kb36 wrote:
For example what is the best way through Chicago? Or should we go through the U.P.?
From Cadillac you're midway in Michigan and I'd suggest taking the UP route.
Day 1 (Aug 6): Leave Cadillac around 6am & drive south around Chicago and stop for the night around Madison WI (423 miles).
Day 2 (Aug 7): Leave Madison WI around 7 am & stop for the night around Sioux Falls SD. (431 miles)
Day 3 (Aug 8): Leave Sioux Falls SD around 7am & head to Custer State Park SD to camp. (365 miles.)
You have three days to get to Custer. I'd add one more.
Day 4 (Aug 9): Stay at Custer state park and tour Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer state park.
Day 5 (Aug 10): leave Custer around 8 am & head to Cody making a pit stop at Devils Tower. Stop and camp for the night in Cody. (379 miles).
Day 6 (Aug 11): Thinking of getting a slow start and see some sights/attractions around Cody. Then head to Yellowstone by way of 14 and arriving by the eastern entrance to Fishing Bridge to camp. (77 miles)
That's a lot of touring for three days...need to add more time.
Day 7-14 (Aug 12-19): Camp at Fishing bridge and drive the truck around Yellowstone to see everything. Exact itinerary for our stay is still to be determined.
Five days would be sufficient since you want to make other stops. Add some time to others. The Tetons have much better and prettier hiking trails of all abilities to neat little lakes.
Day 14-16 (Aug 19-21): Leave Yellowstone and head to Grand Teton. Camp for 2 days in the park.
Other questions-Should we bother to bring things like bikes or Kayaks? Or will we not get enough use out of them to make it worth our while to haul them?
[COLOR=]The only reasonable place to ride bikes would be in Grand Teton Nat'l Park. Definitely don't try it in Yellowstone - too much traffic and bison in the roads. :) You could also use kayaks in the Tetons but are they worth hauling? Float trips are readily available.
