Driving from Seattle to Atlanta

Parent Cafe
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<p>My daughter and I are doing this road trip soon – big job relocation for her. We are taking a northerly route – through Idaho, Montana and South Dakota, and then turning south through Nebraska/Iowa, Kansas/Missouri, Arkansas. We hope to spend a day in Yellowstone, and we’ll see Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore and Badlands. We have about 10 days.</p>

<p>Any other suggestions for must sees? Detours that would be worth it? Must-go-to restaurants? Any reason not to whiz by Nebraska and Kansas? Things to do in NW Arkansas that are not connected to Walmart?</p>

<p>And all of her stuff will be in her car, so I’m a little nervous about sightseeing with a full trunk.</p>

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<p>Wow, wow, wow! Any chance you could go through Memphis? I’m terrible at geography, but if that’s an option, great barbecue, and of course, Graceland! (of course, you’re probably too young to appreciate it). I would recommend stopping at the Mississippi River every chance you get. It is an amazing river, and it is so neat to compare its appearance in different cities. </p>

<p>Have a wonderful trip, and enjoy your time with your daughter.</p>

<p>And thank you so much for the tip on your northern jaunt. Those are definitely places I want to see, and glad to know you can see them all in one trip.</p>

<p>My brother is taking his family to Yellowstone next week, and he didn’t think they could make Mount Rushmore, but I’ll encourage him to try to fit it in, too! </p>

<p>I am a major close encounters fan, so Devil’s Tower would be a must see for me!</p>

<p>Have a great time, and please report back on your trip!</p>

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<p>Mount Rushmore is really far from Yellowstone, and we can only do both because we’re driving cross country. I’ve been to Rushmore, and I’m only going again because my daughter wants to see it and it’s right on our route. Your brother is better off going to the Tetons from Yellowstone.</p>

<p>And yes, we’re going to be going through Memphis. Any recommendations where to get BBQ? Not sure about Graceland – I’m not an Elvis fan, but I may never be there again so it might be worth exploring.</p>

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<p>NW Arkansas: Crystal Bridges museum. Yes, in a way, it is connected to Wal-Mart, as it was founded by one of the Wal-Mart heirs, and Wal-Mart funds your free admission. However, it is a lovely, new, museum of American art, in a truly lovely setting. Another lovely place in NW Arkansas is the Buffalo National River. If you want to spend a little time canoeing a beautiful, unspoiled river, this is a great place. There are many outfitters in the area in the towns of Ponca and Pruitt and others.</p>

<p>My D has been in Atlanta for about a year now and is really enjoying it. (We are also Westerners, so there was some culture shock.) I hope your D will settle in quickly!</p>

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<p>If you need any Atlanta help, just shout.</p>

6

<p>

I actually purposely saw things in Nebraska once on the way between Colorado and Mt Rushmore. You’ll have to decide if it’s too out of the way for you on this trip.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Fort Robinson - is an old fort and military installation where Chief Crazy Horse died. They have some of the historic buildings open for visiting and you can actually stay in some of the old military personnel quarters. While there you can go horseback riding and do other activities. They also have a playhouse theatre where plays are held. the night we stayed there we attended a melodrama there that was really fun.
[Nebraska</a> Game and Parks Commission - Parks - Area Search](<a href=“http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=77]Nebraska”>http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=77)</p></li>
<li><p>Chimney Rock - a famous landmark on the Oregon trail that still has ‘graffiti’ from the settlers.
[Chimney</a> Rock–Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/scotts_bluff/chimney_rock.html]Chimney”>Chimney Rock--Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary)</p></li>
<li><p>Oregon trail - There are some areas where you can still see the old wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon trail emigrants.</p></li>
</ul>

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<p>On my last cross country trip, I stopped at Chimney Rock. Very glad that we did – cool place. </p>

<p>This trip we’ll be in eastern Nebraska. I’d love to go to Oregon trail sites, but I think those are all west of where we’ll be. If I can figure out a way to see the old wagon ruts, I will!</p>

<p>jym626, I probably should start a separate thread on Atlanta, but I’ll take any advice on where a 24-year-old, single, politically liberal woman should live (my daughter, not me). I think her office is going to be in Corporate Square. Any other way to find a roommate situation other than Craigslist?</p>

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<p>As someone who has spent A LOT of time in Memphis, I wouldn’t make a special detour to go there. I’d only stop there as a rest stop. Decent BBQ is at Corkys, more famous is the Rendezvous, but I’ve heard that was expensive and not that fantastic. Graceland only if you’re an Elvis fan. Have found better BBQ elsewhere.</p>

9

<p>A few other places to look at in southerwestern South Dakota are Jewel and Wind Caverns, the Minuteman Missile Silo, and, for a good chunk of American roadside attraction, Wall Drug.</p>

<p>From Devil’s Tower to Mt. Rushmore there’s a scenic route which I goes through an area I think is called Swordfish Canyon. It was a really cool ride that only added few minutes to my drive vs the interstate.</p>

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<p>pm me, fireandrain. Is she going to be in one of the CDC fellowship programs?</p>