Favourite places

[Frank v]

New york,London,Toronto,Paris,San francisco,
Rome,vienna,sydney,Tokyo,Berlin,Mexico city,
Stockholm,ORILLIA..........

Dear all,
How about sharing your experiences of travel with us all.(your favourite places).

Frank.

[Mary Ann]

What? Am I the only one who travels in this group?
I've only sidestepped into Canada for about an hour while gazing at Niagra Falls and then several years ago, I along with a group from work, took an extended weekend in Cancun, Mexico. That was interesting. While everyone in our group were scared to leave the "English speaking" perimeter, my friend and I seeked the out of the way places. We got on a bus taking us to who knew where and found a WALMART (of all things!) at the end of the route. Neither one of us knew very much Spanish, so it was an adventure trying to speak with the locals. But the beaches down there are spectacular and the clear, acqua colored waters were something to see.
In the good ole US of A, my favorite place to travel is out west, specifically Arizona. There's so much to see and do out there- Grand Canyon, Sedona, Red
Rock Canyon, Flagstaff, Toombstone, Tucson, Tempe just to name a few areas.
Last year, I managed to see Montana. Big Sky! Beautiful place - mountains all around. Saw Ted Turner's buffalo ranch while out there. Hey Frank, if you want, I can send you a sample of my vacation pics via e-mail. I sent some to Char not too long ago as well.
A little further west, my favorite scenic drive was Highway 101 up the pacific coast from San Franciso all the way into Washington. Nice, but I found it to be a tad chilly even in the midst of summer. Oregon is nice as well as Washington state. Columbia Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, Mt Hood, Mt. Ranier all are spectacular views in that neck of the woods. The mountain ranges out west are a rugged site and by no means resemble the friendlier Ozarks or Blue Ridge closer to my home.
I am not a restful type of traveler for I am always looking for things to see and do.

Mary Ann

[Frank v]

Mary Ann,
your answers are real Gems!
I'd like to email you sometime.
(I'm a bit behind with them, at the moment).
I'd like to see more of the USA one day.
When, I'm not sure. Hopefully soon.

Frank.

[Mary Ann]

Whenever you're ready, Frank.
My email address is: maryann.hill@turner.com

[Frank v]

And I thought this was a good topic...
(shows how much I know...LoL).

Lets have a vote for the best city...?

Frank.

[sundownbuff]

Three summers ago our family (who consists of a son who is now 19 and a daughter who is 18 along with my husband) took a month and drove from New York State to California to visit our daughter and her family in San Diego. Each of us got to pick a place where we wanted to visit. Mine was Branson Missouri. We saw the Grand Canyon, The Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field, along with many National Parks. We saw the Redwood Trees, they were so beautiful . It was amazing to us the different mountains, deserts, and flatlands in the country. As we left San Diego we traveled up Route 101 up the coast. It was so scary to me. So close to the ocean and no guardrails to keep you from going over in some places. It was amazing to me that most people in the country like country music. It is not that popular where we live. I will add to this post as dinner needs to be cooked and it is the cooks day off.

[Mary Ann]

Frank,

I thought it was a great topic as well. So, since only one other person responded to your question, I'll add a little more.
I like to drive while on vacation and not by highway. Every year I'll pull out my trusty Rand McNally and plot my course via back roads. My selected routes are according to which discount coupon I can use to which hotel, if there is a point of interest nearby or a scenic route along the way. One year I decided I was going to find the town in Maine where they filmed the tv show "Murder, She Wrote" starring Angela Lansbury.
From Atlanta I traveled north into Tennessee and checked out Ruby Falls (falls inside of a cave). Then it was on up into the Carolina's with a brief stop at this huge mansion owned by the Vanderbilts called Biltmore House. I've been there before around the Christmas Holidays and also when the leaves turned colors- now that was a gorgeous site! Soon thereafter, I turned east then followed the coast up around Cape Hatteras. Checked out the local Lighthouses, saw where the Wright Bros. flew their plane at Kitty Hawk, and visited the island where horses ran wild. Tales of pirates and sunken ships are thick as theives in that area! A little further up the coast, in Virginia I absolutely HAD to go to this place called Williamsburg (part history, part amusement) where I mingled among the like of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Cool place. Takes you back 200 yrs or more. I breezed through our nations' capitol, snapped off a couple of pics and kept going. Somewhere I hopped on a ferry along Delaware Bay and landed in New Jersey. I didn't think much of Atlantic City nor Virginia Beach where a Navy base is stationed. Too many tatoo parlors! I don't like their beaches either. (I know I said Maine, but it took a while to get there- lol).
In Boston I saw where Paula Revere made his midnight ride and somewhere I viewed the House of Seven Gables and the Salem witch house, Plymouth Rock, and the Mayflower. In Philadelphia I touched the Liberty Bell and had such a rush over that, only to be upstaged by visiting the gravesite of Benjamin Franklin. I forgot to mention breezing thru the Big Apple. Connecticut showed me the birthplace of Mark Twain. Vermont I visited a maple syrup factory and in New Hampshire a marble pit. Finally I arrive in Maine and no one knows where the tv show was filmed (or they weren't saying). I stopped into a couple of maritime museums, saw Kennebunkport where an ex-president resides and once again dared to dip my toes into Canada where I got stopped by customs- US Customs! They had me pop my trunk, open the glove compartment, empty a bag of trash so they could examine it and asked all kinds of questions. What an adventure- I may never go to Canada again! (LOL) Well, hope I didn't bore you too much. Next time I'll tell you about my trip into the Kentucky and seeing the Olympic torch being passed as they headed to Atlanta back in 1996. Until then . . .

