The Most Outdoorsy State In America

Above, Wyoming's Devil's Tower National Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one state in the lower 48 states that has been deemed the most "outdoorsy" state in the U.S. Based upon my experience with it, I have to agree. It is a fun place to travel in and with plenty to see and do.

Above, whitewater rafting the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

That state is Wyoming. My most recent visit was last summer.

Travel + Leisure took a look at different states and posted which ones are the most "outdoorsy" states to enjoy.

They begin with:

It’s easy to picture coastal states like California, Florida, or Maine when thinking about the best of America’s great outdoors. And while those destinations are undoubtedly stunning and offer tons of water-based activity options, what if we told you the most outdoorsy state in the country is actually completely landlocked?

A new study by RV rental company RVezy analyzed all 48 states in the continental U.S. for which there was available data using five sources—AllTrails, Google Maps, Campsite Tonight, Summit Post, and the National Park Service. It evaluated 12 metrics measuring access to outdoor recreation, with applicable factors calculated per 100,000 residents. Walking trails, campgrounds, and percentage of public land carried the most weight at 10 percent each, followed by hiking trails and state parks at 9 percent; mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding trails, and water sports access at 8 percent; waterfalls and national parks at 7 percent; and ski resorts at 6 percent.

“It’s one thing to have beautiful landscapes, but another to have the infrastructure that allows people to explore them safely and easily,” said RVezy founder Michael McNaught, in a press release. “From my experience, the best destinations are the ones that offer flexibility. You might go for a hike in the morning, paddle in the afternoon, and camp under the stars at night. States that rank highly in this study tend to offer that kind of all-in-one experience, which is exactly what travelers are looking for.”

Wyoming ranked No. 1, taking the top spot in three of the 12 metrics: hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and access to national parks. With the second-lowest population density of any other U.S. state (only Alaska has fewer residents and more land), Wyoming’s population of roughly 590,784 leaves a lot of nature to explore, with not nearly as many crowds.

Above, Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Navajo Dam Road Closure Begins Today

Above, driving on the road on the backside of the Navajo Dam. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the nicest places for boating and camping is at Navajo Dam near Farmington, New Mexico. 

I went there two years ago and had a great time. A highlight was driving on a road on the backside of the dam.

That road is to be closed for a few months for exploratory drilling starting today. One of the things to be checked will be seepage from the dam.

The Durango Herald reported:

New Mexico Highway 539 over Navajo Dam, located about 45 miles east of Farmington, will be closed to traffic from Wednesday, Feb. 28, to May 15.

Traffic detours will re-route traffic traveling between Navajo Dam and Navajo City that runs from north/south on New Mexico Highway 511 and runs east/west on US Highway 64 and detours may cause travel delays.

Maintenance crews will be completing exploratory drilling to gather geotechnical data on Navajo Dam as part of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams Program during this period. 

To read more, go here. 

RV Life: Discover Lake Havasu City

Above, jet skiing on Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past several years, it has been somewhat of a pattern for me to go to Lake Havasu, Arizona. It is usually to visit friends and spending holidays with them. I usually average 2-3 visits per year.

Some of the things I've done in Lake Havasu includes boating, jet skiing, skeet shooting, camping and restauranting. I usually camp at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in my motorhome.

Above, camping at Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article on the things one can do in Lake Havasu.

They begin it with:

The sunny desert town of Lake Havasu City offers RVers a welcome respite from the winter weather up north. Located 150 miles south of Las Vegas, Lake Havasu City is a stone’s throw away from the Nevada border. The destination offers something for everyone. Centrally located and a popular choice with RVers year round is Lake Havasu State Park, set along the shores of picturesque Lake Havasu. The lake, which is actually a reservoir, was created when Palmer Dam was constructed on the Colorado River in the 1930s. The reservoir created nearly 450 miles of shoreline.

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Lake Fishing, Size, Depth and More

Above, boating on Navajo Lake on a rental pontoon boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, my former roommate Jessica and I went to Navajo Lake in Northern New Mexico for some relaxation and recreation.

We camped at Cottonwood Campground and rented a pontoon boat while there. Jet skis are also available for rent. We had a good time.

AZ Animals has an article on Navajo Lake with plenty of information.

They begin with:

Navajo Lake is located in the southwestern part of the United States, primarily in New Mexico. The lake is considered the second-largest lake in New Mexico and offers tons of recreational activities for visitors. Interestingly enough, the original purpose of this beautiful lake was not to simply have fun. Instead, it was originally constructed as a means for water storage and irrigation. The history behind this lake is incredibly fascinating. Today it has become a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and more! So are you interested in learning about Navajo Lake? Discover everything there is to know about this large reservoir that extends into two states and offers lots of fun activities for everyone to enjoy.

