Adventure Bus Blog

The Birds of Everglades National Park

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

The birds of Everglades National Park are a highlight of our Florida Keys and Everglades tour. Often just feet away from the trails and boardwalks, its a delight to see the storks, cranes, herons, hens, ibis and the truly unique roseate spoonbill upclose. Here are a few examples of the birds we have spotted in Shark Valley and along the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo trails at Everglades.

Want to see them yourself? Join us on our Florida Keys and Everglades Adventure this February!

How was Adventure Bus Started?

2011-12-05T06:00:00.001-08:00

Adventure Bus was founded by Kyle Lapp based on the belief that cubicles and time cards are things one might find in hell. He knew that the real world exists outside in Gods Country, so he created a company that could take the average Joe or Jolene as far away from work as possible. Kyle ran Adventure Bus for 6 years, driving and guiding as well as running the office.

Kyle states “The 6 years I spent running AB were the best and during that time I found more life, love and adventure than I could ever imagine. My greatest joy has always been watching discovery form on the faces of Adventure Bus riders as we take them to amazing places they have never heard of, or wonderful places they have dreamed of for years.”

In 2004, former passenger and guide Stephanie Emery along with guide Ardell Hollobaugh took over the company. They moved the home base of the company to Utah from California and have expanded the company's tour repertoire to include several more National Parks including Glacier, Mt Rainier, Everglades and Death Valley. They have run the company now for 8 seasons.

The Adventure Bus Crew has remained small, but we consider our guests as part of our extended family. Adventure Bus has been able to grow our company and expand our itineraries because of their loyal support. In 2011, over 45% of our guests were returning customers!

Charter the Adventure Bus

2011-11-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Groups can charter a fully equipped Adventure Bus for a unique adventure. Mt bike and hiking clubs, family reunions, scouts, and groups of friends have all chartered the Adventure Bus.

Let us know when and where you wish to travel, your special interests and budget and we can design a trip to fit the exact needs and expectations of your group. We'll also let you know about secret spots and extraordinary places such as hot springs and swimming holes that might be missed when traveling in unfamiliar areas. You can charter one of our scheduled departures or we can customize an itinerary to your exact requirements. An Adventure Bus chartered trip is the ultimate way to enjoy effortless travel.

If your group is 8 to 14 guests and you prefer the dates and features of our standard tours, you can reserve an entire trip from our fixed-departure schedule for your private use. It is important to reserve charters as soon as possible. Call or email us to check availability. 1-888-737-5263.

Recent Charter Groups include DFW Outdoors Club, Portuguese Travelers, Canadian Girl Guides, Top Banana Mt Bike Club and Petersham Mt Bikers.

Life on the Bus: Who Travels on the Adventure Bus?

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Who Travels on the Adventure Bus?
Everyone! Teachers, students, mountain bikers, families, musicians, lawyers, doctors, photographers, writers, democrats AND yes, even republicans! Folks of all ages and from all walks of life with a quest for a different experience choose to ride on the Adventure Bus. First time hikers and campers as well as experienced travelers and backpackers join us for adventures.

It’s not uncommon to have folks from 2-3 different countries alongfor the adventure. The more diverse the group, the more exciting and amazing the tour is. One of the highlights of the trip is getting to know and share this unique experience with people from around the world. A strong bond quickly forms between travelers, and while a trip begins with 15 or so strangers, it usually ends with a "family" of travelers. Typically, folks are between the ages of 20-65, but we have had active folks as young as 74!

Warning!! Traveling with Adventure Bus can be addicting! Over 45% of our guests in 2011 were returning customers. Some were back for the 4th, 5th and even 6th tour!

Wildlife sightings in 2011

2011-11-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

2011 was a great season for wildlife sightings! We traveled through 8 states and 16 National Parks and saw everything from lizards to bears, moose and deer, and even a wolverine! See some of the highlights below in our Youtube video! Thanks to those who shared their wildlife photos with us!

Life on the Bus: What do we Bring?

2011-06-27T06:00:00.001-07:00

The most important rule in adventure travel and especially on Adventure Bus is to bring only what you are absolutely certain you will need. Packing too much stuff can create more frustration and lessen the enjoyment. We recommend guests bring one duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase, one sleeping bag, and a daypack for carrying your water and lunch while out hiking.

We've put together a basic list of essential clothing and gear that is both practical and easily obtainable. We don't want you to run out and buy lots of new gear just for this tour, but having certain gear will make your experience more comfortable and safer.

The packing list below is the one we send out with our confirmation and is merely a suggestion on what you should bring. If you do not have all of the items on the list, please don't think you have to run out and spend a lot of cash—save the money for your vacation! Besides, you may have an opportunity to pick up anything you might have overlooked during one of several shopping stops.

Clothing:

Pack light and think layers!

1-2 pairs of pants or jeans (zip-off pants are super convenient)

3-4 pairs of shorts

3-4 t-shirts or tank tops

Sweatshirt or long-sleeve fleece shirt

Light-weight waterproof jacket or wind breaker

Bathing suit

Knit cap (for chilly campfire nights)

Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers

Sturdy water sandals (Teva®-like) or water shoes (flip-flops aren't sturdy enough)

Undergarments, socks, undies, etc.

*Laundry facilities will be available throughout the week

Gear:

Please pack your gear in a soft-sided suitcase or duffel bag!

Daypack or backpack and water bottle (Camelbaks® and other hydration backpacks are one of the best inventions ever or so we like to think. Also, most backpacks can

hold a hydration reservoir aka "bladder")

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Hat

Towel

Camera (guests tend to average 20-50 photographs per day)

Small flashlight or headlamp (hands-free headlamps are super handy)

Ear plugs (to block out the occasional snorer that falls asleep before you)

Warm sleeping bag w/ 15°-30° rating (we rent super warm sleeping bags for only $30)

Toiletries

Pillowcase

Hiking at Logan Pass

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

There are two trails at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park that we love to spend time exploring: Hidden Lake Overlook and the Highline Trail.

Hidden Lake Overlook is a moderately easy hike through a beautiful alpine meadow filled with glacier lilies, alpine paint brush, marmots and big horn sheep, and sometimes, a bit of snow, even in July! The trail takes you to an amazing overlook, and yes, views of a "Hidden Lake". It is a great spot to have a picnic lunch and to watch the marmots, big horn sheep, and mountain goats wander. The terrain is fragile up there, so it is best to stay on the trail and off the alpine tundra.

Across the road from the Hidden Lake Overlook trail and the Logan Pass Visitor Center is the beginning of the Highline Trail. This trail follows the Going to the Sun Road, but hundreds of feet above it, hugging the mountainside. It's lined with wildflowers and crosses several small cascading creeks.

You never know who you might meet along the trail!

The views and the beauty are astonishing. The trail is fairly easy and level, but the steep drop-offs may not be for everyone. The trail is over 7 miles one way, but it is worth hiking even a few hundred yards down the trail for stunning views.

Wild Flowers of Glacier National Park

2011-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

If the stunning peaks, pristine lakes, prolific waterfalls and wildlife of Glacier National Park aren't enough for you, perhaps you will love the wildflower carpeted alpine meadows and trails lined with every shape and color you can imagine!

Pink Spirea, blue forget-me knots, white pasqueflowers and mariposa lilies, magenta monkey flower, yellow buttercups and blanket flower are just a few of the blooms you'll find lining the trails throughout the park.

One of the most stunning sights are the fields of yellow glacier lilies, at Logan Pass, the highest point in the park. The bulbs of these delicate flowers are a treat for grizzly bears and other creatures who dig them up in the springtime

Life on the Bus: Photo-Ops!

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

It seems that everyone that travels on Adventure Bus is a photographer on some level. After all, it is easy to take great shots in such beautiful places as Bryce Canyon and Glacier National Parks.

However, there are those that take it a bit more seriously, and capturing beautiful scenery and wildlife is the main reason they have come on a tour of the National Parks.

One of the great advantages of an Adventure Bus tour is the flexibility. If you want to take your time photographing something along the trail, you can! If you would like to explore a different section of a park, we do everything we can to make that happen for you.

Our flexibility factor comes in handy for all sorts of reasons, but it is mostly evident in the fabulous photos folks capture because they were able to take the time to do so!

Glacier offers more than fabulous hiking.

2011-05-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Glacier National Park is a hiker's paradise, but there are many other fabulous activities to take part in as well!

The historic Red Bus Tour is a great way to view the Going to the Sun Road. These vehicles were refurbished by Ford in 19---. Their open tops allow you to take in all the views while someone else is doing the driving! The Going to the Sun Road is an engineering feat, and there is no better way to experience it!

There are at least 3 opportunities throughout the park to take in a scenic boat tour. You can sit back and take in the surroundings or participate in a combo scenic boat tour/guided hike!

If you like a little bit more action, rent a kayak for a few hours and explore Lake MacDonald, Swiftcurrent Lake, or St Mary's Lake on your own.

Horseback rides of various lengths and levels are offered at both Lake MacDonald and Many Glacier.

Other activities include tours of the historic hotels, ranger programs, and white water rafting. Don't forget to sample some of the many huckleberry treats! We especially like the ice cream at Many Glacier!

Explore Monument Valley of our Grand Canyon and the Wild West, Best of the National Parks and Trail of the Ancients tours.

Grand Canyon: A Guest Remembers

2011-05-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

Grand Canyon by Dawn Rotella

Frequent Adventure Bus traveler and guest blogger

“Grandest of God’s terrestrial cities” is what naturalist John Muir (1838 –1914) said of Grand Canyon. Formed by the beautiful and powerful Colorado River and designated as a National Park in 1919, Grand Canyon is referred to as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

On my Best of the National Park tour with Adventure Bus, we visited the North Rim of the canyon which has a 1,000’ higher elevation and only 10% of the crowds than that of the South Rim. The higher elevation makes for cooler temperatures and affords stunning views across the canyon - all with no crowds! We woke up early to watch a spectacular sunrise and were amazed at how the canyon comes to life as the sun illuminates the multi-colored layers of rock exposed by millions of years of erosion.

