Portland to Montana: Need advice on how to spend 72 hours.

[bobmagyar]

I am picking up a Motor-home in Portland and driving it to Calgary for my older brother. I am looking for advice on what to do and where to stay between Portland and Montana. I have 72 hours to kill from the time I purchase the unit until I hit the border.

I am from Canada and haven't spent much time in these parts. Looking at the map I am thinking Bud Light might be the best way to pass the time :-)

Looking for any Porsche Mecca's or other points of interest that could be along the way.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

Bob

[Herr Softie]

Almost exactly two years ago I had to drive from Portland to Casper, WY and back twice. I drove all day, stopped in Twin Falls, watched cable movies and drank beer. The highlight was a new Ford GT in the parking lot of my hotel with a Montana temporary registration and bug splatter evidence of the driver's speed limit violations all over the nose and windscreen.

My route was through southern Idaho (actually a little bit into Utah, too). There wasn't much going on. I understand a more northerly route is prettier. The one car related suggestion I have is stopping in Boardman, OR and checking on the progress of the Pacific Northwest Motorsports Park.

www.pnwmotorsportspark.com

Cheers - Brad

[hoffman912]

there are many national parks in that area of the country. i really recomend getting off the beaten path and checking them out. its teh only way to see the real america, and not the corporate interstate bs.

[Mudi]

Glacier National Park is a tremendous drive, over the goign to the sun highway. But, it's not open until June. The drive from Lewiston Idaho to Missoula is spectacular, but might not be much fun with a motorhome at this time of year (100+ miles of 35-45 mph turns). The Maryhill museum in Washington is cool and worth a stop if open.

In short, you are about a month too early to enjoy the parks in Montana.

Remember, don't po the gas station attendants in Oregon..

[HarryD]

A stop at Craters of the Moon Park in Idaho is interesting.

You may also be able to get into part of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming but check with the Park Service as to which roads are open and which are not.

[Mudi]

Big snow year up here this winter. Yellowstone Park has started to grind out the snow off the roadways, but it keeps snowing. Only road open at this time is Gardiner to Cooke City, but that is kept open all winter.. By Mid May you might be able to get from West to Old Faithfull but Dunraven Pass is questionable. Earliest I've been able to get through the park on a decent snow year is Mother's Day.

[HarryD]

Big snow year up here this winter. Yellowstone Park has started to grind out the snow off the roadways, but it keeps snowing. Only road open at this time is Gardiner to Cooke City, but that is kept open all winter.. By Mid May you might be able to get from West to Old Faithfull but Dunraven Pass is questionable. Earliest I've been able to get through the park on a decent snow year is Mother's Day.

I figured that may be the case. I moved away from there (in '78) I do not check the snow levels very much. I always liked going to the park just after they started openinrg the roads as the scenery is breathtaking (the snow makes it better), traffic is very low and roadside wildlife is abundant.

[pu911rsr]

Best way to see park if you are so inclined is on a bike before park is opened to cars. If you are near Bozeman look me up and I'll take you out for dinner.
Phil