Road trip USA Nat'l parks

Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone Nat'l
parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever I
end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone Nat'l
parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever I
end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days is
doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a few
years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week before we
arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been known to snow
in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book early
and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated parts of
the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles apart.
Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes surprisingly
basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in and out every
day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In Yellowstone there are 3
Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't like to pick one over the
other. That's not to say I recommend any of those 4 - never stayed in any
of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide also
work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them in the
UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each round
trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car. I'd book a
couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm not a fan of
cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in San Francisco is
like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for the day you want to
start driving not the day you arrive - even though you'll be a pedestrian it
will also give you time to acclimatise to traffic on the wrong side.
Public transport is pretty good. Make sure you visit Alactraz - book in
advance. Have a read of their highway code
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are some things
we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via Pinnacles.
Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go north to Twin
Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a stop at
http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From Yellowstone
I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to I80 at Rock
Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain NP for a last
night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You need a minimum of
2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's an absolute minimum.
In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like before dawn) to get into the
prime wildlife spots when the animals are actually about and then go on to
have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East entrance
through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown. The
path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the Flatirons. We
stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within easy reach of both on
foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have time).

On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever
I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days
is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a
few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been
known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated
parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles
apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes
surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in
and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In
Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't
like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I recommend any of
those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them
in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is
different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each
round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car.
I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm
not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in
San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for
the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive - even though
you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to acclimatise to
traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty good. Make sure
you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read of their highway
code http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are
some things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From
Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to
I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain
NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You
need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's
an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like
before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots when the animals are
actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Many, many thanks. I've printed it off. Give me a day or two to digest it
and I might come back with a supplementary question or three.

--
Panawe

On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever
I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days
is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a
few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been
known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated
parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles
apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes
surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in
and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In
Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't
like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I recommend any of
those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them
in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is
different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each
round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car.
I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm
not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in
San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for
the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive - even though
you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to acclimatise to
traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty good. Make sure
you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read of their highway
code http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are
some things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From
Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to
I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain
NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You
need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's
an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like
before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots when the animals are
actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent City,
so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




--
Panawe

On 10/11/2011 3:58 PM, Panawe wrote:
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever
I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days
is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a
few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been
known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated
parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles
apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes
surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in
and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In
Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't
like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I recommend any of
those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them
in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is
different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each
round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car.
I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm
not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in
San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for
the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive - even though
you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to acclimatise to
traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty good. Make sure
you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read of their highway
code http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are
some things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From
Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to
I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain
NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You
need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's
an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like
before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots when the animals are
actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent City,
so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




Take US 20 from Yellowstone west to Arco, Idaho; then US 20/26/93
to/past Craters of the Moon National Monument (stop and climb a cinder
cone); then US 26 west at Shoshone, Idaho to I-84; then I-84 west to
Ontario, Oregon; then US 20 west to Burns, Oregon (overnight first night
in Burns, Oregon); then west on US 20 to Bend, Oregon; then south on US
97 to Oregon route 138; then south on the North Entrance Road to Crater
Lake, around the west side of Crater Lake (you won't believe how
absolutely *blue* it is!) to Oregon route 62; south on 62 to the
intersection with Oregon route 234; west on 234 to I-5; north on I-5 to
exit 55 (only about 10 miles); then US 199 south to Crescent City
(overnight second night in Crescent City).

On Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:15:30 -0400, WJ wrote:

On 10/11/2011 3:58 PM, Panawe wrote:
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay
in hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay
wherever I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the
road over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so
14 days is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're
going to do anything more than spend a night in each of them (which
would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October
a few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has
been known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least
populated parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be
80/90 miles apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive
and sometimes surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the
hassle of driving in and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the
Awanhee. In Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake
and I wouldn't like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I
recommend any of those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting
each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell
them in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each
page/state is different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver -
both routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of
each round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your
car. I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag.
I'm not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like.
Parking in San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book
the car for the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive -
even though you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to
acclimatise to traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty
good. Make sure you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read
of their highway code
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are some
things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see
the aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone.
From Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and
Jackson to I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the
Rocky Mountain NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home
from Denver. You need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in
Yellowstone and that's an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to
get up early (like before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots
when the animals are actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent
City, so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




