All;

Wife and kids have one week break last week of October. Been a tough couple years for me and I can't do the usual Disneyworld thing...not even close to being in the cards.

We used to just hop on a plane - not anymore. So - this year I'm thinking about a road trip. CO is close, but mountains in late Autumn don't offer much - it's cold and leaves have already turned. If anyone has any travel ideas the Hudson family would certainly appreciate! Remember, I'm trying to be mindful of the money I spend.


Thanks all in advance.

TJ

TJ, are you saying Nebraska is boring, how about this for excitement.
http://www.skydivenebraska.com/firstskydive.htm

Say isn't that Bruce in the top picture?

TJ, I can get you a deal on a penthouse condo on the beach in Panama City, FL.


The oil never hit the beach anywhere near the area. My Tilapia grower owns it.

K.C. Is begging for your tourist dollars.

agree with this thought process
some of the guys I know that like to travel use vrbo.com to find rentals

Man, I was going to suggest something cheap and easy like Great Wolf Lodge in KC, but do this!

That is the site that we use to list our vacation rental.

The condo is listed on VRBO...I'll have to get the listing number again for you if interested. My Tilapia grower offered it this fall to me and Cathy as a "honeymoon" destination. He has two condo's he rents and him and his wife like to stay at the smaller place and they were going to take us out deep sea fishing on their boat.

IIRC, the normal rates were $1250/wk and the condo is around 2400 sqft, and the balocony overlooks the gulf.

is that anything like a string of poloponies?

You might want to take a look at Sandusky, OH. They have several nice inside resort waterparks for the family. This time of year, the area is gorgeous and you also have Lake Erie for fishing and some great state parks - East Harbor, etc...

Tons of family things to do and see - Put In Bay, etc...

Relatively inexpensive and some great things to do and see for families.

Ya know, I wanted to mention the same since one of the best amusement parks this side of Disney is there; Cedar Point. Dski and I have done the entire Sandusky/Cedar Point/Put in Bay thing by boat a couple of times in the past and have nothing less than praise for the program.

I've been to Put In Bay. The Walleye/Perch platters are awesome. This one restaurant, The Boardwalk, has the best hot sauce for fish.

I wonder about Put In Bay being a "family" oriented place though. It was hard on the liver as I recall.

Sunil,

PIB is a lot more friendly than it used to be - they have cracked down on the craziness trying to turn the image around and attract more families - it's working. I agree about the Boardwalk! Still plenty of places to kill your liver, but I had a great time renting a golf cart and spending the day on the island with my family (3 and 5 year old) last year without any issues - it used to be wild and that is an understatement.

If you venture over to Port Clinton check out Jolly Rogers - they are closing soon for the season, but fantastic local fish!!

I'm spoiled, as my in-laws have a place up in Marblehead I can use anytime. I don't get up there a ton, but my wife and kids do. Talk about relaxing... I get up there more in the winter and no one is around, love it.

Maybe some ice fishing this year - still debating.

I can't recommend the area of Sandusky/Marblehead/Port Clinton, enough - especially if one was wanting to hit Disney. A day at Cedar Point and then sightseeing, etc... You will come back time and time again I would venture! Absolutely gorgeous this time of year!

If one is doing Cedar Point, it really deserves 2 full days. Aren't there some discounts this time o' year?

I haven't been to Cedar Point in years. We use to always go in the fall.

This looks like fun!
Cedar Point Halloweekend

TJ, if you are going to Cedar Point I'm about 25 miles South of 80 as you are going thru Indiana. Stop on by!

You could consider the Driftless area of SE Minnesota/SW Wisconsin. Really pretty, and you might hit the tail end of leaf season. I've visited Red Wing and thought it was a nice little city, and hear that Winona has some neat stuff. Apparently great fly fishing too.

Thanks guys...good suggestions. I need something within a 12 hr drive, which some of these places are. Just for curiosity, Rex how much is the Condo? Not sure how I'd get down there, but it's worth inquiring.

A couple years ago we took a quick vacation by going to the Black Hills. Drive through Broken Bow, Halsey, Thedford then north to Valentine. Get on whatever the interstate is that goes across SD. stop at the Badlands, then to Rapid City. Mt Rushmore and the kids would like Bear Country. Skip Crazy Horse, or drive up to the gate and turn around before you have to pay. Head home down through the panhandle.
You'll see a whole different side of Nebraska.

Gulf Shores Alabama all condos and houses through Meyer Realty are half price! No oil there, but no renters either. My mom just got back from a week there and caught tons of fish right off the beach.

I will be going October 20-26th with my wife and kids, and my parents will be there as well. Our condo on the beach costed $415 for the whole week with cleaning fees, etc. Its a 13 hr drive from Peoria, IL. Lots to do, great beach fishing, great places to eat, and nobody down there to get in our way......

I might see you there Nate! I've got family in Gulf Shores and P'cola and may be heading to Panama City, FL that same week.

Here is my schedule:

I fish 1/2 hr before sunrise for about 3-4 hrs every morning right on the beach in front of the condo. Then I lay on the beach and play with kids all day long and grab some early dinner. For the evening I head down to the little lagoon pass and fish for a few more hours. Then if I can get a full moon and a high tide to coincide I will fish from 10 pm till midnight on the beach or at the pass. If I feel adventurous I will climb out the rocks and fish the jettis or drive down to fort morgan to fish for sharks or bull reds, but usually these days I am content right out in front.

If anyone will be in Gulf Shores during that time lets go fishing.

Ozarks might be a good idea.

Trecking through the UP, or even, Upper LP is fun this time of year. Camping is fun in the forests! You can hear all kinds of critters at night, it can get spooky!, and sometimes wonder if I am on the menu

Thanks for the ideas, guys. We ended up settling for a week in Bruce's new home hanging drywall. He thinks he pulled a Tom Sawyer on us, but I'm betting he's never hung drywall before - talk about a fun family activity!

AHHH, nothing like hanging SH*TROCK, after helping my friend put it up in his new home I never wanted to see it again. When I built my cabin the only drywall in it is in the bathroom, and I'm thinking of putting wood over that too.
I guess it's all a matter of taste, enjoy your vacation.

PS, make sure it's not made in China.

Of course, I jest. We're sticking close to home...but we're keeping all your suggestions at hand for a Fall trip next year. Thanks guys!

And I was all ready to say that you should volunteer to do the walls and leave the ceiling to Bruce.

Since you will be spending time around the homestead, you can get those cages built!

hang the ceiling first, then the walls.