Western USA for two weeks
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Western USA for two weeks
Higher authorities (both of them) have approved a two-week flying trip in April, starting and ending in LA. There'll be two IR pilots in an Arrow III, looking for scenery and interesting flying.
I've read (even contributed to) the threads on here about where to go in the California area, but we're looking to spread our wings a bit further, it being a two-week jolly. The aim is to fly something like 40 to 50 hours - precise duration not critical.
Take Big Bear, Monterey, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Sedona, and all points in between as read. Where else should we put on the "must see" list? Anywhere to avoid?
I've not been to Monument Valley and have heard good things about it. Any views?
Is Aspen a good idea?
I've read (even contributed to) the threads on here about where to go in the California area, but we're looking to spread our wings a bit further, it being a two-week jolly. The aim is to fly something like 40 to 50 hours - precise duration not critical.
Take Big Bear, Monterey, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Sedona, and all points in between as read. Where else should we put on the "must see" list? Anywhere to avoid?
I've not been to Monument Valley and have heard good things about it. Any views?
Is Aspen a good idea?
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Bournemouth
Would definitely agree with Sedona, which you've already got on your list. Contact "Pink Jeep Tours", who will pick you up from the airport, and give you an excellent guided tour. However, be very careful about taking the Arrow in there... it's not the easiest airfield in the world. (I did it in a PA18, and it was fun - but the local pilots fly some type of tourist aircraft from there which is bigger than the Arrow, so I'm sure it's possible with appropriate precautions).
I'd also add Tucson to your list, purely because of the Pima Air and Space Museum which is a short taxi-ride from the airport. (Oh yes, and the chance to share the runway with some F16s if you're lucky!)
FFF
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I'd also add Tucson to your list, purely because of the Pima Air and Space Museum which is a short taxi-ride from the airport. (Oh yes, and the chance to share the runway with some F16s if you're lucky!)
FFF
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: surrey
Monument Valley from the ground is stunning, so from the air it should be err, well, better than stunning! From memory, Page would be a convenient airfield.
What about Yosemite Valley? Not sure if there are restrictions on flying, apart from the natural ones (terrain > 9000 ft).
Another good place is Anza Borrego National Park, between San Diego and Palm Springs. There is an airport in the small town of Borrego Springs and I can recommend a good hotel for an overnight. There is also a great Mexican restaurant (not that they are in short supply in that part of the world).
TG.
What about Yosemite Valley? Not sure if there are restrictions on flying, apart from the natural ones (terrain > 9000 ft).
Another good place is Anza Borrego National Park, between San Diego and Palm Springs. There is an airport in the small town of Borrego Springs and I can recommend a good hotel for an overnight. There is also a great Mexican restaurant (not that they are in short supply in that part of the world).
TG.
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From: London
I loved the San Juan Islands up past Seattle. East Sound, Orcas Island is beautiful and the flight down Puget Sound is fantastic.
Jackson Hole is also good for visiting Yellowstone but April's probably too early for that. Ditto most of Northern Idaho which is very pretty.
If you wanted a target to push for, how about Mt Rushmore. You can fly by or land at Rapid City and get a car. Also check out the Indian version (Crazy Horse) which is nearby. There would be plenty to see on the way too - Sierra Nevadas, all the Arizona and Utah parks, the Rockies, Carhenge (you have to see that - Stonehenge made of grey cars!) etc.
But if you're going Sedona direction from CA, you could do worse than to aim for Santa Fe, NM. It is very pretty round there, especially north towards and past Los Alamos and you could get tempted (like I was) by the jetwarbird place there. Or push on to Carlsbad in SE New Mexico if you are into caves (and these are not just your Wookey Hole sort of caves, they are f**cking huge and so is everything in them - watch for the 2 million bats at sunset).
Only place to avoid is Farmington, NM.
Jackson Hole is also good for visiting Yellowstone but April's probably too early for that. Ditto most of Northern Idaho which is very pretty.
If you wanted a target to push for, how about Mt Rushmore. You can fly by or land at Rapid City and get a car. Also check out the Indian version (Crazy Horse) which is nearby. There would be plenty to see on the way too - Sierra Nevadas, all the Arizona and Utah parks, the Rockies, Carhenge (you have to see that - Stonehenge made of grey cars!) etc.
But if you're going Sedona direction from CA, you could do worse than to aim for Santa Fe, NM. It is very pretty round there, especially north towards and past Los Alamos and you could get tempted (like I was) by the jetwarbird place there. Or push on to Carlsbad in SE New Mexico if you are into caves (and these are not just your Wookey Hole sort of caves, they are f**cking huge and so is everything in them - watch for the 2 million bats at sunset).
