Desert Hazards for Dogs
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- Category: Fur Kids
- Created on Thursday, 26 February 2009 23:14
- Last updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:55
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The desert is a fascinating landscape to explore, but it can pose some special dangers for dogs. With a little preparation and awareness, you can be on the lookout for these hazards and steer your dog clear, so you can both enjoy a safe desert camping trip. Bring plenty of water, rest in the shade when you can, and have a great trip to the desert!
Heat and Dehydration
Dogs and cats overheat more easily than people do. Where we have sweat glands to cool ourselves, dogs and cats only sweat from their noses and foot pads. And since the rest of their bodies are covered in fur, heat can be a real problem. Puppies, older pets, and short-nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs, boxers, and Persian cats) are especially susceptible to heat-related stress.
The best way to keep your pet cool is to give it plenty of water and let it rest in the shade during the heat of the day. Long- and medium-haired pets should never go to the desert during the summer and other warm months -- it's simply too hot for them. Even if you're visiting the desert in the winter, the air is still quite dry, so be sure to offer your pet plenty of water.
Cacti and Other Pricklies
Barrel cactus and other cacti that grow on the ground can be a real problem for pets and people alike. But where human feet are usually protected by boots, pets have exposed pads that can pick up cactus spines in a flash. Never let your pet walk across a bed of cacti. You should also be alert for porcupine spines and other prickly burr-bearing plants.
Scorpions are another desert hazard. Generally, scorpions are found in dark crevices in rock. They're hard to find, and many people visit deserts every year without ever seeing one. Your dog, however, is curious and led by smell, so it may inadvertently put its nose in a scorpion hole. Stay vigilant and keep your dog away from these places! If you think your dog has been stung by a scorpion, take it out of the area and to a vet's office immediately.
Flash Floods
This is a danger for people as well as pets. In the desert, when it rains it tends to rain big. Because the ground is unaccustomed to precipitation, it doesn't absorb the rainwater well and all the excess water runs off. This water channels into ravines, pours into streams, dry creek beds, and rivers, and can mount into a serious flood in a hurry. If you're ever camping with your dog in the desert and it starts to rain, make sure your campsite is on high ground, far from any rivers and dry washes. If you must, pack up your camp and move it to higher ground. Flash floods are as fast as their name implies, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Go Camping - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
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- Category: Camping Gems
- Created on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 21:48
- Last updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 18:15
- Published on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 21:48
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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most amazing, austere and unique locations in the United States. Covering almost 1.9 million acres in Utah, this vast region represents one of the most spectacular sights of the western United States. Within this remote landscape visitors will find unimaginable natural beauty filled with adventure.
Preserved in this remote region of the country are some of the most spectacular geological features one can find in the western United States. The Grand Staircase is a series of gigantic steps that ascend from the Grand Canyon. This amazing staircase extends from the floor of the Grand Canyon to the Paunsaugunt Plateau at Bryce Canyon. These impressive steps are formed of multicolored rock.
In addition to the cliffs, there are plateaus, terraces, streams, canyons and much more for visitors to see during a trip to this unique landscape. There are millions of years of history preserved within the remoteness of the public land. There are geological, archeological, biological and paleontological wonders still undiscovered within these public lands. In addition to amazing flora and fauna there are dinosaurs preserved in the land and even artifacts from the Puebloan culture.
Among all of the stunning geological features and long history, there are many opportunities for hiking and recreation. There are two paved roads that enter into the area, Highway 89 and Highway 12. Beyond these two roads, the remainder of the roads are primitive and remote. Hiking is the best way to experience the wild and untamed beauty of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Hikers can plan day trips, or much longer trips depending on the level of experience and how far the visitors are willing to travel into the area. Visitors can plan hikes just for the joy of hiking, or they can plan to hike into areas in search of rock climbing, or canyoneering adventures. Within this vast wilderness there are endless opportunities.
Visitors will find that the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is divided into three regions, each with its own beautiful attractions. There is the western section, which has multi-colored sandstone, the Paria River, buttes, canyons, mesas, and Buckskin Gulch, which has one of the longest canyon hikes in the world.
