Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

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2008-05-05 8:07 PM

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Elite
2706
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Hurst, Texas
Subject: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

We are looking to take the kiddos on a vacation this year to somewhere other than Disney, and we want to find a mountain or lakeside condo/cabin that we can rent for a week.  My kids LOVE the outdoors, so anything with fishing, hiking, swimming, frog-chasing, wildlife viewing, canoeing, etc. would be great.  We do need some "city slicker" amenities as my wife is not opposed to moderate "roughing it" but does require a/c, TV, etc. 

Please send some ideas this way.  I was looking at Lake Tahoe, but there are so many options, I have no idea where to start.  Also interested in Utah, Colorado, or even the smoky mountains, the Ozarks, etc.  We are pretty flexible, but don't want to spend a jillion dollars just getting there (so places like Coeur d'alene are out), and would prefer not to spend several hundred a night on accomodations (some of the Tahoe properties were $350 and up a night).

We're in north Texas, and not opposed to driving several hours, but we also have DFW airport only 10 minutes away, so we are flexible.

Thanks for the input BT !

 

 



Edited by OldAg92 2008-05-05 8:09 PM

2008-05-05 8:14 PM
in reply to: #1383553

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Wife, Mother, Friend.
2457
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South
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
2008-05-05 8:18 PM
in reply to: #1383553

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Elite
2706
2000500100100
Hurst, Texas
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

Thanks, Christine.  That is where I started, but for Tahoe alone, there are a zillion options (i.e., California, Nevada, South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly, Zephyr Cove, etc, etc, etc). 

 I probably wasn't very clear in my original post, but what I'm looking for are specific suggestions from folks of where they have been and really enjoyed.



Edited by OldAg92 2008-05-05 8:18 PM
2008-05-05 9:58 PM
in reply to: #1383553

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Pro
4228
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

Tahoe is awesome.  If you are looking for a little more quiet time, then stay on the north side.  The south side is much busier with the casinos nearby, etc. 

A thought for Colorado is Granby/Grand Lake area.  There's water and it's right at the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.  Or check out Estes Park on the east side of the park.  Both have plenty of room to explore and also have some shopping and restaurants. 

2008-05-05 10:08 PM
in reply to: #1383792

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Extreme Veteran
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Fort Worth, TX
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
COgirl - 2008-05-05 9:58 PM

Tahoe is awesome.  If you are looking for a little more quiet time, then stay on the north side.  The south side is much busier with the casinos nearby, etc. 

A thought for Colorado is Granby/Grand Lake area.  There's water and it's right at the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.  Or check out Estes Park on the east side of the park.  Both have plenty of room to explore and also have some shopping and restaurants. 



Have to agree on the Estes Park recommendation - it's awesome for kids and has shopping that is fun for everyone - especially the caramel apples.

See tons of wildlife every time I go there. You can daytrip to Hygiene, also!
2008-05-06 8:49 AM
in reply to: #1383553

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Master
1914
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Finally north of the Mason-Dixon Line
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

Last summer I vacationed at Eagle harbor, MI.... heritage reasons for the family but it was nice.  It's in the Upper Pennicula of Michigan - google "george's eagle harbor" and there is link to summer rentals (most of them are family members of ours).  Fly into Houghton/Hancock - do all your shopping for week as there are no stores in Eagle Harbor - closest is Copper Harbor 16 miles further on.  there is also a TRI in Copper Harbor about 16 miles further on at beginning of August (I and Bootygirl did that last year) - I rented a bike in Houghton.

About a week to 10 days is what you'll need to see everything and still relax on beach, hike or fish.  Extensive Copper mining history up there from late 1800 - early 1900's.

here's some pics from our trip... First one is of Eagle Harbor the second is fishing in lake Fanny Hoe at Wilkens State park up in Copper Harbor.



Edited by houston-tri-mama 2008-05-06 9:01 AM




(Eagle harbor fro BT.JPG)



(Eagle Harbor, Michigan for BT 2.JPG)



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Eagle harbor fro BT.JPG (53KB - 31 downloads)
Eagle Harbor, Michigan for BT 2.JPG (96KB - 43 downloads)

2008-05-06 8:55 AM
in reply to: #1383553

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Supersonicus Idioticus
2439
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Thunder Bay, ON
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
The Muskokas in Ontario (Canada, not California), about 2-3 hours north of Toronto.

