Planning a vacation. Help!!!

[Brian425 0]

So my wife and I are planning on taking a vacation. We want someplace within 24 hours driving of NYC. We are going in the second week of September.

Looking for places that have some natural beauty, lakes, mountains, etc. Maybe some horseback riding, boating, biking, etc. Also we need a few decent places to eat. (I like to have a few nice meals on vacation).

We are open to anything. Give us some ideas.

Thanks!!

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[AggieDave 6]

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Looking for places that have some natural beauty, lakes, mountains, etc. Maybe some horseback riding, boating, biking, etc. Also we need a few decent places to eat.

Canada was your choice until you wanted some place decent to eat...

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Brian425 0]

I was considering a ride up to Toronto, then come back through the Finger lakes and where ever the hell else we wanted. We want a destination for 2 or 3 days to relax and unwind then 10 days or so to have fun. So we want plan the first 3 days and just have a bunch of destination that we would lie to see. If we have fund, we stay longer. If it stinks, we move out.

Maybe sneak in a skydive or two.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[Flyer2Diver 0]

I'm sure you considered it, but if not, have you thought of the Mohonk Mountain House? It's right near The Ranch (easy access to sneak in skydives), and they've got everything on your list - natural beauty, lakes, mountains, horseback riding, boating, etc..

http://www.mohonk.com/

_______________________________
30005KT 10SM SKC 23/05 A3006

[jumpinfarmer 0]

Canada was your choice until you wanted some place decent to eat...

I'll agree with you there. Canadian food sucks.

Why not try Upstate, or western NY you won't spend much time driving. There are all kinds of lakes and seanery up here.

[nightjumps 1]

Florida is within 24 hours driving distance.

[Brian425 0]

Bigun,

There has been some serious thought on a Eastern seaboard fiesta. I have friends in Raleigh, NC, Atlanta and I would like to go to Key West and forget about work. On the way bak, drive up through the mountains in the Carolinas.

We are open to anything. All ideas will be appreciated.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[jumpinfarmer 0]

Try the fast ferry out of Rochester to Toronto. It's all they talk about on the news here. When you come back make sure to stop by Frontier Skydivers near Niagra Falls. I'd also check out Lechworth Park They call it the Grand Canyon of the east. If you like history you could also try Genesee Country Museum.
If you need any directions send me a PM.

Marc

[2fat2fly 0]

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On the way bak, drive up through the mountains in the Carolinas.

If this ends up as a plan, give me a yell. If I'm in town my wife and I will take ya'll somewhere decent to eat.
Notice I said take......if you kick my dog and talk about my mom, I'll have her cook for ya'll instead

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[skymama 35]

I love going to the western area of North Carolina. You can do all the things you listed that you want to do. Plus, you can see a ton of waterfalls, go white water rafting and Biltmore House in Ashville is an absolute must see. The food is always good in the south, but you have to like southern cooking!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Dumpster 0]

Check out the Adirondack Mountains!!

Easy Does It

[Remster 30]

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Canadian food sucks.

You people are funny!

Seriously, Late september is awsome in the area North of Montreal: prime time for the colors. Its really nice in the Eastern Townships too, and then in New England, but a little later.

Remster

[Misslmperfect 0]

my husband and i are planning a lil tour throughout the NE. we're going to new hampshire up through the white mountains where we're planning to go kayaking and horseback riding. from the pictures ive seen its absolutely BEAUTIFUL. then we're headed up to vermont to go camping and hiking. then on to mass. so i can experience boston. then up to maine for a little harbor tour and bed and breakfast hopping. (but not neccessarily in that order. im still mapping and planning. i may even through rhode island in if i can.

anywho...just some suggestions

Oh Canada, merci pour la livraison!

[nightjumps 1]

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We are open to anything. All ideas will be appreciated.

Brian,

I too, used to gather a considerable amount of information prior to planning a trip. After awhile, I began to reflect on those parties that were the best of times were usually those impromptu, throw together spontaneous things and not the planned ones.

Took that philosophy, applied it to my vacations, stole a line from Crocodile Dundee, "Goin on walkabout," put the two together and that's what I do.

This is my idea to share with you. Make your decision on a direction and a distance the day before you go and head out.

