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17 Apr 02 - 07:56 AM (#691962) Subject: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Fibula Mattock I'm off to a big conference in July in San Antonio,Texas, and have the possibility of extending my stay afterwards and taking a bit of a holiday. I have other colleagues who are also trying to decide on holiday plans too. We're travelling via Chicago, so they want to spend time there, but I was there for three months in 2000 (although I wouldn't mind going back for a visit). Another guy is thinking about visiting relatives in Mexico (appealing - going to Mexico, not the relatives bit). Anyway, if anyone lives in Texas or has visited it and has suggestions for a trip (of about a week or so) then I'd love to hear 'em. Only limiting factor is, erm, money - it can't be too expensive as I'm on an paltry research grant. |
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17 Apr 02 - 08:12 AM (#691970) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Mary in Kentucky Texas in July? You MUST be crazy! By all means when in San Antone, do the River Walk and drink some sangria. Then see the Alamo and learn some Texas history. (It's a very reverent, quite place.) By all means, read the book Texas by James Michener just to learn about some of the history and get ideas about what to see. If you head South, you might like to see Padre Island. As far as Mexico...I just came back from there...not sure it would be worth the time to travel all the way down there. ...just my opinion...I could be wrong! PS Be sure to send me a post card! |
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17 Apr 02 - 08:53 AM (#691992) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Fibula Mattock Thanks Mary - yes, I'll send a postcard! I'm looking forward to seeing sites while I'm there, and I'm more than happy to drink sangria. Yeah, I'm quite worried about Texas in July, especially given the fact that I have red hair and burn within 15 minutes of exposure to the sun, but I don't know how much of the daytime I'll see as last year (when the conference was in LA) we ended up catching up on sleep or sitting in lecture halls during daylight hours... I'll defintely have a few days there to site-see though. |
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17 Apr 02 - 09:14 AM (#692015) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Mary in Kentucky Check these out... A little history --- For seveal years I've written a birthday page for my uncle who now lives in Texas, born in Arkansas. When I was growing up in Texas we constantly teased each other about the Tex-Ark rivalry. My ISP dumped all my web page April 1st, so I'm still reconstructing things. These are a couple that were on it. Another thought --- be sure to try the TexMex food. It's my favorite, and you can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Texas. |
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17 Apr 02 - 09:20 AM (#692022) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Mary in Kentucky hmmmmm...must not be able to link directly... try these: Top Ten Reasons Why Texas is the Best State http://pages.ivillage.com/ssanta2001/texas/topten.htm Texas Bluebonnets http://pages.ivillage.com/ssanta2001/texas/bluebonnet.htm |
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17 Apr 02 - 09:48 AM (#692055) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Mary in Kentucky Thought of another funny... Many of the "Snowbirds" or "Winter Texans" cross the border into Mexico for daytrips, sightseeing, etc. The Mexicans call them "Q-tips"! (White hair on top, white tennis shoes on bottom) |
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17 Apr 02 - 09:55 AM (#692060) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA San Antonio Visitors Bureau events page for July: http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/visitors/July2002.asp San Antonio Visitors Bureau "Things to See & Do" section – Attractions: http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/visitors/things_attra.asp (also see list on the left-hand side of that page to click on "Activities", "Heritage Area", "City Parks" including the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures [admission is pretty reasonable at $4], and "Mission Trail" – admission is free for missions on the Trail!) More stuff to do: http://heartofsanantonio.com/ |
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17 Apr 02 - 10:01 AM (#692071) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA Entertainment list from www.esanantonio.com: http://www.esanantonio.com/common/displaylist.cfm |
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17 Apr 02 - 10:08 AM (#692079) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA Wanna watch an American baseball game? Here's the home page of the "San Antonio Missions" AA baseball team (gate price listed at $7 - $8): http://www.samissions.com/DeptMAIN.hmx?UID=9905-282334-5192 |
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17 Apr 02 - 10:19 AM (#692089) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Fibula Mattock Cool! Thanks very much. I've had a look online for some San Antonio stuff, and I'll defintely be seeing the sites there. I saw a couple of baseball games when I was in Chicago, and I really enjoyed them (more for the atmosphere than anything). I'm interested in travelling after my stay San Antonio though, so if anyone can think of good trips anywhere that can start from either Texas or Chicago, then let's have 'em! |
