Page 7 - AAA Shelby County – AAA Now! – March/April 2018

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america’s Great national Parks of the West
By Judie Karhan
America’s greatest collection of scenic wonders huddle snugly in the Western states. Here, spectacular views of canyon lands, rushing rivers and waterfalls, towering mountains and peaks are a dream come true for nature lovers and photographers.
Standing before the spectacular orange and red rock formations of Utah’s Monument valley, you
will certainly feel the heartbeat of Native American culture. While SUV touring is recommended for its ease and accessibility, it's not the only way to see the park. You can also explore it by horseback on a guided tour. Or, take a boat tour on the Green and Colorado rivers. You’ll soon see why this has been a favorite setting for many of Hollywood’s classic Westerns.
A pictorial favorite of photographer Ansel Adams, hikers and tourists, yosemite is indeed one of
the most beautiful places on earth. For outdoor enthusiasts, the region offers a vast selection of trails, from easy to challenging. East of the Yosemite Falls, the valley divides up into spectacular glacier-carved valleys and granite basins, providing intriguing trails in all directions. Dominating this area is Half Dome, its rounded summit looking 5,000 feet down to the valley ground. The Half Dome
vertical north face is a titanic-size wall above the Tenya River as well as the sheerest cliff on the continent.
“camp” point for branching out to nearby natural attractions.
Within the town of Sedona itself, visitors find a culturally rich environment. There are scores of art
galleries exhibiting works ranging from Western and Southwestern
to contemporary and modern
art. Sedona is also developing a reputation as a center for Southwest cuisine. Several of Sedona’s finest resorts feature innovative menus and award-winning chefs.
Guided tours of all kinds are available in the Sedona area. Jeep tours are one of the most popular ways to explore the back-country and learn about
the region’s history, geology, plants, animals and Native American culture. Other tours include stagecoach,
Yellowstone National Park
another Sedona highlight.
Farther north, yellowstone and grand Teton
national parks are a cherished part of Wyoming’s rich tapestry. With thousands of acres of sprawling wilderness to explore, Yellowstone stands as one of North America’s greatest assets – home to
an astonishing array of wildlife including bears, wolves, buffalo, elk, antelope and more. The iconic Old Faithful, Lower Falls and Yellowstone Lake are familiar in paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling experience. In Grand Teton National Park, enjoy spectacular views of the Grand Teton mountains, which rise as high as 13,770 feet above sea level.
The list of national parks in the West is lengthy, so no matter where your wanderings may take you, you’ll never be far from amazing scenery.
For more information about these park lands and to make reservations, call or visit AAA Shelby County.
Of course, a tour of the
Southwest must include a visit
to Arizona’s grand canyon,
perhaps the most staggering
geological formation in the
world. The Grand Canyon
offers mesmerizing scenery
in a kaleidoscope of hues
with its serene North Rim and
breathtaking South Rim. It’s easy
to be hypnotized by the canyon’s grandeur, in its towering rock formations, lush pine forests, isolated shallow lakes and expansive flowering meadows. On adventurous helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, visitors can peak into ancient dwellings poised on cliffs, sidle up to boulders perched on slender buttes and soar over slopes that suddenly drop away. Jeep tours that traverse high desert and mountains are also popular, as is whitewater rafting on the Colorado River.
Within Grand Canyon National Park there are plenty of guest rooms available, from the historic El Tovar to frontier cabin replicas in Bright Angel Lodge.
Beautiful sedona, Arizona is a magnet for writers, artists and holistic healers. For nature lovers of all varieties, this popular resort destination is a practical
Yosemite National Park
horseback, hiking or van tours of Sedona’s serene red rock country. For a bird’s-eye view of the red rocks, you’ll find scenic airplane and helicopter rides, as well as hot air ballooning.
One of the many attractions in the Sedona area is Montezuma Castle National Monument, one of the oldest, best preserved cliff dwellings found in the Southwest. The 286-acre Red Rock State Park, established as a center for environmental education, is
Grand Canyon
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