A cross-country road trip for the time of their lives

If you were driving on Route 66 this summer and noticed two carefree, older babes in a Solara convertible singing Sinatra songs, that was Ann Varsalona, 82, of Valley Stream riding shotgun. Her cousin, Maria Fay, 71, a former Searingtown resident, was behind the wheel.

"I've been to Europe, Hawaii, the Islands, on cruises," Varsalona said. "I wanted to see the United States."

Fueled by wanderlust and the freedom of retirement, the seniors began their trip-of-a-lifetime in June, crisscrossing America. Their travel gear included a global positioning system to guide them, cell phones, a big cooler and miles of enthusiasm.

Varsalona flew to Florida to meet Fay, who now lives in Pompano Beach, so they could take Southern routes heading west, including the Old Santa Fe Trail, and return East by Northern roads.

Theirs was a big trip, but for many, road excursions -- especially at holiday times -- are still a popular way to vacation. "While the economy continues to be a concern for travelers, interest in automobile travel remains high," AAA spokeswoman Heather Hunter said.

And the cousins say a cross-country trip doesn't have to break the bank. Varsalona and Fay pooled their funds ($2,000 each) and spent about $100 a day for food (cheap eats) and lodging, mostly in motels, with a few sleepovers at family and friends' homes. Gasoline was an additional $850 or so for the 8,900 miles they clocked.

"Most people thought it was a great idea, even my doctor," Varsalona, a mother of six, said of her travel plans.

"Not only did I think it was a great idea," said one of Varsalona's daughters, Debbie Atrim of Lynbrook, "I was happy that my mom, at her age, was able to do the trip and thankful and proud that she could."

Aware that health issues could pop up, the women took precautions so they could finish the trip successfully. For instance, Fay said, "We stretched and used the restroom every few hours, especially since we both have store-bought hips."

They drove through the Mojave Desert, toured the Grand Canyon, gambled in Vegas and cruised Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. They ordered drinks at the Cowboy Saloon in Jackson Hole, Wyo., seated on bar-stool saddles, and watched elk cross their path in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Their relaxed mode allowed them vagabond freedom. "We stopped at Morro Bay [Calif.] and saw elephant seals sunning and swimming, a nice off-the-beaten path surprise," said Fay, who fell in love with Hearst Castle nearby.

There were some slight bumps in the road of the five-week adventure. On the 125-mile stretch of Highway 1, known for snaking curves on cliffs along the California coastline, Varsalona worried about falling rocks and Fay worried about driving off the narrow roadway.

On foot in San Francisco, they found the steep, hilly streets challenging. "Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco," Varsalona said. "We left our knees, hips and feet - lots of walking uphill."

There were more treacherous, twisting mountain roads on the way to Yosemite Village, but the women were well rewarded: Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan rock formation and the smell of pine and mountain flowers. "Of course we had the top down!" Fay said.

From Yosemite to Lake Tahoe, they crossed the Sierra Nevada on mountainous scenic Route 49, taking in old cowboy and mining towns. "Some of the buildings were dated 1852 and 1850, and still had hitching posts in front," Varsalona recalled.

In Tahoe, they opted for some out-of-car time and rented a log cabin for three days, which gave Varsalona a chance to cook. "Macaroni and peas," she said. "We'd been talking about it for days."

The drive through Teton National Forest showcased views of the snow-capped Rockies and afforded a visit to Old Faithful. Fay marveled that the park ranger was a former Grumman employee from Long Island, "Our travels continue to reinforce the smallness of our world," she said.

Even with a GPS to guide them, they went off-map. Traveling the scenic Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu, they "lost" the ocean and landed in the San Fernando Valley, their first mistake in 3,800 miles. But this one paid off. They ended up in wine country. That may have influenced their team name. The cousins were dubbed "Thelma and Louise" by Varsalona's grown children, but the pair named themselves the "Happy Wanderers."

Real excitement came in Illinois. "It was a lovely ride with rolling hills until I saw the blue lights behind me, approaching fast," Fay recounted. "Can you believe after 8,600 miles I finally met a man in blue?" The Illinois police officer issued a speed warning with no ticket.

Luck was with them throughout the trip, especially when avoiding disasters that hit after their visit. When they left Pensacola, Fla., the heavy rains came; when they departed Flagstaff, Ariz., fires started; three days out of San Francisco there was a small (3.3) earthquake. And when leaving Laramie, Wyo., a tornado watch was issued.

At night, Varsalona wrote in her journal while Fay logged onto the computer to look at the next day's drive. They were on the road by 9 a.m., starting off with a good breakfast, which held them until dinnertime (with in-car snacking).

The highlight of their trip? A July Fourth parade in Jackson Hole. "There were men on horseback dressed in 1850s clothing, a horse-drawn stagecoach, fire trucks, police cars, cowboys on horseback and bands," Varsalona said.

These super tourists saved one of the best places for last, ending their trip in Montauk. Chemistry and camaraderie, they agree, are key components on a road trip.

As the driver, Fay counted on certain skills of her co-pilot beyond map reading and sign spotting. She said with enthusiasm, "Ann is a great Hershey's Kisses paper remover!"

Road trip tips
1. Freeze water bottles to keep your food cool, instead of ice.

2. Take an empty carry-on to bring in a change of clothes and toiletries instead of lugging in your suitcase every night.

3. Keep a first-aid kit in the car.

4. Stop at welcome centers in each state for maps and literature. The best hotel rates are in the free travel books.

5. Wear good sunglasses.

6. Take a GPS, cell phones and a laptop, if available.

7. Take more than one credit card.

8. Make sure your co-pilot can read a map and isn't crabby.