South Dakota's Highway 14 and 16

Travel across South Dakota, west to east along US Highways 14 and 16, and along the way you will enjoy some our nation's finest treasures. You will have countless opportunities to learn about the rich history of our nation, from the prehistoric ages to modern history. Revel in the history of the Black Hills, explore the notorious Badlands, and get to know the American Indian peoples who have live there. Soak in the sweet, vanilla-like smell of the ponderosa pines as you tromp through these gorgeous, dry pine forests.  This trip across South Dakota is a chance to really immerse yourself in the beauty and history of the United States.

Start your trip at the western end of South Dakota in the Black Hills National Forest. To start you will need to determine if you want to start on the more southern US Highway 16 or a head little farther north on US Highway 14. Both 14 and 16 merge with Interstate 90 at Rapid City, but along the way to Rapid City there are a few different sights to see along each route.

If you decide to take the more northern Highway 14, you can see Black Hills National Forest by taking the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. This byway is one of the best ways to really enjoy the scenery of the Black Hills while driving. Black Hills National Forest also offers amazing camping, hiking, biking, and many other recreational activities. 

One of the first cities you will find yourself in is Lead. In Lead you can enjoy  snowmobiling and cross-country skiing -- visit the Mystic Miner and Terry Peak Ski Resorts for winter activities. If you want to learn more about the Black Hills and the history of mining in the area, stop at the Black Hills Mining Museum.

Continuing along Highway 14, you will soon reach Sturgis, home to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. If you want to learn more about motorcycles, stop in at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. From Sturgis you can also enjoy the Fort Meade Museum, which is home to remnants from the historic Fort Meade cavalry post.

Within the Black Hills National Forest, be sure to stop at the Mount Rushmore National Monument, the Crazy Horse Monument, Harney Peak, and Wind Cave National Park. If you are looking to visit these major sights, driving along Highway 16 will give you more direct access. However, Rapid City is a great jumping off point to visit these locations and both highways lead into Rapid City.

At Rapid City, both Highway 14 and 16 merge onto Interstate 90. Rapid City is one of South Dakota's larger cities. It is a great jumping-off point for day trips to Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave as well as a fun town to tour on foot or by car.  Golfing is popular here, as are walking, hiking, and mountain biking. If you are looking for a little art and culture, take a walk through downtown Rapid City and see The City of Presidents, the life-size bronze sculptures. You can also visit the Journey Museum to learn even more about the Black Hills. Wildlife lovers will enjoy a trip to the famous Bear Country USA.

If you choose to take Highway 16 to Rapid City instead of Highway 14, you'll pass through the charming town of Custer, South Dakota. Custer is minutes away from the Crazy Horse Memorial where you can see the likeness of Crazy horse and visit the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and even see the American Indian dancers throughout the summer. You can also pause here to climb Harney Peak, the tallest peak east of the Rockies.

In Custer, you'll be conveniently closer to Mount Rushmore National Monument which celebrates four of our nation's great presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. At Mount Rushmore you can take guided ranger tours and see an evening program with the lighting of the faces.

Nearby Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the world’s longest and most complex caves. The park also has many different types of ecosystems, including ponderosa pine forests and prairie. Not far away, Custer State Park is the second largest state park in the United States. It is home to buffalo, numerous lakes for fishing, and excellent rock climbing sites.

After Rapid Cit,y if you choose to continue along US Highway 14, you will leave Interstate 90 near Wall, South Dakota and will drive through Fort Pierre, near Lake Oahe. On Lake Oahe you can enjoy swimming, boating and fishing.

If you choose to continue along Highway 16, continue along Interstate 90 through South Dakota. Along Highway 16 you can visit Badlands National Park with its amazing fossil beds and colorful, striped hills. After Chamberlain and views of the Missouri River, pay a visit to the arts center of Sioux Falls, which is on the eastern end of South Dakota. Be sure to take in the Sioux Falls Symphony Orchestra or visit one of the many galleries or performing arts venues.

North Carolina – Havelock to Wilmington

The short, but charming trip between Havelock and Wilmington gives you the opportunity to truly get to know a small piece of North Carolina. Between these two cities, you’ll find natural wonders like the Croatan National Forest, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and the Holly Shelter Game Lands. Along the way you can explore the fascinating beaches and islands that dot the coast.

