In a few weeks I'm going to be driving from Raleigh, NC to Tucson, AZ. Time isn't a huge issue so I'd like to see some cool stuff on the way. Any recommendations? The only definite stop so far is Denver because I think I want to move there, so I need to scope it out. Beyond that, there are plenty of decisions to be made.
Utah vs New Mexico? Both look cool. I feel like I'd never make it to NM otherwise. I'd love to go to Lake Powell, but it'd be a brutal tease if I couldn't wakeboard there.
Do I detour down to Mexico? I mean, why not? Tucson is pretty close. But beyond hanging out with Narcos in Juarez, not sure if it makes sense to see that area of Mexico.
What to do/where to sleep between VA and CO? I know people in Illinois, so that's an option. Are there any cool things to see anywhere in Kansas? Another state I may not ever visit again, so I'd like to see something unique (a hike, natural landmark, cool town, historical monument, etc.)
I'd love to go to the Badlands in SD but I think it may be a little too far out of the way. Same with Yellowstone.
Last edited by LFADAM on Oct 23, 2014 1:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 5283 City: New York City
Posted: Sep 24, 2014 1:17 pm Post subject:
I'm sure plenty of people on here have been to Lake Powell for wakeboarding, right?
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend look awesome. I'd love to swim/cliff jump in Powell but will only have a car and hear most of the lake isn't near roads. Anyone know a spot where I can actually get in the lake via car? Also, I see you can camp just about anywhere there legally...I was thinking of just pulling over by the lake and sleeping under the stars in a warm sleeping bag. Is that crazy? Wildlife concerns?
(in response to your Missouri comment) St. Louis, see if you can catch a baseball game. Busch Stadium is nice. You can also tour the brewery if you want.
Yea, no issues just camping under the stars. I have done it many nights at Powell, though on a lawn-chair. Don't want to wake up with a rattlesnake underneath me for warmth.
You can drive down on the beach at Lone Rock... I'm sure there are plenty of places you can find to do some cliff jumping, wherever you end up... Probably could even catch a pull. Though I have not been down without a boat since I was 18.....(that was a LONG TIME ago)
Looking at your road tripper, just next to Farmington, NM is the San Juan river. It's world class fly-fishing for trout..... One of my favorite rivers....I can't even think of being that close and not fishing there.
Going through Fruita and Moab, two great places to MTN bike. Pretty damn close to Durango as well.
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 5283 City: New York City
Posted: Sep 24, 2014 2:14 pm Post subject:
Now you've scared me with the rattlesnake comment.
Thanks E.J., very helpful. It's a bummer I won't have mountain bikes, fishing poles, and wakeboards with me (flying home with just a carry on) but I'll see what I can do.
If you had any interest, I am 100% sure you could rent a bike/helmet in Moab.
Even just walking the San Juan, up by the dam(it's really shallow) is kinda cool. You'll never see so many big rainbows in your life. They will just follow you around, eating the bugs you kick up as you walk. The San Juan shuffle....
Late Sept./early Oct. is my favorite time of year on Lake Powell. Driving through the mountain West is going to be beautiful this time of year as well.
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 5283 City: New York City
Posted: Oct 23, 2014 1:09 pm Post subject:
Successful Roadtrip! Made it to Denver in two days. Really liked the area, especially Boulder. From there I drove across the Rockies via Loveland Pass and into Utah. Moab is a wild looking place, but hated how crowded the town was. I couldn't find anywhere to camp and didn't want to pay for a hotel (they were probably full anyway) so I slept in my car.
Arches National Park was amazing, spent all of my Moab time there. After Arches I went straight to Powell since I was running out of time (I cut out Shiprock and Four Corners). Thanks to EJ for the Lone Rock recommendation! Awesome idea, great place to camp, and right on the lake. Wish I could've wakeboarded but it was still really cool to finally see Powell. Waking up to Coyote howls while sleeping under the stars was pretty wild, but I had a really good time.
From Powell, I went to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend before driving south through Flagstaff (had no idea it was 7,000 ft elevation!) down to Phoenix. Saw my friend who plays for the Cardinals for a little bit then finished off in Tucson. 8 days, 2800 miles.
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 5283 City: New York City
Posted: Oct 24, 2014 8:03 am Post subject:
Thanks. You guys were right. I would have been crazy to drive through New Mexico. So much to see in the CO Rockies and southern Utah. I barely even scratched the surface. I definitely underestimated the coolness and amount of things to see in the area.
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