I need your help!

[eolafan]

Hi all, my wife and I are trying to plan a short (perhaps three or four days) vacation and I am trying to find a place where we can fly to and she can enjoy some things [:X] (shopping, amusement park, sightseeing,etc.) and I can (yep, you guessed it) enjoy some railfanning and chill out[:D]. It should be a relatively warm [8D]place as we are planning this trip for some time between now and Mid-May. Any suggestions [?] MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP [:)]

[spbed]

To me the best place to train watch is the LA area. Within 60/70 miles you have besides LA itself Barstow, Colton, Riverside, Daggett, Cajon Pass. That should satisfy your rail fan urges for a bit. Whaever type of action you like is their trains at speed, interlockings or trains just strung out going up/downhill[:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

Hi all, my wife and I are trying to plan a short (perhaps three or four days) vacation and I am trying to find a place where we can fly to and she can enjoy some things [:X] (shopping, amusement park, sightseeing,etc.) and I can (yep, you guessed it) enjoy some railfanning and chill out[:D]. It should be a relatively warm [8D]place as we are planning this trip for some time between now and Mid-May. Any suggestions [?] MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP [:)]

[Mookie]

I'd go to Rochelle! [:D]

[techguy57]

Mookster- While Jim and I would probably agree, I think Jim's wife might not go along with that idea for vacation since it wouldn't be getting too far away and there's not a bunch of shopping. But if you make it out to Rochelle, let me know and I'll come and visit you!

I'd agree L.A. wouldn't be bad, but if you'd rather not go so far I was thinking Kansas City or St. Louis as they are both destinations that fit your criteria.Flights to both are pretty cheap via Southwest Airlines and the like. You could even drive to St.Louis if you felt so inclined. Denver would be another good place Of course, Chicago would be my first choice, but then would it really be a vacation?

Mike Vanlandingham

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

I'd go to Rochelle! [:D]

Thanks Mookie, my mistake not telling you all where I am living,[B)] but I live about 45 minutes away from there and it is an easy day trip for us (have been there many times). Besides, I need WARM to thaw out these old bones of mine a bit. Any other ideas? Thanks,

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

Hi all, my wife and I are trying to plan a short (perhaps three or four days) vacation and I am trying to find a place where we can fly to and she can enjoy some things [:X] (shopping, amusement park, sightseeing,etc.) and I can (yep, you guessed it) enjoy some railfanning and chill out[:D]. It should be a relatively warm [8D]place as we are planning this trip for some time between now and Mid-May. Any suggestions [?] MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP [:)]

You might try the Williamsburg/Newport News,Va area;
Good shopping,Busch Gardens,for the other,just depends.
Besides there;you've got Yorktown,Jamestown,and other
areas of local interest.

[Mookie]

Yeah - Lincoln is good - but you need to pre-arrange with me, so I can show you the best spot to railfan. As for the wife - well, we have some shopping, we amuse ourselves pretty well and you can die of boredom all at the same time.

If you hurry - we are reasonably warm now. Just be sure to bring 4 seasons of clothes, just in case!

If you tire of the BNSF you can go west thru the wild country and see the UP and visit North Platte - little less shopping, little less amusement, but same boredom!

I looked at your location and knew right away you were in the Rochelle neighborhood. Gotta get Bergie to put a tongue-in-cheek happy face!

[:o)]

[spbed]

Mook sorry to say that Rochelle lacks the requirements he set out for his wife. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

I'd go to Rochelle! [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I would say come to the Twin Cities, because we have most of what you want, but no guarantees on the weather. The longer you wait toward the end of your window, the better your chances for warmth. On the other hand, the Mall of America, has much of what she seeks under one roof. The new light rail line goes from downtown to the mall via the airport, no need for a car. Email me if you want to know more.

[JoeKoh]

well if you are talking now you dont want to come to lake erie. but in the summer if your wife goes to port clinton or cedar point you can try to go to belleview willard or fostoria.
stay safe
Joe

[CShaveRR]

My wife manages to do OK when we visit Rochelle.

Jim said he needs a vacation, so I assume there don't have to be quite as many trains as there are in his own backyard.

