My son and I take a trip every summer. Sometimes it is a day trip, a flight, a ball game at an out of town park or a drive. Usually just a weekend or part of a weekend. This year we took a 4 day road trip, covered 1,270 miles in 4 days and did / saw a lot of the North East !


The car (2011 TTS Cab) was a pleasure to drive and performed without a single issue. With a lot of spirited driving we managed 22.6 mpg which I have never seen before on this car. There was a lot of highway driving so that helped. The more I drive this car, the more I appreciate the engineering that went into it. I drove this car on Super Highways, Twisty back country roads, dirt roads, gravel drives and its just amazing at everything and comfortable to drive for hours on end.


I asked for help here before I left regarding streaming music to a 3.0 PCM. Well the Bovee 1000 wireless adapter that was recommended worked like a charm, I would give it a 9/10. Its really just me being picky, the unit clips right over my stock 30 pin adapter cable and pairs instantly, it repairs to the last device upon start up, and the unit powers down 45 seconds after the key is removed from the ignition. The reason I don't give it a 10/10 is every once and a long while I get what sounds like a skip. This was tested by using the apple 30 pin to lightening cable and there was zero skipping. Not sure why it happened but we decided the wireless was the way to go for convenience and it really did not impact our road trip tune-age. Apple Music is great, their playlists make programing hours of music you like very easy.

I keep a journal of places I've visit. I though I would share this trip here for anyone interested.

Friday (Day 1)
Left LI, NY at 4AM on Friday. We were out of the city way before the rush. We arrived in Newport, RI for a lite Breakfast. Did three Mansion visits- Breakers, Marble House and The Elms, had lunch. Did the Cliff walk and headed out of town Friday Night. We drove a good stretch and arrived in Portland Maine! We had a late dinner on the waterfront. The place was packed, it had live music was great and passed the time while we waited for a table. The lobster dinner is always a treat and since we dropped the car at the hotel first and took a shuttle over, a good time was had by all! We both passed out Friday night, I slept like a rock.
































Saturday (Day 2)
We got up early (On road 5AM) Saturday AM headed for Acadia National Park. Maine is a big state and it seems like we were driving forever especially because the last 15% of the route in not on highway, route 1 and 3 are mostly single lane secondary roads and well, people from Maine, are extremely "not in a rush to get anywhere" LOL. On the way we stopped at "the best lobster" roll place for 100 miles - per their 1000 plus positive Yelp reviews and they were right. I cannot imagine a bigger or better lobster roll . When I heard they were 39 bucks each I figured I got Tourist Trapped but it was insane16 oz of Lobster meat. (And I'd go again!) Pic below:









Still Saturday (Day 2)Day
1st Day @ Acadia
Pulled into visitor center at Acadia got our map, created a to do list with my son and started exploring. All I can tell you guys is if you have never been to Acadia-GO. You feel so small and humbled being immersed in the natural beauty that cannot be captured in a picture. You NEED to experience it with your own eye. We drove the One Way and Two way loop around the main section of the park stopping at the set pull off stations to see the sights. That took about 2 hours b/c we were keeping to a tight schedule but you can easily spend more time everywhere. Highlights are Sand Beach, Thunder Hole (natural structure that makes a boom as high tide rolls in). Thunder Hole was pretty timid the 2 days we tried to see the Boom, it was more like a gurgle. After that, we did Tea at Jordan's Pond- a beautiful lake with Adirondack chair's all around allowing you to catch your breath, enjoy your favorite beverage and take in the scenery and grab some lunch. Next we did the beginner Gorge trail hike, listed as beginner-challenge along a very rocky river gorge, Mostly walking on rocks above a stream of water, and then into a wooded area. This was an easy hike for anyone and really beautiful. Loads of bird noises and small wildlife like chipmunks scurrying around you. We took a water break enjoying the shade of the trees for a bit and headed for the Double Bubble mountain Hike. This was to be my warm up for the next days intermediate Hike! The double mountain hike is listed as advanced beginner and was not too challenging but the views were just amazing. We were up and down the taller of the 2 trails in about 1.5 hrs and that included plenty of time to stop-take in the views revealed at each level, sit and talk with each other as well as with other people we met along the way, take pictures and just BS about life. We left the part at 7:30PM and headed to hotel. (We stayed about 15 Minutes from Acadia National Park in NE Harbor, The hotel was right on the waterfront of NE Harbor.) We took a well needed and earned shower, cleaned up before going to dinner in Bar Harbor. We did not realize that the restaurants stop serving dinner at 9:30PM so we ended up at a Mexican Restaurant that was very good. The fact that we were starving and they agreed to serve us dinner may have increased this restaurants rating with us! We ate and then walked the town of Bar Harbor. The town is very cute, and loaded with quaint shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. I was driving on this night so we skipped the bar scene and just checked out the local Crafty type stores. We were debating the 4AM wake up which would have allowed us to see the sunrise at the top of MT Cadillac, highest point on the East Coast and the fist to see the Sunrise. We ended up nixing the idea because we felt it would have left us too exhausted to continue with the days plans and it was our last day at the park. Plus, we were planning on driving 4-5 hours at the end of the day to Portsmouth NH.











