Southwest Splendors....Calm my fears

[nmoore14]

Pete - As I have not been on the trip, I have no information to give. I do want to say how much I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience. I'm sure is will be an amazing trip. If nothing else, I'm sure you'll get some enjoyment out of seeing Walter in his element.

Be safe and I'll pray that you won't end up on an episode of "When Nature Attacks..."

I agree with Christy. I hope you and Walter have a great trip and don't worry too much about nature. Just make sure if you hear a loud crack, RUN AWAY FROM THE SOUND!

 

[nordkin]

Okay, problem number one - COWBOY CAFE. For a gay man, this reads "lynch the queers cafe". Kidding.

On our SWS trip we and another gay couple were on the trip and and had a fabulous time with everyone and we did not hide the fact we were gay. We also went to the Cowboy Cafe for dinner and quite honestly it was probably our best choice for dinner in Sedona. They could have cared less that we were gay (lesbian) or the gay guys with us for that matter. We had a wonderful meal and a awesome trip.

 

[KLondon]

Hey all - I just got back from SWS a week-and-a-half ago and I can vouch for all the great perspectives on this thread. It's a wonderful trip - much better than I imagined, actually.

You'll have no issues with nature trying to hunt you down. And the hiking is not stenuous at all.

I'm just starting to write a trip report (follow my blog link below), but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have!

But I do have to comment on the Thunderbird Lodge. I agree that it's not luxury accomodation by any stretch of the imagination. But I think it gets a bad rap. It's clean and it's well-maintained. The rooms are small, for sure - but they were fine for a 2-night stay (Mon, Dad, and 2 Teens). The draw, of course, is location. You are literally a stone's throw from the edge of the Grand Canyon - and that makes the Thunderbird worthwhile, in my opinion.

True, the El Tovar is a nicer hotel, but I think staying there would risk trading off a canyon-view room for more upscale amenities. I'll take the view any day.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Thanks everyone for all the input. We leave on our 'adventure' on Saturday. We made some changes to our plans though - originally , we were going to spend this week in Disneyland, then fly to Phoenix for the ABD trip, then home. It took me a few weeks to realize how incredibly selfish this was. I've been to DL twice this year and Walter never complained - and here I am planning his 50th birthday trip and I throw in a week in Disneyland. Honestly, when I stopped and thought about it I was embarrassed by how selfish that decision was (and bless his heart, he was willing to go along with it) . So, instead of a week in California, we've added days to the end of our ABD trip. We'll be renting a car in Grand Junction and driving back to Sedona for a 4 day stay. Walter is Native American and I really think the Sedona experience will be something he'll treasure. Also, from what I've heard the drive itself is pretty spectacular.

With that said, I have considered my comfort here as well. I upgraded our flights to first class and reserved a very nice suite for us in Sedona. I could say that I was doing that for Walter, but Scrooge McTightWad would be happy flying cargo and sleeping in a tent if it would save $50.

I've been researching things to do in Sedona, and was thinking about booking a 'spiritualist' experience, as I think that's something he would enjoy. I was looking into one particular tour given by a native american man and as I was reading about it, it sounded interesting - then he described how he moved to Sedona and met the 'star people' who told him what his purpose in life was. Needless to say, he lost me at 'star people'.

If anyone has any suggestions for Sedona, I'm open - just nothing that involves hugging trees, dancing at a vortex or 'star people'

Pete

 

[sayhello]

Pete! You guys are going to have such a wonderful time! Really, it's a spectacular trip, and Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley & Arches are incredible. From what you've said, I *KNOW* Walter will love them. I think you will, too. Honestly!

Where are you staying in Sedona? There's an artist's shopping area there, which I don't believe the ABD goes to anymore (and we didn't have much time there anyways). It's called Tlaquepaque. (Teh-lah-key-pah-key) *VERY* nice! I highly recommend it. It's one of the places I remembered from my trip to Sedona in 1991. There are all sorts of galleries and stores and restaurants there. We had lunch at the Secret Garden Café. It was lighter fare (salads, wraps, etc) but very tasty. And they had a shop there called "How Sweet It Is" that had REALLY tasty sugar-free ice cream!

If I think of anything else that doesn't involve hiking outdoors I'll let you know!

