US/Canada Tourist information

[Hans Deventer]

IF (I don't know how to stress this any stronger), if Hannie would be able and willing to join me in 2009, it would of course be a good idea to make a combination with our Summer vacation. Now in the old days, we'd be sure to visit NazNetters but that won't work out anymore. An hour visit on a good day would already be enough, we just can't stay over, unfortunately :basic04.

So what I would be looking for is an area with beautiful scenery (we love mountains) where we could make several short (say, 6 miles) hikes without travelling 100 miles to get there each time. (It's no problem to travel some distance to get to the area.)
In that area we would be looking for a quiet spot to stay on our own, perhaps a place with 5 or 6 cabins. No hotel rooms!

If you'd be looking for such a place in the US (or Canada), where would you go in June?

If there would be an interesting city near, or as starting point (Hannie loved San Francisco), that would be a bonus. We could spend a night in a hotel room there.

[Cindi Hammons]

Hans,

Since you will be in Orlando, the Appalachian Mountains are a good fit for what you describe. The Tennessee/North Carolina area (although at times pretty commercial) can be amazing. Skyline Drive is a National Park Services road that goes through the mountains from the Southern Exit of the Great Smokey Mountains Park to Northern Virginia. We have driven almost the whole road and one favorite leg for us is the Cherokee, NC to Ashville, NC route. It is beautiful and ends in one of the South's most lovely cities. Ashville is where the Biltmore Mansion is located and where Billy Graham is based. The Smokey Mountain areas is filled with cabin opportunities. Even though places like Gatlinburg and Pidgeon Forge can be pretty commercial, one can be in the wilderness in minutes. We stayed in a cabin "out in the middle of nowhere!" The National Park (Smokies) has miles of driving trails that have hundreds of hiking trails along them from easy to quite difficult.

The northern area of the road goes along the Shenendoah Valley in Virginia and is near Charlottesville Virginia and Montecello (the home of Thomas Jefferson-3rd U.S. President). Charlottesville is a lovely small city and the home of the University of Virginia. If that is the area you would be interested in, the mountains are great with cabin opportunities and it is only about an hour from Williamsburg, which was the Virginia capital during the American Revolution. The town has been frozen in time at 1775.

The East Coast is not a "wild" as your West Coast wanderings. The National Parks are older and there is more civilization closeby, which equals more commercialization. However, the whole area is saturated with hiking trails and scenic beauty and venues are much closer together than out west. Gary Schwartzlander can fill you in more as he used to live in the Tennessee area of the mountains.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I thought of northern Vermont when I read your post. Certainly not as big as the western mountains, but it sounds that you're not looking for huge hikes. The Stowe area of Vermont (AKA the place where the Von Trapp family landed) sounds ideal according to what you've been asking for - every part of Vermont and much of New Hampshire would be within 100 miles.

As for a city to launch from, Burlington is not huge, but it is a great city. And Montreal is not too far as well.

[Barbara Moulton]

Since you asked about Canada as well....Toronto is a great city to make as a starting point and there are all sorts of places in southern Ontario where you can go hiking and also do touristy things. The Niagara Escarpment, The Bruce Trail, my area about an hour north has some lovely hills and valleys. When we lived in Meaford (about two hours north of Toronto) we found the Beaver Valley to be a beautiful spot. And of course, if you are in Toronto you aren't too far from Niagara Falls.

Now, you won't find "mountains" but you will find lots of interest and much that is scenic.

Toronto I believe is the most multi cultural city in the world. That alone is quite fascinating.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Toronto I believe is the most multi cultural city in the world. That alone is quite fascinating.


When I was in Sydney, I was told it was the most diverse city in the world.

So I just googled to try and find out. Seems like it's debatable. London, Toronto, & NYC were all mentioned quite a bit. TIME Magazine gave the title to Sacramento.

I'm pretty sure it's not Hingham, MA. In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.

[Paula Karr]

So what I would be looking for is an area with beautiful scenery (we love mountains) where we could make several short (say, 6 miles) hikes without travelling 100 miles to get there each time. (It's no problem to travel some distance to get to the area.) In that area we would be looking for a quiet spot to stay on our own, perhaps a place with 5 or 6 cabins. No hotel rooms!


