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Southwest Trip Questions



 
 
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  #11  
Old April 15th, 2004, 09:06 PM
Susan
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

To your questions:

1. I've done essentailly this trip (in reverse: flying into Phoenix,
dropping off in LV) two times in the last several years, and both
times found a rental agency that didn't charge the drop-off fee.
Definitely check several agencies. I think I used National for one of
the trips, but cannot remember for sure.

2. I agree with the previous poster that despite the spartan nature of
the lodging, staying in the Village is better. I especially think
it's great if you are going to do a lot of walking or hiking as it
makes a brief rest so much easier. Except for El Tovar, the "lodges"
are very clean, very plain basic motels, with pretty much no
amenities.

3. Sedona is definitely worth a stop for the beautiful rock
formations. If the weather is hot, Oak Creek Canyon is a nice park
for a dip in the (very crowded) Creek. The surroundings are beautiful
too - it marks the transition from the rocky desert to the almost
alpine-appearing mountains further north. Others may disagree, but
unless I were staying in a fabulous hotel/spa in the area, I would
make Sedona a stop on the way somewhere, as opposed to staying
overnight or for multiple days.

4. I love Tuscon, and spent 4 days there, and easilly kept myself
busy. As others have said, the Mission at San Xavier del Bac is
beautiful and interesting; if you are interested in aviation, the Pima
Airfiled/Museum is fascinating (I'm not much of a plane buff but
really enjoyed it); there are lots of good restaurants in Tuscon,
including more authentic Mexican than you'll find almost anywhere else
in the US - the carne seca alone is enough to make me eat beef.
Daytrips from Tuscon are nice; I visited Tombstone, and if you are a
fan of western lore, by all means go, but it is more than a tourist
trap. It gives tourist traps a bad name. I also loved Bisbee. It's
about an hour or so further south of Tombstone, and has sort of
reinvented itself as an artists community now that the mine is closed.
When I was there in '98 you could tour the old copper mine, and there
were several lovely galleries and restaurants. We spent a nice day
there walking around and window shopping after seeing the mine, and
just seeing the town sprawled across the valley and up the mountain as
you come out of the tunnel was worth the drive.

5. Other AZ stuff: I definitely recommend heading east from Flagstaff
- nearby Walnut Canyon is fantastic; if you have time the Monument
Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop is not to be missed. I found it to be
the highlight of the trip. They are two of my favorite places
anywhere.

I am no fan of extended driving, but in the Southwest, I find driving
trips much more manageable, almost enjoyable, so don't hesitate to add
more to the itinerary if time allows and the distance is discouraging
you. Between higher speed limits, less traffic (than the east coast,
anyway), more polite drivers and the psychology of space that all
those open vistas incurs, I was always surprised at how pleasant it
was to drive long distances, sometimes up to 200 miles a day for 2 or
3 straight days.
  #12  
Old April 16th, 2004, 12:57 PM
WolfpackFan
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about
traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June
2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan.

1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels
(probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like
to see a show and see some of the hotels.
2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and
hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long
time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings).
3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop.
4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona.
4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone.
5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in
Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have
good flights to home, while Phoenix does.

I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable?
  #13  
Old April 16th, 2004, 01:28 PM
Juliana L Holm
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

Yes, sounds doable. Two weeks, not 10 days.

Julie

WolfpackFan wrote:
I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about
traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June
2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan.


1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels
(probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like
to see a show and see some of the hotels.
2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and
hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long
time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings).
3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop.
4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona.
4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone.
5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in
Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have
good flights to home, while Phoenix does.


I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable?


--
Julie
**********
Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
  #14  
Old April 16th, 2004, 01:40 PM
Keith Willshaw
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Default Southwest Trip Questions


"WolfpackFan" wrote in message
...
I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about
traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June
2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan.

1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels
(probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like
to see a show and see some of the hotels.


Try and avoid Friday and Saturday night, room rates will be triple
what they are midweek.

2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and
hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long
time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings).


Sounds good

3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop.
4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona.
4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone.
5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in
Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have
good flights to home, while Phoenix does.

I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable?


Sure, have fun.

Keith


  #15  
Old April 17th, 2004, 07:04 PM
Graham Harrison
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

I don't remember the drive between Phoenix and Tucson with affection!
Quite a busy freeway, not the best laid out and the scenery best described
as boring. To avoid doing it twice I might consider:

Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de
Chelley, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Show Low, Globe, Tucson.......

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  #16  
Old April 18th, 2004, 10:00 AM
Icono Clast
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

"Graham Harrison" wrote:
I don't remember the drive between Phoenix and Tucson with affection!


I do.

the scenery best described as boring.


Not by me! I thought it magnificent.

I also enjoyed the stop in Florence.
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  #17  
Old April 18th, 2004, 05:38 PM
Chris the Liberal
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

WolfpackFan wrote in message ...
I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to the southwest for next
year. Locations we want to visit - Las Vegas for a day or so, Grand
Canyon and then some areas in Arizona (that's where I need the help).

Questions -

1) I was thinking of flying into Las Vegas and renting a car and then


Tho I travel a lot in the SW, never with an rental car so no info.