The Kaiparowits Plateau section is the most remote section, with high-elevation plateau, small streams, amazing examples of plant and animal life, and this region provides some of the most difficult recreation in throughout the area.
Lastly, but certainly not least, the Escalante Canyons has the Escalante River and the deep canyons carved out over time, within the canyons there are plants, ruins from teh Anasazi culture, as well as natural bridges, arches and so much more. The Escalante Canyons section is a very popular section and excellent for hiking and backpacking.
Throughout this new, but immensely vast and remote national monument, visitors are sure to find something incredible to remember. Whether on a day trip or taking a multi-day adventure into the backcountry this region has so much to offer. Visitors can enjoy the remoteness and solitude even on a short day-trip. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most unique and stunning places in the United States.
Road Trip - Arches National Park to Santa Fe
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- Category: Hit the Road and Camp America!
- Created on Monday, 18 January 2010 01:33
- Last updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 18:19
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Road Trip - Arches National Park to Santa Fe
The trip between Arches National Park and Santa Fe isn't one of the longest trips you can take, but you should plan plenty of time to truly enjoy this route through sandstone, mountains, valleys, and desert beauty. Throughout the trip, every stop you make will offer some sort of recreational opportunity. Below are a few of the places you can make into destinations along the the road-trip.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of Utah's most beautiful destinations. The park preserves many sandstone arches, created through millions of years of exposure to the elements. You should plan to stay for a few days in order to best enjoy the multitude of recreational opportunities and the beauty of all of the arches. If you want to explore Arches National Park in your car, there are many paved roads and viewpoints. If you want to get even closer to each of the most amazing arches in the park, get out your boots and hike along the desert trails. For an even better understanding of the park's features, take in one of the park's ranger-led programs. The Fiery Furnace Tours are especially popular.
Moab, Utah
Moab, Utah is a great destination for recreation enthusiasts. In Moab you can mountain bike on the popular Slickrock Trail. It is also a great spot to go white-water rafting on the Green or Colorado River. Moab also has great off-roading and rock-climbing. The town has much to offer its visitors as well, from fine dining to enjoying a spa day.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park is a great spot to stop, get out of your car, hike and enjoy some amazing archeological sites. This park celebrates the history of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States. You will find over 4000 archeological sites at Mesa Verde, including the 600 cliff dwellings. Some of the best cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, require the purchase of tickets for guided tours. The Mesa Top Loop Road is a great scenic drive in the park. You can also enjoy a wide range of amazing hikes some of which culminate in cliff dwelling overlooks.
Mancos, Colorado
Near Mesa Verde is the town of Mancos. Like most of Colorado, Mancos enjoys about 300 days of sun annually, making it a great spot for hiking, rock climbing, biking, and other outdoor pursuits. For those who enjoy fishing, the Jackson Gulch Reservoir is a good spot to stop. In winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at the Chicken Creek cross-country Ski Area. Mancos is also a great spot to enjoy some of the unique art of the southwest.
San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest is another great spot to enjoy a myriad of recreational activities. You can enjoy camping year round in the forest, although if you want to camp in the winter you may have to do a little extra research to find an open campsite. At the San Juan National Forest you will find plenty of trails, horseback riding opportunities, and hunting, among other recreational activities. The Chimney Rock Archeological Area is another great feature of the San Juan National Forest.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Pagosa Springs is one of Colorado's amazing camping and recreating destinations. One of Pagosa Springs' best features is the hot springs. The water's high mineral content, which gives it the strong smell, is believed to have medicinal properties. Today you can enjoy the hot springs at one of the three resorts and spas. Pagosa Springs also has access to great skiing. The , one of the oldest ski resorts in Colorado. Colorado is known for its great powder and blazing sunshine; if you are looking for a great ski destination, Pagosa Springs is a great place to try.
Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico
For those travelers who want to enjoy the beautiful art of the Pueblo Indians, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo is an ideal place to stop along your road-trip. The town once known as San Juan Pueblo has a long and rich history. Now the headquarters for the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, this is the location of the Oke-Oweenge Crafts Cooperative, an amazing pueblo art center. You can also enjoy fishing at the nearby San Juan Lakes, provided you get a permit in advance.