As I read your description, I also thought of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We had both of our NazNet women's retreats in that area, and I was impressed with the beauty and serenity of the area. Both times, we rented a modern cabin and I noticed that in those same grounds were much smaller cabins than what we needed for the 15-20 women at the retreat. As Cindi pointed out, it is an area with lots of tourists, but if you stay off the main road, you are immediately into a quiet area with what appeared to be many places to hike and enjoy the scenery.

If you go, don't miss eating at the Apple Barn Restaurant!

Paula

[Hal Paul]

IF (I don't know how to stress this any stronger), if Hannie would be able and willing to join me in 2009, it would of course be a good idea to make a combination with our Summer vacation. Now in the old days, we'd be sure to visit NazNetters but that won't work out anymore. An hour visit on a good day would already be enough, we just can't stay over, unfortunately :basic04.

So what I would be looking for is an area with beautiful scenery (we love mountains) where we could make several short (say, 6 miles) hikes without travelling 100 miles to get there each time. (It's no problem to travel some distance to get to the area.)
In that area we would be looking for a quiet spot to stay on our own, perhaps a place with 5 or 6 cabins. No hotel rooms!

If you'd be looking for such a place in the US (or Canada), where would you go in June?

If there would be an interesting city near, or as starting point (Hannie loved San Francisco), that would be a bonus. We could spend a night in a hotel room there.

Cindi's recommendation for Apalachia is good. Londa and I stayed in a cabbin outside Gatlinburg TN a few years ago and had a great time while we were there. It was March though, so I don't know what it would be like in June.

We've stayed in Estes Park Colorado and enjoyed hiking in the National park there. We stayed in a hotel, but there were some places where you could rent cabbins.

You could invite yourself over to the McClung's. :basic03 The Cascades are a short drive to the East, and the Olympics are a short drive to the West.

[Hal Paul]

As I read your description, I also thought of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We had both of our NazNet women's retreats in that area, and I was impressed with the beauty and serenity of the area. Both times, we rented a modern cabin and I noticed that in those same grounds were much smaller cabins than what we needed for the 15-20 women at the retreat. As Cindi pointed out, it is an area with lots of tourists, but if you stay off the main road, you are immediately into a quiet area with what appeared to be many places to hike and enjoy the scenery.

If you go, don't miss eating at the Apple Barn Restaurant!

Paula

How 'bout that! I was posting about Gatlinburg when Paula was posting about Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge is just down the road from Gatlinburg.

[Hans Deventer]

You could invite yourself over to the McClung's. :basic03 The Cascades are a short drive to the East, and the Olympics are a short drive to the West.

Hal, we've stayed there one night back in 2001 and I have always hoped that one day, we could come back. But staying with people is no option anymore.

Last February, we had planned to spend a week with friends, in a rented house in Belgium. We went for 2 days and that was the limit. And these were very good friends who understand the situation and speak Dutch. I guess the understanding among NazNetters would be okay, but few speak Dutch and trying to communicate in English is too tiresome. I have to protect her.

[Jon Twitchell]

I'm pretty sure it's not Hingham, MA. In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.


Along with the entire state of Maine, perhaps?

[Gary Swartzlander]

I also would highly recommend Gatlinburg, TN and the Smokey Mountains. With in an hour or two is all the hiking and natural beauty you can want, it's a great place to get away from crowds but be near people also.

We have a family condo there, that perhaps could be available for you.

Would be glad to help any way we can.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Along with the entire state of Maine, perhaps?


Nah, I think that the survey required at least 5,000 people in the town, which eliminates the whole state of Maine.

:laughing

[Kevin Rector]

When I read your post I immediately thought of Gatlinburg, TN and the Smokey Mountains.

Nashville TN is about 3 to 4 hours west of there as well.

When I lived in Nashville we spent a long weekend in a cabin in Gatlinburg (well, out in the woods really). There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of cabins there, from rustic log cabins to modern abodes that you can rent for a reasonable amount.

