US tour - west & midwest states, 2014

It helps that so much of it is close together.   95% of the stuff - about 18 days of the 25 - is within a 3000 mile loop starting in Denver.  An average of only about 3 hours of driving each of those days.  3 times we'll stay at the same campground for 2 nights so we can do day trips, and we'll stay at Yellowstone for 3 nights.  There are 8 nights (most of the way out and back) where we'll stay at a truck stop to save time (and a little money).  Some of the sights only need an hour or two so we can fit in several things in one day.

Thanks, yes, we planned on purchasing the annual pass at the first park.   

I need to get moving on a few repairs/improvements.  Get the fridge fixed, test the A/C once it gets hot again, new battery, possibly new tires, pack bearings, additional transmission cooler, and figure out how to extend the run-time of my generator.  Cheap and easy.... right.

If you can squeeze in a couple of days near Fossil Butte, camp in Ashley National Forest in the Uinta Mountains. Beautiful. That's our backyard.

Colorado Springs typically gets 300+ days of sunshine so the odds are good. If you want to do the New Belgium tour, make a reservation... it's typically full. They make Fat Tire by the way: One of the better, mass produced brews from Colorado.

WOW... That's alot of ground! How many days total?

If you are a beer guy (I am...) then the New Belgium Brewing tour is one of the best I've been on. It's in Ft. Collins though so it could be a stop on the way from Rocky Mountain National. Colorado does have some of the best microbrews in the country.

I can speak to the Pikes Peak area... Since I live nearby! For sure, see Garden of the Gods. Pikes Peak itself is accessible a couple of ways: Car, train and hike. The hike would take all day so I'd suggest the train. Places to eat in the area:

Il Viccino for great wood fired pizza and good beer (you will see a recurring theme here)
Bristol Brewing is right next door to The Blue Star for good beer and either upscale (reservations) or casual (in the bar area) dining.
If you are in the mood for a little something, then Nosh with it's smaller plates and great food is a good downtown destination.
Try Trinity Brewing for possibly the best beer selection in town as well as their own microbrews. Also much better than average pub grub with a twist.

The Sand Dunes area is fun as well, but know that you are WAY out there so going for food, ice or groceries is not your ordinary milk run. Plan on cooking for yourself, and grab groceries before you get there.