We're an English family who love the States - we're three males, all active types, aged 47, 16 & 13, & one very unfit mum (44) into peace, quiet, beautiful scenery & writing. This might be our last proper family holiday together before our eldest refuses to join us anymore - where to go? Our trip must be taken 15 August for two weeks. We 'did Orlando' when they were small, which was great fun, plus a brilliant motorhome trip two years ago taking in a fair bit of California, Las Vegas & the Grand Canyon.

We'd like something not too humid, a lake, river or ocean setting preferably with jetskiing or the like in an area which will satisfy easily bored teenagers. We want to park ourselves in one place (or maybe a two-centre trip) rather than travel around loads, although a small amount of driving would be fine. Ideally we'd like to rent a nice cabin or suchlike in a quiet picturesque setting but with stuff nearby. East might be better than West this time but we're open to any suggestions. Our best day on our last trip was spent speedboating with a tube behind us on the Colorado River at Topock Gorge in Arizona. Heavenly.

Asking a lot, I know, but is there an ideal place out there for us?!! Any help VERY much appreciated. Health permitting, the older two amongst us plan to do a long trip in a motorhome across the States when the kids have left home, so all info is useful to us for that reason also. Thanks muchly!

"peace, quiet, beautiful scenery...", hmmmm, sounds like the Pacific Northwest might do it for you. Start with No. Calif., come up the coast to Oregon, Wash., continue up to Vancouver BC, the San Juans.

Know there are wonderful places back East as well, but your question says Lake Tahoe (lots and lots of rental condos available), Mt. Shasta area or the Mendochino Coast of California combined with a few days in San Francisco. Plenty of beauty, low humidity, water (although jet skies have just been banned at Tahoe),hiking etc. and then the nicest city in the U.S. with plenty for everyone to do, San Francisco. Enjoy. Let us know what you finally decide.

Hilary,

If it is a cabin not too far or too close from larger towns/cities that you want, then Michigan is the place to find it.
I grew up in Michigan and love to promote the state. It is much larger and more diverse than just the city of Detroit.
We spent summers at Torch Lake near Travese City in Western Michigan and Alpena, I believe it was the "chain of lakes" in Eastern Michigan (both in the lower peninsula). We rented cabins on lakes and would swim/boat and fish for the week. We would also go to Traverse City and Alpena for a trip to a "city". I know that there must be motor boat rentals on the lakes. The Great Lakes are also quite a site. We swam in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. My dad went "deep sea" fishing in those lakes also.

We once took a driving holiday from the Detroit suburbs ( where we lived) to Mackinaw Island to Sault St. Marie (the Soo Locks) in the UP to Marquette then south and back around to Mackinaw Island. The Pictured Rocks along Munising in the UP (Upper Peninsula) is something I will always remember. Also Tequamenon (sp?) Falls is quite nice.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have.

kittie

Hilary, two places come to mind right away. I would second Lake Tahoe in the Sierras. It has everything you want and more. It's a wonderful and beautiful place with tons of variety, plus quiet ad scenic spots everywhere you look. Also, Park City, Utah. Very popular year round. Lots and lots to do. They have a fantastic Music and Art Festival in August. Lots of condos to rent, good restaurants, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, etc., etc. You can go over to the Olympic venues and watch the freestyle aerialists practice! Salt Lake and Reno (for Tahoe) are both very easy to fly into. Feel free to e mail if you would like more info.

Hilary, I'm in love with England, so I felt compelled to respond. I would suggest somewhere either in NY State Upstate or New England. Ny State has wonderful lakes and qauint little towns around the lakes, you might look into the Finger Lakes, Lake George or the Adirondacks, also, if you did the Finger Lakes you would be very close to Niagara Falls, which is spectacular. Have been several times, and can help if you need any info. Second, I would think about NE, there are some great lakes in New Hampshire and Vermont, and also Maine. Depending on how much time you want to spend, you could also take in Boston, and some of the surrounding areas. Also, you could fly into Boston. I lived in Boston for 5 years, so feel free to ask me any questions, you might have.

Wow! I've just seen all the wonderful info - thanks so much to everyone. I'm going to go through it properly tomorrow when I have more time but meanwhile I just want to add that after I posted my message I checked out the Pocono Mountains and it looks like a distinctly possible area for our family, possibly combined with a trip to Lancaster, and/or even a day or two in New York (went years ago but kids have never been). Just wondered if anyone had any views on this idea? Thanks again. Please feel free to ask about the UK if you need to and I'll help if I can.

Another possibility you might want to consider is Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. It's a beautiful, large lake (about 25 miles long) with many islands, surrounded by mountains. It's really gorgeous, and a great place for water or jet skiing, sailing, etc. It's also close to the coast, so you'd be a short drive to many wonderful and scenic locations on the ocean, from the coast of Maine to Cape Ann in Massachusetts (one of my favorite beaches is Crane Beach, just north of Cape Ann, with miles of beautiful sandy beach and dunes). It's also only about two hours from the lake to Boston, which is a great city to visit. You have the advantage here of having lake, mountains, and ocean in close proximity. I also understand Sebago Lake in Maine is nice, although I've never been there. Have a great trip, whatever you decide!

