What to visit with my 90 year old parents on their last long road trip?

[Pester]

My parents are in their 90’s and in good enough health to make a road trip from Sacramento to Rapid City SD for a family reunion. My father has dementia so 5-6 hours in the car is near the max and air travel is out of the question.

I have Sacramento to Boise planned so your help on Boise to Rapid City would be greatly appreciated. Some light walking would ok with most of it viewed from the car. A different return route would be ok also.

For those that know those areas any input is appreciated.

 

[eflyguy]

Yellowstone? Glacier National?

Neither are direct but well worth the diversion.

Of all the trips I've taken, those were a couple of the most memorable. We did a lot of fly fishing out there and the days spent driving in ID, WY, MT were memorable.

 

[Marinevet1]

Devils Tower, Custer's Monument, Mt. Rushmore........quite a ways further east, but the Badlands is a cool trip....

 

[SRW]

Rushmore and Crazy Horse aren't far from Rapid City.

 

[Pester]

Thanks……
I got them to Glacier 2 years ago and I think Yellowstone might be a bit out of range.

I like the idea of Devils Tower. My guess is most of that trip between Boise and Rapid will be pretty. Just hoping to find a little gem to make it fun for them.

Thanks again…..

 

[ArTeeKay]

Depends what route you're taking, but you could go through a bit of Yellowstone without very much extra driving at all. It's a beautiful area, the only trouble is it's coming into tourist season here really quickly, and that sort of puts a damper on enjoying it for me anyways.

In any case, I'd say the detour would be well worth it. Come through Livingston by way of Idaho Falls and West Yellowstone from Boise. I can send more specifics on that route if you'd be interested.

 

[UKDslayer]

You are so blessed to be able to do this with them.

 

[Marinevet1]

If you get to Yellowstone, got to check out Cody...........cool place....

 

[Hobo Hilton]

Easy access, climate controlled, handicap access...

Whitney Western Art Museum

WHITNEY WESTERN ART MUSEUM A world-class collection of western art on the road to Yellowstone. View timeless works of Remington and Russell, relax and reflect, and learn how art shaped […]

centerofthewest.org

 

[Makinchips208]

Tetons

 

[The D]

At least drive through Yellowstone, The Tetons, & Glacier

 

[akmike47]

Take him to the titty bar, he deserves it.

 

[hankpac]

Talk to his Doctor. He is going to need to be medicated (other than his usual meds) due to the constantly changing and unfamiliar surroundings. I don't mean constantly zonked and unconcious, but something to keep him from getting severe anxiety and disorientation. He is going to go from his routine to sitting in the car for 6-10 hours a day (depending on your driving habits). Be REALLY sure you have your seats protected, and have the adult underpants thing dialed WAY under control, You might imagine a car with a diaper odor from little kids is bad, but an incontinent adult is no laughing matter. For his own comfort and dignity, look into this with his doctor. This is not your 90 year old Mom's job to take care of him on the road, it will be YOURS. Good luck.

 

[pmclaine]

Go to the Bear sanctuary in South Dakota. Bear country or something like that. Its a safari ride with bears just outside your car door. Other animals too.

My MIL is dementia affected living with us now she loves the animals.

You could also do Mt Rushmore...they are from ageneration that would appreciate it. Go at night for the lazer show, if they have fireworks though that may be too much.

 

[akmike47]

Go to the Bear sanctuary in South Dakota. Bear country or something like that. Its a safari ride with bears just outside your car door. Other animals too.

My MIL is dementia affected living with us now she loves the animals.

You could also do Mt Rushmore...they are from ageneration that would appreciate it. Go at night for the lazer show, if they have fireworks though that may be too much.

Make sure the child locks are on for that first part obviously

 

[supercorndogs]

No inputs here, other than that is awesome. We just had my Granny's 100th birthday party today. Crazy amount of change in the world since 1922. Lots of of change since she was the ripe young age of 90 for that matter. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Pester]

Thanks folks for the input, support and guidance. It’s helpful and appreciated.

