Summer vacation 2018 - head to the Southwest US and hit up as many National Parks/Monuments as we can, especially those with Junior Ranger Programs.
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7/30 Dinner near hotel Give kids pool time Do laundry Get breakfast supplies
7/31 spent in Grand Canyon
8/1 Leave 7ish, quick breakfast
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Stop Idea - Fudge Factory - seems kinda like Wall Drug (only smaller), 4 Star Rating on TripAdvisor
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Visitor's Center 9-5; JR Ranger program.
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I think this is probably the better lunch stop. I think the kids will find it cool. You eat on top of the interstate
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7 hr 40 min ETA 12:30pm (includes 50 min of stops) Get out and stretch. Ooh, aah. Back on road by 12:45
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This would be a look and see thing. It apparently used to be a diving board/slide for the pond but you can't swim in the pond anymore. Not sure this is worth the stop but maybe.
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40 min ETA 4:00pm (nonstop) Sodas - there is also restaurant but we probably won't be hungry. On the road again by 5:00
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4 hr 6 min ETA 9:00pm (plus any extra stops)
Leave hotel by 7am on Saturday. Head to Santa Fe to meet Schaffstein party and get lunch.
4815 Koester Road, Wadesville, Indiana, United States
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Try to depart at about 4am?
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Shuttle to Bandelier leaves from here.
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Visitor's Center 9:00-5:00 Main Loop 1.2 miles (1 hour) Alcove House additional 1 mile loop on Main Loop (1 hour) Falls Trail 3 miles round trip (rugged) JR Ranger program/Visitors center JR Ranger booklet already printed
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7/28 Arrive around 8-9 that evening. Leave 7:00-7:30 next morning head for El Malpais
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Visitor's Center: 9:00-5:00 1 hr 11 min (77.2 miles) Arrive 8:45 Hike to La Ventana Arch Visitor's Center - Jr Ranger program Drive Hwy 53 toward El Morro, stop at El Calderon sites hike to Double Sinks or maybe Bat Cave
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This is part of El Malpais. Recommended by coworker
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Visitor's Center: 9:00-6:00 46 min (44.3 miles) Arrive 10:45 Visitor's Center - Jr Ranger Hike: Inscription Trail .5 mile loop to pool and inscriptions/petroglyphs Headland Trail 2 miles - include inscription trail, pueblo ruins, warnings of steep drop offs on trail Picnic lunch in park Leave by 12:45 drive to Petrified Forest
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Visitor's Centers 8:00-5:00; Park Road 7:00-7:30 Arrive around 2 Stop at Painted Desert Visitor's Center for Jr Ranger Booklets Drive route through park - various pullouts Hike: Blue Mesa - 1 mile loop through painted desert Giant Logs .4 mile loop or Crystal Forest .75 mile loop Stop at Rainbow Forest Visitor's Center to swear in Jr Rangers Leave for Holbrook between 5-6
JR Ranger booklet already printed Also printed Jr Paleontologist booklet
