Where to go "out west"
Oct 19th, 2009, 12:10 PM
#22
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Also, you need to consider weather BIG time doing any of the Northern trips suggested here. We have needed chains put on the tires in September twice, I'm not kidding.
I can't imagine doing the kind of driving that you do around Banff if you only driven as far West as Cincinnati. There are huge elk everywhere, and Moose- you know.
I can't imagine doing the kind of driving that you do around Banff if you only driven as far West as Cincinnati. There are huge elk everywhere, and Moose- you know.
Oct 19th, 2009, 12:15 PM
#23
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And if I showed you a picture of this "desert" you would not recognize it as such. Towns like Prescott, AZ look like someone dropped a piece of my beloved forested and laked MI into the mountains. You can access Grand Canyon easily and a couple of Mountain miner towns from there as well. Lots more to see of intense interest and changing topography in less driving. We've done it, I know.
happytrailstoyou, one thing about getting old- you can really see what you overlooked and where you made mistakes.
The Pacific Northwest is very, very doable too- but if you want a "WEST" - do N. AZ and over to Jerome. Driving is no piece of cake, either.
happytrailstoyou, one thing about getting old- you can really see what you overlooked and where you made mistakes.
The Pacific Northwest is very, very doable too- but if you want a "WEST" - do N. AZ and over to Jerome. Driving is no piece of cake, either.
Oct 19th, 2009, 01:04 PM
#24
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Hi, Rushed. You say, "I really don't like driving long distances in the USA.. . . We would prefer to fly to a city and do some touring in the surrounding area", so I have a different suggestion than the previous long driving trips.
Aspen, Colorado, could be a good destination for you. So much to see and do there, and fun nightlife. In the Fall, it is gorgeous and uncrowded, so the prices are the lowest than any other time of the year, I believe. Beautiful easy hikes, river rafting (maybe not in the Fall), fishing, short drive to Glenwood Springs, ghost towns, the gorgeous Maroon Bells, . . . Not to mention great dining and shopping. Also lots of music festivals, but they might be over by the Fall season.
(Or choose another beautiful Rocky Mtn. 'city', like Telluride, or Steamboat Springs. Depending on what you want.)
We have always really enjoyed our stays in Aspen. If you're interested, I can recommend some great condo/hotels in Aspen. I suggest you stay in Aspen proper, for its charm.
Aspen, Colorado, could be a good destination for you. So much to see and do there, and fun nightlife. In the Fall, it is gorgeous and uncrowded, so the prices are the lowest than any other time of the year, I believe. Beautiful easy hikes, river rafting (maybe not in the Fall), fishing, short drive to Glenwood Springs, ghost towns, the gorgeous Maroon Bells, . . . Not to mention great dining and shopping. Also lots of music festivals, but they might be over by the Fall season.
(Or choose another beautiful Rocky Mtn. 'city', like Telluride, or Steamboat Springs. Depending on what you want.)
We have always really enjoyed our stays in Aspen. If you're interested, I can recommend some great condo/hotels in Aspen. I suggest you stay in Aspen proper, for its charm.
Oct 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM
#25
I think PeaceOut has hit the nail on the head. A town like Aspen (or Telluride or Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge or ...) could be just what you are looking for. I'll also throw out Durango if visiting Anasazi ruins has any interest for you.
Oct 19th, 2009, 03:21 PM
#26
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watch the Top Ten Wonder of the West on the travel channel for some ideas.
My two favorites are Yellowstone and Arches. I don't consider arches "in the desert". I think of it as another planet.
Favorite cities in the west are Portland and San Francisco.
There is a ton to do around Portland and some great food. If your read, you will spend an entire day in Powell's Bookstore.
My two favorites are Yellowstone and Arches. I don't consider arches "in the desert". I think of it as another planet.
Favorite cities in the west are Portland and San Francisco.
There is a ton to do around Portland and some great food. If your read, you will spend an entire day in Powell's Bookstore.
Oct 19th, 2009, 04:46 PM
#27
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Having read all the posts I sort of wish I'd never asked. I don't understand how sensitive and rude some people are. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, and (for me anyway) a limited budget for vacations. I want to go to places I think I'll enjoy. I have lived in western Pa. all my life and visited family in the suburbs of Cincinnati. I am smart enough to realize the west is "big". That's why I asked for advice. I like PeaceOut's suggestion. Also NorthwestMale's.
Oct 19th, 2009, 06:18 PM
#30
I doubt very much the editors tagged your thread -- since there is nothing in your post that indicates which states interest you. They don't run around tagging orphan threads for no reason.