Smokey Mountain national park is great for sightseeing and hiking. You can even hike portions of the storied Appalachian Trail in the park.

Others have already mentioned it, but it's a great place. I personally hated the actual towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but you can avoid them entirely if they aren't your sort of thing and spend your time in the woods which are very idyllic.

[Gary Swartzlander]

When I read your post I immediately thought of Gatlinburg, TN and the Smokey Mountains.
Others have already mentioned it, but it's a great place. I personally hated the actual towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but you can avoid them entirely if they aren't your sort of thing and spend your time in the woods which are very idyllic.


Sadly the build up of the towns have somewhat distracted from the area, but thankfully other communities are beginning to put the brakes on some of the expansion.

I have vacationed there since I was a small child and lived there for 6 months or so when a freshmen in high school, and Peggy and I honeymooned there. It is a special area for our family.

You are correct that it is very easy to get away from the noise and traffic and people and to really enjoy the area. Cades Cove is easily my favorite place anywhere when I need to get away for a bit of quiet. Avoiding the crowds is possible and really makes the area special.

[Hal Kreps]

Lake Louise, Banff area of Alberta, Canada

[Jim Franklin]

The Geographer approves of all these suggestions from your travel guides. If you do not want to do as much driving along the Appalacians before you get to Orlando then I would suggest northern Georgia and NazNetter Tom Cook should be able to make suggestions on a more local basis. Just like "there are no snakes in Ireland," there are no mountains in Florida."

[DA Weaver]

When I was in Sydney, I was told it was the most diverse city in the world.

So I just googled to try and find out. Seems like it's debatable. London, Toronto, & NYC were all mentioned quite a bit. TIME Magazine gave the title to Sacramento.

I'm pretty sure it's not Hingham, MA. In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.

I'm sorry... I've just got to ask... what in the world would get into someone to look for the list of the "Top 100 whitest towns in the US"?

I don't think it's anything I would have ever considered.

[Ryan Scott]

Officially the highest point in Florida is a hillside up in the panhandle, however, if you're going by strictly altitude, it's the roof of the Four Seasons in Miami.

If you're looking to stay in the SouthEast, I agree with the consensus that the Smokey Mountains are the place to go. Good mountains, plentiful hiking.

If it were me, I'd head to California and the Sierra Nevadas. Even in the warmest weather, its cool up there. Estes Park or some other hamlet in Colorado would also be a good choice. I'm one for alpine summers, which are not quite how I'd describe even the mountains on the Eastern US. They still get a bit too warm for my taste in the summers.

[Ryan Scott]

In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.

There's a lot of Maine towns on that list, in fact Millinocket's on there twice. In fact, that's a nice out of the way location with good hiking and breathtaking sites. It is a bit far from, well, everything, let alone an airport.

[Dennis M. Scott]

I'm pretty sure it's not Hingham, MA. In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.

I was feeling badly about living in NH, until I noticed Pennsylvania, who claims 21 of that 100.

[Barbara Moulton]

When I was in Sydney, I was told it was the most diverse city in the world.

So I just googled to try and find out. Seems like it's debatable. London, Toronto, & NYC were all mentioned quite a bit. TIME Magazine gave the title to Sacramento.

I'm pretty sure it's not Hingham, MA. In fact, I once found a list of the Top 100 whitest towns in the US (http://www.city-data.com/top34.html) and Hingham was on it.

Half the people in the City of Toronto are now foreign-born, according to 2006 Canadian census figures. I am not sure how that compares with others cities, but believe me, if you take a trip on the subway you'll see the diversity all around you.

[Jon Twitchell]

The Geographer approves of all these suggestions from your travel guides. If you do not want to do as much driving along the Appalacians before you get to Orlando then I would suggest northern Georgia and NazNetter Tom Cook should be able to make suggestions on a more local basis. Just like "there are no snakes in Ireland," there are no mountains in Florida."

Well... Actually, There are at least three... we call them "Splash Mountain," "Big Thunder Mountain," and "Space Mountain." Then, in The Animal Kingdom, you have "Mount Everest," and the "Kilimanjaro River Rapids."

