The 1998 trip did last 25 days. We did bring visits to following States, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. On our trip we did also visit Montana (to sleep), and New Mexico (at Four Courners).
There where three (3) main targets on this trip. The first target was The Grand Canyon (South and North Rim). Here we did stay for 3 nights, 2 at the South Rim (Tusayan), and one at the North Rim (North Rim Lodge). The second target was Moab, with highlights, such as Arches and Canyonlands National Park. In Moab we did stay for 3 nights. Canyonlands did became a disappointment. The last target was Yellowstone, and again we did stay here for 3 nights. Also pre-arranged was staying in Chadron/Nebraska and Laramie/Wyoming for one night with friends. Also booked where the nights in Denver, the night in Cedar City, and the night in Bryce Canyon.
On all other days, we did find easily a motel for the night.
We found no American (so far) who did visit all places we had in mind. We did ask several Americans to check our ideas, and invited them to give their comment. They all did, all where radio-amateurs.
The first was Gary, a man living in Wolcott/Colorado, Gary, W0TM, lives on top of a 9,000 feet mountain, west of the Rocky Mountain National Park. He got help from another (unknown to us) radio friend, Phil, N0KE, living in Vail/Colorado. Gary did invite us to stay for the night on his mountaintop during our second day of the trip. Then he would like to show us places like Vail, Aspen, Leadville. However, we had to lay down his invitation, we did not come close to Wolcott.
The second person, who did give comments, is a long time friend of my wife Annie and me. He, Walter, W7SE, and his wife, Dolores did visit us more than once here in Zeeland. Their last visit was back in 1988. Walt is a retired oil-engineer. Walt and Dolores have been in many countries, and both are professional travelers. They often did invite us to visit them. They live in Laramie/Wyoming. We did stay at their Laramie home for one night. Much too short, time was going so fast there in Laramie.
In January 1998, we changed out trip-plan, and stripped out Badlands National Park. We would drive too many miles on our way from Rapid City/South Dakota to Laramie/Wyoming. But, Dick Kemp W6OV, who lives in Chadron/Nebraska brought back Badlands into our plans. We did accept his invitation to stay with him and Gloria his wife, while crossing Nebraska. Also that short stay (one night) at Dicks place was far too short. But it made a visit to the Badlands National Park possible.
Then we have the fourth person, who did give us some tips how to travel, and where to look for. And that was Tom, K7UOT, a dentist from Delta, Utah. He had some very good suggestions, which where also included in our final plan. We did meet Tom in Cedar City, Utah, September 2,1998. He did make a two hour drive from Delta/Utah, to have dinner with us.
We where not experienced mountain-climbers or mountain-hikers. What Martin an I did here in the Netherlands, the last 6 months, prior to this big trip, was hiking on a regular schedule. We did make regular street-walks for 15 miles and some Beach-walks along sandy beaches. And that was a good preparation. We never got in trouble on the hikes in the National Parks. Yet, some did not work out as we had in mind, for very different reasons. But the hikes we did, like the Bright Angel Trail, and the hike to Calf Creek Falls where unforgettable.
OUR BIG USA TRIP.
Day 1, Tuesday, Aug 25,1998. Maastricht to Denver. (Colorado) (20 mi)
From Maastricht to Denver was a long sit. In downtown Denver, we did stay for one night, at the Confort Inn. We did fly with KLM, and we had 2 stops at Amsterdam and Detroit. There where no delays. We where very glad, that our friends Walt and Dolores Marshall did welcome us at the Denver airport. Dolores did guide us safely to our hotel in downtown Denver. We are not sure that we would have found the hotel by ourselfs. What a great guide.
Day 2, Wednesday, Aug 26,1998. Denver to Salida (Colorado) (259 mi)
Colorado Springs, seeing The Garden of the Gods, and the Air Force Academy was as planned. From here we did travel south west to Canon City, seeing and driving across the famous Royal Gorge (suspension bridge). We did end the day in Salida, recovering from jet-lag.
