tragusa3 wrote:
I knew if I procrastinated long enough, my plans would be made for me. We have family reasons to get down to New Orleans (where I'm from) so that starts the summer off west and south. The Northeast will have to wait, Hahahaha.
I've built the beginnings of a trip, but need help in fleshing it out. Before you offer suggestions, here are the places we went to in 2014 and probably want all new places.
Previous Trip
-Petrified Forest
-Walnut Canyon
-Sunset Crater and Wupatki
-South Rim GC
-Page, AZ
-Zion
-Bryce
-Capitol Reef
-Goblin Valley
-Arches
-Canyonlands (only Island in the Sky section)
-Mesa Verde
-Durango (train)
-Silverton
-Ouray
-Black Canyon
-RMNP
This years trip so far...
-New Orleans
-Avery Island tour (suggestions on campground?)
-Stop in Lake Charles to overnight with friends
-Austin (ideas?): Hamilton Pool
-San Antonio: The Alamo, boat ride through the city
-Big Bend NP (raft the Rio Grand)
-Guadalupe Mountains NP
-Carlsebad Caverns
-White Sands NM
Probably used about 18 out of 42 days and have 24 more days to figure out.
At this point, have to decide if we want to keep mileage down or go for it. Maybe head north right into Colorado or keep west to Tucson and then north? We are traveling June and July, so I think the heat will chase us north earlier than later?
My idea was up to the four corners area and catch El Malpais, Goosenecks, Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, then maybe stay in Silverton and ride jeep trails (again).
Actually, our trips have been all about seeing the more popular sites, but I would love some suggestions on boon docking (that I can get to). The idea of being in relative isolation for awhile sounds nice. In particular, high desert boon docking that is comfortable in the summer?
So, please give suggestions for those last 3 weeks! I promise you aren't wasting your time. All information is helpful.
I live an hour east of Austin. Austin is the beginning of our "Hill Country". There are some gorgeous places to see and spend time. We have Inks Lake and Devil's Waterhole where kids like the jump off the cliffs, you can also rent kayaks. Guadalupe River is cold and great for a tube trip. Plenty of places to rent from. There are bat flights in the area but I forget exactly where. Colorado Bend area north of Inks Lake has a short hike to Gorman Falls you may like. Farther West on the way to Big Bend is the frio river area near Concan. Another nice state park is South Llano River. Tons of BBQ places all thru the hill country.
If you plan to visit the Davis and Guadalupe Mountains, stop by Balmorhea State Park.....huge natural pool to swim in about 30 minutes away. Also the old Fort gives tours and there is a lot of easy hikes. Maybe even try and see the famous Marfa Lights. Near Odessa is the Monahan Sandhills where you can rent disks to slide down the hills. It will be hot and you'd need to start out early but you could hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. There is basically a parking lot there for a campground.
Up north in the Panhandle you will find Palo Duro Canyon which is the 2nd largest canyon in the US. Great hikes and every night in Summer they perform the musical TEXAS.
I hope you have a great trip and enjoy our state! I've really enjoyed reading your trip reports.
