Travel suggestions

[esdramaqueen]

I am taking two big trips this year, both of which I am very excited!

In August, I'm heading to Yellowstone.
In October, I'm heading to Jordan (Petra, Amman, Dead Sea).

Anyone been to either or both places? If yes, do you have any must-sees for me to photograph (other than the very obvious)? Restaurants? Things to do?

Thanks for the feedback, in advance!
E.

[PEC]

Be sure to hit Grand Teton's while at Yellowstone (they are right next to each other). IMO, Grand tetons are much better for scenics and Yellowstone is better for wildlife. Although you may see moose in Grand Tetons and nice scenes in Yellowstone.

It doesn't get much better then Schabaker Landing (GTNP) in the early morning... hike back to the beaver ponds and get incrediable pics of the tetons with reflections in the pond/river.

A word of caution in Yellowstone... be cautious around the buffalo... they may look like domestic cattle but more visitors are injured by buffalo then anything else in the park.

West Thumb Basin (YNP) is incredible at dawn with the steam from the gysers and morning sun peaking over the horizon.

My mom just got back from Jordan 2 weeks ago. Petra is now on my list of must see places.

Sounds like a great year for photography :) Enjoy!

[venchka]

Stay in the Greater Yellowstone Area through October or return in October.
Fuhgettabout Jordan.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[PEC]

Please be forewarned also that the dangerous wildlife known as "Children on summer vacation" will be roaming throughout Yellowstone in high numbers as this is part of the migratory pattern.... think of them like the black crows we see in the thousands that take over parking lots....

I'm guessing fewer kids in Grand Tetons :)

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by PEC

Please be forewarned also that the dangerous wildlife known as "Children on summer vacation" will be roaming throughout Yellowstone in high numbers as this is part of the migratory pattern.... think of them like the black crows we see in the thousands that take over parking lots....

I'm guessing fewer kids in Grand Tetons :)

Good to know for future reference. Thankfully, we are past having to plan vacations around school schedules, so I think I can avoid this issue.

Haven't been to either (wow, Venchka, is this a first for me to admit?). Both are on my list.

[venchka]

The children are less noticeable than the herds of bus borne tourists.
If you need to see world class desert rock formations and inland bodies of salt water go to Utah.

Lisa, September is a wonderful time anywhere along the Continental Divide. Avoid the herds of blue hairs. Grinning!

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by venchka

The children are less noticeable than the herds of bus borne tourists.
If you need to see world class desert rock formations and inland bodies of salt water go to Utah.

Lissa, September is a wonderful time anywhere along the Continental Divide. Avoid the herds of blue hairs. Grinning!

Yes, got to start thinking about a fall destination!

Although, I was giving some thought to Quebec and Montreal. Or, back to Buenos Aires. I think I've almost rebuilt my miles to get there. But, man, I am missing seeing some of the beauty of Utah.

[Carl Stone]

Originally Posted by venchka

The children are less noticeable than the herds of bus borne tourists.
If you need to see world class desert rock formations and inland bodies of salt water go to Utah.

Lissa, September is a wonderful time anywhere along the Continental Divide. Avoid the herds of blue hairs. Grinning!

While I do like that time for many places, it's likely to be too late for some of the more northern hot spots like Glacier Park. GP, at the Going to the Sun Hwy summit enjoys a whopping 2 week growing season, which is another way of saying that you could very easily find your butt snow bound in September.

[biggin]

September in Teton and Yellowstone was wonderful last year. Nights get a bit chilly but a great time to see the parks. We were told we got there after the crowds and some of the areas were CROWDED… I could not imagine being there during peak times. Old Faithful would be near unbearable IMO.

Get everywhere early, eat lunch at 10:30-11, dinner as early as you can, reservations will be a must. Good places to eat? Good luck… maybe I am spoiled with the places I have been but, the food in Yellowstone and Tetons was not good. We tried about everywhere (was a little surprised at how few places to eat there were)… I have a buddy who lived there for 4 years, gave me a list of the “must dos” and honestly, we spent a lot of money on food that was not that good. The food was my only real complaint about the park….well that and construction…road construction in the Tetons was a nightmare. That being said, I am going to try and get back this Sept.-Oct. and will be packing my own food for cooking.

Must see in Yellowstone and Tetons? Depends on what you want... It is hard to go anywhere and be disappointed, be prepared for long travel time in the park, think 20 minutes a mile... a 4 mile trip in a car can take an hour, at night 2 hours. When we got there I would see “Oh, its only 4.2 miles, we can run over there”, between buffalo stops, people stopping to look at 1 of the billion trees, cops pulling people over, any of the other distractions… it takes a while to get from place to place.

We camped in Tetons about 2 miles from the Teton - Yellowstone border. Seemed like we would spend 4-8 hours a day in the car, next time I will be doing a lot more walking.

