Tag United States of America

Shafer Trail

Driving the Shafer Trail between Canyonlands National Park and Moab is absolutely hair raising. The descent from the park's visitors center to the canyon floor is a heart stopping collection of narrow switchbacks. Better yet, the narrow trail is flanked by a sheer, 1,000-foot cliff on one side and a rock wall on the other. And if that is not enough disincentive, there is little between you and a precipitous drop other than a few tenacious sage brush.

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Rimrocker Trail

Pausing by the mountains for a family portrait.

The Rimrocker Trail is an off-road and OHV route from Montrose, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The trail traverses terrain from pine and aspen forests to rolling hills of sage and cactus. The road condition varies from regularly graded gravel to rutted dirt roads and one high water crossing. The trail winds through federal and private land so be conscious of signs along the road when selecting a campsite or taking side adventures on other trails.

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Strataca

Costumes from Batman and Robin and Talladega Nights

We have been through Kansas before, but only in transit to other places. We stopped by Monument Rocks in 2016. But that is about it. This time, we visit another of Kansas’s 8 wonders: the Strataca Salt Mines. While, above ground, this region seems as unremarkable as most - wide flat farm land cut by railway tracks - the town of Hutchinson has hidden depths.

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Mesa Verde National Park

There are many ways to explore Mesa Verde, be it by car, hiking trail, or guided tour. Like many National Parks, Mesa Verde boasts a dramatic scenic route with numerous vista pullouts and interpretive displays. Even visitors with severely limited time can enjoy a quick taste of the park by driving the Mesa Top Loop to wet their appetite for a longer visit. Hiking trails across the park highlight not only the remarkable structures in the park but the beautiful landscape.

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Kayaking on Road Trips

Some people have the roof space on their vehicle to have a rack to carry kayaks. Aside from our roof being prohibitively tall, we also intend to mount solar panels on the roof. So, if we want to travel with our equipment to explore the water, we need something small enough to fit inside our rig.

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Borrego Palm Canyon Trail

We do not come to Anza-Borrego with particular plans. So, in the morning, we go into town, Borrego Springs, for a recommendation on what to do with the day. A little research indicates that there is a community of big horn sheep in Anza-Borrego and the place to see them is the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail.

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Melville Winery

While the Melville Winery boasts award winning Chardonnay, like most vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills outside of Santa Barbara, it specializes in Pinot Noir.

For the burgeoning oenophile, Melville Winery is a delight and education. While the winery boasts award winning Chardonnay, like most in this ideal appellation, it specializes in Pinot Noir.

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