Take US 20 from Yellowstone west to Arco, Idaho; then US 20/26/93
to/past Craters of the Moon National Monument (stop and climb a cinder
cone); then US 26 west at Shoshone, Idaho to I-84; then I-84 west to
Ontario, Oregon; then US 20 west to Burns, Oregon (overnight first night
in Burns, Oregon); then west on US 20 to Bend, Oregon; then south on US
97 to Oregon route 138; then south on the North Entrance Road to Crater
Lake, around the west side of Crater Lake (you won't believe how
absolutely *blue* it is!) to Oregon route 62; south on 62 to the
intersection with Oregon route 234; west on 234 to I-5; north on I-5 to
exit 55 (only about 10 miles); then US 199 south to Crescent City
(overnight second night in Crescent City).

Many thanks for this.



--
Panawe

On 10/11/2011 3:58 PM, Panawe wrote:
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever
I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days
is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a
few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been
known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated
parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles
apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes
surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in
and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In
Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't
like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I recommend any of
those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them
in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is
different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each
round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car.
I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm
not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in
San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for
the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive - even though
you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to acclimatise to
traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty good. Make sure
you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read of their highway
code http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are
some things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From
Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to
I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain
NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You
need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's
an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like
before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots when the animals are
actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent City,
so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




See my previous post.
Tripadvisor.com seems to think that America's Best Inn is the best place
to stay in Burns, OR.

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay in
hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay wherever
I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the road
over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so 14 days
is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're going to do
anything more than spend a night in each of them (which would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October a
few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has been
known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least populated
parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be 80/90 miles
apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive and sometimes
surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the hassle of driving in
and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the Awanhee. In
Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake and I wouldn't
like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I recommend any of
those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell them
in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each page/state is
different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver - both
routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of each
round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your car.
I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag. I'm
not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like. Parking in
San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book the car for
the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive - even though
you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to acclimatise to
traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty good. Make sure
you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read of their highway
code http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are
some things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see the
aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone. From
Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and Jackson to
I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the Rocky Mountain
NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home from Denver. You
need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in Yellowstone and that's
an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to get up early (like
before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots when the animals are
actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent City,
so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




--
Panawe

I'd say you're being far too optimistic if you think you're going to get
from Yosemite to Twin Falls in a day. My feeling is that Winnemucca (or
maybe Elko)Nevada is as far as you'll get (the road over Tuolumne is scenic,
not quick) and you might then make Jackson the following night. There's no
accommodation in Teton that I'm aware of so you need to stay in Jackson.
Maybe simply pass through Teton en route from Jackson to Yellowstone.

As for getting back to San Francisco I'd say Crescent City via CA1 (the
coast road) to San Francisco needs 2 days - you can probably plan to catch
the last flight from San Francisco if you stay no more than 100 miles north
of San Francisco for your last night. However, that means you might
glimpse (but not see) the blue of Crater Lake, miss Lava Tubes near Klamath
Falls, will almost certainly miss Point Reyes and you'll have no chance to
ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg (to name but a few sights).

It all depends on how much time you want to spend in the car and how much
out of it. My view is you're being much too optimistic for a 2 week trip.

On Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:59:46 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay
in hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay
wherever I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the
road over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so
14 days is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're
going to do anything more than spend a night in each of them (which
would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October
a few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has
been known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least
populated parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be
80/90 miles apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive
and sometimes surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the
hassle of driving in and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the
Awanhee. In Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake
and I wouldn't like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I
recommend any of those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting
each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell
them in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each
page/state is different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver -
both routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of
each round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your
car. I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag.
I'm not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like.
Parking in San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book
the car for the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive -
even though you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to
acclimatise to traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty
good. Make sure you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read
of their highway code
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are some
things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see
the aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone.
From Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and
Jackson to I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the
Rocky Mountain NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home
from Denver. You need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in
Yellowstone and that's an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to
get up early (like before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots
when the animals are actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent
City, so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




--
Panawe

I'd say you're being far too optimistic if you think you're going to get
from Yosemite to Twin Falls in a day. My feeling is that Winnemucca
(or maybe Elko)Nevada is as far as you'll get (the road over Tuolumne is
scenic, not quick) and you might then make Jackson the following night.
There's no accommodation in Teton that I'm aware of so you need to stay
in Jackson. Maybe simply pass through Teton en route from Jackson to
Yellowstone.

