Favorite place to vacation?

[HorrorRetro]

Wow! Thanx. I'm stealing all of these. More please.

Copyright 2014 Gina Gothe-Jackson

Ha. Enjoy them. I'm slowly cataloging my favorite ones in the middle of taking new ones. It's a huge job, as I take at least several gigs of photos every week.

[Gemstone]

Ha. Enjoy them. I'm slowly cataloging my favorite ones in the middle of taking new ones. It's a huge job, as I take at least several gigs of photos every week.

Your photos are beautiful.  I live on the West Coast and you certainly have captured the spirit.

[yumyumtree]

If you want to do it right, go on a 4-5 month vacation and hike the Appalachian trail. That's #1 on my bucket list.

Do you have a South American mistress?

[yumyumtree]

Places I've been that I like to go:
Glacier National Park and Waterton
Olympic Peninsula, especially Port Townsend, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Neah Bay, Cape Flattery, La Push
Canadian Rockies, Banff, Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper National Parks.

Places I haven't been that I would like to go include Alaska and Boston and other New England destinations.
I would like to go to more places in the Deep South, for example Milledgeville GA( if there is a Flannery O'Connor museum)
I would like to take advantage of cheap air fares to Vegas or Reno and then rent a car to visit some hot springs. I think Las Vegas also has a good natural history museum.
I would really like to go to the Florida Keys to see Robert the Doll and also the Hemingway cats

[jazmunda]

Anywhere on the East Coast of Australia.

[Tarbaby]

HR: yes, love Monterey. Usually I stay overnight in Monterey, poke around and explore the area north and south.

Wanted to add: I think it's Bryce Canyon national Park where you drive through a long long Tunnel that goes through a mountain and come out to the park on the other side below in the canyon. And there is a shuttle bus that takes you down the canyon as far as you want to go and stop wherever you want to get off to see beautiful scenery. 7 miles as I recall. Free shuttle.

I mentioned Key West before. Just wanted to add that I love Key West, it's the opposite of trendy/hot places like Miami. Key West is just so laid-back. There is a street called Duval  that runs north and south and it's full of restaurants and bars. The further north you go the more expensive the Barsket. What people do is a thing called "theDuval  crawl" which is to spend the whole evening going from one bar to the next. at the far south end      of Duval is what's called Mallory Square. And from here is the world famous Southern Sunset view.  around dusk KeyWest makes the cruise ships leave the bay area and go elsewhere so they don't block the beautiful sunset view.

Of course, the Grand Canyon is an excellent vacation destination. As  is Sedona, Arizona. Over the last decade or so Sedona had developed one "vortex" spot where visitors allegedly experienced various paranormal events. But now there are six or seven so called Vortexes. I didn't feel anything. More levelheaded people say if you do experience something paranormal it's more likely  the  dry  desert air. The Canyon Drive between Sedona and Flagstaff is beautiful. But you must remember, as with all these places, you have to get off the main freeway and get on the side roads.

Oh, I wanted to and about Bryce and Zion, when I left those parks the first time I just could not believe how come I had never heard of them before. I thought so magnificent, so relatively unknown. 

[paladin1991]

I love Muir Woods and Mt. Tam. I never get tired of that area.  I spent a lot of time in the Bay Area a couple years ago and got very familiar with the area. It's spectacular. I have a few shots of Muir Woods and Alcatraz on my page. http://ginagothejackson.smugmug.com/   Lately, we spend a lot of time on the Pacific Coast Highway. We're heading back out there this weekend.

Gina, those are beautiful pics.  A great way to start my morning with a cup of coffee.  Thanks.

[HorrorRetro]

Your photos are beautiful.  I live on the West Coast and you certainly have captured the spirit.

Gina, those are beautiful pics.  A great way to start my morning with a cup of coffee.  Thanks.

Thanks! 

[ItsOver]

Thanks! 

I concur!  Fantastic shots. I love the one of the GGB's tower.  The bridge is one of the most beautiful works of engineering I've seen, especially with it's setting.  It goes so well with the natural beauty.

[HorrorRetro]

I concur!  Fantastic shots. I love the one of the GGB's tower.  The bridge is one of the most beautiful works of engineering I've seen, especially with it's setting.  It goes so well with the natural beauty.

Thank yeeeeww.    The Golden Gate is one structure I could see every day and never get tired of it. When I was staying down there, I would come around this one bend of the road in Alameda, and the bridge would come into view and it was just awesome.  I'll have to dig through my old shots and post some more. I have a lot of different vantage points of the bridge. I was able to go on a Coast Guard patrol boat for fleet week and we were stationed directly below the bridge. I've also walked it several times.

