going out west

[tebrock]

We are looking for suggestions and ideas? We are going to take a 2 month trip from SW Virginis to the west coast. Probably clockwise, toward Nashville, TX, NM AZ Ca then north to Oregon, Washington and then east bound. We would like to see many of the national parks and highlights.
Is there a road plan to do what I am planning?
Terry

[Pete]

Not sure what your interest's are. We have enjoyed visiting Presidential museums or homes, but if it interests you, you are heading in the right direction. Some you may have already been to. Starting in Virginia, there are several. Arkansas...Clinton, Georgia, FDR, summer home..Texas, has 3, Johnson, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, California, Nixon, Reagan (excellent) ect. I could go on and on, but don't want to take up your time in case you have no interest. Our favorite is the Lincoln in IL, and Reagan in Semi Valley Ca. Just a suggestion.

[tebrock]

Thanks Pete

[BGLogistics]

Carlsbad Caverns are worth the visit in NM. Santa Fe is worth visiting also. If you haven't been thru Hoover Dam on the Damn Tour, worth it.

[Joe Camper]

Moab Utah is a very central location for Arches and Needles and Canyonlands just to name a few great national parks in that neighborhood.

[tebrock]

Thanks guys

[Dtjoint]

You really should think of this loop you have in mind as a four month trip, or two two month trips. You will be taking in large and scenic parts of North America that will be hard to do justice to in just two months. Distances in the west are greater than you might be used to.

That said, unless you have a strong reason to do so, stay out of southern California as San Diego to Santa Barbara is a linear parking lot that will take four hours or more to traverse at the best of times, fuel prices are high, people are "numerous" and the driving style of those around you will challenge your good nature. Once you are north of the LA basin California can be quite interesting, especially the mountains to the east but do keep an eye on the weather. For your kind of a trip I suggest turning north before you get into California and do Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, the Grand Canyon and the wonders of the red rock country in Utah. You will want to get over to the west coast north of San Francisco bay but, again, keep an eye on the weather. Avoid US-1 right along the coast as it is really narrow, twisty and not pleasant in anything as big as a Prevost. Both I-5 and US-101 are fine for going north up to the OR border but know that the roads in between are few, narrow, slow and twisty. For the US-101 check road conditions as mud/rock slides are not uncommon so parts of it are often under construction. You do want to get to the Redwood National and State parks right near the CA/OR border. The southern Oregon coast is the most spectacular of all the coast line on the west coast of the US so take it slow and enjoy all the turnouts all the way to Astoria (mouth of the Columbia river).

There is so much to see and do in Oregon and Washington that you cannot possibly take it all in in one trip so pick and choose based on your time. From Astoria you can continue north into Washington and possibly Canada (see below), or you can turn east going through Portland and start your return aiming for I-90 out of Spokane, WA, and on through the Rocky Mountains.

If you elect to continue north know that the coast gets less interesting in Washington so you will likely want to take I-5 north. Keep in mind that Olympia, WA, (State capital) to Everette (Boeings huge assembly plant north of Seattle) is also a linear parking lot much of the time. Once you are north of Everette you have another choice to make. Either continue on into Canada or turn east on the North Cascades Highway (US-20). That is spectacular but slow and twisty mountain driving. Avoid Vancouver, BC in your bus as narrow roads and lots of traffic conspire to make even natives cringe at the though of driving a Prevost there. East of Vancouver puts you into some of the most beautiful country you will ever see in North America. For example, a drive up the Banff to Jasper highway will leave you breathless. When you come back down you will reenter the US east of Spokane, WA, either in the ID panhandle or in MT. There also is an option of going through Canada and come back down through the Okanogan Valley and then on to Spokane, WA. Any of these loops will add significantly to your trip time.

However you elect to do this, take your time and you will never forget this memorable trip.

[tebrock]

Hi Jerry,
Thank you very much for all the great information. Sounds like 4 months would be time well spent. I'm not sure I can be gone that long.
I truly thank you for taking the time to write.
Terry

[BadFitter]

Just a comment... Going clockwise can be a bit of a challenge, weather wise. You may want to avoid being too far South in the Summer months. Same problem being too far North in the Fall/Winter. We are planning our trip out West in September and October, doing the more North sections in September and leaving for the Southern return route in October.

We are looking at Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, 4 Corners/Moab, Salt Lake City (POG rally), and then beginning our swing back South with Zion, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Las Cruces, Dallas, Little Rock, etc.

Hopefully we will minimize our chance for extreme heat or cold. We also hope to avoid the Summer school vacation kids crowds.

[Dtjoint]

Weather is seldom a problem with cold/snow at most altitudes from the first of May through the end of September. October can be problematic at the higher elevations, especially in northern New Mexico and the four corners region where you can get a storm at any time of year. We have more than once been in snow in Gallop, NM or Flagstaff, AZ, for example. Similarly, little problem with heat except at the lowest altitudes in the desert SW in June, July and August. The Northwest is far more forgiving. Heat almost never an issue for more than a few days except during the hottest times of the year in Redding/Redbluff, CA, and Medford, Grants Pass and Roseburg, OR, on the I-5 or anywhere in the deserts of eastern Washington or Oregon in the summer. And, cold/snow only an issue at higher elevations away from the coast in November, December and January. The I-5 is rarely closed and if so usually at Siskiyou Pass between CA and OR. US-101 along the coast is open most of the time year round. Those are the two major north/south routes through the NW.

