Austin to Norfolk: Sights and Ponds

[Steve Lansdowne]

I'm contemplating taking a several week vacation drive from Austin to Norfolk, sightseeing historical and nautical/maritime museums/sights along the way and may even bring my double paddle canoe along. Some camping/some motels, likely. I've scoured Smith's Master Index of museums for ideas but would welcome more from folks in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, and Virginia for more ideas (not to forget Tennessee and Arkansas on the way back). This is only an idea at this point, but I do have plenty of time and state maps to plan from. Ah, the perks of working for a school district and having summers off!

[Venchka]

Interesting. Were I in your shoes I would head north by west. Funny. I never equate "vacation" and the route you just mentioned. Maybe I'm strange.

Have you been to the Vicksburg Battlefield? Might be out of the way if you stay on I-10. If you have a boat, the Florida state park, St. Joe Peninsula (?), on the coast past Panama City looks intriguing. Possibly crowded. Have you ever driven around the north end of Great Smoky Moountians N.P.? Kinda neat and out of the way. Or it was in a snow storm.

Good luck!

Wayne

[garland reese]

The Eureka Springs area of Arkansas is cool. There are lots of lakes and stream in AR. The buffalo river is a neat place. If you are a fly fisherman, you should not miss the chance to fish the White River.............arguably the best trout fishing in the USA, oddly enough......and since your so close, go over to Branson, MO, Siver Dollar City........lots of old Ozark craftsmen there (though far too commercialized these days). Catch a music show or two. I cannot remember the name of the lake just outside Branson, but it is beautiful.
And since you're so close, stop by OKC! on your way back south to the "badland" (just kiddin'....I'm a closet Texan......sorta, well, maybe not )
Garland

[John Bell]

I dunno if Civil War or old time railroad history is your thing, but let me suggest the brand new Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive in Kennesaw, GA.

http://www.southernmuseum.org/

"The Museum offers a wide range of exhibits, including a glimpse into the daily lives of soldiers during the Civil War; a reproduction of a turn-of-the-century locomotive factory; and an exciting depiction of the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase."

The locomotive factory stuff is pretty cool, lots of pattern making and casting technology from the 19th century.

Also on site is the famous locomotive "The General", which was stolen by Union spies during Sherman's campaign. Several movies were made about this particular event, notably Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase".

My dad is also a part-time docent at this museum. If you see a guy that looks like Santa Claus, say hi for me.

[Venchka]

While we're talking trout fishing and Arkansas...The Little Red River.

My dad caught the biggest rainbow trout in a long career as a fisherman just upstream of the bridge in Branson, MO. It hangs in my office at home today. Damn shame what has happened to Branson.

Wayne

[Steve Lansdowne]

Thanks to the suggestions above, and others, I've now added a few stops to my trip. Any other ideas are welcome.

[Venchka]

How much wandering and zigging and zagging do you want to do?

Breaux Bridge, LA or campgrounds/state parks to the south would be fun. Paddle in the Basin or bayous. Party after dark. Eat 'till you can't paddle.

Bella Figura-fabulous Tuscan/Cajun restaurant in Lafayette, LA. Weekdays for lunch or dinner. Not cheap. Not expensive like Emeril's.

Plantation homes along the Mississippi River. Both banks. "Laura" is supposed to be a really nice tour. GOOGLE knows.

Santa Fe, Durango, Moab, Smoot, Field, ...oops, wrong trip. Maybe next summer.

Wayne
Stuck in the Swamp.

[jhl]

Steve:

This one is all the way at the end of your route but is worth a visit,

The Mariners' Museum

in Newport News, it's a good size facility with much to see, including the "USS Monitor".

Good Travels

[Steve Lansdowne]

Yep, the Mariner's Museum was why I was going to take the trip in the first place.

[jhl]

About an hour up the road in Deltaville there is a small museum and boat building shop that is interesting. {I keep the "Mother Ship" in Fishing Bay harbour, in Deltaville}

Also about an hour (by car that is) north of Deltaville is Reedville. They have a great little mariners museum there that gives the history of Manhaden fishing on the bay, they also have a restored "Skip Jack" and "Buy Boat" in the water there, along with several other small craft some new and some old. We a sailing up there this weekend for Independence Day festivities.

The Mother Of All Museums on the bay is in St Michaels MD. It's our version of Mystic Seaport! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

It would be a long haul for you from Norfolk but well worth the trip.

There is so much to do in and around the Bay that most folk just come and stay That's what I did