But flying there? [xx(] Well, if you insist...

I'm not familiar enough with Kansas City to recommend it. But I'd give a good thumbs-up to St. Louis, assuming you have a way to get around to all of the good spots (the transportation museum, Kirkwood, etc.) You'd both enjoy the old Union Station, even though I've been told that it's not as good a mall as it used to be. And shopping around Kirkwood probably isn't too bad, either. I know there's an amusement park around there somewhere, but I get muchmore amusement from the trains myself.

[MP173]

Flagstaff, Az.

[eolafan]

Thanks everybody for all your help. Keep it coming and I am sure we will find a good spot. I am leaning towards St. Louis right now as it is relatively close, Southwest flys there and we can see lots of trains and the big Museum of Transportation and perhaps other things that will keep my better half happy (ok, reasonably happy as she tolerates my hobby). Thanks again.

[CopCarSS]

Why not Denver? We have more sunny days than San Diego (300+ per year). There's lots of great shopping for your wife (conventional malls to outlet malls, plus eveything in between, not to mention some of the shopping districts of Estes Park, Georgetown and such).

There's lots of great railfanning around the state, from the Moffat line to the many interesting tourist roads.

As far as fares go, Chicago and Denver are both hubs for United, so Ted flights are pretty cheap, and Frontier, ATA, and a couple of the other "Midway" outfits try to keep the price pretty close to that.

And of course, you could have a former Aurora resident, who spent a great deal of time at Eola, as your personal guide! [:D]

Just a thought.

[edbenton]

Dallas would be nice plenty of shopping and lots of action have all of the western railroads and a Six Flags there also that might be open. Plenty to do good weather and if they get an ice strom you can watch them play bumper cars.[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

I would definatley come to Colorado. We've got the Moffat tunnel and the joint line for watching freight, plus several tourist lines. My suggestion would be to ride the Royal Gorge Route. You can enjoy a nice train ride through the Royal Gorge while having a gourmet dinner to keep the old lady happy.

[spbed]

Actually I thought he was more thinking of shopping Rodeo Dr. style + naturally all those theme parks in So. California. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

My wife manages to do OK when we visit Rochelle.

Jim said he needs a vacation, so I assume there don't have to be quite as many trains as there are in his own backyard.

But flying there? [xx(] Well, if you insist...

I'm not familiar enough with Kansas City to recommend it. But I'd give a good thumbs-up to St. Louis, assuming you have a way to get around to all of the good spots (the transportation museum, Kirkwood, etc.) You'd both enjoy the old Union Station, even though I've been told that it's not as good a mall as it used to be. And shopping around Kirkwood probably isn't too bad, either. I know there's an amusement park around there somewhere, but I get muchmore amusement from the trains myself.

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed

Actually I thought he was more thinking of shopping Rodeo Dr. style + naturally all those theme parks in So. California. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

My wife manages to do OK when we visit Rochelle.

Jim said he needs a vacation, so I assume there don't have to be quite as many trains as there are in his own backyard.

But flying there? [xx(] Well, if you insist...

I'm not familiar enough with Kansas City to recommend it. But I'd give a good thumbs-up to St. Louis, assuming you have a way to get around to all of the good spots (the transportation museum, Kirkwood, etc.) You'd both enjoy the old Union Station, even though I've been told that it's not as good a mall as it used to be. And shopping around Kirkwood probably isn't too bad, either. I know there's an amusement park around there somewhere, but I get muchmore amusement from the trains myself.

[:0] Rodeo drive????NO, actually my name if Jim, not Bill Gates. Any outlet mall will sufice nicely, thanks.

[oltmannd]

How about Hershey/Lancaster/Harrisburg PA area?

Early May is a nice time to visit there. Weather should be in the high 60s, low 70s by then and it isn't full blown tourist season yet.

LOTS of trains in Harrisburg area including Amtrak Keystone svc and NS mainline, Rutherford and Harrisburg intermodal terminals, Enola hump yard.

Strassburg RR and PA state RR mueseum nearby (about 30 miles from H'burg)

PA Dutch country - scenic farmland, rolling hills.

