EntropySink
Entertainment & Artistry => Sports/Outdoors & Manpoon => Topic started by: Jake on January 18, 2016, 07:20:28 PM
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Planning out our cali vacation this summer and came across this awesome video:
https://youtu.be/ZwzY1o_hB5Y
Anyway, here the rough draft of our vacation - 10-14 days
Start in San Fran
Napa Valley
Yosemite
Sequoia
Finish in LA
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All that in 10-14 days? Which places will you only go for a day or two and which ones will you stay longer?
Yosemite is awesome in person, not just video. You'll love it. Make reservations as soon as you can.
Do you have babysitters for the Napa leg? Because, you know, that might be more fun for just you and your wife.
What's the plan for LA? There are so many options (e.g. Disneyland, Hollywood, beaches, zoos, etc).
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All that in 10-14 days? Which places will you only go for a day or two and which ones will you stay longer?
Yosemite is awesome in person, not just video. You'll love it. Make reservations as soon as you can.
Do you have babysitters for the Napa leg? Because, you know, that might be more fun for just you and your wife.
What's the plan for LA? There are so many options (e.g. Disneyland, Hollywood, beaches, zoos, etc).
My best friend and his family are going with us as well. Originally this was supposed to be just a 7 day vacation - Yosemite and Sequoia NP were the main destinations. Now we have added Napa and LA. Planning just one day in Napa, and 2 days in LA the rest in the mountains. In SF we would only see the bridge, so only half a day in SF or so.
I cringe going to LA - but my friend's wife really wants to go. We'll do Hollywood. If she wants to do other things then we will probably split up and we'll go up the coast and hit some interesting beaches.
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Lots of crime in Yosemite. Keep your items close.
Are you planning any other long hikes, ethic?
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In SF we would only see the bridge, so only half a day in SF or so.
Are you flying into SFO or something? Seems like a big detour for it.
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In SF we would only see the bridge, so only half a day in SF or so.
Are you flying into SFO or something? Seems like a big detour for it.
yes, flying in to SFO. Flying out of LAX
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doing something like this: https://goo.gl/maps/qnxyewGeBA82
are there trails in YNP or SNP you guys recommend we hit. Can't be too strenuous because kids will be with us.
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That sounds like a good trip, well apportioned between those areas.
I've got lots of suggestions about Yosemite but not a lot of details that will help you take advantage. For example, I like going up to the overlook on the south side of the park, but I don't know what it's called or how to get there.
Also, when driving in through the main entrance. Go ahead and stop along the one way road where everybody else is stopping, and if you go too far consider taking 10-15 minutes to go back around or come there later. Do it near sunset if you can. That image is #1 on the list of the most beautiful and amazing images I've ever seen.
We have enjoyed biking around the main Yosemite Valley area, mostly towards Mirror Lake (you can rent bikes). This is a pretty easy ride and a way to get around without driving. It was easy enough for our 4 year old to do on her balance bike (except for one small overpass that was scary because she zoomed down it and couldn't stop). There are probably more advanced bike trails if your kids can handle it.
I don't know how much water the waterfalls will have, we always go in late summer or fall when Yosemite Falls is dry. There's Bridal Veil falls (I think) which is nice and usually has at least some water and has a decent hike that kids can handle.
There are plenty of other trails you can research, I'm sure you can get good information about which are best, but we haven't done many recently enough for me to recall.
I like Yosemite itself much better than the Sequoia National Forest, although it's not really a fair comparison. Sequoia might be nice if you just want to camp rather than "sight-see in nature". When we stayed there we spent a day doing sequoia specific stuff and the rest of time was just camping. My wife disagrees, though, telling me there were plenty of things she wants to go back and do. So... I'm no help. ;) Oh, but she did second the biking thing.
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thanks for the suggestions Charlie! The bike idea is great, do you recall if they rent bikes for kids?
Also, which is the "main" entrance. I googled but can't get a definite answer.
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thanks for the suggestions Knuck!
Look again!
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thanks for the suggestions Knuck!
Look again!
Haha, I had knuck on my mind from the woodworking thread
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Thantor, any suggestions from you regarding great hikes?
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Also, which is the "main" entrance. I googled but can't get a definite answer.
On the map you posted earlier, if you change it to Yosemite Valley, CA it will take you the right direction. Although there is an alternate entrance from the south that is really cool, too, but I don't see which is the right way to do that and you won't be coming from the south anyway.
do you recall if they rent bikes for kids?
I believe they do, but the last time we rode bikes we brought our own and the time before I think we didn't have kids.
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CDT (New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho+Montanna) in April hoping. Go over finances next month. I accept donations
I think that this would be my favorite one! Tell me how you can accept some money.
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also, ethic, how much money would you figure you would need for the entire trip?
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Thantor, any suggestions from you regarding great hikes?
The hikes I didn't wouldn't be good for kids. I went to Tahoe and El Dorado national forests with a map and supplies and started walking trails. Then I'd make a turn off and see what was out there and then eventually use the map and compass to find my way back to the trail. I've avoided Yosemite mainly because it is so popular and I want to get away.
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Rule of thumb is about $2/mile. CDT looks to be about 2,800 miles. So, $5,600 should cover it. Maybe. I don't know who who came up with that rule and how fast they hiked.
I'm setting that as my minimum, though. Hiking on a budget sucks. Gear breaks and needs replacing; sometimes you really need to spring for a few nights in a motel because you packed out cheese from the last town and it went bad and now you're super-sick.
I probably spent $400 just on 5-hour Energies, though I'm hoping to not have to rely on those as much this time.
I'll have to get a new down jacket though. The one I have now isn't adequate. The one I really want is the Western Mountaineering Flash, but it's a little expensive. Might have to go with something cheaper.
I would guess food would be the biggest part of that expense? $5.6K is a lot of money. What gear could break?
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I'll have to get a new down jacket though. The one I have now isn't adequate. The one I really want is the Western Mountaineering Flash, but it's a little expensive. Might have to go with something cheaper.
holy cow, it is only 8oz!!
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I'll have to get a new down jacket though. The one I have now isn't adequate. The one I really want is the Western Mountaineering Flash, but it's a little expensive. Might have to go with something cheaper.
holy cow, it is only 8oz!!
Out of curiosity I checked the weight of the last coat I got (http://amzn.com/B002GHCKKI) - and it shows it is 12oz. Seems much heavier than 12oz. But it is awesome.
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I expect to go through 6 pairs of shoes at $120 each (Altra Lone Peaks)
no shit? do you think there is a shoe out there that would last the entire trip?
Socks wear out fast, and those can be $15-$20/pair
good socks are expensive, that's true. A lot of people underestimate the importance of good socks. What do you wear?
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Go WOOL!
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Go WOOL!
for sure. Wool is the best. But if you can't afford wool just get something synthetic.
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I tried some Brooks Cascadias when I went back up there in August to finish that section I missed last year
you finished!? nice. Proud of you!
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The question I have is how do you find a job that is cool with you leaving for 5 months?
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well, instead of Cali we ended up booking a vacation in Mexico...
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Well, we didn't want you anyways :P
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Ha ha.
Good luck with that!
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but I want to go to the mountains!!!!
I think a lazy vacation is important too, however.
If things are good this year [read: $$$$] we will hit the mountains in August.