Mid West Trip this Spring / How early can you visit

Looks like I cannot do it then.

If you want to see some notable Midwest points of interest, there are many depending on your route. For example, Lincoln's home and library (Springfield, IL), the Durham Museum (Omaha), etc. Most National Parks and Monuments tend to be historical in nature across the Plains (battle fields, pioneering, Lewis and Clark) until you hit the Black Hills or the Rockies. They are open year-round. What kinds of things are you hoping to see/do? What is your intended route?

April and much of May is affectionately referred to as "mud season" in the mountains of CO. Ski resorts start to close down but it's still pretty snowy in the high country. Your best bet might be the parks of Utah.

Well, if you have to be somewhere else on May 8 and you need 2 weeks before to prepare for the race, you're talking about being in Boulder, CO around mid-April which basically is still winter in the mountains.

For instance, Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park which is near your son is open year-round, mainly for hiking or cross-country skiing now. The campgrounds open May 21, weather permitting. The main road all the way through - Trail Ridge Rd. opens May 22, weather permitting. So you probably won't be able to see that park although you could get to Estes Park, just outside the park.

For mid-April you could maybe first head for Arizona and take in Grand Canyon and then Utah's Zion Nat'l Park and maybe even Arches Nat'l Park but most others would still be iffy, weatherwise. Then visit your son in Boulder, CO and then head home.

You've got a long drive and three weeks is going to go fast. If you're retired, why not do the trip when you don't have other commitments and can take more time?

Most roads are open year round. The thing is, in the high country snow is still fery possible in May. You have to watch the weather. Not a hard thing to do these days.

With a change in altitude there is nothing unusual in going from needing heat in the vehicle to needing the A/C in the space of less than an hours drive.

How early can I go?

We love the area around Ouray, Durango. Ride the train. See the "million dollar highway". Beautiful country. Soak in the mineral pools.

Also the Canyons in Utah (Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion).

The drive from Santa Fe, NM to Pagosa Springs, CO is really nice also. Lots of beautiful things in this area.

Have fun!

Pick some places you want to go and check their web sites for openings. Every one will be different.