To read the full article, go here. 

Navajo Lake Is Filling Up Fast

Above, Navajo Lake last summer from the marina parking lot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The water level of New Mexico's Navajo Lake looked pretty good to me last summer. Then again, I am not a lake water level expert.

My former roommate, Jessica and I rented a pontoon boat and had a great time boating on the lake. We camped at the Cottonwood Campground nearby.

According to an article in The Journal, Navajo Lake is filling up to levels last seen about six years ago.

They wrote:

With 12 feet of snowpack in the San Juan Mountains and 3 feet of snow melting in the past 24 hours, the lakes and rivers of the southwest are full.

The Animas River below Aztec, as of June 1, had a depth of 9.67 feet and was running at 4,160 cubic feet per second. The depth dropped to 7.75 feet at Farmington with a flow rate of 3,610 cfs, according to the U.S. Geological Service’s National Water Information System.

The San Juan River near Bloomfield, as of June 1, had a depth of 7.91 feet and was flowing at 4,760 cfs with water releasing from Navajo Reservoir into the river. At the confluence on the Navajo Nation, the San Juan River’s rate increase to 8,230 cfs, and it was reported as being 11.18 feet deep, according to the USGS.

Despite water flowing out of Navajo Reservoir the lake’s capacity has been increasing. “For a while we were going up over a foot a day,” said Jarrett Johnson, president and CEO of Navajo Lake Marina.

The lake was sitting at 43 feet deep as of June 1, making it 34.61 feet higher than this time last year, Johnson said.

“The last time we were this high or higher was six years ago. It’s pretty good water,” Johnson said, adding the depth is dropping because of releases. “They’re releasing as fast as they can release. “We’ll probably start falling, but they’re going to stop the release on June 14. We may come down 5 or 6 feet, but we’ll still be in phenomenal shape.”

Above, the view from the pontoon boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

TheTravel: Guide To Lake Havasu City

Above, jet-skiing and boating on the lake are favorite pastimes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who want to get away from it all, consider a vacation stay at Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

I've been there several times as a friend is a resident there. I'm starting to know my way around town (uh, somewhat). I was there most recently during Christmas.

TheTravel has posted a guide to vacationing in Lake Havasu. They mention several hotels, but they omitted RV camping at the lake. There's plenty to do. One of things to do is taking a hike. I was going to use that as the title of this blog, but it is too suggestive and people may get the wrong Idea. (Read the article and you'll see why.)

But it is worth looking through.

They begin with:

Arizona is home to numerous tourist hotspots, but one of its hidden gems waiting to be discovered is Lake Havasu City. Nestled in the depth of the Mohave Desert, this sprawling resort community offers a mix of unending sunshine and big shiny waters. While some consider it to be in the middle of nowhere, Lake Havasu is only three hours away from its more famous counterpart, Phoenix, or about two hours away from Las Vegas.

A relatively young city, Lake Havasu was established in 1963 after attracting miners speculating for gold and silver and serving as a military recreation site. But thanks to industrialist Robert McCulloch and his vision, the city has come a long way from its mining days to become a bustling vacation destination with popular historical landmarks, incredible natural landscapes, and endless outdoor adventures. Fancy exploring this diamond in the rough? Here is the ultimate guide to Lake Havasu City.

 To read more, go here.

Grand Teton Boating Fees To Be Hiked

Above, a boat marina at Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Adding to the nation's inflation, it has been announced that boating fees at Grand Teton National Park will be hiked in February. 

According to the Billings Gazette: 

Boaters in Grand Teton National Park will see an increase in the cost of an annual park boat permit to $25 for non-motorized boats and $75 for motorized boats starting in February.

Boat permit fees help offset the costs associated with waterway patrols and priority aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections and education.

Aquatic invasive species are marine organisms that have spread or been introduced outside their native range. AIS are a growing risk for national park resources and cause tremendous harm to the environment, economy and public health.  

To read more, go here. 

Gov. Grisham Continues To Waste Taxpayer Funds

Above, Navajo Lake Marina, where the governor spent taxpayer funds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's the old liberal Democrat elitist mantra: Rules for thee, but not for me.

It appears that New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been busted (again!) over living lavishly on the taxpayers' dime during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

If that the Stop MLG press release says its true, it looks like she partied and lived high on the hog while people suffered and lost jobs and businesses. She's done this before and was exposed.

They begin with:

While New Mexicans were ordered to stay home and state recreational areas were under strict lockdown during the COVID-19 Health Emergency, Governor Grisham may have enjoyed her time on the lake, boating.

