Take it Easy on the Road

As I made my way from state to state, through time zones and tanks of gas, I couldn't help but feel like I just wanted to get to the west coast as quickly as I could. I was rushing my trip away, overwhelmed by the prospect of driving all the way from coast to another. I wanted to reach the west coast, turn around and gun it back to New York City like I'd never left. But why? I had been looking forward to this adventure for months.

As I thought about the miles I had put between myself and home, it made me feel more and more isolated. I pulled off the interstate and rolled towards a Love's Travel Stop. In front of me was some sort of farm vehicle, the sort you'd only see out on the mega farms in the midwest. The only problem was these things only went about five miles an hour. With the Travel Stop still a couple hundred yards away, I skirted around the tractor looking vehicle and positioned myself next to the gas pump.

"Hey there partner," someone said behind me. I didn't flinch.

Next thing I knew, there was a sunburned, sunglass wearing bearded feller with a raspy country accent next to me. He leaned in, about a foot from my face.

"I said hey there partner, you damn near hit me on my lift!" the man said, staring straight through my eyes, his face visibly angry.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get close to your lift," I said, realizing he must have been on the whack tractor that I hustled past moments before.

"You better watch yourself," he spat, before walking away.

I squeezed the last few drops out of the nozzle, hopped in my Jeep and sped off laughing. What had just happened? Why was that man calling me partner as if he'd descended from a long line of cowboys? I laughed to myself, agreed to cut myself a break and slow down, I couldn't risk hitting anyone else on their lift, I had a road trip to get back to.

New York to the Rocky Mountains: The Ultimate Weeklong Escape from NYC

The Summer time is the best time of the year to plan an extended escape from city life. Here at Road Trip NY, our favorite vacation involves hitting the pavement in your preferred automobile and letting the road take you on a good old-fashioned American road trip adventure. In previous posts on the blog, I have highlighted shorter day-trips, suggested stops for food and hiking and some of my favorite things to remember when planning your trip.

I hope for this post to be the most detailed itinerary yet, with suggestions for a one-way road trip from New York City to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the tremendous ripple of earth that separates the East and the sprawling Great Plains from the vast expanse of the West. The following post features suggestions for such a trip, including cities and towns to stop in, places to eat, things to do and places to stay, usually unique AirBnb's along the way.

Pack your bags, your snacks and get your playlists ready for Road Trip NY's biggest trip yet!

New York to the Rocky Mountains: The Ultimate Escape from NYC

Day One: New York, NY to Pittsburgh, PA

1. Driving across the country can be exhausting, so before you begin prepare yourself for long periods of time on the road. In one of my opening posts, I cover some of the important things to consider and remember when you embark on a long term road trip. While the first day of travel may be familiar to those from the northeast, you're sure to find some places to explore between home and your first stop. 
2. What better way to kick off your great American road trip adventure than a stop at an amusement park. Hershey Park is a great half way stop to rest your legs, let some energy out and stock up on chocolate for the road. Plus the sweet smell will linger in your nose all day!
3. Once you get to Pittsburgh theres a good chance you'll be starving after your long drive, so head over to Primanti Bros for a taste of an authentic Pittsburgh style sandwich. Served between two fresh slices of Italian bread each sandwich features a pile of coleslaw, a stack of french fries, tomatoes, provolone and a choice of meat. What better way to cap off your first day?

Suggested Lodging: Try this carriage house on the north side of town.

Day Two: Pittsburgh, PA to Cincinatti, OH

1. Split up your day of driving by stopping halfway from Cincinatti, your destination for the day, in Columbus, where you'll find food and shops to enjoy. One of the coolest spots in the city is the German Village Historic District. In German Village, stop at The Book Loft, a home turned bookstore that is home to thousands and thousands of books, as well as literary themed swag like t-shirts and other knick knacks. 
2. Before you leave German Village, head to Katzinger's for lunch. You won't feel far from NYC here, as they're known for their corned beef sandwiches, bagels and pickles. Be sure to wash it down with a black cherry soda and get back to your ride for the rest of your trip to Cincinatti.
3. As you roll into Cincinatti, stop by Mount Echo Park to stretch your legs on one of many hiking trails, or to just sit back and enjoy the view. Mt. Echo Park offers some of the most incredible views of Downtown Cincinatti, Northern Kentucky and the Ohio River that the city has to offer.

view from Mount Echo Park

Suggested Lodging: Try this stunning loft condo with a view of the historic Music Hall. 

