which direction?

[ddcruiser]

We loved our Mississippi cruise on the American Queen. Now we're thinking of the Empress. Does anyone have an opinion of the best way to do that--should we head going east or west? We'd like to end the trip (or begin it) with a few days exploring whichever area we start from. We'd appreciate any advice. Thanks, ddcruiser

[SuiteTraveler]

Start in Clarkston and terminate in Portland. Then rent a car, spend a few days in Portland and then take the easy drive north to Seattle (about 3 hours) and Vancouver (bring your passports!)

 

I highly recommend a visit to Vancouver Island - take the ferry across.

http://www.vancouverisland.travel

 

There is much to see and do in Seattle including the Space Needle, Ye olde Curiosity Shop, Sci Fi museum, Pikes place market and lots of interesting art stores. Take a boat tour on Argosy Cruises, Lake Seattle and you will see Bill Gate's home. The Inn at the Market is a great place to stay!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g60878-Seattle_Washington-Vacations.html

 

The ferry ride to Vancouver is incredibly scenic.

http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQiAts-kBRCbgrXc1rnXw7MBEiQAnFqTdliZxl9vbfARWWgIEUqFhal5A8Uxqbyj8Fw5nrAPbzcaAhG38P8HAQ

I love to stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel - which is where the cruise terminal is for ships coming and going from Alaska! There is also snow skiing and more things to do than anyone could do in a month!

 

Outside of Seattle (about 45 minutes) there is the amazing Salish Lodge, which is perfect for a one night trip - enjoy the spa, enjoy the AMAZING restaurant and the location of the hotel at the top of a waterfall. It was this hotel that was used as the Great Northern Hotel in the TV show Twin Peaks.

[ddcruiser]

Thank you, suite traveler, for your helpful response. We've never been to Idaho so I think we'll start there a few days before the trip. What do you think? What's to see in nearby Idaho?

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Thank you, suite traveler, for your helpful response. We've never been to Idaho so I think we'll start there a few days before the trip. What do you think? What's to see in nearby Idaho?

 

We are doing this cruise 8/15/15. We are arriving in Spokane, then heading to Glacier National Park for 3 days. Should be a wonderful drive. Then back to Spokane and the river cruise.

Regards

[irishgirltravels]

Clarkston is the gateway to Hell's Canyon. Best way to see is by boat tour.

Car rental to Lolo Pass is pleasant with a stop for lunch at Lochsa Lodge. Idaho is serene and avoids I-5 traffic hassles at the Portland end.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Clarkston is the gateway to Hell's Canyon. Best way to see is by boat tour.

Car rental to Lolo Pass is pleasant with a stop for lunch at Lochsa Lodge. Idaho is serene and avoids I-5 traffic hassles at the Portland end.

 

We will check it out. Driving from Spokane to Whitefish. Then touring Glacier. Then driving back to Spokane. Any other advice. Always looking to make it a better trip.

Thanks

Sheila

[riversights]

Irishgirl is right about Lolo.:) It's US 12 through the Rockies. The route is way more scenic than trundling along I-90 with the trucks out of Spokane. US 12 across Lolo is nearly on top of the Lewis & Clark Trail, the route follows streams until reaches alpine heights, and there you will see moose wandering about the meadows and bogs formed by melting snow. Lochsa Lodge is on the west slope below the summit area. It's rustic but food and service are extraordinary.

[hondorner]

If you have time to get that far, the east end of the Lolo pass road ends in the town of Lolo, just south of Missoula. There's a small state park there which is centered around the only documented Lewis and Clark campsite. The story is fascinating -- Merriwether Lewis was dosing some of the excursion members with medicine that contained mercury. At a suspected campsite, investigators brought in equipment that found disturbed ground, specifically round firepits that were in a line in front of what could have been tents. But, that isn't proof. They also found a disturbed rectangle about 10' wide they suspected was a latrine. They had soil samples analysed, and only in the spot, they found traces of mercury. Lewis's notes specified he used that medicine in that vicinity. The conclusion was that the only way that mercury could have been deposited there was in the form of latrine deposits.

 

The same rangers from that State Park rotate to the ranger station at the top of the Lolo pass. If you get there on the day the snow melts off the station roof (which may be in June), they'll have a sale on Lolo souvenirs. Ask them about the warm springs about half way back to Lewiston and Clarkston, a short hike into the woods, but beware of local naturalists bathing sans clothing.

 

It's too bad you're not traveling in an RV; the neat place to stay in Lolo is the Lolo Square Dance Center and Campground. Folks come from miles around on weekends for serious square dancing.