| Spring Break Destinations |
Thinking of flying to your Spring Break destinations? Bor-ing. Why not scrounge up some friends, hop in your car and hit the gas? But take the long way, because getting there is half the fun. Katie Crouch and friends at RoadsideAmerica.com tell you where to stop. [East
Coast] [Midwest] [West Coast]
[Spring Break 2002] |
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East Coast Old Lyme, Conn., is home to the Nut Museum (open only on weekends). Curator Elizabeth Tashjian (a.k.a. The Nut Lady) has been waxing freaky on the importance and beauty of nuts for more than 25 years now. After grabbing a quick cheese steak in Philly, head to the famous Mutter Museum, at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The museum houses the "Big Colon" and the attached livers of the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng. On second thought, skip the cheese steak. If you can’t get to Graceland, stop by Mini Graceland, a.k.a. Elvis City, in Roanoke, VA. Don’t miss the pool, which is actually a hospital bedpan. You can’t pass through Memphis, Tenn., without stopping at Graceland - America’s No.1 must see. That velvet Elvis will look great in your room when you get back. You just can’t drive down I-95 without hitting South of the Border. If you don’t miss the signs assaulting you from 200 miles away ("Pedro Says: Keep screaming kids! They’ll stop!), you’ll notice the 200-foot sombrero hovering above the dingy shopping area. Avoid the tacos, but hey, you can drink the water. While you’re at S.O.B., check out the College television Network Pit Stop for giveaways. Where do most lost bags go when they die? To the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Ala., where the bags and their contents can be had at discount. We wouldn’t buy the travel-size toothbrushes, though. Need a breather? Anniston, Ala., has a 33-foot-tall office chair. Have a seat. All of you. It would be downright sacrilegious to skip paying the tribute to the original Flipper, who’s graves lie at the entrance to the Dolphin Research Center on U.S. 1 in Grassy Key, Fla. The dolphin, whose actual name was Mitzi, died and was buried here in 1972. Hungry? Have a dolphin burger. |
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Midwest There are several Paul Bunyan statues throughout the country, but the ode to Paul in Ossineke, Mich., is noteworthy for two reasons. First, a statue of Babe the Blue Ox stands in front of the rabid tree-cutter. Second, in the 50’s, Babe’s balls were shot off by a drunk. On Highway 23, in Spring Green, Wisc., don’t miss the House on the Rock, a tribute to junk. Reopening on March 15, this museum houses 239 somewhat grotesque carousel animals and 182 chandeliers, among other oddities. Visit the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minn., and see why processed luncheon meat is where it’s at. After gorging yourself on SPAM, you’re gonna be thirsty. And after drinking that 20-ounce Mountain Dew, you’ll have to pee. Too bad. Stop by the historic HooperBowler-Hillstrom house on Belle Plain, Minn., where you can tour the grounds, but the two-story outhouse if off limits. As mom used to say, "You’ll have to hold it." If, while procrastinating at the library, you’ve ever wondered about the world’s largest ball of twine, now you can see it. It’s in Branson, Mo., and weighs six tons and stands more than 13 feet tall. Not as impressive as the largest bowl of swine. If you’re worried about the environment implications of all the empties you'll leave behind on Spring Break, stop by the Beer Can House in Houston for recycling ideas. The house took 18 years and 39,000 beer cans to complete. Even you might not be able to do that in a week. Despite claims to the contrary, Seguin, Texas, is not home to the world’s largest pecan. That honor goes to the 12,000-pound nut located in Brunswick, Mo., which is out of the way, you’ll want to stop in Seguin, right off of interstate 10, and check out the world’s second largest pecan. |
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West Coast In San Jose, check out the Winchester Mystery House, a mansion built by the widow of the Winchester rifle proprietor. Plagued by guilt for all of the people killed by her husband’s legacy, she engaged in an ongoing construction, for the victim’s spirits, complete with stairways going nowhere and doors opening to brick walls. After outlaw Big Nose George was lynched, a local doctor took skin from George’s chest to make a pair of saddle shoes, which are on display at the Carbon County Museum in Rawlins, Wyo. The winner for grossest roadside attraction - by a nose. Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet at Four Corners, USA-much less picturesque than, say Niagra Falls, but an excellent photo op nonetheless. For that X-files vibe, take a pass through Roswell, N.M., on U.S. 285, where you can view a recreation of the famous alien autopsy, at the U.F.O. Museum. On 1-10 in Cochise, Ariz., behind an old gas station surrounded by cars, live The Thing. Billboards exclaim, "The Thing, What is it?" We won’t spill the beans, but let’s just say it’s worth a stop and a couple of bucks. |
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SPRING BREAK 2002 Lake Havasu Running along the border of Arizona and California, Lake Havasu is a hot spot for revelers from Midwest and West. Houseboating is the most popular pastime on the lake, which has more than 400 miles of shoreline. Hottest party spot: Kokomo’s, Tiki Terrace, and Houseboat flotillas at Copper Canyon. This is how we do it: Get at least eight friends together to keep costs down. Then, contact a houseboat rental agency like H2O Houseboat Vacations (800-242-2628), Sandpoint Marina and R.V. Park (520-855-0549) or Havasu Springs Resort (520-667-3361).
Skiing in Mont Tremblant and Quebec City If you want to go skiing, but don’t like crowded lifts and bad late-Spring conditions, then Quebec is where it’s at. Mont Tremblant is covered in powder until May and nearby Montreal and Ottawa are affordable - with the American dollar yielding about $1.50 Canadian. This is how we do it: If you’re in the Northeast, driving is the way to go. Amtrak also goes to Quebec, and Air Canada’s fares are reasonable. A Company called Skican puts together great packages combinig Quebec and Mont Tremblant cheaper than you’ll find in the states.
New Orleans and Cajun County Spring Break is a good time to go to New Orleans because the weather is warm, it’s not very crowded, and the price is right for hostels. If you have a car, you can drive around the Bayou and hit the town of Lafayette for a taste of true Cajun culture, music, and food. This is how we do it: Drive so you can explore the Bayou - don’t miss St Landry Parish and Lafayette. Of course if you never make it off Bourbon Street, you’ll still have a good time.
Camping and Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah Moab is home to some of the best mountain biking and hiking in the country. Located between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, it’s a great place for just about any outdoor activity. The weather during the Spring Break period is around 75 degrees.
Sea Kayaking in Baja, Mexico If you want to create your own adventure, sea kayaking on the coast of Baja is a great way to do it. This is how we do it: The best kayaking is between Mulege and Loreto on the coast of the Sea of Cortez. Unless you decide to take a guided trip, you’ll need to rent a car. Make Mulege your base, and either bring your own kayaks or rent them. Once you have your gear, head to the Bahia Conception, a calm bay with several beaches where there are several campsites and mellow hotels.
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