Vacation in the NW.....any ideas?

[Jann]

DH and I are planning to leave on the 23rd for a long overdue vacation.
We have planned a road trip with no defined plans or a detailed route.....just kinda take it as it comes. What we do know is that we will stay one night in Denver and visit with a brother and SIL. When we leave Denver we will go to SLC , into Idaho, Pendelton OR, and onto Seattle, WA.
After Seattle, if time permits we will travel into Montana and to Yellowstone NP.

Now that I have given a sketch of our plans does someone have any ideas about places of interest, quaint little towns, scenic byways....we like to get off the beaten paths, and YES we like to eat.

[pelathais]

In Idaho, Coeur d'Alene is often considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in North America - and for good reason. To the north a bit is Pend O'Reille (pronounced 'Pond-er-ray') also very keen. State HWY 200 from Washington, though Idaho and into Montana is one of the best stretches of countryside you'll see.

Coming into or out of the Yellowstone area on State HWY 212 and over Beartooth Pass is the best route. If you're ever to see Bigfoot, it'll probably be on Beartooth Pass. Or coadie's yard, either one.

The Waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia are pretty cool. Bridal Veil Falls and the like. If you're going from Pendleton to Seattle, go the Columbia River route to Vancouver, over the bridge that you'll swear you won't ever drive on when you see it from a distance, and then up HWY 101. I-5 is for sissy boys, but if you're on a schedule you'll have to get over there at some point.

In Seattle you will eat at Pike Place and the Fisherman's Market - or you won't be able to actually say you've been to Seattle. You can actually pick out the critter you want to eat while he's on ice. There's also regal establishments about.

If you're an archaeologist - or if you think YOU had plumbing problems, the Underground Seattle Tour is neat. They had to rebuild the city at one time - right on top of the old one - because the incoming tides confounded everyone's toilet and drains. That's the purpose of the glass blocks in the sidewalks that you see all over downtown. These allowed the sun light to shine in the lower city. Most have been replaced but many remain.

[U376977]

I was born in CO. Don't go to Denver without going to Colorado Springs. I forget the hwy but drive toward the mountains out of Colorado Springs and there is a little town called Woodland Park, one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I've been in almost every state. From there you are right at the foot of Pikes Peak and it is well worth the drive up to the top. Spend the day. Hotels are a little expensive but worth it and if you like looking at natural rock formations you can drive thru "garden of the Gods." It is near Colorado Springs also.
Also, if you go straight west from Denver on your way up to WA you can go thru Vernal UT. There is a dinosaur graveyard there, bones are buried in the side of a hill, the museum is built around the hill and you can see many bones. It was something I did as a kid and never forgot.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by U376977

I was born in CO. Don't go to Denver without going to Colorado Springs. I forget the hwy but drive toward the mountains out of Colorado Springs and there is a little town called Woodland Park, one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I've been in almost every state. From there you are right at the foot of Pikes Peak and it is well worth the drive up to the top. Spend the day. Hotels are a little expensive but worth it and if you like looking at natural rock formations you can drive thru "garden of the Gods." It is near Colorado Springs also.
Also, if you go straight west from Denver on your way up to WA you can go thru Vernal UT. There is a dinosaur graveyard there, bones are buried in the side of a hill, the museum is built around the hill and you can see many bones. It was something I did as a kid and never forgot.

That'd be state Hwy 24. Continuing on this route would take you through the real South Park, Colorado. One of the world's largest alpine valleys (the San Luis to the south is the largest) and truly where the buffalo roam and the antelope play.

Though, on a technicality they're "bison" and not "buffalo."

Honk and wave when you go by.

[Jann]

Originally Posted by U376977

I was born in CO. Don't go to Denver without going to Colorado Springs. I forget the hwy but drive toward the mountains out of Colorado Springs and there is a little town called Woodland Park, one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I've been in almost every state. From there you are right at the foot of Pikes Peak and it is well worth the drive up to the top. Spend the day. Hotels are a little expensive but worth it and if you like looking at natural rock formations you can drive thru "garden of the Gods." It is near Colorado Springs also.
Also, if you go straight west from Denver on your way up to WA you can go thru Vernal UT. There is a dinosaur graveyard there, bones are buried in the side of a hill, the museum is built around the hill and you can see many bones. It was something I did as a kid and never forgot.

I agree, Woodland Park is beautiful and so is the Peak! Love CO!
We have been thru UT but didn't spend a lot of time there. Vernal sounds like a place of interest that we should add to the list. DH has always had an interest dinosaurs and etc.
Thanks for the tips and let me know if should you think of something else of possible interest.

[coadie]

My favorite near Seattle is to take the ferry to the San Juan Islands. Friday Harbor and Orcas Island.

[The Mrs]

If you're thinking of stopping overnight, the Skamania Lodge is a GORGEOUS hotel on the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington.

A bit pricey, but I doubt you'll be disappointed. It's all about the view!

Peace, Serenity, and Tranquility...




www.skamania.com

It's about 45 minutes East of Portland, 3.5 hours from Seattle, and about 7 hours out of Boise, ID.

It's also only about 15 mins. away from Multnomah Falls. You should stop and hike to the bridge of that one!

[Jann]

WOW....The Mrs,

That waterfall is beautiful....I love waterfalls and anything pertaining to natural scenery. We really want to do a lot of sight-seeing on this vacation. Shopping is nice but neither of us are really interested in that on this trip unless its antiques - junktiques.

We have spent the past 3 1/2 years exhausting ourselves physically and financially building this house and pastoring a church. In the year 2008 we had 6 deaths within our family in an 8 month span. The last one being my SIL who at 46 suddenly suffered a massive stroke.Then 3 weeks ago, August 1st, our daughter was married. We asked them to ELOPE....HA! In the end tho it all turned out well....it was a beautiful wedding!

So, now Mom and Dad are taking some time for R&R....can't wait!

[Jann]

Originally Posted by coadie

My favorite near Seattle is to take the ferry to the San Juan Islands. Friday Harbor and Orcas Island.

Sounds beautiful! Is it a long ferry ride?

[coadie]

Originally Posted by Jann

Sounds beautiful! Is it a long ferry ride?

Oh no. It is a drive to Anacortes and then the ferry. with or without your car. There is starbucks on the ferry.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/cameras/