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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: Cincydawg on June 02, 2021, 03:57:06 PM

Title: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 02, 2021, 03:57:06 PM
Where have you been that you thought was really worth the visit and (relatively) few know of it?



Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 02, 2021, 04:07:10 PM
Mesa Verde in southern UT/CO is cool.  Lots of cliff dwellings you can actually walk in and around (crawl, climb).  They're spaced out, but I doubt I'd ever have heard of it without having lived nearby.
They don't know why the dwellings were suddenly abandoned, either.  So that's interesting.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 02, 2021, 04:40:26 PM
Mesa Verde is very cool.

Aunt and cousin lived in Cortez a few decades before moving to Durango.  Cousin still lives outside Durango.

Beautiful area
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 02, 2021, 04:51:39 PM
Taipei. 

It's a place that very few people think of when wanting to visit Asia, but it's a fascinating country. 

It's very much a melting pot of cultures. Prior to the Chinese communist revolution, the Japanese had control of the island from 1895 until the end of WWII. So it already has a strange confluence of Chinese and Japanese elements, both from Chinese rule prior to the Japanese and then after the ruling party of China fled there after the revolution. 

As it became a tech / computing hub, it has seemed to attract immigrants from around Asia, and being "not China" and somewhat seen as under the protective umbrella of the US military, it is very welcoming to westerners. 

Politically and socially, it's a weird mix of being Chinese culturally, but not completely, and with some who would probably want eventual reunification and some with a more fierce independent spirit that would want official independence. 

There are amazing temples to see, the memorials to Chiang Kai-Shek and Sun Yat-Sen are really cool. The night market is a treat, and just in general the culinary scene in Taipei is wonderful--it's an eater's city. 

Highly recommended.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: utee94 on June 02, 2021, 06:41:03 PM
It's fairly popular so maybe doesn't fit this thread, but many years ago I spent a couple months working in Portland, Maine, and I really enjoyed it.  Suffice to say the July and August weather there was... refreshing... compared to Central Texas.

And the lobsters were pretty... pretty good.

Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 02, 2021, 07:26:58 PM
Nothing like that here. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Hawkinole on June 03, 2021, 01:52:16 AM
I like Belize. Conch. One Barrel Rum. They speak English. Climate is warm year 'round.

But locally, the Great River Road from Green Island, Iowa to Garnavillo, Iowa, is scenic. You could even extend your trip north to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and still see high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. We have supper clubs, that most of you don't.

It is the driftless area - not flattened by the last glacial period, i.e. bluffs, high hills, deep valleys. As you cross over the river to America's Dairyland, there are cheese factories, squeaky cheese curds, and all manner of cheeses many (probably most) of you have never heard of, or tasted. Who doesn't like cheese? In this area we have the best tasting pork, summer sausages, bacon, bratwurst, and the choicest beef in the world.

Our seafood is catfish, a bottom feeder; better than no feeder at all. Oops, I forgot the trout in our trout streams, a high quality delicacy; actually trout is a type of salmon.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 03, 2021, 08:39:32 AM
We enjoyed upper Michigan, stayed a couple nights in Traverse City and three in Marquette in UP.  There was a smoked fish place in the latter that made our dinners at the hotel every night.

The wife did not really care for Mackinac Island, too touristy.  I took her point.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: ELA on June 03, 2021, 09:56:32 AM
We enjoyed upper Michigan, stayed a couple nights in Traverse City and three in Marquette in UP.  There was a smoked fish place in the latter that made our dinners at the hotel every night.

The wife did not really care for Mackinac Island, too touristy.  I took her point.
Not a fan either.  Love the northern Michigan lakes, hate Mackinac
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: ELA on June 03, 2021, 09:57:34 AM
Keep telling my UM family they should check out this place, and yet they never go

(https://i.imgur.com/CXeJOQl.jpg)
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 03, 2021, 09:58:43 AM
The coastal counties of Southern Oregon (Coos & Curry) along with California’s northern most coastal counties (Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino) really struck me as a stretch offering far more than indicative of the attention this region receives. 

The stunning natural coastal scenery along Highway 101 and Pacific Highway 1 rivals anything I’ve seen in Hawaii, along Big Sur, or on the Mediterranean. Cliffs dropping hundreds of feet into the ocean, towering “Sea Stacks” standing at nearly ghostly distances from the shores and matched in impressive height by miles of Redwoods – the world’s tallest trees – soaring at over 200ft, and densely spaced beneath a lofty canopy so thick the shaded forest floor remains dim as dusk despite the sunny mornings driving up the Pacific Coast. Black Bears freely wander along the roads.

Despite the persistence of the highways to remain along the coast, at several points the ruggedness of the landscape forces the highways inland. But even then narrower roads lead to more remote miles of coast, such as Humboldt County’s “Lost Coast,” which might as well be another Hawaiian Island in terms of isolation and dramatic nature.

