Janss wrote:
Sometimes I do long for the olden days when we traveled more simply in the smaller rig, could drive and camp down any forest road, etc.
Sounds like you want to go on this trip without a toad. It is certainly possible. Like DrewE wrote, you just have to plan that way. But there are some sites where parking might be difficult/crowded. You just have to accept that.
I suggest that you take a short camping trip with the family close to home with your new-to-you GMC before you venture across the country....a trip where you go sightseeing each day, to mimic the big road trip.
I would definitely stay at the campground inside the GCNP South Rim....Trailer Village. Make reservations!
I definitely want to do this trip without a toad. It's 38 hours of driving to the first stops, Carlesbad, Grand Canyon, whatever other big attraction in that area.
Then to the East bay where we can rent a car for a few days while we visit family, then to yellowstone.
Then home.
With limited vacation days the contingency if the coach has a problem would be to rent a minivan and finish the trip. I would not want to do that in a Civic.
But i'm getting a lot out of everyone's perspectives. We will do some shakedown trip in the Spring but the west is so much different from here that it's hard to know.
Also, Covid might still be a big factor. If the vaccine is moving along but there still restrictions then i'd want my own car instead of a crowded shuttle bus.
