Travel three Weeks in the States
May 31st, 1998, 02:34 AM
#1
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Travel three Weeks in the States
We are planning a trip to the States this summer, starting from Denver Colorado, ending San Francisco, from July 24th to August 13th.
We are three French in the party, my wife and myself and our 13 years old daughter and would like to meet people in intersting places. We will drive a rented car so we'll be relatively free fro deciding our itinerary.
Waiting for any suggestion. Thanks
We are three French in the party, my wife and myself and our 13 years old daughter and would like to meet people in intersting places. We will drive a rented car so we'll be relatively free fro deciding our itinerary.
Waiting for any suggestion. Thanks
May 31st, 1998, 11:25 AM
#2
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Bienvenue a les Etats Unis!! Pardon, but that is the extent of my memory of French classes 30 years ago.
Your route is excellent, but, if you are renting a car, have you considered the drop off charges for renting in Denver and returning it in San Francisco? You may want to make a loop and return to Denver; it may save you some big bucks!! Or maybe not, perhaps you've arranged a rental with minimal drop off fee. Just thought I'd ask.
ANYWAY, between Denver and San Francisco, I'd recommend: Rocky Mountain Nat Park, west on Interstate 70, Arches/Canyonlands NP, southwest on Interstate 15, Zion/Bryce NP, NORTH rim of Grand Canyon (do NOT miss this under ANY circumstances whatsoever), Las Vegas, north on US Hiway 395 on east side of Sierras, Tioga Pass to get into Yosemite from east entrance, Yosemite Valley (again, do NOT miss this!!!), Sequoia NP *IF* you have time, then on to San Francisco. This could take a lot longer than three weeks, but these are my favorites. If you have specific questions on these sites, feel free to e-mail me.
Your route is excellent, but, if you are renting a car, have you considered the drop off charges for renting in Denver and returning it in San Francisco? You may want to make a loop and return to Denver; it may save you some big bucks!! Or maybe not, perhaps you've arranged a rental with minimal drop off fee. Just thought I'd ask.
ANYWAY, between Denver and San Francisco, I'd recommend: Rocky Mountain Nat Park, west on Interstate 70, Arches/Canyonlands NP, southwest on Interstate 15, Zion/Bryce NP, NORTH rim of Grand Canyon (do NOT miss this under ANY circumstances whatsoever), Las Vegas, north on US Hiway 395 on east side of Sierras, Tioga Pass to get into Yosemite from east entrance, Yosemite Valley (again, do NOT miss this!!!), Sequoia NP *IF* you have time, then on to San Francisco. This could take a lot longer than three weeks, but these are my favorites. If you have specific questions on these sites, feel free to e-mail me.
Jun 1st, 1998, 05:30 AM
#3
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Posts: n/a
You may contact me directly at my email address.
I have travelled in that part of the USA several times. There is so much to see and do that you will not lack for interesting events.
From Denver, I suggest you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Take Trail Ridge Road over the mountains, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet.
From there, you could drop southwest to Mesa Verde National Park close to Cortez, Colorado.
From there you could reach the parks of southern Utah. These include Arches National Park, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reefs NP, Bryce NP, Cedar Breaks National Monument (still run by the US Parks Service but smaller), and Zion National Park.
You would also be within striking range of the north rim of the Grand Canyon. From there you could head for Yosemite, but the route is over dry, arid country. Enter Yosemite via Tioga Pass. Then depending upon on how your time is going, you cold head straight for San Francisco.
An earlier post suggeted that you might save big bucks if you plan a loop trip from Denver. American car rental companies charge much more than European companies if you do not return the car to the place where you got it. Check the "drop off" fees before you sign any contracts.
Another premier park in the USA is Yellowstone.
I could suggest an alternative route for you.
So if you want to email me at my ginger.cba.uga.edu
account I will be happy to discuss the prospects.
One word of caution. Many of our parks are very popular in the summer. You should arrive knowing in advance where you will sleep. Much of Yellowstone is already booked.
I make reservations there in January for August.
Yosemite will be the same way. It is very crowded i the summer, as is the Grand Canyon.
I have travelled in that part of the USA several times. There is so much to see and do that you will not lack for interesting events.
From Denver, I suggest you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Take Trail Ridge Road over the mountains, at an elevation of over 12,000 feet.
From there, you could drop southwest to Mesa Verde National Park close to Cortez, Colorado.
From there you could reach the parks of southern Utah. These include Arches National Park, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reefs NP, Bryce NP, Cedar Breaks National Monument (still run by the US Parks Service but smaller), and Zion National Park.
You would also be within striking range of the north rim of the Grand Canyon. From there you could head for Yosemite, but the route is over dry, arid country. Enter Yosemite via Tioga Pass. Then depending upon on how your time is going, you cold head straight for San Francisco.
An earlier post suggeted that you might save big bucks if you plan a loop trip from Denver. American car rental companies charge much more than European companies if you do not return the car to the place where you got it. Check the "drop off" fees before you sign any contracts.
Another premier park in the USA is Yellowstone.
I could suggest an alternative route for you.
So if you want to email me at my ginger.cba.uga.edu
account I will be happy to discuss the prospects.
One word of caution. Many of our parks are very popular in the summer. You should arrive knowing in advance where you will sleep. Much of Yellowstone is already booked.
I make reservations there in January for August.
Yosemite will be the same way. It is very crowded i the summer, as is the Grand Canyon.
Jun 5th, 1998, 08:37 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have lived and traveled extensively in the western US, so will just add: Going to the southern Utah National Parks in the hottest time of year, expect temperatures about 100 degrees F. The humidity is very low so it doesn't feel too uncomfortable, but I know France is much cooler and more humid. Wear sunscreen and wide brimmed hats and drink lots of liquid. If you choose a northern route (which I recommend) see the Colorado Rockies, Teton and Yellowstone Natl Parks, Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming (outstanding if you like western art and guns). then choose the rest of your route to San Francisco. Down through northern Utah and on to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite perhaps. The drive from Salt Lake City to Reno is terrible. Might want to consider flying that part. Have a wonderful time and take lots of film!