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico is a little off the road between Arches National Park and Santa Fe, but it is well worth the detour. Like many of the places along the road, Los Alamos has an amazing array of recreational activities. Los Alamos is also an important location for scientific research. Visitors can stop at the Otowi Station Bookstore and Science Museum Shop or the Bradbury Science Museum. Los Alamos is also an important cultural center. Visitors can enjoy dance, theater, art and history.
Bandelier National Monument
This National Monument is another great spot to enjoy recreation and archeology. If you only have a short amount of time, you can take a nice short walk on the Main Loop Trail, which leads you from the Visitor Center through some archeological sites into the Frijoles Canyon. On the Main Loop Trail you can see Pueblo dwellings and petroglyphs along with other interesting archeological sites. Another great destination in Bandelier National Monument is the Alcove House.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The beautiful city of Santa Fe is a fabulous place to end a road-trip. After all of the recreation along the way to Santa Fe, the city is a great spot to stop and enjoy some culture, art, and fine dining. The city has a large number of historic sites, including the San Miguel Mission, possibly the oldest church in the country. The Indian Market, held in August, is another great event in Santa Fe. Visitors can enjoy the artwork of over 1,200 artists. The market features all different types of Native American artwork. Many people return to the market every year to collect unique pieces of art from their favorite artists.
Road Trip - Four Corners Area
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- Category: Hit the Road and Camp America!
- Created on Thursday, 03 March 2011 21:59
- Last updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 18:15
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Explore the Four Corners Region | Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado
Four Corners is a truly unique location within the United States. It is the only place in the country where four states intersect at one point. These states that intersect are Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. Four Corners is the only spot where a person can stand in all four states at one time.
Visitors can visit the monument, which is managed by the Navajo Nation, and is open to the public. The monument also has a visitor center where people can learn about the history of the area and the monument. Originally the marker was a simple concrete slab marking the location of the Four Corners. Today there is a refurbished monument, built in 1992, which has a large bronze disk that marks the boundary lines of all four intersecting states. Within these boundary lines lie the state's seals.
Located off of Highway 160, Four Corners is in a remote location, but is an ideal place to start a road trip to see some of the nearby destinations in the four states. Radiating out from Four Corners visitors to the area can visit Canyonlands National Park in Utah, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico and Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona. These four destinations are some of the most interesting and beautiful spots in the region.
Canyonlands National Park is filled with canyons, mesas and buttes formed by the Colorado River. Within this desert atmosphere there are four districts, each formed in its distinct way by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Islands in the Sky mesa is the easiest district to reach, the mesa stands atop sandstone cliffs, rising over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Islands in the Sky district has excellent access, with paved scenic drive, views from many overlooks, hikes and four-wheel drive roads. Needles district is more backcountry than Islands in the Sky, it is an excellent site for hiking and four-wheeling. Sights in the Needles district is dominated by the colorful sandstone spires amid the extensive trail system. Maze is the most remote district in Canyonlands, and it requires self-sufficiency and efforts from its visitors.
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is a great spot enjoy some of the amazing archeological sites in Colorado. This park celebrates the history of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States. Visitors will find over 4000 archeological sites at Mesa Verde, including the 600 cliff dwellings. Some of the best cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, require the purchase of tickets for guided tours. The Mesa Top Loop Road is a great scenic drive in the park. You can also enjoy a wide range of amazing hikes some of which culminate in cliff dwelling overlooks.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a great spot to experience in New Mexico. Chaco Culture provides access to a wide variety of Chacoan sites. In fact, Chaco Culture National HIstorical Park has the largest concentration of Chaco ruins outside of Mexico. The park also has a great night sky program. The Chaco Night Sky Program includes presentations, astronomy which links modern astronomy with the astronomical knowledge of the Chacoan people.
