Wahawk Loc: NE IA

John Wayne birthplace in Winterset, Iowa, Bob Feller museum in Van Meter, Iowa. Freedom Rock at Greenfield, Iowa. These are all a short distance off I-80 just west of DesMoines (state Capitol). Almost forgot---- In the same area are the "Bridges Of Madison County" where Clint Eastwoods movie was filmed!!

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Get passports and go to Banff, Canada and travel north to Jasper. Canadian Rockies make for absolutely great photos. Carmel by the Sea, CA- Canyon de Chelly in NW AZ for Anasazi Indian Ruins and Pike Place Market in Seattle. Victoria Canada for the Butchard Gardens, Paso Robles California winerys,

Banff to Jasper Canada


Carmel by the Sea California


Canyon de Chelly AZ

Beagleman Loc: Indiana

Anne, maybe you should consider doing the opposite and taking the Southern route out, and the Northern route back. Why? Weather.

--Beagleman

R'laine Loc: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Off the beaten track, ask the locals about their hidden gems. Get photos of places 'nobody' has been to before. Well, that's what I do when I'm travelling. Have a blast, it sounds an awesome trip. I trust you'll be sharing some of your photos with us when you get back?

Findoc Loc: Australia

Any where with redwoods. For the rest of the world, they're brilliant. Learn how to photograph them with humans and you've done well

Fin

(Only seen redwoods once)

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

take photos at places you go thru that look interesting. Keep you GPS Charged up as to not get lost :thumbup: :thumbup:

Clif Loc: Central Ca.

There are so many photo rich opportunities along the way. I would add a short leg to your trip. As you go through Reno make your next stop Quincy, Ca. and enjoy the trip down the Feather River Canyon on your way to Oroville, Ca. and then south to Sacramento. Also while there is not much to see of the history of this, the Sacramento River from San Francisco to Red Bluff was once a busy with traffic moving farm goods and people. The Delta Queen which you may see on the Mississippi was a Sacramento River Boat and the Sister Ship, The Delta King is tied up in Sacramento. Have a great trip.

steveo52 Loc: Rhode Island and Ocala Florida

I may be a little off topic, but I just had to mention it all in 1976 dollars. My late cousin and I both in our early 20s at the time made a cross country trip in a converted to a camper in Dodge Tradesman van for a total cost $1000 each. We only stayed in hotels 3 times during what was an 11 week trip, it was supposed to be 12, but we ran short of $$. During a couple of weeks of the trip in different parts of the country we stayed with either family or friends our itinerary was this:
We left from Bergen County NJ
Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive
Smoky Mountains
Florida, Disney, Family and Key Largo
Noo Orlins
South Padre Island, Texas
Big Bend
Santa Fe/Carlsbad Caverns ( don't remember the order from memory)
Zion
Vegas
Grand Canyon ( with a hike and overnight stay at Bright Angel Campgroud)
San Diego/So. Cal with Family
Pacific Coastal Highway
Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur
Redwoods
It was "Raining Hard in Frisco Need One More Fare To Make My Night " :lol:
Mt Rainer( was planned but running out of time at this point)
Yellowstone
Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park ( escaped severe flooding washed out roads in Estes Park the access road we took in and out by 24 hours)
Chicago for family
Non-stop drive to Jersey out of time ( $$ too )

I'd love to do that trip today with my camera gear, but have neither the time or the money.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

In case you aren't familiar with it, the NPS used to offer a 'passport'. A small book listing all National Parks and information about each. The idea is that when you visit a NP, you have the folks there stamp your passport.

While simplistic in nature, I've found some gems by using the passport.

Just an idea.

bobby shaftoe

Island-in-the-Sky, near Moab, Utah, overlooking Canyonlands N. P.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

If you are coming back way north do not forget Glacier. After Yosemite it is my favorite NP. And while in Yosemite, remember to get away from the tourists. Hike out a half mile in any direction and you will lose most of them. My daughter lived there for a year and a half and her suggestion would be to visit the high country North of the valley. Take the drive from Yosemite to Reno. I haven't done it but she said it was spectacular.

Splumb Loc: Olathe, KS

If you're in Utah, (Northeast corner of the state) I would be sure to visit Arches, Canyonland and the Dead Horse Point State Park between the two.
I'm doing a somewhat similar trip in September. Kansas City to Santa Fe, NM, to Grand Canyon to Vegas to Yosemite, to the Bay area and Napa, CA, to Bryce Canyon, to Buena Vista. CO (in the Rockies, Mom's house) then home. Much more compressed time frame. I can't wait!! Should be the time of your life!

newwbe Loc: St. Louis MO

You will have a great trip. We took a three week trip to the southwestern states two years ago and are going back this fall. We visited 12 National parks. I would add to your amended Redwood, Joshua tree, Death valley Sequoia , Kings canyon Zion, Bryce Capitol reef along with those you listed. Even if you need to add a couple of weeks, In all of them take some of the short hikes off the main roads. these provide some of your most interesting photos.

balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

I did a similar trip and with all the above suggestions you will have a ball! (My only suggestion would be to reverse your schedule...go out the southern route...and come back the northern route....gives the the northern states a chance to warm up a bit and bloom).

Marinole Loc: Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

Did a month a couple of years ago with my old high school boyfriend in a truck and an Aliner from NC to Montana for my niece's wedding and back. First night in St. Louis at Cahokia then to Hanibal, Missouri. We had a theme: I wanted all the birds and wildlife, he wanted all the history so we focused on that. We did the Oregon Trail and followed the route of Lewis and Clark. The theme helped us a lot to really enjoy and learn. Have fun!!!