Thanks for a review of your trip. I Really enjoyed the Grand Canyon, North Rim. Did you go the Bryce? It is right between the Grand Canyon and Zion.

At Bryce you are looking down at Wonderland, at Zion you are looking up and at the Grand Canyon you are looking across...so you never get a stiff neck! If you do get to Zion, there is a side road running along the outer boundary of the park that is worth the ride. You are "King of the Road"
since I think I saw two cars on it going and coming, great views everything from 180 degree, off-camber, turns to wide open straights and everything in between.

In Zion, you only have bus drop-offs but the ride into the park is outstanding.

I motelled it all the way so I wouldn't have to unpack every night but ended up doing it anyway. After 700 mile rides in 110 degree heat, air conditioning was priceless. If you do take that Northern route through KS, CO, UT, and NV, I have the names of some good local motels where you can park right outside your room. Most were like $60 a night.

I am planning to come back through Yellowstone, the Tetons and the Badlands but got to get through the California inferno first.