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#1
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south-west: where can we go?
hi.
last summer my wife and me have been to usa 17 days. it was a wonderful holyday, as we expected it to be. we had already been there once, for our honey moon, and had a great time: places were wonderful and people was nice and kind with us --even if we're italian and the average italian tourist is really awful --. after landing in l.a., we've been to (random order) zion, bryce, arches, the needles, island in the sky, red rock canyon, monument valley, valley of gods, valley of fire, antelope canyon, lake powell (water level so loooow), canyon de chelly and we spent 4 days in las vegas before getting back home. oh, i can't forget cottonwood road, from page to bryce canyon: that was *great* and no need to say that the day spent in disneyland was *wonderful*. being sincere, the only place we were not very impressed by have been canyon de chelly and the boat tour on lake powell. arches park is probably the last on the list of parks we'd like to visit again: the "big one" is something around 2.5 hours of hike to reach --a sign says--, and i think that 2x2.5 --to go and get back-- hours is too much for us to see "only" an arch. we're young and thin but i'm not sure i can do it due to a number of reasons, --mainly limited time and great wish to see all of those parks-- this summer we've spent about half a day in a park and the other half moving to the next town. the day after, again the morning in a park and the afternoon to move away --or viceversa--. we noticed --or, at least, we seemed to have noticed-- that 2 to 4 hours in some of those parks seemed to be enough; but, for some of them, they probably aren't. we're now planning to get back to usa this summer --during august-- and we'd like to visit again some of those parks, would like to add someones and to avoid some others. i'd like you to give us some suggestions about: - which parks of the above list are worth a full day and/or even two days? - what parks can we visit in addiction to the ones on that list? - do you think that death valley is nicer at sunrise or in late afternoon? - would some of you please help us to prepare the journey for the next summer? - do you know any big photo shops in las vegas? we're planning to land in las vegas since we're not getting back to disneyworld this time. - is there another area with so many national parks as this one? we'd *really* love to get back to las vegas because it was so funny, but may think about the possibility to move somewhere else. in particular, "inner" states don't seem to be as full of parks as the coastal ones are and the east coast is quite full of metropolis --and we don't want to spend time in big cities, excluding vegas--. please consider we both love to take pictures of the landscapes, rocks and whatever else and will take our cameras with us this time, too. one last thing is i wouldn't want to drive more than 300/350 miles a day. what is more, we may need to rent a ford explorer this time --if 2 friends will join us a taurus won't be enough--. thank you in advance for your time. -- Gianni Rondinini Icem s.r.l. - http://www.icem.it Tel: +39 0545 78036 Fax: +39 0545 78727 |
#2
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help us to prepare the journey for the next summer... do you think that death valley is nicer at sunrise or in late afternoon? If you're going in the summer, the temperature will be a major concern as it gets *extremely* hot in Death Valley. Early morning will be the coolest time of the day, so that would be a good time for any hiking. In terms of photography and sightseeing, either early morning or late afternoon will give you dramatic lighting since the sun will be low in the sky. However, locations on the east side of the valley will be shaded in the morning by the mountains, which would make the lighting much less dramatic. If you go in the summer, carry plenty of water and be sure to read the safety precautions at the official Death Valley web site. Jim ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Remove "NOSPAM" from my address when sending me e-mail. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - |
#3
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Gianni: There are 6 national parks in California, including Death Valley
and Yosemite, plus many many other great state parks and national recreation area. You can take a drive from Yosemite to Death Valley, covering 4 national parks, and end up in Las Vegas. You can spend many days in Yosemite. "Gianni Rondinini" wrote in message ... hi. last summer my wife and me have been to usa 17 days. it was a wonderful holyday, as we expected it to be. we had already been there once, for our honey moon, and had a great time: places were wonderful and people was nice and kind with us --even if we're italian and the average italian tourist is really awful --. after landing in l.a., we've been to (random order) zion, bryce, arches, the needles, island in the sky, red rock canyon, monument valley, valley of gods, valley of fire, antelope canyon, lake powell (water level so loooow), canyon de chelly and we spent 4 days in las vegas before getting back home. oh, i can't forget cottonwood road, from page to bryce canyon: that was *great* and no need to say that the day spent in disneyland was *wonderful*. being sincere, the only place we were not very impressed by have been