Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 02:43:06 -0500
Reply-To: Budd Premack <bpremack@WAVETECH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Budd Premack <bpremack@WAVETECH.NET>
Subject: Re: Phoenix to Wisconsin and back
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Karl,
Your route should depend upon what you have already seen. Go back and revisit your favorite spots and pick up some new ones along the way.
Canada between MN/WI and Calgary is scenic if you are partial to wheat. Otherwise, stay further south and see slightly less wheat and more grass before the 3rd gear climbs start in earnest.
Anywhere in the Rockies, U.S. or Canada is great. But the stars are (IMHO) Banff-Lake Louise (if you opt for the northern route), Yellowstone, Tetons, and CO/UT from Silverton-Teluride all the way through Mesa Verde and Monument Valley.
I think the Tetons have the fastest ascent from valley to glacier, accessible via a one day round trip hike. I forget the name of the creek, but it starts on the west side of Jenny Lake, if memory serves me correctly. This is the trail where you actually hike from the front to the back of the Tetons while gazing up at the granite towering above you, and can do so in only a few hours if you are pressed for time. Somehow, the combination of a wonderful hike into scenic splendor and time concerns seems more than a bit incongruous, but that is just the way life seems to be for many of us too much of the time.
Yellowstone is full of people (and their Winnebagos) but they come because the combination of thermals, mountains, and canyons are truly world-class. The Old Faithful Inn should be visited, even if you always camp/eat in your Westy. Don't miss the climb down next to the waterfalls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; it is worthy of the effort.
If you haven't had your fill of the Grand Canyon yet (as your are an AZ resident), choose the North Rim. It is a bit cooler (1000 ft higher elevation, I think), more rustic, and has only 10% of the traffic of the South Rim.
If you are into rafting, you can try the Snake River near the Tetons (large rafts), the Arkansas River at Beuna Vista, CO, or the Green River at Moab, UT. I suggest you bring your bike helmuts along, as the last time I did this (okay, it was 8 years ago), the rafting companies supplied life vests but no helmuts. I hope this has changed, as it seemed doubtful to me that after knocking your head against a hard but slippery rock, it would do you much good to have your scalp kept above the water line, even though you may no longer be conscious. I supose it would make it easier to retrieve the body, but that may be of small concern at that point. Anyway, wear a helmut and life jacket, and have a safe and exciting float.
Obviously, this is only a partal listing of the scenic delights and splendor of the West. It can easily occupy 10 times your 2 week schedule. Almost anywhere there are scenic vistas and small scale delights for your lenses. Why not scan a few of your favorites to the List upon your return.
Have a great trip, and don't forget some tools and spare parts, as UPS overnight is just a dream in most of the areas where you will be going.
Budd Premack
86 Syncro, 84 GL(for sale), 73 Super
Minneapolis, MN (Land of Sky Blue Waters)
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