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  • PHeller

    Nov. 27, 2011 10:07 p.m. PHeller Dork

    Girlfriend and I would like to see Boise, Idaho, but in general we'd like to see Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We're actually doing some job-career networking type of vacation...seeing if we can't meet some folks who work in our respective fields while out there.

    We won't have more than 7 days paid vacation...so the other days would be un-paid...and therefore more difficult to get time off.

    So, we could take a car and not worry about renting one, but take more time off, or take a plane and rent a car and spend more money. Accommodations can be anything from tent camping to all-out-resort, if only for a few days.

    Suggestions?

  • carguy123

    Nov. 27, 2011 10:15 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

    At this time of year?

  • Cole_Trickle

    Nov. 28, 2011 3:30 a.m. Cole_Trickle Reader

    Jackson Hole.

    I went on a two week western bus tour and it was really cool. Lots of beautiful country out there.

  • Appleseed

    Nov. 28, 2011 5:41 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

    Yellowstone. Even in winter.

  • JoeyM

    Nov. 28, 2011 6:18 a.m. JoeyM SuperDork

    Appleseed wrote:

    Yellowstone. Even in winter.

    +1 Gysers+snow=cool

  • bravenrace

    Nov. 28, 2011 6:21 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

    We went out west this past June. Started in Ohio, slept through Indiana and Illinois, went to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, Badlands, Black Hills, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons. It was a great vacation. PM me if you need more info.

  • Marjorie Suddard

    Nov. 28, 2011 8:13 a.m. Marjorie Suddard General Manager

    Glacier Nat'l Park is my all-time fave, tops over Yellowstone. Bryce Canyon is also spectacular, and it makes the Bryce/Zion/Yellowstone trinity possible.

    We stayed at the Belton Chalet to see Glacier. No-frills, awesome, old-lodge-style place at the West entrance to the park. Def. recommend.

    Margie

  • integraguy

    Nov. 28, 2011 9:09 a.m. integraguy SuperDork

    How about starting in Vegas? This is about the best time of year for it, and then move on to the other locations. BTW, wouldn't vacationing in resort areas that have their "season" in winter be kind of pricey?

  • pinchvalve

    Nov. 28, 2011 9:14 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

    The Old Faithfull Inn at Yellowstone is worth a visit if you go to the park.

  • alfadriver

    Nov. 28, 2011 9:23 a.m. alfadriver SuperDork

    In a week, it will be tough to see all of the states you want. Distances are quiet large, and you can spend a lot of time driving from one place to another. And weather can make it insane.

    It takes me 30 hours to drive from Ann Arbor to Idaho Falls. With the right path, figure 34 hours to Boise. Without sleeping but reasonable breaks, that's 4 days of just driving to get there, leaving 3 to see stuff.

    I LOVE the Tetons- could see them from my BR window as a kid. Yellowstone rocks, but can be crowded. Never made it up to Glacier, but did make it to Zion and Bryce as well as the Grand Canyon. Bryce and Zion are really neat in the winter.

    But driving is and can be exhausting. Since we had to make a flight in Salt Lake, we drove for 8 hours that should have been a 4.5 hour drive, thanks to a very nasty snow storm that was in both Sun Valley and at the Idaho/Utah border. Can't really spend time sight seeing when you are asleep from exhaustion.

    I would suggest flying. I have not driven home in 20 odd years (we go back home in a few weeks for X-mas). Flown every time. Boise is 6 hours from Yellowstone/Tetons, probably 8 hours from Bryce/Zion, and I have no idea how long to Glacier. Figure 2 hours to Sun Valley. That's good weather, and 75mph speed limits.

    Being that you are talking about camping, this is for the summer? Having almost froze in late July camping in Bryce (36 F low), I can't imagine having a comfortable camping trip in the winter, when it commonly gets -10 to -20.

    OTOH, having camped in most of the places you want to visit- it's really a great place to camp.

    my one final editorial- one day visiting any of the suggested national parks is far, far too short. Especially when it will have to be only a few hours since you have so many places to see. Focus on one area- Glacier, Yellowstone/Tetons, or Bryce/Zion- over trying to glimpse them all.

  • PHeller

    Nov. 28, 2011 12:00 p.m. PHeller Dork

    We're going to be out there to scope the area out for possible residency. As such our time will be as much in the cities and towns as in the national parks. My girlfriend and I are both outdoor people and are easily refreshed by big mountains. Our current location in the Great Lakes is growing old fast. We drove for a week last summer, and it wasn't that bad. We enjoyed the freedom to check out any old town along the way, but we imagine that the mid-west will not be as interesting as Adirondacks, Vermont, and Ontario.

    We won't need to tent camp, but cheap accommodations would be preferred.

  • PHeller

    Nov. 28, 2011 12:46 p.m. PHeller Dork

    I need a "Learn Me: Networking While Vacationing" post.

    I want to see the Rockies and Tetons, and the only person in my family ever to do so are my grandparents and they did it in a RV in retirement. That's far too long a wait.

  • alfadriver

    Nov. 28, 2011 12:59 p.m. alfadriver SuperDork

    PHeller wrote:

    I need a "Learn Me: Networking While Vacationing" post.

    I want to see the Rockies and Tetons, and the only person in my family ever to do so are my grandparents and they did it in a RV in retirement. That's far too long a wait.

    See them or experience them?

    you can see them by taking a route to Boise that goes through Denver. From there, head north into Wyoming and drive through Rocky Mt National Park, and then drive up Jackson and the route to Idaho Falls can be over Teton Pass. Although a trip through the park will net the Ansel Adams picture view.

    They are so great, you do need to spend time there.

    And Boise is a LONG way from the Tetons.

    Which you can get to by the long route through the Sawtooths. Middle Idaho is rarely mentioned, but quite spectacular.

 
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