/

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign in or Register

Quick Links





Did you get a great deal? Let us know in the Values & Prices Paid section!
Have you recently gone to a dealership expecting to find/purchase a cheap new (not used) sedan and found it to be more expensive than expected? Or did you even end up purchasing a new SUV because it ended up being a similar price to a new sedan?
If so, a reporter would like to talk to you. Please reach out to [email protected] by Thursday, February 14 and the Edmunds PR team may connect you with the journalist.
Write a consumer review of your vehicle for a chance to WIN $100!
See Official Rules for eligibility and other requirements.

Vacation Travel Plans, Suggestions, Advice

1234568

Comments

  • tallman1tallman1 Posts: 1,874
    We were impressed when we visited Colorado Springs on vacation last month. Little Manitou Springs next door was unique too. Still pretty close to Denver if you need the big city once in awhile.

    My wife is ready to move there when the kids are gone in a couple of years... I'm trying to keep my western WA heels dug in though. ;)
  • kernickkernick Posts: 4,072
    A few years back I read about Mesquite, NV which is on the Utah border right off I-15. I stopped there on the way to Zion for a few hours, and it seemed nice enough; though it's economy is based around a few casinos and tourism in general. It was also supposed to be a retirement destination as it's a few degrees cooler than Vegas. Current pop. is around 20K.

    Good to rent in a new area, before buying! That probably applies to vehicles also. I recently rented a mid-size Dodge, that I can't even remember it's name. 1 day was enough with that appliance.
  • steverstever Posts: 52,683
    My wife had family in Carson City for a few years and we always enjoyed visiting down there. Tahoe was just over the hill and you could hit the shows in Reno but the pace was calmer.

    Where we are visiting right now, the rental situation is woeful unfortunately. Maybe a lease/purchase would work out though.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 63,308
    Carson City is more CA than NV, because it's so close---just like northern Italy is kinda German :)

    Reno is tacky.

    MODERATOR --Need help with anything? Click on my name!

    Share Your Vehicle Reviews Here

  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Posts: 4,600
    What, you didn't like the Dodge Avenger? Well, just wait for the '11, when it gets an upgraded interior and the new Pentastar 3.6 V6!
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Posts: 4,600
    You should check out beautiful and exciting places like central Illinois, Indiana and northern Ohio.
  • berriberri Posts: 9,441
    Are you talking about Salem, OR.? One thing there, all the beautiful flowers and vegetation can help you forget its drizzling outside.

    Vancouver, WA is alright, if a bit industrial, as long as you don't have to make a daily commute into Portland from there!
  • berriberri Posts: 9,441
    You should check out beautiful and exciting places like central Illinois, Indiana and northern Ohio.

    Well, they're nice in October and the often flat roads give you good fuel mileage.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Posts: 4,600
    Hey, good point right about the fuel mileage. As for the fall foliage, yeah, sort of, but there's better. Parts of Wisconsin have absolutely gorgeous colors in October. I've never been to Vermont when the leaves change colors, but I highly recommend south central Wisconsin in the fall. The numerous pristine lakes and hills just add to the beautiful.

    One of these Octobers I want to go to Vermont. It's been on my "places to see" list for years, but I just haven't done it.
  • steverstever Posts: 52,683
    I actually lived in Wisconsin for about six months back in the 80's. Loved the fish fries and the farmer's markets. And the brats. Used to have a Bucky Badger sticker on my old Tercel too. :shades:

    After hitting all the states, all the territories and provinces in Canada (except Nunavut - that's still on my bucket list), and around half the Mexican states, I think I'd be pretty happy living most anywhere. Lots of great spots all over North America.
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Posts: 4,600
    In my junior year in college, back when humans dwelled in caves, four of us drove from Madison to Acapulco and back during winter break. Today, sad to say, the only vehicle I'd consider driving in Mexico would be a tank with extra armor plating. And, I'd want to be in a convoy.
  • steverstever Posts: 52,683
    The only time I drove down there I was in a rental Neon in northern Baja. Almost got stuck in deep sand taking a shortcut across a dry lake bed.

    You can get anywhere down there on a bus or cab, for cheap. We'd rarely wait more than 10 or 15 minutes to catch a bus to the next town.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Posts: 11,081
    where we are this weekend. Too bad you can't see the tall can of Modelo in his hand behind my back. Guess he was going for the full "real Elvis" (the later years) experience.

    MODERATOR

    Need help navigating? [email protected] - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Share your vehicle reviews

  • euphoniumeuphonium Great Northwest, West of the Cascades.Posts: 3,425
    Additional reasons for considering Vancouver, WA is knowing how much you snowboard. Mt. Hood's Timberline, Hood Meadows, & Ski Bowl are just across the creek & up the hill. In other months the Columbia is great for boating. East Vancouver residence is close to the Glen Jackson Bridge leading to the airport. I know you like to pay taxes, but they can be considerably more in OR. The moderate climate includes showers, but rain you don't have to shovel. :)
  • kyfdxkyfdx Posts: 106,935
    Modelo?

