I'm thinking about a driving vacation thru Idaho, Montana, North Dakota - California to Chicago the long way, so to speak.
Those of you familiar with that part of the country have recommendations on places to visit/things to see along the way? Vic G
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND FITTING IN: Durango Colorado NORTH to, and including ESTES PARK, Col.
I could pinpoint places in between if you're interested. I plan COLORADO MOTORCYCLE TRIPS on the side for the BIG BOYS with the BIG TOYS, so I know ALL the high spots!
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Gosh I remember going thru Montana (the BAD lands!) and North Dakota when I was little every summer. (I was born just a short ways from Fargo don'tcha know?) So you could stop by and visit with my relatives...... They'd love you!
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
I agree with Bob, the Rockies are awe inspiring. In fact, I'll be there mid June with the family. We will go to Estes Park.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Since you mentioned Montana, I'd highly recommend Glacier National Park. Then heading south-east, go through Wyoming and Yellowstone, then east through the Bighorn Mountains (beautiful, and very overlooked). Farther east you'll come to Devil's Tower, then the Black Hills area in South Dakota, home of Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Sturgis. Sounds like a great trip; wish I was going!
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
Hey Victor, I'm doing the same trip, opposite direction, in two weeks. (actually, from Charlottesville, VA to San Francisco by way of Chicago, Minneapolis, Yellowstone).
I-80 through all of Nevada and the west half of Utah is awfully boring to drive through. You're better off going north or going south.
my suggestion is go north through Oregon/Spokane/Billings/Yellowstone/Sturgis/Rushmore/ and then its a corn-belt shot to Chicago.
A couple of places you might enjoy in the prairie are Wall Drug (Wall, South Dakoka, near the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore) because it is ALL about signs. Then onto Mitchell, SoDak, for the Corn Palace -- a building covered in murals made from corn (did you know corn had that many colors?).
(Disclaimer: I own a house in South Dakota, so I'm biased in favor of the state).
The only thing of note in North Dakota is Roosevelt Natl Park, with natural prairie, bison, and a couple of trees. Fargo is just western Minnesota.
When you go through Wisconsin, I suggest Baraboo, WI, home of the Circus World Museum. It used to be the winter home of Barnum's circus (or was it Ringling Bros?), and it now has a terriffic circus theme-park/museum. It wis worth the trip just for their collection of over 20 fully restored old time circus wagons. Now THAT'S some sign painting.
The "other" route you can take goes takes Nevada Hwy 50 ("The Lonliest Road in the World") from Reno across Nevada (as fast as possible) to Ogden, Utah, where you can then climb over the rockies past Moab, Arches Natl. Monument, through Denver and then up to Wyoming (Green River valley is beautiful country).
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They'd love you!