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Mammoth Springs

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Get out of town


                                         Jorel © 2009 Robert Sommers

Leslie and I want to scoot somewhere for a few days soon. We need a short trip in the worst way, either a big dose of culture or an energy recharge. We are not bucks up so are reduced to a package kind of deal. All of these following possibilities cost about the same amount of dough.

We first thought about London but it will be cold and food is expensive.

Kona so Leslie can see the Volcanos ( which require a helicopter flight).

Cabo/Los Cabos area. Maybe a bit too developed.

Amsterdam - been there, done that.

Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo - long plane trip.

We used to go to Kauai a lot, want to try something new. Have visited Maui. My adventures on the big island haven't been that great but I always visited it after other islands. If we go for the recharge route, warm water and great snorkeling is a must. Used to scuba in Cayman and Cozumel but an inner ear thing made me give up the regulator.

Anybody got a good alternative idea for a nice spot?

15 comments:

grumpy said...

try Yemen, more bang for your buck there...

grumpy said...

i hear the Salton Sea is lovely this time of year.

grumpy said...

Bonneville Salt Flats.... ...Antarctica...Watts...Baghdad...
Kandahar...Siberia...Gaza...

grumpy said...

Stan Ridgway's destination of choice was always Lake Elsinore.

grumpy said...

North Korea; Robert Park could use some company.

Blue Heron said...

Got it out of your system? I think you need to chill.

island guy said...

Most of the last few years you could see the lava flowing along the ground into the sea after an hours drive from the park headquarters. Way cool, check the observatory web site for daily conditions

USGA? Kilauea obervatory key words to search

shawnintland said...

Ahhhhhemmm, You could try coming over here and eating a little "REAL" Thai food for a change! You could eat for a week on the cost of one meal of fake Thai back there. "big dose of culture" - well, 'nuff said.

Blue Heron said...

One day - saving up for a certain wedding in Bali... But one day...

grumpy said...

why stop, i'm on a roll?; actually, i have the perfect destination, and it's only a few hours away, i visited a buddy of mine there several years ago, he was serving a deuce as a guest of the CDC: Corcoran, CA, just an hour north of Bakersfield, most peaceful little town i've ever been to, while there you could drop in on Manson and Spector and reminisce on the 60's, what a lovely way to spend an afternoon; bon voyage.

Anonymous said...

Hi Robert, Hope your holidays were fun. I had seven guests, with grandchildren sleeping on futons in front of the fireplace, etc. Lots to eat, out to kids movies, walks with dogs etc. About the Big Island. It is big so cannot drive around it in a day and see all you want. Perhaps divide up the nights, in to Hilo, for eg., going to volcano, then on to Kona, with a night there, and back via Waimea (Kamuela) with side trip to Waipio Valley and back to Hilo via the Hamakua Coast. Or can come and go from Kona. What about an old time Japanese hotel in Capt. Cook, Kona, very near where i grew up? Rates very good. Beaches to enjoy in area include = Napoopoo, Honaunau (with wonderful historic Hawaiian site), and Hookena just south of that for swim (warm showers available). In Kailua-Kona (near Kona airpodrt), the Hulihee Palace and old church across the street and some heiau (ancient stone temples) in Kahaluu, just 3 or so miles south on the coastal road. On the upper road are the coffee farms (Greenwell Farms and adjacent Kona Historical Society) in Kealakekua where I was born. The volcano is unique and acitvity can sometimes be seen. Hilo is a larger small town with a funky look. Some shopping and the Lyman Museum there. An alternative is to cross the island on the Saddle Rd. which rises to about 7000 ft. and if clear wonderful moundtain views. Kamuela is at the western end of that and the old cowboy village of Parker Ranch. Also a drive out to the Kohala area from there to Hawi and Kapaau would be scenic. Perhaps we can talk sometime today as I am at home and can better guide what interests you. I will be home all day cleaning up the Christmas mess. Happy New Year! B.

Anonymous said...

You and Leslie should come out and spend a week at my desert getaway. You can have the house to yourselves and it's free!

waddup with Grumpy, seems a little bit..... grumpy???

KJ

Hudgins said...

Barbados. The Crane Hotel. Mount Gay Extra Old Rum. Best flying fish in the world.

Blue Heron said...

We booked Kona - Kamuela. Thanks for all off the suggestions.

Blue Heron said...
This comment has been removed by the author.