My wife and I are leaving in about 15 minutes for our two week, 6000 mile trip from the east coast to the wild west and back! I'll try to regularly update this thread with some pictures of the Jag in various places of beautiful scenery along the way.

 

Woooo! If you see a moose or a train or military aircraft, take a picture of your car with it. That would be neat-o. Have fun!

 

Man, I'm jealous! I haven't taken my XKR out for a long run yet...can't wait to do it!

Have a great time...look forward to seeing pictures!

Dave

 

I for one will be following along... with your personality, this is bound to be entertaining.

 

Have a nice trip

 

That kind of distance would get me beyond Moscow and into Siberia if I started from where I live.

America is a BIG place. All the best for your trip !!

 

You guys planning on coming through Phoenix?

 

Sam
Where are you heading, give everybody a heads up. Have a good time, carry plenty of sunscreen.
Doug

 

I whole heartedly agree! You are on your way to God's country! The only place to be is the west anyway.

 

Good luck, hope you and your wife have a great time, with no Jag problems. Funny thing is that, when I was younger, I thought that when you owned your own business, it would give you more free time to do things like you are doing. Little did I know that what actually happens is that your job becomes 24/7, and trips like yours are impossible. I am working on some projects that should give me some free time, and then, perhaps, I can take a trip like yours, which I have always wanted to do. I am sure that you will keep us all well apprised of your adventures.

 

Driving the jag (especially the vert) across the country is extremely enjoyable. As long as you're not pressed for time, stopping and enjoying the scenery, it is a blast. I drove from TX to Indiana in August last year and took over a week off for it. Top down almost every day, though it rained once. Lots of golf too. I did a trip diary similar to this one. Everyone should do it once, its great fun.

 

Here are the first pics! On day one we were driving through this little town of Marion, NC and I saw an E-Type on the back of a trailer. Of course, I had to take a picture.



And here's the XK8 near the top of Mount Mitchell. Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. The drive up was a BLAST! Lots of switchbacks. I learned that when the traction control kicks in, a light on the dash lights up!

 

6,578! Out West we call that a hill.


Last summer at the Tetons - 13,770 ft ..Have a blast.

 

We're leaving from North Carolina and just touring the southwest. The only thing that's set in stone is the Grand Canyon. We are at the north rim next Saturday and Sunday nights. Other than that we're just playing it by ear. Our plan is to stay away from the interstate, stay away from chain restaurants, and stay away from the chain hotels. I travel a lot for my job and I'm always staying in Hiltons and eating at Applebees. We're going to eat at the local diners and stay in the "Bates Motel" type hotels. Tonight we're actually in Memphis staying at the Doubletree right next to Beale Street, but this is the last nice hotel for a few days at least. For those of you unfamiliar with Beale Street, it's like Memphis' version of Bourbon street in New Orleans.

Tomorrow we're heading over into Arkansas. We're going to see a drive-in movie tomorrow night, then on Monday we're going canoeing for the day. After that we have no plans other than the Grand Canyon.

The weather was beautiful for driving with the top down today! It was mostly cloudy for most of the day with temps in the upper 80's. Later in the afternoon when it wasn't so hot the clouds went away and we had sunny skies all the way in to Memphis. I'm not sure how things are going to be when we get to the southwest, however. My interior is black, so any time I have to leave the car parked in the sun we have a sheet that we use to cover up the seats.

 

We found a steam locomotive in Cookeville, Tennessee.



Tonight we're in Memphis. I tried to find a place to take a pic of the Jag along the Mississippi river, but I couldn't find any place where I could get the car close to the water. Perhaps tomorrow morning on the way out of town.

 

Marc, I second that comment.

Sam, if it is on your way, you should climb Pikes Peak! You have the car for it, and you should be able to see that amber light flash a few more times in the process!

 

I like your tailpipes, Marc. The stock tailpipes are way too small for the cut-outs in the bottom of the bumper. Larger tips are probably my next cosmetic upgrade.

 

Excellent! I bet you're having fun.

 

Last night we were on Beale Street in Memphis. This guy was attracting a crowd and making some pretty good money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvU8nvQ-Kac

 

Reverend - I second the Pikes Peak suggestion - and if I may add another Colorado suggestion - get the car up Trail Ridge Road - it's the main road bisecting Rocky Mountain National Park and it's really way up there. I think the highest point is close to 12800+ feet near Fall River Pass. It's a good mountain road too - great for ... ehm ... spirited driving, especially early morning. Just be careful with the resident elks!

You can stay @ Grand Lake at the road's west terminus. There are no chain restaurant or chain lodging there. When I was there, the main nightlife draw was a bull moose wandering the main drag!

AZ89A btw Flagstaff and Sedona is also very nice - but then it's quite a drive from the North Rim .... I think Zion National Park might be closer to your destination. If you head North on US89 from the North Rim - you might be able to hit several nice parks - Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.

Keep the pictures coming!

I've reserved all my vacation days to go home to Java - else I would've spent them they way you are spending it now - on a road trip with the car!