Trip-plan: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, Canon City, Royal Gorge Bridge, I50, Salida.
Day 3, Thursday, Aug 27,1998.>Salida to Mancos (Colorado) (252 mi)
We did cross the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass, and did enjoy the open sky. Continuing the I50 did bring us to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Here we stayed for a few hours, enjoying the scene at the South Rim. We continued the daytrip via Montrose, and Ouray to Durango. The One Million-Dollar Highway was great to drive, we did find some very nice falls along the road. Durango was nice but commercial. We did end the day in Mancos, in the evening the only thing we needed was some food, and a place to sleep.
Trip-plan: I50, Monarch Pass, Sargent, Gunnison, Cimmaron, Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.M., Montrose, US550, Ouray, One Million Dollar Highway, Silverton, Durango, Mancos.
Day 4, Friday, Aug 28,1998. Mancos to Mexican Hat (Utah) (239 mi).
This day, Mesa Verde National Park, and Monument Valley was our target. We did find open views and ancient American history at Mesa Verde. What the Anasazi build here, in the days, long ago, was incredible. Cliff Dwellings, Kiva�s and so on. In the early afternoon, we took the car again, and continue our trip to Four Courners. Also this place was commercial, but we could take our pictures there on this special spot on the map. The next place was Kayenta, Arizona, the doorstep to Monument Valley . Here we had a food-stop. And early evening we arrived just in time at Monument Valley. The sunset there was great, and we could take the pictures we had in mind. After dark, we arrived safely in Mexican Hat.
Trip-plan: Mesa Verde NP, Cortez, US160, Four Corners, Teek Nos Pos, Mexican Water, Kayenta, US163, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Mexican Hat.
Day 5, Saturday, Aug 29,1998. Mexican Hat to Chambers (Arizona) (267 mi)
The first stop was Gooseneck State Park. We had no camera's to put all the switch backs on just one picture. The views where great. We could recognise the indian roads by the litter along the hyway. First we did see the North Rim of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Searching for Ancient History from the Rim was exiting. Not many visitors in this part of the Monument. Also the South Rim had marvellous views, and Spider Rock was perhaps the most impressive. Along the drive to Chambers, where we did stay for the night, we found Hubbel Trading Post. The quick visit was too short, because we arrived there just before closing time.
Trip-plan: The Goosenecs, Bluff, Mexican Water, US63, Lukachukai, North Rim of Canyon de Chelly, Chinle, Canyon de Chelly NM, South Rim , Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, Chambers.
Day 6, Sunday, Aug 30,1998.Chambers to Tusayan(Arizona) (253 mi)
Going west we did find the exit to Petrified Forest National Park. It was not a quick visit, we even hiked the Blue Mesa Trail. We did however not have time enough to explore this park the way it should be. Therefore we did make a side trip to the Meteor Crater Site where Astronauts had some exercises. The Interstate did brings us to Winslow and Flagstaff. The day was ended at Tusayan, south of the Grand Canyon. No sunset views because of rain and lightning, instead the IMAX Theatre did do its job very well.
Trip-plan: I40, Petrified Forest NP, Holbrook, I40, Meteor Crater, Winona, Flagstaff, US180, Bedrock City, Tusayan.
Day 7, Monday, Aug 31,1998. Grand Canyon. Hiking(Arizona) (15 mi)
Up early this morning, but rainfall was holding us from seeing sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Early morning the big hike into the Canyon did start. Down hiking into the Canyon, half way to Indian Garden. (The Bright Angel Trail). And from there we did take the last part to Plateau Point, to see the Colorado River and its rapids. A long walk, but we did enjoy it very much. I picked up a piece of stone there to show my grandkids when they are grown up. Of course we did take enough water with us. Yet the return hike up the canyon was much harder than expected. And the temperature did rise above 100 F. What a day. And again we did not see the sun going down, because we did use too much time to get out of the canyon. Again we spend the night at the Red Feather Lodge.
