Holiday dilemmas...
Mar. 7th, 2009 06:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I usually have a couple of weeks off work in May/June, to coincide with my annual trip to MediaWest - this year is no different, though work commitments mean holiday first, con after.
My dilemma? I don't know what to do/where to go. The main options at the moment are Arizona/New Mexico or Newfoundland - I've visited a lot of cities and frankly, once you've seen one museum you've pretty much seen them all. Don't mind that for a couple of days but after that it starts to pall.
The main problem with Newfoundland appears to be that some of the things I would want to visit may well be closed because the holiday season hasn't started yet (L'Anse aux Meadows being the prime one on that list). The main problem with Arizona/New Mexico is multiple stops to fly to Las Vegas, which looks like being the best starting point despite the fact I would probably never want to go there for any other reason than to leave it behind in my rearview mirror. ;)
So, wise friendslist, what would you do? (Alternative primarily non-city suggestions also considered!)
My dilemma? I don't know what to do/where to go. The main options at the moment are Arizona/New Mexico or Newfoundland - I've visited a lot of cities and frankly, once you've seen one museum you've pretty much seen them all. Don't mind that for a couple of days but after that it starts to pall.
The main problem with Newfoundland appears to be that some of the things I would want to visit may well be closed because the holiday season hasn't started yet (L'Anse aux Meadows being the prime one on that list). The main problem with Arizona/New Mexico is multiple stops to fly to Las Vegas, which looks like being the best starting point despite the fact I would probably never want to go there for any other reason than to leave it behind in my rearview mirror. ;)
So, wise friendslist, what would you do? (Alternative primarily non-city suggestions also considered!)
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Date: 2009-03-07 09:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-07 09:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-07 09:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-07 09:48 pm (UTC)Haven't been to New Mexico but I did make it to Arizona and it's very different so maybe that would be something you would want to see specifically I'd recommend The Petrified Forest it's amazing and there is plenty to see there. Oh and if you are in Vegas for one night you could always take in one of the six permanent Cirque du Soleil shows there. I don't like Vegas myself but I'd give anything to just spend a week there to see every Cirque du Soleil show they have showing.
You can always do Newfoundland another year ;-)
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Date: 2009-03-07 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-07 09:57 pm (UTC)Look up the Painted Desert and as mentioned the Petrified Forest areas maybe you will like what you see.
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Date: 2009-03-08 10:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-08 12:38 pm (UTC)Also, it's looking like it will be Arizona etc. this year, with Newfoundland in 2010 when I can have my holiday after the con and everything will be open for business... ;)
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Date: 2009-03-08 12:54 pm (UTC)Now, this was, like twenty years ago, so I can't guarantee that it's the same as it was then. But it was a really nice place, good food and accommodation, very friendly.
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Date: 2009-03-08 03:23 pm (UTC)Have to say Ojai is beautiful.
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Date: 2009-03-09 03:56 am (UTC)It has petroglyphs and is maybe 2 hours away from Vegas.
http://parks.nv.gov/masterplans/ValleyofFire/ValleyofFire.html
You know about the Grand Canyon already. To the south of Flagstaff is a beautiful drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona which is also quite striking and worth a few days of poking around in. The town is very artsy and New Age-ish. It's a very lovely area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedona,_Arizona
To the east of Flagstaff is Meteor Crater. Granted it's just looking at a big hole in the ground, but it's a different type of hole than the Grand Canyon. :::BOOM!!::: *g*
http://www.meteorcrater.com/index.php
If you want to go further, you have Monument Valley, Mesa Verde to the north east. If you get to Mesa Verde, might as well go to Durango Colorado and take the steam train ride to Silverton. Absolutely gorgeous and a particular thrill if you like the Old West stuff.
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Date: 2009-03-09 04:11 am (UTC)http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/
http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/skywalk.html
The third thing is Southwest Airlines has flights of just one stop from Detroit to Las Vegas. I'm renting a car and flying out of Detroit on Tuesday after the con. My flight is at 3pm I think. I'll be leaving the hotel around noon. (I've not quite booked it yet.) I am willing to give you ride to Detroit if that helps your plans.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-09 11:04 am (UTC)