Where to stop on a road trip through western U.S., Canada
My husband and I took a month-long road trip through the western United States and Canada. Here are some of the places we recommend, in the order in which we visited them:
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan: Beneath Saskatchewan's fourth-largest city lies a network of tunnels that gamblers and bootleggers used to carry messages to corrupt police officials in the 1920s. Be sure to schedule a tour to learn about the city's history and American gangster Al Capone's (1899 - 1947) alleged connections to it.
Swift Current, Saskatchewan: The welcome sign for this city says, "Swift Current: Where life makes sense." It's about time, I thought. Unfortunately, we hadn't planned to stay here, so we didn't get to investigate what exactly makes this town so sensical.
Vulcan, Alberta: Located in southern Alberta, Vulcan was originally named by a Canadian Pacific Railway surveyor after the Roman god of fire in 1915. Upon the popularity of the Star Trek franchise, the town built a Star Trek-themed tourist station and a replica of the USS Enterprise, as well as space-themed murals and signs.
Banff National Park, Alberta: Canada’s oldest national park is famous for its frigid, turquoise-colored waters, most famously Lake Louise. Icefields Parkway and various trails offer breathtaking views of this geological gem. Rent a kayak to explore Lake Louise and be sure to hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House. It's about a 3.5 kilometer (2.1 mile) hike from Lake Louise, with an elevation gain of 400 m (1,300 ft).
There are campgrounds designated for tent camping, or "soft camping," and camping in an RV, or "hard camping." Despite these mildly offensive names, the designation is meant to protect tent campers from bears, and to protect bears from people. Soft campgrounds, like where we stayed at Lake Louise Campground, is enclosed by an electric fence. I enclosed a PDF of the details.
There are signs everywhere warning people not to touch this fence. There is a Texas Gate at the campground's entrance through which cars can pass, but not bikers or pedestrians. Unless you want to receive a jolt of at least 7,000 volts, do not walk over this Texas Gate. Use the designated pedestrian entrance.
North Cascade National Park, Washington: This is my all-time favorite park. Anywhere. Established in 1968, this park is accessed during the spring and summer via the rustic, winding Cascade River Road. It is not as overrun with tourists as other national parks, making the trails between the jagged peaks all the more serene. We watched a ranger presentation on wolverines and witnessed a teenage boy's tantrum after his guardians made him hike for 7 hours. The things he shouted will make for life-long memories.
San Juan Islands, Washington: An archipelago between Washington and British Columbia, the San Juan Islands were the site of The Pig War, the last border dispute between the United States and the British Empire in 1859. The dispute arose from an incident where Lyman Cutler, who believed the land was American territory, shot a pig belonging to Charles Griffin, who claimed the land belonged to the Hudson’s Bay Company. Eventually, the two nations chose an independent arbitrator, the Kaiser of Germany, to settle the boundary dispute. He referred the question to a panel of three academic experts, who decided 2-to-1 in favor of Haro Strait being the boundary. Today the islands have quaint shops and quiet campgrounds.
Forks, Washington: This formerly sleepy town became a tourist destination upon the popularity of Stephenie Meyer’s, “Twilight” saga. Forks has several Twilight-themed landmarks and is a fun destination for anyone mildly familiar with the books and films. It is also a perfect stop for camping and hiking enthusiasts on their way to Olympic National Park.
Portland, Oregon: Initially, I wanted to come to this city to visit my aunt and cousins. I had not realized how charming their city was. Among the countless incredible things a person could see, the Saturday Market is a must, as well as Powell’s Books and the Royal Rosarian Garden. The View Point Inn and various waterfalls are located just outside the city and are worth the scenic drive.
Redwood National Park, California: Ancient coastal redwoods and giant ferns grow in this national park. To see the Tall Trees Grove, a person needs to obtain a permit. These permits are free, though not advertised. Obtain one. It is worth it. These trees are wider than some apartments in which I’ve lived.
San Francisco, California: One of my favorite American cities. Alamo Square is among many locations where the city’s architecture may be admired. Be sure to visit Jack Kerouac Alley, named after Beat (“beatniks”) and hippie movement co-founder Jack Kerouac, and nearby City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe. If you're into spooky history, try the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour, too.
Lake Tahoe, California: This incredibly clear lake earned world-wide fame after hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics’ cross-country ski course. The water is frigid, so swim with caution. The pinecones are the size of softballs and Sugar Pine Point State Park offers an easy, 6 ½-mile loop (“General Creek Trail”) that allows hikers to admire the Tahoe and Eldorado national forests.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota: Sacred to the Sioux, the Black Hills are not only beautiful, but famous. I wrote about this in a blog post a year ago when I traveled through this area. Horsethief Campground is a quiet place to enjoy the jagged hills, monuments, and dark forests. Be sure to order a pizza at Eno’s Pizza in nearby Keystone.