After viewing the sunrise and watching the hummingbirds, we went back to the bus for yet another awesome breakfast and to hear our options for the day which were quite varied. We could spend the day walking the trails along the rim, take a hike down into the canyon, enjoy a ½ day mule ride into the canyon, or just relax on the porch of the beautiful stone and timber lodge which is perched on the edge of the rim and take in the view. I chose to walk the Transept Trail with some others and we spent our time taking photos from the rim. We then came across the General Store in the North Rim campground where we bought some snacks and souvenirs. From there we headed back via the Bridle Trail, had a delicious lunch in the North Rim Lodge and lingered on the porch taking in the enormous expanse of the canyon until it was time to move on to our next destination.

Wildlife is abundant and the canyon has 70 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 25 types of reptiles, 5 amphibians and 17 species of fish. Besides plenty of mule deer, we were lucky enough to see a Kaibab Sqirrel which is only found in the ponderosa pine forests of the North Rim and surrounding Kaibab Plateau and no where else on Earth! Other animals you may see are: endangered California Condors, chuckwallas, horned toads, plenty of songbirds, butterflies and even rodents like the kangaroo rat who survive without ever taking a drink of water.

The plant life here is also diverse over with 1800 species of trees, fungi, mosses and wildflowers. Some of these include Pinyon Pine, Gambel Oak, Mountain Mahogany, yucca, agave, cliffrose, sagebrush, Mormon Tea, and prickly pear cactus.

This tour was my first with Adventure Bus and as a solo traveler it was the perfect way for me to have a safe, sensibly priced vacation that actually went to the places I wanted to see while giving me the opportunity to camp and hike. I made some great friends who I am still in contact with many years later and have been fortunate enough to have traveled with them again on “The Bus” because I keep coming back every year! I always recommend Adventure Bus and this tour because besides being an awesome way to travel, you’ll learn more about the natural history, the people who call this spectacular area home, and see for yourself the wonders of this Grand Canyon!

Explore Grand Canyon with Adventure Bus on the Best of the National Parks or Grand Canyon and the Wild West tours.

Life on the Adventure Bus: Solo Travelers

2011-05-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

One of the top concerns we hear from potential customers is "I am traveling alone, will I feel left out?" The answer is simply, no! Seventy five percent of our customers are traveling on their own, looking to meet like-minded people and see beautiful places.

We consider ourselves a "solo-friendly" tour. While families and couples do occasionally join us, the majority of guests come on their own.

There are several reasons why Adventure Bus is perfect for the solo traveler. Here are a few of them.

The interior design of the Adventure Bus makes our tours very social right from the beginning. A bond forms quickly, and everyone looks out for each other on the trail or wherever.

Even though folks come from all different backgrounds and cultures, they all have the common interest of wanting to be active in beautiful places. The differences make for great conversation and discovery around the campfire. People often stay in contact long after the tour is over, and often travel with each other again!

If you are truly a loner, or just need a bit of space, our tours are designed to be flexible enough just for that purpose! Hike with the group, or pick your own trail. During the day, you can choose what you want to do, with the help and suggestions from our knowledgeable guides.

Other tours charge extra if you come on your own. But because of the way we travel, we don't need to charge extra if you come by yourself.

The best part of all, is you can just be yourself.

Yellowstone's Thermal Features

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yellowstone is home to half of the world's hydrothermal features, over 10,000 in total. Around 300 are actual geysers. Mudpots, hot springs and fumeroles make up the other 9,700!

So what is a mud pot and a fumerole? Here are some examples we see along our hikes on our North to Yellowstone adventure to help you sort out the differences.

First, it is important to understand that Yellowstone sits on a big caldera, or super-volcano. Water, from melting snow and rain seeps through fissures and cracks in the earth and eventually comes in contact with super heated rocks and magma about 10,000 feet below the surface. Under extreme pressure the heated water finds its way back to the surface in various ways depending on the natural "plumbing" in the immediate area.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs are the most prevalent feature in the park. The water surfaces under some pressure, but not enough to cause a spouting geyser. These features are often very colorful because of thermophiles or bacteria mats that live in them. Different thermophiles live at different temperatures and produce different colors. My favorite hot spring is Morning Glory, but probably the most famous one is Grand Prismatic.

Geysers

Geysers are basically hot springs with constricted "plumbing" closer to the surface. Pressure builds up and eventually releases in the form of steam and bubbling or spouting water. The most famous of these of course is Old Faithful spouting off about every 70 minutes reaching 90-184 feet in the air, but others are actually bigger like Steamboat which can reach over 300 feet, but it is very unpredictable. Other geysers go off every few minutes, some, every few days.

Mudpots

Where water is limited, but sulfuric acid content high, bubbling Mudpots form. The acid dissolves the surrounding rock to form a think mud. Some of these can be a bit smelly, but it is fun to watch the mud shoot up in the air!

Fumeroles

Hot springs where the water is so hot that it boils away before reaching the surface make steam vents called Fumeroles. They hiss and growl like angry dragons!

Yellowstone is truly a magical place, full of wildlife and mystery. For more information on the hydrothermal features, check out the Yellowstone web site or join us for a North to Yellowstone adventure and see them in person!

Hiking in Grand Teton

2011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Snow-capped peaks, moose, wildflowers, crisp clean mountain air, cascading creeks, this is Grand Teton National Park.

One of our favorite hikes on all of our national park tours, is Cascade Canyon near Jenny Lake in Grand Teton.

We begin this hike with a boat ride across pristine alpine Jenny Lake. A ten minute ride gets us to the other side of the lake with beautiful views of the mountain peaks from the middle of the lake.

From the boat dock, a 1/2 mile hike along a beautiful cascading creek takes us to beautiful Hidden Falls. It is a raging waterfall that you hear, long before you actually see.

Next, we head up the switchbacks to Inspiration Point at 7200 feet with a beautiful view of the lake below. It is a good spot to catch your breath and have a snack. Just be careful the chipmunks and squirrels don't try and steal your sandwich!

The trail then heads into the canyon, following the creek in a more wooded area where picas, marmots, deer, and even pine martens aren't far off the trail.

Another 30 minutes up the trail, you lose the crowds and the canyon opens up to beautiful meadows along the creek, surrounded by mountain peaks and distant waterfalls. It is along this section of the trail we have seen moose 100% of the time! And black bear a handful of times.

You can follow the canyon a few more miles to the area called the Forks before heading back down and catching the boat back to the parking area.

Come enjoy this hike with us on our North to Yellowstone tour!

Life on the Adventure Bus: Kids on the Adventure Bus

2011-04-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Are kids allowed on the Adventure Bus? Of Course! We welcome kids ages 7-70 on our tours. Anyone young at heart is welcome to join us in exploring beautiful landscapes.

Although the majority of our guests are solo travelers, families of all sorts love to travel with us too. In regards to younger children, we recommend that they have previous hiking and camping experience.

Kids love traveling on the bus. Our flexible itineraries allow families to do their own thing if they like. They can choose to hike with the group or choose another activity. Many of the national parks offer free activities like the Jr Ranger Program that are great ways for kids (and adults!) to learn more about the parks.

Mystic Hot Springs, UT

2011-03-28T06:00:00.001-07:00

If you are traveling through central Utah on I-70, take time to stop in for a soak at Mystic Hot Springs and rejuvenate your soul!

A soak at Mystic Hot Springs is the best way to relax after a day of hiking at Bryce Canyon. Located in Central Utah, it is a perfect stop for us on our Best of the West tour between Bryce and Canyonlands. Upon our arrival, our guests often wonder "Where in the world have you brought us?" but soon realize Mystic is a truly unique and wonderful spot.

The springs are nestled in the foothills Fishlake National Forest, and has a long history dating back to 1880s. The owner, Mystic Mike, always has a number of projects going on, from raising tropical fish in some of the hot spring fed pools, to restoring old pioneer cabins, taking in abandoned and injured animals such as dogs, llamas, and burros, and making hand-blown glass jewelry, quilts, and artistic stickers.

We love stopping at Mystic, and wish there was a spot like it available for every tour! Visit Mystic with us on our Best of the West tours!

The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

What is a Hoodoo?

Bryce Canyon is full of beautiful sandstone pinnacles or "hoodoos". In fact, it has the highest concentration of them anywhere in the world! How are these unique formations created? The National Park Services tells us the following:

"Hoodoos are formed by two weathering processes that continuously work together in eroding the edges of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The primary weathering force at Bryce Canyon is frost wedging. Here we experience over 200 freeze/thaw cycles each year. In the winter, melting snow, in the form of water, seeps into the cracks and freezes at night. When water freezes it expands by almost 10%, bit by bit prying open cracks, making them ever wider in the same way a pothole forms in a paved road."

"Many of the more durable hoodoos are capped with a special kind of magnesium-rich limestone called dolomite. Dolomite, being fortified by the mineral magnesium, dissolves at a much slower rate, and consequently protects the weaker limestone underneath it in the same way a construction worker is protected by his/her hardhat."

The hoodoos of Bryce create a fairyland unlike no other place on earth. The native peoples of the area also found it magical and created their own myths about it. In 1936, a Paiute elder told a naturalist the following:

"Before there were any Indians, the Legend People, To-when-an-ung-wa, lived in that place. There were many of them. They were of many kinds – birds, animals, lizards and such things, but they looked like people. They were not people. They had power to make themselves look that way. For some reason the Legend People in that place were bad; they did something that was not good, perhaps a fight, perhaps some stole something….the tale is not clear at this point. Because they were bad, Coyote turned them all into rocks. You can see them in that place now all turned into rocks; some standing in rows, some sitting down, some holding onto others. You can see their faces, with paint on them just as they were before they became rocks. The name of that place is Angka-ku-wass-a-wits (red painted faces). This is the story the people tell."

