Roaming: Where Shall We Go, Part 2

I guess I should start out by saying I love to fish. Fly Fishing to be specific. So, most of the places on my list are going to be fly fishing related. If I can do two of my favorite activities at the same time, fly fish and camp , I’m a very happy man. I also like to hike, float, and bicycle. Camping for me is best when combined with an activity, so, if I can camp and fish, or camp and float, or camp and bicycle that’s right up my ally.

There are many reasons why I put this National Park on my list. First and foremost, there is fly fishing. Along with many other activities such as white water rafting, bicycling and hiking. I’ve never been to the Appalachian Mountains so I’d like to hike part of the Appalachian Trail as well.

Back in 1984 I took a trip with my dad and best buddy to the summer Olympics. It took us two weeks to camp and fish our way from  from Kansas City to Los Angeles. That was a long time ago and I don’t remember a lot of the details of the trip, but there is one thing I’ll never forget…The plan was to drive west to the coast in northern California and then head south on scenic Highway 1 all the way to LA. As best as I can recall, it was a late night when we were heading west towards the coast. I was sleeping in the back when my dad woke me up and told me we were camping “here” for the the night. It was late, we were exhausted and instead of pitching a tent we just threw our sleeping bags onto the ground. When the morning light came and woke me, I realized that we were in a redwood forest. Looking up, I can remember seeing giant redwood trees all around us. It was truly an awesome sight and something that will forever be etched into my memory. I’d like to see that again. There is a ton of places to see and to camp, it may take several weeks to explore this area.

This area has been on my places to visit list ever since the wife and I got an opportunity to visit some of her Denver friends over an impromptu weekend getaway. We were able to stay in an unbelievable cabin in the mountains near Leadville, CO. I was able to fly fish in a mountain lake while there and it reminded me of a lake that my dad took us to on a visit to Colorado back in 1984. I want to do that again, but only with a little extra time to explore. There are many RV camps in or around the Rock Mountain National Park Area, if anyone has any suggestions, feedback would be appreciated. I would like to find an RV park near some good hiking trails and high mountain lakes with trout.

I’ve seen pictures of Yellowstone; I’m thinking it’s one of those places that you just have to see in person. I want to stay at Fishing Bridge because of its central location inside the park. When we go, we plan on taking an extended trip, hopefully we can see most of the park in about 7 days or so. I like this destination because of the many activities and wondrous sights offered in the park.

I’m interested in the area because of natural geological wonders in this area. I’ve always been interested in geology and how nature has a way of creating and changing itself over time. I want to see how natural erosion has shaped the landscape creating the “badlands.”  Also, I want to see the historic Black Hills and, of course, Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. We only briefly discussed camping in the area, so we are open to some input on where to camp.

 Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

 It’s the Grand Canyon.

A few years ago, I came across a series of YouTube videos featuring a fishing guide named Joe Rotter from Red’s Fly Shop in Yakima, Washington. I’ve learned a lot about fly fishing watching the Red’s Fly Shop YouTube channel. All that watching has made me want to actually go to Yakima and hire Joe to take me fishing! Unfortunately Yakima, Washington it’s a LONG ways away from my home, so this destination may have to go to the back burner for a while.

I love the ocean. I don’t like the beach or swimming in the ocean, there are things in the ocean that consider me food. So, I don’t like being in the ocean, but I love boats and fishing in the ocean. I have a few friends that live along the gulf coast that have boats and fish in the ocean regularly. One lives south of Houston, which is within my travel trailer hauling distance. I’d like to find a nice RV park near the ocean and experience what the coastal area has to offer. Researching, there are several ocean front RV parks. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

       Wayne