3 Day Travel

Red rock, black lava, green valleys, ash-gray mountains and brown sand. In Southern Utah, you don’t have to travel far to see all five. And in the middle of some of the smoothest, multi-colored sandstone lies Lake Powell, the result of the herculean task of damming the Colorado River in Glen Canyon near the town of Page, Arizona.

With a coast line longer than the continental United States, the long, narrow lake has hundreds of side canyons and branches with natural archways and overhanging rock.

Deep greenish-blue waters mirror the towering cliffs in the still waters of morning and early evening. At night, the only sound is the chirping of crickets and an occasional fish jumping quickly out of the water to grab a late-night snack.

Traveling to and staying at the lake can be a little different than most lake trips. There are generally two ends of the lake that have easy access and large marinas. The first is called Bullfrog and it is on the Utah side of the lake. It in a larger bay in the top third of the lake. Here there are services like a gas station, lodge for overnight stay before or after your trip, a restaurant and of course, the marina and harbor. If you live north, east or west of Utah and plan on driving, this is the best–and shortest–route for you.

The second large marina is called Wahweap, located just six miles from Page, Arizona. This bottom third of the lake has two large bays and more amenities than Bullfrog–because of the town. It is also much closer to Las Vegas if you live far away and plan to fly, or live south of Utah.

Currently, the lake is at about half capacity, which is both good, and bad. It is good because there are more areas to dock boats because of exposed sand and small rocks. Also, you can see more caves, archways and taller cliffs because the water is low. Alternately, some canyons are inaccessible without hiking, so you are able to see a smaller number of canyons.

People enjoy the lake in a variety of ways, from camping in motorhomes on an accessible road, to staying in luxurious houseboats. Houseboats are long, somewhat narrow boats with a living area, small kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom(s) and a front and back deck with a flat area on top for sleeping, lounging or catching some sun. There are also varying sizes and degrees of comfort the houseboats afford, so before renting one check to see what it includes. Other people use a ski boat to get to different parts of the lake, and then camp on the shore from there. Your method may vary depending on how many people are traveling, and your preference.

Having some sort of watercraft is a necessity, however. Whether it be a wave runner, fishing boat, ski boat or something larger, you will want to be able to move about on the water and explore the beautiful canyons and rock formations. It’s why you come to this lake and not one possibly closer to home–to see the natural beauty that was formed millions of years ago and lures tourists still today.

To learn more about the lake or rent a houseboat:

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/lakepowell.htm

http://www.powellguide.com/

http://www.lakepowell.com/

San Diego, known for its year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches, also boasts more family-friendly activities than you can cram into a mere three-days.

Start Day One at Balboa Park. It is the country’s largest urban cultural park, and includes 15 museums, gardens, theatres and San Diego Zoo. Park passes are available that offer discounts to a group of attractions. Some days are even free, so check out the museum’s website for details. Links can be found at www.balboapark.org.The Natural History Museum is a great place to learn about ancient Southern California history. See fossils and dinosaur bones in a variety of exhibits. Grab a quick lunch at Cafe in the Park, a deli with fresh sandwiches, drinks and treats. Then visit the Botanical Garden. A lily pond with brightly colored lilys and pads is centered in front of the brown lath building.Thousands of permanent plants and seasonal flowers grow in the lush and tranquil garden.

Spend an hour or two at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center. Simple “scientific tricks” including optical illusions, creating a tornado and brain puzzles keep both adults and children entertained.

For some dinner and shopping head to The Gaslamp Quarter. It is marked on the north by C Street, and by 12th Street on the east. Each corner is lit by an old-fashioned gas lamp which begins to burn at sun down. It is a lively, happening place with hundreds of shops, unique restaurants and hip clubs attracting a diverse crowd. The renovated Victorian architecture is also one of the attractions. With cuisine from every continent, there is something for everyone. Dining ranges from Thai to Irish to American to Persian. For some great Chinese, try Blue Ginger, (717 Fourth Avenue, 619-232-3888). The atmosphere is elegant, and the menu is traditional Chinese with a California twist. For more information visit www.gaslampquarter.org.

Day Two begins with Old Town San Diego. It is infused with the history and Mexican culture that makes Southern California unique. Dozens of restaurants–Mostly Mexican with women in colorful traditional dresses making fresh tortillas–dozens of specialty shops and tours make it a fun place to spend half a day.

On the eastern end of Old Town is the Mormon Battalion Memorial. The Mormon Battalion played a key role in settling California, as well as San Diego. The soldiers even helped build the original San Diego courthouse. Their moving and faith-filled story is well worth the visit. Coyote Cantina–a very popular restaurant on the edge of town–is home to the “Famous Grande Margarita.” As you enjoy the freshly made chips and salsa, a man dressed in white pants and a jacket with a red and silver shirt wanders between tables slowly strumming his guitar.

After lunch take a ride over the harbor into Coronado for a leisurely afternoon at the beach. A wide strip of dust-fine cream-colored sand skirts the southern edge of the popular island. Try to get a spot away from Hotel del Coronado so you’ll have to spread out and catch some sun, catch the waves or create sand sculptures without competing with two hundred other people trying to do the same thing.

After hours in the sun, a go for a simple dinner on Coronado’s Orange Avenue. For three or four blocks a bevy of shops and casual eateries line the street. Locals pick Alexander’s Pizza ( 849 Orange Avenue, 619-435-5747) as the best on the island. It’s both family-friendly, and easy on your budget.

Day Three is for the famed San Diego Zoo. This is a fun attraction even for people who don’t have kids. There are hundreds of creatures big and small, and exhibits that will occupy anyone who doesn’t even think they like animals. I’m not going to tell you how to explore this place–that’s up to your own tastes and interests, but here are a few tips–buy your tickets online before you go. Just visit . Your ticket includes the Guided Tour Bus, Express Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram. There you can also book hotel packages for reduced rates.

For more information about getting to San Diego, places to stay and other places to try, visit

Whether it’s a short drive to the next town or a visit to the other side of the world, travel can be a life-changing experience. The only problem is, there is too much to see and not enough time.

This site is dedicated to helping you make the most of those snatches of time you have. Why three days? Because I have found that is typically how much time I have in each city I visit. Whether it’s a week vacation split between two cities, or one of many three-day weekends, it comes up again and again.

While researching these trips, I often searched the internet for a list of things to do and sites to see, but I never found anything to satisfy me. I guess I am too much of a “local.” I like to see all the “important sites,” but I also like to find the local hangouts, visit the grocery store and eat in “non-touristy” restaurants. That is what you will find here. A tour of the city in three days, with some local flavor mixed in.

I hope you not only enjoy reading about these places, but that my “itineraries” are helpful when you get the opportunity to travel too.

~Kirsten