Great American Roadtrip 2015
- Thread starter Papalud
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- #63
Geo Adventure Gear. It's just like all the other Chinese tents with their name slapped on it. Based in Venezuela, but they have a location in Miami. It worked great. Rain, wind, etc. I was a little worried that the ladder wasn't heavy duty enough, but it held my big ass for 3 weeks. I felt like we gave it a pretty real-world test.
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- #64
And back at it... Here's some shots from the North Rim.
Were you able to get anything worthy on the GoPro?
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- #66
The final approach in to the North Rim is very different from the South. Instead of desert, it's alpine forests of aspens and ponderosa pines and beautiful green fields. It feels a world away from the rest of Arizona. Instead of the circus on the South Rim, there is one lodge and a bunch of small cabins to rent perched just a few yards back from the rim. It's so much more laid back. The lodge has a great dining room and stone deck that overlooks the canyon. Perfect for watching the sunset over drinks. We didn't do that, but it would have been perfect.
Right down from this deck are several trails to access overlooks into the canyon. From here the colors are a much deeper red, as you see different soil layers at this higher elevation. We did several of the trails and I would have loved to do more. This is also where my middle two discovered the Junior Ranger program. If you have kids between 6-10, it's a great way for them to learn about the National Parks. Each park has their own program and they are all a little different. The basic idea is that they check in with the Ranger and get a book where they read about the park (history, animals, flora, geology, etc.) and answer questions, check off sights, name what trails they hiked, interview a ranger, etc. They turn the book back into a Ranger and they "interview" them and quiz them on the park. Afterward, they swear them in as Junior Rangers and present them with a badge and in some parks, a patch or certificate. Declan and Susanna ate it up and ended up becoming rangers in 6 different National Parks on the trip. It really drives home what an incredible treasure the National Park system is. We ended up catching at least one Ranger talk at each park. The North Rim one was on geology and the formation of the canyon. The Rangers in the park are a great resource--incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. They absolutely love what they do and where they get to live. If you want the best advice on where to go, what to skip, how to do it--ask a Ranger.
Right down from this deck are several trails to access overlooks into the canyon. From here the colors are a much deeper red, as you see different soil layers at this higher elevation. We did several of the trails and I would have loved to do more. This is also where my middle two discovered the Junior Ranger program. If you have kids between 6-10, it's a great way for them to learn about the National Parks. Each park has their own program and they are all a little different. The basic idea is that they check in with the Ranger and get a book where they read about the park (history, animals, flora, geology, etc.) and answer questions, check off sights, name what trails they hiked, interview a ranger, etc. They turn the book back into a Ranger and they "interview" them and quiz them on the park. Afterward, they swear them in as Junior Rangers and present them with a badge and in some parks, a patch or certificate. Declan and Susanna ate it up and ended up becoming rangers in 6 different National Parks on the trip. It really drives home what an incredible treasure the National Park system is. We ended up catching at least one Ranger talk at each park. The North Rim one was on geology and the formation of the canyon. The Rangers in the park are a great resource--incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. They absolutely love what they do and where they get to live. If you want the best advice on where to go, what to skip, how to do it--ask a Ranger.
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- #67
The kids used it most of the time, so it's a lot of shots out the window while driving, but I did hook it to the roof rack in Yosemite and Glacier and got some pretty decent shots. Honestly, I haven't really looked at it yet. I'll cut it together one day...
Great advice. I discovered that at Vicksburg through my friend Will Wilson who is a Ranger there. He is so awesome.
I agree on the North Rim. I love the South Rim. When we went it was off season and nice but in the summer. Screw that place. My first trip was summer and I almost didn't return.
Thank you for the story, it is awesome.
I agree on the North Rim. I love the South Rim. When we went it was off season and nice but in the summer. Screw that place. My first trip was summer and I almost didn't return.
Thank you for the story, it is awesome.
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- #69
Inside of the lodge:
Cabins in the background where we ate our hippie lunch:
Cabins in the background where we ate our hippie lunch:
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- #70
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- #71
Oh, and I totally buried the lead in that we were at the North Rim for the 4th of July. It doesn't get any more American than that. They were giving out watermelon slices and water guns, and then had a parade with the fire trucks, search and rescue, supply vans, the cleaning ladies, the cowboy tours...it was great. I could have s*** red, white and blue that day. The cowboys stopped mid-parade while one dismounted and ran into the lodge bar and came back with a pair of beers for each cowboy. Good times.
Troop 1 took the train from JAN to Glacier this summer. I think I'm gonna book that and some park rooms for next August. I love National Parks.
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- #73
Will's a good guy. We were at Ole Miss together. He's like all of those guys--they love seeing people really engaging in the parks.
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- #74
Yeah-we got there the day after they left. A few of the dads in that group are good friends of mine. Go to Glacier early in the summer - still snow on the ground and no crowds yet. First few weeks in June, right after it opens. The Amtrak ride sounded great--it takes you right to the park.
I just looked at it. $278 per person per leg or $1200 per person per leg with a sleeper.
No wonder they are broke. F that.
No wonder they are broke. F that.
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- #76
iphone pics...
Man your kids are well behaved. Mine would have to wear a leash anytime I'm near the rim. Great write up.
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- #78
One-star yelp reviews of the National Parks. These are pretty hilarious. I Can't Stop Reading One-Star Yelp Reviews of National Parks
Yosemite was super crowded. I couldn't find a place to park either.