Lots of HUGE outlet malls between Lancaster and Strassburg

Hershey Park amusement park (much cleaner and nicer than the 6 flags parks I've been in)

All of this within 30 miles or so of H'burg

Only 90 miles to Phila with NEC and lots and lots of history/tourist activity. (you can take the train from Lancaster or Harrisburg for a day trip)

Only 120 miles to Horseshoe Curve and Altoona, if that's not enough.

[spbed]

Rodeo Dr was just a joke but for sure So. California qualifies for all your requirements for your other half. [:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed

Actually I thought he was more thinking of shopping Rodeo Dr. style + naturally all those theme parks in So. California. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

My wife manages to do OK when we visit Rochelle.

Jim said he needs a vacation, so I assume there don't have to be quite as many trains as there are in his own backyard.

But flying there? [xx(] Well, if you insist...

I'm not familiar enough with Kansas City to recommend it. But I'd give a good thumbs-up to St. Louis, assuming you have a way to get around to all of the good spots (the transportation museum, Kirkwood, etc.) You'd both enjoy the old Union Station, even though I've been told that it's not as good a mall as it used to be. And shopping around Kirkwood probably isn't too bad, either. I know there's an amusement park around there somewhere, but I get muchmore amusement from the trains myself.

[:0] Rodeo drive????NO, actually my name if Jim, not Bill Gates. Any outlet mall will sufice nicely, thanks.

[oltmannd]

Another suggestion would be Atlanta.

Atlanta was built by RRs and has tremendous train volume, particularly through downtown and the lines to the west and north. Only one Amtrak train, though.

The main tourist destination in the area is Stone Mountain - lots to do there, but it's not an amusement park.

Lots of upscale shopping and eating in Buckhead. The mall of GA (built by the Mall of America people) is NE of the city and modeled after the late, great Union and Terminal stations in Atlanta.

Weather in May in Atlanta is nearly perfect - except for the pollen! Highs in the mid to upper 70s and low humidity.

You might also think about Chattanooga TN - another very busy RR town. Also has Tennessee Valley RR museum (steam train), Chatanooga Choo-Choo hotel in old station, aquarium, Lookout Mtn & inclined RR and Rock City.

[dldance]

You might consider San Antonio TX - for the non-rail fan there is:
- the river walk (eating and shopping and the Alamo)
- Fiesta TX - theme park
- Seaworld TX
- San Antonio Spurs Basketball
- and one of the largest factory outlet malls in the US 40 miles north at San Marcos

For the rail fan:
- the intersection of UP's Sunset Line and the north south NAFTA traffic
- Amtrak's Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited exchange passenger cars here
- Railroad museums, etc.

and the weather right now is in the 60's and 70's - but hurry before it gets warm.

dd

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I would say come to the Twin Cities, because we have most of what you want, but no guarantees on the weather. The longer you wait toward the end of your window, the better your chances for warmth. On the other hand, the Mall of America, has much of what she seeks under one roof. The new light rail line goes from downtown to the mall via the airport, no need for a car. Email me if you want to know more.

I say come up north a little ways to Duluth,MN. If you could somehow wait until June, it will get very warm and then you have the oppourtunity to ride the BEST railroad in Minnesota, the North Shore Scenic Railroad, for a trip to Lakeside and back, Palmers and back, and if you go to Two Harbors, if your luck is good, you might see a Duluth,Missabe, and Iron Range railway unit taconite train go over you on the large trestle. There is also plently of class 1 action with BNSF coal trains from Powder River unloading at Allouez, lots of switching at the many grain elevators, tons of ships coming through the ONLY operational lift bridge in the world, the ginormous DMIR ore docks, CN action, and if you travel a little into Superior,WI over the bridge, BNSF,CP, and CN yard action with the possibility of NS and CSX taconite trains in the Steelton yard. Your wife will love all the shops in Canal Park. (antique,ice cream, collectables, clothing etc....) I she is a hardcore shopper, go up the hill for The Miller Hill mall, Walmart,Target,Best Buy, Dollar Stores, numerous eateries etc... Also, down by Canal Park and the surrounding area there is some GREAT hotels that you would both love, i garuntee it. Well, thats only some of what we have to offer. Come check us out!!!