Boston is a great idea with your kids. It would be fun for folks from the UK to hear our version of the Revolutionary War...
Someone else had suggested the Cape. The Northeast is so beautiful and Cape Cod is great. Also you could consider Newport RI where you can rent jet skis, but also do calm things like tour the famous summer "cottages" of the Vanderbilts and Whitneys.
New York is always great too. You'll be happy to see how much cleaner and safer it is since you last visited. Plus with a teenager you'll know for sure he'll be totally and worn out by the experience!!

Just wondering how much humidity matters to you because all of the other posts, while beautiful, involve higher humidity and warmer weather than Tahoe. Will be interested to know what you finally decide.

Acutally Lake Tahoe may not be a very good choice. We have stayed there many times but we go for the casinos as well as the mountain stuff. There is not very much for teenagers to do except hike. The water is too cold for swimming. Boating and jet skiing has been severely restricted.

The California coast offers many opportunities. The Santa barbara area is great as there is much to see and do in the area nd you can still find some peace and quiet. The water is warm enough to go swimming in the ocean. Any farther north, the ocean is too cold.

The Pacific Northwest also has many places that would probably fit the bill.

How about renting a houseboat on Lake Shasta? You can also rent a speedboat whenever you want to ski or go tubing. The waterways are endless to explore and you can stop where you like and hike, or visit the local caverns. You can also tour the dam. The houseboats are nice and easily sleep six/more. You can set your own pace, do as you please, and eat as you wish. You can go to Redding for a little shopping, or night-life.

Me again, hi. If anyone's out there and remotely curious about what I've decided, this is it. I've decided I desperately need a holiday to get over the stress of trying to find any time to organise a holiday. I'm busier than an ant at a picnic at the moment but am determined to wrap this up asap, not least because there'll be no availability left if I don't hurry up. Still, mustn't grumble. I imagine the odd Kosovan wouldn't mind being in my position.

Hilary, you could take any of the above responses at random and have a marvelous vacation in the States; they're all excellent choices.

Thinking about your timing, ages of the children, and previous travel, though, let me offer a few comments: 1) the Poconos are a somewhat faded resort area (think Brighton) that may bore your kids. 2) Apart from Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, humidity ought not to be a big problem at the end of August. In New England, for example, those two weeks are among the most pleasant of the year. 3) Those two weeks, however, are the last two weeks before Labor Day and thus, big vacation times for families here.

Sara's suggestion of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire might be exactly what you're looking for. All of the watersports, scenery, and same-aged kids to check out; yet it's an easy day trip to Boston, the ocean, or the outlet malls of Maine (if you are so inclined). The area is rich in American history, full of mountains, and very friendly people.

If you're looking for more information, let me know and I'll be pleased to make a few calls on your behalf.

Hilary, you could take any of the above responses at random and have a marvelous vacation in the States; they're all excellent choices.

Thinking about your timing, ages of the children, and previous travel, though, let me offer a few comments: 1) the Poconos are a somewhat faded resort area (think Brighton) that may bore your kids. 2) Apart from Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, humidity ought not to be a big problem at the end of August. In New England, for example, those two weeks are among the most pleasant of the year. 3) Those two weeks, however, are the last two weeks before Labor Day and thus, big vacation times for families here.

Sara's suggestion of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire might be exactly what you're looking for. All of the watersports, scenery, and same-aged kids to check out; yet it's an easy day trip to Boston, the ocean, or the outlet malls of Maine (if you are so inclined). The area is rich in American history, full of mountains, and very friendly people.

If you're looking for more information, let me know and I'll be pleased to make a few calls on your behalf.

Just to be a little helpful, take a look at this website -- try asking them about houseboat rentals.

http://www.shastavacations.com/options.html

<A HREF="http://www.shastavacations.com/options.html">shasta</A>

just an e

I highly recommend you choose Maine. It definitely meets your desire for quiet and beautiful scenery, and the ocean offers lots of active opportunities for your sons. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are particularly nice. There is great hiking here and you can take whale-watching tours nearby. A friend and I spent 10 days in August of 1997 in Maine and Nova Scotia and had an incredible time. The towns in Maine we stayed in were Camden (wonderful!), Boothbay Harbor (at a great place called the Lawnmeer Inn) and Bar Harbor. (We flew into Boston and drove from there -- it's only a few hours' drive, depending on which part of Maine you're going to.) If you like lobster and other seafood you'll be in heaven. The weather is great -- warm during the day and cool at night. Acadia National Park is rugged and lovely -- drive to the top of Mt. Cadillac at sunset for an unbeatable view. Check out the website www.visitmaine.com for more info.

Must agree about New England, although living here I am partial.

Bottom line, within a few hours of one another you have The City of Boston, The Cape Code Shoreline, The Mountains of New Hampshire, The Beauty of Vermont and The Maine Coastline. Not to mention Connecticut & Rhode Island. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great time.

I must agree with Neal and Carrie; New England (Maine or Lake Winnepasaukee) are your best bets; the Poconos have long ago lost their luster and appeal. I hope you'll let us know what you decide to do and how it all came out!