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Born in Bo
I am at a loss as to where to take my family on vaction this summer.
WHAT IT SHOULD NOT BE: a beach vacation (been there/done that). Too rugged (wife/daughter wouldn't like)
WHAT IT SHOULD BE: physically beautiful (nature lovers); activities that adults and children can share; good food (wife)
Location is not an issue. Someplace in the Rockies would be great.
Answer
Here are some ideas:
North Dakota has some cool places. If you are into nature this is the place for you. I did a driving tour a few years ago and it was great. If you are interested in something like this contact the North Dakota Department of Tourism or the local chamber of commerce of certain cities. They will send you free maps and info on the tours. Self guided a lot of fun you get to see all the cool things about ND. Here are some sites:
www.ndtourism.com
www.visitgrandforks.com
www.2chambers.com
Washington has a lot of pretty places, and if you like nature there is nothing better than it! The Olympic Peninsula is just gorgeous! The mountains and forest are a site to see. There are some really sweet towns and some nice to stay in. Seattle is a great city, very nice place. There is a lot to do here, good place for couples. Great sites, good little caféâs and wonderful shopping. Young city with a lot of stuff to do nearby you can be in the rain forest in time. There are some really neat parks here and the mountains are awesome.
www.seattle.gov
www.visitseattle.org
www.seattleattractions.com
If you like the mountains Denver and the surrounding areas are really nice, you can get a cabin in the mountains or stay are a nice resort. There is something for everyone here! Breckenridge also has some really nice places to stay. You might also like Aspen.
www.colorado.com
www.denver.org
Here are some other fun things to do in CO
Rifle Falls State Park (Northwest)
The obvious and spectacular highlight of this park is Rifle Falls â a waterfall split into three arms that plunges with chest-thumping force onto a Zen-like scene of rocks covered in hearty plants. Visitors can even take short hike to the top of the falls for a different view. The same trail also leads you past naturally formed limestone caves, with walls and ceilings covered in intricate and delicate limestone formations. Lush greenery and the twitter of songbirds compliment the scene and create the sense of sitting serenely in a large-garden. There are also seven walk-in and 12 drive-in camping sites that allow visitors to fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of this coursing waterfall.
Ridgway State Park (Southwest)
Scuba diving in Colorado? There is at Ridgway State Park. While not quite the waters of the Caribbean, it is a novel way to spend a Colorado vacation. There are 1,000 acres of water to explore, and whether you choose to do it with mask and tank or aboard a boat, youâre sure to get an eye full of the flooded valley floor. Ridgway is well known for being highly accessible to those with disabilities, and offers modern facilities and ample camping. This park also has a marina that rents or sells just about anything you need to have a good time. If youâd like a bit more luxury than a nylon tent, try mixing the experience of pure nature with that of semi-modern comforts in a yurt â a teepee-like structure with wood floors, a door and bunk beds. Visitors can rent yurts through the state park system.
The Springs Resort: Pagosa Springs
The deepest natural hot springs in the world are found in the homey Southwest Colorado town of Pagosa Springs. The mineral-laden water is cooled to varying degrees in the resortâs 18 distinct pools. In each, soakers slink, with eyelids closing from relaxation, into the mineral-rich waters. In the early morning, mist plays off the surface of the pools, engulfing the atmosphere in a thick shroud of vapors. Sunrises seen through this warming fog are broken down to their basic and beautiful colors, tinting the steam with orange and reds. When the mist clears, the San Juan River can be seen flowing along the length of the resort. On one bank, the hot springs relax guests, and on the other stand the Western facades of Pagosaâs downtown shops and restaurants. Staying the night at the lodge provides visitors with 24-hour access to the pools, allowing them a late-night dip in the eerily relaxing stillness. Plush robes and a private entrance to the springs are also perks of calling The Springs Resort home for a night or two.
