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Chuck Wintle
11-02-2013, 12:03 PM
Hi,

Next summer its my intention to visit the American Southwest. I want to visit the Grand canyon, the Painted Desert, some pueblos, Boulder Dam and then further on to the west coast, Los Angeles and then San Francisco. Are there some things along the way that are must see's? Hoping to avoid some of the tourist traps etc. Thanks to all in advance.

Michael Weber
11-02-2013, 1:49 PM
Zion canyon in Utah is nice. I found it as interesting as the Grand Canyon in it's own way plus there are walking trails.

Randy Rizzo
11-02-2013, 4:32 PM
Zion canyon in Utah is nice. I found it as interesting as the Grand Canyon in it's own way plus there are walking trails.

Several National Parks in Utah worth your time. Moab area, and drive on hwys 191/95/24/12. Instead of standing on the south canyon rim looking down into the channel carved out by the Colorado River you'd be driving thru the canyon. These photos from one of our motorcycle excursions

Wade Lippman
11-02-2013, 4:42 PM
I don't know how much time you are going to spend, but you are covering a lot of terrain. You could easily spend a month in Arizona, Utah, or California without seeing half of what is worthwhile. (never been to New Mexico and I haven't seen anything worthwhile in Nevada)

I second Zion, though it is brutally hot in the Summer. A few years back I climbed Angels Landing in 105 weather; if I hadn't made my son carry all the water I wouldn't have made it.
Yosemite is a must see; but the greatest place I have ever been is Page Arizona for the slot canyons.

We are planning on going to Moab this Spring.

Bill Huber
11-02-2013, 7:32 PM
There is a lot to see in the southwest, I am planning to get back to the area again.
So all of the above and here are some that I really liked.

At Page Az. there is the slot canyons, There is the upper Antelope and lower Antelope canyons they are really something and I am going to go back to see them again. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/uantelope http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/lower

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Also at Page is Horse Shoe Bend, really neat to see. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/horse

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If you like old ruins in the north west corner of New Mexico is Chaco Canyon, like they are 4000 years old. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/chaco

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While you are in the northern part of Az. there is always Monument Valley. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/monument

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Ken Fitzgerald
11-02-2013, 8:42 PM
Monument Valley is one of my favorite places. IIRC....over 41 movies filmed there including a lot of John Wayne/ John Ford movies.

Rich Engelhardt
11-03-2013, 4:57 AM
Are there some things along the way that are must see's?
Las Vegas.....

There is no place on Earth like Vegas..

Stephen Tashiro
11-03-2013, 11:53 AM
The Pima Air Museum in Tucson. It would take more than one day to enjoy it all. http://www.pimaair.org/ - although I think the website does a poor job of showing the scope of the Museum's exhibits of historical aircraft.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:19 PM
There is a lot to see in the southwest, I am planning to get back to the area again.
So all of the above and here are some that I really liked.

At Page Az. there is the slot canyons, There is the upper Antelope and lower Antelope canyons they are really something and I am going to go back to see them again. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/uantelope http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/lower

274239274240

Also at Page is Horse Shoe Bend, really neat to see. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/horse

274241

If you like old ruins in the north west corner of New Mexico is Chaco Canyon, like they are 4000 years old. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/chaco

274242

While you are in the northern part of Az. there is always Monument Valley. http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/monument

274243

Some very nice pics there Bill. Hope to get to monument valley over a 2 to 3 week period...as well as other places.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:20 PM
The Pima Air Museum in Tucson. It would take more than one day to enjoy it all. http://www.pimaair.org/ - although I think the website does a poor job of showing the scope of the Museum's exhibits of historical aircraft.


I love aircraft.....Pima is on my list.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:20 PM
Las Vegas.....

There is no place on Earth like Vegas..

Las Vegas is on my list....not much of a gambler tho.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:21 PM
Several National Parks in Utah worth your time. Moab area, and drive on hwys 191/95/24/12. Instead of standing on the south canyon rim looking down into the channel carved out by the Colorado River you'd be driving thru the canyon. These photos from one of our motorcycle excursions

Hope to get to Moab and see the Colorado River...

Kevin Bourque
11-03-2013, 1:21 PM
I drove across country 2 times when I was younger. The best advice I could ever give someone is to visit all the Parks and tourist destinations in the off season. It's a little colder, but that is greatly offset by no traffic-no crowds. Plus it's a lot less expensive and the people who work there are friendlier.