Sunday (Day 3)
Day 2 @Acadia


Checked out of hotel, went to breakfast and a deli to buy sandwiches (and water) so we could eat Lunch at the top of the mountain. We got to the Park at about 9:30AM, Parked and got over to the trail by shuttle bus and began the hike up Mount Cadillac which is a 1,600+ foot above sea level Mountain Hike/Climb. Its listed as an intermediate hike/climb and I got through it for sure but it was a quad burning experience at times when the incline was steep over an long stretch of terrain. (plus I am not in the shape I should be in either) We hiked up the mountain and with stopping along the way to rest, water up, we made it to the top in about 2+ hours. I have not sweat so much in a long time. I was so happy to sit and eat lunch when we arrived at the top. We actually hiked down a short while to eat in the shade which is many degrees cooler than the sun. We returned to the top to snap some pics, and visit the store to buy some more water. While we were online to pay for the drinks, discussing the hike down we inquired with the girl at the cash register if there was a bus down to the visitors center? . She said no, if you didn't drive up there is no public transportation down. I groaned, my son laughed, and we were resolved to burn the balance afternoon hiking down the mountain. When out of nowhere an angel of a lady on line behind me asks if we want a ride down. You need to picture this, I have sweat through my shirt 100%, my face is red from a combination of sun and strain and she offers us a ride in an air-conditioned SUV with her family. We graciously accept and offer to buy the drinks she has in her hand. She declines the offer but is very appreciative. We take the ride, with the nicest people and have a great convo, they were told not to hike up because it was very hot day. Them Smart, Me not so much! They dropped us off at the visitor center where I was parked, we thanked them very much and we jumped in the car and headed to Sand Beach where were visited the day before but didn't swim. Today, the 54 degree water did not sound so bad. We changed in the dressing rooms and jumped into the 54 degree water. Refreshed and less icky, we changed into fresh T shirts and shorts and at about 4:30PM headed to Portsmouth, NH. We drove about 5 hours to Portsmouth having gotten caught in some traffic. Arrived at the Hotel we showered and hit the Uber app and entered a restaurant/bar that was recommended to us by the front desk girl. We got there, and it was dead but the strip down the block was hopping with people so we walked around found a craft beer bar that looked interesting. The place is packed with college kids plus me. We made our way to the bar, and ordered a 12 beer flight of their craft beers to be able to sample several. After that we order favorites and ask for a food menu. We were then told the kitchen closes at 8PM on Sunday and it was already well past that. We ask where we can get some food. Bartended tells is there is a trolley car a block away open until 2PM. Burgers, Dogs and Chicken fingers. That sounded pretty god to me. We arrive to find this Trolley car out of history. We ordered burgers, walked to another bar we passed touting 116 beers on tap, we tried a few and hit the Uber app to get home. Back at the hotel, exhausted my son proceeds to hooked up the apple TV (really roughing it on this road trip) to watch the GOT episode we missed, but I was out like a rock before my son got the show on, so don't anyone tell me what happened please.













Monday (Day 4) Last Day
No alarms set on this last day. We had some fun the night before so we slept until a record late for this trip of 7AM. We hit the DD for coffee, and jumped in the car with the intention of heading straight home. On the route we saw a sign for Frank Pepe's Pizza. Yup-stopped in for Lunch. If you never had this before, it's a must stop if you are passing through New Haven, CT. I highly recommend the White clam sauce pizza and the Onion, Mushroom, pepper and sausage personal size pizza's. We split both ! Rolled myself back behind the wheel and drove the rest of the way home with a big smile. Got home, unloaded the car, talked with the wife, shared some funny stories for a bit and went out to clean the car.




Pic of cleaned car below :




Great trip, and great memories made. He leaves for school in 17 days and I really miss him while he's gone. I am glad we were able to take this trip, I think I had more fun than he did! He is already thinking of places for next summers road trip.

