What to do, what to do...

Jim and Sue L.

Jim and Sue L.

Junior Ranger
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say just about everyone on this forum loves camping, going to new places and enjoying adventures. So I'm asking what extra curricular activity have you experienced on a trip that you would like to share. The what and where of it, kids. From bungy jumping to zip lines, white water or spelunking, chime in with it.

Sue
 
Usually Diving, exploring, winery's, happenings. Usually there is something on the agenda along with the camping part, not just camping to camp although that seems to be the current trend.

Diving is the big motivator, but now that Summer aka "BKT" time is coming, Fall will be the "new Season" start...
 
I found it expensive too. It has been a while since I have done a zip line. I just looked at the one in your area, and a full zip line tour is $68, which is a grand opening special price. Too bad you don't have extra time!

Just found this one, outside of Astoria:
http://highlife-adventures.com/
In case you end up there! It is also more reasonable.

Now I know what is out there! Thanks! :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Aside from camping which is a given I have gotten into hiking the slot canyons of southern Utah. It takes hiking to a new level in that normally you hike to see vistas, and in the Southwest they are grand. When you explore slot canyons your world becomes more confined in a manner of speaking since some of these canyons are only a few feet wide and hundreds of feet deep, kind of like exploring a cave without a roof.

Since some of you have seen 128 Hours where a slot canyon junkie became trapped and was forced to cut off his hand with a Swiss Army knive, the obvious answer to this situation is to not do it alone, and I don't. Another precaution that I practice is to always head up canyon, not down. My theory is that if you can climb it, you can usually go down. We are heading up to the Grand Escalante Staircase area in about two weeks while the weather is still cool. By the way speaking of weather, make sure that if you want to try this to make sure that there are no thunder showers within 20 miles of where you are going or you could end up getting flushed down canyon by a 20 foot wall of water with blue sky above. This has happened a number of times and it will ruin the last day you spend on this earth.
 
Good advice, Leo & Jan. Yeah, a flash flood can make life pretty interesting.

Jim and I like a little cave venture. We're not true spelunkers-no way you'd get my bulk squirming head first through some of those tight spots. But an easy walk in a subterranean lair is oh so cool in more ways than one.

Travel up the I-5 just past Redding along the far shore of Lake Shasta and you'll find the Shasta Caverns. Marble and limestone caves that are easily accessible and guided. Along the Oregon border, off 199, is Oregon Caves National Park. An hour long guided tour is a must do. It's pretty easy, but there is a lot of climbing on stairs and a few tight spots. There are several exits along the way just in case things start to close in on you.

Caves are beautiful, a must see at least once in your life, and these two are an easy step into a different world. For those lucky enough to be close by in the East, there is the great Carlsbad Cavern. Check it out if you can.

Camp On

Sue and Jim

Jenn, If you do go on a zip line, don't forget some talcum powder. Chaffing can spoil your day.

Just sayin'.....
 
When we are out, I am a total sucker for those roadside attractions. I will swing in for "The Biggest...." whatever. Sometimes they are awful, sometimes they are fantastic, and sometimes, you can't help but laugh. I just love that stuff! That is pure Americana. I wanted to make more stops on our cross-country trip, but was detoured and hurrying, to get out of the it storm we were up against. My mom may have been thankful for that! :)

Otherwise, we are mostly hiker/walkers. We love to tide pool and explore too. If there is a big attraction, we try to make time for it. My trip down the coast will include a lot of those in a few weeks. Especially when we hit the Redwoods. Who doesn't want to see the largest Paul Bunyun and Babe statue?! I am going to have to go back to SD too...that state is a pro at roadside attractions and we barely stopped at any of them, including Wall Drug!
 
Oh yeah, Wall Drug. That is going to be a must stop for us, too. This time I'm gonna try their pancakes...and the pie. And, of course, I must worship at the feet of some of the best examples of Western art in the whole doggone world.

Sue
 
Another thing Jim and I like to do when exploring is to join in any small town activity we just happen to stumble upon. For example: Last year we were up in the Avenue of the Giants as usual and messing around the town of Fortune-lots of great antique shops there. Anyway, that afternoon they were having their annual chili cook-off. We love chili, so how could we resist?

Main Street was blocked off, white and blue canopied booths lined the streets, banners fluttered in the breeze and hundreds of people from miles around congregated in a convivial mass that wandered from one sample booth to another. Everyone was courteous and friendly, something sorely missing in the urban setting, and we joyfully sampled chili recipes ranging from high-end gorgeous to down right nauseous. They even had a Native American style with fry bread. To die for, to say the least. Everyone had their fill and we all gathered at the end to cheer the group voted best chili. What a blast.

Small town life, that is what we like to add to our camping trips.

Camp On.

Sue
 
Oh yeah! That's the other, other thing-EATING! Love to stop at little grocery stores and such to pick up local products...like that C grade maple syrup I'm gonna pig out on when we hit Vermont this fall.

Sue
 
George said:
Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.
Click to expand...
We're with ya on that one George… that's one of the main reason why we bought our trailer. We're looking forward to following some of Guy Fieri's road trips.

Mick'nSarah said:
When we are out, I am a total sucker for those roadside attractions. I will swing in for "The Biggest...." whatever. Sometimes they are awful, sometimes they are fantastic, and sometimes, you can't help but laugh. I just love that stuff! That is pure Americana. :)
Click to expand...
Sarah, that's right up our alley too… the stranger, the better.
 
Maybe we should have a special thread about the best/worst roadside attractions we have seen. I would start with the biggest Sitka Spruse (can't remember if it was in the US or the world). I know Oregon was fighting with some other places, because one was bigger around and the other was taller or something like that. Sadly, during a massive wind storm, and due to its deteriorating health, it blew over. I still maintain the other state sent the wind, just to win! :) At least we have pictures to remember our stop and the tree. Would be fun to hear about things in other states. Laddy and I leave in 2 weeks for the Redwoods (Mick isn't able to join us), so I am sure I will have a few things to add!
 
Sue, are they Sitka Spruces? That is what Washington was arguing with us about. Obviously we have too much time on our hands (it rains a lot and we get bored), but Washington does now have the largest Sitka Spruce.
 
Nah, just your average two thousand year old Coastal Redwood. I know you guys were pulling out your Sitkas and measuring them, but Jim just couldn't resist a little jab about tall trees in general. And in that case, ours ARE bigger than yours.

Tee-hee.

Camp On,

Sue
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top