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That trip was towards the end of my wife's pregnancy with our beautiful twin daughters. Now it's time to take said 19 month old daughters on a roadtrip!
We're leaving Seattle and going to visit the grandparents, aunts and uncles who live on the eastern slopes of Southern Colorado. Trying to keep the driving to less than 8 hours per day and we plan on taking three days to get there and three days to get back.
Here's the fun part: What should we see along the way? Any favorites anybody has? We're very flexible as to the route.
I was thinking I-90 - I-25 there and I-25 to either I-70 or I-80 then I-15 - I-84 - I-82 - I-90 home.
Pretty wide open question, but I'd love to hear some input!
I-70 from Denver to I-15 is probably my favorite stretch of interstate. You go over a couple passes above 10,000. Then you go thru a canyon so narrow the Eastbound/Westbounds are stacked rather than side by side.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Let us know what time of the yr you are doing this, and we can be more specific on routing and sites. I've done PDX > DEN for many yrs having lived on both ends, but generally straight through, making the most tracks in destitute areas at night-time and taking scenic sidetrips during the day. Often stopping at city parks and pools during the day so kids could play while driver could nap.
I bought the kids squirt guns when they were your kids age, as the weather was hot and the vehicle was a VW camper van. I enjoyed getting soaked by them while I was driving, and everything evaporated do no 'clean-up'. We ended up going 7500 miles as we were having so much fun, but... the kids finally grew tired and cried for 3 straight days heading home. I guess sitting in wet diapers in clunky carseats has it's limits...
I just love WY, so be sure to fit as many of these routes in as possible. (Scenic Byways . org) Wyoming
You can easily fit in Beartooth, Bighorns, Snowy Range on the inbound and Flaming Gorge, Bridger, Star Valley + (bear lake, UT / ID) on the outbound (while still doing I-70 on it's prettiest part). It is really neat for the kids to get in the midst of a cattle or sheep drive, which has happened numerous times for us on these routes. I rarely stick to freeway unless I'm in a HUGE hurry (funeral or wedding). WA to CO is really only a day's drive (24hrs; 18hrs PDX>Den) so you have 2 days each way to 'explore'. Growing up in Colorado, I spent countless days exploring all the roads via motorcycle / bedroll. I'm a nut for seeing everything, so my 800 mile newspaper rte for Denver Post during college was my favorite job of all times!. (not on a bicycle, thankfully)
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! Excellent suggestions! I was thinking of exploring WY a little more than I have in the past. That scenic byways link is great. Thanks again!
We are going be leaving June 18th for a couple of weeks. Interestingly enough, I too will be in a Volkswagen though not a Bus. We have a Eurovan Westfalia (pic attached) which we absolutely adore.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by landon1850
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We are going be leaving June 18th for a couple of weeks. Interestingly enough, I too will be in a Volkswagen though not a Bus. We have a Eurovan Westfalia (pic attached) which we absolutely adore. -Landon
Have you added a tranny cooler to that EV? (lots of info and discussions on Yahoo groups - EV and Rialta Tech)
If you don't have a ScangageII (and it is the appropriate yr 97+ I think) then you may want one for your trip (Let me know I have a spare I could lend).
VW wasn't too considerate of cooling needs of the auto tranny, and Winnebago added to the issue with the Motoraid HW heater plumbing. Europe issued a recall, but not North America (too many automatics here). Most Rialta owners have gone to 40k tranny fluid changes, and I have changed to Amsoil as it is more heat tolerant than Petosin (VW insists it is a 'sealed' tranny and good for 'lifetime'). I also have an external tranny cooler. The scangage really helps you identify troublesome driving habits and risky conditions.
Basically I only use D on open and flat roads, 3 and 2 for city driving and hills. The tranny gets really hot (250F+) running in D (as auto OD lets torque converter slip and make extra heat.
Some favorite spots in Colorado to see are:
Garden of God's (CS)
Independence Pass (Aspen)
Maroon Bells (Aspen / Snowmass)
Glenwood Springs (hot pools, but kids are probably too young to 'enjoy')
287 (Laramie to Ft Collins)
Some trip to So CO (fall or spring, NOT summer) you will want to fit in UT parks.
Arches and Bryce are pretty spectacular. I also like the desert reprieve of Great Basin and Lassen (CA) NP's
StealthRabbit: Once again, thanks for your great input. I've spread out the maps in front of me and am slowly formulating a route.
Thankfully, I don't have to mess with all that tranny stuff since mine is the 5cyl 5spd. I do frequent the Yahoo groups, though, and they are full of great advice. Thanks!
Everyone: How about places to eat along the way that I just can't miss? I'm a huge fan of BBQ, but we like just about anything. Would have to be toddler friendly.
This route includes Craters of the Moon National Monument, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. I've driven through these areas in the past three years from Alaska.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by warptman
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This route includes Craters of the Moon National Monument, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. I've driven through these areas in the past three years from Alaska.
I like that route, but would change Cody > Casper (since kids are probably too young to appreciate Thermopolis) to Powell, Lovell, Dayton, Sheridan. 14a is one of my favorite routes in WY I also think the NE of Yellowstone is great and less traveled. East entrance is a zoo. But do see the Tetons while you are close, and as soon as kids are old enough do a float trip on the Snake River from Jackson Dam south through Teton NP. Take your own water craft for a really nice adventure and wildlife experience.
Another RTE alternative is Shoshoni to Rawlins / Saratoga (free hot springs), and across Snowy Range to Centennial / Laramie, then 287 to Ft Collins. I do like the park in Encampment, WY while you are close. (reconstructed historical village)
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). I also have an external tranny cooler. The scangage really helps you identify troublesome driving habits and risky conditions. 
I do frequent the Yahoo groups, though, and they are full of great advice. Thanks!
