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Favorite Places To Stay...

August 19, 2012

What's the best place you've ever stayed?  How about the worst? The best bargain?  The biggest regret? I've answered some of those questions in this post.

Your Questions Answered: Seattle to San Francisco
July 16, 2011

I can't think of a better road trip than one that takes you along the Pacific Coast, and apparently, neither could Eyal and Sarai Bachmeir of Tel Aviv, Israel.  They wrote with this question:

We have 7 days for traveling from Seattle to San Francisco. From there we are catching a flight back home. How would you recommend us to plan those 7 days, assuming we need at least 2 days in San Francisco?

Yes, you definitely need two days in San Francisco.  Hopefully you'll be okay with only spending about a half-day in Seattle and Portland, even though you could easily spend more time in both. 

Here's an itinerary that might work for you.  Spend part of Day 1 exploring Seattle, then hit the road and try to get to Port Angeles by late afternoon.  It's a good place to spend a night, and if you get there early enough, you'll have time to drive up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.  If you can't squeeze it into Day 1, make it your first goal on Day 2.

From there, travel around the Olympic Peninsula on US 101.  You probably won't have time for a side trip out to Cape Flattery, the northwestern-most point in the U.S., but you should have time to check out the Hoh Rainforest, also in Olympic National Park, and Ruby Beach, one of the six numbered beaches along the coast. Spend the night in Hoquiam/Aberdeen, or even better, push all the way through to Long Beach.  It's worth it to hurry this portion of the trip, since better beaches await in Oregon.

On Day 3, climb the Astoria Column and view the coast at Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach.  In the afternoon, you could either drive down the coast or head inland to Portland, which is about 90 minutes away from US 101.  There is plenty to do in Portland (I recommend the International Rose Test Garden), but if your focus is the coast, you could skip it.

Spend Day 4 driving down the rest of the Oregon Coast, with stops at Sea Lion Caves, the Three Capes Loop, and Depoe Bay, along with any other spots that catch your attention.   Day 5 can start in Redwood National Park (quickly, unfortunately), then traverse the Lost Coast before calling it a day at Fort Bragg or Mendocino.

On Day 6, check out Point Reyes National Seashore, or keep moving towards San Francisco.  See the Golden Gate Bridge from my favorite spot, just before you cross it into San Francisco. 

You'll have the rest of Day 6 and all of Day 7 to explore San Francisco.  It's an intense 7 days, but it will be a lot of fun!

Your Questions Answered: Road Trip: Fla. to N. Mex.

June 13, 2011

Dianne Rebozo Clark sent in this question through TakeMyTrip's Facebook page:

Taking a road trip from Tallahassee, Fl to New Mexico in a couple of weeks. Going with my best friend..(two women) kinda like Thelma and Louise but not (hopefully) the same ending. Any advice?

Dianne, I suggest starting out by driving along the Florida Gulf Coast, through towns like Apalachicola.  Much of US 98 runs right along the coast, and it's a beautiful drive -- certainly better than I-10 (yuck!).  Mobile is a nice old-south town, and then you could choose to go on through Katrina-damaged (but somewhat recovered) Mississippi and on down to New Orleans.  The Big Easy isn't for everyone, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

On my Southeast Trip, I headed north from New Orleans, but you'll want to continue west. I haven't covered much between Louisiana and San Antonio, but my recently posted Lone Star trip will help a lot from there.  Enjoy a drive through the Texas Hill Country, and places like Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock, then buckle down and make the long drive into West Texas.  I loved the Big Bend area, but it will be pretty hot this time of year.  Instead, after Fort Stockton, head north to Carlsbad Caverns, a truly awesome place. 

That will get you into New Mexico.  I don't know your final destination, but Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas (NM) are all great.  Check the New Mexico map to find your specific destinations.

And if you're making the return trip, too, consider Route 66 eastbound from Albuquerque, through the Texas panhandle, through Oklahoma City before dropping back south.

