Road trip to Texas - TIPS?

[Joshua]

So I bought some properties down in Arlington, TX and I'm gonna drive down to check them out and also to see if I wanna consider moving down there (I'm done with 9 months of winter every year in NY).

I'll be on the road for about 2 weeks. I'm trying to think of stuff I should bring with me and/or do prior to the trip. Suggestions?

I'm gonna go pick up one of those power inverters for the car that lets you plug in regular wall outlet plugs, got the radar detector. lots of CD's. Gonna pick up an audio book too, I think. Obviously bringing the digicam...

What else should I bring for safety/comfort/fight boredom? I was considering buying one of those handheld CB radios to talk to the truckers... still not sure about that one though...

Looking forward to eating Arby's (very rare in NY metro area) and Jack In The Box (don't exist in the NY metro)...

[Jenny]

oooh, visit Six Flags! :D

[dbax791]

XM radio. The comedy channel is worth the price alone.

[OC]

I second the XM. It was fantastic on my drive from WA to NC back in November. Grab a 12v cooler to keeps things cold. (Vector brand = bad). Sunscreen. Plenty of bottled water. Maps. Do you have free roaming on your cell phone? Now's the time to make sure.

[Airencracken]

A small cooler to keep in the passenger foot well, that has all your drinks in it, and a large cooler in back to keep the little cooler stocked. :D Also plenty of snacks.

[gear02]

You might want to consider getting a GPS navigator. It might help a lot with directions.

[Joshua]

I didn't even think about an electric cooler... I like it! What's the best place to get one in the next couple of days? Sears or target?

GPS is something I've been kicking around but haven't done anything with. What's a good portable one that doesn't break the bank.

[RIVERWIDOW]

I can understand not wanting to live thru another NY winter but leaving Long
Island for Texas? That is like leaving heaven because its boring to go to Hell which is exciting. My own personal feelilng about Texas is"armpit of the world"
Have lived in East Northport, LI and been in Texas several times for visits. Putting up with the snow is a much better idea. But you gotta do what you gotts do. Good luck. :cheers: Take lots of water for you and your vehicle.

[OC]

I didn't even think about an electric cooler... I like it! What's the best place to get one in the next couple of days? Sears or target?I'd say Sears - Target often only has the Vector brand in stock, and I've heard too many bad things about those. Coleman is good though.

[ShawnLee]

If you've got an ipod, plug that sucker into the tape deck if possible with a car converter. My friend bought a power outlet and used his laptop. World's bulkiest and most heinously impossible mp3 player. I once used that thing to play tetris off of a Gameboy in the car, I thought that was cool.

[gugnheim]

As a veteran road warrior, part of my job is doing extraditions, I make that drive often from Ohio to TX and LA a lot.

Get the XM Roady. Get it now. I listen to news and talk all the time, plus there is lots of music, and MLB pro baseball on this year.

Audio books are the best as well. In fact, Crackerbarrel restraunts rent audiobooks. You buy it, pay like a few dollar fee, and return it to the next CB store you get to and get your money back. It's awsome. And they have a lot of unabridged titles.

The hand held cbs aren't worth a crap range wise.

Lots of fluids, and I second the GPS. I don't know what I'd do now without my Garmin GPS V I've had for a few years. It tells you local resraunts, upcoming rest ares, etc.

Especially at night WATCH THE DEER. And the armadilos that act like possums up north. And if you have to pull over, like I did once for a tire, check the area real well. I was 5 mins into changing a tire, when I heard the rattler. lol.

Good luck, and I love TX. Fiance and I are trying to relocate there as well.

Gug

[nickel]

whatever you do don't talk on a CB radio to truckers named RustyNail

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/joy_ride/13.jpg

[brainsmile]

too bad you don't live closer. I'd lend you my cigarette lighter cooler.

[gear02]

Lots of fluids, and I second the GPS. I don't know what I'd do now without my Garmin GPS V I've had for a few years. It tells you local resraunts, upcoming rest ares, etc.


Yup. I'm glad another has seen the light too, and with a GPS V! :) :thumbup:

You can get a GPS V on ebay for cheap, maybe $200 at the most? I've had that one for a while, but I sold it recently to get an upgrade. Still, it's incredibly functional considering how old it is. It doesn't have much mem (37mb) which will not be enough to hold all the maps for your trip (though you'll have the basemaps to compensate). Also, it's monochrome and it's very slow to calculate rerouting. But like I said, it's one of the best ones out there still.

