Scenic America

[Dap]

What areas of America are truly country, similar to Provence or Tuscany? Family farms, gorgeous vistas, romantic inns are what we seek. Any recommendations on this forum?

[HushHush]

I love Hershey, PA - but it is a bit of a tourist town. Amish Country PA - can't get any more "country" than that.

Follow the Blue Ridge Trail for a few days too ... you'll get beautiful views and see some of the smaller towns along the East Coast.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

If it's romance you seek, look no further...

http://www.john-daly.com/pics/route_66_motel.jpg

It's the fabulous Glancy Motor Hotel, located in the heart of historic Route 66. Complete with vibrating beds, heart shaped bath tubs, and affordable hourly rates, you'll think you've died and gone to romance Heaven. Book those reservations early!

[Laughing Angel]

Bluefin Bay Resort, Tofte, MN.

The drive up the north shore of Lake Superior past the Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls is worth the trip alone.

[Another OMB]

What areas of America are truly country, similar to Provence or Tuscany? Family farms, gorgeous vistas, romantic inns are what we seek. Any recommendations on this forum?

HushHush's suggestion of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good one on the east coast. West coast, it sounds like the Napa Valley area is what you're looking for and should look very similar to Provence or Tuscany.

[s'news]

Texas Hill Country. Around Austin.

http://www.digital-memphis.com/texashillcountry/thumbnails/M%201838%20Wildseed%20Farms,%20Fredericksburg,%20T exas%20Hill%20Country.jpg

[commercial hack]

What's that photo of, s'news?

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess it's Texas Hill Country. Around Austin.

[TAFKA wacowx]

I also vote for the Hill County, or Napa/Sonoma in California.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

Does anybody have any photos of Texas Hill Country?

[tater]

http://images.wildernet.com/graphics/texas/maps/tx_rec.gif

In between the bend, the lakes, the plains, and the coast.

[Tripe Face]

What areas of America are truly country, similar to Provence or Tuscany? Family farms, gorgeous vistas, romantic inns are what we seek. Any recommendations on this forum?


There's not a STATE in the U.S. of A. that doesn't offer areas just a beautiful in the rural splendor as any place in Europe.

Even New Jersey, the most densly populated state in the country has this:

http://www.skylandstourism.org/Press/FallField.jpg


and this:

http://community.iexplore.com/photos/journal_photos/Wanaque_Resev%20Area1_prefRes.jpg

This is just NEW JERSEY... which most of us equate with chemical plants, casinos on the boardwalk and "towns full of losers, we're pullin' out of here to win." Mind you, I don't live there, have no connection to Jersey... but if they have scenes like this... imagine what you can see in states like Montana, New Mexico, Maine, and West Virginia.

America has done an admirable job of recognizing the beauty of our land and preserving much of it.

[Bureau Chief]

Downtown Camden New Jersey. Cant be beat anywhere.:thumbsup:

[Dap]

We've been to Napa Valley. While very beautiful and delicious food, we're in the mood for something a bit more rustic and down to earth. My mate found Napa a bit pretentious. I shall investigate this hill country. Thank you.

[Another OMB]

Another thought, although it's on the Blue Ridge Parkway I already mentioned, is Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding area.

[TAFKA wacowx]

Along the same lines as the Jersey post...the following pictures were all taken within the confines of New York City:

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU'D%20NEVER%20BELIEVE/SIponds/kingfisher3.jpg
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU'D%20NEVER%20BELIEVE/inwood/hudson1.jpg
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU'D%20NEVER%20BELIEVE/jamaicabay/17.stilt.jpg

Thanks to forgotten-ny (http://www.forgotten-ny.com).

[Eeps Snorps Now]

[QUOTE=s'news;424699]Texas Hill Country. Around Austin.

Careful S'News...we don't need any riff-raff in the bluebonnets & BBQ.

[Tripe Face]

[quote=s'news;424699]Texas Hill Country. Around Austin.