Your Questions Answered: Easy Hiking Around Sedona

January 22, 2011

If you want to spend a few days hiking in the southwest, there's probably no better place than Sedona.  I've been there several times, and I always manage to find some new trails that take me to some beautiful red rock canyons, spires, and natural bridges.  Of course, some of those trails are more difficult than others.

Keasha Marie LeClear recently wrote me, asking:

We are coming to Sedona in February. I have a bad back and knee and use a walking stick to walk long distances. I am looking for some hikes that would be rated Easy, with little climbing effort. Could you recommend any? Thank you.

Keasha, you shouldn't have any trouble finding some easy trails.  On one of my visits to Sedona, I took my mother, who underwent total knee replacements on both knees several years ago.  On trails such as the Bear Mountain Trail, she hiked with me as far as she could go, but the challenge was too great, and she ended up waiting for me, about halfway up the first big climb.

On other trails, though, she was able to keep up with me.  We both hiked the Fay Canyon Trail, which leads into a great canyon in the Dry Creek Road/FR152C area.  She wasn't able to make the side trip up to the arch, but the trail into the canyon had a fairly mild uphill climb, and wasn't a problem.

Cathedral Rock from Red Rock Crossing

You can also get some great views of Cathedral Rock on the Baldwin Trail, at the end of Verde Valley School Road.  This trail isn't the best one in Sedona, but it was still enjoyable, and my mom handled it with ease (despite some brief uphill climbs).  You'll also want to visit Red Rock Crossing, on the other side of Oak Creek.  A short, level hike leads to great views and thousands of cairns.

One of my mom's favorite trails was Brins Mesa, which does gain some elevation, but she took it slowly, and was able to make it to the top. 

My mother wasn't with me when I hiked Vista Trail into Boynton Canyon, but I recall it being fairly easy.  Same goes for West Fork of Oak Creek.  Both trails are very popular and will likely be crowded.  Less crowded but still fun, the Broken Arrow Trail to Submarine Rock isn't terribly challenging, though you will criss-cross some dirt roads used by the pink jeeps.

You may also be able to handle a hike around the base of Bell Rock.  You can climb up it as far as you feel comfortable.

Favorite Snowy Places

December 26, 2010

I try not to let Winter stop me from taking vacations, even though there are some very obvious reasons why it's not a good idea.  While snowy weather can make driving difficult and a strong storm can ruin your itinerary, the potential to see some special places coated in white powder makes it worth the risk -- so long as you plan carefully.

A pathetic snowman at the edge of the Grand Canyon

One of my favorite places to visit in Winter is the Grand Canyon.  The North Rim is closed this time of year, since it's at a higher elevation, but the South Rim is almost always accessible.  It's an easy day's drive from the airport in Phoenix, where it's very unlikely your flight will be delayed by snow.  You'll have a good chance to see the huge ditch, frosted in snow (as well as nearby Flagstaff, which is a great Route 66 town, even when it's freezing outside).  Fireplaces at the Grand Canyon's lodges will be crackling.  And, if you plan your trip around the full moon, and the weather is clear, you'll get to see the Grand Canyon under moonlight.

Hotel rates will be cheaper too, and not just at the Grand Canyon.  I found incredible bargains in Yosemite in 2010.  You can go skiing at Badger Pass, or just take a hike around the valley floor.  If you're lucky, a few inches of fresh snow will fall -- and the way it's been snowing in California this year, your chances are very good.  Just remember to buy chains or cables for your car.  You might need them.

You can see some of the world's biggest trees in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, just a half-day's drive down the road from Yosemite.  Of course, much of the park could be closed, depending on snowfall. 

Silverton, Colorado

I paid a visit to Silverton, Colorado in December, 2006.  The tiny mountain town was accessible, but snow still covered its downtown roads.  Walking around and taking pictures was treacherous, but I captured some of my best winter images ever.

You won't be able to take the scenic drive up Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park, but you can still explore Lehman Caves, even when it's snowing fiercely outside.  I half-expected to be snowed in, once I emerged from my tour of the caves in March, 2009, but everyone else acted like the snow was no big deal.  My tour guide said it wasn't uncommon for days to pass without a single visitor at the caves during the winter months, thanks to the massive amounts of snow that sometimes fall.

