Column: Arizona road trip could be Valentine''s magic - just be prepared
For many couples, especially in the Midwest and Northeast, the romantic thrill of Valentine's Day is diluted slightly by the mid-February weather, which ranges from tolerable to terrible. Some, however, might be lucky enough to get away for awhile. One vacation idea is a road trip through the Arizona desert, according to a columnist for the Associated Press (AP).
Giovanna Dell'Orto says the area's famous views are a big draw for potential visitors, and the desert itself is an absorbing vacation destination.
"There is no better place to get lost among the saguaros and their desert buddies - fuzzy cholla and spindly ocotillo plants, fluorescent green palo verde and mesquite trees - than in Saguaro National Park, its two districts a few miles on either side of downtown Tucson. Every single pullout on Gates Pass Road, the best route to the western park, is worth a photo," she writes.
Dell'Orto also says horseback riding - which is widely available in the area - can be another great way for visiting couples to find breathtaking vistas together and experience something new. She goes on to list several other destinations to take in on an Arizona road trip, some of which might not be the most obvious to the casual newcomer.
A stretch of road leading to the remote - and also beautiful - Canyon de Chelly National Park is the place to see a "perfect" sunset, according to Dell'Orto. Along the ancient canyon itself, the 300-foot spindle of Spider Rock and the hike to White House Ruins are among the highlights, she adds.
Experts say, however, vacationers heading into sparsely populated areas of the desert should take a number of precautions to avoid damage to their vehicles - and the attendant rise in car insurance rates. Being caught unprepared in the desert can have even more serious consequences, as well.
Keeping an emergency kit in the car is always a good idea, but some special preparations should be made for driving in desert areas. If one is planning to travel to remote regions, a backup supply of gasoline could help avoid a lengthy and potentially dangerous hike. A car's radiator becomes one of the most important components for desert driving, and it's a good idea to give it a once-over before setting out. Vehicles can overheat quickly in hot, dry areas, potentially causing severe damage to the engine.
Along with preparing one's car for a desert journey, precautions to ensure personal safety must be taken. One of the most critically important supplies to have in the desert is, of course, water. Bringing an extra supply could be a lifesaving decision if one becomes stranded in a desolate place. However, this doesn't mean other supplies like blankets should be discarded. Many travelers do not realize, as hot as it can be during the daytime, the desert gets very cold at night, due to the lack of moisture available to trap and store the sun's heat.
None of this, however, should stop couples from vacationing in the warm desert for Valentine's Day. With a few precautions providing peace of mind, the experience can be truly memorable.
