Take a Vacation

[Bo Diddley]

Today was the day we were supposed to be headed off to Europe. My back has been a little sore the last couple of days, and when I woke up, I couldn't stand up. It's never been that bad, so not sure what's up. It's loosening up a bit as the day goes on, but that would not have been the best way to start that adventure.

I'm taking the missus to Carmel next week. It's something that we've wanted to do for a while, but just never really had a time when it worked out. Tickets on Southwest were $49 each, so between 10,000 points and my AMEX card, it was pretty much free.

Anyone take a whale watching tour in Monterey before? Worth it?

[Northwestcoug]

Today was the day we were supposed to be headed off to Europe. My back has been a little sore the last couple of days, and when I woke up, I couldn't stand up. It's never been that bad, so not sure what's up. It's loosening up a bit as the day goes on, but that would not have been the best way to start that adventure.

I'm taking the missus to Carmel next week. It's something that we've wanted to do for a while, but just never really had a time when it worked out. Tickets on Southwest were $49 each, so between 10,000 points and my AMEX card, it was pretty much free.

Anyone take a whale watching tour in Monterey before? Worth it?

My one experience with whale watching in Monterey bay wasn't that great. I usually have an iron stomach, but even with dramamine and that electronic bracelet they recommended I was feeling the waves for awhile. And, we saw just a couple of whales.

I would highly recommend taking a kayak tour through the Elkhorn slough in Monterey Bay. You get pretty close to sea otters and seals, and if it's a good guide you get some great information. I can't remember which tour we went on, but there's a handful of them online.

When you're done go eat at Phil's Fish Market right next door. Pretty solid seafood.

[Bo Diddley]

My one experience with whale watching in Monterey bay wasn't that great. I usually have an iron stomach, but even with dramamine and that electronic bracelet they recommended I was feeling the waves for awhile. And, we saw just a couple of whales.

I would highly recommend taking a kayak tour through the Elkhorn slough in Monterey Bay. You get pretty close to sea otters and seals, and if it's a good guide you get some great information. I can't remember which tour we went on, but there's a handful of them online.

When you're done go eat at Phil's Fish Market right next door. Pretty solid seafood.

How do you dress for the Kayak tour?

[Northwestcoug]

How do you dress for the Kayak tour?

Layers, but not too warm. Should be pretty comfortable weather this week.

[Omaha 680]

I don't recall any eateries that grabbed my attention in Anchorage, but we were only there about 4-5 times a year for quick temple trips. I would head down the Seward towards Alyeska and look out over the Turnagain Arm to see if you can see some whales. coming in. You should have a pretty good supply of light by then. Once meetings are over I would head north to Denali and maybe stop into Fairbanks. You should be there right after breakup so the park may be open, but even if it isn't seeing Denali from Healy alone is an awesome experience. If you stop in Healy, go to Rose's cafe. I still have very pleasant memories of the burgers there. Nenana is a quaint town about an hour north of Healy that has a lot of native touristy stuff. You will probably miss break up where they have a pool each year to see when a tripod they set up on the ice on the river gives way. I never got to see it go and wasn't ever close in my guesses. Fairbanks is a great visit but having lived there for 3 years, I am not sure what kind of touristy things to do there would be other than maybe the UAF museum. I would just enjoy driving around and the scenery. But I am easy to please.

My industry committee meetings that were originally scheduled for May 2020 in Anchorage are finally happening first week of June this year. Got some good recommendations for an Alaska first timer last time around including Cope's above. We settled on a week long trip. First two days will be Committee meetings in Anchorage, but we will break about 3pm both days. Still don't know what we are doing those afternoons.

All day Saturday after meetings end, the committee has been offered a private car on the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic Line round trip Seward. If I were paying, I would probably do the Denali Star, but can't beat free and coastal sight-seeing down to Seward was mentioned to me by a few people. We then have three days before we fly home early morning. It's looking like we will rent a car and drive up to stay near or in Denali for 2 nights. It's a long drive for a short stay but I don't know if/when I'll get back and I want to see the area and the park. We drive up early morning then stay two nights and drive back in the afternoon, so we do get more than two full days there. Anyone have recommendations for lodging in or near to Denali? There seem to be a wide range of options from true off the grid living without power or plumbing to luxury backcountry resorts accessible only by helicopter.

[Northwestcoug]

The City of Rocks area in Southern Idaho is pretty great. We had initially wanted to spend a couple of days in the Moab area before we picked up our daughter from the U, but we balked at the travel time. Mrs. NWC is a stellar trip planner (a little too stellar in summer, when I need a break after getting home from vacation), so she looked for options. She knows an avid rock climber teacher colleague who recommended the City of Rocks. I read about it with the California trail, but I didn't know any details. Anyways, we planned for 2 nights there en route to SLC.

I really haven't seen anything quite like it. The rock formations are otherworldly. Great landscape photo opportunities are everywhere; would love to return and take some sunset pics. There are nice manageable hiking loops surrounding many of the larger formations. We did a few 1-2 mile loops around the more impressive ones. A couple of rocks still have pioneer names painted in axle grease. We thought we could see a couple of remnants of the California Trail next to the road. Who knows if they were, but I'll stick to believing it.