On a serious note, if you thought that any of the Disney parks might be at all in your itinerary, I'd give hearty recommendations for Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot Center. (Well, actually, I loved all four parks, but those are the two I feel like recommending today!)

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Given that you live in the Netherlands (lots of water!), for a change of pace and scenery, I think you should strongly consider southern Utah. (I say this having never actually been there myself :basic04)

Lot of hiking in this region!

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonland National Park
Capital Reef National Park
Zion National Park

Here's a pic from each park.

Wilson

[Paul Whitaker]

My first thought was Rocky Mountain National Park.

There is a cluster of lakes (Bear, Nymph, Dream and more)

Several short hikes are available.

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~novak/rmnp/reports/dream.html

Would love to go there this summer with my wife.

[Dave McClung]

IF (I don't know how to stress this any stronger), if Hannie would be able and willing to join me in 2009, it would of course be a good idea to make a combination with our Summer vacation. Now in the old days, we'd be sure to visit NazNetters but that won't work out anymore. An hour visit on a good day would already be enough, we just can't stay over, unfortunately :basic04.

So what I would be looking for is an area with beautiful scenery (we love mountains) where we could make several short (say, 6 miles) hikes without travelling 100 miles to get there each time. (It's no problem to travel some distance to get to the area.)
In that area we would be looking for a quiet spot to stay on our own, perhaps a place with 5 or 6 cabins. No hotel rooms!

If you'd be looking for such a place in the US (or Canada), where would you go in June?

If there would be an interesting city near, or as starting point (Hannie loved San Francisco), that would be a bonus. We could spend a night in a hotel room there.

Let me help you sort through the choices. By June, the lower half of the U.S. will be too hot for your taste. You will get all of the heat you want during the General Assembly. That means that you will be looking toward the north.

Knowing you, you will want the transportation cost to be reasonable. Access by Southwest Airlines assures you of reasonable prices.

Someone mentioned Maine. That would be my first choice except for black flies. In many summers, Maine is infested with small black flies that drive hikers crazy. They are gone by late August.

Here are some great choices for June:

1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We drove through there, but didn't spend any time there.

2. Salmon, Idaho. It is located in one of the most rugged and most beautiful parts of the U.S.

3. Estes Park, Colorado. This year Estes Park has more snow than usual. It might not be gone by June. Who knows how the snow will be next year?

4. Mt. Hood, Oregon. I have a friend that has a cabin on Mt. Hood. He rents it out, but gives special pricing to Christian Groups and friends of mine.

[Susan Unger]

I was feeling badly about living in NH, until I noticed Pennsylvania, who claims 21 of that 100.

Yes, I was just about to post that - 21 out of 100 is pretty significant. It reminded me of a quote I had heard about 10 years ago - that the state with the highest number of militia groups in the nation is Pennsylvania. At least I think it was "militia" groups...it may have been some other word. Whatever it was, it was the wording for such groups as white supremistists. How's that for something to be proud of? [not]:basic04

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Wonderful choice. It was a Dream Lake that we came upon a moose. Even the park ranger back at Bear Lake didn't believe it until I showed him the photos I took.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pastorscott.com/2007RockyMountainNationalPark

My first thought was Rocky Mountain National Park.

There is a cluster of lakes (Bear, Nymph, Dream and more)

Several short hikes are available.

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~novak/rmnp/reports/dream.html (http://www.cs.utexas.edu/%7Enovak/rmnp/reports/dream.html)

Would love to go there this summer with my wife.

[Ryan Scott]

Wonderful choice. It was a Dream Lake that we came upon a moose. Even the park ranger back at Bear Lake didn't believe it until I showed him the photos I took.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pastorscott.com/2007RockyMountainNationalPark


That's pretty incredible. We used to see moose all the time when we lived in Vermont, but they are extremely rare in Colorado.

[Hans Deventer]

Given that you live in the Netherlands (lots of water!), for a change of pace and scenery, I think you should strongly consider southern Utah.

Good choice, except, we've been there in 2005. Seen Zion, Arches, Bryce, Grand Canyon. But I agree, for the first visit to the US, I'd go there.

