well well, I've sometimes wondered what you were up to, and if you did end up going back to school. All the best with it btw, I assume you started in the fall so must be part way through this year.
Cant help you at all, dont know that area, like you have done the PCH and some stuff out here in the East (Gaspe peninsula, upper Vermont, NY, NH a bit).
Must be strange for you with the snow being around so much and for so long. We've been through regular jan temps recently (last few years have been warmer,so we've been complacent), so temps of -15 to -25c, but we had a great big dump of snow about 3-4 weeks ago, so cross country skiing was great. That and skating helps with the "stir craziness", but then we grow up with this, so its diff, as the mindset is, well, set. You know what to expect basically and know how to dress for it.
Have fun coming up with a summer trip, I wonder if you will be underwhelmed by places after your other trips. Guess you'll just have to find out.
I might do Montreal-Boston this summer (about a week) but have to figure out when it can be fit in the family schedule, work and other stuff.

all the best with your courses.
cheers