Well, we’ve revised the route, twice.  I think it’s all planned now.  We won’t spend much time in Seattle itself, although I am excited to see the  Chihuly Garden and Glass museum.  Mostly though we’ll just use it as a convenient spot to sleep while we range out.  Mt. Rainier one day, Olympic National Park & Rialto Beach on another, then off to Spokane by way of North Cascades National Park, then down to Yellowstone, an overnight stay with my grandson and his family in South Dakota, and, finally, Omaha because Jim says it’s a big railroad center.

Of course, he’ll be looking for trains all along the route.  A couple of places that have steam trains are disappointingly not active on the days we’ll be in their area.  He’ll probably just have to settle for diesels.

I’ve printed out maps for the points of interest and put together a file folder to take along.  I’m pretty sure I’ve got the packing list completed.  It looks like a lot of stuff, but we’ve done this before and I’m pretty sure I can fit it all into three bags. My big suitcase holds most of my clothes and stays in the car except for Seattle itself.  I’ll use the small suitcase to pack daily stuff and take it into the hotels overnight.  I’ll have a carry-on type bag for shoes & toiletries.  

I’m really excited about the National Parks.  I’m expecting to get some great new photos for my desktop monitors and Facebook header pictures.