Photog82,
I've been to all the places you listed and now live in nearby New Hampshire. All are great choices. You may also want to add Costa Rica (still on a high from the trip), California Parks (Yosemite, Kings Canyon, etc) or Southern Utah (amazing with Bryce/Zion/Arches NP, etc).
A few comments:
Alaska....it is a different land than anything I've ever seen before. I saw some wildlife, but not a ton. But the trip was still amazing just because it is so different. Alaska can be whatever you make of it and I have a feeling all would be good. My trip was 2 days on the water to fish for King Salmon (caught a 58 lb salmon), 1 day at Seward with boat tours of the glacier, looking for whales, a day at Anchorage, a day in Homer, and a day trip from Anchorage to Denali NP. Great trip. If I had to do it over, I'd add a day or two in Denali NP and do the guided tours/hikes arranged by the NP. Alaska is too big to do in one shot...don't try. The other trip that I've planned but haven't done yet is using regional ferries based out of Juneau to go out to the islands and up to Skagway, etc.
Washington State: I think it is great that you consider this a destination. A lot of people don't give Washington state it's due. I believe you mean Steptoe Butte State park and have probably seen amazing photos of the Palouse. If so, just realize it is on the opposite side of the state from Seattle. Among the great things to see in or near Washington state: San Juan Islands, Rainier/Olympic/North Cascades NPs, Seattle, Victoria BC, Vancouver BC, Mt. St. Helens, Columbia River Gorge, Lake Chelan, Dry Falls, wine tasting in Walla Walla and the Palouse. A friend that is a Professor at a local college takes a bunch of students out to do a 2 week Washington/Oregon geology field trip every year. By the way, I grew up in the Palouse (in Idaho).
Oregon: Coastlines are beautiful, but one of my coldest vacations ever was the Oregon Coast in August. Astoria, Cannon Beach, Newport, the dunes...all very good. But Oregon also has the Three Sisters/Bend region, the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, John Day Fossil National Monument, Crater Lake NP and the Willamette area.
Hawaii: Maui is a great destination. Just take a look at Kaanapali beach, Road to Hana, and Mt. Haleakala NP. But, as you've been to Hawaii, you know...it's the air and the attitude.
Yellowstone NP: Rick covered it. Staying there is very easy. You have cabins, campgrounds or hotels within the park and just outside. I'd also look at Tetons NP just to the south. Yellowstone is one of my favorite places. But, Rick is right in that it is "developed" and can be crowded. But where else can you see amazing waterfalls, mountains, wildlife (deer/elk/buffalo are so plentiful it almost gets boring...ok, not reallY), geysers, mud pots, high mountain lakes all very accessible in one spot? On the attack bit...I have seen people do some of the dumbest things to get close to animals in Yellowstone. Keep a safe distance, if camping, lock up your food and buy a big lens
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Hopefully that helps a little. Any of those would be a great trip. Good luck planning.
Brant
Originally Posted by Kayaker72
Photog82,
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