mitchydkid

Howdy!

I see someone else on the forum has asked for help planning his R8C trip home. I would like the same help from those who are so kind as to offer their advice.

I will be taking delivery of my:

JSB
Coupe
Forged Wheels
Titanium / Black interior
3LT
MN6
Z51

on Oct 4th (Thursday).

I would like to arrive back in Austin/Georgetown area mid day on Sunday, Oct 7th. So I have time to enjoy a scenic route with activities planned along the way. I will probably not get the opportunity to drive this part of the country for many years to come, so I want to take advantage and see cool parts of this country.

I am willing to take an indirect route to be able to hit some cool spots, but I don't want to head too far in a direction that would make me have to back track. For example; I would like to drive the tail of the dragon, but I don't want to drive that far east only to have to back track spend too much time driving the same area twice (unless someone can talk me into it

I'll have my wife with me, so keep that in mind too.

So far I have considered going south into Nashville, then going to Memphis, then to Hot Springs, but then I would just drop down I35 through Dallas and on home. This route has some goodies, but I'm not conviced. Also, I have considered driving the Nachez Trace south and then shooting over through Louisiana into Houston and on home.

Thanks for any input.

-Dale

Check 6

My previous deliveries from the museum have been Bowling Green-Nashville-Memphis-Little Rock-Texarcana-Dallas Austin-Seguin.

We will also be picking up a JSB coupe on 24 October but will then head to Raleigh to see our kids and grandkids and then home.

It's a little over an hour from the museum to Nashville about 3 more to Memphis almost the same to Little Rock about 2 to Texarcana etc. Roads are good. Actually a nice interstate drive from Nashville to Memphis. If I were to go that route this time I think I would take back roads from Bowling Green and catch the interstate west of Nashville just ot break the car in. That is our plan on the 24th from Bowling Green headed east. Have fun

Check 6

By the way mine is a similar coupe same exterior and interior but comp gray wheels and nav plus the 3Lt Z51 and 6 speed

mitchydkid

That sounds like one the most likely routes for me to take. Can you recommend activities along the way?

Congrats on your new ride. Looks like JSB is really becoming more popular than initial reactions would have indicated.

-Dale

mitchydkid

I probably should have gotten your wheels as I don't wash my car as often as I should. I just wanted something shiny for a change since my C5 had painted magnesium. Those gray wheels look tough.

-Dale

Delta1

i'm not knocking the tale of the dragon, but there are some great roads in missouri with mountain curves that wouldnt throw you too far off course. you could connect up with Rt 66 for a while. go through oklahoma and wonder why all the tree's lean north..i know i still do.
go through abeline tx. and see if you can eat that 72 ounce steak or whatever it is for a free meal.... then down to lubbock you will see a water tower with jimmy deans name on it....wooohooo!! and in lubbock stop at city hall and look at the statue of buddy holly and say along with everyone else,,,dang that guy was ugly.....then back to austin

bearmkt

If you come via Memphis you can always stop by Beale Street for a fun time with blues music and BBQ. They have a bed and breakfast called Hunt Phalen which is an antebellum home on Beale Street or the Peabody is well known. Lots of shopping in Memphis, Elvis spots with Graceland, Elvis other house, Sun Records, run down the byway down to Tunica where there are a number of casino's and the route you follow was the birthplace of several notable blues artists such as Sun House, Robert Johnson, BB King et al.

You could either go back to Memphis and come down I-30 or go down to Helena and cross over. Helena was a Civil War battleground along with Vicksburg. Lots of old house that are trying to be repaired. You are also in the Home of the original King Biscuit Blues Festival and depending on when you pass by the Blues Festival may be going on. You are in the heart of the Mississippi Delta home of the Blues, BBQ, Agriculture but during this drive you will see some pockets of poverty. Shaddens would be a good hole in the wall spot to eat but it is outside of Helena.

If you like duck hunting the world famous Mack's Prairie Wings is on the way in Stuttgart. Stuttgart hosts the world championship duck calling contest and Macks is the size of a large Wal Mart with everything aimed at duck hunting.

