White Christmas at White Pocket

White Pocket....

A wild wilderness to explore by the Vermillion Cliffs of northern Arizona.

Not limited by permits (like its nearby cousin, The Wave) yet totally uncrowded.

Only a few hours from both Vegas and Grand Canyon. 

...was our trek of choice this holiday season.   Here's more about our adventurous day in AZ's White Pocket outback.



We started our White Pocket adventure off early from the coolest lodge in Kanab, the vintage Quail Park Lodge.  Our guide 4-wheeled us out of town and towards the AZ border, onto dirt tracks past Wire Pass Trailhead, and deep into land that felt more prairie than mountain.

Enroute to White Pocket, we passed fairy chimneys reminiscent of Turkey's Cappadocia but they were plops of pure red rock instead. The entire country, as a matter of fact, was deep clay red.


So nothing (except the name of our destination, "White Pocket") prepared me for the site which we approached a couple 4-wheel-hours later - a fortress of cream-colored rock thrusting out of the grassland which loomed larger as we drove closer, and closer.

White Pocket is an entire basin of Navajo Sandstone that's really a mix of cream, mocha, and paprika-colored rock.  Large swirls entranced me (and my camera lens), as the high precipices of White Pocket's bookend peaks summoned the egos of my 20-year-old sons.

The White Pocket moonscape also had blocks of hard gray stone plopped down like flat tiles.   We felt like prehistoric hunters, scaling the massive scales up the back of a dinosaur!

There was even a cave structure with petroglyphs dating back more than 800 years.
                               
It's true - we had originally aimed to trek not White Pocket,  but The Wave, featured in AFAR magazine's November article!  But despite Dreamland Tour's efforts at the weekly lottery, and the intimidating snowy weather which we hoped would deter many hikers,  permits were not available.   In the end, it was a lucky break for us!

Within White Pocket, there are sections which resemble the famous Wave:

And the White Pocket terrain offered hours of hiking and exploration, topped off with a garden-fresh picnic, served to us atop a butte with views overlooking White Pocket and the surrounding AZ prairies - all carefully orchestrated by our expert guide, Don, at Dreamland Tours.                   

And if you wonder how they got their name at Dreamland,  my son's trance (below) tells the story:

For more info on White Pocket or other guided adventures in northern AZ 

(yes, you want a guide!  don't be one of those stranded tourists in rental cars in THIS outback!), 

sleeping on the rim of the Grand Canyon, 

or road trips from Las Vegas,  

contact me at Tough Love Travel:

melanie@toughlovetravel.com

(609) 923-0304

Unique holiday gift: Overnight at a lighthouse

Want to solve your shopping problem, quick and easy, with a gift that's special, unique, and comes gift-wrapped and ready to present? 

Give an experience:  an Lighthouse Overnight!

Order instructions at the bottom of this post. 

So, what would a Lighthouse Overnight be like?

#1:  The lighthouse is built as a 2-3 story colonial home, not a tower, so the 2 bedrooms are on the 2nd floor.  There are no tall staircases to climb, unless you want to go up to the widow's walk at the top to examine the light.

 #2:   The lighthouse is out on a point.  So, it requires a 1/2 mile walk from your car, through the tidal woods,  to the front door.  You'll have to carry in everything you want for the night which - don't worry --is not much (sleeping clothes and toiletries, change of clothes for next day, and dinner - read below). 

The trail is actually a highlight of the trip.  It runs right along the river bank and you often see deer or herons.   

#3:   In the warm months, you can arrive at the lighthouse by either foot or kayak.   In the winter, though, kayaking would not be safe, so plan to arrive on foot.

#4:  Because the lighthouse is in a tidal area, the path to the lighthouse floods during high tide.  This feels very romantic once you are out at the lighthouse (surrounded 360* by water!), but it means that check in/out is at very specific times, scheduled around high tide.   Be prepared to get check-in times like "1-3pm and 7-8pm".

#5:  At the lighthouse, you'll be joined by one other pair of guests and a lighthouse keeper.  He'll give you an orientation, share the history, and help with any questions you have (like how to use the antique stove).   He makes a delicious - if not gourmet -  breakfast the next morning.

However, you'll be responsible for your own dinner.    It's nice to coze into the lighthouse once you arrive.  You can warm some cider or open a bottle of wine and enjoy the fireplace. Then, for dinner, I recommend bringing a pre-made lasagna or casserole that's easy to warm.  If you want to cook something more elaborate, though, there's a full kitchen at your disposal and even a modern gas grill outside (if you don't think it's too cold).  Or keep things super easy and enjoy a late lunch/dinner in town before you check in.  I would just discourage going out to a late dinner -  it's hard to do the hike in and out, after dark, in the winter.    

#6:   Although you're right on the water (with the river literally right outside your bedroom window), the lighthouse is cozy, heated by 2 gorgeous woodstoves.  

Wintertime at the lighthouse is a perfect time to read books, play games, peruse the guest book/comments, and enjoy the historical collection and restoration video in the 2nd floor museum. 

#7:  Just so you know... 

No pets.  No smoking.  No hairdryers.

RATE FOR PACKAGE

The rate for this Lighthouse Overnight is $399 for 2 people. 

Includes: 

*fully planned overnight with confirmed reservations including breakfast

*driving directions from home of recipient

*local dining and tourist info to enjoy enroute (like the famous Pedestrian Cross-Hudson bridge downriver or NY's wine country)

*a souvenir coffee mug from the lighthouse 

Your LIghthouse Overnight gift arrives complete, in decorative packaging, ready to present!

Payment by personal check or any major credit card.

HOW TO ORDER

Call (609) 923-0304 or email Tough Love Travel here! 

Order by December 15th for Christmas delivery.

ON THE WEST COAST?

If you'd like to give a Lighthouse Overnight to someone on the West coast, I can do that!  I have 2 options near you, too!   Just call or email for info.

The gift of a Lighthouse Experience is special, unique.  With all the quirkiness of sleeping in a remote lighthouse, your Holiday 2013 experience with leave you with some great stories, and maybe even some bragging rights!