Life is all about change, adventure and chasing your goals. Since my goal is to inspire more people to go plant based I’m putting a lot of content on my sister website. If you’re interested in traveling and staying healthy, I invite you over to www.plantbasedjan.com for inspiration, tips and tricks.
Canyonlands National Park: 4×4 Offroading in the Rock Wilderness
How fitting that we were on a ROAD TRIP (Covid style) during October of 2020 and discovered the unbelievable 4×4 offroad opportunities around Moab, Utah and Canyonlands National Park.
We had packed enough clothing, gear and food for an undetermined amount of time into our Ford Raptor. Beginning from the Seattle, Washington area, we figured we’d be out for a couple, maybe three weeks. It was an unknown itinerary. The basic plan was to circle down through Oregon, the California coast, across the Mohave desert of Nevada and then the Utah national parks. Then back home. Covid-19 developments would dictate where and when we went.
Once we hit Utah and researched the parks on the fly, we learned a lot. It turns out that you can spend weeks just in the off country backroads of one national park: Canyonlands. If you have the time, you can canvass hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in Canyonlands and get to isolated view points, trails and camping areas. It can take weeks because it can be very slow going and extremely technical. The payoff is a wilderness of towering monoliths and valleys formed over millions of years. The endless landscape views are highly textured and colored, providing solitude and respite from our ultra connected modern world.
The warnings from the park service abound before venturing out on these roads. Most require a low range four wheel drive with high clearances. You’ll be utilizing your technical driving skills through deep sand, rocks, steep switchbacks and slickrock. All OHV, UTV and ATV vehicles are prohibited. Motorcycles are OK as long as they are licensed and legal for normal travel. Bicycles are also OK.
Two wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles are prohibited. Pets are also prohibited, even in vehicles. While the NPS does not address specifically why, there is some speculation that the biological soils are easily upset from pet waste. And, pets are typically not allowed on NPS trails so the outdoor options for pets become limited since they can’t stay in a vehicle with Canyonland temperatures.
Day permits are required for all roads except Potash and Shafer and available at the Visitor Centers. The cost is $36.
The routes are: White Rim Road, The Needles and The Maze Roads. More detail on driving distances, answers to frequently asked questions and contact information can be found here.
We shot a quick video of over areas of the White Rim Road.
The South Edge of Death Valley
What a fine place to stop and view homes carved into caves and dine in a saloon, serving rattlesnake chili.
Shoshone, California borders the south side of Death Valley National Park. From the road, it’s a quaint micro town that has maintained its nostalgic look with rows of stately ungroomed palm trees, original 50ish signage for the market and the ‘famous’ bar.
You have to stop.
Continue reading “The South Edge of Death Valley”Riding Mules Into The Grand Canyon
Explaining the Grand Canyon to someone who hasn’t been there is like explaining, say, the Ocean to someone who hasn’t been to a beach.
You can attempt to explain the vistas with words.
MORETravel Budgets Take a Turn: The Run on Boats during Covid-19
Revisiting our favorite boating places of all time!
We’ve always had some kind of runabout boat. We’re what you’d consider boating aficionados. Part of the reason is that we’re in a boating part of the country….the Pacific Northwest.
Continue reading “Travel Budgets Take a Turn: The Run on Boats during Covid-19”Benefits of Post Covid-19 Travel
Covid-19 lockdowns have taken a toll. Never again will we take for granted a “normal” stroll down a street or a hike in the hills. While many months of 2020 have been challenging, our new world also creates gratefulness.
Continue reading “Benefits of Post Covid-19 Travel”A Walk through Bryce Canyon
People haven’t walked the planet Mars but millions have hiked through Utah’s Bryce Canyon.
Continue reading “A Walk through Bryce Canyon”Hawaii’s Wild Side
Millions of people visit Hawaii each year. Visions of soft sand beaches, hypnotic surf, and tropical drinks under the sun inspire tourists. The outerwear of work and wretched weather are peeled off upon arrival of the Hawaiian Islands. A respite of relaxation awaits.
We wanted to break that vision on this trip.
Continue reading “Hawaii’s Wild Side”Holei Sea Arch: The Beginning of Its End
“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, “It might have been.”
Kurt Vonnegut
Ever had a missed opportunity? A missed coffee date, phone call, a missed excursion? Then a new circumstance developed and you regret not having worked a bit harder to make it happen?
Continue reading “Holei Sea Arch: The Beginning of Its End”Need to Pin On A Smile? Here’s Some…
Of Our Favorites From Pinterest
Continue reading “Need to Pin On A Smile? Here’s Some…”Inside the Amazon Spheres | Amazon’s Quest to Reshape Seattle and Beyond
Visiting The Seattle Spheres
When a city becomes sizeable, like Seattle, their downtowns grow vertical.
Continue reading “Inside the Amazon Spheres | Amazon’s Quest to Reshape Seattle and Beyond”Boating Lake Powell
Glen Canyon Recreation Area’s Jewel
Lake Powell was born in the 1960s, a massive winding reservoir built by man and the Glen Canyon Dam.
Continue reading “Boating Lake Powell”How many people turn in their hotel key cards?
Travel is hectic. When checking out of your room, returning the key card may be the last thing on your mind.
Washington DC Smithsonian Art Galleries
Inspiring Art for Everyone
Continue reading “Washington DC Smithsonian Art Galleries”Travel Bucket List Ideas
What’s the best way to make sure you take action on your travel ideas and dreams?
Continue reading “Travel Bucket List Ideas”Weekend Watersports and Wine in Washington
Lake Chelan Summer Fun
With over 300 days of sunshine a year and 55 miles of crystal clear glacier fed waters, Lake Chelan is one of the most popular lakes in Washington State for summer getaways.
Continue reading “Weekend Watersports and Wine in Washington”Yellowstone’s Simmering Landscape
Running from forest fires to steaming geysers
Last August we made an impromptu trip to Yellowstone Park. We ended up staying for over a week, hiking nearly thirty miles and snagging a couple nights at the normally sold out, historic Mammoth Springs hotel.
Continue reading “Yellowstone’s Simmering Landscape”Practice Tenacity
Tenacity is the quality of being Tenacious. The quick definition is truly awesome: Holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold.
Continue reading “Practice Tenacity”New Raptor Truck, New 4×4 Roads
In the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountain range, just off of main east-west Interstate, lies a cluster of cute towns, cold, clear mountain lakes and timber laden elevations to see it all. Access to the highest vistas are via rugged dirt and gravel 4 x 4 Forest Service roads.
Continue reading “New Raptor Truck, New 4×4 Roads”From Sea to Table: Visiting Pacific Northwest’s Oyster Obsession
And, why oyster farmers are badass
Whether you love or refuse to eat oysters, there’s no denying they are a culinary trend that continues to climb.
Continue reading “From Sea to Table: Visiting Pacific Northwest’s Oyster Obsession”