THE GREAT SOUTHWEST
TRIP PREPARATION NOTES
These notes are intended for you for our upcoming Great Southwest
Adventure. My recommendation is to print out the pages, or visit
the web site on several occasions. It's a lot to digest in one setting,
and you want to give this your full attention.
(Nearly) EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE
GREAT SOUTHWEST
1. SECURITY
Each year, I provide an update about the security issues of the
countries to which I guide clients. A great part of the Southwest
is that all of scariness of the world is far removed from where
we’ll be going. Instead, the issues that create risk are largely
those relating to any physical activity outdoors. In this sense,
you’re in very good hands.
Should any unexpected security issues arise that impact on the
trip, we’ll brief you right away.
2. WEATHER
In order to know what to bring, you of course need to know what
weather to expect. The first half of October is a perfect time to
visit Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Temperatures are typically
range from the high 60’s to high 70’s by day throughout
the region. October is well past the summer rainy season, and is
usually quite dry. Expect bright sunshine throughout.
Examples of Average Highs and Lows for the dates we’ll be
there:
Sedona: Oct 5 - 81.1 degrees Oct. 16 - 76.8 degrees
Lake Powell: 74.8 degrees; Bryce: 68 degrees; Monument Valley: 74.3
degrees.
Note that lows usually drop substantially, to about 40-45 degrees.
The Havasupai Reservation will be warmer, probably in the mid to
high 80’s. (Of course, there’s water for jumping into
there!)
3. THE COMPLETE PACKING LIST
What to Wear
You should dress comfortably for an active week. Shorts are accepted
everywhere in the outdoors. As we will be on established trails—rather
than bush-whacking—you won’t have to worry about being
scratched or scraped by brush. However, on days when you’ve
got lots of small items to carry, pants with zippered, velcro or
buttoned pockets are a good choice. Likewise shirts/blouses that
have some pockets with long sleeves that can be rolled up will work
if the temperatures change from the expected. A fleece or a light
jacket works for the evening.
Dressing Up
We’ll have a couple occasions for which you may want to wear
nicer clothing. This is chiefly for any fine dining we’ll
do at night. However, throughout the area we’ll be traveling
through, “resort casual” is the accepted style. You
may also choose to have your nicer clothing from the first weekend
in Sedona laundered and ready for your return.
Footwear
Most important, as Forrest Gump might say, is comfortable footwear.
Go for strong, sturdy and supportive walking shoes. It is up to
you if you’d like to bring a nicer pairs of shoes for other
times. A pair of Tevas, flip-flops or water-proof sandals will be
nice to have if you want to dive in at Lake Powell, but they aren’t
required.
Consider my friends at Sedona Sports, an outstanding outfitter
that has just about everything listed here, and lots of experience
in setting up travelers heading around the world. They are at 928-282-1317,
or online at www.SedonaSports.com, although there clothing collection
is more extensive than is listed on the website.
Storing Items in Sedona
On Monday morning, we’ll transfer any items that you’d
rather leave in Sedona. This will lighten your load for the adventure.
We can also arrange to have your clothing laundered, which allows
you to bring fewer clothes and have the clothing you wear on arrival
weekend ready for you at the end of the trip.
Other Items To Remember
Sun block, a hat, sunglasses, and a stash of tissues are always
a smart choice to bring. A little bug spray is not a bad idea, but
it shouldn’t be buggy at all. We’ll be staying in nice
places throughout our stay, and with the exception of a bathroom
break at some out-of-the-way spot, conditions will be fine.
Reducing Packing Weight
Traveling light always feels great. However, as opposed to many
of our foreign adventures, your gear doesn’t have to fit overhead…just
in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Luggage
Airlines expect any straps for your luggage to zip up or be tucked
away. If you find a piece of luggage you really like, and another
you sort-of-like with wheels, buy the first and get a little luggage
cart for it if you want roll-ability.
Packing for the Flight
You now know what to bring for the outdoors. It's worth thinking
about what you pack for your long plane flight too. A smart traveler
brings (a) travel documents (NOT packed in your checked luggage,
but in your carry-on, or better, on your person); (b) a shirt or
change of clothes and (c) small toiletry kit including some skin
moisturizer and/or chapstick to help you survive 10 hours of dry-as-toast
airplane air. Items b & c will help if there are any delay problems
with luggage along the way. And the number 1 agreed upon anti-jeg
lag remedy: water. Don’t settle for what the airline offers:
bring more on your own.
Note that most airlines now do not accept walking sticks as carry-on
luggage. Place them in your checked luggage.
3. AIRPORTS & ARRIVAL
Although you’ll be handling your own travel to Sedona from
Phoenix, please let our office know your flight information. This
allows us to have it on hand during the trip, in the unexpected
case any changes need to be made.
Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport is now among America’s
busiest. Check in advance to know if your rental car agency is located
on-site or off. Following either I-17 North, or I-10 East or even
I-10 West will lead you to signs for I-17 North to Flagstaff.
4. HEALTH ISSUES
Prevention
Of course, the best approach to staying healthy is to start the
trip that way. If you are not involved in regular exercise, consider
walking a bit each day, beginning a few weeks before the trip. (Now
would be a good time to start, actually!)
Light, healthy eating is a good idea for the first few days too.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and sleeping pills. Many people avoid
eating beef or other typically heavy foods on the first day, to
give the digestive system a rest.
5. PERSONAL SAFETY & CRIME
Statisticians tell us that human being tend to overweight dramatic
fears (terrorism, disasters, etc.) and underweight more likely problems.