Couple of things about the area. It is about as rural as you can get. The town of Almo is closest to it, and it has only one inn with essentially no wifi and spotty cell service. It seems most people who visit it are RVing or camping in the parks. A couple of places sell sandwiches and they are closed on Sunday. Even the other larger towns nearby have only a few food options that are open select days. So if you go on the weekend stop at a larger town on the way and get stuff for breakfast/lunch. Despite this, the area is really interesting to drive through. A lot of it seems frozen in time. And, it's the first church I've seen that has cattle guards at the parking lot!

Not sure if it's on other peoples' radar (sort of out of the way but still only ~2.5 hours from SLC), but I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

[Uncle Ted]

The City of Rocks area in Southern Idaho is pretty great. We had initially wanted to spend a couple of days in the Moab area before we picked up our daughter from the U, but we balked at the travel time. Mrs. NWC is a stellar trip planner (a little too stellar in summer, when I need a break after getting home from vacation), so she looked for options. She knows an avid rock climber teacher colleague who recommended the City of Rocks. I read about it with the California trail, but I didn't know any details. Anyways, we planned for 2 nights there en route to SLC.

I really haven't seen anything quite like it. The rock formations are otherworldly. Great landscape photo opportunities are everywhere; would love to return and take some sunset pics. There are nice manageable hiking loops surrounding many of the larger formations. We did a few 1-2 mile loops around the more impressive ones. A couple of rocks still have pioneer names painted in axle grease. We thought we could see a couple of remnants of the California Trail next to the road. Who knows if they were, but I'll stick to believing it.

Couple of things about the area. It is about as rural as you can get. The town of Almo is closest to it, and it has only one inn with essentially no wifi and spotty cell service. It seems most people who visit it are RVing or camping in the parks. A couple of places sell sandwiches and they are closed on Sunday. Even the other larger towns nearby have only a few food options that are open select days. So if you go on the weekend stop at a larger town on the way and get stuff for breakfast/lunch. Despite this, the area is really interesting to drive through. A lot of it seems frozen in time. And, it's the first church I've seen that has cattle guards at the parking lot!

Not sure if it's on other peoples' radar (sort of out of the way but still only ~2.5 hours from SLC), but I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

My grandparents are from Almo and are buried there now in a small family cemetery. My grandfather was a cattle rancher in the area. In fact, my mother was born in a one room log cabin in Almo that was still there the last time I drove through. We, as a family, visited city of rocks when we went to Almo to visit family. When I was younger there were a few old abandoned gold mines in that area as well which much of the mining structures still in place. In fact, my cousins, brother and I even went into one of those old mines. We were young and stupid. Since then I think they have sealed them all up and torn down the mining structures.

If you are in Almo again and see a small family cemetery, stop by and say hi to my grandparents for me.

[Northwestcoug]

My grandparents are from Almo and are buried there now in a small family cemetery. My grandfather was a cattle rancher in the area. In fact, my mother was born in a one room log cabin in Almo that was still there the last time I drove through. We, as a family, visited city of rocks when we went to Almo to visit family. When I was younger there were a few old abandoned gold mines in that area as well which much of the mining structures still in place. In fact, my cousins, brother and I even went into one of those old mines. We were young and stupid. Since then I think they have sealed them all up and torn down the mining structures.

If you are in Almo again and see a small family cemetery, stop by and say hi to my grandparents for me.

Almo is small enough that if the cabin was still there I probably saw it. I love old cemeteries but didn’t see one there. We met someone whose great grandparents settled there, and he was pretty old.

nearby Elba had a still standing Relief Society hall, built in 1904. Looked like it was still being used. The adjacent chapel had what looked like the original stone walls with later additions. We really enjoyed driving through that area.

sounds like I would have loved exploring that area like you did back in the day.

[smokymountainrain]

The City of Rocks area in Southern Idaho is pretty great. We had initially wanted to spend a couple of days in the Moab area before we picked up our daughter from the U, but we balked at the travel time. Mrs. NWC is a stellar trip planner (a little too stellar in summer, when I need a break after getting home from vacation), so she looked for options. She knows an avid rock climber teacher colleague who recommended the City of Rocks. I read about it with the California trail, but I didn't know any details. Anyways, we planned for 2 nights there en route to SLC.

I really haven't seen anything quite like it. The rock formations are otherworldly. Great landscape photo opportunities are everywhere; would love to return and take some sunset pics. There are nice manageable hiking loops surrounding many of the larger formations. We did a few 1-2 mile loops around the more impressive ones. A couple of rocks still have pioneer names painted in axle grease. We thought we could see a couple of remnants of the California Trail next to the road. Who knows if they were, but I'll stick to believing it.

Couple of things about the area. It is about as rural as you can get. The town of Almo is closest to it, and it has only one inn with essentially no wifi and spotty cell service. It seems most people who visit it are RVing or camping in the parks. A couple of places sell sandwiches and they are closed on Sunday. Even the other larger towns nearby have only a few food options that are open select days. So if you go on the weekend stop at a larger town on the way and get stuff for breakfast/lunch. Despite this, the area is really interesting to drive through. A lot of it seems frozen in time. And, it's the first church I've seen that has cattle guards at the parking lot!

