Highlights of our trip

We have returned to Victoria after 69 days having travelled 7,912 KM in 69 days (115/day average).  The trip has been longer than we might of planned because we do not get to move into our newly purchased townhouse until April 12^th. .

There have been many highlights and it has been especially interesting to me to become more familiar with the history of the development of the US West, visiting the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.

We thank friends for suggestions that helped with our itinerary.

Some spectacular scenic routes have included: Through Death Valley (California), Lake Tahoe (Nevada) , the Willamette Valley (Oregon), Highway 99 (California – an alternate to I5), Emory Pass to Silver City (New Mexico).

Some favorite places visited: White Sands National Monument, City of Rocks State Park , Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Las Vegas and Tubac.

Special  Places for Lucy:  Many forest camp sites  and some hikes where she could be off lead and the sandy Pacific Beach at Fort Stevens National State Park in Oregon.

Best hiking: Catalina State Park (near Tucson) and the Romero Canyon Trail, Leasburg Dam state park, City of Rocks state park, the Grand Canyon, Cattails state park, Sabrina Canyon (near Tucson).

Best biking: Fort Stevens National State Park, Catalina State Park, City of Rocks state park, the Grand Canyon (you can put your bike on a bus for one way trip), Westgate Landing County Park.

Excellent Museums: Columbia River Maritime Museum (Astoria), The Hoover Dam, Willan Heritage Museum (Salem), Manzanar National Historic Site ( site of Japanese internment camp).

Favorite sights: The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Havaseau (old London Bridge), San Xavier Mission (Tucson), Mesilla (historic town near Las Cruces New Mexico), White Sands National Monument.  

Favorite Parks: Catalina State Park, Cattails State Park, City of Rocks State Park, Rockhound state park, Lone Pine County Park, Westgate landing regional park, Leasburg Dam state park, Schoolhouse campsite (Roosevelt lake), Hoon National Forest Park, Emigrant Lake Regional Park (Ashland).

Some cultural experiences: Verdi Requiem (Tuscon),  Broadway celebration (Las Vegas), Rigoletto (Live at the Met), My Fair Lady and the Taming of the Shrew (Ashland Shakespeare festival).

Of interest to some:  We kept a record of all expenditure for the 69 days. It cost us an average of $103 per day. Of this 28% was spent on gas, 28% on food, 23% on Parks, 4% in RV costs and 18% miscellaneous.