Further south into Mendocino County the mountains calm into rolling hills covered with vineyards as picturesque as anything you’d see in the Tuscan countryside.

The region is too rugged for quick-access interstates and too sparsely populated to easily fly in – Eureka’s airport is limited to regional connections. At some point I plan on going back to spend more time among the Redwoods and to hike the more remote, no-vehicle-access, coastlines.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: MrNubbz on June 03, 2021, 10:19:13 AM
Where have you been that you thought was really worth the visit and (relatively) few know of it?
Too many small lakes up in Ontario/Quebec to mention,hit them during or before the end of September and the weather is still nice and no black flies/mosquitos.Can't vouche for the Black Bears though
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 03, 2021, 10:24:58 AM
But locally, the Great River Road from Green Island, Iowa to Garnavillo, Iowa, is scenic. You could even extend your trip north to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and still see high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. We have supper clubs, that most of you don't.

It is the driftless area - not flattened by the last glacial period, i.e. bluffs, high hills, deep valleys. As you cross over the river to America's Dairyland, there are cheese factories, squeaky cheese curds, and all manner of cheeses many (probably most) of you have never heard of, or tasted. Who doesn't like cheese? In this area we have the best tasting pork, summer sausages, bacon, bratwurst, and the choicest beef in the world.

Our seafood is catfish, a bottom feeder; better than no feeder at all. Oops, I forgot the trout in our trout streams, a high quality delicacy; actually trout is a type of salmon.
the western side of the state isn't as scenic.  unless you like green cultivated fields.  We have the Loess Hills created by the Missouri river which are nice.
We also have the supper clubs with the best beef in the world.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 03, 2021, 10:29:17 AM
I mentioned this a while back when we discussed "Great Drives":

Why you should drive California's scenic Highway 395 - Lonely Planet (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/california-hwy-395-road-trip)

I've driven the southern part up to Sonoma Pass, it really is worth the drive IMHO.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 03, 2021, 10:29:58 AM
The coastal counties of Southern Oregon (Coos & Curry) along with California’s northern most coastal counties (Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino) really struck me as a stretch offering far more than indicative of the attention this region receives.

The stunning natural coastal scenery along Highway 101 and Pacific Highway 1 rivals anything I’ve seen in Hawaii, along Big Sur, or on the Mediterranean. Cliffs dropping hundreds of feet into the ocean, towering “Sea Stacks” standing at nearly ghostly distances from the shores and matched in impressive height by miles of Redwoods – the world’s tallest trees – soaring at over 200ft, and densely spaced beneath a lofty canopy so thick the shaded forest floor remains dim as dusk despite the sunny mornings driving up the Pacific Coast. Black Bears freely wander along the roads.

Despite the persistence of the highways to remain along the coast, at several points the ruggedness of the landscape forces the highways inland. But even then narrower roads lead to more remote miles of coast, such as Humboldt County’s “Lost Coast,” which might as well be another Hawaiian Island in terms of isolation and dramatic nature.

Further south into Mendocino County the mountains calm into rolling hills covered with vineyards as picturesque as anything you’d see in the Tuscan countryside.

The region is too rugged for quick-access interstates and too sparsely populated to easily fly in – Eureka’s airport is limited to regional connections. At some point I plan on going back to spend more time among the Redwoods and to hike the more remote, no-vehicle-access, coastlines.

I agree with all of this.  I really enjoy California north of San Fran.  I like San Fran as well.  Probably my favorite city.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 03, 2021, 10:43:13 AM
Okay, I am pretty much landlocked by this sorta thing. Some are major tourist traps, while others are completely deserted. 
Within my daytrip radius...

National Recreation Areas

Utah/Arizona

Nevada/Arizona

National Parks

Utah

Arizona

Nevada 

National Monuments 

Utah

Arizona

Nevada

National Forests 

Utah 

Arizona 

Nevada 

State Parks 

Utah


Nevada

*omitting several "historical site" state parks.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 03, 2021, 10:49:38 AM
Portsmouth, NH.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 03, 2021, 11:18:21 AM
I could give a decent list of lesser known golf courses
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 03, 2021, 01:34:43 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/32GAJ88.jpg)

Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 03, 2021, 01:36:00 PM
I would add Red Rock Canyon just outside LV as a neat place:

(https://i.imgur.com/gcLxsPo.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/2LMZXeq.jpg)
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: MrNubbz on June 03, 2021, 02:09:03 PM
We also have the supper clubs with the best beef in the world.
Isn't there some big processing plant there idol because of a cyber strike
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 03, 2021, 02:42:54 PM
not real close to me, the Tyson plants are all running as far as I know
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 03, 2021, 03:26:27 PM
Vermillion cliffs are neat in AZ.  I drove up that way and wasn't in a hurry.  Got out, waded in the river there.....part of it has 2 different-colored tributaries coming together.  There's an old-timey crossing, with the rope and everything, like in a western movie.
.
I was on my way somewhere, but it was a great idea to stop for awhile. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 03, 2021, 03:31:57 PM
The Blue Room – Kauai's Enchanting Secret Cave | Only In Hawaii (https://onlyinhawaii.org/the-blue-room-kauai-hawaii/)
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 03, 2021, 08:11:46 PM
I would add Red Rock Canyon just outside LV as a neat place:

