I'm flying out to portland, oregon from baltimore, maryland this saturday and then we are making a road trip back across the country. We're going to have time to stop and see some things, but we're kind of on a tight schedule.. 4 days to make it back. All I know so far is I want to see the pacific, other than that any cool/interesting places to stop on the way back? I'd be more interested in land marks/parks type things than city stuff, but open to suggestions! Can't be too far off the major highways though, like I said tight schedule.. leaving monday need to be back early thursday at the latest.

 

Boy, I've made that trip several times, and trust me, you don't have much time to see much of anything!! Unless you don't plan on stopping to sleep!! Even with a sleeper team, it takes a full three days, and that's never stopping the truck except for fuel!!

But, if you are determined, Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose is at the Evergreen Air Museum, about 20 miles south from Portland International Airport!! Don't know how much you like history, but that aircrat is absolutley magnificent!!

By the way, how'd the Diff Eq class go?

 

Yeah she said it took her 3 days when she did it non stop on the way out there. The way things happened I didn't find out I was going until a couple days ago, I wish it could've been planned better, but we'll have to make the best of it. Worst part is the trip is being made in a dodge neon, lol

Air museum sounds interesting, maybe we'll check that out.

Ended up with a C in the class, thanks! I'm just glad I made it through, lol.

 

Oregon is full of cool stuff to see. You wont find it difficult to enjoy, just about anywhere you go. But from what I've heard, you may well be encouraged to not take up residence. If you're known as a visitor, the Oregon hospitality is unbeatable, IMO. Just don't mention anything about how you'd like to live there and you'll be OK. Ha ha ha.

If you find your way down South'r, like maybe Reno area, look me up. Especially if the gal that postures on the butt in your avitar is with you. Ha ha ha.

No, really, if you find yourself in Northern Nevada, or Northern California, let me know. I'll see if my work schedule is conducive to a few beers at a local tavern.

 

Probably better than the avatar actually, haha.

Unfortunately I don't think we'll be heading down that way, but thanks for the offer!
(and I don't think they're letting 19 year olds into bars yet anyway! lol)

 

They are man. I was at a local bar the other day, a co-worker of mine had his 18yo son in there with him....He was buyin his son drinks..that is legal down here fun times.....co-worker was helpin his son pick up chicks too.

 

yellowstone,worth the trip.

 

yellowstone sounds awesome too, i'll have to see how far off the route it is.

I guess I'll ask this here too, instead of starting another thread.. any tips for a first time flyer? I'm a diabetic and getting all my papers from my doctor tomorrow morning, other than that I have no idea what to expect.

 

what are you taking for a route

I84 to I82 to I90 to I94 ?

 

mapquest says 84-80 and some other roads. She's done the trip three times in the past three years, so she knows better than me where we're going. I'll ask her when I talk to her later.

 

Show up at the airport at least two hours before your plane is to leave. Don't take anything you don't absolutely need then you can take your bag as a carry-on and not risk having them lose your luggage!! This also helps when you get there, you won't have to wait for you luggage to get off the plane!!

No pocket knives, or Leatherman, they'll take them away from you. I bet you can get on your airport's website, or call, and ask about what is allowed to take along and what is not. I'd also ask them about how to travel with your insulin while keeping it cool. A small cooler may work,,, But, I'd ask!! Also, ask them if they serve food on the flight. Some airliners do, but many have stopped. You may need to bring a snack.

Be prepared to show them everything!! Have your ID handy, and be ready to take off your shoes!! Ha! Ha!! Gotta make sure you're not carrying any bombs in your socks!! And don't even whisper the word, bomb!! They have NO sense of humor about it!!

 

lol, yes I've heard about the shoe thing. i don't understand that one, but whatever.. lol. Fortunately I'm on the insulin pump and don't have to worry about keeping it cool. I have to transfer flights and the second one is serving a dinner meal, so I should be good on food. thanks

 

If you are going to leave on Monday and want to get back early Thursday, 2800 miles is a trek, especially this time of year. You don't know what kind of weather and road conditions you are going to encounter, so try to be prepared for the unexpected. Good luck.

 

Normally when I fly I wear a pair of mesh shorts or wind pants some sort of slip on shoes and a t-shirt no belts or anything else you might forget to take off before the metal detector this really helps you get through security faster and most of us unless we are on busness trips aren't trying to make a fashon statement. I like to buzz through security as fast a possible so I don't even wear a watch or any other jewlery. As far as a carry on I usually pack a couple of magazines, laptop, and ipod the items won't hold you up at all. My first time flying was a nightmare I got wanded because I forgot to take off some stuff.

 

My thoughts exactly.

Let me give you a little bit of what you might expect if you go the I-84, Oregon to Idaho route. We are having a good winter so far out west here, but not traveler friendly if you are out during a storm. If you take I-84, it should be relatively smooth sailing from Portland to Pendleton. However, once you get to Pendleton and the Blue Mtns, Oregon DOT shuts down I-84 between Pendleton and Baker City quite frequently during storm conditions. From Baker to Ontario the roads might improve, but it was shut down a few weeks ago. From the Oregon/Idaho border, it will generally be safe traveling from Ontario through Twin Falls, but might get tricky around Mountain Home. After Twin Falls, anything can happen from there to Wyoming. If you take Highway 30 through Wyoming...good luck. Be prepared for more road shut downs. You can have blue skies above you, but have high winds and blizzard conditions just from the snow on the ground...be prepared for road closures there as well.

That's all I can tell you from my familiarity with this area having lived and traveled I-84 for almost 32 years. I have driven from Boise to Pendleton many times over the years, even in winter. Sometimes it's smooth sailing, other times I wished I had stayed home. Forget about making side trips to see this and that. There is plenty of good scenery to see in the winter, just bring a camera. I think the best scenery is from Pendleton to Baker. Good Luck!