Grand trip too ambitious?

[eirikje]

We are a Norwegian family of four - wife, myself, and two sons - 20 and 15. We would like to travel through Washington State and more. Here is our suggested plan - we are wondering whether it is overly ambitious and stressful, and would appreciate any advice you can give us:

June 25 - fly NYC-Seattle
June 26 - kayaking Puget Sound
June 27 - rent car - drive to Olympic Nat Park, hike
June 28 - drive Olympic Nat Park - Mount St Helens
June 29 - Mount St Helens
June 30 - drive Mt St Helens - Oregon Coast
July 1 - drive Oregon Coast - Crater Lake
July 2 - drive Crater Lake - Redwoods Cal
July 3 - Redwoods Cal
July 4 - drive Redwoods - San Francisco
July 5 - San Francisco, evening flight Washington DC

Is this at all realistic?

[d360]

Hi Eirikje,

Well these are all great things to see but your way too ambitious!. I travel the same way when seeing a new country and I can tell you right now from living in the Pacific Northwest you'll never see all this in 10 days. I could recommend some things if you tell me what the must see's on this list are.

D360

[everyann]

I agree...it's a bit too ambitious. It starts off well but with all the driving, consider the wear and tear on yourselves. Throw a couple days here and there for R&R.

[eirikje]

Thank you both of you for prompt and good advice. I guess we will have to rethink our plan. One alternative is then to stay in Washington State - any suggestions on what then to see? I think Olympic Nat Park and Mound St Helens are musts - where is the best place to hike into the park from? How about Mount Ranier - should that then be included in a round trip beginning and ending in Seattle?

Thanks again for your thoughts!

[d360]

Here's an idea:


June 25 - fly NYC-Seattle
June 26 - AM in Seattle/City see the Pike Place Market. PM drive to San Juan Islands
June 27 - San Juan Islands/kayak, PM ferry to port angeles/Olympic Penisula.
June 28 - Olympic Peninsula hike, if your fit hikers hike into Shi Shi Beach
June 29 - Relax above somewhere or here. There's alot of travel above. You must experience them not just drive by them.
June 30 - drive or hike Mt St Helens are you a hiker?. I've done its three times and its a great hike. Moderate hiking abilties required and a trail pass.

a nice loop back around catching Mt Rainier would be great to add.

ok thats it for now. let me know if that helps and you need more information.


D360



July 1 - drive Oregon Coast - Crater Lake
July 2 - drive Crater Lake - Redwoods Cal
July 3 - Redwoods Cal
July 4 - drive Redwoods - San Francisco
July 5 - San Francisco, evening flight Washington DC