trip to one of the California's biggest cities in no time.

If you are coming from Arizona, the best thing to do is to take AZ-85 and then I-8 West. The drive takes about seven hours, but the road trip is well-worth it. Your San Diego adventure begins as soon as you step foot in the city. Going around San Diego is very convenient as the most popular attractions are located close to each other (and the ocean) and various pay parking areas.

Drive to Old Town for your first stop in this road trip. Old Town is called the birthplace of California due to its significant role in the state's past. You will find history coming to life all over the place. Old Town does not only cater to the interest of history enthusiasts. The place also houses a number of restaurants and retail stores as well as performances by dancers, artisans, mariachis and other theatrical acts. Experience some more of San Diego's history as you see the beauty of nineteenth century avant-garde Victorian architecture along the Gaslamp Quarter, which covers sixteen blocks of Downtown San Diego. You will also find novelty shops as well as restaurants and bars that stay open until very late. From the antique ambiance of the Gaslamp Quarter, head next to the contrasting Horton Plaza where you would definitely be impressed by its modern architecture. You will also find yourself surrounded with hundreds of upscale retail stores in Horton Plaza as well as trendy restaurants. Retire for the night at The Westin Horton Plaza San Diego.

A visit to San Diego Zoo is among the top things to do included in every road trip planner's San Diego itinerary. The zoo is a major hit not only to kids, but also to those who are fascinated with wildlife (or simply remain kids at heart). You will find yourself with your hands full at the zoo. You do not only get to see both endangered and backyard animals, you also get to join various events such as Snow Day for Pandas (April 27), and participate in animal causes like Bear Awareness Days (May 8-11).

No road trip to San Diego is ever complete without having to experience at least one of the city's beautiful beaches. Aside from the regular swimming and basking under the sun, there are a lot of other activities you can do in the beach. You can also surf, kayak and sail. Or you can challenge San Diego locals or other visitors for a friendly game of volleyball, basketball, soccer or tennis.

Fun and sun – two things that America's Finest City guarantees. Check out all the Things To Do in San Diego to get more ideas to include in your road trip planner.

April 15, 2008

Massachusetts Road Trip: Boston-Plymouth-Salem

Boston is a great destination for every road trip planner. Expand the trip a little and make it a three-city Massachusetts road trip. Gather your friends and take an adventurous vacation to the cities of Boston, Plymouth and Salem.

Image_by_flickr_user_paul_keleher Boston

Day 1. Start the Boston part of your road trip with an interesting city introduction. Join the very well-recommended Boston Duck Tours to learn about the areas and attractions you want to spend more time later on for a closer look. Follow the red mark and walk through history along the two and a half-mile Freedom Trail. The trail comprises of sixteen historical sites that include a variety of homes and churches, public infrastructures and even burying grounds that all tell stories of Boston's rich culture and colorful past.

The Boston Common is where the Freedom Trail begins. This is a great place to take a break and rest from your road trip.  Boston Common is actually America's oldest park where both locals and visitors go to for some R&R. Within the Boston Common alone are great historical monuments you would definitely want to take pictures of: Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and the Robert Gould Shaw and the Fifty-fourth Regiment monument. Also along the Freedom Trail is the multi-purpose Faneuil Hall. It has a museum with artifacts from Boston's early history and a venue for community speeches. Equally notable is the house of the American silversmith and patriot, Paul Revere. The Paul Revere House is the oldest building in Downtown Boston and is one of the most frequented stops among the sixteen Freedom Trail sites. It now serves as a museum of his silver work. After the long and educational tour of the Freedom Trail, the famous Cheers bar along Beacon Street is a good place to rest with a meal from the very interesting menu and a few drinks before retiring for a good night's sleep at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

Day 2. Wander off Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods, the Beacon Hill, to continue with your Massachusetts road trip. It is nicknamed “The Hill” by locals, and has always been home to various influential figures such as statesmen, artists and intellectuals. The Hill is lined with majestic brownstone buildings along the cobblestone streets, with cafes, antique shops and boutiques. Next, relive the Boston tea party at the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum by tossing your own bale of tea into the water on board a replica of the British ship. Take the time to visit the Old North Church, the oldest religious structure in Boston, which has a special place in American history. The church still holds services every Sunday morning. Give yourself some time to ingest all the information you learned with a little stroll at the Public Garden.

