June/July 2013 California - final itinerary and 4 questions!!
Replies: 29 - Last Post: Nov 30, 2012 1:33 PM Last Post By: St_Stephen
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15
Not to go all "tomayto -tomahto", but coast redwoods are sequoia sempervirens, making them the true sequoias, the lone living members of that genus. The "sequoias" of Sequoia Park and Yosemite are cousins who are the sole occupants of their own distinct genus, sequoiadendron giganteus. However, since "Sequoiadendron National Park" would be too hard for some tourists to pronounce, and would make others expect dinosaurs, the inaccurate name is used. (Actually, sequoiadendron giganteus were still being called sequoia giganteus at the time the park was named),-
Both types of California Redwoods and the Dawn Redwoods of China are Sequoioideae, but "Sequoioid National Park" wouldn't be an improvement, either. Enjoy the trees.
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Not to go all "tomayto -tomahto", but coast redwoods are sequoia sempervirens, making them the true sequoias
Scientific names aren't the only names they have.The common name of "sequoiadendron giganteus" is giant or Sierra "sequoia," not "sequoiadendron." And you'd be hard-pressed to find a layman refer to the coastal redwoods as "sequoias."
So they are both "sequoia," if you want to get truly pedantic about it.
(Think of it this way: the American Robin is not related to the European robin, but they are still "robins.")
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I am a big fan of the Muir Woods, one thing i liked about the place is is OK for kids because when the on low ground when it is quite boggy and wet, the paths were boarded to protect both the forest system and walkers.18
Another question:Does Las Vegas have more than one airport? I'm checking out internal flights from Oakland >> Las Vegas >> Grand Canyon and have a flight from Oakland arriving at Las Vegas (NV) - LAS and then a flight going to the Grand Canyon from Mc Carran International (LAS) Las Vegas, NV. Are they the same airport?
Taking people's advice and looking into spending a night or two in the Grand Canyon South Rim village.
Thanks!
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Yes, there's just one commercial airport in Las Vegas, McCarran Int'l. (LAS). It's very close to the Strip.20
No, #16, they're only both sequoias if you don't want to get pedantic about it, and I have no interest in pressing laymen. If you actually do want to get pedantic about it (and I took pains not to), the only one that's really a sequoia is sequoia sempervirens. And if you want to sow confusion, you imply that coastal redwoods aren't sequoias in one post, and then in the next post, you say " they are both sequoia".-
As for the robin analogy, the sequoias and sequoidendrons are in fact both closely-related redwoods, so it doesn't work either.
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Common names are always chancy. In Central Canada, the walleye is called a "pickerel". Since there really is a fish called the pickerel whose habitat overlaps, and it sure as hell isn't a walleye, relying on the common name just leads to confusion. On the Pacific Coast, the black rockfish gets called "black bass". Since it isn't a bass, and isn't related to the freshwater black bass or the black sea bass, that also creates confusion. In the BC Interior, there's a fish called a ling that's a true cod, which isn't related to the ling cod on the coast, which isn't a cod at all. So much for the sanctity and accuracy of common names.
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And if you want to sow confusion, you imply that coastal redwoods aren't sequoias in one post, and then in the next post, you say " they are both sequoia".
No, I don't. I said (and I'll quote to avoid confusing you):Sequoias and coastal redwoods are different.
It is clearly obvious to anyone (except you) that I am using common names to distinguish which species I am referring. This in no way contradicts my later statement, where I said one has a common name of "sequoia," and the other has a scientific name of "sequoia."As for the robin analogy, the sequoias and sequoidendrons are in fact both closely-related redwoods, so it doesn't work either.
If completely unrelated birds can both be "robins," then it follows that two related species of tree can both be "sequoia." You're not helping your point.(This is only a statement to indicate common naming. Please don't confuse this to suggest that I'm saying the robins are related or something to that effect.)
Again, one is called "sequoia" only in it's scientific name. The other is called "sequoia" as its common name (when people talk about the "sequoias," they are not referring to the coastal variety). Because both are named "sequoia," either can be called a "sequoia."
(And to be clear, no one here is saying that common names accurately describe genetic relationship, because they often don't, e.g. the robins. This is simply about names.).
And that's the last I will say about this.
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On a different note, has anyone on here stayed at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in any of the lodge's available, and if so, what did you think? How far away are they from the airport? I read on the website for these lodges that there are taxis running between the airport and the accommodation so I presume not too far?23
has anyone on here stayed at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in any of the lodge's available, and if so, what did you think?
Location can't be beat.How far away are they from the airport?
They are about four hours from McCarren.It's almost two hours from xFlagstaff.
The Grand Canyon Airport is about 45 minutes from the rim, but there are no commercial flights there (only charters and tours).
24
The less expensive lodges are a little older or smaller, etc., but I don't think any of them are rat holes.During the summer, a periodic shuttle runs between the NP village and the airport.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm#CP_JUMP_387592
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2. W 19th June – San Francisco. Visit Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Gardens.and
10. T 27th June – San Francisco. California Academy of Science
These can be easily combined if you have a full day, they are practically right next to each other.
And on the great sequoia debate, for my money, a redwood forest is far more interesting and unique than is a grove of giant sequoias. There is a reason a redwood forest is called one of nature's cathedrals.
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#25 - Thanks, that's good to know and frees up another day for something else!!#23 - I have found flights from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon as follows: Las Vegas to Sky Harbor International, Phoenix and then onto Grand Canyon Pulliam Field (FLG) for about £150 so around US$240 for a return flight. Can possibly get the flights for slightly cheaper too... Found them on www.farecompare.com. Are these legit flights then? Your comment regarding no commercial flights worried me?
#24 - The lodges do look a bit old and no air con etc, but I've always been a budget traveller and stayed in hot places before without air con, so this doesn't worry me too much. As long as the location is good, I'm happy, and by the sounds of it, it should be fab!!
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Your comment regarding no commercial flights worried me?
That's because you're not flying into the Grand Canyon airport, but rather Flagstaff airport, which is still a ways away.Las Vegas to Sky Harbor International, Phoenix and then onto Grand Canyon Pulliam Field (FLG) for about £150 so around US$240 for a return flight. Can possibly get the flights for slightly cheaper too
It'd be quicker to drive.It takes about 4-5 hours to drive.
Your flights (including all airport time) will likely be more than that. And you still have the 90 miles to the canyon once you arrive.
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I also recommend doing the tower at the De Young Museum while you are seeing the Tea Garden, Hall of Sciences, etc. It is free, and has a great view over Golden Gate Park.
