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03/15/2006 11:16:48 AM · #26 |
We did the Canyon,Bryce, Zion and Vegas about 8 years ago so cannot help with up to date info but all I can say is take plenty of memory cards and be prepared to be totally blown away! It is incredible. Vegas was interesting, in a surreal way, but I really could only cope with a couple of days there.
The trip over the Canyon by helicopter was worth every penny and a definite highlight of the whole trip.
Enjoy yourselves!
P
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03/15/2006 11:54:18 AM · #27 |
We did 2 weeks for my 40th birthday. One week in Florida then a week with a campervan "RV" around Grand Canyon,Bryce,Zion and The Valley of Fire. Loved the second week and would definitely rent a RV again.
Grand Canyon was great but only managed hikes round the rim.
Bryce was a white out with Snow (April)
Zion was fantastic for hikes
As for snakes we didnt find any :)
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03/15/2006 12:43:07 PM · #28 |
| At the grand canyon, splurge for breakfast at the El Tovar dining room an amazing place with very good food, and compared to dinner (when it's dark and you get no views) breakfat is a great deal. An amazing historic building that is worth a visit in any case. Show up early, after shooting the sunrise, and you can pick your table with a nice view of the canyon. Show up after 8:30 and it gets crowded. |
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03/15/2006 12:52:57 PM · #29 |
Floppy-brimmed hats and lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirts are a must. The best hat, bar none, and it's a "lifetime hat, is the Tilley Hat. Check it out!
Robt.
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03/15/2006 12:58:24 PM · #30 |
| Cool they make them out of HEMP that rocks. Thanks for the link! |
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03/15/2006 01:00:09 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
Cool they make them out of HEMP that rocks. Thanks for the link! |
YW... Sailors have been wearing these forever; there's hardly a cruising yacht without one. Getting hot? just give the hat a dunking :-)
R.
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03/15/2006 01:02:26 PM · #32 |
My sis and I did the GC Railway. We opted for the observation level with the glass enclosure, but I wouldn't do it again. Nice enough...with fresh fruit, some entertainment and a sense of not needing to worry about getting there - but I think it was more just an expensive "taxi" to the canyon than anything of it's own interst. I definitely agree about the meals provided at the GC when we got there, and the busrides.
Bryce was beautiful. The formations there are just other-worldly. I also really enjoyed the drive between the GC and Bryce. We stayed at some little town not too far from Bryce, but I can't remember the name. They had little cabin style rooms and a pretty good pizza place next to it. We got up before sunrise to be at Bryce for the sunrise and it seemed it didn't take us too long to get there.
Have fun! |
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03/15/2006 01:41:56 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
Cool they make them out of HEMP that rocks. Thanks for the link! |
YW... Sailors have been wearing these forever; there's hardly a cruising yacht without one. Getting hot? just give the hat a dunking :-)
R. |
i don't know... I swear by this hat in the arizona sun/heat. The mesh really helps you from over heating and it's much cheaper and lighter. Plus when you are not wearing it you can crunch it up and put it in your pocket.
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03/15/2006 05:35:57 PM · #34 |
Both Grand Canyon and Zion have "hotels" where you can make reservations. It may be too late this year, but it is worth a shot. Plus there can be cancellations!!!!!!! If you can't get in at first, make reservations elsewhere (that you can cancel), but keep trying to get into the better, closer locations. You'll be surprised that people do have to cancel even at the last minute!
If you can stay at the Zion lodge - you will probably be able to drive your car in the area that only buses go in the summer. And you can catch the bus to go up and take photos while your family sleeps in.
As far as Bryce - there is a huge motel very near the entrance
//www.brycecanyoncountry.com/lodging/brycecanyonarea.html
Ruby's Inn was where we stayed: //www.rubysinn.com/
It was very close to the entrance - and has many rooms and a restaurant.
If you are going to Las Vegas - you are only an hour or so away from Death Valley. For ultimate luxury, stay at the historic Furnace Creek Inn. For more modest accomodations stay at Furnace Creek Ranch or Stovepipe Wells. In August, it will be HOT, but you can drive up to the Wildrose area - where at 4100 feet elevation - temperatures will be cooler. You won't do much hiking in August, but if you have a reliable car the scenery is incredibly beautiful. If you go, take plenty (and I mean TONS) of water for each family member - in case of emergency. Cell phones do NOT work in most of the park.
