The Richmond Olympic Oval is the speed scating venue for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. For a short time after its completion the Richmond Olympic Oval is freely accessible to the public. Here are some impressions.
Here is a little gem that I discovered browsing posted pictures on Google Earth in preparation of my upcoming trip.
Corona Arch lies outside the Arches National Park. From Moab you drive along State Road 279 (parallel to Colorado river downstream, direction Potash). After 10.1 miles you reach a gravel parking lot right to the road, this is the Corona Arch trailhead (watch for the Corona Arch trailhead sign). See here for a map.
The trail starts at the south-east corner of the parking lot, don’t waste your time with the trail on the north end.
Close to the trailhead the trail crosses the potash railway line that cuts through the bootlegger canyon.
During your 1.5 mile hike to the arch you climb up approx. 450 feet. There are some short steep sections. But the trail is well maintained and where required moki steps, cables and a ladder are provided. All in all an easy hike, even if you have kids with you. But I suggest you hike early in the morning or late in the evening since there is no shade whatsoever.
Once you have mastered half of the way you already can see the arch as the mayor attraction of Bootlegger Canyon.
Soon you pass Bowtie Arch, which is nice
but Corona Arch is so impressive and so close that likely will continue right away. And the arch is really worth it.
Corona Arch is sometimes called “Little Rainbow Bridge”. Considering that this destination is so easy to reach, that it is not well known to the public (not crowded) I really prefer this one over the Rainbow Bridge. An excellent hike, a morning wise spent.
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The Antelope Slot Canyon is located only a few kilometers east of Page. You can book a chartered tour from probably any hotel in Page, but since it is so close and accessible why not go directly. Take #98 west out of Page, the entry to the Antelope Canyon is located directly after the floodway before you approach the massive coal plant that is left of #98.
See location on Google Maps
There are in fact two Antelope Canyons (upper and lower). The upper canyon is south of the Hwy, the lower canyon is north of the Hwy. Parking is available on both sides directly off the Hwy.
The Antelope Canyons are VERY popular with tourists, you will have a hard time to get the photo shot you want. Upper Antelope is more popular with tourists than the Lower and we had been at the Upper Antelope before. So this time we are going for the Lower Antelope.
And what a pleasant surprise, it worked out perfectly. Usually you have to get on a guided tour operated by the Navajo tribe that you join on-site and are only permitted to stay in the slot canyon for a limited time (approx 1 hour). This time (early in the morning) there was not much business at lower Antelope. We simply asked whether we could stay longer to take some photographs. The guides provided us with a photographers pass (for no additional fee, I believe), showed us the entry to the slot canyon and allowed us to discover the canyon by ourselves, no time limit - that would never have happened in that busy Upper Antelope section.
Right in front of is the entry to the slot canyon.
Different to the Upper Antelope the Lower Antelope requires to climb down several stairs as you pass through the canyon.
Other than the occasional stairs the canyon is easy to navigate.
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The Petrified Forrest NP is located east of Holbrook between Hwy180 and I40.
We entered the national park from the south via Hwy180. We followed the single road that traverses the part south to north.
You have to be aware that taking petrified wood out of the park is strongly forbidden and that park rangers may check your car on leaving the park. You can purchase nice pieces of petrified wood on several locations outside the park - even directly off the interstate. Due to the potential searches by the park rangers I suggest to purchase wood samples only after you left the national park.
Note that the park can be split in a south section with petrified forest and a north section called Painted Desert. Here is why they call it Painted Desert:
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Ever wondered where Jeff Bridges in the movie Starman was picked up by his spaceship?
You find the Winslow Meteor Crater south of exit 233 on I40. Once you leave the Interstate you will cross an old abandoned road, the historic Route 66.
I have to admit that I was kind of disappointed of the crater. OK, it is well preserved and from the observation platform you can have a good look at the crater. But is that worth a price of $15 / adult (as of 2007)? I have my doubts, unless you have too much time and funds available …
Some mountain ranges nearby
OK, they have an Apollo test capsule at the visitor center
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