Looking for Vacation Ideas

[jkennell]

SO I'm wondering if all you helpful experienced traveller types might give me some ideas. Here's a rundown of what I'm thinking about. My DW and I haven't been on vacation in a couple years. My job(s) means I really only have time off during Jan. and Feb.--and I really don't like traveling in ice & snow with the HDT. So I'm thinking of just driving/flying somewhere this winter--somewhere warm. We've already been to FL a bunch of times, so I'm thinking elsewhere, although its good too.

 

One of our major issues Is I just like to sit and rest..my DW likes to travel and see new stuff every day (and guess who gets to drive). My thought is to find someplace we can base and travel day trips. W or W/O the HDT and RV--preferably w/o. Neither of us has the energy to get it RTG.

 

Here's a list of Likes/ dislikes.

 

Likes:

Off the beaten path, but not "strenuous" (2 mile walk, great; no hiking for 20 miles thanks!)

National/State parks, Natural Scenery

Historical anything. (educational!)

Museums are great, No interest in anything else "city".

Trains

Shells (found on beach!)

Farm / country

 

Dislikes

No "tourist traps" and crowds. Major scenic attractions OK (IE Grand Canyon is gonna be crowded, but worth it, right?)

Sports. Skiing/biking/etc.

Social events. Party, casino, etc.

Big cities

Sitting on the beach for a week (DW would go nuts)

Cruises (trapped on a boat with a million other people in a party atmosphere....I'll keep working thanks!)

Exiting the USA...done that too much. Too much work for a short vacation.

 

There you have it--we are a couple of BORING people who like to poke around little out of the way places. Oh, and my 18 yo daughter and 8 yo son would be along...but they go where we go, not the other way around (No amusement parks etc.) Educational a plus though!

 

Any thoughts? Any specific area you might recommend that would fit the above?

 

BTW---our last vacation was a month long tour of Europe...(Sun-drenched Capri, Venice at night, AWESOME), so don't feel too bad for us!

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

How about south Texas? San Antonio, Corpus Christi, anywhere along the coast? you can do an easy day trip over to Mexico from the Brownsville area without issue. Walk across, have lunch, walk back. It will be warmer than Illinois, but not south Florida.

[The Few]

SO I'm wondering if all you helpful experienced traveller types might give me some ideas. Here's a rundown of what I'm thinking about. My DW and I haven't been on vacation in a couple years. My job(s) means I really only have time off during Jan. and Feb.--and I really don't like traveling in ice & snow with the HDT. So I'm thinking of just driving/flying somewhere this winter--somewhere warm. We've already been to FL a bunch of times, so I'm thinking elsewhere, although its good too.

 

One of our major issues Is I just like to sit and rest..my DW likes to travel and see new stuff every day (and guess who gets to drive). My thought is to find someplace we can base and travel day trips. W or W/O the HDT and RV--preferably w/o. Neither of us has the energy to get it RTG.

 

Here's a list of Likes/ dislikes.

 

Likes:

Off the beaten path, but not "strenuous" (2 mile walk, great; no hiking for 20 miles thanks!)

National/State parks, Natural Scenery

Historical anything. (educational!)

Museums are great, No interest in anything else "city".

Trains

Shells (found on beach!)

Farm / country

 

Dislikes

No "tourist traps" and crowds. Major scenic attractions OK (IE Grand Canyon is gonna be crowded, but worth it, right?)

Sports. Skiing/biking/etc.

Social events. Party, casino, etc.

Big cities

Sitting on the beach for a week (DW would go nuts)

Cruises (trapped on a boat with a million other people in a party atmosphere....I'll keep working thanks!)

Exiting the USA...done that too much. Too much work for a short vacation.

 

There you have it--we are a couple of BORING people who like to poke around little out of the way places. Oh, and my 18 yo daughter and 8 yo son would be along...but they go where we go, not the other way around (No amusement parks etc.) Educational a plus though!

 

Any thoughts? Any specific area you might recommend that would fit the above?

 

BTW---our last vacation was a month long tour of Europe...(Sun-drenched Capri, Venice at night, AWESOME), so don't feel too bad for us!

