road trippin' west USA

[Jeroen]

hey guys,

on saturday i'll be flying to Denver, where i'll pick up a rental car to check out the city, the rockies, then drive to other national parks, vegas and eventually LA.

It would be really neat to hear from anyone who lives in colorado, utah, arizona, nevada or california, what places you would rate the highest. I'm looking for spectacular scenery of course, but also great record stores, art and science museums etc.

I plan on buying a cheapo quick pitch tent, air bed and sleeping bag and hope to find some great campsites. Any USA camping survival tips are more than welcome

Last but not least, any good gigs going on in any of these places?

thanks!

[mrhat89]

have a great trip man!

[Twoist]

First off, have the -best- time. Am envious as hell, and I try and do that corner of the US at least once a year. Wish I could be there 24/7.

Monument Valley is a must. Worth it alone for the long lonely drive north from Flagstaff. To me, MV is the second most magical place on earth.



More vital is Death Valley. Find yourself a site to the west of Vegas (Pahrump, NV is a good spot between the two), and make an early exit for the entrance beyond Death Valley Junction. Zabriskie Point will be pretty much the first sight you'll want to see.

(mine)
(a Twoism fave clip featuring Macquarie Ridge)

Can't help you on the science or the art (I'm not local at all), but sweltering at one of the lowest points on Earth while understanding why it's also one of the hottest places on earth baked my geology and geography noodle - it was awesome to feel the effects in person.

You're gonna have a ball out there

[Phasen]

Have plenty of water. Gas prices go up in the summer, but they aren't anything compared to most other places. Expect around 3 dollars per gallon. As for camping, you really want to keep your trash far away from where you sleep, preferably tied up in a tree somewhere. I've camped out in Colorado/Utah plenty of times and the Bears/Armadillos/Possums/Racoons are worse out there than here in Florida.

But, you don't have any alligators to worry about up there

Have a great trip man!

[Jeroen]

First off, have the -best- time. Am envious as hell, and I try and do that corner of the US at least once a year. Wish I could be there 24/7.

Monument Valley is a must. Worth it alone for the long lonely drive north from Flagstaff. To me, MV is the second most magical place on earth.



More vital is Death Valley. Find yourself a site to the west of Vegas (Pahrump, NV is a good spot between the two), and make an early exit for the entrance beyond Death Valley Junction. Zabriskie Point will be pretty much the first sight you'll want to see.

(mine)
(a Twoism fave clip featuring Macquarie Ridge)

Can't help you on the science or the art (I'm not local at all), but sweltering at one of the lowest points on Earth while understanding why it's also one of the hottest places on earth baked my geology and geography noodle - it was awesome to feel the effects in person.

You're gonna have a ball out there

thanks a lot man. great videos. death valley i already hoped to be able to visit, monument valley is a great suggestion. i've been to 'these parts' about 7 years ago on a guided tour, but now i'll have my own transport and schedule, so more freedom!

[Jeroen]

Have plenty of water. Gas prices go up in the summer, but they aren't anything compared to most other places. Expect around 3 dollars per gallon. As for camping, you really want to keep your trash far away from where you sleep, preferably tied up in a tree somewhere. I've camped out in Colorado/Utah plenty of times and the Bears/Armadillos/Possums/Racoons are worse out there than here in Florida.

But, you don't have any alligators to worry about up there

Have a great trip man!

this is useful advice. thanks

[JosephG]

I would have to suggest Red Rock just outside Vegas, it's really quite beautiful. If you happen to head through the city, I would also suggest heading to Mt. Charleston for a hike... It's beautiful up there!

Also there are some awesome campsites amongst the rocks and scraggly trees outside the city.... It makes for epic fires!

[Aesthetics]

Hey Jeroen,

Please report when you get back, I know you can make some great photos. I might attend a trip like this in the future so it would be great to read your story.

EnjoY!

[Jeroen]

cheers andy, joseph and robin!

[Jeroen]

hi guys. I'm back and it has been a near perfect trip. drove 2500+ miles (denver, boulder, arches, natural bridges, moab, page, kanab, zion, vegas, santa monica and yosemite), hiked in breathtaking environments, met awesome people and got home in one piece.

There are tons of pictures which i'll be uploading in the next few days.

