Trip with my father

[atxrider]

I have resigned from my job today in order to do some traveling for the next six months with my father and fiance.

In about three weeks, I am going to take a trip with my father across the United States on our motorcycles (he has a goldwing) for about five weeks. It will be a special trip, and one I have dreamed about doing with him ever since my time in Iraq. So that being said....here is our basic state by state route:

Texas --> Oklahoma --> Missouri --> Iowa --> South Dakota --> Wyoming --> Montana --> Idaho --> Washington --> Oregon --> California --> Arizona --> New Mexico --> Texas

Seems like a lot of ground to cover....and we are on a bit of a schedule, as I have to get back and take off to Europe with my Fiance for 5 months. My father and I need to do this trip on a shoestring budget, so we will be camping (he has a pretty sweet pull behind camping trailer with AC lol)most of the time with an occasional stay in a hotel room. I could really use some advice on nice state parks or private campgrounds we could stay in on the cheap.

Our only real objectives at this point are riding the black hills, running the PCH, visiting the grand canyon, running through the mountains in new mexico, then back home. We could use some suggestions for good riding roads or cool sites to see along the way. Any and all would be appreciated.

Sorry if I am posting in the wrong area.

Regards,

Davy

 

[dsmack]

Your description of the trip sounds great, but is a little short on details. I live in Spokane, WA and would be happy to give you information about the area from, say, Missoula, MT on west into the central basin here in WA State. Will you be coming into Washington on I-90?

Just looking at the total miles you and your dad are hoping to cover, it looks like you will be pretty much sticking to the super slab for the most part. Are you interested in some interesting, perhaps challenging side roads with some twisty stretches?

Are you looking to just blast through the Northwest and concentrate more on the areas you mentioned more specifically? A little more insight into your wants/needs, and I'll bet there will be many others who will chime-in with suggestions.

Let us know some more specifics!

Don

 

[meosborn]

I see that you are going from Wyoming through Montana to Idaho. If it isn't already on your route you should consider the "Going to the Sun Highway" through Glacier National Park. It is a great ride. Not fast at all since there are usually plenty of other tourists on the road (two lane) but it has some incredible views. That was part of the trip that my dad and I did in August of '04. One of the best parts of the trip. The others were riding through Banff National Park (Canada) and Washington State Highway 20 through the Cascades.

Too bad you're leaving so soon. If I wasn't on deployment right now I would offer to take you guys out for lunch if you go through Mount Vernon (WA Hwy 20 meets I-5 close by). The ride sounds like a lot of fun. Keep the rubber side down.

 

[tcfjr]

If you're going to run PCH on California's central coast, there's lots of great campgrounds all along the way. Here's a map of state park campgrounds for that area, from this site:

Here's a map of US Forest Service campgrounds from this site:

The sites on the beach can fill up early, even after Labor Day. If you get shut out, head up Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (another great motorcycling road), to either Ponderosa (13 miles east of PCH) or Nacimiento (11 miles east of PCH) campgrounds. I like Ponderosa a little better, and have always found an open site there.

 

[GunMD]

It's a shame that you're not hitting Colorado, but aside from that...

If in WY you plan to be in the southern part, consider the Snowy Range Road Scenic Bypass, near Laramie. Up north in WY and into MT you may wish to consider the Beartooth Highway.

 

[ctfjr]

Some of our best riding has been in Montana and Wyoming. Going to the Sun road in GNP is areally great ride - you can hike & camp in just some awesome surroundings. Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass are great, Beartooth is a ride you will never forget. The back roads of Wyoming will be some really nice riding. The Black Hills area of South Dakota is loaded with nice roads / stuff to see.

Take a look here RIDE IDEAS - My son & I took this ride, 8k miles in 16 days.

Have an awesome time!

 

[Big Sky]

I live in Butte, Montana, in the SW corner of the state not far from Yellowstone and not far from Glacier Natl. Park. I've been riding Montana, Idaho, Washington, British Columbia and Wyoming for 30 years and can offer tons of advice on the best motorcycle routes, depending upon your desires and riding style. If you would e-mail me, I will give you my phone number. There is just too much information, too many options to cover them all here.

But here's what I really wanted to do: extend to you an invitation to stay at out riverfront property on the Jefferson River (one of the Three Forks of the Missouri River headwaters). This is between Silver Star and Twin Bridges, just 1.5 miles off the pavement up the (gravel) Hells Canyon Road - very accessible. You mentioned you were trying to get by on the cheap: well, this is it - it's so cheap it's free. We have a small cabin with propane lights and heat (you likely won't need the heat), no electricity, no running water, no plumbing (outhouse), but comfortable and tight and with a million dollar view up river, down river and across the valley to the Tobacco Root Mountains. Excellent wildlife viewing (moose, deer, elk, eagles, osprey, pheasants, ducks, geese, cranes, bobcat, coyotes, raccoon, beaver, muskrat and on and on, and the fishing can be good, too - rainbow and brown trout.

Our property - Eagle's Rest - could also serve as a base for some great day-rides.

Let me know if I can help.

