Greetings from the UK.

Firstly, what a great website. We're particularly impressed with the friendly nature and generous advice; very different from some others where the sole intent of many seems to be to criticise plans.

So: We're a family of four including 2 teens, all fairly well travelled. We are after lifetime memories from unique experiences in what is probably our last big holiday before the eldest makes her own way in the world. We've done a fair bit of planning and have a framework that incorporates most of our various wish lists.

Can you help put some meat on the bones with suggestions as to what fits the above bill on the following itinerary? In particular the bit from Monument Valley - Salt Lake City Area - Yellowstone - Salt Lake City is vexing me as the distances are considerable and I'd prefer not to go over the same ground north and then south bound. Any thoughts? We have between 1 and 3 days in each place and flights etc are booked and pretty much fixed through my job.

Anyway, here's the list! Many thanks in advance.

Fly to New York
Train NY to Washington
Fly New Orleans (is there a sensible and cheap airport transfer?)
Fly Albuqerque
Drive to Monument Valley via Four State Corner
Drive Monument Valley via Mokee Dugway / Valley of the Gods to somewhere around mid way to West Yellowstone, sort of parallel with Salt Lake / Provo area (1 night stop)
Drive from mid point to West Yellowstone
Yellowstone itself
Back to Salt Lake City itself
Fly San Francisco
Fly LA
Drive LA via overnight stop in Pasadena to San Diego
Fly Las Vegas (renewing Wedding vows after 20 years, suggestions of a good fun and very non serious chapel welcome!)
Fly UK