Trip to Northwest

Also, drive the North Cascades Highway aka 20 through the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake Recreational Area. It is waaay different from Louisiana.

As a Montanan, I might recommend heading up through MT and over from there. Sept is the very best time to hit Yellowstone/Tetons... If you hit that sweet spot after the seventh to about the 15th, all the facilities are still staffed but the people are gone and the staff are relaxed and friendly and stuff is on sale... The trip north from there is very nice also through Missoula Spokane/Cour d lene (sic/hate french) and over. Avoid Seattle like the plague and that includes anywhere within a hundred miles but you may have no choice and consider the Olympic Peninsula... September may be the best month of the year to travel...

Don't forget Hoover Dam and Lake Tahoe! Get a book on Route 66 and make that (Interstate 40 parallels most of it) part of your trip. Many sections of the old road alignment are still there and a treat to travel on! Grand Canyon Caverns will take you back to the 'good old days' of tourist traps! I'd suggest avoiding going into Oatman AZ from the East side, though. A HUGE, VERY steep downgrade that's scary in a car!

Thanks for the replies.

As a long term Oregonian, I'd say that September is a great month to plan your visit. Weather can be perfect for most of the month...

Just try to arrive after Sept 7.

Weather is still OK and kids are back in school - in my book it's the best time to visit.

Sure will. But get reservations on the coast.

Yes it will work and it will be less congestion in the popular areas. Recover soon!!!