Another cross country "which way and what to see?" post.

[CudaMan]

Seems like we've had a few of these over the years. :)

I've not really spent much time in the southeast. Recommendations on which way to go, what to see (if anything) or where to stay or eat or...? Let's have it.

675

Grand Canyon stop is planned. We don't know how many days for the whole trip we'll have at this point, but let's assume 4 or 5.

[Conman]

Memphis - BBQ ribs from Rendezvous or Central BBQ. Tupelo - Elvis birthplace.

[George]

If you're stopping in Amarillo, there's just one place to eat: The Big Texan - Home Of The Free 72-Ounce Steak (http://bigtexan.com/)

[CudaMan]

Did I mention we like to eat relatively healthy most of the time? :lol:

[George]

Most = not all. :):up:

[thesameguy]

I have made that northern drive through OKC and Memphis, though we were including Charleston on the route - end destination was basically Ft Lauderdale. 4-5 days really doesn't leave much time to see anything, unless you mean "drive by." Most of the stuff that I think would be interesting would require at least a few hours, and your timeline would require 8-10 hours a day of driving. That doesn't leave much time for milling around neat places.

[CudaMan]

12-14 hours a day of driving is pretty normal for me on these long journeys. Google says 44 hours in total, which we can probably do in a bit less, barring major traffic issues. Google estimates seem less conservative than they used to be, but still beatable while not attracting too much unwanted attention, IME.

It's possible we'll have 6 days... like I said, unknown right now. We're looking for ideas to help formulate a plan of sorts. :) Trip is in 6 weeks.

[CudaMan]

Most = not all. :):up:

I see the Big Texan has a salmon dish on the menu. Would I get shot for that in rural Texas? :lol:

[George]

Doubtful, but how many salmon swim up streams in Texas? I'm thinking you're getting frozen fish in the Texas panhandle.

On the other hand, you can smell real live cattle from the parking lot of The Big Texan.

Now if that isn't appetizing, I don't know what is!

[Conman]

Come on didn't you read the obesity numbers in the other thread. We ain't eating salads and salmon down here. LOL.

Depends on your "healthy" definition. There are great places to eat everywhere. I could steer you to some great places in rural Mississippi that you will find plenty of locally grown fresh vegetables on the menu.

The drive from OKC to Birmingham and on to Tallahassee is pretty uneventful if you plan on staying on the Interstate and major Highways the whole time. Like George said you would need a several hours to spend for most things. That's why I mentioned Tupelo. You can breeze through Elvis' two room shotgun house in no time and get some grub in town. I would even suggest the more southern route and go to New Orleans and make that a stopover, or on to the Mississippi coast and stay at one of the casinos. Then take Hwy 90 to I10 to Mobile and go through the tunnel.

Edit to add: Don't take the middle route. Wichita falls to Monroe Louisiana is terrible. Nothing, I mean nothing along that route. And when you get into Mississippi it is terrible too. Jackson to Hattiesburg is a rough road right now.

[Drachen596]

i bet Adam could give you an idea of cool stuff to do in Texas on that southern route.

[KillerB]

Nothing unhealthy about a steak. Quality protein, no carbs. Just don't get the 72oz one.

Seriously, if you like steak at all, you really should stop at the Big Texan. I did, and was very impressed.

[thesameguy]

Ditto. I expected a crap Applebee's type steak and it was awesome. And 72oz seems like a lot, but it's not. Just don't eat the day before. Or after. No worries.

[Random]

Do they have chocolate cake?

[Yw-slayer]

Yeah, there's nothing inherently bad about eating a 72oz steak as long as it's good quality meat and you don't eat too much (or anything) else at the sitting. It's probably better than eating Krispy Kremes or ice cream. PROTEIN, BRO!!

Having said that, I wouldn't eat a 72oz (pure meat) steak in one sitting more than once in my life.

[GB]

Drew's house.

My house.

[Godson]

Check the roads you will be driving in Arkansas. There are some seriously epic roads there. Also, I can not recommend driving through Sedona, Arizona or Tonto National Forest in AZ enough.

[neanderthal]

Advice given to me during a roadtrip, while I was in Buttfuk, Nowhere, Texas. "Don't get stopped by the cops. Try not to look black." True story.

I pass on this sage wisdom as my gift to you.

[Cam]

If you're going through New Mexico, I think Carlsbad Caverns NP would be really interesting, but that's just me. It may be a little out of your way though if you simply want to get to the East Coast quickly. You and your lady are always welcome to stay with us if you pass through Columbia, SC. We have a spare queen bed. :)

[KillerB]

I skipped the ginormous options because I just don't eat meals that size too often and I was doing a cross country sprint. Didn't want any nasty surprises. :lol:

But the filet I had was seriously one of the five best steaks I've ever had. It certainly was the most AWESOME VALUE steak I've had, considering the whole meal was $29.95. All the other crazy good steaks I've had cost twice that, easily.

[speedpimp]

Stop off in Helena, AR and tell my brother-in-law "howdy".