Hiking the Vermilion Cliffs – Free Wheel Drive

Vermilion Cliffs - Free Wheel Drive

This area of Arizona and Utah is a hot spot for Slot Canyons. What is a Slot Canyon? Slot Canyons are narrow passages formed by rivers that are now mostly dried up. Slot canyons are significantly deeper than they are wide. Hikers can follow the dried river beds that pass through the canyons. Sometimes the canyons can be very narrow, filled with debris, or can fill with water in a flash flood. Meaning they can be dangerous and hikers must be prepared and not go solo.

The tragic movie 127 Hours was about a solo hiker exploring slot canyons in this area of the country. The most famous slot canyon right now is Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ. Antelope Canyon is on the Navajo Reservation and access to this slot canyon is run by people who live on the reservation.

Unfortunately, because this canyon has become so popular on Instagram the demand to see it has skyrocketed and the reservation charges a lot of money to see it. We’re not saying we’re mad at the people who run the sight, it’s not public land and they have every right to make money off of tourists. It’s just for the moment seeing Antelope Canyon was out of our price range. So, what are we to do?

Good thing this area of the country is packed full of similar if not equally as beautiful other slot canyons. This is how we became introduced to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This National Monument is huge! It’s also very different from any other National Monument we have been to yet.

By Laura and Camrin – Full Story at Free Wheel Drive

Northern Arizona Gay Travel Resources

 

Queer Family Hiking in Bend, Oregon – 2TravelDads

Queer Family Hiking in bend, Oregon - 2TravelDads

Bend, Oregon with kids is an ideal vacation plan. Seriously. We just returned from a week long fall trip to Bend and enjoyed the culture and outdoors of Bend so much that we’re chatting about doing a return trip to consider and research moving there. We were based out of LOGE Camps Entrada Lodge on the Cascade Lakes Highway and couldn’t have been more pleased how it added to our Bend itinerary.

Check out our really cool, perfect family accommodations at LOGE Camps Entrada as well as our family friendly Bend itinerary for taking advantage of the outdoors. It’s the perfect vacation plan to make you fall in love with Central Oregon.

Staying at LOGE Camps Entrada Lodge

We first stayed at a LOGE Camps location in Westport, Washington and we were hooked. LOGE Camps are the coolest compounds perfect for outdoor lovers and families. LOGE Entrada is the newest member to the collection of family-friendly hotels in the group. Located just outside of the main downtown area of Bend, LOGE Entrada is on the way out to Mount Bachelor and the Deschutes National Forest. The location was perfect for us and our outdoors-focused Bend itinerary.

The rooms at LOGE Entrada are super cool, as they’ve been updated to incorporate outdoor elements like rustic wood and hammocks. Some accommodations have bike racks in the rooms themselves, others have exterior storage lockers with locks/keys provided. In the event you’re not prepared for the adventures, LOGE has everything you need for purchase, from Yeti coolers to metal coffee tumblers, charging cables to hammocks.

By Rob Taylor – Full Story at 2TravelDads

Bend Gay Travel Resources

 

Hiking the Hudson Valley’s Gertrude’s Nose Trail – Globetrotter Girls

Gertrude’s Nose Trail - Globetrotter Girls

Just a couple of days after returning to New York, I found myself at Grand Central Terminal, ticket in hand and ready to board a train to New Hamburg, a small town on the Hudson River in Upstate New York.

This wasn’t going to be a long trip, but even a couple of days away from the city are enough for me to recharge my batteries, and I was on a mission to clear my head with another great hike, after all the fantastic hikes I did in Tennessee last month.

The Lower Hudson Valley has enough hikes to keep me busy (and in shape!) for the next few years, but somehow I haven’t made it up there one single time since a long day hike last summer.

We consulted our hiking guide book to find a great day hike and finally settled on a trail inside the Minnewaska State Park preserve: the 7-mile Gertrude’s Nose Trail with a detour to Lake Minnewaska.

The hike started off fairly easy, on a gravel road, until we turned off the road onto a smaller trail. The entire morning we didn’t see a single other person, and the first sign that we weren’t the only ones in the woods were fresh bear tracks which made me slightly nervous. For the next couple of hours, we followed the path along the edge of steep cliffs, always overlooking the vast forest that was surrounding us. It never ceases to amaze me how close I am to so much untouched nature – just a couple of hours north of New York City.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Hidson River Valley Gay Travel Resources

 

St. Kitts Volcano Crater Hike – Lesbian Travel

St. Kitts Volcano - Mt. Liamuiga - pixabay

Say St. Kitts and images of white sandy beaches, swaying palms and turquoise blue waters come to mind. Ready to go off-beach and really see what the island is all about? Let me introduce you to Mt. Liamuiga – a 3000 ft volcano. She hasn’t breathed fire for almost 2000 years, but a hike to the rim proves she’s still as mighty as ever.

After a winding drive through St. Kitts, we started our 2-3 hour trek upwards. The first hour passed easily beneath banyan trees and more vines than Tarzan could ever hope to swing. Our guide, who hikes the volcano 3-4 times a week, pointed out which plants can save a life and which ones can end one.

He told us about the mongoose, brought over by the English to control the snake population. What the Brits didn’t know is that mongoose also have a taste for tropical bird eggs, which explained the eerie quiet as we hiked. No parrots or tropical birds on the island, but plenty of mongoose.

As we neared the rim, the slope pitched dramatically and the chit chat changed to determined concentration. At points it felt as if we were climbing straight up, grasping at roots and trunks to keep us from falling backward.

