TRAVEL WRITING, Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style
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3 ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP GUIDES TO FIT ANYONES

TASTES
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COURTESY OF NETFLIX
By TIM BAKER
One of the most essentially American activities is the cross-country road trip. Its a rite of
passage for anyone with a license to drive. And in the new Netflix original film, The
Fundamentals of Caring, Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez take a crazy ride through the US of A,
hitting some of the wackiest destinations they could find -- like the biggest bovine (thats a cow
to the layman) in the world, and the biggest hole in the ground. Which got us thinking, what
other cool and unexpected spots should you hit on your next road trip? Weve designed the
ultimate road-tripping guide -- divided into three categories to suit anyones passions, so
whether youre into kooky sites, great roadside eats, or unexpected (and underrated) amazingly
beautiful spots (sorry, Grand Canyon, not you) -- weve got you covered. Now grab a map and
start plotting your personalized road-trip adventure.
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ALAMY
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ALAMY
Toilet Seat Art Museum

San Antonio, Texas
The lifes work of a Texas plumbers son, the Toilet Seat Art Museum may not be the Louvre, but
its certainly as much fun. Despite considerable artistic talent, the mastermind behind the Toilet
Seat Art Museum, Barney Smith, went into the family trade and ended up channeling his artistic
talents into something far more outside-the-box than canvas or paper. He uses toilet seat
covers to create unique works of art that deftly hide the, er, nastiness beneath.
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ALAMY
Love Valley
North Carolina
With a population of just 90 as of the 2010 census, Love Valley, NC is a town dedicated to the
simple things -- like, very simple. When you ride (not drive, ride: as in on horseback -- no cars
allowed past the town gate, giving your monotonous asphalt adventure a nice old-time break)
into the towns main dirt road, youre immediately transported into the old west. Yes, NC is on
the East Coast, but suspend your disbelief for a second. This place is Pioneer Village except no
one changes back into modern clothes at the end of the day. The town is passionately
dedicated to horsemanship, with the Love Valley arena hosting riding and roping events, the
local tourism industry dependent on horse-lovers from all over the country, and the Love Valley
Horsemen's Association overseeing the most active equestrian culture in the US. And just in
case anyone was worried about other equines getting their fair share, a (slightly less popular)
Mule Association also holds celebrations alongside its more traditional partner organization.
South of the Border

South Carolina
It may be just south of the North Carolina border, but the theme park destination off I-95 doesn't
let that geographical inconvenience keep it from pretending it's a little slice of Mexico or, at
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least what South Carolinians thought of Mexico 60 years ago when the place opened. In
addition to an observation tower in the shape of a giant sombrero and an eternal weather
forecast of "Chili today, hot tamale" the destination also has a convention center in case your
road trip involves 500 buddies, and an amusement area called Pedroland with carnival rides and
games. There's also plenty of Mexican food spread across six restaurants, making South of The
Border the most elaborate roadside attraction in the South.
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GRABADONUT/FLICKR
Myrtle, The World's Largest Desert Tortoise

Joshua Tree, California
She may only be a sculpture, but Myrtle has become an integral part of the beautiful Joshua
Tree landscape, gazing out into the desert with ancient eyes and offering a poetic parallel for
the slow, steady formation of the Seussian rocks that make the American Southwest famous.
Thought up by a local man, Willis Keys, and his wife in 1957 as a parade float called Myrtle the
Turtle, the sculpture eventually grew in scope, quality and magnitude until it became California's
finest addition to the "World's Biggest ________" category of road-trip must-sees.
America's Car Museum Route 66 Exhibit

Tacoma, Washington
A trip down the historic stretches of Route 66 that still exist in their original form is just about
the most American road trip activity there is. But while there may have been a time where Route
66 was the best place for Americans on the go to get their kicks, the road was largely
consumed by the Eisenhower highway system in the 1950s. But the spirit of Route 66 lives on
at America's Car Museum in Tacoma, where the "Road to Riches" is celebrated in all its hot
rodding, rubber burning glory. In addition to its regular collection celebrating the golden age of
American motoring, when gasoline was plentiful and cars only needed two miles to the gallon,
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2016 has seen the museum open up a new exhibit specifically celebrating the road that once
linked Chicago to the Pacific Ocean.
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ALAMY
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ALAMY
Iowa 80, the world's largest truck stop food court

Iowa
Anyone who has ever taken an extended road trip knows the almost-mystical hold the truck
stop food court can have over the weary traveler. Foodstuffs that youd normally pass up
without a second thought suddenly become a Michelin Star event when youre hopped up on
coffee and coming up on hour 13 in your push to Vegas. But at Iowa 80, the delicious chow -you can choose between Wendy's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Iowa 80 Kitchen, Blimpy, Dairy
Queen and Orange Julius, and Caribou Coffee (all open 24 hours) -- is just the beginning. They
also offer a full auto shop, mechanics, a car wash, a barber shop, chiropractic services (!), a
museum of antique trucks, a dentist (!!), a gym (!!!), and much, much more.
Cookin' From Scratch

Doolittle, MO
A two-decade-old burger and comfort food joint widely considered to be among the best
grubstops in rural America, Cookin From Scratch gives old-fashioned favorites like crispy pan
fried chicken the same simple Americana treatment theyve been using since opening, when a
pound of lard only got you through Tuesday. To wit: if you've got the fortitude, you can take the
Cookin from Scratch Challenge and try to put away a 66oz version of their incredible
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cheeseburger in 66 minutes -- oh, and the whole thing takes place on Route 66, just for
consistency.
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COURTESY OF GLADYS KNIGHT & RON WINANS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken and Wafes

