Arizona and Utah

"Without enough wilderness America will change. Democracy, with its myriad personalities and increasing sophistication, must be fibred and vitalized by regular contact with outdoor growths — animals, trees, sun warmth and free skies — or it will dwindle and pale."   - Walt Whitman

About the Trip

In January 2016, I decided to take a solo trip to Montana and Wyoming because I had always dreamed of visiting Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP and my newly found love for Grand Teton NP. I drove a little less than 2,700 miles in 15 days through four states and it forever changed my idea of adventure.

I knew I wanted to go on a similar trip this fall but I had bigger plans to explore six National Parks instead of just three. As I was preparing to take the trip, my dad expressed some interest in possibly going as well (probably after receiving some pressure from my mother). Of course I jumped at the opportunity because traveling solo in the backwoods can sometimes be a bit interesting.

Together, we decided that we would start in Phoenix and travel to Sedona, the Grand Canyon NP, Lake Powell, Zion NP and Bryce Canyon NP before dropping him off in St. George, UT to fly home. After this I would continue alone and explore Capital Reef NP, Canyonlands NP, Arches NP and Monument Valley. 

I was thrilled that my dad would want to join me for 8 days and experience a number of amazing spots across Arizona and Utah. 

Camping is not something he specifically enjoys, so we got him set-up in the back of a Ford Expedition with a thick air mattress, battery powered fan and some custom screens that provide venation through the windows.  As we begin this trip I pray that I get us lost on a backroad somewhere in the middle of BFE.

TRIP ITINERARY

Saturday, 16
Arrive ins Phoenix, AZ
Stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel near the airport with free parking - $70.00 a night
Sunday, 17
Pick-up Dad and drive to Sedona (2:30 hrs - 132 miles)
Camp at Pine Flat Campground West - North of Sedona
Directions: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Highway 179 toward Sedona. Turn north on Highway 89A. and continue for 12 miles into Oak Creek Canyon - $21.00 a night
Monday, 18
Watch the sunrise in Sedona
Depart Pine Flat Campground for Grand Canyon (2:00 hrs – 101 miles)
Stay at Yavapai Lodge on the south rim - $164.39 a night
Explore the Grand Canyon!!
Tuesday, 19
Hike along the south rim all the up the west side
Eat dinner at the El Tovar Hotel
Wednesday, 20
Leave the Grand Canyon and drive to Page/Lake Powell (2:30 hrs – 132 miles)
See Horseshoe and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Camp at Wahweap at Lake Powell Marina - $26.00 a night
Thursday, 21
Pack up tent and go explore Lake Powell
Antelope Canyon Tour at 3:00pm in Page Reservation $38.00 per person
Leave after tour and drive to Zion Outfitter to get gear (2:28 hrs – 117 miles)
Camp at Quail Creek State Park - $58.00 for 3 nights
Friday, 22 (My Birthday!!)
Wake up at 6 am to get in line to hike the Narrows at Zion NP
Saturday, 23
Go four wheeling in Zion NP
Sunday, 24
Wake up early and drive to Bryce Canyon (2:15 min – 131 miles)
Stay at Airbnb in Glendale, UT to wash our cloths - $125.00 a night
Monday, 25
Wake-up early to see sunset and go hiking in Bryce Canyon NP
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10- things-to- do-in- utah-parks/
Leave Bryce Canyon to drive Dad to airport (11:30am 2:30 hrs)
After Dad departs, drive to Capital Reef via the Switchbacks! http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/burr-trail-switchbacks
Camp at Goblin Valley State Park - $58.00 for 2 nights

SOlo Trip Begins

Tuesday, 26
Drive to Capital Reef and spend the day exploring http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10- things-to- do-
in-utah- parks/ 
Wednesday, 27
Wake-up at Goblin Velley State Park, pack up the tent and depart for Arches NP very early!
Camp at Archview RV Resort & Campground - $62.51 – for 2 nights
Thursday, 28
Arches NP, UT
Explore and maybe do https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60724- d254961-Reviews-Dead_Horse_Point_State_Park-Moab_Utah.html
Arches (Watch the sunrise at Delicate Arch)
Friday, 29
See the rest of Arches NP before driving to Monument Valley and camp at the View Hotel $55.00 for two nights
Do the tour http://monumentvalleyview.com/navajo-guided- tours/ on Friday or Saturday.
Saturday, 30
Monument Valley, UT
Camp at the View Hotel
Sunday, 1
Leave Monument Valley at 8:00am and drive to Phoenix (5:00 hrs – 323 miles)
Depart at 3:35pm for Washington DC

To follow my adventure across Arizona and Utah keep an eye on my travel blog! 

Montana and Wyoming

"There is nothing so American as our national parks… the fundamental idea behind the parks…is that the country belongs to the people."  - President Franklin D. Roosevelt

About the Trip

In July of 1992, my parents planned an epic adventure. They packed our GMC Suburban to the brim, threw us in the backseat and started to drive west. I was 11, my brother was 8 and my sister had just turned 5. We had no idea what was about to happen but looking back I can honestly say that within the two weeks of that trip, I would fall in love with traveling and those magnificent Rocky Mountains. 

One of the most amazing memories I have from that trip is camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was incredible! We watched wildlife walk through our campsite (yes, we feed them potato chips), we got to stand on top of the highest peaks and literally touch the clouds that blew threw our fingers and at night we would become transfixed on the stars that took over the sky. The National Park Service has provided opportunities just like this to families all across the country for last 100 years.  

This May, I decided that I would celebrate the National Park Service 100th birthday (we all know I love a birthday) with a solo trip to Glacier National Park in Montana and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

For 14 days, I will drive 1,748 miles through Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming looking for adventure. I will have my (sweet) Nikon D5500 camera, my brothers waterproof GoPro, a tent, some snacks and a fly rod.  I know this trip makes a lot of people nervous but don't worry, I'm nervous too! 

Below is where I will update you on my adventure. I have provided a schedule so you know where I am each day. If you're on social media (who's not), you can also follow me on Snapchat (turnlepage), Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

Instagram Feed

PHOTOGRAPHY

"I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, This has to be happy!" Sylvia Plath

"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I would tell you as an artist, I'm here to live out loud."  Emile Zola

"Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired be vegetating in one corner of the earth all of one's lifetime." Mark Twain

About

Everyone has a story so here's mine.

I'm a Michigan native, and Washington D.C. is home for now.

I enjoy capturing moments in life that some only have memories of. I always have a camera on me (Nikon D5500 or my trusty iPhone6s), ready for the smallest moments between friends, family or the beauty that lives around us.

I hope this site becomes a melting pot for brilliant photos, stories of travel and much much more.

If you would like to contact me send me a message with the form. 

Thanks for visiting TurnLePage.com,

Allison LePage