Vacation / Photography planning: My wife & I are in the initial stages of planning a vacation / photography get away for this year. We had gone on trips in the past, sure. It was...

Iowegan

My wife & I are in the initial stages of planning a vacation / photography get away for this year.

We had gone on trips in the past, sure. It was always a Family thing, but they're all gone and have their own Families now. So, it's just us now.

This year, we're going to stay in country. So, it should be pretty easy, right? (uh huh)

We want to visit frineds and relatives along the way, so it looks like we'll be in the Seattle area, Sacramento, San Antonio, Phoenix just to visit.

Any suggestions on places to go, while in those areas?
Emphasis will be mostly for scenery and photography.
We're retired now, so it's not like we have to run, to get back to work, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Iowegan

My wife and I are in the initial stages of a long needed extended vacation.
We're going to be visiting family and friends who are currently in Seattle, Sacramento, Phoenix, and ending up in San Angelo to San Antonio areas in Texas.

Anyway, while in those areas, any recommended areas we should actively seek out, to get the most out of it, from a photographic stand point?

Points of interest we want to see are:
Yosemite National Park
Pacific Coast hwy
Lake Havasu
Las Vegas and Hoover Dam and Lake
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone National Park
Of course, areas around Phoenix and San Angelo, & San Antonio, TX.
Then, following the Mississippi River north, toward home.

If we weren't too tired from running around that much, possibly slip over to New Orleans for a few days, too. I'm guessing perhaps up to 4-5 weeks in this, so we can actually enjoy it, not just windshield time.

Again, any suggestions in any of those areas for the shutters to be put to work?

Thanks in advance.

silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia

You can "Google" these and view "Images" in left sidebar and view "Maps" to see if they are within your travel route, so you can see them as you travel along and not have to jump back and forth. You'll probably be following I-10 from Phoenix over to New Orleans.....We made a similar trip as you are contemplating but, from WV......consult a map or, like us, you will miss lots of sights you'll drive by and not know it 'til you get home, LOL!!....

Just take the little cursor "hand" and drag the map to view then click "satellite" or "Earth" view to see what is actually there. Click to "zoom" the area you want or just enter the site you want to view....
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=35.684144,60.820313&t=m&z=4

A few we thought were very interesting....

Arches National Park,UT
Moaab, UT
Mokee Dugway
Monument Valley, UT_AZ
Mount Rushmore
Quartzite, AZ
Meteor Crator
Bingham Copper Mine, Salt Lake City, UT
Bryce Canyon (as impressive as the Grand Canyon)
Havasu City, (London Bridge)
Oatman,AZ (Rte. 66 - donkeys in street, etc.)
San Antonio (Riverwalk)

Bracketville, TX (John Wayne's Alamo movie set w/western town with "shootouts")(US-90 W. of San Antonio)taking this route from Van Horn over to San Antonio will pass through some quaint towns....as Marfa...
Langtry, TX (Judge Roy Bean)(US-90)
Pecos River Bridge(US-90) nice photo op.

Casa Grande (Old Indian ruins and cathedral)
Rex Allen statue (Wilcox, AZ off I-10)
El Paso (drop down into Mexico)

Iowegan

Thanks Silverhawk!

We've checked out a few of the locations already, and have some rudimentary planning on the roads and sites on the list.

One of the things we're not going to do, is get in a hurry. If we need more time, we'll take it. We're on our schedule now, not someone else's.

I appreciate your other suggestions. I've read of a few of them, and they're wonderful places (a friend has told us in no uncertain terms, we need to see these places!)

By then, the other camera and lenses will be here, along with other gear to make the most of this.

Thanks!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Well when I get retired, my trips are going to be (Maybe I'll see you around that date) planning. Stop and look at everything you see that strikes your fancey. Janny and I camp alot, and don't lke crowds. So we tend to go to the smaller parks and off the trail places. Meet some great folks along the way.
Erv

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

It's time to play!!!!!!

Willy Loc: Alaska

Iowegan wrote:

My wife & I are in the initial stages of plann... (show quote)

Its not in the Seattle area but I'd like to go to the Painted Hills in Oregon. The place looks pretty nice. Spring time is the best I've heard...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Hills

Zion N.P. is hard to beat. October is best there for sure. Not so hot, some easy hikes (some demanding ones too!) and the crowds are thinning out. Spectacular scenery.

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Look at Page, Ar. Antilope Canyon do not miss this area.

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

Zion is my favorite place on the planet. Bryce is next door as is the North Rim. I was there in October last year with Nikonians.org. Some of the best photographers on the planet.

Glenn K

All good suggestions you've recvd thus far. If you're coming down the PCH, you've got several possible side trips to consider (Crater Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties if you're into wine, the Golden Gate, for example). One question you'll want to consider is where to cut over to head to Yosemite and then to LV and the Grand Canyon. You might want to consider continuing down the PCH to the Monterey pennisula and then Big Sur before cutting eastward to Yosemite. Also, I don't think anyone has mentioned Sedona or Santa Fe. Sound like a great trip. Enjoy!

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

Are you driving or flying? If you're driving, what routes? There are a lot of interesting places near the routes from Iowa to the cities you're planning to visit.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

If you are a member of AAA give them your trip and say you want to see all the sights along the way. They can lay out one great trip.

Iowegan wrote:

My wife & I are in the initial stages of plann... (show quote)

MtnMan Loc: ID

While in Seattle take at least a day and head out to Olympic National Park.

You might also consider a Ferry ride to Victoria B.C. I guess nowadays you'll need your passport for that one.

Iowegan wrote:

My wife & I are in the initial stages of plann... (show quote)

RayT Loc: Crestwood KY

After you tour Yosemite, what a spot that is, go out the back way on 120 to Mono Lake and Bodie CA (the ghost town), then south to "Alabama Hills" near Lone Pine CA. From Lone Pine just follow the signs south through Death Valley. After that head on over to Vegas (about 2 hour drive). Near Vegas is Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam. Take I-15 over to St. George UT and hit Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon is a bit north of Zion and Grand Canyon is a bit south. After Grand Canyon head south to Sedona, AZ. The whole area around Sedona is a shooters paradise.

Good luck and have a good trip.

silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia