The Great Summer Road Trip

Okay, throwing open the field for suggestions! :)

This summer will quite possibly be the last one I have free before I must settle down and really focus on my dissertation. I have therefore decided I should add to my list of new things by taking a road trip from here to Florida, so I can actually visit old friends there this time. So, I’m calling on all of you to please give me any suggestions of new, unique, beautiful, or fun things to do and places to visit. Helpful suggestions on how to travel inexpensively are also quite welcome.

The trip will run from CA through NV, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MI, & AL, to FL. Currently on my list are visiting Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, & New Orleans — suggestions on what’s fun to do there will be gratefully accepted! I’ve also had Soleri’s Arcosanti in AZ recommended to me — I’d like to get one of his bells. My current “maybe”s are Roswell, the Joshua Tree National Park, and the AZ Shakespeare Festival.

Help me out here, please! Any beautiful locations or nifty holiday celebrations or weird historical spots to recommend? Also, suggestions on ways to travel easily and frugally? Any experiences to share regarding camper trucks, or rental cars and camping gear, or motorcycle travel, or tips on staying cool / clean / safe / happy while driving long distances? :)