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  #1  
Old 06-16-2014, 06:40 PM
foka4 foka4 is offline
 
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Location: Ankeny, IA
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Default Pointers for an epic journey?

My wife and I are planning a two week sightseeing trip through the Intermountain West this August, and I'd love to get input on friendly airports, scenic routes, good places to stay, and fun things to see.

Our general route will take us from our base in Iowa around the northern end of Yellowstone, south through Utah to the Grand Canyon, and then east through the Four Corners area, and then back home.

While the flight itself and the major attractions will be fun and memorable, I hope to discover some out-of-the-way places and meet some new friends along the way.

Oh - and I'd like to find cheap gas, too.

Any tips from VAF'ers in that part of the world?

M

Last edited by foka4 : 06-16-2014 at 06:41 PM. Reason: Typo
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  #2  
Old 06-16-2014, 07:09 PM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Smile

Colorado Springs was very friendly for a large airport.

Pikes Peak and the Air Force Academy are well worth a visit.

We also liked Main St. in Ft. Collins - the inspiration for Main St. USA at Disneyland.
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  #3  
Old 06-16-2014, 07:11 PM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
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Take a right at Wyoming and see anywhere northern Idaho!!!! Sand Point if you need a specific spot.
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  #4  
Old 06-16-2014, 07:40 PM
don.olandese don.olandese is offline
 
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Location: San Antonio, TX
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Default Cottonwood, AZ, to see Sedona area from the air...

was a great stop. Also, Cortez, AZ was a good location for touring the four corners area by car and RV(9), if you can work those in.
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  #5  
Old 06-16-2014, 08:22 PM
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339A 339A is offline
 
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Location: Littleton, CO
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Default Epic

There are so many places to visit out here. I would think that Leadville, CO would be on your list of stops. At least so you can get the "Highest Airport" certificate. Deb and I like to go to Salida, CO for lunch at the Country Bounty restaurant. In fact we just flew there Sunday with friends. It's just down the road from Leadville. I personally like Telluride, CO the mountains are spectacular, it would be a great overnight, but it is expensive.

Yellowstone is Awesome, we have only been there once and we really need to get back there again soon. That's a required stop.

Keep in mind that mountain flying requires your utmost attention at all times, is unforgiving and even flying in the morning you are most likely gonna get beat up... If you've never flown in the mountains, it would be wise to get some training/reading in before you head this way.

Those are a few of my Colorado faves. Looks like you already have some great sites picked out. There's just so many places to visit out west, it's going to be hard to pick.
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  #6  
Old 06-17-2014, 04:50 AM
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f1rocket f1rocket is offline
 
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I used Airnav a lot on my trip out west and back. Reading other's comments was helpful in deciding where to land. In all the airports I landed at, I only had one experience that was less than desired. I met a lot of great people and all the other FBO's where fantastic.

Enjoy the trip. I would extend a little further west to Oregon and down the central valley of CA. The route past Mt. Shasta is pretty amazing and I could spend two weeks just traveling around Oregon.



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  #7  
Old 06-17-2014, 05:20 AM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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The red rock area near Sedona is not to be missed if you are near the Grand Canyon. Do some ridge soaring and see some spectacular scenery. If you look close you can see some prehistoric ruins of camp sites in the rocks where people lived. Alison you can land at Sedona and take a crew car into town for lunch. It is great scenery, a great and nteresting airport, and fuel stop.

Pictures just don't capture the raw beauty of this area, but this is a good attempt.


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Last edited by Geico266 : 06-17-2014 at 05:32 AM.
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  #8  
Old 06-17-2014, 09:49 AM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by foka4 View Post
Our general route will take us from our base in Iowa around the northern end of Yellowstone, south through Utah to the Grand Canyon, and then east through the Four Corners area, and then back home.
We recently did a trip to AZ and southern UT---------- you may get some ideas from this writeup. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=113382

At the very least, fly over Monument Valley.
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  #9  
Old 06-17-2014, 12:58 PM
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JohnInReno JohnInReno is offline
 
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Location: Prescott Valley/Chandler AZ
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Default Winslow AZ

After all of the amazing scenery on your trip you might want a change of pace.

Try the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport and the La Posada Hotel.

http://laposada.org/

The hotel is a restored 1929 railway hotel and the airport was an important stop for Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) in the 30's and 40's.

Plus, you can always stand on the corner!
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  #10  
Old 06-18-2014, 08:15 AM
foka4 foka4 is offline
 
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Default Thanks

Thanks for all the tips so far. It's exactly the type of input I'd hoped to get from this group! I'm having fun researching all of the recommendations.

M
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