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Genesis and preparation

Genesis

Barely returned from our 2009 journey, the idea of to leave again has, not swollen but literally exploded in us. There will be a second trip, and maybe ... . We were warned that the virus was very active: we can confirm it .

It will be "On the road again" as Willie Nelson sings it so well:

Three main themes have guided this trip, the first two being the same as for 2009:

• landscapes and wonders of erosion,
• traces of ancient civilizations (pre-Columbian),
• and of course, the Yellowstone National Park.

Preparation

Not knowing if our friends will always be in Los Angeles, we initially chose not taken this fact into account. Colorado and New Mexico states, removed in our previous trip, will be in our program, and Yellowstone of course. But to do this, it will take time .

I contacted my department head for a period of about 60 days (with a ladle) and it gives me the green light: 60 days to ride around on the tracks of the southwest, what happiness! It is clear that we're lucky, but the budget will also be accordingly.

Then begins the collection of wishes, sites to view (again), GPS points and documentation, essential to the preparation of such a journey.

Among the wishes, some of them, almost inevitable:

• descent into the Grand Canyon
• Toroweap and pictographs of Tuckup Canyon
• Few days on Lake Powell after the discovery of the photo of Reflection Canyon (already envisaged in 2009)
• Horseshoe Canyon
• and Yellowstone NP

and the fondest wish, this time, to be more off the beaten track, to sleep in the car as on the first time, to sleep closer to our destinations. Given that wild camping is generally permitted on land managed by the BLM, it's "sufficient" to look at their web sites and their maps.

My topographic map is seriously filled with red dots and I begin to think about the period: neither too early because there will still be snow in Colorado and Wyoming but nor too late because the temperature in Arizona may be higher. Finally, the period between mid May and mid July seems to be a good compromise, ending with the Yellowstone, keeping long days in contrast to September-October when the days get shorter.
Arriving in Phoenix and a return from Salt Lake City also seems a coherent solution.

During the visit to France of our friends, we learn they will be still there in 2012; program change, we'll land at Los Angeles. Then, I start planning more seriously and it shows that my eyes are bigger than my stomach: the trip I imagined is not possible in 60 days . We must therefore make cuts: exit Colorado and New Mexico states (this will be an opportunity to return). The program will be, roughly, a slow rise from Sedona (AZ) to Yellowstone (WY). Back to the airport of Salt Lake City seems to be the right choice, but the cost of drop-off made me finally opt for San Francisco; even if it's farther, it's a saving of $ 300 (well not completely ) and Isabelle so much wanted to see San Francisco (already in 2009 !!!). ).

Almost two and a half years after our return, following a preparation that I think I can describe as very detailed, we are at the dawn of 2012 and of our "big trip". Anyway, it's still not a world tour.
Late December 2011, the aircraft is reserved (Air France, from Brest this time) and also the car.
It remains only a few (rare) nights to book (especially in SF) and a few campsites (Grand Canyon and Yellowstone perhaps), and certain air leisure activities, but shhh, it's a surprise for Isabelle .

Some figures to summarize:

• departure on May 11th and return on July 10th (I used my time saving account),
• almost 60 days of hiking and sightseeing, mainly in Arizona and Utah,
• more than 6,000 miles by car and 400 miles on foot,
• 7 nights in hotels and 11 nights on camping sites (the others, in our car in the wilderness).