Big Sky

 

[TalioGladius]

Fellow Austinite here, I have to say do NOT leave out Colorado. Best riding in the country IMO. Just got back from another trip there last week.

 

[kulwen]

Mad Maps

I would consider picking up one or two of the mad maps for areas you are going to be. Even if you don't do the full routes on the maps you may find some nice roads to see. If you have a garmin GPS there is a change you cna buy the digital version and download it to the GPS. These maps have routes from 200 to 500 miles with a few things to see on the route.

What trailer does your father have with a AC on it?

 

[shokdimn]

Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana. :bike: Luv that Big Sky country.

Outstanding and generous offer by member Big Sky.

Back on topic. Besides Big Sky’s generous offer, there is more than one small town in MT that has free public campgrounds. To name a couple, I believe both Townsend and Columbus have a free public campground.

Lots of NF campgrounds in both MT & WY. Beware; IME during July, the gnats and mosquitoes along any creek or river in WY can be vicious. Didn’t have a problem with gnats in MT; however, mosquitoes were prevalent around reservoirs.

 

[ctfjr]

atxrider I see that you say you are leaving in about 3 weeks. You will have some risk of snow by the time you get to both Beartooth Pass and Going to the Sun Road. Keep weather alert! :yahoo:

 

[Big-D]

Depending on what you are taking with you as far as (i.e. laptop, maps, books, etc) you will cover a lot of ground. Without having a specific direction and route, it is nearly impossible to say which places and/or roads will be the best for you to stay at or ride. With that said, if you are taking a laptop, I would strongly recommend you get the 2007 version of MS Streets & Trips, as it lists just about every campground you can think of, not to mention you can find yourself easily. And if you happen to have a descent GPS unit, that too will help a whole lot finding campgrounds. You can check out your local book store and find several books that contain great camping areas, fees, locations and even recommended routes for certain areas. If you have a newer Garmin GPS, (Zumo 450, 550; Nuvi 750 – 780) you can go to their website (Garmin MAD maps) and for as little as $12 each, you can download scenic and highly recommended routes to take for geographic areas of the United States. For no more than about $100, you can get the entire area you mention.

Because you mention you are on a budget, you may want to invest in a one (1) year membership in a Good Sam and KOA card, with each saving you 10% or more each time you camp. In the stated amount of time you say you’ll be gone, both cards will pay for themselves in just several days.

You so lucky to enjoy such an endeavor with your father. I wish I had had the opportunity to do such a thing with my father before he passed away. It’s too bad you had to resign from your job, but if I could go back in history, I’d do the same. There is no job worth more than an opportunity to experience such a trip with ones father. All I can say is enjoy this opportunity and let the memories that will last forever begin. One day you’ll look back and this very trip may be the most significant decision you’ll ever make.

 

[Big-D]

Hey ctfjr,

I just checked out your many motorcycle trips and I must say I’m jealous, the pictures you’ve included on the website are truly fantastic and I’m sure the “riding times” are even better!

 

[mdisher]

While not 5 weeks, I just did something similar with my father out west for 14 days.

Things not to miss:

Yellowstone, Bear-Tooth Pass, Pretty much all of north west Colorado If you can make it to the BadLands, go, but it will be rather warm in August I think.

I suggest having an itinerary and a general direction but throw caution into the wind and plan it almost day by day. Ask the locals in each down when you have dinner what's to see, they'll send you in the right direction.

We didn't have reservations *most* nights and only had one 'scare' in Steamboat Springs. Don't over look the hold historic hotels downtown in these little towns, they are often very affordable and worth the stay.

Enjoy the trip.

 

[Big Sky]

Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana. :bike: Luv that Big Sky country.
Outstanding and generous offer by member Big Sky.

Back on topic. Besides Big Sky’s generous offer, there is more than one small town in MT that has free public campgrounds. To name a couple, I believe both Townsend and Columbus have a free public campground.

Lots of NF campgrounds in both MT & WY. Beware; IME during July, the gnats and mosquitoes along any creek or river in WY can be vicious. Didn’t have a problem with gnats in MT; however, mosquitoes were prevalent around reservoirs.

'Tis true on bugs and gnats, but they'll mostly be dead by then (had our first frost Tuesday a.m. here at 5,400 ft of elevation). Right now it's the grasshoppers sitting on the warm tarmac that leap just as you approach and their messy goo goes all over your boots, faring lowers, radiator, etc. But they are excellent trout bait.

I would also recommend you get the FJR owners assistance lists where hundreds (13 pages by state and province) have signed up to offer tools, mechanical help, garage space, trucks and trailers for hauling (the FJR is NEAR bulletproof, but still...), spare beds, tent space, whatever. Here is the e-mail address for the list:

[email protected]

I was recently informed, however, that the list is only available to those who have signed up to offer assistance to fellow feejers.

Big Sky

 

[atxrider]

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Keep them coming.

Dsmack:

Just a little more detail: We are interested in beautiful scenery and natural beauty. My father will be riding a fully loaded goldwing pulling a pretty heavy trailer, so we won't be moving particularly fast. We do like curvy roads, and prefer backroads to super slab, although we will have to do some interstate ridign for the sake of time.

