Road trip

What should CNET Road Trip not miss in the Midwest?

If you know the American Midwest like the back of your hand, I want to pick your brain.

Starting around July 1, I'll be heading out on CNET Road Trip 2013, my eighth-annual journey in search of some of the most interesting destinations for technology, military, aviation, architecture, nature, science, manufacturing, and so on. I'll start in Chicago and spend a month or so traveling through Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, and possibly Indiana, Iowa, and/or Minnesota.

A couple of months ago, I posted here asking for suggestions of where I should stop, offering a … Read more

Where should CNET Road Trip go in the Midwest?

Summer is still three months away, but here in Northern California, with bright sunshine outside (and windows to keep the chilly wind out), it already feels like it's just around the corner.

That's also because I've already started the planning for Road Trip 2013, my eighth-annual journey to highlight some of the best destinations around for technology, military, architecture, science, nature, and so on.

For six of the past seven years, CNET Road Trip has taken me all around the roads of the United States, giving me the opportunity to visit the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the … Read more

Attacking the highways of the west in BMW's 650i

Returning to my hotel in Las Vegas one night this summer, I discovered that the parking garage was completely full. Not sure what else to do -- and with time running out before a show I had tickets to -- I drove my BMW 650i Coupe up to the hotel's valet. "That's a really nice car," the guy said. "Do you mind if we keep it out in front?"

He was right. The 650i -- which I was road-testing as part of Road Trip 2012 -- is a really nice car, and now I … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day: The secrets of perfection

If you ever have a mystery image you need identified, Phil Yao's your man.

For the last nine weeks, I ran CNET's Picture of the Day challenge, posting a new photograph each day and tasking readers with writing in and guessing what they thought it was. I offered one weekly prize for people who got at least one right answer, and a grand prize -- a complete GoPro camera package -- for the person that got the most right throughout.

And may I tip my hat to Yao: over the nine weeks -- 63 mystery photos in all … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/12: What is this?

Update (Wednesday, 2:18 p.m PT): The answer to Sunday's challenge -- which 45 people got right -- is Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Animation, in Burbank, Calif., as seen from near the Hollywood sign. My apologies for not publishing the answer sooner. Thanks to everyone who played today, and throughout this year's contest, and to all, please come back next year for the Road Trip 2013 Picture of the Day challenge.

Welcome to the final day of the Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day contest. This is your last chance to win some cool … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/11: What is this?

Update (Saturday, 7:55 p.m PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 154 people got right -- is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back Sunday for the final Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day challenge.

Welcome to the final weekend of the Road Trip 2012 Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

For the last eight-plus weeks, I've posted a new photograph from my various travels every … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/10: What is this?

Update (Saturday, 1:45 a.m. PT): The answer to Friday's challenge -- which 33 people got right -- is the former Boron Air Force Station, north of Kramer Junction, Calif. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for the final two challenges this weekend.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/9: What is this?

Update (Thursday, 8:56 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 11 people got right -- is presumptive Republican party presidential nominee Mitt Romney's house in La Jolla, Calif. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for Friday's challenge.

Please note: Today's picture is not my house, as some readers have suggested.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/8: What is this?

Update (Wednesday, 8:27 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 167 people got right -- is Morro Rock, in Morro Bay, Calif. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for Thursday's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using any means at your disposal. Throughout Road Trip 2012, … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 8/7: What is this?

Update (Tuesday, 7:31 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 52 people got right -- is the Immaculate Conception Church, in Ajo, Ariz. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for Wednesday's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using any means at your disposal. Throughout … Read more