going out west

[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?

[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/?gcl...saAp6tEALw_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.