Yellowstone and snow in Mid may

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Originally Posted by nairb356

OK If I was to stay in the Denver area - where? ( would like to clear the urban area at least so somewhere north on I-25) any recommendations?

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I understand that. I'd look at the area around Longmont CO, which has a pretty large selection of motels, most of which are right off I-25.

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Also Denver->Yellowstone via Grand Teton thru either Dubois or Jackson is showing about the same time in Google directions. Which route is more scenic?
when you say "less backtracking" can you give more detail

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It would depend upon where you are defining as Grand Teton - since the park itself covers a huge area. Coming in via Dubois means that you'd be entering the park in the middle to north end of the park, and you'd have to backtrack to see the southern half of the park and then go back north to Yellowstone. If you come in via Jackson, you drive through the entire park, and it would be a shorter drive to places like Jenny Lake and views of the actual mountain named "Grand Teton" (there are about a dozen Mountain peaks within the park.)

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- its 2 stops from Ireland whereas Denver is only 1, change in JFK(delta) or Newark(continental) and they want to keep things as short and as simple as possible!

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Out of curiosity, I did a quick search and found a couple of options for a one stop flight from Dublin to SLC. Delta makes the trip via JFK and Aer Lingus goes through Chicago (using its partner United for the connection.) The price doesn't seem to be much more than going through Denver either.

Another option north of Denver is Loveland - there are several hotels right off I-25. I've stayed in the Best Western and the Super 8, and they are both acceptable. The BW is right at the exit, the Super 8 is about 3 miles west. It's about an hour to there from DIA, and Fort Collins is another 15 minutes, there are plenty of hotels there too. I wouldn't go any farther north than that.

Thanks all,
I have decided to take your advise and not drive far after the flight.
I'll go for a hotel at either Loveland or Longmont, had a look on Google earth and they are both very convenient and have restaurants nearby.

Will double check re SLC ( but we are flying from Shannon (SNN) not DUblin and I think that may be the difference in 1 or two hops)

Starting from Shannon, Delta still does make the one stop trip to SLC via JFK. That is probably your only option, but prices look to be similar on first glance.

Any talk of Shannon brings back quite the memories of a trip to Europe I took in the mid-90s. Our plane broke down and we made an unscheduled landing in Shannon and were stuck there for about 48 hours before we finally got to head from home....

MidwestMichael - I can think of better places than shannon to get marooned for 48 hours!:)

Talked to the family over the weekend and they want to fly into/out of Denver so I guess thats settled!

Now need to get to planning the second half of the trip
Thanks for all the help so far!

another question - stay in Cody or Sheridan overnight?

I don't think it makes all that much difference - other than how much time you want to spend in Yellowstone vs. the rest of your trip. Since you shouldn't need reservations at this time of year, I'd play it by ear.

OK If I understand you, ill not need reservations in either Cody/Sheridan and just make up my mind on the day?

That early in the year you should be ok without reservations. If it was into the summer, then Cody could be difficult to find a room without prebooking, but I personally would just wing when traveling in May.