Travel Tips & Adventures

Yellowstone, the first National Park in what later became a National Park System, is an incredible place to explore.  Sometimes, just driving can give you amazing views of the wildlife and natural wonders available.  The 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone are located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with some of its land spilling into Idaho and Montana.

Yellowstone National Park southern entrance

Getting there

Entering Yellowstone from the south via Grand Tetons (more on that park another week) we drove in on Route 89/191/297.  We had paid for a park pass at Grand Teton that was good for both parks for seven days.  ($25 in our case, an annual pass is $50)

In late May, as we headed past Lewis Lake, the water was still frozen and it was still cold outside, as evidenced by our need to use the car’s defroster.  According to the map, the road on which we entered was actually closed until mid-May.  Apparently, only the two east and one north entrances are open year round.

First stop: Old Faithful and more

Everyone has heard about Old Faithful, (more…)

Just when you thought you’d never see another blog from Travel Tips and Adventures…well, here we are again!

Some other business activities have been keeping me busy – which I’ll share with you all soon. We also had the infamous “technical difficulties.”

In the meanwhile, we’ve been traveling and will, over the weeks to come, be offering our accounts of our visits to Yellowstone National Park, Southern Idaho and travel eats and accommodations along the way.

We’re getting very close to having traveled to every state in the United States – especially my husband – and on this particular trip, we were in five different states – Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

In the Western United States, spaces seem more spacious.  Although places may look close on a map, you can drive for many miles before seeing another town or any humans. Other than car occupants, what we saw more of than anything in our travels were buffalo – or bison – at Yellowstone National Park.

We also saw one lone buffalo that had strayed out of Yellowstone and was munching placidly on grass in the small resort town, West Yellowstone, adjacent to the Park.  The buffalo was now legendary, as he had been in West Yellowstone for a week.  Turning up behind a restaurant, behind someone’s home and in various other parts of town, no one seemed too concerned about their new inhabitant.  The theory seemed to be, “let it be.”

Tune in next week and we’ll share more about our trip to the 2.2 million acres!! (we didn’t get to all of them, but many amazing locations) of Yellowstone National Park.

NO, we’re not robbing a bank!  When it gets to this time of year in Phoenix, people start leaving.  The weather begins to be warmer and the snowbirds start flocking up north.

We have thoughts of migrating ourselves.  We have a short trip to LA coming up, but we’re also planning a longer stay.

But, where to go?  We have nine days and we want a new place –“somewhere where we’ve never been before.”

We had several ideas.  First, we’ll stay stateside since we’re not in the mood for customs and dealing with currency conversions.

Also, we don’t want an enormous plane ride.  We’re open to the possibility of a drive, but we don’t want to spend most of the vacation getting there.

I voted for open spaces, but I need to see water.  My husband also likes open spaces, but he likes mountains.

California?  Been there, done a lot of it.

Colorado?  Maybe.  I keep hearing about Durango and picturesque mountains.

Wyoming?  Certainly, it has the open spaces!

Idaho?  The scenery looks great in the brochures!

Washington (the state)?  We drove through on our way to Vancouver.  I’d get my water and my husband his mountains.

We’ve sent for new brochures.  Yes, I know, the mountains and natural features don’t change too much in a few years.  But, hotels and manmade items do change.

With visions of exploration and open vistas dancing in my head, I will sign off for now.

Come back next week, and we’ll share more about our plans.  Out west for sure!

Tucson is old.  On this blog previously we’ve featured centuries-old churches and other architectural sites.  Today, we’re highlighting some of the “modern” – 100 years or less – sights, plus scenery. (more…)

Near the picturesquely named Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona, the Blazin’ M Ranch – and Dinner Theatre- conveys a feeling of the Old West, both its hospitality and its rambunctious good times. (more…)

San Felipe travel can be whatever you want it to be – A laid back vacation, a longer stay, a spring break, a retirement haven.  At an orientation we attended for potential homebuyers in San Felipe, they said, “You go to Florida to die, Mexico to live.”

Beach at sunrise

(more…)

San Felipe has become quite the hang-out for American and Canadian ex-patriots – or just, sometimes, visitors.  Although Rocky Point has a following, the name says a lot.  Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) has rocky beaches, but a lively repeat crowd. (more…)

Introduction to Bisbee, Arizona

As you drive into Bisbee from the north, you enter through a tunnel, as if you are going back in time.  To an extent, you are.  The town is nestled into a hillside and the feel is of the 1950s – or before. (more…)

Time to travel to smaller cities in Arizona!  This week, we’re heading to Tombstone and Bisbee, Arizona.  Tombstone proclaims itself, “The town too tough to die.”  Bisbee claims bragging rights to the first bar and stock exchange in the State of Arizona.

In general, smaller cities in Arizona have a character and individuality that you won’t find in the medium and large-sized cities.  You might see some familiar stores, but, for the most part, you don’t feel that you could be dropped down in any one of them and see all the same stores and buildings.  There are some unique buildings and a close-knit character to the people who live in these towns.

Leaving the interstate, I10, in Arizona south of Tucson at SR 80, you enter a much different environment than the built up cities in Arizona.  About an hour’s drive from Tucson, the terrain becomes more mountainous, with snow visible on the distant peaks.  Nothing but open land seems to exist for miles and miles.  Traveling with children, they are likely to begin the “Are we there yet?” litany.  There are few houses and what seems like an endless amount of nondescript brush.

Things get interesting as you hit the outskirts of Tombstone.   Suddenly, you see civilization with signs and buildings.  One sign proclaims where the “OK Corral” fight occurred.  We’ll visit Tombstone later this week.

Twenty-eight miles down the road from Tombstone is the quirky, artsy town of Bisbee, formerly a city dominated by copper mining.  We’ll visit a copper mine and show you the shops and sites.

So, join us this week and next for some fun in the Old West.

Also, take a look at our SHOP – see the “SHOP” button above and check out the images we’ve captured you can wear or use.

Sometimes, you just need a chance to relax.  When that need overtakes you, the perfect place to relax is Coyote Trail Bed and Breakfast near Maricopa, Arizona. (more…)