Two weeks in USA. Recommendations?

[Banjaxed]

Hi Earache

Thanks for the info - good practical stuff. With luck we'll be travelling through the ski resorts on the way back to Denver, so hopefully will give it a try.
Spoke to a colleague today who used to live in Boulder. He warned me in no uncertain terms about the need to drink lots of water. Said that he knew people that had got mild altitude sickness from some of the higher passes. Nothing dangerous, just dehydrated and headache stuff.
It's a pity we have to travel in peak vacation season, but we didn't have any choice. I imagine that slipping down the outside of a row of stationary cars is frowned upon? Pics would be great. I'll send you a PM with the e-mail address.
Cheers!

 

[Banjaxed]

Oops!

Earache,
Looks like you can't receive messages. The address is [email protected].
Thanks.

 

[Earache]

Yeah, apparently newbies can't post pics either. Oh well, will email you.

My address is [email protected]


Eric

www.ericblattert.com

 

[Earache]

Re: Hi Earache

Spoke to a colleague today who used to live in Boulder. He warned me in no uncertain terms about the need to drink lots of water. Said that he knew people that had got mild altitude sickness from some of the higher passes. Nothing dangerous, just dehydrated and headache stuff.

I imagine that slipping down the outside of a row of stationary cars is frowned upon?

He's right - drink lots of water (remember the Camelbak idea - they're cheap and very handy). Get some pills form your doctor to help you cope with the altitude sickness. It can give you a rather dull headache for the entire time you're there. Some people get very ill while it affects others not at all.

Filtering is out of the question in all states except California and will earn you a traffic ticket if witnessed by a cop. Plus, cage drivers would try to put you in the ditch for it.

The only place you're likely to run into a lot of traffic would be in the Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park. Avoid the town of Estes Park, CO at all costs as it's a parking lot in the summer months.

 

[blitheringidiot]

Re: Thanks mate!

The route is shaping up (I think!). Managed to find a decent AAA map and a couple of guide books, so we'll probably go as follows:

Denver to Boulder and through Rocky Mountain NP.
North through Laramie and cut NorthWest to Cody
West to Yellowstone (which I still think is great, despite the hordes of people)
South through Jackson/Grand Tetons NP
South West through Utah (and try and get in Arches and other NPs if possible)
To North Rim of Grand Canyon
West to Vegas and then loop east to Hoover Dam
Across Northern NM and north to Denver.

We'll have 15 days, so I'm hoping that will be OK. I agree with your sentiments - I reckon some days we'll have 400+miles done and others will be shorter with much to see.
I don't want to book accomodation before we go - rather book it each day (or maybe 1 day in advance). This is a popular part of the world - any likely problem areas for rooms?
Thanks for the advice!

Jackson, especially if it's a weekend in August, will be very crowded. If you have enough time at the end of the day, you can go southwest to Alpine, then south through the Star Valley (Thayne, Afton, etc.) where the accomodations are easier and cheaper to come by. This place is kind of fun:

http://www.silverstreamlodge.com/homepage.htm

and there are a couple of B&Bs along the way.

In Southern Utah, Arches NP will be very warm in August. Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon are a little higher/cooler, and seem to be a favorite among motorcyclists in the west.

I think Las Vegas is a real dumb town, but I know I'm in the minority in that regard. It will be hot!! The lodge at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is great, but tough to book.

Sounds like great fun--good luck!!

 

[Earache]

Re: Roads in wyoming

If you are going to laramie dont us the interstate, its difficult to find but there is a road to die for called the happy jack trail, used it a couple of times definetly a must do.

The Tie City/Happy Jack area is located in the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Cheyenne. Exit off Interstate 80 at the Lincoln Memorial. RD 210 will take you to the main parking lot and Tie City Campground.