Two wonderful books, I have found to use as resources!!
I have fallen for the travel bug once again. However, where it’s taking me is still being discovered. I knew that the Lincoln Highway has the western terminus here in CA, but was not sure where. I have discovered it’s located in San Francisco quite near the Legion of Honor. Well, I have this wonderful new to me touring bike and I thought to myself, why not trace the entire route of the Lincoln Highway from the west coast to the Eastern Terminus in NYC! Now that would be fun, wouldn’t it???
Ok, I began my research only to discover that the Lincoln Highway had several incarnations and with all our technology I was able to secure a very good map presented by the Lincoln Highway Association. The highway was actually planned as a route using several existing roads many of which have been lost over the years, re-routed or just plain deserted. Some of the original road is dirt, some gravel, some trail and some not even worth trying to find! There are deserted bridges, broken pavement and I can only imagine how many ghosts.
PBS put out a wonderful video encapsulating a cross country trip on the Lincoln Highway, with highlights focusing on American culture, history, food, tradition, the American family and the continuing future of the automobile. This video sealed the deal so to speak. Now, to find the road, the wonderful Americana, the classic restaurants, the roadside attractions and of course the people!
I hope those of you reading this having any knowledge of this wonderful roadway into American will share stories, places to see, people to visit as well as tales. Please send me your thoughts as I embark on planning this epic journey! I am looking to ride this in the Spring of 2014. Let the planning commence!!
There will be more posted as I know more…stay tuned and any insight WELCOMED!!!
8 responses to “The Lincoln Highway…will the real one please stand up!”
Wow, sounds like a great trip! What time of year are you thinking about? I’d suggest late September – it will be getting cooler by then, but hopefully not too cold, and you would get to see the autumn colors in the east. I’ve missed that most of all in the years since I left New England.
I’m the chairman of the Lincoln Highway Association Mapping Committee. Please email me. Love to help you plan your route.
I’ll be contacting you today, Paul. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your insight!
Thanks Dave for your insight. I’d love to go asap, as I’m so ready for a distance road trip, but I believe I’ll have to wait until spring, but the next few weeks will tall. I’d love to see the colors in New England. It’s long been a huge desire of mine. So, well see. Stay tuned…
I was looking at the map, and I think it would be interesting to note (while taking this journey) how many towns have the street named “Lincoln Ave/Blvd/St/Rd/etc” where the old highway used to run. Just a thought…
Actually, Nancy, I spoke to the chairman of the mapping committee today and many of those areas are being renamed due to the careful mapping work of this gentleman and others on the committee. It’s their research and due diligence that has officially renamed the proper roads.
Donna:
I just rode coast to coast on a 39 day trip, then into New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and back to Eureka, CA. I was on Hwy30 in Indiana and I noticed the Lincoln Highway signs.
I am planning another trip back there in 2015 so next year is too early for me. Wish you good weather and lots of photos
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bob, thanks for the comment. An ideal time would be next fall, so one year from now. I’d like to take three weeks to cover the route so I can actually not just ride it but do some research and sight-seeing along the way. My friend over at Fuzzygalore.com has posted some wonderful and odd sights that I too hope to visit. As the ride approaches, I’ll be posting up maps for comment. Roadtrippers, will really prove to be an asset in the planning stage.
I wish I could go now, but the time just isn’t right! It does give me something to look forward to next year!!