How do you Vacation in the U.S./Canada? tell the Aussie

What's a vacation? Haven't been on one of those since I can remember. I spent the first 37 years of my life in South Florida where a lot of the world comes to vacation. Lived less than a mile from the ocean for about 10 years. Now I live near the mountains.

 

Brisbane seems to be in the same range we're supposed to be in right now. Looks really nice.

 

vacation is a loose term for me

everywhere i go seems to involve a dragstrip or a car show

 

When the budget allows,my family and I visit beaches,The Canyon(Big Tujunga,nearby)and close-by National Parks.Our favorite is Yosemite,which we've nicknamed "HiHunnyI'mHome National Park".

 

I reckon Yosemite, The Grand Canyon etc would be an absolute marvel to see in person. I'll have to check airfares to North America. When is a good time of year to travel around the U.S & Canada? Keeping in mind we freeze below 8 degrees celcius (46F).

 

June to Mid-October.

 

Just checked the airfares to Winnipeg, the lowest rates are available mid September at approx AUD $2800 per person economy.

 

Yeah, and 24 plus hours in flight or waiting at an airport. I'd go to LA, via Air Japan or is it Air China?, then up to Vancouver, BC, then across Canada, via Luftansa or WestJet. You won't save much, but you'll get better service. Northwest Airlines is also a good airline from LA. Air Canada WILL lose your luggage, and WILL delay flights while you sleep on the airport floor or on the Tarmac. They are the worst airline I can ever recall.

I'd rather drive than fly with Air Canada. BTW, driving across Canada is far nicer than flying. Much more scenery and maybe even less costly even with our fuel prices. Rent a diesel RV and stay in our Parks. Most of the cross-canada highways are paralelled on the US side too, and only 100 or 200 miles south or less. Beautiful countryside across the west of either country.

 

This is a huge country. Many people really can't grasp the space we have.
It can be a long boring drive as well.

 

I guess. I always found it an adventure, especially where my grand-dad roamed it on horseback as a Northwest Mountie. Can't seem to get those images of his stories out of my head when I drive west.

 

Can you imagine an aussie driving on your roads? I'd probably overtake someone and forget to go back to the otherside of the road

 

Don't think so. The wheel's on the other side. Most of the National Hwys are 4 lane with a median. You'd be in the passing lane most of the time.

Italy or England, would be just like home though.

 

Yosemite prides itself on being accessible all year round.Winter access usually being limited to the Main Valley(the two pictures provided)and the ski resorts...Summer here usually fills the National Parks to over-flowing with people.The best times to come are just before the summer season,in late April and early May.And then again in late September and early October.Less people,seasonal beauty...Since Canada's somewhere I've never been,and only have knowledge of from TV,I'd say June,July and August for there.Yes,that's when EVERYONE is going there,BUT,sometimes it's the only time some of their stuff is open...The Canadian trip my wife and I want to make is;the train ride in to Banff,then up to Chateau Lake Louise and Jasper and back again...Search the web for images,I think you'll figure it out...

 

kiwi drivers

This happened about twenty-five years ago...A rock band fom New Zealand,came to LA.They got themselves a place to stay,with relatives,up in Big Tujunga Canyon.The only way in and out of the Canyon,by car,is a long and winding two lane road.One of the guys from NZ had gone to the store and was on his way back home.Witnesses,who saw him driving up into the Canyon said,he was driving on the wrong side of the road,like he was meant to be there.He wasn't swerving all around like a drunk,or straddling the centerline...Going around a blind curve,the car he was driving went head-on with another car.The two people in it died.He ended up badly injured...The families of the two that died wanted him thrown in jail.The US Govt. had him deported back to NZ.Don't know what happened to him after that. Maybe,when the world "goes Global",somebody will make up a rule that says we all have to drive on the same right side of the road. Maybe we can come up with that rule before then...

 

In Florida, we have a name for fish like that:
Bait.
J/K.
As you obviously know, its more about the fishing than the catching, anyway.
I lost my lake cabin a few years ago, your story brought back fond, beautiful memories.
Not too far from here, you can rent a houseboat and putter up and down the wide, and still somewhat wild, St Johns River. http://www.floridatravelusa.com/articlesnew/houseboatssep05p024.html
Talk about a nice weeklong vacation!