Hit the trails: Four road trips for fall - USATODAY.com

Here's another approach to selecting a route for your road trip. Pick a subject that interests you such as a particular food (salsa, anyone?) or a period in history. Then find a route that will satisfy that interest. Here are a few suggestions:

Hit the trails: Four road trips for fall - USATODAY.com: "Looking to add some meaning and direction to your next road trip? Then pick an interest and follow the trail."

British man gets in his convertible car, and simply drives around the world

One man made every road trippers fantasy come true.

British man gets in his convertible car, and simply drives around the world: "Have you ever gotten in your car, started driving and wondered what would happen if you just kept going?"

And just like the sky, the road never ends... - Life's Signposts

We see a lot of motorcyclists on our road trips on US Route 89. It is a very popular road for bikers probably because of the varied terrain and minimal traffic in many sections. Here is a thoughtful blog post by Gary Gardner about a recent ride on US 89.

And just like the sky, the road never ends... - Life's Signposts: "I've often spoke about the imagery and connection that I have with highway signs. I love the fact that I can be on a road 3,000 miles away from where I want to be and know that if I follow the numbers, I'll get there. I love how they are both literal and metaphorical guide posts to a destination. I think I first realized this when I was attending Graduate School at Arizona State in Tempe, AZ. The main street through Tempe is Mill Avenue, which becomes Apache Trail as it curves around campus. At the time it was also US Highway 89. Back home in Salt Lake City, the main drag through town is State Street -- also US-89."

Hot Dog Road Trip Celebrates The American Classic's Regional Flavors | Reuters

I love hot dogs. Each region of the country has its own unique way of serving them. Herre's a list of ten cities and the recipes that make them famous. In my opinion, hot dogs are the perfect road trip food—fast, convenient and they give you a taste of what make that particular city unique.

If you are traveling through Phoenix, Arizona, try the Great Dane Dog House on North 7th Street. They serve a Chicago-style dog and some of the best french fries in town. Do you have a favorite hot dog stand to recommend?

Hot Dog Road Trip Celebrates The American Classic's Regional Flavors | Reuters: "From the east to the west, north to the south, Americans love to dress up their dogs! Whether you choose avocado and mojo sauce or opt for potato and onions, one thing is clear -- this great nation is crazy about hot dogs and the toppings that give them their local flavor!"

A road trip through literary California

A road trip through literary California

Continuing in the literary theme, here is a road trip in northern California. It features places where some of the authors of America's great road trip books lived and worked. Perhaps you will be inspired by the beautiful scenery on this trip to write your own narrative.

Great Road Trips in American Literature | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine

Great Road Trips in American Literature | Arts & Culture | Smithsonian Magazine

I would add to this list William Least Heat-Moon's latest book, Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey. I have been reading it slowly all summer, savoring Heat-Moon's use of the English language that makes visualizing his journeys even more enjoyable.

Do you have a favorite road trip book that is not on this list?

Traveling in Indian Country

Two newspaper articles came to my attention today that illustrate the paradox I feel when traveling in Indian country. The first story appeared in the Independent and detailed the Navajo Nation's concern over protecting the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff, Arizona, from desecration. The peaks, called Dook’o’oosliid in Navajo, are the sacred mountain to the west and one of four mountains held holy by the Navajo people and other tribes. The Forest Service has approved plans for an expansion of the ski resort on the peaks which includes using reclaimed sewer water to make artificial snow. Indian religious practitioners view this as desecrating sacred ground and have sued the government. The tribes are now seeking the intervention of President Obama to settle the dispute.

My connection to the San Francisco Peaks is not so deeply religious but it is nonetheless spiritual. When I travel to northern Arizona I always look for the appearance of the distinctive outline of the volcanic cone of the peaks on the horizon no matter from which direction I approach. It signals a coming home to a an area of the country that I love. I have climbed to the top of Humphreys Peak and felt the power of the place. So I am sympathetic with the Indians' feelings. It is another example of the dominate culture's lack of concern for a minority culture, particularly that of native Americans.

The second story is from the Arizona Daily Sun and is about the Navajo Nation's plans to build a $200 million casino complex at Twin Arrows, 20 miles east of Flagstaff. For many years the Navajos resisted the allure of gambling money but have finally started building casinos. This goes against taboos on gambling that are part of the Navajo culture. I know that profits from the casinos are funding vital services both on and off the reservation. I love the irony of the Indians gaining from an entertainment that is outlawed in most of the rest of the United States. It seems about time that the red man gets to stick it to the white man. I can't help but feel a twinge of saddnes, too.

If there is a point to these two stories, it's this. Keep your mind open on a road trip, as well as your eyes. You are likely to encounter strange things that will surprise and perplex you. Be aware and you will be richer for the experience.