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Planes, Trains and Plenty of Automobiles Itineraries, travel dos/don'ts, and planning tips from many years of travel

Taking the Trans-Canada Highway west into British Columbia, you will come to Kicking Horse Pass, the highest point on th...
08/09/2024

Taking the Trans-Canada Highway west into British Columbia, you will come to Kicking Horse Pass, the highest point on the highway. From this point, you can view one of the engineering marvels of the late 19th century, the Spiral Tunnels. Built to complete the railway across Canada, the line spirals upward, and as the photos show, trains will cross over themselves.

The second part of our Icefields adventure took us to the Columbia Icefields Skywalk. This glass bottomed overlook sits...
17/10/2023

The second part of our Icefields adventure took us to the Columbia Icefields Skywalk. This glass bottomed overlook sits 918 feet above the Sunwapta River valley below. As you can see from the photos, there was still precipitation during the early part of our visit but it improved as time went on.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Canadian Rockies, one of the must see attractions is the Columbia Icefields Adv...
09/10/2023

If you have the opportunity to visit the Canadian Rockies, one of the must see attractions is the Columbia Icefields Adventure. After boarding one of the ice coaches, a half hour drive takes you to the Athabasca glacier. On our visit, which was in early July, the temperature was in the 40s and misting, so be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Make sure to bring a water bottle as you can collect drinking water from the glacier.

One of the most scenic (and treacherous) National Park drives is Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. We did ...
07/10/2023

One of the most scenic (and treacherous) National Park drives is Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. We did an abridged tour of the park with most of the photos from our vehicle, but if time and traffic allows, I would recommend making more stops, and even hiking a few trails to get a better glimpse of the wonderful scenery.

An off the beaten path stop that I would consider a must see is the Huntley Project Museum just east of Billings. The mu...
17/05/2023

An off the beaten path stop that I would consider a must see is the Huntley Project Museum just east of Billings. The museum provides a history of the Huntley Irrigation Project, one of the first water management projects in the western US in the early 1900s. Diverting water from the Yellowstone River provided settlers of the area an opportunity to raise sugar beets, potatoes, barley and other row crops. Plus, one of the workers in the museum was originally from a city 30 miles from where I grew up, so a small world.

It may not have the scenic viewpoints of mountains or water, but Steptoe Butte State Park in eastern Washington provides...
17/05/2023

It may not have the scenic viewpoints of mountains or water, but Steptoe Butte State Park in eastern Washington provides an overview of the surrounding farm fields of the Palouse along with the distant mountains to the east in Idaho.

If you are driving from Seattle to Spokane on Interstate 90, a nice place to stop, stretch, and take a good look at the ...
15/05/2023

If you are driving from Seattle to Spokane on Interstate 90, a nice place to stop, stretch, and take a good look at the scenery is the Wild Horse Overlook. Looking to the west, you can catch your last glimpse of the mountains, while right in front of you is the Columbia River between the Coulee Dam and Yakima.

The final stop in Olympic National Park was at Hurricane Ridge. On a normal day, you would be able to see Mount Olympic ...
14/05/2023

The final stop in Olympic National Park was at Hurricane Ridge. On a normal day, you would be able to see Mount Olympic or even across the Strait of San Juan Fuca to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. However, this was not a normal day, as forest fires from Vancouver Island brought heavy smoke across the strait. At least there were deer to view up close, and the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, which unfortunately recently burned.

Our next stop during our visit to Olympic National Park is the Hoh Rain Forest. The climate definitely changed on the sh...
12/05/2023

Our next stop during our visit to Olympic National Park is the Hoh Rain Forest. The climate definitely changed on the short drive from Ruby Beach to the forest as the temperatures jumped into the 80's along with more humidity. The Hoh Rain Forest is part of the Pacific temperate rain forest, which runs from Alaska down to northern California.

