First major road trip!!!!

[Lifemagician]

To add to all the advice Dave has offered, there are a couple of actions you can take. Rather than taking a power nap, take a walk. Even in a rest area you can walk around the whole place three or four times. Tiredness during the day is purely because you are not getting enough oxygen in your blood/to your brain. Walking gets it all circulating again. If you do not fancy walking round and round a rest area, stop in the next town and go for a walk. No knowing what lovely sights you may stumble upon, or interesting folk you may meet.

Another thing you should do is drink lots and lots of water. Not coffee, not coke or any other sort of fizzy drink, but pure plain water. You can usually pick up a slab for not very much at all. Check the supermarkets wherever you are.

You should also do some reading about the country through which you will be travelling. Its history often makes for very interesting reading, especially if you go back as far as what was there before Europeans arrived on the continent. For example, when I drive across the vast expanses of the middle States, I reflect on those who live there and who provide so much of the food for the country. What must their life be like? so far from the services we city dwellers take for granted, Often without the continuous access to all modern requirements you and I regard as essential. I think of the pioneers who opened up this land, and the hardship so many endured. I think of the native settlements which were disrupted when white man arrived. I wonder what it all looked like two thousand years ago.

I don't have time to notice the black top with the white line down the middle which is the main cause of road hypnosis. Travel changes people and educates them to different ways. Be sure your three months are not wasted.

Lifey

[cookiemonster2]

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!! You all gave some wonderful advice. Im sure ill be back with more questions as I continue to prepare for my Sep trip.

MODERATOR- I'm sorry! I posted these last 2 threads at the same time and didnt know i had to stay within my own thread. I'm new here, I'm learning.

[cookiemonster2]

Where should I stop to sleep between San Fransisco and Portland? Cresent City? So I can see The Redwoods I heard. It would be nice to see the Redwoods but I dont need to do the whole enter the park and do the touristy thing. I am going to take the 101 for sure cause I have done the 5 several times and its so boring! I do need a place to stay though and would prefer to get some advice instead of just stopping at a random Best Western when im tired. Thanks guys!!!

[Lifemagician]

Travelling solo and on a budget it may pay you to check out hostels. Mostly you can get a dorm bed for around $30. There are however some things you need to look out for., for your safety. I have stayed at dozens of hostels in the US. Some were fantastic, and others I would not recommend or want to0 return to. Don't let your first negative experience put you completely off. Make it a learning experience so you can decide on future stays. Neither can you go by any one chain of hostels. Even then you find some really great ones, and some not so good ones. Read the reviews, and note how old they are. The more recent, the better.

Make sure each bed has a locker allocated to it, which you lock with your own padlock (carry a medium sized padlock). Do not use lockerts for which you have to pay. Management have access to them. Keep all your valuables in a locked locker at all times.

There are many benefits with hostels, you can cook your own meals, mnost have a free breakfast and free coffee/tea available 24 hrs. Often you will find that they run discount tours to local attractions, and/or have discount tickets to various venues. You meet many other travellers and can exchange stories with them. I have even given a ride to a solo traveller on some occasions. (That takes a lot of checking, as you are responsible for anything in your car.)

Despite being a grandmother, I still sometimes stay in hostels.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Where should I stop to sleep between San Fransisco and Portland? Cresent City? So I can see The Redwoods I heard. It would be nice to see the Redwoods but I dont need to do the whole enter the park and do the touristy thing. I am going to take the 101 for sure cause I have done the 5 several times and its so boring! I do need a place to stay though and would prefer to get some advice instead of just stopping at a random Best Western when im tired. Thanks guys!!!

Crescent city would be an OK point with one overnight stop, especially if you are going to stick to the Oregon coast the following day. What I am not sure about is why, as part of a 3 month trip you would want to rush through the Redwoods and coastal attractions. If I had the choice, I would take an extra day and relax.

[cookiemonster2]

Travelling solo and on a budget it may pay you to check out hostels. Mostly you can get a dorm bed for around $30. There are however some things you need to look out for., for your safety. I have stayed at dozens of hostels in the US. Some were fantastic, and others I would not recommend or want to0 return to. Don't let your first negative experience put you completely off. Make it a learning experience so you can decide on future stays. Neither can you go by any one chain of hostels. Even then you find some really great ones, and some not so good ones. Read the reviews, and note how old they are. The more recent, the better.

Make sure each bed has a locker allocated to it, which you lock with your own padlock (carry a medium sized padlock). Do not use lockerts for which you have to pay. Management have access to them. Keep all your valuables in a locked locker at all times.

There are many benefits with hostels, you can cook your own meals, mnost have a free breakfast and free coffee/tea available 24 hrs. Often you will find that they run discount tours to local attractions, and/or have discount tickets to various venues. You meet many other travellers and can exchange stories with them. I have even given a ride to a solo traveller on some occasions. (That takes a lot of checking, as you are responsible for anything in your car.)

Despite being a grandmother, I still sometimes stay in hostels.

Lifey

THANK YOU!! I always forget about hostels because I have never really traveled before. I recently watched a bunch of travel movies and they all meet such great people in Hostels. Unfortunately it looks liek there arent any in Crescent City, I will keep it in mind though.

[cookiemonster2]

Hmmmm, youre right! I am kind of in a hurry to get to San Fran on time but after that I will have more time. I think I will just play it by ear...THANKS!

[cookiemonster2]

Okay next question- best/scenic/awesome(est) route from Seattle to Boise...anyone?

[DonnaR57]

I just opened my map, and the route that "jumped out at me" as scenic would probably be US-2 to I-90. It will be slower than going all 90 (which is also very pretty), but very pretty. You gotta go through the Cascades somehow, and they're a beautiful range of mountains.

[jm98]

I stayed in Cresent City as Cresent City has few motels options. Morning walk/jogging around Harbor would be an excellent option before heading off to redwoods...