If you want to pay more, you can get a Garmin Streetpilot 2610. It's about $600 at amazon, but it's color, EXTREMELY fast for reroutes, uses CF cards so you'll have plenty of space for maps, and touch screen. I upgraded to this. Don't bother with the 2620 (has a hard drive) since it's much expensive. You might consider the 2650/2660 since you live in NYC. The 2650/2660 has dead reckoning which uses data from your car to navigate if you lose GPS signal, which you will in the presence of tall buildings (Manhattan). It does require installation by a dealer and does cost a lot more.

Also take a look at the new streetpilots (C320, C330). They're more user friendly, but also a but more expensive and a bit less flexible.

The only other brand I would recommend is the Tom Tom series. They're very good, almost better than Garmin.

I don't know much about Magellans and the others, but from what I read they're not as good as Garmin and Tom Tom.

None are very cheap so don't think it's something you can get for just this trip, but it's a great investment, especially if you're sick of getting lost. The best example of the benefits of these is when I took a trip to Durham to hunt for apartments. I visited about 14 apartments in the area over a day and never did I once get lost, and this was the first time I drove in the city and had no idea where I was going. This surely beats having a million mapquest printouts, and with the 2610 a lot safer since you don't have to look down at a map since it tells you when to turn.

Actually, cheapie should get one since he's always on business trips, though I bet he already knows all the roads in all the cities by now :)

Oh one more thing you should have on your road trip. A hands free for your cell, in case you need to talk to someone.

[Airencracken]

Yeah the vector brand really really sucks for TEC's, their spotlights are nice though...

[Jane83]

i heard texas sucks

[nickel]

i heard texas sucks
where did you hear that?

[Joshua]

Ok, just got back from Costco and picked up an igloo electric cooler. I thought they used to have GPS there, but couldn't find one. It'd be nice if they did since if it sucks, they have an awesome return policy.

I also found a 400 Watt power inverter there for $25... I'll plug in my laptop with a copy of MS Streets and Trips if I can't find a GPS before I go.

Stocked up on water and frappucino's... I'll collect some munchies over the next couple of days as well as look into the GPS..

I'll keep you posted on what kind of gadgeting I come up with before I go...


i heard texas sucks

Thanks for that informative and detailed post. Maybe I won't move there now because of all of the hard points you made... nef - nef - nef... :hehehmm:

[OC]

i heard texas sucksSan Antonio is way cool. I can't wait to visit it again.

[whitak24]

i heard texas sucks
here's what i've heard about texas:

"the only things that come out of texas are steers and queers, boy, and i don't see horns coming out of your head!" :hihi:

seriously, i visited texas once, briefly, for work. i wasn't a fan. and everything i know about texas tells me i wouldn't be a fan of living there. but there are many people who find it to be a great state, and the real estate is hella cheap.

[Yossarian]

uhhh, whitak, buddy, um, you killed that quote.

"Only steers and queers come from Texas, and you sure don't look like no steer!"

[gear02]

Texas has great BBQ :)

[ski]

You will find this thread very handy:

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83197&highlight=GPS

If you need one now, Wal-Mart sells some in their hunting department that you can use as standalone OR hook up to PC and use with MS Streets and Trips.

[gear02]

Actually my Garmin 2610 also has a USB interface (although I believe it's incompatible with MS Streets though the 2650 works). However if you're driving alone, the USB/Laptop combo doesn't work since there's no way you can mount it in your field of vision and looking down and to the passenger seat is very dangerous. If using a computer with your GPS is important, then pick up a standalone that also has USB compatibility.

[whitak24]

uhhh, whitak, buddy, um, you killed that quote.

"Only steers and queers come from Texas, and you sure don't look like no steer!"
you're right, i did butcher it pretty badly. in my defense, it has been at least 3 years since i saw that movie. just for the record, according to IMDB, here's the full quote:

Holy dog s***. Texas? Only steers and queers come from Texas, Private Cowboy. And you don't look much like a steer to me so that kinda narrows it down. Do you suck d***s?

[gugnheim]

The fiance and I are really looking into trying to get some land and relo to TX, or LA or somewhere south. She's a southern gal and I have grown real attached to it, and we both want to get the hell out of the north. Longer riding season, too...

I wouldn't mind working law enforcement somewhere I can actually GET a horse to go with the shotgun for the felon work details...somehow that keeps getting ignored on my req. forms...