Havelock, North Carolina is the home of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and is bordered by Croatan National Forest. Croatan has all sorts of interesting areas where you will be able to recreate and discover the flora and fauna of the forest. Croatan has all sorts of swamp habitats, and estuaries, unique habitats that are filled with native water birds and colorful migrants. Within the forest you can hike the many trails, or go enjoy canoeing on the lakes. While hiking, canoeing, or fishing, watch for lizards, birds, mammals, and the rare and unusual carnivorous plants that grow here. Anytime you go near the water, even in a canoe, keep an eye out for alligators.

After you have taken your fill of Havelock and the Croatan National Forest, follow US-70 and turn onto Harkers Island Road. From Harkers Island you will need to take a passenger ferry to the Cape Lookout National Seashore. After you decide when you’ll visit the national seashore, call the ferry service you plan to ride beforehand to confirm the schedule. You should also plan for the weather, as the boats and docks are all exposed.

The seashore offers all sorts of recreational opportunities. You can hike, bird watch, swim, boat, and fish (during the appropriate seasons). Certain areas of the Cape Lookout National Seashore are open to primitive camping. Some of the more unique activities you can try while visiting the seashore are collecting shells and watching the wild horses. The seashore has all sorts of seashells, and you are even allowed to take some shells home with you. You will also find that the seashore is home to over one hundred wild horses, which you can observe from a safe distance.

After your visit to Cape Lookout National Seashore, follow US-70 along the coast until you reach Highway 24, then stay on 24 until the junction with US-17. Continue on US-17 until you reach the Holly Shelter Game Lands. Between Cape Lookout National Seashore and Holly Shelter you can visit Emerald Isle and many of the great beaches and islands on the North Carolina coast.

The Holly Shelter Game Lands were set aside for protection by the state of North Carolina. These lands have preserved certain habitats, including wiregrass uplands and different types of swamps. This land was protected in part to preserve the wildlife and water within the region. This is a perfect place to take a hike or a stroll, watching for rare birds and native wildlife.

Once you’re ready to progress to Wilmington, continue along US-17. Wilmington, North Carolina, is an excellent city from which to experience the Cape Fear Coast, and it has many interesting sights and activities to offer as well. Pay a visit to the Bellamy Mansion Museum and Gardens, a historic mansion built just before the Civil War.  Wilmington is also home to the Battleship, North Carolina, a World War II era restored ship. The battleship is open for visitors, and you can learn about the history of the ship in the visitor center or tour parts of the ship’s nine decks.

Wrightsville has a charming village and beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoy sand-castle building. A little south of Wrightsville, lies Carolina Beach on Pleasure Island, a haven for fishing and boating. Carolina Beach has amazing access to charter excursions for arrange offshore fishing trips or party cruises in the evenings.

North Carolina has a lot of fabulous adventures to offer. If you want a beautiful coastal road trip route, try taking some time to drive from Havelock to Wilmington. Along the way, you can walk along the beaches of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and watch the wild horses. You could canoe within the Croatan National Forest or stop for a little outdoor adventure in the Holly Shelter Game Lands. Once you reach Wilmington, you can revel in its history and swim or boat on some of North Carolina's amazing beaches. While on your trip, try to spot a Venus Flytrap or another one of North Carolina's native carnivorous plants. Whatever you choose to explore along the way, you are sure to find lots of fantastic adventures throughout your road trip.

Follow the Columbia River

The Columbia River is an amazing body of water. It stretches from its headwaters in British Columbia to the mouth at the Pacific Ocean on the border of Washington and Oregon states. Following the Columbia River on your next road-trip would be an amazing way to experience the wild beauty and raw power of one of the United States' great rivers. You could drive from the headwaters to its mouth and have the opportunity to see much of Washington State. When you arrive at the border of Washington and Oregon stop for a while in Hood River, Oregon, where you can enjoy the great windsurfing at this Oregon hotspot.

On its way to the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia winds over 1200 miles from British Columbia into Washington and runs along the Washington and Oregon border. The Columbia is fed by many tributaries throughout the Columbia Basin. The Columbia River Basin is about 260,000 square miles and includes British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and a little bit of Utah and Nevada.

Along your path from British Columbia to Oregon you will see some amazing sights including the Grand Coulee Dam. This dam is almost a mile long and took over 40 years to construct. You can take in a laser light show which tells the story of the dam with lights flickering across the span of the dam. You can also take a guided tour of the dam. After you pass the dam, you will discover Lake Chelan.

