favorite vacation spot?

Whenever we make vacation plans all I care about is getting to a beach. Just plop me on a beach with my family, sunglasses, sun lotion, and a good book, and I'm loving life.

What do you like to do best while on vacation?

Mountain hiking, walking on beaches, art museums, festivals. If travelling, I like to alternate one day of nature with one day of city stuff.

There are advantages and misadvantages to living in a vacation paradise like Las Vegas. The advantages are you never have to leave town to be somewhere completely different, I went to Paris for a week-end, then to Italy at the Venetian and rode the gondolas, went to New York and saw, smelled and tasted wonderous things, the steam coming out of the sidewalks in front of the delis etc. The street vendors selling hot dogs, pretzels. Last one this year so far was Egypt, spent a week-end touring the pyramids and such at the Luxor. Oh and not to forget the beaches and surfing at Mandalay Bay. Felt like I was in the Bahamas. The Tropicana has beaches and sandy coves just like Hawaii. They make them so realistic you believe you're there. The disadvantages are you never are really more than 10 miles from home. I still can't figure out if thats a good or bad thing. Next week-end I am going to watch the Knights jousting at the Excaliber, and attend the festivals and eat the food. (carefully) of days gone by. My Favorite is still Caesars Palace but then I haven't visited even half the Casinos yet. I don't think I'll live long enough to visit them all properly. NO, I am not wealthy but I've been here so long I get alot of comps from my buddies that work in the Casinos. These are my vacations. I also take the Princess paddle boat ride around Lake Mead. It takes a couple hours and you can go days for the scenery or nights for the dinner, dance cruise. Very romantic but probably won't be taking it now since I put the cruise mans donuts down the garbage disposal. Oh, well.

Hmmm... the best vacation I ever had was a couple years ago when my husband and I went on an all-inclusive vacation in Mexico. I thought hanging out at a hotel would be boring but it was so relaxing just sitting by the ocean, reading, body surfing, swimming, and taking walks along the beach. We did some site seeing too but that wasn't half as fun as just laying around.

Now that I have my horses at home, instead of boarding, it's tough to get away. My sister (who lives in California) wants me to come to Scottsdale, AZ in July because she'll be there for a week while her daughter's in swim camp and the rest of my family lives around Tucson so I could visit them too. But Arizona in July?!

Agate, all inclusives are great! We've done that with the kids before and never regret it. It's great, you can eat until your heart's content and not feel like you're getting ripped off.

Not a good thing to do while on the BWS diet though! I'm afraid I'd feel like I had to get my mneys worth.

I guess the best vacation I've ever had was going around the world though every trip I've ever taken has had a beauty all its own.
Around the world took a couple of months and included everything I could see. Early in the morning til late at night just looked and saw and experienced. Great trip.
A cruise is nice with lots of food and things to do and you're treated like a queen.
Most beautiful place I've ever been is Hawaii.
Best food, France.
Most beautiful art, Italy.
But the place I love is Mexico. Been there a lot and just love the people, the ocean, the inland, the food, those big hotels on the beach, even the dirty little border towns.
Of course, the best place to live in the whole world is, without doubt, America. I've seen a lot of it and love every inch. A great part of a vacation is always coming home.
So many places, so little time.
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P.S. And dotsie, I still think you need to see the desert. Agate, if you go to AZ in July, be sure to take a lot sun screen and drink a lot of water. Was there at July 4 a few years ago and boy was it hot-and dry, but beautiful. They used to burn down a mountain outside Tuscon every July 4.

Even though I like beaches, I would like to get to every state in the country. How many states have you been to? I've been to 15 and none of them are out west.

25 for me...and I too want to see the rest of them. One of the things I most enjoy about traveling (with no schedule) is stopping at the out of the way places, small towns, even smaller cafe's and meeting the townsfolks. I have always found them to be friendly, warm, and receptive. I try to find something I like in every town I visit. I loved the west, absolutely! My fav would have to be the hills of Tennessee though. The Great Smokey Mountains surrounding areas is just as beautiful as the GSM themself...

Though there surely is one, I can't think of a single state I've not at least been through. I used to travel often with my business and always tried to work a little vacation into every trip.

