Thank you all. This has been very helpful. The Amtrak sounds like a great idea. I have a revised plan, and I'd like to hear any thoughts:
- I'm driving cross-country with my bike in mid april, visiting some colleges in Appalachia then cutting north to see some in Wisco/Minnesota. I'm carving out two weeks for this trip so that I can stop for a weekend touring trip (2-3 nights, loop so I can return to my car) maybe in Montgomery County or Driftless area, or anywhere else along the way.
- After Midwest straight shot to Seattle, arriving early May, leaving car with family, then doing Pacific Route N-S.
-Amtrak or flight back up to Seattle early June.

Any thoughts from those more experiences than myself? Recs for small loops along that route?