On Lake Chelan you will find many recreational opportunities. In addition, the Chelan area has many fantastic vineyards with locally produced Washington wines. If you spend a few days on Lake Chelan, you can enjoy boating, swimming, and jet skiing.

When you reach the Washington-Oregon border, you can cross into Oregon and drive west on the Columbia River Highway or follow the River on the Washington side along the Lewis and Clark Highway. If you continue westward toward the Pacific Ocean, you will find yourself in or near Hood River, Oregon. Once you reach Hood River, plan to stay for a while.

Hood River, Oregon is now known as the windsurfing capital of the world. The area is also known for its fruits and its proximity to beautiful Mt. Hood. You can visit Mt. Hood or check out one of the areas orchards, but the real excitement in Hood River is to be found on the Columbia River. Windsurfers come from all over to ride the waves on the Columbia. There are great spots for windsurfers of all experience levels. The wind in Hood River is best during the middle of the day. You can even take windsurfing lessons if you have never been lucky enough to try the sport before.

In Hood River you will find everything for your windsurfing adventure. You can also experience other wind and water sports. One growing sport you can enjoy is kite-boarding. Kite-boarding is similar to wake-boarding, but a kite, which you use to catch the wind, propels you instead of a boat. The winds in Hood River are excellent for kite-boarders as well as windsurfers. There are many businesses that provide windsurfing and kite-boarding gear and instruction. These local businesses can also direct you to the best spots on the river to experience your sport in this beautiful town.

After you finish learning or mastering windsurfing,continue your trip along the Columbia River towards its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Along the way you will pass by the Mt. Hood National Forest and head into Portland, Oregon. Portland has all sorts of interesting activities, from performing arts and a great nightlife to exciting neighborhoods and excellent dining.

The last stop on your trip along the Columbia is Astoria, Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River. Astoria is located in a temperate rain forest and it is also historically significant as the western end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. You can ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and learn about the rich history of the region while admiring the beauty of the Columbia River's mouth.

Salt Lake City to Steamboat Springs, CO

Start your next road trip at the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, Utah. After a few days, or more, exploring the many attractions in Salt Lake City, hop on US-40 and road-trip your way to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Along the way you will find many attractions to keep even the most difficult traveler interested. Once you reach Steamboat Springs, you can enjoy snow sports in winter or hot air balloon rides, hiking, and fabulous fly fishing in summer.

Begin your trip in Salt Lake City. Here you will find many modern attractions and lots of history. Art enthusiasts should visit the Maurice Abravanel Hall, where you can see the Dale Chihuly sculpture, Olympic Tower, or attend a concert by the Utah Symphony and Opera. Visitors to Salt Lake City should make sure to spend some time at the Historic Temple Square. This square is the home to the Tabernacle where you can see free rehearsals and concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Pioneer Memorial Museum has exhibits and artifacts all about the Utah pioneers. You can enjoy the Red Butte Garden's eleven botanical gardens. Take a trip to the Tracy Aviary where you can see over 400 birds. Utah also has a zoo and aquarium in Salt Lake City, Hogle Zoo and The Living Planet Aquarium. Another great aspect of Salt Lake City is its history as the host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. You can visit the Olympic Oval, and even enjoy the athletic training center. During your stay in Salt Lake City you can also take a dinner cruise on the Great Salt Lake or enjoy a carriage ride starting at the Temple Square.

There are all sorts of great places to stop at along your way to Steamboat Springs.  Ashley National Forest is right outside of Salt Lake City and US-40 runs parallel to the forest for a great part of the road-trip. Ashley National Forest includes over 1 million acres of National Forest System land.  Within this land you will find Kings Peak, the highest peak in Utah, as well as the beautiful Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

Golfers should stop to golf at the courses at Wasatch Mountain State Park. You will find great trout fishing at Strawberry Reservoir, where you can even ice-fish during the winter. Starvation State Park has year-round fishing as well as tent and RV camping. You can arrange for a hiking trip with llamas at www.rosebudllamasutah.com. Take a detour through Nine Mile Canyon, where you can view the petroglyphs. You can also hike and mountain bike through Nine Mile Canyon. If you decide to take this detour you should drive south to Wellington, and after you drive through Nine Mile Canyon you will return to US-40 in Myton.