Plymouth

Day 3. Continue your road trip with a forty five-minute drive to  Plymouth. Join various tours such as the Tailored Tours, Happy Trails Historic Van Tours, Plymouth Harbor Cruises aboard the Pilgrim Belle and Colonial Lantern Tours to learn about the city and its historical facts and structures. The tours will certainly make you work up an appetite. Head off to Al's Restaurant for some Greek cuisine and off to the affordable Governor Bradford On The Harbour Hotel for the night.

Salem

Day 4. Before driving to Salem, stop at Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II to see the spot where the Pilgrims first step foot in the New World and the replica of the vessel they took from England. The road trip from Plymouth to Salem takes only a little over an hour. That leaves you a lot of time to explore a lot of Salem attractions.

Since Salem draws crowds who are particularly intrigued about witch stories, focus this part of your road trip on the origins of witchcraft as well as the city's early years. Start with the amphibious Moby Duck Tours, which is the best land and water tour in Salem. Visit the Salem Witch Museum, Witch History Museum, Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers, Salem Heritage Trail and the Witch House. The house was home to Judge Jonathan Corwin who played a significant role in the numerous witch trials that occurred in this Massachusetts city. Dare to have some haunted experience at Dracula's Castle and the Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour. Explore some of the beliefs and practices of the so-called witches at the Salem Witch Village and the 1630 Pioneer Village.

The great historical accounts and sights in Boston, Plymouth and Salem make this Massachusetts road trip worth taking. They will certainly inspire the road trip planner to organize another great multi-city adventure!

March 31, 2008

Road Trip To Chicago, Illinois

Here is a great idea for the road trip planner: Chicago, Illinois!

Chicago3_svg_2 Start your trip from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and instead of going straight to Chicago, swing by Indianapolis, Indiana for a longer higher-quality trip.

When planning a road trip, remember that everyone in your family have their own interests. It is best to plan at least one attraction or activity each family member wants to do, especially if you have children of different ages.

Milwaukee offers a lot of things to see and do for the whole family. Start your road trip with a treat for the young ones. Betty Brinn Children's Museum is particularly built for children under ten as it houses different themes such as Curious George along with their all-year kiddie exhibits. As a treat to the teens, take the family for a Harley-Davidson experience. Enjoy an hour free tour and learn how those big Harley bikes are made. It will be best to end the day with something everyone in the family could all appreciate -- a basketball game! Head to the Bradley Center and catch the Milwaukee Bucks in action in their home court before checking in at the Ambassador Hotel for the night.

Note: If you plan to take the road trip in the summer, the Summerfest at the Marcus Amphitheater is something you should not miss. It is a big annual musical event that lasts eleven days. Everyone in the family can get in at a very cheap price (and kids under three can get in for free).

Start early the following day for the four-hour drive to Indianapolis. Visit the Indianapolis Zoo and White Water Gardens. At the zoo, your family gets to meet hundreds of wild and backyard animals. The White Water Gardens is a unique glass building that celebrates Midwest gardening. The grounds are perfect for parents to relax and allow their kids run around. Head next to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500. Feel the atmosphere of NASCAR race and enjoy the speedway all for yourselves. Before finally driving to Chicago, take a break from your road trip with a meal at Capital Grille and a good rest at the Indianapolis Travelodge.

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Drive a little more than 180 miles to your main destination - Chicago! The Windy City has lots of attractions and activities waiting for your family to enjoy. Before exploring the city, see all of Chicago from its tallest building, the Sears Tower Skydeck. Enjoy having the bird's eye views of  the entire city, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding suburbs. On a clear day, you can even see parts of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Designated drivers can take a break from the wheel for a while by taking an open-air Chicago Trolley Tour led by a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. The tour takes frequent stops to museums and other top attractions for visitors to fully explore Chicago, and even a meal at the Rainforest Cafe or other nearby restaurants. Take the family to see some more animals - mostly aquatic ones this time - at the John G Shedd Aquarium. Join an entertaining crew on a Wacky Pirate Cruise loaded with fun that is sure to delight both parents and kids. Conclude your road trip with a stroll at the Chicago Park District at dusk where you get to unwind and enjoy nature in the midst of a busy city.

There is a lot more of Chicago you can explore. Checking out all the Things To Do In Chicago will help every road trip planner create his or her road trip.

