My December Arizona initial Itinerary, --Now open for input
Dec 24th, 2009, 10:28 AM
#21
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Just saw your question and I know you've already left for AZ, but just in case you're checking while you're gone, I wanted to put in a recommendation for the Casa de San Pedro near Sierra Vista. It's billed as Arizona's Premier Lodging for Birding and Outdoor Adventures.(888) 257.2050 / (520) 366-1300 email: [email protected]. We stayed there last year and it's a very nice small inn, with motel style rooms, but also a nice large living room with fireplace, kitchen and dining room and the opportunity to visit with other birders.
We also did the Canyon de Chelly tour with Adam Teller's dad and it was fascinating. You'll be very glad you booked it.
Happy Holidays!
We also did the Canyon de Chelly tour with Adam Teller's dad and it was fascinating. You'll be very glad you booked it.
Happy Holidays!
Dec 26th, 2009, 06:01 PM
#22
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I haven't been able to be online since my post on the 23, and so missed both ksucat's and BevK's posts. I tried to get to Fodors on my Blackberry, and was able to see it ever so briefly but couldn't get it to come up again. So the only thing I could remember was ksucat's post having Yavapai in it. so I thought maybe that meant I should go to the Canyon Cafe at Yavapai in the GC. After eating there I was pretty sure that was not the case (reminded me of junior high cafeteria food) and now I see that it indeed was not! 
Thank you for your post BevK. We are staying at Santa Rita lodge this time around, but it is always good to tuck info like yours away. We would like to come back to AZ during spring migration one of these years.
We are at Monument Valley now, will be at Canyon de Chelly in a couple of days and are really looking forward to it.
Thank you for your post BevK. We are staying at Santa Rita lodge this time around, but it is always good to tuck info like yours away. We would like to come back to AZ during spring migration one of these years.
We are at Monument Valley now, will be at Canyon de Chelly in a couple of days and are really looking forward to it.
Feb 15th, 2010, 07:46 PM
#23
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Lennyba, I just posted a picasa link on my trip report. About pic 160 is a picture of the deer eating from the bird feeder at Madera Canyon! I had to take a picture, it was so funny to see after the link you posted.
Feb 16th, 2010, 09:03 AM
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A friend and I will be doing a trip to Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde and Canyon De Chelly in early May. I am a 75 yr old man and my buddy is a 55 yr old guy. We are both in good health. Can someone please advise me on whether we should take a whole day tour or a half day tour at Monument Valley and Canyon De Chelly. At my age I will not be back to any of these places and I am inclined to go for the full day at each. Should we book now in February? I believe that it's quite costly for a full day tour especially if you request one of the more famous guides. I will be extremely grateful for any suggestions that you have for us. Thank you.
Feb 19th, 2010, 04:34 PM
#26
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Calguy, did you post a separate inquiry? I don't want your question to go unanswered. Somehow I missed your post here.
For Canyon de Chelly I would strongly recommend you do the whole day tour. I personally enjoyed going with Antelope House Tours, Adam Teller's family. It won't always be Adam, sometimes it will be his friend or another that works with the group. Your experience would be different with each.
We went with Ben. He is an older gentleman, and may be more quiet than other guides, so be sure to ask him the questions you want. H won't always have a prattle going on. Frankly, I enjoyed the quiet times when I didn't have questions and he had already told me something about where we were. It's like I enjoy my dentist who doesn't feel the need to always talk, especially when your mouth is clamped open and you can't respond.
In Canyon de Chelly, to really see the canyon, you need to go in with a guide. and I don't think 4 hours would do it. There's some driving to get in and if you only do 4 hours a lot of that time is drive time. My trip report is on here too, and if you have found it the link to Adam's group is there. You can either call or reserve online. I did make sure to take the phone number with me and call them the day before to confirm. They picked us up at our hotel that morning (we stayed at the holiday inn there right outside the entrance).
For Monument Valley, we didn't take the tour. We did the self drive, and took several hours to do that, stopping, taking pictures, taking in the sites. Since I was doing the full day at CdC I didn't want to do a full day in MV. I think others have really enjoyed those tours, I found some good threads on those. You can go more places in MV, again, where you cant go unless you are with a guide. I might have the info from Adam Teller of who he recommended, I will see if I can find it.
I hope this is helpful toyou.
For Canyon de Chelly I would strongly recommend you do the whole day tour. I personally enjoyed going with Antelope House Tours, Adam Teller's family. It won't always be Adam, sometimes it will be his friend or another that works with the group. Your experience would be different with each.
We went with Ben. He is an older gentleman, and may be more quiet than other guides, so be sure to ask him the questions you want. H won't always have a prattle going on. Frankly, I enjoyed the quiet times when I didn't have questions and he had already told me something about where we were. It's like I enjoy my dentist who doesn't feel the need to always talk, especially when your mouth is clamped open and you can't respond.
