Arizona Advice
Dec 30, 2019 08:17:02 #
bbrown5154
Loc: Baltimore, MD
carney2 wrote:
My No. 1 Sherpa and I are headed for two weeks in ... (show quote)
A couple things. The Petrified forrest is about a 4 hour (1 way drive) at least thats about how long it took me.
But more importantly The North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be closed at that time.
Dec 30, 2019 08:17:15 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
carney2 wrote:
My No. 1 Sherpa and I are headed for two weeks in ... (show quote)
We took several Pink Jeep tours when we were out west. My husband has MS so no hiking for him either. They were very accommodating and knowledgeable.
Dec 30, 2019 08:18:00 #
Dec 30, 2019 08:19:06 #
carney2 wrote:
Should have made it clear that travel is not an issue. First stop will be Petrified Forest, then Canyon de Chelly and then Sedona. Then a break with a week in Phoenix before finishing at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. All doable, I think. My biggest concern, as someone pointed out, is Flagstone which, if using interstates, will have to be traversed a few times. It can be avoided, but it is the winter foul weather capital of Arizona.
If you have any interest Meteor Crater is south of interstate 40 and a few miles west of Petrified Forest.
Dec 30, 2019 08:19:22 #
bbrown5154
Loc: Baltimore, MD
rmalarz wrote:
The North rim and South rim are open year round, but weather can be a factor for either of them.
--Bob
--Bob
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Dec 30, 2019 08:20:51 #
In Sedona, consider renting and driving your own jeep from Barlows (bring certificate of auto insurance). You can drive any of the Pink Jeep routes, they give you a map, you set the trip odometer at the 'Buick gate' and follow the excellent guide. This allows you to set your pace. Rent noon to noon and you can get sunset/sunrise, assuming the weather cooperates.
Dec 30, 2019 08:22:28 #
We stayed in Flagstaff in October to tour Grand Canyon and Sedona. If you find yourself there for an overnight, consider a visit to the Lowell Observatory, just to the west of downtown.
Light pollution was moderate considering proximity to downtown, but the talks are pretty cool and there is an assortment of telescopes available, usually aimed at a particular item of interest. The young folk there are very helpful.
The Milky Way was in play when we were there, and they let me set up a tripod for long exposure shots...not as good as other efforts, but still fun. The large old telescope was also available for viewing the night we were there.
Dress warm, and use caution walking around because the grounds are not lit.
Light pollution was moderate considering proximity to downtown, but the talks are pretty cool and there is an assortment of telescopes available, usually aimed at a particular item of interest. The young folk there are very helpful.
The Milky Way was in play when we were there, and they let me set up a tripod for long exposure shots...not as good as other efforts, but still fun. The large old telescope was also available for viewing the night we were there.
Dress warm, and use caution walking around because the grounds are not lit.
Dec 30, 2019 08:22:34 #
DWU2 wrote:
Bisbee is a fun town in southern Arizona. The town is quaint, and there is a lot of easily reachable areas for photography via driving. There's a huge abandoned open-pit copper mine, you can tour an actual mine inside a mountain by miners' train, and there's a quaint town called Lowell nearby set up to resemble a town circa 1954.
Like this! :-) I was there (Bisbee/Lowell) just a week or so ago!
Dec 30, 2019 08:35:16 #
LXK0930
Loc: Souh Jersey
I second the Pink Jeep recommendation.
For some extra excitement, sit all the way in the back. There are times when the jeep has to make a U turn. The back of the jeep juts out past the cliff edge. Nothing between you and the bottom (1000 ft?) but air. Bring extra underwear.
Also, Grand Canyon can be extremely cold in January. Dress warmly.
For some extra excitement, sit all the way in the back. There are times when the jeep has to make a U turn. The back of the jeep juts out past the cliff edge. Nothing between you and the bottom (1000 ft?) but air. Bring extra underwear.
Also, Grand Canyon can be extremely cold in January. Dress warmly.
Dec 30, 2019 08:44:39 #
If travel is not the issue, then Monument Valley and the surrounding area is both a feast for the eyes as well as a cultural treat (should you wish to accompany a Navajo guide beyond the public areas). It is about 1.5 hours north of Canyon de Chelly. That could complicate matters however, as southern Utah is chock full of surrealistic beauty and spectacle. I have been to all the aforementioned locations and while they are certainly a welcome change from our eastern environs (I live in CT), I have personally been drawn to the more remote and exotic, such as White Pocket, the wave (one must enter a daily lottery for this one), the second mesa (weekend tribal dances), and other notable places off the tourist grid. I drive these roads in January and February, detouring from my business at the Tucson Gem Show, where I have been an exhibitor the past 25+ years. All that “said”, perhaps your stated itinerary may be preferable if embarking upon your maiden journey.
Dec 30, 2019 08:52:15 #
carney2 wrote:
My No. 1 Sherpa and I are headed for two weeks in ... (show quote)
Monument Valley; the main loop is a DIY drive. To go anywhere else, you need to book a tour. There are photographer oriented tours that should be able to accomodate your limitations. I highly recommend Phillips' photography tours at monumentvalley.com
Dec 30, 2019 09:01:29 #
Dec 30, 2019 09:08:45 #
carney2 wrote:
My No. 1 Sherpa and I are headed for two weeks in ... (show quote)
Puello Grande in Phoenix.
Casa Grande near Casa Grande.
Fire Museum in Tempe, AZ, this is huge and a real gem.
Montezuma Castle near Cottonwood.
Jerome AZ as a whole.
The incredible Copper Museum in Clarkdale.
Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.
The Apache Trail historic drive to the dam, beautiful views then north to Pumpkin Center again beautiful drive.
Arcosanti just off Cordes Junction.
This should provide many hours of not crowded and unique simple to access sites.
You will go home with photos different from most me too AZ Sedona and Grand Canyon tourist shots.
Dec 30, 2019 09:23:20 #
Dec 30, 2019 09:42:58 #
Buzzardluck
Loc: Tempe, AZ
In addition to the great places already mentioned please consider Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It's a short drive just east of Phoenix. https://www.btarboretum.org/
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