Round Lake, Ontario, 1 hour north of Ottawa


... also, if you are going to north Michigan, make sure you are a decent 15km away from said copper mine, as the mine tailings tend to turn lakes orange.... (seriously).

Edited by So Fresh So Clean 2008-05-06 8:57 AM
2008-05-06 9:15 AM
in reply to: #1383553

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Master
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Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

Since you are in N. Tex I would say look at the White River in Arkansas.  It is fun, great fishing, beautiful, and cheap.

http://www.whiteriver.net/index.asp 

2008-05-06 9:41 AM
in reply to: #1383553

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Master
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Tiger's Den
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

Did I hear Smokey Mountains?

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is pretty cool and I've stayed in some awesome cabins up there. www.patriotgetaways.com

They offer all kinds of deals and most cabins are new with pool tables/hot tubs, etc.

2008-05-06 10:07 AM
in reply to: #1383553

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Expert
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St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
Consider the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Here's the first website that popped up wen I did a google search: http://www.northshoreinfo.com/

Duluth is a town of ~90,000 and while not exactly cosmopolitan it has plenty of charm and things to do and see. Grand Marais, a couple hours up the shore is a fun little town full of galleries, cafes, and is a nice stop. It is also one of the main entrances to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - great for little day trips, or muti-week wilderness adventures. There are inns, lodges, and B&Bs up and down the north shore with a good price range.

There are also half a dozen nice state parks (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/map.html) along the north shore with rushing rivers, waterfalls, hiking, and plenty of camp grounds.

Also running from Two Harbors up to the Canadian Border is the Superior Hiking Trail (www.shta.org) - a 200 miles of single-track backpacking trail running along the hills, cliffs, rivers, lakes, and through the northern forest. There are plenty of long hikes, as well as good short hike options too.

It's really quite a beautiful area and is right up at the north end of I35. MSP airport is a Northwest and Sun Country Airlines (usually very affordable) hub, and Duluth has an airport to, though it would be more expensive to fly there.

the following pictures are of Split Rock Lighthouse, and the Sawtwooth "Mountains"



(Split Rock Lighthouse.jpg)



(SawtoothMts.jpg)



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Split Rock Lighthouse.jpg (63KB - 34 downloads)
SawtoothMts.jpg (20KB - 36 downloads)
2008-05-06 3:01 PM
in reply to: #1384467

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Extreme Veteran
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Crossville, TN
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
SuzanneS - 2008-05-06 8:41 AM

Did I hear Smokey Mountains?

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is pretty cool and I've stayed in some awesome cabins up there. www.patriotgetaways.com

They offer all kinds of deals and most cabins are new with pool tables/hot tubs, etc.

Ditto...the wife and I do the Smokeys but we only live about 100 miles away.

2008-05-06 5:11 PM
in reply to: #1383553

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Master
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Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

My mom and her sister remodeled the house that my grandfather built into a vacation rental just a couple of miles from Mt. Rainier National Park.  I think it is a wonderful place to get away to, so much to do and see.  If you are interested you might get a deal if you tell her I sent you (Leslie).  Seattle is the closest big city, about a 2 hr drive.

http://wildwoodatmtrainier.com/

2008-05-06 7:31 PM
in reply to: #1383553

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Elite
2706
2000500100100
Hurst, Texas
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas
Wildwood looks BEAUTIFUL.  But, it says no children under 10, and I've got an 8 year old daughter and 5 month old baby
2008-05-06 7:58 PM
in reply to: #1385984

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Master
2235
200010010025
Pacific Northwest
Subject: RE: Looking for Lakeside or Mountain Vacation Rental/Cabin Ideas

OldAg92 - 2008-05-06 5:31 PM Wildwood looks BEAUTIFUL.  But, it says no children under 10, and I've got an 8 year old daughter and 5 month old baby

She will take kids up there if they are 'well-behaved' and if I say it's ok.   There's a pack n play in one of the closets and I think there's even a high chair. 

-Leslie

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