One of my favorite National Parks that I have visited is Olympic National Park on the, naturally, Olympic Peninsula in W...
12/05/2023

One of my favorite National Parks that I have visited is Olympic National Park on the, naturally, Olympic Peninsula in Washington. The park offers such a variety of scenery, and thus I am breaking it up into 3 different posts. Our first stop was Ruby Beach. Even though it was foggy, it was a nice break from the heat wave. 60 degrees never felt so good. The beach is famous for the driftwood found on the shoreline, along with the scenery on a clear day.

A mandatory stop when visiting the northern Oregon coast is the Tillamook Creamery in Tillamook where you can take a tou...
10/05/2023

A mandatory stop when visiting the northern Oregon coast is the Tillamook Creamery in Tillamook where you can take a tour of the plant, sample cheese and ice cream. The company has expanded their market to the Midwest, but there are still flavors that can only be found there.

Making our way south down the Oregon coast, another setting from "The Goonies" can be found. Cannon Beach is seen at th...
10/05/2023

Making our way south down the Oregon coast, another setting from "The Goonies" can be found. Cannon Beach is seen at the beginning of the movie, but is also found in "Point Break" and "Twilight" as well. A tip to everyone reading this: don't visit the Oregon coast on an Independence Day weekend when there are record high temperatures over the Coast Range inland. :)

When you think of Astoria, OR, the first thing that might come to mind is "The Goonies" house is located there. But, Ast...
08/05/2023

When you think of Astoria, OR, the first thing that might come to mind is "The Goonies" house is located there. But, Astoria is also known as the ending point of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. From the Astoria Column Park (which was in the process of restoration while we were there), you can view the mouth of the Columbia River with freighters headed inland to Portland or out to sea, Astoria, and the surrounding area.

After a long hiatus, we are back. One of the most difficult drives that we have made on our journeys, but it is worth t...
07/05/2023

After a long hiatus, we are back. One of the most difficult drives that we have made on our journeys, but it is worth the time. Hells Canyon, carved by the Snake River along the Idaho-Oregon border lives up to its name. The canyon is the deepest in the US, even greater than the Grand Canyon.

Coming out of the Great Divide Basin and the high desert of southwestern Wyoming, Bear Lake is an oasis. Located on the ...
07/08/2022

Coming out of the Great Divide Basin and the high desert of southwestern Wyoming, Bear Lake is an oasis. Located on the Idaho-Utah border, the water has a turquoise tinge due to the presence of limestone in the area. The lake has developed into a tourist attraction with resorts and vacation homes being built on the lake.

When you think of a sports connection to a shopping mall, generally it is apparel, shoes, or memorabilia related. Howeve...
05/08/2022

When you think of a sports connection to a shopping mall, generally it is apparel, shoes, or memorabilia related. However, if you visit West Acres Mall in Fargo, there is an area dedicated to the former single season home run record holder, Roger Maris. Items from his playing days, along with each one of his 61 home runs in 1961 commemorated, plus seats from the original Yankee Stadium. Definitely a place to visit if you are a baseball fan.

When you think of North Dakota, generally you picture farm fields and flat land. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is ne...
04/08/2022

When you think of North Dakota, generally you picture farm fields and flat land. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is neither of those. Located just east of the Montana border, the park provides varied topography, from grasslands to badlands, and the Little Missouri River winding its way through the park. Plus, wild horses, prairie dogs and bison.

If you, or whoever is driving, is not afraid of dropoffs, tight corners, or as these photos show, clouds/fog, then a sig...
03/08/2022

If you, or whoever is driving, is not afraid of dropoffs, tight corners, or as these photos show, clouds/fog, then a sightseeing tour on the Beartooth Highway should be on your itinerary either to or from Yellowstone. Leaving the Northeast Entrance, the route climbs to a summit of almost 11,000 feet, and as you can see, a recent snowfall earlier in June was still around. With all of the snow covered mountains, alpine lakes, and the chance to experience snow in summer, this All American Road is a must drive.