Mary Ann

[charlene]

Each place I've been to is a favourite for a different reason!
Turkey - Istanbul - the Blue Mosque is a wonder to behold. Treasure galore and a tour of the Palace. The bazaars and people selling marble and rugs and brass!
Ephesus - an ancient city dug up from the earth and built again! Astounding! Mary, mother of Jesus walked the paths there, Peter started preaching the word of Jesus there. Absolutely incredible to see and imagine the historic signifigance of it.
Greece - beaches, Temple of Artemis, the Parthenon, Acropolis, Mykonos with it's beautiful windmills and white stucco buildngs and open air restaurants on the beach as the fine wine and food is consumed. Lovely. Rhodes - the wine festival - I have been told it was great! I was there though I can't recall! LOL
Athens - busy, teeming with cars and pollution - such a shame.
The Caribbean - Barbados - luscious! wonderful people. stunning beaches and scenery. The Jolly Roger boat tour - once again I was told it was great!
Antigua - like Barbados without the crowds and busy nightlife. The Jolly Roger boat cruise again- I remember this one! My 9 year old son jumping from the rope at the front of the boat!
Martinique - the topless beach - I did not partake in the custom! Very expensive!
Caracas, Venezuela - gold, gold, gold!!! Very rich and extremely poor live opposite each other.
Puerto Rico-gems, jewellery and wonderful historic sites also.
A couple of other islands I can't remember the names of - one is Dutch/French - beautiful
Grenada - spices fill the air as you arrive! luscious and gorgeous beaches.
East Coast of Canada - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Cape Breton, - slow paced, lovely people, beautiful country and the ocean!
Northern Ontario - been all over dozens of times - incredible country as Gord relates in so many songs.
Connecticut - the coast area - wonderful history and beaches and very friendly folks.
Georgia - Atlanta area - wonderful Lake Lanier water park where some of the events at the Olympics were held. Charming people - hospitable and friendly and welcoming to a Canadian family.
Orillia - home of The Man - heartwarming and fulfilling to know that I finally got there AND met such a huge part of my life in the form of a Canadian Legend named Gordon Meredith Lightfoot.
Char

[lcjones]

My wife and I have been able to travel a little. We've been to Rome once and the Carribean area several times. However, as beautiful as Rome is and as exotic as Jamacia and the Cayman's are there is nothing quite like the ruddy shores of Prince Edward Island. Or the backroads near Omeemee Ontario. Or the craggy lines of coastal Maine. Then there are the mountains of Appalachia moist and lush in the morning's sun.

Up I-95 way, toward Houlton, Maine, North of Bangor, we stopped along the expressway. We stood on the side of this Interstate Systems road for about 10 minutes before a singular motor home came by. We both laughed and decided that in all the places we've been fortunate enough to visit, Northern Maine and Northern Canada are our favorite places.
If I can talk the Mrs. into it, I'd like to travel the Labrador Highway and up Newfoundland way.

Through all the miles we've put on our beast of a Bronco though, we've yet to see a Moose.
I'll pass this life a happy person if I can say " I saw a Moose today. What'dya think of that"?

As with all of our road trips though, we don't go unless we have packed all GL cassettes and cd's we own!

travlin' hard in the hill's of Caintuck, i remain..

les
late of dog walk :)

[charlene]

lcjones - isn't PEI the most wonderful place? I truly could see myself living there! Beautiful beaches and beautiful panoramic views everywhere. On our way down east we took the Bagor Maine route and stopped along the way at a small restaurant in the midst of the forest with hardly a vehicle going either way! We stayed overnight in Bangor Maine where the huge Paul Bunyan and Blue statue is!
We have 365 Moose loose in Toronto this summer! It's for a charity fundraising thing - they're a riot!
I'll send you a pic if you want to see some of them!
You'll get Moose mostly at certain times of the year. Seeing a large moose is a scary thing! they are huge and not friendly looking at all!