Since Colorado is right below to California, you probably dragged over both before clicking Wyoming . . . .
So now that we have established you aren't interested in CA -- carry on . . . .
Since Colorado is right below to California, you probably dragged over both before clicking Wyoming . . . .
So now that we have established you aren't interested in CA -- carry on . . . .
Oct 20th, 2009, 05:57 AM
#31
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Your post doesn't specify city.
All of your definitions and explanations so far, have been broad ones. Especially if you plan to travel in the FALL- you need to be specific. The American West also has a connotation that isn't translating either, IMHO.
You shouldn't take offense in that way- but try again to narrow down specific information in your questions. Do you want a city vacation? If you want a city vacation, that is entirely different that what you asked.
Even if you don't reply- be VERY careful where you plan to go in Fall if it mountain high end ski locations, like Aspen or some of the others in CO. Because there are seasons- both summer and ski, and between them- the venues can be altered hours- all of them. And weather can be quickly different coming in and out, as most have you landing in Denver.
All of your definitions and explanations so far, have been broad ones. Especially if you plan to travel in the FALL- you need to be specific. The American West also has a connotation that isn't translating either, IMHO.
You shouldn't take offense in that way- but try again to narrow down specific information in your questions. Do you want a city vacation? If you want a city vacation, that is entirely different that what you asked.
Even if you don't reply- be VERY careful where you plan to go in Fall if it mountain high end ski locations, like Aspen or some of the others in CO. Because there are seasons- both summer and ski, and between them- the venues can be altered hours- all of them. And weather can be quickly different coming in and out, as most have you landing in Denver.
Oct 20th, 2009, 06:22 AM
#32
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I won't pretend to understand your almost
phobic aversion to 'deserts'. While my
feelings about it aren't as extreme as
yours, I have no desire to visit the UK.
It seems like a damp, moldy place with
rotting old buildings everywhere you go.
And all that history revolving around
inbred monarchs bickering about what form
of Christianity they prefer....what could
be more tedious and disgusting than that!
Yuck.
That said, everyone's vacation is thier own
to take and, if you don't want to visit the
'desert' then you shouldn't be made to feel
badly about it. The desert won't miss you
any more than you will care about not visiting
it.
I'd suggest a trip to California...specifically
the San Francisco area. You're cool with oceans
I hope? Besides the city, which is splendid, you
could travel down the coast to Big Sur or inland
to see Yosemite and the Sierras. You shouldn't
have to drive more than 3 hours from SF to do
these things and generally a lot less.
Likewise, Denver is a good base for doing the
Rockies.
I hope you find a place you're comfortable with.
phobic aversion to 'deserts'. While my
feelings about it aren't as extreme as
yours, I have no desire to visit the UK.
It seems like a damp, moldy place with
rotting old buildings everywhere you go.
And all that history revolving around
inbred monarchs bickering about what form
of Christianity they prefer....what could
be more tedious and disgusting than that!
Yuck.
That said, everyone's vacation is thier own
to take and, if you don't want to visit the
'desert' then you shouldn't be made to feel
badly about it. The desert won't miss you
any more than you will care about not visiting
it.
I'd suggest a trip to California...specifically
the San Francisco area. You're cool with oceans
I hope? Besides the city, which is splendid, you
could travel down the coast to Big Sur or inland
to see Yosemite and the Sierras. You shouldn't
have to drive more than 3 hours from SF to do
these things and generally a lot less.
Likewise, Denver is a good base for doing the
Rockies.
I hope you find a place you're comfortable with.
Oct 20th, 2009, 06:35 AM
#33
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Rushed, you generally get your best answers in the first ten posts or so. Then it falls a part with a lot of non-responsive answers with some posters think that they are being clever with their answers. Ignore them.
Oct 20th, 2009, 07:10 AM
#34
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Rushed -
Ignore the unhelpful posts (people, for the most part, ARE trying to be helpful), and concentrate on the many good suggestions. I would say flying into Denver and going up to Rocky Mountain National Park is a good idea, for what you're looking for. Tahoe, after flying into Reno (ignore the gambling stuff - we do). The Banff area, too. Though I don't know that any of those places have much night life - I know that Estes Park, the town closest to the main entrance to RMNP, does not. I would say that any mountain destinations, you should do in September. Not only can and does it snow in October, but many local businesses close down for a bit prior to the ski season. An option that has some nightlife is Vail, Colorado. It's a little more than 2 hours from the Denver airport, in the middle of the mountains, and contains many great restaurants and usually evening concerts and festivals and the like on the weekends. Again, you'd want to visit in September rather than October.
