Today, I found out that there is actually one good, low cost flight a week from Seattle to Yerevan: it's via Amsterdam, and connects on a relatively not-scary Armenian airline [I've flown Moldavian Airlines, so I figure Armavia can't be any worse].
So, it looks like I might yet get to go back to the Caucasus. Easy, affordable flights from Seattle... improved political situation... better quality hotels... more time to research...
Bonus Armenia titbit: When I applied for a visa back in 2001, it arrived in the form of a traditional, elaborate visa glued into my passport, complete with raised seal. However, the consulate got the entry date wrong, so I sent it back - and they returned it with the correct dates written on top of some large blobs of Liquid Paper. These days, though, I'm delighted to see that Armenia was the second nation in the world to go over to an e-visa system [Australia was the first - their ETAs have been around for years]. Rock on!