Registration for the first Tire Rack SCCA® National Solo® events of the year has opened! With many events running back to back at the same site, or sites close to one another, you should consider attending both, with a pleasant vacation in-between. We’ve highlighted some of the most likely combinations with ideas for entertainment during the off days.
Ft. Myers ProSolo --> Dixie Champ Tour
Distance: 372 miles
A scenic trip between sites, you can take the week to explore Florida on your way north to South Georgia Motorsports Park. Stick to the coast for beaches and sun, or swing inland to check out places like Sebring, Winter Haven, Kissimmee, Ocala and Gainesville.
Before you get going, meander south and visit the Everglades. For music lovers, John Sebastian will be in concert Monday and Tuesday in Naples at the Theater Zone. And if you want beautiful scenery, part with a buck or two and take the Sunshine Skyway into St. Petersburg, but be sure to stop and “chill out” at the rest areas found on either end of the bridge. Some other attractions of note between the two sites include:
The Florida Aquarium; Tampa, FL
Sea World; Orlando, FL
Disney World; Orlando, FL
Universal Orlando Resort; Orlando, FL
Harn Museum of Art; Gainsville, FL
Florida Museum of Natural History; Gainsville, FL
Crows Landing ProSolo --> Crows Landing Champ Tour
Distance: 0!
Soak up everything Northern California offers! Head out and explore San Francisco or Yosemite. San Francisco offers the Golden Gate Bridge, astounding cuisine and an incredible art scene. Take some time to visit Alcatraz Island or drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Or head the other direction and drink your way through the wineries of the Napa Valley.
Yosemite is simply an amazing destination if you’re wanting to use the week between as a vacation. Spend a few nights at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel or Half Dome Village, formerly Camp Curry. Explore the park during the day and be sure to check out the Ansel Adams Gallery while visiting Yosemite Valley. For a more structured experience in the park, there are bus and self-guided tours available. Some other interesting attractions near Crows Landing are:
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA
Computer History Museum, San Jose, CA
Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, CA
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
Peru Match Tour --> Toledo ProSolo
Distance: 161 miles
This trip starts in central Indiana, about 90 minutes north of Indianapolis, and heads about three hours east to the western edge of Lake Erie.
Before leaving Peru, themed museums are available including the Circus Hall of Fame and Circus City Festival Museum. If you have time to venture to Indianapolis, the Motor Speedway Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon and the exhibits change, so feel confident in returning once in a while.
In Toledo, you can enjoy the views and entertainment of the Great Lakes. Sailing cruises and wine crawls are common along the shores. On the museum front, you have the National Museum of the Great Lakes, the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Zoo, and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library. For beer-lovers, the Maumee Bay Brew Pub is a good bet, and don’t forget to stop by Tony Packo's for a hotdog made famous by Corporal Klinger from the TV show M*A*S*H. Other sights along the way include:
Grissom Air Museum, Peru, IN
Eagles Theatre, Wabash, IN
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, Auburn, IN
Packwood Champ Tour --> Packwood ProSolo
Distance: 0!
Simply put -- Packwood, Washington, is gorgeous. If nature exploration is your “thing,” you won’t struggle to find it here. Mt Rainier is right there and the park is full of picturesque trails and roads.
Further northwest from the site are the cities of Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, lending many entertainment options. Educational options include the Museum of Pop Culture and Sky View Observatory, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Flight, and of course, the Space Needle. Not enough? Here are a few other attractions:
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA
Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Tacoma, WA
Lemay America’s Car Museum, Tacoma, WA
Gum Wall, Seattle, WA
Black River Riparian Forest and Wetland, Renton, WA
Smith Tower, Seattle, WA
Toledo Champ Tour --> Oscoda ProSolo
Distance: 239 miles
For a second time in 2017, a road trip visits Toledo, OH. This time, it starts there, and ends midway up the coast of Lake Huron in Oscoda, Michigan. We’ve already outlined a wealth of activities in Toledo, so we’ll move on to the journey and destination.
History buffs rejoice! One of the first stops along the way is the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, the site of pivotal battles of the War of 1812. Ann Arbor presents great educational opportunities with the Detroit Observatory and Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Don’t forget, it’s a college town, so you’re sure to find some awesome local dining destinations. Alley Bar and The Last Word are a couple places to start.
Devoted to getting a lot of car exposure in this trip? Go out of your way to spend a day (or two) in Detroit. Far too many automotive museums and sights for us to do justice to, but The Henry Ford is a good place to start. Other sights along the drive:
Castle Museum of Saginaw County, Saginaw, MI
Bavarian Belle Riverboat, Frankenmuth, MI
State Theatre, Bay City, MI
We’d love to see your adventures as you embark on these travels. Share them on social media and tag us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @SCCAOfficial.
Do you have suggestions for your fellow travelers? Feel free to share in the comments below!
Photo by Google Earth