Yellowstone is "unique in all the world," but it doesn't have tall mountains, if you really want those. Its next-door neighbor, Grand Teton National Park, does have the tall mountains. While you could fly to a relatively-close city, there would be quite a bit of driving within the parks.
On the comments about deserts, etc. I find it annoyingly humerous when someone (you, me or anyone else) says "these are our parameters," and we get 50% of the responses trying to get us to do something else. (I don't really love desert environments either.) We ALWAYS have limited time and money, so I choose to allocate our time and money in a way that works best for us. An example of this, for me, were trips to the Dordogne area of France and to Slovakia. We wanted to focus on culture and old castles - we (surprise) have zero castles where we live. We do live in the Rockies, and are lucky enough to be able to take advantage of biking, hiking and canoeing opportunities in the mountains most weekends. Yet, even though I said we were focusing on castles and culture, I had numerous suggestions (orders?) to visit Tatras mountains in Slovakia, and to take canoe rides down rivers in the Dordogne. Beautiful, yes, but we had reasons that made perfect sense to us as to why we were skipping those sights. So try to grin and bear it, and I share your pain!
Ignore the unhelpful posts (people, for the most part, ARE trying to be helpful), and concentrate on the many good suggestions. I would say flying into Denver and going up to Rocky Mountain National Park is a good idea, for what you're looking for. Tahoe, after flying into Reno (ignore the gambling stuff - we do). The Banff area, too. Though I don't know that any of those places have much night life - I know that Estes Park, the town closest to the main entrance to RMNP, does not. I would say that any mountain destinations, you should do in September. Not only can and does it snow in October, but many local businesses close down for a bit prior to the ski season. An option that has some nightlife is Vail, Colorado. It's a little more than 2 hours from the Denver airport, in the middle of the mountains, and contains many great restaurants and usually evening concerts and festivals and the like on the weekends. Again, you'd want to visit in September rather than October.
Yellowstone is "unique in all the world," but it doesn't have tall mountains, if you really want those. Its next-door neighbor, Grand Teton National Park, does have the tall mountains. While you could fly to a relatively-close city, there would be quite a bit of driving within the parks.
On the comments about deserts, etc. I find it annoyingly humerous when someone (you, me or anyone else) says "these are our parameters," and we get 50% of the responses trying to get us to do something else. (I don't really love desert environments either.) We ALWAYS have limited time and money, so I choose to allocate our time and money in a way that works best for us. An example of this, for me, were trips to the Dordogne area of France and to Slovakia. We wanted to focus on culture and old castles - we (surprise) have zero castles where we live. We do live in the Rockies, and are lucky enough to be able to take advantage of biking, hiking and canoeing opportunities in the mountains most weekends. Yet, even though I said we were focusing on castles and culture, I had numerous suggestions (orders?) to visit Tatras mountains in Slovakia, and to take canoe rides down rivers in the Dordogne. Beautiful, yes, but we had reasons that made perfect sense to us as to why we were skipping those sights. So try to grin and bear it, and I share your pain!
Oct 20th, 2009, 12:41 PM
#35
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des⋅ert1 /ˈdɛzərt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [dez-ert]
–noun
1. a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert.
2. any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water, permanent frost, or absence of soil.
... since most probably need a refresher as to the actual meaning of "Desert".
With that said, the Great Basin, comprised of large areas of Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, also qualifies.
I'm guessing that the O.P. just doesn't want to find herself in one of those scenes stereotypical of the Middle East, with only camel races and bedouins visible aside from endless dunes of sand.
It bears mention that it is possible that the OP needs reassurance that most of the options offered here will not bring her to confront such a scene in the western USA.
Rushed: Because your window of opportunity is so vast, you're likely to get lots and lots of suggestions. When it comes time to make a commitment, it might be a good idea to just price rental cars in a number of different western cities, and then price air travel TO the corresponding cities, and choose the spot which offers you the best value among others prequalified as "finalists" among spots you might wish to visit.
And don't forget, that merely FLYING over the Rockies could make for quite a vision for your husband. Many of us have done it, and would expect as much.
More detail on my two earlier suggestions:
Flying into Spokane, WA, and then driving on the following path:
Spokane to Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Jasper to Edmonton, Canada
Edmonton, Canada to Calgary, Canada
Calgary, Canada to "St. Mary, Montana" (East edge of Glacier Nat'l Park, MT)
St. Mary, MT to Spokane, WA
That would entail 1450 miles plus lots of zig-zagging around to see wonderful views in the Canadian Rockies.