Trip-plan: Staying at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Day 8, Tuesday, Sep 01, 1998. From South Rim to the North Rim (Arizona) (225 mi)
The morning did start with exploring the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. There we could see what hike we did, the day before. Then we did stop at some view-points along the South Rim. The last one was Desert View. Weather did not cooperate as expected. Again it was a cold rainy day. Passing Cameron and the Painted Desert, we did take old US 89, and did cross the Colorado by taking the Navajo Bridge. The view was very different from that in 1982. Not one, but two Navaho Bridges where accross the Colorado. And rain was joining us along old 89A. At Jacob Lake, we did go south, and end the day at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We where there before sunset, but there was no sun at all.
Trip-plan: West Rim to Hermits Rest, South Rim to Desert View, Cameron, US89, Bitter Springs, US89A, Navajo Bridge, Jacob Lake, US67 South, North Rim of The Grand Canyon.
Day 9, Wednesday, Sep 02, 1998.North Rim to Cedar City. (Utah) (260 mi)
The morning did start with a bit of sunshine, but no spectaculair views could be seen. Through the Kaibab Forest, we did enter Utah, and Zion National Park. We did hike to Zion Overlook. A Great view, but we had to accept the fact that one of us could not take big strenoues hikes anymore. So only a bit of hiking was done, to avoid the few people in the park. In the late afternoon we did leave the park, and had a small detour to the northern part of Zion (northwest Zion Kolob region). We were alone up there, along with some electric storms. We did end the day in Cedar City. There we had a marvellous evening with Tom Chandler, K7OUT, who again had some good tips for our tour.
Trip-plan: US67 North, Fredonia, Kanab, US89 West, Mount Carmel Junction, Zion NP, Springdale, Rockville, Grafton, I15 North, Zion NP, Cedar City.
Day 10, Thursday, Sep 03, 1998. Cedar City to Bryce Canyon (Utah) (116 mi)
Cedar Breaks National Monument was our first target of the day. It was cold up there, but we did manage oke. The firestofe at the visitor center was burning, the same as back in 1982. DUE was the word to remember from a ranger up there. The road down to Panguitch was nice, so was the lunch in Panguitch. After taking old-car pictures, we found Red Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. We had a great hike, taking the Navajo Loop Trail. And this time, sunset did give us some ideas how it could be if the sun was cooperating fully. After dark we did go to Ruby's (City) for our fast food dinner. We stayed for the night at Bryce Lodge. What we did hope to find was to be lonely with nature while looking at the stars. The clouds however made that impossible.
Trip-plan: US14 East, Cedar Breaks N.M., Panguitch Lake, Panguitch, US89 South, US12, Bryce Canyon NP.
Day 11, Friday, Sep 04, 1998 From Bryce to Torrey (Utah) (108 mi)
What a great day. Sunrise was sometimes suprising. The awakening did put lot of clouds onto the sky. Several stops on scenic road US12 where needed to let the magnificents views impress us to the soul. Indeed, what a country. Grand Staircase Escalante, a place to remember. First we did miss Calf Creek Falls, but returning on our steps is what brought us the beauty of these Falls.
At Boulder we did take the Burr Trail. Pitty, we had to turn back before we did enter Capitol Reef National Park. We did spend already too much time on this road. So back to Boulder, and travel north to Torrey, through the high country of Boulder Mountains. In early evening we did reach Torrey, and found very easy a place to stay. But the dark did keep us from seeing Capitol Reef that evening.