(https://i.imgur.com/gcLxsPo.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/2LMZXeq.jpg)


I thought about including this but it was a "National Conservation Area," and I was already up over a dozen without delving down the Wildlife Reserve rabbit hole. But yeah, that's a good one. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 03, 2021, 08:14:41 PM
Vermillion cliffs are neat in AZ.  I drove up that way and wasn't in a hurry.  Got out, waded in the river there.....part of it has 2 different-colored tributaries coming together.  There's an old-timey crossing, with the rope and everything, like in a western movie.
.
I was on my way somewhere, but it was a great idea to stop for awhile. 

That crossing is Lee's Ferry. 

The construction of Lake Powell would never fly today, those canyons were full of Indian ruins and petroglyphs that all got submerged. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 03, 2021, 08:18:21 PM
I think on that same trip I mentioned, I also saw the big rocks on smaller rocks - looks like someone constructed them, but they're natural.  
The area is called Lee's Ferry (near vermillion cliffs):
(https://i.imgur.com/XR0IwR9.jpg)
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 03, 2021, 08:18:43 PM
Ha!  Good timing.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 03, 2021, 08:19:17 PM
Out East, Appalachia was full of diamonds in the rough. 

Upstate NY and upper NE had a similar charm, minus the southern folk. 

There were some big azz caves out in western Kentucky that were pretty cool. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 03, 2021, 08:20:55 PM
There's a lava cave in Flagstaff.  It's cold and the floor is rocky as hell - not pebbles, but pointy rocks protruding from the ground.  But it's neat.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 03, 2021, 10:51:44 PM
zeroing in on the hidden gems, the attendance numbers are interesting. Zion and the Grand Canyon are two of the most heavily visited National Parks, while Great Basin in east Nevada is near the bottom of the list. Nobody goes there, which makes it a strong candidate for a "lesser known" destination. 

(https://images.prismic.io/rvshare/4556bb72177bfa10b0f3df919ca7e503f0ea4bd5_greatbasin-6.jpg?auto=compress,format)

While not nearly as spectacular as those other two parks, it is still pretty cool, and when you factor in that you practically get the whole place to yourself it more than makes up for it. 

(https://static.rootsrated.com/image/upload/s--Uv82v7uI--/t_rr_large_natural/ayczoc37jsjwupqbrsvu.jpg)

Speaking of caves, there is plenty of spelunking available at Great Basin. 

(https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/uploads/photo/image/11277593/large_1f211fe016efad85f4720cede4d545b3.jpg)

There are also a bunch of hot springs in the area around the park. It has free camping, or at least it did last summer during covid. Ely NV is nearby, and it is a really underrated party town. The star gazing is phenomenal as it is a town of only 5k that is about 100 miles from the nearest neighboring town in any direction. They have four casinos, a dance club, liquor store, weed store... they'll take care of any vice that you might have. They even have a couple of legal brothels if the dance club chicks aren't biting. :o

Cave Lake state park is between Ely and Great Basin NP, along with these old timey charcoal ovens from the eighteen dicketies. 

(https://lh3.ggpht.com/-CHS5jaTDNmE/UotD7upJHHI/AAAAAAAAt_Q/DOHi_rEssc0/ward-charcoal-ovens-1%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)

And then to the south you have Cathedral Gorge and Echo Canyon. Cathedral Gorge is formed entirely out of dried mud, as a creek carved it out of the bottom of an ancient lakebed. 

(https://blog-assets.thedyrt.com/uploads/2019/04/shutterstock_356806382.jpg)


In the summer they run a train up the mountain from Ely to look at the stars, and it's pretty insane. You can see into the disc of the Milky Way. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfvlzukiVu8
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 04, 2021, 07:06:11 AM
I like that last one, it goes on my list.  I have a long list.

We were talking last night, my Turk friend is back for a few days before leaving again.  He took 10,000+ photos in Zambia over two weeks.

He's leaving for Turkey for months as soon as he gets a flight to Izmir sorted out.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 04, 2021, 11:32:08 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vIOLL1onwY
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 04, 2021, 01:05:23 PM
I was just perusing the NatGeo tours they offer overseas.  I think if I go somewhere outside Europe, I probably need a tour.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Hawkinole on June 07, 2021, 12:09:51 AM
the western side of the state isn't as scenic.  unless you like green cultivated fields.  We have the Loess Hills created by the Missouri river which are nice.
We also have the supper clubs with the best beef in the world.
I lived in Western Iowa, as well, and the Loess Hills are scenic. You are in driving distance of the De Soto Wildlife Refuge, where I have not been in-season.

