Things To See Out West (VANITY)

me

[JRochelle]

What/where is a must thing to do/see in AZ, UT, NV, and CA?

[Graybeard58]

Take the dam tour, too.

He asked nicely and this is a family friendly site.

All seriousness aside though. Hoover damn is a sight to see!

[Graybeard58]

Coming out of Colorado on the interstate when we got to Utah we saw an exit sign with a notation on it "Next services 105 miles" (Carry your canteen, just in case)

[Diver Dave]

Absolutely Yosemite. I live 100 plus mile from Yosemite and have lived in California (Modesto) for 20 years. Made my first trip to Yosemite last June.

I see there have been no suggestions about visiting FRESNO - Home of FReeRepublic and Jim Robinson - the Boss. Also home to monthly Support Our Troops Rallies (1st Friday of the month).

Actually, There is so much to see and do here in California as well as the entire West Coast. I envy you and your planned vacation to see the country up close and personal. We drive north to Washington every year to visit family and I'm always amazed at the sites along the journey.

Welcome to California.

[Jeff Chandler]

If you are traveling from AZ to CA on I-10, go here: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway .

A reasonable price for a real life thrill ride from the desert floor to the 8,000' pine forest. Take the tram up, spend the day in the forest, catch dinner and the sunset.

---

A little ways further down I-10 are some giant dinosaurs.

But they only take a few minutes to appreciate, so keep going until you find Oak Glen, a nice little town with apple orchards and a petting zoo. Worth the side trip.

I know a lot of low cost, interesting places in California, the kind that aren't on the usual tourist agenda. Reply to this post if you want more. -Jeff

[Lil'freeper]

Summertime in Northern AZ - there's nothing more grand.

In Sedona there's great shopping, quirky people, and lots to see. I'd recommend a Pink Jeep tour or similar to get you off the pavement and up into the geology. (Be sure to get some of those roadside geology books for the different states. There are places in the Mogollon rim area where you can pull off the road and pick up fossils right there on the shoulder.) Sedona also has the Chapel of the Holy Cross which is amazing Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. There's also Red Rocks State park where you can get in the water and cool off (warning: it's snowmelt and spring fed...brrrr). Also check out Slide Rock if it's open. It's a natural waterpark of sorts in Oak Creek. (warning: wear jeans shorts over your bathing suit... and it's also cold).

Up in Flagstaff, there's the Lowell Observatory up on Mars Hill. They have a lovely museum and evening program. Try to get in on a night where they open up the dome and use the old reflector. I've seen lots of stuff there, but Saturn was the best. Breathtaking!

Whoops, got to go to work. More later...

[Lokibob]

I really would encourage you to visit Arches NP:
http://www.nps.gov/arch/
right outside Moab. Over 2,000 natural arches in the park. Moab is on the Colorado river and has river rafting etc. Moab is also a center for mountain biking and has the Moab jeep safari where jeepers test their equipment.

On the way to Moab is Green River, UT, the site of the best watermelons in the world (IMHO). Festival every Aug.

GW mentioned the Shakespeare theater in Cedar City and that is great with performances daily. (Its not THAT out of the way-GW)

[Lokibob]

GAD! Over the last couple of months, I have thought I was crazy! Finally have figured it out, there are 2 of you.

Anywat, check my post above on Utah......bob

[Lil'freeper]

Ok. Continuing on...

You absolutely must go to the Museum of Northern Arizona, just outside of Flagstaff. It has two wings - one for the natural history of the area and one for the cultural history of the area. They often have hands-on activities, demonstrations, and a couple rotating exhibits. Do the museum *before* heading out to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, or Wupatki or even Camp Verde/Montezuma's Castle & Well.

While you're on the Museum side of town, drive up to the Snow Bowl and walk around some of the trails to see the change in vegetation w/ altitude. Merriam of Merriam's Life Zones spent a fair bit of time in AZ. The trail up Mt. Humphries begins at the parking lot. It is a challenging, but doable climb. There's nothing like being above the timber line. Nothing in the world! Take good shoes and water and a wind breaker for up top. And do this as early in the morning as you can manage to avoid afternoon storms.

If the peak isn't your cup of tea, may I recommend driving up the other side and picnicking (or camping) in the Inner Basin. The drive is a little hair-raising but worth it. (I wouldn't take an RV up the first time...)

The most interesting wildlife is found on San Francisco Street downtown. Shopping is good. Restaurants cater to the college set... and the hippies. Lots of vegetarian fare.

[Graybeard58]

Finally have figured it out, there are 2 of you.

More than that. I tried to get the screen name "Graybeard" and it was already taken, so I got Graybeard58. I was 58 years old when I joined.

I have pinged the original with this reply - he is active. (I assume it's a "he" anyway).

[carolinalivin]

I don't know if it's been mentioned. Some people like to tour the missions and it takes you up and down the coast from San Diego to Marin County.

If you go to San Diego, San Francisco, or near other coastal cities you can see as many missions as you like or see two or three and get the general idea.

[JRochelle]

My gosh that tram pic is awesome!
Is that close to Simi Valley?

Thanks for all your info, I need all the help I can get.

[JRochelle]

San Fran is definitely out.

I'm afraid my 15 year old would see things that he shouldn't see until he is 30. :)

[JRochelle]

River rafting? What a great idea. I know we would love it.
Thanks.

[SuzyQue]

These look pretty good:
http://www.swcp.com/~schelby/cha.htm
http://www.jqjacobs.net/southwest/chaco.html

Archaeoastronomy.

I'm sorry I don't have more time to give you a better answer.

[JRochelle]

Thank you.

Does anyone know where the best fireworks (07/04) are? Vegas?

[Lokibob]

Here ya go, full details:

http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/rafting/?gclid=CMjSncbyxokCFQloYAodiwekvw

[dagoofyfoot]

Don't forget to stop at Sean Penn's house and hock a loogie on his car.

[dagoofyfoot]

Does anyone know where the best fireworks (07/04) are? Vegas?


Dana Point, California, or....


Disneyland every night!

[Utah Binger]

[Lil'freeper]

Oh speaking of the Spanish Missions...

If you make it down to southern AZ - the Tucson area - there's the Sonora Desert Museum which is the most amazing "zoo" you'll ever see, there's the Biosphere, Kitt Peak, Colossal Caves. Further south is the San Xavier del Bac Mission, the white dove of the desert. The town of Tubac is a charming little artist colony and down in Green Valley is the Titan Missile Museum. This was an actual silo and bunker that was turned into a museum. Very eerie. But important for younger folks who missed out on the Cold War.