Help Needed - Summer Trip out west

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

I am just about to purchase air for my trip out west and an unexpected airport has caught my attention. We will be spending 07/22/2009 - 08/09/2009 out west. We have reservations for Ocean Shores WA 07/24/2009-07/31/2009 and Whitefish MT 08/01/2009-08/08/2009.

Boise Idaho of all places has GREAT air & car rates and I am thinking this could be pretty cool because we would like to see Yellowstone on this trip. I know it is quite a haul from Boise to Yellowstone and From Yellowstone to Ocean Shores and then again from Whitefish to Boise, but I was planning on doing a bit of driving anyway, so no big deal right?

I have no clue what kind of drive I am actually in for. The cool part of this vacation is that we are planning to buy a tent and sleeping bags as soon as we arrive and rough it for a few days in Yellowstone. We will than check into our Ocean Shores condo for a few days or more and then break out the tent again for 1-2 nights in La Push, WA before heading to Whitefish. Tent in Van may spend a night or 2 in Banff or Lake Louise during our week in Whitefish. We will check out of Whitefish and head back to Boise for out flight home, stopping somewhere along the way to ship the tent and sleeping bags back home.

Westerners or past travelers, is this too much driving? I will be travelling with 3 kids 10 and under. Any input would be great.

I have been reading RESORT2ME's posts and they just get me more excited for this trip. The big trip highlight for the kids is an easy whitewater rafting trip during our week in MT and camping on the beach at La Push.

Other kid friendly tips would also be great. I have been looking at pictures on flickr and similar sights and people wear sweatshirts on the beach in the summer. Should I pack some heavy clothing for these dates?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 2 More days before Southwest publishes fares through August and I am getting antsy.

[Elan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Elan]

Wow. I live in Boise, and I've never noticed cheap airfare -- at least not OUT of here.

I love to drive -- absolutely love road trips. But your trip seems like a bit too much driving with 3 kids. Not that it's too much driving overall, but since you're on a somewhat fixed schedule due to your timeshare reservations, it's a lot of long drives in short periods getting from one location to another. Is there not a way to add Yellowstone on to the back end of your TS stays instead of the front? Then you'd effectively have a loop trip: Boise to OS, OS to Whitefish, Whitefish to YNP and then back to Boise.

One other thing. Be sure to verify where you can tent camp in and near Yellowstone. I've never camped Yellowstone, but have been told some campgrounds don't even allow non hard-sided RV's.

As far as NW coastal weather, I'd bring a lightweight waterproof jacket for everyone. It can be pretty cold on the coast even in July and August (or it could be 85, calm and sunny). A good shell to cut the wind and also keep any rain out is all you'd need, IMO.

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

That route does sound better, thank you for the info. I was quite shocked by the cost of the air in and out of BOI also. Jackson WY was close but car rentals were absurd.

The great part of the TS we have booked is if I use them for nothing more than a shower and a homebase that will actually be alright by me. The kids love to camp as much as they like the TS's we have stayed in. And the weather up there sounds like the weather I like to camp in also with the exception of the rain.

Thanks for the clothing tips. This is my first trip west of Las Vegas and am getting really excited about the trip.

The Fares are from Frontier and the only thing that is keeping me from purchasing is SW fares coming out Thursday. I will put them on hold tomorrow and hope SW fares are better to PDX, GEG or SEA although The pictures I have seen of Boise look beautiful. I always think of the Richard Pryor movie "Moving" when I think of Boise. I would actually like to visit the city.

Do you know if Boise Cascade Paper mill offers Tours?

Thank you for the information

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

I am just about to purchase air for my trip out west and an unexpected airport has caught my attention. We will be spending 07/22/2009 - 08/09/2009 out west. We have reservations for Ocean Shores WA 07/24/2009-07/31/2009 and Whitefish MT 08/01/2009-08/08/2009.

Boise Idaho of all places has GREAT air & car rates and I am thinking this could be pretty cool because we would like to see Yellowstone on this trip. I know it is quite a haul from Boise to Yellowstone and From Yellowstone to Ocean Shores and then again from Whitefish to Boise, but I was planning on doing a bit of driving anyway, so no big deal right?

I have no clue what kind of drive I am actually in for. The cool part of this vacation is that we are planning to buy a tent and sleeping bags as soon as we arrive and rough it for a few days in Yellowstone. We will than check into our Ocean Shores condo for a few days or more and then break out the tent again for 1-2 nights in La Push, WA before heading to Whitefish. Tent in Van may spend a night or 2 in Banff or Lake Louise during our week in Whitefish. We will check out of Whitefish and head back to Boise for out flight home, stopping somewhere along the way to ship the tent and sleeping bags back home.

Westerners or past travelers, is this too much driving? I will be travelling with 3 kids 10 and under. Any input would be great.

I have been reading RESORT2ME's posts and they just get me more excited for this trip. The big trip highlight for the kids is an easy whitewater rafting trip during our week in MT and camping on the beach at La Push.

Other kid friendly tips would also be great. I have been looking at pictures on flickr and similar sights and people wear sweatshirts on the beach in the summer. Should I pack some heavy clothing for these dates?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 2 More days before Southwest publishes fares through August and I am getting antsy.

