Iconic tower has been around since the 1920s.

Go back a century and a long auto trip meant stopping frequently for more than just snacks or gas. Cars needed sometimes hourly maintenance to fill the radiator, change tires and add oil. Along the two-lane highways of the day, garages sprang up every few miles. Later, entrepreneurs built roadside attractions. Most survived into the 1950s and 60s, only to be bypassed by the Interstate highways.

One that’s still standing is the Desert View Tower, just past Jacumba on Interstate 8. Before it gets too hot in that part of the county, take a trip east. It’s our trip for this weekend.

See story http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sports-car-legend-carroll-shelby-dead-at-89-20120511,0,5669921.story

Watch the curves on De Luz Road.

Here’s a drive that always amazes first-timers: the drive from Temecula to Fallbrook on DeLuz Road. You’ve seen the mountains every time you take I-15 north from Escondido to Riverside County, but the freeway slices straight through.

East and west of the freeway the mountains are rugged and the road is twisty. It’s up and down through streams and ravines, beautiful vistas and oaks that canopy over the road. Historic sites, nature, challenging driving. It’s all there. Enjoy Loop DeLuz.

Someplace west (or is it east) of Amarillo, Tex., is on my map for a visit one of these days. Why? Because I like miles and miles of flat land and farms? No, because it’s the home of the Cadillac Ranch.

Charles Kuralt visited there years ago and CBS’s Steve Hartman did a follow up recently. Watch»

Great open driving on any kind of day.

A socked-in weekend and you’re headed to the beach? If you’re looking to drive and avoid traffic, this is the time to do it.

I haven’t seen much of Old Mr. Sun this week, as our pal the marine layer has kept coastal communities gray and cool. But it’s a great weekend to take a cruise on land around water landmarks and we did just that in a great Mustang convertible back in 2007. It was foggy even in August that year, so we can only hope that our May Gray and June Gloom doesn’t slip another few months.

Enjoy Mustang Around The Bay.

Rain or shine, here’s a great mountain trip for this weekend. It’s an oldie but a goodie, La Posta Loop from January 2003. Head out east on I-8, exiting at Buckman Springs. From there, you’ll head south to find a beautiful and historic lake, twisting roads worthy of any sports sedan you might own or aspire to, and a couple of not-to-be-missed museums.

La Posta Loop is one of my favorites and I hope it becomes one of yours. Visit La Posta loop»

Well, spring break is over and we’re all on that last push before summer begins. If you’re already planning a trip for the summer, consider this one… the Natchez Trace, 400-plus miles from Nashville to Natchez, Miss. I took this a few years ago, so enjoy my blog postings for this week’s Weekend Trip.

Jeep at 6,000 feet.

Mt. Laguna is more than a mile high and about an hour east of San Diego. It’s rugged yet there’s enough rolling land that trails make it great for hiking and off-roading.

Are you one of the millions with all-wheel-drive SUVs that never get dirty? Try this easy route with lots of choices around the mountain for a day in the wilderness. And where can you go on a trail called “Thing Valley Road”?

Take the rougher roads or just cruise on graded dirt; use your own judgement. If you have a 4×4 like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited I tested, go anywhere; otherwise, be mindful of ruts and rocks. You don’t want to leave your CRV’s oil pan in the middle of the road.

On the way, you’ll be on the Sunrise Highway Scenic Byway, so what could be better? I stopped in at a great deli for a sandwich before heading up the mountain; there’s a small store there, but not much else.

Enjoy Laguna Lunch»

From the mailbag…

Hi Jack… a few years ago we took one of your days trips through the back country, past a lama farm, Mother McCreary’s exit road and ending at Sycuan Casino.

It was a great day, but sadly, I no longer have the article and we would like to take the trip again this weekend…

Anyway you can email the directions???  I would realllllly appreciate it..

Best regards,
Rosemary

Well, Rosemary, that’s Who’s Mother Grundy and it’s right here at weekenddriver.com. Have a great trip and watch out for those llamas.

The Viper is coming back. Here’s the latest from the UK Top Gear.

http://topgear.tumblr.com/post/20586517013/meet-the-new-viper-now-with-more-civilization