Dotsie, you absolutely must come west. It's so much Bigger. You'd love it.
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I have actually experienced 18 states and I am not counting the phooney baloney Casino vacations. Nice but not real. Smilinize is correct Dotsie, the West is so beautiful. Although I have found that all the states have something of beauty and wonder in them. I love traveling in a motor home. Jaw Jaw thats just the ticket for finding those out of the way places without fear of no comveniences, you bring yours there with you. Aren't we lucky to live in this wonderful, beautiful country of ours. I thank God every day for the USA.

Back at ya sistah Chatty...My dream is to visit Ireland some day (Lord willing and the cash flows) but in the meantime, there are TONS, literally TONS of places in this wonderful country to visit. The people are gracious, grateful you find their homeland comforty and friendly, and of course that you are spending moola there! I have found that people are people...no matter where you go. You be nice to them, and they'll be nice to you...Oh and if you go North, take your own grits for breakfast. What the heck is hominy? Pregnant corn?

I kind of hate that flying has become so popular. I like road trips but my husband doesn't. It does mean that you don't get to stay in any one place for very long or you need to take more vacation days, but I like seeing the country side close up and being able to pull over when you see something interesting. It give you more material for whatever writing you're doing.

Is the destination the be all and end all with all men?

p.s. My dream for the last 20 years has been to get to Ireland. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's their horses and all the greenery or that I'm about 1/3 Irish.

I'm with you Mary/Agate. While I do like to fly when I'm wanting more leisure time somewhere, I prefer road trips. I took one two years ago with 2 of my best friends from high school. We spent 14+ days going from Alabama to S. Dakota. We also visited Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa...not in that order. It was a fast trip, but I have never had so much fun. The only place we visited where the towns people were NOT friendly, was the Devil's Tower in Wyoming. It was July 4th and almost midnight. The entire town was there to shoot fireworks. They did not like us driving up and watching, even though there was NO admission, and it was a public place with food (which we needed), and restrooms (which we needed more). That was a big disappointment and I hope I meet someone from there so I can relate the story to them. Shame, shame on that town! They were down right rude. We were thrilled to be there...we thought.

I also have a spiritual connection somehow with Ireland. Of course that is where my ancestors originated, and there are still some of them living there, but it's more than that...I wish I knew how to explain it.

Let's see, I ahve seen lots of coastal towns since I travelled by sea alot.

Spent a year living in a motorhome traveling around. Gret way to visit those tiny towns and fire hall dinners. A little kid in Nova Scotia learned that we were from the United States and he insisted that we knew Hulk Hogan. Even showing him a map, I could not get himt o understadn that the US was a big place.

I love the west. I think Utah is my favorite state out west with northern arizonia thrown in for good measure. I ahve not been to Washington or Oregon, Montana, Idaho or Wyoiming. Although I think I will be going to Wyoming next month when we go to Utah. We will be at the mercy of a dear friend and he will plan our traveling to some great insider native type places.

I very much want to go to hawaii, Ireland and Europe. My husband lived in Europe alot while flying for TWA. I am afraid once we get there we won't come home. This has happened when we were young. Would be nice to think it could still happen even though we are tied to doctors and superb medicine.

I love to travel.And when we do, I like to go see stuff. Everything that makes the place. Sometimes it is canyons and sometimes it is the architecture of a city.

I also enjoy plopping my big butt on a beach and reading. I do recreational stuff real good. It is the work stuff that bogs me down!

Lynn

Lynn, I'm surprised you and your hubby haven't been to Hawaii.

We did that trip prior to having kids. Thank God for those years of infertility!

We went to four islands and made the most of each one. Sweet memories!

Those ladies who want to get to Ireland should hide out in Pamela's luggage.

My sister got married on Kuaui and 8(?) years later my brother got married on Maui. The family joke was that they got married in Hawaii so no one could afford to go to the weddings. Me and Mom went to them anyhow. My husband went to my brother's but not my sister's wedding.

I've been to maybe 30 states but would have to find a map to count them.