Lithonia, Georgia
The Fundamentals of Caring will really get you in the mood for some waffles, as the hero boy
(Craig Roberts) -- who inspires the trip with Paul Rudds character -- eats them constantly. Were
talking every meal. So, when a hunkering for some good old fashioned waffles hits you hard,
take the midnight train to Georgia. Once you get there, stop at Gladys Knight and Ron Winans'
Chicken and Waffles and let the crispy, doughy, buttery perfection waft over you. Theyve got
sweet, theyve got savory, theyve got it all, you could literally eat these puppies for every meal if
you wanted. Because youd rather live in these waffles world than live without them in yours.
Dude's Drive-in
Christiansburg, Virginia
Hitting the drive-in during a road trip is as American as fireworks are on the Fourth of July. But
unfortunately drive-ins are becoming a rarer and rarer thing to find. Dudes is one of the last
drive-ins still carrying the torch of old-fashioned I Like Ike-era burger/shake/French
fry/frankfurter classicism. You even roll up and honk your horn for service just like your mother
raised you to never, ever do, and someone will come running, ready to ply you with a classic
road trip meal without you ever removing your butt from the driver's seat.
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ALAMY
The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Amarillo, Texas
Opened in 1960 by a man named Robert Lee, The Big Texan is the kind of southern staple
whose quality there is simply no arguing. In addition to offering the most delicious steaks
money can buy, The Big Texan also offers the opportunity to collect your meal for free -- if you
can handle their challenge. According to their web site, youve got an hour to finish Shrimp
Cocktail, Baked Potato, Salad, Roll, Butter, and of course, a 72 oz. Steak. Many have tried, and
some have even finished, but the real heroes are the ones who manage to keep the unholy meal
down.
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SHUTTERSTOCK
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ALAMY
Wind Cave National Park

South Dakota
Nothing against the Dakotas, but after driving through the vast prairies of the upper Midwest
for an extended period of time, a change of scenery could mean the difference between sanity
and the true, frightening delirium only an extended period behind the wheel can bring. Good
thing South Dakota has a hidden underworld beneath its endless plains. Named for the
barometric winds that constantly assail its entrance, Wind Caves beauty may just keep you
from losing your mind. Hiking through the underground complex of stalagmites and stalactites
makes it clear that those aboveground making their way to Mount Rushmore are missing the
real treasures South Dakota has to offer.
Buffalo National River

Arkansas
Americas first official national river is one of the only remaining undammed flows in the
contiguous 48 states, has campgrounds built by FDRs Civilian Conservation Corps, and offers a
unique look at frontier life in the early 1800s when Arkansas was considered part of the
untamed American West. You can indulge your pioneer fantasies here like few other places in
the country, minus all the forging new wagon wheels with your bare hands. Fishing, camping,
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and hiking all take on a more historic dimension knowing that these forests have been
stringently unchanged since before the U.S. existed.
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ALAMY
Isle Royale National Park

Michigan
Located in the middle of Lake Superior -- which probably means it used to be used for
bootlegging Canadian whisky, so bring your shovel and booze-detector -- Isle Royale is home to
the Passage Island Lighthouse, which was manned for 100 years by some of the most
interesting characters in the history of maritime tall-tales. Few places in the country offer such
a chance to indulge your inner recluse and imagine a life as a haggard, half-crazed lighthouse
keeper -- or is that just us?
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SHUTTERSTOCK
The Bingham Canyon Mine, also known as the

Kennecott Copper Mine
Utah
A.K.A the worlds deepest pit, as referred to in TheFundamentals of Caring, is the largest
man-made excavation in the world; this giant hole in the ground is an interesting example of
how humans can do anything if they put their minds to collecting precious metals. Originally
dug to reach copper deposits, the mine eventually grew to become the single most impressive
hole ever dug, acting as an inspiration to curious 6-year-olds everywhere and proving once and
for all that its very, very difficult to make it all the way to China by digging. This site serves as
the climax to the film, and when the road-trippers hit this final destination, they are inspired by
its true and unexpected beauty, which proves that sometimes its the underrated places that
can truly inspire (again, sorry Grand Canyon).
Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida
Once home to a prison colony where conspirators in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln
were held, the Dry Tortugas are the leeward most of the Florida Keys and the most pristine,
untouched islands left in the lower 48. Its also still home to the fort that once housed the
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prisoners, and makes the most logical place to end your road trip -- since theres no place south
left to actually go after the Tortugas. While Key West thinks of itself as the farthest of the
Florida Keys from the mainland, the Tortugas play host to an untouched wilderness, taken back
by the sea and wildlife that humans have pushed out of the other Keys.
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PUBLISHED ON 6/23/2016
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Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

3 ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP GUIDES TO FIT ANYONES

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Toilet Seat Art Museum

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

South of the Border

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Myrtle, The World's Largest Desert Tortoise

America's Car Museum Route 66 Exhibit

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Iowa 80, the world's largest truck stop food court

Cookin' From Scratch

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

COURTESY OF GLADYS KNIGHT & RON WINANS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken and Wafes

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Wind Cave National Park

Buffalo National River

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Isle Royale National Park

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

The Bingham Canyon Mine, also known as the

Dry Tortugas National Park

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

! OUR BEST STORIES, DELIVERED DAILY

Sign up with email

The best decision you'll make all day.

I confirm I am at least 21 years old

OTHER STORIES YOU WILL LIKE

Reclining Your Airplane

The Biggest Mistakes

Choose Your Own Adventure, Road Trip Style

2016 Thrillist, All Rights Reserved. Made in NYC.

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