Wow you guys have given me a ton to think about! I'm going to be busy the next week just researching all you've told me thus far. Thank you!
I admit to my southeastern weather "calibration" and that it is nothing like these places I'm thinking about. Around here, Sept is still really hot and Oct is best for being outside (IMHO).
Maybe we need to start earlier and go a bit north (CO) and then end at the GC. But I do see the recommendations to start there first. Will see what I can work out.
We are also big road and mountain bike riders and I expect by then the kids will be into trail riding with us. Moab or something like that would be on the list.
I'm glad no one said I'm crazy for trying to do this in 4 weeks. I would like to leave Yellowstone and Tetons for another trip. Hopefully in the years to come we get acclimated to longer trips on the road together and have some know-how going in. Right now our longest time on the road is 10 days, but that's staying in one or two places in the 5er. I'm sure exploring in a TC or class C will take some adjustment.
Next year or so I plan to get an older TC for my current truck to test the waters... a few weekend trips together to see how we take to the wandering side of RVing. Fingers crossed that it will lay the groundwork for a bigger rig and travels.
The railroad is a great suggestion. I've always loved trains and my youngest (boy) can't get enough of them either. Will take a look.
Many years ago my parents took my brother and I on an Amtrak tour from VA to San Fran and then back from LA on the southern route. What we saw from the train is still vivid in my mind 30 years later. Here's hoping I can do the same for ours and get out there a bit too.
