OT: Airline Voucher to expire soon - where should I go as a photog?
Discussion
14 replies
Posted by Scott Bideau on February 17, 2012 at 12:33 PM
I've got an airline voucher that will expire soon and can take me pretty much anywhere in Mexico, US, or Canada. I'm thinking of using it for a short photography expedition and would like to poll the group for suggestions. I need to use it before mid-April and living in Steamboat, I'd rather get out of the snow and into some sort of desert or equally different location. I saw the recent thread about upper antelope and that got me thinking about this idea, but I'd rather visit that location when the sun is in a position of poking the ray of light through. All suggestions are very much appreciated.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 17, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Valley of Fire is just north of Las Vegas.
Baja of Mexico where you can kayak?
Copper Canyon in Mexico?
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 17, 2012 at 5:01 PM
Hmmm, nice dilemma to have! My first thought when you said "pretty much anywhere in Mexico" was Pico de Orizaba. Or maybe go see the Mayan temples in the Yucatan!
Posted by John Mumaw on February 17, 2012 at 5:11 PM
How much time have you got to shoot?
States or Mexico?
Without knowing your constraints, my first thought is (as per Doug K.) to fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and visit Valley of Fire (first pick up this eGuide) . If you can swing a 4WD, visit Little Finland (you'll need to translate that page) and Toroweap Pt. on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 17, 2012 at 5:23 PM
I agree, there are a lot of great photo options within a short drive of Vegas. But, I would consider that a waste of a free ticket. The air fares to Vegas are cheap and it's not that far of a drive from Steamboat.
How about something on the west coast? Fly into San Francisco and explore the coast, Monterey / Big Sur.
If you are not limited to the continental US, Hawaii (Maui or Kauai) would be my #1 choice.
Seattle > San Juan Islands for some sea kayaking with orcas?
Posted by Scott Bideau on February 17, 2012 at 6:17 PM
Big Sur sounds appealing. While my voucher will get me decent airfare, I will be limited on time so Hawaii is a no-go (I've been fortunate enough to go there several times already, the first courtesy of winning McDonald's Monopoly when I was I'm grade school!)
Anyone have any good resources for camping along the Big Sur coast?
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 17, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Yosemite, Olympic or Mt. Rainier National Parks. Maybe coastal redwoods, I think you could time it for the rhododendron blooms.
Posted by Anil Rao on February 17, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Scott,
This site has a lot of information regarding Big Sur, including camp ground stuff.
Posted by Don Grall on February 18, 2012 at 12:24 AM
"Maybe coastal redwoods, I think you could time it for the rhododendron blooms"
The rhododendrons bloom in early to mid-June if I remember correctly, so that won't work this time. However, Antelope Valley and the Poppy Reserve located just north of Lancaster, CA) will be peaking with poppy blooms in the first half of April. And Monterey and Big Sur are within striking distance of the poppy reserve as well.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on February 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM
I second the Big Sur suggestion. I'm heading there myself in mid April. I decided to fly into San Jose instead of San Fran. I found car rental much cheaper in San Jose.
Posted by Ken Wyatt on February 18, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Canadian Rockies?
Posted by Scott Bideau on February 18, 2012 at 4:04 PM
I'm really diggin' the Big Sur suggestion and will poke my nose over in the California regional forum for some additional advice. Thanks everyone!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on February 19, 2012 at 9:35 PM
I used a voucher for the same purpose this time of year a couple years ago. I went to Lancaster, CA to play in the poppy fields of Antelope Valley. Amazing! If you haven't been there consider it.
Discussion
14 repliesBaja of Mexico where you can kayak?
Copper Canyon in Mexico?
States or Mexico?
Without knowing your constraints, my first thought is (as per Doug K.) to fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and visit Valley of Fire (first pick up this eGuide) . If you can swing a 4WD, visit Little Finland (you'll need to translate that page) and Toroweap Pt. on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
How about something on the west coast? Fly into San Francisco and explore the coast, Monterey / Big Sur.
If you are not limited to the continental US, Hawaii (Maui or Kauai) would be my #1 choice.
Anyone have any good resources for camping along the Big Sur coast?
This site has a lot of information regarding Big Sur, including camp ground stuff.
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/camping.html
The rhododendrons bloom in early to mid-June if I remember correctly, so that won't work this time. However, Antelope Valley and the Poppy Reserve located just north of Lancaster, CA) will be peaking with poppy blooms in the first half of April. And Monterey and Big Sur are within striking distance of the poppy reserve as well.