mustangfun101

I live in Virginia Beach and have never lived on the east coast. I like to do day trips (or two) and could use advice on some nice destinations. I like going to scenic places with great roads to drive on and maybe a hotel or campground to stay at. I usually go 200-400 miles depending on the destination. I figure with the ship being in port most of the spring and some of the summer I could get out and about. Thanks in advance.

38special

Skyline parkway is a must see.

Just stay on Rt 64 until you get to the mountains. Costs 10 bucks to ride on it, but you can ride pretty far to the North or South. Best in the Fall, IMO but the Spring is good too because all of the leaves are not out yet.

mr-mstng

Lots of nice campgrounds and scenic areas and parks here in NE PA.

I've gone to Watkins Glen (on Lake Seneca) a few times just over the border in NY. They have a lot of small wineries. Several nice scenic routes getting there. I think I've put more miles on the Saleen going there than anywhere else.

95SVTCobraVA

1. The Skyline Drive starts at Afton Mountain and goes north and cost money like Mark said. But, watch your speed

2. The Blue Ridge Parkway starts at Afton Mountain and goes south and is free. But, watch your speed Afton Mountain is where I-64 and the BRP intersect.

3. Outer Banks

4. The Delmarva (Eastern Shore)

5. If your into history Virginia is full of it. Just pick the part of the state you want to see and you will find some kind of battlefield there. And then there is DC, Richmond, Williamsburg, Fredricksburg, etc.

Plenty to do

Ranger

How about:

1 - Taking Route 50 from DC To Winchester. Would recommend a weekend since the traffic around DC/I-95 really is bad. 50 is the old wagon trail to the frontier and you will go thru areas that reflect the old Virginia.


2 - You can pickup the Skyline Drive at Front Royal near Winchester and take it to the Blue Ridge Parkeay. Camping along both. Biased towards the Peaks of Otter which has a lodge, campground, etc. If you get tired of the low speeds on the Parkway, I-81 is nearby.

mustangfun101

Well, I got one weekend planned now. I will be in Richmond for the NASCAR race on Saturday the 14th. They set aside seats for the military and gave some to the ship to sell. Front row, coming out of the turn in corner four. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!!

95SVTCobraVA

Ever been to a NASCAR Race?

mustangfun101

No, first one.

hispony

Go to another one.
Dover, Delaware 6/4 & 6/5. One mile of concrete oval.
http://www.doverspeedway.com/
Add the Monster Mile Club pre-race hospitality if you can. Breakfast, lunch, goody bag, BATHROOMS! (untill they close)
PM me if you want details. We did it last year and are doing it again this year.
Don't go to Pocono Raceway . Not worth it.

Chincoteaque (sp?) Virginia. Check that out.

Route 58 to I-85 is a nice scenic drive. I did that the other way with a show car trailer. We were coming from Chapel Hill NC to friends in Hampton VA.

95SVTCobraVA

EXCELLENT

Be prepared for a few things

1. 110,000 people
2. Bring ear plugs.
3. get there early (no later than 3:00pm). This allows you time to check out the Souvenir Trucks, the track and the people. Keep your eyes open you never know who you may see

The drivers will tell you that they love to race at Richmond. It is the Best Short Track in all of NASCAR

For more info on the track check out their website http://www.rir.com/

The best places to watch the action is in the middle of turns 2 & 4, midway up or higher.

Ranger

Watching a NASCAR race on tv does not do it justice - you will be amazed at the experience. As stated previously, Richmond is the best track in my opinion. HAVE A BLAST!!!!

mr-mstng

You'll have to come to Pocono if like the race at Richmond.

2.5 mile tri-oval.

95SVTCobraVA

Your right
When you watch it on TV all you can see are the leaders or who they wants you to watch. The best action is back in the pack. Lots of rubbing and bumping going on there

The big draw back is no istant reply

But it makes you watch more closely

You will have a ball


B) B) B)

hispony

Not with you on this one. Pocono is nothing like Richmond. Dover is.
If it wasn't for the fact that I don't pay for the tickerts AND they are Terrace Club with food & drinks, I wouldn't go. Too many better tracks we're willing to travel to.

mustangfun101

I won't be able to go to Dover due to work. My friend who goes to Richmond said Pocono isn't bad.

The Navy brainwashed me, I get up for work at 3am so I will probably wake up at 6am on Saturday for the race and be at the track by 7 or 8am. I'm going to be seated in the front row at the entrance of turn four right where at the entrance to pit lane.

Ranger

Recommend that if you don't have a favorite driver(s), pick 2-3 that start like in the front, middle, back at the beginning. On a track like Richmond, it will appear like a big mess for the first part of the race until you notice all the individual battles going on. There will be a ton of action with all the cars.

Bookman

I went to Richmond night race last year and had a blast. I do dover every June and love it. We make a 4 day weekend out of and stay in Ocean city the whole time. Drink, Drank, Drunk.

PS Get yourself a scanner so you can listen to MRN when there in comercial. It can get hysteriacal.

mustangfun101

MRN?

95SVTCobraVA

MRN = Motor Racing Network Radio. They are great to listen too

hispony

You can rent a scanner and headset from several vendors at the track. They come pre-programmed with drivers and media frequencies.

MRN on a scanner during commercials