Well I'm just a big frowny face tonight.....I am California born and raised...and I haven't been anywhere near as many places you guys have been.....Mexico City is the farthest, and Victoria, Canada...Washington, Oregon, Arizona and a few places in Nevada like Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas. Oh, and we drove to Colorado once about 22 years ago when Jennifer was a baby.....and as much as I love the scenery...I hate being in the car for a long long time.....like going through Nevada.....or big huge hunks of Texas....no, that's not how we got Colorado..we drove to Oklahoma when I was a kid. Oh crud....I went to Arkansas with my mother to see friends who moved there several years ago....

... Okay, I guess I can't complain.. I think Oregon and Arkansas were my favorite. Oregon with it's rolling hills and green everywhere and Arkansas with it's super friendly people and trees and trees and trees....

K

Hi Boomers,

Just catching up on some posts and stopped by this one. I love to travel and since my kids are scattered and I have a Dad and sister in California we tend to go where family is.

My favorite trip was to California when I first was getting to know my Dad. I was treated like a princess, he lives in the bay area and we toured so many great places. He kept me on the go for the full week I was there. My step-mom had decorated the guest room with a Cubs pennant and they took me to see a Giants/Cubs game at Candlestick Park. For one week, I was Daddy's little girl, something that I had craved my whole life. It was wonderful. I still love the Bay and all the wonderful things that are out there. It's my favorite spot.

We are going to Germany in September, our Army kids are there and are planning on taking us to see the sites everywhere, maybe a trip to London also. Certainly Paris, Austria, Monaco and I don't know what all else they have planned. The most important thing is, we are going to see the grandkids we haven't seen, by then it wil be 2 years. Looking forward to it!

Been to Vegas, might go again this August if one of our pool teams just happen to place, 1-4 place in the city tournament.

When we retire, I want to keep my house in Illinois, as I love it and has been the home I have been most happiest in, buy a motor home and just take off during the harsh midwest winters. That is my dream.

Sherri

For any of you that really likes seeing the scenery the way it was intended, not from an airplane thousands of feet in the air, yuk!!! Travel in a MOTORHOME. They are so COMFORTABLE and you can go anywhere in them. I did most of the driving and it was just like driving my car, that easy. The bathroom had a nice shower and was roomy. You needn't buy one either if they seem too pricey, rent one. The seats are comfortable and you can cook. We kept ice in the freezer, cold pop in the fridge, luncheon meats, bread etc. and if we saw a nice place we'd stop for dinner. We saw all the sites close up. At night we'd park, lock up, leave the air cond. on if it was hot enough and sleep in the queen size bed. Theres room for 6 to 8 to sleep. I would never travel any other way if I were vacationing. You never get uncomfortable or stiff like on a car trip. If you're not sure you'd like that, rent one for a week-end and take a test trip and get an idea. I am a MOTORHOME MAMMA yes, and proud of it. hahahahahah!!!!!

Hi,
Love reading where you all have traveled. We went through nine western states when I was a teen. It was fun. Washington, Oregon, California,
Arizona, Utah, Idaho.Can't remember the other three. In 76 We traveled from Oregon to West Verginia, Covered a lot of states on that trip and it was fun. We loved them all.
Before I was married we traveled to Hawaii and Mexico. I'd go to Hawaii again anytime.
Maggie

Speakermom, can you expand on that location? Tell us more about it. Also, I would be interested in knowing the time of year you visit there and what the climate is like. I'm always interested in new places to visit.

JJ

I would really like to try traveling in a rented motor home. It does seem like it would be a great way to travel if I can only convince my husband or maybe I have to get a group of women together to go. Maybe a group of horse women and we can take our horses and trail ride in the Black Hills or somewhere similar. I've even dreamed of taking off on writing trip, seeing things, meeting people, then camping somewhere and writing about the day.

How do you find a place that rents motor homes?

My best vacation was to Hawaii... and it wasn't even a real vacation! My husband had to attend a conference on Maui and his company flew the wives out as well. Never would we have been able to afford to just fly off to Hawaii and stay for 10 days otherwise.

My favorite "close to home" vacation? The Florida Keys. I live in Tampa, so it's only a 6 hour drive. We go whenever the whim hits us. It's like going to another country. Once we cross that final bridge and hit the islands, there's a new attitude in the air. You never want to turn back.

