Highlights of Southern Utah - Sept 24 - Oct 4, 2010

Join us as we hike the National Parks in southern Utah. We will start off by arriving in Las Vegas. With a mini-van, we will all drive to Zion for a few days. Then, we are off to Bryce, then Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park and then our last stop will be Canyonlands National Park. On our way back to Vegas, we will probably hike the incredible slot canyons; Spooky and Peek-a-boo, at the Escalante National Monument. What a great trip, to see Utah, especially if you have never seen the beauty or never hiked there before!

Our hikes will be 5-10 miles and elevation will be less than 2000'. Length depends on time factor and taking the best of what's available - for instance, some days we may do two short hikes. On travel days, we do plan to fit in a hike of some duration, but it may not be a long one. Geography constraints force us to spend driving from park to park, but we fully
intend to make efficient use of our time so we can see and do as much as possible. The end of our trip involves driving back to Las Vegas. If you haven't been to the parks in Utah, you will love this trip, because you will get a snapshot of the entire area!

Books to Read

Arches National Park

Utah's Grand Circle Road & Recreation Map: National Parks of Southern Utah & Northern Arizona 
A History of Southern Utah and Its National Parks 

Nature Parks CANYONLANDS PARK Utah 




Included in the price:
• Transportation by rental vans
• Park admissions
• Emergency evacuation insurance
• All breakfasts, most lunches, and dinners
• Hotel/Motel accommodations (double occupancy)
• Round trip airfare from East Coast to Las Vegas (other departures may be arranged)

Not included in price
• Transportation to and from home airport
• Airport departure tax if any
• Alcoholic beverages
• Optional Tours
• Transportation other than with the group

Application
Prospectus/Itinerary


RECOMMENDED READING

Utah's National Parks: Hiking Camping and Vacationing in Utahs Canyon Country
50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks

Fodor's Utah, 4th Edition: With Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks (Fodor's Gold Guides)


Frommer's Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks (Park Guides)



Coast Guard Beach Weekend - Aug 6 - 8, 2010

Another great weekend at a former U.S. Coast Guard station in Eastham, right on the Outer Beach. Adirondack Chairs line the porch.

Participate in environmental program after biking and beaching. 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners. We bring bikes, walking shoes and swim suits for this trip.

Recommended Reading related to Cape Cod National Seashore





Beaches of Interest

Marconi Beach - Wellfleet

Coast Guard Beach - Eastham

Nauset Light Beach - Eastham


Camp Acadia National Park Maine - Aug 12-17, 2010

What a place to have the best camping experience! Five nights camping in Acadia National Park. During this busy season, we will stay on the quieter side of the island at Seawall Campground.

Grass area to put your tent and a short walk to the ocean, where the sun first rises in the United States. The coastline is rocky with a gentle slope to the ocean's edge, a perfect place for your morning coffee at Cobble Beach. We can hike the nearby Valley Peak Trail or whitewater paddle on Union River.

We can bike the island, hike the area, enjoy a lazy day at Echo Lake Beach or take the hourly town bus to the busy part of the island.  The trip is  a moderate skill level, so you should be able to bike 30 miles or hike for 4 or 5 hours on moderately hilly terrain.


Description of Hikes at Acadia
Trails at Acadia National Park


Books and Maps of Acadia National Park



















5 nights of camping, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners. You will need to purchase a seven-day pass to get into Acadia National Park at the entrance for each vehicle.

Camp Porcupine Wilderness State Park, MI - Jul 28 - Aug 1

Come explore the Porcupine Mountains with us as we camp for four nights in the Michigan U.P. and possibly meetup with some Yoopers!. We will hike to the famous Lake of the Clouds Overlook and enjoy the fabulous scenery as we look over the dramatic rocky ridge into the Big Carp River Valley.  Maybe we will find time to view the unbelievable sunset over Lake Superior.

 

This is a camping trip, so you need to bring your own tent, warm sleeping bag, blow-up mattress/foam pad and water.  There is no electricity or running water here, so we will need to boil our water, bring a water filter or bring water purification tablets.  This is true wilderness camping, but never fear we have all the supplies to make wonderful campfire meals and authentic "cowboy coffee."




















RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND MAPS







Hike Glacier In Its Centennial Year - July 10-18

Come hike Glacier National Park as we celebrate Glacier National Parks' 100 year anniversary! Glacier National Park was set aside as the 10th National Park on May 11th 1910. There will be local naturalists and Glacier National Park experts on each hike, so frequent stops for educational information sharing and talking are to be expected along the trail. Many people love the idea that this is not strictly a hiking trip, but a way to learn about the terrain and the wildlife! This trip is designed for moderate hikers who appreciate a moderate pace and an opportunity to learn about the area and natural history.

We won't miss Piegan Pass, which is 9 miles, 1670' elevation gain for a maximum elevation of 7,280 feet. This classic Glacier hike allows you to look into the beautiful Many Glacier area with a rare side view of Mount Gould and the Garden Wall. Another absolutely necessary hike we will do is to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail, which is 7.8 miles and 1600' elevation gain. All o
f these gorgeous open views along with a naturalist will allow us to understand how climate change is affecting the park, realize the geology of the park, and discover the wildflowers of the park. We are lucky enough to be based right at the Field Camp cabins. They are rustic cabins, with no frills. They are not like camping, but they are also not like staying in a lodge.

