Survive the Family Adventure Vacation with Expert Travel Advice

Rainbow Bridge Near Lake Powell

In 1996, Cheryl Fleet guided jeep tours through the red rocks of Sedona, Ariz., and about every two hours she saw a new co-ed group of visitors. She noticed, though, a different dynamic when a group was all women.

Strangers to each other just two hours early, women bonded easily and often met for lunch after a tour. She noticed that quiet women, who likely have said little in a co-ed group, had plenty to share. While, co-ed groups politely listened to information about Native Americans, the all-women groups showed a keen interest, asked questions, and really understood the native connection to the land.

Fleet opened Canyon Calling, an Arizona-based adventure travel company just for women. While leading trips around the world, Fleet offers unique perspective on not only Arizona travel but also how to travel with family or friends.

Q: For someone planning a group trip, including choosing who is going to come along, are there two or three essential points they should consider first?

A: Non-selfish or non self-focused people of generous hearts are ideal in a group situation in the outdoors.  There are many times when traveling with a group that you need to suppress your individual desires for the success of the group.  Interestingly 95 percent of our customers are Democrats. I often wonder if there is a correlation between these two facts.

The group should have a common goal – not just to see Arizona but how to see it – hiking or driving through the national parks for example.

Budget is a hugely important factor – is a sandwich on the run important so you can catch the hike to … Or is spending two hours eating at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon more important than hiking the trail.

Antelope Slot Canyon near Page, Ariz.

Q: What types of trips are better suited for large groups versus smaller groups? What are some Arizona examples?

A: I can’t imagine an adventure tour traveling on a 40-passenger bus!  Site seeing trips work with buses.  Adventure trips work with vans.  How could you possibly enjoy kayaking down from the Hoover Dam and soaking in the hot springs with 40 others along – it would be miserable!

Q: What’s the most common question asked by a first-timer looking for insight on what to expect with group adventure travel?

A: Will I be fit enough – I don’t want to hold anyone up!  I was once even asked this by a marathon runner!

Q: Are people intimidated by fitness demands? How should a group leader accommodate a range of fitness levels?

A: I think it’s almost impossible to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels.  Our trips are for moderately fit women.  If you can hike 5 to 8 miles in a day over undulating ground, you’ll do fine.  When women travel together, they are extremely forgiving of a slower hiker as long as she’s trying.  They are very inclusive and vested in the success of the group.  If the person is a whiner or is excessively  inconveniencing people thru selfishness, women can be as ruthless as men.  As with many things in life, its about what is in your heart.

Q: What are three essential, but not obvious, items everyone should carry on a group trip?

A: Sense of humor is essential.  Ear plugs (sorry i didn’t know i snored!)  Patience.

Q: Is it more difficult when relatives travel together? If so, describe techniques for diffusing potential tension. Or, do relatives traveling  together add a beneficial dynamic?

A: I’ve had mothers and daughters, mothers and daughters-in-law, and sisters.  In 14 years I’ve never had a relative-related incident.  On the contrary I find them to be incredibly supportive of one another – and their stories of their family dynamics are hilarious.

Q: Also, is it good to have a mix of adrenalin junkies and those who prefer more sedate experiences? Or, should everyone have the same general outlook and expectations for a trip?

Devil's Bridge in Sedona, Ariz.

A: The latter is important.  Mixing the former is a recipe not only for a miserable experience but safety can become compromised.

Q: Compare how women approach more adventuresome opportunities such as whitewater or parasailing, compared to men. The stereotype is that men are more competitive and might goad one another while women are more supportive.

A: The stereotype is true. I have women on my trips who often speak about the miserable experience of hiking with their husbands.  They tell me he just charges ahead missing the bird on the trail or the waterfall splashing nearby.  Middle-aged women today are pre-title 9, so they have often been told they can’t do things.  As a result, they need extra support and reassurance.  I am extremely selective about rafting guides etc. who work with my customers. Barking out orders does not work with women, and they respond well to quiet instructions – unlike men, they listen – maybe because the situation is so foreign to them.

Q: What’s your favorite moment of any trip?

