Driving across the USA (in our Chevrolet) Part 1- America's Highways and Byways

Follow up links: 

Part Two (chains in the Detroit area)  

Part 3 (local places in Detroit)

Part Four (the drive back to San Diego)

Kirk and Ed (from Yuma),  mmm-yoso!!! writers, have been posting a lot about their recent vacations.  Cathy has been out of California for a while also, though not primarily on a vacation.  Here is a trip report of her 2016 adventure, including food.

It was not a vacation, nor was it planned.   Starting out with a flurry of phone calls, while I was with cc, on another Rose Parade float road test as well as a few other stops.  The spur of the moment 2400+ mile, 37 hour drive was highlighted with a start and finish at the Las Vegas airport; meeting my nephew (who flew in to assist with the drive to Michigan) and dropping my brother off for a flight back.

 
We drove across the prairies and flatlands,     through the Eisenhower Tunnel (the longest mountain tunnel and highest point on the US Highway system; the small green sign on the wall to the left in that photo indicates the Continental Divide).




 Along the way, stopping for breaks at a variety of interesting and informative 'Rest Areas'.  The last photo above is called an "Oasis"- each side has a fuel station and the walkover (over the Highway) and has a variety of fast food eateries, information stands (interestingly, popcorn concessions) and importantly, rest rooms. 
Other rest areas have vending machines (which take credit cards). 

There are also combination Fuel/Travel Centers, Sapp Bros is one.

Known for the coffee pot/with percolator neon lighting on a small water tower symbol seen from the Highway, the coffee choices ('Awake', 'Smile' and 'Decaf') are always fresh and ready when you drop in. (Note the popcorn machine at the far left in the below photo).

There is only one location of Wings America Travel Center remaining; located in Avoca, Iowa. 

 It has merged with the Pilot and Flying J travel centers,
 

This was the first location of a Maid Rite (there were more) on this trip.

Loose meat burger, delicate seasoning-not plain, not overpowering-steamed bun with the 'standard' toppings of chopped onion, mustard and pickles. Delightful, along with the ever traditional midwest snack, cheese curds (made with Iowa cheese, of course).

An even more popular Convenience Store chain that also sells fuel is...

 

Yes, you are reading it correctly. Kum & Go has been around since 1959 and this location was impressive.

 

That milk shake machine plays your selection of music while it is preparing the shake you choose from the ice cream selections in the freezer below. 

Pick a beverage, a snack or...

Yes, there's beer on tap here, along with free samples and growlers. Those Midwesterners!

There were hotels, too, some with views,  most others, not so much. But those with 'breakfast included' had pancake and waffle machines, along with many choices to make a tasty breakfast. 

At the end of the drive home, I stopped in Barstow for one final fill up. It was that fateful Tuesday when the Bluecut fire began.  The radio informed that the I-15 was closing in both directions as the fire had grown to 1000 acres.

 

Driving North two exits and taking the 247, through the Lucerne Valley

 

and into the San Bernadino National Forest, up to  7000 feet above sea level, on winding (10 mph on curves at some points), steep (10% grade, not the usual 6% grade) roads, then back down, to 
 

Big Bear Lake after about two hours of driving, taking a break then driving another hour and a half to get back to the 210 freeway and home. An adventure across America, Summer 2016.

Comments

[Caninecologne]

This was quite the epic trip Cathy! Can't wait to see Part 2!

[Kirk]

Man, that's a major drive. Glad you made it back safely.

[Soo @ hungryones]

That was a cool road trip!

[nhbilly]

You made it home safe, but what a drive.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Only you could turn a rigorous cross country drive into an entertaining post. Those massive rest stop areas are new to me. But I don't get around much any more.

[Cathy]

It was epic, cc. I miss the driving and seeing this beautiful Country in person; photos don't do it justice. There will be two more parts.
It was a long time to be away from home, Kirk. Wish we had even more time out there to just view the beauty and stop to see history.
It was, Soo; can't wait to do it again.
We had driven that 'Northern' route only three times before, Bill, because there were always weather problems - no snow or tornadoes in either direction on this trip. Light rain in Michigan, Indiana and Utah made it nice. Seeing the Rockies in Summer is so different.
The massive rest stops make the drive a bit more homogenous, but also safer, Ed. Knowing there is always fresh coffee is really nice. We went into towns to seek out 'local' spots (and 'Points of Interest').