Introductory Vacation after arrival

[akdiver 3]

"I think I see a hill. No, that was just a mirage. But there's Wall Drug!" Nothing like driving 100 mph for several hours and seeing NOTHING. Nothing except 726 billboards for Wall Drug.

Oh come on. If you take the time to look, you will find there are things to see (:

Those signs for Wall Drug are pretty funny (:

Speaking of which - last time I was there, I fell asleep on the sidewalk and almost got arrested, until I convinced the cop I was just waitng for someone (which was true) and just passed out from the heat (which was false). Convincing, since it was something like 103F at the time.

It must be nice to have a rich wife.

Hmm...not sure if you're being serious or sarcastic or what - but there is nothing rich about us. We're heavily in debt. It's a shame the goverment can spend $10B/month in Iraq, but can't seem to forget about our $80K in student loans ): Edited September 9, 2008 by akdiver

[Fedup 0]

probably interesting to see Rockies. Just do not want to drive through thousands of miles of boring farmland after that.

Make sure you take a right turn before you get back down off the mountains or else you'll be smack-dab in the middle of the most boring farmland America has to offer. Nohting like a road trip through Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. Well, unless you've gone from Iowa on up into the Dakotas. "Wow, look, there's a tree way over there!"

"I think I see a hill. No, that was just a mirage. But there's Wall Drug!" Nothing like driving 100 mph for several hours and seeing NOTHING. Nothing except 726 billboards for Wall Drug.

It must be nice to have a rich wife.

Thanks, never been there, and afraid of that kind of driving, boring and sleepy. Glad that I posted this thread, and hopefully will help others too.

[Turboguy 6]

Hmm...not sure if you're being serious or sarcastic or what - but there is nothing rich about us. We're heavily in debt. It's a shame the goverment can spend $10B/month in Iraq, but can't seem to forget about our $80K in student loans ):

Sure AK, Don't I remember posts back when your wife was coming asking the best way for her to bring 50 grand in cash with her? Mine brought enough for a pay phone in case I wasn't there to meet her.

Free Ice Water, yes those signs are something else. I can recall stopping in Wall, at the drugs store and then at a resaurant that advertised the worst pies in America and asking what else there was in that area. The waitress told us about a state park about 25 miles east of Wall and said it was great. We went and it was the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. If you ever get back to that area go, it is worth it. It is like being in outer space.

Yes, Disneyland. You were right Disney World is the one in Florida. Other options if you take a northern route back would be Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore, the Badlands, Dinosaur Nat Park. San Deigo Zoo could be worth a side drive. When I wasn't rushed on a cross country drive I would try to stop at an interesting thing or two as I crossed the country. I will say some of the flatland east of the rockies is very, very boring and hot tourist things are hard to find except of course for a few things like the Corn Palace,

[1HappyGuy 45]

FedUp, I hope you plan this trip after she has a chance to reset her body clock a bit. The change in timezones is really tough on the body, so give her a minimum of two weeks before you take off anywhere. You don't want her sleeping the entire time in the car and then keeping you awake all night (well maybe for a little at night).

I think the best thing would be to visit multiple sites with the most diversity you can manage. I imagine that traveling the vast expanses of Texas and then the desert of New Mexico followed by the Rockies in upper Arizona and then that Grand Canyon would be enough for anyone. As far as California, I would recommend So. Cal. but keep it to short trips. In No. Cal. there have been massive forest fires so the sites are not good and the drought has everything bone dry and brown. If you visit any amusement parks go as early as you can and plan to stay late to get the most out of your visit. I think you know to bring lots of money.

But, I think anywhere you take her will be good. Because, the two of you are finally together.

[Fedup 0]

FedUp, I hope you plan this trip after she has a chance to reset her body clock a bit. The change in timezones is really tough on the body, so give her a minimum of two weeks before you take off anywhere. You don't want her sleeping the entire time in the car and then keeping you awake all night (well maybe for a little at night).

