[Seahawk]

I wish I was doing the same thing!

Five days will be pushing it since you may not get an early start on the 11th. Hard to get six days away, but try.

Unless you know California well, I'd head south on 101 from the Bay Area and skip I5 for as long as possible. It will take longer but there are portions of this trip that will enable you folks to make up time. There are fairly cheap hotles this time of year in Pismo Beach with great views.

Cut over to Bakersfield just north of Santa Maria on Rte 166.

I40 will be a bit tiresome. If you want some blue highways, take Rte 287 just east of Amarillo. In Memphis, TX, take Rte 256 east to Rte 62 east to Cache, OK. Drive through the Wichita Mountains to Medicine Park then up I44 to Norman. I do this every time since my favorite history book is Empire of the Summer Moon. A lot of the book centers around the areas you will drive through.

Norman is a great college town and worth it is driving by the stadium, etc.

The rest of the trip is pretty standard and the best way home for you guys given your timeline.

The quick side routes I mentioned are well traveled. I could suggest more but the roads get lonely.

My wife swears by Hampton Inn Historic Hotels. Not sure how many are out west.

The Peabody in Memphis is a good stop. They don't do the duck parade anymore, unfortunately.

The Hermitage in Nashville is another old southern hotel. I have only stayed there a looong time ago.

You will be getting close to home but if staying in Lexington, Va is doable, do it. Great place with an Historic Hampton I have stayed at many time.

Enjoy!