Hi, I'm Karen from the "long family trip" thread. If you haven't read it, it's about the possiblity of our family taking the great American road trip next summer.

My 12-year-old son has expressed interest in seeing scenery like is shown in Coyote-Roadrunner cartoons.

We are heading west from the east coast and don't think we can go any farther west than Denver on our voyage. We think we might loop Nashville, Hot Springs NP, Oklahoma City, "covered wagon" territory of Kansas and Nebraska, Denver, Mt. Rushmore, and then back east.

Any suggestions?

This question isn't as easy it may seem, for there are several spots from which to choose. For my money, what you're looking for can be best found in southern Utah, although lots of people will say Arizona (which is a great state and does have the mesa/butte/cactus look that's for sure). But I think there are far more intersting sights to see in Utah, such as, Cayonlands, Arches, Valley of the Gods, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion. This is simply breathtaking stuff. But as far as Wile E Coyote/Roadrunner topography, you can find that in Arizona (like around Sedona), New Mexico (Santa Fe & Taos are great spots), and western Texas. You have many, many spots to choose from. I guess you need to see what your itinerary will allow. In my book, the desert southwest is an awesome place and deserves a lot of time for sightseeing. I know yo're thinking of terminating your trip at the Denver line, but I think you need to consider extending it.

Karen,

Since your itinerary seems to specifically exclude the Southwest, here are a couple of alternatives (second-bests, though).

1. Bighorn Canyon: in north-central WY, on the western side of the Bighorn Mountains. Devil's Canyon Overlook is 1000ft above the river, at a narrow stretch of Canyon. It's not the Grand Canyon, but still pretty impressive - easy to picture Wile E. Coyote falling after not quite making the jump. This area of WY is mostly badlands-type scenery, too, so it does SORT OF look like desert (no Cactii, though).

2. The Badlands of SD. If you're going to visit Mt. Rushmore anyway, you'll already be in the neighborhood. You can drive the main loop in about an hour, or spend all day. Try to time it to at least be there early or late, when the colors are not muted by bright sun.

Dave

Karen,

It's not quite "cartoon country" but Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs has interesting rock formations. No saguaro cacti but rock formations that could be in one of the cartoons like big giant boulders on top of little skinny rocks.

Colorado Springs is south of Denver. I haven't read your other post but it's not that far from Denver.