RECOMMENDED WEB INFORMATION

Glacier National Park Map
National Park Service
Glacier Institute
Centennial Celebration
Visitor Guide

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Glacier National Park, The First 100 Years
Glacier Park Magazine - 100 Days in Glacier National Park
Seasonal Disorder: Ranger Tales from Glacier National Park
The Photographer's Guide to Glacier National Park: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them


Come join us for a delightful and picturesque vacation!

Don't worry about planning the specific details. The best trails, accommodations and meals are already planned for this spectacular summer vacation!



Included in the price:
- Six days of educational hikes with the Glacier Field Institue
- All ground transportation by van starting from Kalispell airport
-All meals from dinner on first day to lunch on last day of the trip
-Accommodations for eight nights at Glacier Field Camp Cabin

Not included in price:
-Airfare: ranges $630 - $800
-Transportation to and from home airport
-Personal charges such as wine, liquor, laundry
-Any pre-trip costs or anything else not in the above list of
“Included in the Price”
-Tipping of any Guides






                                   

Hike Saugatuck Beach and Potluck - June 19, 2010


Meet at the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum in exotic Saugatuck Michigan.  Walk up the 123 or is it 223 steps to the South Ridge Trail.  I didn't count when I walked the steps.  Then we'll walk the trail to West Shore Beach. We will have the evening on the beach to enjoy a bar-b-q and potluck dinner!


I'll bring the charcoal, plasticware and paper plates.


Let's meet at the Saugatuck-Douglas Museum - 735 Park Street, Saugatuck MI at 3:00.  Walk around for an hour or so and relax at the beach.  You might want to bring a headlamp or flashlight in case we have to walk back to our cars in the dark. Good walking shoes required.

RECOMMENDED READING ON SAUGATUCK

Raising the Roof: A History of the Buildings And Architecture in the Saugatuck And Douglas Area 

Aerial Photography Map of Saugatuck, Michigan 2005 MI

Early memories of Saugatuck, Michigan, 1830-1930 








  

Ann Arbor for Easter Brunch - April 4, 2010

The best all you can eat, Easter Brunch and what a great town to have Easter in, Ann Arbor MI. We will start of by having brunch at 11:00 am and then head over to Birds Hill Nature area and Keubler Langford Park for an afternoon walk to walk off the brunch. $30 includes brunch, taxes and tip at a fabulous Gandy Dancer. It's a little pricey, but I hear it is the best brunch in the area and far worth the price.

All religions welcome!

Walking shoes with a hard sole will be needed, along with waterproof pants and jacket, hat and gloves or mittens just in case the weather is on the colder side for the walk.


I have made reservations for only 15 people, so I need a financial commitment by March 27th. Easter is early this year and that is about a week before Easter. On Monday of that week, I will email out detailed information about the day's activities. If you are coming from out of town, I will help you set up accommodations and give you detailed directions to the restaurant and to the walking areas. Hope you can join me!

RECOMMENDED READING






Walk Washington, DC in the Spring - April 10 - 15, 2010

What a great time to visit Washington, DC! Come with us as we walk around DC and visit many of the "MUST SEES,"

National Zoo,

Lincoln Memorial,

Smithsonian Museums,

United States Botanic Garden,

National Mall and Memorial Parks, and much, much more!

The trip will start Saturday night at a restaurant where the group will meet and we'll provide information about the 5 days of activities. Your 5-night stay will be in a hotel in the Heart of Washington, D.C., close to the capitol and the White House. Your hotel reservations will already be made and all you have to do is check in after 4:00 pm and meet us for dinner. We will be visiting numerous locations in the DC area, the biggest benefit is almost all of the locations we will be visiting will be free!

As simple as that! Dinner, Saturday night will be included in the cost, as well as, 3 other dinners. In total, the trip will include 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 5 nights in a double-occupancy room, with private bath.

What a fun thing to do right after the big crowds of the Cherry Blossom Festival are leaving. If we choose, we should still be able to see the Target Tidal Basin Stage - Cultural Performances, on Sunday, the last day of the festival. If you get to DC early enough on Saturday, you should be able to see the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, which starts at 10:00 am along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets.

 

This is such a great place to go at this time of the year!


Artwise Washington DC Museum Map - Laminated Museum Map of Washington, DC - Streetwise Maps

3D Puzzle the U.S. Capitol

Washington D.C. Museums: A Ross Guide : Museums, Historic Houses, Art Galleries, Libraries, and Other Special Places Open to the Public in the Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington, Dc Museums)

Very Washington DC: A Celebration of the History and Culture of America's Capital City

Washington, DC: An Inspiring Tour

Museums of Washington, DC: A Guide for Residents and Visitors






Walk Cannon Trail - Cannonsburg MI - April 25


Come join us on a beautiful walk on Cannon Trail!  We'll start walking at 10:30 and you can park at Warren Townsend County Park.  We'll walk four miles to the Cannon Township Hall and back just in time for brunch at Bostwick Lake Inn.  If you want to meet us at 1:30 for brunch and skip the enjoyable morning walk, that is fine too.




Reservations have to be made for brunch!


Meet us a little before 10:30 because we want to leave promptly.

RECOMMENDED READING 

Planned Vacations, What a Concept !

Sure, there are maps and tour guides and the Chamber of Commerce, but wouldn't it be nice if we had trips already planned and we knew what we wanted to do at those locations by others recommendations. I have been leading vacation trips with OutsideNE and the Appalachian Mountain Club for over ten years.
Hiking the E4 Trail in Crete


Rockland Maine

Hope you are able to go on one of these trips and add some information! Happy Vacations and Weekends!








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