Upon hearing similar tales, the first white explorers to the area associated this kind of legend with black magic and "voodoo". This eventually morphed into the "hoodoo" label.

Explore this fairyland with us on our Best of the West or Grand Canyon and the Wild West tours in 2011!

Hiking in Zion National Park

2011-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Zion National Park is a hiker's paradise! There are dozens of hiking trails to pick from, but here are the 3 we recommend if it is your first time in the park or you have limited time.

Emerald Pools

A moderate hike, this series of loops is about 3 miles long. This hike provides beautiful views of the high canyon walls, serene pools, and waterfalls that range from peaceful trickles to roaring downpours, depending on the season and recent weather conditions. It is also a fairly shady hike which is nice on a hot summer day.

Angel's Landing

This trail is both mentally and physically challenging, but the views are worth every step of this 1500 ft high, five mile return hike. It is a pretty steady climb for the first 2 miles, but if you start early in the morning, you can hike before the sun gets to the canyon floor and stay cool. You'll also pass through Refrigerator Canyon which tends to be 10 degrees cooler. After climbing up Walter's Wiggles, a set of 23 switchbacks, you'll reach Scout's Point, and stunning views up and down the canyon. Climb the last half mile up the rocks with the assistance of poles and chains, and you are rewarded with an unforgettable 360 degree view. This is not recommended if you have a fear of heights. But even if you just make it to Scout's Point, the view is well worth the effort!

River Walk/Narrows

Nothing beats the lush shaded River Walk and the Narrows out and back hike on a hot day. The first mile is a paved walk along the Virgin River beneath towering red cliffs. From there, follow the trail in and out of the refreshing river. You'll pass beautiful waterfalls and swim holes. The canyon "narrows" the further in you go. Go prepared to be wet as negotiating the river without falling at least once is nearly impossible, but usually welcomed on a hot day!

Whether you are looking for a hearty challenge, or just a stroll in the park, Zion has something for you! Come explore it with us on a Grand Canyon and the Wild West or Best of the West tour.

Life on the Bus: The Crew

2011-03-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

So who exactly is the Adventure Bus Crew?

The Adventure Bus Crew is made up of a handful of fun loving, experienced, accommodating personnel. From emails and reservations, to driving, cooking, and hiking, we do it all. This allows us to add a very personal touch to your experience from beginning to end. We've been driving, guiding and running the company for more than 8 years and are Wilderness First Responder certified. We strive to keep our adventures affordable, safe, fun, flexible and fresh, so that anyone and everyone can experience a unique adventure.

Here is a little bit of insight into the main crew you're likely to meet on every tour:

Stephanie Emery

Originally from West Paris, Maine, Stephanie has been with Adventure Bus since 2003, and running the company for 7 seasons. She started out as a passenger on the Best of the National Parks tour back in 2002, came back for several more tours and did everything she could to be involved until she eventually took over the company! She loves music, hiking, trying new recipes, traveling and photography. She now lives in Moab, Utah.

Ardell Hollobaugh

Ardell began guiding and driving for AB in 2002, and has been an Adventure Guide for over 15 years. He hails from Newark, OH and Southern California. He loves trout fishing, eating fried chicken, and thrift stores. He makes a mean pot of Navajo Stew and delivers us safely to our destinations while we sleep soundly through the night (with a little help from Dr. Pepper) He’s super handy at changing tires, provoking buffalo stampedes, smoking salmon and assisting with running the company. He now lives in Moab, Utah.

Molly

Originally from New Jersey, Molly much prefers the canyons and the mountains of the West to the interstates of Jersey. She has been reliably and comfortably delivering us to the most beautiful destinations for 9 seasons, and plans to do so for several more!

Come travel with us in 2011! We guarantee you'll have an unforgettable time!

Moab: Adventure Town!

2011-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Moab, UT is a true adventure destination. The terrain is rugged, the scenery is other-worldly, and you can participate in just about any sport imaginable from hiking, biking, rock climbing, sky diving, kayaking, jeeping and even golfing!

Moab is surrounded by preserved lands including Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, The Colorado Riverway, and the La Sal National Forest. Miles and miles of trails are available for hiking both in the parks and in more secluded canyons. There are world famous climbing routes and mt biking trails.

Chances are you have seen a movie that was filmed near Moab. Filmmakers flock to Moab for its stunning landscapes. There is almost always a film crew of some sort in town. Here are a few examples of films shot in Moab: Mission Impossible, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Thelma and Louise, and of course the recent movie 127 Hours.

On our Grand Canyon and the Wild West, Best of the West, and Arches and Canyonlands tours, folks have a chance to participate in a number of adventurous activities.

Canyonlands Geology

2011-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

There are some that believe the views and vistas at Canyonlands National Park are better than that of Grand Canyon. We love them both!

The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is both breathtaking and unique. Carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers and their tributaries, the exposed multi-colored layers of sandstone display millions of years of history and erosion. It is an amazing feeling and sight to walk along the rim of Grand Overlook while watching the changing colors with the sun in the canyon and ponder the passing of this much time.

A favorite feature of ours at Canyonlands is Mesa Arch. Perched high above Shafer Canyon with the La Sal Mountains in the background, it is one of the prettiest views in all of Utah.

Another unique formation that leaves us with much to ponder at Canyonlands is Upheaval Dome. Scientists are stilling trying to figure out exactly what it is - a site of a meteor crash or the remnants of a salt volcano?

Hiking at Arches National Park

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Arches National Park is one of our most favorite places to hike. We visit this park several times a year on our Arches and Canyonlands, Best of the West, and Grand Canyon and the Wild West tours. It also happens to be practically in our backyard in Moab! We never grow tired of the unique wind and sand carved rock formations, and of course, the fabulous arches!

Arches is home to more than 2,000 natural arches of all shapes and sizes. We spend most of our time hiking in the Devil's Garden area which has a high concentration of large arches including the world's largest arch, Landscape Arch.

We also hike past Pine Tree, Tunnel, Navajo, Partition, Double O, and the remains of Wall Arch, which fell in August of 2008.

The trails in Devil's Garden are a lot of fun. There isn't a lot of gain in elevation, but the trails are quite technical. Uneven rocks and sandstone fins make it necessary to do some fun scrambling.

In the spring months we see quite a few wildflowers and blooming cactus, but anytime is a good time to spot a leopard lizard or a desert cottontail.

We've hiked this trail dozens and dozens of times, but manage to see something new each time.

Life on the Bus: The Menu

2011-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

So what is the food like on the Adventure Bus? After all, it is a bus, and we are camping, so what is it going to be, hamburgers and hot dogs every night? No way!

Food on the Adventure Bus is very much a part of the journey. For starters, we know even though folks are on vacation, they still like to eat healthily. We also know that you need to be properly fueled for the climate and your activity level. Most importantly..... we LOVE to cook!

Our Bus carries all the equipment for an outdoor kitchen that can do almost anything! Guests are often surprised at our extensive menu, and often ask where they can get our recipes.

Lunch along the trail in Glacier National Park

We strive to prepare and serve interesting, healthy and satisfying meals. We know that if you are going hungry, you probably aren't happy! Breakfasts and Dinners are always hot meals and lunches are either packed sandwiches and snacks to be enjoyed out on the trail, or picnic style at the bus.

Here is a sample list of our meals with links to recipes:

When it is possible, we try and serve local dishes. For example, on our Southwest tours we often serve Navajo Stew with Fry Bread. This dish uses a lot beans, squash and corn and is served over traditional Navajo style Fry Bread. On our Pacific Northwest tours, we prepare Salmon Chowder made with local onions, potatoes and smoked salmon.

Meal time is a very social time. Although it is optional, most folks tend to lend a hand with meal prep and clean up. It is a great time to get to know others or share the day's adventures. On occasion, we have fun cooking over an open fire. There is always someone in every group that has never done it before, and we love to give them the opportunity!

As long as we know ahead of the tour, we can accommodate any kind of dietary need; vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant, and nut, corn or wheat allergies. We serve a fresh fruit salad at every breakfast along with a hot entree. Most dinners include a fresh salad along with the hot entree. And there is always cereal and sandwich makings available if you don't like what else is being served!

Olympic National Park Full of Life

2011-01-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

Olympic National Park is home to six different ecosystems: coastal, lowlands, rain forest, montane, subalpine, and alpine. On our Washington Coast to Cascades tour, we experience all six, but especially enjoy exploring the coastal, rain forest and alpine regions of the park.

At the coastal areas of Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach, we've spotted many colorful star fish and sea urchins while tide pooling among the rocks and unique formations called sea stacks. We've also spotted bald eagles and aucklets.

Hiking the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trails of the Hoh Rainforest we find to be a humbling experience! The giant sitka spruce, western hemlocks and red cedars tower high above and the moss forming a primordial canopy so that everywhere you look it is green! Beware of the Roosevelt Elk that make the rainforest their home. They are majestic animals, but also aggressively protect their home!

The views from alpine Hurricane Ridge are awe-inspiring! Hiking the Kalahhane Ridge Trail takes us through wildflower meadows with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. We've shared the trail with friendly mountain goats on a few occasions! You may also come across one of the five mammals found no where else in the world but at Olympic National Park: the Olympic marmot, yellow-pine chipmunk, snow mole, masama pocket gopher, and the ermine!

Join us July 9-15 to experience the wonders of the Olympic National Park.

Our Favorite Hikes at Mt Rainier National Park

2011-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Mount Rainier National Park is a hiker's paradise. There are more than 260 miles of trails including the 93 mile Wonderland Trail that encircles the entire mountain.

On our Washington Coast to Cascades tour, we spend our day at Paradise near the Henry M Jackson Memorial Visiter Center. There, you can take in easy trails such as the Nisqually Vista Trail, the Alta Vista Trail, or for a bit more of a challenge, the Skyline Trail past Panorama Point. The Skyline trail climbs 1400 feet through alpine meadows, past glaciers, and offers incredible views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains. On a clear day you can even see Mt St Helens and Mt Hood.

