tallguy
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Post by tallguy on May 24, 2019 20:33:11 GMT -5
Don't need any advice (unless you have some REALLY good stuff to share) but touring our national parks is HIGHLY recommended. Have so far spent two or more days each at Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef. Still to come are Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, probably Carlsbad Caverns, who knows how many in California, and may finish up at Crater Lake before going home. Have been averaging 50-70 pictures per day, and took 160 today at Capitol Reef. I would venture to say that you could take a good photo every single step if you wanted to in some of these places. Truly stunning, not to mention awe-inspiring. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended. And I may someday even get around to doing the three in my home state!  |
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justme
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Post by justme on May 24, 2019 22:09:13 GMT -5
Muir woods is really cool. A little different from the redwoods forest further inland since several hiking paths take you to the ocean. Wish I had had more than 3 hours there.
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justme
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Post by justme on May 24, 2019 22:11:00 GMT -5
Oh and meteor crater is cool, that's near Flagstaff.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on May 28, 2019 9:44:41 GMT -5
Muir woods is really cool. A little different from the redwoods forest further inland since several hiking paths take you to the ocean. Wish I had had more than 3 hours there.  If you ever make it out this way again PM me. There are plenty of Coastal Redwood State and County Parks near me without the crowds (and parking problems) of Muir Woods.
Coastal Redwoods are a different species from the Giant Sequoias you find in Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. Very cool in their own right. 
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 4, 2019 23:43:51 GMT -5
Very much enjoyed Zion National Park even with the crowds, but Bryce Canyon is unbelievable. The five Utah parks are very different, and all amazing in their own right, but what they call the amphitheater at Bryce was for me the most stunning thing I've seen. It is even possible to do Bryce pretty well in one day, which is very difficult at the other parks. Dropped in at Petrified Forest NP for a couple hours on the way across Arizona to make it eight national parks so far. Painted Desert at one end and Petrified Forest at the other were both kind of interesting, but very anticlimactic after seeing all of the others first.
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 8, 2019 14:43:52 GMT -5
Had another very cool hike today. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. It is off the highway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I had never heard of it but read a little and persuaded the GF to get up early and go. Not a lot of parking and Rangers limit access after the lots are full so if you arrive later you have to wait until someone leaves before being allowed in. Well worth it to be there early when the park opens.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Jun 8, 2019 18:32:57 GMT -5
I have been to New Mexico several times and will probably be there in August for a family affair. Beautiful state.
The only book written by Louis L'Amour I ever read (and have read several times) was Haunted Mesa. It's a bit of science fiction set in modern times about the Anasazi and their ruins in New Mexico. Good read.
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 12, 2019 20:18:18 GMT -5
Carlsbad Caverns was this afternoon's adventure. Walked down the Natural Entrance Trail and did the Big Room Trail. Again, stunning. This has been quite a trip. Ten National Parks and two National Monuments so far. As the Ken Burns documentary puts it, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jun 12, 2019 20:54:47 GMT -5
Carlsbad Caverns was this afternoon's adventure. Walked down the Natural Entrance Trail and did the Big Room Trail. Again, stunning. This has been quite a trip. Ten National Parks and two National Monuments so far. As the Ken Burns documentary puts it, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
That is a documentary worth watching if pEEps here haven't seen it. I am very envious of your trip Tallguy! and living vicariously thru your post. I've been to a few national parks but no where as many as I would like.  |
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jun 17, 2019 16:41:44 GMT -5
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jun 17, 2019 17:19:47 GMT -5
Totally jealous! Once DH & I are retired, visiting a bunch of the national parks is on our bucket list. Please post some of your favorite pictures after you're back home, and have some time to unwind.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jun 17, 2019 17:34:03 GMT -5
That's a massive and awesome trip!
Have you been to Crater Lake before? I live near there, and it's so beautiful.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Jun 17, 2019 17:35:56 GMT -5
Very much enjoyed Zion National Park even with the crowds, but Bryce Canyon is unbelievable. The five Utah parks are very different, and all amazing in their own right, but what they call the amphitheater at Bryce was for me the most stunning thing I've seen. It is even possible to do Bryce pretty well in one day, which is very difficult at the other parks. Dropped in at Petrified Forest NP for a couple hours on the way across Arizona to make it eight national parks so far. Painted Desert at one end and Petrified Forest at the other were both kind of interesting, but very anticlimactic after seeing all of the others first.
We almost went to Bryce Canyon, but since we live in the PNW, we decided we didn't have any more driving in us to make it Bryce Canyon. |
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 17, 2019 18:41:21 GMT -5
Very much enjoyed Zion National Park even with the crowds, but Bryce Canyon is unbelievable. The five Utah parks are very different, and all amazing in their own right, but what they call the amphitheater at Bryce was for me the most stunning thing I've seen. It is even possible to do Bryce pretty well in one day, which is very difficult at the other parks. Dropped in at Petrified Forest NP for a couple hours on the way across Arizona to make it eight national parks so far. Painted Desert at one end and Petrified Forest at the other were both kind of interesting, but very anticlimactic after seeing all of the others first.
We almost went to Bryce Canyon, but since we live in the PNW, we decided we didn't have any more driving in us to make it Bryce Canyon. Where do you think I live? |
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 19, 2019 0:09:57 GMT -5
Muir woods is really cool. A little different from the redwoods forest further inland since several hiking paths take you to the ocean. Wish I had had more than 3 hours there. If you ever make it out this way again PM me. There are plenty of Coastal Redwood State and County Parks near me without the crowds (and parking problems) of Muir Woods.
Coastal Redwoods are a different species from the Giant Sequoias you find in Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. Very cool in their own right.
Was in that area today but it was arranged somewhat spur of the moment between my GF and our host. Walked the Tennessee Valley Trail down to Tennessee Beach, but didn't really have time for much more. Nice walk, but cold this morning before the sun came out. |
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Jun 19, 2019 10:14:57 GMT -5
If you ever make it out this way again PM me. There are plenty of Coastal Redwood State and County Parks near me without the crowds (and parking problems) of Muir Woods.
Coastal Redwoods are a different species from the Giant Sequoias you find in Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. Very cool in their own right.
Was in that area today but it was arranged somewhat spur of the moment between my GF and our host. Walked the Tennessee Valley Trail down to Tennessee Beach, but didn't really have time for much more. Nice walk, but cold this morning before the sun came out. Oh yeah, Summer at the Coast means wearing sweaters. 
Last week we had 3 1/2 days of 95 degree weather, then the fog rolled in and we were in the low 60s. Never a boring day at the beach!
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Jun 19, 2019 10:21:58 GMT -5
I have friends currently doing the Canadian version of that tour. It's on my travel list. I am thinking of RVing it. How are you guys travelling? Where are you staying?
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Jun 19, 2019 10:32:49 GMT -5
Travelling in an SUV. I had originally thought about buying a small RV for myself, but then I met her. She decided to buy an SUV instead. We have stayed either in hotels, airbnb, or with her friends. We will be doing the Canadian Rockies at some point. She wants to go in September but I'd rather put it off a bit. Already planning a several-week Europe trip for next spring, so....
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