Gotta get out of this place

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Ever spent any time in the Adirondacks? Lake George is pretty touristy (but with lots of good summer stuff to do). North of there is just good ole nature. I can't tell you anything about it in the last 15 years or so, but many summer trips up there when I was growing up...

A good place in the Adirondacks would be a fine idea. We haven't spent much time there. Anyone got good suggestions?

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
A good place in the Adirondacks would be a fine idea. We haven't spent much time there. Anyone got good suggestions?

I've never stayed there, but this place is the poshest in the area -- http://www.thesagamore.com/

Looks nice.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
planning annual trip there and this time the dart landed on the big island. any suggestions for places to stay welcome. I will later be seeking advice on things to do (other than go see the lava, obviously). Trip is far off, but finally close enough that hotels are offering their rates for that time period.

initial favorite is Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. I understand it neighbors Mauna Kea but is a little cheaper. how's that area? sounds sort of secluded, with fewer kids than Hilton or Marriott. fewer kids is good in my book.

Mauna Lani Point was excellent. A doctor person I know goes every year.

Do the volcano thing and listen to Burger, it's a freaking long drive both ways. And you won't get to see anything unless you're in the air or on a boat. Nothing. Some smoke. Woo hoo we drove a couple of hours to see smoke and smell the sulphur. Makes for a long drive back.

Stop at the black sands beach on the way to the volcano. It's cool.

Go to the Chart House in Kona, the waiters throw dinner rolls into the surf and thousand of eels come for the feeding frenzy.

Other than that - the place is a big yawn. Not much in the way of beaches or scenery (compared to the other islands).

[viet_mom]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
A good place in the Adirondacks would be a fine idea. We haven't spent much time there. Anyone got good suggestions?

I sure do, but it depends on whether you are looking to hike and such or are looking more for the fancy B&B's.

I've spent a good amount of time every year hiking Mount Marcy (the largest peak in NY State) and smaller mountains in the area. The mountains are not sitting next to a road so you would spend a considerable time hiking in to reach then -- even to get to the base of the mountain. But you can stay at a place that is very near to the base - just a short hike from these mountains and which also has little supply stores for stuff for your hike. One of these places is a rustic place called the Adirondack Loj that sits on a like It's not fancy but the private rooms are at least private (though the rooms don't have bathrooms, the bathrooms are like those in offices -- a couple of stalls, sinks, showers, etc., and are clean.)

The best is that they have a friendly bunch of avid outdoorsmen/women who prepare (before your hike) a full breakfast for you and other visitors who are always so nice and psyched (you all eat at long tables) and you discuss weather conditions and best hikes and such with the staff and other people. Also - they pack your lunch with good healthy food and you can take that with your hike. You can stay there after your hike too, and it's great to come back to a big dinner and put your boots in the shoe drying room.

Alternative: you could stay at a real fancy place in Lake Placid up the road and then drive back to the Adirondack Loj in the morning, park there, and hike from there.

I highly recommend the trip. Even in May, the upper portion of the mountain had beautiful evergreen trees covered in snow and we were sledding down the snow on trails on the way down from the mountain (I love cheating this way).

Have an awesome time.

[viet_mom]

So....I'm baffled when it comes to thinking about a vacation with my 18 month old. She's way too young for Disney World. I'd love to go to Amish country but no WAY would she be into that (much less the drive). She's probably too young for most things.

I'm thinking: a getaway that involves a lot of animals - the kinds you pet. I could do the beach thing but that's expensive when you're talking flying to Jamaica and stuff. I've already done Florida. I'm thinking maybe some shore that has a lot of boardwalks and such but that would be NJ and it will be cold there for some time. Any ideas?

Vietmom

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by viet_mom
So....I'm baffled when it comes to thinking about a vacation with my 18 month old. She's way too young for Disney World. I'd love to go to Amish country but no WAY would she be into that (much less the drive). She's probably too young for most things.

