Howdy all..

I'm about to embark on a nice long trek starting in Toronto and heading to Vancouver (CAN), then spilling into the US.. SanFran, LA, Vegas, Grand Canyon, maybe hit New Orleans, head up to Maine and start home.. all in the comfort and noise of my RS.

Just an open call to suggestions for spots to hit. This is purely a cruise vaction. Lots of photography, clean air and relaxation. Taking a break from any sort of partying, with exception to LA, Vegas and New Orleans, if I hit it.

Looking for any rallies, driving schools, day trips, hikes, dirt trails, waterfalls, everything and anything. If you were going to make this drive. What couldn't you miss?

Gotta find me a couple CDs...
JB

when are you going??

pro rally in the Seattle area beginning of September...

i would say a stop in Seattle before hitting BC is a must...
we got mountains, water, subies :D, rally... etc.

j.
www.subiegal.com

The drive from Vancouver to Whistler has:
Twisty mountain roads with a view.
World's 5th highest waterfall.
World's 2nd largest rock.
Plenty of places to hike/mountain bike etc.

Might be a good day trip. :)

awesome!! i did that last year.. you wont regret it. Stay as much as you can at hostels, its really cheep place to stay. my favorite stops are portland (which is where i moved to), vancouver BC, whistler, san fran, LV, grand canyon, colorado. Not sure if your taking the all-canada route but if you dip into northern US South Dakota has the badlands, quite a sight. Check out my old website, i kept a journal of me and my bud's trip across the US and back. http://www.hozay.com/archive/index.html

Thanks guys, I knew I would get some good responses here, I'm sure there's more to come. My trip starts next week, and goes until probally mid-Sept. Definately want to catch a rally... Seattle eh?... SG is there a site that I could find exact dates, locations, etc?

Hozay, looked like a good trip. Looks like I'll be on the road for almost the same amount of time. What are the chances? Why, though, for God's sake, did you make one of your only Canadian stops in Hamilton?! Never thought of Hamilton as a big attraction :lol:

Thanks again all, if ya see a mud splattered black RS cruising through your town, give a wave!

JB

When you come out to Vancouver, let us know when and where if at all possible, we'll get a meet going for you! :D

If your hitting the Grand Canyon, be sure to go a bit south to Sedona. It is absolutely beautiful.

My goal is to retire there. Most beautiful place I have ever been. It surpassed the Grand Canyon in my opinion.

Dave

Carhenge!!! There's few things on this Earth as moving as seeing a bunch of old Caddy's painted white and sticking out of the ground!!! Plus while your in the area go see Wall Drug, then you to will understand the bumperstickers...

-Silas

I don't know which way you're planning to head west to Vancouver. If you take trans-Canada, stop in Banff for a few days. Go hike around Lake Louise, or go up to the Columbia Ice Field. After Kamloops, take rte 99 to Vancouver via Whistler. Much more interesting that the Colquihalla.

If you are going through the states, go see Mount Rushmore in S. Dakota, near Rapid City, and Devil's Tower just inside Wyoming. Then go to Yellowstone. It might be a big crowded in the summer, but it's still the best and most well known national park in the world. Worth a trip.

From Vancouver, make sure you take your car on the ferry to Victoria. It's just too beautiful out there. Drive up Vancouver Island too if you have time.

From Seattle south, try to take the US 101 along the Pacific coast. Much more to see than I-5.

On your way back East, there's just too many choices and cities you can go through...

-Ray

rkkwan! WOW! You've definetly been to the west coast of BC - not to mention our lovely interior and the Rockies as well!

Definetly can't go wrong with rkkwan's suggestion -- especially in BC! :D

LaterZ!
Darren!!

Hey, and while your on BC, remember to make a stop in the okanagan valley. One of the most beautiful places in canada (i should know, i live here). And also the hottest place in canada. A great vacation place!

Penphoe - actually, I haven't seen your Rockies. I've been to Vancouver a few times as well as Kamloops. My ex-gf was from there. But my parents have gone to Banff and the Canadian Rockies a few times, and I've seen a lot of their videos. :)

I really would like to explore Vancouver Island more than just Victoria and Butchart Gardens.

I was a trucker for 2.5 years, so I have seen quite a bit of the US. :)

-Ray

yeah i agree with rkkwan: you absolutely must drive hwy99 from Kamloops to Whistler to get to Vancouver. The way i see it, you make it to Calgary, spend a day or so playing around in Banff National Park (closeby) or the Kananaskis Provincial Park (more accessible for daytrips from clagary...i suggest the hike up Mt Alan).

Then, it's about a 1-day trip from Calgary to Kamloops, BC. You go through Glacier Nat'l Park i think. That's nice. Sleep in or around Kamloops. There is AWESOME mtn biking around Kamloops but the locals might not spill the beans about how to get there.

