Big Bend National Park in Texas is on my wish-list. I had a work trip to Austin and thought I could add it on staying over through the weekend, but turns out Texas is REALLY BIG and Big Bend is about a 7 hour drive from Austin. Also after researching it a bit more the park sounds enormous and to really do it right you need a couple days at least to explore. So, I will be going back when I have more time!
Bisbee, Arizona is also somewhere I'd like to stay for a month or so. I've heard it's a fun artists town with funky bohemian vibes.
Finally, my partner has never seen Maine so I'd love to take them to Acadia and then take the ferry over to Newfoundland.
Someone told me once that National Park rangers had voted Big Bend as their favorite overall National Park. I’ve never been able to verify that statement, but I’ve really wanted to go ever since I heard it.
It does feel like it has creepy vibes. Would you say the dangers are more environmental (scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, etc), or climate/hiking remotely, or criminal?
I'm in my 20s female traveler and would probably be traveling alone, most likely sleeping in the back of my SUV- which I've done all over the country and generally in sketchy areas I'll get a hotel room or rent a real campsite.
In Big Bend National Park, you'll need a campsite at least officially. Your experience boondocking in National Parks should guide you.
In terms of safety, it's not a place where anyone "looking for action" is going to hang out. It's a long way from anywhere and even at peak capacity mostly empty. That's my take on most wilderness areas in the US and the only locals at Big Bend are in Boquillas and dependent on a good tourist experience.
All with the caveat that I'm an old man not a young female.
Anyway, the biggest dangers are the usual suspects: exposure, dehydration, and falls. It's remote and dry with temperature extremes. The average worst event is a flat tire from taking Old Maverick Road without truck tires on your vehicle.
There is a border crossing in the park. It is basically a dirt road. If you drive your $100k car down there it could disappear over the border very quickly. You may encounter Mexicans selling geodes most likely. They might be watching for potential marks as well. There may also be Mexicans on foot that want a ride up the road. They may be pushy and mob your car, sometimes in large groups.
If you stick to camping, motel, or car camping in Chisos basin then you're probably good. There are wild havalinas which are mini-pigs that will root around at night, not dangerous.
You cannot drive across the border at Boquillos. The Rio Grande is in the way and there is no bridge. Big Bend is in the middle of four hundred miles without a road across the border between Del Rio and Presidio.
The river this time of year is under 200 cfs which is knee deep in some areas. If it wasn't a problem there would not be signs all over warning of car theft.
If you haven’t already heard of it, you should consider getting a passport to your national parks. Big bend is somewhat out of the way (relative to proximity to other National parks) so it would be a great stamp to obtain!
If you go to Big Bend, I recommend a side trip driving Texas FM170 along the Rio Grande between Terlingua and Presidio. It's stunning and takes you through Big Bend Ranch State Park. At Presidio US 67 runs north to Marfa. From Terlingua Texas 118 goes north to Alpine.
I have an odd dream to visit Georgia (the country). I know extremely little about it, but the combination of language-geek attraction (Georgian is a totally out there language with its own script) and the absolutely stunning images of everything I see really makes me want to go.
You could island hop across the Atlantic. Bermuda -> Azores -> Canaries. Work your way up the Irish sea from the Scilly Isles -> Lundy -> Skomer -> Bardsey -> Angelsey. On up to Faroes (Bonus points for a stop off on Rockall) -> Iceland -> Svalbard.
That would make an nice amateur radio Islands On the Air (IOTA) expedition.
My wife and I vacationed in Portugal a few years back. We stayed in Cascais before heading to Lisbon (both were stunning and the people extremely friendly - Cascais was like a mini-Lisbon on the sea to me). In any event, we took a little sunset sailboat ride and the young gentleman at the helm said he was from the Azores. He said it can be quite remote, but he thought it was one of the most magical places he'd seen and implored us to visit. It's #1 on our list as well.
Also, I have half a mind to visit Paratay, Brazil. All I know is the song Paratay by Mia Doi Todd (1), but as I listen to the lyrics, that's enough to get my wanderlust stirring.
Numerous pre-historic era archaeological sites (eg. remote places in Tibet). Ruins yet to be unearthed (eg. Sumatra). Major ancient world sites (Nalanda, Silk Road oases) The initial locations of famous chemical syntheses. Specialist factories. CERN. Remote islands. Undersea trenches.
Jeju-do (Jeju Island, South Korea) - especially to see Halla mountain.
Xi'an (China), along with the other ancient capitals of China (or what we would call China, today).
Other areas around Asia that were inhabited by the Mongols, Manchu/Jurchen, and other related groups. Separately, I'd also like to see the parts of Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos where Hmong people live.
Parts of India, such as Arunachal Pradesh because of the diversity and history of people living there (Tai, Monpa, Naga).
Locations that were formerly part of the Assyrian Kingdom along with areas from the Akkadian Kingdom.
