Exercise and Fitness

What are some great outdoor vacations in the USA?

My wife's sister just passed away after a 9 month battle with cancer. My wife took care of her the entire time, and would like to get out of the house for a while. We have been thinking about taking a vacation - something adventurous outdoors like hiking in the Appalachians or seeing the Grand Canyon. Does anyone have any good ideas or could you share good experience(s) you had with your outdoor/adventure vacation(s)?

Thanks

Harry

If you plan to go to the Grand Canyon, consider also checking out the canyon country of southern Utah. Do the "Grand Loop" to see Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks. Bryce Canyon is one of the most fantastic sights in the southwestern U.S.

http://www.nps.gov/brca/

http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

You can cross the Colorado River at Lake Powell

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4HPIA_enUS314US314&q=lake+powell+az&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=SPibSvXTHZKyswOMn9yUDg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Ruby's Inn at the entrance to Bryce is where everyone stays.

http://www.rubysinn.com/

Utah Route 12 is one of the most scenic roads in the country. Red Canyon and Big Thunder Road in Dixie National Forest is the inspiration for Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain (see the picture I took in link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RedRockUtah.jpg

http://www.utah.com/byways/highway_12.htm

http://scenicbyway12.com/

__________________________

A must see is Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm

There are many trails that connect the Sequoia groves.

http://www.sequoia.national-park.com/hike.htm

Besides the Sequoias, there is a rare marble cave in the park (most caverns are limestone). Crystal Cave is accessed by a picturesque half-mile trail that leads to the Merced river valley.

http://www.sequoiahistory.org/cave/cave.htm

Moro Rock is a great hike. You climb nearly 400 stone steps to the top of the barren rock (6,725-foot elevation)

http://kevingong.com/Hiking/MoroRock.html

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

Enter the park from the south, CA Route 198. It doesn't allow RV's or trailers so there is less traffic. It's a mountain road that climbs thousands of feet, has great hairpin turns and the views are spectacular.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=merced+map&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=CGyMSt3lMIiksgPG5oi4CQ&ll=36.486453,-118.875504&spn=0.422878,0.447693&z=11

There is lodging at Three Rivers, CA and it is close to the entrance.

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4HPIA_enUS314US314&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=three+rivers+ca+lodging&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&ei=9m2MStz2LIWQsgP137S1CQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1

BTW if you plan to go to more then one National Park, buy the annual pass, it's cheaper and it's good for a year.

http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

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