From Kamloops, head west, getting off of the transcanada headed towards Cache Creek and hwy97 until you get to the start of hwy99, which you take west to whistler then south to vancouver. if you want to read what another guy said about it, there's a review at www.subarureview.com:

hwy99 review (http://www.subarureview.com/showroadreview.php?id=9)

Whistler is a ski town, but it is VERY alive in the summer with mtn biking galore and all kinds of wonderful distractions to spend time. The actual driving from Kamloops to Vancouver takes maybe 5 hours but you'll want to stop in places to enjoy it all!

-nick luhr

If your going through New England, go and climb Mt. Washington. The weather sucks up there, but that's the fun of climbing it. If that isn't your cup of tea, you can still drive up the other side. Last year I climbed it in July. The weather was sunny and the temp. was in the 90's. Once we got up a few thousand feet, the temp. droped to 40 degrees and we had 55 mph winds from the North. A lot of people turned around, but the summit was a lot of fun.

Steve

No, don't climb Mt. Washington, drive! It's a 6-7 mile drive to the top, and your RS will feel right at home. Try to go on a weekday, or else you may be stuck in slower traffic. I've driven up there 3 times, and had fun everytime. Not so much my passengers. They are totally horrified! :)

Another nice trip out east is Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. It's most beautiful during foliage, but even summer is nice.

-Ray

Better than driving Mt. Washington, which is famous for its bad weather, detour to Stowe VT and hike Mt. Mansfield or Camel's Hump. On a clear day the whole state spreads out in front of you, and you can see Mt. Washington in the distance. Plus Stowe is the most beautiful town in North America I've yet seen.

I'm also going to second the suggestion to hit North Dakota and the badlands before swinging up to
Alberta. I've driven the TransCanada twice, and the Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan bit is eminently skippable. The Northern states are far more scenic--gorgeous rolling hills, beautiful desolation--utterly magnificent

Don't know if you said your going over to San Fran... But if you plan to go down there I'd say try to take an extra day or two to go down to Big Sur Natl. Park IMO it is the most beautiful place in the U.S. There's plenty of cheap camping, and what used to be a nude beach(just be careful, the waters REAL cold, if you catch my drift;) ) And if you've still got a little bit of money go stop and eat dinner at Nepenthe Restaraunt. Sit on the cliff and look out to one of the greatest eating environments you'll ever experience($25/person+drinks)

I recomend this destination to every body who goes to mid to southern Cali. I've had plenty of people thank me for it and not a single negative review. The building it'self has some history to it which makes it a little more interesting, but I'll let you read the back of the menu...;)

Another plus is it's right on Highway1. Perfect Subaru terrain...

enjoy, and travel well.

-Silas

From Vancouver to San Francisco for sights go along Hwy 101 and Hwy 1. For driving pleasure go back roads from Mount Baker, via Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Hood. A lot of those roads are forest service roads and you need a detailed map; a few are gravel. Not much traffic and nice tight windy roads. Having a tent is useful, as accomodation along this rout is very limited. Once in California, cross over to the other side of I-5 and find Hwy 1 which turns off the 101 at Legett. That's one of the top roads in North America and it'll lead you all the way to San Francisco.

If you take I-10 thru Texas, I suggest you get off at Exit 477 and take US 290 thru Fredericksburg, the hill country, Austin, before rejoining I-10 in Houston. Fredericksburg is a nice little German little town, and you can also visit the Nimitz museum, and the LBJ ranch nearby. In Austin, go to the clubs on 6th street. It's not all country, but plenty of folk and alt rock stuff too.

Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, there are a lot of plantation homes along the river that is open to the public. One of the largest and nicest one is called Nottoway. Also has a nice restaurant, and you can even stay there for the night. No TV or any entertainment, though.

When you're in New Orleans, make sure you go to Cafe du Monde right across from the St. Louis Cathedral. Drink some cafe au lait, eat some beignets (pronounced ben-YEH, fried doughs covered with powered sugar), and watch people there. Also, you can take the free ferry across the Mississippi to the W. Bank (which is to the East actually), and get a manficient view of the city.

-Ray

My advice is to go around NJ :D It sucks here ;) Although if you do happen to drive through, do so at night so the ambient glow from the nuclearly toxic ground will light your way :lol:

Come on, I'd not just suggest New Jersey, but the vast concrete filth-hole that is Newark will brighten your soul.

I'd tell you "Michigan is nice", but since you're from Toronto you already know what it's like here. Just look out your window. :)

Although, I do like road-tripping into Canada. Toronto is fun, and Windsor is great for day trips, particularly when I was 19/20.. <cough>

Yellowknife!! --> might sound weird and its a bit out of the way but worth the extra day's drive. The drive from Edmonton up to Yellowknife has got to be one of the coolest experiences ever. I spent 2 summers up in Yellowknife and it was awesome. The last 5 hours of driving is on practically deserted highways going through some amazing scenery. The last 2 hours on a well kept dirt road that twists and turns through lakes and forests and everything. I can't wait to take my RS up there myself. If you're looking to see things and places that the average person wouldn't get to, then head up there.

