I'm BACK! I know I've really dropped this thread for 5 months, but the trip is always on my mind, I've just not had time to plan as much as I wanted to.
Since we've talked last, we have a brand new tow vehicle! Picked up the truck in my signature. Now there is now concern for that aspect. We'll be comfortable and have all the grunt we need to work through the mountains! A side benefit is that we now have 4x4, so I'll be welcoming input on off-road trails. Not interested in taking on serious trails, but certainly moderate ones interest us.
I've had some time over Christmas to get back into the map and start putting it into a calendar to flesh out the itinerary. Here's what it looks as of right now.
1. June 7 leave Greenville, SC to Memphis 545m (1 night)
2. 577m to Elk City, OK (1 night)
3. 532 to El Malpais (1 night)
4. Petrified Forest
5. 272 to Sunset Crater (1 night)
6. Wupatki and Walnut Canyon (2 night)
7. 90 miles to Grand Canyon (4 nights) village
8. 181 miles to Vermillion Cliffs
9. 117 miles to Zion (4 nights)watchman
10. 84 miles to Bryce (2 nights)
11. 119 miles to Capitol Reef (1 night)
12. 242 miles to Glen Canyon (1 night)
13. 297 to Natural Bridges, Canyonland, Arches (5 nights)
14. 181 miles to Black Canyon of the Gunnison (1 night)
15. 49 miles to Ourey (2 nights)
16. 70 miles to Durango/Mesa Verde (3 nights)
17. 174 miles to Great Sand Dunes (3 nights)
18. 169 miles to Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak (3 nights)
19. 502 miles to Whichita, KS (family)(2 nights)
20. 442 miles to St. Louis, MI (2 nights)
21. 308 miles to Nasheville (2 nights)
22. 334 miles to HOME! Arrive July 18th
This all falls into exactly 6 weeks (41 nights out).
I recognize that many would slow down from this schedule, but I don't have the luxury of more time.
I wish I could put this in a format that was easier to read. But hope this works okay.
Any thoughts on something I should just skip? or spend more or less time at? or something I'm passing right by and didn't realize?
From here on out, I hope this thread will be more active. Time is closing in on us quickly. In fact, I'm calling this week for my Grand Canyon and Zion reservations. I wanted to play the rest by ear, but I know those two are hard to get.