Only place to avoid is Farmington, NM.
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From: 75N 16E
be very careful about taking the Arrow in there
)Laughlin in Nevada, is good place for a quick gamble and cheap (very nice) hotels. I thought about renting a plane from California, then basing myself at Laughlin as for $25 per night you get a palace of a hotel room. Last time over did a fantastic night VFR across the desert to IFP, full moon, bloody wonderful.
Harris Ranch, in Mid california.....a fly in steak restaraunt where the runway is a piece of old road running parallel to the high way. Great steaks, and looks better than driving in.
Big Bear and Catalina of course, DA should not be too much on an issue up there in April.
Jackson Hole would be brilliant, but unless its VFR you probably won't get in (Missed approach is >15000').
Borrego Springs is good, you can vist "Palm Canyon" up there, a canyon FULL of palm trees (funnily enough), almost a forest of them. Just a hop away from PSP.
I could go on for hours, so better stop now
Cheers
EA
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From: Kilmacolm
Hi Keef,
I know you already know about Sedona as we've taken the same Arrow III into Sedona together. I gather you're hiring the same one??? If so can you let me know what it is like compared to a couple of years ago? I'm probably going to opt for a touring holiday in October this year (Florida in June).
As for other places to fly to. Try the following:
Lake Tahoe
San Diego - are you going to visit someone?
Half Moon Bay
Sacramento
Two sides to the town with a highway in between. One side is the new town and the other side is more interesting with a cowboy style town with steam train and police on horse backs, etc.
Loughlin (can't spell - but its a kinda mini Vegas).
Chino - well its in L.A. but great museum... I timed my last visit well and went to an airshow there. Had a ride in a Ford Trimotor that day.
I think you forgot to mention Catalina Island in the list...
Have a great time.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
I know you already know about Sedona as we've taken the same Arrow III into Sedona together. I gather you're hiring the same one??? If so can you let me know what it is like compared to a couple of years ago? I'm probably going to opt for a touring holiday in October this year (Florida in June).
As for other places to fly to. Try the following:
Lake Tahoe
San Diego - are you going to visit someone?
Half Moon Bay
Sacramento
Two sides to the town with a highway in between. One side is the new town and the other side is more interesting with a cowboy style town with steam train and police on horse backs, etc.
Loughlin (can't spell - but its a kinda mini Vegas).
Chino - well its in L.A. but great museum... I timed my last visit well and went to an airshow there. Had a ride in a Ford Trimotor that day.
I think you forgot to mention Catalina Island in the list...
Have a great time.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
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Official PPRuNe Chaplain
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Thanks, folks - a goodly list to work on! We'll have to sit with a map and do some staring and thinking. Any further suggestions welcome, of course.
I've been to Vegas (driving). Gulp! Might be an experience to fly in there at night - we'll see. Not a place I'd want to spend much time, I fear.
Tucson is a good thought - we have a good friend who might be there at the time, which would make it a "must".
CharlieZulu - yes, it's 47455. The insurers have now banned Catalina and Sedona, so we can't go there. Catalina I've visited several times, but I did really fancy a stay at Sedona, so it may be a landing somewhere nearby.
San Diego does have a certain personal appeal but that will depend on how busy or otherwise that person is!
Chilli Monster - many thanks: you're in grave danger of being taken up on that! I'll contact you nearer the time - this sounds like a beer opportunity...
I've been to Vegas (driving). Gulp! Might be an experience to fly in there at night - we'll see. Not a place I'd want to spend much time, I fear.
Tucson is a good thought - we have a good friend who might be there at the time, which would make it a "must".
CharlieZulu - yes, it's 47455. The insurers have now banned Catalina and Sedona, so we can't go there. Catalina I've visited several times, but I did really fancy a stay at Sedona, so it may be a landing somewhere nearby.
San Diego does have a certain personal appeal but that will depend on how busy or otherwise that person is!
Chilli Monster - many thanks: you're in grave danger of being taken up on that! I'll contact you nearer the time - this sounds like a beer opportunity...
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Paros, Greece
2 weeks, 40 to 50 hours? That gives you the range to go just about anywhere in the mainland US/Canada and still get back again, especially with an IR! Beautiful as the SW is, I'd be tempted to plan a longer trip - to the east coast and back.
Sun n Fun is April 13 to 19 in Florida. Flying in Florida is OK, but flying TO florida from the west coast, with plenty stops on the way is a real adventure!
Sun n Fun is April 13 to 19 in Florida. Flying in Florida is OK, but flying TO florida from the west coast, with plenty stops on the way is a real adventure!
