My favorite vacation place is,,,,

[irv]

I know this thread is about travelling abroad or travelling great distances to various places in your own country or around the world, but this is my favorite vacation spot that I have been going to for 12 yrs now, all within a 130 kms of my home.

We have travelled to Cancun (Moon Palace Resort) and to Disney in Florida over 10 yrs ago and would certainly like to travel outside our country a bit more, but for now, this is our go to place every summer.

We are right on the water, which is very nice, plus we face the west so we get some incredible sunsets over the summer.

My son was 5 when we first started going here. In that time he has learned to water ski, kneeboard, among other things.

[ALR-bishop]

Nice, Irv

[irv]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Nice, Irv

Thanks, Al.

[gopherfan]

Irv, that is great. Unfortunately, as someone who spent from age 5-25 skiing almost everyday in the MN spring, summer and fall, my kids have no interest. We have a place on a lake, a Mastercraft, and no skiers. Depressing for me. Although, I am probably only 10 years away from grandkids. Maybe I can live vicariously through them.

[irv]

Originally Posted by gopherfan

Irv, that is great. Unfortunately, as someone who spent from age 5-25 skiing almost everyday in the MN spring, summer and fall, my kids have no interest. We have a place on a lake, a Mastercraft, and no skiers. Depressing for me. Although, I am probably only 10 years away from grandkids. Maybe I can live vicariously through them.

I understand your pain, Gopherfan. Although my son enjoyed water skiing somewhat, tubing and kneeboarding ruled most days.

Not bragging, but he was a natural at everything he tried and got up the very first time after he left the trainer skis.
I guess, because it wasn't something he could really do with his buddies, he chose tubing as his main form of entertainment.

For the last 2 yrs, since he has been working and has gotten a girlfriend, he hasn't been up to our spot, which makes things somewhat boring for my wife and me.
We lived on the water from when he was 5 until he was 15 so it has been quite the shock/adjustment for us to just have it suddenly stop.

We miss those days immensely to say the least.

[tiger8mush]

My wife is planning a trip to Alaska right now for next summer. Our family of 4 and another family of 4. Kids will be ages 8 thru 12.

Current thought is to fly into Seattle and take a cruise ship up there.

For you Alaska lovers, any recommendations? Better alternatives to a cruise? We have about a week and don't want to spend more than $6-7k per family (figure at least $1k of that will be for flights).

[BearBailey]

I would take the cruise out of Seattle, and if you can spend 3 days in Seattle before hand assuming the Mariners are in town and catch some games and other highlights in Seattle, them just relax and enjoy that cruise, unbelievable excursions to choose from for all kinds of different budgets.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

My wife is planning a trip to Alaska right now for next summer. Our family of 4 and another family of 4. Kids will be ages 8 thru 12.

Current thought is to fly into Seattle and take a cruise ship up there.

For you Alaska lovers, any recommendations? Better alternatives to a cruise? We have about a week and don't want to spend more than $6-7k per family (figure at least $1k of that will be for flights).

I have spent over 40 days in Alaska on four separate occasions. I never took a cruise.
Take a land trip, plan it yourself.
You can PM me and we can chat more. I already helped one other Net54 member plan his trip.
Go to Denali, Anchorage, Seward, Redoubt Bay, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Arctic Circle. And be sure to take the Alaska Railroad as often as you can. Ride in the Dome Section. Costs more but well worth it, food, bar, observation deck.