Careful S'News...we don't need any riff-raff in the bluebonnets & BBQ.

How exactly do you differentiate between riff-raff and regular Texans?

My guess is the riff-raff would be a higher class of people.

[commercial hack]

[quote=Eeps Snorps Now;424854]

How exactly do you differentiate between riff-raff and regular Texans?

My guess is the riff-raff would be a higher class of people.

Therefore, those from WV are lower than Texans.

[Scarlet Termite]

The area around Mansfield Ohio is very nice, rolling hills, family farms. Southeastern Ohio has fairly rugged scenery but the chances of finding anything besides poverty and dilapidated motels is slim.

There are several wineries around northeastern Ohio and the countryside is nice.

Once you get past Columbus, the land is flat as a pancake, though.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

What areas of America are truly country, similar to Provence or Tuscany? Family farms, gorgeous vistas, romantic inns are what we seek. Any recommendations on this forum?

Similar to Provence and Tuscany?
Are you kidding?
Why waste your time in America?
Go to Europe.

If you want wide open vistas, a farming valley, a white water river and an awesome range of 14-teeners - try the Buena Vista area in Colorado.
If you enjoy outdoor activity it isa great place to be.
Warning: It doesn't have narrow cobblestone streets or snotty Euro-weinies.

Here's a nice place to stay.
I can personally recommend it.
http://www.mtprinceton.com/index.html

And some pics of the area to wet your appetite.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://stevegarufi.com/buenavista20.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stevegarufi.com/buenavista.htm&h=451&w=816&sz=85&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=nZ4f5NWgKBF-yM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=144&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbuena%2Bvista%2Bcolorado%26gbv%3D2%26 hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

And the Chamber of Commies website
http://www.buenavistacolorado.org/

[Diplomat]

Downtown Camden New Jersey. Cant be beat anywhere.:thumbsup:

No, but you might be "beat" if you walk around certain areas at night, and just about anywhere on one side of the Ben Franklin Bridge any time of day.

[From the Right]

There's not a STATE in the U.S. of A. that doesn't offer areas just a beautiful in the rural splendor as any place in Europe.

Even New Jersey, the most densly populated state in the country has this:

http://www.skylandstourism.org/Press/FallField.jpg


and this:

http://community.iexplore.com/photos/journal_photos/Wanaque_Resev%20Area1_prefRes.jpg

This is just NEW JERSEY... which most of us equate with chemical plants, casinos on the boardwalk and "towns full of losers, we're pullin' out of here to win." Mind you, I don't live there, have no connection to Jersey... but if they have scenes like this... imagine what you can see in states like Montana, New Mexico, Maine, and West Virginia.

America has done an admirable job of recognizing the beauty of our land and preserving much of it.

Tripe, how do you not mention WV?! Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country is in the mountain state. Snowshoe Mountain, Pipestem State Park. Heck, just driving up the WV turnpike in the fall is tough to beat.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

The biggest problem with West Virginia is that all the trees get in the way of the view.

[Tripe Face]

Tripe, how do you not mention WV?! Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country is in the mountain state. Snowshoe Mountain, Pipestem State Park. Heck, just driving up the WV turnpike in the fall is tough to beat.

My point was to show DAP that even in America's most densely populated state, New Jersey, there are plenty of "truly country, similar to Provence or Tuscany? Family farms, gorgeous vistas, romantic inns" in the words she used.

Certainly West Virginia, including Pipestem and Snowshoe, qualifies, but you would expect that in a largely rural state. But to find places like that in NJ proves that America has wonderful places EVERYWHERE (well except Texas).

Remind me sometime to tell you about the ball I hit about 560 yards on a par three at Pipestem. (Here's a hint... when the tee is 140 yards from the green and there's a ravine between the tee and the green... don't hit it 130 yards... you'll need a mule train and two days to find your ball... if ever)

[neodeity]

Does anybody have any photos of Texas Hill Country?
725726727728729

[neodeity]

730731

[Dap]

Similar to Provence and Tuscany?
Are you kidding?
Why waste your time in America?
Go to Europe.


