[LiteraryLark]

Today I went up to Auntie's and we made a rough outline for my road trip. I'm planning on going Fall of 2018 to give me enough time to plan and save up for it. Auntie set up a route for me to follow, a big loop around the US that has cool places to stop in. I'm very excited to be going on this trip!

Keep checking in with me as I do my brainstorming as I will require some advice from time to time as well as updates with how my trip planning is coming along. AND if you live within the means of my journey I would love a local's input as to what there is to see and do along the way that I may not have known before by simply googling it.

EDIT 2!

My Auntie just told me "You may need to shave Oregon and Seattle from this big trip. You'll want to spend at least 2d in Boston, 3d in NYC, 4-5d in DC and 2d in Yellowstone"

I'll keep you posted but my brain is absolutely overloaded right now.

[jaynedough]

That sounds like so much fun!

[LiteraryLark]

I already have a major question!!!!!!

My parents are looking to retire in Oregon and debating between Brookings and Newport. I may live with them in Oregon, so these cities are two musts for me to check out. From home to Brookings it takes 5 hours, from Brookings to Newport it takes 4 hours, and from Newport to Seattle it takes 5 hours. How do I determine how long to spend in Brookings and Newport when I have an entire loop to go through? Is a day sufficient? An overnight? Two days? Mind you, I may live there someday so it's important I stay long enough to get a good impression of what it may be like to live there, but I also have to take into account that I have an entire loop to go through, but I also don't want to feel rushed.

[LiteraryLark]

Another question. What do I do with my cat? I know my parents will take care of her, but she freaked out when I was gone for two weeks. I will be gone for at least a month. I don't think she'd like being in a cage in the car the whole trip, and I don't know how I'll find a hotel that will be pet friendly as I am well aware she could not pass as a service animal.

That sounds amazing. What an exciting adventure you have planned. Are you going by yourself? Maybe leave your cat with a family member or friend?

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by starrysky

That sounds amazing. What an exciting adventure you have planned. Are you going by yourself? Maybe leave your cat with a family member or friend?

Yes, I am going by myself. I don't want to traumatize my cat because she's used to seeing me every day and when I was gone for two weeks it freaked her out really bad.

[LiteraryLark]

I made some edits in the OP

[jaynedough]

Maybe you could start acclimating the cat to either longer car rides or leaving her with people more often, for shorter times at first. Same with crating her.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by jaynedough

Maybe you could start acclimating the cat to either longer car rides or leaving her with people more often, for shorter times at first. Same with crating her.

I think I'll make a separate thread for that.

[unaluna]

Thats a lifetime of travel, all in one trip.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by jaynedough

Maybe you could start acclimating the cat to either longer car rides or leaving her with people more often, for shorter times at first. Same with crating her.

"I need advice on what to do with my cat during my roadtrip" thread here: https://forums.psychcentral.com/our-...ml#post5493187

[DechanDawa]

No matter how much you plan there are variables so I don't think you can really solicit advice. For instance, some of the east coast travel hours you posted seemed off to me. It sometimes takes much longer traveling along the eastern seaboard as there can be a lot of traffic. Weather conditions and spontaneous things like heavy rainstorms can also lengthen travel time.I cannot imagine why you would want to subject a cat to such a vigorous trip. I moved and had to car travel with my cat a few thousand miles and she howled the whole time despite being lightly sedated.I am surprised, actually, that people still plan such long for "pleasure only road trips" as it is not really very environmentally friendly IMO. It is also quite fatiguing to drive across country solo. Not to mention it can be quite boring driving alone all day. Have you thought about a cross country train trip? I have done that and it is fun. You see the country, and you can go from west to east coast and then fly back. You also meet a lot of nice people and have time to talk while on the train.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Thats a lifetime of travel, all in one trip.

Yeah, I don't think I can fit all that in a month

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

No matter how much you plan there are variables so I don't think you can really solicit advice. For instance, some of the east coast travel hours seemed off to me. It sometimes takes much longer as there can be a lot of traffic. I cannot imagine why you would want to subject a cat to such a vigorous trip. I am surprised, actually, that people still take long for pleasure only road trips such as this as it is not really very environmentally friendly IMO. It is also quite fatiguing to drive so much solo. Not to mention can be quite boring.

Don't worry, my imaginary friends will be with me. I have never stepped out of my little world in Hellifornia and I need to escape and see the world.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

Don't worry, my imaginary friends will be with me. I have never stepped out of my little world in Hellifornia and I need to escape and see the world.

I mean literally, I've never stepped foot out of California.

[LiteraryLark]

Just got an update from my Auntie. She said to skip Newport and Brookings and save that for another trip, and then to go Cleveland-Maine-Boston-NYC-DC

[DechanDawa]

Having never gone out of California I have to say I think this plan is a bit over-reaching. I drove half the country by myself and it wasn't too bad but I was moving so it had to be done - just going from A to B. I am from the east coast and have taken road trips up and down the entire east coast and like I said, with variable weather and traffic and getting lost (you will get lost) it can be less than fun. I think taking a few shorter trips would be more advisable.

