Annie - I also was going to suggest New Mexico, as it didn't appear on your list. That looks to me like a very good tour by Taucks - it covers exactly the places i would suggest, Taos, Bandelier, Georgia O'Keeffe's homestead, the pueblos... It would also be nice to have the lectures and special visits that come with the trip. However, NM is a state very oriented towards visitors, and is easy to navigate by yourselves, especially if you explore it on the internet and do some reading in advance. Santa Fe, e.g., has some gorgeous inns and hotels, and excellent restaurants with varied cuisines, not to mention a stunning collection of art galleries (do not go to this city without a credit card). Several years ago DH and I made a special trip to NM to spend a week in Los Alamos, as DH is beyond fascinated by the story of Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project. We had a great time, searched out his house, visited the fascinating museum, explored the unique bookstores, drove along the perimeter of the National Laboratories - a huge area, and drove to various pueblos and Bandelier while there. That could be a good overnight for someone interested in the story of the Project. But the tour also looks fine. I also second the suggestion of Israel (where I lived for several years), a tiny country, the size of New Jersey, with an incredibly diverse population, and an excellent sense of preservation of historic sites, ranging from 5,000+ years ago up to the present, and very friendly people who like Americans.

I know several people that have been on their trips and had only positives to say about the experience. Where will your float start? Have you floated any rivers of size before? That is one wild river, to be your first. If the weather stays mild , the spring runoff could be early and make it even more difficult? Glen Canyon is not far and we were caught in a terrible snow storm in late April one year. It started raining and before we got 20 miles away, it had turned to snow and we "pushed" snow with our rv. I am not trying to be negative, but it is a trip you have to be ready for anything. I always wanted to try the Colorado, but never was able to make it happen. I am still up for smaller floats, like in Wyoming on the Snake River or some sections of the Salmon, but not the sections dubbed the River of No Return! Enjoy and take lots of pictures to share.

Casey: how long is a "few days"? If you go thru north, then Valley of Fire SP (beautiful), Hwy 15 IS my DH favorite road to drive on, Springdale and Zion NP, Mt. Carmel tunnel and hike on the east side of it, Checkered mesa. If you have enough time: Bryce NP and Kodachrome SP. If not head south-east to Rt.67 to north side of Grand Canyon. Then to Page for a hike thru Antelope Canyon (I like Lower better). Then around to Rt 64 (Rim drive). It is all very scenic but a lo-o-ong drive. If you only have time for GCanyon: drive thru the Rim drive. If you have time to hike, November is a good month to go down to Colorado river and back in one day. If not all the way down, then atleast to Ahh Point from Yavapai point trailhead. Grandview trail is nice (steep) short hike. Yuo can take bus to Hermit point and hike along the rim back to village (9 mi) or take bus along the way back. Sunrise is good at Mather Point. Sunset at Hopi point (must take bus) or down at Ahh point (must hike). Good luck :o)

If you really want to experience the Grand Canyon you could do what a coworker did. He started on one side, ran down, then ran up the other side. Once there, the group thought maybe doing the reverse as they intended might not be a great idea since one of the guys had a cold. They found someone willing to give them a ride back to the other side but then discovered it would be a four hour drive. So they decided they might as well run back. So they did. They had started the trip at about 1 AM (lighting their way with head lamps) and figured on 13 hours. Took more like 16. Actually, I do not recommend this at all! lol Among other reasons - the park rangers, apparently, really frown on this running down and up and down and up adventure.