4 Horseback Adventures in the US 2

Colorado Trails Ranch:
Located in the San Juan Mountains near Durango, this dude ranch is a
perfect getaway in the fall. In addition to horseback riding,
Colorado Trails Ranch offers cattle drives, hiking, and a trip to Mesa
Verde National Park.
This 60-year old ranch has been a popular destination among families.
With all-day rides accompanied by a wrangler, you will embark on a
journey filled with the incredible sights and sounds of this
breathtaking mountainous landscape. For more information on rates and
reservations, visit: href=”http://www.coloradotrails.com/index.php”>http://www.coloradotrails.com/index.php”>

Texas Horseback Adventures:
Located in Alpine, Texas Horseback Adventures offers a unique
horseback adventure that can be customized from two to five days. The
trip begins at the base camp located at Davis Mountains in the Big
Bend Region of Texas.

You will be matched to a horse based on riding ability and size, and
then you will begin your trek past waterfalls, grasslands, and canyons
- all within the confines of an enormous working ranch. All meals
will be provided, as well as many other amenities.
This year-round trip is available with rates starting at $700 per
person for a two-day trip to $1400 per person for a 4-day trip. For
more information on this fabulous horseback adventure, visit:

http://www.texashorsebackadventures.com/

Leave your cell phone behind and get back to nature here!

4 Horseback Adventures in the US 1

If your vacation plans this fall might want to include a destination
that offers horseback riding and other adventures, here is a list of
places that may suit you to a tee!
Southern Cross Guest Ranch: Located near Madison, Georgia,
this family-owned ranch has been in existence for 25 years and is open
year round. They have over 150 Paint and Quarter Horses on site. With
a range of comfortable rooms and three buffet meals offered daily,
their prices are quite reasonable.

For mid-season travel (Aug through Nov), the rates per night range
from $105 to $170. The property is stunning, and you can take a
virtual tour of the range, as well as inquire about their rates at:

http://www.southcross.com/index.html

Bar W Guest Ranch:
Located on Spencer Lake at the base of Spencer Mountain in Montana,
the Bar W Guest Ranch has over 3000 acres of land available to
horseback riders. This year-round resort features a 6,200-square-foot
lodge, cabin suites, indoor and outdoor horseback-riding arenas,
stables, a barn, play meadow, an entertainment area, and a gazebo on
the lake. This is unspoiled nature at its best.

They offer 3-night, 4-night, and 5-night packages ranging from $593 to
$1160 per person (based on a 3 or 4 night stay). With a myriad of
activities scheduled in the fall months, you will thoroughly enjoy the
most breathtaking scenery as well as the wildlife surrounding it. For
more information, please visit:

http://www.thebarw.com/index.html

Five Top Scuba Diving Destinations 2

Newport, Rhode Island:

Scuba diving enthusiasts from the east coast flock to this coastal city. Complete with scuba diving training, you can find the Dumplings, a dive site that features lobster, crabs, and rocks covered with anemone. It should be noted that this area is intended for experienced divers only. Moreover, the ever popular wreck dives can be arranged through the many dive charters offered here.

The cooler waters of the Atlantic make this a much colder destination that our previous suggestions. -

Florida:

Ranked among the top ten scuba diving destinations worldwide, as well as the best in North America, you can dive along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast. Her you will find a variety of species, including dolphins, sharks, giant turtles, sting rays, manatees, and more. The difference between the two coasts is that the Gulf Coast has better visibility, whereas the Atlantic Coast has more wrecks and reefs. You may also want to check out the Florida Keys for their exquisite tropical fish and delightfully warm water. There is also a lot to do there in terms of other forms of tourism, plus a lively social scene.

The warm waters of the Gulf and Caribbean make this a year-round scuba destination that offers something for everyone, no matter what their level of expertise.

So there you have it, a round up of the top five scuba diving destinations in the US you will definitely want to experience for yourself at some point in the near future

Five Top Scuba Diving Destinations 1

Although there are many destinations around the world that have been touted as the best scuba diving areas, there are also several scuba diving sites here in the US that rank right up there with the world’s best.

Here are five of the top scuba diving sites which enthusiasts will love and want to visit at least once in their lives:

Hawaii:

The big island boasts one of the best scuba diving adventures in the US. Scuba sites can be found in Kona and Kohala, with depths ranging from 10 feet to 130 feet.

Cavern Point, Place of Refuge, Kailua Pine Trees, and Red Hill are also well-known scuba sites. The warm waters of the Pacific make this a year-round scuba destination that offers something for everyone, no matter what their level of expertise. The only disadvantage is the cost of travel to the islands, and the time, but with great all inclusive package holidays these days, Hawaii is a lot more affordable these days.

Monterey, California:

Known as the best beach in the US, Monterey is one of the premier areas for scuba divers. With over 5000 square miles of water and with visibility of up to 60 feet, this is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations. The specific areas to go to in Monterey include McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach, Stillwater Cove and Monastery Beach in Carmel, and Whaler’s Cover and Bluefish at Point Lobos (you have access to an underwater trail at these sites).

The generally warm waters of the Pacific make this a year-round scuba destination that offers something for everyone, no matter what their level of expertise. This will be somewhat cooler than our next suggested destination, however.

Catalina Island, California:

Known for its reefs, shark schools, and kelp forests, Catalina Island offers a good visibility from 40 feet to 100 feet. Two Harbors, located on the north-west side of the island, is a great scuba site due to its wrecks and vast caves. Casino Point Marin Park is rich in marine life, reefs, and wrecks. The warm waters of the Pacific make this a year-round scuba destination that offers something for everyone, no matter what their level of expertise. Catalina Island is also an adorable little jewel in the Pacific, with lots to see and do.

