So DS an I are discussing plans for a vaca next year, thinking a 2 week one. Caribbean is destroyed so not an option plus ex dh won't allow DD to have a passport.
We talked about an Alaskan cruise which would be great. I also would like to do the Grand Canyon with DD and DS and anyone else interested . :) Other thoughts on vaca's in the US?
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A route 66 road trip. Stopping at all the road side attractions along the way.
The big blue whale, the biggest ball of twine, the mystery spots.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 08:53:08 PM
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Both sound great. I've always wanted to do the cruise to Alaska but probably never will due to monetary constraints.
I've done the Grand Canyon twice! I highly recommend it. My first trip there was with my son. Approaching the first stop on the South Rim literally brought me to tears! I planned out a whole trip from Vegas crossing Southern Utah and Northern Arizona to the four corners at Colorado and back to Vegas. We toured Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Arches National Parks. At the South Rim of GC, you can take the ten-mile (one way) hike to Havasu Falls, which is absolutely stunning! If you do go, I recommend planning a trip to the north rim and take the helicopter down to the river floor. They have boat tours, provide lunch and then fly you back out! It's awesome. We also went to Lake Powell, which I also highly recommend. You can even rent house boats on the lake to stay in. They also provide a boat tour of the lake and takes you to Rainbow Bridge. We also went to Sedona and took the Pink Jeep Tour. Very cool.
The area around Colorado Springs is pretty cool too with the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Pike's Peak isn't far and neither is Aspen!
How about other national parks like Glacier? Tetons? Yellowstone?
I agree, Route 66 is a neat experience.
-- Edited by Forever Sunshine on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 09:05:28 PM
Grand Canyon was my first thought. DS had the Alaska idea. FS, I love your description of your experience.
Well, thank you! It really was an impressive and awesome vacation. The helicopter ride was thrilling. Those pilots are top notch and love to scare the crap out of you! So much fun!
Anybody who gets the chance should see the Grand Canyon at least once. Like FS said it is so beautiful it will bring tears to your eyes. There is so much to see and do that you'll need a vacation when you get back from vacation!
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We are seriously considering the Grand Canyon trip next summer, too. AAA has trip tiks which looks good. We fly to Vegas, rent a car, then head up to Zion, on to Bryce, then drop down to the North Rim (I have only been to South Rim, which is crowded and more commercial). I need to start planning and make reservations...
I've only been to the Grand Canyon once and it was cold and cloudy.
Mike, is that you?
I went once with my ex and it was cold and cloudy, too. But I also went in summer and it was clear and beautiful.
I have most of my hotels booked. Vegas, Zion, Bryce, North Rim, St. George, UT. Need to book the Vegas rooms, rental car, and airfare. But I know US Parks hotels book fast, and I wanted a cabin with a view of the North Rim, and they go fast.
I've only been to the Grand Canyon once and it was cold and cloudy.
Mike, is that you?
I went once with my ex and it was cold and cloudy, too. But I also went in summer and it was clear and beautiful.
I have most of my hotels booked. Vegas, Zion, Bryce, North Rim, St. George, UT. Need to book the Vegas rooms, rental car, and airfare. But I know US Parks hotels book fast, and I wanted a cabin with a view of the North Rim, and they go fast.
Seriously, book the helicopter ride at the North Rim down to the river! You won't regret it!
-- Edited by Forever Sunshine on Thursday 21st of September 2017 02:55:34 PM
If you do the Grand Canyon and would like to meet up, let me know. I might be able to drive up.
It's a short drive from the Grand Canyon to Williams. There's Bearizona and a petting zoo in Williams. In the general area is Bedrock City - a Flintstones-themed park. The Flintstones park was pretty run down the last time I went almost a decade ago and probably hasn't improved but was still fun. The park is up for sale but hasn't sold yet last time I checked (back in August).
Mt. St. Helens is a vacation spot I'd like to get back to. I've only been once and couldn't see much because it's so foggy. If you do Alaska, consider stopping at Mt. St. Helens.