Crater Lake in April

Snow isn't limited to Winter.  I've driven through flurries in June in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, and in early September in Yellowstone.  I've seen snow piled by the side of Tioga Pass Road in Yosemite in May, and hiked through it in Rocky Mountain National Park in June.  In April, snow has kept me from driving through Lassen Volcanic National Park, and limited my visit to Crater Lake -- but it also made the places I could see, even more spectacular. 

It's the time of year to start thinking about where you want to travel, and how your journeys will define your life in the coming year.  Summer is too long to wait, to enjoy this beautiful world.

How Far Should You Drive Every Day?

December 10, 2010

One of the toughest parts of planning a road trip is figuring out how far you should try to drive each day.  Andrew Peterson wrote me, asking:

How are you able to determine how many miles you can drive in a day, while still seeing things in parks or towns you visit? Is there a general rule of thumb you use for determining how many miles a day you drive?

Figuring out how far I can go in a day is a guessing game, and I don't always get it right. Normally when I start planning a trip, I come up with an aggressive, unrealistic plan--with more miles and stops than I could possibly ever make. Then I start trimming. If I'm visiting a National Park or some place where there will be a lot of trails to hike or other time-consuming attractions, I try to give that location an entire day (spend two nights nearby). In other words, don't try to see Yellowstone, then drive 200 more miles before the end of the day!

For a driving day, consider what kind of roads you'll be on, and what kind of scenery you'll be seeing. If you're driving through Nevada (outside of Las Vegas), you can safely bet that there will be little traffic and few towns to slow you down. 300 miles or more is easy to do. The same goes for interstate driving -- if you will be on a freeway all day, and not making many stops, you can go 300 to 400 miles (though it will be a boring day). If you will be traveling through a lot of small towns, or mountains, or on a 2-lane road most of the day, try not to do more than 200.
 

It's also a good idea to decide what you won't mind missing, if you need to drive after dark. I don't mind driving an extra hour or two after dark, if necessary, so long as I'm passing through an uninteresting area, where I probably wouldn't have stopped much, anyhow.
 

But like I said, I often misjudge. I used to wing it, not make reservations, and just see where I ended up -- but I normally ended up in an expensive hotel (because it was the only one available) or a dump.

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December Staycation in Florida

December 1, 2010

As much as I would love to be on the road right now, I'm staying close to home as I burn off 10 vacation days.  In addition to using this time to finish writing the October trip to New England (I'm about halfway done), I'm also trying to devote some time to taking pictures of the things I see everyday here in Tampa, Florida.  Here are a few photos.  You will find more on TakeMyTrip.com's Facebook page -- and if you're not a fan yet, be sure to click "Like" once you get there!

Your Questions Answered: 7 Days Around Yellowstone

May 29, 2010

Kim from California asks this question:

I can get affordable airfare to Jackson Wyoming. How would you do a 7 day trip from there? Where did you stay at night? Always in Jackson?

During my Yellowstone & Tetons trip in 2007, I was lucky enough to have a free place to stay in Jackson -- my neighbor offered up his vacation home, and I gladly accepted, since hotels and motels in Jackson can be quite expensive during the peak of the summer season.  Jackson is a great base for exploring the Tetons and the southern end of Yellowstone, but you won't get much past Old Faithful if you want to return to Jackson for the night.  I didn't get to the northern end of the park until my Wyo Lasso trip in 2008.

With seven days to enjoy in this area, here is my suggestion.  I'll assume Day 1 and Day 7 will be your fly in/fly out days, so let's reserve them for hanging out in Jackson and enjoying the town.  Spend Day 2 in Grand Teton National Park, and hike its most popular trail at Jenny Lake.  You might have enough time left in the afternoon to hike another trail (like Taggart Lake or String & Leigh Lakes)  as well.  If, at any point during the trip, you decide that one day in Grand Teton NP wasn't enough, you can always devote Day 6 to it, on your way back down from Yellowstone.

