I'm just planning my trip to TDS and beyond. Here is a link to a map of the route I am planning on taking http://www.geocities.com/pg4x4/grandtourofthewest2002.html So far I've got a few stops planned but I'm pretty flexible. Any ideas for other side trips that are along my way or fairly close? I've got from Feb 23 to March 17 but I'd like to be home no later than the 14th.

So far what I've got is:

Portland, Oregon to see my aunt and uncle
Temecula, California to see my cousin
Truckhaven for TDS
Phoenix, Arizona to see my cousins and do some wheelin'
Canyon de Chelly National Monument to do some sight seeing
Four Corners National Monument to see what I can see see see.
Farmington, New Mexico wheelin'
Durango, Colorado wheelin'
Moab, Utah wheelin'


P.S. the title of my post is a line out of a song. Who knows which one? :)

Paul.......... while it's kool that you're goin' to TDS...... asking a Tragically Hip question is really unfair to our American bretheren......: sarcasm ::D :D

Yeah thats like quoting Great Big Sea. Sheesh. Have fun on your trip though :D

You're right Ben, that is a little cruel. :cow:

Originally posted by mike
Yeah thats like quoting Great Big Sea. Sheesh. Have fun on your trip though :D

When I'm up I can't get down. :p

Paul, you should caravan back from TDS with us to AZ. We'll be cruising through Phoenix, then some of us will continue to Tucson. If ya play your cards right, you can cruise to Tuc-Son with us, hit the local watering hole with at least me, then hit the Phoenix area wheelin' on the way back out a day or two later.

Someone wheels hardcore every weekend up there, dunno how much time you want to spend in beautiful AZ, but we can keep you busy though the weekend after TDS.

Oh, some of us from the REAL part of North American know of the Tragically Hip...but only us edumicated types.

If you can since you'll be within a couple of hours you gotta go see the Grand Canyon and make sure you check out Ship Rock you can't miss it if you're coming into Farmington from the East.

Also you Have to check out Monument Valley. Check out this link I just did the same trip about 2 months ago. www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9542&highlight=road+trip+pictures

dont forget Las Cruces

road 21 outside of grand junction co. when your in the moab area.

Your stop for the night you have planned in Oregon... Ah, there isn't anything there but a bunch of sagebrush... You are better off driving two and a half hours farther to Pendleton.

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
...Portland, Oregon...

Move along, nothing to see here. :flipoff2: :D

When you come through Idaho, you are welcome to stop in at Mt. Home for dinner or a beer or what. Just let me know w few days in advance so I can get the little lady in the kitchen an whip up something good.

I'm going to drive back to Phoenix with Rick Horwitz but the Tucson sidetrip might be interesting too. I did the Grand Canyon thing last year with my Dad. It was very cool! We also went to the Petrified Forest and skirted the outside of Monument Valley. We went to Canyon de Chelly but you have to go down into the canyon to really see anything in detail that's why I want to go back. This is primarily a wheelin' trip so the sightseeing is a bonus. Of course any and all offers of beer will receive serious consideration. :)



Driving distance including possible Tucson stop: 3980.2 miles

Forget about 4-Corners Monument. Nothing there to speak of.
Canyon de Chelly is beautiful but not much of a challenge.
They just opened a new trail in Grand Junction CO.
And of course don't miss either Chokecherry Canyon or the Rock Garden in the Farmington area.

If I were you I would go north on 95 straight up through Idaho. The route you have picked through Oregon sucks, nothing but sage brush and desert.

Stop in Riggins for the night and maybe take a wheelin trip up to Seven Devils (If I was still living there I could show you). Riggins is a cool little town for scenery and to stay the night.

Next night stop in Coure d lane (spelling is off I am sure)

From there work your way northwest through washington take Stevens pass (that is the northern pass I am pretty sure) you should be able to do Coure d lane to home in a easy day.

Just my opinion for a more scenic and interesting drive.

Originally posted by TJoop


Move along, nothing to see here. :flipoff2: :D

WE could take him to the cedar log and the rock pile and ruin the rest of his trip;laughing::flipoff2:don't worry we would drink lotsa :beer: and watch you fix the exploder:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Alaska ZJ
If I were you I would go north on 95 straight up through Idaho. The route you have picked through Oregon sucks, nothing but sage brush and desert.


Just my opinion for a more scenic and interesting drive.



I forgot all about that drive!!! I have been down 95 before. You really have to make it in the daytime though. It is a bear in the dark. Looks alot like Allison Pass there in BC, but alot narrower and more up and down. If that makes any sence?

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
I'm going to drive back to Phoenix with Rick Horwitz but the Tucson sidetrip might be interesting too.
Driving distance including possible Tucson stop: 3980.2 miles


MIGHT be interesting??? POSSIBLE Tucson stop???
No sir...you WILL come down here, you WILL have a beer or 5 with us, and you WILL wheel Florence Junction stuff.

I would invite you and Rick to caravan back with us, but I'm afraid that having TWO fawking Exploders in the caravan will slow us down WAY too much :D

Originally posted by Pazuzu
I would invite you and Rick to caravan back with us, but I'm afraid that having TWO fawking Exploders in the caravan will slow us down WAY too much :D

It would only be me slowing people down. Rick tows his junk with his Dodge. :)