mosey

In my true travelaholic way, I just got back from 8 days at Disney World, and am planning a summer vacation. We have been to Disney quite a bit over the years, and my 14 and 15 year old are very cooperative in doing it the "Unofficial Guide" way to Disney and Universal so we really had a pleasant time. Due to financial issues, I tried to make it much less expensive by staying offsite, renting a car at 50% rate using a MouseSavers code, and trying to watch food expenses (I'm a foodie so it's tough). Even so, we still spent a tremendous amount, and while we had a great time, I can't say it was worth it.

So I am looking for the "perfect" summer vacation LOL. Again, due to financial constraints, we need to drive (from MN), I would prefer to rent a house/cabin to make meals at least 50% of the time, and I would like if there was hiking, golfing and fishing in proximity. We may go for two weeks if I can keep the budget down, so I don't mind driving 2 days to get to our destination. My husband and son are the golfers, my daughter and I are the hikers, and my son (and frankly, all of us) would like to try fly fishing. Other interests of ours which do not necessarily need to be met for this trip are: history (we are the type to stop at the little local history center), art, food, swimming, biking, and shopping (daughter only). One of the best road trips we had was driving out to WY, staying in Sheridan, Jackson Hole, and coming back through Thermopolis. What incredible scenery, and such a vast difference from 109 degrees in Thermopolis to snow in the mountains hours later. Beautiful scenery is a given, but I think most landscapes are beautiful. I love the drive to WY through South Dakota!

Oh, we are planning this trip the last two weeks of July. Thanks for your ideas!

mclaurie

Where in MN are you? Have you explored everything in your own state? What about Canada? Do you know there are a bunch of websites for planning a roadtrip? http://www.roadtripamerica.com/trave...rguidefree.htm

zootsi

Have you considered Quebec? Beautiful countryside, a little less expensive due to the exchange rate, fascinating culture, wonderful hiking, one of the the best bicyling trail system in the world, and almost like being in France. Quebec City is perhaps the most scenic city in North America.

Dayle

Hi mosey,

Actually, Park City, Utah has everything you list, plus more. You might want to start at www.parkcityinfo.com. Also, do a search here for lots of previous posts on our town.

Placename

The Canadian Rockies

Connie

Since you've been to Wyoming--how about Colorado. I don't know anyone who doesn't love that state.

mosey

Thank you all for your ideas. mcclaurie, thanks for the website. I looked at it, and got sidetracked on the families that are permanently on the road - wow. I always tease my kids that I came from a nomadic tribe, but I don't think I could do that. We have been to MN, all parts, all seasons, frequently. I love the north shore, and if you have never been here, you have to come. At first, I thought, no, we have done MN too much (Ely last summer), but maybe.

zootsi and Placename, I love Canada. We went to Quebec City for Thanksgiving once and had a fabulous time, but I hadn't considered summer. I did go to mapquest, and put in Minneapolis to Quebec City, and then Banff (CA Rockies), and the drive is 24+ hours. That really puts us into 3 days of driving, and I had not intended this to be a road trip per se, but take a day or two to get somewhere to stay for a week or more. Banff area has been on my list of places to go for a long time!

Dayle, Park City does sound like it fits the bill. I will look into it more. I did go out to the website.

Connie, we have been to CO, and I love that state. My family has not been to RMNP and that area so, I will look into that, too.

Thank you all!

mosey

Okay, Dayle, I researched the posts and looked at the website, and you have my full attention. I went out to VRBO, and got quite confused. Where is the best location? I don't want to stay in a big resort. I would like a home or cabin, although the rates seem a bit steep in the area that I was looking (I think it was Old North). Of course, great scenery from the cabin/home...I suppose you have to pay for that. We need 3 bedrooms. Quality of the cabin/home and great views are the key points for me. Thank you!

mosey

Dayle, never mind. I just checked mapquest and it is 18+ hours. Too much for a two day drive. I think I will head over to MT.

I may just be talking to myself right now too, ha!

Dayle

Hi mosey,

I don't know what you mean by "Old North". There is no area of Park City that is called that as far as I know - and I live here. It is a ski resort town, but rental prices in the summer are MUCH less than during the ski season, plus there are all prices ranges too. Just depends what you want.

Too bad you have to drive, but MT is beautiful too.

melindalyn

Hi there. Just a thought, I'm not sure how much it costs to rent a house or cabins, but when my husband and I used to travel before being campers, we would stay at hotels that had mini kitchens. Most of them had free bfasts and had a kitchenette so we could cook dinners/lunches. And speaking of camping, I never tried it, but I know there are camping rental places where you rent a motorhome for a trip. Campgrounds are really inexpensive compared to hotels/houses/cabins and you can even park for an overnight in some rest areas so that you can just get up and go in the morning, assuming you are en route to your destination. There's no carrying luggage in and out of the car every night and there isn't a single meal you HAVE to eat out because your kitchen is always with you. Just a couple thoughts. Good luck with your trip!

mosey

Thanks, melindalyn. Good info. We have decided to go to MT since it is the route that is 2 days or less. We are renting a cabin for a week, and then head to Yellowstone for a week, and are looking into motels/hotels with kitchenettes right outside of Yellowstone. It amazes me that in the park, all lodging is already booked. I did look into renting a motorhome once because I thought that would be a neat way to travel, but at the time, and it has been a few years, it was pretty expensive. Meaning it was quite a bit more per night than staying in a hotel/motel. I do want to do this sometime; however.

Thank you for your recommendations.

sludick

Yes, unfortunately this is very last-minute for Yellowstone park and area accommodations. For the past two years, we have stayed at West Yellowstone. They do have quite a few places to stay, so there may be something there.

Also, keep calling the park, because people do cancel and you may be able to pick something up.