Above is my proposed route to Bozeman from Arlington (The “D” stub off to McCall is a red herring to get Google Maps to route properly – no plans to actually go over to McCall, though I hear it is great.) The idea is to have a stop in Moses Lake (a semi-work-related business visit) then aim for Walla Walla (wine country!) for a late lunch/early dinner. Then beeline (if that term even applies!) for Hell’s Canyon via the amazing Wallowa Valley. Might spend the night in Enterprise… we’ll see. The roads between Joseph and US 12 in mid-Idaho are a complete, yet compelling mystery to me, hence my strong desire for this extreme south loop while heading east. LOTS of mountain driving and twisty roads! While I despise Interstate driving, you’ll note that I’m happy to drive the Autobahn from Missoula to Bozeman. Partially due to the lack of alternatives, but mostly because I-90 through Montana is likely the best stretch of Interstate in America. As close to the Autobahn as you’ll get.
The Hell’s Canyon segment might get dropped in favor of a straight shot on US 12 east… we’ll see.
Mark arrives tomorrow at Sea-Tac around noon.
have fun Chuck… remember to drive economically now as you have to pay for the fuel in the Jag remember! 🙂
Jerome
And luckily, very little I-90 work being done in the west half of the state. I do seem to recall some minor work happening after Bozeman, but it was one of the better times I’ve been on that road. It was nice to stretch the legs a little bit in the Magnum.
Have fun!