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Thread: going out west

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Fancy Gap
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    47

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    Thanks again for all the comments

  2. #12
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Beverly Hills
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    4,652

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    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.


    Gil and Durlene
    2003 H-3 Hoffman Conversion

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Fancy Gap
    Posts
    47

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    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?

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Pinehurst
    Posts
    950

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    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.
    Last edited by Loc; 06-08-2019 at 07:07 PM.

    Loc - 2008 Marathon XLII - Houston

  5. #15
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Beverly Hills
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    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.


    Gil and Durlene
    2003 H-3 Hoffman Conversion

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Tyler
    Posts
    84

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    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

  7. #17
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Beverly Hills
    Posts
    4,652

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    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.


    Gil and Durlene
    2003 H-3 Hoffman Conversion

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Fancy Gap
    Posts
    47

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    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

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