Weekend Getaways

You need nothing more then a bike and some open land

2010-05-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

My standby vacation for when I just need to get out of the city and have a break from life is heading into the wild and playing on my mountain bike. There aren't many places a good mountain bike can't go, you are one with nature and you are blazing through it.

The best part about getting into mountain bike is that it is not too difficult to break into the fun. All you really need is a bike and a rack for your car and then the world is your trail. At the beginning, don't spend too much on an amazing bike. Get a feel for the sport before you have the sweetest bike on the block.

See the Grand Canyon in a new way

2010-03-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Grand Canyon Overlook is now officially up and with the spring season finally here, I think we all need to take a trip and see one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. You can't just stand in awe when you see the power of mother nature and what one river can do over thousands of years of erosion.

Since this blog has pretty much become a Western United States guide to weekend fun, check this out. It is something you have to see whether for the first time or one of many times.

Wheeler Peak, my favorite part of Nevada.... minus the gambling

2010-03-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

I can remember doing this hike when I was just a kid, and though this isn't me in this picture, it brought back happy memories so I thought I would post it. Wheeler peak is the 2nd highest peak in Nevada and one of the most enjoyable hikes in the US in my opinion. At the peak, you are at over 13,000 feet and are on the 12th largest mountain in the contiguous U.S.

The hike really isn't that hard, for the fact that I climbed it as a child but the view is breathtaking. Also at the base of the mountain is another great place to stop and check out, Lehman Caves. It is a great trip going the this huge cavern underground and seeing how the ecosystem works underground.

A beautiful mountain hamlet in Colorado

2010-02-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

There are few towns that are surreal as Steamboat Springs. It is a nice little town surround around a huge valley that seems to have escape much of the world. And to make this town even better, there is a ski resort right outside of town and hot springs. Can you think of a better winter wonderland, I can't.

The only downside to this town is that there is no direct major highway, which I am sure why it has keep its isolated feel. So if you want to escape life and have everything you want at your fingertips, give Steamboat a visit.

Catch a film at Sundance for the weekend

2010-01-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

There is something amazing about heading up to the snowy peaks of Park city and watching independent films on their first viewing. Robert Redford's little film festival has grown over the years into the largest film festival in US and one of my favorite places to be at the end of January and the beginning of February.

The only bad part about it is that the crowds are bad because of the star factor that is going on. When you bring Hollywood to Utah, the press and the fans come with them. So plan that you won't get through the city quickly but as long as you don't mind, it is a blast.

Make your own path...

2010-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

To boldly go where no one has gone this season. There is nothing better then carving you own path on a freely snowed mountain. Whether you go on the big resorts back country or just decide to get up early and snowshoe a mountain, there is no better snow then ungroomed, uncrowded snow.

Of course, you need to be safe while you do this. Watch out for avalanche hints and always bring a beacon and use the buddy system. But if everything set, go to the mountain and ride your heart out because you won't get a better ride anywhere else.

Enough of the snow!!! Give me the Beach!

2009-12-21T13:41:00.000-08:00

With the massive storms hitting the rest of the country, it is nice to find an area the way it should be, nice and sunny, and for me that is California. If you are a west coaster like myself, then good ole Los Angeles is your escape from Winter! I know it is for me.

Out of all the events there is to do in L.A. in the wintertime, I recommend making a stop to Disneyland which has "Main Street USA" is all decked out in the Holidays and they have carolers who perform for your Christmas needs.

The beach is still nice to walk on, you may not to go into the water because it is around 50 to 60 degrees, instead of the comfortable 80 to 90 degrees it is in the summer. It is funny that I have a problem with the colder water of the ocean when the temperature in my hometown throughout the month of December is right around freezing.

Well, if you want to a quick break from your arctic wonderland and you live on the west coast, give California a try.

Last Minute Cruises... Half the Price... Done!

2009-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

I must have been hiding under a rock, because until last week I had never heard of last minute cruises. When I found about this option, it blew my mind. My spontaneous nature thrives on random sudden vacations but now to know that I could get them for half the cost, this is genius.

