Want to Surprise Hubby W/ a Fun Trip

with the economy being so bad you can realy get a GREAT deal on cruises! They're great since they incude the cost of food, and there is plenty to do on and off the ship at ports. Search out deals online. Have fun!

If you told every one you would be gone for a week, then went to a hotel here in Boise, and did the things here that you never get around to because you do not have time for them together with out anyone else, work etc.
The water park by Meridian, the bird refuge by Eagle, the lake out there. Drive up to Idaho City and take a scenic route. You could have time together, and it would be fun, and not cost as much.

S.
mother to Kai
www.HomeWithKai.com

Cruising is a great relatively inexpensive way to go to fun places. Eastern or Southern Caribbean is really beautiful with turquoise water. San Francisco also has endless things to do and see--another one of my favorite vacations. If you decide to go there send me a message and I'll tell you some of the must-sees.

One of my favorite vacation spots is in Lake Tahoe (just 6 hour drive from Boise). The water is beautiful!! We went to the beach everyday. Plus, you can drive around the lake, Ponderosa Ranch, hike, bike paths, golf, take a boat tour, etc. They have nice hotels right on the border (NV side is casino type hotels), and there is a KOA campground a few miles into CA. I'm sure you could google timeshares for rent or some B&B's.

Have a great time whatever you do!

I have heard great feedback on Apple Vacations. They are usually economical and target fun spots for vacationing. If you contact them and let them know your goals, they may be able to get you an affordable, fun trip.

Yellowstone is such a unique, fun place. You could be there a week and see something different and amazing every day.

I would recommend Vancouver and Victoria, BC. Vancouver is a really beautiful, fun city. The location, surrounded by mountains, and edged by the sea, is stunning. It is a great city, but not to large. Some of the great things to do there are: Take a tram up the mountain to the ski resort, which is nice to visit and walk around in the summer. Rent bikes and bike along the sea wall. Visit the parks. There are a lot of great restaurants. Then, take a ferry across to Vancouver island and visit Victoria, a quaint little town on the southern tip of the island. It's close, but almost like a little visit to England! Plan your trip to stay in Victoria for a few days and visit the Beauchart Gardens, maybe go whale watching (killer whales), visit the lighthouse and old military bunkers, etc. At night you go down to the waterfront and watch street performers. We just love it there and I know you would to. You do have to have a passport to go to Canada now. Good Luck! If you go, let me know how you like it.

You should really consider a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico! My husband and I also took a delayed honeymoon, chose Mazatlan, and it was the best trip of our lives. We did 5 nights at the El Cid Marina and it was the most relaxing nights we'd had in a LONG time. SUCH an escape from daily life. Everything about the trip - flights, hotel, food - is so inexpensive that you'll be able to splurge on a few things like special excursions. Feel free to contact me for any advice/itinerary ideas!

I would tell you to go to Victoria, BC. There is a great B&B jut outside in Sooke... its called Cooper's Cove. Its very quiet and beautiful there and the food is AMAZING! Their chef is awesome. You can also take an afternoon cooking class with him (extra) and have a 5 course, 3 hour dinner with him cooking in front of you. Its absolutely amazing and t he food is just to die for!

Near by you have downtonw Victoria which has plenty to do plus there are also a lot of great palces to go hiking. My husband and I went before we had kids and we really want to go back soon (the plan was for our 5th anniversary last month, but his graduation got pushed back several months, so it didn't happen.

If you're willing to drive you can head out toward Seattle and take you car on the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles (or maybe it Anacortes... I forget) into Victoria. Theres also the Victoria Clipper too from downtown Seattle, but that passanger only.

We often go to a place in Marysvale, UT. It's not too far from Richmond, so there are things to do, like a really cool mini golf place. It's the 4-wheeling capital of the world. We've never gone, but you can rent stuff for that anywhere in town. There's camping as well as rental homes. It's a nice quiet town. The house has a large yard, but no play equipment. There is a school in town with a nice playground, so we go there. We always find it really relaxing. We're talking about doing it again this year. There's some nice places to eat in Richmond. It is secluded, but unfortunately we know the ambulance is about 5 minutes away and can get to the hospital in roughly 20 minutes. The hospital is limited, but very good and has good connections, if needed. It's our favorite vacation place. (I don't know the name of the house we rent, and can't find it right off. Sorry.) Have fun on your trip!

