The great cross country month long motorhome adventure - long post

[pammypooh]

OK, so I have posted a few things seeking input about our upcoming plans for a cross country, month long, motorhome adventure...it begins next Friday!

Can I ask the friendly and helpful folks here at the CB to offer any suggestions for don't miss sites at our destinations? Keep in mind that we really just have enough time to sample a couple things at each stop. A month seems like a long time till you add several thousand miles of driving to and from!

Has anyone here ever done the "Clark Griswald" trip like this before?

We are a family of myself, DH, DD 8, & DD 7.

Our trip:
Leave Philly burbs - June 11
Dayton PA - My parents home to drop off the dog.
Drive through Ohio, IL, see St. Louis Arch, drive through Missouri, through Kansas. (Don't have planned stops for this part of journey...will drive till feel we need to stop for our overnight)
Colorado Spring, CO
Mesa Verde, CO
Grand Canyon, AZ
Las Vegas, NV
Grand Californian at Disneyland - Woo Hoo!
Grand Sequoia National Park
Yosemite
San Francisco
Cross back through Tahoe and Reno through Nevada into Utah,
Salt Lake City
Yellowstone
Mount Rushmore and the Badlands
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Cross Lake Mich. by ferry. through Mich, Ohio, back to Dayton PA - July 11.

Sorry for long post. Thanks for reading and please comment if you have any advice.

Pam

 

[kasar]

That sounds awesome. I've always wanted to do that. PLEASE post when you get back (or during?). I'd love to hear how it goes.

 

[tc]

In Colorado Springs we love the Olympic training center. It's a lot of fun. Also Seven Falls if you're there at night.

When driving from Yellowstone to S. Dakota, there's a rock formation in the northeast corner of Wyoming called Devil's Tower that we love. It was featured in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the 70s.

If you go through a little town in Wyoming just southeast of Yellowstone called Meeteetse, that's my hometime. It's just south of Cody. Beautiful country up there.

I've never done a trip like this before, but it sounds like you'll have fun.

 

[siouxi31]

I want to come!!!
If you can buy passes for St. Louis arch (over the internet) you may want to do so before you leave. I'm not sure if they make you purchase them for a specific day or not but the passes do sell out. My kids were disappointed when we were there because they sold out of passes for the day.

 

[meandtheguys]

I would love to read a trip report upon your return! Have a great time,

Michelle

 

[NMAmy]

Pam: Oddly enough, my mom and my aunt used to do this every summer with 5 kids in a motorhome. Frankly, I think they were crazy but we always had a great time. We'd drive from Michigan to California and take a different route every year.

I used to live pretty close to Mesa Verde. It's great but it's a lot of up and downhill walking especially for your little ones. On your way to Mesa Verde, you might consider stopping in Durango, CO or Silverton or Ouray. All of these are fun little towns with some great western slope scenery.

Another place is Aztec Ruins in Aztec, NM. It's about 45 minutes south of Durango. I used to take my parents here because it's like a smaller version of Mesa Verde but it's right in the town and VERY accessible--my father had heart problems.

Yellowstone is my very favorite national park because there is just so much to do there.

I hope you have a GREAT trip. It's something your children will look back on fondly.

 

[ScarlettO]

Wow! Can you really do all that in a month?

We went from the South through Texas,Carsbad Caverns, mesa Verde , Grand canyon, colorado and back home and it took us 3 weeks.....good luck!

 

[Disneylvr]

Since you have young children, when you pass through St. Louis visit The Magic House (actually in Kirkwood which is a suburb). The Magic House was voted the #1 attraction in the USA for "Child Appeal" by ZAGAT Survey US Family Travel Guide. Our zoo rates pretty high too.

 

[mrsdon]

Pam.
I am going to try not to let DH see this post.
This is his dream trip.
Amyway, at Mt Rushmore is a beautiful road for anyone, but espically for motorcycles.
It is called Neddles Highway.
ENJOY!!!
We are on our way to a rally called the Americade in Lake George, NY this weekend.

 

[Sandy V.]

Hi Pam,

In Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is beautiful.

