Your five "must see" natural wonders
- Thread starter LongforDodd
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It's the best place to find a hotel in the area for sure.
Northeast Stinger
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Moab is an interesting town. Filled with outdoor adventure seekers.
GTpdm
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And brewpubs
reckrider
Jolly Good Fellow
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My dad told me that he thought Mt. Rushmore was one of the most impressive man made wonders and Badlands for a natural wonder and they’re within a couple of hours of each other. I don’t know how they compare to others on the list.
iceeater1969
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In retirement, live in a beatiful area. Take side trips at the perfect time and date
A great Canada trip:
If you are at all competent at golf AND can take a long vacation to Canada, here is a plan to enjoy the Rockies. IN JULY fly to Vancover, slowly slowly slowly drive to Calgary, fly home.
In july its pleasant temperatures and daylite till 9:30. Take time to visit Vancouver. Each day just wing it driving generally east ,searching out side trips stopping at stream crossing. In morning make progress BUT AT NOON find a GOLF COURSE and hotel. If wife not tired, take her to ride along for 9 or 18. ALL COURSE ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH GREAT VIEWS. TO SHOOT GOOD ROUND ONLY LOOK AT SCENERY ON TEE BOX OR AT BALL """AFTER YOU HIT"". . AS YOU DRIVE AND BEFORE YOU HIT ONLY ONLY LOOK AT LANDING SPOT AND BALL/ TEE . If you look around while while driving you will get totally distracted and wonder why you are golfing. Whistler, Kelona, Radium, Banff , Calgary ( south) have great golf and accommodations. Takes 7 days.
If you can take a 100 lile side trip north of Calgary - they have an amazing dinosaur "dig" and museum.
A great Canada trip:
If you are at all competent at golf AND can take a long vacation to Canada, here is a plan to enjoy the Rockies. IN JULY fly to Vancover, slowly slowly slowly drive to Calgary, fly home.
In july its pleasant temperatures and daylite till 9:30. Take time to visit Vancouver. Each day just wing it driving generally east ,searching out side trips stopping at stream crossing. In morning make progress BUT AT NOON find a GOLF COURSE and hotel. If wife not tired, take her to ride along for 9 or 18. ALL COURSE ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH GREAT VIEWS. TO SHOOT GOOD ROUND ONLY LOOK AT SCENERY ON TEE BOX OR AT BALL """AFTER YOU HIT"". . AS YOU DRIVE AND BEFORE YOU HIT ONLY ONLY LOOK AT LANDING SPOT AND BALL/ TEE . If you look around while while driving you will get totally distracted and wonder why you are golfing. Whistler, Kelona, Radium, Banff , Calgary ( south) have great golf and accommodations. Takes 7 days.
If you can take a 100 lile side trip north of Calgary - they have an amazing dinosaur "dig" and museum.
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This is a good list. A couple of minor exceptions. I would lump the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Arches into one trip, but definitely add Dead Horse (Maybe the most spectacular sunrise in the US). All those are relatively close together.
Maybe do the Outer Banks 1st. A big storm could make going there very difficult in the future. Drive south from Oregon Inlet on Hwy 12, find a dune crossover and go for a long beach walk. Better yet, do it at sunrise. Climb a lighthouse. If you go in the late Fall, watch for the Snow Geese and Tundra Swans that migrate through here.
I don't know why more fonts are not including Niagara Falls. Yes, it's a touristy mess, but you cannot beat the feeling of being in a boat at the foot of the falls and having that spray all over you.
Also substitute the Okefenokee Swamp for the Delaware Water Gap. See it in a boat. There 15,000 gators in the swamp. You gotta see em.
One last thing. Get out of the car, don your hiking boots and do a few miles on the AT. No gators near the AT.
Northeast Stinger
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Overnight canoe trip in the swamp camping on platforms is an other worldly experience.
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Duh. Of course. I am not sure why I left this out.
Oh, mosquitoes don't breed in the swamp water, so it's only you and the gators. And the other world night sounds.
Northeast Stinger
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Little known fact about the “tea water” (tannic acid) that keeps mosquito larva from developing. Glad you mentioned that. So few people know that.
And…there are sounds in the swamp…at night….when no one is around….when it’s just you in the dark…and no one can hear you scream….and there are sounds in the swamp….at night..
MountainBuzzMan
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Night Game in the West Stands of Bobby Dodd Stadium with a tough well fought win.
A little out of the norm, but diving on the wrecks in key largo and some of the shallow reefs nearby plus spending time in the keys. Lots of fun dive sites
A little out of the norm, but diving on the wrecks in key largo and some of the shallow reefs nearby plus spending time in the keys. Lots of fun dive sites
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Was going to say so much depends on what you like but a real cool - kinda off the path thing - is to kayak through one of the bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico.
It is a surreal experience if you can time it for a low/no moon night. Cool write up here: https://workationing.com/puerto-rico-bioluminescent-bay/
Thwg777
Ramblin' Wreck
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Lots of good input here. If you’re into diving, I second Pennekamp (Key Largo). Goliath groupers the size of small cars will let you pet them since it’s all protected waters.
If you love mountains and hiking and are willing to travel outside of NA, consider Kathmandu and doing the Annapurna circuit. Flights there aren’t terribly expensive considering where it is and once you’re there, you can live like a king for next to nothing cost-wise.
If you love mountains and hiking and are willing to travel outside of NA, consider Kathmandu and doing the Annapurna circuit. Flights there aren’t terribly expensive considering where it is and once you’re there, you can live like a king for next to nothing cost-wise.
Northeast Stinger
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Always wanted to go to Kathmandu until someone told me what it was like landing there.
Thwg777
Ramblin' Wreck
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I don’t recall it being too crazy (KTM).
Now the little regional airports over there like Lukla at Everest Base Camp is a different story. I didn’t go there but I took a little puddle jumper from Jomson to Pokhara, and we were rapidly ascending / descending hundreds of feet at a time given the incredible thermals in that valley and the size of the craft. That was a one and done - I’ll walk back next time, lol.
GT33
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If you're going to Kathmandu you're probably going to TIA, not Lukla unless you're going to hike Everest.
alagold
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It wasn't mentioned but an amazing site is Antelope Canyon in AZ. Google the views.--beautiful. Need reservations.
btw--for those retiring--go on the trips while you can.My wife and and I traveled the world saying "you never know when you can't",so we did. --And now she is sick with CFS and can't anymore..
btw--for those retiring--go on the trips while you can.My wife and and I traveled the world saying "you never know when you can't",so we did. --And now she is sick with CFS and can't anymore..
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I agree 100%. Go!
lauraee
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Yes! And unlike US National Parks, they are dog friendly.