The 19th Annual or Up With the DarrouzetNardis

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The 19th Annual or Up With the Darrouzet-Nardis
Tawny Sand Dunes, Death Valley Bryce
Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon
Delicate Arch, Arches
Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde
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Day 1 Bay Area to Death Valley (via Sequoia)

• On night t-1 we rent a car in San Mateo which has
  good clearance, gets respectable mileage and is
  smaller than 710 feet wide and 114 tall. (A
  restriction for Zion.)
• We saddle up from Half Moon Bay in the morning.
  We drive 278 miles (approximately 5 hours) to the
  Southern Portion of Giant Sequoia National Park.
• Once there we eat a late picnic(presumably egg
  salad) and take in a hike to one of the Sequoia
  Groves, of which there are many.
• Satisfied that weve seen the great ligneous
  batholiths we head on towards Death Valley.
• We drive another 262 miles into Death Valley. The
  actual distance and time with depend on where
  wed like to camp/motel (This is our longest
  driving day). A motel is advisable considering
  the heat. Stovepipe Wells area has rooms
  around100.

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Day 2, 3 In Death Valley

• Awakening to our cool, air conditioned lodge we
  play Lawrence of Arabia. The Tawny Dunes in the
  Mesquite Flates (top) are a representation of the
  terrain.
• Death Valley is full of hikes also, such as the
  Mosaic Hike (below).
• Death Valley is home to the lowest point in the
  western hemisphere, called Badwater Basin.
• There are a whole host of things to do here, as
  outlined in the Death Valley visitors Guide. We
  can choose as a family which locations are most
  appealing.

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Day 4 Death Valley to Zion

• The following day we make the five hour, 300 mile
  drive to Zion National Park.
• We set up camp and check out some of what Zion
  has to offer, such as the Human History Musuem.
• Zion has two campsites within the park. Both are
  desert and well have to prepare for the lethargy
  of heat. The alternative is the 150 a night
  hotel room at the Zion Lodge (which does look
  hella nice).
• In the evening we could check out Canyon Overlook
  hike (1.0 miles) or the Watchman hike (2.7
  miles), both ending with great views, probably
  pretty at dusk.

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Day 5 Zion to Bryce

• In the morning we wake early to avoid the heat
  and explore the Emerald Pool Hikes. Its a set of
  hikes that takes you to waterfalls and pools
  (top). There are several hikes, but they link up
  together for a total of three miles of hiking.
• Afterwards we break camp (or have already) and
  drive towards Bryce Canyon. This drive is only 55
  miles from Zion.
• Bryce Canyon (below) has two family campgrounds.
  Both are central. (The Park is quite small).
• The ranger Station and probably a hike in the
  evening will be in order - along with some
  Settlers.

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Day 6 Bryce to Moab

• In the morning we can explore the park further
  through some hikes. The parks hikes feature
  bristlecone pines.
• Well make sure to check out the China Wall,
  Tower Bridge (top), Bryce Amphitheater (seen on
  previous slide), and, of course, all the hoodoos.
  Hoodoos are what the singular jutting rock
  formations (such as those seen in the
  Amphitheater) are called.
• Next Stop Moab, UT. Its 277 miles away and
  about 4.5 hours in the car. We spend a night in
  Canyonlands because well need a respite from the
  camping/hikes heat.

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Day 7, 8 Moab, However You Like

• First decision. Were staying in the area 3
  night. We can either spend one, two or three
  nights in the Best Western. Camping at Arches is
  the alternative. Maybe Canyonlands, Arches,
  Canyonlands would be fun.
• Next is what to do. I think we all might enjoy
  different activities. I may even check out some
  mountain biking, which Ive never done. There are
  innumerable hikes. Theres the goold ol
  horseback adventures we love so much. River
  rafting was always great and they have Butch
  Cassidys Water Park too! Relaxing might not be a
  bad idea either. Maybe Canyonlands will have an
  ethernet and Idran can roam the world during the
  trip.
• Evenings the family can enjoy a meal at the tiny
  BBQ hut behind Canyonlands, or have a pint at the
  Moab Brewery. But me? Ill hit up Teriyaki Stix.
• Well make the best of our time before waking up
  on day 9 to head for the crown jewel of the
  National Monument System

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Day 9 Moab to Hovenweep

• On the morning of the 9th day we leave the
  Moab/Arches Area and head towards Hovenweep, a
  mere 113 mile away which is approximated as 2.5
  hours.
• What needs to be said? We walk the Square Tower
  route and then visit any of the other sites we
  like. Maybe Horseshoe/Hackberry or Cutthroat
  Castle.

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Day 10 Hovenweep to Mesa Verde

• After bidding farewell to Hovenweep and enjoying
  some ice cream from the Hatch Trading Post, we
  drive the 100 miles (2 hours fifteen minutes) to
  Mesa Verde National Park.
• We hit the Rangers Station to investigate the
  possibility of taking one of the two guided
  tours. The rangers guide Cliff Palace (top) and
  Balcony House (below). Because we can only take
  one of these per day (high demand) we should try
  to get one in upon arrival and the following
  morning.
• In addition we can take one or two of the self
  guided tours such as Spruce Tree House (following
  slide) or Step House.
• Accomodations are easy. Morefield camping lot has
  435 spots and rarely fills up. If theyre
  willing to print that, Id guess were safe.

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Day 11 Mesa Verde to Boulder (via Black Canyon
of the Gunnison?)

• In the morning we take either our first or second
  of the guided tours. Satisfied that weve seen
  all wed like to at Mesa Verde we begin the last
  leg of our journey. We drive either the shorter
  route which is 400 miles and 8 hours to Boulder
  which goes east before north. Or we can take an
  alternate route through the Black Canyon of the
  Gunnison if wed like to see our spot from two
  years ago. Thatd add about an hour and about 30
  miles.
• We arrive in Boulder and spend the night at the
  co-op/the fancy BB (Bradley Boulder Inn) where
  we watched Bruce Almighty (right).
• We drop the car off in Boulder as decided upon
  when we rented it in San Mateo. In the morning of
  the 12th day we drive Mom and Dad to the airport
  in Denver. Jeanette and I stay on to assist
  Anthony and to explore Boulder. Thus concludes
  the 19th annual vacation.

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Zion National Park Hovenwee
p National Monument

• Total Days 11
• Total Miles 1843
• Itinerary
• Day 1 HMB to Sequoia to Death Valley
• Day 2, 3 Explore Death Valley
• Day 4 Death Valley to Zion
• Day 5 Zion to Bryce
• Day 6 Bryce to Moab/Arches
• Day 7, 8 Moab/Arches
• Day 9 Moab to Hovenweep
• Day 10 Hovenweep to Mesa Verde
• Day 11 Mesa Verde to Boulder
• Road Trip Map with Destinations