Drive to Five – Legendary Quest for 500,000 Miles

You don’t get to 500,000 miles without going for a few road trips with the Legend. As Tyson Hugie and his 1994 Acura Legend roll closer to the big five, we take a look back at a few of his most memorable adventures. Here are Tyson’s top 10 road trips over the past few years.

1. Monument Valley, Arizona – August 2008
Odometer: 338,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 700 Miles
“Mitten Rock” makes for a backdrop that’s a scene straight out of an old Western movie. Monument Valley is an easy day’s drive from the Phoenix area and resides just minutes away from the four-corner state intersection of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. A 17-mile dirt road loop through the Native American land is a must-see. Monument Valley is my favorite road trip destination. 

2. Fairbanks, Alaska – May 2006
Odometer: 220,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 7,600 Miles 

I’d dreamed for years of traversing the famous “Alcan” Alaska Highway. With my father in the passenger seat, we spent two weeks in the far reaches of North America on a road trip through some of the most beautiful parts of the world. I was in it for the driving; dad was in it for the wildlife sightings. We ended up with literally thousands of pictures and even more memories of this epic adventure. 

3. San Diego, California to Morristown, New Jersey – July 2011
Odometer: 483,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 5,243 Miles 

Destination: The 7th Annual National Acura Legend Meet (NALM). A life-long goal of mine was always to drive coast to coast. I took a picture of the Pacific Ocean on a Sunday morning and was standing on the Jersey Shore the following Saturday to take a picture of the Atlantic, less than a week later. It was an unforgettable 17-state adventure. 

4. Seattle, Washington – August 2009
Odometer: 385,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 2,918 Miles 

Yet another Legend meet beckoned, and this one an excuse to see gorgeous northern California and the green Pacific Northwest. A visit to XXX Root Beer in Issaquah, Washington and and Snoqualmie Falls were the highlights of this extended weekend adventure to network with my Acura-loving friends and see some parts of the country that I hadn’t yet witnessed. This picture was taken just outside Weed, CA. 

5. Atlanta, Georgia – September 2005 & September 2006
Odometer: 188,000 Miles & 248,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 3,611 Miles 

The NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow at the Atlanta Motor Speedway had a well-represented Acura Legend contingency, including many people like me who had traveled great distances to be there. This was my first real experience of the humidity of the south in late summer (hot!) but also my first visit to a Waffle House restaurant and exposure to true southern hospitality thanks so some great friends who I met up with along the way and stayed with during my visits. My Legend is pictured here along with my friend Ken’s 1991 Legend L Coupe. 

6. Chattanooga, Tennessee – July 2008
Odometer: 332,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 3,537 Miles 

On a side trip during this National Acura Legend Meet, my Legend saw the state line of North Carolina for the first time. Yet another great chance to spend some time with my friends from across the country including my good buddy Ken who’d driven all the way from New Jersey in his 1991 Legend with his amazing mom, Peggy, to participate. These are the types of people who make me want to keep being a part of the Legend community. The autocross event at Chattanooga left two Legends on a flatbed trailer for their return trip home – THAT’s how hard my friends Alex and Brian were driving their vehicles. Enthusiasts all the way. 

7. Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico – October 2006
Odometer: 255,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 390 Miles 

It took a lot of guts to take my Legend south of the border – but armed with a $25 one-day Mexican automobile insurance and a lot of faith in my Spanish speaking ability (and in my Legend’s reliability!) I set out for a town called Puerto Peñasco, about 70 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border to spend a weekend with a friend’s family vacationing at the beach there. Orale! 

8. Coronado Trail, Eastern Arizona – October 2009
Odometer: 398,700 Miles | Trip Mileage: 578 Miles 

Formerly known as US Highway 666 but later renamed US 191, this stretch of road known as the “curviest highway in America,” boasts over 500 curves within about 100 miles. In fact there is one section with signage stating “10 MPH Next 11 Miles.” Switchbacks? To say the least. I recommend this one if you’re an enthusiast driver, but, not if you get motion sick.  

9. Mt Nebo Scenic Byway, Utah – August 2006
Odometer: 235,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 1,194 Miles 

This loop had some of the most incredible views I’ve ever seen. At over 11,000 feet in elevation, the scenery is spectacular too. I can imagine this one would be breathtaking when the fall colors are at their peak. This was a solo drive and a great chance to soak in some amazing twisty roads. 

10. Spiral Jetty, Great Salt Lake, Utah – July 2005
Odometer: 180,000 Miles | Trip Mileage: 150 Miles 

A 30-mile excursion on a poorly-maintained, rocky dirt road didn’t keep me from venturing out to the Great Salt Lake to see this 1970 man-made creation in the water. The drive also took me through historic Golden Spike National Monument. The car even cleaned up just fine for a Legend meet in Salt Lake City later that same afternoon. 

Visit Tyson Hugie’s blog Drive to Five as he and his Legend close out the last 1000 miles. 

[Source: Tyson Hugie]