Epic east coast road trip coming up…

Over the past three years I’ve been road tripping from north to south, and east and west of the US and Canada.  I’ve only done one trip to the east, so I’m long past due for another.  During the month of May I will be road tripping from Arizona to Toronto, Ontario.  My first stop outside of Arizona will be Santa Fe, New Mexico, where last year I spent time during the Rand McNally and USA Today’s, “Best of the Road.” I’m really looking forward to a return visit as Santa Fe has a special place in my heart.  During my visit I’ll be meeting up with a couple blogger friends as well as producing a video for a local boutique hotel.

My next stop will be a 2011 “Best of the Road” contender for “Most Friendly” small town in America…Woodward, Oklahoma.  While Woodward did not win the coveted honor, they were a top-6 finalist, so I’m looking forward to seeing just how friendly the folks are in the great state of OK.

Next up will be Eureka Springs, Arkansas…one of the few remaining states I’ve not yet been to. I’ve heard amazing things about Eureka Springs and can’t wait to check it out. While I’m there I’ll be filming a video for a B&B as well collecting footage of the community to document this epic road trip .

After traveling across the northern part of Arkansas, my next stop will be Chattanooga, Tennessee, yet another state I’ve not been to.  I have a friend who lives in the area and am am hoping to meet up while in town.  My accommodations while in town will be at the gorgeous Chattanooga Hotel.  Here I plan on doing a bit of relaxing, perhaps take in a spa treatment and enjoy some fine dining.

A National park that has been on my bucket list is the Smokey Mountains. I’m so excited I’ll have an opportunity to explore and camp out under the stars in this iconic park. On the other side of the of the mountain range is Asheville, North Carolina, where I’ll be staying with some new friends and fellow bloggers, from Travel for Wildlife. One of the items on the agenda is seeing the famed Biltmore Estate.  I also have another friend from Arizona who moved to Asheville a few years ago and am hoping to meet up with her as well.

My next stop is yet another “Best of the Road” town, this one was the 2012 winner for “most beautiful” small town in America…Bardstown, Kentucky.  As I continue my trek north I’m hoping to stay in northern Ohio for a few days en route to Toronto for the final leg of this portion of my road trip. I will be in Toronto for the annual TBEX (Travel blogger conference).  After the conference I plan on spending 2-3 months exploring eastern Canada.  From there, we’ll see where the road takes me.

For now, that’s what’s coming up.  If you’ve been to any of these towns (or places along the way) and have suggestions on where I should eat, things I should see/do, please post a comment below, your recommendations would be much appreciated.