[Mary Ann]

lcjones,

I know exactly what road you were on when you went to Houlton, ME cause it is just about the only road going up state. Practically nothing but hunting lodges, fishing holes and outdoor recreational facilities once you leave Bangor. I stayed at a B&B in Houlton. I was on that dark and lonely road at 10pm, no street lights, no white or yellow lines and no other car for miles around- not even on the other side of the divided hwy! Talk about being scared! In the morning, I found the B&B was surrounded by potatoe patches, but it was so peaceful. I had planned to go there again this summer but had to change my plans at the last minutes.

Char,
Woman, is there anywhere you haven't been?

Frank,
When are you going to tell us where you've been and which was your favorite?

Mary Ann

[charlene]

I haven;t been to Australia and Italy - also Britain, Austria and Morocco.

Frank - where have your travels taken you?
char

[lcjones]

Char and Mary Ann,

Of all the states we've visited, Maine is foremost in our hearts. Though we'd be "from away", Maine, hopefully will be included as a "future" home. We're partial to Downeast and Washington Co.

As far as PEI goes, it is the Mecca of the Nor-eastern Latitudes. With pristine shores, absolutely wonderful people and clearly a salty ambience, PEI ranks as one of the high points of our travels.

We've traveled the Mid-Coast and Mid-Southern states in depth. They are beautiful and each state has their own identity. But I must say, if you have not been to PEI, your traveling life is not complete. PEI "is" the gateway to North America.

We have even contemplated a move to PEI. However, Maine would be the more practical move. And even from Down East Maine, PEI is only a few hours away.

Which leads me to the theme of this entire web site. Gordon Lightfoot.

My father was an avid stateside traveler. I've had the opportunity to see and visit many Lower 48 areas during my primer years. In 1968 we vacationed to Maine. That was that and my heart was lost to Maine. Only two years ago have I been able to return to Maine and I must say, Maine hasn't changed one bit, every one else has!

But as I have grown, so has Gordon. (i know this board is for off topic, but.... once a gl admirer....always :)
With my introduction to GL in 1975, GL has been an appropriate and long time companion. Every single trip we begin starts with GL music playing. GL's music is enticing, remote, clear, upfront, in your face, in your side pocket, in your heart or breaking your heart, in your soul or creating your soul. I don't go a day without hearing or remembering a snippet of GL.

Shew...I've been long winded, as though I was writing the folks back home. :) (wink, wink)

To those that have not embraced GL, I am sorry. For those that know GL.....you have him in your heart and know what I mean.

There is only one Gordon Lightfoot. Allow him to be a Painter Passing Through in your life.

as always, i remain the student.

les
late of dog walk
where, truly, we have one stop sign, no waiting!

[Frank v]

I used to travel abroad, 2-3 times a year.
Then I stopped, for quite a while. When I began, raising a family. Now I've started again. I've been to France and Spain this year. I've been to most of, what used to be termed, western Europe. Most of the countries, a lot more than once.
The USA once. North Africa once.

I'll post again, with some of the countries I plan on visiting. Guess what one is ...?
It begins with C...LOL.

Frank.

[knottypine]

It's interesting to see how many people speak of Maine and the connection with GL. I went to a place called Jackman, ME for 18 years....it was log cabins on an island and there was no electricity, we had kerosene lamps and Franklin stoves...went there with a couple of former beaux (one was my exhusband) and then my daughter for years...there is a spot on Route 201 where you leave Skowhegan and head northwest, that was always where we'd have to put on Mountains and Maryann..."the foothills are comin' into sight." And so much of his music is connected with there for me.. we used to go hiking and mountain-climbing. Speaking of trying to see a moose, we actually did see one the first year and then not for another 17..but I didn't realize it was a moose the first time...get this...I came back to camp and told everyone about this strange trail I found in the woods, and in the middle of it there was this donkey! Well, of course they never let me forget that one!! I've been to many places in my life, but I think that Jackman and Attean Lake is the most peaceful beautiful place I've ever seen.

Barbara

Oh, and there was quite a long part of one of the trails where we walked along the railroad tracks....of course, the Canadian railroad... http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by knottypine (edited September 18, 2000).]

[theotterjudy]

Western U.S. and Canada
Hawaii
Caribbean
Italy
France
Switzerland

But my dream is to make it to Scotland someday. I WILL!!!!

I want to re-live the book and movie "Ring of Bright Water", live in a cottage by the sea and have River Otters (in this case, European Otters)running about and swimming in the burn (creek).

I have to say, though, Florence is my favorite so far (until I get to Scotland).

Happy trails to you.....

--theotterjudy



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"the mornin' after blues, from my head down to my shoes..."
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"Laughing eyes and smiling face..."