As for getting back to San Francisco I'd say Crescent City via CA1 (the
coast road) to San Francisco needs 2 days - you can probably plan to
catch the last flight from San Francisco if you stay no more than 100
miles north of San Francisco for your last night. However, that means
you might glimpse (but not see) the blue of Crater Lake, miss Lava Tubes
near Klamath Falls, will almost certainly miss Point Reyes and you'll
have no chance to ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg (to name but a
few sights).

It all depends on how much time you want to spend in the car and how
much out of it. My view is you're being much too optimistic for a 2
week trip.

Yes, I'm sure you're right. I was trying to get an itinerary blocked out
and then fiddle about with it (using the advice of yourself and others).
I'm already thinking of extending the holiday to three weeks instead of
two and I've ordered a couple of books (Lonely planet and Rough Guide)
that will alter my thinking. Please don't think I've forgotten your
original advice, I haven't, it's all very much a work in progress.
Anyway, the planning is half the fun

--
Panawe

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
On Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:59:46 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:25:06 +0100, Graham Harrison wrote:

"Panawe" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

Advice please. I am planning a road trip (fly-drive from UK and stay
in hotels/motels) to the western US next year and I have a number of
questions.

I would like to go whale-watching and see Yosemite and Yellowstone
Nat'l parks (and others if feasible).

I don't like cities.

I am planning on 14 days, is this long enough?

Should I buy a package holiday or just book fly-drive and stay
wherever I end up?

If I book a package could someone recommend a good tour operator?

What's the best time to do this? I was thinking of October 2012.

Are there any hotels that I should not miss?

Are there any events I shouldn't miss?

Can someone recommend a book?

Any possibility of an astronomy event, star-watching party?

Thanks in advance, I realise I've asked a lot of questions.

--
Panawe

Yellowstone and Yosemite are probably 2 days drive apart and if the
road over Touolmne in Yosemite has closed by then possibly 3 days so
14 days is doable but you're going to need to keep moving if you're
going to do anything more than spend a night in each of them (which
would be silly).

I went to Yellowstone in September this year and previously in October
a few years ago. Weather on both occasions was lovely but the week
before we arrived in October we were told it had snowed and it has
been known to snow in July (but unusual).

Accommodation in and around ANY National Park is at a premium; book
early and BOOK. You're also going to be in some of the least
populated parts of the US where towns with motels I'd stay in can be
80/90 miles apart. Staying in the parks is an experience - expensive
and sometimes surprisingly basic but I do it because it saves the
hassle of driving in and out every day. In Yosemite THE hotel is the
Awanhee. In Yellowstone there are 3 Old Faithful, Mammoth and Lake
and I wouldn't like to pick one over the other. That's not to say I
recommend any of those 4 - never stayed in any of them but visiting
each is worthwhile.

I like the Moon series of guidebooks but Lonely Planet or Rough Guide
also work. A Rand McNally road atlas can be useful - Amazon sell
them in the UK. Make sure you understand the scales - each
page/state is different.

I would investigate flying to San Francisco and back from Denver -
both routes are operated non-stop. The fare will simply be half of
each round trip. However, that means paying a one way fee for your
car. I'd book a couple of nights in San Francisco to get over jet lag.
I'm not a fan of cities but San Francisco is one that I like.
Parking in San Francisco is like any city - bad and expensive. Book
the car for the day you want to start driving not the day you arrive -
even though you'll be a pedestrian it will also give you time to
acclimatise to traffic on the wrong side. Public transport is pretty
good. Make sure you visit Alactraz - book in advance. Have a read
of their highway code
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm - there are some
things we don't have.