I think the best thing would be to visit multiple sites with the most diversity you can manage. I imagine that traveling the vast expanses of Texas and then the desert of New Mexico followed by the Rockies in upper Arizona and then that Grand Canyon would be enough for anyone. As far as California, I would recommend So. Cal. but keep it to short trips. In No. Cal. there have been massive forest fires so the sites are not good and the drought has everything bone dry and brown. If you visit any amusement parks go as early as you can and plan to stay late to get the most out of your visit. I think you know to bring lots of money.

But, I think anywhere you take her will be good. Because, the two of you are finally together.

Thank you.

Ah, another valuable advice. I did not really think about he time zone adjustment. It's never a problem for me, so I got used to think it's not a problem for anyone. You are right.. might take 10-14 days.

Amusement parks are not really our thing, but Grand Canyon is a must, maybe White Sands.. I would avoid So.Cal if I could, but No.Cal have to, some favorite places there, SF area, North Coast, Lake Tahoe, etc.

I really appreciate what I read in your replies, got me thinking about Colorado, Rockies, and turning right in time, south back to NM and TX. Seems like it should be enough for both of us.

Thinking about the timeline, it does not look like it will be before November, should not be really snowy in Rockies yet (I hope).

[akdiver 3]

Well, that's true - but it hardly makes one "rich" by any stretch of the imagination. Reminds me of some info a while back...something along the lines of most Americans consider any family making over 70-80K/year as being "rich". It's no wonder this country is so in trouble.

[slim 1,523]

Well, that's true - but it hardly makes one "rich" by any stretch of the imagination.

It may not make you rich, but it financially puts you leaps and bounds ahead of those like TG and myself whose spouses brought over pocket change. (That was most likely ours to begin with.)

Reminds me of some info a while back...something along the lines of most Americans consider any family making over 70-80K/year as being "rich". It's no wonder this country is so in trouble.

70-80K/year may not make you rich either, but you sure can live a pretty comfortable life making that kind of money. A lot more than what the USCIS's 125% of the poverty level recommendation would get you.

[Turboguy 6]

Bah...I never saw any mountains between PA and TX. You gotta get to at least CO before you see any.

(:

It depends on how you go. One way of going would take you through the Ozark mountains. Another way of going would take you through the Appalations, the Blue Ridge and Smoky mountians.

I think I would hate to go through this process on 125% of the poverty level. It seems like every month there is something else. Airfare one month, wedding costs not much after, then AOS costs, then bringing the MIL, then learning to drive including 5 grand for driving into a porch, then getting her a set of wheels, then college tuition and books. It is worth every penny but I think I have laid out more than 125% of the poverty level just in extra costs.

[Satellite 1]

I think I would hate to go through this process on 125% of the poverty level. It seems like every month there is something else. Airfare one month, wedding costs not much after, then AOS costs, then bringing the MIL, then learning to drive including 5 grand for driving into a porch, then getting her a set of wheels, then college tuition and books. It is worth every penny but I think I have laid out more than 125% of the poverty level just in extra costs.

I think AK would agree with me that it really depends on the type of lady you brought over. By far AK's wife has had the most success in the US based on everyone else's stories.

We certainly survived on less that 125% of the poverty line. We finally broke it last tax year. Granted airfare and AOS costs were significantly cheaper in 2004 than they are now. Wedding license was only $75. A small restaurant dinner afterwards paid for itself with the gifts from family. My wife got her EAD walkin style and was at work the next day with me. MIL paid for her own expenses when she came over. My wife has never gotten into a car accident, and we have made it on one car. But if I had to buy it would be used and most likely salvage title. And because my wife comes from a frugal and small income family, not living the high life was completely acceptable. Because we were below that poverty line, the State of California and the Federal Government has covered all of her education fees and then some. When she begins her Masters next year, it will be the first time we have to pay. Because my wife has been employed every year since she has been in the US, and has contributed some years more than me, it was definitely worth the capital investment before her arrival.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Satellite

[Okiebollweevil 0]