I personally don't care that much for Las Vegas. With a family - staying at New York, New York, or MGM with the roller coasters is sorta fun. Food is cheap, but at night you will be bombarded with hooker "trading" cards as you walk down the strip. The shows are fun and there are lots of architectural photo opportunities. The fountains at the Belagio put on a show every fifteen minutes choreographed to different music. Great evening photo opportunity.
As far as Grand Canyon, certainly staying IN the park is your best choice - so you don't lose time in commuting. If you can't get in the park, stay at Grand Canyon Village. Allow plenty of time to stand in line to catch the buses. But for dawn, there are great shots on the east side that you can drive and park yourself.
If you make it to Grand Canyon, Sedona is only a short drive south of Flagstaff - beautiful red rock country.
Message edited by author 2006-03-15 17:46:40. |
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03/15/2006 05:41:55 PM · #35 |
How'd you like Ruby's? I was looking at that and noticed AAA had only rated them with 2 diamonds/stars.
Neil, I was looking at the lodges in the parks for September and October for my own trip and they are just about all full already! You really should start booking soon. I'm working on a 'plan' for myself so I can start booking too. Good luck to you!
Edit:
By the way, this is what a friend of mine emailed me today. Some I already knew but thought you could find it helpful:
"When I went out, I stayed right in the parks. You can call Xantera parks and resorts at 1-888-297-2757 and make your reservations for both parks at the same time. Both park lodges were great--especially at Bryce. Both were very quiet. Neither place has tv's--that means no kids. Xantera runs both lodges. You can also go to "National Parks.com". The web site has all the parks--very good web site."
Message edited by author 2006-03-15 17:44:42.
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03/15/2006 05:49:07 PM · #36 |
Ruby's is OK - not a luxury hotel, but standard motel rooms - restaurant was OK. And if I remember correctly, it is the closest hotel to the park entrance. And I suspect it is a lot cheaper than staying at the lodge inside the park. There is a whole little community around the hotel with auto mechanics, grocery (I think), a couple of restaurants, etc.
Note: I added some info about Death Valley in the summer. |
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03/15/2006 05:52:28 PM · #37 |
| I want to say that Ruby's is only about 10 minutes from the gate to the park - not far at all to run over for sunrise and sunset over the amphitheater. |
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03/15/2006 05:54:10 PM · #38 |
Thanks, Mary Ann! Very helpful. :-)
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03/15/2006 06:03:15 PM · #39 |
One more thing, Neil. I found this package on AAA the other day. I'm half considering it and I just noticed that you are looking for an 8 day trip. This would be perfect for you as well. The only problem is the package supposedly expires this month...but maybe they'll have something similar available later or you could ask.
LINK
In case the link didn't work, go to AAA, Vacation Packages, and National Parks Explorer. Here's the summary:
National Parks Explorer
Begins & ends in Las Vegas, NV
8 Days / 7 Nights
Las Vegas (1 Night) · Zion (1 Night) · Bryce Canyon (1 Night) · Lake Powell / Page (1 Night) · Grand Canyon (1 Night) · Sedona (1 Night) · Las Vegas (1 Night)
Departures Daily from Nov 1, 2005 through Mar 31, 2006
Use your own car or book one with your getaway
I did a quick price check for September 2006 (past the supposed expiration date) for flight (out of Elmira), car and package and the total is only Total: $1122 USD for two people!
Message edited by author 2006-03-15 18:04:11.
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08/07/2006 02:29:20 PM · #40 |
| My favorite landmark to take pictures of in Zion National Park is Angels Landing--usually the morning is good for taking pictures because it is backlit in the afternoon. The colorful geology of Zion Canyon is splendid and well worth the visit! Best of luck on your trip! |
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08/07/2006 02:47:58 PM · #41 |
Originally posted by TommyMoe21:
Valley Of Fire State Park, is only 30 minutes north of Las Vegas. |
That's one of my dad's favorites, though I've never been there. |
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09/02/2006 11:22:47 AM · #42 |
Neil, are you still heading out west?
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