Mapping, mapping, plotting, mapping...

[jaybird]

Who needs a GPS when you have a stack of state maps and an orange highlighter? Absolute shortest distance possible, 4782 miles. Factoring in that we aren't taking the shortest route anywhere except the last leg home... We'll easily break 6000 miles. Should we try for maybe 7? ~grin~ We'll be on interstate as little as possible after we get to our first stop in Grand Island NE enroute to SD.

-Columbia IL to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore, Badlands etc.
-Then to Devil's Tower and Yellowstone/Grand Teton.
-From there, on to Glacier National Park.
-Then straight through Idaho to Utah and a couple days in SLC.
-SLC to Bryce Canyon and around there a couple more days.
-Carbondale CO to Colorado Springs to Boulder and Estes Park via the Peak to Peak. Actually don't have the last 3 days planned out yet...

Suggestions? In '09 we did Rocky Mtn NP, Breckenridge area, Black Canyon, Mesa Verde, Royal Gorge etc. Thought about Steamboat Springs, but not sure there's enough to keep me busy there for 3 days...

 

[DART]

Curious...do you & dahubby use B&B's, motels, hotels, tents??? You will be out a long time with limited luggage, I would think. How do you handle the logistics of clean clothes w/o cutting into your tourist time?

 

[jaybird]

I use vrbo.com and priceline exclusively. Not a fan of B&Bs, although I've never stayed in one. I've had awesome luck and houses using vrbo, although this year it's working out that we're staying in motels except for one stretch in Glenwood Springs/Carbondale area. Have a friend that gets me ridiculous rates with priceline. Like Marriotts in Colorado Springs for $39 a night... Right now, my lodging for the entire trip is averaged out at $62and some cents.

Anyway. Last trip we had laundry facilities at the condo in Breckenridge, and all 3 houses we rented, spaced out perfectly. Unless 2-3 of these hotels have a laundry, I'm going to be spending an hour or so at a laundromat this trip. Unless we buy a trailer real quick...