Alfred,
Thanks and that's a great point. I think once we get our house paid off we might consider doing more trips with/without kids but by that point we'd probably have at least one kid driving and that would be a good experience for them to just follow us out in their own vehicle. they won't want to ride out with us if they are driving anyway so you make the great point of this likely being our only trip in the near term anyway so the rental makes perfect sense or even taking my commuter car with us. I love my truck and it is a happy medium on size and I do know that it would handle any mountain pass the west had to offer so I'm feeling much better about the trip after your post! Thanks. One thing is for sure is that we really feel the need to go while our kids are young for at least one trip so here we are! Let the planning/saving begin!