Adventure #236

Above Left: Camping out at Joshua Tree National Park
YOSEMITE
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JOSHUA
TREE
ZION
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BRYCE
CANYON
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PARK
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*OKEFENOKEE
#VANLIFE
THE BEST OF
THE USOFA
Before the world was in a semi-permanent state of
lockdown, we used to satisfy our #vanlife each year
exploring the States in our Roadbear RV. Over the
years we have covered some fairly extensive miles and
here’s our pick of the top places to go for an adventure.
Above: No hiding the joy of that first glimps of Yosemite
JOSHUA TREE
YOSEMITE
Joshua Tree National Park is in southern California (not far
from Coachella Valley) and named for the twisted, bristled
Joshua trees that litter the park.
Climate: Joshua Tree is located in a sub-tropical desert so
the winters are mild and the summers scorching hot with
temperatures reaching mid-late 30’s throughout the summer
months.
Must do: Some of the best short hikes (around 1.5km) are
Hidden Valley, Barker Dam, Arch Rock, and the Discovery
Trail, all are very scenic.
Best time to visit: As this is desert country, the best time to
visit is during spring or autumn, when the temperatures are
more tolerable (they still range between 21-29 degrees C).
Why we loved it: The park was beautifully maintained and
the campsites truly unique. Parked beneath rugged rock
formations and Joshua trees, listening to wolves (might
have been coyotes) while watching the dark night sky was a
truly special experience.
“There can be nothing in
the world more beautiful
than the Yosemite, and
our people should see
to it that they are
preserved for their
children and their
children’s children
forever, with their
majestic beauty all
unmarred.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt
Taken straight from their website, Yosemite is descirbed
as “Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human
foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers,
the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High
Sierra.” Couldn’t have put it better myself…
The park is best known for it’s waterfalls and climbing
walls but with nearly 1,200 square miles there is so
much more to see from deep valleys, vast meadows,
giant sequoias and a vast wilderness area.
Climate: Yosemite experiences highs in summer up to
30 degrees celsius and in winter of 8 with temperature
dropping to 14 degrees in summer and into the minus
during winter. Most of Yosemite is covered in snow
between November and May.
Best time to visit: Anytime between May and
September means you will avoid 95% of the areas rain.
However, as with all USA’s national parks, the peak of
summer is always super busy so spring and autumn
make for an ideal time.
Above: Waking up to snowfall in Tioga Pass, Yosemite
Must do: Visiting Yosemite Valley goes without saying, but
if you have time, drive over Tioga pass (not open during
winter). You get another perspective of the area and the
scenery is just as impressive. We drove the pass during
September and woke up the following morning to snow
covered surrounds.
Why we loved it: The grandeur. It’s hard to describe but
driving into Yosemite Valley was awe inspiring. The granite
walls have to be stood beside for you to really appreciate
their size.
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