I promise you that many of the views are much different than in Western PA. And the U.S. part of that drive would be mostly in remote, very scenic areas.
Consider, (or don't) that you can also go a few quick hours from Jasper, Alberta to find the biggest shopping mall in North America in Edmonton (I'm just working the 'contrast' angle here).
******************************
My other idea was to fly to EITHER Denver, Colorado OR to Salt Lake City, Utah and do either a round-trip or a one-way trip to the opposite one.
That would give you a great chance to compare airfares and rental car fees for each combination, and go with what is most affordable. MOST of the time, it costs more to rent a car one-way, and more to fly to "multiple destinations", but not always.
The internet makes it so handy to do all of these price comparisons before you have to commit. And since you are so free to pick what you want (vs., say, being locked into going to a business conference in Houston), you probably have the best of all worlds.
SO... maybe flying to SLC would top Denver for the fact that you'd see the Rockies from the air enroute. Once there, you could pick things to see in southern Utah while taking a long, leisurely path into southwestern Colorado, and then up to Denver, before taking a different path back to SLC.
You might take a small detour off of I-70 to visit Aspen, CO... or you might be content with seeing Vail, CO, which is right on I-70.
You spoke of likely going in the fall... hopefully when the rates are on the way down, and before true winter weather comes about. Early September could be an excellent time to visit any of the areas I've mentioned, and while "freak" storms occasionally happen, they gen-er-al-ly don't impede anybody for very long at that time of the year.
You just have so many enticing options that the Fodorites can't be as sure of themselves as they usually are when somebody says:
I need to get from DC to Philly but I want to bypass Baltimore - which way should I go?
Good luck to you!
Have fun doing the PLANNING...
–noun
1. a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert.
2. any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water, permanent frost, or absence of soil.
... since most probably need a refresher as to the actual meaning of "Desert".
With that said, the Great Basin, comprised of large areas of Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, also qualifies.
I'm guessing that the O.P. just doesn't want to find herself in one of those scenes stereotypical of the Middle East, with only camel races and bedouins visible aside from endless dunes of sand.
It bears mention that it is possible that the OP needs reassurance that most of the options offered here will not bring her to confront such a scene in the western USA.
Rushed: Because your window of opportunity is so vast, you're likely to get lots and lots of suggestions. When it comes time to make a commitment, it might be a good idea to just price rental cars in a number of different western cities, and then price air travel TO the corresponding cities, and choose the spot which offers you the best value among others prequalified as "finalists" among spots you might wish to visit.
And don't forget, that merely FLYING over the Rockies could make for quite a vision for your husband. Many of us have done it, and would expect as much.
More detail on my two earlier suggestions:
Flying into Spokane, WA, and then driving on the following path:
Spokane to Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Jasper to Edmonton, Canada
Edmonton, Canada to Calgary, Canada
Calgary, Canada to "St. Mary, Montana" (East edge of Glacier Nat'l Park, MT)
St. Mary, MT to Spokane, WA
That would entail 1450 miles plus lots of zig-zagging around to see wonderful views in the Canadian Rockies.
I promise you that many of the views are much different than in Western PA. And the U.S. part of that drive would be mostly in remote, very scenic areas.
Consider, (or don't) that you can also go a few quick hours from Jasper, Alberta to find the biggest shopping mall in North America in Edmonton (I'm just working the 'contrast' angle here).
******************************
My other idea was to fly to EITHER Denver, Colorado OR to Salt Lake City, Utah and do either a round-trip or a one-way trip to the opposite one.
That would give you a great chance to compare airfares and rental car fees for each combination, and go with what is most affordable. MOST of the time, it costs more to rent a car one-way, and more to fly to "multiple destinations", but not always.
The internet makes it so handy to do all of these price comparisons before you have to commit. And since you are so free to pick what you want (vs., say, being locked into going to a business conference in Houston), you probably have the best of all worlds.
SO... maybe flying to SLC would top Denver for the fact that you'd see the Rockies from the air enroute. Once there, you could pick things to see in southern Utah while taking a long, leisurely path into southwestern Colorado, and then up to Denver, before taking a different path back to SLC.
You might take a small detour off of I-70 to visit Aspen, CO... or you might be content with seeing Vail, CO, which is right on I-70.
You spoke of likely going in the fall... hopefully when the rates are on the way down, and before true winter weather comes about. Early September could be an excellent time to visit any of the areas I've mentioned, and while "freak" storms occasionally happen, they gen-er-al-ly don't impede anybody for very long at that time of the year.
