Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Masterplan

The Rules
  • Eat healthy wherever possible
  • No chain restaurants
  • Stretch every two hours
  • Blog Every night
  • Take pictures at all State Welcome signs
  • Don't book hotels beforehand
  • No calling family/friends for help
Our original plan outline

DAY 1
  • Pittsburgh (Lunch at SV Temple)
  • Cleveland (Hard Rock Cafe,Rock N Roll Hall of Fame )
DAY 2
  • Gary , Indiana (2300 Jackson St Gary Indiana and pay last respects)
  • Drive Straight to Chicago
  • Lunch - Geno's East
  • Magnificent Mile
  • Sears(Willis Tower), Wrigley Field, touristy stuff for Chayamma
  • Hard Rock Cafe
  • http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/2006/06/01/chicago/
  • Goto Shakespeare Improv @ 8pm : http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=703224&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeed TODO : Buy Tickets
DAY 3
  • Aurora 2000 W. Illinois Ave Aurora, Ill Apt 401
  • Lunch @ Des Moines - Flying Mango
  • Omaha/Lincoln Nebraska
  • TODO : DINNER : Find a spot
  • POSSIBLE DETOUR TO ALLIANCE,NE TO SEE CARHENGE : http://www.roadtripamerica.com/roadside/Nebraska-Carhenge.htm
DAY 4
  • Straight To Denver
  • mining town
  • downtown denver - free electric bus
  • http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/2008/12/01/denver/
DAY 5
  • Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Drive to Sundance and spend the night there OR Salt Lake City
  • Theatre Series at the Sundance Resort :http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/sundanceresort/eventcalendar?v=0&i=0&g=0&g2=0&m=8&y=2009
DAY 6
  • Drive to Reno
  • http://www.reno.com/section/calendar&ParentProfile=1017
  • Lake Tahoe - Ski Resorts/Lake/Hard Rock Cafe

Day 1

Baltimore - Our first stop on the roadtrip, after departing was at a McDonald's parking lot in Columbia, Maryland. Chaya forgot her birthday gift - a UMBC pullover - so Priya (her younger sister) kindly brought it to the car - and we were on our way in less than sunny weather.



Pittsburgh - After a stretch break in Breezewood, PA, reached Pittsburgh - more specifically Monroeville for the most anticipated meal of our journey. Our tamarind rice and yogurt rice fantasies were fulfilled after prayer at the Sri Venkateshwara Temple to begin our journey. Off to Ohio...




Cleveland - As we drove up to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame (what we previously thought was the only thing to see in Cleveland) - we were amazed at the backdrop. The Hall of Fame is a must-see, but it would definitely take more than an afternoon to explore the surrounding waterfront. The highlight: standing a foot away from MJ's glove and his thriller costume. The
cutest: Jim Morrison's boyscout uniform.
Proud of ourselves for having gotten so far on Day 1 of the trip, we decided to challenge ourselves and make it to Chicago that night as well.




Toledo -
Food Time!!! According to roadsideamerica.com the only site to see in Toledo is a hot dog bun museum - ha, no thanks. So, we resorted to asking the toll booth attendant where to dine - her suggestion: Tony Packo's Cafe. Apparently it's a hot tourist action due to several references on the tv show - M.A.S.H. Famous for their hot dogs, amazing coleslaw and even had VEGETARIAN Chili!! At the end of dinner, we looked up and saw, of course - signed hot dog buns - we were at the hot dog bun museum. Famous buns: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and John Glenn to name a few.




Yes, Day One is really long, but hang in there - there are days of nothing but driving ahead with nothing to write.


Gary, Ind - The best time to drive around in a city like Gary (with Chaya still in Indian clothes)? Past Midnight. We decided some pictures are best taken from the inside of the car. Thankfully we didn't book rooms in this town - but we did pay our respects to the latest, the greatest - Michael Jackson.