If you do the Grand Canyon and would like to meet up, let me know. I might be able to drive up.
It's a short drive from the Grand Canyon to Williams. There's Bearizona and a petting zoo in Williams. In the general area is Bedrock City - a Flintstones-themed park. The Flintstones park was pretty run down the last time I went almost a decade ago and probably hasn't improved but was still fun. The park is up for sale but hasn't sold yet last time I checked (back in August).
Mt. St. Helens is a vacation spot I'd like to get back to. I've only been once and couldn't see much because it's so foggy. If you do Alaska, consider stopping at Mt. St. Helens.
I suppose first decision is which side I want to see, then go from there with the other plans. I would love to see other sites such as posted by FS and FNW, wondering how much driving time is involved though.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
If you do the Grand Canyon and would like to meet up, let me know. I might be able to drive up.
It's a short drive from the Grand Canyon to Williams. There's Bearizona and a petting zoo in Williams. In the general area is Bedrock City - a Flintstones-themed park. The Flintstones park was pretty run down the last time I went almost a decade ago and probably hasn't improved but was still fun. The park is up for sale but hasn't sold yet last time I checked (back in August).
Mt. St. Helens is a vacation spot I'd like to get back to. I've only been once and couldn't see much because it's so foggy. If you do Alaska, consider stopping at Mt. St. Helens.
I suppose first decision is which side I want to see, then go from there with the other plans. I would love to see other sites such as posted by FS and FNW, wondering how much driving time is involved though.
For the one trip that toured Southern Utah and Northern AZ, it was a two week trip. We had two days in Vegas with my Aunt and Uncle (who still live there) and then 10 days traveling around. To be honest, we saw the highlights of each place, staying at each stop for a day or two in hotel(s). For me, the highlights of some of them was enough, but I would love to go back and spend more time exploring some of them individually. A day or two at each one is really more than enough to see the highlights and explore a little. The best is definitely the GC (both the South and North rims) and the helicopter trip to the river basin. I would do that again in a heartbeat! It was a very grounding experience for me to think about what it took to form all that beauty. And the time spent in Sedona!
You really can plan the whole trip online, setting up the hotel rooms, renting the car, even buying whatever tickets you may need for any paying attractions. It takes some time to plan it all but it's worth it. I probably still have the stuff somewhere in a box. I tend to save stuff like that, you know, just in case I go back! hahaha Triple A can help too with trip tics if you have AAA.
When I was traveling around to each of the stops at the South Rim, I parked the car at one spot. It was slightly overcast and misty but I walked out to the lookout point. Along the way, I heard what sounded like a flute playing. Farther up the path, I came upon a young Native American brother and sister quietly playing. Their father was at the rim playing his "flute" out over the canyon. I sat there for a long time just listening with no one else around.
-- Edited by Forever Sunshine on Thursday 21st of September 2017 10:55:54 PM
We are following the pre-planned trip tiks that AAA has on its website. I saved it and will print it out and take it with us. We are planning two nights at Zion, two nights at Bryce, and two nights at the North Rim. We are staying at the lodges located inside each park. Our room at the North Rim supposedly has a view of the Rim. I am not sure what there is to do at the parks besides hike and perhaps a horseback ride tour. I'll look into the helicopter ride. The boys would get a kick out of that. The drive time between parks varies from a couple hours to 3 or 4 hours. The trip back to Vegas is the longest, around 5 hours, but we are stopping in St. George for the night. There are a few things in the area to check out, and it looked like a good stopping point.
I still need to figure out how much time we want to spend in Vegas, and which hotel would be a good fit for us. There seems to be a lot of things for the kids to do. I haven't been in about 14 years or so and I'm sure it's changed.
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
I agree!!! Meeting up with Czech is a far better reason to do that trip!!!
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
I agree!!! Meeting up with Czech is a far better reason to do that trip!!!
And leave the kids behind!
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
:/ What am I, chopped liver?!
