Bobage?

While traveling up the Columbia Gorge, it's just a few minutes off your route to see the Stonehenge replica:

http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/about.htm#ston

Of course, that's after stopping at Multnomah Falls...:-):

http://trips.stateoforegon.com/multnomah_falls/

And if you have any difficulties in the Sonoma County area, give me a shout.

Between the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Rushmore don't forget to check out Yellowstone National Park even though you probably won't be able to get a place to stay at this late date, The Buffalo Bill Museum (and firearms museum) in Cody WY (plan at least half a day) and Devils Tower WY, When you get to the Black Hills, skip most of the touristy stuff, which is about 90% of the hills. The best approach to Mt Rushmore is up the Iron Mountain Road.

Have a great trip. The drive up the PCH is beautiful except for all the Californians on the road.

David - I've laready been to Yellowstone so I'm gonna skip it on this trip. Thanks for the other advice.

Jeff - Thanks for the tips on going up the Gorge.

Devils Tower is a great stop and well worth the detour.
After you get done checking out Rushmore, enjoy a cruise through the Custer Park. You can check out Wind Cave as well.
I'll be back up there in November for hunting.
On your way out of the Hills enjoy the Badlands. There are several short routes you can take that give great scenery.

When you get to the Columbia Gorge, if you have time, take the old scenic highway (off I-84 near Troutdale, east of Portland. Vista House, on the scenic highway is well worth the beautiful drive, and then the highway continues on past several falls before Multnomah Falls, the biggest attraction. The restaurant at the Multnomah Falls lodge is quite good, I'm told. You can continue east afterword to rejoin I-84 east.

Oh shit, what am I thinking?
Saturday boobage material for a YEAR!
Thats right!
Denny, you need to stop in Sturgis South Dakota for Bike Week August 6-12. You can photograph 52 fine wimin plus 104 alternates and then some. Yup, some of them are hags, but I guarantee there are hundreds of beautiful women who would love to have their cleavage adorn your site for 2008.
Damn me for almost forgetting to remind you. Or maybe you knew and were planning that?

While in the Rapid City, SD area do not miss the Crazy Horse Memorial. It's only about a 20 minute drive. It dwarfs Mt. Rushmore in size, has been over 50 years in the making, and most remarkable of all, has refused any federal tax money.

I second the motion on Custer State Park (a gem) and the Badlands.

Deadwood, SD is also fun and less than an hour from Mt. Rushmore.

Watch out for crowds in the Rapid City area in August. The Harley rally in Sturges, SD is just up the interstate.

Have a great time.

In Northern California visit Anchor Bay, Gualala --especially the hotel St. Ores for a lovely dinner--and Little River is beautiful area. You'll find amazing wine lists at the restaurants along the north coast.

Clam Chowder at Jenner by the Sea is a must.

What the hell am I doing living in Georgia???

I don't know if you'll be close enough, but you may want to check out the Badlands of Western North Dakota.

Not very touristy, loaded with wildlife that gets right up close & personal and all the beauty of the others places mentioned in that area.

Be sure to bring a spare transmission! :)

When you get north of San Francisco, you may want to take a side trip east to the wine country. You can pick up some real bargins there and ship them home. The Mt. Shasta area is pretty hot this time of year, but you may want to visit the lake and see the Mt. Redding is a fair size town and you may want to stay there as the Shasta area will probably be full. Have fun and drive safe.

Look out hippy land heres comes The Grouchy Old Cripple from Atlanta !
Enjoy the ride Denny and remember no screening boobage while you are driving . In other words keep both hands on the wheel at all times .

If you get near Dallas let me know and I'll buy you a drink. don't go courtin any of those breast not bombs "women".

This is why I told you that you need to head across Idaho.

Denny I too am an Oregonian and would certainly take time off to be a personal guide for this area...I am somewhat sucessful in avoiding Liberal areas if you wish..
My only suggestion would be Crater Lake...a pure gem and although a little off the beaten path, should not be missed ...just a thought tho'..offer to assist still open!!

Denny- if you are going to be in the Sacramento area at all while in California, drop me an email and the hubby and I will take you out to dinner. Just say the word!!!
Chelle

Denny: Since you're going to be in Oregon, would you please stop in McMinnville and give the District Attorney a boot to the head?

As long as you're as far N. as the Columbia R. Gorge, why not run a couple of hours N into Puget Sound country? Yeah, it's full of libtards, but the scenery is spectacular.

Gerry N

Be careful & have a good time !

"I plan to hit the coast of California north of LA..."

If you're taking a scenic highway across CA, be aware that it's still fire season here.

This site has the latest fires:

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current

Too bad you are not making AZ our weather is great right now. Its only in the mid to low 100's right now. Which is better then the first of the month when we hit 118.

I second the idea of seeing Crater Lake. I don't know about handicap accessability, but I'm sure there is something in place. The water there is so pure that it almost glows when the sunlight hits it. It's well worth the trouble.

Crater lake is beautiful. Happened to be stationed nearby at Klamath Falls many years ago. Some strange people but damn purty country!

A drive north up Hwy 101 is a fabulous way to see the Oregon Coast. Too many sights to mention here, you won't be disappointed. Stop by Manzanita, northern coast, 25 miles north of Tillamook and I'll buy you a beer and a great burger at the local watering hole. We should have the local Dungeness crab available by the time you make it up this way. Be sure and sample some of the fine Pinot Noir and local Micro Brews. Happy travels!

Here's a good local site.
http://www.neahkahnie.net/manzanita.htm

Tillamook air museum. http://www.tillamookair.com/

Have a safe trip! Just got back from Mt Rushmore area (July 20th) Good news no state patrol so have fun driving on the SD interstate, I-90 the endless road.

Definitely take in the Tillamook Air Museum if you get a chance. Also, if you happen to be in Reedsport, there is an ice cream shop you have to stop at. I believe it's called Suzy's.

DAMN.

After reading all of these suggestions and invitations even I'm exhausted.

Denny, you better stay home and rest.

You better blog while you're away as you said.

Not having the GOC to check out every day is as bad as Savage having an encore show.

DUH..... Forgot to give you the number....if interested, email me at thorn_wendy@yahoo.com I can at least give you info on the north part of the state...... some pretty cool places to check out. Travel Safe....

My first post got screwed.... sorry, I live about 1 hr 45 mins from the coast ( Ft, Bragg CA area....)I can tell you lots about the area be sure to check out Mendocino ( hippie time) but it is pretty. Being a red in a blue state sux, but it isn't too bad as long as long as I keep my mouth shut (HAHAHA) Seriously, Deadwood is a must see too. we went last year, also if your route permits, go to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons is pretty cool too. AND, take the tour vans, it is easier and you see a lot.

Michelle lived down the street from me in California? How weird is that?

Wendy is so right about Mendocino and the north coast along Hwy One.

Wendy - I love Fort Bragg. been to Mendocino as well but it is too hippy and I'm not stopping.

I'm not too sure about crater Lake.

I've been to wine country many times so I'm skipping that. BTW, I much prefer Sonoma to Napa.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll take them under advisement. Remember, I only have three weeks.

You going to be in SoDak now? Take a right, I'm just a couple of hours from there! Won't be going to Florida until next year as it turns out.
Be safe, break the car in for me! ;)