Santa Fe, NM – Thursday, September 15, 2022 – Inspection of Public Records obtained through the Department of Finance reveals Governor Grisham may have been defying her emergency health orders to enjoy boating, parties, and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brett Kokinadis, Director of Stop MLG and the First Vice-Chair of the Republican Party of Santa Fe county, requested contingency fund and purchasing card “p-card” reports from January 1, 2020, from the Department of Finance. Forty-nine documents contained nearly 1,000 pages of expenditures that were responsive detailing expenses of Governor Grisham, the Governor’s Staff, and the Governor’s State police security details “p-card” reports.

Reports included certificates for boating safety courses, VRBO lodging, Navajo Lake Marina fees, and boating packages.

“There are nearly 1,000 pages of receipts containing lavish catered items and alcohol for large parties, excessive daily shopping, travel, and even perhaps activities in Taos, Vail, and boating on a Navajo lake. All this while the Governor scolded New Mexicans and ordered them to stay indoors, away from loved ones, and left to stand in the cold for groceries.”, Kokinadis continued.

To read the full press release and go to the link to the documents, go here. 

And, more details posted by Piñon Post, go here.

Boating On Navajo Lake

Above, Navajo Lake from the marina parking area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent months, reports of the low levels of Lake Mead (due to the drought) have been in the news.

A few months ago, similar reports (though not quite as extreme) on Navajo Lake in New Mexico have been made. At one point, it was questionable if the lake's levels were safe enough for jet skiing this summer. 

Well, our visit to Navajo Lake State Park found the lake level to be in good shape. It must be due to the monsoon rains we've been getting. Boaters and jet skiers were out and about.

Jess and I decided to rent a pontoon boat last Friday for a couple of hours of cruising around the lake. The lake even extends into Colorado. 

We had a good time on the lake. Jess got to pilot a boat for the first time in her life. The last time I piloted a pontoon boat was seven years ago at Lake Havasu. The cost was reasonable, $65 per hour with a two-hour minimum. We were charged a whopping fifty cents for fuel!

Some photos:

Today On the Lake

Above, yours truly piloting the boat. Photo by Jessica.

Today, we headed out to the Navajo Lake State Park marina and did some boating.

We rented a pontoon boat for a couple of hours. 

Above, Jessica taking a try at the wheel. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

We had a good relaxing time cruising around the lake.

We passed by a number of houseboats at their mooring area, some were made from old travel trailers. 

Arizona: 15 Must-See Places

Above, Lake Havasu made the list of must-see places in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Forty miles west of where I live is the Arizona-New Mexico border on Interstate 40. I have often been in Arizona during the past four years. 

Arizona is so close that taking trips there is quite easy for me. There are many places to see and things to do.

AZ Big Media has posted 15 must-see places in Arizona. There are some that are well-known (such as he Grand Canyon) and some are "hidden gems".

They begin with:

Arizona is well-known for its beautiful landscapes and scenery. These beautiful, must-experience places are bucket-list worthy; some are well-known, while others are hidden gems you might not have known about. From national landmarks to historical towns and breathtaking outdoor landscapes, here are 15 places to visit on your next Arizona road trip.

 To see what they are, go here.

Grand Teton's Colter Bay Closed For Season

Above, Colter Bay Marina during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Boaters who like to take their boats out on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park are out of luck this summer season.

The lake is very low, practically empty in some areas. 

According to Buckrail:

MOOSE, Wyo. — Colter Bay Marina in Grand Teton National Park is looking very dry this summer.

According to the park, Due to low water levels on Jackson Lake, the Colter Bay Marina and all associates activities and services will not be operating for the 2022 summer season.

According to the article, Jackson Lake is a natural lake that is fed by the Snake River. The Jackson Lake Dam raises the water level about 39 feet to the lake. 

In some parts of the lake, it is only 47% full.

To read more and see photos of the lake, go here.

Where To Go This Summer Part 2

Above, the Durango train departing Durango Station last April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After spending some time yesterday discussing where to go when my ex-roommate Jessica comes for a visit this summer, we decided to go to Durango to ride the train and, from there, go to Navajo Lake State Park near Farmington, New Mexico for some jet skiing or boating.

I have never been to Navajo Lake, so I am looking forward to checking it out. It is along the way home (roughly) from Durango, so it works out great. Camping for RVs is $14/night, with hook-ups. Nice and cheap!

Above, Navajo Lake Marina. Navajo Lake State Park photo.

We should be able to do both and get home on one tankful of gasoline.

Colorado Outdoor Adventures "Bucket List"

Above, Square Tower House at Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the airlines have messed up holiday travel, one can bet that more people will shun flying during vacation season and take to the road instead.

The Gazette has posted an article of a "bucket list" of 8 great destinations in the state of Colorado. 