Go south to Monterrey (use highway 1 through Half Moon Bay) and see
the aquarium and whales. Now head for Yosemite; you could go via
Pinnacles. Next north to pick I-80 east as far as Well, Nevada. Go
north to Twin Falls and on towards Sun Valley to turn right and make a
stop at http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm then on to Yellowstone.
From Yellowstone I think I'd head south through Grand Teton and
Jackson to I80 at Rock Springs, Rawlins then south to come over the
Rocky Mountain NP for a last night in Boulder CO before flying home
from Denver. You need a minimum of 2 nights in Yosemite and 3 in
Yellowstone and that's an absolute minimum. In Yellowstone you need to
get up early (like before dawn) to get into the prime wildlife spots
when the animals are actually about and then go on to have breakfast.

(That said THE way in/out of Yellowstone for me is the North East
entrance through Cooke City and up to Billings).

(Boulder is a small university city with a pedestrianised downtown.
The path along Boulder Creek leads directly to the edge of the
Flatirons. We stayed in the Quality Inn on Arapahoe which is within
easy reach of both on foot. Visit the Chautauqua there if you have
time).

Hi,

I'm blocking in the holiday. Here goes....

Hotel San Francisco 04/09/12
Hotel San Francisco 05/09/12
Hotel Monterey 06/09/12
Hotel Monterey 07/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 08/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 09/09/12
Hotel Yosemite 10/09/12
Hotel Twin Falls 11/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 12/09/12
Hotel Grand Teton 13/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 14/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 15/09/12
Hotel Yellowstone 16/09/12
and back to San Fran over 3 days.

What do you think?

I need a route back from Yellowstone to west coast, around Crescent
City, so I can use the coast road back to San Francisco.

Thanks in advance.




--
Panawe

I'd say you're being far too optimistic if you think you're going to get
from Yosemite to Twin Falls in a day. My feeling is that Winnemucca
(or maybe Elko)Nevada is as far as you'll get (the road over Tuolumne is
scenic, not quick) and you might then make Jackson the following night.
There's no accommodation in Teton that I'm aware of so you need to stay
in Jackson. Maybe simply pass through Teton en route from Jackson to
Yellowstone.

As for getting back to San Francisco I'd say Crescent City via CA1 (the
coast road) to San Francisco needs 2 days - you can probably plan to
catch the last flight from San Francisco if you stay no more than 100
miles north of San Francisco for your last night. However, that means
you might glimpse (but not see) the blue of Crater Lake, miss Lava Tubes
near Klamath Falls, will almost certainly miss Point Reyes and you'll
have no chance to ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg (to name but a
few sights).

It all depends on how much time you want to spend in the car and how
much out of it. My view is you're being much too optimistic for a 2
week trip.

Yes, I'm sure you're right. I was trying to get an itinerary blocked out
and then fiddle about with it (using the advice of yourself and others).
I'm already thinking of extending the holiday to three weeks instead of
two and I've ordered a couple of books (Lonely planet and Rough Guide)
that will alter my thinking. Please don't think I've forgotten your
original advice, I haven't, it's all very much a work in progress.
Anyway, the planning is half the fun

--
Panawe

It's always a balance between the amount of time you spend driving versus
the amount of time you get to spend in the places you've driven to and with
all the planning in the world sometimes you get it wrong. Our holiday this
year is a case in point. We got everywhere (simplistically
Seattle/Boise/Yellowstone/Havre/Glacier/North Cascades/Seattle) but we
probably spent too much time in the car. You'd think I'd know by now!

My own view is that going to the west you need three weeks. The distances
are large but it's also about making the most of the airfare you have to
shell out.

Beware of Labor Day, which is the first Monday in September. Elements of
the US tourist industry seem to believe all tourism stops that weekend and
they close down. It's not the whole country by any means but just make
sure any "attractions" or museums you want to visit are going to be open
when you get there.

And you always find new things. This year I discovered US30 alongside I80.
The speed limit was 10mph slower and I had to keep slowing down through
towns. On the other hand there was MUCH less traffic, the towns provided
some relief from just driving and the road parallels the Union Pacific main
line so I kept meeting trains. I80 is by no means the only interstate to
have an ordinary road alongside.

Do consider a one way trip. I realise that the one way fee on the car is a
barrier but even allowing for the slightly zig zag profile the trip could
adopt I reckon it will release time from simply not having to drive all the
way back to the west coast.