Day Three: Cincinatti, OH to St. Louis, MO

1. Leave yourself plenty of time for your drive to St. Louis as you'll want to stop first in Louisville for an authentic taste of some Kentucky bourbon. While there are a number of great distilleries in the area, I suggest a stop at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. With roots back to 1889, Kentucky Peerless offers tours that detail the rich history of making bourbon in the state, along with a light sampling that will give you a taste of what the city has to offer. 
2. As you head towards St. Louis, the first thing that you'll be able to spot on the skyline is the famous Gateway Arch. While it is time consuming and often difficult to get on a tour that goes all the way to the top, it isn't necessary to appreciate the immense structure. Take a walk underneath the Arch along the Missouri River for some fantastic photos. 
3. As your day wraps up in St. Louis, get ready to finish it off with some flavor. One of my favorite things to do food-wise throughout the midwest is to sample the different styles of barbecue. Try Pappy's for a typical homestyle plate of rich and delicious St. Louis BBQ. Try their famous ribs and make sure to sample the slew of sauces!

view of the Gateway Arch from the park underneath

Suggested Lodging: Try this super affordable artist retreat in Benton Park. 

Day Four: St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO

1. Head out of St. Louis towards Kansas City as you get ready to enjoy a day with a little less driving. Your first stop of the day will be at the Weldon Spring Conservation Area, a nature preserve with an assortment of trails and a boat launch that provides great views of the nearby Missouri River. Have your morning coffee, go for a run or just take a walk along the river. The park is a great place to reflect as you move through your road trip journey. 
2. As you'll arrive in Kansas City earlier than previous cities, grab some lunch before you prepare for your final stop of the day. One of the most legendary sandwiches in Kansas City is from Arthur Bryant's BBQ. It isn't just the exceptional depth of rich smoky flavor that makes Arthur Bryant's special, their sandwiches are larger than the average human head. Eat as much as you can and then make sure to take a box to preserve the rest of your eventual late night snack.
3. As a relaxing, laid back way to end the day, score some Kansas City Royals tickets and catch one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball at Kaufmann Stadium, one of baseballs premier venues. Kick back with a beer and ballpark hot dog as you take in some baseball that isn't in the Bronx. (or Queens)

overlooking the Missouri River from Weldon Spring

Suggested Lodging: Try the Hyatt Place Kansas City/Overland Park as you may want the amenities of a hotel before your next night where you'll be camping out. 

Day Five: Kansas City, MO to Great Bend, KS

1. Take in the vastness of the Great Plains by taking state route 56 out of Kansas City towards Great Bend. Be sure to stop in Midway for a picture of their sign that claims to be equal distance from San Francisco as it is from New York City: approximately 2,200 miles. There are some funny towns out there including Ottowa and Russia, yes, Russia, KS, be sure to get out and have a look around and you'll be sure to feel quite far from home. 
2. Outside of Great Bend, KS is the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, the largest wetland and waterfowl refuge in the Great Plains. There is a primitive camping area on the unnamed road that leads to Cheyenne Bottoms and I highly suggest spending the night there. It is free, quiet, safe and as long as you have basic camping gear, it is just about the best place to stay out there in the middle of nowhere. 
3. Head into Great Bend and stop by Dillon's Grocery Store for ingredients to make dinner around the campfire. Don't forget the s'mores! 

camping at Cheyenne Bottoms

Suggested Lodging: Try the camping area at Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Day Six: Great Bend, KS to Taos, NM

1. Day six includes the longest drive yet, so unzip your tent at the crack of dawn, break down your campsite and hit the road. The drive is well worth it, as we finally convene with the Rocky Mountains in Taos, NM. Make your way to Dodge City, KS, where you can grab breakfast and prepare for the long ride to Taos.
2. After you fly down the highway and into New Mexico, stop in Red River, one of New Mexico's popular ski towns and your first stop in the Rocky Mountains. Technically, you will find yourself in the Sangre de Cristo range, the southernmost stretch of the Rockies. Red River has a cool downtown styled after the wild west. Stop at the supermarket for some grub to take to your AirBnb for the night, a goji berry farm on the outskirts of Taos. 
3. As the drive took up most of the day, most businesses in Taos will be closing by the time you get there (lots of art galleries) but take a drive through town and up to Taos Pueblo to feel as though you've stepped back in time. Taos Pueblo features adobe buildings that have been standing for over 1,000 years. 

sunrise at the goji farm

Suggested Lodging: Try the writers cabin at this goji farm on the outskirts of Taos. 

