1700 Miles to Austin – Part 3 – The Route

Whilst reading this post, listen to the above tune.  The energy of our cross country trip is perfectly captured by the great Ben Gibbard.

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Hotels?  Check.

Truck friendly highways?  Check.

Enough road snacks to satiate a small colony?  Maybe.

Above is a Microsoft Paint cropped map of our long anticipated journey to Austin, Texas.  At first glance, our route looks like a diagonal Fruit Ninja slash through the belly of Southeast America.  1700 miles of highways, rest stops and the occasional cactus.  The trip will be a grand opportunity to discover places we’d never visit otherwise, all in the cab of a sixteen foot truck with questionable gas mileage.  Drive through dining will not be an option.  Below is the step by step tour of the trip.

August 15^th: Separation

After spending the day packing up the vehicle, we’ll be in no shape for long distance traveling.  The goal for Thursday evening is to get a head start on the trip and crash out in Pottstown, PA.  We were aiming for Billy Joel’s Allentown, but due to a lack of truck parking and an inexplicable “no dog” policy, we opted for a town about 40 miles out.  According to the kindly gentleman at the front desk, there’s a steakhouse across the street and a variety of fast food joints in the area.  Over the lips and through the gums, look out stomach, here it comes.  Adventures in on the road eating.

August 16^th:  Driving

The goal for Friday is to drive.  And drive.  And drive.  By far our longest day, the 600 miles between Pottstown and Newport, Tennessee will be a vehicular marathon.  While we wanted to end up in the hippie town of Asheville, North Carolina, the same issues of dog friendliness and available parking reared their ugly head.  You’re lucky you’re so darn cute, Ming…

August 17^th:  Touring

After a breakneck day of highways and byways, Saturday will be a more relaxing affair.  Once we shove some groceries down our neck, we’ll head out on a three hour blast to Nashville.  There, we’ll do a bit of touring, have lunch and check out the scene.  From there is a four hour trip to Memphis where we’ll pack up the pup in the hotel and have dinner / drinks in the border bound city.  My Spidey Sense tells me we’ll be rather thirsty following a day on the road.

August 18^th:  Texas

Sunday Funday will start off with a sleep in / sleep off followed by a quick two hour jaunt to Little Rock, Arkansas.  Lunch and then back on the road to the Lone Star State.  A scant five hour drive will take us into Palestine, Texas, a tiny town smack between Houston and Dallas.  Palestine is the home of Jamie’s mom and stepdad.  Familiar faces and relaxing sleep in a non-hotel bed will be most welcome.

August 19^th:  Family

Monday will be spent relaxing in Palestine.  A day of noodling about, picking up needed Austin items and antiquing, all in preparation for…

August 20^th:  Austin

Today’s the day we arrive in our new home.  Four hours from Palestine, we plan to arrive at our new place around noon where Jamie’s dad will help us unpack everything we own into the apartment.  A long day after a long trip, this marks the end of the journey and the beginning of our new lives in Austin.  Can’t wait to take the trek and see what random fun awaits.