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Travel Tips - The West
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Travel Tips – The West
I love the west. I was in the west earlier in my trip. After Texas, I decided to visit New Mexico so this makes the second time I have traveled to the west on this trip. The second time was just as thrilling as the first time. New Mexico is beautiful.
I have learned some things however, that has made this second time a little easier. You might find them helpful.
Travel Tip 1 - Cabins
If someone tells you that they will rent you a cabin, it could mean many things.
It could mean a very nice stand-alone living area with electricity, kitchen, and bath. This is probably just what you are looking for.
It could also mean a very rustic stand-alone living area with electricity, kitchen, and bath.
Beware. Both may have rodents of some kind. People in the west are not as afraid of creatures as I am.
It may or may not mean electricity, kitchen, bathroom, or running water.
It could even mean a room with no furniture. They may expect you to use it like a tent.
It probably does not have a phone.
The message here is to ask what the word cabin means. Be specific.
One more thing you should know about cabins. Expect to make someone mad no matter what the amenities are.
Propitiators that have full service cabins are insulted if you ask about bathrooms. They look startled and say, “Of course we have bathrooms.” Most of them leave out the words, “you are an idiot for asking.”
If the proprietor has no bathroom, running water, and/or electricity, they are then angry with you for your lack of love for nature. Their response is, “Of course we do not have those. We believe in being natural here.” They leave out the words, “you do not deserve to travel in our state” but make their thoughts very clear.
Turquoise Jewelry
They made and sold it before it came back in style. This is the place to buy it.
Bathrooms
Bring hand sanitizer. Most public bathrooms do not have running water. Most toilettes are the type that does not flush. Get over it. Trust me on this. You will use them so you might as well not complain. Use the serenity prayer.
“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change.”
Travel Tip 2 - Hiking
It can get very hot. It is recommended that you carry 1-2 quarts of water per mile that you hike. No one carries that much. I could not even figure out how to carry that much. I found a groove with two cups per mile. The real reason you need so much water is because everyone carries water, binoculars, and a camera.
I have noticed that no matter how much water people carry, they always return with about 1 ounce. There is something terrifying about being completely out of water. Not wanting to look like a tourist, I always drink my last ounce of water as I walk to my car.
Walking two miles in Florida is very different than walking two miles in Colorado.
Hikes are usually rocky and steep no matter how people describe them to you.
People claim they love hiking but most do not look like it while they are hiking. They always tell people just beginning the trail that the hike was “glorious.” I was on the trail with them and they did not always look like they were having a glorious experience. I looked up the meaning of the word "glorious" and decided they were telling the truth. One of the definitions is “marked by great beauty or splendor.”
Hats are essential. Straw hats are in style for men and woman. They only look good on women.
Everyone wears hiking shoes. I have discovered that Skechers walking shoes are just as good as my hiking boots. I am on my second pair on this trip. Up until this trip, I did not know what wearing out walking shoes really meant.
When buying the new Skechers, the sales person said that Skechers began making only hiking boots. They have now applied that same technology to their shoes. I cannot confirm this, but it is the only regular shoe that has ever stabilized me as well as a hiking boot. They are much less expensive than good hiking boots are. I recommend them.
How do you think Skechers will go with my Armani suit?
I have weak ankles and fall more than most people. I had to wear corrective shoes as a child. Hiking on uneven ground strengthens ankles and I am much more stable than when I left home.
I am thinking about filling my yard with rocks and walking around it many times a day. Think about the benefits. I would not have to pay for a lawn service and it would really deter any unwanted guests.
People often say they get very close to God in the mountains. It may be the hiking. Trails are a great place to pray. It can encompass many of the reasons people pray.
For example:
Praise – We can look around us and praise God for his creation.
Psalms 18:46
The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
(from New International Version)
Strength – About half way along a difficult trail, most people wonder what they are doing there. They realize that it is the same distance forward and backward and they are sure they cannot make it. It is a good time to pray for strength.
1 Chronicles 16:27
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
(from New International Version)
Fear – Some trails are very narrow. I watched people climbing ledges that had a thousand foot drop. One woman was watching her husband and son climb that kind of ledge. She had climbed it the year before and had prayed to a God she did not even believe in. She was waiting safely on the ground this year.
Psalms 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(from New International Version)
Wisdom – People often wonder what they were thinking when they decided to take this trail. It is a great time to realize that real wisdom comes from God.
