Last year we went from So Cal to Flagstaff, up to Cortez (four corners Mesa Verde
http://www.mesa.verde.national-park.com/), across the 160 over the CD and up the 285 to the 24 east to Manitau Springs, up the 25 to Aurora to campout with friends at Cherry Creek, then we headed up the 76 to Sydney, NE (checked out Cabelas, a must see if near), took the 80 to Minden, NE (Harold Warps museum
http://www.pioneervillage.org/), headed to Des Moines, IA (daughter, grandaughter, SIL), Back west through SD (Mitchell, Badlands, see avatar, Wall, Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood), SW to Vernal, UT, Across through SLC to Ely, NV, down through, Tonapah, into Bishop, CA kicked back in the hot springs....very nice.....then down to So Ca.
The trip was 5 weeks, 6000+ miles, lots of wandering, and just a lot of fun. We had met some of the friendliest folks in the midwest you would ever want to know. Can't wait to get out and do another journey like that! We always make a big circle...never out and back.
Yes we have a beautiful country and there is so much to see.
Mike