Well, we're coming down to the wire. We've had a number of set-backs the past week or so, but now things really seem to be coming together. Most importantly, rooms opened up in Canyon Village in Yellowstone!!!
No, that doesn't mean much to most people, but it matters to our trip.
When the researching on this trip first began it became clear to my handlers that they wanted to stay in the beautiful and hisotric Old Faithful Lodge in the park. Only steps away from the famous geyser and with excellent access to the best thermal features of the park, it seemed a pefect choice. As all rooms in the park fill up early, they decided to jump right in and get rooms, even though they had intended this trip to be somewhat "reservation-less" adventure. They made reservations for 2 nights in the oldest (and cheapest) part of the lodge...with shared showers and not much in the way of amenities.
Well, time went on and the research continued. The handlers eventually had to grudingly admit that 1.5 days in America's premier national park was probably not going to be enough to see all the wonders it had to offer. They extended their reservations to 3 nights.
It was then that my handlers really started looking at maps of the park and realizing that the Old Faithful Lodge was not exactly centrally located. This would not usually be a huge problem, except for the fact that major points of interest in Yellowstone tend to be 50 or so miles away from each other and...yeah...lots of driving. Plus, their research further turned up the information that the road between Norris and Madison would be closed to construction during their stay. No, you wouldn't have any idea what that means unless you had a map of Yellowstone laid out right in front of you, but take it from me, it means that we would have to travel the LONG way around from our hotel to get to...well...just about everything.
So, based upon these findings, and the suggestions of some anonymous friendly persons on the internets, the handlers decided to look into alternative housing within the park.
They didn't find much.
It really is hard to find rooms in the park unless you book some 6 months ahead of time. Those rooms that were open were either in places my handlers weren't interested in staying (like near the Mammoth Hot Springs) or were prohibitively expensive. They figured they were probably out of luck, but that they'd check every day before they left to see if anything happened to open up.
Joy of joys, it did.
Now we are booked for 2 nights at the Pioneer Cabins in Canyon Village, with one night still at the Old Faithful Lodge. Canyon Village is about as close to the "center" of the park as you can get, and is strategically located right next to the picturesque grand canyon of the Yellowstone. So, we should have excellent access to that, as well as to the wildlife filled Hayden and Lamar valleys!
Unfortunately, this may also mean that the previously scrapped plans for hiking Mt. Washburn at sunrise may be back on. Hmpf! If those idiots want to go climbing around on a mountainside with goats and bears and everything before it's fully light out, well, more power to them. I'll be staying in my nice warm cabin, thank-you-very much!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Utah = The Most Interesting State Ever?
Think about Utah for a moment.
What immediately comes to mind?
Mormons. Skiing. The 2002 Olympics. Salt. But in general, I bet you don't give a lot of thought to Utah. We certainly didn't. That was until we really started looking into the state and seeing what it had to offer.
Seriously, Utah is fascinating, and we haven't even been there yet! Well, okay, Handler 1 went skiing there once a long time ago and pronounced it the "best skiing ever", and Handler 2 sorta, kinda remembers seeing Bryce and Zion when he was a little kid, but that doesn't count.
Originally, the unofficial "game plan" was to spend 2-3 days in the state...see a few national parks as quickly as possible...maybe stop by and see the Temple Which May Not Be Entered in Salt Lake. Since then we've come to reassess our assumptions and have madly started rearranging our potential itinerary to take in more of Utah's fascinating sites. Among which are all these sites which we're considering visiting:
Zion- with its numerous slot canyons and airy "Angel's Landing" trail
Bryce- which has hoodoos...lots and lots of hoodoos
Arches- which has...well...arches
Natural Bridges- which has yet more arches and probably the clearest night sky in America
Monument Valley- famous from a thousand Western movie sets
Cedar Breaks- famous for its fall colors and clear night skies
Canyonlands- which has some of the most interesting scenery I've yet to see on an online blog
Dead Horse Point State Park- overlooks Canyonlands for some awesome scenery
Kodachrome Basin State Park- which has amusing "sand pipe" structures
Pink Sand Dunes State Park- pink sand dunes...need I say more?
Goblin Valley State Park- with it's mushroom shaped rock formations
The Wave trail- with just mind blowing rock formations
The Calf Creek Falls Trail- past ancient Native American granaries and pictographs to a waterfall fed spring you can swim in
Honestly, my handlers are getting afraid of researching further, because they'll just find more fascinating things they just can't do in the time alotted to them for travel!
So, don't give Utah a pass, we certainly won't.
What immediately comes to mind?
