Friday travel photo

Yet another Friday travel photo, because I have been so lax in updating this travel blog. I'll try to revive it in 2010... in the meantime, Happy Holidays!


Looking back on Monument Valley in Utah
 

Friday travel photo

Sunflowers in Kansas, the Sunflower State
 

Cross-country in pictures

The following photos are not the best in terms of quality, but they demonstrate our 3,085-mile route across these United States of America from New York to California. I wish we'd had a more relaxed pace by which to explore the sights along the way, but two cats onboard and a new job awaiting did not allow for much lingering.
























 

Is the grass always greener?

Earlier this year, I waxed whimsical (as I often do) about my hometown of San Diego, describing it as "where I'd rather be." Now that's exactly where I will be in a couple of weeks. I've accepted a writing job with The Active Network, so Cassie and I are heading for greener pastures out west.

I left San Diego four years ago, as excited by the adventure of living somewhere new as I am about returning whence I came. It didn't take much time living on the East Coast to start second-guessing my decision to move, however, so I can't help but wonder what the future holds. Is the grass always greener on the other side of the country? Or only the grass you've never walked on?

Virginia and New York seemed bright and shiny and different, and they were all that and more. But always my heart turned back to the West Coast. Is it weakness on my part, to want what I don't have? A failure to be satisfied with the present? I don't know. It's possible that we San Diego natives are simply too spoiled to be happy living elsewhere. New York City is an amazing place, and it has been exciting living here; but—no disrespect toward those who love this city—I can't deal with the urban lifestyle. Once a beach bum, always a beach bum, I guess.

And I'm not returning home alone. I'm dragging my Hoosier wife with me, and she enjoys the four seasons as much as I enjoy year-round sunshine. So the coming months will be nothing, if not interesting.

Relocation chores will likely prevent new blog postings in the near future, but perhaps the muse will strike me during our cross-country travels.


 

Friday travel photo

Offshore Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas
 

Weekend escapes abroad

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is poised to cross the 10,000 mark as I write this, but times are still hard for many Americans. Those who are able to take time off for a weekend escape are not likely to go farther than their car can reasonably take them for a few days of travel. But tough economic times also mean travel operators are slashing prices. So a weekend escape abroad—if you're willing to take a long flight for a short stay—is not as crazy an idea as it sounds. Below I've included a few deals that I've seen recently.

Cancun: 3 Nights All-Inclusive Oceanfront & Air, $415
Enjoy roundtrip air and three all-inclusive nights (including alcohol) in a junior oceanview suite. This package also includes resort taxes & gratuities, roundtrip airport transfers and 10% spa discount. Kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free. Does not include additional taxes of approximately $100 p.p. [More info]

Iceland: 2 Nights & Air, Tour, $489
IcelandAir has really been pushing this weekend escape: Take an afternoon departure from NYC, Boston or Seattle; arrive the next morning in Reykjavik; spend two nights with breakfast in a four-star hotel (morning check-in permitted on arrival); take a full-day tour of scenic sights on the second day; and fly back home on Day 3. Not included: airport transfers (approx. $42 p.p. roundtrip) and taxes (approx. $100 p.p.). [More info]

Italy: 3 Nights & Air, $499
A long weekend in Rome or Florence? Certo! This package includes air fare from NYC (nonstop to Rome) and three nights in a selection of 3-star hotels (including breakfast). Specific departure dates are specified, but some of those dates include a Miami departure for the same price. You can also upgrade your hotel and select discounted tours. Not included: Taxes of $120 p.p. [More info & instructions]




Disclaimer: As always when I post deals like these, it is for informational purposes only. I don't receive any kind of commission or other payment.
 

Leaf peeping in Harriman State Park

With recent trips to the Catskills and the Delaware River, we have definitely taken advantage of some of the natural beauty around New York City. But one destination we had not yet explored together was Harriman State Park. Located only about an hour outside the city, it always seemed too close for a real getaway. But last weekend, wanting to fit in one last backpacking trip before the weather got too cold, and also hoping to see some fall foliage, we decided to kill two birds with one stone by doing a quick overnighter.



It's prime time for leaf-peeping, but it seemed many people were scared off by the tail end of a rain storm that passed through the previous night. We had no trouble finding a parking spot right at the trailhead, so we quickly strapped on our packs and started making tracks. By no means did we have the trail to ourselves, however. Even with the less-than-ideal weather, we crossed paths with many day-hikers. Perhaps they too had studied the weather forecast, which called for clearing skies.



Regardless of the lack of solitude, we were not disappointed. The park may be close to the city, but it was as scenic and woodsy as anywhere in the Catskills. The Pine Meadow and Kakiat Trails followed a creek between two mountains all the way to our destination, Pine Meadow Lake. After biting off more than we could chew on our recent Devil's Path backpack (which we learned, after the fact, is one of the toughest hikes in the Northeast), we were more than happy to amble along the gentle inclines of these trails. Much sooner than expected, we reached the lake.



Perhaps best of all was our primo campsite on the shore of Pine Meadow Lake. Harriman State Park rules prohibit camping anywhere other than in designated shelters (or within 300 feet of said shelters if they're occupied), but as we circumnavigated the lake, we passed site after gorgeous site where blackened fire rings and other evidence made it obvious that illicit camping was common (though, if you go, beware: hiking back to the car the next day, we spoke with a hiker who got ticketed on a past trip).



After our shorter-than-expected hike, we had plenty of time for leaf peeping. Though we saw plenty of stunning fall colors, our best guess put peak foliage about a week off (so try to get up there this weekend if possible).



On the south shore of the lake, we came across Conklin Cemetery, a small family plot where most of the markers were so weathered and broken that they simply looked like jagged rocks sticking out of the ground. Ironically, the oldest grave had the newest headstone; Ezekial Conklin served in the Revolutionary War.



As weekend escapes go, this one met all expectations. We enjoyed one last backpacking trip to close out the season; we saw our share of fall foliage; and as the sun went down, we were reminded that fall colors could be found in more than just the leaves.