March 24, 2008

USA Road Trip: Bryce Canyon National Park

One of the best destinations for a USA road trip is Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Although you have the option to fly in to Bryce Canyon Airport located just four miles from the park, gathering the whole family in an RV is a better way to enjoy the trip. Just one glance of the park's display of grotesque spires (called hoodoos) and horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters makes the two hundred and seventy mile-drive from Las Vegas, Nevada all worth it.

Image_by_flickr_user_vigour Start your road trip through the USA by strolling, shopping or dining at Las Vegas before driving your RV northbound on I-5. Take the first exit into Cedar City in Utah and stop to stretch your legs after the two and a half-hour drive. Rest, relax and seize the opportunity for a great family bonding time at Kid's Pond where kids twelve and under can fish for free. Then reward yourselves for a variety of the best pastries from the Pastry Pub or classic American cuisine at Adriana's. Check into Springhill Suites By Marriott Cedar City for a good night's rest to prepare yourselves for the long drive to Bryce Canyon National Park the following day.

Signs to the Highway 14 all over Cedar City make this USA road trip a lot easier. Head straight until you reach the junction of Highway 89 where you should turn left. From Highway 89, turn right on Highway 12 or Scenic Byway 12 then straight to Highway 63 which goes into Bryce Canyon National Park.

Your road trip still continues when you reach Bryce Canyon National Park. With your RV, drive around and stop at each viewpoint to take in the majestic sights of the park. Bryce Canyon National Park is an all-year attraction and offers something for everyone in the family. The line of hoodoos sends invitations to every visitor for a hike. Trails vary from easy, moderate to strenuous. Those traveling with young kids can take the easy trails such as the Rim Trail or Mossy Cave Trail,  while those with older kids and teenagers can test their limits by conquering moderate and strenuous trails such as Tower Bridge Trail and Riggs Spring Loop. There are even trails open for overnight hiking. Backcountry hiking and backcountry camping are also available, but are limited. Permits are required for these two activities.

Other activities you can do in Bryce Canyon National Park is biking through the paved roads, shopping for books, souvenirs and more at the Bryce Canyon Visitor's Center, and wildlife sighting. Wildlife in the park is very diverse. Brace yourselves as you gaze upon hundreds of species of birds, mammals and plants. Horseback riding is also one of the activities your family can enjoy in this road trip. Guided horseback riding trips are available starting in April through October. Camping in Bryce Canyon National Park is something everyone should experience. The park's campgrounds, Bryce Canyon Lodge and Bryce Amphitheater, are both located near the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. Both campgrounds have facilities that cater to the convenience of the park's visitors. If you wish to lodge outside the park, however, Best Western Ruby's Inn will provide your accommodation needs - guest rooms, RV spots and easy access to the park.

The magnificent landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park is a sight to be seen. As you drive your RV back to Las Vegas with your family, you find yourself willing to take the more than two hundred-mile USA road trip over and over just to see Bryce Canyon National Park again.Bryce_2

March 11, 2008

Ultimate US Road Trip: Kansas-Colorado-Wyoming-Kansas

Wide_angle_tetons Craving for a great US road trip? Hop on the road and drive through Kansas-Colorado-Wyoming-South Dakota-Kansas,  and enjoy family-friendly attractions all the way.

Start your multi-state US road trip in Kansas City where fun-filled activities await you and your children. The kids will be very happy to get into an interactive art exhibit where they can express their creativity with art materials such as crayons, papers and recycled supplies at the Kaleidoscope. After exercising your children's creative side, head to the Children's Museum of Kansas City to discover, imagine and explore by trying out the interactive exhibits in the museum.  Next, drive three hours to Wichita the following day and explore the grand walls of The Historic Campbell Castle. The Castle was built in the 1880's by Burton Harvey Campbell to duplicate the 1489 Castle Campbell in Scotland.  Public tours were opened in the 1970's. Within the Campbell Castle is the Castle Inn Riverside, an ideal getaway for couples for its romantic, antique ambiance. Your US road trip continues to Wichita's Family Fun Fair where everyone in the family get to enjoy by doing yet another set of art activities. At the fair, your family will be taught how to care and help for wildlife during the winter. Live the days of the Old West as you not only learn, but experience the myths and truths of Wichita and Sedgwick County history at the Old Cowtown Museum.

