Say you have a "free" flight ticket to go anywhere in USA and Canada for a weekend (not Hawaii and AK) for a landscape experience. Which place will you go? The emphasis is on "free" as the place is something you will think twice to travel otherwise. Am just curious to know the thoughts :).
If you like desert and rock, it's hard to beat the Southwest in the US. Fly into Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, and hit the parks and small destinations between. I'll guarantee you'll feel rushed if you manage it in only a week.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 27, 2012 at 8:39 PM
One weekend?!?
If so, then fly to Las Vegas, rent a car and visit Valley of Fire State Park.
Before you go, be sure to purchase a copy of this excellent 'Photographer's Guide to VoFSP' and study it carefully to get the most out of your limited amount of time.
Would love to go to Kluane, Ellsmere Island, Baffin Island or anywhere on the canadian arctic.
Kluane is pretty affordable even without the free ticket offer
edit: Sorry ! Did not see the "weekend" clause, for most of us, these places might take a weekend to get to Kluane is still doable in a long weekend.
Posted by Greg Lessard on January 28, 2012 at 6:23 AM
#1 Glacier NP
#2 Grand Tetons NP
#3 Acadia NP
All of these locations are fantastic and close to regional airports and easy lodging and restaurants. Glacier is large and would be better suited to at least a week, but you can hit most of the highlights in a very long day. Acadia and Grand Tetons are small enough that you can feel like you explored a lot in just a weekend and you don't have to knock yourself out to get everywhere. All three parks are also worthy of extended stays. I ranked Acadia 3rd because it doesn't have the 10,000 foot Rocky Mountains like the other parks and a lot less wildlife. However, it is my favorite park and I have made many weekend trips there. It is fantastic and equally beautiful and photogenic as the other two parks, just in a more subtle way.
Did you win a fabulous prize or are we just day dreaming the winter doldrums away? Either way, have fun!
I agree that the Canadian Rockies are unbelievable. They would top my list.
Posted by David Graham on January 28, 2012 at 12:45 PM
There have been some great suggestions for great landscape image's, but from a somewhat different perspective I suggest spending a weekend hiking up and down and and back again through Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania. My best index of a great site is the number of "keeper" image's per 50 steps of hiking.
"Where?" I hear you cry! (And that's a good thing!)
Go alone, in any season, take plenty of memory and batteries, and hike down and hike up and back again at your own pace; experience each site in the morning, in the dread mid-day light, and in late afternoon. You'll not be disappointed.
Then again, the Cave Hills and Slim Buttes of Harding County, South Dakota are not to be sneezed at.
Just another approach,
Dave Graham
East River, SD
Posted by David Prichard on January 28, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Couldn't do it in a weekend save for a fly-over, but I would suggest a trip down the Nahanni River does not get the attention it deserves,
Posted by Hali Sowle on January 28, 2012 at 7:08 PM
Wow, for a weekend? I'd say Acadia NP in the fall hands down, it's small enough that you could cover alot of the park in 2 or three days (if you are talking long weekend), it's mostly easily accessible with a small airport just as you get on Mount Desert Isle and there is so much to see and do.
Posted by Ed Williams on January 29, 2012 at 12:18 AM
What a fun topic Karthick. I have to go with Sandy Richards. Banff/Jasper fly in to Calgary or Edmonton. You could even go into British Columbia to Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Fraser River area, etc. You would have to move fast to cover it all in a weekend though. Early October is when the crowds are gone and the weather is starting to change again.
Or, you could fly into San Francisco and drive the Northern California Coast and see Point Reyes and the Redwoods. Spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom is amazing there.
Thank you so much guys for all this suggestion :). I came to know of some great places in this thread. Really appreciate your time in sharing it.
Greg: Didn't win a fabulous prize or lottery? Just had to cancel a professional trip in the last minute and the universe handed out this ticket, which I have to use in a specific time limit :)
Discussion
11 repliesSay you have a "free" flight ticket to go anywhere in USA and Canada for a weekend (not Hawaii and AK) for a landscape experience. Which place will you go? The emphasis is on "free" as the place is something you will think twice to travel otherwise. Am just curious to know the thoughts :).
Cheers!
Been there, done that, unbelievable.
Sandy
If so, then fly to Las Vegas, rent a car and visit Valley of Fire State Park.
Before you go, be sure to purchase a copy of this excellent 'Photographer's Guide to VoFSP' and study it carefully to get the most out of your limited amount of time.
Kluane is pretty affordable even without the free ticket offer
edit: Sorry ! Did not see the "weekend" clause, for most of us, these places might take a weekend to get to
#2 Grand Tetons NP
#3 Acadia NP
All of these locations are fantastic and close to regional airports and easy lodging and restaurants. Glacier is large and would be better suited to at least a week, but you can hit most of the highlights in a very long day. Acadia and Grand Tetons are small enough that you can feel like you explored a lot in just a weekend and you don't have to knock yourself out to get everywhere. All three parks are also worthy of extended stays. I ranked Acadia 3rd because it doesn't have the 10,000 foot Rocky Mountains like the other parks and a lot less wildlife. However, it is my favorite park and I have made many weekend trips there. It is fantastic and equally beautiful and photogenic as the other two parks, just in a more subtle way.
Did you win a fabulous prize or are we just day dreaming the winter doldrums away? Either way, have fun!
"Where?" I hear you cry! (And that's a good thing!)
Go alone, in any season, take plenty of memory and batteries, and hike down and hike up and back again at your own pace; experience each site in the morning, in the dread mid-day light, and in late afternoon. You'll not be disappointed.
Then again, the Cave Hills and Slim Buttes of Harding County, South Dakota are not to be sneezed at.
Just another approach,
Dave Graham
East River, SD
Or, you could fly into San Francisco and drive the Northern California Coast and see Point Reyes and the Redwoods. Spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom is amazing there.
Greg: Didn't win a fabulous prize or lottery? Just had to cancel a professional trip in the last minute and the universe handed out this ticket, which I have to use in a specific time limit :)