We are planning a cross-crountry trip from Hendersonville, NC., late Spring 2005. We want to go North West. Does anyone have any ideas about special places to visit or of special interest. We enjoy people and mix easy with others.

I've done this twice, once with my family when I was 11 or 12 and the summer of my sophmore or freshman year of college.

When I was in college, we camped in the Grand Canyon and hiked the Bright Angel Trail. We drove I-40 out and took the northern route back. We also stopped in Reno on the back and we kyaked at Lake Tahoe. Big Bear Lake was also gorgeous but that is closer to Palm Springs.

The northern route is very cool, too. En route, I visited the Grand Tetons, Glacier and Yellowstone, then on up through Mt. Rainier to Seattle. From Seattle, you have lots of choices. Going to the Olympic peninsula (Hurricane Ridge), the Hoh Rain Forest and down through the Oregon coast would give you tremendous variety and beauty.

You'll have to figure out how much time you have for this trip and if you want to approach the NW from the south or the north. It would be an incredible trip if you could do a circle, but it would take a looooong time.

I really like the northern route also. We have done cross country trips (moving) many times, and the northern route is my favorite. The southern route did nothing for me...but that is just my taste.

Orcas gives fantastic suggestions on places to see out here. The loop idea would be my suggestion as well.

Think about the diferent routes and then decide what interests you. I am sure you will get lots of help then!

Since you "enjoy people and mix easy with others", I suggest you not to over-plan the trip. Just pick a route to drive (Interstate if you don't have too much time, US highways if you have a lot!) and then just explore the places while there. Ask the locals what's to see in the vicinity, look out for billboards advertising local attractions, etc... I think that will be way more fun than having all the fodorites telling to go here, go there...