A cousin and I leave on Tuesday (8/29) for the final leg of my "50 by 50" quest (visiting all 50 states before my 50th birthday). The last three states are South Dakota, Idaho and Montana.

Finding things to do in South Dakota was easy - Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave.

Idaho and Montana are presenting more of a challenge. Glacier National Park is a long way up there - anyone been there who can reassure me it's worth the drive? What about Idaho? I'd always thought that Hell's Canyon was there, but looking at the map it appears to actually be in Oregon. Any other suggestions?

Hi Ellen --- I was in Glacier a few years ago, and it is spectacular (well, it's no Castellabate, but ) You can drive through easily on your own.

I drove across the northern part of the state, and so visited only as far south as Helena. There is a lot of Lewis & Clark "stuff" to see as well; I think Great Falls was one of the best. I also went to Missoula. I'll look at my map and let yo know more.

We spent 2 weeks in Glacier NP in 2004 and loved every minute of it. Touring GNP and "Going to the Sun" Road" is spectacular, especially if you leave the driving to Jammer Tour, for 1/2 day or full day drives in a large, red, convertible touring car. They stop often for pictures, and of course, lunch. We were able to enjoy wine and drinks with our lunch, and not worry about driving the very narrow, winding "Going to the Sun." Talk about relaxing and anjoying the incredible views!

Our glaciers are an "endangered species" so to speak, and predicted to be gone by 2030. This is just one good reason to go and see them before they disappear. There are many short hikes within the park that are not strenuous. On those trails, you may encounter mountain goats grazing on the trail, big horn sheep, or fat, friendly, hoary marmots.



There are historic lodges, quaint motels or rustic cabins, and many good restaurants. East Glacier would make a good place to overnight and catch the Jammer Tour in the morning. I would advise making a Jammer Tour reservation at least a day or two ahead of time.

What about the Big Sky area in Montana. The area is beautiful. You could head into yellowstone via the North entrance and see the hot springs or the west entrance and see old faithful. Those areas of the park are vastly different so if you have time you could do both.

-Mary

Mary, we were planning to go into Yellowstone from one direction and exit another (which comes first will be a function of where we wind up and when ... this trip is particularly unformed).

So Glacier it is. We'll have our own rented convertible (a compromise ... much as I love the occasional ride, I didn't fancy spending two weeks on the back of a Harley) and plan to cruise along and see as much as possible.

How many days do you have, Ellen, and where are you flying in and out of? The distances in Montana and Idaho are so great that you're already going to to be driving a lot, even without adding Idaho.

Here's what I'd do if I were planning the same trip. (I grew up in Montana and have spent a lot of time in Montana and Idaho.)

Start with South Dakota, then drive to Yellowstone through Wyoming via Devil's Tower and Cody into Yellowstone.

Leave Yellowstone on the Beartooth Highway (one of the most magnificent mountain roads in the U.S.) to Red Lodge in Montana. Find your way to Glacier, which is very much worth your time. Don't miss the Going to the Sun Highway!! When you're finished with Glacier, drive south to Missoula, my favorite town in the area. I went to the university there and every time I visit I'm tempted to move back.

From Missoula, you're within a day's drive of the two most "visitable" areas in Idaho. If you go west, it's just a couple of hours to Cour d'Alene, a lake resort area. A longer, but beautiful, drive south will get you to Sun Valley in the Sawtooth Mountains.

You can enter Hell's Canyon from Idaho, but it's in an out-of-the-way corner of the state and there isn't much to see unless you have advance reservations for one of the jet boat trips up the canyon. There's no road that goes all the way through the canyon.

That sounds great Chris, and is pretty much what I was thinking.

We're flying into St. Louis (both flight and car were half the price of any other airport in the west). I have friends in Topeka and Palco Kansas, so we'll probably try and see one on the way out and the other on the way back. We've only got two weeks, but my cousin likes to drive, so I plan on mostly sitting back and taking in the view, knitting, etc.

I lived in Colorado for six years and I know that there are long stretches of road that aren't particularly interesting, even though they may be beautiful (I mean, after six hours with little change, even beautiful can get old). We'll see what happens when we get out there, but we may try to cover some of the longer and less visually interesting drives at night.

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(I mean, after six hours with little change, even beautiful can get old).

LOL. You're right about that. That's when we begin the heavy sighs and muttering about 'more damned scenery'!

The Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming has among the best collections of western art in the US. If asked to order them I would probably respond - Gilcrease, Cody, Heard.

Definitely worth a side trip. The Cody Museum is where I fell in love with western art.

Also the Little Big Horn is on your way to Yellowstone from South Dakota.

Thanks again for the thoughts everyone. We're back, having put more than 5,000 miles on the rental car in two weeks.

Glacier was absolutely worth the trip up there.

Glad to hear you enjoyed Glacier! We have friends in that area right now, and they said the smoke from forest fires detracts from the views. I hope your panoramic vistas were smoke-free when you were there!

Glacier was clear, but a week later in Yellowstone and southern Montana it was hazy.

We spent several days in your part of the world as well - in Palco, Hutchinson, Wichita and Tokepa.

So tell me, Ellen. Where DID you go for BBQ in Kansas City? After all the discussion, I'm curious. Heading back in that direction myself next week for about 10 days, and we'll have to decide which place to choose.

Ann

I'm embarrassed to say we missed Kansas City BBQ entirely, after all your help.

On the front end, we spent so much time in St. Louis that we wound up eating there, and passing by Kansas City about 10 PM that night. No problem, I thought, we'll catch it on the way back.

Unfortunately, our laid back, no planning style of travel on this trip had us back in Kansas a day earlier than we expected, so we headed south to the Kansas State Fair. As a result, we spent our last evening in Topeka eating Thai food with an old friend, and passed through Kansas City again around 11 PM on our way back toward St. Louis.

Next trip.

There simply isn't enough time to see and do everything we want. I should have been born independently wealthy so I could just travel constantly.