Also, eat nuts, good filling sources of protein and good fats. Easy to eat in the vehicle.

Good luck, stay hydrated, and have fun.

Gug

[PiPhiAngel]

i get carsick sometimes...maybe something for that? you just never know.



GPS is something I've been kicking around but haven't done anything with. What's a good portable one that doesn't break the bank.

there are lots of pda/gps from around $300.

[Joshua]

You will find this thread very handy:

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83197&highlight=GPS

If you need one now, Wal-Mart sells some in their hunting department that you can use as standalone OR hook up to PC and use with MS Streets and Trips.


Thanks for the link... I'm off to Staples to see what they've got!

[Kevster]

My in-laws live in Arlington, TX. I am going there this weekend to meet my future brother-in-law for the first time. Being from California, Texas is a very "interesting" place to visit:

1. The surrounding area is extremely flat, except for Arlington for some geological reason.

2. Arlington is a "dry" city, so there are liquor stores piled up on every road at the city limits.

3. Each and every time I have visited my in-laws in Texas, (I'm really not kidding about this either) I have either witnessed a major auto accident in which at least one driver was legally intoxicated, narrowly missed becoming a Texas traffic statistic because of another driver being legally intoxicated, or witnessed the brandishing of firearms by intoxicated Texans. I have had to sign a couple witness affidavit forms for the Tarrant county prosecutor from remote here in California.

4. The restaurant categories of Arlington include: BBQ, Barbeque, Rib & Steak places (Barbequed), Hole-in-the-wall BBQ places, etc. There is one Italian restaurant that my in-laws have found, but they apparently also serve BBQ chicken & ribs. I believe there was an attempt to start a Korean BBQ place there, but Texans couldn't fathom the idea of cooking their own at their table so it closed I think.

5. There is a reason why there are so many police chase videos and "COPS" episodes showing Texas cities (See item #3 for reference).

6. They talk really funny there (especially in Ft. Worth and the surrounding areas of Ft. Worth)

7. If you don't have an SUV or extremely large truck, you may feel "inadequate".

8. Coming from earthquake country, I found it very interesting that most of the homes in Arlington TX are masonary/brick/stone structures. Those are the first to fall down in an earthquake because they don't flex well and end up fracturing and collapsing on their occupants.

9. They have drive-thru everything there - Liquor stores, pharmacies, fast food, etc.

10. Did I mention they talk even funnier when they're drunk and behind the wheel of their wrecked car? Upside down? And they just woke up from passing out?

[Cantacuzene]

I've driven through Texas once, and that was enough for one lifetime. 16 hours of pure, soul crushing, hell. West Texas is awful desert and you get so happy when you see green again as you make your way east, only to be devastated by the horrible polluted mire that is Houston/Galveston.

So as I usually say, "Texas: the only state that will make you see Mississippi."

[ShawnLee]

So as I usually say, "Texas: the only state that will make you see Mississippi."You mean, "glad to see Mississippi" I assume?

[Cantacuzene]

Right.

[mechmike0034]

Daddy always said "If you want a good time, go to Las Vegas - if you want a LOT of time, go to Texas"...

Hope you like chicken-fried steak.

[gear02]

Wow...lots of Texas bashing going on here... :(

But yeah, it's mostly warranted. Canta's right. Don't try driving ACROSS the state...that's worse than...well...actually living in the panhandle.

And yes Texas BBQ rocks :) It's much better than the NC or VA BBQ I've tasted.

Btw though Dallas/Arlington/Ft Worth area may be very...well...white, Houston is incredibly multicultural. There are tons of hispanics and as one of the largest asian populations outside of CA. Houston has one of the best "chinatowns" which is more like a 5-10 mile stretch of a road with huge Vietnamese malls/grocery stores and tons of authentic Chinese restaurants.

But yes, Houston is one of the worst poluted cities in the world. The city is essentially a giant freeway. Living there, I never understood the fasciation that Houstonians had with Galveston. I don't call a place a beach if there's a oil refinery in view.

Oh also, Houston is a giant restaurant too. I recall hearing a stat that said Houston has the most people who go out for meals than any other city in the US. There are a ton of excellent restaurants of all types, whether it be asian, bbq, steak, french, italian, seafood, or cajun. My favorite restaurant of all time is Pappadeaux which is a Cajun seafood restaurant :drool:

In summary, Texas is ok, not great. There's not much else to do in Houston other than eat, so don't visit unless you have relatives in the area.

Go Rockets/Texans/Astros!

