We’ve confirmed Phase I travel plans for the spring of 2016. Here are the areas where we’ll be and the dates we will be there:
- Junction, TX, 2/24-2/26;
- Fort Stockton, TX, 2/26-2/28;
- Van Horn, TX, 2/28-3/1;
- Alamogordo, NM, 3/1-3/6;
- North of Santa Fe, NM, 3/6-3/10;
- Gallup, NM, 3/10-3/16;
- Oljato-Monument Valley, UT, 3/16-3/23; and
- Leeds, UT, 3/23-5/8.
We’ll use the extended stay at Leeds for long and short trips into southern Utah and northern Arizona.
We leave Leeds, Utah in May and will start working out way north and into Idaho. We’re still working on Phase II plans and should have them firmed up in the next week or so.
You can see the details for the actual parks where we will be staying via links on our 2016 Travel Log page.
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino…. :)
Sounds like fun – enjoy!
…and “Get your kicks on Route 66”
Thanks! We’re excited about all the opportunities to explore and discover more of those incredible things “waiting to be discovered.”
It’s not often that people “get” my humor but I love it when you do! ;)
An interesting itinerary, Brooks. Sadly, it looks like we won’t cross paths, although we’ll come close at Gallup. Our itinerary looks like this:
Sedona, Az, 3/2 – 3/4
Death Valley NP, 3/6 – 3/9
Bryce Canyon, 3/10 – 3/12
Zion NP, 3/13 – 3/15
Las Vegas, 3/16 – 3/18
Flagstaff, Az, 3/19
Gallup, NM, 3/20
Alamogordo, NM, 3/21 – 3/22
I’d thought of giving you our schedule before yours was finalized but decided against it simply because I didn’t want to possibly influence your decisions. But that’s OK – I’m guessing that sooner or later our paths might cross.
Just a couple of comments:
I’m glad you’re not staying long in Van Horn, Tx. Just my opinion, but that place is like in the middle of nowhere with no redeeming nearby attractions (as far as I know). We were going to stay there a few years back but wound up going on to El Paso (we once lived in El Paso while I was in the Army). We couldn’t even find a real restaurant in Van Horn (maybe it’s better now).
I see your route will take you through San Antonio. The Alamo, of course, is there. We’ve stopped to see it twice – it’s a wonderful piece of history. And it’s right next to an area called the River Walk, also very interesting. The bad part is the traffic. San Antonio is definitely not my favorite place to drive.
While you’re in Gallup, you might want to drive a little to the northwest to see Canyon De Chelly National Monument (pronounced Canyon de Shay). It’s not far and it’s a beautiful spot. If you’re lucky, you might see snow (which makes it even prettier). If you go, be sure to drive to the Spider Rock area.
Monument Valley is wonderful. But you’ve really got to get down into it. The overviews from the View Hotel area are nice, but the best way to see the whole thing is on a guided tour. Which, of course, the Navajo will charge you for. But in my opinion it’s worth it.
Leeds will be good for Zion and Bryce but will be a long drive from Moab (Arches and Canyonlands). But you’ll be there for more than a month so you’ll have plenty of time.
Anyway, have fun exploring! I know you’ll have a great time. And if you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to fire off a message – any time!
Nice route yourself, Paul, sorry our paths aren’t going to cross.
Some of these stopover points were chosen by distance, direction and RV Park availability — Van Horn was one of those and we’ll be there one day.
Originally we’d hope to make our southern Utah home base in Hurricane, UT, but the RV Park there was full up so we had to go with Leeds as our second choice. We’ll make some long day trips to see as much as we can while there. Our travel methods differ from yours, what with the RV, large truck and Maggie to contend with. Maggie limits us in what we can do and how we do it, but she’s good about going in the truck anywhere we want to go.
Thanks for all the valuable tips and suggestions. You guys have a wonderful trip as well. We’re very excited about our plans and all those things we’re sure we didn’t plan but will discover along the way.
It all makes me smile. At this point in your life that schedule could be almost anything and be just right for you. I’ll refrain from adding more suggestions and just impatiently await your posts. However, just as Paul, I hope you have fun exploring and experience any unplanned adjustments to this schedule.
You’re correct, Monte — almost anything would be good! Hey, you know us and change, it’s bound to happen. :-)
Looks like some interesting scenery ahead of you for spring! I have wanted to go to some of the canyons in Utah for years.
I think so, Mark. We’re looking forward to seeing and experiencing things we’ve only seen in photos or videos before.
And, you would love it. Mark!!