Anchorage Daily News

About three weeks ago, I traveled with my friend Gary Blakely across the Golden Gate Bridge. We were headed north from San Francisco in Gary's convertible on a sunny September morning.

We could not have picked a more tangled, twisted road than California Highway 1, which snakes through a forest of eucalyptus trees over to the coast for the three-hour drive up to the Highland Inn in Monte Rio. Nestled on the banks of the Russian River, this spacious inn sits in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country.

Everyone has a favorite road trip. There are some great ones right here in Alaska, including the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm and the Glenn Highway through the Matanuska Valley. Here are some of my other favorites:

• Drive around the Big Island of Hawaii. When I lived in Kona, friends would come visit and we'd hop in the car. From Kona, we'd head south, stopping at the City of Refuge, which sits atop a lava flow overlooking Kealakakua Bay, a favorite snorkeling destination. The road continues south, then around to eastern shore and up the slopes of Mauna Loa. It can get chilly as you gain elevation. Take time to walk around a big crater in Volcanoes National Park. Don't eat at the restaurant at the hotel, though. Try the Hilo Bay Cafe in the Waiakea Shopping Center. It will be dark on your drive back to Kona through Waimea. If you want to turn it into a two-day trip, make the evening trek up Mauna Kea to see the stars from 10,000 feet!

• The road from Las Vegas to Lake Powell goes through some incredible country in Utah, including Zion National Park. This is not a fast road by any means. Most of the twisty roads through the national park have a speed limit of 25 to 35 miles per hour. A handful of tunnels are carved into the mountains. Be prepared to pull over and snap a bunch of pictures when you come out on the other side. This is a narrow road and a favorite with masochistic cyclists! Watch for bikers!

• There are so many great drives in Colorado and New Mexico. We drove Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's less than two hours from the Denver Airport and starts in Estes Park, Colo. The highest point is more than 12,000 feet and you can look down on the rain clouds in nearby valleys. Watch for elk on this 50-mile drive. And make time to hike along the many lookouts, vistas, bridges and trails. You'll likely need to catch your breath, though. There's not much oxygen at that altitude.

• Lake Tahoe, near Reno, is a glorious destination that straddles the California-Nevada border. At 6,250 feet, sunbathers in the summer fry, they don't bake! There are great beaches, wonderful parks and more than a couple of golf courses along the 72-mile drive. Oh, and plenty of casinos on the Nevada side, although Nevada also has the best beach parks. The lake is surrounded by mountains. It's just beautiful. For a bird's-eye view, take the ski lift at Heavenly Valley in South Lake Tahoe. Or go over to Squaw Valley and take the tram to the top of the mountain. It's a great way to spend a few hours and snap some incredible pictures.

You get the idea. Road trips can be lots of fun. The Natchez Trace in Mississippi is pretty. The Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is on my short list.

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant. E-mail him at www.alaskatravelgram.com.

Scott's tips

• AMERICA'S BYWAYS: Learn about many scenic drives and road trips throughout the U.S.

www.byways.org

• MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK: In the southwest corner of Colorado. Friends tell me there are some incredible drives and hikes in this park.

www.nps.gov/meve

• THE FLORIDA KEYS: I want to drive from Miami south to Key West. Can't wait. Don't forget the sunscreen!.

tinyurl.com/48beb

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