Chicago -
Crashed.
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Lesson Learned: We can drive a lot.
States Crossed : Maryland,West Virginia,Pennsylvania,Ohio,Indiana,Illinois
Miles Driven: 784
Dollars Spent: $242.69

Day 2


Chicago - Rainy weather, construction, traffic and an ambitious urge to detour our trip meant an adjusted plan in Chicago. We went straight to the Magnificent Mile and dampened in line to get into Gino's East. In addition to being the BEST PIZZA EVER - (bye bye healthy food rule - we finished a medium pie, wings and fries) - it was Chaya's Dad's staple diet during his residency at Cook County Hospital. As usual, he was right on - absolutely the PERFECT pie.


Sioux Falls, SD - After insane traffic and the first of many stretches of construction and one lane roads in crappy weather, we arrived at the mid-point in our detour. Being a day ahead of schedule, we opted to use a longer route through Hermosa, SD and catch a glimpse at the famed Mount Rushmore. And so...we crashed



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Lesson Learned: When in doubt, put more quarters in the meter in advance. Don't risk leaving a hot pizza to drench and refill

States Crossed : Illinois,Wisconsin,Minnesota,South Dakota
Miles Driven: 587
Dollars Spent: $144.99

Day 3


Sioux Falls, SD - We wanted to drive straight from Sioux Falls to Hermosa, but life had a much larger, greater plan for us.... and so we present The Corn Palace. We're still not sure exactly what it is - the only palace in the world made of corn....an auditorium surrounds a beautiful gift shop where we got a mug.



Thus far we've been describing our stops, but today the highlight was the journey. Stormy weather of yesterday had cleared and for the rest of the day we felt like we were driving in a postcard. Wide open roads completely to ourselves - South Dakota was immediately placed at the top of our list of places to come back for a weekend.


Rapid City , SD - This was our lunch stop for the day. As much as we hate Rachel Ray , we decided to give her recommendation a try - Firehouse Grill and Brewery. Ashwin enjoyed his first taste of Buffalo meat , while a shared Nacho plate got us into food coma.





Hermosa, SD - Mount Rushmore National Park - blah blah blah, you've heard about it. Think fast - name the four presidents carved - you're cheating and googling it aren't you?







Alliance, NE -
Thought we'd just drive through this state? Chaya got S.V. Temple...so Ashwin got...CARHENGE! Courtesy of roadsideamerica.com - it's stonehenge except made out of actual cars. There truly aren't words to describe this um....place.














Denver, CO
- Reached Denver having realized we spent most of our days driving and were still a day ahead of schedule. The itinerary took another twist as we decided to spend Day 4 entirely in Denver.After checking into the swanky Hyatt Regency bang in the middle of downtown, we decided to take a stroll and try out same bar grub - Leela's Place saw us with a unique combination on our table - a chessboard,long island iced tea and a mozzarella sandwich.


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Lesson Learned: We can drive a lot.
States Crossed : South Dakota,Nebraska,Colorado
Miles Driven:824
Dollars Spent:$300.13

Day 4

Denver, Colorado (continued):

After a recharged night's sleep, we almost stepped into a Jamba Juice shop - just in time to realize our resolution of no national chains. And our resolve was rewarded by a wonderfully healthy local place - Mad Greens.

  • Mad Greens - a Denver healthy fast food chain where we grabbed a pita and dressing snack for breakfast.
  • Santa Fe Drive - the artsy district (tad on the ghetto side) with private galleries and an array of restaurants highly recommended by our friends - and by friends we mean strangers at Yelp.com of course. The catch: almost everything is closed on Sundays. They put pork in a certain vegetarian's vegetarian burrito - our only bad food experience.Yet.
  • Civic Center Park - Beautiful sculptures peppered throughout our Denver walk - the best of which surrounded the gardens and architecture of Civic Center Park. Denver's state legislature meets in a replica of the Capitol Building - with the addition of gold leafing.
  • Gelazzi - Yummy Gelato located at Denver's trendy Larimer Square
  • Comedy Works - 2 out of 3 opening acts were hilarious. Headliner was the best either of us has seen - Pat Dixon - he'll be famous - and when he is - we have his CD and his autograph(and Chaya has a picture with him). Downside: got put in front row seats and thus became the butt of a joke or two.
  • Rioja - Fine Dining. Really fine dining.Best Bacon ever. Best Salad ever.Best Lamb ever. Ok Ok enough of that. Food coma all over again.