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
(from New International Version)
Faith – Most people make it back from hikes but there are always those occasional few that do not. The rangers are very good about telling the number of deaths and the number of people that recently fainted on the trail. When the road is steep and the sun is bearing down, those stories come to mind. It is a good time to ask for faith.
Matthew 21:21-22
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
(from New International Version)
Just today, the ranger told me how many people fainted on the trail I was about to take. As he looked me up and down, I could tell that he was not sure I could make it. He was not encouraging. I ran into several people that had to turn back and remembered his words. I finished the trail and it was not even that difficult for me. I could not have made this hike at the beginning of the trip. I had to resist the temptation to stop by the visitor’s center and stick my tongue out at the ranger.
If you do decide to turn back, you may have to ask God to help with the humiliation you are experiencing.
Isaiah 54:4
Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated
(from New International Version)
Trails are a great place to witness about God. People are very willing to hear about God. It may be because of exhaustion, terror, or just enjoying the wonder of his creation. It is hard not to believe in God on a western hiking trail.
The more you hike, the easier hiking becomes. The easier hiking is, the more you enjoy it. The more you enjoy it, the more you hike.
Note that all these tips come from only taking trails marked “easy to moderate.” Imagine the hiking tips that I would have if I took difficult trails. In my defense, “easy” in the west means something different from "easy" in Florida.
Travel Tip 3 - Shopping
People think nothing of traveling many miles to shop. If there is a store within 30 miles and your supplies are low, you had better go to that store. You will learn not to be picky about particular brands.
Travel Tip 4 - Yogurt
Do not expect to find sugar-free frozen yogurt in the west. It is the only thing I eat that even resembles a dessert and I simply cannot find it here. I even had trouble finding plain not frozen yogurt at the grocery story. They like their sugar.
Travel Tip 5 - Weather
It can change very suddenly. Be prepared.
I was planning on camping. It was beautiful outside. As I grew near the state park, I noticed lightening everywhere. I do not like lightening and checked into a hotel.
It had been 80 degrees and I was in shorts. It was cooling off and was a little chilly. The storm was frightening as it grew dark and trees bent with the wind. I had made the right decision not to camp.
After checking in and eating, I asked about my favorite store.
Sure enough, they had a Wal*Mart Supercenter just a short 20 miles away. It was dark but the drive was all on interstate. The weather seemed to have calmed down so I decided to make the journey.
What I did not know is that this trip requires crossing a very high mountain. I knew I might be in trouble when I saw the sign, “scenic overlook ahead.” Traveling from New Mexico into Colorado should have been my clue but I missed it.
When I reached the top, it was snowing. Yes, I really did say snow. On August 30th, it was snowing. I looked around and could not believe the ground was white. For a second, I wondered what it was. This was not a glacier and yet ground was covered in fresh powder.
I was still wearing my shorts. The temperature had dropped to 44 degrees and I was cold. The snow was at the exit where I had planned to camp. Lightning and snow seemed like an odd combination. You do not see that in Florida.
Travel Tip 6 - Make Up
My make up is definitely out of place here.
Travel Tip 7 - Jewelry
My dramatic jewelry is perfect.
Travel Tip 8 - Water
Plan on drinking twice as much water as you are used to. Be considerate of their drought and do not waste water.
Travel Tip 9 -Clothes
You can be casual anywhere. You are expected to be casual everywhere.
Travel Tip 10 - Hotels
Always ask if the rooms have phones and air conditioners. Many do not.
Travel Tip 11 - Hair and Skin
The conditions are very hard on hair and skin. Give up.
Travel Tip 12 – Preparation
If you decide to make the trip west, prepare for it.
Prepare physically by getting in shape. The west is not much fun if you cannot climb to the places that you want to see. Prepare your knees. Do exercise that increase both strength and endurance. Drink lots of water ahead of time.
Prepare emotionally by planning. Surprises can be upsetting and even frightening. Make reservations. Plan to go with someone that you enjoy and does not mind hard work.
Prepare spiritually so that you are spiritually fit enough to be in awe of God’s glory. It is an incredible place to worship. Be spiritually ready to experience this worship. Look for places to pray. Pray with your families both ahead of time and during the trip. Plan on visiting some of the many wonderful churches in the west.
In closing, let me state that the west is incredible. The variety is astounding. The National Parks and Monuments are such a gift to people all over the world. Pictures do not do it justice. Hotels and restaurants are reasonably priced. State Park Camp Grounds are beautiful. A vacation to the west is something people remember for the rest of their life.
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