The Historical Marker Database

One of the most interesting aspects of driving the slow roads of America is the chance to learn about local history. One way to do that is to stop at the historic markers that you encounter along the older two-lane roads. When you see the sign "Historic Marker Ahead" don't go whizzing on by. Pull over and enjoy a piece of local history.

One of my favorite historic markers in on US Route 89A between Bitter Springs and Kanab in the House Rock Valley. In 1776 a party of Spanish explorers passed this way when returning from an unsuccessful attempt to find an overland route from Santa Fe to the missions in California. This monument commemorates that journey.

Take a look at the Historical Markers Database to find a markers along your journey or to add your own.

The Historical Marker Database: "History Happened Here
National and global events all happened somewhere, and historical markers mark the place where many occurred. But the richness of history is in its local details, details that can be insignificant on the global stage: the home of an individual who made a difference; a natural feature, building, byway; or something interesting that happened nearby. History is not just about the high and mighty."

Road Trip Tips for Couples

In working on the US Route 89 project, my wife and I have done some long road trips. The last one was 15 days long and we drove over 4,000 miles from Arizona to Canada and back. Therefore I can really relate to the eight tips for couples planning a driving vacation. Road trips can be great fun and make a relationship stronger or they can be a disaster. Actually, there is probably some of both in any long trip. The trick is to make stressful situations an opportunity to grow as a couple. It is worth the effort.

Road Trip Tips for Couples: "The reason there's a dark side to road trips is that, while they seem like the ultimate in carefree travel, they are in fact tiring and stressful. Before you actually hit the road, your mental image is likely drawn from car ads filmed on a perfect day in a perfect car on an empty road with endless vistas and no speed limit. You've left your troubles behind, and your biggest worry is that your hair -- because you're in a convertible, of course -- might get tangled. To help ensure that a snarled coiffure really is your biggest problem when you hit the road with your soul mate, here are eight tips to help you plan the romantic getaway of your dreams."

6 questions before a road trip

The usual questions to consider before a road trip are about places to stay and eat along the way. Or what route is the quickest or most scenic. Here is a list of questions about insurance and other things we hate to think about. However, knowing these answers can save you a lot of hassle on your next trip.

6 questions before a road trip: "Each year, millions hit the road to visit family for the holidays, reconnect with friends or just take a little time off.

Before loading up the trunk with luggage, however, experts say it's important for drivers to check with insurance providers and credit card companies to know if they're protected should a travel problem arise."

Five Essential Holiday Road Trip Items To Keep in Your Trunk - Family Car Guide

What's in your trunk? I have a home-made road emergency kit with jumper cables, tire pump, quart of oil, small shovel, screw driver, pliers and hand ax. I also carry a first aid kit which I assembled when my son was in Boy Scouts. Tell us what you think is essential.

Five Essential Holiday Road Trip Items To Keep in Your Trunk - Family Car Guide: "Heading out onto the roads this holiday season to go across the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house can be a stressful affair. Not to mention evil women in Gingerbread houses who try to cook you (oops, mixing my fairy tale metaphors here) there are big rigs, distracted drivers and other road hazards to contend with."

Secrets for Surviving Holiday RoadTrips

Here are some ideas for making a Thanksgiving road trip more fun even when disaster threatens. Be sure and explore the Roadtrip America website for lots of good stuff about road tripping.

Secrets for Surviving Holiday RoadTrips: "The roads are jammed, the kids are squabbling, the weather is sleety and the pumpkin pie is going cold in the trunk. Ah, yes, it's the annual Thanksgiving road trip. Is there anything you can do to make this pilgrimage more bearable? Yes, there is."

Top Ten Reasons that Road Trips Suck | Gadling.com

It's good to read a contrary view every once in awhile. Here's ten reasons to think twice about that road trip you are planning. Forwarned is forarmed, as they say.

Top Ten Reasons that Road Trips Suck | Gadling.com: "Road trips suck. Just in time for Thanksgiving, let's go ahead and talk about it. It might make you feel better."

10 Long-Distance Bicycle Routes in the U.S.

If your slow raod travel runs more to two wheels and human power, here's a list of bike routes to consider for your next trip.

10 Long-Distance Bicycle Routes in the U.S.: "From Denali to Miami, America offers up routes that can make for weeks- or even months-long bicycle getaways."