Oh, and I do want to add that *NOT* flying home out of Grand Junction is a really good choice! That airport is a real letdown after such a fabulous trip! Driving back to Sedona will be a much better choice!

Sayhello

 

[CocosMeme]

Hi Pete!
I just got back from an adult only SWS trip on Saturday. You are both going to love this trip! We had so much fun and the scenery is beyond spectacular. the Amara Resort in Sedona is fabulous. Relax about the "critters" - I did not see any other that the ones at the naturalist show on the morning of the 2nd day and I kept my distance. Some of the guest chose to go up and hold the snake but I sat right in my chair. The Red Rock jeep tour was great. We were going to go to the Cowboy Cafe but decided to stay and eat at the Amara instead with some others in our group and it was really good. the Thunderbird was not bad. It is definately not luxurious, but it was clean and the view right on the rim was awesome! We opened our curtains and it was right there. We had dinner on our open night there at the El Tovar. One of our guides had made some "dummy" reservations and we took one with 2 other couples in our group. Very worth it!! The drive through the painted desert and Monument Valley is so beautiful. You will love the resort in Utah. It has a winery on grounds and the wine was very good. I had the Chardonney. We had a ball on the rafting/float trip! It was hot that day so several of our group jumped in and floated along for a while. On our free afternoon we had a choice of horseback trail riding (which the ones who went loved), a hummer ride over a trail( also loved by the group that went), or an ATV ride through the desert with a guide. We chose the ATV trip and I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was 18 miles of a guided trip and our guide was very patient with us. I had never driven one before, but it was fun. You will have one of our guides on your trip - Mike C. - and he is wonderful. I hope this calmed you fears! I am moderately adventurous, and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone! Let us know how you liked it.

 

[sayhello]

CocosMeme, is that "big, burly Mike"? Because he's supposed to be one of ABD's top Guides...

Sayhello

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Have a great trip, Pete & Walter. Sedona sounds fantastic.

 

[Bobo912]

CocosMeme, is that "big, burly Mike"? Because he's supposed to be one of ABD's top Guides...

Sayhello

Big, burly Mike is Mike C., so that's him. He's a SWS regular, but he does other trips too. He was in Alaska with us and he's done Costa Rica and Austalia too. He told us he was even filling in on the Philly/DC tour (the catchy name escapes me at the moment) for one date last summer (meaning 2009) but I think that's ususual We would take another trip with him in a heartbeat. He is great!

 

[CocosMeme]

Yes it was Mike C. He was awesome!! But I have to say the other Mike was awesome too. They made a great team. The Disney guides truly make the trip wonderful. We have been on Tauck Discovery and had a great guide, but there is no comparison to Disney. Mike C. is doing the SWS trip this week and then moving to Australia. Our other Mike is moving to Costa Rica, and both trips are lucky to get them. As an adult only group we had a really great bunch and bonded well. I will try to do a trip report soon.

 

[sayhello]

Yes it was Mike C. He was awesome!! But I have to say the other Mike was awesome too. They made a great team. The Disney guides truly make the trip wonderful. We have been on Tauck Discovery and had a great guide, but there is no comparison to Disney. Mike C. is doing the SWS trip this week and then moving to Australia. Our other Mike is moving to Costa Rica, and both trips are lucky to get them. As an adult only group we had a really great bunch and bonded well. I will try to do a trip report soon.

What does the "other Mike" look like? We had a shadow guide named Mike on my SWS trip in 2008. I wonder if it's him or not?

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

Slightly off topic...Is it miserably hot in Sedona and Moab in June and July? I know the whole dry heat argument is often heard, but 99 degrees in the blazing sun is still hot. Is it too hot to hike comfortably?

 

[glassslipper2004]

I think that same Mike was on our SWS trip last summer - he is really great. Can't wait to hear how you like the trip, Pete - I wish I was going again!

 

[tufbuf]

Slightly off topic...Is it miserably hot in Sedona and Moab in June and July? I know the whole dry heat argument is often heard, but 99 degrees in the blazing sun is still hot. Is it too hot to hike comfortably?