Mormons. Skiing. The 2002 Olympics. Salt. But in general, I bet you don't give a lot of thought to Utah. We certainly didn't. That was until we really started looking into the state and seeing what it had to offer.
Seriously, Utah is fascinating, and we haven't even been there yet! Well, okay, Handler 1 went skiing there once a long time ago and pronounced it the "best skiing ever", and Handler 2 sorta, kinda remembers seeing Bryce and Zion when he was a little kid, but that doesn't count.
Originally, the unofficial "game plan" was to spend 2-3 days in the state...see a few national parks as quickly as possible...maybe stop by and see the Temple Which May Not Be Entered in Salt Lake. Since then we've come to reassess our assumptions and have madly started rearranging our potential itinerary to take in more of Utah's fascinating sites. Among which are all these sites which we're considering visiting:
Zion- with its numerous slot canyons and airy "Angel's Landing" trail
Bryce- which has hoodoos...lots and lots of hoodoos
Arches- which has...well...arches
Natural Bridges- which has yet more arches and probably the clearest night sky in America
Monument Valley- famous from a thousand Western movie sets
Cedar Breaks- famous for its fall colors and clear night skies
Canyonlands- which has some of the most interesting scenery I've yet to see on an online blog
Dead Horse Point State Park- overlooks Canyonlands for some awesome scenery
Kodachrome Basin State Park- which has amusing "sand pipe" structures
Pink Sand Dunes State Park- pink sand dunes...need I say more?
Goblin Valley State Park- with it's mushroom shaped rock formations
The Wave trail- with just mind blowing rock formations
The Calf Creek Falls Trail- past ancient Native American granaries and pictographs to a waterfall fed spring you can swim in
Honestly, my handlers are getting afraid of researching further, because they'll just find more fascinating things they just can't do in the time alotted to them for travel!
So, don't give Utah a pass, we certainly won't.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Strange Happenings in South Dakota
After some short discussions via the internets, my handlers determined that they wanted to stay at a historic hotel in Rapid City for one of our nights in South Dakota. And here's a plus, its HAUNTED!
http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/sd/alex_johnson_hotel.cfm
Handler 2 states that he is completely skeptical regarding the existence of ghosts, while Handler 1, though a skeptic about most things, is fairly convinced as to the reality of life beyond the grave. We'll see which of them is right.
In other news, the South Dakota Secretary of State employs pleasant workers, while the Attorney General's office leaves something to be desired. What does this have to do with our upcoming vacation? Nothing, just an observation.
http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/sd/alex_johnson_hotel.cfm
Handler 2 states that he is completely skeptical regarding the existence of ghosts, while Handler 1, though a skeptic about most things, is fairly convinced as to the reality of life beyond the grave. We'll see which of them is right.
In other news, the South Dakota Secretary of State employs pleasant workers, while the Attorney General's office leaves something to be desired. What does this have to do with our upcoming vacation? Nothing, just an observation.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Crosses or Porn
You may see this indicated on the right and be wondering what on earth it's referring to. Well, it's a game, invented by my handlers for play during long boring car rides. Sometimes referred to by its alternate name, "Porn or Crosses", it's so much more engaging than traditional forms of road trip games that involve looking for license plates from different states or beating the stuffing out of your seatmate every time a Volkswagon Beetle passes by.
Here are the rules in their most simplistic format:
Along the highways of America are many bilboards, often advertising strip clubs and other adult entertainments. There also tend to be billboards advertising messages of a religious nature or, alternatively (and more commonly in the South) sets of three crosses erected so as to be visible from the highway. Upon viewing either of these types of curiousities the observer is to point them out to the other occupants of the car. The first person to do so earns a point. Ties are thrown out. Points are cumulative throughout the trip. Note, Crosses or Porn cannot be played if there is only one person awake in the car (hopefully the driver), as a player's "find" must be confirmed.
House rules: Which begs the question...can there really be 'house rules' for a game you invented?
Actual buildings housing adult entertainment (as opposed to just advertisements for the same) count. So do adverts for adult books and/or video stores. Churches do not count, nor do the signs with pithy little sayings often found outside of churches. Religious advertisements may or may not count (for instance, white type on black background "messages from God" don't count, however, giant likenesses of Jesus asking whether or not you are on the right road do earn a point) and must be put to a vote. If there are only two players and they disagree on whether an item counts for a point, the default answer is no. The players may unanimously vote to allow a sighting to count for a point despite the fact that it has no adult or religious connotations, so long as the item in question is amusing.
