Help Ben Karak see the country this winter!

[Keith Whitener]

Hello there FOts, this is Ben Karak. This winter break, I would like to drive across the country. The goal, from NJ to LA, then from LA back to NJ. If any of you would be willing to have me stay the night at your homes (I have a sleeping bag, so a bed is not even necessary!), I would greatly appreciate it. If you are up for showing me around your town, that would be exciting as well! I have never really been out of NJ (I once went to Baltimore for an Amway convention), so I think this trip will make up for that. I need adventure!

Based on who offers, I will plan accordingly.

Hope you can help, FOTs. All offers are appreciated!

[DoodleJump!]

Um...Georgia. We have an extra room. And my town is awesome.

[Keith Whitener]

Um...Georgia. We have an extra room. And my town is awesome.

Offer accepted! Thank you very much.

[Pastor Josh]

Cool!  When, though?

[emma]

You're always welcome in Canada, which is way out of your way probably!

Sincerely,

The People Of Canada

[yesno]

Where are you leaving from? NJ/NY?

[emma]

Uh oh. Some kind of Ben Karakh impostor is trying to cash in on his FOT persona!

[JustNicole]

If you'd like to come to Kentucky, you can crash on our futon! Just let me know.

[Keith Whitener]

Where are you leaving from? NJ/NY?

NJ.

[yesno]

If you think DC could be your first stop or something, there's me.  I have an Army cot and everything.

[Keith Whitener]

If you'd like to come to Kentucky, you can crash on our futon! Just let me know.

Thank you!

If you think DC could be your first stop or something, there's me.  I have an Army cot and everything.

And thank you!

Both of you have been added to the list of potential stops. Once I have enough names, I will go to the big map and plan how best to do this.

I am in your collective debts!

[courtney]

I've got Nebraska covered for you if you feel some odd need to come here.

It's the center of the country! Why not?!




I think there are a couple other FOTs here somewhere, too.

[amiright??]

You're always welcome in Canada, which is way out of your way probably!

Sincerely,

The People Of Canada

I wish you'd ask before inviting guests so we could at least tidy up a bit first... Jeepers.

[yesno]

I have driven cross country about 15 times, mostly between Colorado and points east (and back) but also from California.  The visiting angle is pretty good.  But most of what you see is pretty samey.  Some parts of the country I've never driven through, like The Badlands, so maybe there's some cool stuff right off the highway there.  But for the most part you really have to make an effort to go out of your way if you want to see something interesting.  With the exception of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis pretty much nothing is near the Interstates.

I'd recommend I-10 as your primary road, because it allows you to see New Orleans.  Driving through the Mississippi Delta is worthwhile, as well.  Actually, I-40 is pretty good as it passes through Kentucky and Tennessee, which are gorgeous.  I-70 is efficient, and it's what I've driven on most, but unless you're visiting someone in particular the scenery is about the same from the Appalachians to the Rockies.  There are fewer trees in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, but that's about all you get for variety.  I've never done 80 or 90.

This is the best version of the US Interstate system as a subway map:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/senexprime/4055072020/

I think if you sign in you can see it large. I might go buy a poster of it right now.

Load up on comedy albums/Best Show archives/audiobooks.  It's fun to mix it up with music.  Listening to random radio stations isn't as fun as you might think.  Eat healthy food and get enough sleep, major nationwide chains are your friends as far as motels go, and don't drink too much coffee (or water or anything else).

[mizzfair]

Hi,
You can stay with me in Albuquerque, NM, if you don't mind a pushy dog and cat.