We went on our SWS trip last June. Sedona is not as hot as Phoenix (which was 113 when we arrived). Highs were in the 80s and 90s, which is still hot. Moab is just as hot, my daughter suffered from hest exhaustion waiting out in the sun for all the others to get ready horseback riding, she had to miss it. I think she would have been okay if she took a cold shower after our hike earlier but.... The others who went said it was worse out in the open. We were lucky when we hiked to Delicate Arch, we had cloud cover but it was still challenging to those who were not in shape. We had people throwing up and near fainting. We had our mind set for the weather and demands for the trip and had an idea how hot it was going to get since we lived in TX a few years, so other than the incident with our young girl, we were okay as well as most of the people in our group.

 

[redzinner]

Yes it was Mike C. He was awesome!! But I have to say the other Mike was awesome too. They made a great team. The Disney guides truly make the trip wonderful. We have been on Tauck Discovery and had a great guide, but there is no comparison to Disney. Mike C. is doing the SWS trip this week and then moving to Australia. Our other Mike is moving to Costa Rica, and both trips are lucky to get them. As an adult only group we had a really great bunch and bonded well. I will try to do a trip report soon.

So glad you had a great trip CocosMeme! Looking forward to your report.

 

[glassslipper2004]

As for the heat... we went last summer in August. It was definitely hot, but this is the only time we have available for trips so we went with a good attitude. Except for the horseback ride (which was very hot and dry - but I disliked it for reasons other than the heat) the heat didn't bother us much. My husband even went on an extra hike one day, while we escaped to the pool.

We were actually lucky, according to our guides, to have such good weather, since apparently August can be the rainy season...

 

[jamstew]

The last time I was in Moab, probably in July, it was about 112 with 15% humidity! Drink tons of water, even if you don't feel thirsty.

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks, tufbuf, glassslipper, and jamstew. I'm considering either a Grand Canyon or Yellowstone trip for next summer with either ABD or Tauck. I'm slightly in favor of the Grand Canyon. DS prefers Yellowstone (I would be happy wih that too). He's probably going to win, because I have a suspicion that he's not going to go for the idea of hiking when it's over 100 degrees. And if he's miserable, I'm miserable. I'm not even close to making a decision though. First I have to pay off the Galapagos trip and then I'll start seriously thinking about the summer. I hope ABD sends out PINs like last year. I'd be open to just about any trip I haven't taken already, especially with a discount.

 

[jamstew]

Thanks, tufbuf, glassslipper, and jamstew. I'm considering either a Grand Canyon or Yellowstone trip for next summer with either ABD or Tauck. I'm slightly in favor of the Grand Canyon. DS prefers Yellowstone (I would be happy wih that too). He's probably going to win, because I have a suspicion that he's not going to go for the idea of hiking when it's over 100 degrees. And if he's miserable, I'm miserable. I'm not even close to making a decision though. First I have to pay off the Galapagos trip and then I'll start seriously thinking about the summer. I hope ABD sends out PINs like last year. I'd be open to just about any trip I haven't taken already, especially with a discount.

The thing is that 100+ with the super low humidity doesn't feel nearly as hot as low 90's with the 40-60high humidity we normally have here. I see you're in Nashville, so you're probably used to the high humidity, too. Unless you were out in direct sun, it didn't feel all that hot, which is why it's so important to drink much more water than you think you need. If you do go somewhere super hot, just do all your walking/hiking early in the day.

 

[Bobo912]

The thing is that 100+ with the super low humidity doesn't feel nearly as hot as low 90's with the 40-60high humidity we normally have here. I see you're in Nashville, so you're probably used to the high humidity, too. Unless you were out in direct sun, it didn't feel all that hot, which is why it's so important to drink much more water than you think you need. If you do go somewhere super hot, just do all your walking/hiking early in the day.

You're so right. We had such a hot summer this year and with the humidity it was miserable. Strangely, it's still really warm and we're expecting a high near 90 today, which isn't right for Oct in Tennesse, but it doesn't feel nearly as hot as 90 felt in June since the humidity is less. When we came back from our Nothern CA vacation earlier this year, where the temps were so pleasant, I was dreading getting back to the heat. We arrived around 10:00PM and the pilot announced that tempeature in Nashville was 75 and I thought to myself at least it will be nice tonight. But when we walked off the plane it was like walking into a steam room. It felt about 20 degrees hotter than 75 felt in CA. So, we can probably deal with the temps in Sedona. Thanks for the reminder about the water. I'm sure it's easy to forget when you're not used to the dry air.