HALLOWEEN, HARVEST FESTIVALS AND HAY RIDES
All over America in the month of October you will find great events to please the whole family. Many areas will have a harvest festival, pumpkin weigh offs, pumpkin pie competitions, hay rides and of course all kinds of events for Halloween. October is a really exciting month for family entertainment.
A quick look on the Internet for your town or state will provide more events than you will ever be able to attend in one month.
There are some great State fairs. The Alabama State Fair is a good one with a giant pumpkin contest. Also the Indiana State Fair, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the Carolinas. All great State Fairs with plenty of activities and excitement for everyone in the family. There really is something to please every age group and taste.
Many local churches will have events and a harvest festival in October. These usually have plenty of fresh produce and an abundance of crafts and fresh baked goods.
Another good place for October fun can be local farms. Many of these have pick your own pumpkins, fresh baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, hay rides, corn roasts and various competitions for the kids. You can usually get some good advice on carving your pumpkin into the perfect Jack O Lantern too.
At most of the big events you will find fairgrounds, music, parades, recipe contests, craft fairs, hay rides, food stands, scarecrow decorating contests and so many more crazy and inventive competitions.
So don’t miss out start planning your October entertainment now. Look out for articles and advertisements for Halloween, Harvest Festivals, Hay Rides and so much more fun in October.
ATLANTIC CITY ENTERTAINMENT
From being a desolate island of sand and marshes, Atlantic City has become the fourth most popular destination in the USA, welcoming over 35 million visitors a year. Atlantic City entertainment includes world class casinos and hotels, sandy beaches, a 4 mile long - amusement filled - boardwalk, diverse outdoor activities and great restaurants and shops. Atlantic City is within 300 miles of 80% of the population of the United States.
For many years, Atlantic City has kept pace with its rival, Las Vegas, in terms of gaming revenue and the number of visitors, despite a much smaller population of 40,000. Legalised gaming in neighbouring States has stimulated major developments in the City. These include “The Walk,” eight blocks of up market shops which opened in 2004 and expanded in 2007. Tropicana and Caesar’s each spent over $300 million on “The Quarter” and “The Pier” which are shopping, entertainment and restaurant complexes. The “Borgata,” a high class resort partly owned by MGM, is undergoing a $400 million expansion. Many of the new developments are intended to enhance Atlantic City’s unique ocean frontage.
Luxurious hotels and casino resorts vie with each other to provide top-name Atlantic City entertainment, gambling, dining and shopping. You can play and stay in one of the 11 such resorts in Atlantic City. Nightlife extends beyond the casinos. Check out the 40/40 Club, Jay-z’s Sports Bar, rock at the House of Blues, party at the Providence or join the entertainment at Planet Rose, the ultimate karaoke bar.
However, if gambling is not for you there are many other attractions and entertainments for all the family. For the fit ones, a climb of 228 steps will take you to the top of the recently restored Absecon Lighthouse and a spectacular view of Atlantic City.
The Atlantic City Aquarium is small but great for kids. There are three floors with an observation deck on top.
Dedicated shopaholics will not be disappointed. Outlets at The Walk, The Pier, and the Quarter cater for all tastes and budgets. If the feet are suffering during the shopping, take a Rolling Chair, unique to Atlantic City, which is a 3-person vehicle, pushed by an attendant.
There are dozens of fine restaurants - too many to mention by name. One that the kids will enjoy is the Rainforest Cafe where you can eat in a lifelike jungle atmosphere with hanging vines and animatronic animals such as elephants, gorillas and tropical birds, which come to life from time to time. The lights dim and flicker as the simulated thunderstorms arrive. By the way try the Volcano Dessert.
Other Atlantic City Entertainment:
Lenape Park. Located in May’s Landing with a sandy beach on Lake Lenape which offers picnic ares, water sports, amusement rides and mini golf.
The Steel Pier has 24 rides and a food court with free admission.
Storybook Land is a 20 acre family fun park with over 50 storybook attractions and family rides.
Tuckerton Seaport is where you can step back in time and meet whalers, shrimpers, oystermen, clammers and ships captains, on this 40 acre site.
Wheaton Village is a centre dedicated to American crafts. There are daily demonstrations, a museum and special events.
