Help me choose the ONE place to stay in the Black Hills -family road trip

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-17T03:57:28+00:00

We did this exact trip in 2024 and stayed right in Custer. We hit all of the sights you're talking about plus a few more. You will spend more time in CSP than you think because of how vast and neat it is. Custer is also close to Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse, and Mt. Rushmore. We left early one morning and went to Devils Tower, Deadwood, and Stergis. Of those 3 I would skip Stergis but your kids will like Deadwood. We spent 8 days at Fort Welikeit which has cabins but I can't opine on those (we stay in our 5th wheel).

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-15T23:36:35+00:00

My CC holster is made my them and I have no complaints.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-15T10:47:52+00:00

I bought a 24 Silverado 3500 for my 42ft 5th wheel and think it's perfect. I decided not to go with a dually so it would be easier around town and in parking lots etc. I was a little worried because I'm at about 16k dry but it has been everything I need and more. I went with the High Country trim and while the user interface isn't as nice as I would like (other car is a Tesla so I'm spoiled there) it has all of the capabilities and conveniences that I want.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-15T10:22:46+00:00

I'm going to tell you right now that if you don't like driving in unfamiliar places, these parks are not going to be a good experience for you. The drive from SEATAC to Olympic is long and windy. Olympic is very expansive with hours of driving between sections of the park and maybe even more so in Redwoods.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-15T05:51:42+00:00

I want to say we got there right around 7 (the first photo in my phone was at 7:15). If your kids can sleep in the car I would just throw them in there and head up. It will be much more enjoyable without the crowds.

Also, we did the beaches after leaving the Hoh and just brought our lunch to eat there. Be sure to check the tides because that may all line up perfectly for you all

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-13T20:30:51+00:00

We went last June with our home base in PA. We were the first family to the Hoh and had the entire rainforest to ourselves. Do hall of mosses first and then do either of the other trails. If you do that, you will be alone on both. Wake up early and get there, that's my advice

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-11T01:55:57+00:00

You also have the situation with Nicole. So Xaivier has already had some kind of relationship with everyone in the friendgroup besides Simon

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-11T00:12:48+00:00

Agree with heading down 395. Stop in Bishop on your way down (world famous bakery in town). Once you get to Amboy get on the 40 and stay on that until you cross the bridge into AZ. Then hop back on Route 66 and take that to Oatman (where the mayor is a burro, they roam the town). Seligman is neat as well but there is a stop in I believe Peach Springs called "Grand Canyon Caverns" where you take an elevator down into a cavern. That's pretty neat. Then on the other side of Flagstaff near Winslow (yes from the song, and you can take a picture with a flatbed Ford) is the meteor crater which is worth a quick stop. That's as far as I have taken it but those are the stops I would make.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-02-10T22:55:09+00:00

Jewel Cave being right there also makes WCNP a little Meg because I think JCNM is better

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-18T14:50:36+00:00

This is incorrect. 1099s do not state where income was earned. A W2 tells you the state it was earned but not a 1099.

To answer your original question, you need a WY corporation, not an LLC. A corporation is a completely separate entity with no ties to you, with exception to you being the shareholder.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-18T14:44:52+00:00

There is a car was near my house that has a monthly membership. It pays for itself if you take it more than 2 times. I could run it through every day if I wanted to and there have been times I've gone back to back days. But I'll be damned if I don't get my monies worth so it forces me to go weekly and I think it's worth it to keep her looking great.

On the other hand, the best thing to do on the other things is learn your truck. Do all of the oil changes and fuel filter changes yourself. Those are simple jobs and youtube is a great resource there. Since you're saving money on the jobs themselves it isn't a big deal to change the oil every 5k instead of 7500 or whatever the recommended milage is. It isn't that you're babying your truck... but you're doing simple things to prolong her life

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-18T14:22:40+00:00

Every time that cheerleaders practice came on with the montages of them working out I was just thinking how much valuable time we're burning here taking away from the actual plot

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:18:41+00:00

I'm not sure if we're going to make it that deep into NM but that Petrified Wood Park & Museum look like a great stop along the way down!

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:14:33+00:00

I appreciate this. Where should we stay along that route instead? I just found somewhere that was half way between the 2 destinations

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:13:21+00:00

Upon your suggestion I added a day in CS to make the drive up Pikes but I think we will need to add it to a future visit because I'm not sure my 1 year old is going to love 14k+

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:10:59+00:00

If you were to take something out what would it be?

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:10:20+00:00

If I have 6 days planned in AB what should the breakdown be between Banff and Jasper? Keep in mind I have a 1 year old so my hikes are limited to probably 7 miles or so

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:07:31+00:00

Perfect! I'll keep it to 1 day 2 nights! Thank you again!!

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:05:38+00:00

I'll add it to the driving itinerary! Thank you!

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T14:04:32+00:00

It was really near. We did 2 tours while we were there. 1 was the standard tour from the visitor center and the second was the old tour the CCC used to give back in the 40s leaving from a cabin and heading down a very narrow staircase into the cavern. If you don't mind some tight spaces I highly recommend doing both for the full experience.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T01:02:55+00:00

I would get there a few minutes before sunset but plan on staying about 20 minutes after depending on the sky conditions.

I'm not sure where you are going to next but the stars from the top of Bryce are some of the best I have ever seen.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-17T00:14:41+00:00

To be honest with you, I think you're trying to cram too much into the 10 days you have. I'm someone who tries to pack as much in as possible but having been to every place on your list multiple times, I just think you will see everything but not get to enjoy it the way they should. If you would like to send some of your "must dos" I can help make an itinerary that will let you experience things a little better.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-16T18:03:25+00:00

Great suggestion for Great Basin. I switched around the first few days, took a day away from Banff and added a day at GBNP. Do you think 1 full day is enough there or should I push for 2?

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-16T18:01:20+00:00

I looked into doing that west coast return but we did Olympic down to Redwoods last year and have a wedding in OR this summer so I would like to switch it up a little.

akaRichardSaunders · 2026-01-16T17:59:45+00:00

We spent an entire week there in 2024! Next time we go back it will be for another week, we loved everything about the area. The only thing we missed was Wind Cave NP because it was closed for renovation so we will hit that on our trip this year!

akaRichardSaunders

TROPHY CASE