So I'm tossing this one out rather early, but it will give us plenty of time for discussions and planning.
I'm proposing that late May or early June 2009 heading to Yellowstone National Park. From Denver this is a 9 hour drive.
As I see it the trip would look something like this:
----------------------------------------------------
Day 1 - Drive to Cody and hunker down for the night
Day 2 - Tourist time in the park & back to Cody
Day 3 - More tourist time and then on to Jackson Hole
Day 4 - Back to Denver
----------------------------------------------------
Challenges would include:
Possible snow if too early in May
Possible throngs of tourist if too late in June
Possible bankruptcy from hotels in Jackson
Possible cattle stampede during rodeo in Cody
?
If this is of interest to some then lets build on this thread and start a discussion. One of my old bosses had the rule of 5Ps:
Poor
Planning
Promotes
Poor
Projects
So if we are to do this we need to plan. Here is a possible route:
Yellowstone
- Chuck

 

I (we) wanna go! I (we) wanna go!

Teena & Rich

 

Put it on the calendar.

I will rally the MT folks, there are plenty of them now, and will post in their forums.

Is there a NAME for this thing?

JPS

 

Rick, something NICE like the YY graphic? (the best yet....)

JPS

 

I am planning a camping trip over to Yellowstone next year anyway. But was thinking going with my truck so that we can pack everything we need. Don't mind driving MINI at all, just have to pack light...and give up a few luxury items: such as portable shower...and a couple comforters and pillows.

 

Will plan on it!

 

I'm in.........Mr. Eeyore said he'd be busy that weekend. His loss.

 

Which weekend? Did we decide on one yet?
I think Memorial Day is May 25th. If we left Denver on the Wednesday or Thursday following Memorial Day, we might have fewer tourist and less traffic.
Thoughts anyone.

 

Ooh, we could be in for that.

We're in Seattle but Mr. Booklady has family in Cody and Riverton.

 

Well I'm originally from Riverton as is my wife's family who now live in Powell.

 

Rick did not do the YY graphic this year, the new talent did. Kudos to Teena Craighill and thank you too.

I can get hats and shirts done cheap, and embroidered. Othewise, we can use the CafePress account for screened items.

Whatever, I am an XXXL cuz they shrink. There probably has never been a t-shirt with a map of Wyoming on it.

JPS

 

I am down for the T-shirt...embroidered ones. Strangers were asking me where I got my MITM t-shirt while I was in Orange County last month. I told them that they can get it at Cooper Mtn next year...

PS. do we have any left over T shirt from this year's MITM?

 

The only t-shirt I've ever seen with Wyoming on it was for a Tour-de-Bars. Not really a safe type of event. I vote for an embroidered one.

1der was interested in going as well, I'll check with her to see when school gets out. That's her limiting factor.

 

I would love to go! School gets out Friday May 29 as long as there is not a snow day, and snow days are very rare here.

I saw Wednesday or Thursday, the 27th or 28th proposed, I would not be able to join until the 29th. The following week would be much better for me if a mid-week departure is desired.

 

In an effort to get the wheels rolling on date choices, even tentative ones, here goes. In addition to Chuck's dates, I am proposing a couple more for discussion right here. Using Chuck's post #1 regarding Day 1-4 plans (good idea, given the trip distance):

• Option 1: Thu June 4 thru Sun June 7. Yellowstone Friday and Part of Saturday then overnight in Jackson Hole. Home Sunday.
• Option 2: Fri June 5 thru Mon June 8. Puts us in Yellowstone Saturday and part of Sunday then overnight in Jackson Hole. Home Monday.
• Option 3: Sat June 6 thru Tue June 9. Puts us in Yellowstone Sunday and part of Monday then overnight in Jackson Hole. Home Tuesday.

I favor Option 3. This could also work for the 2nd weekend in June. Father's Day is the 3rd weekend in June.
--Rick

 

I think we could do option 3 - leave on Saturday back on Tuesday. Always makes Wednesday a drag but what the heck. If we did option 2 then I would only need a half day of vacation and it is Berta's b-day. So I guess I'm leaning to Leaving on Friday with Saturday & Sunday in the park and home on Monday. Makes Tuesday kind of a drag.
Is there no perfect solution? What if I never go back to work? Problem solved.
BTW - Teena has some great graphics put together. That girl has talent.

 

We like option 2 the best but can go any day or time. Fridays and Mondays are the busiest days at my work so that would be GREAT to take those days off. All we have to worry about is a doggy and cat sitter...and we can celebrate my birthday too a couple of days early.
Teena

 

I'm good with any of them. I just need to know a few months ahead of time to arrange the days off.

 

Hey Jean - I'm trying the Highland Scotch recipe from your cookbook right now! Its taking lots of practice.

 

Option 2 or 3 look good, we would do Yellowstone then possibly head up to Glacier NP to continue our see the NP goals. Probably have to miss Jackson, I will have to see what is on the route North.

We will have to keep this one open on the calendar.

 

Practice makes perfect........some things we need to practice harder than others!!

 

I'm going to post this ride on the calendar just as a place-holder.

 

all 3 options work for me, I would prefer 1 or 2 over 3 but as far as I know now I can make all of them work... I would meet up in Shoshoni and not sure what I would do after Jackson.... stay with you to Golden if husband is there, head up to Montana or head home.... we'll see...

I am excited!!!! MINIs in Wyoming!!! Woohoo!!!

 

all three options work for me too... and I will probably head north with Don too.. making it a week affair....it will be a fun trip if more ppl join us.... 5280MINI takes the State!!

 

From Expedia:
Hotels in Cody, Wy Friday June 5th & Saturday June 6th
America's Best Value Inn $66 - $85
Sunrise Motor Inn $99 - $139
Best Western Sunset Motor Inn $103 - $135
Econo Lodge Moose Creek $117 - $144
Beartooth Inn of Cody $124
Cody Cowboy Village $139 - $199
Comfort Inn Buffalo Bill Village $153 - $180
The Cody $199 - $209
AmericInn Cody $203 - $315
---------------------------------------------
Hotels in Jackson, Wy Sunday June 7th
The Inn at Jackson Hole $109 - $139 (3 Stars)
El Rancho Motel $113 - $144 (1 Star)
Jackson Hole - Days Inn $119 - $127 (2 Stars)
49er Inn $125 - $185 (2.5 Stars)
Anglers Inn $131 - $140 (2 Stars)
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole $169 - $450 (4 Stars)
Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa $179 - $509 (4 Stars)
Hatchet Resort $181 - $255 (2.5 Stars)
Best Western Lodge at Jackson Hole $209 (3 Stars)
Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole $249 - $312 (3.5 Stars)
Spring Creek Ranch $250 - $410 (4 Stars)
Trapper Inn & Suites $266 - $286 (3 Stars)
Parkway Inn $281 - $339 (3 Stars)
Homewood Suites $319 - $329 (3 Stars)
Alpenhof $349 - $449 (3 Stars)
Wyoming Inn of Jackson $370 (3 Stars)