One Last Scenic Trip
 

Suggestions please for what we believe will be one final scenic fly-drive to-in USA lasting 2 to 3 weeks.
We're a couple in mid-60's who are unable to walk too far but driving's not a problem. We'd like to go somewhere we've NOT already been so please OMIT:
Southern/Mid California (including Big Sur & Yosemite NP)
New England (in the Fall)
Blue Ridge Parkway & Smokey Mountains
We're Foodies who like to experience culture during our trips, and love most kinds of live music, BUT driving through (or to) miles of beautiful scenery is the one must. If the scenery is 'awesome' (which for the purposes of this post please consider even better than beautiful!) if necessary we can do without the culture and food (I'll have to put up with the wife singing for the live music . . .) so long as we have a can of beans and a clean place to stay with a hot shower each day.
Many Thanks

When are you planning this trip?

If it is in the summer:
Have you been to Alaska? If you are good at planning, look at some of the TRs here that describe the trips where folks used the ferry system to visit places along the coast - like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, and also drove to the Kenai area and Denali. There is gobstopping scenery all along the way.

An alternative would be to take a cruise from Vancouver to Seward and then rent a car and do the Kenai and Denali trips.

If it is the spring or Fall:
Consider the four corners area. There are lots of loops you could do that have wonderful scenery that you don't need to walk much to see. Include Arches and Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc. If you click my name and scroll down you will find several TRs that we've done in the area and you can click on the flickr link to see the kinds of scenery there is in the area.

For the purposes of this post please consider 'gobstopping scenery' as 'awesome scenery'. (A MUCH better description!)

Thanks emalloy, I'll take a look

Norfolk,

I would also suggest the southern Utah CO AZ National Parks for spring or fall! You can enjoy these just taking the easier and shorter walks or hikes. If you have time you could even head up to Yellowstone and The Tetons for more incredible scenery, again fully enjoyable without long hikes.

Do a little research and read some TRs here and come back with more questions.

Happy planning

There are two obvious choices:

Utah (Zion, Bryce, and other national parks) and Arizona (the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Canyon de Chelly, and other natural attractions),

Or my stomping grounds which includes northern California (the redwoods), Oregon (the Coast from Brookings to Cannon Beach and the Columbia River Gorge), Washington (Mt. Rainier, Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula), and British Columbia (Vancouver and Victoria).

HTtY

I do not necessarily agree that the Oregon Coast is "obvious" but I agree it is spectacular. I would add to that recommendation the Grand Canyon and the Grand Tetons.

New Mexico.
Grand Canyon.
All points between.
September, October.

<i>I do not necessarily agree that the Oregon Coast is "obvious"...</i>

I'm surprised. Highway 101 in Oregon is on many lists of the most scenic drives in the US, including this one: http://www.travelandleisure.com/slid...cenic-roads/12

The stretches from Brookings to Port Orford and from Florence to Yachats are my favorites, and I try to drive them at least once each year.

HTtY

I agree w/ the aboves: The Utah parks/Grand Canyon + New Mexico if you have the time - or- the Northern California and Oregon Coasts.

Late Spring or Fall for the Utah parks. Sept for the CA/OR coasts.

Or -- Yellowstone + Grand Teton -- Early summer or September

Olympic Peninsula, Washington has varied scenery and offers beautiful views of mountains and ocean.

I lived in California for nearly 15 years (now been here 42) before I had any idea how spectacular the Oregon Coast is! Highly recommended - maybe San Francisco to Vancouver, with stops in between. (If you haven't seen Crater Lake, you have missed one of the most gorgeous sights I've ever seen)

Looking at where you've been, I'll agree with the Utah/Grand Canyon/New Mexico suggestions. These places are like nowhere else you've been in the USA.

Lee Ann

If you've never been to Hawaii, especially Kauai, and have any interest in going, I'd put it at or near the top of the list.

Alaska

With 3 weeks you definitely have time for 2 distinct areas though - Alaska combined with southern Utah/Arizona would be great.