[SmokeyDP]

whatever you do don't talk on a CB radio to truckers named RustyNail

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/joy_ride/13.jpg
Wow, no one else picked up on this one huh? :heh:

[Kevster]

I've never been to Houston. All of my exposure to Texas has been in the Dallas/Arlington/Ft. Worth area. What I wrote earlier are my direct observations. I'm really not trying to bash it, but the fact that 99% of the restaraunts there are BBQ really starts to get annoying when you're from Los Angeles where you virtually can't decide what to eat because of the myriad of choices.

I am flying there this Thursday. I really hope I don't have a re-enactment of what happened to us the last time where we were only there for 30 minutes and narrowly missed being hit by a drunk driver going 100+ in his 1999 Caddie. He lost control about 200 yards in front of us and then carreened across all lanes, jumped the embankment, flipped end-over-end 4 times in the air and somehow ended up right side up in a parking lot. The drunks walked away from that accident, but had they actually hit somebody else (they almost clipped us - my Father-in-Law swerved at the last second to avoid being clipped by them as they drifted into our lane) the outcome would not have been so good.

I have been to the Ballpark at Arlington (where the Texas Rangers play). They do have a nice field there.

[gear02]

I've never been to Houston. All of my exposure to Texas has been in the Dallas/Arlington/Ft. Worth area. What I wrote earlier are my direct observations. I'm really not trying to bash it, but the fact that 99% of the restaraunts there are BBQ really starts to get annoying when you're from Los Angeles where you virtually can't decide what to eat because of the myriad of choices.


Don't get me wrong, I don't mind you guys bashing it. Heck I bash Texas :)

I'm just saying there's *some* good stuff here...not much, but some. I guess all I'm saying is that Texas >> Mississippi.

[Joshua]

I don't know guys, I've never spent any time in Cali except for a quick drive through L.A. I obviously can't compare it to there, but I can compare it to NY and it rocks. People are nicer, work ethic is more about working to live, not living to work.

I LOVE BBQ! Ask my wife.. she get's pissed at me nightly when I take whatever she cooks and add some BBQ to it. I like chinese food too, so hopefully there is at least ONE good chinese place.

I can't possible explain to the left coasters what 9 months of winter is like. It's depressing as hell. Don't wanna go out cuz it's dark and gloomy... Leave for work and it's overcast and cold, come back home and it's already dark and cold... Miserable.

I'll take my trip down there and really try to see if it's the escape I'm looking for. I'll post a total (and honest) follow up when I come back. In the meantime, keep the tips coming.

I still haven't found a gps. Went to Circuit City, they only had two of the USB ones and their return policy said it was software since it comes with software (lame). Went to staples.. .they stopped selling GPS's!

At this point I don't know if I'll find one, but I'll try a few more places before I leave.

Thanks for your help guys!!

[gear02]

I still haven't found a gps. Went to Circuit City, they only had two of the USB ones and their return policy said it was software since it comes with software (lame). Went to staples.. .they stopped selling GPS's!

At this point I don't know if I'll find one, but I'll try a few more places before I leave.

Thanks for your help guys!!

Do you have time to buy it online? If not, try a sporting goods store like Galyans or REI.

[Joshua]

ok... picked up the Garmin USB in the city today. I gave it a trial run when I got home... VERY COOL! This is gonna be awesome on the road. It shows everything from restraunts to gas stations.. NICE!

Gonna pick up the last few things I need tomorrow and am hitting the road on Thursday morning.

[gugnheim]

Which model Garmin did you get? Does that still come with city select?
What's your route?
-Gug

[Jenny]

:stupid: What's your route?

[Kevster]

Well I am posting from Arlington now and apparently they have found a few more restaraunts here - there's a thai place here that's pretty decent (very light on the 'spicy' dishes though :angry: ).

It went from 62 when we got here to 86 and humid the next - ugh. I'll be glad to go home to California tomorrow.

[gear02]

Well I am posting from Arlington now and apparently they have found a few more restaraunts here - there's a thai place here that's pretty decent (very light on the 'spicy' dishes though :angry: ).

It went from 62 when we got here to 86 and humid the next - ugh. I'll be glad to go home to California tomorrow.

Dude...go to Fogo De Chao. It's expensive ($40 a person) but it's hella good.

http://www.fogodechao.com/locations.htm

Just don't eat anything all day then go. It's a brazilian churrascaria, one of the best in the US. Amazing meats...