Trip-plan: US12, Tropic, Henrieville, Grand Staircase Escalante N.M., Escalante,, Calf Creek Falls , Boulder, Burr Trail (partly), Boulder, Grover, Torrey
Day 12, Saturday, Sep 05, 1998. Torrey to Moab.(Utah) (242 mi
Enjoying the magnificent views of Capitol Reef. This is what we did during the early morning hours. Rain was again present, but the sun was coming through at the right time. The feeling was that this National Park was visited much too short. Spectaculair was the Capitol Gorge detour. Picking some apples at the Fruita Orchards and then off to Hanksville, continueing our trip north to the I70. We did make the detour to Goblin Valley. There I had to go into the Goblins alone, the hike was too steep and difficult for Martin. After Green River, we did go south to Moab, entering the Moab Valley Fault. We did detour to Dead Horse Point, and had a quick visit to Arches. Here, at the visitor center, we signed in for the Fiery Furnace Hike next day. The evening did catch us again, and no evening trips were taken. The Moab Valley Inn was our stay there in Moab.
Trip-plan: US24 East, Capitol Reef NP, Hanksville, Goblin Valley, I70 east, Green River, Crescent Junction, US163 South, US313, Death Horse SP, US163, Moab.
Day 13, Sunday, Sep 06, 1998. Arches National Park. (Utah) (110 mi)
This day was a great hiking day. At 8, we started the Delicate Arch hike. Not an easy hike for the bad knees of Martin. But we did find our way, watching the stone signs, showing us where the trail was. The brilliant Arch was there, as expected. We had to wait for our turn to get the wanted pictures of Delicate Arch. It was a sunday, and more people where there to visit the park. The hike did leave some time for seeing more of the park before joining one of the rangers for the Fiery Furnace area hike. So we did hike to Landscape Arch, easy for us, because it was more like a beach-walk. In the early afternoon, the fantastic walk through the Furnace was again a highlight of this trip. The hike was too difficult to take many pictures or video.
Trip-plan: US163, Arches NP, US163, Moab.
Day 14, Monday, Sep 07, 1998. Canyonlands Park by 4-WD (Utah) (4W-drive) (0 mi)
Today Tagalong Expeditions did give us Jenny as our guide. This lady could talk about many things. But she had one disadvantage, she was a lousy driver. We did expect this day would be the best day ever on our trip, but it turned out to be a big dissaster. During the 2 hour drive into Canyonlands the 4WD did stop, because of wrong gear-use. Perhaps then the 4WD was damaged. After some 15 minutes driving into a remote part of the Needles section of Canyonlands, the 4WD did strand into the sand of a wash. And some 7.5 hours later, the car was on duty again, heading for Moab. We did not want to continue the trip after the 4WD was fixed, it allready was 15 past 5 in the afternoon. It was rather late when we arrived in Moab. We had lunch in Canyonlands, but we did not see anything here.
Trip-plan: Tagalong Expeditions. Canyonlands NP, Moab.
Day 15, Tuesday, Sep 08, 1998.Moab to Rock Springs (Wyoming) (406 mi)
Along the Colorado to Cisco and Loma. But first we did stop at Fisher Tower, and learned that movies where taken here. Cisco was going to become a ghost-town, a few animals did cross the road, and the old Dewey Bridge was off road, the replacement was more solid. We did take the Harpers View Drive of Dinosaur National Park, after having lunch in Dinosaur/Colorado. It was not possible to take the hike down to Harpers Point, so we did drive to the Utah part of Dinosaur National Park. Here we saw fossils, and beauty of nature. But the time at the Quarry was too short, because we where kicked out at 17 PM, for a unknown reason. This was the reason that we did not spend the night in Vernal, but in Rock Springs/Wyoming.
Trip-plan: US128, detour Fisher Tower, Cisco, I70 East, Loma, US139 North, Rangely, US64 west, Dinosaur, I40 East, Dinosaur N.P., I40 West, Jensen, Naples, Vernal, Jensen, Dinosaur N.P., Vernal, US44 North, Flaming Gorge R.A., US191, Dutch John, Rock Springs.