Coloradoâs first residents towered over the landscape and their thunderous footsteps shook the earth. Dinosaurs have left their traces all across the state and not only are they abundant, but they are exceptionally accessible. Dinosaur National Monument in the northwest corner of the state is a bonanza of fossils and footprints, where museum-quality T. rex bones have been unearthed. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, west of Colorado Springs, holds the fossilized remains of a giant forest that inhabited the area roughly 35 million years ago. The brontosaurus, diplodocus, stegosaurus and allosaurus were all first found at Dinosaur Ridge, just outside of Denver. Take the kids on a self-guided tour of the area and discover dinosaur tracks that stretch so far and wide that the area has been lovingly called âDinosaur Freeway.â
Striking it Rich: Panning for Gold
Thereâs still gold in them there hills â the prospect of that alone excites the kids. But in Colorado, they also get the opportunity to take away some of Coloradoâs glittering riches while on mine tours. Let them swirl the water in their pan and look for the heavy golden sediment that made the fortunes of many a miner. While itâs doubtful youâll find enough gold in the river to pay the mortgage, youâll have fun filling your pockets with flecks of one of Coloradoâs most precious finds
I know you did not want a beach but, have you looked into Oregon? The drive down the Pacific Coast Highway should please everyone. There are tons of things to do and the wildlife and nature that cannot be beat! Go Kayaking, go to the Sea Lion caves, explore the beaches. Portland, Eugene, Florence and Bend are all wonderful! There are tons of things to do here and the wildlife could not be better! For other options check out Mt. Hood there is a great driving tour that has a ton of outdoor things this is some of the information I used to plan my trip:
Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
Oregon's newest Scenic Byway, where once volcanoes spewed and mammoth floods scoured deep gorges. Discover exquisite geologic wonders, waterfalls, temperate rain forests and wild rivers, where natural flora and fauna thrive. Explore our pastoral valleys with farm-fresh produce. See what Lewis & Clark saw. Experience that formidable last leg of the Oregon Trail, the Barlow Road. Enjoy yourself in our bountiful wonderland. After all, the pioneers did call it "paradise." The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway follows a breathtaking route around Mt. Hood offering panoramic views of stunning geologic diversity. Landscapes unfold from pastoral valleys and the splendid temperate rain forest into semi-arid uplands. Vistas created by catastrophic Ice Age events, our "sleeping" volcano, dazzling waterfalls, fertile farmlands, lush forests rife with wildlife, and gorgeous rivers will keep visitors entranced. History is embedded and alive: this is the same route traveled for thousands of years by local Native Americans, and more recently by pioneers traversing the "last leg" of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. Accessible trails, signage, historical markers, monuments, and museums offer guidance and interpretation. Nowhere else can visitors experience the fantastic range of geology and nature entwined with human history, all within a few miles. The Byway is a traveler's delight.
Check out this site for more:
http://www.traveloregon.com/
I really like driving the Pacific coast highway because there is a lot to do! Nature is great here! Florence has the Sea Lion caves which are amazing! Also depending on when you go a whale cruise is a lot of fun! There are all kinds of good places to eat along this route and there is something for everyone. Here are some websites:
http://www.oregoncoast101.com/
www.byways.org
www.visittheoregoncoast.com
Hopes this helps you have a great trip!!!!
Here are some ideas:
North Dakota has some cool places. If you are into nature this is the place for you. I did a driving tour a few years ago and it was great. If you are interested in something like this contact the North Dakota Department of Tourism or the local chamber of commerce of certain cities. They will send you free maps and info on the tours. Self guided a lot of fun you get to see all the cool things about ND. Here are some sites:
www.ndtourism.com
www.visitgrandforks.com
www.2chambers.com
Washington has a lot of pretty places, and if you like nature there is nothing better than it! The Olympic Peninsula is just gorgeous! The mountains and forest are a site to see. There are some really sweet towns and some nice to stay in. Seattle is a great city, very nice place. There is a lot to do here, good place for couples. Great sites, good little caféâs and wonderful shopping. Young city with a lot of stuff to do nearby you can be in the rain forest in time. There are some really neat parks here and the mountains are awesome.
