going out west

[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.