Take a road trip without leaving home

Published 10:52 pm Friday, June 27, 2008

Looking to travel without springing for gas? Try a virtual getaway. Through the miracle of the Internet, you can download video to your cell phone or iPod from destinations such as Disneyland.

For a truly authentic virtual getaway, pile the kids in the minivan and watch the video there. If they start whining, you’ll still get to say, “Don’t make me turn this car around.”

But you shouldn’t stay home, because this is actually the Year of the Car — at least that’s what Michigan says. Head for Detroit and see vintage automobiles that have seen time pass them by, including every car that rolls off the assembly line while you’re there.

Or go to Las Vegas and see a rare lizard. A 7-foot Komodo dragon with sharklike teeth will be on display at the Mandalay Bay casino. Plus, if you get on a hot streak at the blackjack table, the dragon might be brought in as your new dealer.

Or go to Yellowstone National Park. Just steer clear of the bison. A boy learned that valuable lesson when a buffalo flipped him in the air after he got within a couple of feet to pose for pictures. Park rules require you to stay 25 yards away, and apparently bison are real sticklers for the rules.