The time is fast approaching for another road trip

[Kiwi cop]

Last week Karen and I received e-mails from US CBP reminding us to renew our ESTA visa’s for travel to the US.

It has been 16 1/2 months since our return home from 2022’s visit and time seems to be speeding up. With only a few days more than10 weeks to go, the “to do” list is getting longer and the packing pile getting higher.

The itinerary I started in January ‘23 is going through some last revisions, rental cars and the first week’s accommodation has been booked as well as the last two night. In between we will wing it as much as we can.

April 27: Arrive Houston (best arrival point for us given all we want to do)
April 30: Fly to Nashville ( we love the city and the music).
May 3: Drive to Louisville (it’s Derby weekend, something I’ve always wanted to see).
May 5, Drive to Chicago for the start of Route 66
May 27: Arrive in LA (an unfortunate necessity)
May 29: Fly home (and start planning 2025’s Historic Route 80)

 

[Harrison]

You might want to avoid Chicago. A lot of unrest there.

 

[Kiwi cop]

You might want to avoid Chicago. A lot of unrest there.

Karen definitely feels the way you do, and doesn't want to go into Chicago, but like LA, the city is a bit of a necessary evil for travelling Route 66. In both cities we have scheduled two nights, so we won't be there long. But both accommodation bookings are able to be cancelled up to around 36 hours prior to checkin, so if there are any real issues we can work around them at the time.

 

[Bro. Dave]

Still a little sad that our annual visit will be missed this year! It has been such a pleasure for Vicki and me to have the privilege to spend a little of your precious time in the USA with you. Safe travels and prayers will be with you.

 

[StrawHat]

When you get around to running Historic Route 6 (longest US Highway), stop in for a cup of coffee, tea or a beer.

Kevin, who lives on US Highway 6

 

[Kiwi cop]

Still a little sad that our annual visit will be missed this year! It has been such a pleasure for Vicki and me to have the privilege to spend a little of your precious time in the USA with you. Safe travels and prayers will be with you.

Dave, our fleeting visit last time was the highlight of our trip. I have already scheduled another overnighter in Stephenville in September '25, so we'll catch up then.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Kiwi Cop, when you pass through Claremore, Oklahoma, definitely make the time to stop at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, which is on Route 66. With 12,000 guns on display, it's the largest private firearms museum in the world...highly recommended.

J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum

 

[glenwolde]

You need to go to Collector's Firearms in Houston if you haven't already hit that on a previous trip.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Kiwi Cop, when you pass through Claremore, Oklahoma, definitely make the time to stop at the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, which is on Route 66. With 12,000 guns on display, it's the largest private firearms museum in the world...highly recommended.

J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum

I stopped of at the J.M. Davis Museum in 2018, but didn't have the time to go inside. Will see what time we get there this time. But 12,000 firearms? That's a whole day's visit.

 

[Kiwi cop]

You need to go to Collector's Firearms in Houston if you haven't already hit that on a previous trip.

First day in Houston back in 2018

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... (and start planning 2025’s Historic Route 80)

Are you talking about Interstate 80, the old historic U.S. 30?

If so I'd sure like to meet you as you pass through Wyoming. Need to get you way off I-80 so you can see "the real Wyoming."

 

[swsig]

Are you talking about Interstate 80, the old historic U.S. 30?

If so I'd sure like to meet you as you pass through Wyoming. Need to get you way off I-80 so you can see "the real Wyoming."

I think he's referring to old U.S. 80, which ran from San Diego to Savannah. I hope they have lots of time. That's a looong drive!

As a native of San Diego, I'll be happy to give ol' Kiwi some ideas about what to see on the California end.

 

[Kiwi cop]

I think he's referring to old U.S. 80, which ran from San Diego to Savannah. I hope they have lots of time. That's a looong drive!

As a native of San Diego, I'll be happy to give ol' Kiwi some ideas about what to see on the California end.

Yep, this is the one. I’m estimating 3 - 4 weeks driving.

 

[WR Moore]

If you haven't already done so, check on getting admission to the Kentucky Derby. Not sure what the procedures are but the crowd crush looks really bad on TV. Ditto parking, housing etc.

 

[IAM Rand]

God be with you in Chicago and LA. Not on any list of mine to visit. Maybe you and the Mrs. can pick up a ballistic vest for the trip.

 

[The Big D]

Will be at the Kentucky Derby…

…and if our paths can cross will be happy to buy you a beer(s) and compare stories.

Cheers!

Last week Karen and I received e-mails from US CBP reminding us to renew our ESTA visa’s for travel to the US.

It has been 16 1/2 months since our return home from 2022’s visit and time seems to be speeding up. With only a few days more than10 weeks to go, the “to do” list is getting longer and the packing pile getting higher.

The itinerary I started in January ‘23 is going through some last revisions, rental cars and the first week’s accommodation has been booked as well as the last two night. In between we will wing it as much as we can.

April 27: Arrive Houston (best arrival point for us given all we want to do)
April 30: Fly to Nashville ( we love the city and the music).
May 3: Drive to Louisville (it’s Derby weekend, something I’ve always wanted to see).
May 5, Drive to Chicago for the start of Route 66
May 27: Arrive in LA (an unfortunate necessity)
May 29: Fly home (and start planning 2025’s Historic Route 80)

 

[Kiwi cop]

If you haven't already done so, check on getting admission to the Kentucky Derby. Not sure what the procedures are but the crowd crush looks really bad on TV. Ditto parking, housing etc.

We looked at getting tickets back in October/November, but int he end the crowds put us off, especially with covid. We'll soak up the atmosphere for the day and find a good bar for dinner and to watch the race on TV.

 

[robvious]

While in the Nashville area, grab lunch or dinner at the Loveless Cafe if you haven't already had the pleasure.. probably the best biscuits I have ever had so far...

 

[hsguy]

I guess I will be the outlier again. You have been advised to avoid LA and Chicago. I have lived in the Chicago area for 63 years and have never been the victim of a crime. In fact, in 2022, I was making twice a week trips and then weekly trips to the heart of the city for medical appointments and never felt threatened once. Those who advise avoiding the cities probably have no first-hand experience but are repeating information from certain media outlets with no direct personal knowledge. A bit of research will reveal that neither city is the the top 10 of crime statistics.

Brent, you might find this interesting. On my first trip to NZ in 2003 I was advised by a local citizen to avoid Auckland due to the major crime problems there.
i did visit and having visited a few cities in the world found I felt very safe and comfortable as in any city I ever visited.

The 11 Most Dangerous U.S. Cities

St. Louis
Atlanta
Orlando, Florida (tie)
Birmingham, Alabama (tie)
Detroit
Memphis
Miami
Baltimore
Kansas City, Missouri
Minneapolis (tie)
Cleveland (tie)


One More Study.

Rank
City
State
1
Detroit
Michigan
2
Memphis
Tennessee
3
Birmingham
Alabama
4
Baltimore
Maryland
5
St. Louis
Missouri
6
Kansas City
Missouri
7
Cleveland
Ohio
8
Little Rock
Arkansas
9
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
10
Stockton
California
While a city with a high violent crime rate may alarm some, it's crucial to understand that such a statistic doesn't necessarily render the entire city unsafe. Within any urban area, violence tends to be hyper-localized, often concentrated in specific neighbourhoods or even on a block-by-block basis.