Going to need help!

[Godsey97]

I hope I didn't make a mistake by opening my mouth too soon...:)

Next year is our son's senior year and our last summer together before he heads off to college/miltary/life.:(

I suggested a 3-4 week trip from Ohio to the west coast and back. I joked that we could stop along the way and see the "Worlds biggest ball of Twine" etc. He decided it was a great idea. We have vacationed many times on the east coast and they have played in the Atlantic Ocean now they can play in the Pacific Ocean.

I know it seems far off, but I want to make it special andmake sure I get resi's wher I need them and we don't miss out on some magic because I waited too late to book something.

I am open to ideas as to what not to miss and where to stay away from. We were thinking heading our west on the south side and returning on the north side but could flip as we have nothing booked yet.

Trip will be month of June or mid-June to mid-July.

Any of you seasoned veterans got some help for me?


Thanks, in advance.

[SBradley]

Yellowstone National Park - Centrally locate yourself Canyon Village near Yellowstone Grand Canyon, see it in the morning early or late in the evening for the colors on the rock.
Head out in any direction See Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot springs (Elk roaming the streets), check out the wild life as you travel through the park. There are many hikes off the roads to see something other than the cars in front of you. We like Yellowstone for the wild life and the geology. Someone fishing on one side of the highway while the water on the other side is boiling.

Grand Tetons - long drive not to sure I would make that trip if not climbing. We didn't see all that much wild life. Unless you are coming from Jackson Hole.

[SBradley]

If I were trying to visit National parks I would prioritize other wise you will be missing so much, you just can't see these parks from the road.

Zion is our favorite National Park, Bryce is second, then Arches all in Utah. Canyon Lands is so big you would need a week to get into the back country. There are multiple state parks you will be missing. All the parks will be busy, Moab during that time of year is over run with tourist.

To enjoy Zion you need at least 4 days, if you are going to hike; even then you will only be able to hike 6 or 7 of the hikes in the main valley. We believe Zion deserves at least a week, the Subway is fantastic. To hike the Kolob side you would need at least another day.
If you can't stay long in June, hike Angel Landing early in the morning before it gets hot, and the Narrows in the afternoon there is usually some wind to help cool you off.
Check out:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&sqi=2&ved=0CD4QFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.citrusmilo.com%2Fzionguide%2Flowersubway.cfm&ei=rX4oVb6TENL8oATJ8YHYCQ&usg=AFQjCNHHDBqUueVkr-NNUVa8-mi0zGTpKA&bvm=bv.90491159,d.cGU

Bryce at least 2 days anything less and you are just looking from the rim.
Try Fairyland Loop, combined with Queens Garden, many of the trails can be combined, if you are in reasonable condition they won't be that difficult. Take lots of sun screen, water, hat, and snack you are at altitude, sun is very strong.

Arches - Fiery Furnace Tour is fun but requires an advance ticket. You can do a quick trip through Arches, you won't see all the Arches but some spectacular rock formations near the road system. Hiking to most of the Arches away from the road system is in sand so plan on working hard take lots of water.

We usually visit National parks off season to avoid the crowds. These parks are very popular during the time you plan to be there take your time don't get to frustrated.

Gand Canyon flight tour will let you see more than the rim visit.

[Godsey97]

Keep the suggestions coming. I realized more and more each day that we are going to have to be selective of what we see. I plan on having him look at your responses as well and do some research. It is "his" trip and I think he should have the final say on what he really wants to see and do.

[4runnerguy]

2gypsies wrote:
I really like this itinerary. You will be doing your trip in a very hot time for the southern route. This one will give you much cooler temperatures.

When I suggested my route, I simply created a circular route seeing the highlights as they have one last chance to show their college-bound son the west. Plus, they mentioned playing in the Pacific and the further north one goes, the less likely that would be as much fun. Yes, as I noted June is warm in the SW, hence my picks of Mesa Verde (8000') North Rim of the GC (6800') and Zion, which while lower in elevation, offers a hike up Zion Narrows which is comfortably cool even on the hottest days.

Although with only four weeks, there's going to be a lot of rethinking about what they can accomplish in such a short time. If they can accept wading in the Pacific rather than the full body experience, then head to Glacier NP to Mt. Rainier to the Columbia River and to the Pacific Ocean. This will allow you to drive south on the OR coast, the better direction. Head south to the Redwoods, then back up to Crater Lake before heading back east to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and then the Black Hills on your way home. This would be a fun filled but very packed itinerary if the OP is limited to four weeks. It's three to four days just to get from OH to the front of the Rocky Mountain. After all, it's nearly 2000 miles just to get to Glacier NP on the way out. So nearly one week of the vacation is getting across the middle of this country.

[2gypsies1]

sdianel wrote:
I also would concentrate on the big things on the west coast and either north or south. We took the north and saw: Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier National Park, Northern California and the redwood trees, the Oregon coast, Mount St Helens, Crater Lake. It will also be much cooler in the northwest than southwest. I would narrow it to the top things you want to see then decide north or south. In the south, Grand Canyon, Yosemite are must sees. Don't think you can see it all in 3-4 weeks.

I really like this itinerary. You will be doing your trip in a very hot time for the southern route. This one will give you much cooler temperatures.

[rockhillmanor]

Next year is our son's senior year and our last summer together before he heads off to college/miltary/life......I suggested a 3-4 week trip from Ohio to the west coast and back....
He decided it was a great idea.