A: I really enjoy the inter-generational sharing that takes place.  Its good to watch the 35-year-old listen to the experience of the 65-year-old who divorced with 3 kids in the 60’s and the struggle to raise them when society did not approve of divorced women.  Then, I hear the 35-year-old talk about the struggles of managing an office of 25 mostly men and watch the reaction of the 65-year-old who marvels at the opportunities she never had.

Roaming the Apache Trail

The Apache Trail opens the Superstition Mountains to travelers

Go ahead. Get the car dirty.

Just take a run on Highway 88, particularly the jog between Roosevelt Dam and Apache Junction. Sure, the route starts with asphalt, but after the first 18 miles or so of the 46-mile stretch, the road turns to gravel, dirt and dust.

Plenty of of fun, and a little bit edgy in places. In the narrow bits, when two cars must pass, whoever sits in the passenger seats can get an up-close gander of a sheer drop-off.

And other drivers may not help. Back in the day when people considered cars a novelty, drivers looked for places to test their machines. This route was considered one of the best, and modern drivers often seem to channel the same vigor in whipping around the road’s bends.

Sure a Cadillac — really we saw one — can do the trip, but driving The Apache Trail in a nimble SUV, Jeep or truck makes the ride enjoyable. Beefier vehicles can also tackle one of the spur roads shooting off the main highway.

But back to those other drivers. Hitting the trail on the weekend demands some care. Trucks towing boats and heading for the sparkling Apache Lake can spice up the trip. Fortunately, a speeding truck kicks up plenty of dust, visible for ample warning — usually.

Pay particular attention in the road’s big bend. Approaching from Phoenix, the road sweeps around a narrow point and drops hard down a stunning rock face.

Viewed on a satellite map, the spot looks like a giant V. Narrow with a sharp switchback at the bridge at the bottom, this section deserves a stop and look.

Stopping and looking at everything along the route, though, is almost impossible. Just minutes outside Phoenix, the place is perfect Arizona travel destination:

• Lost Dutchman State Park
• Gold Field, a commercial ghost town
• Tortilla Flats

Thinking of a hike instead, pick up a trail guide at a local bookstore. Just take care. The highway is remote, and many of the hikes in the area depend more on compass bearings that well-marked trails.

And always, even if traveling by car, take ample water.

Trekking poles, savior or silly

Hiking in the Superstition Mountains with trekking poles.

Achy hips. Sore knees.

Walking miles and miles of trails — or, when I admit it, just plain age — demand a price.

But who wants to give up hiking in Arizona because it hurts too much? Not me. Here’s the question: what would I do about it?

For years, I considered folks who use trekking poles silly. The poles seemed awkward, the effect of someone trying to cross-country snow ski in the middle of a dirt trail.

I’ve invested too much of my disposable income into countless of other gadgets, tools and reference books. I didn’t need one more reason to blow money for something I might not use. (Just ask my wife about a particular tent that remains boxed in my closet.) And, I didn’t quite buy that bringing the arms into play relieved the pounding taken by the legs.

Then, I did about a 10-mile loop hike up one side of South Mountain in Phoenix and back down. By the end of the day, well, I hurt. Knees, hips and, with a particularly excruciating twist, my back. This repeated the results of a summer hike up Sandia Peak in Albuquerque.

I may have missed a few visits to the gym, but not enough to deserve this. So, with the holidays approaching, I dropped some hints. Does it really count as a frivolous expense if your spouse feeds your outdoor gadget addiction with a Christmas gift?

Trekking poles? It couldn’t hurt, because I’ve looked silly before.

By late December I had a pair of Black Diamond trekking poles in hand. I waited until late in the day, when I expected the fewest observers, and I headed to a nearby trail. At the trailhead, I spent a few minutes adjusting the length of the poles. Then I walked a few feet and shortened them. A few more steps, and I shortened them again. I caught the tips on rocks, every stride seemed. But, a bit more tinkering paid off. In the past, I would occasionally pick up a tree limb to use as a walking stick, and they were usually about head-tall. Obviously, the trekking poles would not need to be so tall, but it took trial and error to reach a good fit.

