I'm currently in Palm Desert, CA and will be driving to Las Vegas tomorrow with my sister and BIL. On Wednesday I'll take them to the airport and then drive their car back to MA.

My travels will take me through Zion, Bryce, Arches national parks, Taos and Santa Fe, NM, Roswell, NM, Clovis, NM, Oklahoma City, Branson, MO, Paducah, KY (only because staying in Memphis or Nashville was crazy expensive), Gatlinburg, TN, Lancaster, PA and then return to Cape Cod.

Any thoughts of particular sights to see along the way? My schedule seems a bit tight, but for something extraordinary, I'd be willing to divert.

Thanks for any recommendations.

If you have nice weather on the way (at that time) and you're rolling through western PA, hit McConnels Mill state park for a few hours and hike through.

I do love a good road trip! I have ridden all those areas except NM I spend more than half my time on back roads or as much as time and patience allows. There’s cool stuff to see everywhere you go and I have typically stumbled across neat things. Have fun and be safe. I hope retirement is treating you well.

Thanks, r0gue. I'll check out the map and see how far off that is. I think I'll be a ways east though. I used to do a lot of regular driving through PA on Rt 80 over the years. I should have done that then.

Thanks, Ed. Really looking forward to NM. A lot of my route is secondary roads so I think I'll be seeing real life along the way.

Retirement is great! I highly recommend it!

Gettysburg National Military Park is not far SW of Lancaster, PA.

^^ Good call, Joel. Thanks!

You will be traveling I 81 North through TN and Virginia after leaving Gatlinburg. There is a state park Grayson Highlands) that is around 1 hr 20 minutes from 81 in VA. It is a hidden gem that many have not heard about. Here is a short video showing some of the park. The water fall is on the Cabin Creek trail about a 20 minute hike. The wild ponies are located on the Massie Gap trail and it can take you to Mount Rogers the highest mountain in VA although it takes at least 4 hours hiking to get to the summit.

Near the visitors center there are trails that have spectacular views that can be hiked fairly quickly.

Be sure you get an America the Beautiful pass, will save you money on entrance fees. If Zion is your first N.P. get it right at the entrance gate.

You're coming into Utah on I-15 to Zion, the Scenic Drive requires you to take a shuttle. Parking at the VC could be an issue and there may be a wait for the shuttle. If you just drive through, the East Side is beautiful, no shuttle required. The Canyon Overlook Trail, outside the large tunnel is well worth the short hike.

Bryce from Zion is pretty easy, 1 1/2 hours. Be sure to do the Scenic Drive, go to the end, Rainbow Pt, and then stop at the viewpoints on the way out. They are all on the right side, makes it easier. Do at least on short hike, I'd recommend Inspiration Pt, but there are others. Food sucks at Ruby's, might be better at the park lodge or the Bryce Canyon Inn on RT 12.

From Bryce take RT 12 to Torrey, one of America's most scenic highways. It really is spectacular, there is some decent food in Escalante and lodging. Prospector Inn is pretty basic, maybe not too $$. Torrey is the base for Capitol Reef N.P., the scenic drive is easy and worth doing. From Torrey take RT 24 to Hanksville and to I-70. That will take you to RT 191 and into Moab for Arches and Canyonlands.

I'm not sure how much time you have, I could give a lot more detail for Utah. I'm guessing you'll leave Moab for New Mexico, lots along that route, too.

Depending on how much you want to hike, Bryce can be a couple of hours to a couple of days. The scenic areas closer to the entrance are better than the ones at the far end. I've been to the far end once and that was more than enough! Park either near the lodge or Bryce Point (the next area past the lodge). You can get great views from the parking areas, but even just taking a 30 minute stroll down one of the trails gives another great perspective.

From Bryce be sure to drive UT route 12 north to Torrey. Then probably UT24 east to join with I70 then down to Moab. Route 12 between Escalante and Torrey is a real treat!

After Canyonlands I would go south to Cortez Colorado. Nearby is Mesa Verde National Park which is certainly worth at least a half day driving loop. Spending an extra hour or two to get out of the car and take the trails to the major sights would be worth it if you can spare the time.

I like Durango better than Shiprock and Farmington.

From there the more scenic route to Taos would be Rt 64 via Dulce and Chama.

Just hamburger in Paducah is a must visit.

I'll be leaving Vegas Thursday morning, for a two hour drive to Zion. Given my time restriction, I think I'll be taking the Zion shuttle to tour and probably stay right on it for the 1 1/2 hours. Then 1 1/2 hours to Bryce and be there til maybe 3pm...or a little after. Since sunset isn't til about 8pm, I like the idea of heading north on Rt 12, but I do have a hotel reservation in Richfield that night. I assume the roads are fine to drive this time of year.

Friday I'll leave early to get to Arches. As it is now, I have a 12 noon entry time, but I hope to log on the night before and get an earlier entry. After Arches, I'll make my way to Durango where I have a reservation for that night. Saturday is when I'll be heading south to Taos and look forward to a relaxed afternoon there. The following late morning, down to Santa Fe.

Thanks for the recommendations! I wish I had a more leisurely schedule. At least I'll get an idea of what I may want to see more closely in a future visit.

Beanhead, Just Hamburger sounds like a place to eat!

Oklahoma City Memorial if you have the chance. I went back in 2010.

Grab an Oklahoma onion burger if you get the chance.

When will you be in Gatlinburg? I’m only an hour and 45 mins from there.

Edmund, yes, I plan to get over to the memorial while in Oklahoma City.

What's an onion burger?

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
When will you be in Gatlinburg? I’m only an hour and 45 mins from there.

The nights of April 13 and 14. Actually staying in Pigeon Forge.

Dang it. I’ll be on my way to Utah then. Leaving here on the 12th. Maybe I could delay if you want to meet. Pigeon forge is even closer

Kevin, don't go out of your way. If you happen to be around and it benefits your schedule, it would be great to meet.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Kevin, don't go out of your way. If you happen to be around and it benefits your schedule, it would be great to meet.

Let me see if I can delay. It would be cool to meet. I’ll email you my number to text

Email sent

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Kevin, don't go out of your way. If you happen to be around and it benefits your schedule, it would be great to meet.

Let me see if I can delay. It would be cool to meet. I’ll email you my number to text



Email sent

Sounds good.