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So, the trip to Ireland in October is pretty much axed, for multiple reasons that are too long to go into right now (but encompass things like time for planning, the cost of airfare, and a general anxiety about international travel).
INSTEAD, the idea now is to go on a ... ROAD TRIP ... through the Southwest. Specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and maybe a bit of California. Of course, I'll have to be drunk or otherwise mentally altered to willingly step foot in California, so we'll see how that plays out.
We're planning on flying into either Phoenix or Albuquerque and renting a car for a week.
Definite items on the travel itinerary are the Grand Canyon (duh), Sedona (AZ), White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns (NM), driving on Route 66 somewhere, Four Corners, and wherever the Painted Desert is. Under consideration are Joshua Tree (CA) and San Diego (for a west coast sunset).
Other than those major things, I'm pretty clueless about what sights there are to see in this area, so anyone who has traveled in that area and has opinions on what to do/where to go, please share them.
Posted by Highwaygirl on May 22, 2005 10:36 PM to the category TravelRoadtrips are one of my most favourite things! Have fun!
Posted by: jubileee at May 23, 2005 10:32 AMWell, since I live in Flagstaff, feel free to email me with any questions and I'll see if I can help you out.
When do you think you'll be tripping? Hmmmm...not really the best way to put it, but it gets the point across. I say that because the temperatures out here have just skyrocketed in the last 3 days - Phoenix is now about 110-115 every day and it'll probably just be like that for the rest of the summer.
Posted by: Mike Brehm at May 23, 2005 10:49 AM*adds HOOVER DAM to the list of things to see*
Posted by: Highwaygirl at May 23, 2005 11:27 AMI LOVE LOVE LOVE Flagstaff. I stayed there for a few days and it was a wonderful reprieve from the hot July Phoenix sun. Arizona is beautiful all around. Sedona is breathtaking.
Posted by: Erika at May 23, 2005 03:02 PMLove your blog - why would you be anxious about international travel?
Posted by: Karen at May 23, 2005 04:35 PMHi Karen! Thanks for the kind words. I'm mostly uneasy about putting down the funds for a big expensive plane ticket to Ireland (around $700 at this point) and then having something happen where I end up needing to cancel the trip. For whatever reason it just seems less risky at this point to do something Stateside.
Also, the fact of the matter is that I've never planned a big trip like going to Ireland, and I've come to realize it takes a LOT of time. Which I don't have right now, and once Big Brother starts in July I'll have even less (due to my admin duties on Hamster Time).
So I think doing a Stateside trip as my first big vacation is probably a smarter bet than trying to do something overseas.
Or something.
Posted by: Highwaygirl at May 23, 2005 05:12 PMHwg, the road trip sounds fantastic! Got room in your trunk?
I lived in Arizona for 6 years. If you have the time, visit Canyon de Chelley in the northeast corner. The south rim has the best overlooks and if time allows, there is a trail from the White House overlook down to one of the ruins.
I second the concern about doing AZ in the summertime. Fall or Spring would be much better, and safer.
Posted by: lifeonhold at May 23, 2005 07:05 PMMy friends and I did a roadtrip from Illinois to Minneapolis, MN for a wedding, to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, to Montana, to Denver, to the Grand Canyon, to Phoenix to visit a friend, to Roswell, NM to play with aliens, and back up through Oklahoma to home. It was the best trip of my life! Mount Rushmore was surprisingly impressive and the Grand Canyon was truly a must-see marvel. Consider camping at the parking lot, er, camp ground behind the Denny's if the rest of the park is full. Heh. Feel free to skip Oklahoma (the ass burner state - a million degrees even at 4am!) and have a great time!
Posted by: Kyara at May 23, 2005 11:10 PMLife, Canyon de Chelley is the one near some Anasazi ruins, right? I read about it online somewhere and it sounded beautiful. Roswell is also a must-see that I accidentally left off the list - my friend and I were hardcore X-Files fans back in the day, so we gotta go even if only for cheese value.
Posted by: Highwaygirl at May 24, 2005 06:26 AMWhut...you're not going to stop in Tejas and see Dubya and da First Skank?
Your patriotism is in question. Might have to report you.
Posted by: AuntieChrist at May 24, 2005 04:07 PMMy Mom lives in Flagstaff, so I go to Sedona quite frequently. Go on a pink jeep tour if you have the time. Also, visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. I live in San Diego and if you like Sea Lions, go to the Children's Pool on the beach in La Jolla. Also visit Balboa Park and Coronado Island.
Posted by: Heath at May 25, 2005 01:58 PM