Cross country road-trip input

alright guys and gals,

next year im officiating my little sisters wedding in aspen. i live in NY and im thinking f*&k it make it a road trip. so id be leaving from upstate NY headed west to CO and was curious if anyone has suggestions for on the way or way back or places to go to in CO. i plan on hiking the maroon bells so that would be a 3 day hike in its own

also thinking of taking a couple weeks off and headed past CO after the wedding to the redwoods in CA.


another side note in January im looking at going to New Orleans so input for that trip would be awesome if ya have been

 

If you have the time, drive down to Annapolis MD, and pick up U.S. 50. Take 50 west to Pueblo CO. U.S. 50 crosses the United States - coast to coast. After the wedding, back down to Pueblo and take 50 west to Sacramento. You will see and experience a bit of Americana left behind by modern interstates and urban progress.

 

If you have time go to the valley of the gods or Canyonlands. My truck has been from one side of the U.S. to the other Three times now and always have to go out of the way to explore new areas.

 

What time of year for Colorado? Weather will dictate.

 

I grew up an hour from New Orleans. My advice is bring a gun, lol. Crime is pretty bad there. I personally know 2 people that have been robbed at gunpoint there, one of which was in the middle of the French quarter in broad daylight.

Statistically you'll probably be fine. Bourbon Street is heavily policed. It's a great city with a lot of culture. Smells like piss though.

 

NO is rad — jazzfest 4 years in a row and I’ve never had a crime problem, but I could be lucky

+1 Canyonlands. I don’t know much East of here (I live in Denver) but along the front range and west is incredible — Glennwood Canyon, Moab, Canyonlands, Zion, it goes on and on. Well worth the drive if you have time.

There is tons to do in CO and Utah. Let me know what you’re in to and I’ll give you recommendations.

 

NO is great. I've been over a hundred times and never personally experiences the crime, but I have watched the local news there and personally know people who have been robbed there. Not trying to discourage anyone from going, just thought it was worth mentioning that they do have a very high robbery rate. Just keep your wits about you. I still go at least once a year even though I no longer live an hour away.

 

Drive out to CO is Interstate 80 long and boring - Kansas never ends.
In CO you have endless places to wheel, hike, and camp. Old gold camps in the mts to explore. Down in south west 4 corners near Cortez and the cliff dwellings. Then Telluride and if you have the inclination look up Black Bear pass. If extra time slip on over into Utah and Moab area. You will be amazed after NY!
As for New Orleans take 80 to 81 one direction as much more enjoyable than 95 to 10. Caves along the way to see following by Blue mts.
If summer and you have a family get hotels as toooo hot vs camping. Just my 2 cents as been there done that.

 

The only things I found interesting in New Orleans were the architecture and the WWII museum. Highly recommend the museum. You can get better Cajun food for less elsewhere.

Been a few years, but I liked Ouray and that area. When you're from the east coast, most of the west is fascinating (at least it was for me). I was happy just roaming around.

Note on the above post- be very careful around the mines unless they are marked and even then be careful. There are lots of unmarked mines and the areas around the mouths are often covered in loose rock.