Day 16, Wednesday, Sep 09, 1998. Rock Springs to Pinedale (Wyoming) (170 mi)
A remarkable day, full of suprises. The drive was easy, along the Wind River range. At half past 10 we arrived in Pinedale, prior to our appointment with Dolores Marshall. In Pinedale, Dolores did introduce us to some members of her family. She took us to the Lake for lunch, and gave us free tickets for the Museum of the Mountain Man. We saw the original Cora-Postoffice. We did spend the night in a cabin at the foot of the Wind River Mountains. But not before we had seen more family-members, and watching hunters, shooting a Moose with bow and arrow. That night we saw the Moose lying in peaces, and the bloody head-trophy in the back of a pickup truck.
Trip-plan: US191, Farson, Pinedale.
Day 17, Thursday, Sep 10, 1998. From Pinedale to West Yellowstone (Montana) (219 mi)
Our morning drive did take us to busy Jackson, at the entrance of the Teton National Park. But again a rainy day. The Tetons where covered by clouds. We saw our first Coyote, but faild to put em on picture or video. Because of the bad weather, we did not cross Jenny-Lake by boat. The hike into the Tetons wasa cancelled. In the afternoon we arrived at Yellowstone National Park. The sight of all burned trees (fire of 1988) was depressing, but the look to the new trees (3 foot up) did believe us that Yellowstone will recover. Starting to view the Geyser Basin at West Thumb was giving us an idea what kind of Park Yellowstone was. Rain stopped us from enjoying the West Thumb. In the early evening we settled down at the Stage Coach Inn, in West Yellowstone. But before leaving the park, we had the highlight of the day. Across the Madison River, a Bull Deer was leading his herd to the river, some 50 feet away. We had time enough to take the best video we could.
Trip-plan: Bondurant, Hoback Junction, Jackson, John Rockefeller Parkway, Grand Teton NP, Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, Colter Bay, Yellowstone NP, West Yellowstone (Stage Coach Inn).
Day 18, Friday, Sep 11, 1998. Southern Yellowstone (Wyoming) (134 mi)
Exploring Yellowstone, Old Faithfull, the Mud Volcanoes, etc. We did take our time seeing and enjoying as much as possible from the southern part of Yellowstone this day. It was one of our best days. After a rainy (again) start, we stopped to see the first herd of Buffalo. To far away, but turning the camera away from the buffalo put a Coyote in front of the video. Spontaneously starting geysers, like Cliff Geyser, Castle Geyser and of course Old Failthful in full suneshine did put this day on top of the highlights of this trip. The day ended in viewing a big Buffalo herd in Hayden Valley, crossing the road, and stopping any traffic.
Trip-plan: Yellowstone NP (southern/western part, with many hikes)
Day 19, Saturday, Sep 12, 1998.Northern Yellowstone (Wyoming) (132 mi)
Today we did explore the northern part of Yellowstone. Perhaps the devil was playing with us, again a rainy morning. Buffalo were now frequently seen in the park. Sometimes we stopped to take a look or shooting a picture. Norris Basin was very nice. But seeing Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs is very different from the geysers. Today was also the day of the falls. Gibbon Falls, Tower Falls and in the late afternoon the majestic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with the Lower Falls. The hike to Tower falls was again enough for the day for Martin. The day ended with a non expecting sight of a mountain goat. Too far away for a picture, but close enough for the camcorder.
Trip-plan: Yellowstone NP (Northern part, hiking, exploring, seeing).
Day 20, Sunday, Sep 13, 1998. West Yellowstone to Moorcroft (Wyoming) (411 mi).
Via the East Entrance we said goodbye to Yellowstone. No more stops, but sightseeing along the road was great. Passing Sylvan Pass did give us great views. We found the Buffalo Reservoir and Buffalo Dam on our way. In Cody, we stopped at the Cody Museum, but we did not going into the crowded museum. Instead we continued driving, taking US14a. Along the road, mountaintops were covered by fog this time, taking away some awesome views. The day did end in Moorcroft, along I90, and the railway-road. Moorcroft had its rain since many days, but for us it was not so nice. Passing of a coal train every 4 minuts did keep us from having a good night rest.