Other rules:
Play Crosses or Porn responsibly. If you're paying so much attention to the billboards on the side of the road that you don't realize you've just passed a cop going 85 mph, then you are not playing responsibly. This goes for Precious Moments signs as well.
No cheating. Cheaters suck. If you know you didn't really tie your opponent, then admit it. It's not worth an argument, in any case. Come on people, it's a game about picking out funny things along the highway, not life or death!
Have fun! If at any time Crosses or Porn becomes tedious, the players should jointly agree not to play until everyone feels like doing so again.
Here are the rules in their most simplistic format:
Along the highways of America are many bilboards, often advertising strip clubs and other adult entertainments. There also tend to be billboards advertising messages of a religious nature or, alternatively (and more commonly in the South) sets of three crosses erected so as to be visible from the highway. Upon viewing either of these types of curiousities the observer is to point them out to the other occupants of the car. The first person to do so earns a point. Ties are thrown out. Points are cumulative throughout the trip. Note, Crosses or Porn cannot be played if there is only one person awake in the car (hopefully the driver), as a player's "find" must be confirmed.
House rules: Which begs the question...can there really be 'house rules' for a game you invented?
Actual buildings housing adult entertainment (as opposed to just advertisements for the same) count. So do adverts for adult books and/or video stores. Churches do not count, nor do the signs with pithy little sayings often found outside of churches. Religious advertisements may or may not count (for instance, white type on black background "messages from God" don't count, however, giant likenesses of Jesus asking whether or not you are on the right road do earn a point) and must be put to a vote. If there are only two players and they disagree on whether an item counts for a point, the default answer is no. The players may unanimously vote to allow a sighting to count for a point despite the fact that it has no adult or religious connotations, so long as the item in question is amusing.
Other rules:
Play Crosses or Porn responsibly. If you're paying so much attention to the billboards on the side of the road that you don't realize you've just passed a cop going 85 mph, then you are not playing responsibly. This goes for Precious Moments signs as well.
No cheating. Cheaters suck. If you know you didn't really tie your opponent, then admit it. It's not worth an argument, in any case. Come on people, it's a game about picking out funny things along the highway, not life or death!
Have fun! If at any time Crosses or Porn becomes tedious, the players should jointly agree not to play until everyone feels like doing so again.
The Things We'll Carry
Despite my handlers' insistence that this is supposed to be a budget vacation, they have found themselves in the position of needing to purchase objects for said vacation even before leaving on it. As such, they have amassed a number of objects that would otherwise be entirely useless to them, including:
-2 hydro-packs (they hold 2 liters of water, some small emergency stores and...well...me, of course) - $60
-Pair of hiking boots for Handler 1 - $30
-Blister first aid kit - $10
-200 piece large first aid kit - $10
-Insect repellent (with tick repelling, synthetic clothing destroying DEET) - $7
-2 foul weather gear outfits - $20 (Handler 1 was quite proud of this find)
-Headlamp - $7
-Combination whistle/thermometer/compass - $5
-SPF 60 suntan lotion (with attached mini lotion bottle) - $9
-Extra socks for Handler 2- $8
-Water wicking socks - $20 (and that was on sale!)
-Various and sundry necessities - about $20
-New iPod cord for car - $41 (which would not be a big deal, if we hadn't later found out it was the iPod itself that was acting up)
No, they're not quite done purchasing yet, either. But they're close. Mind you, this doesn't even count the photography related crud they'll be dragging along:
-DSLR Camera system (includes Canon Xsi, kit lens, super telephoto lens, and 5 filters) - something around $500
-Rented telephoto lens (Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6, for 10 days, includes shipping) - $85
-B&W 400 Film- $25
-Extra batteries - $14 (with a coupon)
-Lens blower - $9 (probably wouldn't have purchased if it actually had a pricetag on it)
-Lens pen - $12
-Gorillapod- $5
-Various tripods - $0! Thanks Grandhandlers!
-2 hydro-packs (they hold 2 liters of water, some small emergency stores and...well...me, of course) - $60
-Pair of hiking boots for Handler 1 - $30
-Blister first aid kit - $10
-200 piece large first aid kit - $10
-Insect repellent (with tick repelling, synthetic clothing destroying DEET) - $7
-2 foul weather gear outfits - $20 (Handler 1 was quite proud of this find)
-Headlamp - $7
-Combination whistle/thermometer/compass - $5
-SPF 60 suntan lotion (with attached mini lotion bottle) - $9
-Extra socks for Handler 2- $8
-Water wicking socks - $20 (and that was on sale!)
