Vancouver, BC - Las Vegas (West Coast down, ID back up)

[Lifemagician]

That's cool about the jets, I hope we see some!

Don't worry. You may not see one, but you will definitely hear one. Frightened the living daylights out of me, on the road from Death Valley to Lone Pine.

Lifey

[benjis_monikuss]

Hahaha I guess I'll keep my ears peeled then!

I'm so excited to have 80% of the trip pretty much pinned down now! Our days are marked at around 6 hours of driving each on the way down and 8 or so on my way back up solo. Time to get where we need to go and time to enjoy the shenanigans along the way. I get to see a few awesome waterfalls and even a couple of the famed US National parks. Then there's all the extra's like Powell's Bookstore, famous pies from the HiLo in Weed, going to George Lucas' hometown, VEGAS BABY and everything in between. It'll definitely be an experience that I'll never forget. There's just so many amazing things to see and do!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Actually, if pies are a big attraction -- ah I remember your comment about being a chef... One of my all-time favorite pie shops in the world. Open only a few months each year -- when the road is open from snow.... The fresh pies are served at 10,000 feet. Check out Pie in the Sky near Bishop, California!

Lots of snow on the road right now, so unclear when opening day will be for FRESH PIES. But here is the FB page & I am sure the opening date will be posted. Look at the photo of the parking lot taken on March 31st!

Mark

[Lifemagician]

There's just so many amazing things to see and do!

Don't let it worry you. You will arrive home with a list of things to see and do on your next trip..... and the one after that...... etc. It is addictive.

Right now I am on my seventh! :-)

Lifey

[benjis_monikuss]

Actually, if pies are a big attraction -- ah I remember your comment about being a chef... One of my all-time favorite pie shops in the world. Open only a few months each year -- when the road is open from snow.... The fresh pies are served at 10,000 feet. Check out Pie in the Sky near Bishop, California!

Lots of snow on the road right now, so unclear when opening day will be for FRESH PIES. But here is the FB page & I am sure the opening date will be posted. Look at the photo of the parking lot taken on March 31st!

Mark

I will dog ear their page and check it out when we are in that area, mmm pie! I won't have snow tires so snowy/ icy passages are out of the question... and an inexperienced north Queenslander when it comes to driving in snow, period! Lol.

Don't let it worry you. You will arrive home with a list of things to see and do on your next trip..... and the one after that...... etc. It is addictive.

Right now I am on my seventh! :-)

Lifey

I think you are right! The next trip I am planning would be a trip through either the upper west coast/ slightly inland and keep going north in BC towards Yukon next summer.

I've yet to explore any further east of Denver, CO in the states so there's always that too haha.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I will dog ear their page and check it out when we are in that area, mmm pie! I won't have snow tires so snowy/ icy passages are out of the question... and an inexperienced north Queenslander when it comes to driving in snow, period! Lol.

That's not an issue in the summer months -- believe me no one would ever open that road if ice was still possible. It has some steep sections -- but the route is gorgeous.

Yeah, every time I think about that mud pie I start salivating....

Mark

[benjis_monikuss]

I was just wondering if anyone was aware of any extra expenses we might occur on the road? Isn't there a fee for Death Valley NP? Is it small? Just curious and organising how much cash to carry on me.

[Lifemagician]

All national parks have a fee, and they vary greatly. You can check on the national parks site just how much each one is. You may find that buying an annual pass for $80 will be cheaper than paying individually at each park. For instance, four parks may cost $25 or thereabouts... the $80 pass will cover that.... and all the occupants of your vehicle.

If at the end of your trip you do not have any further use for it, it is nice to donate it to a charity for their or to give to a family who could not afford it.

Lifey

[benjis_monikuss]

I think DV would be our only NP along the way so I guess in that case I just need the one pass? And I can just get that off a website?

[Lifemagician]

You can pay it when you get there. From memory, you pay at the visitor centre. Others who have been there more recently than I can probably confirm that.

Lifey