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Post by swilk on Jan 21, 2015 13:34:04 GMT -5
Thinking about taking a road trip over spring break .... wife and kids have never seen the Rockies and Im getting tired of going to beaches so I figure why not head out west and see some stuff.
The first draft of the plan is something along the lines of:
take 2 days driving to Grand Canyon National park (south route through Oklahoma City) arriving at the park the night of the second day. Spend the night and take the entire next day to see the south rim.
Spend a second night and leave the next morning headed north into Monument Valley. See the sites there and head out to Durango Colorado taking some of the scenic routes along the way. Spend the night in Durango.
Back on the road taking scenic routes to Colorado Springs. Spend the night in Colorado Springs and take the train to the top of Pikes Peak the next day. Either spend a second night in Colorado Springs or start heading back east a day early.
On the road to Kansas City. Go to Cabelas and whatever else is in the area. Spend the night and head back home the next day.
Any sites along that route I guy must see? I will have a 3 year old and very likely my mother (and possibly father) so hiking into locations is out for this trip.
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Jan 21, 2015 14:34:46 GMT -5
That sounds like a pretty fun trip. Better bring lots of movies for the kids.. I can't imagine that kind of drive with mine!
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Post by swilk on Jan 21, 2015 14:38:23 GMT -5
3 kids (12, 8 and 3) and very possibly my mom n dad.
I wonder if there is a drive through loony bin somewhere along the way .... I just might need it.
With iPads and the ability to tether wifi off my smartphone so they can watch Netflix while on the road it isnt to bad. The first two days will no doubt be the worst .... not a lot to see along the interstate through Oklahoma.
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Post by 36fan on Jan 21, 2015 16:54:05 GMT -5
There is so much to see and do out west, I would recommend driving to a specific area and not do just a drive through of the entire area. Pick a spot and hang out there for a few days. Leave the three year old with your parents at an ice cream shop or touristy time store and get the 8 and 12 year old out and see what the area is really about. Take them on some hikes, horseback riding, ATV riding, rent a jeep, rafting, etc... You are going to spend way too much time in the car driving and not enough time enjoying why you drove that far.
Having said that, have a reasonable expectations of their limits and don't exceed them (i.e. - don't think they are capable of hiking down into the bottom of the grand canyon and back in a day).
Maybe a couple of days at the Grand Canyon, then head down to the Flagtaff area stopping at Sunset Crater Nat'l Monument, visit Sedona, then start the trek back stopping at Meteor Crater, and Petrified Forest NP.
or
Go to the Colorado Springs/Denver area (although this area should still have a large amount of snow still on the ground in late March/early April). There is plenty to do out there to keep the family busy/entertained for a few days.
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Post by greyhair on Jan 22, 2015 0:18:14 GMT -5
You might try north from Durango to Glenwood Springs. That is one of the best areas in Colorado. Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass. The San Juans are beyond beautiful. At Glenwood Springs there is a hot springs right downtown that fills up a massive swimming pool. You will come out of it minus all aches and pains.
Along that drive stop at historical Marble and Redstone.
Then go back east on I-70 toward Denver. You will go through Glenwood Canyon, arguably the most beautiful place in Colorado.
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Post by greyhair on Jan 22, 2015 0:18:54 GMT -5
You might try north from Durango to Glenwood Springs. That is one of the best areas in Colorado. Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass. The San Juans are beyond beautiful. At Glenwood Springs there is a hot springs right downtown that fills up a massive swimming pool. You will come out of it minus all aches and pains.
Along that drive stop at historical Marble and Redstone.
Then go back east on I-70 toward Denver. You will go through Glenwood Canyon, arguably the most beautiful place in Colorado.
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Post by htownhunter on Jan 22, 2015 4:09:02 GMT -5
In Kansas, there is dodge city. I don't know if this is on your way or not. But its pretty cool. Old western town with gun fights and boot hill cemetery. It would be a good spot to take the whole family.