If you're serious about it let me know and I can give you some info.

my family did something like that last year drove from toronto to visit my uncle in Vancouver.. make sure you stop at calgary and winnipeg.. two examples of efficently run cities that has a small town feel..

also be sure to go to lake louise.. beautiful mountain lake that is a uniform turqoise very relaxing.. especially if you rent a canoe and go out on it..

but be wary of the praries.. its prolly the most boring place to drive on.. practically corn and wheat fields as far as you can see.. but its a straight road so you can see how fast an RS can really go :D

Thanks again guys..
Man, I just realized I spelled Canada wrong in the title. I hang my head..
Great suggestions from everyone. karl, the drive to Yellowknife sounds cool. Might take your seuggestion on that one.
Lake Louise is defiantely on the list. And the praries don't worry me.. I'm looking forward to a little 'zen' driving.
Started to get pretty anxious to get on the road.

Keep 'em coming!
JB

I stayed in Regina, SK for a few months a few years ago. Nothing there, except for the RCMP training center/museum, but consider staying a night in nearby Moose Jaw though, which is just an hour West on Trans-Canada. There's a nice hotel/spa in downtown Moose Jaw. Nice indoor/outdoor spa pool, and the hotel is not that expensive. Also great steak house there too. I forgot the name, but it's basically the only thing in MJ, plus the training ground/museum of the Snowbirds. You Canadians must know about them.

-Ray

Edit: Okay, the place in MJ is called "Temple Gardens". And I should mention that the spa gets water from a natural mineral hot springs. I think it's a gem in the prairies.

P.S. Love those gophers/prairie dogs, especially when they are pegging on the side of the highway.

while in vancouver, be sure not to miss the cannabis cafe. decent burgers n stuff.

in seattle, go see the experience music project and grab some dinner at the noodle ranch in belltown.

and if ya pass through austin, TX, ya gotta eat some smoked baby back ribs at stubb's!

Hmm.. sutff eh? I'll have to check into that ;)

You can come to the peg and check out the skeeters!

You can't go wrong by taking the TransCanada Highway, and it's completely FREE. A trip up to the TRUE north in Yellowknife is a thankful departure from the everyday. You will use that as your vacation from your vacation if you go, very peaceful. Then pass thru Edmonton & Calgary on your way to Lake Louise. You'll want to live in the Rockies. Bonne Vacances!

sounds like a lotta fun.
my tips:
while driving down the California coast make sure to check out the Hearst Castle, especially if you want to see what kinds of things you could spend money on if you have too much money.
(make sure you do drive down the coast. I 5 (I would rather not call it 'The 5') is BORING)
San Diego Zoo is another good site.
If you could somehow swing into Wyoming and check out: Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Devils Food Processor Nat'l Monument -I know I know, Devil's Tower - you would not regret it.
Jersey is good for a few things...such as finding a place to park (Hoboken aside) and going into Manhattan.

enjoy your trip

A few of us Winnipeggers are going to Bemidji, Minnesota to watch the objibwe rally on Aug.18. It's a 3.5 hour drive from Winnipeg, but if you're in town that day you're more than welcome to come with us.

If you're going to Maine, be sure to skip I-90 thru Mass. and instead go thru Vermont. Take the ferry from NY to Vermont. Burlington is really nice. Then drop down and visit Boston, and then take I-95 up to Maine.

If you want to spend some money, take the ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia!

only reason i went up to hamilton was to visit some friends... be sure to contact ANYONE you know or might have known and drop by for a visit... its MUCH cheaper than a hotel/motel/hostel stay. Best of luck!

If you pass through or around Colorado at all I would HIGHLY suggest HWY50 in the southern part of the state (especially around the southwest part/Telluride/Durango area). VERY nice twisty mountain road with LOTS of beutiful scenery. I can only imagine how pretty it would be in the fall during Sept.

Well this is it. A couple of days of prep, and I'm off. Thanks to everyone who wrote in. Definately have some must see spots now. And a couple of rallies have my name on them...

I've printed this all off and aside from a Perly's, this is my only other guide. I'm definately looking forward to the peace of having no where to rush to.

This little exercise has proved that this club is alot more than just car enthusiasts. It's nice have a resource to ask 'any' questions. With work bogging me down up until 1/2 hour ago, I wasn't getting really excited about this trip, until I started hearing from everyone on this club. Now I know what I'm about to embark on. Can't thank y'all enough :)

If you have any last minute suggestions, I'll be checking the board before I leave. Expect a whack of pictures upon my return.

My keys are staring at me. 48 hours to go. Can't sleep :D

Someone said Blue Ridge Parkway in VA. Highly recommend driving as much as possible through the NC (smokey mtns) and VA (esp the New and shendohah valleys). Truyly great in the fall but still scenic and twisty year round.

rs