Now, if I tuck my elbow to my side and extend my arm forward, the pole is just a tad below 90 degrees. This seems to work for me going both uphill and downhill. Is this best for everyone? No. Some people prefer longer poles for downhills. Others like shorter poles for uphills. I’m sure someone exposes a correct formula, but as with most things, just find what works best for you.

So, I added another toy to my gear collection. But, was it worth it?

Well, I went from fearing fretting about appearances to simply feeling stupid — the poles make a dramatic, positive difference.

Quick thoughts:

• The first moments with trekking poles are awkward, and somewhat counterintuitive. At least that’s the way it was for me. On flat stretches, don’t reach too far ahead. Angling the poles slightly backward, so the point hits just behind your hip, allows a good push.
• Going uphill, the poles do wonders. Plant well forward and leverage up. With a bit of practice, the poles can make you feel much more stable.
• Commit to the downhill. Trusting my full weight to the pole, planting them well ahead and leaning into them, makes the steep bits easier. For me, this felt pretty shaky at first. On loose rocks, though, well-planted and weighted poles have stopped a few skids.
• Do your research. My poles have a tough wrist-strap and a seemingly bombproof height adjustment system. These seem essential. I can’t tell if the small internal shock absorbers do much, but that’s more from a lack of comparisons than any complaint. The key, other than sturdy construction, seems to be the handgrips. When shopping, you’ll notice grips made from cork materials, slightly slick plastic and tackier stuff. Choose poles offering you the best grip, particularly when your hands become sweaty.
• I also found these videos helpful.

And to the two non-trekking-pole outfitted guys who snickered at me mid-trail, well, enjoy the evening ibuprofen. My knees will feel fine.

Arizona Wildflowers

Yellow Wildflowers at Picacho Peak State Park

When the stock adjectives roll out — “A burst of color.” “An explosion of flowers.” “Dazzling blooms.” “Beauty in the desert.” — you know it’s spring in Arizona.

Depending on just how much rain fell during the winter, the waves of bright colors can either climb the hillside or claim just a few spots. The search for spring color rarely disappoints, whether you’re planning a quick hike to soak up the view or you’re intent on breaking out the camera gear. Figuring out where and when to go isn’t hard.

The Arizona Republic and The East Valley Tribune both offer wildflower guides. Or, you can go to the source. In the Phoenix area, The Boyce Thompson Arboretum provides a weekly update for wildflowers in the park. It’s also a good hint about what to expect in the rest of the Superstition Mountains. The arboretum is hard to beat for guaranteed color and a dose of wildflower expertise. Check the Web site for guided tours or seminars.

Near Tucson, the Saguro National Park and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are good wildflower hunting grounds. And early in the season, Organ Pipe National Monument offers a consistent opportunity. And the season lasts longer than you might think. Elevation makes all the difference. Along the mile-high peaks and in the cool valleys of the White Mountains, wildflowers sprout and bloom throughout the summer.

But for the ambitious, consider the advice of photographer Jack Dykinga, who prefers a different approach. “I’ll be out on some BLM land, not stuck in photographer traffic,” he said for Rob Sheppard’s book “The Magic of Digital Nature Photography.” A photography guide laced with quotes and perspective from professional shooters, the book is a great resource.

Spring wildflowers in arizona

But an afternoon of wildflower shooting does not demand fancy technique. Just stick to the tried and true.

• Shoot in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light. Arizona’s sun can wash the color out of even the showiest of blooms.
• Consider a tripod. Small, inexpensive tripods are available for point-and-shoot cameras. If you’re carrying an SLR but don’t want to pack the tripod, consider plopping a beanbag on a rock and nestling the camera into it to create a stable platform. For sharp, crisp shots, take the time and do it right.
• Watch the wind. When shooting a longer exposure — perfect for keeping an entire wildflower field knife-sharp — wind is a killer. Even gentle movement can ruin a shot. Some photographers will carry a small clip to clamp a bloom onto a more stable object, steadying the flower enough to snap a shot.
• Be careful. Don’t do this: See the perfect scene, put camera to the eye and back up to get the composition just right. Then, fail to see the chollo cactus behind you and spend the remainder of the afternoon failing to remove the needles from your hide.

I write this from experience. Be safe and have fun.