Wow, such an awesome question! * The road in Iowa that hugs the Mississippi is quite a nice relaxing drive relative to the Interstates. A good break. * In th

Wow, such an awesome question! * The road in Iowa that hugs the Mississippi is quite a nice relaxing drive relative to the Interstates. A good break. * In the SD/WY area I90 is a much nicer road than I80. * The camping/hiking in the Black Hills of SD is awesome. Be sure to drive Needles highway. Be aware of the timing of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally if you head toward the Black Hills. * I recommend camping at Devil's Tower in Wyoming. There is something special about that place. * Stop in Red Lodge Montana and then cross the continental divide on Beartooth Highway-- amazing drive and it will take you into Yellowstone. * There is lift accessible skiing year-round (minus two weeks of maintenance time) at Mt. Hood in Oregon. * There is some awesome camping at Pt. Reyes in Marin county north of SF. You'll need backcountry camping gear though as the sites are a mile or two away from the parking. * Eat at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. This is where Alice Waters originated California Cuisine. It is special and delicious. * Santa Cruz, Monterrey and Big Sur are all worth your time. I'd say much more deserving of your time than Sacramento is. Eat at Nepenthe in Big Sur. * If you are out by Yosemite/Mammoth research hot springs in which you can soak. * Despite the anti-Boulder sentiment I sometimes perceive here I think it's a great town and worth spending some time. * If you take I80 and pass by Laramie let me know I can tell you a lot of cool things about Laramie and the surrounding countryside. Good luck and have fun!