canyon de chelly and the boat tour on lake powell. arches park is probably the last on the list of parks we'd like to visit again: the "big one" is something around 2.5 hours of hike to reach --a sign says--, and i think that 2x2.5 --to go and get back-- hours is too much for us to see "only" an arch. we're young and thin but i'm not sure i can do it due to a number of reasons, --mainly limited time and great wish to see all of those parks-- this summer we've spent about half a day in a park and the other half moving to the next town. the day after, again the morning in a park and the afternoon to move away --or viceversa--. we noticed --or, at least, we seemed to have noticed-- that 2 to 4 hours in some of those parks seemed to be enough; but, for some of them, they probably aren't. we're now planning to get back to usa this summer --during august-- and we'd like to visit again some of those parks, would like to add someones and to avoid some others. i'd like you to give us some suggestions about: - which parks of the above list are worth a full day and/or even two days? - what parks can we visit in addiction to the ones on that list? - do you think that death valley is nicer at sunrise or in late afternoon? - would some of you please help us to prepare the journey for the next summer? - do you know any big photo shops in las vegas? we're planning to land in las vegas since we're not getting back to disneyworld this time. - is there another area with so many national parks as this one? we'd *really* love to get back to las vegas because it was so funny, but may think about the possibility to move somewhere else. in particular, "inner" states don't seem to be as full of parks as the coastal ones are and the east coast is quite full of metropolis --and we don't want to spend time in big cities, excluding vegas--. please consider we both love to take pictures of the landscapes, rocks and whatever else and will take our cameras with us this time, too. one last thing is i wouldn't want to drive more than 300/350 miles a day. what is more, we may need to rent a ford explorer this time --if 2 friends will join us a taurus won't be enough--. thank you in advance for your time. -- Gianni Rondinini Icem s.r.l. - http://www.icem.it Tel: +39 0545 78036 Fax: +39 0545 78727 |
#4
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Someone has already suggested that you explore some of the
other national parks in California. Another alternative (although farther if you have to go in and out of Las Vegas) would be New Mexico, which has many beautiful places to visit. Patty |
#5
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Gianni Rondinini wrote:
last summer my wife and me have been to usa 17 days. it was a wonderful holyday, as we expected it to be. we had already been there once, for our honey moon, and had a great time: places were wonderful and people was nice and kind with us --even if we're italian and the average italian tourist is really awful --. That has not been our experience with Italian tourists, Gianni. After having spent much time in Italy being treated graciously by the Italian people that we met, we try extra hard to help out Italian travelers here in the US. It's our pleasure to help now if we can. snip we're now planning to get back to usa this summer --during august-- and we'd like to visit again some of those parks, would like to add someones and to avoid some others. Most of the Southwest parks are very hot in the summer, but if you are acclimatized to the heat, it's tolerable. We live near Phoenix, but often make a point of going elsewhere during the worst part of summer. i'd like you to give us some suggestions about: - which parks of the above list are worth a full day and/or even two days? Bryce is fine in summer, but you've been there. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is also pleasant (but avoid the hikes into the canyon itself). Some other parts of Utah are also quite nice in the summertime. Not all the most pretty and interesting places are in Parks, by the way. Much depends upon what activities you want to do. - what parks can we visit in addiction to the ones on that list? - do you think that death valley is nicer at sunrise or in late afternoon? Death Valley in the summer is pretty brutal, unless you are just driving through in an air conditioned car. - would some of you please help us to prepare the journey for the next summer?.. we'd *really* love to get back to las vegas because it was so funny, Yep, very *funny*. please consider we both love to take pictures of the landscapes, rocks and whatever else and will take our cameras with us this time, too. one last thing is i wouldn't want to drive more than 300/350 miles a day. what is more, we may need to rent a ford explorer this time --if 2 friends will join us a taurus won't be enough--. I'd suggest heading for the Sierra Nevada. You could take Highway 95 from Las Vegas to Beatty, then go west through Death Valley to Lone Pine, California. The scenery is uniquely outstanding west of Lone Pine, and north on Highway 395. You could cross into Yosemite National Park, and if you wanted to extend the trip, make a loop back through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. We'll be happy to provide any additional details that you need. Cheers, Caveat |
#6
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Caveat wrote:
Bryce is fine in summer, but you've been there. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is also pleasant (but avoid the hikes into the canyon itself). As a person who has hiked to the river in August I'd add a caveat here. The inner canyon can be brutally hot during the Summer. If you choose to hike there take a lot of water. And the trip to Phantom Ranch may not be best done at that time of year. That said, I'm hard pressed to not recommend some hiking into the canyon. The inner canyon is beautiful and very different as you hike in, especially from the south rim (I understand the North Kaibab trail is not as neat as the south Rim main trails, South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trail. But only hik in a mile or so. Zion is very nice. please consider we both love to take pictures of the landscapes, rocks and whatever else and will take our cameras with us this time, too. one last thing is i wouldn't want to drive more than 300/350 miles a day. what is more, we may need to rent a ford explorer this time --if 2 friends will join us a taurus won't be enough--. I'd suggest heading for the Sierra Nevada. You could take Highway 95 from Las Vegas to Beatty, then go west through Death Valley to Lone Pine, California. The scenery is uniquely outstanding west of Lone Pine, and north on Highway 395. You could cross into Yosemite National Park, and if you wanted to extend the trip, make a loop back through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. This person knows a lot more about this than I do. Juliey We'll be happy to provide any additional details that you need. Cheers, Caveat -- Julie ********** Check out my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm |
#7
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On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:51:59 -0700, Caveat
wrote: Gianni Rondinini wrote: last summer my wife and me have been to usa 17 days. it was a wonderful holyday, as we expected it to be. we had already been there once, for our honey moon, and had a great time: places were wonderful and people was nice and kind with us --even if we're italian and the average italian tourist is really awful --. That has not been our experience with Italian tourists, Gianni. After having spent much time in Italy being treated graciously by the Italian people that we met, we try extra hard to help out Italian travelers here in the US. It's our pleasure to help now if we can. Hi I was in Guatemala a year or two ago and was discussing different Nationalities with our Guatemalan guide at Tikal. He claimed that you can tell Italians by the fact that they only ever ask 3 questions - "What time is lunch?", "What are we eating for lunch?" and "Is there a swimming pool?" The French on the other hand apparently never stop talking. He tactfully declined to comment on Brits!!!! 8^) Regards KGB |
#8
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On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:51:59 -0700, Caveat
wrote: Gianni Rondinini wrote: last summer my wife and me have been to usa 17 days. it was a wonderful holyday, as we expected it to be. we had already been there once, for our honey moon, and had a great time: places were wonderful and people was nice and kind with us --even if we're italian and the average italian tourist is really awful --. That has not been our experience with Italian tourists, Gianni. After having spent much time in Italy being treated graciously by the Italian people that we met, we try extra hard to help out Italian travelers here in the US. It's our pleasure to help now if we can. Hi I was in Guatemala a year or two ago and was discussing different Nationalities with our Guatemalan guide at Tikal. He claimed that you can tell Italians by the fact that they only ever ask 3 questions - "What time is lunch?", "What are we eating for lunch?" and "Is there a swimming pool?" The French on the other hand apparently never stop talking. He tactfully declined to comment on Brits!!!! 8^) Regards KGB |
#9
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Very helpful info - but as the original poster was wary about a 2.5mile hike
within Arches National Park, I guess they'll be somewhat reluctant to hike a 28-mile round trip into the Grand Canyon That said, I'd concur with Julie; I hiked from the North Rim down to the River this Summer (July) and it's absolutely breathtaking. For the most part, the hiking isn't too bad - it's only the final stretch back up the switchbacks that's an absolute beast; the steep incline, intolerable heat and loose sandy paths combine to make it really arduous. If you want to check it all out but don't feel up to the hike, perhaps go down on a mule? No idea what the prices are like though... Pete |
#10
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Very helpful info - but as the original poster was wary about a 2.5mile hike
within Arches National Park, I guess they'll be somewhat reluctant to hike a 28-mile round trip into the Grand Canyon That said, I'd concur with Julie; I hiked from the North Rim down to the River this Summer (July) and it's absolutely breathtaking. For the most part, the hiking isn't too bad - it's only the final stretch back up the switchbacks that's an absolute beast; the steep incline, intolerable heat and loose sandy paths combine to make it really arduous. If you want to check it all out but don't feel up to the hike, perhaps go down on a mule? No idea what the prices are like though... Pete |
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