If you head to Key West, there is a little scrubby blue hotel on the east side of the highway on Marathon Key that charges about $250.00 for a week's stay. They back up to the bay which goes out to sea. If you rent a boat and head out of the channel towards the oil derrick about 5 miles off shore and go snorkeling or scuba diving, there is this coral reef just on the east side of the derrick. About thirty feet down there is this explosion of colorful fish and a few 5 foot sharks thrown in. It's difficult to describe the colors.

About one or two Keys north of Marathon is an all you can eat seafood buffet for $20.00. You've never seen so much seafood in one place.

If you make it to Key West, Hemingway's house is a quick and short tour. Not exactly like going to Disneyland, but it's one of those places you can say you've been.

If you decide to head south, try to skim the western portions of North Carolina. Mountains, trees, trails and cliffs over looking lush greenery as beautiful as those in "The Last of the Mohicans" (go figure).

Enjoy whatever direction you head.

[NYCFreeFall 0]

Agreed. Go to Lake Placid - lots of good restaurants, good hiking and its only 5 or 6 hrs from NYC. Plus the Saranac Brewery. You won't waste a lot of travel time. If you want to add to the trip drive up to Ottawa or Montreal for a day or two.

[Dumpster 0]

Driving through Adirondack National Park is a treat - You'll see some of the most fantasic lodges built back in the days of Roosevelt, etc. In September the wildlife will be abundant, too if you're planning on doing any serious hiking. Most of the tourist mob should be thinning out, too.

Easy Does It

[ifall 0]

Try Leadville, CO. It may be pushing it on the 24 hours driving mark though. It's about 21-22 hours drive for me and I am in Cincinnati, OH. It is an old boomtown and it is the highest incorporated city in the US. There are a couple of the highest mountains in North America there too. Here is the chamber of commerce's link.

http://www.leadvilleusa.com/

[skymama 35]

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If you decide to head south, try to skim the western portions of North Carolina. Mountains, trees, trails and cliffs over looking lush greenery as beautiful as those in "The Last of the Mohicans" (go figure).

Oh, I forgot about that. They shot scenes of that movie at Chimney Rock, another cool place to visit. Scenes from "Dirty Dancing" were shot in the Lake Lure area too.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Brian425 0]

Well, a big thanks to all you guys!!! As always you come through with good advice, a little bullshit and a few laughs.

Here is the outline. of what we have planned. Leave NYC Friday night 9/10, drive to Clayton, NC to visit Dad for 2 or 3 days and rest. Drive to Key West after that. Stop on the way if we want to or just drive drive. (no time table here.) Hang out in Key West, drink, eat, lounge around. Forget about the city!!! How long will we stay? Who knows, who cares. After that, We will hit Disney World for 2 or 3 days. From there, we head back up north. Hopefully we can pretty much drive along the mountains as far north as possible. We will stop where ever we feel is right. Ashville NC seems to keep popping up. So it will at least be a way point on our journey. From there who know where. I just need to be back in NYC for 8:00 am 9/27.

I will be taking my rig with me. We agreed that I can hit 2 or 3 DZs on the trip. This is not a skydiving trip so it will be a one day or over night at the DZ.

So I hope to meet a few of you east coast guys and gals. I'm sure you can guide us to some fun in your home area.

See Ya and Thanks!!

Brian

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[2fat2fly 0]

Check your PM's-I've sent you my cell number in case you need anything in my area. have a great trip

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[tunaplanet 0]

Most beautiful place I ever visited was the Galapagos Islands.

Forty-two

[cruzlite 0]

40 years ago the water in Lake George was clear as gin...last I heard (probably 20 yrs ago) it had become quite the destination for younger people...

Might be worth looking into...

[Brian425 0]

Cruzlite,
I've been to Lake Geroge for the bike week. It was nice. They also do Balloon ride there. It's a nice place. The lake is still pretty nice. A great place to go. It's just that we were there last year.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[Brian425 0]

Hey 2fat2fly, If I can, I'll use that cell number for good. Hopefully I can sneak in a jump down in your area. I've heard the new guy buys the beer. Is that how it works down your way? I don't want to offend anyone.

Thanks again.

B

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.