From there you could take the old highway in through England/Keo and see some antiques at Morris in Keo, Have some homemade pie at the shop just around the corner, stop by Cothams which is a hole in the wall hamburger shop that is world famous. They also have Marlesgate which is a well known old house with one of the worlds best porcelain collections. The house has been in the same family for 7 generations

Little Rock has the Clinton Presidential Library which could take a couple of hours to tour. From there the Rivermarket would be a nice walk. They have several good dining establishments and a farmers market on Saturday. The Villa Maria is nearby and was the house used on the opening shots of Designing Women. Central High is nearby as well. Masons or Whole Hog BBQ would be good stops. Vermillons, Fernu (sp) or Vieuxx Varrie would be nice spots as well. The Peabody would be a nice lodging spot. The Arkansas Art Center is a noted art museum and its french impression and pen/ink collections are noted. It is in McArthur Park birthplace of General Douglas McArthur.

Being a car person you might take the detour to Petite Jean and see the car museum and the water falls. Win Rockfeller had his house up on the mountain as well. From there you could go the back way into Hot Springs which is lots of twisty roads and woods.

Hot Springs would have the spas which are famous. You would also find the Southern Living Idea House (one of 3 in the US for 2007). They have McClards BBQ and Coys which are noted dining establishments. The Arlington Hotel is noted and there are several historical spots to see. This used to be a mecca for gangsters back in the Capone days as it was neutral ground. With the horse track it was also the town that hosted the first spring training for baseball back in the Babe Ruth era. There are a few Clinton related items here as he grew up in Hot Springs

From Hot Springs you can get back on the interstate and go down to the Crater of Diamonds which is the only state park in the US that allows you to dig for diamonds. You get to keep anything you find. There is also Hope not to far away which has the boyhood home of Clinton. They also have the infamous FEMA trailer holding area and the were a huge airport facility during WW II.

From there you are in Texarkana and back in Texas. those are just a few suggestions. Not sure what you like to see when site seeing so tried to stay pretty broad

Another Don

If it were me, this would be my itinerary:

1. Pick up car on Thursday in BG and head south to Nashville.

2. Spend Thurs night in Nashville -- have dinner at Loveless Motel/Cafe

http://www.lovelesscafe.com/

3. Friday morning head south out of Nashville to pick up the Natchez Trace

http://www.nps.gov/natr/

Spend Friday driving the Natchez Trace from just south of Nashville to Natchez, MS. Spend Friday night in Natchez.

4. Saturday morning head to Alexandria, LA then to Lake Charles, LA...Beaumont, TX...Houston...Brenham...Austin.

The break-in period should be over about the time you get to Natchez and there's still a fair assortment of country roads, state highways and interstate roads.

Have a good time on your trip.

mitchydkid

Great ideas guys and I LOVE th detailed posts. Its clear there is more to do than I will have time to, but I will try and cram as much in as possible.

Thanks and ...keep em coming!!!

-Dale

twinger01

good stuff.....keep the ideas coming. i will have pick up on oct 15 and will be going through austin (to visit family) on my way back to phx,az

z06Bigbird

I will get map out later tonight. You can avoid the city of Dallas by going across IH 20 (towards Dallas); then cut south around Tyler area, eventually taking state hwy 31 thru Atkins (??) to Waco. No traffic; some small towns; but you will save time. IH 35 used to have a pile of constructions for miles and miles. You need to ask here.

I will check map tonight for you for specific route and a good mex rest (cheap too).

mitchydkid

Looking forward to the route, thanks,
Dale

Vettin08

That place is in Amarillo, called the Big Texan. If you go for the 72 ounce, you get your own table thats elevated above the rest so everyone in the place can see how you're doing. Me and a friend got sick on chicken fried steaks and gravy last year, beware.

z06Bigbird

If you stop in Memphis, there is a really great BBQ place in Germantown section--eastern part of city. It is called the Commissary, and it is about 6 miles south of IH 40, straight down Germantown Road. Everybody knows the place. Now, BBQ in south is pork not beef (until you get to Tx or Louisiana). Most places in south serve pork.

On southern end of Memphis, there is Interstate BBQ. Both are excellent and very inexpensive.