Cor Blimey! Ask a simple question and I'm treated like a bell-end! Is this the bad mood?

Right then. Places such as Provence and Tuscany are laid-back, relaxing with good rustic homemade food and drink, fresh air all the while being spectacularly beautiful.

I want to eat a piece of cheese that hasn't seen a conveyerbelt of a factory all the while sipping natural wine in my bathrobe watching the sunset. Is that too much to ask?

[News Is Broken]

Cor Blimey! Ask a simple question and I'm treated like a bell-end! Is this the bad mood?

Right then. Places such as Provence and Tuscany are laid-back, relaxing with good rustic homemade food and drink, fresh air all the while being spectacularly beautiful.

I want to eat a piece of cheese that hasn't seen a conveyerbelt of a factory all the while sipping natural wine in my bathrobe watching the sunset. Is that too much to ask?

Yup. But if you'll lower your standards just a tad to "I want to eat a quarter pounder with cheese while sipping on watered down diet coke in a hotel bathrobe that hasn't been properly washed watching panhandlers plying their trade" then I know a few places.

[Another side]

Yup. But if you'll lower your standards just a tad to "I want to eat a quarter pounder with cheese while sipping on watered down diet coke in a hotel bathrobe that hasn't been properly washed watching panhandlers plying their trade" then I know a few places.

Yeah ... Disneyland, for one. Louisiana for another.

Dap ... I was going to refer you to the Colorado High Country ... but it sounds like your tastes run a little tonier ... Aspen or Beaver Creek or Vail might be your place. Beautiful, expensive, romantic ... but, truthfully, the worst place in the Colorado High Country beats anything you'll see on the East Coast.

[Tripe Face]

We've been to Napa Valley. While very beautiful and delicious food, we're in the mood for something a bit more rustic and down to earth. My mate found Napa a bit pretentious. I shall investigate this hill country. Thank you.

Your MATE thinks Napa is pretentious??? That's rich. It's like Mighty Dyckerson saying his buddy is immature, Dip saying his friend is humorless.

Here's a hint, find a map, pick any town more than 30 miles from an interstate highway, find a place to crash there, I'll bet you'll discover somethings about America you'll never find in the old countries.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

That's rich. It's like Mighty Dyckerson saying his buddy is immature...

...or like Tripe saying his boyfriend's penis is inadequate.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

We've been to Napa Valley.

If you ever get back there, could you pick me up a muffler and some wiper blades? Thanks.


http://www.ascca24.com/images/NAPA_Auto_Parts-V_Box.jpg

[s'news]

What's that photo of, s'news?

Some wildseed farm.

If you do visit the Hill Country, you might want to spend a day at Schlitterbahn. It's touristy, but has some of the most amazing water slides you'll ever see. This picture really doesn't do it justice.

http://pictures.ntpuca.com/Schlitterbahn5.JPG

[tater]

This would be a fun place to visit.

http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/knoxville82/images/sunsphere-and-wind-vane.jpg

[Mighty Dyckerson]

This would be a fun place to visit.

http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/knoxville82/images/sunsphere-and-wind-vane.jpg

TVMatt would love that.

[The Mockingbird]

Cor Blimey! Ask a simple question and I'm treated like a bell-end!

It's posts like these that make me wonder if you're not just someone's alter ego for trolling purposes. :eek:

[The Fedora]

http://www.redearthreflections.com/cpg/albums/sociology/food/051107_3489-w.jpg

The Meers Store is a must visit when visiting the Great Plains. It will be the best hamburger you've ever eaten. 95% Longhorn Burger.

