American Roadtrip!

[Aimz]

Hi all,

We are off to the US in September for just over three weeks. We had planned to visit New York for five days but found it to be incredibly expensive and five days really wasn't enough time for me to see it all.

So we have decided to do something a little different - to get away from the typical American Tourist thing.

We are going to drive from Vancouver to San Francisco - through Washington State and Oregon over a period of 10 days. This is actually cheaper than 5 days in NYC!!

I am wondering if anyone has visited Washington State and Oregon and what are the "must sees and dos" of the road trip.

So far we have...

Vancouver and surrounds - Canada looks incredible
Seattle - I have always wanted to visit this gorgeous city
Forks - home of Twilight
Astoria - home of the Goonies
Crater Lake - google it - AMAZING

Does anyone have any suggestions (or ideas of where you would want to go if you were doing the trip)? I would hate to miss something because I didn't know about it!

[nic]

Amy, have you googled for "Americn Roadtrip"?
There is a website with a link for a forum as well

Nic

[Phteven]

Snoqualmie and North Bend, Washington were the primary filming locations for Twin Peaks exterior footage.
Roslyn where they filmed Northern Exposure is about an hour away.

[Arimeh]

Aims - can you go to Kurt's grave and pay respects on my behalf - thanks mate
Oh and drop in on Layne's grave while ya there. thanks

[Aimz]

Oh I FORGOT about Kurt's grave - that one is a MUST DO!!!! I'll take a photo for you Mel.

ETA: Just looked it up - would need to go to Aberdeen and get some water from Wishkah River Mel - that's where his ashes were scattered. Think they would let me through customs with that??

Northbend is just outside of Seattle so I have put that on the list of to do's as well.

I'm googling now Nic - thanks!

Keep the ideas coming guys!!

[nic]

I know Getaway did a roadtrip across America, but I can't remember where they went? Maybe check the channel 9 website as well and see if there is any info on there. Think the story was on late last year?

Nic

[Aimz]

Do you think it would be a bit morbid to take a photo of the house KC died in???

The grave of Jimi Hendrix is also a must. Seattle is a sad place...

[Pretty Butterfly]

Oh
ETA: Just looked it up - would need to go to Aberdeen and get some water from Wishkah River Mel - that's where his ashes were scattered. Think they would let me through customs with that??

!!

Mum took flowers and dirt etc from Gracelands when she visited, a massive Elvis fan!!! At the time they let her through customs!! Not sure now though!!

Have a wild time for me... I'll be 150 before the kids leave home and I can go!!!

[~Kim~]

oooh Amysarah, I haven't been up to that bit, but have to let you know I'm majorly jealous!!!!

[Aimz]

Nic - thanks for recommending that site! I have joined the forum there and have posted my thread. I feel like a BB traitor - this is the only forum I am (and have ever been) a member of!

I have added Mount St Helen's to our itinerary and also the Columbia River Gorge!

[Phteven]

City of Forks Washington - Twilight Tour of Forks/La Push

Just came across this and I thought of you....

[luna moth]

You'd have to hit some of Portland's microbreweries, and ride a fixed gear bike around.

That's what would make me jealous

[Winter]

5 days in New York is sure hard to beat! But your road trip sounds like an awesome adventure.

Try the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum for ideas, its a really great site for info.

Have a wonderful trip!! Bon viajes! Suerte!

[buliej]

You should try to see Mt Ranier - it's not far from Seattle. Also, there are some beautiful islands around Seattle - you get there by car ferry - in fact, you can get to/from Vancouver from one of the car ferries (if my recollection is accurate).

Seattle - the web will tell you all the good tourist sites (Pike's market, etc.)

SanFran is a great city - you won't need a car to explore the city - but if you want to venture into the surrounding areas, the car will be handy.

You may want to check out Vancouver Island as well, which can be reached via Vancouver.

Note - crossing the border from Canada to the US is a pain - they are not friendly (and I hold a US passport) and they assume you were doing something suspicious. Make sure you have all your papers in order (passport and the new electronic visa required FOR ALL visitors - even under the US visa waiver program - as well as evidence of your flight home from the US to Australia - they always want to see that you have plans to leave). You apply for the electronic visa online and it is FREE - there are scams out there where they say they will get it for you for a fee. Don't use these - it's very simple (I've done it for DH), and doesn't cost a penny if you go to the proper website.

Have a great trip - it sounds awesome...and NY will still be there for next time.