A West Coast Swing with All Inclusive Excursions
It is common for families that take extended summer vacations to hit the large parks in the west. Those parks are Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Redwood National Forest. But, there are a number of smaller, less-glitzy parks which provide the same expansive beauty with less crowding and traffic. Lets take a look at a few of these, and design a trip through the beauty of the west with much less hassle.
Columbia River Gorge
First, the Columbia River Gorge in Washington State and Oregon is a wondrous place to begin.
A majestic drive along the canyon walls will provide you with lush surroundings and extraordinary waterfalls. There are multiple places to stop and view the beauty, and very affordable lodging. The Camas Hotel, for example, is a historic lodge on the north side of the river. It is both cozy and warm, with very good food and rooms. For the entire Gorge, give yourself a day, and a night to experience it. And, be sure to take plenty of pictures of the wondrous snow-capped peaks which surround you.
Next, be sure to travel south and visit Redwood’s equally-glorious sister, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.
It is common to get lost here in the glory of the trees. Sequoia trees are known for their height, but mostly their width. Be sure to take a photo of you wrapping your arms around the General Sherman Tree, an extraordinary feat of nature. But, for campers, the real secret lies in Kings Canyon to the north. The majesty here is indescribable. Grand Canyon deservedly receives a great deal of attention, but Kings Canyon is also majestic and beautiful. Also, it is not overwhelmed with visitors and campers, insuring a much less hectic stay.
From here, travel into Utah to visit it’s two crown jewels, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
Upon arriving at Bryce, you are instantly presented with tall pines and an uncertainty as to what lays beyond. But, when you pass the trees, what unfolds before you is an indescribable landscape of geological chaos and beauty. Red and sandy spires stand side-by-side creating an amphitheatre of mystery. One could sit and stare for hours attempting to conceive of the forces which shaped this majestic scene.
In nearby Zion National Park, one is presented with a heaven of monoliths and narrow passages.
For hikers, this is your destination. High cliffs and paths beckon, while mysterious canyons remind of how small we humans actually are. “The Narrows” are easily the most visited area of the park. Follow the Virgin River as your path, as you inevitably squeeze through its trademark passages, becoming tantalizingly close to nature.
This sequence of parks will provide the essence of a vacation, without the grotesque traffic and chaos of the larger parks. Those are best visited off -season. With the kids in tow, why not take the less conventional route?
