I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your close friend/relative. Its a difficult thing to deal with
and life is such a fragile balance.
I wish you the best of luck on your trip, I'm very jealous
For your route, if you choose to head diagonally down so your route takes you kinda through the south tip of colorado. I would highly recommend visiting Moab Utah, the grand canyon, zion national park utah, the hoover dam, Las vegas, etc.
If you choose to ride along the north through the dakotas, etc. Check out yellowston national park, sunvalley idaho, bend oregon, the owyhee canyon idaho, hells canyon idaho, then the whole highway 101 from oregon south to mexico is gorgeous and filled with lots of cozy little sea side towns.
If you choose to come this way through the PNW send me a PM and I can help you with the route and I would be more than happy to provide a place to stay for a night or two.