Vernal, Utah is the home of the headquarters to Ashley National Forest. In Vernal you can visit the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum. You can also access the Dry Forks Petroglyphs ten miles outside of Vernal. Stop for a while at Dinosaur National Monument. You can see fossils, hike, and river raft through the river canyons. Take the Tour of the Tilted Rocks in Dinosaur National Monument. After your visit to Dinosaur National Monument, stop for a bite to eat in Dinosaur, Colorado. Check out Juniper Hot Springs where you can enjoy the warm waters of the springs, which contain 24 minerals. You can only find a similar combination of minerals at a hot springs in Europe.

Finish your road-trip in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. You will find all sorts of recreational opportunities all year round. During the winter you can enjoy great skiing, snowboarding and many other winter sports. In the summer time you will find all sorts of outdoor recreational activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and camping. Aside from the usual outdoor activities, try the alpine slide, gondola rides and hot air ballooning in Steamboat Springs. You will also find many natural hot springs. These hot springs are relaxing and many believe the minerals in the warm waters of the hot springs have medicinal properties. Visit Strawberry Park Hot Springs a little way out of town for a more rural feel. For greater convenience, visit Old Town Hot Springs, located right downtown, where your kids can slide right into the hot springs.

Steamboat Sprigs is the ultimate year-round alpine destination. The road-trip from Salt Lake City provides you with a great view of parts of Utah and Colorado. You will find history and beauty in the city of Salt Lake City as well as throughout your road-trip to Steamboat Springs.

Beautiful Western Montana

Western Montana is a great place for the adventurous traveler to take an amazing outdoor vacation. While summer reveals some of the greatest treasures of Western Montana, the area also has its own special beauty in winter. You will find massive lakes, powerful rivers, high peaks and places full of adventure and natural beauty.

Yaak River
If you enter Western Montana from the north through Idaho on Highway 2, take a scenic detour along the Yaak River Road. During the summer stop for a few days and camp at the Yaak River Campground. From your campsite you can hike along numerous trails or, for a more exhilarating adventure, go whitewater rafting on the Kootenai River.

Whitefish
After stopping for a little recreation along the Yaak River continue on to US-93, heading south straight into Whitefish. Whitefish is a small but thriving city. During the winter, visit the Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain for skiing. You don't have to visit during the winter to have fun in Whitefish, though. You can take a ride down the Alpine Slide or glide through the sky on the zip line tour. Whitefish is also a great jumping off point for mountain biking and hiking.

Flathead Lake
Continuing on your journey, follow US-93 south along the western shore of Flathead Lake. Before you reach the lake you will pass through Kalispell, the largest city in the area. You can stop and take a trip out to the state park on Wild Horse Island, where you will find plenty of recreation and the wild horses the island is named for. After you pass through Polson, on the southern end of Flathead Lake, get on to Route 35 and head north following the eastern shore of Flathead Lake. You will find plenty of opportunities to camp, fish, hike and recreate on Flathead Lake. If you brought your boat on your road trip you can boat up to the Raven Restaurant and Bar for a Caribbean style dinner and cocktails. If you are a connoisseur of beer, visit the Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Woods Bay. At the northern end of Flathead Lake you will find the city of Bigfork, where you can stop and walk along its quaint streets, stroll through its galleries, and grab a bite at El Topo for great Mexican food and margaritas.

Glacier National Park
Continue north along Route 35 until you reach Highway 2, then follow Highway 2 into Glacier National Park. Glacier is one of America's most beautiful parks. Take a scenic drive to see the park's wild interior along the Going-to-the Sun Road. This road is 50 miles and winds through the interior of the Park, giving you the opportunity to see Glacier without hiking to the interior. Glacier also has beautiful lodges throughout the park including Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet. The two chalets are backcountry accommodations, which are great for a luxurious backcountry hiking experience.

Lolo Hot Springs
If you enter Western Montana from southern Idaho along Lolo Creek Rd, stop in Lolo Hot Springs. Here you will find the soothing hot springs as well as miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. During the winter you can snowmobile during the day before taking a relaxing dip in the waters of Lolo Hot Springs. You can stay at the Lolo Hot Springs Resort and explore the Bitterroot Mountains.

Western Montana is the perfect area to take a long road trip. There are miles of wilderness to explore. Montana still has untamed wilderness that is unlike any other place in the world. You can enjoy the scenes of wild beauty as you drive by and spend your day adventuring along the trails at Glacier National Park.