Our Family Travels and Activities
- Thread starter Dougnuts
- Start date
Dougnuts
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Our next big trip was in the fall of 2022 and the first stop was in Hocking Hills, OH. Hurricane Ian was moving up through Ohio. Thankfully, most of the drive north was spent just to the west of all the rain. We hiked at Hocking Hills State Park and Ash Cave.
Dougnuts
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After a hotel stay near Hocking Hills, we drove up to Erie, PA for some hiking and a two night stay. We did some hiking on Presque Isle State Park and also hiked up Wintergreen Gorge, to science hill, a to the Gorge Overlook.
Gorge Overlook:
At Bicentennial Tower:
Bicentennial Tower at night:
From Presque Isle State Park:
Gorge Overlook:
At Bicentennial Tower:
Bicentennial Tower at night:
From Presque Isle State Park:
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Dougnuts
Well-known member
Continued from Presque Isle State Park:
Erie Land Lighthouse (not on Presque Isle)
We usually took the F150 on road trips, but I chose to take the 2015 Subaru 3.6R since I had just installed a thorough suspension refresh. It received Bilstein B6 shocks, Rallitek lift, Nameless strut bar, Whiteline camber plates, KMC wheels, and Falken Wildpeak tires.
Erie Land Lighthouse (not on Presque Isle)
We usually took the F150 on road trips, but I chose to take the 2015 Subaru 3.6R since I had just installed a thorough suspension refresh. It received Bilstein B6 shocks, Rallitek lift, Nameless strut bar, Whiteline camber plates, KMC wheels, and Falken Wildpeak tires.
Dougnuts
Well-known member
From the Maid of the Mist:
From Canada:
The Niagara Parks Power Station was impressive. It was amazing that we built things of this scale in the late 1800's. They had recently opened The Tunnel, which was reached via elevator and let you walk down to nearly water level.
We also did Journey Behind the Falls:
From Canada:
The Niagara Parks Power Station was impressive. It was amazing that we built things of this scale in the late 1800's. They had recently opened The Tunnel, which was reached via elevator and let you walk down to nearly water level.
We also did Journey Behind the Falls:
Dougnuts
Well-known member
The next trip out west was with the whole family, in October of 2023. My wife is not a fan of road trips, so we flew to Denver and rented a 4Runner on Turo.
After visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater and hiking the loop, we jumped in the car and headed west on I70 until we got to Glenwood Springs. While planning the trip, I really wanted to visit the hot springs. Adding the cost of a hotel room to the cost of getting into the hot springs, it cost the same to just say at the resort, so that's what we did. The trip was timed the trip perfectly to see the Aspen trees in full yellow, which was a bucket-list item for me.
The hill to the right is above Frisco, where we stopped for breakfast on the prior trip.
Glenwood Springs:
After visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater and hiking the loop, we jumped in the car and headed west on I70 until we got to Glenwood Springs. While planning the trip, I really wanted to visit the hot springs. Adding the cost of a hotel room to the cost of getting into the hot springs, it cost the same to just say at the resort, so that's what we did. The trip was timed the trip perfectly to see the Aspen trees in full yellow, which was a bucket-list item for me.
The hill to the right is above Frisco, where we stopped for breakfast on the prior trip.
Glenwood Springs:
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Dougnuts
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The next morning we finished the drive to Moab, heading down Scenic 128 and heading straight to Milts for lunch, just as I had done on the prior trip. On Scenic 128 we saw our first pair of Lexus GX550 prototypes, which we would see a few more times throughout the next few days.
Then we went to Canyonlands NP:
The end of Shafer Trail climbs up these switchbacks, ending in Canyonlands NP.
We stopped by Dead Horse Point State Park to catch the sunset. In the second picture, just left of center, you can see Hurrah Pass, just up from the right edge of the potash.
Down below, Shafer Trail is visible.
Then we went to Canyonlands NP:
The end of Shafer Trail climbs up these switchbacks, ending in Canyonlands NP.
We stopped by Dead Horse Point State Park to catch the sunset. In the second picture, just left of center, you can see Hurrah Pass, just up from the right edge of the potash.
Down below, Shafer Trail is visible.
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Dougnuts
Well-known member
The next day we had an 11 am entry into Arches NP, so we first got some groceries and then I wanted to show the family Birthing Scene Petroglyph. This is out Kane Creek Road, which is the same road that Jeremy and I took to Hurrah Pass the year prior. It also passes by the famous Cliff Hanger Trail.
These cliffs are commonly used for base jumping........and is that a line of Range Rovers heading our way?
As I mentioned previously, the Lexus GX550 were out and about, but this was the only time I snapped a picture. The best looking one was a dark metaillic green Overtrail Trim (not the one pictured).
We then went to Arches NP and started with Windows Arches, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.
These cliffs are commonly used for base jumping........and is that a line of Range Rovers heading our way?
As I mentioned previously, the Lexus GX550 were out and about, but this was the only time I snapped a picture. The best looking one was a dark metaillic green Overtrail Trim (not the one pictured).
We then went to Arches NP and started with Windows Arches, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.
Dougnuts
Well-known member
Next was the hike to Delicate Arch. It wasn't busy, but the spot was buzzing with excitement. It's quite a sight to behold and the way the trailhead dumps you into the scene creates a core memory.
On the way out, we stopped at Park Avenue Overlook. This might have been my favorite view of the trip. Pictures don't do it justice, and it almost didn't look real when it was right in front of me.
That night, I saw my favorite vehicle of the trip. This Bronco was amazing, probably a $150k build, give or take:
There were so many cool vehicles, I didn't even get pictures of some that were too far out of my budget.
On the way out, we stopped at Park Avenue Overlook. This might have been my favorite view of the trip. Pictures don't do it justice, and it almost didn't look real when it was right in front of me.
That night, I saw my favorite vehicle of the trip. This Bronco was amazing, probably a $150k build, give or take:
There were so many cool vehicles, I didn't even get pictures of some that were too far out of my budget.
Dougnuts
Well-known member
The following morning was another trip to Arches, but this time we had an 8am permit to hike through Fiery Furnace. This was everyone's favorite part of the trip. We did our best to follow the small brown arrows that the official tours followed, but we essentially had the run of the place. We got stuck once, for about 30 minutes, but eventually someone else came by who had All Trails working and we found the passage to get through. It's hard to describe this area, but I recommend it. You must be physically fit and not scared of heights, it can be dangerous.
If there are lizards, this kid will catch one.
If there are lizards, this kid will catch one.
Dougnuts
Well-known member
After leaving Arches NP, it was time to load the car up and hit Shafer Trail. I was the only one excited for this, but the rest of the family were troopers. Shafer Trail is perhaps best known for Thelma and Louise Point, or for the switchbacks that are visible from an overlook in Canyonlands NP. We were using the OnX Offroad app during this drive, for the first time, which wasn't necessary, but I do like it.
Driving past the potash ponds.
After driving back to Moab, we did a quick hike up Moonflower Canyon and then got some ice cream at the food trucks in town.
Driving past the potash ponds.
After driving back to Moab, we did a quick hike up Moonflower Canyon and then got some ice cream at the food trucks in town.