As you can see Atlantic City is not just about gaming. It is an exciting holiday destination for all the family. It is a great place to visit off season too when you are more likely to get budget prices for travel and hotels. For your next fun family vacation try - Atlantic City entertainment for the whole family.
RANCH HOLIDAYS IN THE USA
If our article on the Tucson Rodeo caught your imagination, why not join the other “wannabee” cowgirls and boys on a Ranch Holiday.
You have a choice of different types of ranches depending on how much of a true western experience you fancy. There are basically four types to choose from.
Working Ranches are the real thing and are a part of the historic west. They are exactly what the name suggests, still leading a real cowboy life. These are normally family-run, deriving their main income from the traditional activities such as raising livestock and growing crops. Guests are welcomed in order to supplement the main ranch income. Depending on the size of the ranch you may get to participate in their daily routines of checking and moving cattle, branding and fence maintenance. If that sounds just a little too strenuous then you can simply ride along and watch! This will be the nearest thing to being a real cowboy or cowgirl .
Guest Ranches are those whose main aim is to provide a western experience and may or not have livestock. These are usually larger ranches specially developed with holidays in mind. They tend to offer more activities and have better facilities although riding is still the prime activity. Guest Ranches are particularly suitable for families as they cater for all riders from beginners upwards.
Guest/Working Ranches, as the name suggests, these offer the amenities of a guest ranch and still earn part of their income from horses and cattle. Visitors can help with the various working activities while still enjoying the extra luxuries of the guest ranch .
Resort Ranches, these are the 5-star ranch holidays. They are the de-luxe version and offer a wide range of activities apart from riding. Accommodation tends to be luxurious with gourmet food. Many provide tennis, sailing, health spa and jeep safaris. The categories listed are broad in nature and some ranches are a combination of the above.There are literally hundreds of locations in many US States.
We have selected a few to provide a flavour of what is on offer:
These Ranch Holidays are for all the family and although tend to be in “getaway” locations, have every possible amusement and activity that a conventional holiday provides. Saddle up, Pardner!!
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
The evocatively-named Death Valley Park is the final article in our series of US National Parks. Despite its name and reputation, Death Valley is a region of outstanding beauty with mountains, sand dunes, multi-coloured rock formations, canyons and unique salt features. The desert scenery covers 3.3 million acres, 95% of which is designated as a wilderness (the largest outside of Alaska.)
The Valley, east of the Sierra Nevada range in California is 130 miles long and 12 miles wide. It rises from 283 feet below sea level to a high point of 11000 feet – high enough to have snow in the winter. With temperatures of 130 degrees F in the summer it is certainly the hottest and driest region in North America, yet still supports a diverse range of animals, birds, reptiles, cacti and wild flowers.
Its name probably derives from the first travelers in 1849 who supposedly died there en-route to the gold fields of California.( In fact only one male died) The park contains relics of those times in the shape of metal ore and borax mine workings and other ruins. There are many ghost towns to visit and these “outdoor museums” include Ballarat which produced 15000 tons of gold ore from 1898-1903; Greenwater, built around a copper discovery in 1905, which grew to a population of 2000 and collapsed in 1909 without ever making a profit, and Rhyolite which was called the “Queen City” and at one time boasted a population of 10,000 with a ‘red light” district attracting women from San Francisco.
Ancient foot trails indicate the existence of the Shoshone Indians in earlier times. Several families still live in the Park at Furnace Creek
Despite the harsh desert environment the Valley supports an interesting range of wildlife. A rare group of Desert Big Horn Sheep who inhabit the Sierra Nevada may often be seen; usually at the higher elevations Amphibians include Salamander, Red-Spotted Toad and the Pacific Tree Frog. There are many species of bats including the Mexican Free Tailed and Townsend’s Big Eared Bat. The Dark Hole Pup is an endangered species of fish. There is an abundance of birds including Heron, Stork, Grebe and Hawk with rare visits from Eagles. 20 species of snakes, including rattlesnakes and many lizards live in the Valley.
Given well-spaced rainfall, sun and no drying winds, the desert can produce a spectacular display of wild flowers. There are over 1000 plant species in Death Valley, with peak blooming periods, Mid February – Mid April at the valley floor, April - Early May at 2000-4000 feet and Late April – Early June above 4000 feet. Remember! Picking of wild flowers is prohibited
Although the Mojave Desert is rich with cacti and succulents, they are scarce in Death Valley due to the extremes of heat and salinity of the soil. Cacti do grow from 400 feet ASL to the summits of the surrounding mountains. The most common species are the Cottontop Barrel, Silver Cholla and the Beavertail. As a succulent, Pickleweed is very salt-tolerant and grows in the marshy areas below sea level.