Meosborn:

Thanks for the suggestion, it just made our list.

Tcfjr:

Awesome site....the PCH is one of our main motivations on this trip, as my father made this ride as a young man.

Gunmd:

We are now thinking of going thru CO instead of OK and KS. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ctfjr:

Yellowstone is a must for my father, and the black hill are definetly a must for us. I have never even seen Mt. Rushmore. Awesome trip with your son BTW.

Big Sky:

Thanks for your kind offer. I will definetly drop you an email and give you a call. My father has had a fascination with Montana and Wyoming....and any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. My father was very touched and excited about a cabin on the river!

Taliogladius:

I think Colorado just became a must for us!

John T:

I think it is called an aspen classic. He got the add on room as well.

Shokdimm:

Free campsites....very cool. Thanks for the heads up.

ctfjr:

Thanks for the weather warning. We originally were going to go to the PCH first, but realized weather might be an issue.

Big-D:

My father has a garmin 2720. I am hoping that is compatible with the mad maps you are talking about. If not, I will have a laptop and can download the street and trips software. I don't regret resigning from my job one bit...I starting to realize I was becoming one of the working dead, and needed a change. My fiance and I decided it would be a good time to travel in Europe and North Africa...the motorcycle trip I threw in...a huge bonus for me. Two things off my life list down in 7 months, not bad .

Renegade:

I was in the military for a bit...so it is a bit of a stretch to not have a plan for me. My father is the polar opposite so I think we will be somewhere in the middle .

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions. Once we get closer to our leaving date, I will post our route and keep you guys in the loop about our progress.

Regards,

Davy

 

[Big Sky]

If you're going to do the Black Hills, go ahead and see Rushmore, but DO NOT miss the in-progress Crazy Horse Monument. It is just stunning, though perhaps only 10-15 percent complete. None of us on this forum will live to see it done, but it is marvelous and a fitting tribute to the greatest Sioux warrior.

Be prepared for ANY kind of weather, from 95 degrees and dry to sub-freezing and wet. But...it is best to see the west after Labor Day. Tourism is largely done and you comparatively have the roads to yourself. Yellowstone is great after Labor Day, but I won't set foot in there - or Glacier - until after that. If at all possible - do the Beartooth Highway; in my opinion it easily surpasses Glacier's Going-To-The-Sun. But there's also a very cool road leading to it outside the Park: The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway through the Sunlight Basin north of Cody Wyoming. This piece has far less traffic than the Beartooth and is nearly as good when it comes to dramatic roads and scenery. The summit on this is Dead Indian Pass (not at all politically correct) and the views are incredible.

You might want to look into a mount for a video camera to capture some of the ride in motion.

Yeah, send me an e-mail, then we'll talk some more. And I'll want to pin down some dates for you to use the cabin. I promise, you'll not regret spending a night or two. The place is just magic.

Big Sky

P.S. You are very wise in making time to spend with your Dad. I lost mine to a traffic crash 7.5 years ago. Today is his birthday. I'd give anything to see him again. Take the time...

 

[kulwen]

The Garmin StreetPilot 2720 does not support the MadMaps. Looks like the paper MadMaps are the way to go. However, it does support Point of Interest (POI) files.

Go here and get some files:

https://www.poi-factory.com/

On a recent trip from NV=>CA=>OR=>WA the red-light camera, speeding camera, and speed trap files saved me a couple time. It was just plan cool the first time the GPS went off with the warning "SPEED TRAP LASER." So, I slowed down and as I came around the corner the radar detectors starting going off and there was a cop waiting on the side of the road. In my case about 20% of the time there was a cop at the speed trap locations. In addition, you can download files to find camp sights, rest stops (some with Wi-FI), and all kinds of other places.

This is one of of favorites files:

https://www.poi-factory.com/node/2941

It also includes the phone numbers for all US Yamaha dealers in case of a issue while on the road. I am pretty sure this file was created by a memember of the this forum.

He has the aspen classic, I just ordered the aspen ambassador. I looked at all kinds of trailers and decided I really liked the aspen product.

John T.

EDIT - I also keep the Wal-Mart POI file loaded on my GPS. For me the Super Wal-Marts have been a great place to get food while on the road camping.

 

[Big Sky]

Check your Glacier Park schedule. This was in today's (Aug. 17) Billings Gazette:

Glacier Park road to partly close

By The Associated Press

WEST GLACIER - After Sept. 14, parts of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park will be closed for the winter and visitors won't be able to get to Logan Pass from the east.

Park officials said the road closure will accommodate ongoing repair work along the scenic mountain highway. It includes paving two lanes on the west side between the West Tunnel and Crystal Point, and completing November 2006 storm repairs east of Logan Pass.

The west side of the Sun Road from Avalanche to Big Bend will close to vehicular traffic from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22, then reopen for the rest of the season until closed by weather.

On the east side, Jackson Glacier Overlook to Logan Pass will be closed from Sept. 15 to all traffic for the remainder of the season.