    I'm guessing that isn't Memphis? lol...

    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • steverstever Posts: 52,683
    Looks like the Viva Las Vegas outfit.

    How's the damp in Vancouver? We've only driven through there a few times but never really explored the city. My wife had trouble the summer she lived on Vashon Island and keeps steering me away from coastal WA and OR.
  • tallman1tallman1 Posts: 1,874
    If your wife doesn't like the damp of Vashon, she won't like Vancouver. My wife is from New Mexico and lived in eastern Washington for several years. She is having a tough time living in western WA right now. :)
  • fintailfintail Posts: 46,775
    edited September 2010
    I think the Palouse region has fairly ideal weather, and isn't a bad place if one is nearing or at retirement. Not as dusty and gang-infested as the Columbia Basin (although not all of it is bad), slightly milder weather too, cheap housing, 4 actual seasons - not 10 months of mist and fog + 2 months of what is admittedly the best summer weather in the country, and even some decent roads. I'll be heading over there in about a month to visit people, should be a nice drive.
  • tallman1tallman1 Posts: 1,874
    I'm heading to the Palouse next weekend. Go Cougs. :)

    Not sure if most would describe that region as having ideal weather though. Some don't like the cold and snow. ;)
  • fintailfintail Posts: 46,775
    2 months of occasional snow or 6 months of 51F and light rain. Pick your poison :shades:
  • tallman1tallman1 Posts: 1,874
    Hmmm, 2 months? More like October through March when I was there. I loved the snow though. And not much can beat the spring.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 63,308
    You can't beat Colorado front range weather, or central coast in California--neither exhibits extremes.

    MODERATOR --Need help with anything? Click on my name!

    Share Your Vehicle Reviews Here

  • fintailfintail Posts: 46,775
    OK, maybe three months. I remember in my youth anyway the snow would come and go. And a key difference is 3" of snow there doesn't create armageddon like it does west of the mountains. I spent part of my childhood on the other side, and I do miss the fun winters, and lack of rain. I like the scenery too.
  • fintailfintail Posts: 46,775
    The weather in the west-of-the-mountains Pacific Northwest has no extremes either - other than constant rainfall most of the year. Like the idea of 30-40 consecutive days of measurable rain? Happens almost every winter.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 63,308
    that sounds extreme to me!

    Maybe that's what I was trying to say---that the weather on the Central CAL coast or the Colorado Front Range is constantly "variable". No one condition just digs in and stays there day after day after day. :(

    MODERATOR --Need help with anything? Click on my name!

    Share Your Vehicle Reviews Here

  • fintailfintail Posts: 46,775
    Longterm variability is fun - like an actual difference in seasons. But warm one day and snowing the next...it would be annoying. I just like the idea of less rain...easier to keep my car clean :shades:
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 63,308
    edited September 2010
    Highly over-rated, especially the "season" called winter. Oh, it's nice when you're skiiing and all that, but living in it in Vermont? No thanks. And having a fire hose turned on your windows in Seattle for 3 months is another season I can do without.

    MODERATOR --Need help with anything? Click on my name!

    Share Your Vehicle Reviews Here

  • fezofezo Manahawkin, NJPosts: 10,357
    I could do without winter and not mind it even one little bit.

    I do like looking at snow but am far too old to be shoveling it, thanks.

    I lived in Tallahassee for a year. That agreed pretty well with me - though Florida rain is like no other. If we get an inch in a day that's rainly. In Florida an inch of rain is partly cloudy.
    2013 Mazda 5 Grand Touring, 2010 Toyota Prius IV. 2007 Toyota Camry XLE, 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999 Mazda Miata
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Posts: 4,600
    There are a lots of enjoyable places for vacationing, including most of the places mentioned in this discussion. The number of wonderful choices for putting down roots is far more limited. Much depends on where family and friends are located. These trump climate for me.
  • fezofezo Manahawkin, NJPosts: 10,357
    Family and friends keep me here in Jersey. I'm within a couple of hours of everybody.

    Other things enter into it. With my health I can't live too far away from really good medical facilities which rules out, say, the Outer Banks where the only hospital has 19 beds and the good places are three hours away.

    I'm not to where I have to pay in advance for a three minute egg or anything but I'm higher maintenance than most.
    2013 Mazda 5 Grand Touring, 2010 Toyota Prius IV. 2007 Toyota Camry XLE, 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999 Mazda Miata
Sign In or Register to comment.