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17 Apr 02 - 10:28 AM (#692098) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA San Antonio music guide: http://www.sa360.com/events/music/ |
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17 Apr 02 - 10:36 AM (#692106) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA One more San Antonio link and then I'll stop! Here's the home page of the San Antonio Blues Society: http://www.sanantonioblues.com/ |
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17 Apr 02 - 11:27 AM (#692144) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA Just one more suggestion, Fibula: You will probably receive more responses if you ask at the Help Forum to have the thread title changed to "Vacation ideas (USA) wanted!" To us in the US, "holiday" usually means Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving and so forth. Americans scanning the thread titles probably won't interpret this thread as a request for "road trip" suggestions (I sure didn't!). Anyway, as long as we're on the subject of road trips, why not check out Roadfood.com for some interesting places to eat along the way? http://www.roadfood.com/ |
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17 Apr 02 - 11:35 AM (#692151) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: MMario awww - c'mon sharon - we are not ALL that insular; *grin* tho' I have to admit that while I *recognize* the use of the term, you are certainly correct that in the US that is not its first meaning or usage. |
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17 Apr 02 - 11:46 AM (#692161) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA MMario: Hey, I said "usually"! *G* |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:01 PM (#692178) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: pattyClink Depends on what you're into. 1. I like to just hit the road west from S.A., across the limestone plateaus all the way to the Big Bend country, but it's a long drive, and bleak for those who aren't into rock. Keep going west to the Grand Canyon. Long hot drives in summer 2. Staying in Texas, make a side trip to Austin for the music scene, then head southeast to Corpus Christi and spend a few days on the beach at Padre Island (there's also a cool research lab and wildlife refuge there) would be a more relaxing way to go. 3. You are not far from the Ozarks/Ouachitas of Arkansas. Lots of green mountains and mountain culture. 4. Head east, catch the Deep South circuit of New Orleans, Natchez, and Vicksburg on the Mississippi. 5. Go for cool high mountains in the Rockies. Head for Durango, Silverton, Leadville, Ouray in Colorado. If I had to pick one of these circuits, that would be my first choice. If you have time, you might be able to combine that with the Grand Canyon target, or make a loop over to our canyon National Parks in Utah--Arches/Zion/Bryce. Texas has a huge illustrated guide they give away, I would get my hands on that if you want to explore Texas its ownself. |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:02 PM (#692179) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Fibula Mattock Ahhh, I never thought of that! Thanks for telling me. I've just been chatting to a friend who might be travelling with me. He is very interested in travelling by train from Chicago through the Rockies to San Francisco. It does sound appealing (a tad pricey, but appealing) - has anyone ever done that journey or know much about it? (I've already visited the Amtrak site and got info from there.) I'm trying to avoid driving if I can as I hate driving. But I suppose it's not much of a road trip if I'm not prepared to get behind the wheel! |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:08 PM (#692190) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: Fibula Mattock Sorry - the "I never thought of that" was about the thread title! pattyClink - yes, I'm into rock (mainly climbing it though, but I like bleak and wild places). i have a friend who thought Austin was great, so that might be worth a visit. I love the idea of New Orleans too. |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:32 PM (#692218) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: CarolC There are a lot of great prehistoric archaeological sites west of the Mississippi. Here's one of them... |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:36 PM (#692229) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: CarolC Here's a really cool picture of the cliff dwellings... |
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17 Apr 02 - 12:45 PM (#692234) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: MMario The drive along the Painted Desert is spectacular, Meteorite Crater is pretty impressive, and The Petrified Forest is pretty interesting |
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17 Apr 02 - 05:53 PM (#692372) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday ideas (USA) wanted! From: McGrath of Harlow But you have Holiday Inns which are open the whole year round. There's no logic to these things is there?