Excellent mex food on Summer Ave and Graham, near the big interchange where 40 meets 240. Also have mex bakery. Dirt cheap food.

If you go thru Bossier City (Shreveport area), look up Pardners BBQ. Beef is avail there. Excellent and cheap.

If you want to skip driving thru Dallas, you can leave Texarkana and take 35 to Mt. Pleasant area. Then take 271 to IH 20. Can take 20 towards Tyler. Then get 31 into Athens. Dirt cheap mex food at Taqueria Restaurant Jalisco (903) 677-6162 506 W Corsicana St
Athens, TX. This place is small; not much english; about 1 mile east of Super 8 motel. Then take 31 into Waco. Then 35 to Austin. No traffic on 31, but some cops.

If you see Bill Miller's BBQ in Tx, it is reasonable and good. Taco Cabana is good mex food too. Cheap too.

In Austin, Iron Works (downtown) has great beef bbq. Also some good Vietnamese rests there. If you want specific info on Austin restaurants, email me, and I will get the addresses from my son.

If you come to San Antonio, we can meet up. River walk is safe and a neat place. I recommend eating away from the river walk--tourist traps down there. LaFogata is excellent--mex. If you see Fazolli's (San Marcos, near outlet mall), great cheap italian food. A few of those italian rests in the south. Fast food, but real good.

Tower of Americas in San Antonio is operated by Landry's. Somewhat expensive, but it revolves for a great night time view.

There is also a Brazilian (??) rest (with gauchos, etc) in Addison area of Dallas. About $70 each when you walk in door. Super food from south America.

Good luck.

Ed

kenjeffries

Hey I'm picking up the exact same car except F55, non-z51 on 10/3 and will be back to Austin/Wimberley 10/7. We're stopping in Nasville, Memphis, Mount Magazine, Ft Worth. The replys to your post will help us a lot. Thanks! See you on the road if not at the museum!

mitchydkid

I've heard about this place and it intigues me. BUT....there is no way I can take that challenge. I understand it is common for Texas Tech football players to take the challenge.

Thanks Ed. Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos, and San Antonio are all pretty familiar to me. I was born and raised in Austin; spent 4 years in SA going to school, and now my first house is in Round Rock.

Anything north of Georgetown though and I'm lost. Thanks for the help on navigating northern Texas.

Sweet! I saw your car on the cam this morning I think and got excited thinking MY car was brought in early. Then I saw different wheels and roof and knew I would have to wait some more. Hopefully I will see you on the road, or even better, at a restaraunt or other stop so we can introduce ourselves.

Thanks everyone for all the help. My plans are not set in stone yet, so any late suggestions are welcome!

-Dale

AORoads

Ed, is La Fogata still around? I know the orig. owners got out of it maybe 9 years back, and thought it closed.

And mitchy, if you're from Austin, you already know Chuy's, one of my faves. Along w. the Salt Lick outta town.

Can't recall any personal favorites but I sure like Tulsa a lot.

mitchydkid

Chuy's is pretty darn good. I rarely go there though because there are quite a few other places I like too that don't require such a long wait to be seated. There are 3 locations of "Mesa Rosa" that kick BUTT. I also like a hole in the wall on Lamar called "El Caribe" which is just south of of Koenig next to Dan's Hamburgers. Don't forget "El Patio" on the drag.

Its sad, but I've never been to the Salt Lick in Driftwood. I've been to the one on Loop 360, but it was bad. Sounds like a good idea though to take the new Vette on a country drive to get some brisket.

Other good BBQs in Austin:

Poke e Joes
Mans
Rudy's
Ruby's

-Dale

torquetube

I drove from Bowling Green to Austin (and on to California) last year in my new C6. Here's a quick summary of the trip:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1377746

I liked rural Tennessee, the Arkansas Ozarks and East Texas. I would recommend skipping the little Joplin excursion (we were visiting my friend's uncle).

Mammoth Cave, which is very close to Bowling Green, is really worth seeing, too.

kgelliott

My friend used to work there as a waiter a few years back and tells that you also have to eat the huge baked patato and salad with it. Plus, there is a time limit. And, you have to keep it IN you for a certain time period afterward!

I'd stick to the Natchez-Trace Parkway myself!