 

 

 

Wilmington NC, or Myrtle Beach SC (hands down)!!

I grew up in Highland Park Illinois, so I feel your pain...

[rickeieio]

Jeff,

 

Susan and I really like Western Texas. The above advice is right on, the area around and west of San Antonio, known as the Hill Country, is scenic and historic. Lots of varying agricultural practices there. Going west to the Big Bend area, you'l get to very arid regions, even desert. Stocking rate is 100 acres/head and less. The area just west of Big Bend NP is sort of like Key West without water. Lots of interesting individuals, but at a low density. That county is the largest in Texas, at about 6,200 mi/sq, with a population of 9,000, most of which live in Alpine, 100 miles north of the park.

 

Up the road a little bit is Fort Davis, with Macdonald Observatory, a state park, and the partially restored cavalry fort by the same name.

 

Motels in western Texas are few and far between. But the scenery in Big Bend is breath taking. Lots of hikes that fit your criteria.

 

Keep in mind, Texas is large. It's several hundred miles from San Antonio to Big Bend, with no direct route. We think it's worth the drive.

[2gypsies]

O.K. So you want to FLY to somewhere warm in January/February.....other than Florida. For somewhat warm temps here are a few choices:

 

Gulf Shores, Alabama, although not really that warm but it's nice...fresh shrimp off the boats, beach, shops, small towns to explore, near Pensacola, FL for a great air museum and air show, possibly, tour Gulf Islands Nat'l Seashore, take a short ferry over to Mobile.

 

Texas - San Antonio will be cold as will Big Bend Nat'l Park. You'd have to get down to the Rockport area or further south to Mission and that's too crowded for you.

 

Arizona - the greater Phoenix area; Tucson or Yuma

 

Southern California - San Diego area

 

All other places in the U.S. will be cold in Jan/Feb

 

You might have to fly for an island vacation! Good. luck.

[rpsinc]

Check this out as a possibility. http://www.quartzsitervshow.com/ You can bring the rig or not. Most people stay in RVs and it is quite the experience. Lots of desert to explore (I think that during the time you are talking about, there are UTVs etc for rent. It is mild weather, lots for the kids to see and explore too. Although it isnt a predominantly kid event, I havent really looked at kid things to do because that isnt what we are interested in. Gem and minerals are interesting. If that doesnt work then San Diego has Sea World, Sand Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Legoland is close. Staying in East San Diego County can keep you in areas that are RV accessible if that is what you choose, or plenty of motels etc.

I have been self-employed for ~30 years and my wife and I understand that I need a few days to UNWIND on vacation. That is considered into the schedule. She doesnt drive our rig but does feed me well, and is accommodating to my unwinding. So, having practiced for a number of years now, it has worked out OK for both of us.

[jkoenig24]

Fly into Las Vegas. TONS of things to do in town, many beautiful places just outside. Food, shopping, entertainment etc. Death Valley only a few hours drive. Jucy rents Dodge minivan basic RVs : https://www.jucyusa.com/ and of course, gambling if you're so inclined. I've done numerous trips to Las Vegas for conventions / trade shows and never gambled a dime.

[I'mdonewiththis forum]

Jeff, I am in Port O'Connor, Texas. I am in a smaller campground that has everything I want plus they are planning a sea food Christmas Dinner for everyone here! All for the incredible price of $300 a month! I really shouldn't tell anyone. I like this place and want to keep it to myself!!

[rickeieio]

Jeff,

 

I've been to the Big Bend area the past two winters. They can have cold weather, as can lots of other places. The odds of that are low. It was snowing there the day I left in Jan 2015, but the previous week had been great. The first two weeks of Feb 2016 were fabulous.

 

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/presidio/texas/united-states/ustx1094

 

Presidio is a border town just up the Rio Grande from Big Bend.

[wtgeodog]

Presido is about 300 miles south of The Big Bend.

Ojinaga is just up the river.

 

ShortyO

[wtgeodog]

My BAD.

