Originally Posted by
Quark999
I really *want* to see Yellowstone AND Redwood Forest, so something else will have to give. Any ideas about internal flights that might save a few day's worth of driving?
Sure, just do a road loop out of SLC to Yellowstone and back, then hop a one-way flight to SFO (under $100 on AS) and drive north from there. Eureka is around 5 hours drive up US 101 from SFO.
Code:
29-Aug SLC
30-Aug SLC-YNP
31-Aug YNP
1-Sep YNP
2-Sep YNP-SLC
3-Sep SLC-SFO-Eureka
4-Sep Redwoods
5-Sep Redwoods - Bandon
6-Sep Bandon - Hood River
7-Sep Hood River - Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood
8-Sep Hood River - Seattle
9-Sep Seattle
10-Sep Vancouver
11-Sep Vancouver
12-Sep Dep
Note you could steal a day by spending just one night in either Eureka or Hood River, provided you promise to visit the Columbia Gorge for several hours. Hood River to Seattle is around 4 1/2 - 5 hours, either via I-5 (boring) or US 97/I-90 (very scenic.)
Train -
http://www.amtrakcascades.com/
Just so you know why I keep mentioning the Columbia Gorge - (photos from the spring, but you get the idea)...
Gorge from "historic" Gorge Hwy -
Mount Hood from Hood River Valley
Where to stay in the Gorge area, if you like beer, wine, spirits, movies, funky art, golf, food...
http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edgefield