Western Road Trip Ideas

Ideas from our road trip in March:

1.  See the National Parks!    Grand Canyon, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Bandelier National Monument

We got a America the Beautiful pass for $80, and got into all the parks for one price.  Buy and take along car cables or chains (so you don't have to rent them, when they are needed in the mountain areas).

2.  Stay in Mennonite Your Way Homes or friends and family, along the way.  You will save money, and get to meet kind hospitable people along the way through MYW.  We stayed with Michael's aunt and uncle in Ohio, MYW families in six different cities, and met friends at a small cabin in Jackson, WY. Also, plan to stay in hotels, cabins, or camp along the way because Mennonite Your Way does not work in every town.  We had to adjust our plans because of weather and sickness in one of the homes.  Meeting family, friends, and MYW hosts made our trip extra meaningful and impactful.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Steffanie

MYW hosts that let us stay at their B&B in Oklahoma, and took us out for breakfast at their cafe.

3.  Don't be too ambitious.  We realized we were being too ambitious with our idea to go into Mexico and the whole way up to Wyoming in the same trip.  We would have been driving every day without seeing anything. 

The best days were the days that we slept in a place and got to see the area, then slept in the same area before driving on.  By the time we got to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, it was great to be there for three days and relax with friends!

The Gerlach's and us, as we watched the snowmobiles climb the hill in Jackson Hole.

Make the car rides enjoyable and part of the experience.  Our kids enjoyed games, DVDs, puzzles, and books.  We also rented a van which spaced them out and gave us room for luggage, without having a trailer.  

Our western loop (three weeks):

MD to Colombus, Ohio

OH to St. Louis, MO

MO to Edmond, OK

OK to Santa Fe, NM (Loretto Chapel, Bandelier National Monument, Downtown shops and artists, The Shed, Tomositas)

NM to Flagstaff, AZ (Grand Canyon)

AZ to Fresno, CA (Las Vegas, Hoover Dam along the way to Fresno, then Sequoia Nat. Park the next day)

Modesto, CA (Yosemite National Park)

San Francisco, CA (Pier 39 Chowders Restaurant, Sea Lions, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Muir National Park with Redwoods, Muir Beach - Pacific Ocean)

CA to Elko, NV 

NV to Jackson Hole, WY (downtown shops, Snow King skiing, visiting with the Gerlach's, Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park)

WY to Denver, CO

CO to Dayton, OH

OH to HOME

It was a memorable trip!  We are thankful God protected us and provided for us.  Now, we are happy to be home.  Each day is a gift.