Category: Road Trip

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Journeys with EileenDiane

The Badlands, located 70 miles east of Rapid City, SD are phenomenal, mysterious rock formations.

You can opt to take a bus through the area (check out bus departures from nearby Wall) or do as I did and drive about the Badlands Loop Road with incredible scenic overlooks and trails.

It was cloudy on the day I went, but even still, I observed the marvelous different colors and imagined their distinct beauty in sunlight. Around each curve of the winding loop road there are extraordinary unique vistas. There are numerous places to stop and take in the wonder and majesty of this very distinctive place.

Savor your journeys.

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Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Mt Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Mt Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota

Journeys with EileenDiane

Mt Rushmore is awesome! It is an incredible experience to gaze at the magnificent sculptures of four notable United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Located approximately 20 miles from Rapid City (where I stayed), it’s a beautiful drive into the Black Hills, past the town of Keystone (elevation 4,331’) to Mt Rushmore. After parking my car, I walked towards the Avenue of Flags, which opened in 1978. The 50 states are represented plus the District of Columbia and territories (total 56) offering a beautiful first impression of Mt. Rushmore.

There are several trails to explore plus the Sculptor’s Studio (unfortunately, closed on the day I visited). Each year, over 3 million people visit this monument. If you have not visited, I recommend that you add it to your “bucket list.” It is well worth the drive.

Savor your journeys.

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State Flags
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Mount Rushmore
Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

Journeys with EileenDiane

Sixty-five miles east of Billings, heading toward Mt Rushmore, a terrific stop is Little Bighorn Battlefield. Park rangers at the Visitor Center readily answer your questions. The Museum has very informative exhibits and a very good collection of books, including Stephen Ambrose’s “Crazy Horse and Custer”.

Leaving the visitor center, as you walk toward Last Stand Hill and the 7th Cavalry Memorial and then the Indian Memorial, you can feel the history all about you. Gaze about and sense what happened here in June, 1876. Think of what victory and defeat meant. Drive about Battlefield Road, following the map from the visitor center to get an idea of the size of the battlefield, stopping at Memorial Markers.

Savor your journeys.

Visitor Center
National Cemetery
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Indian Memorial
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Last Stand Hill
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7th Cavalry Memorial
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7th Cavalry Memorial
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Indian Memorial
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Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Missoula, Montana

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Missoula, Montana

Journeys with EileenDiane

I’ve always wanted to visit Mt Rushmore and recently thought why not visit now? I planned to travel prior to Memorial Weekend (as both road trip travel and Mt Rushmore will be very crowded in the summer months) and waited until the snow season was over (or almost over) in South Dakota and Wyoming.

My route from western Washington was very direct, via the I-90 interstate. First stop: Missoula, Montana. Very glad I decided to break up my trip here. It’s a beautiful area, the weather was sunny, nice parks, and two super book stores to explore (a future post). There is a fabulous coffee stand (Copper Mountain Coffee) and a great restaurant (The Stone of Accord) near the hotel (a future post). Yes, I would definitely return to further explore this gorgeous “Big Sky” area.

Savor your journeys.

Copper Mountain Coffee — Fabulous
Caras Park
Clark Fork River
Caras Park
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Surfing on the river
Lewis & Clark ino
Caras Park
Caras Park
Caras Park
Caras Park
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Lunch at the Black Cat Cafe
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Tips: Traveling Cross County Solo with a Cat

Journeys with EileenDiane

Take a deep breath — you can do this! Make a to-do list and be flexible.

Plan your route. The USA has a terrific interstate highway system with rest stops and information kiosks with very easy access to hotels, gas stations and food.

Reserve your room the day prior, considering weather and how far you think you will drive the next day. Reserve a ground floor room as you will be bringing not only your stuff into the room, but also your cat and food and toys and litter pan. Flexibility is key. Pick a hotel chain where most of the chain accepts pets. I used Choice Hotels and would recommend them.

