OK, I really could use some help here.
I'm getting married in less than three weeks. I'm in California putting the finishing touches on the wedding (I live in Chicago). My finance was going to join me here in a couple days, but he's had a lung collaspe and had to have an emergency surgery. He's going to make it here for the wedding, but the problem in the honeymoon. We had planned to spend three weeks traveling in France, but we're now unsure as to whether he will be able to fly overseas. So does anyone have any alternative suggestions for a honeymoon? The wedding is in the San Francisco Bay area. I've thought about taking a long drive back to Chicago. Where should we go? What specific places should we visit? We're not big out-doors people, but we enjoy taking walks. I'm really pressed for time and I'm hoping you guys will give me some great answers! Thanks for your help.

A car is too small to contain a honeymoon. And, traveling across country to Chicago with the fires going on sounds like a bad idea to me. Maybe you could drive up to Sonoma or down to Monterrey or Cambria. Or you could do the Sierras. If you aren't from SF it is the most romantic place to wander.
Can he fly at all?

ABC-
Thanks for your response. It looks like he probably won't be able to fly at all, so driving somewhere will be our only option. We would love to somehow make it over to the East Coast--we've never been there. My parents live here in San Francisco, so we're pretty familiar with the area and would like to go some place else.
Thanks for your help--this is really disappointing, we were looking forward to three weeks in France.

Just the reverse - I'm getting married in Chicago and I live in SF!

One of the best vacations my fiance and I ever took - and we've been all of the world, including France - was a cross country drive from Chicago to Seattle. It's all about attitude and enjoying each others' company.

What we did was decide on a few destination stops (i.e. reach Seattle on X date, go to Glacier National Park on Y date) with plenty of time in between each destintaion and then we made NO PLANS after that. No routes to follow, no pressure to get to the next town.

Instead, we had a long leisurely drive across the country and back (we spent almost 4 weeks driving). We followed signs on the freeway and stopped where it looked interesting. We also had a rule about meals - no eating at ANY national chains. This meant we'd have to drive off the highway and go into small towns and find local restaurants. We met some really interesting people and feel like we really got to see America. We also visited some beautiful national parks that we hadn't planned on visiting.

I'm not an outdoorsy person either, but here's a possibility:
- Drive up to Washington state via the the Oregon coast
- Head to northern part of the state and take the ferry to the San Juan Islands (beautiful - I recommend Orcas)
- Then spend a few days in Seattle
- Head back east and stop in Montana at Glacier National Park
- Then take whatever route that meets you fancy on the way to Chicago.

There are not many metroplitan areas between the West coast and Chicago. It's pretty much small towns, farmland and parks/forest along the way. The fun comes with your attitude and sense of adventure. If you're up for the simple pleasures of seeing America - then you'll have a great time.

With no pressured itinerary, you can choose whatever road you come to at the fork. You never know where it'll lead you and what you will see.

I had that same emergency surgery 10 years ago and it took a good 3-4 months to feel like doing too much. I was allowed to fly almost immediately as long as the plane was pressurized, but I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go to France! Lifting suitcases will be difficult and a change in weather bothers as well. Can you get tickets for the Coast Starlight train and take it up somewhere in Oregon and then end up in Seattle. In Rosario there is a wonderful little resort that would be perfect for a honeymoon. Problem is, you have so little time. Good luck and tell your fiance to hang in there, it will get better it's just so very painful right after surgery. Tell him to take all the pain meds he has been prescribed--once he's feeling better his body won't want them anymore and there's no danger to taking them and suffering instead.

I agree with the above. Save your money and take a nice trip to France when he's feeling better in the spring. I would suggest six months downtime to really heal. IMO honeymoons are a bit overrated anyway. You're tired and frazzled after the wedding and the important thing is to spend some quiet time by yourselves rather than running all over a major city. The 19 year old daughter of a friend had a thoracotomy while at U. of A. The postop ride with her parents back to California was really rugged. My husband cut ligaments in his hand three weeks before our wedding and had surgery. It required some changes in plans but we've had many years since then to take wonderful trips. Congratulations and be grateful that he has the surgery behind him.

DO NOT pass up your honeymoon if your husband's feeling well. When my husband and I got married 7 years ago, we had absolutely no money (had to use the wedding money to pay the rent for a few months), and got to spend the day after our wedding driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. We both went back to work on Tuesday. Sure, we've taken a lot of great trips since then, but we both wish we had been able to continue on with that feeling of being newly married by going off by ourselves for a few days.

Just find a romantic B&B or inn (who cares what city/town you're in!), and pamper yourselves for a few days and get away from everyone.

How about heading north toward Seattle and then on to Vancouver? Maybe drive east accross Canada (since so much of the US west is burning)? You might catch some of the fall colors in the Canadian Rockies... Glacier Nat'l Park is one place in Montana that isn't on fire...
Enjoy a bit of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan on your way south to Chicago
Take it slow & enjoy the drive!
Hope everything works out!

Amy;
Stay on this coast for sure! Oregon and Washington are hotbeds of gorgeous B&B's. You will regret it if you dont go somewhere, but a big city with lot's to see will probably frustrate one or both of you. Keep your expectations low regarding touring.
With as many B&B's as there are, you should still be able to find one for 3 weeks from now. Mount Hood, the Rogue River Valley, Mt. Shasta and just about anywhere on the Oregon coast is fabulous. If you are tired of the US keep going til you hit Canada. Victoria and it's environs is one of the most charming and romantic places on this continent. Maybe not rivalling Paris, but close, and probably friendlier!
If that is too far for you to drive, consider Napa. We went to "La Residence" in Napa and thought it was great. My husband was a little concerned about "making noise", so we asked for a room in "the barn". It is a newish building (made to look old) that has nice soundproof rooms!
I also agree with the guy who recommended the Coast Starlight train. Check a trainn weblite to see what those possibilities are. Depending on your personalities (and quirks), it may be very romantic, and stress-free to let someone else drive.
Let us know what you decide!