It's time I hit the road and go see something in the Continental US. I've never been west of the Mississippi, so my options are completely open. I'm going this one alone, mainly because I want to just get away from it all for a week or so.

I have a budget of $1000. I'm really not a beach guy or a "big city" guy, so the mountains, the plains, the desert, or any resort might work. Really, I'm just looking for suggestions.

So far, I've thought of Lake Tahoe, the Grand Tetons, Yosemite, Phoenix, Seattle, or maybe even somewhere up in Canada.


Any other suggestions?

4/11/2008 6:43:55 PM

Driving or flying? For $1000, 1 week, plane tickets, and a car rental will eat that up in a hurry.

OK - here's an idea. Drive the length of the Mississippi River on the River Road. The road below New Orleans is pretty hit or miss from what I understand, but everything else would be cake to plan. Take a tent, camp most nights, and just let things work themselves out.

My wife and I paddled the Mississippi a couple of years ago, and I'd love to actually see some of those towns on a road trip. My book on that should be coming out this summer, and I've got very tentative plans to do a little IRS-friendly working vacation/book tour up the river.

There's some info on our site if you want to check it out.

http://www.sourcetosea.net is the address, but I'm in the process of rewriting a ton of stuff on it. The temp address for the new site with more journals and info is http://www.sourcetosea.net/wordpress

4/11/2008 6:51:07 PM

There is a Westin resort in Arizona (golf, spa, etc.) which unfortunately, I missed out on for the bi-annual conference, but I heard was awesome. Sounds like it might be up your alley if you're wanting to get away.

4/11/2008 6:54:49 PM

MIssoula, Montana

4/12/2008 7:54:02 AM

If you want to get away from it all stay away from Phoenix.

Do you fish or hunt?

Anyways, since I live here, I'll throw in Northern Colorado or pretty much anywhere in CO. Depending on what you want, you can find a vacation cabin on 10 acres or a 5 star Hyatt timeshare for $100.00 a day. Ski season is ending soon so places will be cheap. Check out Denver, Co or Rocky Mountain, CO Craigslist under vacation rentals. If you fish, CO has some of the best trout fishing anywhere. There's nothing like getting away from civilization sometimes.

4/12/2008 10:00:35 AM

^^^^that sounds like a blast!

4/12/2008 10:07:48 AM

I want to do that drive someday.

4/12/2008 10:16:45 AM

I highly recommend taking a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1 -> Hwy 101) from north of Los Angeles all the way up to Seattle. You will see some absolutely amazing scenery, and it can definitely be spaced out to enjoy in a week. You'd get to see Hearst Castle, San Franscisco, Redwood National Park, etc. If you're willing to go off the road for a little bit you could hit up Yosemite and Crater Lake as well. Oh and don't forget you'd be in the Wine Country.

Taken right off the road south of San Francisco:

4/12/2008 11:59:10 AM

^sucks when (it seems it is most of the time) foggy/smoggy, can't see shit.

mexico



[Edited on April 12, 2008 at 2:54 PM. Reason : w]

4/12/2008 2:52:26 PM

i would highly recommend either the Grand Tetons or Yosemite... but airfare would eat up a good chunk of your budget, so camping may be a good idea instead of a hotel for the entire week.

i'll be spending a week at the Tetons in July, I can't wait

4/12/2008 2:59:06 PM

go to las vegas...they have legal prostitution there

4/12/2008 3:00:12 PM

you mean, illegal

4/12/2008 3:59:21 PM

i'm pretty sure it's everywhere in NV except for Vegas.


and for $1000, you can see a helluva lot of the country, depending on what kind of gas mileage your car gets...but that's pretty much it...you'll be driving and camping, and staying in cheap motels every 2-3 nights.

4/12/2008 4:00:00 PM

Have you driven the Blue Ridge Parkway?

4/14/2008 1:57:32 PM

Quote :

"I've never been west of the Mississippi"

i think he wants to change that

4/14/2008 2:12:21 PM

Quote :

"sucks when (it seems it is most of the time) foggy/smoggy, can't see shit. "

Go in October or early November then. Best time of the year on the NorCal coast... And their are some really awesome hole in the wall type pubs/bars on the PCH...

[Edited on April 14, 2008 at 2:30 PM. Reason : x]

4/14/2008 2:25:39 PM

SF is cold and damp in June. Everywhere inland (see Napa Valley) is warm though.

4/14/2008 2:56:46 PM

If you are planning on going west of the Mississippi you are gonna spend around half that on gas to get were you are going and back.

4/14/2008 2:59:58 PM

Sorry but Phoenix is not worth it. You're not into a big city - THAT's a big city, and not too interesting either.

I definitely recommend Yosemite, and you may also like to visit some places like the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico or possibly Silver Springs in Florida (very pretty place). Also, Niagara is a pretty cool place to go if you've never seen it - however on a budget of $1000, don't know if any of those are feasible.

4/14/2008 11:59:04 PM