-Various and sundry necessities - about $20
-New iPod cord for car - $41 (which would not be a big deal, if we hadn't later found out it was the iPod itself that was acting up)
No, they're not quite done purchasing yet, either. But they're close. Mind you, this doesn't even count the photography related crud they'll be dragging along:
-DSLR Camera system (includes Canon Xsi, kit lens, super telephoto lens, and 5 filters) - something around $500
-Rented telephoto lens (Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6, for 10 days, includes shipping) - $85
-B&W 400 Film- $25
-Extra batteries - $14 (with a coupon)
-Lens blower - $9 (probably wouldn't have purchased if it actually had a pricetag on it)
-Lens pen - $12
-Gorillapod- $5
-Various tripods - $0! Thanks Grandhandlers!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
T-Minus One Month (And Counting...)
There's a number of things my handlers never knew about before beginning their research for this upcoming adventure. Among the more interesting things they have discovered thus far are:
1. Insect repellent with high percentages of DEET disintegrates synthetic clothing and plastic camera housings
2. Kemmerer, WY is the self-proclaimed fossil fish capital of the world
3. The world's largest pit mine is located just outside Salt Lake City in Utah (no, we won't be going there)
4. Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone, though unpredictable, is the world's tallest active geyser, with water sprays reaching 300 feet (which didn't seem all that impressive until I started thinking of it in terms of Cedar Point roller coaster height)
5. Entrance to Mt. Rushmore is free. Parking is $10. Proof positive that the government always finds some way to tax you.
6. 'Slot canyons' tend to close when there is any chance of rain because of the potential danger of flash floods
7. Commercial bear sprays are an active deterrent against bears. Commercial pepper sprays designed for personal defense against humans are not strong enough to faze a bear. The first thing you must take into account when being charged by an enraged bear is where the wind is blowing, because you do not want to release the bear spray into the face of the wind and have it rebound. For reasons of self-preservation, my handlers have decided to forego the bear spray.
8. Canyoneering
9. The people of Jackson Hole, WY appear to subsist almost entirely upon breakfast foods
10. There are flying squirrels in Yellowstone
Now wasn't that interesting! This has been your educational blogpost of the day!
1. Insect repellent with high percentages of DEET disintegrates synthetic clothing and plastic camera housings
2. Kemmerer, WY is the self-proclaimed fossil fish capital of the world
3. The world's largest pit mine is located just outside Salt Lake City in Utah (no, we won't be going there)
4. Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone, though unpredictable, is the world's tallest active geyser, with water sprays reaching 300 feet (which didn't seem all that impressive until I started thinking of it in terms of Cedar Point roller coaster height)
5. Entrance to Mt. Rushmore is free. Parking is $10. Proof positive that the government always finds some way to tax you.
6. 'Slot canyons' tend to close when there is any chance of rain because of the potential danger of flash floods
7. Commercial bear sprays are an active deterrent against bears. Commercial pepper sprays designed for personal defense against humans are not strong enough to faze a bear. The first thing you must take into account when being charged by an enraged bear is where the wind is blowing, because you do not want to release the bear spray into the face of the wind and have it rebound. For reasons of self-preservation, my handlers have decided to forego the bear spray.
8. Canyoneering
9. The people of Jackson Hole, WY appear to subsist almost entirely upon breakfast foods
10. There are flying squirrels in Yellowstone
Now wasn't that interesting! This has been your educational blogpost of the day!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The (Very) Tentative Itinerary
Hello!
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bo and if you've found this website you're likely an associate of one of my handlers. They can be annoying at times, but as they've kindly offered to make this website for me, I will attempt to be civil in our interactions.
