The Road Less Traveled

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

When it comes to tourist traveling, well, pretty much everyone has at least heard of if not visited the worldwide tourist "hot spots".
How about letting others know about the hidden gems you have seen that most people have never heard of?

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

The first place that comes to my mind is Safari West, located near Santa Rosa CA. It's a 400+ acre animal farm, housing African big game animals. You get a guided tour through the park in an open Land Rover, like in an African park. It's one of the best places I have ever visited.

[Deleted]

I don't think this is exactly what you had in mind because I don't remember any names, but back when we had no $ for vacations we would take little road trips to nearby states. One summer we searched for caves, the next summer we searched for waterfalls. The waterfalls were amazing and these were some of the best mini vacations ever.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I don't think this is exactly what you had in mind because I don't remember any names


Well, whatever! It seems like most people I know have a "secret" spot to visit that the majority of the Great Unwashed don't even know exist. If you found some spots that aren't even on the map, more power to you.

BTW, if you like waterfalls and are ever in Northern CA, be sure to visit Feather Falls above Lake Oroville. They are the longest single-drop falls in North America.

[mrsgords]

There are tons of little gems of towns in Ireland and certainly many roads not well traveled there.

[TrixAre4Kids]

Last summer we were camping in eastern Washington and decided to take a forest service road over a pass and end up at Lake Chelan. It took us about 5 hours to drive 20 miles or so. The views were amazing.

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[chiver78]

Jan 23, 2011 22:22:28 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

I don't think this is exactly what you had in mind because I don't remember any names


Well, whatever! It seems like most people I know have a "secret" spot to visit that the majority of the Great Unwashed don't even know exist.

call me selfish if you wish, but I've spent enough time traveling the world emphasizing my Canadian passport over my American one because the average ignorant American tourist is so offensive. fwiw, I'm fully aware that Canada is seen in some places as an extension of the USA, and that it's only marginally a step up. that said, personally I'd like to keep the majority of the Great Unwashed, to use your words, away from those secret treasures that people have. if someone deems me worthy of their secret paradise, I'll gladly take the tips.....but I'm not about to blindly share details of my own personal oases without proof of non-Homer Simpson travel skills.

[tskeeter]

The hidden gems are the people. You can find them on every street corner, cross roads, and intersection.

A request to pat the dog the gentleman is walking can turn into a short lesson in local history and sociology, and an explanation of the large stone wall you are standing next to. A morning hello to a grounds keeper in a hotel parking lot can lead to an understanding of the extent to which the residents are world travelers. A chance phone call to the local genealogical society can lead to an invitation home for tea and a life long friendship with a very distant relative.

It's the people who make the culture, not the landscapes and the buildings. If not for the people, you could have someone send you a picture and have the same experience.