If you are going through New Mexico get off I-10 at Lordsburg go to Silver City and if you are up to it, stay the night there. If you like Mexican food try the Silver cafe. (Hint: my wife does not like anything spicy, so might want to avoid the same for your wife) Great little museum at WNMU with Indian cultural items from a couple of tribes that disappeared centuries ago. Take the time to go north to Pinos Altos and enjoy an old ghost town and high pines. If you have time, go North out of Silver City on highway 12, will take you up to the mountains and the Gila wilderness area. If you feel adventurous, get off the highway and go to Mogollon, if the road is open go up to little cherry and see the elk herds, might see some mountain goats. On the way back stop at the catwalk in Glenwood, a fun little side trip. Then I would go from Silver City to Truth or Consequences via 152 great country including the devils backbone, and once you get to I-25 go South to El Paso and take 10 to points East. Good beaches in Corpus Christi and Galveston, Houston is interesting, Dallas good shopping and the JFK site. If you want to continue East on I-10 would go to New Orleans, see the French Quarter, the Audobon zoo, the Aquarium, walk the Mississippi along the riverwalk. Avoid Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa not much to see (although they have an Amish settlement at lamoni Iowa at the Missouri Iowa border on I-35 that sell handwoven basket and the like, and homemade pies (for Slim) pastries, breads, jams and jellies from their horse drawn wagons right off I-35, some Amish will let you visit their farm and see rural living without the modern conveniences of elec. tele. cable etc.). Would definitely cone back through either Northern New Mexico or Colorado, hit Moabin Utah, or go on up to Saltr Lake pretty country. Yellowstone is a great idea, but not now, early Summer before all the tourist get there, and if you go North out of Yellowstone great scenery. Jackson Hole is good, a bit touristy but the views of the Tetons are spectacular. Good luck and keep your wife occupied.

[akdiver 3]

70-80K/year may not make you rich either, but you sure can live a pretty comfortable life making that kind of money.

Yeah, sure, if you don't have any bills or expenses.

[Okiebollweevil 0]

70-80K/year may not make you rich either, but you sure can live a pretty comfortable life making that kind of money.

Yeah, sure, if you don't have any bills or expenses.

You forgot to add about the cost of living. We here in the lower 48 (read that as Palin's adopted country) hear horror stories about the cost of goods and services in Alaska. On another note Slim mentioned about the necessity for frequent stops. we carry jars to take care of that and don't stop except for every other hour! Everytime the jar comes out it reminds me of the long family vacation trips we made when I was a kid and the erstwhile coffee can (yes they came in tins in the good old days and you had to use the attached "key" to open them) we carried for my 3 sisters needs, and the admonition to "not look".

[akdiver 3]

On another note Slim mentioned about the necessity for frequent stops. we carry jars to take care of that and don't stop except for every other hour! Everytime the jar comes out it reminds me of the long family vacation trips we made when I was a kid and the erstwhile coffee can (yes they came in tins in the good old days and you had to use the attached "key" to open them) we carried for my 3 sisters needs, and the admonition to "not look".

Are you serious?????? Man, what an AWFUL way to travel!!!! Making stops along the way is one of the great things about making a road trip!!! Especially if you travel the old US highways and stay off the interstate - and stop in some podunk little town. It's great!!!

No way would I want to travel with you guys (:

You wouldn't want to travel with me either. I suck down pepsi like it is going out of style and the result is that I need to make a stop a whole lot more frequently than you would like (:

[slim 1,523]

When I travel, I'm on a mission! Point A to B as fast as possible and yes, I can prove Google, MapQuest and all the others wrong. It only takes 4 hours, not 5!

I don't want to see anything other than natural scenery and a clear, open road in front of me. I'm strictly an Interstate traveler, one of those folks that will drive an extra 25 miles if it'll save me 15 minutes, gas prices be damned!

[akdiver 3]

When I travel, I'm on a mission! Point A to B as fast as possible and yes, I can prove Google, MapQuest and all the others wrong. It only takes 4 hours, not 5! I don't want to see anything other than natural scenery and a clear, open road in front of me. I'm strictly an Interstate traveler, one of those folks that will drive an extra 25 miles if it'll save me 15 minutes, gas prices be damned!

That's horrible. Might as well just fly.