So after many weeks of discussion, debate and lots of research, we've finally come up with some ideas for our August fly/drive road trip to the SW US! This part of the country has been a personal dream for me, and only recently have our finances improved to the point of being able to really "do the trip" in a way that we can be comfortable, laid back and not worry too much about our spending. I've posted a couple of previous itineraries before, but this one is the first attempt at a much more concrete plan with some real specifics thrown in. We would LOVE some thoughts and advice from anyone who's experienced these places, particularly with kids. As always, while I like to plan everything down to the last detail, I only do so to make it possible to veer from the plan whenever we want! From my perspective, careful planning makes spontaneity possible! So just because you see lots of detail doesn't mean that we'll stick to the schedule! You'll also notice that we're on the move a lot, and don't stay in one place for too long. For many, while camping, it might seem more difficult than it is for us. We can have our entire camp set up or broken down in less than 15 minutes-even in wet weather!!

On the trip will be:

me, a 41 year old Educational Consultant
my wife-39 year old stay-at-home Mom and internet sales wiz
10 year old daughter, our tomboy!
8 year old daughter, NOT a tomboy!

Both kids are pretty adventurous, but close-to-the-rim hikes and precipitous dropoffs just a step away will be too much for them. They'll be fine if there's room between them and the cliffs!

So here's the itinerary:

Day One:

Fly from Syracuse, NY to Las Vegas, arriving about 10 AM Vegas time.
Check into Excalibur for one night, hang out at the new pool area for the afternoon, and then explore a few of the huge hotels in our immediate area.

Day Two:
Pick up our rental car at the hotel by 9 AM.
Hit the grocery store for the essentials, plus pick up a few more supplies.
Hit the road toward the GC, South Rim.
Short stop at Hoover Dam on the way.
Arrive at Mather Campground by 4 PM.
Dinner somewhere in the GC Village.
Rim walk.
Sunset at Hopi Point.

Day Three:
Be up for sunrise.
Pack up camp early.
Explore South Rim area for a couple hours.
Drive to North Rim, arriving by 4 PM.
Check in at North Rim Campground.
Bright Angel Point

Day Four:
Be up for sunrise.
Pack up camp.
Drive to Bryce Canyon NP, arrive by 3 PM.
Check in at Bryce North Campground.
Transept Trail or Rim Hike.

Day Five:
Break camp early.
Drive to Zion NP.
Check in at Watchman Campground.
Ranger led activity/talk
Dinner at Zion Lodge

Day Six:
The Narrows! Looking forward to this as much as any other part of the trip. We'll do as much as is safe/the weather permits with the kids!

Day Seven:
Break Camp.
Drive back toward Vegas, through Death Valley, and on to somewhere around Lone Pine or Independence, CA. for the night.
Camp or hotel on the way.

Day Eight:
Toward Mono Lake and Tioga Pass! Enter Yosemite.
Arrive at North Pines Campground by 2 PM.
Merced River Rafting?

Day Nine:
Yosemite Valley
Valley Floor Half Loop
Explore the Village/Valley/Wawona

Day Ten:
Break Camp
On to Kings Canyon....
More to follow....

So that's the first ten days. The rest of the trip, which I'll include in another post later, includes Sequoia/Kings Canyon, a trip down the PCH to LA, Disneyland, San Diego, Joshua Tree, and the return to Vegas. I'd love to hear people's thoughts. As I put it down "in writing" for this post, I wonder if I'm (as usual!!) trying to squeeze too much in!

Oh yeah, one other thing; we're not opposed to taking a break from the camping if the opportunity for a GREAT hotel or lodge experience presents itself. Any thoughts on "not-to-be-missed" lodgings along the route (for under $200 a night-that's our personal max!) would be appreciated as well. We're definitely going to throw a couple of hotel nights in here and there just to break up the camping along the way...

Thanks!