OMG, you got a teenager to agree to go on a vacation with his parents. You are the LUCKIEST parents in the world!

Just get into that RV and drive......and enjoy each and every moment with your son. :C

[Godsey97]

Thanks for the advice. I know that 4 weeks is not enough to see it all and we will have to triage what we want to see and what will be those "life moments". You all have already given me some great ideas. RV'ers are truly the most giving and real people you will ever meet. The thing that draws us to this lifestyle is the fact that there are no prejudices. If you roll up in a $500,000.00 pusher or a used pop-up we are all campers and nobody comes off better than anyone else. And everyone is more than ready to help their fellow road warrior.

[DrewE]

If you're interested in going down route 1 in California, you have better views going north to south than vice-versa. (Well, your passengers have better views; your views of the road are more or less the same.)

If you're interested in oddities somewhat like the largest ball of twine, definitely check out the St Louis City Museum. Lots of fun for people who like to explore and climb around and see unusual things.

The Hoover Dam tour is interesting, or at least it was very much so a couple dozen years ago. I assume it's still available despite somewhat tightened security.

Visiting Las Vegas is an experience if you haven't done it before. I'm not suggesting you try to strike it rich, but the ambiance and buffets and shows and such make for a unique place.

Yellowstone and Yosemite and the Tetons are fantastic.

[TOMMY47]

National Parks accept reservations 6 months in advance. If you reserve 5 1/2 -6 months early, You should have no trouble getting a spot.
In January--February, I got Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Olympic, North Cascades, Mt Ranier with no problem for this summer. Got 6 nights at Zion over the 4th of July easily.

[TyroneandGladys]

djsamuel wrote:

4runnerguy wrote:
How about heading out on a southern route and hit the NP's around the four corners area, then to the coast. The ruins of Mesa Verde, the Grand Canyon, and Zion would be my pick three parks with your limited time. Maybe a ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. This will take you into some unbelievable spectacular scenery unlike anything you may have seen before. It will already be quite warm in June in southern UT, but the parks there are almost otherworldly.

This would be an amazing trip. While at Mesa Verde and Durango, maybe add Moab, UT to see Arches and Canyonlands National Parks with a drive through Monument Valley to the South rim of the Grand Canyon. That would make Zion tough, but all would be great.

X3 and stop on the way to these amazing places Bents Old Fort

[djsamuel]

4runnerguy wrote:
How about heading out on a southern route and hit the NP's around the four corners area, then to the coast. The ruins of Mesa Verde, the Grand Canyon, and Zion would be my pick three parks with your limited time. Maybe a ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. This will take you into some unbelievable spectacular scenery unlike anything you may have seen before. It will already be quite warm in June in southern UT, but the parks there are almost otherworldly.

This would be an amazing trip. While at Mesa Verde and Durango, maybe add Moab, UT to see Arches and Canyonlands National Parks with a drive through Monument Valley to the South rim of the Grand Canyon. That would make Zion tough, but all would be great.

[TyroneandGladys]

If you plan to stay at a spot on the Pacific Ocean you need to call and reserve now and even now it could be to late IMHO.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

I also would concentrate on the big things on the west coast and either north or south. We took the north and saw: Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier National Park, Northern California and the redwood trees, the Oregon coast, Mount St Helens, Crater Lake. It will also be much cooler in the northwest than southwest. I would narrow it to the top things you want to see then decide north or south. In the south, Grand Canyon, Yosemite are must sees. Don't think you can see it all in 3-4 weeks.

[4runnerguy]

While a month may seem like a long trip, getting from OH to the Pacific is a major undertaking. There's so much to see along the way. Is it possible to get six weeks for this adventure?

Personally I'd skip the Largest Ball of Twine and other such stops and instead plan on visiting some of the great National Parks in the west. When you stop and visit places like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake NP's, etc., you'll be experiencing terrains unlike anything you've visited on your trips to the Atlantic Coast.

How about heading out on a southern route and hit the NP's around the four corners area, then to the coast. The ruins of Mesa Verde, the Grand Canyon, and Zion would be my pick three parks with your limited time. Maybe a ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. This will take you into some unbelievable spectacular scenery unlike anything you may have seen before. It will already be quite warm in June in southern UT, but the parks there are almost otherworldly.

I'm not sure where along the coast you had in mind, but realize that for many of the "warm" water beaches of southern CA, traffic and parking make visiting in an RV a difficult and stressful event. You might be better to visit the Pacific Ocean north of SF, either northern CA or OR. Colder water means laying on the beach can be OK, but most of the time, swimming is for those more manly (or younger) than me (wading is OK, esp. when you get to OR and can explore some marvelous tidepools). Amazing scenery and some lighthouses along the OR coast give many opportunities to sightsee and explore.

Maybe head as far north along the coast as the Columbia River and start back east though the Gorge. Maybe a detour to Mt. St. Helens and/or Mt. Rainier. On the way back east, you can visit Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. With enough time, you could even head north to Glacier NP. By taking the northern route home, you'll be in the cooler parts of the country during the warmest part of your trip.

Just remember, you can't see it all with such a limited time. Select those NP's that hold the most interest for you and spend a little time in each to better explore them. Better that than spending every day looking through the windshield of you vehicle, going from place to place.