Trip-plan: Grand canyon Village, Sylvan Pass, Cody, US14A North, Ralston, Powell, Lowell, US14A East, Bighorn Wilderness Area, Burgess Junction, US14 East, Dayton, Ranchester, I90, Sheridan, Buffalo, Gillette, Moorcroft
Day 21, Monday, Sep 14, 1998.Moorcroft to Wall (South Dakota) (326 mi).
To Devils Tower and the Black Hills, with Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. Yes we saw them all, but it was a strange day. Imagine going to Devils Tower, standing in front of the Tower, and not knowing where the Tower was. That did happen, because of the fog. And then suddenly, the fog disappeared, and see there was Devils Tower. It brought us some unusual pictures. Rest of the day was as expected, sunny, and a lot of people around at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Late evening we found a place to stay in Wall.
Trip-plan: Moorcroft, US14 North, Devils Tower N.M., Sundance, I90 East, Spearfish, US14A South, Savoy, Cheyenne Crossing, US85 East, Lead, US385 South, Keystone, Mount Rushmore NP, US244, Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Wind cave National Monument, US16A East, US16 East, Rapid City, Wall
Day 22, Tuesday, Sep 15, 1998.From Wall to Chadron (Nebraska) (208 mi)
Today the first stop was the Badlands National Monument. What a great park. Compared to other parks, it looks familiair to the Painted Desert part of the Petrified Forest National Park, down in Arizona. The park had also a town of Prairie Dogs, same as Devils Tower. Wounded Knee was not what we expected, road works made it impossible to look around. We did end the day in Chadron, Nebraska. Dick Kemp (W6OV) and his wife Gloria where fantastic hosts. The time there was far too short.
Trip-plan: Badlands N.M., detour to Cedar Pass and Cactus Flat, Scenic, Porcupine, Wounded Knee, Pine Ridge, US87, Rushville, Chadron.
Day 23, Wednesday, Sep 16, 1998. Chadron to Laramie (Wyoming) (287 mi)
We started the day seeing the Agate Fossil Beds in Nebraska. From there, we entered Wyoming again. We brought a short visit to Fort Laramie, where history was written. Via road 34, we did end the day in Laramie, where we did meet the Marshalls, good old friends. Walt and Dolores arranged a suprise party for us. But first, Martin did meet firefighters from Laramie at the Fire station. Martin took home his Laramie-firefighters-helmet. Also this day at the Marshalls was far too short. There, at W7SE, I managed to make some QSO's as W7/PA0ABM.
Trip-plan: I20 West, Crawford, Harrison, US29 South, Agate Fossil Beds, Mitchell, I26, Linge, Fort Laramie, Dwyer, I25 South, Wheatland, P34, Morton Pass, US287 South, Laramie.
Day 24, Thursday, Sep 17, 1998. Laramie to Denver. (Colorado) (322 mi)
This day brought us back to the place where we did start the trip, Denver. But first we did tour the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake was awesome. Then continueing to Granby, Winter Park, Berthoud Pass, to I70. It was good for us that we hat a hand made map from Dolores, so it was easy to find the Confort Inn, downtown Denver. Denver at night was not so exiting, we had to look for some fast food, and strange characters roamed the streets of Denver.
Trip-plan: US287 South, Tie Sliding, Fort Collins, Loveland, Drake, Estes Park, Rocky Mountain NP, Grand lake, Granby, Winter Park, I70, Denver.
Day 25, Friday, Sep 18, 1998. Denver to Maastricht (22 mi)
We did some shopping in Denver, before we went off to the airport. This time our guide was a piece of paper from the hotel-clerk. The returnflight started on time. At Maastricht airport a suprise was waiting. Our whole family, wives, kids, grandkids, and even our mother where welcoming us. What a great trip. It was raining again, no wonder.
Shall we see the States ever again? Who Knows.
