May 2016 trip to the SW

JCasper wrote:
I'm thinking about a trip to Disneyland in the middle of May. We thought we'd go there for a few days then maybe travel up through Bryce, arches, etc and back home. I'm planning on two weeks, but also considered stretching it to 3 and going to NM for a while.

We will be leaving out of Portland, Oregon. We have 3 daughters, 15, 10, and 7 at the time we will be going.

So, any recommendations for this general area. Last time we were at arches was 2008.

We will be traveling with a 40' fifth wheel.

Just a thought, if May is normal you might want to reverse the trip – May in the Southern parts of Utah can be HOT, so the sooner (cooler) the better. If you last went to Utah seven years ago then only one daughter remembers anything…….? So a repeat will be in order, lots to see in Utah.

Girls will love the trip, might think about spending a little time in San Francisco also as they will likely enjoy the seeing the touristy areas (Fisherman’s and Ciardelli Square) and it’s right on the way. The drive along the Coast will also be enjoyable. (if the trip is reversed, so the coast is on the way home it will also allow for some decompression and reflection)

Salt Lake City could also be fun – especially if a couple ski resorts are thrown in, Park City, comes to mind.

Disney – is a day (JMHO) – with arrival and departure being day before and day after the visit – It’s not Orlando. (I’m not a fan of the area)

In a 40’ 5th wheel you are going to be on some real roads, so you might need to plan for a few slower driving days in the state of Utah. Might need to make many of the spots just drive bye’s so as to not run out of time.

Work hard on getting the extra week but if not just need to really be willing to PUSH IT.(If not plan on leaving after work on Friday and driving late on just the excitement of the trip )

Vegas to Zion through the tunnel and then to Bryce – After Bryce – Rt 12 and all the sights – Kodachrome – Escalante – Capital Reef – Goblins – will all be on the route – Then over to Moab – I would base camp near the city and catch Arches and Canyonlands with day drives – Including Rt 128 along the Colorado River. If Utah is first just map it in reverse, so it works – the problem is that lot’s of space between the attractions.

List of just a few;

Window Rock
Canyon de Chelly
Monument Valley
Lake Powell Dam and the Lake itself
Antelope Canyon
Grand Canyon (North or South)
Sedona
Kingman
Lake Mead
Vegas
I-15 along the Virgin River
Zion
Bryce
Rt 12
Kodachrome
Escalante
Capital Reef
Goblin Valley SP
Arches
Canyonlands
Rt 128 out of Moab along the Colorado River
Mesa Verde

Seems as the more I say the more I feel I’m leaving out – let’s call this the beginning and see how things progress.

BOL,