Forgive my excessive posting, but I need advice that only Oppo can provide.

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 09/01/2019 at 16:44 • Filed to: None

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At the end of the month, Family Weekend at UNT is happening and we are going. I blocked off a lot of time, and I am thinking about taking Toby as driving the GTI.

Am I insane, Oppo? Mrs. IM, my mom, and my son’s gf (we are paying her way) are flying. I am craving a long road trip. What would Oppo do?

Bonus Tosh for your time:

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AestheticsInMotion > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 16:47

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Do it. Take some extra time and make it a slow trip, at least in one direction. I don't know the area at all, but I'm sure you can find some interesting things on the way. Maybe even do a national park run? 

Kiltedpadre > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 16:55

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I say do it. Like has already been suggested take it slow on either the way out or back and find some weird/interesting sights to check out. I’ve gotten in the habit of checking Atlas Obscura and Roadside America for less well known places of interest on trips.

As a word of warning this advice comes from a man that drove 20 minutes out of his way to visit a pencil sharpener museum.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 17:06

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I’ve made most of that drive. It can be brutal if you don’t have a number of planned stops along the way. My favorite stop was the petrified forest. I have a thing for petrified wood . Keep in mind that traveling westbound will give you “extra” time during the day due to crossing time zones.

someassemblyrequired > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 17:14

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Having done tons of big trips with kids and older folks, I’d plan on 4-5 days each way. After a big first day you’re lucky to get 4 hours of driving per day.

I like a good road trip, but unless you need to move a car, I’d fly.

A good compromise option would be to take Amtrak - the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited is 33 hrs but probably substantially more than flying.

Chariotoflove > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 17:37

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I understand driving when everyone else is puzzled that I don’t fly, but that drive is daunting. Still, life needs adventures, if you have the time.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > someassemblyrequired 09/01/2019 at 17:45

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Dude....are you insane? FOUR hours a day of driving ? My four year old can do triple that. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 17:46

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are you insane......

dont think so brain....last time i checked you were a lawyer

anyhoo....if you have the time to road trip..i’d say go for it

someassemblyrequired > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 09/01/2019 at 17:47

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For a day.  Not coast to coast.  If you’re going to do that, just fly.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 17:49

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22 hours of driving is what I call...a normal few days . Have lunch in Vegas, stop for the night and get a green  chilie cheeseburger in ABQ. Drive like hell on I40 through N othing, Texas, and enjoy a cool Lone Star when you get to Denton.

DipodomysDeserti > someassemblyrequired 09/01/2019 at 17:51

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If that trip takes you four to five days, you haven’t done nearly enough road tripping. Four hours is a good amount of time between bathroom breaks, but a four hour drive day is weak sauce.

someassemblyrequired > DipodomysDeserti 09/01/2019 at 18:04

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If you’re gonna drive 12+ hours straight through , just fly. What are you really gonna see on the  interstate? If you’re not gonna stop and explore there’s no point in a road trip . Just rent a car when you get there. It’s not like driving saves much over flying once you get over 500 miles.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 18:05

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Just don’t  take a pit stop in ABQ unless you want your GTI to be stolen while your back is turned :P

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 18:14

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One thing you should that’s just a couple hours out of the way drive up Sandia Crest. The road should be a total hoot in the GTI:

I did it once in a rental Camaro and it was a blast. It is $5 to park at the top.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 18:33

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Drive to Vegas and back, then fly for the trip.  

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 18:38

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Do it! That’s a good two-day drive, three if you want to take your time and see some stuff. This will be a great time of the year for that trip. No longer hotter- than- balls in the desert, and not yet at risk of snow along the higher altitudes of your route through Northern AZ and NM . And as fellow NM Oppo Follow the Trails points out, you should definitely detour for an hour or two off of I-40 just east of Abq and drive up to Sandia Crest and back.  A younger me once drove the road in my sporty cars often enough to have it memorized.  There’s also a decent BBQ joint out there.

ST80MND > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 18:48

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I feel, that given the connection one can only get via intertube I have with Toby, yes. Yes you take the dub, yes you take Toby. As a clear member of oppo himself, Toby would love a roadtrip.

gettingoldercarguy > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 19:34

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Brilliant drive up until you get to Texas.  Flagstaff and Sedona are beautiful.

AdverseMartyr > TheRealBicycleBuck 09/01/2019 at 19:36

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“ I have a thing for petrified wood.” That was frequently said to Hugh Hefner in his later years.

Dogsatemypants > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 19:39

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Driving beats flying any day as long as you have enough time.

AdverseMartyr > ImmoralMinority 09/01/2019 at 19:40

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Go for it. I’m still sort of hoping I can take the ferry from Okinawa to Kagoshima (24 hours) , and then drive my car from there to Osaka (1000km). The only problem is that it seems to not really save much money vs having it shipped there.

My wife is sort of warming to the idea, but now she’s thinking about it as a family vacation, and it wouldn’t be good for our dog as she would be stuck in her travel cage for most of the 24 hours. 

DipodomysDeserti > someassemblyrequired 09/01/2019 at 22:01

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You’ll see plenty even on the interstates in the West.

I get what you’re saying, but some enjoy the solitude of driving. It’s a form of meditation even if you aren’t exploring . Complete opposite than flying.

Also, putting your dog on a plane is unacceptable for some.

someassemblyrequired > DipodomysDeserti 09/02/2019 at 07:48

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But you miss a lot as well - I get that some people enjoy continent crunching, I just don’t understand it. Though I like flying so that may be part of it.

Re: flying with pets, there’s a reason our dog always flew Alaska.   There’s definitely some airlines that aren’t good with pets.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 09/03/2019 at 12:14

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Go. I’ve got lots of suggestions for stops along the way if you do.