|
|
Post by chiqui on Aug 24, 2021 13:23:15 GMT -4
We carried bear spray when we were in the North Cascades. We had the teenage dog too, but of course he isn't much use against a bear. At least 5 times when we were hiking we heard something big crashing around in the undergrowth. It might have been a deer or feral pig or a porcupine, we never saw it. But the bear spray was at ready. FYI: It has an expiration date, so check!
|
|
|
|
Post by famvir on Aug 24, 2021 15:06:34 GMT -4
TTMR & I are planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in September. We were going to take a road trip to West Virginia (stopping in Pennsylvania to see Fallingwater, the famous Frank Lloyd Wright house) because we wanted to go somewhere. I didn't want to fly and I wanted to check another state off of my list. Sadly, with the Delta variant and Covid cases spiking, we decided it was better not to go. The UP will be a good place to visit but it's not a new state. We went camping in the U P in September a few years back. We were eaten alive by the black flies. I mean a black cloud of them. It is probably different this year because it’s been drier, but bug spray is probably as important as bear spray. |
|
|
|
Post by mojogirl on Aug 24, 2021 20:49:13 GMT -4
TTMR & I are planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in September. We were going to take a road trip to West Virginia (stopping in Pennsylvania to see Fallingwater, the famous Frank Lloyd Wright house) because we wanted to go somewhere. I didn't want to fly and I wanted to check another state off of my list. Sadly, with the Delta variant and Covid cases spiking, we decided it was better not to go. The UP will be a good place to visit but it's not a new state. We went camping in the U P in September a few years back. We were eaten alive by the black flies. I mean a black cloud of them. It is probably different this year because it’s been drier, but bug spray is probably as important as bear spray. Yes, the UP is gorgeous but OMG the black flies... they literally will bite a chunk out of you, I had bloodstains on my shirts! |
|
|
|
Post by Ripley on Aug 25, 2021 11:12:58 GMT -4
Oh, I didn't think about the black flies. Or bears. I guess I'd better pack spray for both.
ETA: I looked at a foliage map, and the trees should be in full color by then. That's a bonus!
|
|
luckylexie
Blueblood
Sophie Stink Eye Stan
Posts: 1,077
Mar 25, 2005 11:12:51 GMT -4
|
Post by luckylexie on Sept 1, 2021 0:52:25 GMT -4
Folks, my solo camping/hiking in the Canadian Rockies was STUNNING. I am also happy to report no bear run-ins on the trail. Animals I did meet were white-tailed deer as I tore down camp one morning on the trail, bighorn sheep (on a mountain plateau and alongside the highway), elk walking through and grazing at my car campsite, and cute little pika up on rocky areas of the trails. I can't wait to go back to Jasper; I loved, loved it. Banff not so much because it was busy, but I only spent a couple of hours downtown to do laundry, so that's not a fair assessment. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were crowded and full of people taking photos for their Instagram (like, twirling-their-skirts poses x 20, which was annoying because I had to wait for a turn to get a photo). I actually went to LL and ML later in the evening, around 8 PM, when parking eased up. I can't imagine how much more crowded it is during the daytime. There were so many highlights, but I think I took the most photos during the Cavell Meadows Trail hike. It's so beautiful, pictures don't do it justice, but I tried. Go to Jasper if you can. Highly recommend! ETA: Next up is a trip to Iceland. Has anyone been? Seeing an erupting volcano would be mind-blowing. |
|
WestEndGirl
Landed Gentry
Posts: 978
Mar 14, 2005 22:12:17 GMT -4
|
Post by WestEndGirl on Sept 2, 2021 17:00:08 GMT -4
I traveled out of the country (out of the US) last week. I had posted in the Covid thread that I was extremely anxious about this, but my travel companion and I were vaccinated, live alone, work remotely, and our destination had a lot stronger protocols than the US. We had booked the trip pre-Delta concerns. I am happy to report that travel to France was beyond my expectations, safety wise, due to the covid passport we had to show on our phones. We were in several cities/regions and I felt safer there than back home.
luckylexie, I went to Iceland several years ago, around Labor Day (one of the warmer times of year). Such a beautiful country and I would love to go back one day. I didn't see an erupting volcano but still remember the stunning waterfalls. There are several you can walk behind. Make sure you leave Reykjavik; there are day trips you can take to South Iceland (Vik) and the Golden Circle (the geyser, the continental divide). I also went to the Blue Lagoon, which is touristy but I thought it was lovely. You need reservations from what I remember; we went on a weekday and it was not crowded at all. We planned to only stay an hour but spent much longer because it was so relaxing. It's near the airport so some people combine it with their arrival or departure but we went separately so we didn't have to deal with luggage, and we took a bus from Reykjavik. I didn't get to see the Northern Lights, as I was there at the very beginning of the season and had too many cloudy skies but wish it had worked out to take a trek one evening. One other thing, if you haven't been to Scandinavia before - the food and drink is very expensive.
|
|
|
|
Post by lordofthefries on Sept 8, 2021 11:32:39 GMT -4
Does anyone have recommendations for the south of France? I'm visiting one of my best friends who lives in northern France next summer and we'd like to do a road trip together. I was thing Bordeaux, the French Pyrenees, and maybe a side trip into Andorra?
|
|
horseface
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 486 
|
Post by horseface on Sept 8, 2021 11:56:09 GMT -4
Does anyone have recommendations for the south of France? I'm visiting one of my best friends who lives in northern France next summer and we'd like to do a road trip together. I was thing Bordeaux, the French Pyrenees, and maybe a side trip into Andorra? Aix!!! I lived there for a time. It's lovely. |
|
|
|
Post by seat6 on Sept 8, 2021 12:39:29 GMT -4
Does anyone have recommendations for the south of France? I'm visiting one of my best friends who lives in northern France next summer and we'd like to do a road trip together. I was thing Bordeaux, the French Pyrenees, and maybe a side trip into Andorra? I have visited Toulouse and enjoyed it. It's nickname is the Rose City because of all the pink brick. It's a foodie destination, if that's something you are interested in. There is an interesting cathedral that is two different styles that are stuck together. The municipal building is open for free and there cool murals. There is also a museum devoted to the Roman occupation of Gaul. I think it would be a nice place as a base for shorter day trips. |
|
|
|
Post by lordofthefries on Sept 8, 2021 12:43:59 GMT -4
Does anyone have recommendations for the south of France? I'm visiting one of my best friends who lives in northern France next summer and we'd like to do a road trip together. I was thing Bordeaux, the French Pyrenees, and maybe a side trip into Andorra? I have visited Toulouse and enjoyed it. It's nickname is the Rose City because of all the pink brick. It's a foodie destination, if that's something you are interested in. There is an interesting cathedral that is two different styles that are stuck together. The municipal building is open for free and there cool murals. There is also a museum devoted to the Roman occupation of Gaul. I think it would be a nice place as a base for shorter day trips. Friend's partner is in Toulouse so that would be perfect! I've very excited to be traveling in France with actual French people - I think this will be a lot more fun than my prior more touristy vacations. Any particular restaurants you'd suggest? |
|