Thread Starter
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Interesting idea, but we're two "older" men - looking to have some fun. We've been to Florida (got our IRs there), and reckon it would be a bit of a marathon.
Vegas at dusk (or night) is a must, and we're building up a list of places to see, depending on the weather. IFR is fine, but if it's hissing down with rain when we get there, we want to be somewhere else.
This is going to be great fun! Two blokes in an Arrer, with suitcases on the back seats, free as the air. If you hear singing from above, it'll be me!
Vegas at dusk (or night) is a must, and we're building up a list of places to see, depending on the weather. IFR is fine, but if it's hissing down with rain when we get there, we want to be somewhere else.
This is going to be great fun! Two blokes in an Arrer, with suitcases on the back seats, free as the air. If you hear singing from above, it'll be me!
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From: Daventry UK
Keef
I did a circular tour of about 15Hr in November out of Prescott, Az.
If you go to Santa Fe, make a stop at Los Alamos. Fascinating to see just how remote the place is, apparently chosen as least accessible from the coast in the event of invasion! Not reccomended for overnight because there is nothing to do there, including the museum.
Farmington, NM may be a bit dull (it was OK for me and very civilised) but Shiprock (the monument that is) is a fascinating sight nearby.
Durango, Co. is interesting for scenery (I went to Animas airpark) and you can fly up to Silverton following the train. I flew across to Pueblo, Co. (nice airport but miles from the town and nothing but a TFR to see) via the sand dunes Natl' Monument.
Then back through the Rocky Mountain passes, along the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and through the Umcompreghre Plateau to Canyonlands Utah, an amazing scenic journey the whole way. (I do mean through the plateau - there's a deep narrow valley that cuts right through just south of Grand Junction).
Then to Page, Az, via the full length of Lake Powell. Page is a very pretty town. Finally along and across the Canyon to Prescott. Marble Canyon airport, in the North end of the Canyon, makes and interesting rest stop with a cafe across the road and a short walk to the very impressive Pearce Ferry bridge. This is the one place where you can actually enter the Canyon proper.
Hope some of those ideas will 'click'.
David
I did a circular tour of about 15Hr in November out of Prescott, Az.
If you go to Santa Fe, make a stop at Los Alamos. Fascinating to see just how remote the place is, apparently chosen as least accessible from the coast in the event of invasion! Not reccomended for overnight because there is nothing to do there, including the museum.
Farmington, NM may be a bit dull (it was OK for me and very civilised) but Shiprock (the monument that is) is a fascinating sight nearby.
Durango, Co. is interesting for scenery (I went to Animas airpark) and you can fly up to Silverton following the train. I flew across to Pueblo, Co. (nice airport but miles from the town and nothing but a TFR to see) via the sand dunes Natl' Monument.
Then back through the Rocky Mountain passes, along the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and through the Umcompreghre Plateau to Canyonlands Utah, an amazing scenic journey the whole way. (I do mean through the plateau - there's a deep narrow valley that cuts right through just south of Grand Junction).
Then to Page, Az, via the full length of Lake Powell. Page is a very pretty town. Finally along and across the Canyon to Prescott. Marble Canyon airport, in the North end of the Canyon, makes and interesting rest stop with a cafe across the road and a short walk to the very impressive Pearce Ferry bridge. This is the one place where you can actually enter the Canyon proper.
Hope some of those ideas will 'click'.
David
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From: UK
Agree with FFF that Tucson is well worth a visit - just don't mix up Davis-Monthan and Tucson International!!!
It'll be more than F-16's you'll see.
If you're heading down that way, might be worth planning a trip overhead, or even a quick stop off at Pinal between Phoenix and Tucson. They send old airliners there to die, a little bit like the Mojave desert, and occassionally have the NASA 747 that piggybacks the Shuttle. Now that's something you don't see everyday. Only problem there is that you can't get out and wander about and security get a bit funny about blokes with cameras as Boeing use it as a military facility for Apache helicopters.
Big recommendation for avoiding is Phoenix itself. Can't think of a single redeeming feature for an unbelievably dull city unless you like golf, fast food and shopping in identical malls.
It'll be more than F-16's you'll see.If you're heading down that way, might be worth planning a trip overhead, or even a quick stop off at Pinal between Phoenix and Tucson. They send old airliners there to die, a little bit like the Mojave desert, and occassionally have the NASA 747 that piggybacks the Shuttle. Now that's something you don't see everyday. Only problem there is that you can't get out and wander about and security get a bit funny about blokes with cameras as Boeing use it as a military facility for Apache helicopters.
Big recommendation for avoiding is Phoenix itself. Can't think of a single redeeming feature for an unbelievably dull city unless you like golf, fast food and shopping in identical malls.