Most cats don't like car travel. And even when you get to a hotel where you can let them out they are totally disoriented and freaked out. My cat would just run under the bed in a strange hotel. And there is always the chance they will run out if you open the hotel room door. The only option is to shut them up in the bathroom which they also hate, or crate them.

Not my idea of fun.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

Having never gone out of California I have to say I think this plan is a bit over-reaching. I drove half the country by myself and it wasn't too bad but I was moving so it had to be done - just going from A to B. I am from the east coast and have taken road trips up and down the entire east coast and like I said, with variable weather and traffic and getting lost (you will get lost) it can be less than fun. I think taking a few shorter trips would be more advisable.

Most cats don't like car travel. And even when you get to a hotel where you can let them out they are totally disoriented and freaked out. My cat would just run under the bed in a strange hotel. And there is always the chance they will run out if you open the hotel room door. The only option is to shut them up in the bathroom which they also hate, or crate them.

Not my idea of fun.

Going on a long road trip by myself completely lost DOES sound like my idea of fun.

And I'm sure my cat would be fine at home without me.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

Going on a long road trip by myself completely lost DOES sound like my idea of fun.

And I'm sure my cat would be fine at home without me.

It will be an adventure and everyone should have adventures. I traveled halfway around the globe and back when I was young. It wasn't always easy but it was an adventure. So, carry on. If you get tired before reaching a hotel you can always pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.

One last thing...do you have an AAA membership? They provide you with maps, travel routes, advice, discount coupons, and with a premium membership you get long-distance towing and overnight accommodations if you need them.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

One last thing...do you have an AAA membership? They provide you with maps, travel routes, advice, discount coupons, and with a premium membership you get long-distance towing and overnight accommodations if you need them.

Oh yeah!!! I forgot all about their maps and stuff.

[Nammu]

I think a month is too short a time frame and I'd also recommend some weekend trips several hours away so you can build up to longer trips. Maybe head to Arizona or Oregon to see how that goes.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

Going on a long road trip by myself completely lost DOES sound like my idea of fun.

And I'm sure my cat would be fine at home without me.

I meant not my idea of fun for the cat, travel wise, so good idea to leave kitty behind safe and sound.

If you go through Arizona via Route 66:
https://roadtripusa.com/wp-content/u...06_Arizona.jpg
then making a reservation for a couple of nights within the Grand Canyon is a must Grand Canyon National Park Lodges - You're Not Just Close - You're There!
The Grand Canyon has crowds in the summer but the majority do not have reservations at one of the lodges so it is still quiet at sunrise and sunset (and they are magnificent to view) plus I find that wildlife is just more active at dawn and dusk. There is no hunting in this park so it is overrun with elk and it is fun to watch them enjoying the grass that has been cultivated in front of a couple of the lodges (they think it's there for them). If you like to hike--this is a great place for it.
I also like Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona and Prescott--all have good hikes but great views via your car too.

I-10 Arizona Map
Near Phoenix (Mesa actually)--I always enjoyed Tubing the Salt River
http://www.saltrivertubing.com/directions/
Of course, it has to be late Spring/Summer/early Fall because this river is cold (the source of this river is melted snow) but feels great because it gets so hot in this part of Arizona.
Tucson is a must see. There's Sabino Canyon Seven Falls Trail - Arizona | AllTrails.com (that's a fairly easy hike but if you are adventurous -- Mt. Lemmon Ascent - Tucson Trail Runners -- Every Spring my AFROTC unit hiked this one from 2750 then camped out on top when we were done, it is very challenging 2750 - 9100 ft ascent and 18 miles of trail - wonderful views -- you can also just drive from Tucson to Mount Lemon -- a very scenic drive. Beware, the parking in Sabino Canyon fills, especially on the weekend, even very short hikes and bike rides are very satisfying there. The desert in Tucson is not barren--there are many scenic drives https://www.go-arizona.com/Tucson/Scenic-Drives/

Of course their are other great places between Route 66 and I - 10 (Arizona is a hiker's paradise) but I assume that you just be spending a few days there....

Though a little off the beaten path--the trails I hiked regularly during my youth are the best ever:

Highline National Recreation Trail - Arizona | AllTrails.com --steep climb up then magnificent views and easier hiking

Pine to Tonto Natural Bridge ? Kingsnake's Home Den --part of the highline trail but this is where you go east and down into a canyon

My 8th grade class actually maintained the first, easier bit of the east side of this trail plus some of the descent. Whether you go East or West this is just a small part of the Arizona Trail (look this trail up if you like to hike, it's great!)

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

Another question. What do I do with my cat? I know my parents will take care of her, but she freaked out when I was gone for two weeks. I will be gone for at least a month. I don't think she'd like being in a cage in the car the whole trip, and I don't know how I'll find a hotel that will be pet friendly as I am well aware she could not pass as a service animal.

Sure you can. My precious cat Saffie was a service animal. My pdoc simply wrote a short letter naming the cat as my service animal.