I really enjoyed visiting the United Nations building in New York. The tour was interesting and if they weren't in session they too you into the various meeting rooms.
I saw this picture on reddit a while ago, where there was a public bucket seat that you could use to cross a river. I saw this a couple years ago, but I would very much like to see it in person.
The thing about lesser known but cool places is that part of what makes them cool is the lack of overtourism. Then by visiting you are potentially becoming part of the problem. Anyways, I'd like to visit Svalbard at some point. Sounds like a slightly surreal but beautiful place to visit
Svalbard is a fantastic place to visit, especially if you want to get away from everything - it's like having a weight lifted from you as soon as you leave the area of paved road in Longyearbyen.
Are there any particular spots you'd recommend? I think it'd be fun to just wander around alone but I haven't done enough research to tell if that'd be dumb from a safety perspective
So I'd recommend Ny-Ålesund (but be prepared for a very long and uncomfortable boat trip if you go there and back in a day) plus the Soviet ghost town Piramida - remember to take your passport as you can get it stamped with a Russian stamp without having to get a visa! I forgot mine.
Safety wise, if you are afraid of bears you need to be confident enough to handle flares, a large handgun and a large calibre hunting rifle. There are alot of bears, I saw three while I was there though none were close to major settlements.
We did get shown sole CCTV footage from the dock where a bear came down and broke into and ate a crate of frozen whale meat off the dock, that was fun.
Oh and take or get a Greenland dog from one of the kennels to go with you anywhere - they can tell when a bear is near. They aren't pets though, don't expect them to behave like a lapdog.
If you like beer be prepared to take quite some money for it.
Definitely the Sammezzano castle is on top of my list. Situated in Tuscany (near Florence) its owner had a crush for oriental culture. Thus, he decided to build this very peculiar castle in which each room follows a different arabic or middle-eastern architectural style. Pictures and more history here: https://www.homeinitaly.com/magazine/post.php?post_id=176.
Unfortunately it is privately owned and its kinda hard to register for a visit.
Futuleufu - Chile, I missed out on going there when I was there many years back, was keen to kayak there, but didn't have the time/money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qmFqTPJ0d8
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 78.6 ms ] threadBisbee, Arizona is also somewhere I'd like to stay for a month or so. I've heard it's a fun artists town with funky bohemian vibes.
Finally, my partner has never seen Maine so I'd love to take them to Acadia and then take the ferry over to Newfoundland.
I'm in my 20s female traveler and would probably be traveling alone, most likely sleeping in the back of my SUV- which I've done all over the country and generally in sketchy areas I'll get a hotel room or rent a real campsite.
In terms of safety, it's not a place where anyone "looking for action" is going to hang out. It's a long way from anywhere and even at peak capacity mostly empty. That's my take on most wilderness areas in the US and the only locals at Big Bend are in Boquillas and dependent on a good tourist experience.
All with the caveat that I'm an old man not a young female.
Anyway, the biggest dangers are the usual suspects: exposure, dehydration, and falls. It's remote and dry with temperature extremes. The average worst event is a flat tire from taking Old Maverick Road without truck tires on your vehicle.
If you stick to camping, motel, or car camping in Chisos basin then you're probably good. There are wild havalinas which are mini-pigs that will root around at night, not dangerous.
https://shop.americasnationalparks.org/product/22515/Passpor...
In general I'd like to spend more time checking out the lesser traveled parts of France, Germany and the UK.
That would make an nice amateur radio Islands On the Air (IOTA) expedition.
Also, I have half a mind to visit Paratay, Brazil. All I know is the song Paratay by Mia Doi Todd (1), but as I listen to the lyrics, that's enough to get my wanderlust stirring.
1. https://youtu.be/QID5HNlSMjw
Xi'an (China), along with the other ancient capitals of China (or what we would call China, today).
Other areas around Asia that were inhabited by the Mongols, Manchu/Jurchen, and other related groups. Separately, I'd also like to see the parts of Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos where Hmong people live.
Parts of India, such as Arunachal Pradesh because of the diversity and history of people living there (Tai, Monpa, Naga).
Locations that were formerly part of the Assyrian Kingdom along with areas from the Akkadian Kingdom.
Safety wise, if you are afraid of bears you need to be confident enough to handle flares, a large handgun and a large calibre hunting rifle. There are alot of bears, I saw three while I was there though none were close to major settlements.
We did get shown sole CCTV footage from the dock where a bear came down and broke into and ate a crate of frozen whale meat off the dock, that was fun.
Oh and take or get a Greenland dog from one of the kennels to go with you anywhere - they can tell when a bear is near. They aren't pets though, don't expect them to behave like a lapdog.
If you like beer be prepared to take quite some money for it.
Unfortunately it is privately owned and its kinda hard to register for a visit.
Zanskar, Leh - In Ladakh, Northern India, the grand canyon of asia. Ideally for a kayaking trip! http://www.purelandexpeditions.com/