Where have you traveled to that you really loved?

I have never been on any really big vacations, but we love to take drives all over Ohio. I love southern Ohio. It is so beautiful, all the hills and open area. I love water too! We have traveled to almost every big lake within easy driving distance. I wish I lived by water!!!

-- Melissa (melissa_n65@hotmail.com), November 30, 2001

Answers

We never went far when I was young. When I was in college I lived in Branson MO. It was so beautiful. I loved it. I still love to go back and visit the quiet and beautiful places I found while I lived there. I also went 2 years ago by myself to Mansfield MO. Home of Laura Wilder.I am a huge fan.I really enjoyed that.I also lived next door to the Little House On the Prairie by Independence,Ks until June. I loved looking out my window and seeing the little log cabin. I would love to go to someplace that I could enjoy the ways of the past. If anyone has any ideas, pass them on.Just remember I need cheap suggestions!God Bless

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), November 30, 2001.

Wyoming and northeastern Kentucky. Greece is very beautiful, but I like Israel better especially around Jericho.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), November 30, 2001.

Hey Cindy! central Kentucky is beautiful too!!! Have you been to Greece and Israel?? My sisters husband is Greek and they have been there twice. She said it is indeed beautiful. Don't guess I'll ever make it. I really have no desire to go to another country except Canada and I've been there once. There is so much to see in Ky. we take most of our vacations around here. Being from Florida, I've been there many times but don't care for it anymore. Southern (very) Illinois is pretty too, much like Ky. I think you can find beauty wherever you go. After all, God made it!

-- Barb in Ky (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), November 30, 2001.

In Wyoming, Beartooth Pass out of Yellowstone Park up to the Montana border. Nothing I've seen compares. Can see for over 100 miles, so high up at times that the clouds are below you. Been up there a few times. Lots of amazing scenic areas all over Montana. Blue Ridge Parkway in Virgina is a scenic nice drive, a few sights like an old grist mill to see along it. Mt Rushmore didn't impress me. Grand Canyon didn't much either. I go to beaches a few times a month here in southern California but I like Florida panhandle crystal clear water and white sand beaches better.

Micheale, have you ever gone to Dodge City? The have a part of town called Old Dodge or something like that. I enjoyed it alot when I was a kid. Lots of little town museums in Kansas full of stuff from the past also. Salina has a nice one if you ever get up there.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), November 30, 2001.

I have allways wanted to go to Ireland, but a friend of mine who has been there says Central Kentucky looks just like it-green and rolling hills. Hmmm

I have been to the OuterBanks of N.Carolina and I love that- especially the isolated places- we camped on Lookout once-there are no people, or houses you can only get there by ferry.

-- Kelly (ksaderholm@yahoo.com), November 30, 2001.

Two summers ago, took the narrow gauge train ride from Durango to Silverton, in Colorado. Not living in an area of mountain views (heck, where I live, you can stand on two telephone books and get a view), Silverton was gorgeous. Made we want to just quit work, and just live in the mountains right there.

I've been to Hawaii before (honeymoon) and though the sights were beautiful (sunsets: unbelievable), I wouldn't want to live there; the cost of living would make my hair stand on end.

My all time favorite would have to be our family ranch. It is 60 miles away, as the crow flys, and I have so many memories of it, I would be so happy to live there on a permanent basis. Deer seasons, arrowhead hunting, camping and hiking, just too many memories to let go.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), November 30, 2001.

Iguacu Falls in southern Brazil, on border with Argentina and Paraguay. Absolutely gorgeous. A man with huge biceps rowed us out in the middle of it many years ago. They say they won't let you do that any more.

The Falls is pictured in one of the James Bond movies. Supposedly he's around Rio somewhere and they jump to the falls. Forget geographical accuracy!

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 30, 2001.

For east of the Mississippi River, nothing can compare to Blackwater Falls State Park, the Blackwater canyon in October when the leaves are at their peak, between the golden eagles riding the thermals along the canyon walls and the array of bright colors from the fall- turning leaves backdropped against the deep forest green of the hemlocks, that IS Almost Heaven on Earth!!!

Melissa, have you been there? It is in Davis, WV., just three hours directly east of here, you can go across 70 to 79 south to 68 east and get there from the Friendsville, MD exit, or go the "seanic route (not for the car-sick inclined!!!)" across old WV 7 in New Martinsville, WV to Morgantown and in from Friendsville. My grandparents live in Davis and I have been lucky enough to visit the park at least once or twice a year for the past 42 years.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), November 30, 2001.

I ws there twice with my family before I was married. I would love to take my kids to see it, I really remember how big the leaves were on the trees. They were huge. We went once in the fall and it was gorgeous.

When Cale and I were first married we also went white-water rafting on the lower Youghihenney (sp) it was in the spring, the water was really running and it was scary and fun at the same time.

Another great trip we took with our kids was to Amish country. We went to Schoenbraun village, Warther carvings, which was spectacular, and drove through Amish lands. We ended up at Pearl Valley for cheese.