 

nice trip!!!!, taken my turbo S as far as lake george (from LI as well), amazing how compliant this car is all the time.

 

The car is absolutely a dream so take a road trip in. If my car were a hard top I would invest in a roof top rack so I could travel with the wife. Unless were just out for the weekend, my wife can fit her stuff in the car forget about mine.


Where on LI are you? I am south shore Nassau.


My only stress with this car on road trips is the centerlock wheels. I need to invest in the right tool, that I can store onboard to be able to help the tire shop help me before next summers road trip.

 

Hey!
Yea the centerlock issue does worry me from time to time but having the tool and finding a local tire place if needed works. I have a cab as well, i do have a hard top for the fall (which I love). I toss her stuff in the frunk and my bags on the backseats (nice and folded).

I am on the north shore (glen head). lets get together and snap some pics of two turbo S

 

Great pics!
Looks like a great trip

My car never goes further than a 100miles radius

 

would love to!

 

I used to think that way. Then I took my first road trip and this car is just so dam good you wont want to take anything else.


its just beyond words on the road. Chugging around my town is like keeping a wild stallion in a 10 x 10 pen.


its awesome on the road in virtually any conditions.

 

Thanks for sharing! What a great time to spend with your son and build great memories! Looking forward to next year's road trip!

Btw, where did you eat in Portland Maine? We ate at the Portland Lobster Co and it was good!



Edwin

 

When I get my CC statement I will verify but if that's the place right on the water, where you pay first, get a lobster pager and when it rings you pick up your food and eat-YES!

I have picks:

Bar Scene:



Outdoor dining-LOL




Is this it?



That was a long day and a tough night, might be foggy on some details-LOL.

 

Primo Parking



Bug remover Kit



You believe a guy needs to park this close? I was 1/4 mile away. Aty least he didn't have doors

 

Love the trip journal and nothing better than sharing it with your son! My little on is only 2, but I am looking forward to all the great things to share with him. Thanks for sharing and looking forward next year's road trip.

 

Very nice and I genuinely enjoyed reading the posts and pictures! Gives me more ideas to visit and take an extended road trip on myself.

Did you ever let your son drive your car?

 

Yes I did let my son drive the car. Both on this trip and before on many occasions. I have not let him take the car on his own yet mostly because I'm concerned that the young man in him will bite off more than he can chew and I don't want him hurt. He is a good driver, has his own vehicle and takes good care of it and treats it well and he is still getting better. I'm teaching him things you don't need to know in a regular car like learning how to approach steep driveways. Watching out for potholes and road hazards that are not an issue in his jeep. Making sure you know where your headed before you drop the hammer because things get going pretty fast. Aiming your vision higher/ further ahead as your speed increases. My fear is that like a lot of young men he can suffer from thinking he is better than he is and the whole thing ends badly. The car is so amazing it makes you feel like a better driver than you are, no matter who you are for sure. It's not the car I'm worried about btw . Right now I feel he has a healthy respect for the car which is what I want.

This car was made to be driven. Before this trip I think my longest drive was an hour or so. On this trip we drove 4-5 hour stretches stopping for food, coffee, fuel and restrooms. I'm more impressed and in love with the car after this trip. It's just an incredible all around vehicle.

 

Thanks for reading and commenting. For next year, it's looking like we are headed south to Shenandoah National park. This was in the conversation before we even ended this last trip. I told him, same rules as always, read up on the destination, you plan it, map it so we can see kool stuff along the way, make the stop list, the to-do list at each stop, find the food and lodging. I'll be so happy just to come along for the ride.


Every age my sons have been has been my favorite age at the moment. Enjoy them while they are young, but the older they get the more we can do together and that makes for a great relationship. You would not believe the conversations you have sitting in the car with someone for about 18 hours over 4 days! My favorite was when he asked me to tell him a story about myself that he has never heard before. Too much to type but it was a goodie. You can also weave some parent teachable moment stuff into these conversations and 1- you have a captive audience, and 2- it does not feel like a lecture when you driving down the open road in a Turbo Porsche with the top down !


I do an online "MY Publisher" album/ journal after every major vacation, trip, milestone party. I get a code for buy one get one 50% off. Make one, have 2 or 3 printed depending on the event. My coffee table is littered with my copy and I have a large Plastic tote box for each son, where I put "stuff" for them for someday. They can have a copy for their own house someday, this way they will have great memories forever and be able to show their kids.

 

That is definitely the place (you can see the lobster on the menu)!

Nothing better than a dad investing time in growing and building the relationship with his kid/s. Way to go!

Edwin