The fun activities and the hospitable people make the four-hour drive to Garden City worth it. Whatever season you choose to go on your road trip through the US, you are sure to find an eventful happening in the city: International Festival, Tumbleweed Festival and Mexican Fiesta. These events have day-long activities that will keep you entertained. Spending the whole day at any of these will surely wear you out, especially the little kids. The Comfort Inn Garden City is just around the corner for you to turn in for the night.

Bid Kansas goodbye for now as you drive five hours to Colorado and continue your US road trip at the mile-long 16th Street Mall in Denver. This stretch is made up of a variety of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, street vendors, clothing and accessories stores. It is also a strip of interesting establishments such as the Denver Pavilions, D and F Tower and the Tabor Center. Sports fans, take this opportunity to visit the home of the Colorado Rockies, the Coors Field, which is also in Denver. Get a good sleep at the Denver-Days Inn Central to get yourself ready for the next state to conquer the following morning.

Image_by_flickr_user_greg_westfall The drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming takes only an hour and a half, which gives you a lot of time to explore the city on this US road trip. If you think the days of the American cowboys are gone, think again. At Cheyenne, the days of the Wild West come back to life at the Old Town Square where local performers reenact gunfights and other old school Wild West activities and dialog. Also to give you a dose of old fashioned fun is the Terry Bison Ranch where outdoor cooking, bison drives, saloon entertainment, horseback rides, wagon tours and fishing are the activities waiting for your family. Stop by the Wyoming State Museum before retiring at the Little America Cheyenne.

The highlight of this US road trip with your family would be Yellowstone National Park! Wander off the Yellowstone Expedition Service, the Grand Loop Road, the Old Faithful Geyser and the Lake Village, and discover the beauty of the park. After the hours of exploring the national park, relax at the very accommodating Best Western Crossroads Inn.

The seemingly countless activities and attractions are what children love the most about family outings. As they grow older, they probably will not remember all of the things they have seen and learned in your excursions, but they will always cherish the great moments they had during the US road trips with the whole family.

March 09, 2008

UK Road Trip: London-Stonehenge-London

England is a country with endless stories to tell, and that is why so many people want to go on a UK road trip. The United Kingdom is so rich in history and culture. No matter where you go, there is always a short anecdote about the place to be heard. Get on a seven-day UK road trip and listen to interesting tales of people and events in England ages ago.

Photo_by_frdric_vincent Allow for some time on the first day of your UK road trip for flying in to London and settling in at your hotel. Finding  accommodation that will suit your standards is easy for there are a lot of options in London.

Let the city of London give you an amazing welcome to kick off day two of your road trip in UK. Get to know London with a cruise along the Thames River. The cruise gives you views of London's world-known landmarks such as the National Maritime Museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and more. It also goes past the Tower Bridge and the London Bridge. On board the cruise is a guide that gives information on the historical landmarks and tells various stories about the crimes that have taken place from the Tower of London to the Embankment Pier. Go around the Whitechapel and listen to the stories of the serial killer, Jack the Ripper, as you stroll by the very alleys where he had victimized his preys. Continue discovering the "dark" side of the history of London as you pass by Old Bailey where numerous public hangings took place, the Royal London Hospital where the Elephant Man lived, and the Wallace Plaque where William Wallace or more popularly known as Braveheart was tortured.

From the scary stories of the past that you have heard on your road trip's second day, continue on day three. Visit the Tower of London (also known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, and The Tower) and Westminster Abbey (the coronation and burial site for the English Royal Family). Stroll along Whitehall and Downing Street to take pictures of brilliant architecture and the Prime Minister's residence. Go to the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral. If you wish to do some shopping, Harrods is just around the corner. Witness the changing of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and the Tower of London. After your interesting afternoon, drive to Salisbury as it is closer to your next day's agenda.

On the fourth day of your UK road trip, enjoy a nice early morning breakfast in Salisbury and have a short stroll around. Then drive eight miles to the great Stonehenge. Spend the rest of the day just exploring and getting mesmerized by this powerful ancient stone structure. Take all the pictures you want. The Stonehenge is a location of great photo opportunities.

Continue exploring UK on day five as you take the road trip to the Moot, an eighteenth century ornamental garden in Downtown Salisbury where the Anglo-Saxon met. Walk through the beautiful garden, down to the River Avon. You may also visit the lake and the amphitheater. During the summer, the amphitheater holds open-air plays and concerts for entertainment.