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument is one of Arizona's true gems.Visitors will discover a vast amount of information about the landscape that has been one of the longest continually inhabited in North America. The monument preserves rock art, artifacts, architecture and much more. Canyon de Chelly also has a living community of Navajo people.
For road trip enthusiasts, the area around Four Corners is filled with gems. Beyond these four amazing national parks, there are many more places to enjoy. Road trippers should be sure to spend time exploring all of the fantastic attractions in the four states that intersect at Four Corners.
Road Trip - Las Vegas to Zion
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- Category: Hit the Road and Camp America!
- Created on Thursday, 30 April 2009 15:44
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Road Trip - Las Vegas to Zion
There's a special mystique about the American Southwest. This is a place where desert sands stretch out for miles, broken only by spiny cacti and dramatic plinths that rise up like deep red sky scrapers. This desert is a land of paradox, a place that's arid and lush and the same time, full of emptiness and also full of life. Only in this desert can you see the green hanging gardens of Zion National Park, the almost endless blue waters of Lake Mead, and the staggering depths of the Grand Canyon. If you're ready for a truly breathtaking journey, don your sunglasses and head to Interstate 15 and the bustling city of Las Vegas.
Las Vegas, the most famous desert city in the United States, is known all over the world as an adult playground. But did you know that Las Vegas has also become a first-rate family destination? Over the last decade, the city has worked hard to expand its offerings, and now it has attractions for visitors of every age. Whether you're looking to stroll the casino floor, catch a show at the Venetian, or see the wild burros at the Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas can fit the bill. This amazing city sees its tourist population boom in the spring and fall, so if you're looking to avoid the crowds, visit in winter or summer. Given Las Vegas's warm desert climate, it's a great place for northerners to visit in January or February.
If you love houseboating, jet skiing, fishing, and water skiing, you won't want to miss this chance to visit Lake Mead. Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round. Its huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. It is also home to thousands of desert plants and animals, adapted to survive in an extreme place where rain is scarce and temperatures soar.
With Lake Mead and Lake Mohave as the central focus, visitors to Lake Mead National Recreation Area may enjoy a variety of water recreation activities in a rugged and picturesque setting. Lakes Mead and Mohave offer some of the country's best sport fishing. Boating and water skiing are favorite activities on the broad expanses of open water, along with kayaking and canoeing.
Several paved roads wind through the dramatic desert scenery of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Towering stark mountains, plateaus, desert basins of cactuses and creosote bush, and vertical-walled canyons are some of the sights motorists can discover. Short desert hikes lead to places you will never see from a boat or car.
From either Lake Mead or Las Vegas, you can hit the road by turning onto Interstate 15 and heading north. Your route will take you through the stunning scenery of eastern Nevada, across the northwest corner of Arizona, and into Southern Utah. Keep your camera handy as you pass through this dramatic country.
Interstate 15 will carry you to the charming city of St. George, which is perched on the edge of Zion National Park, one of the loveliest in the park system. To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream to pink to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons.
By 1909, Zion Canyon was practically inaccessible to outside visitors, and while only a few had laid eyes on the towering cliffs, the country still understood its significance and established Mukuntuweap National Monument. In 2009, National Park Service will celebrate the Nation's commitment to preservation and protection of the natural and cultural resources and providing visitor enjoyment in Zion National Park over the past 100 years.
While you're at Zion, be sure to take a hike to see the spring wildflowers or changing autumn leaves. During any season, look for the 271 species of birds or go biking on the Pa'rus Trail. You'll find plenty of hikes, long and short, horseback riding opportunities, and special ranger-guided tours and programs.
As you leave Zion, you'll be faced with a difficult choice. To the north, Interstate 15 will carry you into the Dixie National Forest, then on to the mountainous areas of central and northern Utah. To the east, you'll find the great wonders of Southern Utah: Natural Bridges National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Arches National Park.
And for the truly intrepid, this is your jumping off point for a tour of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (featuring the robin's egg blue waters of Lake Powell), Monument Valley, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you have the time, this is an area that deserves a slow exploration. There are so many hidden treasures and exceptional things to see, you'll find more than enough to fill your time.
Deserts