If you have time, taking the cog railway up to the top of Pikes Peak might be fun. Don't drive the RV up to the top of the mountain; my family tried that when I was 14 and we overheated the engine! Had to pile in a police cruiser who drove us the rest of the way!

Additionally, there is a small amusement park at the base of Pikes Peak called Santa's Workshop. You can guess the theme. Besides "rides", there are reindeer and Santa Claus. Given your girls' ages, they might like this.

There is also a Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs that's a lot of fun.

The Air Force Academy is a beautiful place (I live 15 minutes away by car and less as the crow flies), but, unfortunately, you can't tour there now for security reasons.

I second the thoughts on Mesa Verde - it's a really neat place to explore.

Let me know if you need restaurant suggestions. Your trip sounds like a lot of fun - let us know how it goes!

 

[hercamore]

Be sure to buy a National Park Pass either before you leave or at your first NP entrance. About $50 good for a year.

And if you have kids, the NP's sell small blue NP "passport books" where a ranger will stamp the child's book for them at each park they visit.

Your itineraary sounds great.

herc.

 

[caitycaity]

we used to do trips like that for 3 months!

make sure you stop at wall drug.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/SDWALdrug.html

say hi to the jackalope for me!

 

[castlegazer]

I wouldn't miss Monument Valley in Utah if your trip allows it. It is one of the many places in America that strikes awe into my heart every time I go!

 

[flaps]

Sounds like fun! Hope you have a wonderful, safe adventure!

 

[Big V]

Sounds like a fun trip! When you're in Sister Bay, make sure you have a fish boil!
http://www.sturgeonbay.net/
http://www.doorcountycompass.com/

 

[pammypooh]

Thank you for all the well wishes and advice!

In CO - We are staying at the Garden of the Gods Campground - which hopefully will actually be near Garden of the Gods

My DH has reservations to take a bike ride (down only) of Pikes Peak. I am pretty much afraid of heights and have no desire to be on that rode. So, I will take photos from the base.

We have already purchased our National Parks Pass, but didn't know about St. Louis Archway selling out...will have to look into that. Thanks for the heads up.

As far as the fish boil goes - I'd rather have it done on the grill or in the oven or sauted, or smoked.......my uncle even avoids fish boils.

Thanks for all the input!

Pam

 

[Jet88]

WOW!!!
Your trip sounds great. I hope you have a terrific time. My family calls us the Griswolds because we love family road trips. AAA has nice books for tourist visiting different states that might be helpful in finding other destinations or interesting things to see. It sounds like you have it all covered. Have a safe trip and take lots of pictures.

 

[tkd lisa]

As kids, we did many driving trips, mostly around the midwest, but we did one to the far west. Some I remember include Grant's Farm (I think it was in Missouri), which was President Grants home I think? And visiting the memorial to Abraham Lincoln in Springfield Illinois.

I personally loved Mesa Verde, but it was a LOT of climbing. We were lucky enough to tour the Air Force Academy before it closed to the public. It was beautiful.

I always wanted to go to Devil's Tower after seeing Close Encounters. It just looked cool!

Have a great trip!

 

[Disneylvr]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
As kids, we did many driving trips, mostly around the midwest, but we did one to the far west. Some I remember include Grant's Farm (I think it was in Missouri), which was President Grants home I think?

Grant's Farm is in the St. Louis area and yes there is a log cabin on the property that President Grant lived in. The actual property is owned by Anheiser-Busch (free beer!) and it is open to the public as a small zoo/animal petting farm. I drive by it everyday on my way to work and enjoying see the animals which include buffalo, mules, goats and of course the clydesdale horses. It is a beautiful area.

 

[ILMOUSE]

I agree with the other post on The Magic House due to your kids age. On the Arch, try to book tickets/time online before you go so that you can better schedule the time you will be spending at the Arch. You don't want to arrive and realize that the only tickets up in the Arch are for several hours later in the day.

The zoo is wonderful as well. It is $8 or so to park but basic admission is free. Some parts are a small cost, but much can be enjoyed with just paid parking.