Spend another day outside London before taking the road trip back on your sixth day in the UK. Drive fifty miles to discover yet another UK stone structure, the Avebury's Stone Circle. The circular scope of the Avebury is bigger than the Stonehenge and some people say that this is a more "hands-on" stone attraction. It is less frequented by tourists, making it less crowded than at the Stonehenge giving you more room to wander among the 100 stones, ditches, mounds and other patterns from the past. The Avebury is the one of the largest neolithic monuments in Europe dating back to some 5,000 years ago. In the middle of this magnificent circle, the Avebury village sprung, which adds to the majesty of the attraction. Take a walk around the circle and you will find an archeology museum and the Salisbury Hill, a forty-meter man-made mound.

On your seventh day, drive your way back to London. Stroll around and absorb the beauty of the city one more time, and make souvenir-shopping your last agenda for this UK road trip.

March 04, 2008

Motorcycle Road Trip to Everglades National Park, Florida

There is something so special about a motorcycle road trip to feed your wildlife adventure cravings to Everglades National Park.   This is the largest remaining subtropical nature park in the United States, and home to hundreds of rare and endangered species. The landscape of Everglades National Park is simple and at the same time striking. It is intelligently designed to illuminate the presence of wildlife in the park.Image_by_flickr_user_timparkinson

Start south from Charleston, South Carolina for an amazing motorcycle road trip along the Atlantic Coast. Almost all throughout the trip, you would be able to hear, if not see, the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Ride two hours to Georgia's First City, Savannah.  Stop and give yourself a scare with a Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour. Explore the neighborhood of haunted houses and listen to ghost stories for only $18 ($30 for midnight tours)! Check in at any of the affordable hotels in Savannah for the night such as Savannah Travelodge, Savannah Suites or Best Western Savannah Gateway. If you want a more luxurious stay, the Hyatt Regency Savannah or The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort and Spa are just there waiting for you.

Moving along your road trip on your motorcycle, cross the Georgia-Florida border and have your first Florida experience at Ponce De Leon's Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, North America's first historical site. Tour the park and drink from their world famous spring and remain eternally young...young at heart at least! From St. Augustine, ride your bike about 56 miles to Daytona Beach and check out their motor sports attractions.   The exhilarating experience at the Daytona International Speedway will probably get your motor going, so continue with your motorcycle road trip to Miami, Florida. Cool down after the four-hour drive at the beach or relax at the Tropical Park and breath in some fresh air while doing some fishing. Check in at Hyatt Regency Miami, Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel or Sofitel Miami for your last overnight before finally getting to your destination.

From Miami you have only about 35 miles to go to get to Everglades National Park, so take the time to get to know Miami before moving forward with your motorcycle road trip. Ride your bike 45 minutes more and you are at Homestead where the alligators at the Everglades National Park await. The best way to really get to know the park is to rent a kayak or a canoe. Paddle a portion of the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway and get your close encounter with wildlife - manatees, dolphins, alligators and crocodiles. If you plan to stay for the night at one of the 47 designated campsites in Everglades, be sure to secure your permit from the Everglades National Park office. Camping at the park will truly make you feel so close to nature as you hear the noises the wild makes at night. The light from the moon would certainly complete the dramatic setting.

Looking back at all the things you have seen and encountered not only at the Everglades National Park, but at every stop you have made all throughout this ride, you realize that covering almost half of the Atlantic Coast and traveling over 600 miles from South Carolina to Florida is well worth it. After all, it is traveling distances such as this that makes motorcycle road trips more exciting.Image_by_flickr_user_keith_bacongco

Death Valley Motorcycle Road Trip

Death Valley claims to be the ultimate desert motorcycle road trip of this generation. The name alone sounds so inviting to those thrill-seeking bike aficionados! Take the trip to California and head to Death Valley for an electrifying riding experience.

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Traveling Interstates 251 and 15, then finally northbound the U.S. Highway 395 to Trona, California gives you great chances of meeting other bikers also making their way to Death Valley for a motorcycle road trip. On the way, you get to encounter some of the tallest dune formations in the United States open for off-road riding, the Dumont Dunes.

Take note that a motorcycle road trip in Death Valley is strictly for experienced bikers, and license plates on dirt bikes are required as stated by the Death Valley National Park rules and regulations. The place has all the reasons why you should go - rocky and narrow canyons, wide open desert riding experience and the dune fields you will need to cross.

Death_valley Quick note: Death Valley also serves as a training ground for professional race teams.

