On Aug 31, 2005, at 10:26 AM, Peter Lacus wrote:
1. destinations: Yosemite (El Capitan), Bryce, Zion (Angels
Landing) and San Francisco are must see for me. I'd like to see
also Grand Canyon and historical Route 66 if time allows. Las Vegas
is also on the route, but generally I don't like big cities. Ann
San also suggested Arches and Monument Valley IIRC. All this should
be done within 3 weeks. Do you think it's feasible? Any other must
see places, scenic roads, view/photo points?
Lessee: What airport are you flying into, picking up a car?
There is so much to see in the American Southwest, it's inconceivable
to me to actually see much of it in three weeks time, driving between
the points of interest. You should become very specific about what
you want to see and plan a route that allows you to get where you
want to be more efficiently. You might consider renting a car for
parts of your trip and flying the big jumps if you want to cover a
lot of widely separated ground...
- Yosemite is in the eastern, middle part of California/Nevada border
land. It takes approximately 4-5 hours driving time to get there from
San Francisco Airport.
- Yosemite is itself about another 4-5 hours driving time from Las
Vegas by the most direct route.
- Bryce and Zion are somewhat to the northeast of Las Vegas, into
Utah, about 2-3 hours away.
- Arches is at the eastern edge of central Utah, probably 3-4 hours
from Zion.
- The north rim of the Grand Canyon (my personal favorite) is about
several hours driving time south and east from the Zion eastern exit.
- To get from the eastern exit out of Zion to the north rim of the
GC, then to Flagstaff, Az, is a whole day's traveling time, with only
a little time for stopping and seeing anything.
- Flagstaff to San Francisco is about 12-15 hours driving time,
straight through.
This website might be of some value. Good planning will be critical
to make this a good trip:
http://www.americansouthwest.net
Some facts: I will arrive on 15th September together with my
colleague who is also (lurking) on the List. I will bring my MX and
some of my beloved Pentax glass (M28/3.5, M50/1.4, M75-150/4) with
me. Last days of our trip (Oct 3rd-5th) we plan to stay in San
Francisco - what about a nice little PDML meeting there? ;-)
There's an outing forming up for the 8th, too bad you can't make it
for that. I might be available for a day in the City in the Oct 3-5
timeframe, perhaps others will be too. SF is an hour north of my home
near San Jose.
