I think the plan looks good for a taste of what's there kind of trip. We did many of those trips in the early years and now we go back to do more intense exploring.

I think you are smart not to try and drive to far on the first night. The commute traffic in & around SLC is MURDER! Been there and got caught it in a couple of times!

If you get the permit for the WAVE I hope you will come back and report how it was.

Utahtea

I'm back with more info.

Today, at exactly 12:00 MST, I secured 2 of the 10 daily permits for "The Wave." Yeehaw!!! Now I can finally do the fine tuning for our trip.

Here's the (as near as I can make it) finally itinerary.

5/10 arrive SLC 4:00 pm. pick up rental and head out toward Moab. Should we pick a place to stop and reserve now or wing-it and drive as far as we feel like and hope to find something in one of the more populated areas. Will definately take 128 to Moab instead of 191. (Total drive time 5 1/2 hours)

5/11 thru 5/13 in Moab at River Canyon Lodge- junior suite. (Thanks for that tip Sharon.) Hope to get to sign up for the ranger-led hike to Fiery Furnace and have other short day hikes in mind. The must-dos as well as some otherless well-known ones I've heard about.

5/14 Drive to Monument Valley with some side detours and stops. Suggestions welcome. Right now Goulding's online has nothing for that night. I plan to call and see if they have a wait list. Would prefer to stay there, but may not be able to. (No stops/side trips drive time 3 hr. I know we'll take longer.)

5/15 after sunrise at MV drive to Grand Canyon. Should arrive early enough to hike parts of the rim trail and enjoy the sunset..Right now can get a room in the Yavapai Lodge East. Since we don't hit the room until we're ready to crash for the night, and we'll be up before dawn I really don't care if it has a view. (Drive time about 4 hrs)

5/16 After sunrise at Grand Canyon and a little more sightseeing head out for Page stopping at Cameron's Trading Post for lunch. I can't wait to have some Navajo fry bread. Overnight Page.
Lodging suggestions? (Drive time w/o stops 3 hrs)

5/17 Plan to do the longer photography tour of Upper Antelope if I can get reservations. Balance of day to do the Horseshoe Bend hike and whatever else we can fit in.

5/18 Hike to "The Wave" the catalyst for this whole trip. Whatever time we have left that day we'll spend relaxing. May try one of the sunset/evening boat rides if you guys think they're worth it.

5/19 Head for Bryce with plans to arrive no later than mid-afternoon. Have a cabin in the park which we so enjoyed in '03. (no stops drive time 3 1/2 hrs)

5/20 After Bryce sunrise head for Torrey via Boulder with a stop to hike to Calf Creek Falls time and weather permitting. If not, we'll do it the next day. Overnight Torrey (plan to check Capital Reef Inn and the Best Western, both suggested by Fodorites).

(No stops drive time 3 hrs. We'll be much longer than that.)

5/21 Sometime this morning head for SCL (about a 4 hr drive). I want to see Temple Square at night. Other than that, any suggestions? Someone mentioned a "canyon drive" but I can't find it again and have no idea how long it takes.

5/22 9:00 am flight back to Florida.

Okay what do you think? I know I have a ton crammed in here, but we travel like that. Up before dawn and in bed after the sun sets. As Ellen G. said -we can sleep at home. LOL

Any ideas for other places to eat, sleep, see, websites to check out, etc, etc?.

Thanks so much for all your help that has gotten me to this point. Anything more you can suggest is greatly appreciated. I've ordered a copy of Hiking the Southwest's Canyon Country. Can't wait to get it.

Happy traveling,
Fran

We camped at Bryce at the end of May 2005 and the temps were 27 for a low in the AM..no snow but it was much colder than at Zion!

travelina,

When we were there in June of '03 had frost on the windshield one morning when we got up before sunrise. I think the key to clothes for this trip is going to be layering.

Sharon,

I've been drooling over your and Peter's photos. We have similar tates in shots. The usual landscapes with close-ups of interesting shapes, patterns, or whatever thrown in. I'm really looking forward to this trip.

How do you carry you camera equipment?

Fran

Hi Fran!
Your trip sounds fabulous! Pleeeeeezzzze take me with you, i'm going thru withdrawal!! ;)

Congrats on getting permits for the wave. Also on our "to-do" list for another trip.

Where are you staying on the 18th?

Ellen,

I don't have reservations yet for the 18th. Since we'll probably spend most of the day at the Wave and in the surrounding area, I imagine we'll just stay in Page at whatever we've gotten for the 16th and 17th. Any suggestions?

I'm still trying to figure out the 14th, also. Gouldings has nothing right now. I've read some awful reviews about Kayenta so I'm thinking maybe we'll lodge in Mexican Hat. That way we'll be heading back down into MV for sunrise. Tried to talk dh into the hogan at Firetree B & B but so far he isn't so sure he wants to give it a try. Haven't even called to see if it's available.

Have you or anyone tried any of the small places in Mexican Hat? I've read good things about both the San Juan Inn and the Mexican Hat Lodge. I know Valley of the Gods B & B has been given raves, here and at Trip Advisor. So hard to decide. It's only for one night and I can endure just about anything for one night if it's in the right location.

I can't wait to get back out there. I'd love to be able to spend about 3 months just slowly roaming from place to place.

FF

Hi Fran,
Your itinerary sounds great! Peter carries his camera gear in a case strapped around his waist. It's easy for him to grab, and he can still wear a backpack for water and other stuff. I wear a backpack and just have the camera strap over my shoulder (it's a pretty large camera). It's worth it. We stayed at Valley of the Gods B&B and loved it. Right at the bottom of the Moki Dugway and right in the Valley of the Gods. It's a stunning location and the folks that run it are great. We also stayed at Capitol Reef Inn in Torrey - for the price we paid ($45) it was fine. But it is an older place. I'd check out Austin's Chuckwagon - that's probably where we'd stay next time. Any other questions, please ask. We'll be off Saturday for a week in California - yeah!

Sharon,

Thanks for such a quick reply. Sounds like your camera carrying set-up is a lot like ours. Seems to work well but you know how it is, always wanting to ask others how they do it to see if there's a better way.


I plan to call V of G B&B either this evening or tomorrow. I'll also look into Austin's. Already checked here on Fodor's after reading your post and found a "thumbs up" review from someone who'd stayed there.

Have a great trip to California.

FF