Planning trips
 

How early do you plan out of town trips? There are a couple places I want to visit next year and I found a Bed & Breakfast I like in one of them. I kind of want to book it now, but I am thinking it might be too early. I was planning to go in May, but possible October.

There is also a trip in June I am planning to take. And I have two cities in the Northwest I want to visit, too.

Is there such a thing as too early?



PS - this is completely unrelated to the previous thread I posted about travelling. These are places/trips I was already planning on taking next year.

It depends on the location. If you are going to a small village on the coast, and it only has one place to stay, it is already too late for May. If you are going to Vegas, you can just show up without a reservation and get a room that night.

You really have to know the location.

And let me expand on that a little bit. I generally go to small out of the way places because I live in the city and want to get away from them. I book rooms at least 6 months in advance, and I've booked some rooms a year and a half in advance.

For my last vacation, to Nova Scotia, we stayed in little coastal villages, and I lined up rooms in February for a visit in August. Space was already limited at that point and we didn't always get our first choice.

Thanks. I am going to Asheville, NC and Portland, OR and Seattle, WA

I know for Asheville, I want to go in the fall since it's the mountains and trees, etc. But the summer would be acceptable, too. The only thing I need is a hotel since it is a driveable distance

Portland and Seattle, I have no clue when would be best. I just have always wanted to see them.

I do wonder if I am over doing it and should just do Asheville and Portland this year. And of course the beach, but that's not up to me where we go and stay, so I am ignoring that one - lol

I was just in Asheville. That's the home of Sierra Nevada brewing. We started back north on the Blue ridge parkway there, after visiting my dad in Charlotte. Nice place, from what I saw.

If you like chocolate, you will have a good time in Ashville.

I'm in Seattle. You should contact me.

Never. But we don't mind staying in dives/camping/commuting and the accommodation is just a tool. We'd rather not be tied down. ...and we mostly blag tent space off dwellars I the vicinity ;)

I plan trips on the moment, but my goals are different than yours.

I'll be through Asheville tomorrow, on my way to Charlotte, then back through as I return to Louisville. I'll wave!

I love chocolate! What good places include chocolate in Asheville?

I think we now have a direct flight to Seattle. I will definitely keep you in mind when I start planning that trip :) Thanks!

Well, I've booked my trip to Asheville for October (apparently their busiest month).

I am staying at a B&B about a mile form downtown. I plan on doing a self guided Artisan tour they offer. Most likely on the way out so I can buy stuff and just put it in the car.

I want to do some hiking. Saturday morning I am thinking of signing up for a group. I also want to do some solo so I can take my time and take pictures. I still need to research trails for that.

The day I get there, I can't check in until 4pm, so I am probably going to the Biltmore Estate and wander the gardens. I've already done the house, so I am not interested in that. I will probably get lunch somewhere in Biltmore Village.

I want to do a bit of a bar crawl by myself Saturday or Sunday night with places downtown. It will depend on what's open what days. I figure Sunday may not be as busy as Saturday would be.

As the day gets closer, I will plan exactly the places I am going. Since I am on my own, I will be able to schedule it all to my liking :cool:

SO EXCITED!

I don't remember, but there is an independent chocolate place right downtown. Can't miss it. They serve all sorts of chocolate foods and beverages.

If anyone wants to see one of the wonders of the world "The Taj Mahal" along with Heaven on earth "Kashmir" then you should visit India. We welcome you in our country. We also provide car rental services to visit these glorious places.

:eek: I must visit! I'm an hour drive away from Ashville. :)

Hi Lola Bunny!

James River Valley
 

Tree Fae and I are headed to the James River Valley and it's environs come early July. Are there any must not miss sights we need to hit?

Dakotas, not Virginia, right?

Lola - Check out the French Broad. Only bad thing is lines sometimes stretch out to the street to get in. You'll love it once you get in. Another good place is the Chocolate Fetish if you are looking for stuff to take home.

Hands down, my favorite candy maker is Southern Candy Makers in New Orleans. It is a family tradition for special holidays and occasions.

AH! My Asheville trip is fast approaching. I am also going to a camp in Georgia about two weeks before Asheville. It's going to be the most traveling I have ever done in one year. I'm so excited!!

