With the boys away, and because we'd love to take Ruby on a road trip, I came up with the idea of going to Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC. Tryon Palace was the state of North Carolina's first capitol. It was built by royal governor William Tryon between 1767 and 1770. It also includes 14 acres of gardens.
The website suggests:
To fully enjoy your visit, plan to spend at least half a day at Tryon Palace. Here is an estimate of the time for each area:
- Orientation video: 10 minutes
- The Governor’s Palace (guided tour): 45 minutes
- Kitchen Office (self-guided tour): 15-30 minutes
- John Wright Stanly House (guided tour): 30 minutes
- George W. Dixon House (guided tour): 30 minutes
- Gardens (self-guided): 20-60 minutes; guided tours are available to group tours
- Robert Hay House (only open for special events)
- Regional History Museum (self-guided): 15-30 minutes
- Pepsi Family Center (self-guided): 60-90 minutes
- Duffy Exhibit Gallery (self-guided): Varies with special exhibits held throughout the year
- Gateway Gallery (self-guided): 15-30 minutes
- New Bern Academy Museum (self-guided, open Sat. and Sun.), 30-45 minutes
So, our plan is to leave around 8:30am and get down there around 11am leaving us up to 6 hours to enjoy our visit. They are open until 5PM.
According to Google Maps, the trip is 118 miles taking roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes depending on time of day and using the primary route of US 70.
Now that we have the Model X, and assuming the round trip is them 240 miles plus 10 miles for hunting a dinner spot, that's 250 miles total. Even with our 100D battery pack, that is most likely cutting our range too close to do the trip without charging, So, where do we charge?
How exciting! This is our first trip 'out of range' so to speak.
So, there are no superchargers (SC) on US 70 or in New Bern. Rocky Mount and Warsaw are the closest. Also, there are two destination chargers (DC) in New Bern, but one is closed to the public at a bed and breakfast, and the other is 7 miles in the wrong direction. We could use it, but it would be inconvenient. That DC doesn't have good eating near it, and we'd want to charge over dinner.
What we decided to do is take a slightly alternate trip home. We'll use US 258 over to I40 and use the SC in Warsaw. This adds only 16 miles to our trip. If we used the destination charger in New Bern, that would have added 14 so basically the same. US 70 is not totally closed access and has stop lights, so coming home I40 should be easier driving especially after dark and on Autopilot. A good compromise I think.
That stretch of US 258 is a stretch of road we have never been on before. I look forward to the scenery.
Of course we could have taken the I40 route both ways or on the way there, but we ruled out those options. I don't want to take time to SC on the way. I'd rather do it after we enjoy ourselves and not before. Also, US 70 during the day is great but not as good at night. We are familiar with that stretch of US 70 from previous drives.
We'll try to leave in New Bern before we head for home or at the Smithfield's at the Warsaw SC depending on what we're in the mood for.
We are satisfied that we have a comfortable plan. It was fun to think about it...not a burden. We spent more time this first time then I think we would on subsequent trips. We know all the tools now.
I would like for better planning on a computer vs. having to be in the car.
Part 2 coming up on the actual trip and visit.
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