Laramie, WY - Sleepy time at another half-way point

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Lesson Learned: First thing we do when we enter a restaurant - announce that Chaya's vegetarian.
States Crossed : Colorado,Wyoming
Miles Driven: 143
Dollars Spent : $282.02

Day 5

Laramie, WY - Departed early morning , and Chaya averaged 90 miles an hour to hit the border of Utah
Park City, UT - The word beautiful is becoming redundant - oh well. Park City was beautiful - gorgeous ski resort with an adorable shopping district. Turns out this is the acutal site of the Sundance Film Festival - but we didn't figure that out until we went to...






Sundance, UT - We made our previously mentioned discovery and marveled at the athletics of the hardcore Utah-ians on their mountain bikes racing up and down the slopes. Feeling outdoorsy and overcome by the scenery, we got lift tickets - and eh...we sat there and watched them from above.



Salt Lake City, UT - Did the city basics - visited the state capitol, saw the nearby monuments. Temple Square is another must-see - snuck into a tour group to see the Tabernacle - 11th largest set of organ pipes in the world. Equally important - we cracked - had to have some Indian food. Satiated cravings at Bombay House. Good food - but worst music ever. Some tone-deaf fool butchered our favorites to a cheap karaoke track. The price you pay for soul food.





Elko, NV - Never heard of Elko? Yeah, so how come ALL of the hotels and motels were booked solid? Ended up at our last ditch effort - The Thunderbird Motel. The sign is exactly what you're picturing. Again, it's Nevada.







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Lesson Learned: Nothing much - Park City doesn't really serve lunch. Go there for dinner.
States Crossed : Wyoming,Utah,Nevada
Miles Driven: 143
Dollars Spent : $282.02

Day 6

  • Elko, NV - Diamond in the rough - Thunderbird Motel actually turned out to be a winner! Clean, comfortable and Bath and Body Works products. Off to Reno to complete our last day...
  • Reno, NV - Stuffed ourselves at the Atlantis Casino Buffet - other buffets are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for some reason. Afterwards we tried to "gamble" but after about $5 at the penny slots the cigarette stench-induced migraines got to us and we headed out. One of the first days we won't go on and on about how beautiful anything was
  • Carrot Check - They checked our trunk for smuggled produce at the state border - Welcome to California!!!
  • San Jose, California - as TomTom Auntie says, "You have reached your destination....You have reached your destination"

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Lesson Learned: Never judge a motel by it's sign.

States Crossed : Nevada,California

Miles Driven:540

Dollars Spent:$87.54

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The Credits

Big THANKS to

The 3 Hubcapped Corolla

Google Maps

Priya - best CD maker EVER

1 - 800 - GOOG - 411

THE iPhone

http://www.hotels.com/ - and when AT&T Data Coverage failed us - 1-800-2-Hotels. Good Deals and Good Rooms - totally last minute

Yelp reviewers (and the Ohio toll booth operator) for providing the dependable YUM factor

the makers of Scott's Sani-wipes

RoadsideAmerica.com


The Totals:

Ashwin's Miles Driven: 2062 (58%)

Chaya's Miles Driven: 1508 (42%)

Cost: $1307.77

Calories: No Comment :)

States Crossed : 15

State License Plates Spotted : 41


Lessons Learned - Our Advice to Prospective Roadtrippers:

- Do it.

- Set your own itinerary and ignore anyone who says it can't happen. http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=84939

- Be ready to adjust your itinerary for time gained and/or time lost - traffic, construction, weather, etc. happens

- Pick up newspapers - crossword puzzles are fun times.

- Know your goals - we were ready to forgo big ticket sites (Sears Tower) for random places we wouldn't otherwise make a trip to see (Car Henge!)

- If you keep in mind that its a vacation, it's actually the most relaxing and fun vacation.

- Car phone chargers are worth it, so you don't have to use your laptop in the passenger seat to charge an iphone

- Go to Walgreen's for souvenirs - always the best selection

- Obey the speed limits ..hee hee - coz one of us is a law student. We'll leave it at that.

FOR MORE PICTURES VISIT http://picasaweb.google.com/rabbitanddots