2021 – 8 weeks – 8,000+ miles out West.
Some notes to start with:
This trip was our first huge test of how well our Audi Q7 SUV would perform under conditions many worry about such as steep grades and heavy cross winds. Our Audi actually has BETTER specs than the BASIC F150 Ford pickup truck.
The Audi did fine. We encountered 8% grades on open highways and it maintained speed. It seldom shifted more than a gear, or 2, down. It also did not even tend toward a runaway going down these hills. We also encountered 9% + grades at times on side roads and still had no problems maintaining the posted speed limits.
The weight distribution and anti sway made winds mostly unnoticeable. I felt very few gusts (40mph+) and slowed down for winds only a few times – when trucks and others were slowing down too.
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Now to the trip:
We took a southern route heading West and a Northern route back East.
I use several programs to plan my trips. I aim for about a 6 hour day driving (300-350mi typically). This allows for a fairly relaxing trip when traveling and simple one night (overnight) stays several days in a row.
I always try to get a level pull-through site so that I do not have to unhook the hitch. I also, do NOT flush the black tank every night (2-3 days). This also helps stir it all up and flush better later.
First stop : Memphis TN
Shopping at the BIGGEST Bass Pro Store in the world.
Memphis Riverboat tour. The guide was awful but the ride was nice.
Santa Fe, NM
Bandelier National Monument
4 ladders for a 150′ foot climb.
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return – a mind-bending, explorable art experience.
Flagstaff – Sedona AZ
The Grand Canyon
Snoopy Rock
Doe Mountain Hike – 1.5 mi Moderate – 511ft elevation change
West Fork Trail – 6.5 mi Moderate – 567ft elevation change
Las Vegas, NV
Vegas itself was not so amazing but Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire state park were.
We are not big into gambling and Vegas is all about just that and the shows. Due to Covid19, all of the shows were closed down so all that was of interest was simply to walk around and check out the various hotels and casinos. However, even that is a challenge given how spread out they are these days.
Hoover dam is always impressive. However, I was quite shocked at how drastically low the water level was. The 2 coves where I used to launch my boat are now arid gulches far from the edge of the water. When I lived there back in 1983, the dam was at it’s highest level of 1,229 feet deep. Now it is at its lowest EVER at an insanely low 140 feet.
Also, the tours into the inside of the dam are still closed so that was a disappointment too.
Hoover dam
Red Rock Canyon
Valley of Fire State Park
And, of course, I had to visit the Pawn Starts pawn shop and hang out a bit . . . .
Kanab UT
We stayed in Kanab UT as a central location for Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Lake Powell.
Zion NP
Zion was a nice visit but horribly busy. We spent over 1.5 hours trying to find parking after a long wait to enter the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon NP was one of our absolute favorites. You have to get a timed entry pass to enter as they work very hard to control the traffic in the park.
The rock formations are amazing.
The hoodoos and spires are everywhere.
We hiked the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail – 3 mi Moderate – 646ft elevation change. Is started as winding switchbacks then changed to more level trails at the bottom of the canyon and ended in a steep climb back to the top. This is a do-not-miss adventure.
Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon (plus Horseshoe Bend)
Lake Powel was the only way to access Antelope Canyon. The walk-in path is on Navajo land which was closed due to the pandemic. We took a 4.5hr tour that kayaked into the canyon for the 2mi hike and then kayaked back.
Lake Powell is another lake in dire straits. It was dropping at the rate of 2″ per day and is headed for it’s lowest level in history due to the 20 year long mega-drought that has hurt Lake Mead (Hoover Dam) too. 
Peekaboo Slot Canyon
The full trail is over 8mi if you hike all the way in but that means hiking over miles of fine beach-like sand. The actual canyon hike is just a couple of miles. The canyon is only accessible by a GOOD 4 wheel drive vehicle. The road consists of deep, very fine, very soft sand and a lot of people end up stuck when they attempt to drive in so we used a tour company. The guide was fabulous.
Moab UT
We stayed here for access to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
These two parks have numerous pull-over areas and short hikes.
Canyonlands
Arches
Leadville, CO – 10,200ft elevation . . . .
We definitely knew we were very high in elevation. It actually bothered us the first day or two. We didn’t feel completely right until we dropped a good bit.
Vail & Breckenridge are two very interesting towns to visit. The shopping area are very attractive and fun but the shopping in clearly all about skiing.
Central City, CO
We stayed here for our visit to the Denver area.
This included visits to Pikes Peak, the Red Rocks Amphitheater, Garden of the Gods, a Hike to Maxwell Falls and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.
Garden of the Gods
Pikes Peak
The top of Pikes Peak was closed for construction but we drove nearly to the top.
It was very windy. cold and plenty of snow left.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
What a unique place. The rocks here form a natural location for musical venues with it’s exceptional sound properties. Most big bands and singers have performed here.
Maxwell Falls
Madison, WI
We stopped here to visit my son.
Forbes Magazine listed the best sights in each state, and Epic corporation was listed as #1 in Wisconsin! We had a personal guide as my son works at Epic.
It’s like Disney World, an art museum and Architectural Digest all rolled into one.