Day Seven: Taos, NM to Denver, CO

1. As with many great road trips such as those of the beat generation, this adventure terminates in Denver. But before we finish, there are a couple more sights in store. Leave the farm and head north towards the Colorado border, passing through San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado. Follow the Sangre de Cristos to where they meet the Colorado Rockies, just north of your first stop, the Great Sand Dunes National Park. 
2. Stop at the Great Sand Dunes to take in one of the most interesting natural wonders in the nation. Enjoy the dunes by sand sledding, hiking or dipping in Medano Creek. The park isn't just sand dunes. There are forests, alpine lakes, peaks and much more. Spend as much time as you want to take in the final National Park of your trip, then hit the road towards Denver. 
3. Bop into Denver on the final ride of your weeklong journey. What better way to finish off the trip than by toasting to your adventure and travels at Wynkoop Brewing Company, one of Denver's premier breweries. Located right across from Denver's Union Station, Wynkoop offers a variety of beers as well as a delicious dinner menu. When your beer is finished, so is the trip. 

Great Sand Dunes NP

Suggested Lodging: Try this affordable home near downtown. 

Although we've traveled from New York to Denver with a full itinerary of food to try and sights to see, it is important to stay spontaneous on the road, stopping occasionally to see certain things, trying things you may not otherwise try and so on. While one could follow my own adventure exactly and have a great time, I encourage all road travelers to stay in touch with their own wishes and interests on the road. Sometimes long road trips can be overwhelming, so be sure to spend extra time in any cities that you particularly like, or maybe add a couple of stops or even a detour or two along the way, thats what makes it a real road trip. But remember, the best type of vacation always involves hitting the road! 

See you on the road!

Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY THREE

As we wrap up our weekend excursion in upstate New York, we'll be making the most of our final day by spending it primarily in the great outdoor expanse of the Adirondacks. If you followed along with the suggestions for the first two days of the trip, you'll be waking up to a serene scene of birds chirping and bugs buzzing at your lakeside campsite this morning, where you'll be preparing yourself for a fantastic final day.

Day Three:

1. Get ready for a full day of hiking with a campsite breakfast using the food you stocked up on in Lake Placid. One of my favorite easy recipes for the campsite is this breakfast skillet with potatoes, as its easy to cook over the campfire in a single pan, feeds quite a few people and will fill you up for the day ahead. You can add different cheese, peppers and onions or hot sauce to your liking. 
2. The pinnacle of your final day relies on a long hike from your campsite to one of the hundreds of scenic vistas and viewpoints located on one of the many high points and peaks in the area. While it is hard to make a specific suggestion since the location of your campsite will vary, there are a few different ways to go about finding the perfect hike from where you are. The best way to find a good hike is to ask your pilot or guide when the float plane drops you at your campsite as they will know what is in the immediate area they are dropping you in. Alternatively, you may download a brochure from VisitAdirondacks that is full of suggestions for hiking both the legendary 46 high peaks and more "gentle" shorter options. 
3. Arrive back at your campsite to be picked up at your scheduled time by Helms Aero, and head back to your rental car in Long Lake. Get started on your long, five hour ride back and head back south towards Albany. Your final stop is just north of Albany, in Saratoga Springs. While you have officially left the Adirondacks, Saratoga is a great place to pit stop for lunch/ dinner on your way back and recap what will have been quite an eventful trip. One of Saratoga's most historic and well known establishments is the Olde Bryan Inn, where I suggest making the final stop on your journey for a well deserved hot meal, back in the comforts of civilization after your night in the wild of the Adirondacks. 

As you drive back down I-87S towards New York City, reflect on not only the valuable time spent outside in nature, but the time spent outside of New York City. Over the Summer the confines of the five boroughs can feel hot and cramped, and my favorite way to escape the city is always driving out into nature. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, a brief respite from city life can re-energize anyone looking to escape for a few days. With the Adirondacks so close, theres no excuses when it comes to planning a great trip upstate!

Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY TWO

In my last post, we started our weekend journey from New York City up into the Adirondacks, setting up for a reinvigorating three day escape from city life. With day one stops at The Wild Center, Whiteface Mountain and finally Lake Placid, day two includes not only more fun and adventure, but an even deeper dive into the seclusion and serenity in the vastness of Adirondack Park.

