For the Love of a Road Trip: Jennifer's Conspicuous Mountain

Just why do we love our road trips?

There's not a lot to wonder about why we crave the open road.  Freedom, open space, the sense of expectation that comes from visiting territory new to us, and the familiarity of finding that it holds so much that's similar to where we've just come from.

Fresh faces.
New vacation experiences. 

Having no where in particular to be and no appointments to keep lengthens our sense of time and seems to buy us a little more to work with.

The romance and draw of the American Road Trip is distilled down to its essence here in the words of writer/photographer Jennifer O'Keefe:

"In the spring of 2009, I bought a white cargo van to go on a two-month road trip that coming summer.  The previous owners had given it a name, "Conspicuous Mountain".

For some reason, the name haunted me on the trip.  On the one hand its meaning was obvious, redundant; on the other, it eluded me completely, like something so close you can feel its breath, but too large to understand the full shape of.

Perhaps that's why we go on journeys with a hope that some distance from the trappings
of our everyday lives will give us perspective, show us the greater shape of things.
Or perhaps, it's that feeling that you get on journeys, that the world is arranging itself for
you.  that there's some choreography to chance.


Whatever the case, it is a grand illusion."


- Jennifer O'Keefe

Photos of Jennifer's two month trip capture the wonder of someone looking at the very ordinary through fresh eyes.  Her scenes, bound by a journey, are frozen both in place and time. 

Enjoy your virtual road.

Photo credit:  Smilelonger on DeviantArt

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Road Trip Across America- Dreaming Up a Mother of a Vacation

Wish I could say I've been on a trans-continental mother of a road trip across America and that's the reason for not updating lately, but it's not true. I've actually been busy here at Bluegreen Resorts dreaming up ways to communicate everything there is to do on your best vacation experiences. It's a wonderful job to have.

While I'm offline, trying hard to do some thinking outside of the box I call my cubicle, I'll leave you a few thoughts on traveling. Those of us who enamoured with the idea of travel have lots of reasons for planning trips. Sometimes it's to simply get away, but more often it's to reframe and reset, and a chance to connect with friends and family without the distractions and demands of the everyday.

That's what I'm dreaming up for you anyway.

Be well.  And Enjoy the Ride.


“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac


“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” – William Least Heat Moon


“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson


“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber 



And my favorite, the one that catches my idea of the essence of an outstanding road trip experience:

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu

Photo credit:  Motionpicture Mind on DeviantArt

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Walking the Edge: Grand Canyon South Rim Trail Hikes

We're on the final stretch of road in this Arizona road trip and have saved the best for last.  It's the granddaddy of them all when it comes to America's scenic byways, the Grand Canyon South Rim.

From San Francisco peaks, follow Route 180 west to 64.  This Grand Canyon road trip will take you directly to the South Rim, known as Desert View.  When driving in, your first stop is Mather Point, and it's going to be the busiest place from which to take in the view.  Overlooking Pipe Creek Canyon and the Inner Gorge of the Colorado River, this is a great spot to take your road trip onto two feet.  The South Rim Trail starts here, and you've got some choices in the way of day hikes:

(links open to pdf files containing maps)

Rim Trail, from the Village to Hermit's Rest

Bright Angel Trail - Hikes range in distance up to 12 miles

South Kaibab Trail - Hikes up to 6 miles round trip

Hermit Trail - Tougher conditions than Bright Angel or South Kaibab, but offers springs.  Steep

Grandview Trail - Very steep trail requiring caution.


There's an important point to remember when you turn your Grand Canyon road trip into one in a pair of boots, and it's this:  Over 250 people are rescued from the canyon each year.  Being prepared for the conditions is paramount, and if you haven't done too much hiking, you may be surprised at how easy it is to go a lot farther along a trail than you'd intended.  Especially without water or proper footwear.  So while this post is meant to direct you to the amazing experience that is a trip to the Canyon, it's by no means a complete guide.  Please check out the resources below so that you can best prepare for one of the best vacations you can enjoy.

We want to see you back at Cibola Vista!

Photo Credit:  MatthiasDO on DeviantArt

Resources:
Day Hiking in the Canyon from the National Park Service
The Canyon.com
Grand Canyon National Park Hiking Guide
Tools, Tips, and Resources for Grand Canyon Hikers

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