<opt>
  <data>
    <trip id="13169" created="2009-10-16 21:21:02" creator_id="72" creator_name="cristina" creator_status="100" default_for_user_id="" description="Everyone knows about getting their kicks on Route 66, but I prefer the insane beauty of I-90. The longest highway in the U.S., clocking in at a little over 3,000 miles, passes through some of the finest areas of the country. Start out in Seattle, exploring the Space Needle and Pike Place Market then hit the road. There are vineyards in Eastern Washington if you feel like stopping, otherwise you'll pass through a tiny, but memorable sliver of Idaho on your way to Big Sky Country: Montana. You might think that this is it, that the wide open spaces and cattle herds are as good as it gets, but just wait. South Dakota and its Black Hills and Badlands await. Once you get into Minnesota, its 10,000 lakes are a worthy diversion but way off course - if you don't have time, zip straight to the Windy City and explore the finest deep-dish pizza and lakeside living that Chicago has to offer. There's not much to see between Chicago and New York State, and even once you get to New York State, it's mainly a relief from the monotony of flat plains (because you won't be anywhere near NYC). But you can make a quick stop at the Jello Gallery if you're bored, before continuing on to Boston and filling up on all the chowder and Pilgrim history you can bear. 

Be prepared for loooong stretches of driving between sites. You could easily shorten the trip by a third and just do the best segment between Seattle and Chicago, but even that is still a haul. " marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-10-23 15:20:00.072155" modifier_id="72" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=47.606209,-122.332071,reda%7C44.771236,-110.550369,redb%7C44.621754,-104.809570,redc%7C43.710880,-102.477028,redd%7C43.913296,-103.378462,rede%7C43.073052,-89.401230,redf%7C41.850033,-87.650052,redg%7C42.976521,-77.982330,redh%7C42.358431,-71.059773,redi&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|47.606209,-122.332071|44.771236,-110.550369|44.621754,-104.809570|43.710880,-102.477028|43.913296,-103.378462|43.073052,-89.401230|41.850033,-87.650052|42.976521,-77.982330|42.358431,-71.059773" status="0" sum_locations="9" sum_votes="2" title="Get Your Kicks on I-90" triplocation_id="675" />
    <tripitems id="28472" created="2009-10-16 21:21:21" creator_id="72" location_id="5403" modified="2009-10-16 21:21:21" modifier_id="72" position="1" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28470" created="2009-10-16 21:21:02" creator_id="72" location_id="297538" modified="2009-10-16 21:21:02" modifier_id="72" position="2" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28483" created="2009-10-16 21:42:54" creator_id="72" location_id="644730" modified="2009-10-16 21:42:54" modifier_id="72" position="3" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28492" created="2009-10-16 22:05:35" creator_id="72" location_id="297956" modified="2009-10-16 22:05:35" modifier_id="72" position="4" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28485" created="2009-10-16 21:44:41" creator_id="72" location_id="297987" modified="2009-10-16 21:44:41" modifier_id="72" position="4" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28493" created="2009-10-16 22:18:06" creator_id="72" location_id="311995" modified="2009-10-16 22:18:06" modifier_id="72" position="6" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28494" created="2009-10-16 22:18:47" creator_id="72" location_id="5190" modified="2009-10-16 22:18:47" modifier_id="72" position="7" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28560" created="2009-10-16 22:29:00" creator_id="72" location_id="644732" modified="2009-10-16 22:29:00" modifier_id="72" position="8" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="28561" created="2009-10-16 22:29:42" creator_id="72" location_id="5050" modified="2009-10-16 22:29:42" modifier_id="72" position="9" trip_id="13169" tripitemtype="0" />
    <triplocation name="USA" avg_rating="5" content_source="2" created="2007-07-11 21:53:17" creator="154" hidden="0" id="675" inherited="0" latitude="39.0959629363055" longitude="-97.3828125" ltp_level="0" merged_to="" modified="2007-07-11 21:53:17" modifier="35" style="1" type="4" votes="8" zoom="3" />
    <triplocations name="Yellowstone National Park" description="	The vast natural forest of Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 9,000 sq. km; 96% of the park lies in Wyoming, 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho. Yellowstone contains half of all the world's known geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples. It also has the world's largest concentration of geysers (more than 300 geysers, or 2/3 of all those on the planet). Established in 1872, Yellowstone is equally known for its wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and wapitis.[unesco]" favorite="" full_name="Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (WY), United States of America" googled_path="United-States-of-America/Wyoming-WY/Yellowstone-National-Park" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/297538/United-States-of-America/Wyoming-WY/Yellowstone-National-Park" id="297538" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (WY), United States of America" language="ENG" latitude="44.771236" longitude="-110.550369" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wyoming, USA" rating="5" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="	One of the best, biggest and most beautiful parks in the US, an amazing nature preserve in the wild, wild west." teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;	One of the best, biggest and most beautiful parks in the US, an amazing nature preserve in the wild, wild west.&lt;/b&gt; 	The vast natural forest of Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 9,000 sq. km; 96% of..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;	One of the best, biggest and most beautiful parks in the US, an amazing nature preserve in the wild, wild west.&lt;/b&gt; 	The vas..." type="19" type_id="19" type_name="national park" votes="15" zoom="10">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