Jk, but yeah, I'm in the Black Hills and would love to meet both of you if you make it this way 😊
Well, there ya have it, IKWTDS! Czech and NAOW all in one trip! hahaha
And ABSOLUTELY, leave the kids behind!
This vacation is shaping up great! Would LOVE to meet NAOW! Geesh if I travel that far to see both Czech and NAOW, I should be able to squeeze in a drive to FS. oh and stop in at LGS on the way. or wait is that opposite, stop in at FS on the way to see LGS? Geography is not my best suit.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Well, there ya have it, IKWTDS! Czech and NAOW all in one trip! hahaha
And ABSOLUTELY, leave the kids behind!
This vacation is shaping up great! Would LOVE to meet NAOW! Geesh if I travel that far to see both Czech and NAOW, I should be able to squeeze in a drive to FS. oh and stop in at LGS on the way. or wait is that opposite, stop in at FS on the way to see LGS? Geography is not my best suit.
Well, there ya have it, IKWTDS! Czech and NAOW all in one trip! hahaha
And ABSOLUTELY, leave the kids behind!
This vacation is shaping up great! Would LOVE to meet NAOW! Geesh if I travel that far to see both Czech and NAOW, I should be able to squeeze in a drive to FS. oh and stop in at LGS on the way. or wait is that opposite, stop in at FS on the way to see LGS? Geography is not my best suit.
Geek Meet Road Trip!
And Riding too! She's only 90 miles away from NAOW!
Oh the fun we will have!
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I quilt so I don't kill you.
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Well, there ya have it, IKWTDS! Czech and NAOW all in one trip! hahaha
And ABSOLUTELY, leave the kids behind!
This vacation is shaping up great! Would LOVE to meet NAOW! Geesh if I travel that far to see both Czech and NAOW, I should be able to squeeze in a drive to FS. oh and stop in at LGS on the way. or wait is that opposite, stop in at FS on the way to see LGS? Geography is not my best suit.
LGS is in the west part of the state and I'm in the east. lol Sounds like the trip will be a great one!!!! Hopefully, I'll be moved into a new place by then!
-- Edited by Forever Sunshine on Saturday 23rd of September 2017 09:20:55 PM
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
:/ What am I, chopped liver?!
Jk, but yeah, I'm in the Black Hills and would love to meet both of you if you make it this way 😊
well NAOW, if you are chopped liver, I must be the cracker you eat the liver on LOL....I am 90 miles West of the WY SD boarder, 90 miles from Spearfish SD and about 145 from Rapid City, all on I-90.
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I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
:/ What am I, chopped liver?!
Jk, but yeah, I'm in the Black Hills and would love to meet both of you if you make it this way 😊
well NAOW, if you are chopped liver, I must be the cracker you eat the liver on LOL....I am 90 miles West of the WY SD boarder, 90 miles from Spearfish SD and about 145 from Rapid City, all on I-90.
Hmm, I think NAOW, Riding and I need to have a girls weekend next summer.
__________________
I drink coffee so I don't kill you.
I quilt so I don't kill you.
Do you see a theme?
Faith isn't something that keeps bad things from happening. Faith is what helps us get through bad things when they do happen.
I suggest the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Needles National Park, and the Badlands. I will join you and give you a guided tour. :)
I third this idea :)
The guided tour thing coupled with a much wanted geek meet is such a compelling reason to do this trip. I think I want to meet Czech more than seeing the GC
:/ What am I, chopped liver?!
Jk, but yeah, I'm in the Black Hills and would love to meet both of you if you make it this way 😊
well NAOW, if you are chopped liver, I must be the cracker you eat the liver on LOL....I am 90 miles West of the WY SD boarder, 90 miles from Spearfish SD and about 145 from Rapid City, all on I-90.
Hmm, I think NAOW, Riding and I need to have a girls weekend next summer.
oh and stop in at LGS on the way. or wait is that opposite, stop in at FS on the way to see LGS? Geography is not my best suit.