No matter which trail you choose at Paradise, you'll see beautiful wild flowers, cascading streams and waterfalls, sweeping vistas, whistling marmots, and of course, Mt Rainier towering an additional 8000 feet beyond the trail head!

The weather can change quickly on the mountain, so it is a good idea to dress in layers. And don't forget your boots! The upper trails can stay snow covered for much of the summer. Our first trip there, we were completely fogged in and didn't get to see the mountain. But the hiking, alpine flowers, waterfalls, and wildlife were still amazing!

Join us July 9-15, 2011 for our Washington Coast to Cascade and you too can hike at Mt Rainier!

Life on the Adventure Bus

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

So what exactly is the Adventure Bus? Some call it a "rolling dorm room", a "sleeper coach," others a "land cruise". We call it home for about 7 months a year.

The inside of our buses are outfitted to comfortably transport and sleep 12-20 people. The regular seats have been removed and replaced with comfy benches with 4 inch cushions. Some of the benches convert into bunk beds. Although we try to spend most of the day time hours out on the trail, some days we'll do a bit of driving. Our bus is ideal for playing card games, taking a nap, socializing, or watching the scenery go by. On board coolers provide cold drinks.

Some nights we all sleep in individual beds until we arrive at our next destination, usually by midnight or 1am. Other nights people choose to either sleep in their bus bed or borrow one of our tents and sleeping pads. Some folks even sleep right out under the stars!

Outside of the bus, in our bays, you'll find camping equipment such as chairs, tents, tarps, cooking equipment, firewood and even an ice box! Althoughwe prepare most of your food for you, many folks choose to help us with the meals, as that is a fun social event. You'll also find bikes and other toys such as frisbees, footballs, and volleyballs.

There is one item our bus DOES NOT have, a bathroom! What... no bathroom? Yup! That means no bathroom "smell" or dealing with the waste. No worries though, we stop often for bathroom breaks!

For more on "Life on the Adventure Bus" visit our FAQ Page and Photo Galleries!

AB Recipe: Pancakes!

2010-12-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

Pancakes are a delicious way to start the day. To make sure our guests get enough protein to hike or bike their favorite trails, we use Krusteaz Brand Honey Wheat Pancake Mix. It doesn't have a strong "whole wheat" taste but it more protein of the regular mix! We also like to add nuts and other goodies! Check out some combos we use below!

Berry Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Pancake mix
semi sweet chocolate chips
sliced strawberries

Mix pancake batter as directed. Place sliced berries and
chocolate chips on the pancake before flipping.

Cinnamon Apple Walnut Pancakes
Pancake mix
1 cup applesauce
cinnamon
chopped walnuts

Mix the apples sauce with water before adding to the pancake mix. Place cinnamon
and walnuts on the pancake before flipping.

Fall Pumpkin Pancakes
pancake mix
1/2 cup Pumpkin Pie filling
Nutmeg, cinnamon,
chopped walnuts

Mix pancake batter as directed. Add pumpkin pie filling and spices. Add walnuts before flipping.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Pancake mix
semi sweet chocolate chips
1-2 mashed bananas

Mix mashed banana in waterwater. Add pancake mix. Place chocolate chips and/or walnuts on the pancake before flipping.

AB Recipe: Warm Beverages around the Campfire

2010-11-19T06:32:00.000-08:00

Mint cocoa
Make a cup of mint tea and add cocoa mix for a nice minty chocolately drink.

Hot cider
Heat up some apple cider and add in some cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Hot mocha
Add some hot cocoa mix to your coffee for a nice mocha drink.

AB Recipe: Make your own Burritos

2010-10-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

Burritos

Ingredients:
ground beef or turkey
taco seasoning
refried beans
guacamole
chopped onions
chopped tomatoes
chopped olives
chopped cilantro
shredded cheese, cheddar or Mexican Mix
sour cream
salsa
tortillas

Chop all veggies. Fry ground meat and add taco seasoning as directed. Heat up refried beans. Heat tortillas. Fill your tortilla with the ingredients you want and enjoy with some chips, salsa, and guacamole.

AB Recipe: Oatmeal Sundaes

2010-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal Sundaes
Here is a great way to enjoy hot cereal in the morning! My favorite combo is oatmeal, apples, cinnamon, maple syrup and walnuts. What's yours?

raisins
chopped green apples
chopped walnuts
mapple syrup
brown sugar
cinnamon
dried cranberries or blueberries
granola
coconut flakes
mango
pineapple

Cook oatmeal as directed and add your own toppings!

AB Recipe: Frito Pie

2010-08-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
ground beef or turkey
chili seasoning
2-3 cans of various beans drained
chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
shredded cheese
sour cream
fritos

Brown ground meat and season as directed on chili mix. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, onions and simmer. Serve over frito chips topped with cheese and sour cream.

AB Recipe: A Great Pasta Salad

2010-07-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a great recipe for a hot summer night, not too filling. Add some pepperoni or salami or serve with fried chicken.

Pasta Salad
1 jar roasted red peppers chopped
2 small zucchini diced and sauted
2 small summer squash diced and sauted
1 can sliced black olives
1 red onion sauted
2 small jars artichokes
8-16oz crumbled feta cheese
1-2 boxes multi-colored spiral pasta
½ bottle Zesty Italian Dressing
Cook the pasta as directed and run through cold water to cool it off quickly. Saute the zucinni, summer squash, and red onion. Chop up the olives, artichokes and red peppers. Mix with the pasta when it is cooled off. Add the feta cheese and salad dressing last and chill until serving. This salad goes great with sliced watermelon.

AB Recipe: Fresh Berry Pound Cake

2010-06-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

Here is an easy but super yummy desert! It is a nice and light tasting desert.
Ingredients:
1 pre made bound cake
2-3 cups berries (strawberries, black berries, raspberries, whatever you have)
1/2 cup sugar

Mash 1 cup of berries and add in sugar. Mix easily with the other berries. Slice the pound cake and drizzle with the berries. Top with whip cream if you have it.

AB Recipe: Fun Around the Campfire

2010-05-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

Nights around a warm campfire are a big part of the Adventure Bus experience. Here are a few delightful deserts we like to cook over the fire.

Banana Boats
bananas
chocolate chips
marshmallows
tinfoil

Slit open one side of the banana peel. Scoop out 1/3 of the banana. Place bits of marshmallow and chocolate chips in the banana. Replace the peel. Wrap in foil and place in the coals until chocolate is melted.

S'mores
Marshmallows
Hershey's Chocolate Bars
Graham Crackers

Toast marshmallows on a stick over the fire. Eat between two graham crackers and a hershey bar.

Crescent Rolls
Pre-made crescent rolls
tinfoil

Wrap the end of a thick stick with tin foil. Wrap 1 or 2 crescent rolls around the stick on the foil. Toast over the fire until it easily slips off the tinfoil.

Popcorn!
oil
popcorn

Put a small bit of oil on the bottom of a sturdy pot. Pour in popcorn and shake over the fire until popcorn pops.

Baked Apples
butter
cinnamon
Core an apple. Place butter and cinnamon in the core. Wrap in tinfoil and place in the coals until soft.

Monday Morning Muse #2

2010-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Zion National Park

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” Jawaharlal Nehru

It is easy to experience beauty and adventure when you are exploring such beautiful places as Bryce Canyon or Zion National Parks, but one of our goals at Adventure Bus, is that you'll take the spirit of adventure and wonder home with you and discover the beauty and adventure that lies in your own backyard. It's there, even in the city or the smallest of towns. Just be ready and keep your eyes open! Whenever I go home to Maine, I try and discover and explore the places I overlooked when I lived there.

Ried State Park, Maine

Coos Canyon, Maine

Birch Point State Park, Maine

AB Recipe: Spicy Mac and Cheese

2010-04-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Spicy Mac and Cheese

1 box tight spiral pasta
2 cups milk
1 tbs butter
1 c shredded sharp cheddar
1 c shredded swiss
1 c shredded parmesan
2 tbs spicy brown mustard (the secret ingredient!)

Cook and drain pasta as directed. Over low heat, combine butter and milk. When hot add in the cheeses and mustard. Stir like crazy until melted and mix with the pasta. We like to serve this with bratwurst cooked over the campfire!

Monday Morning Muse #1

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

"Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous" Leonardo da Vinci

I came across the quote on a nature trail in Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah. I don't think da Vinci ever visited Utah, but I'd like to think he may have had some desert location in mind when he penned this quote. The desert can be so bare and simple, but deliver such astounding beauty and efficiency.

New Summer 2010 Yellowstone Dates Available!

2010-03-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks!

Just wanted to let you know we have a new dates available for our North to Yellowstone tour and our Best of the National Park two week tour!

North to Yellowstone: June 26-July 2

Best of the National Parks: June 19-July 2

Hope you can join us!

Thanks! Stephanie

AB Recipe: Chicken Pesto Pasta

2010-03-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

Chicken Pesto Pasta
Serve with garlic bread and a fresh greens salad!
Chicken breast or tenders
Italian spices
olive oil
Farfalle pasta (bow tie) or Rotini
pesto sauce, Classico or other brand
parmesan cheese (topping)

Saute chicken and cut into bite size pieces and season with lemon pepper or italian spices. Cook pasta as directed. Combine chicken and pasta with the pesto and serve! We like to serve this dish at Ruby's Inn Campground, just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Adventure Bus Loves Cheese!

2010-03-03T19:32:00.001-08:00

Cheese is a staple in the Adventure Bus kitchen! We love to use it at breakfast, lunch and dinner! It is a great way to get extra protein and calcium to help fuel our adventures. Check out all the ways we love to incorporate cheese into our meals!

