Expert: CmdrMark - 3/6/2001

Question
CmdrMark, I sent a question to you last mo. but did not recieve a response due to an error. My family & I will be arriving in Vegas onApril 11. We have no interest in gaming &would like to start our adventure at Hoover Dam and travel east along the Canyon and some of the national parks turning south along the way to see Sedona & the surrounding area.  MY son has never seen snow and this may factor into our plans.  We need to be back in Vegas by the 20th of April to return to Ft. Lauderdale.  I don't know if we should "wing it," or have reservations at each stop before we get there.  Also, I'm not sure how many nights we should book at each stop to enjoy the sights and activities. My wife heard about the "pink jeep" tours. Are they worth doing?  We have never been to the S.W. We definitely are going to leave Vegas early on the 12 to see Hoover Dam & do the hardhat tour. From there we're up in the air as far as where should we stay?... How long?... Should we have a home base and travel from there?... etc.  Thanks  Kevin

Answer
>CmdrMark, I sent a question to you last mo. but did not recieve a response due to an error.

Well, let's try again! (I do remember your question! Your son that hasn't seen snow rang a bell.)

>My family & I will be arriving in Vegas on April 11. We have no interest in gaming &would like to start
our adventure at Hoover Dam

Great start. Take the Hard Hat Tour. A tad Pricey but I feel worth it.

> and travel east along the Canyon

You'll need a boat. No roads "along the Canyon" run to the Grand Canyon. You'll need to take US 93 south to I-40. You can head north on 64 (from I-40) at Williams for the Grand Canyon or continue on I-40 past Flagstaff turning north on 89. Take the road past Sunset Crater and through the Wupatki Nat'l Monumment. The Painted Desert can be seen in the distance if you look north/northeast. Continue north on 89 to 64 and you'll enter Grand Canyon Nat'l park from the east entrance.

>and some of the national parks
                turning south along the way to see Sedona & the surrounding area.

For Sedona, head south on I-17 (from Flagstaff) Take the first exit (89A). This leads you into downtown Sedona.


> MY son has never seen snow
>                and this may factor into our plans.

Good chance he will! There was a 1/4 inch of ice on puddles in October when I was in Flagstaff (which I think is around 4000 feet in elevation).

>We need to be back in Vegas by the 20th of April to return >to
>                Ft. Lauderdale. I don't know if we should >"wing it," or have reservations at each stop before we get
                there.

I winged it in Flagstaff in October. Had no problem. I'd suggest you try for reservations "in-park" at the Grand Canyon. Although they fill months in advance there are sometimes cancellations and you could get lucky. Even an overnight at the Grand Canyon would afford you a sunrise and sunset...Something that should not be missed. There are also programs at the canyon (led by rangers) which are fun and informative. Staying in-park will give you more of an opportunity for these.

>Also, I'm not sure how many nights we should book at each >stop to enjoy the sights and
                activities.

That's a tough one. I've heard folks say that a lifetime isn't enough time to see and do everything!

> My wife heard about the "pink jeep" tours. Are they worth doing?

They'll take you on dirt and gravel roads. I saw a couple of these on the gravel road which runs from Sedona back to I-17 (the gravel road is passable using passenger cars). Afforded some nice pictures of the red rock which makes Sedona famous.

> We have never been to
                the S.W. We definitely are going to leave Vegas early on the 12 to see Hoover Dam & do the
                hardhat tour.

You might take in Valley of Fire as well as the dam on day one, return to LV for the night, then head out early the next morning. The Grand Canyon is a 4 1/2 to 5 hour trip.

> From there we're up in the air as far as where should we >stay?... How long?

Your stay at Grand Canyon will be contingent of what you can get for reservations. (You should call ASAP (303) 297-2757!)

>... Should
                we have a home base and travel from there?... etc.

You could get lodging in Flagstaff or Williams. I can't be specific in recommending anywhere. I stayed in a hole in the wall place in Flagstaff for one night. Had no reservations, just got lucky.

Have you een my web page containing my trip report to the GC and the surrounding area? It contains info on the above and more. http://cmdrmark.com/gc95.html

Let me know if I can be of further asistance.

Regards
CmdrMark