By Julia Rosien – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Hiking the Camino de Santiago – Globetrotter Girls

Camino de Santiago - Dani, Globetrotter Girls

When I started planning my 500 mile hike along the Camino de Santiago, I wanted to make sure I’d be as prepared as I could be, to ensure I’d have everything I’d need to make it to the end. But I also knew I’d need to pack as light as possible – something I am not very good at. Even one or two kilos can make or break a hiking trip, considering you will have to carry your own pack from place to place (even though it turned out I could have avoided carrying it, but more on that later).

Since I’d never gone on a five-week hiking trip before, I consulted every blog and website with travel tips & resources I could find, making notes on what equipment to buy and which brands were recommended.

Before I get into the details of what I brought, I wanted to start with a few remarks on stuff I didn’t bring and wish that I did have, and some things I brought and could’ve done without.

WHAT I BROUGHT AND DIDN’T NEED

Compeed: If you are a serious hiker, you’ll probably have heard of Compeed, a popular blister bandaid brand. My sister, who works at a pharmacy, brought me three different kinds of Compeed, and thank God I didn’t need a single one of them! I gave a couple of them away, and of course I held on to them in case I’d develop a blister, which luckily I didn’t. Since I saw Compeed bandaids in every single pharmacy along the Camino (I am sure they’re making most of their sales here), I wouldn’t buy them before the hike next time, and instead pick them up along the way if needed. People do swear by them though, so if you’re prone to getting blisters, you might want to bring a pack (they’re small and very light).

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Spain Gay Travel Resources

India Adventure Hikes – Breakaway Backpacker

India village

India is a huge country and there is a lot of room to explore various trails and scenery while you are there. If you want, it’s the perfect playground for hiking enthusiasts. Since a country that big can easily get confusing for a newbie, today we’ll take a look at some of the most exciting hiking trails to try. In the end we hope that you will find this country to be as fun and beautiful as we did!

The Grand Indrahar Pass

This is one of the most popular destinations for hiking in the entire country. This pass is in the Dhauladhar Range in the Himalayans, and you will start your trek at the Galu Temple.

During the journey you can rest at a camping ground, but don’t forget to look around at the Lahesh Caves, which is a place where hikers like to explore. The Pir Panjal Mountains are also something you will see, along with the forests and Deodar and Rhododendron flowers! Your trip will wrap up at Chamba.

One more thing you will see is the Mahesh Kailash peak, which has snow on top and looks amazing! You will want to visit here anywhere from May to October for the best hiking.

By Jaime Davila – Full Story at Breakaway Backpacker

India Gay Travel Resources

El Morro RV Park and Cabins – Lesbian Owned Resort in Ramah, New Mexico

El Morro RV Park and Cabins

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

El Morro R.V. Park and Cabins is a great get away from the hubbub, psychic noise, and distractions of everyday life for most people. The Park exists as one of the centers of activity for this little community, but more importantly, one can always deepen one’s appreciation for the natural quiet and timeless majesty one finds here. Hike fantastic trails or bike into the Zuni Mountains, or climb El Morro National Monument.

Travel to see the wolves at the Wolf Sanctuary, or birdwatch the many great migrations that pass by or live here. Search for petroglyphs and old pueblo sites, and get in touch with the spirits of the peoples that hunted, lived and prospered here for 12,000 years. These are just a few of the experiences available here that bring one back to oneself. Our cozy, well furnished, modern cabins are an oasis for resting, playing or exploring. Or just pull your rig in, or toss up a tent for a unique and pleasant stay.

El Morro R.V. park boasts the well renowned Ancient Way Cafe, a very popular spot for locals, tourists, and taste seekers. It has an excellent array of breakfast and lunch offerings that fit old standards with southwestern specialties, and the Friday and Saturday night gourmet offerings rival some of the best fusion enticements out there, Spanish meets Navaho meets Old and New World presenta-tions.

The onsite bakery provides an amazing array of sweet tooth goodies that are high quality, from scratch, and original. In an upbeat Cafe,’ with the art of locals festooning the walls, and an exuberant and efficient staff, we are a different kind of outpost than most people expect. We are also Gay owned and managed, and exist in a very supportive community with many other LGBTQ folk.

Other things to do here include a walk of our unique sculpture garden trail. Visit the wellness center called Wave Riders of the Ancient Way (also on the property) to get a psychic reading, or an energy balancing, or to experience other esoteric healing options. Check out the Galleria Carnaval across the street for eye opening art and gifts. Find great shopping for native work at Inscription Rock Trading Center next door, and even more great art, (as well as concerts, festivals, theater productions, workshops, open mic night, and other events ongoing throughout the year} at The Old School Gallery across the street.

There is also the very nice El Morro Market across the street with organic and local goods, as well as specialty goods that you thought you’d never find in the middle of nowhere. Or just sit on your porch and watch the dreamy day go by and have a fire in the fire pit, (weather permitting) and sing campy songs that echo off the mesa wall. So much to do or not do!

See the El Morro RV Park and Cabins
Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Northwest New Mexico

Patagonia Trails – Puerto Varas, Chile

Patagonia Trails Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Patagonia Trails is a gay friendly, lesbian owned travel agency in Puerto Varas, Chile. We offer a wide range of services, including:

  • Self drive tours
  • Tailor made tours
  • shore excursions
  • Hiking vacations
  • Biking trips
  • Horseback riding
  • Nature walks
  • High end accommodation
  • Luxurious and private services
If you are planning a trip to Chile, please contact us – we’ll be happy to help you put together an amazing itinerary.

See the Patagonia Trails Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Chile

 ]]>