[tebrock]

Thanks again for all the comments

[Gil_J]

Terry, so many choice...so little time.

Here's a site with some popular and not so well known attractions, https://www.roadtripamerica.com/maps/mapwizard.php

Given your aeronautical background, the Air Force museum in Dayton, OH and the Evergreen International air and space museum outside of Portland, OR are hard to beat. If you happen to be in Tucson, the Titan Missile Silo is worth a bit of time.

If Karen is into Rose's the International Rose Garden in Portland, OR is a must see.

The Oregon coast is stunning.

If stopping in Yellowstone, book Grizzly RV park early.

If timing is right, the Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta is a must see. You can go after the POH rally outside of Park City, UT.

If the outdoors and unlimited 4 wheeler trails are to your liking, don't miss Moab, UT.

If you decide on the Grand Canyon and are headed east from Flagstaff you should stop in Winslow, AZ. Nothing much there, but hey it's about standing on the corner.

Just know the RV market is booming and campgrounds haven't kept up. Reservations and boondocking options are important. My 2 cents; never spend the night in a truck stop.

[tebrock]

Well, I have done a little more planning on our trip. Here is the rough routing.

Fancy Gap to Nashville to Dallas( Bush Library), Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Semi Valley (Regan Library), Paso Robles, Napa, Redwood National Park, the coast line of Oregon, Portland, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, the Badlands Minneapolis, Petoskey and back home.We are planning for 2 months.Does anyone have any places that you highly recommend or comments?

[Loc]

Terry,

Sounds like a great trip. I would consider running the trip in reverse to try to avoid the worst heat, but it will work either way.

One thing to check (its the only state we have found where it is an issue) is the legal routes in California for a 45 foot motorhome / bus. Here is the website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/bus/bus-map.html You have to pay attention to what roads you want to take and whether they are legal for your bus. If you don't have one, I would also order a Mountain Directory (West Edition) for your trip. It will help you plan your route. Here is the website: https://www.mountaindirectory.com/ Most of the roads will be fine, but you will want to pay attention on your route from Yellowstone to Devils Tower.

In Las Vegas, you have Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon which are easy day trips and worth the effort. In California, we have been to Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks. Our favorites are Sequoia and Yosemite. We have Redwood NP on our bucket list and hope to get there one of these days. In Oregon, if you have time I would try to see Crater Lake National Park. The town of Astoria (at the mouth of the Columbia River where Lewis and Clark ended their Corps of Discovery expedition) is a great stop. Outside of Portland is Multnomah Falls and Vista House (overlook for the Columbia River Gorge) which are worth seeing. In Washington, we have been to Mt Saint Helens (National Volcanic Monument) and Mt Rainer National Park. Both are worth a visit but make sure the weather is going to be clear or you may waste a day to be in thick fog. In Seattle don't miss a stop at the Pike Place Fish Market. If you are heading through Montana, I would try to spend a day or two at Glacier National Park (our favorite National Park). There are numerous campgrounds in West Glacier area. When you leave Glacier take State Highway 83 south of Kalispel to Highway 200 east to Highway 141 south to Avon and then Highway 12 west back to Interstate 90 - the 200 - 141- 12 drive is one of the best (most scenic) drives we have ever taken in the bus. In Wyoming, I would plan a part of the trip to drop down from Yellowstone and see the Grand Titans. In South Dakota don't miss Custer State Park (close the Rapid City) and the drive down the Needles Highway (in your toad).

Finally, when you leave Petoskey, stop in Dearborn at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. The Henry Ford makes the Smithsonian look like a second tier operation.

Sorry for the Tourist Department brain dump.

[Gil_J]

Pacific Shores is one of the prettiest RV resorts we've ever been to, especially if you get an ocean side site. https://www.pacificshoresmotorcoachresort.com/

Knowing you are a plane guy, the AF Museum in Dayton OH is a very good with a lot of one off planes. But the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville may be even more interesting. There's some great local wineries as well. https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6IfoBRCiARIsAF6q06vD-6cJqL26DQskhQLqcQdgm9zeDCTT8Eo9VlQybufu1RTIFvY6M7s aAp6tEALw_wcB

Take the Columbia River route and see some nice waterfalls. Spend the night in Pendleton, OR, famous for the Pendleton Wool and 3rd largest rodeo in North America. They have a nice RV park at the local Casino.

Stop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on your way to Yellowstone.

[rcantrell52]

Terry,
I am going to tag onto Loc's answer regarding the Detroit/Dearborn area. I would recommend the Motown Museum which is also known as Hitsville. Martha Reaves stopped by the museum the week before we were there. The tour takes an 1.5 hours. Also, do the Ford F150 assembly plant. If you like Christmas go to Bronner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, MI. While in Frankenmuth go to one of the German restaurants and have a meal.

Reese

[Gil_J]

I agree that the Ford museum is a must see. It likely has more former presidential limos than anywhere. It's so much more than an automotive museum.

I liked the F-150 assembly plant, even though it's a mear glimpse into the full production.

The Detroit Museum downtown is also worth the visit.

[tebrock]

Thanks to everyone, I will definitely add these places to my trip. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share. This should be a great trip. I just hope that the coach behaves?
Terry