I'm thinking: a getaway that involves a lot of animals - the kinds you pet. I could do the beach thing but that's expensive when you're talking flying to Jamaica and stuff. I've already done Florida. I'm thinking maybe some shore that has a lot of boardwalks and such but that would be NJ and it will be cold there for some time. Any ideas?

Vietmom

It's still too cold there, but Chincoteague in Virginia is nice, and has a great park service with lots of things to do. Probably a good place in a couple months. Also, we went to Williamsburg with an 18 month old once upon a time, and she had a ton of fun -- most of the exhibits are designed for older kids, but there was a lot of running around room and a lot of people to interact with. Not many animals.

Also, if you like Zoos, I would nominate the New Orleans Zoo and the National Zoo in Washington as great ones for kids. They each have interactive areas, and there are a lot of other kid friendly things to do in each city.

Thanks for the suggestions in the Adirondacks.

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally posted by viet_mom
So....I'm baffled when it comes to thinking about a vacation with my 18 month old. She's way too young for Disney World. I'd love to go to Amish country but no WAY would she be into that (much less the drive). She's probably too young for most things.

Not to be contrary here, BUT we've taken the Brazenette to Disney twice already and she's almost one. She's loved it both times.

There's a lot of activity, a lot to look at, you can ride all the rides in Adventure Land and Mickey's Toon Town.

Not a big hoot for Mom and Dad, except for watching her face while going through "Small World" or listening to her squeal on the teacups.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by viet_mom
So....I'm baffled when it comes to thinking about a vacation with my 18 month old. She's way too young for Disney World. I'd love to go to Amish country but no WAY would she be into that (much less the drive). She's probably too young for most things.

I'm thinking: a getaway that involves a lot of animals - the kinds you pet. I could do the beach thing but that's expensive when you're talking flying to Jamaica and stuff. I've already done Florida. I'm thinking maybe some shore that has a lot of boardwalks and such but that would be NJ and it will be cold there for some time. Any ideas?

Vietmom

there are several Disney world vacations that change as your child grows. 2-5 is see charecters time. 18 months may be too young, maybe not. But orlando has tons of other things including Sea World which is definately okay for 18 month old.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
Not to be contrary here, BUT we've taken the Brazenette to Disney twice already and she's almost one. She's loved it both times.

There's a lot of activity, a lot to look at, you can ride all the rides in Adventure Land and Mickey's Toon Town.

Not a big hoot for Mom and Dad, except for watching her face while going through "Small World" or listening to her squeal on the teacups.

I'm not a Disney person. I am incapable of more than 3 days at a Disney theme park without melting down, and can only do one of these trips about every 3-4 years. If I keep it down to that level, I will even enjoy as many as 2 of the 3 days.

Given those limitations, I'd consider going at 18 months a waste, since it means you'd miss out on the 2-4 year old trip, which really is fun.

On the other hand, if you can handle the B&B's schedule of repeat visits in close proximity, why not? One of our trips had a toddler along, closer to 2 than to 18 months I think, and she had a lot of fun. The fireworks were big, she was more accepting of Epcot than she would be three years later, and I did "It's a Small World" with her about three or four times (while my wife stood in other lines with the older child). For Disney wary parents like me, she also liked all the less crowded rides, which is a big plus.

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
On the other hand, if you can handle the B&B's schedule of repeat visits in close proximity, why not?

I suppose I should add the caveat that we can get from our home to the front gates of DisneyWorld in less than 2 hours, using means of transportation readily available to us.

I'm not sure I'd want to do it more frequently if it meant that I actually had to travel...

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
I'm not a Disney person. I am incapable of more than 3 days at a Disney theme park without melting down, and can only do one of these trips about every 3-4 years. If I keep it down to that level, I will even enjoy as many as 2 of the 3 days.

Given those limitations, I'd consider going at 18 months a waste, since it means you'd miss out on the 2-4 year old trip, which really is fun.