Wow, there's so many options! If you are into camping, it's the perfect time, I loved Goldmyer Hotsprings outside Seattle ( http://www.goldmyer.org/index.htm ), but does require 4-wheel drive to get to. It's amazingly beautiful, secluded and regulated (they don't allow more than 20 visitors there per day...reservations are required.) Also, in the San Juan islands, which you can take a ferry to from Anacortes,Seattle, i love Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island, which offers camping, hostel and private cabins and yerts...also has hot springs, a vegetarian restaurant, and is on the ocean and offers kayak trips. Really amazing. You can take day trips via the ferry to the nearby islands, and hike in the national park on the island. ( http://www.doebay.com/ )

Of course, maybe you were thinking of something completely different...that's just what I would consider doing if I had a week or so and was located in Boise (I live in Colorado.) Any case, I hope you fun w/ your hubby. whatever you do!!!

Lake Havasu in Arizona is nice. www.arizona.gov. It's gorgeous there.

Hi there,
I am in Colorado and we love the YMCA at Estes park, I am not sure how far that is from you, probably farther than the Oregon Coast ( which by the way is awesome in the summer, if you go back there try the Stephany Inn in Canon Beach, wow!), but definately within driving distance. The YMCA is not cheap but not too bad either, you can get a cabin with a kitchen which if you cook your own meals it could be a wash as far as expenses! Also most of the activities are icluded with your cabin. We love it because there is no TV and alot of outdoor activities, Rocky Mountain National park is 10 min away, it is a little crowded in the summer but not too bad, if you hike you can get away from people easily. There is a lso a YMCA calles Snow Mountain Ranch just outside of Winter Park. We like the Estes Park, a little less comercialized!My other idea for you was Wyoming, what about The Grand Tetons or Jackson Hole?

Hey KJ,

I am also a military wife and I was wondering where he hubby was... was it a school or a short deployment? You did not say how soon after his return you where planning on leaving. I know that the surprise is well intended, but your hubby might actually prefer to spend some time at home after being gone so long. I know when my hubby is gone I am always wanting to us to go somewhere once he gets back, but I know that he is more happy staying close to home.

That being said, my dad just told me about at very cool place in Durango, CO that has over 30 ziplines. You take the narrow gauge railroad to the lodge and then spend the rest of the day up in the trees. It is alittle pricey, but it looks very cool.

Yellowstone would be a lot of fun if you can still get reservations at the hotels around the park. There is lots to do there! Boating, fishing, hiking, biking.

Jackson Hole, WY is another gorgeous location. Hiking, fly fishing, nature watching.

Bend, OR is beautiful and you can rent bikes or bring your own and just bike everywhere.

Seattle in July would be perfect. You could just explore the city and take the ferries to the different islands.

Since you're not taking your son, you could do a deal in Vegas right now for cheap! Take in a couple shows, visit Hoover Dam, see all the different casinos.

Have fun no matter what you do!

I would do a cruise -- you unpack once-- get to see some amazing places, deals are AMAZING right now -- and the food is included and great! I have been to Mexico, gone to Sandles Resorts, driven to places and so forth, but our most relaxing, enjoyable and actually cheapest (and best) vacation we took as a couple! I am SO looking forward to our next one!

I would suggest Yellowstone National Park. Boise is not far from the park.

I don't know how much you have, but my husband and I went to Seattle for our honeymoon and loved it. We did a underground walking tour and the aquarium and Imax. We went to the boeing museum my hubby loves planes.Had dinner at the space needle. We drove over to the Olympic forest and hiked a little trail then took a ferry boat to Victoria and stayed for 3 nights. We did whale watching and Beachard gardens fireworks and it was July. It was very resonable. Have a great time whatever you do. If you want inexpensive places to stay,I found some nice ones. Let me know.
M.