The Road Trip Less Traveled

Posted

(NAPSA)—When President Eisenhower signed the Federal- Aid Highway Act 50 years ago, he may have started the glorious tradition of the great American road trip. Seasoned travel writer Eric Peterson takes full advantage of the public works project, and in his book “Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A.” reveals some brilliant, off-the-beaten-path landmarks you won't find in a typical guidebook. And with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS Locator, you can plan stylized getaways to unique destinations such as those Peterson has discovered. Ale, With A Sideshow Of Bad Art Whether you’re a high roller or a rock ‘n’ roller, the Northeast offers something for everybody. Whereelse can you grab bite at the Big Apple’s oldest bar, McSorley’s Old Ale House in Manhattan, take in a sideshow on Coney Island and still make it up to Dedham, Mass., for a stop at the Museum of Bad Art—all in a day? A Mason-Dixon Good Time After eating a drumstick in Gainesville, Ga., where it is illegal to eat fried chicken with utensils, head to the birthplace of miniature golf in Fayetteville, N.C. Save a day to tour the Jim Beam bourbon distillery in Clermont, Ky., but make sure to see Elvis at Whether youridea of a great road trip involves finding Bigfoot orvisiting the Museum of Bad Art, mapping andtravel planning software can help you get there—and back again. Rope and Road Trip For road trips, Texas offers a bit of everything. In Amarillo you'll find the Cadillac Ranch, where spray-painted Cadillacs become art. In Dallas you might uncover the conspiracy on the grassy knoll, and in Austin you can enjoy the nightlife on famous Sixth Street. Whatever you do, remember the Alamo. Bigfoot, Bubble Gum AndTrolls Over the Rockies lies a land of wonder with some oddities thrown in for good measure. In San Luis Obispo, Calif., you can add your chewy markto the offbeat work of art known as Bubble Gum Alley, then travel up Highway 101 to Northern California’s redwood forests, allegedly the domain of Bigfoot. If you fall in love on your trip, get married at Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Ore., or Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., just get a mammoth apple fritter to go. Visit the graves of Jimi Chili, Hoosiers and Jazz Whenin Cincinnati, eat as the but beware of the Fremont Troll lurking under the Aurora Bridge. Once you decide between finding Bigfoot or visiting the Museum of Bad Art, the next step is getting there. Whatever you decide, using mapping and travel-planning soft- before overnighting at the Shack Up Innin Clarksdale, Miss. locals do and get some chilismothered spaghetti for the road—then fight off heartburn in David Letterman’s Alley in Muncie, Ind. After a nap and an antacid, visit the Green Mill in Chicago, one of Al Capone’s fa- vorite clubs, and take in someof the best jazz in the country. Hendrix and Bruce Leein Seattle, ware, such as Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS Locator, can help you get to your destination with complete confidence.