Baystate Jeepers

I've got the summer off so Tyler and I are driving cross-country. I am taking the MJ and would be grateful for any advice, must-sees, equipment ideas and feedback. IIRC didn't NTN Chris make an Atlantic to Pacific trip some years back? I can't find the link to his blog.
Anyway, preliminary route will be a figure 8 if time allows. West to as far as Wisconsin, SW through to CO, UT, AZ then West through NV, Death Valley and North through Yosemite on to Mt Hood, Back East through ID before crossing back through CO through the SE US before returning North.

-Steve
http://jeepincrossamerica.blogspot.com/ ... start.html

The one must see I'd add is Yellowstone.

I agree and will despite Tyler's protests. He saw on NOVA that Yellowstone is 1 giant simmering super volcano and announced that we were not going there.

Yeah, some areas stink really bad of sulfur, but I think he'll be amazed by the wildlife. Where else will you see bison, moose, elk, bears, wolves, deer, and mountain goats in one area? We got caught 70 miles from the exit to the park after dark. That was a long slow creepy drive.

jquader wrote:Yeah, some areas stink really bad of sulfur, but I think he'll be amazed by the wildlife. Where else will you see bison, moose, elk, bears, wolves, deer, and mountain goats in one area? We got caught 70 miles from the exit to the park after dark. That was a long slow creepy drive.

Denali National Park, AK.... I've been and it is worth the trip! It does add a bit to the drive though...

Depending on which parts of AZ you're going to I hear Bryce Canyon is pretty spectacular (there is another area near there, but I can't think of the name). The Grand Canyon is definitely worth checking out - Beverly and I were really impressed. I've heard great things about Glacier National Park and the Grand Tetons too, but I think that is further to the NW than you're planning to go. When we were in Moab we drove up into Arches National Park for the last 1/2 day and it was pretty spectacular. I would have preferred to be there longer and to have done more hiking. I went to Yosemite when I was a kid and I still remember a little of it -- pretty amazing.

Not sure what kind of accommodations you guys plan on staying at... I don't know if it would make sense to try to get a small popup or something light you can tow so you always have a dry place to sleep which is easy to setup, or stick to tenting. I don't mind tent setup / take down fora night or two, but for an extended trip I can see it being a real PITA.

JW

Wow, I'm envious. I've always dreamed of doing just that on either a Goldwing or one of those extended camper vans. Someday. The only things I have to add would be a drive on Rt 311 in VA / WV or the Blue Ridge Mt Pkwy and take Rt 101 from Winchester Bay OR to San Fran. It's a day's drive along the rocky northern CA coast and through Redwood National Forest.

Some great ideas, thanks!
@ JW, I've got a shell for the bed of the truck, with sliding screened side windows ($50 cl find). It will be our traveling cave. I'm building a bed platform with ample storage underneath. Also bringing the tent should that suit our fancy.

How old is Tyler?

8 in July.

Man, what a great trip! He's going to cherish those memories for the rest of his life.

We're going to do this next year before Moab.

We're looking at heading back to MN, head west into Wa, south to CA, and then come back visiting multiple parks/sights all along the way.
Should take about a month +. With the whole summer, you'll have a lot of time to visit MANY places.

X 2 on Yosemite. If you get the chance, drive over Tioga pass, it's awesome. Make sure your brakes are in good shape.
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful area, but getting kind of crowded for my taste.
Some of the smaller cities in Nevada are interesting - Virginia City is cool, Tonopah can be interesting but going downhill since the gold mining picked up.
I notice you don't list anything in southern CA - good choice, you're not missing anything.
In central CA, Sequoia National Park is cool, standing next to those big trees really gives you a new perspective on things.
As Jon noted, Arches is awesome, also near Moab try to hit Dead Horse Point state park. If you happen to miss the Grand Canyon for some reason, Dead Horse Point will make up for it.

I did a big trip last summer. MUST does:

Arches national park - and hit up moab, as you are right there!
Bryce canyon - awesome rock formations, good hiking, amazing sunrise
Zion - this place is ridiculus. I expected to see dinosaurs around every corner.
Yosemite. Nuff said.

Buy one of those parks passes - so much cheaper than paying individual entrance fees at each park.

I have not made it to badlands yet, but definitely planning on it sometime in the future.

To add a little fun, I'd also say hit up the oregon dunes. Rent a buggy and go bombing around

If you happen to swing through minneapolis minnesota and need a place to stay, holler! same goes for anyone else coming through minneapolis - JOE!

SteveB wrote:Some great ideas, thanks!
@ JW, I've got a shell for the bed of the truck, with sliding screened side windows ($50 cl find). It will be our traveling cave. I'm building a bed platform with ample storage underneath. Also bringing the tent should that suit our fancy.

Great idea! I was thinking of suggesting something like that!

If (someday) I can buy a pickup truck for utility / tow use I'd plan to put a cap on the bed so I could do the same, until I could afford some kind of slide-in to sleep on (I'm tired of tenting).

JW

Some great suggestions, thanks.