Debating on my Roadtrip...... any advice?..

[saravrose]

Okay folks here is what I have so far. I'm leaving boise going to head over to Utah to visit my bestfriend and then down throughLas Vegas and the Grand Canyon. After that I get a little fuzzy itseems that New Mexico is along the way so give me some ideas for Albuqurque and then I'm also looking at Fortworth Texas, Oklahoma city and then Memphis and Nashville but, I need ideas for the locations I've been googling and have a few ideas but, what looks like a good idea online may not be the best photo op. so, anybody with practical experience, lives in the area or knows where to go give me some ideas, thoughts plans, plots.. nothing is too goofy or small. and I am willing to go a bit off my route if it's worthwhile.

Sari

[bbqKing]

Visit the OKC Bombing Memorial in downtown OKC, it's quite moving

[Simoli]

I would stop by the meteor crater since you are in the area.

[Rutha73]

If you are going to be at the Grand Canyon, I would try to make it a little farther south to Sedona, that is a beautiful area. If there is time I would suggest one of the Pink Jeep tours, I found that fun also. I have a few pics of Sedona on my Flickr account.

[saravrose]

Visit the OKC Bombing Memorial in downtown OKC, it's quite moving
is it difficult to navigate the downtown area?.. a lot of downtowns i've been to have been a challenge, I do agree that it would be interesting to see..

I would stop by the meteor crater since you are in the area.

meteor?.. google.

If you are going to be at the Grand Canyon, I would try to make it a little farther south to Sedona, that is a beautiful area. If there is time I would suggest one of the Pink Jeep tours, I found that fun also. I have a few pics of Sedona on my Flickr account.

sedona is a good idea, i'll give it a look and see what there is to do there.

Sari

[Simoli]

meteor?.. google.

Googled

Didin't like the official web site, but wikipedia has nice pics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_Crater

[Jon]

Hit Santa Fe if you can. About an hour north of Albuquerque. There up to Taos is beautiful, and varied. Or depending on the timing take Chuck to Bosque del Apache NWR for the boids.

[saravrose]

my cousin already raved about santa fe and she mentioned something about Billy the Kid's grave... already sold me on it. there's a bird place there?... hmmmm... good idea. Maybe I can manage a BIF shot.. either way it would be worth the stop. This is a road trip i'll eventually end in Virginia but, I refuse to go across the country and not see or do anything. I'm more than willing to go a few hours off the route if there's something to see or do and most importantly shoot. but the best googling I can come up with won't be as good as advice from real folks...

Sari

[Jon]

Bosque del Apache's in NM, but south of ABQ, not up Santa Fe way. It's still on the Rio Grande though.

[jdando]

OKC is a nice town. Spent a lot of time there for work over the past two years. The memorial is very moving. The capitol is over on the east side of the city and might also warrant a shot or two. The have a nice minor league ballpark (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/ballpark/page.jsp?ymd=20070407&content_id=203603&vkey=ballpark_t238&fext=.jsp&sid=t238) that might be nice to shot.

[bbqKing]

OKC is a nice town. Spent a lot of time there for work over the past two years. The memorial is very moving. The capitol is over on the east side of the city and might also warrant a shot or two. The have a nice minor league ballpark (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/ballpark/page.jsp?ymd=20070407&content_id=203603&vkey=ballpark_t238&fext=.jsp&sid=t238) that might be nice to shot.

The Canal downtown is getting pretty nice, you can ride a boat and see some nice large bronze statues

There is a resturant called Coaches with a glass wall that overlooks the ballpark so you can watch a game,,fun if you like baseball

[Rutha73]

Another place I have heard is nice in AZ is Monument Valley (http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/monument_valley/), I haven't been myself yet. And there is Canyon de Chelly (http://www.nps.gov/cach/). These are both on my list to visit in the near future.

[condyk]

I would get a Lonely OPlanet US and check out their recommendations. These are based on input of 100's of travellers. That will give your basic route and priorities. Within that you can let luck be your guide. Capturing something of the feel for a town or city is often more satisfying than adding another 'tourist site' to the stamp collection. Beauty is often in these little details you encounter.

[saravrose]

I would get a Lonely OPlanet US and check out their recommendations. These are based on input of 100's of travellers. That will give your basic route and priorities. Within that you can let luck be your guide. Capturing something of the feel for a town or city is often more satisfying than adding another 'tourist site' to the stamp collection. Beauty is often in these little details you encounter.

absolutely. I agree completely. I'll run over to the bookstore in a couple of days and pick up the lonely planet, i've been thinking along the same lines the last few days as well...

Sari

[billash3]

If you have time, hit the north rim of the Grand Canyon. You'll be close to Bryce Canyon, which is one of the more unique and fantastic landscapes in the U.S.....check it out.
Albuquerque is a cool place. Definitely go to the top of Sandia Peak. Ride the cable car up and shoot the hang-gliderers who jump off the cliff. Beautiful.
Ditto Santa Fe and Taos. Both well worth side trips......especially Santa Fe (IMHO).
When/if you go to Fort Worth, go to the Stockyards. You'll get a real flavor of the West, and Texas as it was in the cattle drive days. Bunch of photo opps there.
Personally, I didn't find Meteor Crater that great....but I've been there several times, that may account for it.

[saravrose]

very cool thanks for the advice.. Bryce Canyon I know i've heard of before.. I'll keep it in mind.

Sari

[saravrose]

okay folks, I gave notice at work my boss was incredible about it. But, now she's trying to talk me into a stop off in New Orleans it's only a few hours off my route and ofcourse I love the idea of the French Quarter......... but, my well meaning auntie is concerned so i'm wondering what thoughts are on the idea. I've looked up hotels along the french quarter and doing the typical tourists stuff. But, since i'm going alone I was wondering what folks have experienced down there since Katrina...

Sari

[rklepper]

When we were at the Grand Canyon we stayed at the Phantom Ranch. It is great. It is in the bottom of the canyon. Secluded, excellent photo ops, just all around great time.

[saravrose]

When we were at the Grand Canyon we stayed at the Phantom Ranch. It is great. It is in the bottom of the canyon. Secluded, excellent photo ops, just all around great time.

that's a good idea.. is it hard to get to?...

[kyleturbo]

I'll be going on a road trip also next week. Starting from Atlanta, GA though. I give you a wave if we pass eachother :p. Having been to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon once, I can't wait to go back. Also Maybe some of the northeasy coastal regions. Oh, isn't it tornado season for parts of the US? Talk about cool photo op....:)

[Killjoy]

I spent three months in Albuquerque. It was the longest year of my life. If I ever get the opportunity to go again, I'll skip it. Just my opinion.

That being said, if you happen to make it through Austin Texas, you should go to the Congress Street Bridge right before sunset. They have the largest colony in North America of bats. Yup, bats. They drop out from under the bridge every night and fly down the river eating all the mosquitos and other pests. It's quite a sight. You can google it. While you are there, 6th street is always fun. San Antonio is only about an hour and a half south of there, and you can check out The Alamo as well as The Riverwalk.

For more ideas on the great state of Texas, you can check out www.texasphotoforum.com If you do go there, you can tell Abel (he's the admin over there) that Killjoy sent you. :)

[FlyingPhotog]

that's a good idea.. is it hard to get to?...

Getting to it is as easy as falling off a cliff...

It's the walk back out that hurts! ;)