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Cloud_9's avatar
Cloud_9
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015

Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon trip

Will be in Houston area after Feb 1st, thinking this might be a chance to visit these sights we have longed to see(we know its not local, but maybe farthest west we will get),can you folks recommend a general route, stops along the way? We can take our time, move departure date for better weather, etc.

Carl
  • Wow ! Lots of great stuff do see, thanks for the thoughtful feedback. We are currently on the road, but with family and Drs back in New England (VT and NH). So will end up back there eventually, but Do want to see the above mentioned sights on our bucket list, along with other ones like you guys have mentioned.

    Carl
  • Texas is not my favorite place but San Antonio's River Walk is really nice, and the Alamo is worth the time too. Further North is Canyon, 13 miles south of Amarillo, it is a neat little college town with a great Oil Field Museum. On the east side of Canyon is Palo Duro Canyon. It is not well publicized but a nice overnight stop, nice campgrounds down on the canyon floor. Not sure about the weather at that time of year but it does get very cold there. In Amarillo is Jack Siezmore's RV Land. He and his son have a great museum out back. Well worth the stop.

    My next stop would be Carlsbad, I waited 60 years to see the Caverns, saw a film strip or two in grammer school and always wanted to go there. The DW had no interest but in May of '14 we stopped there going east. About 100 feet into the main room she was amazed and wants to make sure I get back in the summer to see the bats.

    From there to the Canyon via I40 to Williams and then to Trailer Park if you want/need hookups, Mather for dry camping. There are some great sites there and a myriad of things to do and see. Check out the Ranger programs, go to Kolb Studio, Hermits Rest for sunset, Bright Angel lodge for ice cream, See the fireplace in the lodge with rocks that Mary Colter hand picked from each strata from the river to the rime. Do the Walk of Ages and take lots of photos.

    Back down to Williams and the west and up to the Dam. Check the night before to see if they are giving tours. With the attack in Paris, security will still be very high and the dam may be closed.

    I could go on but I'd need to know how long you'll be there.

    Also if el nino is really bad, there may be some rain although the monsoons are over until next spring but Zion may well have a lot of trails closed due to high water in the slot canyons.

    Have fun and try to come back, we'll give you an itinerary for at least three months of sight seeing.
  • Stay at the South Rim to see the Grand Canyon. You are going to see it and not waste time on a train ride back and forth and a couple or so hours midday to see the canyon. This was you can say you have SEEN the Grand Canyon; not just been to there.
  • Not just green chili burgers but green chili Cheese burgers and New Mexico Apple Pie (has green chili's and pinon nuts in the apple pie). Great!

    Dave
  • Weather certainly might be an issue in February. I think I would take the San Antonio route, stopping to see the Alamo and take a boat ride on the River. (They have great public transportation so don't worry about parking) Then I would head out on I-10 to Fort Stockton, spend the night and then take Hwy 285 to Carlsbad Caverns. A must do if you haven't seen the caves. My next stop would be Albuqueque where I would visit Old Town and I'd also spend one night at the Alcoma Pueblo Casino and do the Pueblo Tour and another night at Red Rock State Park near Gallup. (maybe a couple of nights so I could do some turquoise shopping in Gallup)
    If I had all the time in the world, I would go north from Gallup and check out 4 Corners, and Monument Valley and the west again to the Grand Canyon, but if I had a time crunch, I'd stay on I40, checking out the Petrified Forest before turning off to go to the Grand Canyon. Personally the only way I would visit the Petrified Forest would be if it was on my route as it sounds more interesting than it is. IMOP
    Since you don't say where home is, after the Grand Canyon, I would again head north to Bryce Canyon National Park and then up I15 to Salt Lake City making a stop at the Great Salt Lake and then grabbing I 80 for home.
    This tour would only be a taste of the southwest, but enough that you'll certainly want to come back for more.
    When in Texas try the Barbeque, When in New Mexico try fry bread and Green Chili Hamburgers. Happy travels.
  • Take the Hoover Dam tour and stop in Boulder City where the workers stayed.
    Suggest staying in Williams, AZ and taking the train to the South Rim and back. Very enjoyable trip.