Lamar Valley to our campsite in the day was 2ish hours, 4 at night; we did the trip 4 out of 8 nights.

As said before Tetons has some great scenic areas, wildlife harder to take pictures of. But it is the best place to find moose. I think you will get closer to animals in the Tetons. Yellowstone was more long-range.

I also think taking 1 tour was well worth the time and money; it gives a lot of ideas and completely changed our itinerary. Maps are plentiful; workers are typically friendly and more then willing to help you.

Lamar Valley to find the wolves... easy to find the wolf watchers... Do not worry you can not miss them. Herds of buffalo and all sorts of misc other animals to be found, we spent most evening in the valley.

If you see masses of people stopped it is not a bad idea to stop…something interesting is probably happening. Seemed like everywhere we went something interesting was going on. It is a wonderful trip, one of the few that I am looking forward to doing again.

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by Carl Stone

While I do like that time for many places, it's likely to be too late for some of the more northern hot spots like Glacier Park. GP, at the Going to the Sun Hwy summit enjoys a whopping 2 week growing season, which is another way of saying that you could very easily find your butt snow bound in September.

That means I'm just one day closer to ski season!

[iCe]

Originally Posted by PEC

Be sure to hit Grand Teton's while at Yellowstone (they are right next to each other). IMO, Grand tetons are much better for scenics and Yellowstone is better for wildlife. Although you may see moose in Grand Tetons and nice scenes in Yellowstone.

It doesn't get much better then Schabaker Landing (GTNP) in the early morning... hike back to the beaver ponds and get incrediable pics of the tetons with reflections in the pond/river.

A word of caution in Yellowstone... be cautious around the buffalo... they may look like domestic cattle but more visitors are injured by buffalo then anything else in the park.

West Thumb Basin (YNP) is incredible at dawn with the steam from the gysers and morning sun peaking over the horizon.

My mom just got back from Jordan 2 weeks ago. Petra is now on my list of must see places.

Sounds like a great year for photography :) Enjoy!

+1 Schwabakers Landing except it's been shot about a gillion times. A gillion and one counting me



It's good for beaver, eagles, and moose too. There are wolves in the area. The closest that we got to them was about a mile. The old barns on the opposite side of the road have been shot numerous times but it's worth doing.



I was in YSNP a day before the main part of the park closed last year. It was empty but one day is not enough to see much. However, it's enough to call you back...

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Eating is either in West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole but the best place in the parks to grab a drink and a view is the little restaurant in MOOSE Wyoming-killer view of the Tetons from the bar (also have decent food). I would stay away from most of the "food places associated with the lodges in the parks-overpriced and nothing to write home about", so buy some items to snack on and make sandwiches during the day.

As to what to shoot, just do 360's anywhere you are at and you should find something to shoot.

Speed Limit is both parks is 40 mph and that is for a good reason- many many times you may have an animal pop out of the forest and if your going fast then 40 you will most likely make contact with it!

Not much shooting after sunset unless you have a full moon.

You will be surrounded with TOURISTS in August- that is why I go in April/May!

[Carl Stone]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

Eating is either in West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole but the best place in the parks to grab a drink and a view is the little restaurant in MOOSE Wyoming-killer view of the Tetons from the bar (also have decent food). I would stay away from most of the "food places associated with the lodges in the parks-overpriced and nothing to write home about", so buy some items to snack on and make sandwiches during the day.

As to what to shoot, just do 360's anywhere you are at and you should find something to shoot.

Speed Limit is both parks is 40 mph and that is for a good reason- many many times you may have an animal pop out of the forest and if your going fast then 40 you will most likely make contact with it!

Not much shooting after sunset unless you have a full moon.

You will be surrounded with TOURISTS in August- that is why I go in April/May!

Also a great time in the California wine country. It's crushing season, and sometimes you can get reduced pricing on existing inventory to make room for the new vintage. That, plus less people to get in your way, is a strong attraction for folks like me.

[venchka]

Y'all are picky or things were better in 1980s & 1990s. We had nice meals. Sure, the Hamilton Stores fast food was ....... well.........fast food. No worse and no better than any fast food. The dining room at The Lake Hotel was great. Signal Mountain Lodge was good too. Best ever National Park dining: Canadian Rockies. The thing to remember: You're in the middle of nowhere. Without the Hamilton Stores food, gas, lodging, etc., you would be hosed. It's a long way to anything resembling a town. Speaking of towns, unless you are a fan of Gatlinburg, West Yellowstone, MT can be avoided. The Silver Dollar Bar in Jackson is fun. They have bands at night.

[iCe]

Probably should also mention that you don't want to keep food in your car. If you park where there are bears (like in the park) there's a chance that the bear will try to get to the food. Actually, they won't try, they will get to it.