The road trip to Death Valley National Park on your motorcycle will make you tired and look to check in for the night and recharge for the next day. Continuing your journey requires you to have every ounce of your energy for the terrain.   Stop at the Raffy Motogear4you trailer for your last-minute needs and to have your bike checked before proceeding your motorcycle road trip 90 miles north to the racetrack at Death Valley. The ride north gives you a lot of interesting sights to see in the form of various geological features. Scotty's Castle (also known as Death Valley Scotty or Death Valley Ranch) located deep in the Death Valley National Park will remind you of the ridiculous yet entertaining story of a man named Walter Scott who claimed to have financed construction of the "castle" in the late 1920's.  Moving along to Ubehebe Crater, you imagine how strong the explosive eruption of the Ubehebe volcano was 2,000 years ago as the volcano itself is gone. The Mesquita Springs Campground, also known as the Desert Rat's Paradise, is just a few miles southwest from Scotty's Castle and is an excellent base for climbers and hikers visiting the Death Valley National Park.  Then there is Grapevine Canyon and Titus Canyon...and many more other places to see.

The first 60 miles to Scotty's Castle is a smooth ride. Upon making the turn towards the Ubehebe Crater, though, 27 miles of gravel road will be under your tires. You may stop at at Teskkette Junction after the miles and miles of gravel ride for a break.  Continue, seven more miles to go until you reach Death Valley.

Finally getting a glimpse of the Death Valley racetrack reminds you of the very reason why you decided to take the road trip on your motorcycle to Death Valley National Park in the first place. The view is just magnificent. The track is particularly known for its sliding rocks. Getting off your bike and walking over the dry lake as if you are the only person left on earth is amazing! Then the wind suddenly comes and moves the boulders. Perfect. Ride the rest of the day away! The Death Valley is all yours.

With the adrenaline rush still pumping in and your musles still throbbing from the exhilarating ride, you are more than satisfied. All the dirt on your bike you will be bringing back home is a great reminder of how much fun you had. The motorcycle road trip to Death Valley, indeed, is the ultimate desert ride!

February 27, 2008

Blue Ridge Parkway Motorcycle Road Trip

User_by_flickr_user_iboy_daniel Give yourself a break and go on a motorcycle road trip along the longest rural parkway in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway runs 469 miles that connects the Great Smoky Mountains in southern North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia and stretches across the southern Appalachian Mountains. That fact alone makes for a very promising scenic motorcycle road trip.

To get the most out of the beauty of Blue Ridge Parkway, you will need about four days for this motorcycle road trip.  Take the time to stop and explore nearby towns that have existed since the first settlements in America.

Starting from North Carolina, the beginning of your ride is set in a movie-like setting as the mist from the Smoky Mountains is so visible.  Head off to Boone, also known as the Firefly Capital of the World. Stop by at Boone's major attraction, the Tweetsie Railroad for a little old time fun.  Moving along to Asheville, take in some cultural and or historic attractions.   In Asheville, you will find the famous Biltmore Estate, the most technologically-advanced home during the time it was built.  If you are a fan of the Wild West, continue your motorcycle road trip with a stop at Maggie Valley.  Here you will find the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park that stages street gun fights back in the day.  Explore more attractions through your Blue Ridge Parkway ride as you head to Humpback Mountain.  Deep inside, you will find Linville Caverns.  Take the time to stop and look around the rooms in Linville Caverns and find oddities after oddities in each.

Leaving North Carolina, you get a chance to see Native American culture in such towns as Cherokee.   Approaching Virginia,  stop for a live entertainment as local actors in costumes give life to the 1800's Appalachian skills, customs and traditions performed at the Humpback Rocks.  The same kind of entertainment lies ahead at Mabry Mill as performers also demonstrate old Appalachian lifestyle.  In Mabry Mill don't miss a bite of the town's specialty, the fresh apple butter.

As dramatic as the Smoky Mountains mist has provided for the beginning of your motorcycle road trip, the roaring sound of the Crabtree Falls  is a fitting scene for the ending. Take one more stop before finally concluding your trip at the Blue Ridge Music Center and listen to some old folk songs dating back from the time of the early settlers.

A four-day excursion via Blue Ridge Parkway will make you realize that there really are so many beautiful places in the United States.  This journey encourages you to explore more of the country's four corners to see its natural beauty with a motorcycle road trip.

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