San Francisco to Seattle - Almost

Where next?
I figured you would rent a car and buy a tent as that is what you did in Europe, although the States is less expensive. Thanks for helping our economy, by the way. You didn't miss much at the Muir redwood forest since you saw other redwoods further north. That may be a rule you should follow...only visit the better of two similar destinations. That's what I usually do. You seemed indecisive as to which way to would proceed east. By now you have probably picked which route you will head east from Seattle. The northern Cascades are beautiful, but this might mean that you would miss Vancouver, Victoria, Jasper and Banff, which I certainly hope you do not do. If you cross the northern Cascsdes don't proceed any fruther east until you have looped back and, in the end after Banff, you will reach Glacier National Park I hope you have nice weather...winter sets in in mid-October in the higher latitudes and higher elevations. As you are over 62 you can by a pass for $10 that grants access to all National Parks and Forests for the rest of your life. Campgrounds in the National Parks are about $25 per night, and they often have showers, usually in the same building as the general store and laundromat. Any easward trip will require you to cross the Great Plains, and the less the plains the better. You can minimize the plains by heading southeast along the Rocky Mountians which will take you to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and then further south to Salt Lake CIty, perhaps taking Dinosaur National Park, and Moab, Utah where you can see Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. You could go further south, but as you have to return to San Franciso, you should leave for the return trip the more southerly parks such as Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon (north rim if you get there before it is closed, other wise the south rim) although going to the south rim makes a more lengthy drive to get to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks before arriving in Las Vegas. As you have already doe LA, from Las Vegas drive to the east entrance of Yosemite National Park before returning to San Francisco. Go east from Moab on I-70 and then a detour to Rocky Mountain National Park, although if you have seen Jasper and Banff, you can skip this park. Instead, if you are in the area after September 1 you can swing south on US24 at Avon/Vail and end up at our place in Woodland Park, CO for lunch or dinner. Let me know. After this you have the Great Plains. We are driving back east to visit family and friends between 13 and 31 August and dread the long boring drive. This time we are avoiding I-70 and taking US 50 to Wichita then south through OK and on I-40 through Arkansas to Memphis, where the plains end. We are hoping that changing routes will end our boredom, and we might see some authentic America in the process. Good luck on which route you take, and enjoy our great country.

Love the wind blown trees.
Nice looking tent. Sounds like your plans keep changing and altering....nothing wrong with that. We spent a very nice weekend in Depoe Bay a few years ago. It was winter and there was a kick ass thunderstorm. The sea was raging. Glad you are getting in some hiking. You will love Glacier National Park. That is one of our favorites.

See the real Washington.
Take the Mountain Loop highway through Darington to Rt. 20 instead of interstate 90 over the Cascades. If it's clear, take a hike up Mt. Pilchuck. Go east on Rt. 20 at Rockport. Once you get to Pateros, go ride a boat on Lake Chelan or head east to the Grand Coulee Dam. Follow Rt. 2 from Wilbur to Spokane and back on to the interstate. By all means make sure you have plenty of picture storage before starting this trip into the Evergreen Outback. You won't be disappointed. Cheers.