We love to serve breakfast sandwiches with egg, ham and cheese on an English Muffin. Other Cheesy breakfasts include breakfast burritos, cheesy eggs, and cheesy grits!

We always have various kinds of cheese for folks to make sandwiches with to take out on to the trail: Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Swiss, and Provolone.

One of our favorite meals is Burritos. Folks load up their burritos with what they want, but they always include cheese!

Another favorite is Roasted Weenies with Mac and Cheese! And sometimes we prepare Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage and Ricotta Cheese.

Our friend Hans always brings us cheese from his home country of Norway. It is an acquired taste, almost more of a sweet desert, but we like it!

And we have even made "cheesy" deserts! Cheese cakes are a great way to celebrate birthdays when you can't bake a cake.

What cheesy dish will we serve up on your tour?

AB Recipe: Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage

2010-02-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

1 package small penne or favorite pasta
1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 small container ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed. Fry up Italian sausage and crumble. Add in onion and pepper and fry. Heat sauce. Mix in ricotta, sausage, and pasta. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Serve with a fresh greens salad and garlic bread. Yum! We like to serve this harty dinner at Madison Campground in Yellowstone National Park, near the site where it was first discussed to make Yellowstone a National Park. Yellowstone was the world's first national park.

Adventure Bus Celebrates Mardi Gras!

2010-02-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Mardi Gras on our last tour with some Gumbo and a King's Cake. Everyone liked Ardell's Gumbo so much, we thought we'd share the recipe with you! Enjoy!

Ardell's Gumbo Recipe

Ingredients

One pound (.4 kg) boneless chicken breasts

One pound (.4 kg) boneless SMOKED unsliced ham

One pound (.4 kg) Andouille sausage

One pound (.4 kg) Peeled, deveined shrimp

One pound (.4 kg) cut okra

One can of Chicken stock

Rice

1 cup (.38 litre) of Canola oil

3/4 cup (.28 litre) of flour of your choice (don't use spelt, try rice or corn)

a couple of Cayenne peppers

Making the roux

In a medium sauce pan, pour the oil, and stir in the flour. Stir until there are no lumps in it and heat over a medium low flame. Stir constantly, this caramelization process takes a while, but the results of a good roux are worth it.

Be careful of getting any burning on the bottom, burns look like little black flecks and this RUINS the nuttysmoky flavor that we're going for here, if you burn it, discard it and start over. Continue to heat until the mixture becomes the color of MILK chocolate, then remove from heat.Congratulations, you have made a roux, the base for many Cajun dishes.

Preparing the Gumbo

In a large stock pot put the cayennes, chicken breasts, ham, and sausage, and cover with just enough water to cover them all. Boil well, until the chicken and ham are fairly soft, and the sausage well cooked. Remove heat and put the meat in a bowl and allow to cool. Reserve the stock, and discard the cayennes. When the meat has cooled, slice the sausage into medallions, and shred the ham and chicken with a fork. return the meat to the stock pot, return heat to a low boil and stir in the roux and chicken stock simmer for 20 minutes allowing the roux to infuse and thicken the stock. Add the okra, simmer another 5 minutes. Add the shrimp last as overcooked shrimp gets tough.

Serve over a little mound of rice.

Freeze any unused gumbo for a great dinner anytime!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

AB Recipe: Peanut Stew

2010-01-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Ingredients
1 zucchini
1 summer squash
1 onion white or red
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1/2 lb. spinach

1 1b chicken
1 can diced tomatoes (with chiles if you like a bit of spice)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1-2 boxes chicken broth

Cut up all vegetables into bite size pieces. Place chicken broth, diced tomatoes and vegetables in a large pot and heat until vegetables soften. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and cook in a separate pan. Add to the broth mixture and simmer. Just before serving add in the spinach and stir in the peanut butter. Serve as is or over couscous or quinoa.

A Tribute to Our Dear Friends

2010-01-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, Adventure Bus lost a dear friend. Carl Clear from Oxford, OH passed away after well fought battle with cancer.

Carl was more than a friend to us-, he was a member of our family. He and his wife Carol have been on 3 adventures with us, and their story has been an inspiration. They had the courage to find love again later in life and live each day to the fullest, despite huge challenges and setbacks. We share their story with you now, to celebrate both Carl and Carol's incredible generosity and spirit for love and life.

Carol signed up for her first Adventure Bus tour in 2006. She was scheduled to come on an earlier tour, but it was canceled. She was able to reschedule for our June, Grand Canyon and the Wild West tour. About 2-3 weeks before the tour, she called and asked if there was room for her to bring a friend. I said, "Yes, there is still room for her." And Carol said, "well, what if my friend is a him?" And I said "That is fine too!"

As it turns out, Carol and Carl had just met a few weeks earlier online. Both had been previously married and lost their spouses. They had met each other in person once or twice and Carol decided to invite him on our tour. They figured that would be a good way to test if they were truly compatible. They figured if they could make it through traveling and camping together for a week on a bus, they might have a good shot at more!

So both Carol and Carl came along and had a great time. They loved the scenery, traveling on the bus and meeting the other folks on the tour. They were eager to be a part of everything. They were always up early, helping out with meals and keeping the bus clean. Carl was an RV repair man, and even helped us out with things on the bus a few times! Carol brought little gifts for everyone on the bus, even before meeting them, a tradition they would continue on all of their future tours.

They were completely inseparable on that tour! They were like a teenage couple in the back of the bus, holding hands and snuggling! It was so cute, and you could not help but feel so happy for them.

Also on that tour were the Five Foleys-, Tim and Annabel, and their 3 children Eden, Calum and Tess. They had come all the way from England to join us for a tour. It was like instant family. Their youngest daughter Tess, was just 4 on her first tour, and we quickly realized we had our youngest ever, and one of our oldest passengers ever on the bus at the same time, 4 and 70!

One of my favorite memories, (colored with a little bit of embarrassment!) took place out in Arches National Park. There is a spot along a cliff wall where we rock climb a few feet up the wall, and then someone lays down on the ground and takes a forced perspective photo, so that it looks like you are way higher than you actually are. Well, the first step is a rather large one, and I always have difficulty with it with my shorter legs and weak arms. On that particular day, I pointed out the spot, but I didn't think anyone in the group was interested in taking me up on the opportunity. Well I made a half hearted attempt to climb up, and really couldn't make it. Before I knew it, Carl, age 70 was pushing me up, and had climbed up to join me! I will never forget that.

Everyone had such a good time on that tour, that they decided to keep in touch. The following summer, the Five Foleys and Carl and Carol wanted to come back, and since they had so much fun together, Carl and Carol planned to come the same week as the Foleys. That summer it was the North to Yellowstone tour. Carl brought two more members of his real family along for some fun, his two nieces, Jerri and Janet. It was a great reunion with a lot of new and fun adventurers too, including Sharon Marks and her grandson Jered from Ohio, and Brian Houg a teacher from California. This "adventure family" was growing!

Carl and Carol made it official and got married about a month before their second tour, so we celebrated their one month anniversary with a cake and a campfire in the Grand Tetons. Earlier that year, Carol had a heart valve replaced, but that didn't stop either one of them from coming on another adventure, and living their lives to the fullest.

Not long after that, Carl was diagnosed with cancer. That winter he went through several treatments and procedures including the removal of a lung. Despite all that, he made a strong recovery. They returned for their 3rd tour, Colorado Peaks and Canyons. The Foleys, Sharon and Jered, and Brian were all able to come too! It was an amazing feeling to have all these folks reunited for yet another tour. Carl had to be careful on this tour, as the overall elevation was going to be quite high. But you would have never known that he had only one lung! Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate on that tour, and we dealt with several nights of hard rain and mud. Carl and Carol were still right there to help out, even when we had to move the kitchen because we were in mud up to our ankles!

Carl's cancer came back, as they new it would because of the type of cancer that he had. But Carl and Carol still lived everyday to its fullest. Ardell and I had the fortune to visit them in Ohio, on one of our cross-country jaunts. They knew we traveled back and forth to visit our own families a lot and let us know we could always stay with them.

Carl and Carol, we miss you both very much. Carl, we will always remember you for your kindness and strong will. Carol, you are in our hearts and we thank you for all of your kindness, generosity, incredible example of love, and for bringing Carl into our lives.

Take care, and please remember, it really IS... all about the Journey.

Stephanie, Ardell, and the Adventure Bus Crew.

Adventure Bus offers new Mt Biking Tours

2010-01-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

Adventure Bus is offering 2 new Mt Biking Tours in 2010 along with our Classic Fat Tire Dreamin Itinerary. Come join us for a week of fun trails, incredible scenery, campfires, hot springs and more! $965 + 6% tax per person

Fat Tire Dreamin with Fruita
April 10-17, May 8-15

2 Days in Southwestern Utah featuring Jem Trail, Hurricane Rim, and Gooseberry Mesa
2 Days in Fruita, CO featuring Horse Thief Bench and the Bookcliffs
2 Days in Moab, UT featuring Slickrock and Porcupine Rim

Fat Tire Dreamin with Fruita and Durango
Sept 25-Oct 2

2 Days in Fruita, CO featuring Horse Thief Bench and the Bookcliffs
2 Days in Moab, UT featuring Slickrock and Porcupine Rim
2 Days in Durango, CO featuring Horse Gulch and Hermosa Creek

Fat Tire Dreamin Classic

April 17-24, Oct 16-23
2 Days in Southwestern UT featuring Gooseberry Mesa and Thunder Mountain
4 Days in Moab, UT featuring Slickrock, Sovereign, Porcupine Rim and more!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

Adventure Bus would like to wish you much happiness and adventure in the coming new year!

We've compiled some highlights from our 2009 Season. To view them, click on the link below.
We hope you can join us in 2010 and help us make some new unforgettable memories!

Highlights from our 2009 Adventures.

Take care,
And remember...
It's all about the Journey!