Day Two: 

1. As you wake up in Lake Placid, get ready for a big day ahead, starting with a trip to the world famous Lake Placid Olympic Center. No trip to Lake Placid, or the Adirondacks, would be complete without visiting the Olympic Center. It was here that the US mens hockey team won Olympic gold in 1980, beating the Soviet Union in what is affectionately known as "the miracle on ice." Make your way around the center or hop in a guided tour to hear more about the 7,700-seat Herb Brooks Arena, annual national and international figure skating competitions, USA Hockey events, Stars on Ice, ECAC Hockey Championships, and more. In the summer, the Center hosts Saturday Night Ice Shows where top new skaters perform.
2. Now that you've experienced a taste of what the area has to offer, prepare to venture deeper into the Adirondacks. Day two revolves around the final step/suggestion for the day, where you'll be taking a float plane to a remote camping spot of your choosing, or one suggested by your guide. But before we get there, you'll want to stock up on supplies while you are still among civilization. While you are in Lake Placid, check out Eastern Mountain Sports for any camping gear you may need and fill your cooler with some groceries for the campsite at Hannaford Market. 
3. Weather permitting, call up Helms Aero Service in Long Lake, NY, and ask for a quote to take your crew camping. This will be the highlight of your trip. Float plane charters can range from $80-100 per person round trip, but the additional expense is well worth it, as the family owned "airstrip" located on Long Lake offers short flights to any dozens of secluded campsites in the Adirondacks. While a float plane may sound scary to some, it is perfectly safe and is by far the best way to get deep in the Adirondacks for a night of camping. Park the car in Long Lake, gather your friends and gear and ask your pilot to suggest a campsite. Take plenty of pictures in the air and when you touch down, get ready to set up camp for a night of food, games and fun by the fire. 

Whether you wind down with a whiskey by the water or spend all night playing cards with friends, day two and three in the Adirondacks promise to be something special. There is nothing like sleeping out in the wild and waking up to the sunrise at your lakeside campsite, and it's sure to set you up for a fantastic final day full of hiking and panoramic views. Check back tomorrow for the conclusion of our trip and enjoy being out of the city for a bit!

A Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY ONE

Working or living in New York City over the Summer can feel like you're trapped in a hot stew of cars, bodies and noise. Thankfully, upstate New York is home to some of the coolest spots for a laid back, private and secluded weekend away from the city. New York's Adirondack Park, situated within the greater Adirondack Mountains, is home to 6.1 million acres of space as well as more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and a wide variety of habitats, making it bigger than some of the largest national parks and the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

My next three posts on Road Trip NY will highlight the ideal long weekend road trip (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and getaway to the Adirondacks with a special emphasis on some of the must see hikes and activities. 

Day One:

1. After getting up bright an early for the five hour drive, use Waze to escape from New York City via I-87N, heading to The Wild Center and Wild Walk in Tupper Lake, NY as your first stop. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and tunes packed along for the ride. The 115-acre Wild Center is an all-day indoor and outdoor experience, from playing with live river otters to walking an elevated trail over the treetops, The Wild Center allows visitors of all ages to get closer to nature. There are trails, guided canoe trips on the river that runs by the Center and a staff ready to show you around and talk about the wild world of the Adirondacks, making it the ideal first stop to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the area. 
2. After exploring The Wild Center, continue on to Whiteface Mountain's Cloudsplitter Gondola for a more laid back adventure, as you ride the gondola fifteen minutes to the top of Whiteface Mountain, from Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface. During the ride, you’ll get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the mountains, ski trails, streams, rock faces, and forests, that you will spend the weekend exploring. As well as a spectacular view of Lake Placid itself and your next stop: the village that bears its name. 

3. To finish up your first day, head into Lake Placid for food and somewhere to stay. If you're drinking age, I suggest the Great Adirondack Brewing Company to finish your day with a flight of craft beer and snacks. If alcohol isn't your preference or if you're looking for a larger meal, head over to Smoke Signals for live music and BBQ. As for places to stay, there are a wide variety of choices from hotels to bed and breakfasts to various types of AirBnb. As the next two days of the trip are focused around camping in the seclusion of the Adirondack wilderness, you may prefer a warm shower and bed for your first night, so check TripAdvisor or AirBnb for a place to spend the night that meets your budget and criteria. 

Check back tomorrow for the next day of our weekend getaway! Make sure to bring your sunscreen, bug spray and swim suit as we'll be venturing even further into the expansive outdoor offerings of the Adirondacks!

An Interview With AirBnb Superhost Shelly Johnson

Spending an extended amount of time on the road means finding new and interesting places to stay along your journey. My favorite place to look for fun, unique accommodations is AirBnb. AirBnb allows anybody to create a listing on their app, offering people a place to stay in the form of entire homes, single rooms, guest houses, apartments, cabins, yurts, shipping containers, tents and in this case, repurposed vans and buses.