America. Heck yeah.

[turquoise70]

Awesome news Jeroen! Can't wait to see the photos you've gotten

[Phasen]

hi guys. I'm back and it has been a near perfect trip. drove 2500+ miles (denver, boulder, arches, natural bridges, moab, page, kanab, zion, vegas, santa monica and yosemite), hiked in breathtaking environments, met awesome people and got home in one piece.

There are tons of pictures which i'll be uploading in the next few days.

America. Heck yeah.

Great news! Glad you had a great time. I've been to the arches/moab area for hikes and it blew me away. Can't wait for the pics

[747Music]

hi guys. I'm back and it has been a near perfect trip. drove 2500+ miles (denver, boulder, arches, natural bridges, moab, page, kanab, zion, vegas, santa monica and yosemite), hiked in breathtaking environments, met awesome people and got home in one piece.

There are tons of pictures which i'll be uploading in the next few days.

America. Heck yeah.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Can't wait to see some pics.

[Mexicola]

So I'm reliving a trip I did back in 2002 and heading back to the SW of USA in May. Can't wait!

San Francisco
Big Sur
Yosemite
Death Valley - including Devil's Racetrack
Vegas (not for long though)
Hoover Dam
Peach Springs for a bit of Route 66/Americana
Grand Canyon (natch)
Monument Valley
Meteor Crater
Phoenix
Home.

Bring it on!!

[Guido]

So I'm reliving a trip I did back in 2002 and heading back to the SW of USA in May. Can't wait!

San Francisco
Big Sur
Yosemite
Death Valley - including Devil's Racetrack
Vegas (not for long though)
Hoover Dam
Peach Springs for a bit of Route 66/Americana
Grand Canyon (natch)
Monument Valley
Meteor Crater
Phoenix
Home.

Bring it on!!

That's awesome man. I'm not much of a traveler, but if I am ever to overcome my fear of flying, my laziness and my lack of money I would definitely go to the states. I would certainly pay a visit to Death Valley. I reckon it would give me a feeling of infinite freedom. Have a lot of fun. And be sure to play Corsair while you are in some deserted area with your loved one .

[Mexicola]

And be sure to play Corsair while you are in some deserted area with your loved one .

You can count on it bro.

Never realised until tonight that Zabriskie Point is at Death Valley. I mean, I've actually BEEN THERE 9 year ago and I never knew it was ZP until now!! lol

[Redpoint Beach Boy]

If you're going to Vegas, make sure to see KA at the MGM Grand!

The Hoover Dam tour is great...get there early so you can do the entire tour, not just the generating plant. Grand Canyon, South Rim is gorgeous. Try to stay over at least one night. Bright Angel Lodge is my favorite because the cabins are just a few feet away from the rim.

If you make it to Phoenix, let me know...there's plenty of excitement here as well. You mentioned science centers...I work at Arizona Science Center!

[Mexicola]

If you're going to Vegas, make sure to see KA at the MGM Grand!

The Hoover Dam tour is great...get there early so you can do the entire tour, not just the generating plant. Grand Canyon, South Rim is gorgeous. Try to stay over at least one night. Bright Angel Lodge is my favorite because the cabins are just a few feet away from the rim.

If you make it to Phoenix, let me know...there's plenty of excitement here as well. You mentioned science centers...I work at Arizona Science Center!

Cheers!

I've seen most/all of this stuff 9 years ago but it will be nice to relive those memories for sure.
Sadly Phoenix will likely be a fleeting visit (again) as we're flying back to the UK the same day we arrive there. Apart from the airport and car rental drop-off I doubt I'll see much of it. Boooo!

[Twoist]

Never realised until tonight that Zabriskie Point is at Death Valley. I mean, I've actually BEEN THERE 9 year ago and I never knew it was ZP until now!! lol

You're making me envious with this trip of yours, am struggling to believe that it's been a whole year since I was last at ZP and half the places on your list! Be sure to have the best time, and definitely squeeze BoC into every listening opportunity

Am on the east coast this week but wishing I'd repeated last year's roadtrip. Going to have to live vicariously through you!

[dono]

Go to Estes Park, and go to the highest mountain there, and say hello to my old cabin for me...



No, but seriously man, that sounds so awesome! Have fun!