graculus: (geek love)
[personal profile] graculus
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!)

Date: 2009-03-07 09:44 pm (UTC)
siluria: (Mag7_Ez_canon salute)
From: [personal profile] siluria
You can get direct flights to LV from London, but then you have to get down there too. I think both places are fascinating, and both are on my list. If you're heading out this time of year then Arizona may be a bit warmer and less snow covered, but both would be lovely.

Date: 2009-03-07 09:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] graculus.livejournal.com
No power on earth could compel me to travel down to Heathrow or *shudder* Gatwick first.

Date: 2009-03-07 09:53 pm (UTC)
siluria: (General_*heads desk*)
From: [personal profile] siluria
I know how you feel! :)

Date: 2009-03-07 09:48 pm (UTC)
obelix: (Winter at Hog's Back park)
From: [personal profile] obelix
I'd vote for Newfoundland but if L'Anse aux Meadows isn't open then yeah I can understand since I would love to see it myself. Although Newfoundland in and of itself is stunning.

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 ;-)


Date: 2009-03-07 09:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] graculus.livejournal.com
Yep, that was a big disappointment discovering the tourist season apparently starts June 1st. :(

Date: 2009-03-07 09:57 pm (UTC)
obelix: (Winter at Hog's Back park)
From: [personal profile] obelix
Yeah but it does make sense since until June you can't be sure it won't snow or that the temperature won't drop a lot more then is comfortable especially there. Not exactly tourist weather. Although this year we've had a fairly mild winter so it might open up earlier then usual, but yeah that would be very disappointing.

Look up the Painted Desert and as mentioned the Petrified Forest areas maybe you will like what you see.
Edited Date: 2009-03-07 09:59 pm (UTC)

Date: 2009-03-08 10:25 am (UTC)
manna: (Default)
From: [personal profile] manna
I've been to Arizona, and it's absolutely beautiful, and has very interesting landscape. There's plenty to see, and if you get bored with rocks and cactus, you can always drive to California :-) We stayed for a week on a ranch, and horseback is a very nice way to see some of the countryside, especially if you have a good guide. We started from Tucson, mostly because that was where the ranch was.

Date: 2009-03-08 12:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] graculus.livejournal.com
D'you happen to recall which ranch you went to? I'd much rather have a look at one on the basis of recommendation rather than random internet fishing.

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... ;)

Date: 2009-03-08 12:54 pm (UTC)
manna: (Default)
From: [personal profile] manna
It was the Tanque Verde ranch.

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.

Date: 2009-03-08 03:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rhade-rad.livejournal.com
[livejournal.com profile] ruric recommends the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon which you can do from LV, if you haven't already. She did that last year before spending most of the rest of her holiday in LA with a side trip for pampering and relaxing in Ojai.

Have to say Ojai is beautiful.

Date: 2009-03-09 03:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tenaya.livejournal.com
To the north of Vegas is a very beautiful park called Valley of Fire.
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.

Date: 2009-03-09 04:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tenaya.livejournal.com
I forgot a couple of things. Hoover Dam and the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West. You will more than likely be driving past Hoover Dam on your way east.

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.

Date: 2009-03-09 11:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] graculus.livejournal.com
It's looking like I'll be flying to Phoenix rather than LV, this time around, but regardless of that the holiday part is unfortunately before the con so I'll be heading off home when you're trundling to Detroit. Thanks for the kind offer, though! :)

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