While there, I recommend a visit to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/61/154809539_4a3bd5e5eb.jpg

You can see Bison and Longhorn up real, real close! Yes, that's the road.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2187563843_a5e6c47e7f_o.jpg

It even has a winery...

http://www.wineryofthewichitas.com/Winery_SM.jpg

[Ralphie the buffalo]

A Ralphie re-edit



The Meers Store is a must visit when visiting the Great Plains. It will be the best hamburger you've ever eaten. 95% Longhorn Burger.
That's the only thing Longhorn are good for.

While there, I recommend a visit to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

You can see powerful Bison up real, real close!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2187563843_a5e6c47e7f_o.jpg

It even has a winery...and a still too.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_QTZyRgZbrZQ/R-WARD23KyI/AAAAAAAABLQ/AUwjvuowHZQ/s320/West+Virginia+cheerleaders.jpg

[HushHush]

If you opt for the Asheville area, be sure to stay a few nights in the Biltmore Inn. They'll spoil you. There's even a vineyard on site to visit.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Stop with the Biltmore already.
We know you love the place.
Try going somewhere new every once and a while.

[HushHush]

Stop with the Biltmore already.
We know you love the place.
Try going somewhere new every once and a while.

Stop with the Colorado love ... and I'll stop loving the Biltmore.

If I had someone to travel with - I'd be out of here within seconds and touring Europe.

[The Fedora]

Like the Grove Park Inn. It's the original cushy vaca spot in Asheville.
http://k53.pbase.com/o5/85/279785/1/69422164.nujVmAOJ.PA280092ed.jpg

here is the spa...
http://fernandoandleslie.com/customers/51664/GroveParkSpa%203.jpg

And the golf course:
http://www.groveparkinn.com/cm_images/coursehistory_main_0662132.jpg

[The Mockingbird]

Hey, when did Hush start wearing viking gear? :eek:

[Dap]

Dap ... I was going to refer you to the Colorado High Country ... but it sounds like your tastes run a little tonier ... Aspen or Beaver Creek or Vail might be your place. Beautiful, expensive, romantic ... but, truthfully, the worst place in the Colorado High Country beats anything you'll see on the East Coast.

We have an acquaintance who owns a condo in Beaver Creek. Quite beautiful. Vermont has been mentioned to us as well.

It's posts like these that make me wonder if you're not just someone's alter ego for trolling purposes. :eek:

It's an anonymous name forum. Dap is already my alter ego is it not?

Stop with the Colorado love ... and I'll stop loving the Biltmore.

If I had someone to travel with - I'd be out of here within seconds and touring Europe.

Colorado is beautiful. We're just looking for something new to experience.

You may want to wait until next summer to tour Europe. The exchange rate is dreadful at the moment. We've put off a buying trip for a year.

Like the Grove Park Inn. It's the original cushy vaca spot in Asheville.
http://k53.pbase.com/o5/85/279785/1/69422164.nujVmAOJ.PA280092ed.jpg

here is the spa...
http://fernandoandleslie.com/customers/51664/GroveParkSpa%203.jpg


Oh my goodness! Do those stones ever fall in the spa?

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Stop with the Colorado love ... and I'll stop loving the Biltmore.

The Biltmore is a single place as opposed to an entire state.
It would be like me always talking about the Broadmoor, the 5-star resort in Colorado Springs.

[The Fedora]

Not that I have ever heard Dap. It is a beautiful place and there is alots to do in town. If you are a veggie person The Laughing Seed Cafe is a must(Andi McDowell sightings are common), and for a very good pint stop by the Jack of the Wood.

[Dap]

The Biltmore is a single place as opposed to an entire state.
It would be like me always talking about the Broadmoor, the 5-star resort in Colorado Springs.

Oh, I've been there! Wonderful afternoon teas they have at the Broadmoor. Did you hear of the bear during the golf tournament?

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Oh my goodness! Do those stones ever fall in the spa?

It's called "dry stack".
The stones are cemented firmly except on the outside visible surface.
It gives the illusion of no cement being used.
It is really all the rage now in construction.