Granted, while the 8 items are worthy of consideration, the list hardly scratches the surface of things to see and do in Colorado.

They start it with:

The past two years, due to day-to-day changes brought on by the pandemic, many Coloradans have found more time and freedom to cross off their outdoor bucket list.

But the opportunities are endless in every colorful corner of this state. Some ideas for your new year:

To read more, go here.

Lake Mead Level 1 Water Shortage Declared

Above, the beginning of Lake Mead at the Hoover Dam in November 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The current monsoon season in the Southwest doesn't seem to be helping much with the water situation at Lake Mead.

The lake is down from it's high-mark of 500 to about a few hundred feet.

According to RVTravel:

If you were planning on parking your RV along the shores of Lake Mead anytime soon, you’d better prepare for a hike to the water, too.

On Monday, August 16th, the Bureau of Reclamation declared a Level 1 Water Shortage Condition for Lake Mead. That’s the first time the lake has ever seen a Level 1 declaration. It will lead to a series of water use cuts that take effect as early as 2022.

Access to the lake is becoming difficult, with marinas servicing the Lake Mead National Recreation Area forced to move farther into the lake in order to launch watercraft. 

The lake, which is about 500 feet deep when it’s full, still has a few hundred feet of water. But hills and mountains that were long submerged are beginning to near the surface, causing boating hazards.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton Boat Permits Move To Online System

Above, the marina at Colter Bay Village on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Planning on doing some boating at Grand Teton National Park? Well, there's some good news for you.

The Grand Teton boat permits have moved to an online system.

According to Yellowstone Gate:

MOOSE, WY- Boaters to Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway will have the option to purchase their park boating permits online via Recreation.gov beginning Tuesday, April 6.   

The new online mail-order system will improve the visitor experience by allowing boaters to plan ahead and have their permit mailed directly to them within two weeks. The system allows for contactless ordering and will provide an opportunity for the park to share educational materials with visitors prior to their arrival.

The park will continue to issue boating permits during summer operations at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and Colter Bay Visitor Center permit desks, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. Permits are required for all boats including stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, and canoes.

The cost for a 2021 Grand Teton National Park boat permit increases to $17 for non-motorized boats and $56 for motorized boats. Boat permit fees help offset the costs associated with waterway patrols, aquatic invasive species inspections, and transition to online services.

To read more, go here. 

Along With RVs, Boat Sales Are Booming

Above, two new Coachmen Class C motorhomes in transit at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The "pandemic" has not only caused a boom in RV sales, it has also caused a big surge in boats as well.

I have been seeing a lot of transporters with RVs and boats stopping at the local Flying J travel center lately. Interstate 40 seems to be a major east-west route for RV and boat manufacturers as they head towards Arizona and California.

According to the Sacramento Bee:

Boat and RV dealers have seen an unprecedented sales boom during the past few months, as people look for ways to cool off and have fun this summer while adhering to COVID-19 social distancing recommendations. 

“It’s been record-breaking,” said Bob Bense, the owner of Superior Boat Repair and Sales. “I’ve been in the industry for almost four decades and I’ve never seen anything like it.” 

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, personal watercrafts saw big sales increases this May: up 75 percent compared to 2019. Outboard engine sales also increased. And Discover Boating, an online guide to boat buying, saw a triple-digit jump in consumers searching for boats last month. 

“With boating restrictions lifted in all 50 states, and the COVID-19 response dictating where and how far people can travel, the forecast for boating this summer is looking bright,” NMMA representative John-Michael Donahue wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee. 

RV sales are on the rise, too, said Monika Geraci, a representative from the RV Industry Association. Some dealers said they’ve seen 200 percent increases in sales, compared to the same period of time in 2019. And a recent survey about Americans’ attitudes toward travel found that 46 million people are planning an RV trip in the next 12 months.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton Boat Season Starts

Above, the marina at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From what I saw last summer, Grand Teton National Park looks like a great place for boating. Provided that one has a boat.

Finally, at long last, boating season began last week in the national park.

According to Jackson Hole News & Guide:

Although Jackson Lake ice-off fishing trips and pre-runoff Snake River floats were wiped out by COVID-19 related closures, the water season in Grand Teton National Park has officially arrived. 

Lacking staff for aquatic invasive species checks, park officials opted to keep the floating and boating off-limits in the first couple weeks Teton park was open. The weekslong disruption ends Friday, when the AIS check stations at Moose and Moran boot back up and vessels are again allowed on the water. 

“Boaters are reminded that both a park boat permit and a state of Wyoming aquatic invasive species decal are required before launching on any park waters,” park officials said in a statement.

To read more, go here. 

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