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Train Stop to History: Old Desert Depot Is Great Destination and Good Place to Change a Tire

It’s only about four miles from off what might be the loneliest highway in San Diego County, highway S-2, but it sends visitors back almost a century. Out in the middle of the desert, at the south end of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, is a reminder of just how far transportation has come since [...]

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San Pasqual Valley

Ramona roundabout: Wandering through the mountain town’s trails

Ramona is one of the special places in San Diego county. Not just because the low-mountain scenery provides great vistas around every corner, but its bucolic roots and surrounding terrain make for great road and wonderful day trip. Our route this time takes us over the county’s newest and technologically advanced freeways and some of [...]

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OC’s Santiago and Trabuco Canyons Are Twisty Fun

Legendary is a label that applies to many roads, none more than the drive we’re taking this week, the route through the Santiago and Trabuco canyons in Orange County. Generations of bikers have left the beaten track in The OC for these twisty wonders; just minutes from the nearest master-planned community, yet so rural, so [...]

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A Bonanza of History Just West of Fargo

A few years back I spent a several weeks working in Moorhead, Minn., and as things go in the interstate twin cities of Fargo, ND and Moorhead, my budget-priced hotel was across the Red River in Fargo. Wandering around one Sunday afternoon, I headed west to where Fargo runs out and Interstate 94 makes one [...]

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The first motel.

The story of the first motel… from the LA Times

  The story of the first motel, in San Luis Obispo, and how you can find what’s left of it: http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-lost-la-milestone-motel-20110702,0,1271731.story

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Video trip: A Look Back At the First Beachin’ 101 Cruise

For your July 4th weekend viewing, here’s a look back at the first Beachin’ 101 Cruise. Great cars and great views of the Pacific coast. Watch for the bumper cars! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZnMUlk8s7s]

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Packed house at Cook’s Corner in the OC

Hog heaven on Father’s Day at the legendary Cook’s Corner roadhouse in Trabuco Canyon.

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Off to Trabuco and Santiago canyons

Well, I’m off to far-off Orange County in the Hyundai Genesis to map out the next Weekend Driver for the San Diego Union-Tribune. I’m hoping there won’t be too much traffic out there, even though Father’s Day will be a great day for dad to hop on the Harley and cruise some of, what I’m [...]

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Oranges in Pauma Valley

Trip For This Weekend: Orange Blossom Special — Leave the Top (Or Windows) Down On Cruise Through Agricultural Backcountry

It might even be a bit late in the year for this — the orange blossoms might be gone — but a cruise through the agricultural heartland of San Diego County is always worth the trip. Add to it some of the best, twisting roads anywhere, and it makes for a great day. It’s an [...]

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Frontier Motel, Truxton AZ, Carol Highsmith photo, courtesy Library of Congress

Go With the Flow When You Walk In On a Family Reunion

Fatigue is setting in and you’ve been motoring eastbound (or north-, south- or west-bound) all day on Interstate Whatever. Up ahead at Exit 134 is a major-brand motel and, even though you find the parking lot choked with Family Trucksters, the somewhat worn out desk clerk says they’ve got a room. Sure, there are a [...]

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