Road Diary Archives - Page 12 of 18

First traffic ticket on MRT

Mike Shubic November 3rd, 2013 21 Comments

After more than three and a half years of road tripping, I received my first ticket. Come to think of it, I've not had a traffic citation in more than a decade. Yeah, I'm a good driver. This ticket however, was absolutely bogus and I do plan on fighting it...

Six degrees of sibling separation

Mike Shubic October 20th, 2013 12 Comments

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a game based on the "six degrees of separation" concept, which posits that any two people on earth are, on average, about six acquaintances apart. The following reads like a cliché Hollywood movie; however, this is not the imaginative tale of a screenwriter but...

Interviewed on Bicoastal’s “Wake-Up Call”

Mike Shubic October 7th, 2013 Comments Off

This morning I was interviewed by Robb Holloway of KPNW's "Wake-Up Call," a station out of the Pacific Northwest. The topic was fall destinations—the interest for the interview came from my recent article, "The best towns to 'fall' in love with this autumn." I hate to listen to myself on...

East entrance to the Grand Canyon

Mike Shubic September 18th, 2013 Comments Off

I have been to the Grand Canyon many times, but until today, I had no idea there was a third entrance. Nearly 90% of all the visitors to the Grand Canyon enter from the South Rim. The North Rim, my personal favorite, is only open a few months out of...

Trifecta of near mishaps

Mike Shubic September 17th, 2013 1 Comment

I woke to a beautiful pre-dawn morning and watched the sun rise above the canyon before me, just outside of Canyonlands National Park in the Moab, Utah. Just inside the park entrance is a 4-wheel drive road called, “Shafer Trail.” I wanted to take this road to the canyon floor...

Cano’s Castle in Antonito, Colorado is a roadside attraction worth a gander

Mike Shubic September 11th, 2013 Comments Off

I've seen a lot of strange structures along the road during my travels, but "Cano's Castle" just might take the prize for the most whimsical. While visiting Antonito, Colorado after taking a ride aboard the Cumbras/Toltec Scenic Railway, I discovered Cano's Castle, one of the oddest structures I think I've...

A reunion in Peoria

Mike Shubic August 19th, 2013 Comments Off

My main motivation for coming to Illinois was for the Travel Media Showcase conference in Rockford, IL. I arrived in the state several days prior to the start of the show, so I reached out to some family members in Peoria, IL that I've not seen in more than a...

Chicago, Chicago…that toddlin’ town…

Mike Shubic August 16th, 2013 Comments Off

Chicago, Chicago...that toddlin' town that I could not turn round... I typically try and bypass the big cities, but I'm in the area for a travel conference to be held in Rockford, Illinois. I have friends who live in the area and so it was the perfect opportunity to gather...

Road Trippin’ through PA

Mike Shubic August 11th, 2013 Comments Off

I haven't been able to update my "road diary" in a while as I've been road trippin' and camping in some remote parts of northern Pennsylvania (limited wi-fi/cell coverage). I've had a fantastic time exploring a number of the state parks along highway 6, which is quite a scenic route....

Camping at Sebago Lake

Mike Shubic July 24th, 2013 Comments Off

I left my posh accommodations at the Camden Harbour Inn today and began my long trek back west. Tonight I'm camped out at Sebago Lake State Park, which is located in the far western part of Maine. The beach and lake area are quite nice, but the camp spots just...

Picked up my first “non-hitchhiker”

Mike Shubic July 15th, 2013 2 Comments

As I drive around the country looking for cool places to write, or film, I've stopped a few times to help folks out...from changing a tire to providing directions. However, I've never picked up a hitchhiker. Given that I often have stuff strewn all over my truck, I don't really...

Gastronomic experience and adventure…

Mike Shubic July 4th, 2013 Comments Off

Boy, last night I had a sensational gastronomic experience at Les Fougeres...a remarkable restaurant located in Chelsea, a small community within L'Outaouais, Quebec. The setting is reminiscent of a small French countryside inn, with some of the most artistically creative dishes I've had the pleasure of consuming. Prior to my...

Beer, vino, history and more

Mike Shubic July 3rd, 2013 Comments Off

I had a full day today, continuing my exploration of the Outauais region of Quebec. After checking out of my fantastic accommodations at the Chateau Cartier, I headed north to a rustic rural area called Aylmer, to get a first hand tour of a boutique vineyard. As I arrived at...

Asheville, a bevy of beer, beards and bears

Mike Shubic May 19th, 2013 Comments Off

I just arrived in Asheville, North Carolina where I've heard there is a bevy of beer, beards and bears. I'm in town visiting wildlife blogger friends, Hal and Christiana of Travel for Wildlife. This evening Hal and Christina took me on a tour of downtown Asheville where I enjoyed looking...

Chuggin’ into Chattanooga

Mike Shubic May 15th, 2013 Comments Off

I drove all the way across the state of Tennessee the past couple of days…it’s so beautiful. I just love driving the back roads of America…that’s where you see the best stuff. Unfortunately the weather has not cooperated, so I rarely pulled over to take any photos or shoot video....