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    <triplocations name="Badlands National Park" description="Rain and wind from the prairie soft ground about 100 km east of the Black Hills (in the I-90) columns and stunning gorges carved. The approximately 35 million years old sedimentary rock consists largely of white volcanic ash, which is the whole landscape is a ghostly appearance. A Visitor Center provides information on hiking trails." favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="United-States-of-America/Texas-TX/Badlands-National-Park" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/297956/United-States-of-America/Texas-TX/Badlands-National-Park" id="297956" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="43.71088" longitude="-102.477028" ltp_level="0" parents_name="South Dakota, USA" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="0" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="A glimpse into a bizarre lunar landscape" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;A glimpse into a bizarre lunar landscape.&lt;/b&gt; Rain and wind from the prairie soft ground about 100 km east of the Black Hills (in the I-90) columns and stunning gorges carved. The approximately 35 million y..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;A glimpse into a bizarre lunar landscape.&lt;/b&gt; Rain and wind from the prairie soft ground about 100 km east of the Black Hills ..." type="19" type_id="19" type_name="national park" votes="2" zoom="10">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Mount Rushmore" description="Mount Rushmore National Memorial was carved by renowned sculpture Gutzon Borglum at the behest of then-secretary of the South Dakota Historical Society Duane Robinson.

Robinson wanted to carve western folk heroes to bolster tourism in the area, but Borglum was intensely patriotic and insisted that the carving be of American Presidents, specifically ones who contributed to expanding and building our nation to what it is today.

The carving started in 1927, and finished 7 months after Borglum's death in 1941. Borglum died of an embolism while trying to raise money for the project. His son, Lincoln Borglum, would act as foreman while Borglum was traversing the country to raise funds. After his father's death, Lincoln made the finishing touches to the mountain before packing up and leaving. The faces from left to right represent George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The project cost just under a million dollars at $989,992.32. Roughly 400 people were employed for various jobs throughout the carving process.

The President's faces are 60 feet tall, and the mountain stands over 500 feet high. Every year, 2 million people travel to see the Shrine of Democracy.

The Mountain, and the Hall of Records behind it, has been featured in several films including Alfred Hitchcok's masterpiece &quot;North by Northwest, Chris Eye's Skins, and the upcoming National Treasure II starring Nicholas Cage." favorite="" full_name="Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (SD), United States of America" googled_path="United-States-of-America/South-Dakota-SD/Mount-Rushmore" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/297987/United-States-of-America/South-Dakota-SD/Mount-Rushmore" id="297987" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="Mount Rushmore, South Dakota (SD), United States of America" language="ENG" latitude="43.913296" longitude="-103.378462" ltp_level="0" parents_name="South Dakota, USA" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="0" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Mount Rushmore National Memorial: America's Shrine of Democracy" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Mount Rushmore National Memorial: America's Shrine of Democracy.&lt;/b&gt; Mount Rushmore National Memorial was carved by renowned sculpture Gutzon Borglum at the behest of then-secretary of the South Dakota Hist..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Mount Rushmore National Memorial: America's Shrine of Democracy.&lt;/b&gt; Mount Rushmore National Memorial was carved by renowned s..." type="13" type_id="13" type_name="sight" votes="2" zoom="16">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Madison, Wisconsin" description="Wisconsin's capital is suprisingly cool - this cute college town is a haven of progressives and liberals in the otherwise traditional Midwest.  Indeed, one of Madison's nicknames is &quot;The People's Republic of Madison,&quot; and the Unitarian Universalist congregation here is the largest in the world.  Madison is great for walking and even better for biking, all the better for exploring the cafes, bookshops, boutiques and restaurants this small-town city has to offer." favorite="" full_name="Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin (WI), United States of America" googled_path="United-States-of-America/Wisconsin-WI/Madison-Wisconsin" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/311995/United-States-of-America/Wisconsin-WI/Madison-Wisconsin" id="311995" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin (WI), United States of America" language="ENG" latitude="43.0730517" longitude="-89.4012302" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wisconsin, USA" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Wisconsin's capital is suprisingly cool - this cute college town is a haven of progressives and liberals in the otherwise traditional Midwest.  Indeed, one of Madison's nicknames is &quot;The People's Repu..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Wisconsin's capital is suprisingly cool - this cute college town is a haven of progressives and liberals in the otherwis..