One of the best tourist spots I have ever encountered is the Steamboat Bertrand archeological museum just outside the DeSoto Wildlife Refuge. If you have not been there, go. You will see canned vegetables from a sunken ship that are 156-years old and appear to be edible, today.

The steamboat in 1865 was delivering mining supplies, such as shovels, pickaxes, and all manner of other things, including foodstuffs to Montana, when it hit a snag, and sunk near Missouri Valley, Iowa. It was dug up in the Late-1960s. The river changed course and the steamboat was found buried quite far from the Missouri River.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 07, 2021, 10:00:03 AM
been there a few times, a couple times when it was full of birds

There are always a few nice things in your local area that are special enough to take the time to visit.  no matter where you live
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 07, 2021, 10:17:38 AM
Made reservations at Calloway Gardens next week.  Been there once myself for a conference.  The wife may like it, it's not cheap.

We stumbled across a great museum in Great Fall, MT about Lewis and that other guy.

Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 07, 2021, 12:23:33 PM
Skyline Drive/The Blue Ridge parkway during the fall is a nice little gem. Beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia are worth the time.  
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 07, 2021, 12:35:42 PM
I took the wife on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Franklin and Asheville a couple years back.  There was fog in the valleys when we got up, but it was clear at altitude.  It was beautiful indeed.

She was less impressed with the Biltmore but we enjoyed the gardens a lot.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: MrNubbz on June 07, 2021, 12:46:25 PM

The steamboat in 1865 was delivering mining supplies, such as shovels, pickaxes, and all manner of other things, including foodstuffs to Montana, when it hit a snag, and sunk near Missouri Valley, Iowa. It was dug up in the Late-1960s. The river changed course and the steamboat was found buried quite far from the Missouri River.

I watched a Docu on that I was shocked at how far in a farmers field that thing was buried as you said quite far from the old flow.I could see a hundred ft or so but it was substantial.Guys were digging in spots that you or I would have been looking
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: MrNubbz on June 07, 2021, 12:48:25 PM
She was less impressed with the Biltmore but we enjoyed the gardens a lot.
Oh a step down from your digs I see
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: MrNubbz on June 07, 2021, 12:51:07 PM

We stumbled across a great museum in Great Fall, MT about Lewis and that other guy.

Ya he started some gas stations in these parts
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: FearlessF on June 07, 2021, 01:01:39 PM
I watched a Docu on that I was shocked at how far in a farmers field that thing was buried as you said quite far from the old flow.I could see a hundred ft or so but it was substantial.Guys were digging in spots that you or I would have been looking
this was long before the US Army Corps of Engineers started messing around with the channel 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: huskerdinie on June 08, 2021, 03:22:31 PM
For pure genealogy purposes, there are a couple out of the way places I would like to see.  I have not made it, but my brother came back from New Jersey a couple weeks ago, and he stopped in Kentucky to see Argabright (my maiden name)  Hollow, which is over by Lodiberg (sp?).  Really pretty backwoods valley where our ancestors settled in the 1820's.  There is also an Argabright Fort around there somewhere.  On my husband's side of the family, we want to make a trip to Idaho to check out Schweitzer Valley.  Seems like our ancestors sure liked to live in out of the way places.  

Speaking of New Jersey, there is a great museum in Monroe, NJ. It is a geology and natural history museum, showcasing practical masonry with full size displays of stone products used in various building and landscaping projects.  There is also a man-made lake with a gazebo jutting out over the lake.  My brother married his wife there back in 2004.  
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2021, 04:54:58 PM
Surname Database: Argabrite Last Name Origin (surnamedb.com) (https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Argabrite)
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 08, 2021, 08:46:34 PM
Surname Database: Argabrite Last Name Origin (surnamedb.com) (https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Argabrite)

My last name stumped them, and it is from England. 

So it's written in English, and it doesn't even have all the English surnames covered? 

Pretty lame. 
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Hawkinole on June 08, 2021, 11:16:45 PM
When we were there an old timer was there giving his own version of the event. He claimed from his study this was not the Steamboat Bertrand at all. He claimed the Bertrand went down north of this site and this was an entirely different Steamboat. I believe over 400 steamboats sunk on the Missouri. Sometime in the past 5 years a similar exhibit was opened near Kansas City.
Title: Re: Lesser known place to visit ....
Post by: Hawkinole on June 08, 2021, 11:18:17 PM
I watched a Docu on that I was shocked at how far in a farmers field that thing was buried as you said quite far from the old flow.I could see a hundred ft or so but it was substantial.Guys were digging in spots that you or I would have been looking
See my immediately preceding post