Uh-oh, you've got the outlet bug... ;)

As sorry a statement as it is, a great thing about going to these big malls with a car is that you don't have to lug your purchases around with you all day! Use the car as a convenient drop-off point. Though beware those hopeful drivers who see you headed to your car and think they'll get your parking spot...

Oh yeah, and keep in mind that late November gets into mega-shopping here in the US. Just plan ahead, and pace yourself! ;)

Greetings from Texas. I picked up so much stuff on my way from EWR, the car is "full". I´ll never get it home. Is there a special lightweight suitcase I could buy? I can take 2 with a weight of 23kilos each. Don´t want to waste to much weight on packaging. I still havn´t been to those 2 malls mentioned above.

Texas is great btw. I should have come here in the first place. Still a week to go until I have to be back in Newark. Easy driving.

It is already late November, so if you haven't left yet, I'll offer my 2 cents.

Sounds like you want to drive and want to shop and maybe visit somewhere with decent weather/beaches.

If trying to plan a similar itinerary for myself at this time of year, I'd spend the first week to 9 days in the mid atlantic area. As others have mentioned, there are a surplus of shopping opportunities both outlet (Woodbury Commons, Secaucus, Flemington, Franklin Mills) on the NY - PHL corridor. There are also a few upscale malls - Short Hills, King of Prussia - not to mention shopping in Manhattan.

Also, if you wanted to stretch the route, you could go as far south as Washington DC (Tysons Corner, Potomac Mills outlets). There are excellent Hopper and Turner exhibitions through January at the National Gallery, so you could add a bit of sightseeing and culture to your visit.

For the latter part of your trip and warmer weather, I'd look to central/south Florida. (Plenty of shopping malls, decent outlets around Orlando and an easy drive to Miami or the Keys). However, I'd investigate flying from EWR or PHL to Florida. Given the cost of the rental, gas and your time, this may be a cheaper option! You can always rent another car in Florida.

Happy travels!

Logos999,

Duh, it wasn't till after I posted that I realized you'd already made it to Texas - well done you!

If you're near a TJ Maxx or Marhsall's store, check them out for a Samsonite Airlite or a American Tourister iLite suitcase. Even lighter would be a sturdy duffle, and I've found both LL Bean and REI products are pretty reliable. I still can't believe you did the drive from NJ to Texas. Happy travels home!

I´m a little scared of possible snow during the next days. Tomorrow I want to drive from Dallas north through Oklahoma and stay somewhere in Kansas for the night. I could also go back east first, but I´d prefer the "nortern" route, simply because I havn´t been there before. Generally, from what I´ve seen in Texas, it´s so much nicher here than it was in Florida two years ago. But I havn`t seen thebeaches. Would I have a problem, finding the suitcases you mentioned in Oklahoma (City)? I just packed the one suitcase I´ve brought from home and couldn´t fit in half of what I´ve bought. I was looking for one of those $299 notebooks at "best buy" on black friday, but it seems you have to be standing at 5am in front of the store. When I was there, there weren´t any left. Btw, why do they always take you shopping cart away, when you just trying on some pants in the fitting room. It happened 3 times to me, and I had to start all over again :D

Hi logos,

Welcome to Texas -- glad you are enjoying it. Dallas is definitely a shopping haven. If you are going up Interstate 35 to Oklahoma, there's an Indian casino called Winstar right across the border that is kind of fun.

Should be a great day for traveling. Have fun!

<i>but it seems you have to be standing at 5am in front of the store.</i>

Actually, my friend's son went and the line had started to form at 1 a.m for the 5 a.m. opening!

I'm back, thanks for the Jersey Gardens tip. I could get a last few &quot;missing&quot; things there. With 48 kilos in clothing and 4 pairs of shoes this should last for a while. I may be looking &quot;american&quot; in my new chinese clothing, but who cares :D. German customs didn't say a thing, no problemo. But please american visitors, when you pass customs in Munich, don't stand but walk (slowly) looking unsuspicious. A bunch of Americans where blocking the exit, looking for customs inspection, which they just passed, leaving myself standing behind them; still visible to the customs guys.

It's just like shoplifting, got it?

Well, I drove 4150 miles in 15 days, the car was cr*p (Chrysler), but I've seen a lot incl. New York during those days. Driving in NY City is no problem, just so expensive to get in and park the car :-(.

logos999- You are a crazy nut!

&quot;Looking American in my Chinese clothes&quot; - too funny!

logos999, I'm sooo glad I finally got to read your on the road play-by-play, and glad you had a successful and fun trip!!

&quot;It's just like shoplifting, got it?&quot; Got it!! I have had more than a few customs situations myself, most recently when returning from China... LOL.

Thanks for the good read - it has to be one of the best reports I've ever read. :D

How are your Chinese American purchases holding up??

The Chinese produce good quality, really nice, and so much cheaper than in China itself. The Earth shoes are the best I've ever had at about a third of the local price here. Sweaters, T-Shirts, pants, all good quality! And unbelievable cheap. The spare chinese philips shaver I bought is reduced to 79&euro; (from 99&euro;) at the shop over here. It was $30 in the US. But electonics generally, (except for the ICrap) are more expensive in the US. Best buy were SO expensive too, it was hard to believe anybody whould buy something there and since they didn't have my $299 notebook, when I showed up, they can keep their other ... too.
Not worth buying anything there.

One third of my old clothes went to the dustbin in the last few days, freeing space for my new acquisitions. Maybe I can get one of those 100&euro; roundtrip flights to Mexico sometime in the near future. Texas isn't far, and I think I could get some more, before the Chinese stop selling their stuff so much below costs.
The beaches around M&eacute;rida (Yucat&aacute;n) are great, so I've been told. And I can handle their food so much better (actually quite tasty), than what I was fed with in the US :D.

Btw, not one single person complained about me looking &quot;American&quot; so far. That's sooooo unexpected :D