TRAVELING FROM CALIFORNIA TO PENNSYLVANIA

[Jakezori]

My bro is in Cali and he needs to drive back to PA, but does not want to drive back by himself. He's flying me out there and we are stopping at any/all cool places we can find on the way back to PA. So far we are definitely stopping at the Grand Canyon and possibly San Antonio Texas on the way back. WHERE ELSE SHOULD WE STOP?!?!?

I'm interested in site seeing, historical event locations, FISH STORES (mostly nearer to PA), and where I can get Texas holey rock, but most of all where you would stop!

[Rbishop]

The Gateway Arch in St Louis....and the Steamboat Museum....Pikes Peak in CO....

[msjinkzd]

what part of PA? helps to know to recommend fishstores.

[Jakezori]

I'm going from Cali to Pittsburgh, dropping my bro off, and then Pittsburgh to State College.

[Jspigs]

You should stop at monument valley.

[Daniel K.]

There are some interesting places in Indianapolis to visit when you pass through.

[sumthin fishy]

What part of cali? You should deffinatly see the monterey bay aquarium. Or at least go to the underwater aquarium at pier 39 in San francisco(the peir is a great tourist attraction in itself)

[judgemax]

statecollege?... thats crazy?..i didnt know there was anyone else that local?..like i live in bellefonte

[Jakezori]

statecollege?... thats crazy?..i didnt know there was anyone else that local?..like i live in bellefonte

Yup, I live in state college.

[EliWhitney314]

I live in Pittsburgh. Funny thing is I'm going from PA to California for the Phish festival.

[Jakezori]

I live in Pittsburgh. Funny thing is I'm going from PA to California for the Phish festival.

When and where is that?

[Star_Rider]

get the map and plot your route.

if time is not of the essence then you can plot the course.

I drove from Perry Fla to Tacoma, Washington in 3 days.. time was an issue or i would have stopped and seen some sights.

Drove by grand canyon, mt.Rushmore I did stop in Sturgis the first day of the rally. drove thru the Badlands. but it was pretty much drive thru.

[Jakezori]

Yeah, so far I have a plotted route of LA to The Grand Canyon to The Alamo to The Gateway Arch to Pitt. I would still like to stop a couple more places though. I really want to know where in texas I can get some free TEXAS HOLEY ROCK. My time limit is 5 days.

[debaric]

dont expect much in PA, its not exactly the most exciting place to drive through or visit. Philly is a cool city but other than that there is nothing in PA.

[Izzy2]

Nothing in PA? Just what I expected to hear from someone from jersey. LOL

I enjoy the scenic walks / hikes through Valley Forge Park. Nothing grand, but a peaceful escape for a few hours. As for western pa, I've just drove through it going back to Chicago few times.

A friend had a website, blogging his trip from NJ to Cali and back. He brought Atlantic water to the Pacific and back to the Atlantic. It was entitled something like Running Amuck in America. He stopped at the lesser known interesting places. Posting pictures of the biggest ball of string, paul bunions ax, highest point (elevation), sitting in four states, jumping the mississippi, standing on the goal posts in mile high stadium (mork from ork style) and many other stunts. Preston's trip was close to two months long back in 91 when gas was cheaper.

I tried to google it, but came back empty. I'll have to see if he has an archive for some more ideas.

[Izzy2]

Off The Map and Amuck in America...
I found it, but the link was a dead end:
Preston Tyrrell's Off the Map and Amuck in America. photos of some bizzare roadside architecture attractions from across country. your travel guide to off beat tourist traps weird vacations roadtrips....
http://www.amuckinamerica.com

The creator in his bio list it as:
Amuck in America was Preston Tyrrell's somewhat annual North American off-the-map roadtrips. His site once featured stories from 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996 adventures.

[LeahK]

In Big Bend National Park, hike the Window Trail. It's awesome.

[Jakezori]

In Big Bend National Park, hike the Window Trail. It's awesome.

How long is the trail?

[LeahK]

It's 4 miles round trip, so not too long. If you're road-tripping, just enter the park, leave your car in the parking lot near the trail head, and go :).
You start off walking through a huge valley basin, with low shrubs and desert plants. In the distance you can see a distinct point where two mountains sit side by side. You're actually hiking right up to that point. When you get there, it's like standing in a wind tunnel, with the sides of the two mountains rising up sharply on either side of you, and the front looking out over a high cliff--that's the "window."
Here's a link:
http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/chisos-dayhikes.htm#CP_JUMP_74534
(Make sure you're reading about the Window Trail, not the Window View Trail.)

[Jakezori]

WOW, that does look really really pretty. Is it a difficult trail? I am really out of shape rofl.

[msjinkzd]

I am in PA :D and I am fascinating! LOL

Seriously though, there is PA grand canyon:http://www.visittiogapa.com/ , spelunking: http://pittsburgh.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.laurelcaverns.com/, that fish place: www.thatfishplace.com; (http://www.thatfishplace.com;) strasberg is neat and its near TFP and there are tons of outlets: http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/
not sure what sort of stuff you are looking for, but there is also ski roundtop: http://www.skiroundtop.com/

not to mention tons and tons of parks, waterways, etc etc etc

Philadelphia is a great city as well, you could stop and visit south street, hit the art museum, etc

[Chrisinator]

I so wanna go on a roadtrip right now!

[Chrisinator]

I am in PA :D and I am fascinating! LOL

LMAO!!

[Jakezori]

Maybe I will stop by and visit you lol. Have anything for sale atm??

I'm not sure if much of what you suggested would be on the way if you know what I mean, but you better believe I will be going to http://www.skirotundtop.com/ (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=66215)sometime though. Thx. Maybe spelunking...

[LeahK]

WOW, that does look really really pretty. Is it a difficult trail? I am really out of shape rofl.

No, it's not too difficult at all. I'm no hardcore hiker or anything--I prefer easy, scenic hikes ;)

There's also White Sands National Monument out in New Mexico. It's another fun road trip stop.
http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

[Jakezori]

I'm afraid I won't be stopping in New Mexico, but I will prolly stop at the first trail in Texas. Awesome thanks.

[LeahK]

....I will prolly stop at the first trail in Texas. Awesome thanks.

Excellent! You'll have to post pics from your road trip back here on AC :)

[msjinkzd]

Have anything for sale atm??

always, lol. I have amano shrimp, dark green shrimp, zebra shrimp, malawa shrimp, tylo snails, some random nerites, meteor minnows, depending on when your trip falls, bristlenose pleco (albino and long finned versions), might want to sell some ember tetras, I migth want to sell my discus (undecided as of yet, would depend on the buyer). I also always have random filters, hardscape, etc. I do have soem crays as well.

[Jakezori]

always, lol. I have amano shrimp, dark green shrimp, zebra shrimp, malawa shrimp, tylo snails, some random nerites, meteor minnows, depending on when your trip falls, bristlenose pleco (albino and long finned versions), might want to sell some ember tetras, I migth want to sell my discus (undecided as of yet, would depend on the buyer). I also always have random filters, hardscape, etc. I do have soem crays as well.

Lol, wow. Well, I leave for cali the 29th and i will be back in 6 days + or - 1. I think I might be interested in shrimp and filtration, but I'm not sure.

[msjinkzd]

i will be here, lol. I am in York, PA...not sure if that is on your beaten path or not.