Comment by reidacdc | Hacker News Reader

Comment by reidacdc | Hacker News Reader

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I did the Chicago to San Francisco (and back) run fairly regularly in the 1990s, and we didn't depend on vacancy signs.

Our solution was basically brand loyalty -- the Motel 6 people published a book with addresses and phone numbers of all their motels in the US. The scheme is, you get on the road, and some time around 7pm, you stop for dinner, and make a reservation (from the payphone) at the Motel 6 that's about 100 miles ahead, and off you go.

The only time it didn't work well was one time when there was a large event in Cheyenne, Wyoming (I think it was the world square-dancing championship, but my memory is uncertain), and we couldn't get a room for love or money. We pushed on to Laramie, which was a little dangerous given how long we'd been at it, but it worked out OK.

I travelled that route (and back) with my parents a couple of times around the same time, as tourists.

I think I was 13 the first time, and 15 the second time. Although we had a mobile phone, we didn't phone ahead, we simply turned up somewhere. Perhaps once we had to drive further than we wanted (until midnight or so), and a couple of times I think the cost was a little higher than we wanted, but considering this was a family of 5 it worked out nicely.

My parents found some interesting places, too. I've not met anyone else that's been to see the Mitchell Corn Palace. (I've only met a few Americans who've seen as much of their own country as I have, which is a pity.)

I've seen it. They have signs for it like 500 miles before in either direction, no, like Wall Drug?

Probably.

Bear in mind I don't live in the USA, so I don't meet all that many Americans.

I've been there and went inside.

Looks like an Adventure. How long did it take you each way? 3 days? 12h/day (and something like 500Mi per day?)

Yes, about three days. We didn't stop for much, really just gas and dinner, so you can do 10-11 hr days and also get some sleep.

Probably the rodeo. Last full week in July. Population of Cheyenne triples.

Quite the American story.

Great comment. These posts are far too rare here.

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