Travel Tuesday Hiking Flume Gorge in New Hampshire

Today for my Travel Tuesday post I am taking you on a hike in Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire.  This is the Flume Gorge Trail.  This is a nice and easy 2 mile hike that anyone can do.  However, if you have a fear of heights, it might not be something for you.  But if your fears not too bad, go for it, its worth it.

I took this hike in September, which is why the leaves are just starting to change.  This is my favorite time of year in New England, as things are still green but some areas are just starting to sprout those beautiful and brilliant fall colors.

I should note, for those who cannot walk 2 miles there is a shuttle bus that can take you most of the way up to the gorge.
First off, you'll get to walk next to this cute covered bridge, I love covered bridges!

The trail takes you along the river that comes from the Flume Gorge above.

Beautiful granite rocks stand out as the water runs down them.

You'll begin walking up the gorge, on these wooden bridges built right into the granite rocks.  The rocks shoot up 70- 90 feet above you.  Covered in moss, it is absolutely beautiful.

There are quite a few stairs as you climb your way up the gorge.

There are bridges that cut across back and forth, so you have lots of opportunities to break out your camera.

If your lucky, you'll hit it on a day that it is less crowded so you can just stop and enjoy the beautiful peaceful surroundings.

You'll have lots of picture views, both above and below the gorge.

Lot's of waterfalls.

More covered bridges:)

Make sure you take all the little side trails, they lead to some spectacular views!

This picture above, is one of my favorites that I took that day!

IF YOU GO:
*  It does cost to go on this hike.  When I went it was $15 for each adult.
*  Bring your camera
*  This is a seasonal place, check with their website to make sure they are open.
*  The hike is in Franconia Notch State Park, so there is plenty more to do and see if you visit the area!

Travel - Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley

Today for Travel Tuesday, I'd like to take you on an adventure through Southern Utah and the bordering corner of Arizona.

First we travel to Lake Powell, Utah the Wahweap area near the dam.  If you are not familiar with Lake Powell, this is a lake along the route of the Colorado River.  It's the second largest man made reservoir in the U.S.  (The first being Lake Mead in Nevada)
Lake Powell is famous for boaters, fishermen and tourists who enjoy hiking.

The Wahweap Campground

This picture was taken from a top of the dam walkway.  Just down the river from here you'll hit Lee's Ferry, which has some amazing fly fishing opportunities!

If you do not own a boat, or cannot afford a houseboat tour, you can still see some pretty incredible vista's of the lake by driving around the Southern Utah/Arizona boarder areas.

Although all portions of this area are beautiful.  Antelope Canyon is pretty much the crown jewel of this trip.

Antelope Canyon is owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, you'll need to obtain all permits and tours through their offices.

These particular pictures are taken at the Upper East Waterholes.  However, there is also a Lower Antelope Canyon, tours and permits are separate.  They will take you out on 4 wheel trucks through the sand roads, and drive you right up to this entrance.

Early morning is the best time of day (in my opinion) to take these tours.

Although these pictures are not the best, because I didn't take the digital camera with me on this trip, a camera tip while in a slot canyon is NO FLASH.

A lot of people know I love slot canyons, and fortunately living in Utah I get to experience a lot of them.  Some are more difficult to get into than others.  This particular canyon is hiker and family friendly, meaning no experience other than the ability to walk or be carried through is needed.

Depending on the time of day, the rocks will look entirely different in color.  One hour they can look red, the next pink or orange as well as many shades in those colors.

Standing in these light beams made me feel like I was an angel from a T.V. show that was all lit up.  It was kind of fun.

This is the back of the slot canyon and the exit.

After visiting Lake Powell and spending an early morning hiking slot canyons on the Arizona/Utah boarder.  Drive back into Utah and visit one of the 10 wonders of the world and see Monument Valley.

I think you can see all you will want to see in Monument Valley, as well as the Valley of Fire in 2 days.  You'll have to buy a car pass to visit this area.  There is both exploration and hiking on your own, as well as guided tours.  However, you can see a lot of this on your own even with in the comfort of your own car, and get out and hike as you would like.

Take a lot of water with you out hiking.  In the spring and summer and even fall it can get quite hot.  However, in the winter it can get quite cold, so plan accordingly.

These are just 3 area's you can visit.  But if you have a longer time.  Area's of interest within the area.
* Hike The Wave (Slot Canyon) Permits are required and must be obtained before arriving.
* Visiting the famous Four Corners Monument - Where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet.
* Visit the Goosenecks State Park
* See the Mexican Hat Rock Formation
* Visit Navajo National Monument - Tons of hiking and views of ancient Indian Dwellings
*  If you enjoy seeing Indian Ruins there are plenty in this part of Canyon Country!