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="2" zoom="10">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Boston" description="If you want something old, something new, and plenty of blood that's blue, there's no place better than Boston, the historic birthplace of revolutionary thought. Bostonians know that there is a lot for visitors to do, and 250 years of history has been conveniently distilled into a 2 1/2-hour walk along the Freedom Trail. Take the extra time, however, to linger at sites, like the Old South Meeting House, where you can witness recreations of the Tea Party debates; be reminded of a time when the country's leaders not only meant what they said but could pronounce all the words too. From the ideas that shaped a nation to the ones still debated at the city's world-renowned educational institutions, Boston has an intellectual reputation - but also being sweet (Think of Beantown!). With so much talent around, Boston pops with culture. But those looking to sweat out the effects of a night out can always run, baby, run! The river Charles and many parks make Boston the perfect city for sports and swan lovers alike, with plenty of great spots for running and boating, while the transcendentalist spirit that shaped the city in the 19th century lives on in the numerous yoga studios around town. Wherever your interests may lie, smile and say &quot;Chowdah!&quot; as memories of a visit to Boston are guaranteed keepers. " favorite="" full_name="Boston, Massachusetts, USA" googled_path="USA/Massachusetts/Boston" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/5050/USA/Massachusetts/Boston" id="5050" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Boston, Massachusetts, USA" language="ENG" latitude="42.3584308" longitude="-71.0597732" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Massachusetts, USA" rating="4" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="So much &quot;more than a feeling...&quot;" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;So much &amp;quot;more than a feeling...&amp;quot;.&lt;/b&gt; If you want something old, something new, and plenty of blood that's blue, there's no place better than Boston, the historic birthplace of revolutionary thought. Boston..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;So much &amp;quot;more than a feeling...&amp;quot;.&lt;/b&gt; If you want something old, something new, and plenty of blood that's blue, there's no pl..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="40" zoom="12">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Chicago " description="Visitors to the United States often focus on the two coasts and thereby miss the Midwest altogether. In doing so, they cheat themselves out of the pleasure of visiting Chicago. New York and Los Angeles of course have their draws, but Chicago has a unique style all its own. This is first apparent in the city's architecture. The world's first skyscraper was built in downtown Chicago in 1885, and in the century that followed, many other innovative skyscrapers have been added to the city's skyline, such as the Sears Tower, the Chicago Tribune building, and the Marina City buildings. The 140-foot-tall ferris wheel on Navy Pier is also a fixture of the city's skyline, which stretches along Lake Michigan. One building that is particularly cherished by Chicago residents is Wrigley Field, one of America's classic baseball stadiums. The unique Chicago style is also apparent in the city's music scene. Fans still flock to Kingston Mines and other blues bars for a taste of the sound that made Chicago famous. Younger crowds might be more inclined to check out the city's thriving hip-hop scene or rock out in one of the many bars in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood. Another way that Chicago sets itself apart from the cities on the coasts is its complete lack of pretension. While other cities are more known for their high-class dining, none can match Chicago when it comes to kicking back and enjoying a Polish sausage, a slice of deep-dish pizza, and a cold beer while watching a ball game or a blues band. " favorite="" full_name="Chicago , Illinois (IL), United States of America" googled_path="United-States-of-America/Illinois-IL/Chicago-" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/5190/United-States-of-America/Illinois-IL/Chicago-" id="5190" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Chicago , Illinois (IL), United States of America" language="ENG" latitude="41.850033" longitude="-87.6500523" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Illinois, USA" rating="5" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="The unique, laid back city between the coasts" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;The unique, laid back city between the coasts.&lt;/b&gt; Visitors to the United States often focus on the two coasts and thereby miss the Midwest altogether. In doing so, they cheat themselves out of the pleasure..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;The unique, laid back city between the coasts.&lt;/b&gt; Visitors to the United States often focus on the two coasts and thereby mis..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="61" zoom="13">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Seattle" description="Even though corporate giants Starbucks and Microsoft call Seattle home, this city in the Pacific Northwest has long been on the cutting edge of counterculture. Once dominated by grunge music and flannel shirts, the often rainy city on Puget Sound is overwhelmed with iconic mainstays of popular culture. The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 150 locations in the city, foremost among them the Space Needle, which rises 605 feet above the Seattle skyline. Don't miss Pike Place Market in the heart of town, where vendors toss yard-long fish into the air to great applause and small stands sell produce and flowers alongside cafes and brew pubs. Trendy bars, coffee shops, boutique hotels, Asian markets, and unusual attractions such as the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum make Seattle a neverending display of stimulation. For a different sort of view, walk to the docks and hop on a ferry into the Sound, north of the islands, or even all the way to Alaska.