So, this year, I went to Asheville as originally planned. And to Georgia for NerdFitness camp. It was awesome. Just a few times in Asheville that I wished I had someone to travel with.

Next year I am going to Charlotte for a long weekend (car ride), Vancouver for a long weekend (probably), and Portland for a longer weekend. I like going over the weekends because I want to see music while there. There's always some venue playing something :)

I am also going to go back to Asheville for a week. I love it there. I want to live there. I found so many awesome places and didn't hike nearly enough. I probably walked about 10-15 miles in 4 days. I loved it. My calves were ready to die, though - lol.

Asheville is one of my favorite places too. Hog Rock mountain and the scenic overlook... makes me smile just thinking about being there.

Didn't go to either of these! I made it to Craggy Pinnacle. Accidentally traveled the Craggy Garden trail thinking it connected.....um, no. Also found out that it takes me 2 hours to do under a 2 mile hike in the mountains. Comparatively, it takes me 2 hours to do 4+ hour hike in Umstead park in Raleigh.

I think being there during the week will make it a bit less crowded, but probably not. I think I just have to get up uber early to get to the trails before the crowds.

Crowds? lol get into the woods woman. Ain't no crowds there.

I also went to a creek - can't remember which one - and was looking/panning for gold and such. What a great way to spend a few hours. I found a bunch of rubies. I still have them ... somewhere.

I went to a mountain! The parking was full for Mt Mitchell! SOOO much traffic on the Blue Ridge. And slow ass drivers. I'm talking 10-20 below posted limits and only one lane each side!! Almost killed some people :mad2:

Even the trail to Craggy Pinnacle wasn't empty. Craggy Gardens was, mostly, but there was fog and rain that day. It's probably the time of year I go, too. Next year over labor day. This year the first weekend in October. Leaf people is what I heard - lol

Nice. Now you can do one of these! http://www.redcarpet-tours.com/

Apparently there's a Nerdcation planned for 2020 to Australia. That'll be enough for me - lol (Yes, I know they are different countries. That's what I mean).

Also, I'm not going to Vancouver. I'm going to Toronto. Not sure why I said that. Probably over the Christmas Holiday (two weeks at the end of the year that I take off). Cold!

There is a little known secret to riding the BRP. Say you are at an overlook and about every ten minutes a train of cars and bikes rolls by behind some slow ass. Get ready to pull out. You see the next mob coming pull out ahead of them. It will be free and clear for you. The best time to visit Craggy Gardens is mid August when the blueberry bushes on the bald are bearing fruit.

tarheel

smart

I'll keep that in mind for next time!

I think I've decided on February 16-20 for Portland. Then, I am not using any vacation days, just roll over days and a holiday. There's a Jazz festival then, too. I've picked two shows I want to see.

I found a hotel I like. I priced some flights (DAMN!!), but will probably spend a little extra to get a good/nice/higher class seat.

Now, to figure out what else to do while I am there - lol.

Shiver?:lol2:

Probably! All the scarves are coming out for that trip.

I've booked it. And I've sent a request to book an airbnb in Asheville for a week.

The airbnb was declined for Asheville. I found some single rooms that I like, but now, I am wondering if there are better dates to go. Or should I just stick to the original.

Traveling is a crapshoot, both the travel and what you do there. Just have to go with the flow and soak up the experience, even if it's not what you planned.

Oh, I know :) I just mean more things to do that time of year. I'm going the week of Labor Day. Booked. I'll probably get a ticket to a show at the music venue. I might go back to the Arts district to eat there, but other than that, I have no plans. I just love Asheville.

In Portland, I am making a list of places I want to go. I am probably going to go to at least one Jazz show because - why not?! But other than that, I am not too stuck to anything. I like having a plan, but if I don't stick to it, I'm ok with it. I learned that on my Asheville trip this year.

Here is a calendar of events ...

and another here.

Thanks!!

My big trip will be next spring to SE NJ to see a friend for a week or two if there is no clamity at home. There are a few others I would like to meet that live up that way. Mostly going to ride the scenic roads on my Harley. I will leave it up to my friend to find a motel or hotel safe enough for my truck, trailer and bike.
Still have Myrtle Beach bike week and a trip from Front Royal, VA to Cherokee in July or August. I have to make up for lost time.

tarheel