You can still find our pictures of that vacation online at http://www.nazarene.nl/~hd/USA%202005/index.html

[Hans Deventer]

Let me help you sort through the choices. By June, the lower half of the U.S. will be too hot for your taste. You will get all of the heat you want during the General Assembly. That means that you will be looking toward the north.

Very good point, you are right. Thanks Dave!

[Meghan Schoonover]

Well, being from Beautiful British Columbia, I can wholeheartedly suggest some beautiful territory in the interior of BC. Here's a popular tourist town with gorgeous scenery and lots to do: http://www.discovernelson.com/htdocs/hiking.html

[Hans Deventer]

Well, being from Beautiful British Columbia, I can wholeheartedly suggest some beautiful territory in the interior of BC. Here's a popular tourist town with gorgeous scenery and lots to do: http://www.discovernelson.com/htdocs/hiking.html

Looks interesting, but I'd have to check prices for the Canadian dollar hasn't dropped like the US dollar has.

[DA Weaver]

Well, it's not mountainous, but Ely, MN offers a BEAUTIFUL scenery in the summer. There's lots of camping / fishing / hiking available, and cabins are available as well. It's ABSOLUTELY a beautiful area. One year on our way up we came across a bear crossing the road. We have yet to see a moose though. It's a rather flat area, as it's the land of 10,000 lakes, but it's beautiful!!! Rental homes and cabins are available in the area. Even though it's touristy, it's not jammed pack touristy, it's a more relaxed setting. Thankfully it's only a 10-20 minute drive and you feel as if you're in the middle of nature. It's very peaceful too.

The one year we canoed across Burntside Lake and ran into some folks who had canoed across just to go blueberry picking and went back home the same night, but there's lots of options available. Which include anywhere from roughing it for a week or so to staying in the Grand Lodge.

My f-i-l has been up several years to rough it in the boundary waters, not something I think you're looking for, but BWCA offers cabins in which one can stay instead.

http://www.bwca-getaway-cabins.com/index.html

http://www.ely.org/lodging/remotecabins.php



http://www.canoetrip.com/


If you're going to Ely, you'll need to eat at the Chocolate Moose, which can easily be found on the main street through town.

I found the area to be VERY peaceful!!!! There's plenty of mom and pop type shops, and just about anything you need to rent is available as well.

I'm not sure how much time you had intended on spending state-side, and depending on if you're planning on renting a car, or flying from one end of the nation to the other will of course factor into your decision. However, for our family, the West seems soooo far to go, as we typically drive for our vacations. Ely seems to be a nice distance, yet not too far from where we're located.

I hear Black Water Falls, WV is also a BEAUTIFUL area to visit. LOTS of people from this area head down that way.

http://www.blackwaterfalls.com/accomodations.htm

[Kevin Rector]

Well, if you're looking to the north, there is a lot of beauty in Northern Wisconsin or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or Minnesota as well. I haven't been but I've heard that the hiking around Lake Superior is beautiful. I've also not been but heard great things about the boundary waters are of Minnesota (that's the boundary between the US and Canada).

[Barbara Moulton]

Looks interesting, but I'd have to check prices for the Canadian dollar hasn't dropped like the US dollar has.

Nope...its been floating just below and just above parity for quite awhile.

[Hans Deventer]

Yesterday, Hannie and I talked it over. What does attending a GA mean for her?

1. Attending the services => lots of people, many impressions
2. Eating in restaurants => lots of people, many impressions
3. Staying in a big hotel => lots of people, many impressions
4. Visiting the halls with all kinds of information => lots of people, many impressions
5. Looking around in Orlando => lots of people, many impressions
6. Air travel => lots of people, many impressions

Now she used to love that! She's a people's person. But unless a miracle of healing would take place, right now, this is a clear no go.

The only option would be for her to hide all or most of the day in our hotel room. That's no fun. I think you can reach the conclusion we came to.

[Cindi Hammons]

I'm saddened by the decision you guys came to, but it makes perfect sense for your situation. I was looking forward to seeing Hannie at GA.