In Canyon de Chelly, to really see the canyon, you need to go in with a guide. and I don't think 4 hours would do it. There's some driving to get in and if you only do 4 hours a lot of that time is drive time. My trip report is on here too, and if you have found it the link to Adam's group is there. You can either call or reserve online. I did make sure to take the phone number with me and call them the day before to confirm. They picked us up at our hotel that morning (we stayed at the holiday inn there right outside the entrance).
For Monument Valley, we didn't take the tour. We did the self drive, and took several hours to do that, stopping, taking pictures, taking in the sites. Since I was doing the full day at CdC I didn't want to do a full day in MV. I think others have really enjoyed those tours, I found some good threads on those. You can go more places in MV, again, where you cant go unless you are with a guide. I might have the info from Adam Teller of who he recommended, I will see if I can find it.
I hope this is helpful toyou.
Feb 19th, 2010, 04:55 PM
#27
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Calguy, I couldn't find the person Adam recommended. I had an unfortunate incident with my inbox recently 
But, Adam was very helpful by email. Here is his email: antelopetours at citilink dot net. You could ask him who he recommends at Monument Valley, and, of course you can ask him about his tours in Canyon de Chelly.
Oh, if you do the all day tour with him in CdC you get a Navaho taco for lunch at the stop at Ben's home. It's really good!
But, Adam was very helpful by email. Here is his email: antelopetours at citilink dot net. You could ask him who he recommends at Monument Valley, and, of course you can ask him about his tours in Canyon de Chelly. Oh, if you do the all day tour with him in CdC you get a Navaho taco for lunch at the stop at Ben's home. It's really good!
Feb 20th, 2010, 12:50 PM
#28
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Hi Toucan2,
Thank you for your responses to my question about Canyon De Chelly tours. This was the only area where I posted my inquiry. I have enoyed reading your trip report so very much and picked up some good tips. I also enjoyed your photos and I hope that mine are half as good.
We booked a half day tour with Antelope Tours - Adam or his Father will be our guide. Yes - I fully agree with your suggestion that we should go for the full day tour. At my age I seriously doubt that I will ever be there again. My friend (he's driving) thinks that the half day is enough as he wants to drive the north rim on our own in the afternoon.
I may have an answer to that as I just realized this morning that on the day before, we can drive from Mesa Verde to Chinle - via Tsaile. We will have enough time that afternoon to drive the north rim road into Chinle.
I will email Adam and ask about his recommendation for a guide at Monument Valley - thanks for that suggestion.
Again - I thank you for taking the time to respond and now I can't wait to get on the road.
Thank you for your responses to my question about Canyon De Chelly tours. This was the only area where I posted my inquiry. I have enoyed reading your trip report so very much and picked up some good tips. I also enjoyed your photos and I hope that mine are half as good.
We booked a half day tour with Antelope Tours - Adam or his Father will be our guide. Yes - I fully agree with your suggestion that we should go for the full day tour. At my age I seriously doubt that I will ever be there again. My friend (he's driving) thinks that the half day is enough as he wants to drive the north rim on our own in the afternoon.
I may have an answer to that as I just realized this morning that on the day before, we can drive from Mesa Verde to Chinle - via Tsaile. We will have enough time that afternoon to drive the north rim road into Chinle.
I will email Adam and ask about his recommendation for a guide at Monument Valley - thanks for that suggestion.
Again - I thank you for taking the time to respond and now I can't wait to get on the road.
Feb 20th, 2010, 02:53 PM
#29
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Hi Calguy
You're welcome! We did the same thing you are talking about. We arrived in Chinle at maybe 1 or so the day before and drove the north rim, starting a the Spider Woman lookout and working our way back.
If you are feeling really fit you could do the White House trail hike (the only trail that you can go in on without a guide). You climb down from the rim, cross the canyon floor, and the White House ruins are there. I think there are pit toilets there, and there are some vendors with jewelry and such. The only problem is you have to walk back across the canyon floor then go UP to the rim I think they say to allow 2 hours for the trip itself.
The family we ran into at the Spider Rock overlook had done it with their kids earlier that day, and as we arrived at the White House lookout a woman about my age (late 40s) and looked to be no more fit than me, was just arriving back at the top from her hike. She was huffing and puffing and took a bit to catch her breath, but said it was totally worth it. Something to consider.
Can't wait to see your trip report and pictures...the time of year will be so different I am sure.
You're welcome! We did the same thing you are talking about. We arrived in Chinle at maybe 1 or so the day before and drove the north rim, starting a the Spider Woman lookout and working our way back.
If you are feeling really fit you could do the White House trail hike (the only trail that you can go in on without a guide). You climb down from the rim, cross the canyon floor, and the White House ruins are there. I think there are pit toilets there, and there are some vendors with jewelry and such. The only problem is you have to walk back across the canyon floor then go UP to the rim
I think they say to allow 2 hours for the trip itself.The family we ran into at the Spider Rock overlook had done it with their kids earlier that day, and as we arrived at the White House lookout a woman about my age (late 40s) and looked to be no more fit than me, was just arriving back at the top from her hike. She was huffing and puffing and took a bit to catch her breath, but said it was totally worth it. Something to consider.
Can't wait to see your trip report and pictures...the time of year will be so different I am sure.
