USA Cross Country IDEAS???
 

Doing national and state parks and forests starting on 22 August. Expect to run into Oct. before completion. We don't wish to pass up anything worthwhile.

Scheduled to see Rushmore and Badlands, Teton NP, Yellowstone, Glacier, Columbia River, Puget Sound, Portland and OR coast, San Francisco Bay, Yosemite, Canyons of Utah, Grand Canyon, Durango, Colorado Springs, Branson, Memphis, I-64 to Yorktown.

What are the some suggested 'Along the Way' things to do and see?

I need input, please!!!

Don't miss Custer State Park while you're in the Mt. Rushmore/Badlands area. I'd also suggest seeing Devil's Tower in Wyoming. You should be able to fit it in between Teton and Mt. Rushmore/Custer.

You don't mention Rocky Mountain NP. Personally, I'd suggest it over Colorado Springs, if you have to choose between the two. Also recommend Mesa Verde NP, not too far from Durango.

There's also a lot of beautiful country roughly between Memphis and Yorktown. I hope someone will give you some advice on hitting some of the Appalachian parks.

One more thing...I've never been to Branson. But my in-laws and many others in the area where I grew up go often. From what I know about it, it doesn't seem to "fit in" with the other areas you've mentioned. If you're interested in the shows and such, obviously it's a good place to go. But if you're more interested in scenic spots, I wonder if someone could recommend a prettier Ozark spot for you? Or, perhaps I should say, a spot more geared toward natural beauty.

ttt

What a wonderful trip! I did a similar one years ago - camped along the way. It was THE BEST. Be sure to include Mt. Rainier and consider Mt. St. Helens. Also, be sure you catch the redwoods on your way down, either in southern Oregon or N. California. Lucky, lucky you!!!

September is a great time for RMNP, as CAPH suggested. The aspens will be turning color, and the elk should be starting their rut. Definitely more worthwhile than CO Springs.

If you are near, take a trip to Crater Lake. Or Medford OR make a stop at Harry & David's and tour their plant. Do go to Custer SP..and take carrots for the burro's/mules.
While in Durango DO take the Durango, Silverton RR train to the top. Quite a ride.
While near Branson, stop @ the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield & see their fish tank and ducks wandering around! Very interesting.
Have a great trip.

Orcus,
Plese name some of the best camp sites.

Thanks all. And mamajo, I sure appreciate "While near Branson, stop @ the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield & see their fish tank and ducks wandering around!" I'll be sure to do that.

Take a look on the Internet at the Lewis and Clark trail and see if you are intersted in following...at least do the Oregon Portland to Astoria to Fort Columbia Washington coast part.

Stop in Astoria at the MAritime Museum..great stuff...And if you want to stay someplace really neat with history and a bargain look up Fort Columbia in Washington State Prks. We stayed in teh Steward's house.. be sure to bring breakfast & dinner as there is a kitchen and once you get there you won't want to leave. Safeway in Astoria.

Also great camp cabins, yurts in Cape Disappointment in Oregon just below Astoria OR.

Oregon State parks also have great camping
Olympic NAtional PArk, rainforest and mountains are great.

Cody Wyoming fun place...wildwild west and part of teh oregaon trail is nearby.

Sorry getting tired Cape Disappointment is above Fort Columbia in Washington State..and worthit..nice long white sany beach..you can drive your 4 wheel drive car on it...fly a kite ...

1jar,
Are you advising us to GO FLY A KITE? LOL

Haven't done so in 25 years. Might be something unthought of to do. Thanks!
-------------------------

Why we're not including RMNP?
I've been in some of Rockies out from Denver and CO Springs. Spent too much time in the Aleutians. Been in mountains of France and Italy and more.
The only reason we are doing Teton and Glacier... they are supposed to have super vistas one would never want to miss. My travel partner hasn't been in Rockies, And, we are headed for Seattle.

Once out of canyon country, we are going to CO Springs to let partner drive Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. We have to get back to Yorktown via friends in MO.

Still need lots of those interesting little things to do and see. What's worth doing between Branson and Richmond? Ozarks, Blue Ridge and caves we have been through.

Thanks so far.
Robert

We surely picked the right Temperature tolerable time slot for Trip West.

We had snow flurries at Cedar Breaks National Monument but none at Teton or Glacier NPs. Drove Death Valley to Lake Havasu with windows open.

This was a report seen for 10/25/2006.

Winter storm warning for Denver
By DenverPost.com

Lee Watkins, manager of a Discount Tire store on E. Evans, answers questions from people lined up to buy snow tires, as wintry weather moved into the metro area on October 25, 2006. (Post / Hyoung Chang)The National Weather Service says a wintry storm moving into Colorado is growing in strength. They've issued a winter storm warning for the metro area, north and south along the I-25 corridor.

The warning area includes Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, Douglas and Adams, Broomfield and Arapahoe counties, especially areas above 6,000 feet in elevation.

9News meteorologist Kathy Sabine said many variables could still influence snow totals, but that most of the metro area will see 3 to 6 inches of wet heavy snow by morning. She predicted 6 to 12 inches above 6,000 feet, especially south, east and west of the city by 9 a.m. Thursday.

The National Weather Service said between 4 and 12 inches of snow would fall south of a line running

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Snow Totals roughly from Boulder to Denver International Airport to LImon.
Rain is expected to begin falling in town late this evening, and turn over to snow in the early morning hours.

Total snow accumulations up to 16 inches are possible across the Front Range mountains and foothills.

The winter storm warning extends down I-25 toward the New Mexico state line, including Pueblo and Trinidad. Blizzard conditions could exist on the Palmer Divide and Monument Hill, with winds gusting up to 45 MPH.

Colorado Springs, Limon and La Junta are some of the areas that could see significant accumulations, and some of the worst visibiliity conditions.

From Leadville south past Gunnison, up to 18 inches of snow is expected.

Temperatures will rebound on Friday and through the weekend, with highs in the 60s.