[UnscreenedCaller]

Beautiful photos, HorrorRetro! It makes me want to go back and revisit the Bay area that much more.

[PB the Deplorable]

Thank yeeeeww.    The Golden Gate is one structure I could see every day and never get tired of it.... I've also walked it several times.

It's an incredible bike ride - most days it's a sidewalk on one side for pedestrians, sidewalk on the other side for bikes. 

Don't want to pedal back, take the ferry..

[b_dubb]

Art Bell's front lawn. BYOAF ( Bring Your Own Aluminum Foil )

You know ... for your hat

[ItsOver]

Thank yeeeeww.    The Golden Gate is one structure I could see every day and never get tired of it. When I was staying down there, I would come around this one bend of the road in Alameda, and the bridge would come into view and it was just awesome.  I'll have to dig through my old shots and post some more. I have a lot of different vantage points of the bridge. I was able to go on a Coast Guard patrol boat for fleet week and we were stationed directly below the bridge. I've also walked it several times.

Hahaha, absholutely! HR, yes, I'd love seeing some more of your photos of the Golden Gate, when you get a chance.  You should start a thread dedicated to your photos.   

The bridge is reason enough to visit San Francisco.  I spent most of a day taking it in and then walking the span.  The gift shop and surrounding exhibits detailing the construction and history of the bridge are very well done

It was the classic foggy SF day when I first arrived at the bridge and then it cleared as I walked across.  On the return, the fog started rolling back over the beautiful hills on the Marin side and swirling around the bridge.  A very surreal experience that I'll never forget.  Just plain beautiful.  A creation of man, in harmony with nature.

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[HorrorRetro]

Hahaha, absholutely! HR, yes, I'd love seeing some more of your photos of the Golden Gate, when you get a chance.  You should start a thread dedicated to your photos.   

The bridge is reason enough to visit San Francisco.  I spent most of a day taking it in and then walking the span.  The gift shop and surrounding exhibits detailing the construction and history of the bridge are very well done

It was the classic foggy SF day when I first arrived at the bridge and then it cleared as I walked across.  On the return, the fog started rolling back over the beautiful hills on the Marin side and swirling around the bridge.  A very surreal experience that I'll never forget.  Just plain beautiful.  A creation of man, in harmony with nature.

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Nice! Thanks everyone for all your positive feedback on my photos. I've only gotten comfortable sharing my work over the past year or so. I'll try to get more of my San Fran pics up on Monday. I'm heading out to go camping right now and we'll have no internet where we're going. Have a great weekend!

[ItsOver]

Nice! Thanks everyone for all your positive feedback on my photos. I've only gotten comfortable sharing my work over the past year or so. I'll try to get more of my San Fran pics up on Monday. I'm heading out to go camping right now and we'll have no internet where we're going. Have a great weekend!

Thank yeeeeww! 

[PB the Deplorable]

... The bridge is reason enough to visit San Francisco.  I spent most of a day taking it in and then walking the span.  The gift shop and surrounding exhibits detailing the construction and history of the bridge are very well done

It was the classic foggy SF day when I first arrived at the bridge and then it cleared as I walked across.  On the return, the fog started rolling back over the beautiful hills on the Marin side and swirling around the bridge.  A very surreal experience that I'll never forget.  Just plain beautiful.  A creation of man, in harmony with nature...

The bridge building style is considered to be Art Deco, or at least have elements of Art Deco style. 

There are quite a few historic forts in and around San Francisco, some dating back to the Spanish.  Two of them are at water level on either end under the Golden Gate Bridge - I recommend a visit to Fort Point on the San Francisco side.  It's free.

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[ItsOver]

The bridge building style is considered to be Art Deco, or at least have elements of Art Deco style. 

There are quite a few historic forts in and around San Francisco, some dating back to the Spanish.  Two of them are at water level on either end under the Golden Gate Bridge - I recommend a visit to Fort Point on the San Francisco side.  It's free.

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Ah, yes, P*B!  One of the many reasons I greatly admire the Golden Gate.  The Art Deco style really speaks to me.  The simple, yet dramatic approach is just fantastic.

Here's my second favorite Art Deco/Moderne structure.







It's the Union Terminal in Cincinnati.  A "Cathederal" dedicated to the golden age of rail travel.  Well worth seeing, if you're in the area.  There are free tours on Sundays and very enjoyable.  Most of the surrounding layout around the terminal has been saved and is just gorgeous.  The terminal is now a museum and open to the public most days.