Stephanie, Ardell
and the Adventure Bus Crew

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T07:56:00.001-08:00

The Adventure Bus Crew would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Feliz Navidad!
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto!
Buone Feste Natalizie!
Merry Keshmish!
God Jul!
Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket!
Feliz Natal!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Stephanie, Ardell, and Molly

AB Recipe: Smoked Salmon Chowder

2009-12-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

Serves about 6
Ingredients:
1 onion
butter
6-8 potatoes
1 14 oz carton chicken broth (or seafood or veggie)
1 qt half and half
2-6 tbl flour
1 1lb smoked salmon
seasoned salt
1/2 c white cooking wine

Dice the onion and cook in a large pot with butter until translucent. Peel and dice the potato, add to the pot. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes and boil until just cooked. When the potatoes are soft, add in the chicken broth and half and half. Remove a cup or 2 of the liquid, whisk in flour, and add back to the pot. This will thicken the chowder. Add more if you like it thicker. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Chop the salmon into flakes and add to the liquid. Stir in the white wine and simmer on low, being careful not to scald the bottom. Serve with biscuits, saltines, or oyster crackers.

We first served this chowder in La Push, Washington on our Washington Coast to Cascades tour. We made it with sweet walla walla washington onions, local potatoes, and salmon that was smoked by a local Quileute Native American. We were camping right on the beach, so we listened to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean while we dined. We liked it so much, we've learned to smoke our own salmon and plan on making it on many more tours!

Left Over Turkey? Try this AB Recipe: Navajo Stew with Fry Bread

2009-11-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

Navajo Stew with Fry Bread
Ingredients:
1 butter nut squash diced
3-4 cloves garlic
3-4 cans various beans, drained. (red, white, black, pinto, kidney, black-eye pea,)
1 jar napolitos
1 can hominy
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can tomatillo sauce
Turkey or Chicken

Fry Bread
Bisquick
Flour
Milk
Oil

Cook turkey/chicken and cut into bite sized pieces. Chop garlic and fry in oil. Add in diced squash and brown. Add in enchilada sauce, beans, tomatillo sauce, hominy, and chicken. Just before serving add in the chopped napolitos. Serve over fry bread.
Fry Bread
Mix flour and bisquick in a 2 -1 ratio. Add milk until a dough like mixture forms. Roll into 4 inch x 1/4 inch thick and deep fry in 2 inches of hot oil. until golden.

Serve the stew on top of the fry bread. Spice it up with ground pepper and jalapeno tabasco sauce.
This a favorite on Adventure Bus tours. People love it for its unique ingredients like hominy and cactus. We usually serve it on our Grand Canyon and the Wild West tour at Grand Canyon or Lake Powell. When guests return on a different trip, we are always prepared to make it, as we know they will demand it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. The Adventure Bus Crew is thankful for all the wonderful folks we have met over the years. We are especially thankful to those who join us year after year on new adventures and who trust and support our endeavors. We are truly blessed to be able to meet such wonderful people from all over the world, and love that our Adventure Bus Family continues to grow!

This year in particular, we were able to visit many of you while out on the road. Over 20 of you invited us into your homes, fed us and showed us your local sites in Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, and more! In home after home we got to see just how much their travels on Adventure Bus meant to them. Everywhere we went we saw walls and refrigerators covered with magnets, photos, and posters of the national parks they explored and friends they had met while on a tour with us. What a great feeling!

It has also been great to hear the tales of how other folks have gotten together for weekend camping tours and mini reunion trips! We've put together a photo gallery to capture some of these reunions. Check it out:

AB Reunion Gallery
If you've been a part of an AB reunion, tell us about it and send a photo! We would love to know!

Once again, Thank you all for choosing to travel with us and becoming part of the Adventure Bus Family!
Gobble Gobble!
Take care, and we hope to see YOU on the Adventure Bus

The Adventure Bus 2010 Schedule is here!

2009-11-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Our 2010 Adventure Bus tour schedule is ready! We are happy to be offering our newer Washington Coast to Cascades and Great Glacier Adventure tours again this summer. The Olympic, Mt Rainier, and Glacier National Parks were magical and we cannot wait to go back! We are also offering a brand new tour featuring the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.

You will also find all of our classic tours such as our Grand Canyon and the Wild West, North to Yellowstone, Best of the West and Best of the National Parks. Our Death Valley and the Mojave Desert has a new itinerary, and along with our classic Fat Tire Dreamin Mt Biking Adventure, we have added two new itineraries that include Fruita and Durango CO.

View our exciting 2010 schedule here!

Take care,
And we hope to see YOU on the Adventure Bus!

Today is the Day!

2009-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to tune in to your local PBS station and watch Ken Burns' "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"!

We would be watching, but we'll be camping outside of Bryce Canyon, recovering from an exciting day of hiking in Zion!

For more information follow this link:
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

Enjoy!

Glacier National Park

2009-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

1 Day until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Glacier National Park is one of our new favorite places. It is called the Crown of the Continent for a reason. No matter where you hike in the park, you'll see stunning views of high alpine lakes, towering mountain peaks or "Horns", meadows filled with wildflowers and of course lots of wild life, like marmots, big horn sheep, mountain goats, and maybe even a grizzly!

Hovenweep National Monument

2009-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

2 Days until "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Situated on the border of Utah and Colorado, Hovenweep is home to unique ruins and cliff dwellings. Hike around Little Ruin Canyon for great views of many ruins like Square Tower. Nearly 500 people lived in the area at one time, departing sometime after 1300AD. Keep watch for beautiful collared lizards which like to hang out in the ruins!

Mojave National Preserve

2009-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

3 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Joshua trees, cholla, prickly pear and barrel cactus carpet this beautiful and diverse park. It is also home to the Kelso Sand Dunes, the third highest sand dunes in North America at about 600ft. These dunes actually hum, when the humidity is just right. We also love to visit Hole in the Wall and Banshee canyon for a short but interesting hike featuring changes and rings, unique rock formation created by gas pockets after a volcanic eruption, and petroglyphs!

Olympic National Park

2009-09-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

4 Days until "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Olympic National Park is home to several unique ecosystems. You'll find beaches with great tide pooling, mountain meadows full of wild flowers and wildlife, pristine alpine lakes, and most unique of all are the rain forests.

Mt St Helen Volcano National Monument

2009-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

5 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"
Mt St Helen is a reminder of the awesome power of Mother Nature. On May 18th, 1980 Mt St Helen lost over 1000 feet of its height in an eruption that blew down over 230 square miles of forest in less than five minutes. The blast and the resulting mudslides forever changed the area even creating new ecosystems including 2 new lakes. We recommend hiking around Coldwater Lake to discover the rebirth of the area, including a great display of wild flowers in July!

Mount Rainier National Park

2009-09-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

6 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Mount Rainier rises14,410 above sea level. But it is more than just a mountain. This giant is actually an active volcano with its last eruption occurring 150 years ago. It has 25 glaciers and many beautiful alpine meadows carpeted with alpine flowers. You'll hundreds of miles of hiking trails here, including the Wonderland Trail, a 93 mile trail that circles the mountain.

Yellowstone National Park

2009-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

7 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

It is hard to say what our favorite thing is about Yellowstone National Park. Is it the colorful pools and hot springs? The powerful geysers or bubbling mud pots? How about the abundance of wildlife including elk, bison, deer, eagles, osprey, swans, pelicans, and even grizzly bear? Of is it the unforgettable views of Yellowstone Falls or Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We love the world's first National Park for all of its splendor and diversity!

Everglades National Park

2009-09-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

8 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Grand Teton National Park

2009-09-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

9 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Grand Teton is home to one of our favorite hikes: Cascade Canyon. To reach the trail head, you must first take a boat across beautiful Jenny Lake at the base of the Teton Range. Hike a half mile and you'll pass Hidden Falls. Another half mile will take you up switchbacks to Inspiration Point. Continue on into Cascade Canyon for some of the best scenery in the West. This lush canyon is full of wild flowers, snow capped peaks, and cascading waterfalls. We have spotted moose 100% of the time we have hiked this trail, but we've also seen martins, deer, marmots, picas, and even a black bear!

Joshua Tree National Park

2009-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

10 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Located in southern California, Joshua Tree is home to some of the best climbing and bouldering in the world. But of course it got it's name from the tree that grows in forests throughout the entire area: the Joshua Tree. This tree is actually a member of the lilly family and grows only about a half inch a year. You'll also see many other plants such as beaver tail cactus, cholla, ocatillo, yuccas, and wildflowers when you visit the park, as well as jack rabbits, quail, coyote or even a rattle snake. We love to camp at Black Rock Campground among the Joshua Trees, or at Indian Cove among the huge boulders.

Death Valley National Park

2009-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

11 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Death Valley is home to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere! Badwater Salt Flats is 282 below sea level. But Death Valley is home to more than just salt flats. Sand dunes, snow capped mountains, a crater, mines, and colorful badlands adorn this park. Visit Furnace Creek with it's beautiful palms for a bit of relief from the starkness of the park. If the rain and wind conditions are right throughout the winter, wild flowers will carpet the upper elevations of the park in late March.

Natural Bridges National Monument

2009-09-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

12 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Natural Bridges is home to 3 amazing sandstone bridges, Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu. They were carved over thousands of years by the rivers cutting through the mesa. You can hike to all 3 of the bridges, but Natural Bridges is also home to many petroglyph panels and Horsecollar Ruin, a Puebloan structure abandoned 700 years ago.

Navajo National Monument

2009-09-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

13 days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Hiking to Betatakin Ruins in Navajo National Monument is one of the best ways to explore a well preserved ruin while enjoying the beautiful red rock landscape of northern Arizona. It is situated in a shady alcove, which has helped to protect and preserve this dwelling. Rumors of it being haunted kept bandits and thieves away as well. A Navajo Ranger will guide your hike to the ruins, and answer all your questions about them. Take this hike in the spring to catch blooming claret cup cactus.