On the other hand, if you can handle the B&B's schedule of repeat visits in close proximity, why not? One of our trips had a toddler along, closer to 2 than to 18 months I think, and she had a lot of fun. The fireworks were big, she was more accepting of Epcot than she would be three years later, and I did "It's a Small World" with her about three or four times (while my wife stood in other lines with the older child). For Disney wary parents like me, she also liked all the less crowded rides, which is a big plus.

You may want to incur the sacrifice of going more frequently when you consider that I have never been to Disneyworld, Disneyland or Eurodisney (and I was born in this country and have lived here for my whole life (other than a very short time) and even all my grandparents were born here, as were the majority of my great-grandparents I think).

[Anne Elk]

Anyone been? I'm thinking of heading out there for some mountain biking (what else?) in May.

I'll probably have a day/night in Salt Lake on the return. Anything interesting a non-Mormon can see there? Any hints on how I can get a beer there?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Anne Elk
Anyone been? I'm thinking of heading out there for some mountain biking (what else?) in May.

I'll probably have a day/night in Salt Lake on the return. Anything interesting a non-Mormon can see there? Any hints on how I can get a beer there?

A couple of times, but not to moutainbike (just hike, etc.)

Beer's pretty easy to come by. There's a liquor store in downtown Moab. And most restaurants serve (if not all). There's some restriction on alcohol content of beer. It's 3.2%, I think, but that's by weight, not volume, which translates to 4%, or what most of your typical lagers have. The "local" brew was decent--Wasatch Brewing Co.. I had several of their varieties that I enjoyed.

Edited to add sample label:

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Anne Elk
Anyone been? I'm thinking of heading out there for some mountain biking (what else?) in May.

I'll probably have a day/night in Salt Lake on the return. Anything interesting a non-Mormon can see there? Any hints on how I can get a beer there?

Lots of non-Mormon outsdoors stuff to do. If you want to see how the other half lives, drive up to Park City for a day. It is about a 45 minute drive from SLC. Lots of shops/restaurants on the main strip, and then ski areas likely have hiking, etc. during summer months. If you want something a little closer to SLC and less touristy, head into the nearby canyons for some hiking. Here is a fairly informative link -- http://www.go-utah.com/DG_nonComm_Hi...50DAB32CA6.cfm
I've done the Dog Lake hike before (and others, but my memory for names is not great).

You also might want to check out downtown just for kicks. Temple Square is something to see, even if they won't let non-Mormons anywhere near the inside of the Temple. University of Utah is fairly close to downtown and that area might be your best bet for locating a good pub. I know there are a few brew pubs around and that it is possible to buy a drink there without joining a private club (one of the ways liquor laws there are circumvented), but it's been a while so I have no specific tips right now. Have fun in Moab!

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
Lots of non-Mormon outsdoors stuff to do. If you want to see how the other half lives, drive up to Park City for a day. It is about a 45 minute drive from SLC. Lots of shops/restaurants on the main strip, and then ski areas likely have hiking, etc. during summer months. If you want something a little closer to SLC and less touristy, head into the nearby canyons for some hiking. Here is a fairly informative link -- http://www.go-utah.com/DG_nonComm_Hi...50DAB32CA6.cfm
I've done the Dog Lake hike before (and others, but my memory for names is not great).

You also might want to check out downtown just for kicks. Temple Square is something to see, even if they won't let non-Mormons anywhere near the inside of the Temple. University of Utah is fairly close to downtown and that area might be your best bet for locating a good pub. I know there are a few brew pubs around and that it is possible to buy a drink there without joining a private club (one of the ways liquor laws there are circumvented), but it's been a while so I have no specific tips right now. Have fun in Moab!

I've hiked in both the Canyonland and Arches National Parks. Just a phenomenal experience. Both the Islands in the Sky and the Needles section of the Canyonlands are breathtaking. Both parks are very close to Moab.