My husband's 30th birthday will be this June and I'm trying to think of a cool trip that we could do to celebrate. We have frequent flier miles we can use to fly out of Pittsburgh. He loves the outdoors (camping, hiking, rafting, waterskiing), so right now I'm thinking of hitting one or more of the great parks out west. However, I'm completely open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Grand Canyon.

Costa Rica. Some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Great camping in Corcovado. Hiking is everywhere. Great beach at Manuel Antonio. flight is about 5 hrs.

Quick responses - thanks.

He'd love to go rafting in the Grand Canyon, but we'll only be able to do a long weekend trip (max 4 nights). I've heard that the shorter trips aren't great and that we should hold out until we can spare an entire week...thoughts?

Bugswife - Costa Rica is one of my dream trips, but we only have enough miles for continental US. I guess I should have specified...but thanks. It sounds spectacular!

2-3 days at the Canyon was fine for me. We hiked down and up in one day and let me tell you, NO more hiking was needed. Just walks above the canyon to see the scenery.

Colorado Rocky Mountains

My first husband left me on my 30th birthday...best present I've ever received!!!

Since the flights to Costa Rica are so cheap, why don't you find out what the difference is you would have to make up in dollars? It could be as low as $100 each. You could fly to San Jose, spend 2 nights at the Peace Lodge or something and do the Pacure River whitewater rafting, then do 2 nights in Arenal. At Arenal you can do the Canopy zip line (a total rush for a sportsman), hike to the waterfall, have a romantic dip in the Tabacon Hot Springs, and go horseback riding. You would have to skip the beach if only going for 4 nights. Unless you skip all of the above and go straight to Manuel Antonio for 4 nights and do the rainforest activites there, and have the beach. Either way, there is no wrong choice. Costa Rica is amazing.

Bugs - I'll look into Costa Rica...do you think we should do a little bit now or would we be better waiting another year or two until we can go for a whole week?

Here's my next idea - fly to San Francisco, catch a baseball game, stay the night, and then head to Point Reyes for a couple nights of camping. Thoughts, anyone?