PLANNING: BAJA/WHALES AND INBETWEEN- Date TBD!

[NC_IslandRunner]

So I wanted to do this trip this year but it just isn't possible so I'm gonna try to do it next year, If I don't it will be 4-5 years before I could try a trip of this magnitude again.

Plan so far

Home-Fort Smith,AK-Four Corners-Grand Canyon-Las Vegas-Yuma,AZ-San Ignacio Lagoon/Gray Whales-Yuma,AZ-Brownfield,TX-New Orleans,LA-Home

Check out four corners area

Grand Canyon North Rim

Vegas Baby!

Grey Whales in lagoon in Baja California, Mexico

The Big Easy

Home

All in about 17-20 days

May try to schedule with group already going to see whales but may not work out.

Good chance the plans will change some....

[djthumper]

Wow that is going to be a fairly tight trip with minimal recovery time. I think it is doable but, will it be enjoyable for you and the family?

[Trail X]

Start saving now!

17 days can't be enough... our trip was 17...

My advice is to make sure you go slow whenever you can. Stay two nights in at least one interesting area. And skip vegas.

[The Roadie]

I'd skip the whales, too. Taking a vehicle into Mexico is not a project to underestimate the danger of, and not to do solo under any circumstances. I won't even CONSIDER it reading the news here over the last 3-4 years. Teebes used to do it - I don't think he does any more.

[Trail X]

Maybe that's WHY we haven't heard from Greg in so long. He's still down there!

[NC_IslandRunner]

I'd skip the whales, too. Taking a vehicle into Mexico is not a project to underestimate the danger of, and not to do solo under any circumstances. I won't even CONSIDER it reading the news here over the last 3-4 years. Teebes used to do it - I don't think he does any more.

That's actually the only thing I won't cut from the list, even if it means the only thing I do is it, will jump on one of the groups going if need be. They have gone for the last couple of yrs without issue. I will follow their thread on ExPo and see how things go.


TeeBees hasn't been here in a year, is he legally dead yet?

[Nakashige]

TeeBee put up a youtube dirt bike video yesterday

[NC_IslandRunner]

Ok, so I've been working this over again for the last few days and while the prospect of going into Mexico does not bother me, I am cutting that leg of trip just based on the fact I have never done anything of this scale and don't need to be out of the country on my first try.

That being said what follows is my new plan, which will remain very flexible up til the time of the actual trip and maybe still after it begins.

Day 1- Drive from home to St. louis, find a place to camp( will already know where)
Day 2- St. Louis, see the sites( I watched the Arc construction video so many times in HS I could build it). Hotel this night.
Day 3- St. Louis to Scottsbluff, NE - Camp
Day 4- Scottsbluff - Yellowstone National Park - camp
Day5-6 YellowStone, May spend an extra day or two if I feel like it. Camp
Day 7- YS- Moab, UT - Hotel
Day 8- Moab, explore area and possible and likely to stay extra day -camp
Day 9- Moab - Canyon De Chelly with a stop at 4 corners on the way - camp
Day 10-11 - Canyon De Chelly explore soak up local culture - camp
Day 12 - CDC - Grand Canyon- Point Sublime( I was sold when I saw James pics) - camp
Day 13 - Grand Canyon - camp
Day 14 - Hoover Dam - Hotel
Day 15 - Tucson AZ - Hotel
Day 16 - Tucson- San Antonio TX - camp
Day 17 - SA, Alamo etc. - Hotel
Day 18 - SA - New Orleans LA - Hotel
Day 19 - NO, The Big Easy - Hotel
Day 20 NO - Home - My bed!

Will take off 25-28 days so as to have time to stay extra days if I want to and in case of emergency or major breakdown, And to allow for at leat a day or two to recover when we get home.

I know some of the stuff is a little tourist, but my wife is not a big fan of camping and I'll already have to have a toilet and hot shower setup just to get her to go. I needs to be fun for everyone.

I know this a bite big but with proper planning and the right gear it should be fun, will most likely take a few yrs cause I will need a RTT or a camper trailer for this trip. There are many things that I see could derail this trip by the time I'm ready for it and have to keep and open mind and not let it bother me if it takes longer to do this, after all I just turned 30 today so it's not like I need to rush this.

Comments and suggestions are welcome

Not changing title or earlier posts so it shows how an idea for a large trip can change drastically, and it's far from over!

[navigator]

you better plan it for next spring before little ones start popping up!

[TangoBravo]

You should let me know when you will be arriving in Scottsbluff, I'm in Wyoming would be willing to meet up and follow to Y.S

Not sent from a Iphone.

[NC_IslandRunner]

you better plan it for next spring before little ones start popping up!

Can't do it that quick, but I know what your saying, thats one of the things that could derail me.

[Trail X]

Looks like you have two nights of camping at the Grand Canyon. Good idea. Take it slow. That's my biggest advice on a big trip, don't try to see too much.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Looks like you have two nights of camping at the Grand Canyon. Good idea. Take it slow. That's my biggest advice on a big trip, don't try to see too much.

Yeah, I really had to rethink the whole thing, the first version was just to fast paced and after reading everyone's advice I really wanted to slow it down and enjoy it. I would be a giant waste of time/money if I didn't do it right.

[JorDaneeKey]

Depending on when you decide to go, Mike and I may be interested in meeting up with you for Moab, GC Northrim (it is epic), and Yellowstone. Honestly, I'd give at least 3 days in Moab. More even to enjoy all the districts of just Canyonlands National.

[DirtyBacon04]

I've been wanting to do a big trip like this. As it gets closer, I might want to try and tag along for part or most of it! Hell I'm single, with no kids, and no mortgage. Just hope I can get that much time off at once!

[Nakashige]

Wait Bacons single now?

[DirtyBacon04]

'single' as in 'not married'... so pretty much, yea