www.seattle.gov
www.visitseattle.org
www.seattleattractions.com
If you like the mountains Denver and the surrounding areas are really nice, you can get a cabin in the mountains or stay are a nice resort. There is something for everyone here! Breckenridge also has some really nice places to stay. You might also like Aspen.
www.colorado.com
www.denver.org
Here are some other fun things to do in CO
Rifle Falls State Park (Northwest)
The obvious and spectacular highlight of this park is Rifle Falls â a waterfall split into three arms that plunges with chest-thumping force onto a Zen-like scene of rocks covered in hearty plants. Visitors can even take short hike to the top of the falls for a different view. The same trail also leads you past naturally formed limestone caves, with walls and ceilings covered in intricate and delicate limestone formations. Lush greenery and the twitter of songbirds compliment the scene and create the sense of sitting serenely in a large-garden. There are also seven walk-in and 12 drive-in camping sites that allow visitors to fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of this coursing waterfall.
Ridgway State Park (Southwest)
Scuba diving in Colorado? There is at Ridgway State Park. While not quite the waters of the Caribbean, it is a novel way to spend a Colorado vacation. There are 1,000 acres of water to explore, and whether you choose to do it with mask and tank or aboard a boat, youâre sure to get an eye full of the flooded valley floor. Ridgway is well known for being highly accessible to those with disabilities, and offers modern facilities and ample camping. This park also has a marina that rents or sells just about anything you need to have a good time. If youâd like a bit more luxury than a nylon tent, try mixing the experience of pure nature with that of semi-modern comforts in a yurt â a teepee-like structure with wood floors, a door and bunk beds. Visitors can rent yurts through the state park system.
The Springs Resort: Pagosa Springs
The deepest natural hot springs in the world are found in the homey Southwest Colorado town of Pagosa Springs. The mineral-laden water is cooled to varying degrees in the resortâs 18 distinct pools. In each, soakers slink, with eyelids closing from relaxation, into the mineral-rich waters. In the early morning, mist plays off the surface of the pools, engulfing the atmosphere in a thick shroud of vapors. Sunrises seen through this warming fog are broken down to their basic and beautiful colors, tinting the steam with orange and reds. When the mist clears, the San Juan River can be seen flowing along the length of the resort. On one bank, the hot springs relax guests, and on the other stand the Western facades of Pagosaâs downtown shops and restaurants. Staying the night at the lodge provides visitors with 24-hour access to the pools, allowing them a late-night dip in the eerily relaxing stillness. Plush robes and a private entrance to the springs are also perks of calling The Springs Resort home for a night or two.
Coloradoâs first residents towered over the landscape and their thunderous footsteps shook the earth. Dinosaurs have left their traces all across the state and not only are they abundant, but they are exceptionally accessible. Dinosaur National Monument in the northwest corner of the state is a bonanza of fossils and footprints, where museum-quality T. rex bones have been unearthed. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, west of Colorado Springs, holds the fossilized remains of a giant forest that inhabited the area roughly 35 million years ago. The brontosaurus, diplodocus, stegosaurus and allosaurus were all first found at Dinosaur Ridge, just outside of Denver. Take the kids on a self-guided tour of the area and discover dinosaur tracks that stretch so far and wide that the area has been lovingly called âDinosaur Freeway.â
Striking it Rich: Panning for Gold
Thereâs still gold in them there hills â the prospect of that alone excites the kids. But in Colorado, they also get the opportunity to take away some of Coloradoâs glittering riches while on mine tours. Let them swirl the water in their pan and look for the heavy golden sediment that made the fortunes of many a miner. While itâs doubtful youâll find enough gold in the river to pay the mortgage, youâll have fun filling your pockets with flecks of one of Coloradoâs most precious finds
I know you did not want a beach but, have you looked into Oregon? The drive down the Pacific Coast Highway should please everyone. There are tons of things to do and the wildlife and nature that cannot be beat! Go Kayaking, go to the Sea Lion caves, explore the beaches. Portland, Eugene, Florence and Bend are all wonderful! There are tons of things to do here and the wildlife could not be better! For other options check out Mt. Hood there is a great driving tour that has a ton of outdoor things this is some of the information I used to plan my trip:
Mt. Hood Scenic Byway
Oregon's newest Scenic Byway, where once volcanoes spewed and mammoth floods scoured deep gorges. Discover exquisite geologic wonders, waterfalls, temperate rain forests and wild rivers, where natural flora and fauna thrive. Explore our pastoral valleys with farm-fresh produce. See what Lewis & Clark saw. Experience that formidable last leg of the Oregon Trail, the Barlow Road. Enjoy yourself in our bountiful wonderland. After all, the pioneers did call it "paradise." The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway follows a breathtaking route around Mt. Hood offering panoramic views of stunning geologic diversity. Landscapes unfold from pastoral valleys and the splendid temperate rain forest into semi-arid uplands. Vistas created by catastrophic Ice Age events, our "sleeping" volcano, dazzling waterfalls, fertile farmlands, lush forests rife with wildlife, and gorgeous rivers will keep visitors entranced. History is embedded and alive: this is the same route traveled for thousands of years by local Native Americans, and more recently by pioneers traversing the "last leg" of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s. Accessible trails, signage, historical markers, monuments, and museums offer guidance and interpretation. Nowhere else can visitors experience the fantastic range of geology and nature entwined with human history, all within a few miles. The Byway is a traveler's delight.
Check out this site for more:
http://www.traveloregon.com/
I really like driving the Pacific coast highway because there is a lot to do! Nature is great here! Florence has the Sea Lion caves which are amazing! Also depending on when you go a whale cruise is a lot of fun! There are all kinds of good places to eat along this route and there is something for everyone. Here are some websites:
http://www.oregoncoast101.com/
www.byways.org
www.visittheoregoncoast.com
Hopes this helps you have a great trip!!!!
We're taking our daughter - who will be two and a half - to the States next summer. RV or Camping?
Skidoo
Which do you think is the better / safer / cheaper option?
We'll be staying with family in Oregon and N California for part of of the time, but can't decide how to organise the rest of the trip:
a) hire a big RV for the rest of the trip and call that home
b) hire a 4WD and a big tent and camp a few nights and stay at hotels/motels the rest of the time.
Pros and cons of the two?
My partner is more leaning towards getting an RV, but it seems like a big hassle to me. We'd have to organise exactly where we were going to be months in advance and then we're stuck with this big monster of a thing.
I'm more in favour of the 4WD and a big tent. As there's lots of family around we might not even end up camping at all...
Answer
Depending on where you wish to travel, I would think trying to get an inexpensive hotel on priceline.com or some other discount travel website would be the least expensive and easiest, as camping (any way you slice it,) is work. I have no idea how much it is to rent an RV, but I'm sure it is not cheap! Then there is gas, and camping fees, which have really increased in price (especially for an RV.)
If you are going to State or National Parks, I would camp, or some have Tent Cabins (like Yosemite,) that you can reserve, but I think reservations must be made 6 months in advance or more. You can go to their website to see more.
If you want to go to a big city like San Francisco, or something like that, I'd check on priceline for a hotel. My son did it recently, and he stayed in a 5 star luxury hotel for $99/night, and it included all hotel taxes and fees.... a GREAT deal!
Anyhow, I'd first figure out where you are going, then check out the options.
Depending on where you wish to travel, I would think trying to get an inexpensive hotel on priceline.com or some other discount travel website would be the least expensive and easiest, as camping (any way you slice it,) is work. I have no idea how much it is to rent an RV, but I'm sure it is not cheap! Then there is gas, and camping fees, which have really increased in price (especially for an RV.)
If you are going to State or National Parks, I would camp, or some have Tent Cabins (like Yosemite,) that you can reserve, but I think reservations must be made 6 months in advance or more. You can go to their website to see more.
If you want to go to a big city like San Francisco, or something like that, I'd check on priceline for a hotel. My son did it recently, and he stayed in a 5 star luxury hotel for $99/night, and it included all hotel taxes and fees.... a GREAT deal!
Anyhow, I'd first figure out where you are going, then check out the options.
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