[sundownbuff]

HI Otterjudy, how is it going?
My favorite places,

Maui, Hawaii
Bobcaygeon, Ontario,Canada
Big Moose, New York
San Diego, California

[Sheila Ann]

Cape Cod in the spring...
Austin, Texas at Christmas...
Chicago, anytime but August...
Highway 1 north from San Francisco...
Edinburgh and Perth, Scotland...
York, England...
and #1 so far...Diamond Isle in the middle of Diamond Lake in southwestern Michigan. An aunt and uncle had a home on the island that my family and I visited often. Took a 4-car barge (ferry?) out to the island. My favorite time was in the winter, tho. We drove across the frozen lake to the island. I'd clear a spot so I could skate and pretend I was Barbara Ann Scott. She was a famous figure skater way back when I was a kid and she was my favorite! It was so quiet and peaceful and I loved the early mornings. You could look out over the lake, buried under the snow!, and see the flickering fires where the ice fisherman were camped. The groaning and creaking of the frozen lake was eerie and unsettling but it added to the charm. Hard to imagine that this hushed place was teeming with power boats and sailboats and noise in the summer. Such fond memories.
Next month it's Bar Harbor, Maine, for a week. All this talk about Maine here is making me wish it was now! One of my daughters has always wanted to go to Maine, and she knew I did, so she suggested we team up. She wants to see a moose and I want to wander up the coast into New Brunswick. I know I'll get my wish but will she??

[Tom]

Char, wow...you've been everywhere! I've been to alot of the different United States, my favorite place is the Outer Banks in North Carolina. (It's around where the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane). I like Flordia too. I've been to the Middle East(Pyramids, Holy Land, etc) Germany, France(Rhine River cruise). Amsterdam. I have a story about Canada. I almost died on a vacation our family took with my grandparents around 1966. We traveled way up north to a big lake in Canada called Lake Nipagon(not sure of spelling). We were out on my Grandpa's boat and up came a storm. Big waves. I was scared that we were going to sink(I was around 5 yrs old) and I remember my Dad arguing with my Grandpa, my little sister crying, etc. I went to sleep in the cabin & when I woke up the storm was over & we were heading in...alive!
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To add to my "Waves" story, I talked to my Mom about it tonight. I guess my Grandfather heard from a friend that the fishing was good at Lake Nipigan, so we all took a seven day "fishing" vacation in August of '66. There was eight of us(Grandparents, my Parents, brother & two sisters)on my Grandpa's boat, which at the time seemed huge...but was a dinky 19-footer, with Mercury outboard. I guess we had traveled a couple hours to a sunny beach. It started clouding up so we were heading back and the winds picked up and all of a sudden a storm started. I guess my Grandpa wanted to turn around, but my Dad was arguing that the waves were too big, too dangereous-we should go with the waves. I suppose the Lord was with us that day, for we probably wouldn't have survived the freezing water.
The next day I guess we went out again(not as far), and the differential or something broke on the outboard, & the only was we could get back in was going in reverse. Thank God it didn't happen during the storm. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

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"...If YoU fEeL iT yOu BeTtEr BeLiEvE iT, yOu'Re GoNnA sEe It, YoU nEeD tO kNoW/iT iS rIsInG lIkE a FeAtHeR, dIpPiNg & DaNcInG fRoM bElOw/ThErE's A nEw WaVe ThAt Is BrEaKiNg In ThE wAkE oF a PaSsInG sHiP/eVeRy NaTiOn'S gOnNa Be ShAkEn, PuT iT tOgEtHeR, dOn'T lEt It SlIp..."

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited September 26, 2000).]

[Scott]

Without doubt the premiere city on the globe is Toronto. Inspite of Mel.
Favourite European city - Prague (argueably the most beautiful)
Friendliest Europeans - the Dutch.
Favourite American city - Chicago. (though I'd still like to get to New York)
________
easy vape reviews (http://vaporizer.org/reviews/easy-vape)

[supaiblue]

Frank, you are a prolific, thought-provoking topicpicker. Are you the master of conversation at cocktail parties??

I love to travel but have found that my favorite places are off the beaten path. They're not big cities but more sensitive natural areas or small towns. Unfortunately these special places don't remain that way for long--once they are "discovered", become trendy, and franchised (McDonald's, KFC, etc.). So I guard these favorite places from all but closest friends/family. You'll never pry it out of me!!

[Frank v]

Supaiblue,
I'm not really a party person.
But if you know of a party where the main topic of conversation would be GL...I'd love an invite...!LOL.

Frank.

[supaiblue]

My comment came before reading your post about "the dinner party." So I was right on the money about your being the center of conversation. Am headed out to one right now and will broach the topic.

[Westernstar9]

One of the best kept secrets in California is Plumas County. State highway 70 is the main road, Quincy is the county seat. Just look on the map for it. It's a great alternative for traveling from the SF Bay Area to Reno. It takes quite a bit longer and is only a two-lane road. But the scenery is breathtaking.

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