If i were were a rich man

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "That's why Indiana had the phrase "Wander" on their license plates" </font>

As I recall, that year it was either those ugly multi-striped plates with 'Wander Indiana' promoting tourism here or a design commemorating Indiana as the birthplace of the Jackson Five. Given those options, 'Wander Indiana' looked pretty good to me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Actually, Indiana is a pretty neat place. It's the original home of the 2004 NBA Champion Pistons, home of the first professional baseball game, home of the first night baseball game under electric lights and where television was invented...and that's just in my town. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RobertN]

I do ski, although not a bunch. I really like it, but just don't get out there much.

I learnt at Sierra at tahoe, when it was the "Ranch". My favorites are Sqauw and Kirkwood, although I have only been to Squaw a couple times(My Mom's high school class band played at the Olympics there). Kirkwood is great! I've skiid the downhill side and X-country side. The "Wall" is fun, even at my skill level(Intermediate).

Have you checked out the Redwood/Big Tree grove outside of Foresthill?

 

[_RaT_]

I have not checked them out. Forresthill is a cool little town and not far from me. I have skied since 1972. My family has a place near Homewood. I have my favorites. The best place I have ever skied is Sun Valley, Idaho. My favorite place is Alpine Meadows (I like tree skiing), Squaw Valley, Kirkwood in that order. Heavenly has the prettiest views of the Lake but it's layout is not quite as good to me. Gunbarrel at Heavenly is an awesome however. Death Valley is a wonderful trip in early spring. It is a geological gold mine. Many school kids from all over go there to see the geological displays. I have climbed Mt Shasta and really enjoy the Trinity Alps up that way. Another hidden treasure is the Northeast portion of the state. Wonderful trout streams and some great golf courses. Bing Crosby had a course up there. I've played it.

 

[daedong]

I was in Sydney about 4wks ago and while exploring the Sydney Habour Bridge I got talking to a bloke from Florida. He told me he had only been in Sydney and I think Brisbane and he was heading home the next day. I made the comment that you haven’t seen Australia, and it was he who pointed out that ¼ off Australians live in Sydney. I guess he was happy to see cities. To me what is special is the open flat vast stony deserts that puts you on a nervous edge due to its isolation little or no vegetation, no water, cold at night, hot during the day and certainly people are few and far between, I some cases hundreds of miles away. To give an example on our return trip from QLD a few months back we headed inland. At one point we drove for about 150 mile camped over night on the side of the road, drove another 150 mile the next day, in this time we did not see any other cars or people. That’s special. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[_RaT_]

If isolation is what you want, Canada is a great option. Here in the Western US, Utah has a ton of nice places like Zion and Bryce. Any place you go this time of year will have folks though. The US population is about 300 million so it's going to be tough to get 150 miles away from folks, but if your willing to hoof it, you can find some fantastic places.
On another note, I think you will find a lot of folks from the US that would like to visit Australia and while down there, New Zealand.

 

[daedong]

We host exchange students most years through the Lions Club. We have a lad coming here in about 3 weeks from Germany. In the past these kids have come from Japan. When they see the outback as we call it, they are gob smacked. We live about 2 hrs from Adelaide in Sth Aust. Adelaide which has a pop of 1 million people and it environs are quite green with natural rain fall. about 30 miles out of adelaide towards were we live there is a small hill range, once you reach the top you can see for miles Its dry and flat. there is not one hill for probably 500 miles. These poor kids there mouth drop, eyes widen, they must wonder what they have come to.

Got of the track a bit there. If anyone wants to come to oz look me up PM, i will give you a bed to rest your head, take you camping, wine tasting and lots more. In fact i would love to do that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[_RaT_]

What more can I say then THANKS! Daedong you can stay in our 900 sq ft mobile home with a belicous 3 year old anytime.

 

[daedong]

This is the isolation i am talking about

 

[Ozarker]

I'm going to show that picture to some of the Australian Military Officers we have here at the Engineer/Chemical/MP School so they won't be so homesick.

 

[daedong]

That photo was taken 150 km north of the dig tree as shown on map at this link. This link will also highlight the isolation and vastness of inland Aust.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/burkwill.html