Yes. I would use it. We love to travel. A place to share tips would be great.

To all

Is there any interest in a travel section on UHH? I approached admin some time ago about it but life got in the way. I'd consider rekindling the interest if there was someone who wanted to co-admin the thing.

I envision a section that has tips, where to photography, what to take, etc...

Thoughts?[/quote]

We toured Kenya and Tanzania and finished with 3 days in Zanzibar. We booked our trip through Lion World Travel, based in Toronto. They used local guide companies. They used Liberty in Kenya. In Tanzania, the used Leopard Tours, based in Arusha. I can easily recommend all of them. Enjoy your trip.

There are a couple serious flaws with this way of thinking. Try to consider all the senior citizens who worked hard all their lives and paid taxes to support national parks that they never had the time or money to see. When they finally retire, they finally have the time, and hopefully the money to see the parks they have spent their lives supporting. They are not capable of hiking many miles to see it but they have certainly earned the right to see it. The National Park Service has always done an excellent job balancing the conflicting goals of maintaining the wildness while providing some access for the people who have spent their lives paying for it. It is a difficult balance and they make some mistakes, but that balance is necessary and fair to all of us.

I used to stay at the Shiloh Inn in Oakhurst. It’s a few miles outside the southwest entrance. It’s been a few years. I don’t know what it’s like now but it used to be nice for a fair price.

Wildlife can move fast making manual shooting difficult. Consider using aperture priority with iso in auto. Adjust for the depth of field you want and shoot. The animals won’t wait for you to make too many adjustments.

We used a company called Lion World Travel, based in Toronto. They worked with two local travel companies, Liberty and Leopard, in Kenya and Tanzania. We went to 7 parks in 12 days, moving from lodge to lodge. Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorogoro Crater had the most wildlife, but we saw animals everywhere we went. It was a great trip. Highly recommended.

I went to Kenya and Tanzania a few years ago. You are on the right track as far as equipment. You’ll need the 500mm for some shots. Having a second camera with a shorter lens is a good idea. Some times the animals are right on the road. You don’t want to be changing lenses. Too much dust. You probably don’t want to shoot in manual, unless you are extremely fast. The animals won’t sit still for you. I used aperture mode most of the time with everything else in auto. Set the depth of field and fire away. You don’t want to miss the money shot while you’re making adjustments. Have a great trip.

Clothes - Take a warm fleece jacket and a wind and water proof shell. Synthetic quick drying pants. It will rain. Be ready for it.

Must see - Brooks Falls in Katmai NP. Just do it. You won’t be sorry.

Brooks Falls - Catch a floatplane from Homer. Expensive but worth it.

I drove around Alaska in a rental F350 crew cab with a camper in the bed. It was probably a little smaller than the RV you have reserved, but not much. The size was never a problem. I took the ferry from Valdez to Whittier and the one-way tunnel out of Whittier with no problem. It was a great way to see Alaska. Highly recommended. You’re going to have a great time. Go for salmon in Seward and halibut in Homer. If you have the cash, take a floatplane from Homer to Brooks Falls to see the bears. It’s a once in a lifetime bucket list thing. Expensive but worth it.

Try Adventure Airways from Homer. Trent, the owner, took us to Brooks Falls. He has been flying in Alaska for decades. He has a rotary engine Dehavilland Beaver. Nice plane, very good pilot. I’m happy to recommend him.

It’s a little out of your way, but the US Rocket and Space Center in Huntsville, AL is worth a visit.

I agree with the gentlemen recommending Think Tank. I have three of their Retrospective bags. Different sizes for different uses. They are durable, nice looking and comfortable to carry. Best shoulder strap in the business.

Between Yellowstone and Grand Teton, there is a resort/campground called Flagg Ranch. They have cabins that are pretty nice. Nice porches and rockers. It is convenient to both parks. They have a restaurant and a gas station. I stayed there two years ago. I can recommend the cabins. Yellowstone is magnificent and should take most of your attention, but don’t overlook Grand Teton. It’s worth a day or two. The town of Jackson is worth a visit too.

Take a look at Lowepro. I have used their regular hiking backpacks for years. They have a few scuffs but nothing that affects their functionality. Last year I got one of their camera backpacks, a Fastpack BP 250 AW II. It hold all I need for dayhikes or travel. It appears to be as durable as their other packs, that have never failed me.