If you go:
- If you are flying in, I'd recommend the St. George, Utah Airport and you can take a beautiful drive over.  However, you could also fly into Page, Arizona which would put you right next to the Lake Powell area I mentioned above.
- If driving, no matter which direction you come you will have plenty of scenic views, but make sure you bring plenty of water, and fill up on gas as some service areas out here are a bit far apart.  I'd also recommend a well tuned vehicle so you don't risk any overheating.
- All area's above mentioned do require fee's, and there is not a 1 pass for all.  Visit their websites and plan accordingly while budgeting for this trip.
- For this area, I'd recommend 5-7 days.  This way you can get out and explore and you won't have to rush your trip.

Visit Haleakala National Park

For Travel Tuesday I'd like to take you to Haleakala.

Haleakala National Park is located in Maui, Hawaii.  This is one of those places that even though being on the small Island of Maui, those who visit the Hawaiian destination often overlook Haleakala.

First, if you are going to go if you really want to get a chance to see the best views of the park, you are going to have to get up early.  I got up to leave around 4 a.m. but many will get up to make the drive around 3:30 a.m.  (My trip was in January, different times of year the time you will need to get up will vary.)

Second, even though you are in Maui, you'll want a good warm jacket, or blanket and even gloves and a hat to keep you warm.  The temperatures at the top before sunrise or after sunset can be below freezing.

You'll take a bit of a drive, up a very dark and very curvy road as you basically climb in elevation from sea level up to around 10,000 feet.
Park in the parking lot and walk over to the viewing area, and wait in the icy cold wind in the dark at the overlook with the other park visitors.  Get your camera's ready, because what you are about to see is spectacular.

First you'll start to see the yellow glow of the sun as it rises and lights the puffy clouds below you.  While the old volcano's will start to take shape in the area below you.

Each second during those minutes of the morning you will watch as the sun starts to move up and catches the clouds and each cloud will start to look as if the edges are lighting on fire.

It's literally a spectacle that is fit exactly for the word BREATHTAKING!

I bet if you have a extremely fancy camera you're pictures will turn out better than mine.  But even if you just have a digital camera that cost a bit less than $200, you'll still be able to capture pictures like these.

Once the sun is up over the clouds, the scene changes quickly.  As the clouds begin to slowly fade away until they are non-existent.  In return the temperature starts to warm, and you won't feel like your nose is about to fall off.
Once the sunrise is over, you can take a drive further up the road, and hike around to stand on top of Haleakala's tallest peak.  At which you'll have fabulous views of the island and even all the way to the big island of Hawaii.

After, I suggest taking the day to hike around and explore Haleakala.  There are plenty of hiking trails, and yes it does warm up:)  You can even arrange to take a bike trip down the steep curvy road to Haleakala National Park.

You can also stop at the different look outs, and view the old volcano's and hike around the old cinder desert.  It's beautiful, and so full of different colors.  You'll love it!

You're park pass is good for 3 days, so after you can go the next day up the Road to Hana (I'll have to do a separate travel post on this area next week.) There you will be able to visit the other side of Haleakala National Park, which is a total transformation from the desert area, to lush tropical forests.

MY TIPS IF YOU GO

Get up early, don't try to sleep in until the last possible minute.  Once the parking lot at the top fills up it is closed off, and you may have driven all that way and miss the spectacle of the sunrise.

Bring a warm jacket and gloves as well as a stocking hat.  Just small items to fit into your suitcase that will otherwise be filled with beach gear.  But honestly, if I didn't have gloves with that cold wind, I wouldn't have been able to stand taking any pictures.

Check the weather first before you go.  Although my pictures and my morning ended up being ideal, it isn't always that.  It could be freezing rain or yes even snow.  You can't control the clouds or lack of, it's probably a different experience for everyone.

Bring lots of water if you plan on hiking and definitely bring your camera!!!

Plan to spend the day, or at least half the day.  Don't think you can do both this and the road to Hana in one day.  I'm sure you could, but you won't have any time to stop and see anything, as you'd barely have enough time to drive the two roads.

As for driving, if your rental car has a lower gear when coming down off the mountain put it in the lowest gear so you can avoid using the break.  If you don't have this option, try to keep your pace slow and avoid pushing on that break as much as possible.  For me, I popped it into a lower gear and didn't have to use the break except for the couple of times I caught up to other vehicles.

Aren't the pictures amazing!  Can you believe that so many people go to Maui, Hawaii and stick with the beaches and never get to see these amazing Maui sights!  Pure crazy, huh!