Going across country

[Marlin]

Finally got everything sorted out. We are heading to Bremerton, WA this coming Monday, 4AUG14. Movers will be here Thur, Fri and Mon. We will drive up to Ohio and then across I70 to stop in KC, MO and then to Moab for a few days. I will be meeting up with a member in KS somewhere, if someone wants to meet for lunch or something anywhere between Newport News, Va and Bremerton, WA, hit me up. Even better, feel free to come down and do some light/medium wheeling in Moab! Can't be too crazy, I am towing a 2000lb trailer behind the VX all the way there. She is not gonna be happy with me, but I did all the maintenance on her, new plugs, diffs, oil change and greased the zerks. I have 7 quarts of mobile 1, should be good to go. I will be the Tan LineX VX in the right lane going 25mph up the big hills and stopping every 3 hrs for fuel

[YellowVX]

I just drove I-70 from Utah to Dayton, OH on 9-10 July. Over all, there wasn't any major issues. Illinois is doing construction every 10 miles (it seems). Bring plenty on cd's or pack your iPOD full of music for the ride through Kansas and eastern Colorado. Watch out fopr the steep grades in Western CO. The scenery is very serene and spectacular.

[VXorado]

Let me know if/when you drive through Denver... If the timing works out, I would be interested in getting together to talk shop.

[Marlin]

I will shoot through denver probably on the 15th or 16th of August. We drove norfolk, to KC, then to dayton, then back to norfolk in June. Illinois was a PITA. THis will be the second cross country trip for the VX. Only time I have ever seen the old girl blow smoke was going through CO, the ascent after heading west bound through Vale, she started slowing down so I stomped on it at about 55mpg. Little puff a smoke and back to 75mph...lol. Not this time, not with the trailer anyway

I will post more details as they come in. WOuld be cool to setup a few mini meets!

[JAMAS]

I am about 20 minutes south of Dayton. I am crazy busy this week, but maybe I'll have an afternoon or evening free for a burger/beer if you're interested.

[Marlin]

Didn't know you were out there. My brother and parents live in Huber Heights and Fairborn respectively. I will hit you up. I think we are going to meet in KY, beattyville area for a few days for some camping and shooting and then head up to Dayton.

[Y33TREKker]

I see there is already some familiarity with Illinois interstates in this thread , but I'll throw in a few more options just for variety and choice.

It looks like it would add about 50 miles to the trip, but rather than catching 70 out of Ohio, you could always drop down to 64 for driving through Indiana and Illinois. In my experience anyway, 64 is always in better condition than 70. It has to do with the usual weather patterns here in IL, because in the winter, if there is snow on the ground, it usually starts on a line about as far north as Effingham (and as a byproduct, that is where the roads start getting rougher in the state).

And speaking of Effingham, I just checked the ILDOT website and it appears that 70 is currently being worked on in that area for miles on either side and another stretch farther to the west, while 64 just has a few miles of construction at the IL/IN border and a mile of so near Mount Vernon, IL.

Overall, 70 has a few less hills than 64 though, which would make for an easier drive for the VX, but 64 has better scenery along the way than 70...unless of course you LIKE pretty much non-stop cornfields/farmland. If THAT is the case, 70 is the route!

And depending on when you'd be driving through, I-64 would only put you about 45 minutes away from me at that point for meeting to grab a bite to eat. I-70 would be more like two hours.

Either way, safe and trouble-free travels.

[JAMAS]

Didn't know you were out there. My brother and parents live in Huber Heights and Fairborn respectively. I will hit you up. I think we are going to meet in KY, beattyville area for a few days for some camping and shooting and then head up to Dayton.

My wife grew up around Huber Heights.

[JAMAS]

And speaking of Effingham.....

You should try the Effingbeef....its just as good.

...I too drove across country from Ohio to Moab this past may and yes...I made that joke at least twice....

....My copilot didn't think I was as hillarious as I did.

[Marlin]

Class of 1997, Wayne Highschool

As for going across 64, done. I will shoot down 71 and catch 64 then jump back on I70 west of St Louis. I will be heading across that way probably on the 10th. My brother wants to take my dad and I on a bourbon tour in KY on the 9th. Should make for a fun drive on the 10th...lol.

Itinerary summary for those near my route:
-4-5Aug, leave Norfolk, probably stop the night in Charleston, WV.
Hit either KY or OH on the 5th/6th. Meet up with Jamas for a quick chat!
-Be in the Dayton area on the 8th/9th
-10th head to KC, MO via I64...hopefully meet up with Y33TREKker for lunch!
-16th-Leave KC and head to Moab, meeting up with devinlea somewhere in KS along I70 for parts exchange and another VX meet (he will be VXless, but still part of the fam)
-17th in route to Moab, hopefully catch VXorado for some photos and chat!
-Arrive in Moab on the 18thish
-21st or 22nd leave Moab. Really want to do some rafting on the Colorado pending time, money and if we can board the dog somewhere.
Head up 84 through Salt Lake and up to 82 and then on to Bremerton/tacoma area.

This may end up being the coolest photo album/trip ever with the VX!

I will post up details as they come:
My cell is 6198699757 so you can shoot me a text or whatever as we go along.

I am not smart enough to figure out how to image the map on here from google, but here is the link for the entire route I will take:
https://goo.gl/maps/C49yt

[Y33TREKker]

...My brother wants to take my dad and I on a bourbon tour in KY on the 9th. Should make for a fun drive on the 10th...lol.

I've just made two road trips in the last two weeks with my brother from Western KY to the Cincinnati area on potential car buying trips. Both times on the way to CN, he's mentioned stopping on the way back to tour a distillery or two, but both times we've been driving back through too late in the day to be able to take the tour(s). Hopefully, you're schedule will work out better.

IIRC, it was on the Jim Beam tour where they offer two or three free samples, even of the REALLY old/good stuff, so if you go there, be sure to use your samples to try the high $$$ stuff.

[Marlin]

I think this was designed to be a booze and cruise tour, my SIL is driving us. not sure where we are going, but I know it wasn't Jim Beam, it was one of those craft bourbon places. Not sure if I am going or not, I quit drinking a few years ago, and occasionally have a drink, and definitely peppermint schnapps when I am winter backpacking

[Dumke]

Now THATs a road trip. Be sure to post plenty of pictures

[Marlin]

Will do. It is just about as far as one can go across the US...lol. Short of Florida to WA.

[IndianaVX]

Well, depending on where you cross Indiana, It would be nice to buy you lunch somewhere. I'm south of Indy, but looks like you may be going down a more southern route. If we don't meet, have a enjoy your trip and be safe! And i agree with above, not much to see in Kansas....set the cruise, and take a nap! Well, the smell from the cattle lots every now and then is something to experience!