My handlers are determined to take a road trip across the West and Southwest United States. Many "experts" have told them their plans for sight-seeing are ambitious, but this has not deterred them. Rather, they intend to structure their adventure such that reservations are not made at a prospective stopping place until the night before arrival (with one notable exception), thus allowing for on the fly re-arrangement of travel plans. Therefore, I present to you the overly ambitious, changeable at a moment's notice, pseudo-planned itinerary for our upcoming cross country adventure:
September 4th- Leave the great state of Michigan and head west across Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, finishing the night in Madison
September 5th- Cross the wasteland that is southern Minnesota, into the badlands of South Dakota, ending in or near Murdo, SD
September 6th- Hit the Badlands, Rushmore and Wind Cave, stay in or near Hot Springs, SD
September 7th- Visit the Mammoth hot springs, Jewel Cave, and Crazy Horse Memorial, before heading into Wyoming to see Devils Tower, stopping to rest in Sheridan, WY
September 8th- Travel through the Bighorn Mountains to Cody, WY and enter Yellowstone for three nights at the Old Faithful Inn
September 9th- Yellowstone
September 10th- Yellowstone (after this is where things get less certain)
September 11th- Leave Yellowstone, winding our way south through the Grand Tetons, stop in Jackson Hole for food (possibly waffles), and spend the night in Kemmerer, WY
September 12th- Visit Fossil Butte and the nearby wild horse ranges, then cross over into Utah and head south through Salt Lake City to the Cedar Breaks area...probably stopping in Hurricane, UT
September 13th- Bryce (via horseback ride)
September 14th- Zion (possible canyoneering tour), then travel on to Page, AZ
September 15th- Antelope Canyon and other sites on our way to some cheap hotel near the Grand Canyon South Rim
September 16th- Hike the Grand Canyon (after this is where my handlers currently have a difference of opinion regarding exactly what to do next)
September 17th- Head back north through Monument Valley to the Four Corners, ending in Cortez, CO
September 18th- See Mesa Verde then travel back into Utah yet again to stay in Moab, UT
September 19th- See Arches and start heading back towards home through Denver, stopping to rest somewhere in Nebraska
September 20th- Continue heading east and home to the lovely mitten state
Other things we might try and visit, given time and inclination- Cedar Breaks, Grand Staircase Escalante, the Wave, the Grand Canyon North Rim, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, the Million Dollar Highway, etc.
Suggestions and comments are welcome, but are likely to be ignored because my handlers have been researching everything on this route for the past 6 months and probably know considerably more than you do about it.
There are also minor stops along the way I haven't mentioned, partially to save space and partially to keep some sense of suspense going. Keep watching for more updates as the date of departure inches closer.
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bo and if you've found this website you're likely an associate of one of my handlers. They can be annoying at times, but as they've kindly offered to make this website for me, I will attempt to be civil in our interactions.
My handlers are determined to take a road trip across the West and Southwest United States. Many "experts" have told them their plans for sight-seeing are ambitious, but this has not deterred them. Rather, they intend to structure their adventure such that reservations are not made at a prospective stopping place until the night before arrival (with one notable exception), thus allowing for on the fly re-arrangement of travel plans. Therefore, I present to you the overly ambitious, changeable at a moment's notice, pseudo-planned itinerary for our upcoming cross country adventure:
September 4th- Leave the great state of Michigan and head west across Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, finishing the night in Madison
September 5th- Cross the wasteland that is southern Minnesota, into the badlands of South Dakota, ending in or near Murdo, SD
September 6th- Hit the Badlands, Rushmore and Wind Cave, stay in or near Hot Springs, SD
September 7th- Visit the Mammoth hot springs, Jewel Cave, and Crazy Horse Memorial, before heading into Wyoming to see Devils Tower, stopping to rest in Sheridan, WY
September 8th- Travel through the Bighorn Mountains to Cody, WY and enter Yellowstone for three nights at the Old Faithful Inn
September 9th- Yellowstone
September 10th- Yellowstone (after this is where things get less certain)
September 11th- Leave Yellowstone, winding our way south through the Grand Tetons, stop in Jackson Hole for food (possibly waffles), and spend the night in Kemmerer, WY
September 12th- Visit Fossil Butte and the nearby wild horse ranges, then cross over into Utah and head south through Salt Lake City to the Cedar Breaks area...probably stopping in Hurricane, UT
September 13th- Bryce (via horseback ride)
September 14th- Zion (possible canyoneering tour), then travel on to Page, AZ
September 15th- Antelope Canyon and other sites on our way to some cheap hotel near the Grand Canyon South Rim
September 16th- Hike the Grand Canyon (after this is where my handlers currently have a difference of opinion regarding exactly what to do next)
September 17th- Head back north through Monument Valley to the Four Corners, ending in Cortez, CO
September 18th- See Mesa Verde then travel back into Utah yet again to stay in Moab, UT
September 19th- See Arches and start heading back towards home through Denver, stopping to rest somewhere in Nebraska
September 20th- Continue heading east and home to the lovely mitten state
Other things we might try and visit, given time and inclination- Cedar Breaks, Grand Staircase Escalante, the Wave, the Grand Canyon North Rim, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, the Million Dollar Highway, etc.
Suggestions and comments are welcome, but are likely to be ignored because my handlers have been researching everything on this route for the past 6 months and probably know considerably more than you do about it.
There are also minor stops along the way I haven't mentioned, partially to save space and partially to keep some sense of suspense going. Keep watching for more updates as the date of departure inches closer.
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