Canadian traveling the US, looking for advice

[knip]

Hello. neat little forum here.

I am moving from Ottawa, Ontario to Victoria, BC in the middle of March. I've driven Canada too many times, so am going via the US. I'll have my 75-year old Dad with me, who is fully up to moderate hiking, etc (couple hours a day no problem).

I'm leaving Ottawa late on Wednesday 15 Mar, staying in Toronto area that night, driving two full days to vicintiy of Kadoka, SD arriving Friday night, hiking in Badlands National Park and then driving around the Black Hills on Saturday, hopefully catching the Needles Scenic Drive before it gets dark Saturday. So...Wednesday to Saturday is planned.

On the other end, I'm staying with a friend in Vancouver Tuesday 21 March before hopping the ferry the next morning. Monday night I'll stay in leavenworth, Washington, a Bavarian-style reconstructed village a couple hours east of Seattle. Tacky, I know, but my Dad's Bavarian - he'll get a kick.

So all I need to plan is where I stay Saturday night, and my route to Leavenworth on Sunday and Monday. I've considered:

Yellowstone (weather and the best roads aren't open yet)
Glacier Nat Park (road probably not open in March)
Bitteroot Valey (hear it's wonderful)
Jackson, Wy (cowboy town? Grand Tetons?)
Craterrs of the Moon (are they really that neat?)

I can take the lesser roads through Wyoming, or take the Interstate through Montana, it doesn't matter much. But I am interested in anyoen who might have recommendations on which route to drive and what towns/cities might be nice to stay in during March, considering I'm looking specifically at the Black Hills to Leavenworth, Wa leg. Any comments on the above locations/drives greatly appreciated as well.

If I am trying to cram too much into Sun/Mon, I may be able to squeeze an extra day out, if it's worth it.

All advice appreciated.

[RoadTripper Brad]

Monday night I'll stay in leavenworth, Washington, a Bavarian-style reconstructed village a couple hours east of Seattle. Tacky, I know, but my Dad's Bavarian - he'll get a kick.

So all I need to plan is where I stay Saturday night, and my route to Leavenworth on Sunday and Monday. I've considered:

Yellowstone (weather and the best roads aren't open yet)
Glacier Nat Park (road probably not open in March)
Bitteroot Valey (hear it's wonderful)
Jackson, Wy (cowboy town? Grand Tetons?)
Craterrs of the Moon (are they really that neat?)

Greetings Knip!

If you've never been to Leavenworth before, I can almost Gurantee even YOU will get a kick there. I lived for four years in Wenatchee, about 30 miles east, and loved going up to Leavenworth... and still do! The town is nestled at the base (and I do mean that in the most literal sense) of the Cascade Range, right in the middle of the entrance to Tumwater Canyon and Icicle Valley. There's LOTS of things to do in the leavenworth area!

I'm not sure what route you plan to get into Leavenworth, but I recommend going in via Wenatchee, which is Chelan County's seat of government and the largest city in the region (just promoted to Metoropolitain status within the last 3 years). It is a beautiful area. If you are into hiking, Ohme Gardens off of US 2 offers a great hiking opportunity. You can also visit Liberty Orchards, which produces the delicious confection called Applets and Cotlets (its a fruit based candy, very good!).

Peshastin Pennicles offers a great place to hike, but gears more towards rock climbing.

Depending on what time you leave Leavenworth tuesday morning, a stop at the Alps Candys store about 4 miles up Tumwater Canyon on US 2 just West of Leavenworth is a MUST (its right after Tumwater Dam, a small spill dam. You'll see this on your left heading up the canyon.

As far as a place to stop, I personally would do Glacier. You'll be able to take US 2 all the way to Leavenworth. You probably don't want to camp, so a stay in near by Shelby, Cut Bank, or any of the towns along the way would probably be prefered. And as you said, Going-to-the-Sun road may or may not be fully open, but you can still enjoy Glacier from US 2.

If you have any more questions on the Central Washington area, please, ask away!!!

-Brad

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hello. neat little forum here.

Hey! Thanks for that and welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

Craters of the Moon (are they really that neat?)

It is pretty darn cool. Here is field report I did last summer and another on the Nuclear Reactor -- ya gotta play with those mechanical arms!

But I am interested in anyoen who might have recommendations on which route to drive and what towns/cities might be nice to stay in during March,

If it were me, considering it is March, I would stay at Great Falls, MT -- and check out the "War of the Worlds" rumble...

Happy Planning!

Mark

[knip]

hadn't thought of great falls....it seems more of a winter vacation spot, which i don't have time to stop and do all that much...i need scenic drives more than skiing

if i stopped in great falls, that would pretty much negate jackson, craters of the moon, and bitterroot valley...doyou think it's worth that (and why?)


cheers and thanks