Monday, May 14, 2012

 http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/guides/highway/i90aUS.shtml

Dog Friendly Hotels on Hwy 90

USA Map

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/united_states_wall_2002_us.jpg

http://scenicdakotas.com/sd-mountrushmore.shtml 

The major attractions along I-90 include the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Glacier. Those should take up your 10 days quite nicely. Read all about them and other national parks at the nps.gov website. We will be happy to help you with details once you have a game plan formulated!

For planning purposes, if you simply wanted to drive from Milwaukee to Seattle via I-90, this would be a 4 day drive with no sightseeing except out the windshield.

There are some very cool places to visit slightly off of I-90 in MT, and virtually endless camping opportunities in the National Forests. If your trip is 10 days and 1 way, I have a number of ideas for you.

Oh, and be aware the Beartooth Highway (Red Lodge, MT to Yellowstone) and Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier are likely to be closed in May. Spring comes very late in the northern latitudes and above timberline. A light snowpack could see either or both open by LATE May, but only time will tell if that can happen. Best to assume neither will be available in May.

 A loop you might look at doing is head out to Yellowstone via I-90, stopping at the Badlands/Black Hills in South Dakota. Then Drive up to Glacier, and come back via North Dakota.

That's going to be a good 5 full days of driving (2 days to Yellowstone, 1 day to Glacier, 3 days back), leaving you 5 days to explore all those areas - which is a nice balance of driving and seeing some of the best of the Northern Rockies.

Last summer my family took 90 from Wisconsin to Montana, the north entrance to Yellowstone in Gardiner. It was an awesome trip, but tons of driving.. at least 3 full days each way. OI have to say Wyoming was crazy beautiful but when it was all over, I just which we had stayed longer, it felt like we were in the car for 10 days. If you really really like driving for 12 hours a day it will be great, but it gets old fast, especially on the way home! I don't think I could have gone further than Gardiner, I could not sit in the car any longer!

We stopped at Mount Rushmore, it was not nearly as cool as Crazy horse though, don't skip out on the Crazy Horse monument! 

http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm

Other ideas (some repeats)

Black Hills, Yellowstone, Glacier, Hells Canyon, Mt. Rainier, and North Cascades, among other worthwhile places.

On I-90, I'd get off at Ellensburg and head down to the Yakima Canyon.

Yellowstone not that Pet Friendly------------------

Regarding Pets

 
1. Pets are prohibited in the backcountry and on trails and boardwalks for the following reasons:
  • Yellowstone National Park is a designated natural area where wildlife are free to roam undisturbed. Park visitors should be able to enjoy native wildlife in their natural environment without the disruption of other people's pets.

  • Pets occasionally escape from their owners. Domestic animals generally lack the ability to survive in the wild.

  • Yellowstone is bear country, and domestic animals (especially dogs) and bears are traditionally antagonists. A loose dog can lead a bear directly back to you.

  • There is a strong possibility that your pet could become prey for a bear, coyote, owl, or other predator.

  • There is a possibility of exchange of diseases between domestic animals and wildlife.

  • Thermal areas pose particular hazards to pets. Boiling water in pools and thermal channels can cause severe or fatal burns if your pet decides to take a drink or go for a swim.

2. Pets may accompany you in the front country areas of the park.
This includes any areas within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds. Pets must be kept under physical control at all times - caged, crated, or on a leash not to exceed six feet in length.

3. It is prohibited to leave a pet unattended and tied to an object.
If necessary, pets may remain in your vehicle while you are viewing attractions near roads and parking areas. However, we care about your pet's well being. Be sure to provide sufficient ventilation for its comfort and survival.
Pets running at large may be impounded and the owner charged for the care and feeding of the animal. By law, any domestic animal observed by authorities to be molesting or killing wildlife may be destroyed if necessary for public safety or the protection of wildlife.

4. Pets should leave no traces other than footprints.
The owner is responsible for clean-up and disposal of all pet feces. Please be thoughtful of other visitors as well as your pet.





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