For this reason, let me make a few recommendations about more mundane
issues such as pickpocketing and petty theft. Neither is especially
high in Italy, but a few smart choices can avoid them entirely.
My first recommendation is not to bring anything to the Southwest
that you couldn’t bear to lose. This is always the best policy:
don’t bring it at all. Expensive jewelry is not necessary
in the places we’ll be going.
The next best policy is to leave items at the hotel/inn. After
that, use a money belt for essential items such as passports and
large dollar denominations when you have no chance but to bring
them with you. A fanny pack is better than nothing, but not as effective
as something inside the waist of your pants or underneath your shirt.
Clothing that with pockets that can close with velcro, a zipper
or a button mean you can walk without having to worry about valuables
falling out or being snatched.
If you’re camera is small enough, you may have one such pocket
to secure it in. (An open pocket, however, would not do.) For a
bigger camera, place it over your shoulder and across your chest.
These are extra precautions in case you want to take them. Generally
speaking, we are in some of America’s safest places, if only
because nobody else is there!
6. ITINERARY & CONTACT NUMBERS
See your Final Itinerary for key contact information.
7. SEASONAL ISSUES
Autumn in the Southwest
We’ll be visiting the Southwest during a beautiful time of
the year. All stops are at least somewhat elevated, and very sunny.
Day time temperatures are typically in the high 70’s, with
temperatures in the 80’s on the Havasupai Reservation. October
is typically a very dry month.
Tourists
We will be in Sedona during the highest part of the tourist season.
However, other destinations will have varying amounts of visitors.
None will feel crowded. In Sedona, however, dinner reservations
will be a good idea.
8. MONEY ISSUES
How Much Money Should I Bring?
Remember that your chief expenses will be (a) meals (b) gifts you
buy, and minor expenses will be (c) tips (of which there shouldn’t
be many), and (d) miscellaneous items from batteries to books to
having your laundry done.
Your breakfasts during the trip are included. As for gifts...well,
of course there's no limit to what you can spend. In fact, you'll
be able to get some great shopping done on items such as Navajo
rugs and other Indian crafts.
Credit Cards & ATM’s
Credit cards and traveler's checks are widely accepted, but some
cash is always nice to have handy. Among major credit cards, Discover
Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Diner’s Club are fine.
9. CULTURAL ISSUES
Mormons of Southern Utah
One issue to be aware of in Southern Utah is the influence of the
Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS), i.e., the Mormons. The only specific
feature to consider is that some counties have “dry laws”
limiting the use of alcohol. Our hosts at the Stone Canyon Inn,
the Burbidges, are members of the church, and happy to answer questions
about the history of Mormons in the area.
Crossing the border into Utah, we’ll pass through a small
town where all adult males are required to own a gun. Not to worry:
we’re not staying.
Native Americans of Northern Arizona
Each Indian reservation is treated in some ways as its own nation,
with its own laws. For that reason, you’ll often hear that
word used, such as “The Navajo Nation.”
Once again, the only law to be careful of is alcohol. Typically,
it cannot be transferred without permit onto the Navajo Reservation
or the Havasupai Reservation.
What word or phrase is best to use when addressing these people?
For years, I’ve used the term Native Americans, only to find
that few Native Americans use the term among themselves! Indians
works fine for most folks, so use either or both as you like. An
easy way around the awkwardness (yours, not theirs), is to use the
specific tribal name. Don’t ask about Indians: ask about the
Navajo, for example. By the way, the Navajo refer to themselves
by another term, Dineh. I’ll explain during the trip.
10. TIME ZONE / PHONING HOME / INTERNET
Time
During mid-October Utah, the Navajo Nation and Arizona are all on
the same time, equal with the West Coast, and 3 hours behind the
East Coast.
Telephones
You are welcome to bring your cell phone if you like, but service
is guaranteed to be spotty. We’ll be in some of America’s
most remote places. In these cases, we’ll have access to room
phones at our accommodations. The area code for Northern Arizona
is 928; for Southern Utah it is 435.
The Internet
Internet access is somewhat limited during the trip. In Sedona,
Ravenheart coffee shop is located in the Old Marketplace Plaza,
home of New Frontiers health food store. In Uptown, “The Worm”
bookstore purports to have access too. Outside of Sedona there are
few, if any, cyber-cafes along our route. Our best option is to
try to gain access to the internet through our accommodation hosts.
I’ll be working on this.
In the meantime, please let your key contacts know that you may
not be able to check the web on a daily basis. During the weekend
on the Havasupai Reservation, we will have no access whatever.
10. SUMMARY: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Here's the checklist of what I need from you:
1) Please send a copy of your complete flight itinerary.
2) Please send our office a photocopy of personal identification
(a driver’s license or passport are best). Mailing address
is: Meta Adventures, 583 Circle Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336
3) Get in shape! The better health you are in before arriving, the
more energy you’ll have for enjoying the Southwest.
4) Practice packing! As you’ve heard a dozen times, less is
more. In the Southwest, where there are lots of interesting things
to buy, you’ll want room for things to bring back. Leave behind
things that are so valuable that you couldn’t stand to lose
them.
5) Take note of your diet. Few of us think we’re picky eaters,
until we’re placed in a new country where our old stand-by
foods are unavailable. Consider multi-vitamins, digestive enzymes
and other supplements to compensate. Also consider buying Immodium
or other anti-diarrheals, available over-the-counter.
6) Begin visualizing yourself having fun in the Southwest!
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