A scenic side trip that you can take if you are headed to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park is the Mesa Fal...
01/08/2022

A scenic side trip that you can take if you are headed to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park is the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. This almost 30 mile route starts in Ashton, and takes you to Lower Mesa Falls (first 5 photos) and Upper Mesa Falls, both located on the Henry Fork of the Snake River. This is one of the few rivers that has not been impacted by dams, so it retains its natural beauty.

If you want a less trendy/touristy place to stay when visiting Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons, or don't want to pay for ...
30/07/2022

If you want a less trendy/touristy place to stay when visiting Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons, or don't want to pay for expensive lodging in Jackson Hole, then the Idaho side is for you. That is, if you can handle Teton Pass. Teton and Fremont counties have a lot of great places to dine, stay, and get a view of the mountains.

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most lovely places that I have visited. On this visit, we drove Teton Park Road...
27/07/2022

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most lovely places that I have visited. On this visit, we drove Teton Park Road, which lies closer to the peaks. Included are photos of Jackson Lake, Chapel of the Sacred Heart, views from Signal Mountain overlook and of the range itself. In a future post, I will share a different perspective from the main route through the park.

After a brief hiatus, we are back. This post is featuring the wildlife of Yellowstone, (mostly) up close and personal.
24/07/2022

After a brief hiatus, we are back. This post is featuring the wildlife of Yellowstone, (mostly) up close and personal.

Old Faithful, in all of its glory. One thing I should have done is to take video instead of so many photos since still ...
08/11/2021

Old Faithful, in all of its glory. One thing I should have done is to take video instead of so many photos since still photography does not do it justice. Also, a couple of tips. Make sure you review the estimated times of eruption so you can plan accordingly, and after doing that, get there early to get a good spot.

Next up is the Norris Geyser Basin, where you can take a boardwalk and walk through the active basin. However, please s...
24/10/2021

Next up is the Norris Geyser Basin, where you can take a boardwalk and walk through the active basin. However, please stay on the trail as the waters are boiling hot, and have been known to disintegrate human life.

A view of the north entrance to Yellowstone through the Roosevelt Gate, and Mammoth Hot Springs and surrounding terrain.
20/10/2021

A view of the north entrance to Yellowstone through the Roosevelt Gate, and Mammoth Hot Springs and surrounding terrain.

When you make your journey to Yellowstone, a great place to stay is the Yellowstone Village Inn and Suites in Gardiner, ...
19/10/2021

When you make your journey to Yellowstone, a great place to stay is the Yellowstone Village Inn and Suites in Gardiner, MT. Just outside the north entrance to the park, the lodging provides a Western motif in a comfortable room. As a bonus, try dinner at the Yellowstone Mine Restaurant. I had almond crusted walleye during our dining experience.

The next area of sightseeing is Yellowstone Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. In the park, you are able to...
16/10/2021

The next area of sightseeing is Yellowstone Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. In the park, you are able to get vantage points of both sides of the falls, depending on tourists, but any viewpoint will provide a magnificent view.

Yellowstone National Park covers such a vast, diverse area, so I am breaking up the sights into different areas. Coming...
15/10/2021

Yellowstone National Park covers such a vast, diverse area, so I am breaking up the sights into different areas. Coming in from the east entrance, you can see streams formed from snow melt, mountain peaks, remnants of past forest fires, and elk and bison in the Hayden Valley.

A good side trip if you are visiting the Black Hills or on your way to Yellowstone is Devils Tower National Monument. V...
14/10/2021

A good side trip if you are visiting the Black Hills or on your way to Yellowstone is Devils Tower National Monument. Visiting the park allows you to see the formation up close and personal, and also view the composition of the hardened lava.

One of the most unique roadside stops you might come across is the Tri-States Monument just outside of Sioux Falls, mark...
14/10/2021

One of the most unique roadside stops you might come across is the Tri-States Monument just outside of Sioux Falls, marking the point where Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota meet. Originally located in the middle of the intersection pictured, the monument actually is located in South Dakota after too many accidents occurred. So, it is possible to be in 3 states at one time.

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