The Grand Canyon IMO was just okay unless you go down inside. Driving through the canyons of the 4 Corners area was a much better experience .
I would also make Yellowstone the #1 destination. I know it's not the Southwest, but it's in the neighborhood.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:23 PM
Monument Valley is one of my favorite places. IIRC....over 41 movies filmed there including a lot of John Wayne/ John Ford movies.

Monument Valley is on my list. Just got thru watching My Darling Clementine with Henry Fonda and Cathy Downs. A classic movie.

ray hampton
11-03-2013, 1:24 PM
No one mention Death Valley, If I visit Calif. I would stop in the Valley

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:25 PM
Zion canyon in Utah is nice. I found it as interesting as the Grand Canyon in it's own way plus there are walking trails.

Hope to get to Zion Canyon also....

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:26 PM
No one mention Death Valley, If I visit Calif. I would stop in the Valley

Yes Hope to drive thru Death Valley also.

Chuck Wintle
11-03-2013, 1:27 PM
Hi,

Next summer its my intention to visit the American Southwest. I want to visit the Grand canyon, the Painted Desert, some pueblos, Boulder Dam and then further on to the west coast, Los Angeles and then San Francisco. Are there some things along the way that are must see's? Hoping to avoid some of the tourist traps etc. Thanks to all in advance.

I realize the area of the American Southwest is vast....too much to see in one single visit. I also want to visit San Francisco....if enough time will try to catch it all.

Wade Lippman
11-03-2013, 1:37 PM
At Page Az. there is the slot canyons, There is the upper Antelope and lower Antelope canyons

I agree that antelope canyon is spectacular, but it is the smaller ones that are truly extraordinary; the ones where you have to climb up to to get through thenarrowest parts.

Bill ThompsonNM
11-03-2013, 4:24 PM
And if you make it to Death Valley, one of my favorites is to drive north out of the valley and on to see the BristleCone Pines, oldest trees in the US. Then of course shoot up the east side of the Sierras and across to Yosemite for the biggest trees and finish up in the redwood forests south of San Francisco (or north) to see the tallest trees in the US.

Matt Marsh
11-03-2013, 6:02 PM
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Bryce Canyon yet! I think it's my favorite of all of them! Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert/petrified forest, Sedona, Pima Air museum, Senora Desert Museum, Old Tucson, Apache Trail, Roosevelt Reservoir, Tonto National Bridge/forest.... on and on. 274319274320

Myk Rian
11-03-2013, 7:08 PM
We'll be taking a coach tour next spring, starting in Phoenix, going through the canyons, all kinds of other sights, and ending in Vegas.
Can't wait. We don't gamble, but will enjoy Vegas.

John Sanford
11-03-2013, 10:24 PM
So much of it depends on WHAT it is that interests you, which you don't indicate, and when you're going. Since you're going in summer, some of the better spots aren't going to be pleasant to visit. Death Valley in the summer is brutal, and my standard is that of someone who grew up in and lived in Las Vegas for almost 45 years.

For scenery, you want to hit Southern Utah. Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, UT-12, Kodachrome Basin. Monument Valley in Arizona is well worth it. Since you'll be coming in the summer, go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the South Rim. Fewer people, cooler, more pleasant.

If planes are your thing, Hill AFB Museum in Ogden, UT and the museum down in Southern California (Riverside, IIRC, don't remember if it's March or George) are also worth your time. As a woodworker, you must visit one or more of the Green & Green houses in California. If you're tastes run to larger design, then check out the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona and the Kelso Depot, in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve.

Some of the most intersting places will be little local museums scattered about the West. If you see a sign that points to a museum, follow it. Bishop, CA, Gallup, NM, Helper, UT, Barstow, CA, Riverside, CA pretty much anywhere you turn out here, you can find interesting museums. Some are focused on particular industries/technologies, some on art, many on natural history, some on the local region.

Chuck Wintle
11-04-2013, 4:42 PM
Just to thank everyone for adding to the list of possible destinations in the american southwest. its a huge area with so much to see but your suggestion are helping me narrow down the best places to see.

ray hampton
11-04-2013, 8:53 PM
Just to thank everyone for adding to the list of possible destinations in the american southwest. its a huge area with so much to see but your suggestion are helping me narrow down the best places to see.

The best place to visit would be the Denver Mint if they could share the money that they print

Jim Koepke
11-06-2013, 9:09 PM
Between Los Angeles and San Francisco is California Hwy 1. Big Sur is a beautiful place. A little north of that is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Hwy 1 is a long slow drive, maybe 2 days to do it right.

jtk