First, one should read Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat Moon.

Second, when we are going somewhere close in New England or New York and have plenty of time I use Delorme's Street Atlas to find routes that do not involve Interstate highways to get us where we are going. Our last trip to Hanover, New Hampshire for a Dartmouth football weekend took us by the Federated Women's Club State Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. Frankly, I have been on better roads in Bolivia, but it was fascinating to find a jewel of forest that none of us knew existed. Frankly, I didn't even know there was a Federated Women's Club.

Third, don't miss the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Highway. They are spectacular drives. I was lucky enough to drive them in a Ferrari convertible with the top down in April a few years ago. You don't have to drive a Ferrari, but the next time I do it I will rent a convertible.

Finally, bring a camera and share the ride with us.

Tom laying in cord wood and anticipating a weekend snow storm in New England.