Day by Day


Started with a primary goal of viewing Total Solar Eclipse from somewhere on the line of Totality in Idaho or Wyoming, this trip expanded to a 3000 mile National Park expedition from Aug 17 to Aug 23.  Given the distances, it only made sense to make stops along the way and enjoy nature and do some sightseeing.
  • Day 1 - Visit Yosemite and Mono Lake, overnight at Tonopah, NV (420 miles)
    - Yosemite valley was smokey due to fires down in Mariposa.  Glacier point was closed due to fire danger, and although there was water in all waterfalls, it was nothing like the full glory earlier in the season.
    - Mono Lake is a beautiful looking lake that you should stay away from due to its salinity and acidity.  Tufas are worth a visit.
  • Day 2 - Drive across rest of Nevada, visit Kolob/Zion and Cedar Breaks, overnight at Panguitch, UT (463 miles)
    - Although part of Zion NP, Kolob Canyons have a completely different feel to it.
    - If you haven't been to Bryce, you'd be impressed by Cedar Breaks.  Towering at 10000 feet, this compact valley is good for sunsets - weather permitting.
    - Panguitch was possibly the worst place to stay.  Although reasonably comfortable, but pricey, hotels are available, there are very few services conveniently located.
    - General Stores, not supermarkets, are your friends, if you can find them.  Buying ingredients for sandwiches and carrying them in a cooler is much more flexible, efficient and inexpensive solution than having to drive around to find a place to eat.
  • Day 3 - Visit Bryce, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands, overnight at Moab, UT (464 miles)
    - Bryce is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise from, and always a mesmerizing place to visit.
    - Capitol Reef is probably one you could skip, but since it was on our way to Moab, it was worth a couple of hours.
    - Canyonlands is a very large park - mostly undeveloped, with Island in the Sky near Moab being most visited.  Landscape carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers is unique though compared with Grand Canyon.  Mesa Arch is famous and worth a visit.
    - In complete contrast to Panguitch, Moab caters well to tourists visiting Arches only 5 miles away.
  • Day 4 - Visit Arches, overnight at Ogden/Layton (271 miles)
    - Arches is way too far to get to, and therefore had escaped me for so many years.  This time, we made it and wanted to make sure we spend as much time as needed to see it.  Unfortunately, the Windows Section was closed for repairs.  The rest of the park is still impressive and full of arches of shapes and sizes.
    - In yet another contrast to Panguitch, Layton had numerous dining choices within one large block, as well as Target Grocery.  
  • Day 5 - Eclipse at Thornton, ID, Yellostone PM, overnight at Gardiner, MT
    - Eclipse, Eclipse, Eclipse!
    - After that, as much time as needed to enjoy Yellowstone - my top choice any day.  To avoid traffic, we skipped southwest arm of the figure "8" of Grand Loop and covered the top loop this afternoon.
    - We overnighted just outside the North Entrance, past the Roosevelt Arch, in the town of Gardiner, MT.  All places had jacked up prices in anticipation of Eclipse crowds.  This was the most reasonable, yet expensive, AirBnB RV location we could find.
  • Day 6 - Yellowstone am, overnight at Jackpot, NV (531 miles)
    - Covering the west side of figure "8" and up to West Thumb, it is impressive to see Yellowstone's geysers and other thermal features in full action.  Half of all of the world's geysers are located here.
    - Drove down 5 1/2 hours to Jackpot, NV for a restful sleep.  That made tomorrow's drive much more manageable 600 miles or 9 hours, though it was very hot outside.
  • Day 7 - Return Home (920 miles)

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