There are literally thousands of hiking possibilities in Death Valley with backcountry areas accessible only by cross country hiking. Day Hikes range in distance from 1 -5 miles. Backcountry Hikes range from 4 to the 26 mile Cottonwood to Marble Canyon Trail which involves a climb of 3000 feet. – narrow canyons, Big Horn Sheep and Wilderness!. You will require a Camping Permit from a Ranger or Visitor Centre.
Biking is only allowed on roads open to automobile traffic, and prohibited on cross county or hiking trails. There are hundreds of miles of dirt and paved roads available with official trails from 2 to 49 miles in length. Biking in canyons should be avoided if there are storms expected.
This is a desert environment and simple precautions are essential. If you travel alone, advise someone of your plans and route. In canyons be aware of flash floods. Do not enter abandoned mines without a guide. Ensure each person has at least 1 gallon (5 litres) of water per day and drink it!! Wear suitable clothing, footwear, a hat and use sunscreen. If your vehicle breaks down, stay with it.
Despite its foreboding history, heat and other problems, Death Valley National Park is a unique place for a very adventurous holiday in a true desert environment with magnificent scenery, flora and fauna. Whether you are a hiker, biker, photographer, history buff or a tourist this is something special. Why not head for Death Valley this Spring?
THE TUCSON RODEO 2008
The first major, outdoor rodeo of the year takes place in Tucson, Arizona on February 16-24, 2008. All you “wannabee” cowboys and cowgirls should join the other 11,000 expected spectators and head for the sunshine and blue skies in Arizona, at the Tucson Rodeo grounds for the eighty-third Tucson Rodeo.
650 contestants from Canada and the United States will compete and demonstrate their abilities developed in real-life work skills.
The events over the nine day fiesta include bull riding which involves fearless (and foolhardy?) cowboys climbing on the back of an animal weighing over a ton equipped with dangerous horns. The rider may only use one hand to stay on board for the 8 second ride. If he touches the bull or himself with the free hand the score is zero. There is also bareback and saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. In this event, the quickest in the rodeo, the wrestler or bulldogger uses strength and technique to wrestle a steer to the ground. The animal weighs twice as much as the cowboy who starts on horseback with the two coming together at almost 30mph. To catch the running steer another mounted cowboy or hazer stops the animal from veering away from the bulldogger. The timed event is complete when the steer is on its side with all four feet pointing in the same direction.
Tie down roping has its roots on ranches where cowboys had to rope and immobilize sick calves. The calf is given a head start and the cowboy chases it on horseback, ropes the animal, dismounts and throws it by hand. He must tie any three legs with a short loop of rope he clenches with his teeth during the chase. Meanwhile his horse must pull back to eliminate any slack in the main rope. When finished he remounts and walks forward to create slack in the rope, waiting six seconds to confirm that the calf remains immobile.
Women’s Barrel Racing involves one woman, 3 barrels and a horse riding a cloverleaf course around the 3 barrels against the clock. Many of the competitors have invested large sums of money in the skillful horses they ride.
The fun events for the kids are the daily Dodge Mutton Bustin’ where 4-6 year olds display their riding skills on sheep and the Justin Junior Rodeo for the young cowboys (and girls) aged 5-12.
The highlight of the fiesta is the Tucson Rodeo Parade, which lasts 2 hours and claims to be the world’s longest non-motorised parade. It features themed floats and buggies, historic horse-drawn coaches, Mexican Dancers, marching bands and outfitted riders.
All proceeds from the Tucson Rodeo benefit local and Arizona charities. Head for the sunshine and blue skies of Arizona with all the family for this wonderful event.
SPRING FOOD AND WINEFESTS 2008
Spring food and winefests are coming up fast. To complement our suggestions for Spring Festivals, Travel Advice offers the following events to tickle your taste buds.
First up from February 29 to March 2, 2008 is the Boca Bacchanal, sixth annual winefest in Boca Raton, Florida, presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society.
