Planning the NW trip

It is months away yet, but the planning has me excited!  I think I enjoy that almost as much as the trip itself.  Planning can be so much fun and very educational due to the research of spots to stay and spots to visit and things to see along the way.  RVing is so great because it allows flexibility in the route, where to stop, how long to stop and what to see or do at each location. 

During the winter of 2014, while we were waiting for the house to sell, we spent 2 1/2 months in the Southwest and wow, that was the longest time we had been gone.  It was great and so much fun!   It confirmed our dreams; we enjoy the travel.  While we are also looking forward to some short (3-4 days) excursions around the near (to us) Midwest, it is the 3 month trip we have planned for later in the year that has us looking forward to warmer weather.  

Yes, while missing the children and grandbabies will be hard; the dream of traveling has been a part of my life for 25 years, so I just cannot give up that dream.  So fortunate that Dave feels the same. Someday we won't have the opportunity to go because of age/health, so we need to go now or not at all.  AND we are going now!!!

Things we hope to see or do this summer, that will be new to us:

Craters of the Moon NM

Mount Hood and the "Fruit Loop"

Columbia River Gorge and lots of water falls

Crater Lake NP

Newberry Volcanic NM

Cascade Lakes Scenic byway

Portland

Olympic NP and peninsula 

Wooden boat festival

Whale sightings, tide pools, shorelines and beaches

Light houses

Orchards, farm stands and fresh seafood

I hope to have a map available soon to show our tentative route and stops, but all is subject to change. 

So much to see and do, makes being flexible a top priority.  Doesn't it all sound fun? What a great blessing and privilege to live in a Country that has so much beauty.

Have a great weekend!