Where should we go on a trip?

[GTX]

We're planning on going back to Monterey, Ca again for a week or so but we'd like to squeeze in another trip this year so where should we go?

1-Yellowstone
2-Yosemite
3-Grand Canyon
4-Carlsbad Caverns

I've actually never been to any of these so I'm wide open to suggestions and ideas.

I was going to put Mt Rushmore and a few others on the list but they are too far away for this time so please limit the ideas to these four.

[moparjohn]

I am lucky I've bee to all four.  If I had to choose, Grand Canyon or Yellowstone.

[bull]

You can do Jellystone and Grand Teton National Parks in the same trip. Jellystone is very cool, I've been there twice and loved it (despite several problems on our 2nd trip).

The Indians just built a cool new skybridge over part of the Grand Canyon so that might be cool. Or it may be so cool it's too crowded, which would not be cool.

I've never been to Yosemite but I'd love to go. I'm not sure but I think it's possible to catch Lake Tahoe during the same visit w/o going too far out of your way. That'd be a humdinger.

I know jack diddly about Carlsbad Canyon.

I vote for Yellowstone/Grand Tetons with Yosemite/Lake Tahoe a close second. Yellowstone is very, very unusual. It's a strange mix of the old west and a geological dreamland with all the crazy volcanic activity there. I don't know anywhere else on the planet you can see a herd of 200 elk next to bubbling sulfuric mud pots. Most of the park is above 7,500' elevation though so it ain't no tropical vacation spot.

[Big Lebowski]

If Yosemite & Lake Tahoe are full, try my hang out, Palomar mountain (6000 ft.). The famous telescope is always open with the AC on. Palomar Mt. is in the Cleveland Natl. Forest, so it's part of the southern Sierra Nevada mtns. Tall trees, cheap cabins & camping sites, no gas stations, one diner "Mothers Kitchen", lots of quiet (except Sundays when the You-tube losers race their rice rockets up & down the mountain) It really sucks how these chowder heads use my mountain for a God D@%$^* race course . My uncle's 4 cabins are at the top, one real log cabin was built in the early 20's. Very cool hangout, the folks up there would help anyone, cool Jack Daniels drinking mtn. folks, it's like the Waltons up there, really, no kidding.

My cabins up by the shiny cell phone tower above it all...

[GTX]

So has anyone been to Carlsbad Caverns?

Forgive the ignorance but what do you do at Yellowstone?

[bull]

So has anyone been to Carlsbad Caverns?

Forgive the ignorance but what do you do at Yellowstone?

Same thing you'd do at the other three places -- look at stuff.

[GTX]

Conjures up images from National Lampoons Vacation where they do the speed sightseeing.

I guess I just don't know what is they except for Old Faithful. I guess Yogi Bear has left or died by now?

[my73charger]

I loved Yellowstone, definitely recommended!!

[Charger_Fan]

I've been to the Grand Canyon about 18 times...17 of those when I was a kid & didn't really appreciate it. I just wanted to spit over the edge & chuck rocks. The last time was about 15 years ago, we took our kids...and guess what? All they wanted to do was spit over the edge & chuck rocks.

I haven't been to the other places, though.

[bull]

Conjures up images from National Lampoons Vacation where they do the speed sightseeing.

I guess I just don't know what is they except for Old Faithful. I guess Yogi Bear has left or died by now?

According to Online Magazine there are 99 things to do in Yellowstone: http://www.yellowstonepark.com/MoreToKnow/OnlineMagazine.aspx

[chargerboy69]

The Grand Canyon is cool to see. I have been there a few times. Like Bull said, they just built that bridge. I bet that would be neat to see.

It is even cooler to see when you fly over it while heading out to. .  Las Vegas  .

[skip68]

We just moved from N.Cali. and we know the areas very well!

Tahoe: Cool, but remember there is one stop light in the center of town where the casinos are on the main strip and it's tourist time, might be a bit busy depending on when you go.

Carsbad Cavern: have not gone to that one personally but have gone to several other mining tunnels, and caverns,...cool if you have kids that are studying earth science. The Stalactites, and Stalagmites, are very interesting and the tour guides are very educated on the area! Bring your own food!

Yosemite: ??Never been. But wanted to!

Grand Canyon: I just saw a thing about that new viewing bridge that they built, and I think they said it was $25.00 a person. Ouch!

If you choose Tahoe, plan some time to go to Coloma Ca. (Where "Sutter's Mill" is! Just off highway 50 coming back down the mountain from South Shore lake Tahoe!) Great parks and  old mine shaft tours, stamp mill demonstrations, re-enactment things going on ALL the time! Very fun, and educational. Take the hike all the way up the mountain, to Sutter's Statue! Hope this info helps,...if you have more q's? PM us!
Mrs.Skip68