I live in MD, so driving up through W (by god) VA Ohio etc. Be a pretty long haul and don't want to do big miles days but maybe that's what you have to do but otherwise give myself lots if time, I'm retired btw, and meander and catch some of those other places you mentioned.

And that's what I've heard about Oregon coast etc. September is best. so that's very much on unless my tennis team goes to nationals or something. There's stuff north but logistically split up Washington State stuff that is, hitting everything from the cascades to Crater lake is too much, two trips.

New River Gorge is sort of my extended back yard, well really an easy trip from the 'burg. Love to join the kayaking crowd out there. Really loved Great Basin as I said for the pure of heart for folks who've been to Yosemite and Yellowstone and all those other places, hard to explain, kinda when you get older and can relax and smile a bit, there's something that's "better" somewhere else but .. just for the pure of heart. Kerouac's restaurant is that mythical place at the end of the road. I'll shut up now. (PS Got up a 4am caught a plane at 7, arrived SLC ~12-1, rented a car got there ~5-6pm, drove up the hill found a campsite, though "There may be better campsites, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth Upper lehman I think)