The three-day event commences with Vintner Dinner’s where celebrity chefs and prize winning vintners will combine their respective talents to create gastronomic masterpieces, which are open to the public and held in private residences.
The highlight of the three days is The Bacchanal and Auction held on the Saturday at the Boca Raton Resort & Club with a lavish dinner and live auction of rare wines. On the third day there is a “Tasting Lunch” at the Centre for Arts at the Mizner Amphitheatre where you can try delicious food prepared by the top 25 restaurants. A new addition this year is “Raise your Glass,’ a lunch and culinary demonstration by the Florida Table and the Lynn University School of Hospitality. All proceeds go to the Boca Raton Historical Society. Many of the Vintner Dinners are already fully booked so do not wait too long before making your reservations
Each year The Southern Breeze Wine and Culinary Festival brings together fine wines, gourmet food and Gulf Coast culture into one weekend. The festival visits several Gulf Coast cities in turn, to celebrate the unique flavour of this region.
In 2008, you have a choice of three Spring weekends. Biloxi, Mississippi from March 7-9, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, April 4-6 and Orange Beach, Alabama, May 2-4. Each venue hosts exciting events, including a Winemaker Dinner where a top Gulf Coast chef prepares a five-course meal complemented by five elegant wines. On the Saturday is the Grand Wine Tasting where guests can sample up to 200 vintages from around the world, watch a “cook off” between local chefs and enjoy live music and purchase wines of their choice. The weekend ends with The Walkabout Brunch, sampling delicacies from 10 local restaurants and casting votes in The Peoples Culinary Competition. A perfect end to this great extravaganza of food and wine.
Finally, but by no means least, is The Blue Ridge Wine Festival, NC, held at Blowing Rock from April 10 – 13 2008. Thursday commences with the Commercial and Amateur Wine Competition where you can submit that homebrew you are inclined to boast about, Wines must use 70% of NC grapes. Friday, The Cashore Marionettes redefine the art of puppetry, there are cookery classes, Wine Education Seminars and The Gallery Stroll through the art galleries of Blowing Rock. The highlight is on Saturday with The Grand Tasting where you can sample 100 great wines followed by “Fire on the Rock,” a cooking competition between Blowing Rock’s finest chefs with the finale on the Sunday after The Champagne Brunch at a local restaurant. In addition there are Vintner’s Dinners in private residences. This is a fantastic festival in a fantastic setting, surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains
SPRING FESTIVALS IN NEW ORLEANS
After Mardi Gras in February, New Orleans is host to two magnificent festivals in April; you can join a free, three-day party at The French Quarter Festival. The French Quarter is the oldest area in the city, properly known as Vieux Carre and founded by the French in 1718.
Woldenberg Park, Royal and Bourbon Street and the Old Mint provide ten stages to offer musical entertainment from Country to Classic styles. The foodies can head for the booths in Jackson Square and Woldenberg to sample everything from crawfish pasta to alligator sausage. Kids can enjoy face painting, hat making and a chance to play in a jazz band at the Aquarium at the Americas Plaza. Do not miss a ride on the “Ladies in Red,” the famous streetcars in the streets along the banks of the Mississippi. There is fun, food and music for all at the French Quarter Festival.
The last weekend in April to the first weekend in May also sees another six day celebration in New Orleans, with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This is an extravaganza of music, food, culture and crafts at the Fairgrounds Racetrack.
Music lovers can enjoy Jazz, Country, Blues, Pop, Gospel and New Orleans Funk, simultaneously from multiple stages. Three major Craft Fairs are also held at the Jazz Fest.
This is the Festival for food!! 100 booths will offer Louisiana and International dishes. How about, Crawfish Monica, Cochon de Lait Po-Boy, Pheasant-Quail-Andouille Gumbo, Smothered Cabbage and Cornbread and Italian Muffuletta. Your mouth must be watering!
These are two fabulous Spring Festivals – especially for the music and food lovers.
NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN TOURS
For a holiday with a difference why not try a Native American Indian tour. This type of holiday can be very eco friendly and if you chose a good tour operator as much as 50% of the money you spend goes to the Indian people themselves. You can chose to stay locally and purchase products directly. Some tour operators chose responsible locally based suppliers so that accomodation and food services are locally owned and operated to ensure the money stays locally. Many properties are chosen because they practise responsible tourism methods involving recycling, water use and energy consumption. Guides and drivers who practice and promote responsible tourism methods and techniques and participate in the National Park Conservation and Development programmes and Tribal Conservation initiatives can be hired.
