When we leave the Rally on about April 19th we are heading for the Grand Canyon and the Red Rock Country in general. I don't like to go more than 150 or 200 miles every 5 days to a week so it will take us a while and that's OK we have all the time in the world
Since we don't really want to be there during the height of the summer, we are thinking of going a northern route and wondered if anyone out there had done this and had suggestions for the route, natural areas to visit or parks to stay in.
We don't do cities. Mostly just places we can hike, kayak and bike in the midst of beautiful nature.
Thanks in advance to ALL for your suggestions, Sherry
Bill and Linda said
09:49 AM Jan 28, 2011
Sherry, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to just take I-40 all the way to Grand Canyon.If you go the northern route you will miss all of those wonderfully terrible stretches of I-40 just east of, into and through Memphis. Don’t forget to take in the construction on the I-40 bridge that crosses the Mississippi; simply stunning.That means you won’t have the wonderful opportunity to transverse Memphis on I-40, many sections of which were constructed before you were born. That would be a shame to miss.
Then onward to the west and the wonderful open ruts of I-40 through Arkansas and the exquisite section of the highway on the east side of Oklahoma City.
You really are missing a treat by not going I-40.NOT!
Please post the route you take. We’ll be going to Arizona later this year and I will be curious as to your route.Just because of time we went I-40 from North Carolina to the GC and Phoenix, both ways.West of Oklahoma City I-40 becomes a really pretty, for Interstates, drive.East of Oklahoma City to western Tennessee, not so much.
Have a great trip after the Rally.See you there.
Bill
jb said
02:49 PM Jan 28, 2011
I would go up through Santa Fe Taos Chama and the four corners area and hit-Chaco Canyon,Mesa Verde National Park, Zion National park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument valley ( I probalby have these in the wrong order) and the North Rim of the GC- less crowded than the south. Depends on how much time you have or want to take.
Wish we could go with you-- but not quite yet :).
-- Edited by jb on Friday 28th of January 2011 02:50:50 PM
Sherry said
03:05 PM Jan 28, 2011
So Bill you don't think we should take I-40 I guess
Jo Beth, Thanks for the suggested route. Just what I was hoping for. I'll look into these spots and their order.
We have however long we want to take and I'm not one for driving more than 150-200 miles every 4 or 5 or 7 days. But at that rate I'm a bit concerned about ending up at the Grand Canyon or Zion when it's hotter than a boiled owl.
Maybe someone else will have a northern route for me to consider. It is SO much fun to be thinking about this as I toss things and pack things and do the not so much fun stuff.
We took the circle tour last year. It is a loop through southern Utah and absolutely gorgeous. We actually started out in New Mexico at Chaco Canyon(do not try to take your rv there the road in is bad) then went to Grand Canyon south rim(north rim does not open until mid May). We would have loved to visit the north rim but maybe another time. We then went to Zion, Bryce, Grand Staircase Escalante, Arches, Canyonlands and then on to Mesa Verde. We missed Capital Reef but that will be another thing for next time. We did what you said and would stay in one place for 3-5 days depending upon how much there was to see in that area. It was a great adventure, hope to do it again when we can take even longer. I would highly recommend Fodor's "National Parks of the West" as a reference guide.
When we leave the Rally on about April 19th we are heading for the Grand Canyon and the Red Rock Country in general. I don't like to go more than 150 or 200 miles every 5 days to a week so it will take us a while and that's OK we have all the time in the world
Since we don't really want to be there during the height of the summer, we are thinking of going a northern route and wondered if anyone out there had done this and had suggestions for the route, natural areas to visit or parks to stay in.
We don't do cities.
Mostly just places we can hike, kayak and bike in the midst of beautiful nature.
Thanks in advance to ALL for your suggestions,
Sherry
Sherry, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to just take I-40 all the way to Grand Canyon. If you go the northern route you will miss all of those wonderfully terrible stretches of I-40 just east of, into and through Memphis. Don’t forget to take in the construction on the I-40 bridge that crosses the Mississippi; simply stunning. That means you won’t have the wonderful opportunity to transverse Memphis on I-40, many sections of which were constructed before you were born. That would be a shame to miss.
Then onward to the west and the wonderful open ruts of I-40 through Arkansas and the exquisite section of the highway on the east side of Oklahoma City.
You really are missing a treat by not going I-40. NOT!
Please post the route you take. We’ll be going to Arizona later this year and I will be curious as to your route. Just because of time we went I-40 from North Carolina to the GC and Phoenix, both ways. West of Oklahoma City I-40 becomes a really pretty, for Interstates, drive. East of Oklahoma City to western Tennessee, not so much.
Have a great trip after the Rally. See you there.
Bill
Wish we could go with you-- but not quite yet :).
-- Edited by jb on Friday 28th of January 2011 02:50:50 PM
So Bill you don't think we should take I-40 I guess
Jo Beth, Thanks for the suggested route. Just what I was hoping for. I'll look into these spots and their order.
We have however long we want to take and I'm not one for driving more than 150-200 miles every 4 or 5 or 7 days. But at that rate I'm a bit concerned about ending up at the Grand Canyon or Zion when it's hotter than a boiled owl.
Maybe someone else will have a northern route for me to consider. It is SO much fun to be thinking about this as I toss things and pack things and do the not so much fun stuff.
Sherry
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