I agree with trying to do the opposite route. That makes much more sense. If you can be somewhat flexible with your driving and take breaks as needed, then the route is certainly drivable, but it is long. There are long stretches of very little to see in the west (not as bad in the NW as more desert areas, but still can be boring). Because of this, you need to be sure that you have activities for your children to occupy them during the drive as certain portions will have little to see. If you can take a more leisurely route, then you might consider taking some of the more scenic drives. These generally take longer, but can be more interesting. And there's more ready access to national forest campgrounds, on average.

Speaking of campgrounds, most of the campgrounds in Yellowstone are first come, first served. Those that aren't are most likely already reserved (they open up a year beforehand). You might consider getting a reservation for at least one night at a hotel or a commercial campground outside ther park. Then, you can get up early engough the next day to get into the park and reserve a campground.

I agree with bringing some warmer clothes, especially if camping. The main difference in the drier air out west is that it gets quite warm during the day, but can cool off significantly at night, especially in the mountains. The West Coast tends to be cooler as well since the currents tend to come from North unlike the currents on the East Coast. You likely won't spend a great deal of time in the water, but the beach is always fun.

If you can take the opposite route that was suggested, you could consider another whitewater trip near Yellowstone if your kids particularly enjoy the first one in MT.

Let me know if you have other specific questions. I like in Idaho as well. Yellowstone is only a few hours from me. I can't help as much for OR or MT, but I'll let you know what I know.

Have a great time!

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

... I was quite shocked by the cost of the air in and out of BOI also. Jackson WY was close but car rentals were absurd.
...

The Fares are from Frontier and the only thing that is keeping me from purchasing is SW fares coming out Thursday. I will put them on hold tomorrow and hope SW fares are better to PDX, GEG or SEA ....

I have no clue as to where you’re flying out from.
Let me know by email and/or PM. I will assist in searching fares and rentals.

I’d be looking for Open Jaw flights… To SEA & return out of SLC for instance.
Rent car at SEA for drop at SLC to save much time for doing and not so much on driving, just to complete the loop.

To check into it… try the rentals first… which locations allow dropping at a different place. How are the rates for doing so? Compare the convieniece to the cost and wasted miles of using only one airport.


------------
Robert

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Extra miles for scenic

Mapquest lists Ocean Shores to Whitefish as 645 miles with 12 hours driving time.

I suggest you depart a day early or arrange for late checkin at Whitefish to allow you to not go the most direct route.

The scenic route that makes life more interesting: Head down I-5 and take I-84 East along the Columbia River Gorge. At Pendleton take route 11 to Walla Walla and continue to Lewiston and US-12 to Missoula and up to Whitefish, MT. That is 4 extra hours of driving time. It is 862 miles.

Once you are at Whitefish, there is much to occupy your week.

[ronandjoan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ronandjoan]

What did you finally decide?

Being from Washington myself, I would never plan to drive in one day from OS to Whitefish - you would miss all the good scenery, much less the feeling of rushing. Good idea to drive the COlumbia River Gorge, but it will take longer if you stop and view the WONDERFUL waterfalls!

Say, better take sweaters to go under those "shells" = the rain seems colder there than rain elseqhere as it seems to seep into your skin!

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

We booked flights in and out of PDX. We will have a total of 17 Days with 13 covered by TS Resorts. Robert or RESORT2ME has given me so much great information about the area I have yet to begin my routes. I am planning to include The Columbia River Gorge. The Kids are really excited about seeing a real volcano so will have to visit Mt. St. Helens and a lot of GNP that is all that is certain at this point. I have not had to much time to do more planning but am looking so foward to the trip.

[hope54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hope54]

Sounds like a great adventure! When driving I-84 stop at the fantastic museum by The Dalles, WA. It is a kid friendly, informative museum about the pioneers coming to the West.

For the Washington coast, you will need more than a light jacket. La Push is a 2 or 3 hour drive from Ocean Shores. Another idea is to camp at the "rain forest" - a microclimate that is unique and they have a great campground. Get reservations, though. For a beach campout stay at 'south beach' campground or ruby beach. Closer to Ocean Shores and beautiful beaches.

Marilyn

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Mapquest lists Ocean Shores to Whitefish as 645 miles with 12 hours driving time.

I suggest you depart a day early or arrange for late checkin at Whitefish to allow you to not go the most direct route.

The scenic route that makes life more interesting: Head down I-5 and take I-84 East along the Columbia River Gorge. At Pendleton take route 11 to Walla Walla and continue to Lewiston and US-12 to Missoula and up to Whitefish, MT. That is 4 extra hours of driving time. It is 862 miles.

Once you are at Whitefish, there is much to occupy your week.

I know one could spend a week just taking in the Portland and coastal areas of Oregon and you have a timeshare and Washington Coast to visit.

You may wish to get Mt Hood out of the way before heading to the OR coast. Also, the drive to see Mt Rainier and Mt St Helen is doable from OS.

The Columbia Gorge will be on your return trip to PDX, but I have an idea you'll be pressed for time to catch your flight and have to zip right along.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

I forgot to mention, take your own DRY firewood for camping in Hoh Rain Forest.

[btcctomtb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close btcctomtb]

We have arrived back home and still trying to adjust to the time change and school. This was an incredible vacation Thanks Robert for all the great tips. We did not end up camping but booked hotels instead. Reviews are coming soon. GNP and Yellowstone AWESOME.

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

Been awaiten!!

What overnight temps did you have in MT?
We had 29 on August 31st 2006.