U.S. Southwest Parks

From San Francisco to Los Angeles, passing through Sequoia, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon. 2994 miles in 16 days.
We covered 3294 miles by car, nearly 4800 kilometers. We took a total of around 3,000 photos.

 

The flight

Pisa, at 05:50 check-in, 06:50 hours departure flight to Monaco of Bavaria with Air Dolomiti. Perfect time. So even from Monaco in San Francisco. Landed at 18:10, time for the west coast.
At the "ALAMO" we deliver the Dodge Grand Caravan 7 seats booked by Italy. Wrong way and we have a Treasure Island. The error is transformed into something pleasant before us stands the sky-line of San Francisco illuminated at night, it's fantastic. There are half a dozen limousines and buses as many loads of tourists. We do not stop much, it's late and we hurry to reach the hotel. In the end we arrive at the hotel.

At 06:30 am, I am alone to take pictures of the cars Cable Cars that staff hand-wheel on turntables for the reverse direction. I'll be back at the hotel and at 08:00 we are all to make the tickets (beautiful cards) for the Powell-Hyde line, 2 runs, roundtrip, for $ 7 each. The Cable Car and the roads that runs are incredible. Climbing with gradients up to 15%, is down on till the end of Hyde Sreet. A section on foot and we are at Fisherman's Wharf, the old port of fishermen re for tourism.
We go to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. There are dozens and dozens, everyone on the rafts, basking in a sun that does not exist and, indeed, for us freddino ago, although Nuvoli are thinning. Let us return to us and we bring the car: the direction of Golden Gate. We stop first at the Vista Point on the south side and photos are wasting. Cross the bridge and decide to climb the hill on the left where we see lots of cars. We go out right, do the ramp and through an underpass, we start to climb. While advancing the landscape is becoming more beautiful, but we will stop only where it can no longer go ahead if not on foot. The scenery is exhilarating, with just a veil of mist, San Francisco is in front of us with the beauty of the sky-line. The Golden Gate, the Downtown skyscraper with a pyramid. Alcatraz in the middle of the bay and hundreds of sailboats. Sorry to leave these beauties, but Heading in the car and travels through the bridge to the south, after you pay the toll. Then descend the Lombard Srteet and go up to Telegraph Hill.

We make breakfast in a small bar opposite the terminus of the Powell Street Cable Cars, cappuccino better than yesterday and a huge pasta blueberries to spend $ 7 per person. We have to go 380 miles to the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park and about another 100 to Three Rivers. We arrive in front of the Kings National Park at 15:00, to travel 380 km took 6 hours, but we paused for at least 2. There is a ranger with a wide hat, greets us with a smile. We buy the National Park Pass for $ 50, a card that will allow us to enter by car and 6 people on board in all national parks and save a lot, to hold that a vehicle with a maximum of 6 people paying $ 20 in each national park. Let the 1st stage in Grant Grove to see the General Grant Tree, on SR 180. But it is going to Sequoia National Park (the two parks are being attacked and in fact are one), along a mountain road, the SR198 Scenic Byway "Higway Generals" that the forest becomes more and more films. We stop at the General Sherman Tree, the Tunnel Log, Parker Group and in all the most famous. Tunnel Log to do three laps with the car (there is a loop) to make us the photos. Then, finally, go on Moro Rock. We arrive to the hotel, the Holiday Inn in Three Rivers EXPESS with the thick darkness.

This morning we drive about 480 km. to get in Death Valley. First stop the Sand Dunes, then up to Furnace Creek where we have the hotel.

We put ourselves on the road and the first step to Badwater. We follow the SR 178 and arrive at the lowest point of the United States, 282 feet (85.5 meters) below sea level. We are unlucky because we Zabriskye Point "closed", as well as Artist and Artist Palette Drive. We visit the Golden Canyon and then navigate throughout the Valley of Death on SR178 to reach Las Vegas. After about 150 km and 2 hours of travel we arrive in the city of the game. We visit all that is possible, and particularly in New York - New York, go up on the "Manhattan Express", the roller coaster that reaches 105 km / hour.

We visit the Venetian dall'Aladin through the Bellagio and Luxor. Then we witness the "mixed" by Cirque du Soleil. Let's go back around, and then the tower of Statosphere. We buy a package that includes lifting and two "thrill", "Big Shot" and "X-Scream." Alone on the panoramic terrace, 350 meters high, with Las Vegas full of lights at the foot, is a spectacle.

410 km. forward. We will do it in 6 hours, including transit to Zion National Park. Also visit the Red Canyon and enter 15.30 in Bryce Canyon. We do this by Raimbow Point and then go back and stop all the Point to Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. But here we take a hailstorm that forces us to go back to the hotel.

Snows. Furthermore we are almost 3000m. We leave for Moab, and before the snow and then rain accompanying us to the hotel. Book rafting Fisher Tower from the Moab Adventure Center, the day after.

In the morning we get up there and the sun. Morning visit the Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park in the afternoon and Arches National Park. We make the first step to Mesa Arch Then up to Green River Overlook and then to Grand View Point. We go out to Island in the Sky and enter the Dead Horse Point State Park. Arches come in that are 15:30. Two photos at Park Avenue and the Courthouse Tower, then go to the Balanced Rock. Double Arch, Delicate Arch and the most famous. Let's go back to the hotel by dark.

Rafting. Truly immersive and adrenaline, overcoming waves of 2 meters is funny.

Today we do not have to travel several kilometers, from a Mexican Hat Moab there are 180 and another 30 to get to the Monument Valley. Pass before the Moke Dugway and Mule Point. In the afternoon we enter into Monument Valley stop at all the most famous, the Three Sisters, the John Ford Point, which offers an exceptional view and really expected to see the diligence of the pursuit of the Red Shadows. The Hub Pool Totem and we can only admire from afar, to come close and be able to see Yei Bichei Sand Spring and the need to go on foot or on horseback with a guide. Then The Thumb and North Window and Artist Point.

Today, Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon. Total 680km. A visit Mesa Verde Cliff Palace and arrive at Grand Canyon at sunset.

In the morning we do a tour by helicopter and in the afternoon we visit the entire East Rim, from Bright Angel Rest in Ermita. It 'a great show.

Today we get to Disneyland. Before we make a short detour on Route 66 to Seligman.

Whole day at Disneyland. There a fun world with all the attractions and the spectacle of the fireworks finale is magnificent.

Today visit Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

Prior to Venice and then deliver the car to the airport and so to return to Italy.