As for states? Hmm.. I've been to 26 I think. The only part of the country I haven't seen is the Northeast New England area.

Since I live in the vacation state, people tend to think we're always on vacation and want to visit all the time. Relatives call from all over wanting to "stay" at our place while they visit Disney, Busch Gardens, and more. Where do we hide? The keys.

Vicki, wow, does Neskowin Bay sound fabulous. I love the ocean, lakes, ponds, water of all kinds. So how did I end up in the desert? Go figure, still don't know why myself.

Agate, here in Vegas there are a dozen Motor Home rental places but in Minnesota, depending where you are, try your yellow pages or the ones from the Cities. One of my best friends lives in Orr, its about 50 miles north of International Falls off highway 53. I've fished off her pier in Pelican Lake. Except for the mosquitos, I love that wooded, green lush country. The Motoerhomes are so modern now and so EASY to drive and park, I do it with ease. You could too.

Thank you Speakermom...it sounds like a paradise to me. I would love to visit someplace like that if for no other reason than to hear the waters, the birds, and relax...Lord, I wish I were there now! I intend to see if there is a web page for the area. Not that I can or could go, but one never knows, does one? Oh and Mary, the idea you have for traveling with your horses sounds lovely too. I hope you get to do it. What fun!

Hugs, G

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but the problem with traveling in a motor home is that you not only take the house, you take the housework.
We wound up staying in a motel and eating out. It sounded fun, but...
smile

When were were children, Daddy got two weeks vacation every year. Every year we would pile into the truck camper and see the USA. One year it was N/S Dakota, Montana, Wyoming...I remember walking right up to Old Faithful and looking down into the hole, steam rising to and fogging my glasses. Black bears getting into people's trash at night (Dad put ours in the truck), using those brand new JFK 50 cent pieces to take a shower, taking my first helocopter ride with Daddy over Mt Rushmore. Trying to get out of doing dishes by sneaking off with Daddy as he walked the campground talking to people. I've *never* liked housework, seemed so boring! Having family devotions with Mom reading the Bible and Daddy praying in the evenings before bed. Lots of great memories at lots of USA destinations. I've been in all but Washington, Oregon and Alaska and am headed to Alaska in August.

When Dave and I travel we like to stay, eat, play where the locals do. We tend to rent a cottage or small place and blend in. We went to 4-Corners a few years ago and it was only because I spin, weave, knit that I blended as much as I did. Dave is dark but I'm pure Anglo and in some places in this country and the world, Anglo's aren't welcome. When we lived in Hawaii, I learned pidgin English as quickly as possible; that helped people accept me as much as they did.

I love to travel and we just got our passports. Here's hoping for some good times ahead!

Smilinize, I have to disagree. The idea of the motorhome is convenience, no matter where you are off the beaten path. You use paper plates, throw away paper towels, cups and plastic silverware. The only thing I washed was the coffee pot, and one pot, and one small fry pan. Or you can take instant coffee or tea. We used lots of kool-aid and pops all very cold from the fridge and ate cold cuts, and fast foods too. The freezer was filled with things I made ahead of time for gourmet dinners. Once in awhile we stopped in a small town and I through our jeans, shorts, undies, blankets into a washer at the laundry mat and talked to the locals. When you return the motor home they clean it, not you, and it wasn't that dirty. Ours had a TV, a microwave, oven, stove , nice size fridge, counter space etc. It was very modern and tons of fun, no work at all. I love ya but disagee totally this time.

Well chatty, I like to try the local food and I don't like to clean or make beds. Course if you had been there with all your great food, I might have loved the motor home.

Anyone been on a motorcycle vacation? Once did that a lot. What a way to see the U.S.A. Up close and personal. Just grab your jeans and ride, sleep under the stars or a motel if you're road weary.
Love cycling the Rockies, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Great Divide, small mining towns, etc.

Once when I was at a conference in Denver in the middle of a divorce, my ex flew to meet me, rented a cycle, and we cycled 6000 miles through the mountains. Had a blast--but divorced the guy anyway...
I'm enjoying just being home for a while right now.
Onward.
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