touring the west part of USA

RGar974417 wrote:
If you like history,old cars, trucks,tractors,snowmoblies etc, I would highly recommend Harald Warp's Pioneer Museum in Minden,Nebraska.They have a campground there and they include one ticket to the museum in your camping fee.

Thanks for posting this. It is now on my list. Looks like a great place to stop and see.

jplante4 wrote:
Same trip we're planning August-October. I'm just in the preliminary stages now, but the plan is to take I-75 to the UP of Michigan and pick up US2 across the top of the US. We're headed out to the Puget Sound area, then south to the Columbia River and take I-84 to I-15 to the Grand Canyon. The return route hasn't jelled yet, but if the weather permits I could take I-40 to I-25 north to I-70. You could hit Rushmore on the way back.

Things on my list are the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Mackinack Island, Rushmore, Grand Coolee Dam, Grand Canyon.

Thanks for your info.I did the lake superior circle tour last summer from Canada to U S crossed at Sault St Marie,, then west , you might like to check out Pictured Rocks boat tour at Munising Mich nice ride along some of the east shore of Superior, with great views.. about 4 hrs, Then I went west more and hooked up to US 2 . Stayed at a little camp near Munising in a town called Christmas, this area is very busy till sept long weekend Your route sounds good and Thanks

thank you very much for your info

azdryheat wrote:
Summer in the Arizona desert? Hope you like camping on the sun.

Northern AZ and the Sky Islands are great during the summer.

rocmoc n AZ

I would add stopping outside Chamberlain SD to see the statue named "Dignity". It is emblematic of the strength and beauty of not only the Lakota Sioux women but of all our First Nations People. It can be seen from I-90.

Dignity, Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse are the big three of statuary and a beautiful tribute to South Dakota.

I will differ in the opinion of some, Mt. Rushmore is worth an overnight or two. The big three of course, Rushmore and Crazy Horse both have night time shows, excellent. If you are a veteran, be prepared to go down to the stage and represent us during the closing of the show. The Needles Hwy is worth a drive, Wind Cave is very interesting and Custer State Park is a mecca for plains animal viewing.

In CO, a stop at Pueblo is very interesting. There is the Arkansas Riverwalk and Walks Among Stars is only one attraction. It is also emblematic of the Sioux women.

Check ou a post by magnusfide, Our Next Trip: Wyoming Wandering, member responses are very interesting and informative.

Ah! Now the Big Ditch as it is sometimes called. While it will be warm, okay HOT, it is at about 7000 feet on the South Rim and there are so many things to see and do. The Kolb Studio is one of my favorites, the Walk of Ages on the rim trail is a timeline of evolution, the Fossil Beds, Ranger Talks, The Lodge, the Ice Cream next to the Lodge. Mary Coulter's fireplace, her watch tower is being re-imagined as a representation of the lives and crafts of the tribes that call the canyon home. The North Rim is cooler and as beautiful at the South but totally different. The restaurant at Jacob's Lake has some great cookies, breakfast wasn't bad either. I would not bother with the Skywalk outside the Park, $150 for two to walk out over the Canyon on a glass floored horseshoe shape path is not for me.

Hope these are POIs to your interest.

Same trip we're planning August-October. I'm just in the preliminary stages now, but the plan is to take I-75 to the UP of Michigan and pick up US2 across the top of the US. We're headed out to the Puget Sound area, then south to the Columbia River and take I-84 to I-15 to the Grand Canyon. The return route hasn't jelled yet, but if the weather permits I could take I-40 to I-25 north to I-70. You could hit Rushmore on the way back.

Things on my list are the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Mackinack Island, Rushmore, Grand Coolee Dam, Grand Canyon.

mount rushmore,on 90, then south to grand canyon . . . any recommendations on , attractions along the way

My comments relate only to the route between Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.

+ At Mt. Rushmore don't miss Custer State Park with the Wildlife loop, Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road. For me the Park and roads are the highlight, Rushmore just happens to fit in.

+ You will pass right by the Rocky Mountain National Park (Loveland to Estes Park). I'd consider at least a brief visit there.

+ From Estes Park there is the Peak to Peak Highway that will allow you to drive through the Arkansas Valley (Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida) my favorite part of Colorado. It should be delightfully cool.

+ I'd go on down to US 160 and across to Durango (won't add many miles if any to your overall route.) From Durango you can make a stop at Mesa Verde--and the possibility of taking a breathtaking train trip up to Silverton.

I hesitate to give precise road directions because the directions will be far more complicated than the actual driving, but I will just give the highway numbers. South Dakota 79 to US 18/85 to I-25 South. If you go to Estes Park: US 34 from Loveland. The Peak to Peak highway is Co. 7 to Co. 72 to Co 119 to I-70 West.

From I-70 South on Co. 91 to US 24 at Leadville; then US 285 down to Co. 12 over to US 160 West. That will take you all the way to Durango and Mesa Verde.

Look on any good map and you will see that this is a pretty direct route from Mount Rushmore on toward the Grand Canyon.

For what it's worth: we drove on through Detroit up to Port Huron and crossed over to Sarnia on a visit a couple of years ago. We found the crossing there a very pleasant experience.

In fact, we have plans to return to Ontario this Summer and will cross again at Port Huron. We will stay again at the Fifty Point Conservation Area on Lake Ontario as we did on that first trip.

thanks for taking the time to respond very appreciated

thanks everyone for your advise and suggestions, may head out in middle of August , looking forward to exploring the U S some more