Recently my husband and I took a chance and decided to stop in Zion National Park at the last minute. We love Zion. Bob is very familiar with the Park having done many hikes and photoshoots there. It’s where nine years ago, he walked me three miles into a deep slot canyon and proposed to me. Afraid, I might not find my out, I like to tell him I had no choice but to say yes. It is indeed a majestic and magical place. Filled with wonder everywhere. There’s not a bad seat in the house.

We’d been traveling through Vegas and Henderson, Nevada and on our way back thought, let’s give it a shot. Thinking that we wouldn’t even be able to get a room at the lodge, we called anyway. To our delight, they not only had a room but since we were in the off-season, we got a cabin for $40 off and the room came with free breakfast at the lodge dining room the next morning. The cabins were very clean and the walkways wind beautifully through paths of native plants. With over 40 cabins, 75 hotel rooms and 6 suites, the place can fill up fast and forget about trying to be spontaneous in Spring and Summer.  The visitor ratio alone is worth it. In 2010 the park saw 364,740 visitors in June. In fall, it’s an adult paradise, with about 145,072 visitors in November. Not many kids, but a whole lot of photographers, and who can blame them. See just one sunset while the moon is peaking above a canyon wall, and you’ll be hooked.

I was also extremely surprised to find out all the truly sustainable things the Park’s concessionaire Xanterra was doing to improve the sustainability quotient there and at their other facilities. Better composting facilities including their sister locations at Mt. Rushmore, South Rims Phantom Ranch and Yellowstone have seen three million pounds of biodegradable landfill waste being turned into inert organic matter to be used in gardens. In 2009 they banned the sale of bottled water in Zion. Instead they installed water filling stations with some of the purest tasting spring water found in the Park or in the world for that matter. They also practice sustainable wine, beer and cuisine sales, typically using locally grown, organic produce. Xanterra also installed a 10,000 watt Photovoltaic system on an administration building with a 5,000 watt system on an employee housing building to aid with power for the Lodge and Restaurant. Additionally more than 45 percent of their electricity for operations is derived from Wind Power. They have even posted their Sustainability Report online.

But it’s the colors in fall that are real stars of the trip. The green and gold water in the Virgin River runs sweetly between canyon walls and through trees of crimson and yellow.  Sky reflects in the desert varnish on the rocks above illuminating coral and terra cotta cliffs with dabs of blue. But don’t take our word for it. See it for yourself.

Find these photos and more of Zion in the Rhizome Images Landscape collection.

The little trailer than can by Adventure Trailers. Notice the rollout solar pad on top of the tent

Reminiscent of an oversized Swiss Army knife that folds out into all kinds of useful tools, it was even hard to tell there was a little trailer sitting underneath everything. What really made the trailer attractive is its ability to follow a 4-wheel drive light-truck or SUV across some of the most treacherous terrain. It’s built tough with a unique trailing arm suspension system with air shocks that protects itself from coming apart on back country roads. Not only that, but it easily protects the fully loaded contents inside it.

The Eezi Awn Globe Trotter tent on top of the trailer model I saw was fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and while compact, it may set you back about $20K. Mario Donovan, an owner and the designer for Adventure Trailers described ordering a trailer much like a pizza. Get just the toppings you want or order it with “the works.”

Mr. Donovan also talked about his experience living in Africa, and I could see where one of these trailers would come in handy. Of course all I could think of was that a set up like this with a tent off the ground away from less than desirable critters and snakes would certainly make for a better night’s sleep.

Adventure Trailers are made to be custom ordered with the amenities you want

While not exactly less expensive or truly lightweight, when you compare the footprint of the trailer to that of larger campers or an RV, the amount saved in gas alone may be worth it. Beyond that, its flexibility to go into remote areas or leave the trailer behind as a base camp item makes it a great off-the-grid research, relief aid, or camping alternative.

To find out more about the different models of trailers visit their site at: www.adventuretrailers.com

I will do anything to avoid flying if possible. It feels like a cannery to me. Waiting in multiple lines, no room to move, rude customer service and people contain themselves in their own invisible bubbles of non-communication. It is a means to get from one place to another, and the joy is lost on many of us. The number of times I been stuck in an airport or on a Tarmac is ridiculous.

My preferred method of travel is the train. I have always lived in place where I can hear or see trains. It comforts me. I’ve taken them to Canada, and traveled parts of Europe by rail. I commuted for years back and forth between New York City and Long Island. I now commute on Fridays to Whidbey Island from Seattle aboard the Sounder to the Mukilteo Ferry when I can.

In the last two and half years I traveled across the country three times on Amtrak. The first time, I took the California Zephyr from New York to Grand Junction, Colorado where I met up with my husband. I booked a roomette and on board I had time to think, work on my computer, stretch my legs, read my books in peace, walk around the train, admire the Rockies, and get out for some fresh air at a few stops. Can’t do that on a plane.

“What does it say about us as Americans that we willingly pay more to get to our destinations sooner with less and less comforts? That’s not travel. That’s a business transaction.”

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, you are expected to eat in the dining car and the host seats you with perfect strangers. You may not share the person’s beliefs, or political points of view, but on a train there is so much to see out the window that there’s never a lull in the conversation.

One breakfast I met a woman who runs a historical cemetery etching organization. Cool! I had a wonderful book club-like discussion with a couple in Idaho and played in the snow with a Mennonite family while stopped in North Dakota. I can’t help but think, if you really want to meet your fellow Americans this is the best way to do it, and the most civilized.

Many people dismiss Amtrak as a means of travel. They don’t like it or it takes too long. Well yes, it does take longer than a plane, and there’s no denying you have to be okay with how much time it takes. If you’re impatient, this isn’t a method of travel for you. As for customer service, the attendants we had were great.

The second time we traveled, my husband and I were going back to NY from Seattle with a stop in Chicago at a hotel for the night. We had already checked out the next day but all our bags were still at the hotel until we were ready to leave. It was the day after Christmas. About four hours before our train was to depart, Amtrak called us and said they had a problem with the sleeper cars on our train. They offered to put us in coach and refund the difference on our fare. I asked them if they could book us in a roomette the next night and they said they could. It turned out they upgraded us to a handicapped bedroom for the price of our roomette. We then went back to the hotel and rebooked a room for that night. When was the last time your airline called you to tell you your plane was going to be late, and then upgraded you?

On our return home we started in Detroit and left for Chicago, where we would switch trains for the Empire Builder. I was starting to get sick with the flu. While in Chicago, we realized we would have to switch rooms at 1:00 a.m. in Spokane, Washington on our way to Seattle. We didn’t think much about it. The conductor in Chicago noticed I was not feeling well, looked at our tickets, and told us she would find us a new compartment so I could rest and not have to wake up to switch cars. It took her a little time, but she found one and I couldn’t believe our luck. I was so thankful, because my flu had gotten ugly and I was able to lay down the whole time. Our attendant brought me my dinner and by the last day of the ride I was feeling much better.

I have become a staunch supporter of the rail system in this country because of these experiences.
What does it say about us as Americans that we willingly pay more to get to our destinations sooner with less and less comforts? That’s not travel. That’s a business transaction. For me it’s not about paying more or less to travel by train, it’s about the richness of the experience.