Not sure if it's on other peoples' radar (sort of out of the way but still only ~2.5 hours from SLC), but I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

thanks for the suggestion. i have never heard of it despite having lived in utah most of my life and having relatives all over idaho. will definitely have to check it out soon.

[clackamascoug]

My post mission roommate at BYU was from Malta. Sometimes his family needed his help on the weekends, and he'd go home for a few days. As we got to be friends - I'd go with him and one time we delivered some cattle to Almo. One of our good friends moved from Clackamas to Yost to retire. Still there and enjoying it.

[RC Vikings]

The City of Rocks area in Southern Idaho is pretty great. We had initially wanted to spend a couple of days in the Moab area before we picked up our daughter from the U, but we balked at the travel time. Mrs. NWC is a stellar trip planner (a little too stellar in summer, when I need a break after getting home from vacation), so she looked for options. She knows an avid rock climber teacher colleague who recommended the City of Rocks. I read about it with the California trail, but I didn't know any details. Anyways, we planned for 2 nights there en route to SLC.

I really haven't seen anything quite like it. The rock formations are otherworldly. Great landscape photo opportunities are everywhere; would love to return and take some sunset pics. There are nice manageable hiking loops surrounding many of the larger formations. We did a few 1-2 mile loops around the more impressive ones. A couple of rocks still have pioneer names painted in axle grease. We thought we could see a couple of remnants of the California Trail next to the road. Who knows if they were, but I'll stick to believing it.

Couple of things about the area. It is about as rural as you can get. The town of Almo is closest to it, and it has only one inn with essentially no wifi and spotty cell service. It seems most people who visit it are RVing or camping in the parks. A couple of places sell sandwiches and they are closed on Sunday. Even the other larger towns nearby have only a few food options that are open select days. So if you go on the weekend stop at a larger town on the way and get stuff for breakfast/lunch. Despite this, the area is really interesting to drive through. A lot of it seems frozen in time. And, it's the first church I've seen that has cattle guards at the parking lot!

Not sure if it's on other peoples' radar (sort of out of the way but still only ~2.5 hours from SLC), but I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

I've lived in eastern Idaho most of my life and finally about two years ago we took a trip down to the city of Rocks. The drive down through Rockland, Goatnappers area, is a beautiful valley of farms and the city of Rocks is pretty cool. You described those little towns perfectly, little Mormon towns that seem frozen in time.

[Goatnapper'96]

I've lived in eastern Idaho most of my life and finally about two years ago we took a trip down to the city of Rocks. The drive down through Rockland, Goatnappers area, is a beautiful valley of farms and the city of Rocks is pretty cool. You described those little towns perfectly, little Mormon towns that seem frozen in time.

I have spent a great deal of time out in the City of Rocks. As the crow flies it is about 30 miles, or less, from my home but it is an hour drive as I have to go north 15 miles to the interstate and then west to the Raft River Valley and south to Almo. Couple of local tips- the Durfee Hot Springs in Almo is a fabulous place to soak after hiking or climbing in City of Rocks. Further, there is a great little steakhouse just south of Almo - End of the Road is what it used to be called as it is situated right where the highway pavement stops but never fear the dirt road can take you all the way to Yost, UT. In the summer time it usually has small cabins available for use. When open it is a pretty good place to get some decent grub after hiking/climbing and soaking at Durfee.

I am convinced that when Brother Brigham sent folks to colonize that area he had a foot race- instead of a stick pulling contest. He probably announced that some sorry ass pioneers had to head to some God forsaken place called Elba, Almo or Malta and that there would be a race and the top 10 finishers could stay in Utah or something. Then after the race he changed his mind and announced God had called the ten fastest to go settle that area. Year in and year out that place has the top track kids in our state. I am not talking the once a generation experience of an Idaho 1A school having 3 kids capable of competing in college track-but year in and year out Raft River has kids that are flat out fast. At the BYU High School meet my daughter was in the same 400 preliminary heat as Anna Camp's younger sister. Both were also in the finals so they got to be quite chummy by the end of the meet. After the race we were waiting for the girls by the medal podium and I got visiting with the Camps' parents- and sure enough Anna Camp's mother grew up in Raft River. Her dad is from Council so she got the wholesome goodness of both Paradis/Grapevine's older track coaching brother and Raft River coarsing through the veins of the Camp children- so now you know why that NCAA Champ can fly like the wind. I am pretty convinced if the world knew how many good things get their start in rural Idaho most of you would stop making fun of the place where I live........

[falafel]

I am pretty convinced if the world knew how many good things get their start in rural Idaho most of you would stop making fun of the place where I live........

The problem is they are counterbalanced by all of the bad things that come out of rural idaho...

[Pelado]

The problem is they are counterbalanced by all of the bad things that come out of rural idaho...

Since I came out of urban Idaho (or, at least, as urban as Idaho got back then), I'll presume you're not referring to me.

[falafel]

Since I came out of urban Idaho (or, at least, as urban as Idaho got back then), I'll presume you're not referring to me.

Indeed I am not. You are, at best, a wash.