I am indeed blessed to be able spend time with both of them.

Hankpac, thanks for the input and I agree with the disorientation. When the dementia set in my mom spent a lot of time with specialists. She has managed to keep going between houses with each being almost 6 hours apart multiple times a year. That part I think we are pretty good with however your advice is good to be prepared.
Pmcaine, thanks for the bear advice. I think he would like that.
I will start looking into how I can tie in the Tetons, Yellowstone Cody etc.
ArTeeKay, I may ask for more input since it sounds like you have a good knowledge of that general area.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[akmike47]

Thanks folks for the input, support and guidance. It’s helpful and appreciated.

I am indeed blessed to be able spend time with both of them.

Hankpac, thanks for the input and I agree with the disorientation. When the dementia set in my mom spent a lot of time with specialists. She has managed to keep going between houses with each being almost 6 hours apart multiple times a year. That part I think we are pretty good with however your advice is good to be prepared.
Pmcaine, thanks for the bear advice. I think he would like that.
I will start looking into how I can tie in the Tetons, Yellowstone Cody etc.
ArTeeKay, I may ask for more input since it sounds like you have a good knowledge of that general area.

Thanks again to everyone!

Pfft, just ignore my suggestion...

 

[pmclaine]

It was one of the highlight days of our trip....

Drive-Through Wildlife Park | Rapid City, SD | Bear Country USA

Nestled over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers visitors intimate views of most North American mammals.

www.bearcountryusa.com

We did Rushmore that night. They did a flag raising ceremony and invited anyone that had been in the mil down. I was going to sit it out but my kids and wife said "go, go".

Glad I did. It was cool to help raise the flag in front of Rushmore.

 

[chevy_man]

Boise back to Yellowstone is kinda out of the way.

Yellowstone is already busy as hell and they just started road construction on the Gardner highway. Part of the loop road is closed (from Roosevelt Lodge to canyon junction) so the traffic is that much worse.


You could do the loop from West to Mammoth to the Lamar valley and then leave via Cooke City and go through the pass without too much frustration. The buffalo are generally in the valley.


Custer battlefield by Billings could be a good stop.

Black hills have all sorts of stuff. I've driven by it so many times and yet I can't remember a thing right now. Rushmore was cool for about 15 minutes and then I was just disappointed at everything I couldn't explore.

 

[Pester]

Take him to the titty bar, he deserves it.

And can you imagine how his stories of being an artillery instructor would sound there?!?!?

“Well ma’am, I spent too much time with young recruits, in the middle of summer, showing them how to clean, prep, aim and shoot their own big Howitzer.”

Nope. Ain’t gonna do it.

 

[akmike47]

And can you imagine how his stories of being an artillery instructor would sound there?!?!?

“Well ma’am, I spent too much time with young recruits, in the middle of summer, showing them how to clean, prep, aim and shoot their own big Howitzer.”

Nope. Ain’t gonna do it.

I've never been to one, my grandpa is in his 90s and isn't the type, my grandma would be pissed, but I'd damn sure take him if he asked

He could tell them all about Shooting at North Koreans and sound ranging.

 

[ArTeeKay]

@chevy_man basically already covered my thoughts, so I'll second what he said. I didn't realize there was road construction going on, so before you go, it might be worth a check to see what roads are affected, and go the long way around.

I'll also agree that Little Bighorn is worth a stop if you're going that way. It's a pretty interesting, if slightly dark piece of history that doesn't quite get the attention it deserves in most people's education.

 

[norcalAF]

Check out orofino Idaho. It's a beautiful little town.

 

[Maggot]

It was one of the highlight days of our trip....

Drive-Through Wildlife Park | Rapid City, SD | Bear Country USA

Nestled over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers visitors intimate views of most North American mammals.

www.bearcountryusa.com

We did Rushmore that night. They did a flag raising ceremony and invited anyone that had been in the mil down. I was going to sit it our but my kids and wife said "go, go".

