road trip across the USA Archives - Page 8 of 25

Happy Hiking: Chapel of the Holy Cross

While in Sedona, I hiked the Bell Rock Pathway and the Airport Mesa Viewpoint which are the locations of two of the four earth vortexes. I had hoped to also get Cathedral Rock into the mix, but luck wasn’t going my way Monday morning. I ended up at Chapel of the Holy Cross.

I just wanted to do two short hikes today, before attending to VANgo’s needs (a water tank and propane fill) and picking up groceries. As a result, I began the day by driving to the parking area for the 1.2-mile hike to Cathedral Rock, as indicated by AllTrails.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Big Park to Bell Rock Path Loop

The Vortexes

Sedona, Arizona is known for its healing earth vortexes. Yes, they say vortexes, not vortices. Anyway, a vortex is believed to be a special spot on earth where energy is entering it or exiting it. Sedona has four vortexes, one of which is Bell Rock.

As a result, Bell Rock, located just north of the Village of Oak Creek, is an extremely popular hiking destination and easily reachable off scenic Highway 179. With spring break in full swing for many states and the popularity of Bell Rock, I arrived to the large, paved parking lot by 7:15am on a weekday. Fortunately, I had a prime selection of spots with only a few cars in the parking lot.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Seven Sacred Pools

A very popular hiking destination in Sedona is called the Seven Sacred Pools. It is located in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness and may be reached by the Soldier Pass Trailhead or Jordan/Cibola Pass/Brins Mesa Trailhead.

Getting to Seven Sacred Pools

It is very hard to find parking at the Soldier Pass location, thus I started my hike at the Jordan/Cibola Pass/ Brins Mesa Trailhead.

This is a fee area ($5 daily, $15 weekly), and the machine takes credit cards if you do not have a National Parks Pass. Do not park on the side of the dirt road, or you will be ticketed! I heard you can pay a local to shuttle you to the trailhead, but I didn’t try this. I just got up early.

HAPPY HIKING!

Montezuma Well National Monument

I found a hike on AllTrails to Montezuma Well. It was just a short 0.7 mile loop with an offshoot. Since the forecast called for rain, I thought it would be a nice outing for Annie and me to stretch our legs before the approaching bad weather.

With the paved trails and information boards, I felt like Montezuma Well was more like a preserved monument than a hike. The well is a National Monument that is operated by the National Parks Service, and it is free to visit.

LEARN MORE

Petrified Forest National Park

The Petrified Forest National Park is located on I-40 about halfway between Albuquerque and Sedona, though a little closer to Sedona. It is a good stop for breaking up the monotonous drive through miles of barren landscape and sometimes strong winds. I had to drive my top heavy VANgo below the 75mph speed limit to keep from getting blown sideways.

Ten years ago, the Petrified Forest National Park was one of the last places I visited before ending my year long road trip in VANilla. Now it is one of my firsts! In my previous visit, I wandered around the area called Crystal Forest in the southern section where I entered the park. Thereafter, I made several stops at overlooks like most visitors were doing today.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

VANLife: Camper Conversion Weeks 10-11

Well, better late than never! I’m finally getting around to writing about the final two weeks of VANgo’s conversion the pickup day. Wanderful Wheels delivered right on time!

Week 10

In Week 10 Wanderful Wheels installed the lights and the outlets throughout the van. In the galley, the added the closet, and the safe cabinet. Finally, in the garage they installed the on demand hot water heater and the battery. Additionally, the pullout trays for the garage are ready to be installed as well as butcher block shelves in the corner over the bed.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Travel Photo Challenge Day 1

I’ve been nominated by some fellow bloggers, Tony and Margie with Back Roads and Other Stories, to post one favorite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, and 10 nominations. It is my understanding that the idea behind the challenge is to expose audiences to new bloggers and vice versa. I’m always up for helping fellow bloggers, so I have accepted the challenge.

That said, my rule following self is going follow Tony and Margie’s lead and break a handful of them. First, while a picture paints a 1,000 words, I’m incapable of posting a photo without some explanation. Sometimes the story makes the image that much more special. Second, though not specified, I think the intent is to post 10 days in a row. I’ll be lucky if I post 10 weeks in a row.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!

Day 289 – Yosemite and Beyond (Part 5)

Day 289 – Yosemite and Beyond

Well, I survived the forest fires, fear of active bears, and
camping roadside last night, though VANilla reeks of smoke and dead animal
smell. Whew, I hope it goes away
soon. I returned to Yosemite for one
final visit. First I swung through the
valley to take advantage of the only shower facilities in the enormous
park. I couldn’t believe how low the
Merced River was flowing. In May, it was
swelling out of its banks. Today,
sandbars were poking up in the middle of the river. Many of the waterfalls appear to be seasonal
as well, as I didn’t notice some of them today.
For a waterfall lover, the best time to visit Yosemite would be as soon
as all the roads open. I believe this is
generally in May, though this year due to the heavy winter, I believe it was
later.

After my shower, I headed toward the southern portion of the
park where we followed Glacier Point Road 17 miles to Glacier Point parking lot. A four-mile, round trip trail that changes
over 3,000 feet in elevation each direction leads to Glacier Point. Under different circumstances, I would have
opted in, but with a late start, Petey in VANilla, and a wound that still needs
more time to heal, I chose to enjoy the vista just fifty yards from the parking
lot. The overlook provided a remarkable
panorama of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and Vernal Falls even on this smoky day.

Just as I was preparing to leave the parking lot, a Ferrari
Club pulled in. At least ten different
Ferrari’s hummed to the end of the parking lot.
I hope they didn’t have to follow an RV up the winding road. That wouldn’t have been any fun for the
drivers! On our way back down, we made a
final stop at Washburn Point before making our way to Fresno for the evening.

I see why Yosemite is always full. It isn’t very far from large California
cities and frankly its commanding and unique landscape is inspiring. In Fresno, VANilla is going in for some TLC
before we make two unscheduled visits to Sequoia and Kings Canyon as we depart
the Golden State. Technically, I have
completed all the scenic road trips listed in my Reader’s Digest book with the
exception of the ones in Alaska and Hawaii.
My blog and adventures will be coming to an end within the week…ETB

SHOP

For notecards and key chains, visit My Shop on this website.

Day 274 – Olympic Loop (Part 4)

Day 274 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I left the mountains and headed for the coast this morning. We took a brief drive through La Push, Washington for a view of the harbor before returning to Second Beach, one of many beaches in the Olympic National Park which seemed to encompass the entire western peninsula of Washington. I really can’t imagine basking in the sun on Second Beach.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 272 – Olympic Loop (Part 3)

Day 272 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

We spent the year anniversary of my journey in Olympic National Park. After a year, I’ve obviously learned quite a bit about nature, geology, history, and geography; but I’ve also learned a few things about myself, Petey, and Scout (when she was with us) that I didn’t know. I’ve met a variety of kind individuals and feel very rewarded for them to have shared part of their life with me. My journey has been interesting, fun, and at times both lonely and challenging.

Amazingly, after a year of traveling to the lower forty-eight states, I still feel like there is so much more to see in this nation and that I will need to revisit many places at more length. Olympic National Park is a good example. I simply sampled a few short trails in different areas of the park.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!