Bandelier National Monument

2009-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

14 days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Frijoles Canyon is home to Bandelier's Ancestral Puebloans dwellings. The inhabitants of this canyon built in a similar style to that of Chaco Canyon, but also made use of the magnificent cliff walls, building rooms right into the cliff walls. You'll see the Big Kiva, Long House, and if you travel further into the canyon you'll ascend ladders into Alcove House. Visit Bandelier in the fall for colorful foliage!

Chaco Culture

2009-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

15 Days until "National Park: America's Best Idea"

Chaco Canyon was the center of the Ancient Puebloan culture from 850-1250AD. When you visit Chaco, you'll see just how advanced this culture was. Fajada Butte and the sun daggers were used to predict the change in seasons, using shadows on the summer and winter equinox. Evidence of canals among the ruins suggest irrigation systems, and an extensive road system to many other settlements in the Four Corner's area suggest it was a ceremonial and trading hub. You'll be amazed at the architecture, planning and knowledge these people possessed.

We recommend exploring Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, and hiking to Pueblo Alto for stunning views of Pueblo Bonito from above.

Canyon de Chelly National Park

2009-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

16 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"
If you are heading out to Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona, be sure not to miss the hike down to White House Ruins. This moderate 3 mile round trip trail switchbacks down a beautiful red rock canyon to a cottonwood shaded valley and the mysterious White House Ruins.

Drive the South rim out to Spider Woman Rock Overlook for a stunning look at this formation and to learn the lore of Spider Woman. Drive along the North Rim for more overlooks, ruin sites, and to learn more history of the people who occupied this beautiful canyon.

Mesa Verde National Park

2009-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

17 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"
Mesa Verde is home to more than 4000 archeological sites! Ranger led tours allow you to explore two of the best preserved cliff dwellings, Cliff Palace and Balcony House. How did they build them? What did they eat? Why did they leave? You'll find out all these answers and more if you participate in these two tours or explore Spruce Tree House and the Chapin Mesa Museum. We also recommend hiking the Petroglyph Point Trail for stunning views of the canyon, more cliff dwellings and a terrific petroglyph panel.

Have you been to Mesa Verde? Leave your experiences in a comment!

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

2009-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

18 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"

There are a wide variety of things to see and do at Great Sand Dunes located in Southeastern Colorado. Climb to the top of the highest sand dune, Star Dune, at 750 ft, Meander through the foothill trails among pinyons and scrub oak including the Montville trail which takes you past the remains of a settlement form the 1800s. Climb to the alpine meadows of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or go bird watching in the wetlands. Whatever you choose, your sure to find this area diverse!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

2009-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

19 Days until "National Parks: America's Best Idea"
Located in western Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the most daunting, rugged canyons in the West. It's steep canyon walls are for the most part impassable and expose some of the oldest rock on earth. Visit the South Rim to hike the Oak Flats Trail which descends 200 ft into the canyon, or hike out to one of the many stunning overlooks including Chasm View and the Painted Wall. Don't miss the film at the Visitor Center featuring the incredible expedition of Torrence and Fellows who explored the canyon on an air mattress on the Gunnison River!

Canyonlands National Park

2009-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Canyonlands is one of the most remote areas left in the lower 48. Lucky for us, we can easily experience its beauty from some of the great overlooks in the Island in the Sky District at Grand Overlook and Mesa Arch, which rivals the vistas of Grand Canyon. There is great hiking in the unique landscape in the Needles District too. Rafting the Colorado or Green Rivers is a great way to experience the vastness of this place.

Arches National Park

2009-09-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

When you live in Moab, UT as we do, you are lucky to have 2 national parks practically in your backyard, Arches and Canyonlands.

Arches has become one of my favorite parks because I have gotten to explore so much of it due to its proximity. 2,000 arches+ exist here, and more are slowly being created and destroyed everyday by natural forces. Wind, sand, and water carve and change these formations. Sometimes it takes decades, sometimes minutes. Last year, one of my favorite Arches, Wall Arch out in the Devil's Garden area collapsed overnight. I was devastated, but then came to realize it was all apart of the circle. It did make me stop and look at things more closely, and take the time to appreciate my surroundings while I still had the chance.

Change, it is inevitable, and a part of our lives. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the beautiful landscape of Arches National Park.

Grand Canyon North Rim

2009-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon... how did it get its name? Because it is Grand of Course! Wrong! The river that carves Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, was once called the Grand River. Don't get me wrong, it certainly is grand! In fact it is 277 miles in length, 8-16 miles wide, and nearly 6000 feet at its deepest! That's pretty grand.

Our favorite part of the park to visit is the North Rim. It is a much quieter section of the park. You'll often see deer meandering through the parking lots and along the rim. Beautiful birds and the elusive Kaibab Squirrel frequent the campground. And of course there is the changing colors of the canyon at sunrise or sunset from the lodge. Truly serene.

Bryce National Park

2009-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Nowhere else on earth is there a place like Bryce National Park. I dare you to stand on the rim of the canyon and not be moved to tears. This is what happened to me the first time I visited Bryce in 2002. The vibrant colors of the hoodoos and pinnacles and the wide open clear blue sky are like something out of a fairy tale.

Not really a canyon, but an amphitheater, it is actually the high frequency of freezing and thawing that causes such unique formations in the sandstone. Hike along the rim for stunning vistas, but descending into to the canyon for views of the hoodoos up close and against the blue sky is the best view of all.

Zion National Park

2009-09-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

With its towering red sandstone cliffs, Zion is one of our favorite parks to visit. It is a hiker's paradise with something for everyone. For a physical and mental challenge, you can climb Angel's Landing. Complete with chains to help you hike, this strenuous trail rewards you with a stunning panoramic view of the canyon. In July when the temps reach 100+, you can hike the Riverwalk and Narrows through the refreshing Virgin River, which is responsible for creating this beautiful canyon. Hike the Emerald Pools Trails to experience some more hidden features like waterfalls. In the Spring, you'll find blooming prickly pear cactus and columbine in the hanging gardens. The fall brings changing colors to the lush riparian valley of the canyon.

Happy 100th Birthday Zion! We look forward to visiting you again and again!

Countdown to "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"

2009-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Save the date! On Sept 27th, your local PBS station will be showing the newest film by Ken Burns: The National Parks: America's Best Idea. We are really excited about this event, and if it weren't for the fact that we will be out on the road, enjoying the National Parks, we would be glued to our televisions! To help countdown to this event, we will be featuring a different park that we visit each day in our blog.

But first, check out the following web page for the latest on what is sure to be a stunning series!

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

Thanks!

Enjoy our video from our newest tour Washington Coast to Cascades!

2009-09-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Reflections on our Newest Tour: Washington Coast to Cascades

2009-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our new tour for the 2009 summer season took us to the beautiful state of Washington where we explored Mt St Helen, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula. In a word, it was fabulous, and we would like to share a few of our experiences with you in the next few entries. We hope you enjoy them. We think the Washington Coast to Cascades Tour is a keeper, as well as the Great Glacier Adventure, and are trying to fit it into our schedule for next year! Enjoy!

AdventureBus Returns to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

2009-08-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Once again, AdventureBus teamed up with the folks at Greenearth Travel for a tour to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the Grand Canyon, North Rim. We made lots of new friends including Noah, Reggie, and Tucson. We volunteered for two days at the beautiful sanctuary, cleaning pens, walking the dogs and pot bellied pigs, and even making a few bird toys. Our two days at the Grand Canyon were filled with beautiful vistas, campfires, incredible thunder that shook the ground and echoed in the canyon, wind, and even a bit of hail! But we still had a lot of fun! We are looking forward to collaborating again next season on 3 more of these truly unique tours!

Wildlife Galore!!!

2009-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our North to Yellowstone tours have been filled with wildlife so far this summer. Elk, dear, antelope, marmots, moose, baby moose, bison, baby bison, eagles, osprey and even a grizzly bear. We also had quite a few near misses, seeing lots of fresh tracks and scat on the trail. See some highlights below!

Grand Canyon and the Wild West HIghlights

2009-07-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

Our June 20th Grand Canyon and the Wild West was filled with fun and adventure. Our guests were from Canada, Washington, Florida and Italy. We marveled at the view from Zion's Angel's Landing, hiked among the hoodoos of Bryce, were inspired by sunrise at Monument Valley and explored ancient petroglyphs in Moab. See a sampling of our adventures below! And highlights from other recent tours here.

Jackson Hole

2009-06-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

We spent the morning exploring downtown Jackson Hole, and the afternoon white water rafting on the Snake River. Tomorrow we head back to Salt Lake City. It has been a great tour and we have seen some rain, but luckily it didn't stop us from doing any of our activities! Wildlife count for this week: 1 osprey, 1 eagle, many bison, 1 grouse, lots of squirrels, 2 marmots, 1 pine martin, 1 pika, 3 moose, and 1 GRIZZLY.... right near our campground! Next week we head south to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon!

Grand Teton Jenny Lake/Cascade Canyon

2009-06-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Ah, Jenny Lake! This is probably one of the most scenic spots in the lower 48! Today, we'll be hiking in Cascade Canyon, past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. We have spotted moose up in the canyon 100% of the time on this hike. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner in Jackson Hole, and maybe take in the local rodeo!

Grand Teton Colter Bay

2009-06-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Colter Bay presents us with so many great options for the day, how will we choose? Hiking out to Hermitage Point past Heron and Swan Lakes? A scenic boat ride around Jackson Lake? Horseback riding? Or how about exploring a cove in a rented canoe? No matter what we choose we are bound to see an eagle, deer, and maybe even a moose! Last season there was a den of fox right near the parking lot! Adventure awaits!