I am not going to point out any sites because I don't want to to look like I am advertising any one site but by just typing last minute cruises in whatever search bar and you have amazingly cheap cruises at your fingertips. Is there anything that the Internet doesn't do for me?? I don't know how I existed before it was created.

Now, the ultimate find would be getting a last minute flight to one of the locals that my last minute cruises would sail from. Maybe even get me a last minute cab to the docks or something, that would be the true hat trick!

This is not so much of a getaway as it is ... a fact of life in America

2009-11-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

Well, it’s that time of year again, time for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the two busiest days of my life. One day I spent cooking and eating the greatest food on Earth, then I have a midday nap and I get ready to stand out in the cold so that I can get amazing shopping deals. I try to get out of town at this time of year, but with everything going on in the world right now, I really need to save money and plan for Christmas, I can take a trip every other weekend.

Though, I have figure out a way to even get more off on my Black Friday sales. My master plan this year is to get gift certificates that at a discount on sites like citydeals or others and then use them for payment on my items. This is what I call a double bonus, a genius move on my part!

For anyone on the West Coast, the other part of LA

2009-11-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

So we all know why most of us go to LA: Disneyland and the Beach! But surprisingly enough, there is a lot more to Los Angeles then most people realize. With so many different nationalities that called the "City of Angels"their home, you can have quite a fun time and avoid most of the tourist traps that get most visitors. Here is a great article I found about it.

Los Angeles is the World's Melting Pot Stuck in a Jam

By Adriana Suker

Because of this you will see street signs through LA printed in both Spanish and English. Be sure to visit Olvera Street where you can catch a sight of the historic monument to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. This old Mexican market place is the oldest part of downtown LA.

It is not just the Mexicans who have made Los Angeles part of their culture. It was the architect Frank Lloyd Wright who said: "If you tip the world over on its side everything loose will land in Los Angeles."

This could just as well have been a reference to the thousands of migrants who have come to LA. They include Armenians, Chinese, Cambodians, Filipinos, Guatemalans, Iranians, Israelis, Indians, Japanese, Koreans, Pakistanis, Salvadorans, Samoans, Thais and Vietnamese. These people have made a home away from home for themselves in LA setting up Chinatown, Filipino Town, Little Tokyo, Little Ethiopia Little Persia, Little India, Little Gaza, Little Armenia, Korea Town, and Thai Town. In each community you may find that signs are printed in both the native language and English. One example of how prominent foreign cultures are in LA is Grauman's Chinese Theatre. This impressive-looking indoor movie theatre is done in Chinese style and located off the historic Walk of Fame where you can see street stars for each movie star.

But while LA is incredibly mixed, it is also very segregated. The historically tense areas such as South Central are still hot spots of tension infused with gang violence.

As if addressing the issue one of the main tourist spots is now the Museum of Tolerance on West Pico Boulevard which holds many exhibitions on tolerance and racial integration.

No matter where you come from in Los Angeles, having a car is essential. It is the only real way to get to and from LAX international airport, and to the areas of natural beauty which surround the city suburbs such as the Pacific Ocean. Griffith Park, one of the largest city parks in America is also worth visiting by car. Make sure you have a good map or a tom tom system before setting out. The local radio stations will also give you valuable travel advice about which accidents to avoid. If you do get stuck in a jam there is a freeway grid which allows some freedom of movement so having a plan b or alternative route in mind is always a good idea. Despite being a world class city LA has some sub standard roads in areas such as Wiltshire Boulevard so watch out for these. And as long as you look out for the dedicated left-turn traffic lights at major intersections you should be fine.

Adrian Sukar wrote this article for Giraffe Car Rentals It is almost impossible to get around the city of Angels without using Car hire Los Angeles and he found Car hire America to be a pleasant and easy experience, save for the notorious car jams. Armin moved out to LA to open a record shop 10 years ago and has since found it to be one of the most popular stop offs in the Greater Wiltshire area of LA. The reason he used Giraffe cars is because the unlimited mileage offer makes them great value in such a huge and sprawling city.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Suker