And February is not great timing for this. The weather still has a good chance to be vile, and outdoors activities will be limited with the dog -- unless the dog skis.
Jani's suggestion of following Route 66 is good, but if you start by going south out of Ontario rather than west (probably a good idea because of weather), it's out of your way to backtrack to Chicago for the start of 66. However, Chicago is an interesting city worth spending some time in, although it's one where the weather at that time is particularly likely to be ugly. Your choice, and one you might want to defer making until the last minute, to see what the weather forecasts are like.
Personally, I'd say zoom the Route 66 itinerary until you get into New Mexico, skipping some of the "authentic" but slow sections and using interstates where possible. Do stop in St. Louis to see, and if feasible ascend, the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is otherwise a relatively uninteresting city (except during baseball season...). Meramec Caverns, one of the attractions recommended on the Rt66 itinerary page, is rather touristified by the standards of show caves, but may be worth a side trip if you've never been in a cave before. Most of the rest of the route through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas is rather so-so.
When you get to New Mexico, scenic opportunities liven up enormously. Follow the alternative routing recommended in that itinerary and get up to Santa Fe (New Mexico), which is a marvelous place to spend a couple of days regardless of time of year. There are all sorts of alternatives there, and the WT guides to the city and towns around it are pretty good (if I do say so myself, having written most of it), so check there and get back to me with any questions.
Beyond there the possibilities proliferate, but I'd definitely try to fit in:
* Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge south of Albuquerque -- vast flocks of sandhill cranes will be there;
* A number of things around Flagstaff, Arizona, with details being weather dependent.
* The Grand Canyon is a short diversion from Flagstaff, and one of those things you've just gotta see. However, conditions will not be optimal for you, between time of year (South Rim trails may be snowbound at the top) and logistical considerations (no dogs on the trails). Still probably worth doing a look-see. Insert an extra night at Flagstaff so you'll have time to do it, or look for lodging at the Canyon itself, although you may be too late for that.
Bill-on-the-Hill
Timing is everything
And February is not great timing for this. The weather still has a good chance to be vile, and outdoors activities will be limited with the dog -- unless the dog skis.
Jani's suggestion of following Route 66 is good, but if you start by going south out of Ontario rather than west (probably a good idea because of weather), it's out of your way to backtrack to Chicago for the start of 66. However, Chicago is an interesting city worth spending some time in, although it's one where the weather at that time is particularly likely to be ugly. Your choice, and one you might want to defer making until the last minute, to see what the weather forecasts are like.
Personally, I'd say zoom the Route 66 itinerary until you get into New Mexico, skipping some of the "authentic" but slow sections and using interstates where possible. Do stop in St. Louis to see, and if feasible ascend, the Gateway Arch. St. Louis is otherwise a relatively uninteresting city (except during baseball season...). Meramec Caverns, one of the attractions recommended on the Rt66 itinerary page, is rather touristified by the standards of show caves, but may be worth a side trip if you've never been in a cave before. Most of the rest of the route through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas is rather so-so.
When you get to New Mexico, scenic opportunities liven up enormously. Follow the alternative routing recommended in that itinerary and get up to Santa Fe (New Mexico), which is a marvelous place to spend a couple of days regardless of time of year. There are all sorts of alternatives there, and the WT guides to the city and towns around it are pretty good (if I do say so myself, having written most of it), so check there and get back to me with any questions.
Beyond there the possibilities proliferate, but I'd definitely try to fit in:
* Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge south of Albuquerque -- vast flocks of sandhill cranes will be there;
* Meteor Crater, near the spectacularly boring town of Winslow (Arizona) -- you could also take a quick pass through Petrified Forest National Park;
* A number of things around Flagstaff, Arizona, with details being weather dependent.
* The Grand Canyon is a short diversion from Flagstaff, and one of those things you've just gotta see. However, conditions will not be optimal for you, between time of year (South Rim trails may be snowbound at the top) and logistical considerations (no dogs on the trails). Still probably worth doing a look-see. Insert an extra night at Flagstaff so you'll have time to do it, or look for lodging at the Canyon itself, although you may be too late for that.
So there are some things to think about.