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Nevada, Utah, Arizona Road Trip
Are you considering taking a road trip out west? Don’t miss these iconic places!
First stop: LAS VEGAS! Las Vegas is spectacular, even if you aren’t into the neon lights. You wont regret making a quick pit stop here... who knows maybe you’ll even win some money for your trip. Definitely try to spend a day at a pool party and exploring the extravagant casinos. Don’t forget to hit the Fabulous Las Vegas Welcome Sign on your way out.
Once you’ve had enough partying it’s time to head to the dessert.
My advice is to rent a car using Turo after you’re done at Vegas. Only rent a car on Turo if you plan to return to Las Vegas, because this is someone’s personal car. Don’t rent until you plan to leave Las Vegas. You really won’t need it on the strip.. parking is complicated and everything is in walking distance.
Second stop: THE VALLEY OF FIRE! Head 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas and you hit the Valley. Located in the Mojave Dessert, I recommend getting a convertible so you can get the most out of the views. Try to get here before noon because it gets extremely hot during the day. Make sure to stop by the Visitors Center and they will give you the best recommendations for the time of year you’re visiting at.
Third stop: ZION NATIONAL PARK! Zion is about 2.5 - 3 hours northeast of the Valley of Fire. Try to get here around sunset for some stunning views. If you’re into hiking and camping I highly recommend bringing a tent to camp right outside the park. If not, you can find an affordable hotel about 1 mile out of the park. Once you arrive take a sunset drive through the park for astonishing views. Definitely wake up early the next day, and check out some local restaurants and shops. The head straight to The Narrows. The Narrows is a strenuous hike through Zion. If you only plan on spending a few hours checking out the park then I recommend doing the shorter hikes. There are several, You should stay here for 2 days minimum to get the full experience.
Fourth stop: KAYAKING LAKE POWELL! Approximately 2 hours from Zion... Lake Powell is a man made reservoir stretching from Utah to Arizona. You can catch some stunning views from the middle of the “lake”. There are many rental companies in the area. You can rent paddle boards, boats, kayaks, jetskis, etc. The company will charge you a slight extra fee for delivering the kayaks to the boat ramp but it will be a necessary expense if you rented a convertible.
Fifth stop: HORSESHOE BEND! This was by far one of the most interesting places I have ever been. Located in Page, Arizona (about 30 minutes southwest of Lake Powell Kayaking) it is actually part of the Colorado River as well. Try to make it here for sunset, you will get the best pictures. When you pull into the parking lot there is a small fee per car. You will need to walk about 1 mile to the lookout (don’t forget your camera). Find a place to sleep halfway between here and the southern rim of the Grand Canyon.
Sixth and final stop: GRAND CANYON! Try to make it to the Grand Canyon as early as possible because it does tend to get very crowded. The southern rim is open 24 hours, so you won’t have issues getting there too early. Enjoy your day driving around and checking out the incredible views. At some point it will be time to head back to Las Vegas. On your drive home don’t forget to hit Route 66.
Enjoy your trip out west! I took this road trip in August 2020, and some unusual regulations were in place due to Covid-19. I recommend hitting the Seven Magic Mountains, Antelope Canyon, and the Hoover Dam if they are open now in 2021. Stay tuned for more travel advice!
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Insider Scoop on Packing for Everest Base Camp
Congratulations you’ve considered trekking to Everest Base Camp! This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Trekking in the Himalayas is quite the undertaking. It can be intimidating and unpredictable but so thrilling at the same time. You will have absolutely no regrets if you pack smart.
I distinctly remember packing was more stressful than the trek itself. My packing stress was deeply rooted in my lack of knowledge about daily life on the trek.
So here is what I wish I knew before I started packing.
Your typical day will look something like this: wake up at 6:00 a.m., head down to the communal kitchen for breakfast. Trek anywhere from 3-5 hours, stop somewhere for lunch, trek again for 3-5 hours, eat dinner at the town you’ve arrived at, and head to bed. Typically your mornings will be very chilly, especially as you get higher in elevation. However, each Tea House bedroom provides you with twin beds, a pillow, and a bed sheet. Always wear layers when you’re sleeping. Depending on what month you go in it may be helpful to sleep with your water bottle (to prevent it from freezing).
It goes without saying to bring layers. This will include a down jacket (which you can rent in Kathmandu for a cheap price), a hat/ gloves, multiple pairs of wool socks, and comfortable shoes. Aside from clothing it will be helpful to bring sunscreen, bug spray, polarized sunglasses, and plenty of protein bars.
However... on the insider scoop, here are 6 things you cannot leave without:
1.) Solar Charger
It is rare to find outlets in the Tea Houses (hotels on the trek are called Tea Houses). It is inevitable your camera and Go-pro will die, especially in the cold temperatures. I tied my solar charger to my backpack while trekking. Even on cloudy days it was able to charge. This allowed me to utilize the charger in rooms without outlets.
2.) Pillow Case
Thankfully the rooms come with pillow cases. However there are no washing machines in the Himalayas to regularly wash the pillow cases. You will be sharing the pillow case with more people than you know. Trekkers are not showering. Bring your own pillow case to ensure some type of hygiene while sharing beds.
3.) Filtered Water Bottle
Most Tea Houses have running water but it lacks filtration. It is unsafe to drink or brush your teeth with this water. A life straw will save you money. This will also help reduce the amount of water bottles you purchase on the trek.
4.) Probiotics
Nepalese food is cooked with tap water and has a high likelihood to carry bacteria our bodies are unfamiliar with. Probiotics will ensure proper digestion and reduce your risk of getting sick on the trek. Additionally, I do not recommend consuming meat on the trek. The Everest Base Camp Trek is a no kill zone, which means the meat is killed elsewhere and carried up by foot to the tea houses. Probiotics can help combat food borne illness but avoiding meat is the safest solution.
5.) Journal
One of the most important things you can do while trekking is to keep a daily log. After a long day of trekking it is nice to sit down and reflect on your journey. The trek is demanding both mentally and physically. You will grow immensely on this journey, it will be helpful to journal. Your future self will thank you.
6.) Toilet Paper
Do not go overboard but one or two rolls will last you. You can easily find cheap options on the trek but it’s nice to have good quality toilet paper from home.
Here are 5 things you should leave at home:
1.) Heavy Trekking Boots
If you’re a regular hiker, you know what works best for you. Most websites advice you to buy heavy trekking boots to combat the cold and difficult terrain. I would say the opposite. A comfortable, lightweight, supportive shoe will do the trick. They get dirty so white is not a good option.
2.) Expensive Trekking Glasses
Completely unnecessary to buy mountain glasses. All you need is a comfortable pair of UV500 polarized sunglasses. The sun is strong and will damage your retina if you stare directly at it. Snow blindness is also common as you get into the higher elevation. Be cautious and always wear your polarized glasses outside.
3.) Wifi/ SIM Card
The point of the trek is to escape reality and go off the grid. There are cheap SIM cards for sale in Kathmandu and wifi for sale at each Tea House. I would recommend using your phone for pictures and leave the social media at home. View this experience as a spiritual moment in time,. Utilize your opportunity to escape reality.
4.) Sleeping Bag
As I said before the bedrooms come with enough layers to keep you warm. Carrying a sleeping bag can be heavy and slow you down. The goal is to pack as light and smart as possible. Avoid renting one in Lukla because they tend to be expensive and you will barley use it.
5.) Hand Warmers
As long as you bring thermal gloves (which will be necessary in the mornings or on a very chilly day), the hand warmers are unnecessary. They will just add weight to the bag.
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