Vacation Idea. Tell me what you think.

[nissangirl74]

I want to get some opinions. Take a look at this and tell me what you think.

Visit this: http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/g ... vities.htm

Stay here: http://www.cityofcortez.com/visitors

We want to take the kids somewhere before the end of summer break (August), one last hoorah before they go back to school. I thought this would be cool. They all want to see Four Corners (which we have to drive through to get there), they get to explore and hike, there is a city water park with pools and a 125 foot water slide (admission is $3.50!) and plus, it will be around 80* instead of 113*. They get to climb and explore parts of the ruins too.

Since most everyone on here is closer to their age than mine and Greg's, do you think they would enjoy it?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've been to Mesa Verde. It was when I was a lot younger, so I don't remember a lot of detail, but I do remember a lot of the ruins, which are very cool and in a lot of cases amazingly well-preserved.
Even without the ruins, any place with good rock to climb is a winner in my book.

[Dano]

I think Kansas makes a cool vacation spot. Come here with the intention of seeing some wheat, and your guarenteed not to go home disappointed!

[numbnuts240]

bahahahahaahah dan, you're a riot.

bex, i went to one of those cliff dwelling places years ago when i visited my uncle in that oven. it was very cool. i say go.

[MinisterofDOOM]

POPPIES!

[dvdswan]

Mesa Verde is really cool, quite a bit of walking, if the kids are under 10 they may get bored real quick. about 15 yrs ago is when I last went on a 10 day trek through SW CO. if you want more ideas, Nat'l Parks are always a beautiful sight to see and there are quite a few in that area as well as little side stops. if you're into seeing mining towns there is a ton around Durango (Animas Forks http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/animasforks.html) that are still standing. 2nd highest vehicular pass in the US ( http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/imogene.html ) 4WD is needed for that, but the scenery is unbeleiveable. let me know if you want any more ideas.

[nissangirl74]

I did some more research last night and found this.

http://www.ckranch.com/lodging.htm#dolorescabinrentals

I think this would be an AMAZING place to stay. The three bedroom cabin would be $15 more per night than the hotel I looked at in Cortez (we'd have to have two hotel rooms). Plus the food looks amazing, (click the meals tab), and there's a lot to do.

Mesa Verde is really cool, quite a bit of walking, if the kids are under 10 they may get bored real quick. about 15 yrs ago is when I last went on a 10 day trek through SW CO. if you want more ideas, Nat'l Parks are always a beautiful sight to see and there are quite a few in that area as well as little side stops. if you're into seeing mining towns there is a ton around Durango (Animas Forks http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/animasforks.html) that are still standing. 2nd highest vehicular pass in the US ( http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/imogene.html ) 4WD is needed for that, but the scenery is unbeleiveable. let me know if you want any more ideas.

The kids are 14, 13, and 12. They all like to hike, climb, and take lots of pictures.

[sentrastace]

Heck looks like fun to me.
The waterslide sounds amazeballs. I'd say go for it

[dvdswan]

I would also try to make a visit to the Grand Canyon, depending on how long you're taking. pictures just dont do it justice, its something to see in person.

[danield319]

SOMALIA!!!

[nissangirl74]

I would also try to make a visit to the Grand Canyon, depending on how long you're taking. pictures just dont do it justice, its something to see in person.

We're going to the canyon this weekend. I have friends coming in from TN and they want to see it.

[Otto.]

Visit NY!

:P

[dvdswan]

where do you hail from? are you stuck on going to CO for vacation?

[nissangirl74]

The kids want to see the Four Corners and I wanted to get them out of the heat for a few days before they go back to school. It is so brutal here during July and August that some days it's too hot to even go outside between 12 and 3 in the afternoon. I thought a cooler climate for a few days would be a nice reprieve. Especially since here they can get out and do some cool stuff.


We're in Surprise, the NorthWest corner of the Valley. About 30 miles from the heart of Phoenix.

[PEZi]

bex... its simple... if you're in CO... make the drive to colorado springs and visit pike's peak... (and me)

[dvdswan]

well, 4 corners and Mesa Verde are still hot in Aug. High 90s to low 100s. you would definitely need to get to the mountains to get out of the heat. they are places to see that is for sure. 2 hours is plenty of time to spend at 4 corners, 2 days at Mesa Verde is plenty as well. I know it would be a lot of driving but Yellowstone is a must see as well as Grand Teton. views are just breathe taking.

Does your family enjoy camping? Staying at KOAs are cheap and most have showers and usually in town so food isn't a problem.

CO Sprgs, is beautiful and there are a few sights to see. PEZ could probably list off a ton of things to see there. 7 Falls is beautiful from what I remember.

since your family likes hiking, another idea would be to see 4 corners, Mesa Verde and then swing across southern Utah to see Canyonlands, Arches and Zion. Canyonland and Arches will be hot, Zion would be cooler by 15* but still warm. heck you could even set up a 2-3 day houseboat getaway on Lake Powell.

[hachiroku781]

You should go to Greece! Do it for me since I can not return as i have been conscripted into the Army. But I love the parts thats are relatively unknown to tourists. The people are humble and hard workers. Northern Greece is quite beautiful. So is the monastery of st. Dionysios on the foothills of Mt. Olympus.

[nissangirl74]

well, 4 corners and Mesa Verde are still hot in Aug. High 90s to low 100s. you would definitely need to get to the mountains to get out of the heat. they are places to see that is for sure. 2 hours is plenty of time to spend at 4 corners, 2 days at Mesa Verde is plenty as well. I know it would be a lot of driving but Yellowstone is a must see as well as Grand Teton. views are just breathe taking.

Does your family enjoy camping? Staying at KOAs are cheap and most have showers and usually in town so food isn't a problem.

CO Sprgs, is beautiful and there are a few sights to see. PEZ could probably list off a ton of things to see there. 7 Falls is beautiful from what I remember.

since your family likes hiking, another idea would be to see 4 corners, Mesa Verde and then swing across southern Utah to see Canyonlands, Arches and Zion. Canyonland and Arches will be hot, Zion would be cooler by 15* but still warm. heck you could even set up a 2-3 day houseboat getaway on Lake Powell.

Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons will be another trip altogether. The kids' school schedule won't allow us to be gone for that long. MANY years ago my dad and I went to Yellowstone for vacation and spent three full days. Still wasn't enough time.

I like all of your ideas. Since we aren't terribly far from any of them, I could see us spending a series of weekends in that area. I haven't been on a houseboat in years and the pictures of the Arches I have seen are very cool.

Camping is probably not gonna happen. We don't have any equipment and to get what we need for the entire family would be a big expense for something that wouldn't get used very much. Plus, I'm not sure Greg could stand sleeping on the ground for long. Two motorcycle accidents really played hell on his spine.

bex... its simple... if you're in CO... make the drive to colorado springs and visit pike's peak... (and me)

We'll get up there one day. It just won't be this trip. I have a long list of places I want to go that aren't terribly far from here.