And Dap,
Dear,
Why do you waste your time asking poor little us for travel advice?
We should be consulting a globetrotter like you for tips.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Oh, I've been there! Wonderful afternoon teas they have at the Broadmoor. Did you hear of the bear during the golf tournament?

My mother told me about it.

[Dap]

And Dap,
Dear,
Why do you waste your time asking poor little us for travel advice?
We should be consulting a globetrotter like you for tips.

Well, why not ask the locals, yeah? We're really looking for a homey farm environment.

[Tripe Face]

Oh, I've been there! Wonderful afternoon teas they have at the Broadmoor. Did you hear of the bear during the golf tournament?

My mother told me about it.


Yea, we had a good time that weekend... although we never really left the room!

[Mighty Dyckerson]

Yea, we had a good time that weekend... although we never really left the room!

Oooh, snap!

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Yea, we had a good time that weekend... although we never really left the room!

Are you talking about Dap?

[TVMattNYC]

http://jugalbandi.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/central-park-copy.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Central_park_newyork.jpeg/800px-Central_park_newyork.jpeg

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p347950-New_York_NY-Central_Park.JPG

http://rob.hilluva.com/newyork/FortTryonPark.jpg

[TVMattNYC]

Oooh, snap!

Gayest.
Post.
EVER.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

Ever been to Julian, CA?

http://www.conifers.org/cu/cup/nevadensis1.jpg

[commercial hack]

The Biltmore is a single place as opposed to an entire state.
It would be like me always talking about the Broadmoor, the 5-star resort in Colorado Springs.

Both of those places are dumps compared to the Greenbriar in WV.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/00/57/eb/hotel3.jpg

[Mighty Dyckerson]

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p347950-New_York_NY-Central_Park.JPG




Lemme guess...this is the view from your office in NYC, right? :rolleyes:

[Mighty Dyckerson]

Gayest.
Post.
EVER.

You would know, Boo.

[Tripe Face]

Both of those places are dumps compared to the Greenbriar in WV.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/00/57/eb/hotel3.jpg

That's not Greenbriar... that's the house I rented during my Jr. and Sr. years in Morgantown. I had a roommate who used the room on the top floor in the far left of the photo above.

Boy did we have some great keggers at that place.

[22]

You know, there is a difference in a pretty picture and a pretty place in the country. But the point has been made well on this thread. Anything you are looking for can be found in America. (Shoot, I even found the Eifel Tower in Las Vegas) If Dap wants to eat cheese that has not seen a conveyor belt and drink natural wine she can go to Wisconsin. They have both. I don't much like Wisconsin... but my point is ... it is all here in this country.

[Dap]

Yea, we had a good time that weekend... although we never really left the room!

Oh the bragging of men. I've yet to meet one who can actually go all weekend.

[Laughing Angel]

One more pitch for nothern Minnesota and the North Shore of Lake Superior. Rustic, quiet, beautiful surroundings and kind residents.

[22]

Oh the bragging of men. I've yet to meet one who can actually go all weekend.

Which prolly says more about you than the men you meet.

[Tripe Face]

Oh the bragging of men. I've yet to meet one who can actually go all weekend.

Well iif it's football season... of course I wouldn't go ALL weekend. Jeez, a man's got to have his priorities.

[HushHush]

Oh the bragging of men. I've yet to meet one who can actually go all weekend.

You've never met my first husband ;) One long weekend away results = my son.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Oh the bragging of men. I've yet to meet one who can actually go all weekend.

Try dating men who do meth and viagra.

[neodeity]

Try dating men who do meth and viagra.

Do those guys just wear you out?
I didn't know you went to Haggard's church.
Is there an ointment or stretching that helps you out?
You shouldn't date married preachers on the sly.

(arrrrg, it's too sweet of a setup; smartass overload...help me, help me)

[Dap]

Which prolly says more about you than the men you meet.

Hahaha. Not sure whether this is an insult or a compliment. Either I don't inspire enough or I inspire too much.