Fall in love with the Rockies

We planned a 3-day trip to Denver, Colorado late September 2022. Colorado observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) with Daylight Saving Time (DST). Denver, also known as the Mile High City, Queen City of the Plains, is the capital and most populous city of the US state of Colorado. Denver features a semi-arid climate and is subject to sudden changes in weather. The weather was pleasant and chilly. Wonderful golden, orange, and red colors were starting to show up.

I took a break in my travels past 3 years due to COVID-19. I have not even seen my family for the past 4 years. Especially, in the summer of 2022, airline cancellations and delays were skyrocketing, along with fuel costs. The fuel cost had reached 5 USD/gallon in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Inflation has reached its highest point since 1981. But travel is unavoidable in case of personal and work reasons. Here are a few tips to save money on your trip.

We flew to Denver from Cincinnati in 3 hours and tickets cost approx. 600 USD for a couple. We could have driven all the way (~1200 miles) but that would take us additional 2 days (including breaks+1-night halt) on a one-way road trip to Denver. We rented an AWD car for approx. 400 USD, based on my past driving experience in mountainous terrain. We stayed in a hotel in Denver which cost approx. 300 USD (including breakfast) since it was a quick getaway trip. It is possible to reserve a hotel room in advance. We typically compare the costs of staying in an Airbnb and a hotel. An advantage of having a kitchen in the Airbnb is cooking meals and reducing food expenses for a longer stay.

There were three main places on our itinerary - Rocky Mountain National Park (#RMNP), Denver,  and Boulder. We visited a park in Denver area on the first day and drove around the University of Colorado, Boulder campus on the 2nd day. The beautiful campus is very close to the Rockies. Boulder is known for its outdoor activities and vibrant downtown. I recommend the CAVA restaurant in Boulder downtown, where we stopped for lunch on the way to RMNP.  

Late September and early October are magical times to visit RMNP. The Rockies get three million annual visitors. I didn't know about the RMNP's timed entry permit system. We drove to RMNP from Denver on 2nd day but weren't allowed entry since tourists take the permits online earlier than noon or previous month. Then we just took a scenic drive and returned to Denver downtown in the evening.  

Scenic drive from RMNP to Denver

On the last day of the trip, we reached the gate around 3 pm since we didn't require timed entry permits after 3 pm. Luckily, we didn't need to buy tickets for admission since it was National Public Lands Day (#NPLD).

Scenic view from one of the pullouts on Trail Ridge road

Use the visitor's shuttle only if the parking is full for any tourist spots such as Bear lake. Check the weather online and on the park website for general daily updates. Know before you plan the trip to the Rockies. A popular route-Trail Ridge road is closed to through traffic for the winter season. Trail Ridge road covers the 48 miles between Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the park's west side. It is fascinating to observe the changes en route.

Scenic drive on the curvy Trail Ridge road, closer to highest elevation point - Alpine visitor center

Scenic drive on Trail Ridge road

The Alpine visitor center is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System at 11,796'. It closed after 4.30 pm. We could have made it earlier to the visitor center had we not stopped to click pictures at every scenic pullout. Then we took a U-turn to go back to see Bear lake. Bear lake road was open to visitors after 6 pm. We made it in time on Bear lake road and reached Bear lake just before sunset. It was perfect timing. It was amazing to see the reflections in the lake! 

Bear lake

RMNP is one of the country's top wildlife-watching destinations. We saw a few elk in RMNP. Usually, everyone can see them in the meadows.

Elk at RMNP

We would love to visit again and probably camp at RMNP next time. I recommend planning a trip in the fall of next year!

Arizona trip: an unexpected journey

After a much-needed long break, I am back to writing about my travel experiences. I had planned a trip to Arizona with 12 people during Christmas week a year ago. In November, we discussed a general itinerary including Grand Canyon national park (GCNP), Horseshoe Bend, and Phoenix. It was the first time I saw a cactus-filled landscape and experienced a desert climate. The southwestern region of the US is entirely different than the midwestern region I have lived. Interestingly almost all of Arizona follows Mountain Standard Time without Daylight Saving Time (DST), while Ohio observed DST with Eastern Standard Time. Time change affects physical health adversely, though it was only 2 hours difference.

