I love traveling, but the idea of advanced planning–making hotel reservations, prepaying for sightseeing admission tickets, even highlighting maps–well, no thanks.
I prefer to throw a few things in a bag, grab some caffeinated beverages and head out the door. I’m not choosy about the destination, either. For me, the allure of travel is the spontaneous and the opportunity to meet new people and learn about their cultures.
One of my favorite travel excursions is what’s commonly known as the one-tank trip. When the mood strikes, I’ll pick a direction and hit the open road as far as one tank of gas will take me. Depending on the rental car, this typically means up to 300 miles from Chicago.
Looking for a random adventure? Why not try one of these one-tank trips:
North
Iron Mountain, Mich. Nestled humbly in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Iron Mountain is an ideal year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Three aggressive rivers provide challenging thrills for canoeists and kayakers, while miles of open woodlands are perfect for hunters and ATV thrill-seekers. There also are dozens of cycling and hiking trail options, downhill skiing opportunities, outstanding fishing spots and extensive snowmobile trails. If all the physical activity exhausts you, head to the Iron Mountain Iron Mine for a look at modern-day miners in action; ironmoun tain.org or call 800-236-2447.
South
Evansville, Ind. The 1992 film “A League of Their Own” was filmed in Evansville, so if you visit the Evansville Otters’ Bosse Field you can see the dugout where Gina Davis spit sunflower seeds. But that’s not all Evansville offers. There’s also the Mesker Zoo and Botanic Garden, a 50-acre park with more than 200 animal species; Casino Aztar, a 24-hour riverboat casino with more than 1,000 slot machines and 50 gaming tables; and Lincoln State Park, a 1,700-acre park with boating, fishing, hiking and camping options; evansvillecvb.org or call 800-433-3025.
East
Toledo, Ohio. Two things come to mind when I think of Toledo: my older brother’s wedding and fast-food restaurants. Never in my life have I seen a city seemingly dedicated to french fries and drive-throughs. But in addition to social halls and McPlaygrounds, Toledo offers a decent collection of stops. The Toledo Zoo is one of the Midwest’s best. The Toledo Museum of Art has the Frank Gehry-designed Center for the Visual Arts. And Tony Packo’s Cafe is a 70-year-old hot dog restaurant made famous by Klinger (Jamie Farr) on TV’s “M*A*S*H.” Visit do toledo.org/gtcvb or call 800-243-4667.
West
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Any time you can visit an Iowa county seat, you’re in for a treat. If you visit Cedar Rapids between April and August, check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Club, a minor-league affiliate of the L.A. Angels. There’s also Duffy’s Collectible Cars, a car museum that displays vintage automobiles from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Czech Village has Czech-inspired restaurants and shops along the Cedar River, and Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery is one of Iowa’s most acclaimed wineries. Go to cedar-rapids.com.