Four interesting American Indian Tours that I have found are:
1. Spirit of the Wolf. This holiday is in South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming the Tribal lands of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Crow and Wind River Tribes.
This unique journey delves into the physical and spiritual significance of the wolf to the Plains Indians. The wolf appears in sacred narratives of ceremony and origin; he is celebrated in song, and has taught and inspired hunters and warriors.
Highlights of this trip are: Yellowstone, Sacred Rock Art Sites, Traditional Tipi Camp, Storytellng, Native Arts Workshop, Wild Mustangs to name but a few.
2. Lakota Moon. This holiday is located in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The Tribal Lands of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Crow.
This holiday is a journey into the culture of the Lakota Sioux Indians. Apart from learning the history of the people and about their great leaders such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Time will be spent journeying across the wide open prairie, rolling plains, the mountains and rivers of the Lakota Nation.
Highlights of this trip are: Sacred Black Hills, Bear’s Lodge, Badlands, Pine Ridge Reservation Sitting Bull’s Birthplace, Fort Pierre Fetterman Battlefield and Wounded Knee.
3. Hoka Hey! The Great Sioux War. This holiday is in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The Tribal Lands of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Crow and Wind River.
This vacation will take you on a journey through the Great Sioux War Sites. You can follow the trails of Crook, Crazy Horse, Custer and Sitting Bull. It takes in the Little Bighorn, mountains, plains, forts and battlefields.
Highlights of this trip are: Sacred Black Hills, Fort Fetterman Reynold’s Battlefield, Crazy Horse Campsite, Sitting Bull Campsite, Little Bighorn and the 7th Cavalry Campsite.
4. Elk Medicine. This holiday is located in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The Tribal Lands of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Crow and Wind River Tribes.
Follow the history of the Lakota people through great leaders such as Red Cloud and Crazy Horse and appreciate the historic and contemporary realities of the Tetonwan Oyate, People of the Plains. This holiday offers an insight into the mysteries of the Plains Indians.
Highlights of this trip are: The Badlands National Park, Pine Ridge Tribal Lands, Sacred Black Hills and Devil’s Tower.
So for those of you who would like to explore the Indian Nation and learn more about its people a tour would be a great way to see their lands and learn about the people, their customs and culture. Any of these holidays will provide you with plenty of adventure, photo opportunities, Native American Crafts and the chance to learn some American History in the places where it was made.
SPRING FESTIVALS - MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS
Continuing the Travel Advice series on Spring Festivals we invite you to visit one of the most famous celebrations in the world. This year, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday takes place in New Orleans on February 7th, 2008. The noisy, exciting and colourful entertainment actually starts on Twelfth Night (Jan 6) and ends on Mardi Gras.
Celebrations include both private and public masquerade balls which are organized by local Krewes (Clubs.) The highlights are the parades, all sponsored by Krewes. The parade season starts officially on the second Friday before Mardi Gras with parades by the older traditional Krewes which date back to the 1800’s. The “Super Krewes” parades are much larger, starting on the Saturday before Mardi Gras and end in lavish parties. Parades consist of 10 to 40 floats carrying Krewe members with marching bands, dance groups and costumed people
Every parade has a theme, from mythology, history or Hollywood and has mock royalty drawn from Krewe members or celebrities. Of these, Rex is the oldest Krewe from 1872 and is responsible for the official Mardi Gras colours of purple, green and gold. Zulu draws large crowds seeking the coveted coconuts thrown from the float. Proteus was founded in 1882. Bacchus is the most innovative and sports a national celebrity as its monarch. Endymion, is known for its Grand Marshall and some of the largest floats. This year will see Kevin Costner in that role. Hermes was the first to introduce neon lighting in 1938 and the Knights of Babylon who never disclose their theme until the parade.
Traditionally. items are thrown from the floats into the crowd and many have become collector’s items. These include strings of beads, toys, the Zulu coconuts and Doubloons which are large, plastic or metal coins which were first introduced in 1960.