  • Visit your vet
  • A sedative may not be the answer, especially if a small cat
  • Buy disposable cat litter trays (supermarket or pet store) for each night plus several extra
  • Pack your trunk and keep everything you need in the back seat and your cat (in carrying case) in the seat next to you
  • Always keep your pet in a carrying case while driving
  • Have food or water handy in case your cat wants something (at a rest stop)
  • Have a towel in your car to shield your cat (in her carrying case) from the sun
  • When you arrive at your motel, bring everything into the room, put out your cat’s food, toys & litter pan (put a towel under litter so litter does not get on floor/rug, have garbage bags for disposal) and then open the cat carrying case and let your cat explore
  • Pack a dust pan, brush and pet cleaner in case of any accidents
  • Have flexible travel plans
  • Enjoy your journey, think of it as an adventure.

Here is a link about my cross country trip from western Washington to South Carolina. I have many great memories of the trip with my cat, Shadow. She was the best navigator and I am so glad that I was fortunate to make such a memorable trip.

Cross Country with Shadow ~ A Cat Tale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Trip: Pacifica, California to Northern Oregon Coast

Road Trip: Pacifica, California to Northern Oregon Coast

Journeys with EileenDiane

I recently posted about my trip from Western Washington to LA, with links to photos of the spectacular coast from San Francisco to LA Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Los Angles

My initial plan was to take the Interstate (I-5) to Washington. Instead, as I love the coast, I returned to Pacifica from Los Angeles via highway 1 and from there took highway 101 north.

If you have the time, take highway 1 north thru California and explore the many small towns. The scenery is spectacular and it is a not to be missed trip.

As I have already made that incredible drive, I opted to try a new route: north on highway 101. I had read about the incredible redwood trees and decided to drive via the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwood State Park, on old highway 101.

Avenue of the Giants

Take the 31 mile detour which parallels highway 101. There are numerous places to stop, have a picnic, go hiking and explore this magical area. Walk among these majestic trees and feel their beauty. Sense the quietness of the forest.  Ave of the Giants, Northern CA ~ Photos

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Ave of the Giants, Northern CA ~ Photos

Ave of the Giants, Northern CA ~ Photos

Journeys with EileenDiane

 

Road Trip: Pacifica, California to Northern Oregon Coast

Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Los Angles

Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Los Angles

Journeys with EileenDiane

I’ve driven several times between Los Angeles and western Washington, sometimes taking the coastal route the entire trip. This trip I drove to San Francisco via the interstates, breaking up the trip in Ashland, Oregon (check out their Shakespeare Festival), continuing on to San Francisco and Pacifica, California.

Pacifica

I stayed in Pacifica as it’s right on the ocean, nice restaurant at the Best Western and only a short drive to San Francisco. Pacifica, California ~ Photos

I used Pacifica as a base to explore the area, including Sausalito (take the ferry), Tiburon, Muir Woods, The Presidio, Ghirardelli Square, the cable cars and driving on Lombard Street (the crooked street with eight hair pin curves). Have fun exploring and dining.

San Francisco ~ Photos

Drive South

From Pacifica start your drive south on Highway 1. Stop at Half Moon Bay for lunch (there are several terrific seafood places), walk about the Marina area. Explore the many state beaches along the highway.

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Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Boise and Coeur d’Alene

Road Trip ~ Western Washington to Boise and Coeur d’Alene

Journeys with EileenDiane

Boise

The easiest way to Boise from western Washington is via Interstates: Highway 18 to I-90 to I-82 to I-84. Boise is a very walkable city, so get set to explore. Stroll along 8th street to check out the many restaurants; you will not be disappointed.

My favorites include Bitter Creek Alehouse (fabulous salmon croquettes, good wine and beer selection), Prost! (enjoy your delicious German food and beer, sitting outside), Ruth’s Chris Steak House and try Goldy’s for breakfast. Meander along the Basque block, checking out restaurants and the museum.

Browse the Rediscovered Bookshop, a favorite place when I visit Boise. Two Favorite Bookstores ~ Idaho

Leave time to explore the impressive Capitol Building where you discover the history of Idaho, displayed on the lower level. While there are tours, I opted to walk about on my own. Afterward, walk about the pretty exterior garden area.

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