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Post by drs on Jan 22, 2015 5:27:55 GMT -5
Just hope Swilk & his family has a enjoyable and safe time out west. Also hope his vacation doesn't end-up like the movie: National Lampoon's Vacation.  |
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Post by swilk on Jan 22, 2015 9:43:09 GMT -5
There is so much to see and do out west, I would recommend driving to a specific area and not do just a drive through of the entire area. Pick a spot and hang out there for a few days. Leave the three year old with your parents at an ice cream shop or touristy time store and get the 8 and 12 year old out and see what the area is really about. Take them on some hikes, horseback riding, ATV riding, rent a jeep, rafting, etc... You are going to spend way too much time in the car driving and not enough time enjoying why you drove that far. Having said that, have a reasonable expectations of their limits and don't exceed them (i.e. - don't think they are capable of hiking down into the bottom of the grand canyon and back in a day). Maybe a couple of days at the Grand Canyon, then head down to the Flagtaff area stopping at Sunset Crater Nat'l Monument, visit Sedona, then start the trek back stopping at Meteor Crater, and Petrified Forest NP. or Go to the Colorado Springs/Denver area (although this area should still have a large amount of snow still on the ground in late March/early April). There is plenty to do out there to keep the family busy/entertained for a few days. Its funny ... 9 days sounds like a lot until you really start to plan something like this out. 9 is what Ive got though ... I figure there will still be snow on the ground in the Colorado Springs area but the train to the top of Pikes Peak runs year round and I really want to do that train ride. Hopefully this is the first of many trips out west for them ... and considering my mom has never been it will likely be her only trip out there so the Grand Canyon is important and Monument Valley is too. Mom asked "are we going to see any of those rock formations like you see in all the old westerns?". So, Monument Valley made the list and its only 3 or 4 hours away from Grand Canyon NP. |
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Post by swilk on Jan 22, 2015 9:45:09 GMT -5
You might try north from Durango to Glenwood Springs. That is one of the best areas in Colorado. Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass. The San Juans are beyond beautiful. At Glenwood Springs there is a hot springs right downtown that fills up a massive swimming pool. You will come out of it minus all aches and pains. Along that drive stop at historical Marble and Redstone. Then go back east on I-70 toward Denver. You will go through Glenwood Canyon, arguably the most beautiful place in Colorado. Going north out of Durango instead of east? Ill look into that route .... |
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Post by drs on Jan 22, 2015 10:11:07 GMT -5
I have a very good Friend that I've known since first grade and he & his wife runs a Lodge in Westcliffe, Colorado, called The Lamp Post Lodge. www.lamppostlodge.com/ |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 19:04:48 GMT -5
Another nice place is Utah. There are several National Parks and wilderness areas in southern Utah.
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Post by 36fan on Jan 29, 2015 12:50:41 GMT -5
Another nice place is Utah. There are several National Parks and wilderness areas in southern Utah. I thought the same thing - I was just out there about a year ago - but it sounds like swilk has enough planned already without throwing in the red rock area of Utah (Arches, Bryce, Zion, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, Grande Staircase Escalante, Lake Powell...). That area is AWESOME. |
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Post by swilk on Mar 8, 2015 20:11:41 GMT -5
Well we leave next Friday and a couple of changes.... My mom decided that nearly 4000 miles over 9 days isn't something that sounded fun anymore so she is not going and offered to keep Easton (3 year old).
So grand canyon for a couple of days.... Should be able to do some good hiking with the older kids then a day trip through monument valley on the way to arches NP. Spend a couple days hiking the arches before heading to Colorado springs and a train to the top of pikes.
Back across Kansas and cabelas before heading home.
Should be interesting....
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Post by tenring on Mar 9, 2015 5:02:57 GMT -5
And there is always the Royal Gorge bridge off of US 50 west of Canon City. It's a hoot to get your car parked and walk out on the bridge and then look down. You can also take a trip down into the canyon and look up at the bridge also.
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Post by 36fan on Mar 16, 2015 10:43:28 GMT -5
And there is always the Royal Gorge bridge off of US 50 west of Canon City. It's a hoot to get your car parked and walk out on the bridge and then look down. You can also take a trip down into the canyon and look up at the bridge also. FYI - although it's spelled Canon City, but pronounced Canyon City. I don't know if you are used to being at elevation or not, but when the O2 levels go down, the affects of alcohol go up. I forgot to tell me brother, and he found out the hard way in Canon City, Co. I think the place we were staying was ~6,500 ft above sea level. |
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Post by swilk on Mar 16, 2015 18:15:19 GMT -5
Spending the next two nights in a 2 bedroom cabin at Red Cliffs Lodge outside Moab Utah. Headed to arches NP tomorrow. Been a great trip so far.....this is the view out the back door of the cabin. Colorado river.  |
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Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Mar 16, 2015 18:20:20 GMT -5
Man, I'm jealous..
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Post by 36fan on Mar 19, 2015 11:38:09 GMT -5
I love Utah. I've asked myself many times why I still live in Indiana.
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Post by swilk on Mar 19, 2015 20:10:27 GMT -5
We took some 2 lane roads through southern Utah from the 4 Corners Monument to Moab.... That area has the most unique landscaping I've ever seen. More like what I imagine the moon being like than an American state.
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