I’ve been thinking a bit taking a trip across the country next summer. Or at least somewhere farther then West Virginia or Pennsylvania. But where and how? Do I want to drive? Take a bus? A train? An aeroplane?
One thing I was noticing is that I could make it from Chautaqua County, NY through Ohio into Michigan and up to Huron National Forest in roughly 7 hours if Google Maps is to be believed. That means no rest or fuel stops, and a long day driving, but it could be done easily by automobile.
I don’t know exactly what is in Huron National Forest but there is a good chance I could find dispersed camping there, and if not, there is always the option of a Forest Service Campground, as much as I hate campground camping.
Then I could drive up across the Mighty Mac Bridge to Northern Michigan and maybe explore Northern Wisconsin. Both of those states are on my short list for considering eventually owning my own land and building and Off-Grid homestead upon retirement. Michigan, an urban and blue state seems a bit dicey in my mind, but there is a lot good I’ve heard about Northern Michigan.
Wisconsin is maybe a bit more conservative, but Northern Wisconsin has a lot good in it – and even the southern, more agricultural parts of the state have some good wild places. But I think the north with it’s vast national forests are much more of an interest to me. If I’m exploring Northern Michigan, it certainly makes sense to spend a few days in Northern Wisconsin.
I’m also interested in the Ozarks and Missouri and Arkansas, but they seem like they might be a bit too far for this trip, especially if I only take off a week, which is probably the only realistic option with work next year. South Dakota is also of interest, especially the Bad Lands part of the state. An airplane would be faster, but I probably still couldn’t see all of that in a week. Plus an airplane is such a hassle, you are much more limited on the amount of gear you can bring. Trains are a bit more flexible, but your stuck in the city, unless you turn around and rent a car.
The thing I don’t want from travel is to visit National Parks or tourist destinations. I’m not saying if I’m right next to a famous National Park and it’s $20 to visit for a day, I would necessarily skip it, but my view of National Parks and touristy places is they are mostly a way to suck away your money, and leave you feeling empty and not really knowing the area you came to visit. I like dirt roads, small towns, dispersed camping in the wilderness, away from the crowds. I want to see gritty ol’ farms cut into the side of mountains, real rural people, places where real backwoods boys hang out, not places for those who were Berkenstocks and eat organic food at fancy restaurants driven there in their Volvo, only to return to their fancy hotels at night. Seeing a lot of run down shacks with a goat tied up front and a burn barrel out back in small towns that smell like silage and cow shit would put a big smile on my face.
In principal this summer I could do the trip out west but I need more time to plan – and I’m not comfortable with taking Big Red such a distance it’s advanced age and creaking nature. Kind of want to have a smaller, fuel efficent truck for that kind of adventure. Something easy to get on and off little mountain roads. Something comfortable to drive, with modern safety features like adaptive cruise control and more comfortable seats and a suspension that doesn’t feel like it’s always about to fall apart. Having a lifted truck has been fun but it’s not easy to maneuver in traffic.
Even if I’m not going to Michigan this year, I’m not saying I’ll stay home this summer – the Finger Lakes are always a nice escape for nine days – and I’m thinking this autumn of doing a trip out to Allegheny National Forest for a week riding the great mountain bike park they’ve built at Jakes Rock. And maybe see some of the Southern Tier Western NY. But not Michigan, Wisconsin or the Ozarks this year. But I should plan a bigger adventure for the next year.