We found temporary accommodation (Airbnb) for 5 day-stay in Phoenix since it was more expensive and harder to find a place for a larger group in the area of Flagstaff during the winter holiday season. It cost approximately 40$ per person and per night for all 12 people. Two of us flew from Cincinnati to Vegas, since it was cheaper than Cincinnati to Phoenix. Flight tickets cost approximately 1000$ for a couple. Then I rented a car (approx. 1000$) for all 7 days and drove to Phoenix from Vegas. We could have driven all the way (~1800 miles) but that would require additional 2 days of a one-way road trip. It would be easier if more than 2 people were driving from Cincinnati to Phoenix. Others in the group drove from neighboring states to Phoenix directly. The weather in Phoenix is dry and hot. It is more pleasant during fall and spring than winter and summer.

View on the drive from Vegas to Phoenix

Initially, I had planned to visit GCNP in the first 5 days, but it got pushed to 6th day. While staying in Phoenix for the first 5 days, we went on impromptu one-day hikes to Camelback mountain and Tonto national forest. I enjoyed Indian food at 'The Dhaba' and 'Delhi Palace Cuisine of India' restaurants. To reduce the food expenses by eating out in restaurants everyday, we would prepare food at Airbnb place. Given the host provided kitchenware, we shopped at local grocery stores and few people in our group who drove all the way bought some groceries from their home. 

Camelback mountain hike is among the difficult level hikes, with an elevation of 2,704 feet. There are 2 hiking trails, Echo canyon (steeper) and Cholla (longer). It is allowed to park for both trails from sunrise to sunset only, so plan accordingly. Bring proper hiking gear and sufficient water. I recommend not hiking during summers since temperatures are higher (above 100 deg.F). 

Scenic view from Camelback mountain, Phoenix, AZ

We drove to Tuscon for a day, and visited Saguaro national park and Pima air & space museum. You can find the country's largest cacti in Tuscon. I liked the ice cream that we had at the Screamery, on our drive back to Phoenix.

Saguaro National Park

Sedona

I didn't get a chance to visit GCNP since there was a snowstorm on the planned day of the visit. The park was closed to visitors in the morning but only opened for some time in the afternoon. During winter, only South Rim is open to visitors, which further restricts the driving routes. Instead, we visited Sedona in the morning. I liked the red rock scenic views and it was a pleasant drive. We had booked a 2-day stay in Page, AZ. We didn't know at the time of booking a hotel, that it is dangerous to be driving on the road from Flagstaff to Page after sunset. On the way, there are roughly 4 gas stations and it is sparsely populated and unlit due to the mountainous terrain. I had rented an FWD car which was not suitable for the terrain, especially driving after sunset. I was extremely disappointed after flying so far from Cincinnati and planning a week's stay in AZ. Hence, after Sedona, we headed to Page, AZ same afternoon for the last 2-day stay of the trip. 

Driving from Flagstaff to Page

View of GCNP region on the way from Flagstaff to Page, when we were approaching Page and farther from GCNP

We visited Horseshoe Bend which was a beautiful place. I loved it! Page is a small town known for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope canyon, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and lake Powell. Since we were in Page on 31st Dec and 1st Jan, the tours for Antelope canyon and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument were booked. It is recommended to reserve spots much earlier for the holiday season. The hotel room prices are a lot cheaper in Page in winter, compared to summer holiday season. It costed approximately 60$ per room and per night for a couple. I recommend the 'El Tapatio' restaurant in Page. We drove back in our rental car to Vegas from Page on the last day of the trip (1st Jan) and then flew back to Cincinnati.

Horseshoe Bend

Lake Powell

While the trip didn't go as per the original plan, I was glad we were away from Cincinnati and met my close friend in Phoenix during the Christmas week of 2021. I recommend staying in Flagstaff and Page if your itinerary includes GCNP, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and lake Powell. Always check the weather before you make plans and be prepared for sudden changes in the winter season. It rained almost all the time during our Phoenix stay. Reserve the tours and book permits/tickets ahead of time. Preferably drive an AWD vehicle in such terrains and plan a visit during the fall or spring.

Drive from Page, AZ to Las Vegas, NV