> We are also looking for suggestions of things to see on the way out there.

Unfortunately, nobody can give a meaningful answer to this question -- even though some will inevitably try -- unless we have some idea WHAT you would like to see. Something WE might find fascinating, would bore YOU completely to tears. Or be outside your budget. Or be inappropriate given your style of traveling.

We can't tell you WHERE to find something unless we know WHAT it is you're looking for!

You're right. I will try to give you more details:

We love the outdoors. I am an athletic person and like to be busy. I also spent a semester in France so I am very interested in sight seeing (For example, I have never been to the grand canyon, something we are looking into seeing on our way back from Santa Barbara).

I love mountains - hiking, bike riding, and just enjoying the sites. We are looking into staying at a hotel around the Denver area or just past it, but would love suggestions on where to stay.

To narrow down things that might not be as interesting I would say I am not a big history buff. I am pretty easy to entertain, however, and have enjoyed many trips to the historic east coast.

As it is a mother-daughter pair we are looking for enjoyable night-life in terms of dining out, rather than bars and dance clubs.

I guess I would love any ideas on cute towns to stay in, explore, or any must-see nature stops on the way to make our drive interesting! We are not necessarily looking for a vacation on the way, but a great driving experience.

The Hoover Dam just outside Las Vegas is absolutely incredible... historical and amazing. The artwork is unexpected and quite impressive...if you are in the area, I'd spend a few hours there!

Don't stay in Denver. Find someplace in Golden, or better yet - Idaho Springs. The next morning get up and take the road from Idaho Springs to the top of 14,264 foot Mt. Evans. Actually, the road takes you to a parking lot that is about 150 vertical feet below the summit and you have to hike a relatively easy switchback path to the summit. If you're in good physical condition, try jogging that path and see what altitude does to your stamina - yet you'll probably notice just walking it. From the top you can see Longs Peak (14,259 ft and the mountain depicted on the Colorado quarter) in Rocky Mountain National Park to the north; Pikes Peak (14,115 ft) to the south; to the west, Gray's Peak (14,270 ft) and Torrey's Peak (14,267 ft) side by side the two highest points on the continental divide in the U.S.; and on a clear day in early summer, in the distance beyond Gray's & Torrey's you can see the distinctive white snowfield cross of the Mount of the Holy Cross (14,005 ft) near Vail.

A $10 per car fee is collected at a station near Echo Lake, unless you are already the holder of one of several passes (see http://www.mountevans.com/Mount-Evans-PlanningAccessFees.HTML) - in which case access is free.

If you take I 70 through Colorado into Utah, you could go south on 191 and visit Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. If your mom is old enough (62) she can get a senior pass into the parks for $10 which lets everyone in her car into all the parks for free for the rest of her life. If she is too young then get an annual park pass at your firs park, costs more but is good for a year for all the National Parks. It will be hot in these parks, but even the view from the air conditioned car will be fantastic if the heat bothers you.

You might want to visit Mesa Verde in Colorado also, south and east a bit from Arches. If you can wander a little, drop down from here to New Mexico and check out Bandelier NM (cooler here as it is in the mountains. If there is time, go over to Santa Fe then down to Albuquerque and pick up I 40 for the trip west to Grand Canyon. Lots to se in Santa Fe and ABQ. Just off 40 there are plenty of things to see like Acoma Pueblo, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest. If you enter Grand Canyon from the east (up 89 then west on 64) you will go by Wupatki ruin on 89 and have fantastic places to view the canyon along 64.

Have a fantastic trip and enjoy the time with your mom. If you click my name you will find some trip reports on the CO, NM, UT, AZ area with links to pictures if that will help you decide if an area is something you might like to see.

Since you like the outdoors, try to visit as many national parks as you can. Rocky Mountain, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree are all possible on this jaunt. Be aware that the desert parks will be uncomfortably hot during the summer, so don't overdo it.

If you have an day to spare in the Santa Barbara area, take the boat ride out to the Channel Islands.

If you have an day to spare in the Santa Barbara area, take the boat ride out to the Channel Islands.
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EXCELLENT idea! I'd recommend Anacapa for a day trip if your Mom is in good health. There are a lot of steps to climb when you arrive by boat to get to the top. It's really beautiful there. I've also camped on Santa Cruz which is lovely also, but Anacapa is a gem. And you won't find clear crystal aqua water anywhere in CA. like you will there.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas are among the major attractions that are on or near your likely routing. Too bad it gets pretty hot in some of the places in July.