[UnscreenedCaller]

Carmel is another northern California place I'd love to visit again. The beach is gorgeous, there was the best little French patisserie in town and a general relaxed atmosphere.  At the San Carlos Borromeo Mission, I was walking along the long walkway and came to the courtyard. While I was admiring the extensive garden, I thought the bushes were filled with bees, but the sound was strange. I walked closer and saw hundreds and hundreds of tiny hummingbirds in the flowers, a sight I will never forget as long as I live. There was a gardener in a yellow hat working quietly among the bushes and smiling at the tourists. It was a perfect moment and probably the closest I'll ever come to a genuine mystical experience. In a way, I don't want to go back because I'll never duplicate that moment.

I can't get to my photos as they are upstairs and I'm still confined to crutches, but this is a picture from the internet of the Mission. It really doesn't do the beauty of the place justice.

[ItsOver]

Carmel is another northern California place I'd love to visit again. The beach is gorgeous, there was the best little French patisserie in town and a general relaxed atmosphere.  At the San Carlos Borromeo Mission, I was walking along the long walkway and came to the courtyard. While I was admiring the extensive garden, I thought the bushes were filled with bees, but the sound was strange. I walked closer and saw hundreds and hundreds of tiny hummingbirds in the flowers, a sight I will never forget as long as I live. There was a gardener in a yellow hat working quietly among the bushes and smiling at the tourists. It was a perfect moment and probably the closest I'll ever come to a genuine mystical experience. In a way, I don't want to go back because I'll never duplicate that moment.

I can't get to my photos as they are upstairs and I'm still confined to crutches, but this is a picture from the internet of the Mission. It really doesn't do the beauty of the place justice.

That area is beautiful.  Love the hummingbird story!  A couple years back I attended a festival in Sierra Vista, AZ, the hummingbird capital of the U.S.  Sierra Vista is in what they term "sky island" type mountains, which means it's at an altitude far enough above the desert to give it a distinct micro-climate.  A beautiful, southwestern desert area.  Anyway, the hummingbirds were everywhere!  All different types.  Just gorgeous! 

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[ItsOver]

The bridge building style is considered to be Art Deco, or at least have elements of Art Deco style. 

There are quite a few historic forts in and around San Francisco, some dating back to the Spanish.  Two of them are at water level on either end under the Golden Gate Bridge - I recommend a visit to Fort Point on the San Francisco side.  It's free.

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I regret I didn't take in Fort Point, P*B.  Maybe next time.  I took a number of photos of the place, though, when I was doing the GBB.  It always reminds me of the famous "Vertigo" scene.



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[Tarbaby]

Wonderful stories!
Love Carmel! One time on a trip with two friends we went to a restaurant there called "the hogs breath", owned by Klint Eastwood. I love the atmosphere. But one of my friends asked the waitress if Clint was in tonight. She asked nicely why he wanted to know. He said, "it's my birthday!" I was embarrassed because he then got quite disappointed when she told him Clint wasn't in. But we did have a wonderful meal.

I quite often stay overnight in Carmel. Surprisingly cheap rooms. If you scout around.

[b_dubb]

Ah, yes, P*B!  One of the many reasons I greatly admire the Golden Gate.  The Art Deco style really speaks to me.  The simple, yet dramatic approach is just fantastic.

Here's my second favorite Art Deco/Moderne structure.







It's the Union Terminal in Cincinnati.  A "Cathederal" dedicated to the golden age of rail travel.  Well worth seeing, if you're in the area.  There are free tours on Sundays and very enjoyable.  Most of the surrounding layout around the terminal has been saved and is just gorgeous.  The terminal is now a museum and open to the public most days.

I remember when it was abandoned and people were saying it should be demolished. Wiser heads prevailed. Thank goodness.

[wr250]

a couple of zion nat park pics
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[HorrorRetro]

The GGB always gets the most attention, but the Bay Bridge is also really beautiful. Here's a shot I took back in 2009 on one of my trips out in the bay.

[paladin1991]

Currently vacationing in Cambria.  Utilizing our favorite vacation house.  Up a hill, a view of the ocean, and you guys.  Well, it was almost perfect.

[WildCard]

Currently vacationing in Cambria.  Utilizing our favorite vacation house.  Up a hill, a view of the ocean, and you guys.  Well, it was almost perfect.

I see what you did there.

It's like like livin in the wild west with all the comforts of home - air-conditioning, indoor plumbing, and party favors.

[paladin1991]

Yep,  Yippie ki yay

[pate]

Personally, I like to go snow skiing somewhere in the mountains.

Hey Doc, where is your favorite place to vacation?