[TrudyM]

If you are from Oregon, Nevada, Arizona,or Texas could you tell us what not to miss when driving though your state and best place for a stopover.

We thought that when we come down for our first 9 months to a year in 2011 (realestate market bounce back required) that we would drive from here in Seattle to TV. We plan to go down through Oregon to Nevada (We have friends in Vegas) then across the lower part of the country. IE Arizonia, Texas, to Biloxi , then TV.

We have flown over much of the US and lived a few places but have not really seen our country except for New England, Colorado, Georgia and Calif.

All ideas greatly apprieciated.
P.S. My husband loves Barbeque so favorite Barbeque and Seafood resturants would also be a help.
Me all I need is Coffee


PPS I love waterfalls.

Thanks again
Trudy (planning for the move to TV and this site keeps me sane.)

[lazeelink]

Spend ½ day or so at Hoover Dam touring the inner workings and museum. A very interesting place.

Perhaps a very obvious destination would be the Grand Canyon. I recommend taking the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, AZ to the rim. Plan an overnight stay at the rim if time permits. The dam is only about 35 miles and Williams 220 miles respectively from Vegas.

[chuckinca]

Shakespeare festival in Ashland, Ore in the outdoor Tudor Stage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashland_oregon


Crater Lake near Klamath Falls, Ore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crater_Lake_National_Park


Virginia City, NV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_City,_Nevada


.

[dillywho]

If you come I-40 thru Amarillo, stop at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. It is the home of the 72 oz. steak that is free if you can eat it in an hour. The Big Texan has been featured in several movies. We moved here from Amarillo, so I am familiar with it. Some of the time they have a band or a melodrama. (Just google it for more information.) I'm not a big fan of the food (as a local), but great if just passing through. They also have a small motel there as well.

During the summer months, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety has what they call a "Texas Hold Up". They will turn on their flashing lights and pull over a car (most usually with a family on board) and instead of a ticket, treat them to overnight accommodations, a dinner and/or a trip to Palo Duro Canyon to see the outdoor play Texas, and then often a real cowboy breakfast at a real ranch off a real chuck wagon. This is all compliments of the State of Texas.

If you have time during this time of year, go to Palo Duro Canyon to see the aforementioned play Texas. Palo Duro Canyon is located some 20-25 miles southeast of Amarillo. People come from all corners of the US and the world to see it and the play. You can also eat some Texas cooking before the show starts. (Google this one, too.) It is a real treat and all done by locals. You just have to see it to believe it. You might want to check ahead depending on when you might want to go as it often sells out (you can purchase tickets in advance). We haven't been in about six years (been here 5), but it was very reasonably priced. My husband and I had a small bus business and would use our buses for churches, scouts, etc. to go there. Great sight, too, after the play to see all the headlights winding their way out of the canyon.

[OpusX1]

This would be a long trip for us as we really like the western National Parks. A few days on the Oregon Coast, then South to Yosemite , a few days there, if time permits a few days around California wine country. East to Southern Utah for Zion and Bryce for a few days. Then on to Vegas. A few days in Vegas then stop at Hoover Dam on the way to Laughlin. A day or two in Laughlin if you like to gamble and like old Vegas, then on to The Grand Canyon for at least two nights Then move South about two hours for a night or two in Sedona. Head East to Santa Fe & Taos. After New Mexico I can't help any more.

[diskman]

Originally Posted by dillywho

If you come I-40 thru Amarillo, stop at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. It is the home of the 72 oz. steak that is free if you can eat it in an hour. The Big Texan has been featured in several movies. We moved here from Amarillo, so I am familiar with it. Some of the time they have a band or a melodrama. (Just google it for more information.) I'm not a big fan of the food (as a local), but great if just passing through. They also have a small motel there as well.

During the summer months, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety has what they call a "Texas Hold Up". They will turn on their flashing lights and pull over a car (most usually with a family on board) and instead of a ticket, treat them to overnight accommodations, a dinner and/or a trip to Palo Duro Canyon to see the outdoor play Texas, and then often a real cowboy breakfast at a real ranch off a real chuck wagon. This is all compliments of the State of Texas.

If you have time during this time of year, go to Palo Duro Canyon to see the aforementioned play Texas. Palo Duro Canyon is located some 20-25 miles southeast of Amarillo. People come from all corners of the US and the world to see it and the play. You can also eat some Texas cooking before the show starts. (Google this one, too.) It is a real treat and all done by locals. You just have to see it to believe it. You might want to check ahead depending on when you might want to go as it often sells out (you can purchase tickets in advance). We haven't been in about six years (been here 5), but it was very reasonably priced. My husband and I had a small bus business and would use our buses for churches, scouts, etc. to go there. Great sight, too, after the play to see all the headlights winding their way out of the canyon.

To get that steak for free you have to finish it (72 oz) and all the trimmings that come with it, leave something over and you pay the bill. I am a big guy and I could not finish it. I stopped there when I drove from N Y to Calif.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by OpusX1

This would be a long trip for us as we really like the western National Parks. A few days on the Oregon Coast, then South to Yosemite , a few days there, if time permits a few days around California wine country. East to Southern Utah for Zion and Bryce for a few days. Then on to Vegas. A few days in Vegas then stop at Hoover Dam on the way to Laughlin. A day or two in Laughlin if you like to gamble and like old Vegas, then on to The Grand Canyon for at least two nights Then move South about two hours for a night or two in Sedona. Head East to Santa Fe & Taos. After New Mexico I can't help any more.

Like your itinerary but would change the order and add some things:

Oregon Coast
East to Crater Lake, Ore
West to Ashland Oregon and the Shakespeare Festival
South West to Hwy 101 thru the Redwoods
South to Healdsburg, Sonoma and Napa Wine Country
South to Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur
East to Yosemite
Southeast to Mono Lake (over Tiago Pass) & Vegas
South to Grand Canyon & Sedona
North to Zion, Brice and Arches (stay in Moab)
South to Santa Fe & Taos

Probably needs at least three days at each location with a day of travel between each.

.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by diskman

To get that steak for free you have to finish it (72 oz) and all the trimmings that come with it, leave something over and you pay the bill. I am a big guy and I could not finish it. I stopped there when I drove from N Y to Calif.

It is the steak dinner and all the trimmings (fat and/or gristle don't count). When I was teaching Census classes in 2000, there was a guy in one of the classes that had done it 4 times. He was not a big guy, either. He told me that the secret was to order it very well done. He was saying that it is because the extra moisture takes up more space. Guess there must have been something to it because he didn't order it very well the first time he ever tried and he couldn't finish it. Don't think I'll be ordering one either way any time we go back to Texas for a visit. Do the math....that's like eating a 4.5 roast beef complete dinner. Kudos to you for trying, though!

[TrudyM]

Maybe we could do two or three days in each spot and include a round of golf for the hubby. We will be in no hurry and wil be starting out in September most likely. My husband pointed out we have been on the mainland since 1979 lived in 5 parts of the country and haven't really seen the US.

PS If anyone wants locals advice for Honolulu don't hesitate to ask.