There are still some people in England who talk about "going on leave", even apart from the armed services. Am I right that it's "furlough" in the American armed services? And do civilians ever use that term? Anyway this sounds like it should be a great trip. (But make sure to find time to look up some Mudcatters while you're there - and any Mudcatters on her route, you'll love her.) |
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17 Apr 02 - 09:34 PM (#692513) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: Celtic Soul I dunno how close San Antone is to the Gulf, but if you can manage it, it's beautiful! Or, if you have the time and the funds, take a quick flight to the Florida Keys...Paradise!! |
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17 Apr 02 - 11:52 PM (#692581) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) The Mesa Verde- cliff dwellings scene has been suggested. Combine with a visit to the Navajo Nation and stay in their motel at Window Rock. Lots of interesting stuff in the area. Visit the Hopis (good food at their motel, but rooms a bit pricy), the Zuñis. The Anasazi ruins at Cañon de Chelly- hire a Navajo driver to get to the ruin CarolC showed. Monument Valley not too far, lots of rocks! Lots of driving, though! The country is warm but not too hot because of the elevation. Or how about the Taos-Santa Fé area, the high road to Taos and the old Spanish villages and churches, and a good number of Indian pueblos close by to the west. The Valle Grande in the Jemez Mts., the most beautiful spot in New Mexico, just recently came under the Federal Government wing. Or take a trip into Cajun country, the bayous and meet the people, and the Big Easy. Train travel is not the best way to see things outside of the major centers. The by-ways are the thing. The Big Bend is a place to really see geology. Again, lots of driving. And be careful where you leave chocolate- the scorpions love it. And it is hot- did geology field work there one summer. Mexico has much that is interesting, but not for the short haul, or the inexperienced unless you stick with a resort town in the mountains or on the coast. Come for a week, stay for a year. |
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18 Apr 02 - 08:58 PM (#693290) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: Rolfyboy6 As has been suggested Austin is a thriving music scene with several different kinds of music, alternative country, blues, folk, texas rock. Music there tends not to conform to labels. And the country side there is nice too (wear a hat) with some good places to go swimming. At a greater distance, there is only one New Orleans. Music's home, where the street musicians are often as good as pricey headliners. From Chicago go north to the great north woods in northern Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota, and swim in the lakes. Amtrak can be good or bad depending on traincar maintenence. The route through Colorado over the 'Rio Grande RR' route is wonderful. I'm in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area is still beautiful. |
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19 Apr 02 - 09:39 AM (#693679) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA "Amtrak can be good or bad..." Case in point: yesterday's Amtrak AutoTrain derailment in Florida (4 people killed, over 100 injured). |
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19 Apr 02 - 02:45 PM (#693869) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: Steve in Idaho And the town of Gruenwald (sp) North of San Antonio is an old German settlement that is somewhat of a tourist attraction now. The oldest dance hall in Texas is located there. Usually live music going on - local and quite good - and there is a cafe in the old flour mill that serves the best sandwiches this side of the Mississippi.
It costs nothing to walk around and see the sites there. And the music was free. Jan and I spent a delightful day there just wandering around. But July?? Hot and muggy! And it can rain 13 inches in a couple of hours.
Steve |
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22 Apr 02 - 10:13 AM (#695547) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: SharonA There's a notice on the Crockett Family website about a temporary exhibit concerning Davy Crockett's life, at the Texas State Museum in Austin. It runs through August 18, 2002. Lots of rare family artifacts and documents, in addition to many items on loan from other museums. Crockett buffs shouldn't miss this. Here's the page about it: http://www.goahead.org/texas_state_museum.htm |
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22 Apr 02 - 10:29 AM (#695550) Subject: RE: BS: Holiday (vacation) ideas (USA) wanted! From: Coyote Breath Amen about Amtrak being good or bad but the trip from Chicago (or St. Louis) to San Francisco is spectatcular and very expensive. If driving try to use the "blue highways", those secondary roads which wind and twist and put you in touch with people and places instead of rest stops and fast food. Charles Kuralt once said that freeways are great ways to get from point A to point B but you don't see much inbetween. I'm leaving on the 29th of April for a 2 month ramble out to old friends in San Francisco and favorite places on the way. If ANYONE here on the 'cat is planning a trip to the states and their agenda might bring them into my area (Central Midwest) PM me. I am retired and have a great love of travel for it's sake and know of many, many places to visit. Also I can help get people accomodated hereabouts and out in the Bay Area. The reference to blue highways is from a book by William Least Heat-Moon, called Blue Highways. I recommend it to all who travel and wander. River Horse ain't bad either. CB |