Favorite TRAVELspots

[Snowbird]

Ok, vacation time has been passed for a while now, but it's always nice to make plans for further travels.
My idea behind this column is: to maybe get some inside tips and to point out some spots really worth visiting.
Something beyond tourist traps. So here it goes:

I really love Wrightwood and its surroundings: not only because I have lived here for 1 year a looong time ago but as it really os one of the most fascinating areas I've seen so far: the forest, the mountains, the desert: everything within a small range. Fun parks, really big cities, beach: everybody can find its favorite thing to do and see within a relatively small area. I also love Bryce Canyon andNew YorkMy most exotic trip has been to Sri Lanka. I went there with a tourist group some years ago (as it had been my first trip to Asia) but I found that one can really travel there on ones own. It was a two week tour across the island and we saw everything that Sri Lanka has to offer: beautiful landscape, fascinating plants, all kinds of wild animals (including wild elephants!) and, and, and...

What are your favorite spots?! Where have you been and what places would you like to visit?

[headchat]

We also love living in Wrightwood.  It is a resort style destination for so many others and yet we get to stay permanently.

We presently like to take weekend trips to Apache Junction Arizona.  It is on the edge of the Tonto National Forest east of Phoenix.  We like the rustic free feeling of the desert and the antique style buildings that comprise the town.  There's plenty of good food and interesting folklore along with modern services and conveniences.

The most exotic trip I've had was to visit the former Yugoslavia.  We flew KLM from Detroit to West Germany in the early 70's as a package tour to Austria.  Since Austria was bordered with Yugoslavia and my grandparents came to the US from Yugoslavia in 1915 I thought it would be great to rent a car and drive over the border.

It was a beautiful day and the countryside was mountainous but dotted with delightful towns that had historic architecture.  In contrast, between towns you would see old women tilling fields with donkeys.  We stayed overnight in Jlubliana at a state owned hotel.  They had single beds with army blankets and we were required to leave our passports at the front desk until we checked out and paid our bill.  It felt very dangerous being in a Soviet Block country as a US citizen with no passport.  

[LasPulgas]

1980's and 1990's:  All over Mexico.  

1991:  Rio de Janeiro and Recife to visit friends there (Brazilian nationals).

1994:  Wandered much of Costa Rica and Guatemala.

This month Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia... BEAUTIFUL, easily accessible, affordable AND they speak English!  NO reason NOT TO GO!

NEXT PROBABLE DESTINATION(S):  Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, England, Ireland, Greece?  Any input?

ON MY WISH LIST:  ISTANBUL, TURKEY.  

= Sigh =

[rmekemson]

Unfortunately the lovely Mrs. Fudd and I have been banned from most places we're now limited to Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino.  This may change pending further legal action.

[snwbnny]

Not exactly the best place for family vacations but Tahiti is awesome!!!!! We stayed on Moorea in an overwater bungalow and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. It's not cheap and it's not for adventurers really. Its relaxing, gorgeous and exotic. Theres stuff to do but we ran out of busy stuff at about a week. the water is awesome and the people are soooooo nice. They speak English and French and Tahitian. We felt like they actually wanted to get to know us instead of like tourists. And its not commercialized like Hawaii is. Sorry so long - I just love the place.

Another great spot is Lake Powell, Utah. Houseboating there is awesome as well.

And my hubby is bugging me to write that Alaska is a great place too. He took a two week trip there on a cruise and on train. Definitely a place he wants to take me back to.

[Mountinbear]

[Stitches]

Ooh, you said the magic word Mountinbear.    I went camping along the coast this summer and it was spectacular.   Except for the site near Santa Barbara, I had a wonderful time at each campsite we visited especially at Ventana Campground and can't recommend them highly enough.  It was expensive as far as campsites go but the weather and the shades from the glorious redwoods was just unforgetable.   The children wanted me to make reservations for next summer on our way out.  

Also spent some time in Big Basin near Santa Cruz.   That too was a lot of fun.

I want to do the Victoria British Colombia also.    My families roots are there and I'd love to spend some time doing some geneology research.  

[Supermodel]

SAN JUAN ISLANDS!!

[headchat]

Monterey and Cannery Row.  Close and historic.

I've always wanted to visit each and every Mission too.  There is such an incredible spirit presence in the ones I've seen.

[nursie_girl]

[Stitches]

[Nolena]

If you have kids, the KOA in Williams just off I40 is good. We've stayed there in their Kamping Kabins. The location is central to a lot of places for day trips (Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, etc.), and the campground is exceptionally kid friendly. Activities include swimming, miniature golf, horseback riding, a bicycle track, hiking, nightly movies, and hay rides. They even serve breakfast & dinner.

[Mountinbear]

I have been to the KOA in Arizona It's a real great place  to stay with kids. But My favorite place to stay is the KOA at [smiley=wave.gif] Cascade Locks along the Coloumbia River.

[Arizona]

Alaska, hands down.  Fairbanks in September is absolutely spectacular with golden fall colors.  
Come to think of it, we went there before we lived in WW and the colors are much the same in both places.

[WWHillbilly]

Nursie_girl, I remember when I  lived in Phx. in the70'S, and the summer storms that would come in from the Tucson direction. They would start off as a big brown mass coming up from the south east. The temp. would be 105 or so; then the dust storm would hit.  After about a half of an hour of dust, the rain would come and settle the dust and drop the temp. at least 15 degrees (sometimes more). Ariz. is a very special place!!

[Hillbillies]

Speaking of Arizona.  Has anyone rode the Grand Canyon train?  If so what was it like?

[Hillbillies]

[Hillbillies]

[K9luvr]

Big Sur and Carmel Along Coast Hwy 1  is one of My favorite Places,

I took my big black lab to Carmel in January where we had a GREAT time.  It is a VERY dog friendly community with water bowls outside a lot of the shops for a doggie drink as your window shopping.  I stayed at a B&B that allows pets.  There is a leash free dog beach at the end of the main street in Carmel.  You just have to bring a poop bag to clean up after your pooch.  A lot of the restaurants have patio dining where your pooch is welcome, and they even have heaters if it gets a little nippy.  I sure hope I can take him again for another trip.  It was well worth the money and time.  A lot of time we were so pooped out from walking the beach, after the cheese and wine tasting (he ate the cheese and crackers and I had the wine  ) we just collapsed on the bed around 7 pm and bagged some z's to get ready for the next day.  We'd go to the beach for an hour in the morning and then when we were rested up, I'd call down to the lobby to have my breakfast delivered in the room.  What fun!

[ChrisLynnet]

Both trips sound so great! I want to take my son on a short trip this summer (saving for a house, not too much money to spend). I've been wanting to take him to the Grand Canyon and do the train ride forever. Hillbilly, how long did the car trip take?

And K9luver, that trip with your dog sounds so fun. My son and I took our dog with us to Julian where we stayed at a dog-friendly cabin. Actually, they will only rent to people with dogs. It was really fun.