Although many tourists centre their holidays in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, the parades have not entered the French Quarter since 1972 because of the narrow streets. Parades originate in the Up-Town and Mid-City Districts with best viewing on St Charles Avenue, between Napoleon Avenue and Lee Circle and Canal Street. Mardi Gras is family friendly and in this area there will be family picnics along the parade route. For the children, the local hardware stores will supply special ladders with seats bolted on to them and are safe providing an adult is also stood on the ladder. Small, stuffed animals are usually thrown from the floats along this part of the parade route.
On Fat Tuesday itself, numerous smaller parades, walking clubs and jazz bands wander through the city. Masks and costumes are worn by many visitors on that day.
One of the most popular foods during Mardi Gras is the King Cake. This is a confection of Danish pastry laced with cinnamon iced in the Mardi Gras colours. Hidden in each cake is a tiny plastic baby. The person finding the baby must buy the next cake or host the next party.
Mardi Gras offers the whole family a wonderful carnival experience plus good food, music and entertainment in New Orleans. Without doubt Mardi Gras in New Orleans ranks high in our list of Spring Festivals.
ADVENTURE HOLIDAY - HIKING IN THE GRAND CANYON
Hiking in the Grand Canyon is an excellent way to experience the beauty and size of this natural wonder. Once you have decided whether to enter the park from the North or South Rim you can start planning your hike. Whether you plan to hike for a day, overnight or several days you need to be prepared for this harsh environment.
The Grand Canyon hikes are so very demanding that even experienced and physically fit hikers can become fatigued and sore. But if you are well prepared and follow the rules even children should be able to hike the trails successfully.
All the effort is definitely worth it as you see the Canyon up close and personal. Everything you see here will give you a lifetime of memories and stories. For the Photographers among you this is a unique opportunity for some truly spectacular shots of the scenery and wildlife.
There are a variety of roads and viewing stations where you can take fantastic pictures from the top of the Grand Canyon. For those pictures inside the canyon you are probably going to have to hike.
Hiking in the Grand Canyon requires quite a lot of travel advice so here goes:
1. Starting at the top of the Canyon. Use a road worthy vehicle, in good condition and with a full gas tank. Carry tools and spares, water and spare car keys. There is a mechanic on the South Rim but you could have to wait for parts.
2. Know your limitations, moderation in all things is the key to success here.
3. Have adequate maps and plan your hike carefully at the pace of the slowest member of your group. Also never hike alone in this region.
4. Do not hike between 10am-4pm when inside the Canyon. It is fiercely hot in the summer and the heat is trapped between the walls making it more intense.
5. Go slowly, walk at a pace where you can talk as well. If you are breathless and can’t talk too you are going too fast.
6. Rest every hour for about ten minutes. Put your legs up, have a drink and something to eat. This will not slow you down but give you the endurance to carry on for longer.
7. Keep cool. Wear a hat, wet a bandana and put it around your neck, wet your shirt. Use sun screen and wear sunglasses.
8. Eat salty foods and or sports drinks. You must replace the salt lost from perspiring.
9. Stay on the trail. Never try out short cuts you don’t know or that are not marked.
10. If you have any health isssues be aware they will be much worse when hiking in the Canyon. So stay within your limitations and take proper care of yourself and go prepared for any emergency. Don’t assume everything will be fine, prepare as if it won’t, take extra medication etc. just in case.
11. Travel as light as possible. The heaviest items in your pack should be food and water.
12. Use hiking sticks to save your legs from strain.
13. Wear broken in, comfortable hiking boots.
14. Have a flashlight and extra batteries in case you end up hiking in the dark.
15. Make sure you have your map, compass, a signal mirror or whistle, first aid kit and water purification tablets.
16. Take your trash out of the canyon with you. So remember you have to carry it.
17. Eat and drink more than you normally do. Eat well before the hike, during and after. Do not think all this walking plus dieting would be a good thing. It definitely wouldn’t be.
18. Give your self more time than you think you will need. Distances are very deceptive here.
19. This may sound an odd rule but beware the mules when climbing up the sides of the canyon. If you come face to face with them on the trail. Step back against the hillside and wait Quietly until they are a fair distance away. They can kick, shove or bolt causing injury or a shove over the side if you are not careful.
20. Finally, if you have followed all the rules and used your common sense, relax and enjoy the views and the hike. The scenery will probably be the best you will ever see and the experience is one that will long be remembered. So have a fantastic time and enjoy hiking in the Grand Canyon.
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