Yellowstone Falls

2009-06-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Yellowstone,

Today we are doing one of my favorite hikes: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. I love this five mile hike, as there is something new around every bend. Waterfalls, sweeping vistas of the canyon, Artist Point, meadows, mud pots, wild flowers and usually bison. In the afternoon we'll head down to Lake Yellowstone, but not for a swim, as this is one of the deepest and therefore coldest alpine lakes! Perhaps we'll go for a soak in some hot springs near our campground tonight, under a starry sky!

Yellowstone Geysers

2009-06-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Today we are in Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park! We'll be exploring some of the parks most famous geysers and hot springs including Castle Geyser, Grand Prismatic and of course Old Faithful. We hope to see some elk, bald eagles, osprey and of course bison!

Good food awaits!

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Navajo Stew with Fry Bread

We love hearing great comments like "That was a great hike!" and "What a terrific view" on our tours, but we know that we can only take so much credit for that. But we can take credit for the food, as we make it all! We think it is important to provide healthy and satisfying meals to keep our guests fueled for the day's activities. But really we love to cook and eat good food too!

One meal that gets particular recognition is our Navajo Stew with Fry Bread. Driver/guide Ardell created this recipe based on a stew he once had in New Mexico. This dish is usually everyone's favorite of the tour as it is so unique. When guests come back for another tour, they demand we serve this stew! What's in it? Well you'll have to come on a tour to find out the whole recipe, but here are a few key ingredients: Hominy, Butternut Squash, and Napolitos (pickled cactus!).

Some of the other great dishes we feature on our tours are Chicken Pesto Pasta, Frito Pie, and Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes. For more Adventure Bus Recipes, follow this link:

http://www.adventurebus.com/recipes.htm

Making Fry Bread Chopping Fruit Salad

Fresh Watermelon Make your own burritos!

New Favorite Place!

2009-06-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought we had explored most of the great sites in Southern Utah, we got to spend a few days in stunning Angel Canyon at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The scenery is just as inspiring as the dedication of the folks that run the sanctuary. On this special charter tour, we teamed up with Greenearth Travel and spent 2 days volunteering with the animals at Best Friends, and then 2 days at Grand Canyon North Rim. An extra special treat was when a few of the dogs and cats got to "sleepover" in the cottages we stayed in while at Best Friends. If you are looking to adopt a pet, or like to support animal shelters, I suggest you check out Best Friends:

http://www.bestfriends.org.

We will be teaming up with Greenearth Travel next June for another special tour to Best Friends. For more information email us at info@adventurebus.com or Donna@greenearthtravel.com

New Tour Trail of the Ancients

2009-04-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Our May 17th Trail of the Ancients Tour is now available for everyone. Hike among the ancient ruins of the Ancestral Puebloens in the beautiful red rock settings of the Four Corner's Region. Explore Chaco, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and Bandelier. Also spend a day exploring Durango, CO. Kayak the Animas River or take the Durango-Silverton Train. This tour departs and returns to Albuquerque, NM. View the complete itinerary here. Email info@adventurebus.com or call 909-633-7225 for more info.

Traveled with Adventure Bus before? Ask us about a discount!

Happy Spring

2009-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not a very religious person, but I always seem to be inspired by the lyrics of this song, especially in the Spring. I hope you enjoy them too.

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from heaven

Like the first dewfall, on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise every morning

God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Day 5 Oatman, AZ

2009-04-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

We spent our morning wandering around the old mining town of Oatman, AZ. It is still home to about 100 people and a few dozen burros. On our way back to Las Vegas, we'll make a stop near Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, before we return to the Luxor Hotel and say good bye to our new friends. It has been a great trip. We had 5 returning guest and folks from as far away as Florida, Vancouver,BC, Minnesota and Maryland. Thanks all for a great trip!

Day 4 Joshua Tree National Park

2009-04-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

After breaking camp, we hiked a shorter trail near our campground, Black Rock before heading into the main section of the park. First we hiked a short but beautiful trail called Hidden Valley, and then we split up into two groups. Some folks hiked Ryan's Peak for a stunning bird's eye view of the park, while others hiked to Barker Dam and Skull rock. We saw lots of wild flowers, desert hares, and lizards. We'll head over to camp in Needles, CA tonight along RT 66.

Day 3 Mojave National Preserve

2009-04-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

We departed Tecopa Hot Springs this morning, refreshed from our lovely soaks in the hot spring fed baths. Our first stop in Mojave Preserve was the historic Kelso Depot and then on to the Kelso Dunes. We then continued our journey to the Hole in the Wall area of the Preserve where we hiked a short but very fun trail, saw some petroglyphs and ate a delicious dinner. We'll drive to Joshua Tree tonight along Rt 66, and sleep under the Joshua Trees!

Adventure Bus Friend Competing in 1/2 Ironman!

2009-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Long time Adventure Bus guest and friend Mark C. from Sunbury, PA has been training for the New Orleans 1/2 Ironman scheduled for April 5th, 2009. He will bike 56 miles, swim 1.2 miles in Lake Ponchetrain, and run 13.1 miles. Wow! Previously, he has run 9 marathons and competed in countless other road bike and running races including 7 short triathlons. He'll spend about 15 1/2 hours training this week, with various combinations of riding, swimming and running, oh, and going to work!

Check out more of this exciting event at http://www.ironmanneworleans.com.

Good Luck Mark! We wish you the best!

Day 2 Death Valley

2009-03-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

Before heading out on the trail, we stopped in at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to check on trail conditions. Everything looked good so we headed out for a quick stop at the Harmony Borax Works for a bit of a history lesson on why people ever chose to live and work in such inhospitable environment. The answer: Borax! We then hiked from beautiful Zabreiski's Point, through Golden Canyon and over to Red Cathedral. The views and the many colors of the rock were stunning! From Zabriskie's Point, you can view the Panamint Mts, which are over 11,000 ft high, and the bottom of the valley, 200+ feet below sea level. It is quite a sight. After our hike we headed back to Furnace Creek for a nice picnic lunch in the shade of the palm trees (thankfully!) and for a quick ice cream break at the resort store. Our route out of the park took us to Badwater Salt Flats, at 282 ft below sea level and past some beautiful road side wildflowers. Tonight, it's chili for dinner and a nice soak in the Tecopa Hot Springs.

Day 1 Red Rock NCA!

2009-03-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today we hiked in the Calico Basin area of Red Rocks National Conservation Area. After meeting our guests at 9AM at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, we drove out to the park approximate 45 minutes outside of the city. After filling our packs with water, we hiked along the Calico Hills trail, packed up a lunch and headed up to Calico Tanks. The trail took us through this beautiful little valley surrounded by red rock sandstone. Plenty of yucca, aloe, manzanita, and lizards were spotted on the trail. And at the very top, we stopped for lunch at a look out where you could see the Las Vegas Strip. It almost looked peaceful from that distance. After the hike we continued on the one way scenic drive through the rest of the park. It is a bit baron these days, as a fire went through the area 4-5 years ago and you can still see the effects. The cliff walls in the distance were very beautiful though. We'll continue on to camp at Furnace Creek in Death Valley tonight. I'm sure we'll hear coyote!

Shopping List for up coming Death Valley Tour.

2009-03-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Walnuts and chocolate chips for delicious banana nut chocolate chip pancakes.... Check.

Apples, oranges and mango for fresh fruit salad every morning..... Check.

Spring greens, pesto and farfalle for Chicken Pesto Pasta night..... Check.

Looks like we are all set for a trip filled with tasty, nutritious meals.

Wait! I almost forgot the marshmallows and Nutella for around the campfire!

Adventure Bus Blog

The Birds of Everglades National Park

How was Adventure Bus Started?

Charter the Adventure Bus

Life on the Bus: Who Travels on the Adventure Bus?

Wildlife sightings in 2011

Life on the Bus: What do we Bring?

Hiking at Logan Pass

Wild Flowers of Glacier National Park

Life on the Bus: Photo-Ops!

Glacier offers more than fabulous hiking.

Recommended Read: 127 Hours

Monument Valley: A scenic and cultural experience by Guest Blogger Dawn Rotella

Grand Canyon: A Guest Remembers

Life on the Adventure Bus: Solo Travelers

Yellowstone's Thermal Features

Hiking in Grand Teton

Life on the Adventure Bus: Kids on the Adventure Bus

Mystic Hot Springs, UT

The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Hiking in Zion National Park

Life on the Bus: The Crew

Moab: Adventure Town!

Canyonlands Geology

Hiking at Arches National Park

Life on the Bus: The Menu

Olympic National Park Full of Life

Our Favorite Hikes at Mt Rainier National Park

Life on the Adventure Bus

AB Recipe: Pancakes!

AB Recipe: Warm Beverages around the Campfire

AB Recipe: Make your own Burritos

AB Recipe: Oatmeal Sundaes

AB Recipe: Frito Pie

AB Recipe: A Great Pasta Salad

AB Recipe: Fresh Berry Pound Cake

AB Recipe: Fun Around the Campfire

Monday Morning Muse #2

AB Recipe: Spicy Mac and Cheese

Monday Morning Muse #1

New Summer 2010 Yellowstone Dates Available!

AB Recipe: Chicken Pesto Pasta

Adventure Bus Loves Cheese!

AB Recipe: Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage

Adventure Bus Celebrates Mardi Gras!

AB Recipe: Peanut Stew

A Tribute to Our Dear Friends

Adventure Bus offers new Mt Biking Tours

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

AB Recipe: Smoked Salmon Chowder

Left Over Turkey? Try this AB Recipe: Navajo Stew with Fry Bread

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Adventure Bus 2010 Schedule is here!

Today is the Day!

Glacier National Park

Hovenweep National Monument

Mojave National Preserve

Olympic National Park

Mt St Helen Volcano National Monument

Mount Rainier National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Everglades National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Death Valley National Park

Natural Bridges National Monument

Navajo National Monument

Bandelier National Monument

Chaco Culture

Canyon de Chelly National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Canyonlands National Park

Arches National Park

Grand Canyon North Rim

Bryce National Park

Zion National Park

Countdown to "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"