By far the most unique AirBnb experience I have had, was during a recent road trip through New Mexico where I stayed in a repurposed 1970's Volkswagen bus outside the town of Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid as opposed to the Spanish city mad-RID), high on a mesa thirty minutes south of Santa Fe.

The owner of this incredible space, called Shanti Community, is Shelly Johnson, an "off-grid, yurt dwelling, artist and musician" (according to her AirBnb bio) whose AirBnb listings are frequently featured among the top places to stay in the area. Her space has been featured by top photographers on Instagram, ambassadors from Google's #TeamPixel and countless curious road travelers. I caught up with Shelly to find out what goes into creating such a special place for road travelers to come together.

hanging with Shelly (left) during bang practice

What made you decide to share your amazing space on AirBnb? 

"As soon as I visited the land I knew it had a special energy. For me, the most inspiring thing about the land is how it brings these people together, a lot of times people who wouldn't otherwise cross paths. You have the central area for getting together and preparing food, and my favorite thing is when everyone comes out of their busses and gathers together to eat and drink and talk, people who are total strangers that I am privileged enough to have brought together. It's my favorite thing in the world."

a nearby canyon on Shelly's land

How has AirBnb helped create this opportunity for you?

"Oh AirBnb is the best. It's so cool. I've been lucky enough to feature right there on their front page for listings for the Madrid area and even Santa Fe, and when I make it on that trending page I see a lot of bookings come through and I get lots of messages. I think people see the pictures and in their mind it's exactly the sort of thing they are looking for on a road trip. I also use Hipcamp and Glamping Hub to get even more views on my listings, they also have some pretty cool stuff on there." 

How did you decide on Madrid, New Mexico? 

"About twenty years ago I was doing my own road trip through a bunch of New Mexico's artist towns. I rolled through town in my baby blue VW bus (photo above) and I knew right away. It just had this incredible energy from all of these different people who had settled here in an otherwise forgotten town, but it was clear that there was something special here and I think thats starting to show."

By all accounts, it is starting to show. Since Shelly settled in Madrid, the town has been featured in the movie Wild Hogs as well as a feature on CBS Sunday Morning, making it an increasingly popular tourist spot between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. To any travelers or road trippers in that area, I can't suggest Shelly's space enough. It is an unforgettable experience. And to those who can't make it out to New Mexico, keep an eye on AirBnb for unique stays that can completely transform your road trip experience!

Wikipedia Follow-Up: Van Campens Glen Falls

A few weeks ago I made a blog post with some information on Wikipedia regarding Van Campens Glen Falls in the Delaware River National Recreation Area. On the Wikipedia page dedicated to the waterfalls of the Delaware Water Gap, there was no space dedicated to the well traveled and well known Van Campens Glen Falls, so I took it upon myself to add in the first Wikipedia entry regarding the popular waterfall and hiking spot.

I am happy to report that my addition to the page is still intact, and that my information regarding Van Campens Glen Falls has been given its own individual spot on the list of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap! My post reads: 

Van Campens Glen Falls is the terminus of the Lower Van Campens Glen trail hike near Walpack, NJ. The top of the falls features a deep, large pool that cascades down a slanted rock face. The areas surrounding the upper pool require extreme caution as this area has been responsible for numerous accidents and deaths in years past. ^[14]

Apparently, the lack of information regarding the spot has been acknowledged since my post has not been removed and the source of my information was confirmed. Today I decided not only to check on the status of my edits, but to expand on them further. I expanded on my original post, adding additional current info from my last trip as well as referencing the National Park Service website as my source. The updated post is as follows:

Van Campens Glen Falls is the terminus of the Lower Van Campens Glen trail hike near Walpack, NJ. The top of the falls features a deep, large pool that cascades down a slanted rock face. The areas surrounding the upper pool require extreme caution as this area has been responsible for numerous accidents and deaths in years past. ^[14] The trail itself features a densely covered hemlock ravine that hosts various delicate plants and species of wildlife. The root systems at the base of many of the hemlocks have been damaged due to high foot traffic in the area. This, in addition to storm damage and a lack of funding, has led the National Park Service and Department of the Interior to close the Lower Van Campens Glen trail indefinitely, due to public hazard, as of Spring 2019. ^[15]

I'll be keeping an eye out to see how my changes and updates hold up in the coming days. I certainly found it surprising how little information was available on Wikipedia regarding Van Campens Glen Falls, but I am glad to see that my contribution to the list of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap has held up so nicely!