 

 

ShortyO

[2gypsies]

Huh? Presidio and Ojinaga are near each other at 170/67 - one in the U.S. the other in Mexico. They aren't 300 miles from Big Bend Nat'l Park.

[oletimer]

_{This year will be the 25th February we have been spending in the Big Bend area. Not just in the park, but all over. We got to meet Ricky/Susan last year at the RV park in Study Butte, and had a great visit. We hike, 4X4, bike, and motorcycle. We love the sights, and history, and discover something new and different EVERY YEAR. However in January we try to find some place warmer. Couldn't take the HDT, but have enjoyed, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Yucatan in Mexico, and in the USA, the Big Island, and Kaua'i, Hawai'i. Just the 2 of us though, no theme parks. Still nice to get back to the truck and on-the-road-again. Good luck and have a great trip wherever. Dick T}

[rickeieio]

According to Google Maps. it's 67 miles from the west entrance of Big Bend NP to Presidio. And it's a hoot on a motorcycle.

 

The Big Bend region is the smaller of the two "shark tooth" areas of the southern Texas border, which is defined by the Rio Grande. There are mountains within the park approaching 7,000' in elevation. 150 miles north, up around Fort Davis, some peaks are nearer 8,000'. https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/index.htm

 

If you're looking for night life and glitz, this ain't it. If you're looking to sit around the campfire and see the Milky Way, it's hard to beat.

[spindrift]

Jeff,

 

Susan and I really like Western Texas. The above advice is right on, the area around and west of San Antonio, known as the Hill Country, is scenic and historic. Lots of varying agricultural practices there. Going west to the Big Bend area, you'l get to very arid regions, even desert. Stocking rate is 100 acres/head and less. The area just west of Big Bend NP is sort of like Key West without water. Lots of interesting individuals, but at a low density. That county is the largest in Texas, at about 6,200 mi/sq, with a population of 9,000, most of which live in Alpine, 100 miles north of the park.

 

Up the road a little bit is Fort Davis, with Macdonald Observatory, a state park, and the partially restored cavalry fort by the same name.

 

Motels in western Texas are few and far between. But the scenery in Big Bend is breath taking. Lots of hikes that fit your criteria.

 

Keep in mind, Texas is large. It's several hundred miles from San Antonio to Big Bend, with no direct route. We think it's worth the drive.

 

In case anyone is interested, the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering is held in Alpine every February. Gotta' love Big Bend. Our son and daughter just got back from a trip out there.

[wtgeodog]

As I said, MY BAD.

I posted without thinking. My mind was at Laredo.

 

ShortyO

[rickeieio]

Shorty,

 

Texas is BIG. Laredo and Presidio are only a couple of inches apart on my atlas. If that's your worst misteak today, you're doing better than I.

 

Spindrift,

 

We got thrown out of the Lost Alaskan RV park last year, 'cuz all the spots were reserved for folks coming to town for the poetry thing. We liked Alpine a lot. In all, we spent almost three weeks (early Feb.) in the Terlingua/Alpine/Ft. Davis area, and had perhaps 3 days when long sleeves were preferred. Not a cloudy day the whole time.

[wtgeodog]

Alpine is very crowded the last week in Fed. for the Cowboy Poets gathering.

We make reservations at The Lost Alaskan for the next year when we check in for this year.

We have done this for 7 or 8 years. The park also cancels all discount programs for that week.

One year we woke up to an 8" snowfall, which was all gone by the next morning.

There is a micro-brewery in Alpine, and you can look for the Marfa Lights nightly.

 

 

ShortyO

[rickeieio]

Yoo-Hooo, Jeff, Did you go? If so, where? Would you recommend it to others?

[GoldRush]

Central Coast of CommieforNia can't be beat.

[jkennell]

Nope. Kids came home from college and wouldn't even go to Gramma's for Christmas. Then everybody got sick. And I've been on two work trips...leaving on another next week. Scheduled for a forth mid-Feb. Its like I got something scheduled for me every other week. If I had time to fix the 5r (couple of small things) I'd probably advertise it. DW is stir crazy.