iamq

Toucan and Utley, I am glad you enjoyed reading.

Toucan, the hiking in Zion is unique to say the least. I knew M was toast when I looked back and saw that his eyes had nearly doubled in size with look of mild terror on his face.

He wants to go back and give the Observation Point trail a try though with zero arm twising from me.

Utley

iamq ~ Is there a particular reason you visited the parks in that order? I spent the afternoon researching our trip for next year & not sure what order to do the parks in??? I know that Lake Powell will be at the end to cool off & relax but not sure about the others....Zion, Bryce, NRGC?? If we spend an extra day in Bryce, we could head up to Capitol Reef for a day?? Is two days enough time in the other parks? Would really love to check out arches as well. OH MY! Love the fact that there are people like you who take the time to assist others in planning.

iamq

Hi Utley, it seemed to make sense to me in that it was sort of a high road to low road loop with not a lot of backtracking. Another reason was that I wanted to enter Zion from the east on the Mt. Carmel Road as it is supposed to be a spectacular way to enter the park. In the end we couldn't do that because of the road construction. Oh well.

Two nights was a good amount of time at Bryce for us. We could have stayed longer of course. I would've liked another night at GC though.

Some have posted that one night or seeing them as days trips is enough, so it just depends on your traveling style. I like to have at least one full day wherever I am, preferably two full days. It all depends on how much time you have and how much money you want to spend.

Some friends of ours just spent 4 nights here and did day trips to GCNR and Zion. Not my style, but it worked for them. http://www.amanresorts.com/amangiri/home.aspx

makai1

aaahhhhh Bbq! Your pics were wonderful. Again excellent reporting. Thanks for all the effort put into a report like this. gRaNd MaHaLo!!

iamq

You're welcome makai! You and mauka planning a trip to the desert southwest? More likely the north shore of Kauai, no?

Dayle

iamq,

Thanks for the compliment on the old Italy report. I'm so glad it was helpful! I would return to Spello in a heartbeat.

Your UT trip report is just great. I know Fodorites appreciate you taking the time. So many ask advice, but don't pay back.

A week would really be the bare minimum for Yellowstone and the Tetons/Jackson area. 1.5 weeks would be much better. Yellowstone is HUGE and offers SO much to see and do. Lots of variety.

Buon viaggio!

iamq

Thanks Dayle.

makai1

No trips on the books for the desert southwest, sorry to say. But I'll sure be in touch when the time comes!

I'm off to Molokai with a couple friends next month, then on to Hana and the last few nights in Kihei. Very excited to explore some spots I've missed on the last few trips to Maui. Can you believe I've never been to the top of Haleakala? or the bamboo forest... Pipiwai Trail? sheesh. Have never been to Molokai either, so I'm pretty excited to explore some new areas.

Mauka & I are headed to north shore O'ahu for my 50th b-day the day after Thanksgiving. Hope to catch some of the Triple Crown. Then to P'ville after. Bravo to you for breaking away from the islands to do some big scale travel. I just can't seem to stay away.

Excited to hear about Italy... my dream trip... someday. I'll have to look up Dayle's report. I'll be looking forward to your reporting of that trip for sure!

Aloha buddy. xoxo to you and M.

iamq

Maui, Molokai, Oahu, AND Kaua'i all in a matter of months! That's big scale travel in my book!

Aloha flows in those veins of yours. 8-)

makai1

Yes it does B! There's no denying that.

Now to restore this thread back to you and Bryce, N Rim Grand Canyon & Zion for anyone who may have missed it in the past few weeks!

Excellent report!