Spring Break Fun in San Diego 4

In addition to all the amenities described at the San Diego Holiday Inn, this San Diego package may also include:

* San Diego Zoo – San Diego Zoo Best Value Package

* Sea World Adventure Park San Diego

* Sea World San Diego one-Day ticket 

* Old Town Trolley Tours

* San Diego Harbor Excursion

Other highlights of your visit might include special events at:

 * San Diego Maritime Museum

* Hotel Del Coronado

Try Gray Line to see if there are any special all-inclusive tours, or trips to Tijuana.  Check with the San Diego Zoo and Sea World about combined admission offers, and the show times and feeding times for the animals.

I was privileged enough to have once gone to a cocktail party at the Manatee House at Sea World, so don’t miss it or the Shark House.

San Diego hotel and attraction packages tend not to include airfare, so shop around or ask your travel agent to help you hunt for the best deals.  Enjoy your spring break in gorgeous San Diego!

Let’s take a look at a typical San Diego Package:

The Holiday Inn San Diego is a spacious 237 room hotel which is located just three minutes from the San Diego Airport on Harbor Drive.  It fronts the scenic San Diego Bay and is across the street from San Diego’s famous sport-fishing docks and marinas.

The Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside features beautiful and spacious guest rooms with free HBO, in-room refrigerators, iron/board, coffee, hairdryers, massage shower heads and weekday newspapers. 

Guests enjoy complimentary use of their fully equipped exercise room and bicycles, spacious pool and spa, nine-hole putting course and shuffleboard.  Parking is free along with shuttles to the airport, train station and cruise terminal.

 It is literally right in the center of everything you would like to do and in easy walking distance of the Gaslight area, and the maritime museum just up a bit from the hotel.

The Point Loma Cafe offers an array of classic and contemporary dishes, comfortable dining and a modern atmosphere.  Kids under twelve eat free when accompanied by an adult.  There are other great eateries nearby, especially if you like fish and seafood.

 Spring Break Fun in San Diego 2

San Diego is great because it is quite compact, and easy to walk around. The whole downtown area is full of trolleys if you don’t fancy walking too much.

Another well-known attraction in San Diego is their world-famous Sea World.  Make this a definite stop on your trip, since like the Sea World in Florida, it is full of fascinating creatures from the deep, and also has killer whale, dolphin and other shows.

San Diego is a naval base, so don’t be surprised to see a lot of nice looking men in uniform. It can make for a lively nightlife, but generally the city is very safe and low key.

Another place the kids might love is the San Diego Maritime Museum. It features the ship that was used to film Master and Commander with Australian actor Russell Crowe, and you can get a real sense of what life must have been like at sea.

The whole area has nice restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops, and the most wonderful sea views.

Nearby is the famous Hotel Del Coronado, where many Royals have stayed. It still tries to retain its old World charm with it sophistication.

Nearby is the border with Mexico, so if you fancy a quick trip to Tijuana, there are regular excursions daily.

Spring Break Fun in San Diego 1

If you are planning a trip during Spring Break that is both affordable and fun, why not select San Diego?

Nestled in the lower southwestern corner of California and only a stone’s throw from the border with Mexico, San Diego features all that a large city has to offer, but with a small town feel.  It is a great destination for anyone who loves the ocean, warm weather pretty much all year round, and lots of activities in the outdoors.

The first stop in San Diego where you and the whole family can enjoy a fun-filled day is at the San Diego Zoo. It is a model zoo in terms of its care for the animals and breeding program.  The variety of wildlife offers your kids a wonderful opportunity to learn about these animals as well as appreciate their value, since many are very close to extinction.

There are special shows and educational programs, so plan before you go, and try to get there early to see your favorite animals being fed.

The zoo can literally occupy the whole day, but there are loads of other fun things to do too.

There is a Puppet Show in Balboa Park, where the San Diego Zoo is located.  You can spend a lovely day there and have a picnic lunch as well.  If you have young children, you can visit the Children’s Zoo.  Here they can interact with baby animals, and pet other more friendly animals as well.

For dinner, you can go to the Seaport Village, where there are a variety of restaurants geared towards casual dining. 

The Gas Light area is also very popular for fine dining, with its old world charm. 

If you and your family are vacationing in California this winter, you may wish to take a side trip to the Black Chasm Cavern located in Volcano, California.

Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1976, the Black Chasm Caverns offer visitors a kaleidoscope of color and geological formations that has made this a must-see on anyone’s list of places to visit.

Kids especially will enjoy participating in gemstone mining, which is offered at Black Chasm, and can occupy them for hours of fun.

The process is as follows: First, you buy a bag of pre-packaged gemstones.

Second, you go through the dirt in the water that runs through the flumes, and third, you compare your findings to the gemstone display which tells you what kind of gemstone you have found. According to the Black Chasm Caverns, everyone has the opportunity to find real gemstones.

In addition to the Cavern, there is a Visitor’s Center that houses props from movies from nearby Hollywood, such as the Matrix Trilogy.

The tour itself last approximately 50 minutes, and the tour encompasses walking through a series of platforms, walkways, and stairs that are meant to afford you the best view of the caves.

Some of the finest formations are said to be found in Black Chasm, and after your walking tour you will be taken to the Landmark Room, where you will find a collection of amazing crystals extracted from the cave itself.

In addition, there are plenty of amenities available for your family, such as picnic tables and gift shops. Both fun and educational, tours to the Black Chasm Caverns are available during September through May.

If you live in California and cannot afford an expensive vacation, this is a perfect weekend getaway for the entire family.

And if you plan on vacationing in California this winter, this is a perfect day trip for the entire family, especially the kids.

For more information on the Black Chasm Caverns, consult with your travel agent or check online.

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