Vacation shopping
 

In 3 weeks my DH and I will start a 3 week vacation. We plan on stopping in Id., Az., NM., Tx., Ak, Mo., and Mi., To see family and friends, and visit some tourist places. (of course we will be traveling through other states too) When we head home we will be taking highway 2 northern route. I plan on stopping at the 3 Dudes in Az. and MSQC in Mo. Where else would you recommend? We are giving ourselves plenty of time to do what ever we want as we go east, because I know my DH, once he gets on 2, heading west, it will be a straight shot home with few stops. By then he will be missing his own bed LOL

WOW, that is doing a lot of driving. Where in AZ are you stopping?? There is a cute quilt store called Arizona quilts in Phx. Love their batiks.

There is a book that list all shops in the US. I believe it is "Quilter's Companion" This might be helpful to you.

There are several nice shops in the Shipshewana/Goshen area of northern (Amish) Indiana in case you are going that way.
Let me know if you want more info...

Nice quilt shop and fabric in Branson, Mo. And you could see a show -the best is Baldknobbers, the original that
started up Branson. I love the quilt shop on the strip, and they have very unusual patterns. Don't miss the restaurant with the Hot Tossed Buns. Great food.

If you'll be in North East/Central Arkansas, Marshalls Dry Goods in Batesville is a must stop. They manufacture their own fabric, plus they have tons of quilting fabric at almost wholesale prices. Plan on spending awhile.

I can vouch for QuiltingVagabond, I live in Middlebury (between Goshen & Shipshewana) and can count 10 (or more) shops within a 20 mile radius (2 are less than a mile from my house...and my stash proves it! :D). Depending on where you are headed in Michigan there are several great shops in and around the Kalamazoo area too.

Oh, you can get him to stop at Hingley Road in Floodwood, MN. It is right on highway 2.

AK? I think that is Alaska. I think you meant AR, which is Arkansas.

One thing I want to caution you about. When you are driving (or sitting a long time) be sure to stop every 2 hours , get out of the car and walk around. You need to move your legs a lot to prevent blood clots that move to your lungs. They can be life threatening! Stopping at quilt shops (both ways) would be medically necessary. Both you and DH need to walk around as your health could depend on it. Good reason to stop at quilt shops!!

If you are in the Houston, TX area I would recommend Painted Pony 'n Quilts in LaPorte, TX. I love their shop & their staff is very, very friendly. It's Southeast of Houston on Hwy 146.

rowbyrowexperience.com lists a number of shops by state. Click on "Start Here."

If you're close to Hamilton, MO be sure to stop by Missouri Star Quilt Company. It has several quilt shops in town.

Where will you be in MI?

http://northtexasquiltshophop.com/

Not sure where you will be at in Texas but I can tell you that we in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are very lucky as there are more shops around here than I can count. If you know what route you are taking or what cities you might be near message me and I will send you what I know. Above is a link to last years shop hop - shows the shops that participated.

Don't miss Friend's Quilting Basket in Lake Odessa, Michigan. I cannot say enough about the selection and service. Wonderful shop. Enjoy your trip!

Grammahunt

A few shops I would recommend around the Phoenix area are Sun Valley Quilts, which is just down the road from AZ Quilts, 35th Avenue Sew and Vac on Northern (huge selections), Mulqueens Mesa location where fabrics are $6.95 a yard. Mulqueens carries loads of quilting/embroidery supplies at good prices, all of the Kona Cotton colors, and batiks. There are loads of great shops in Tucson, Prescott area, and Sedona as well. If you need the names of those shop PM me and I'll be happy to share.