You just have so many enticing options that the Fodorites can't be as sure of themselves as they usually are when somebody says:
I need to get from DC to Philly but I want to bypass Baltimore - which way should I go?
Good luck to you!
Have fun doing the PLANNING...
Oct 20th, 2009, 01:29 PM
#36
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Northwest,
You think flying @ 30,000 above the rockies qualifies as "seeing them"?????
Rushed,
while on trips, most people do operate on some budget. Your original post stated that you returned from Ireland. Most people would find the airfare alone expensive. Any trip overseas automatically says expensive to most people. I do think you received some good ideas on many areas. I curious as to exactly what you are looking for? I do like the Rocky Mountain NP, but would not be in my top 5 recommendations for the west, and not in my top 10 if you included deserts. When you say Rockies, that is a big territory that includes Glacier National Park and Yellowstone.
Even though you regret posting this (your first response was you thought you had received some great ideas), I still think you can look back over the entire post and find a ton of optinos that would be great.
You think flying @ 30,000 above the rockies qualifies as "seeing them"?????
Rushed,
while on trips, most people do operate on some budget. Your original post stated that you returned from Ireland. Most people would find the airfare alone expensive. Any trip overseas automatically says expensive to most people. I do think you received some good ideas on many areas. I curious as to exactly what you are looking for? I do like the Rocky Mountain NP, but would not be in my top 5 recommendations for the west, and not in my top 10 if you included deserts. When you say Rockies, that is a big territory that includes Glacier National Park and Yellowstone.
Even though you regret posting this (your first response was you thought you had received some great ideas), I still think you can look back over the entire post and find a ton of optinos that would be great.
Oct 21st, 2009, 12:20 PM
#37
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Spiro~
What are you talking about?
The flying over the Rockies was only a reference to choosing Salt Lake City for landing, vs. Denver for landing, because it is hard to appreciate the full of the Rockies in one trip without seeing them from above.
If you fly to Denver, you're just going from one end of mostly-flat eastern USA to the other end of the mostly-flat area.
What are you talking about?
The flying over the Rockies was only a reference to choosing Salt Lake City for landing, vs. Denver for landing, because it is hard to appreciate the full of the Rockies in one trip without seeing them from above.
If you fly to Denver, you're just going from one end of mostly-flat eastern USA to the other end of the mostly-flat area.
Oct 21st, 2009, 05:00 PM
#38
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Good grief! Rushed just asked for some suggestions for travel out west and narrowed her search to exclude deserts. I have been to deserts all over the world and agree they contain some amazing sights but I am with Rushed, if I asked for some help on a future trip, anywhere, I would probably exclude deserts. Different strokes for different folks.
Rushed, I think of all the suggestions you have been given I think yoo would most enjoy the Canadian Rockies if you are set on The Rockie Mountains and want the stunning, high mountain, glacier, hiking, Canandian Park Castle like hotels. Or the Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria combo for green, high tea, oceanside, adventure. Have a great time whatever you do!
Rushed, I think of all the suggestions you have been given I think yoo would most enjoy the Canadian Rockies if you are set on The Rockie Mountains and want the stunning, high mountain, glacier, hiking, Canandian Park Castle like hotels. Or the Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria combo for green, high tea, oceanside, adventure. Have a great time whatever you do!
Oct 21st, 2009, 07:52 PM
#39
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If one expresses opinions they know are offensive, it is ludicrous of them to whine when others are offended.
And, when one states "any suggestions would be appreciated," it is perverse of them to complain about suggestions that thus elicited.
Suggested Revision: "I am seeking advice for the planning of a trip to see the Rocky Mountains."
And, when one states "any suggestions would be appreciated," it is perverse of them to complain about suggestions that thus elicited.
Suggested Revision: "I am seeking advice for the planning of a trip to see the Rocky Mountains."
Oct 22nd, 2009, 08:59 AM
#40
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Since you plan to travel in the Fall, I would think weather in the Canadian Rockies would be too cold. Better to stay south, like Colorado. I still recommend Aspen.
Or Lake Tahoe, if you are interested in mountains other than the Rockies. There, you have the gorgeous lake, too. And if you stay on the California shore, you will not have the gambling atmosphere as on the Nevada side. You could fly to Reno, and drive the 45 minutes to Lake Tahoe.
Or Lake Tahoe, if you are interested in mountains other than the Rockies. There, you have the gorgeous lake, too. And if you stay on the California shore, you will not have the gambling atmosphere as on the Nevada side. You could fly to Reno, and drive the 45 minutes to Lake Tahoe.