On Day 3, drive through Grand Teton to the southern entrance of Yellowstone.  When you get to the loop, turn left.  On the southwest side of the park you'll find Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Firehole Lake Drive.  End your day in West Yellowstone.

On Day 4, drive back into the park, then head north, and head towards Mammoth Hot Springs.  You can stay at the springs, or drive on to Livingston (it's out of the way, but it's a beautiful drive, even though you're outside the park). 

If you stayed in Livingston, then start Day 5 with a drive east on I-90.  Make your way over to US 212 (via Joliet Road as a shortcut), head through Red Lodge, then over the beautiful Beartooth Highway -- it will be the highlight of your day, and possibly, your entire trip.  Spend the night in Cooke City.

On Day 6, make your way through the park via the eastern side of the loop road, stopping at Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Tower Fall, then eventually back through Grand Teton and back to Jackson. 

If you had hoped to spend Day 6 in Grand Teton, you could speed up the trip by cutting out the detour over Beartooth Highway (if you have bad weather, like I did, when crossing Beartooth Highway, it's probably not worth it).

Also, be sure to check out the Yellowstone Guide for a map that lists all of the park's destinations that I've visited.

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Your Questions Answered: 5 Days In Utah

May 15, 2010

Reza from California wrote me with this dilemma:

I will be traveling to Utah for my 30th high school reunion on the 11th-13th. After that I have less than a week (14th to 18th) to visit some of the national parks and will fly back home on the 19th. I would like to show some of the national parks to my mom that has never been to UTAH before! my high school is located in city of Mt. Pleasant which is almost in the center of Utah. now here is my question for you: if you were in my place... how would you start your trip? where would you first and where would you stay for over night.? what road?
I like to show my mom Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, Moab, Arches, The San Rafael Swell!!

That's a lot of ground to cover in just five days.  I laid it out on a Google map and it looks like it would take about 800 miles.  That won't leave you much time to explore any one location. 

Here's my suggestion: on the 14th, drive from Mt. Pleasant to Moab.  It's about 210 miles, and you'll pass through the San Rafael Swell, so that checks one item off your list.  If you arrive in Moab by late afternoon, you'll have time for a nice sunset drive through Arches National Park. 

In the morning on the 15th, you could drive back into Arches and spend a half-day hiking, etc, or make a quick trip into Canyonlands.  Late in the day, drive down 191 and spend the night in Blanding. 

On the 16th, drive up Route 95, with a stop at Natural Bridges National Monument.   You could either follow Scenic Highway 95 all the way to Hanksville, then over 24 to Torrey, or you could take 95 to 276 to Burr Trail, which becomes Notom Bullfrog Road for a great drive through Capitol Reef.  Just make sure you have enough time, since you don't want to be on this road after dark. 

On the 17th, drive down Scenic Route 12 and end the day at Bryce Canyon City (stay just outside the park if you can find a good place). 

The 18th will be more driving than fun, unfortunately, since I assume you need to get back to Salt Lake City for the flight on the 19th.  If you arrive in SLC by mid-afternoon, consider driving out to Antelope Island for the sunset. 

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Golden State (California 2010) Trip Posted!

April 28, 2010

It's written! 46 new pages of stories from the road, hundreds of pictures, and dozens of Drivelapse videos, all from my most recent drive around California in February.  Go Skiing in Yosemite, take an Ansel Adams-esque photo, drive up the Big Sur Coast, hang out in San Diego or peek over the southern border.  Get started on the trip here.

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MyDrivelapse.com Updated!

April 1, 2010

Takemytrip's sister site, www.MyDrivelapse.com is now updated with all the videos from my most recent drive up the California coast, over to Yosemite, then down to the desert and San Diego.  Here's a sample for your enjoyment -- the start of the drive up the PCH: (you'll find them all at www.MyDrivelapse.com

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Welcome to the Blog!

March 1, 2010

This is the place where you will find announcements about the latest additions to TakeMyTrip.com.  Also, if you have a travel question, I'll answer it here. 

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