Planning a Trip – Pick a Location

I think it is fair to say that we all have seen a beautiful picture and imagined how amazing it would be to see this in person. My passion for photography has also led me to wonder how the photographer found that location and, more specifically, how can I find locations like this.

Sunrise at Windows Arch – Arches NP, Utah

I have spent a considerable amount of time finding specific locations and seeing amazing things is certainly part of my planning process. But overall, there is a process for picking locations, it goes like this:

First and foremost, what do we think we want to do? Answering these questions quickly brings the planning process into focus.

1. What do we feel like doing?
   • What environment excites us at the moment (mountains, beach, lake, city, etc.)
   • Energetic outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, whitewater rafting and backpacking are always enticing.
   • More laid back activities like photography, sightseeing, star gazing, people watching, or simply just finding a nice place to hang out and relax.
   • Historical or cultural experiences like museums, monuments, or traveling to sample the local cuisine.
   • Seasonal or time-based events like the autumn leaves changing colors, seasonal activities like skiing, or annual events like festivals.
   • Meeting up with others in a particular or central location.
   • Got a couple days off and want to play
   • Group considerations including various desires, capabilities and resources available
2. What resources are available?
   • How much time can be planned?
   • How much money can be comfortably committed to the trip?
   • Is the equipment needed available and affordable?
3. Environmental implications?
   • How will the anticipated weather potentially impact the plan?
     • Weather.com
     • NOAA.gov
   • Sunrise/sunset times, moonrise/moonset times and moon illumination particularly if photography is in the plan.
     • TimeandDate.com
     • Space.com

Camping under the Milky Way – Olympic NP, WA

Goal is to seek out and find the right match. If the location is pre-determined based on the activity or event, the planning focus shifts to planning the trip within the time and money limitations. If there are still many location choices, here is what we do:

• Pick a region or location based on what is on our Dreams, bucket list, or something that has sparked our interest lately…or throw a dart at the wall map and see where it lands.
• I always check to see what Public Land is available such as National Park and Forest Service websites.
• I look for off-season opportunities to save money, find less congestion, and have better choices in places to stay.  Finding a place to stay can be difficult to find and expensive during peak season.  Often peak season is driven by school calendars and federal holidays.  In many cases, changing the plan a few days to avoid the holiday can save a lot of money.

I use Google Maps and Google Earth extensively in helping to narrow locations down.

• Google Maps “directions” feature is great for determining the mileage and travel time to potential destinations.  Seeing the route gives ideas on places to see and stay along the way as well as suggesting alternate routes.  It also helps me become very familiar with the local area, neighboring towns and building expectations of what services may or may not be available.
• Google Earth helps to “fly” to the location and get an idea of what you can expect to see.  It also has links to pictures taken in the area to help confirm what you may see.  I have randomly clicked on pictures and found really cool places that I never would have found otherwise.

Finally, when the location is narrowed down, dig into the details to confirm they have what I am looking for.

• If looking to find a National Park, the “Find a Park” site help.  Once I find the park, the “Plan Your Visit” area of any given National Park website usually includes “Things to Do” and “Places to Go” as well as many other very helpful resources such as “Fees $ Reservations”.  I use this extensively as well as the taking a look at the “Park Map” on the site.  I have called the visitor center ahead of time as well for information.  They have always been very helpful.
• The U.S. Forest Service website is not quite as user friendly but does contain good information.  The National Forest Locator Map helps find the specific National Forests and their ranger stations.  I have found that the best way to learn more about a specific place and if needed, call the local ranger station.
• I have done many internet searches for “Things to Do in [location]” or specific activities in locations like “Rock Climbing in Moab”.  I find it part of the fun to explore on the internet.  I learn quite a bit about where I am going and it makes the overall experience much more meaningful.

I look at this a shopping for adventure…hope this helps!  Enjoy!!