On another occassion we visited Lehman's hardware store, and went to Sugarcreek and went in and out of all the little shops. Kind of tourisyy but the kids liked it. I loved Lehmans!!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 30, 2001.

My and Lil Dumplins home. old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@hillbillynet.com), November 30, 2001.

Scotland, especially the western highlands. Even though I'd never been there before, it felt like coming home.

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), November 30, 2001.

My favorite place is wherever my hubby is. I love spending time with him.

BUT... if I had to choose a favorite place that I've travelled to, I think I would choose about 150 miles south of San Diego in Baha California, Mexico. There is a little town down there that is so far away from all the tourist traps! It's wonderful. Right on the coast... no billboards.... very little traffic.... very quiet and peaceful. Hubby and I went there several times when we lived in San Diego. Once, we saw pilot whales migrating right off the coast! It was wonderful. It was always like a slap in the face when we crossed the border back into California, and were confronted with all the traffic and billboards!

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 30, 2001.

Playalinda Beach, a federal reserve located between Kenndy Space Center and the Atlantic, 22 miles totally virgin beach, no dock, boats, condos; just dunes, pelicans, starfish, shells; completely preserved.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), November 30, 2001.

Scotland! Western highlands and Northern Coast, actually anywhere in Scotland! Central Kentucky did remind me of Scotland alot, in that it is sooo green, hilly, and beautiful. I have to agree with Sherri, it just felt like home when I first visited and I got to take my husband the second time. He loved it to. We have always wanted to move to Scotland for a couple of years so the boys could see how life is in another country, but where they speak English. It seems no one lives quite as high as Americans!

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), November 30, 2001.

Melissa,

Have you ever been to Hocking Hills in Ohio? We went for two days this summer and it is beautiful! If anyone, that hasn't been there, goes, be sure to see "Rock House" as it is the only true cave in the area. The others that are called caves are very pretty too (with runoff waterfalls) but are actually just super large overhangs. We all enjoyed it so much.

There are so many beautiful places but one of my favorite areas is driving through the Smokey Mountains from Cherokee, NC down into Gatlinburg, TN. But then, I love any mountains.

I like "living" museums too. When my two oldest sons were seven and ten they were able to spend a whole day going to school at a former one-room school house, "Rose Hill School" in Oklahoma. Before the big day, all the children prepared for it by making a small, 9" x 9" quilt to cover their lunch can, practiced Spencerian penmanship with liquid ink and had to take a lunch that would have been similar to ones children took then. I believe we packed cold bisquits with sausage and a tin cup. They spent the whole day having lessons and recess was spent playing old games. It was fun. I know there are other schools around the country that are museums like this too. We did it as a homeschool group.

We haven't taken that many vacations, considering that we have been married 24 years. Mostly we just take day drives. I like to see the countryside, especially when we first move to learn about the area we have moved into.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), November 30, 2001.

My grandparetns lived in Nellsonville. Very close to Hocking Hills College. We used to ride the train every summer, and went to many of the parks around there. I also have relatives in Jackson county, a little further south.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 30, 2001.

Melissa: I don't have a favorite place since I have been to so many..Some of those are Paris, London , Alaska, Japan, Hong Kong, Rio DeJaniero, and Thailand Philipines , Korea, (vietnam, Worst place)Egypt and all of Europe and The North Pole and others too numerous to mention thanks to Uncle Sam ....... Radar

-- Robert (snuffy@1st.net), November 30, 2001.

The Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii.It is only accessable by foot or helicopter and is absolutely incredible, like walking through a National Geographic photo, truly amazing. Victoria, B.C. has the most stunning gardens I've ever seen. The Ozarks when the dogwoods are pink are very pretty too.

-- Julie (julieamc@eagleslair.net), November 30, 2001.

Julie: I forgot to mention I had been to Hawaii at least 13 times and hated every bit of it due to the fact it is too commericalized..Canada has some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, but to really put it the truth America can't be beat and it does have some of the best places to go....Radar

-- Robert (snuffy@1st.net), November 30, 2001.

Hello Melissa, My favorite place to vacation has always been the Outer Banks, of North Carolina. I have been there about six or seven times! The last time I went, Melitza and I parked our car at the furthest south end of the islands, (Ocracoke) and rode our mountain bikes full of camping gear all the way to the northern most end of the last island, (Corolla). It took us three days. We rode about 40 miles a day against the wind and rain. We camped along the way. Once we got to Corolla we treated ourselves to a night at a fabulous bed and breakfast. Next morning we headed back. This time the rain had stopped and the wind was at our backs. We made it back to Orcacoke in a day and a half. The whole trip was about 300 miles! We stopped and so many neat little places along the way (photos). We saw the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets and met a lot of wonderful people. At the end of the ride we were happy and sad at the same time. Happy to see our car! But, sad that our trek was over! Maybe, after our daughter grows up, we will do it again! Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), November 30, 2001.