Trip home from Washington State to Utah ...

[Getupngo]

Okay, I'm heading home in a couple of weeks, without any time schedule (for once), and I thought I'd ask you veteran travelettes (sorry, couldn't resist!) what I should see/do on the way home. Just know I don't gamble, so casinos are out.

Thanks in advance for your shared wisdom.

[SeeyaGal]

Well I do know I-5 is boreing as hell What about I-90 and then drop down to I-15? Going through Idaho can be pretty, Utah ia drop dead gorgeous!! We prefer the red roads to the freeways, you just see more on the red roads and I find it more relaxing. There is always some place different to see, which you don't get from the freeways. If you aren't afraid of the mountains head over Hwy 2 and go to Leavenworth area. Mostly going East in WA will be much hotter than Western WA.

[Bethers]

You just spent your time on the coast, so I suggest driving through OR. There's lots I like in OR - and this is the best time of year to see the western part of the state - should be sunny instead of rainy. Lots of the waterfalls are really neat in the Portland area - down to near Salem. I had a great time around Salem - but if I were you and had never been through the high desert part of OR, I suggest you drive through the mountains - and stop in Sisters - there is a city park you can stay in (was $10 a night, no hook-ups, but they have water and a dump station) and you can walk all through town from the city park. Make sure if you go to Sisters that you check out the Habitat for Humanity second hand store. It's the best store of it's type I've ever been in. Getting to Sisters means traveling over the mountains - Sisters is high desert - so nice and cool at night, never needed air there at night no matter the month I've been there. There are a couple rv parks there also - I stayed at the city park, then in a friends driveway. If you want to hike you can do so in the Three Sisters Wilderness area - or go to the Metolius River - I love the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery - it's along the Metolius - http://www.oregon.com/hiking/metolius.cfm - I never did the hike the way they describe it - always drove to the Fish Hatchery and hiked from there and back.

I know you're from Utah - but have you and the dogs ever gone to the Great Salt Lake? That was so much fun when I took my dogs there - after they had played in lakes and the ocean, that "salt" beach confused them. (Then the salt stuck to them for a week confused them and frustrated me - but was well worth it.

Just some ideas- lots of beautiful areas of OR - just trying to suggest one you might not have gone to.

[Getupngo]

Jenny, I just ran the numbers, and going by way of Couer D'Alene to Missoula is about the same as the route I took north. I need to be conservative due to gas prices, but I could do this. I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Couer D'Alene, and if I go a little farther east to Bozeman, I could dart south down through Yellowstone. After Labor Day it should have calmed down there quite a bit.

Beth, I got a real giggle out of your suggestion of the Great Salt Lake. I do NOT have water dogs. They would stand back ... try to keep their feet dry ... & look at me quizically. The Oregon route through Sisters sounds really nice. I've not heard of it and I'll check out that web site. Thanks!

[SeeyaGal]

Couer D'Alene is a pretty area, I got my Chicken Picata recipe from the Resort there, sounds like a good route and of course Yellowstone.

[asirimarco]

Yellowstone is a must if you've never been there - so different and then of course straight South through the Grand Teton area into Jackson Hole (Jackson itself is just a tourist trap but interesting.)But the Tetons are spectacular. then 40 miles further south is Star Valley a very nice place to spend a couple of quiet days.

[avalen]

if you go by way of Jackson Hole, you might get lucky and see part of the
great elk migration that occurs in that area every year in the fall. Thousands
of elk migrate to that area, its mind boggeling and lots of photo shoot opportunities.

[Cougarfan]

If you come down boring I-5 to Salem, we could have lunch or dinner. Oregonluvr might be around as well (she's staying about 20 miles from me). You could come down to Salem, stay overnight and head over to Sisters and central Oregon from here. Hwy 22/20 will get you to Sisters then Bend and you pick up Hwy 97 from there (hwy 22 turns into hwy 20 at Santiam Pass).

Hwy 97 is a nice drive with a few things along the way to see. Oregonluvr and I camped in La Pine at Cascade Meadows last year and had a great time. Hwy 97 has easy access to Crater Lake or Diamond Lake or both. From Klamath Falls on 97, you could head south towards Reno/I-80 to get to Salt Lake (not sure what the road numbers are). Beautiful drive thru that part of Northern California. There are lots of mountains, but hey, you're from Utah so mountains are nothing new for you! hee hee

Let me know if you decide to come this way and I'll give you some options for rv parks in the area and hopefully we can meet for lunch, dinner, coffee or whatever.

Laura

[Getupngo]

Laura,

What a lovely invitation! I was looking at an Oregon loop after Beth's recommendation. Your invitation adds a special spice! Thanks!

[snowball]

Janice
We start a month or so of relief camp host here in Island Park Id. south out of West Yellowstone if you come this way stop and spend the night and we will get a good visit in... We are in a national forest campground. ButterMilk
Have a safe trip will connect in SLC if not here
sheila

[Bethers]

Janice,
You might have to make a loop through OR and back to ID lol - such great invites. I've been wanting to meet all 3 of those ladies for a long time. Guess I need to head west!

[Getupngo]

Oooooh. Thanks for this invite. I LOVE Island Park. I could jet into Jellystone from there. Hmmmmm..... it would be nice to see you again Sheila. I'd love to meet your husband, as well. I'll keep you in mind as I plan my route.

[snowball]

Janice
consider this we are 22 miles give or take south of West Yellowstone I'd camp there for a couple play around in Yellowstone then come on down the highway (20) to where we are spend what ever you can spare then head down to Idaho Falls and on down the free way to SLC... Good news the construction in Ogden is Done!!! a head of schedule I might add that is what the sign said... still construction there at (close to Lagoo) legecy highway forgot for a bit but it wasn't too bad in a car... I80 from what I heard is a mess avoid it
Hopefully soon!!! looking forward to it and if it doesn't work out we will gtg in SLC
can you think of any campgrounds other than KOA and that new one on RWD we would like something cheaper than they are
Sheila

[Gentleladybear]

Wow these routes sound super. Can I come alone too? (hee hee)

Nan