2) We'd probably spend two nights and one day seeing Grand Canyon. Where
is best place to stay for this type visit?


El Tovar would be nice, right on the rim. However, book a LONG way
ahead of time. I've never planned far enough ahead but when I've asked
about lodges inside N Parks of the SW have been told by them to reserve
a year ahead.

3) We've heard about Sedona. What is there and how long should I budget
time-wise?


I thought it grim. If one has never seen the southwest before, there
are a few nice views. BUT the village is a "nothing" and, interested as
I am in photography, I was vexed by the fact that in the middle of every
view was a millionaires house. I spent only a few hours, would never go
back.

4) Is Tucson worthing visiting? If so, for how long?


If you're going to be in the Grand Canyon, see scenery instead of
cities.
Go around to the N Rim, fewer people, still grand views. AND a
very scenic drive, crossing the Colorado River at Navajo Bridge
over Grand Canyon. Read John Wesley Powell's "The Exploration of the
Colorado" and at Navajo Bridge take a few moments to meditate on what
his experience must have been like as he drifted past this point.
Bryce (my favorite because of the fantastic color) and Zion are
nearby so venture up into Utah.
OR from Tuba City go over into the Hopi reservation to Second Mesa.
Satisfactory motel, nice restaurant, and a small but excellent museum
which gives you insight into the Hopi culture.
If you want to go past Flagstaff, see Wupatki National Monument
and Sunset Crater, and perhaps even Walnut Canyon.

Another alternative would be to continue past Second Mesa, onward
to Canyon de Chelly (great views down into the canyon), take the
highway down to Interstate 40 and come back east past Petrified
Forest.

The SW is a magnificent place, so it is hard to go wrong:
BUT stay away from cities (Phoenix, Tucson).
  #18  
Old April 18th, 2004, 06:18 PM
Susan
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

WolfpackFan wrote in message ...

I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable?


I did almost this exact itinerary in 12 days, and found it very
doable. If you can go up to 14 all the better, but I wouldn't go down
to 10 days.

I'm envious- have a great trip.

Susan
  #19  
Old April 18th, 2004, 06:33 PM
KGB
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 07:57:19 -0400, WolfpackFan
wrote:

I want to thank everyone for their replies to my questions about
traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona. I am planning this trip for June
2005. After reading the replies, I'm kind of putting together this plan.

1) Fly into Las Vegas and spend two nights at one of the fancy hotels
(probably Venetian or Bellagio) - we're not gamblers but we would like
to see a show and see some of the hotels.
2) Drive to Grand Canyon, stopping by Hoover Dam on the way, and
hopefully stay at El Tovar for two nights (I know I have to book a long
time ahead and will do so just as soon as they open June bookings).
3) Drive east and do the Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly loop.
4) Then back to Flagstaff and then head south stopping in Sedona.
4) Drive thru Phoenix and go to Tucson and Tombstone.
5) Then finish trip in Phoenix before flying back, leaving car in
Phoenix. I could fly out of Tucson I guess, but Southwest doesn't have
good flights to home, while Phoenix does.

I'm figuring 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. Does it sound doable?


Hi

We did a not too dis-similar trip some years ago (except for Monument
Valley but with a detour to Bisbee), staying in a tent the whole way
- except in Las Vegas and Tucson - spending a few days at some places.
The list below is by no means complete, just the main stops:-

Las Vegas: (Excalibur)
Grand Canyon (North Rim):
Sunset crater:
Sedona:
Prescott:
Bisbee:
Tucson:
We then carried on to Los Angeles via....
Yuma:
Mount Palomar:
LA

From my diary, we left Las Vegas on the 11th September and arrived in
Tucson on 25th Sept, which is just 14 days. I don't remember feeling
rushed, so your itinerary is certainly "doable".


We have also done a trip from Phoenix:-
Phoenix: motel
Apache Lake: tent
Show Low: tent
Painted Desert: tent
Monument Valley: tent
Bullfrog: tent
Escalante: motel
Mount Carmel Junction: tent
St George: tent
Las Vegas: hotel
......and then to LA via Death Valley and "Red Rock Canyon". That trip
took around 2 weeks to Las Vegas - again I don't remember feeling
rushed.
However, having said that, we would have liked to have spent longer in
some places - and have been back to them since.

Incidentally, the last time we were in Las Vegas (Sept 2002), rather
than pick up our rental car on arrival, we got a cab to our hotel (the
Sahara) to recover from our Trans-Atlantic flight (we are Brits) then
picked up the car the next day downtown - it worked out very well.



Regards

KGB

  #20  
Old April 21st, 2004, 08:13 PM
Hatunen
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Default Southwest Trip Questions

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 13:31:57 GMT, "Evelyn C. Leeper"
wrote:

Icono Clast wrote:

"Graham Harrison" wrote:

Tombstone which is a wonderful tourist trap but still well worth an
hour or two.



I'd say a few hours but the big thing about Tombstone is that it's on
the way to Tucson's great Desert Museum. Also on the way is a
wonderful mission.


It's not on the way from anywhere north of Tucson.


It's not very far out of the way. Strictly speaking the desert
museum isn't on the way to much onywhere.

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* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
 




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