Try skyvector.com for up to date charts.
SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts
You can also buy all the US sectional charts on a CD for around $15, yes, the whole country on one CD for about the same as one CAA chart.

Thanks OP55. I've just been given a VERY thorough ground and flying BFR/Checkout. Checking out the Renters Insurance again.

"Are you saying you turned up with an FAA cert that had the restriction on the back stating "only valid when accompanied by UK license xxxxxxx" but that UK license number had changed to some other number and you were able to get the FSDO to accept that without having completed the Cert of Authenticity with the UK CAA?"
No. That concept was yours, not mine. Of course I had a letter from the FAA confirming they had got the CAA authentication.
The instructor was indeed $50 per hour.
Availability is excellent, with a 2.5 hour solo flight yesterday with no prebooking. Surprisingly no turbulence at all, despite the high temperatures, with good viz and no wind. The best conditions I've ever had in the area.

Getting familiar with these sites, in addition to the TFR one linked to earlier would be useful. I'm finding internet access very useful for planning away from the airport.
http://aviationweather.gov/adds/
https://www.notams.jcs.mil/dinsQueryWeb/

I spoke to the Aviemco guys at the Fly-in and Airshow at Denver today. They don't want to do renters insurance business with aliens who are on short visits.

Pacific Northwest
 

Dr Estaban,

Last year we did a 10 day tour with a C172 starting near SFO, up North to Seattle and then coming back through the Sierras along all the volcanos.

My wife, PPL, has done most of the flying. I shot the photographs. An A340 captain myself but current in Singles.

I've blogged extensively on my photography site but seem to have a problem posting a direct link.
Please Go to my website,
Bjorn Moerman PHOTOGRAPHY-Dubai-United Arab Emirates | SmugMug
Then to my blog (top right) > go to Archive on the right > SEP 2009 and OCT2009 for a detailed report on the trip. About 6 posts in total. We named it " Chasing the Volcanos"


PS: Done a similar trip from PHX up to Vegas and LA a few years before that.
Fly safe,
Bjorn

Just returned from Montana on Aug 16th. Absolutely beautiful! Glasier National Park is a definit "Must See" Fly into Kalispel and rent a convertible for 2 days. Drive the "Going to the Sun" Road. Stay the night at Many Glasier Lodge for the night and drive back the next day. Make sure you switch drivers, scenery is too gorgeous to spend the time driving the whole time. The view is like being in your plane - your at altitude! The road closes at the end of September and re-opens sometime in May I believe.

www.sporty.com has a Western US Pilot's Guide. I heard it was a good book - Covers Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington State and Wyoming. Has descriptions of things to do in the area, accommodations, and airport pictures with helpful information, ie frequencies, hazards, services etc.

I believe there is a special Sectional from the FAA for the Grand Canyon. Check out their website to order. www.faa.gov

Also, if your going in the June, July and August time frame, you will need to dress in layers! The temperature difference in the morning, afternoon and evening is often 30 or 40 degrees. Not unusual to have an 80 degree afternoon and a 45 degree evening and the next morning wake up to 35 degrees. Bring Binoculars, and buy Bear Repellent!

Check out the book "1000 places to see before you Die", it covers some great areas of the western US. You are going to have a blast!

I'm about to return to Europe. I found the Lockheed Martin Automated Flight Service very user friendly. It had no problem with recognition, despite my accent. I quickly got to a Briefer ( a very helpful human).
I didn't take an aircraft for more than one day, but could have.
Colorado Flight Centre offer a Mountain Flying Course, which is required if you wish to use airfields above 7000', and also a Back Country Flying Course, going into strips like Mineral Canyon. They also go up to the Idaho strips.
I'm quite happy using hard, long, runways, for scenic flying. I've put some videos on Youtube.
(I eventually overcame my fear of going airside without a yellow jacket);)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwNNrtfAS7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZiMy7Dn8iU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UUQtD9YUpQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBD6TKxMMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmmnogqeX1g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frks0jU1kiM

I did my ppl in April/May in San Diego / California and found it often uncomfortable hot in the cockpit.
At that time of year I flew around in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota this year weather was changing day to day, mostly to bad for the Rockies but you can keep out of them when based in denver.
In California I flew comfortable in winter having a nightrating, made trips to nevada.
There was unflyable days at all places.