Glad I did. It was cool to help raise the flag in front of Rushmore.

And RE: your mom with dementia.

I feel for you, I watched my mom suffer for several years with dementia, not a nice outcome. Best of luck with that. I hope that if I ever come down with that I have the sense to eat a bullet before losing the ability to.

 

[pmclaine]

If you do the custer battlefield keep in mind you are exposed to whatever weather is there and to really understand it/get a good look you need to walk the terrain.

The dirtiest gas station I have ever been in in my life is right there otherwise facilities in the park are typical NPS. Kind of a let down the museum doesnt display more.

The value of that park is being able to be mobile and walking where the combatants did.

 

[Average guy]

Depending on route highway 14 across the bighorns is beautiful. Shell canyon is really cool. Sheridan Wyoming is cool to check out, good lodging and dining. Black Hills are full of stuff. Custer state park. A drive through the Needles. Crazy horse. Mt Rushmore. Further east than Rapid City there’s a preserved Minute Man 2 nuclear missle silo you can tour. Devils tower is definitely worth the trip. It’s a very pretty drive from Moorcroft WY to Devil’s Tower, then loop back to I 90.

 

[Pester]

Ok. So here is my more refined plan for the trip to Rapid City so any input is appreciated...

Boise head SE on 84 to Mountain Home then to Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls NE on 26/89 up through the Teton/Yellowstone and then on out to Cody.
Cody E on 14/90 out to Gillette
Gillette E to Custer

This would allow us to revisit the Tetons and Yellowstone. It would let us see Sheridan, shell Canyon(is that near Shell Wy?),

Livingston and Red Lodge would be great but I think those are a bit further out than we can manage. It would be great to get up through the area that Chevy_Man recommends. Again, just not sure we can swing that.

It seems as if Tetons/Yellowstone may be tough at the end of June. What do I need to be aware of with roads and delays if I take that way? Is it 14 down along the lake that is being worked on?

Again,
thanks to all for the help.

 

[n2ishun]

Dude.
Wall Drug.
Look it up, old folks dig that shit.
Great buffalo burgers too.

 

[Redmanss]

Tag, I’ll be back in the morning with some good tips, I used to live on the edge of the Black Hills.

 

[powdahound76]

You are so blessed to be able to do this with them.

And seems like the parents are blessed with a great child.

Even though the OP is clearly older, its a lotta work and undertaking, money, and time to do this.
Just makes me happy to see folks putting in the work to take care of our “olds”.

Best wishes and prayers for your trip.



Side note that is good stuff.
A good friend of mine recently visited his parents for several days and took his dog. His father has dementia too, and in his younger days always had a hunting dog.
Robert said he would sit with the dog for hours, inside or on the porch, and talk about 40-50 yr old stories of great hunts and his bouts with agitation that are daily were just gone.
Even on Facetime he tells the dog “I love you!!!”

 

[Pester]

And seems like the parents are blessed with a great child.

Even though the OP is clearly older, its a lotta work and undertaking, money, and time to do this.
Just makes me happy to see folks putting in the work to take care of our “olds”.

Best wishes and prayers for your trip.



Side note that is good stuff.
A good friend of mine recently visited his parents for several days and took his dog. His father has dementia too, and in his younger days always had a hunting dog.
Robert said he would sit with the dog for hours, inside or on the porch, and talk about 40-50 yr old stories of great hunts and his bouts with agitation that are daily were just gone.
Even on Facetime he tells the dog “I love you!!!”

Thank you sir. Not sure I think of doing this as something special but then I have always felt I have a debt of gratitude to my parents that will be difficult to repay. Not wanting to get into a big philosophical discussion here...... Good parents take care of their kids for many many years when the kids cant take care of themselves. Seems only fair that kids to the same for their parents when the time requires it.

And selfishly staying involved with my parents helps me better understand what my life may be like in the not too distant future. I would always prefer to learn a lesson by watching what others go through rather than learn it the hard way on my own.

Thanks again for all the help.