help me pick a place, ill go (and trip report it)

[Lessu]

Well I'm going to Porto, Portugal in 5 weeks so if you want to see Europe I suggest you go there and then tell me what to do there [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[jackflashdrive]

Go to Lopez Island, which is part of the San Juans (on the west coast of WA state).

Things to do: Hike, bike ride (Lopez is the flattest of the San Juans), Sea Kayak, camp, wine-tasting (Lopez has a few vineyards), llama petting. You could rent a cabin there and relax. The locals are very nice and intelligent (Lopez has a lot of Seattlers who left the city for a more laid-back rural lifestyle). Also, there is an amazing restaurant on the island "The Bay Cafe." It got a good write-up in Gourmet magazine. Bay Cafe (like many businesses on the island) is simply a labor of love for the owner. Ergo, the prices are low to get the locals business, and the dress and atmosphere is casual despite the first-class food.

I've been to Lopez three times and each time was great.

Edit PS: "After the pleasant 40-minute passage by car ferry ... from Anacortes, Wash., to quiet Lopez Island, take a quick drive to Lopez Village for dinner. The view is fantastic from a window seat at the Bay Café (9 Old Post Road, 360-468-3700), and so is the food. As you gaze out on the bay and the islands beyond, dig into the tender Alaskan halibut ($26), which has a light cheese and tomato sauce, or the melt-in-your-mouth-good beef tenderloin ($29). Both are served with asparagus and Yukon gold potato pancakes, a tossed salad with goat cheese and soup. Make a reservation; residents of other islands make the trip to Lopez just to dine. "
- The New York Times, Friday June 24, 2005

[Anna.]

[ QUOTE ]
Door County, WI.

[/ QUOTE ]

i used to live in northern wisconsin, now las vegas, and have traveled tons and tons of places in america, and i can say by far and away, if you want a place to go relax, chill out and just hang, WI is def. the place to do it. Door County can be tough because there are lots of tourists all the time, but check it out anyway. or the Hayward, WI area, thousands of lakes/ cabin areas etc.

My personal pick though would be Duluth, MN. once you get north of Duluth, on the scenic hi-way on the road up to Canada, it's just a beautiful road for 100+ miles with changing leaves and nice, cool weather. there are tons of places you can just stop for a night, get a private cabin and be alone. or head down to Duluth, and eat out overlooking Lake Superior.

there's a really nice hiking spot called Gooseberry Falls just north of Duluth that's a perfect place to get some exercise w/ a nice view.

I seriously recommend checking it out, especially this time of year. be careful though, last time i was up there, i hit a wolf. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[The Bus Driver]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Door County, WI.

[/ QUOTE ]

i used to live in northern wisconsin, now las vegas, and have traveled tons and tons of places in america, and i can say by far and away, if you want a place to go relax, chill out and just hang, WI is def. the place to do it. Door County can be tough because there are lots of tourists all the time, but check it out anyway. or the Hayward, WI area, thousands of lakes/ cabin areas etc.

My personal pick though would be Duluth, MN. once you get north of Duluth, on the scenic hi-way on the road up to Canada, it's just a beautiful road for 100+ miles with changing leaves and nice, cool weather. there are tons of places you can just stop for a night, get a private cabin and be alone. or head down to Duluth, and eat out overlooking Lake Superior.

there's a really nice hiking spot called Gooseberry Falls just north of Duluth that's a perfect place to get some exercise w/ a nice view.

I seriously recommend checking it out, especially this time of year. be careful though, last time i was up there, i hit a wolf. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
This is what I'm talking about. This is where I grew up and whenever I go back to visit, it's completely relaxing.

Add the Apostle Islands to the list. Or maybe Isle Royale.

[AMT]

alaska, next to a bear cave. sounds like just the spot for you. that or a southeastern beach town.

[TomHimself]

the north fork of long island

wut it dew

[mntbikr15]

Boulder is awful, dont go to boulder.

Stowe(trapp lodge) is sweet anytime, better this time of year.

Someone also mentioned alaska, kick ass place but prob to lengthy for what ur saying.

[Ship Ship McGipp]

fk i wanna pack up and go to maine now, is this the best time of year to go? i'm prob too busy to go, but maybe beginning of november?

[xorbie]

[ QUOTE ]
fk i wanna pack up and go to maine now, is this the best time of year to go? i'm prob too busy to go, but maybe beginning of november?

[/ QUOTE ]

November might be getting a little cold already. When I went up there late summer, the people who live in the house next to mine told us that there was some time of year when all the loons (sweet ass birds) get together and do their loon song. I think it was late fall, but I can't remember. That would be pretty sweet, but I don't know if that would go for all parts of Maine.

[Ship Ship McGipp]

ok well i'm def going to go there next fall, i've always liked the northeast anyways, but haven't been up in that general direction since the adirondacks (sic) back a few years ago