" favorite="" full_name="Seattle, Washington State (WA), USA" googled_path="USA/Washington-State-WA/Seattle" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/5403/USA/Washington-State-WA/Seattle" id="5403" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Seattle, Washington State (WA), USA" language="ENG" latitude="47.6062095" longitude="-122.3320708" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Washington State (WA), USA" rating="5" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Pop Culture bliss in the Pac-Northwest" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Pop Culture bliss in the Pac-Northwest.&lt;/b&gt; Even though corporate giants Starbucks and Microsoft call Seattle home, this city in the Pacific Northwest has long been on the cutting edge of counterculture. On..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Pop Culture bliss in the Pac-Northwest.&lt;/b&gt; Even though corporate giants Starbucks and Microsoft call Seattle home, this city ..." type="7" type_id="7" type_name="city / town" votes="32" zoom="10">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="Devils Tower National Monument" description="It's no surprise it's called Devils Tower - this igneous intrusion is a complete freak of nature, towering self-consciously over everything else around.  There are a few different theories for this geological phenomenon, but one thing is certain: you'll be astounded by what you see.  Devils Tower is sacred to several Native American tribes, including the Lakota Sioux and the Cheyenne, and ceremonies are often held at the monument in June.  Though you can't exactly hike up to the top of Devils Tower, this is a popular spot for rock climbers.  " favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="USA/Wyoming/Devils-Tower-National-Monument" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/644730/USA/Wyoming/Devils-Tower-National-Monument" id="644730" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="44.6217540962332" longitude="-104.8095703125" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Wyoming, USA" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; It's no surprise it's called Devils Tower - this igneous intrusion is a complete freak of nature, towering self-consciously over everything else around.  There are a few different theories for this ge..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; It's no surprise it's called Devils Tower - this igneous intrusion is a complete freak of nature, towering self-consciou..." type="1" type_id="1" type_name="globe" votes="1" zoom="7">
      <description_content_meta></description_content_meta>
    </triplocations>
    <triplocations name="The Jello Gallery" description="As &quot;America's Most Famous Dessert,&quot; Jello has solidified its place in American folklore, so why not built a museum in its honor in the town where it all began?  The Jello Gallery is a tribute to everything Jello - photos, memorabilia, old print ads, interactive exhibits.  It's basically everything you need for the next time a Jello question comes up at trivia night.  But ironically, you can't buy Jello in the souvenir shop." favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="USA/New-York/The-Jello-Gallery" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/644732/USA/New-York/The-Jello-Gallery" id="644732" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="42.9765206981055" longitude="-77.9823303222656" ltp_level="0" parents_name="New York, USA" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; As &quot;America's Most Famous Dessert,&quot; Jello has solidified its place in American folklore, so why not built a museum in its honor in the town where it all began?  The Jello Gallery is a tribute to every..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; As &quot;America's Most Famous Dessert,&quot; Jello has solidified its place in American folklore, so why not built a museum in it..." type="14" type_id="14" type_name="museum / gallery" votes="1" zoom="11">
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    </triplocations>
    <user id="72" email="nerrrd@gmail.com" facebook="634845692" fbsession="d30659008e4b00958f111835-634845692" language="ENG" lc_username="cristina" password="0c74ac34d6652b2da30488d4f38496d8" profilepic="1" status="100" username="cristina" />
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