Places and Seasons

Going to Hiawassee today and they're expecting some weather up there.  But once it passes, Saturday is scheduled for sunny and 73!  There aren't a whole lot of places that can beat the Georgia mountains in the spring.  In fact, Hiawassee is the kind of place where there isn't really a bad time to go.

In the summer, you get on a boat and hit Lake Chatuge.
In the fall, you plan a weekender around college football and drive up from Athens, if you're lucky.
In the winter, you settle in by the fire, read a good book or do a puzzle, and pull for snow.
And in the spring, you do what I'm doing.  Take your fishing pole, maybe your golf clubs, and leave your worries behind in Atlanta.

That got me thinking about some of the places I've been and the ideal time to go there...

NYC for example...

I've been to New York a bunch and it is a fine place to be most Memorial Days.  Central Park is where you can plant yourself for a relaxing weekend strangely surrounded by the craziest island on the planet. 

But as we learned last year, once it gets really HOT, it isn't near as much fun!

I've been in December where this Southern boy has never been so cold.  It was enough to make me understand that February isn't something I want to experience.

And I've been in March where you can bet on a chilly drizzle.

I went one November.  Basically the same as March but the energy was higher with the holidays coming.

Boston is a wonderful place to be in early fall.  That city celebrates the summertime better than any I've seen.  I guess I was up there in early summer as well and remember well how the city streets were crowded with pale New Englanders thrilled to be getting outside.

And I don't remember the middle of summer being too bad up there.  A trip to Fenway is an experience like no other.  I'm lucky enough to have been three times and I don't remember the weather at all.

I still chuckle remembering Haynes and I in Maine and getting chilly in the evening.  In AUGUST!

My only trip to Chicago was late October.  They are not joking about the Windy City thing.  I remember thinking, if this is October, I do not want to be around in January.

Out west, April is simply incredible.  Nothing better for my money, than a day skiing in Colorado when you're warm enough to be in short sleeves.  Been to Jackson Hole in January and it is pretty cold, though beautiful of course.

April is actually a good time for a lot of places as we learned on our trip to DC this year.  And anyone who has ever had the privilige of going to the Masters knows how euphoric it can be just staying home and enjoying the azaleas and dogwoods!

In July, we're going to Amelia Island, one of our fav-or-ite spots!  It'll be hot but the ocean will never be far away, I can promise you.  The fall again, is a great time to be in North Florida.

Last year, we did Disney in November and I actually could've used it a little colder.  We did drive up to Seaside on the gulf and for Thanksgiving it was absolutely perfect.  The kids got in the water but it wasn't so warm out that the adults wanted to!

I'm also going to San Diego for the first time in July.  The reason we picked San Diego for our annual golf outing is the weather.  Even Minneapolis can be hot in July as we learned a couple years ago.  But San Diego promises that kind of weather where you need a sweater in the evenings and there's something about that I really enjoy.

Phoenix ... June ... hot.  But the golf was so much fun and the ball goes so far out there, it is still a great time!

Vegas ... September ... hot!!!  Would love to try either of these places during the cooler months.

Here are some other US destinations and what I think of as ideal times to visit.

I would love to summer in Maine.
I would love to do Colorado in early summer and see the mountains, sans snow.
Key West for Christmas anyone? 
How about Hawaii ... anytime!!!  (we went pre-kids and I would love to take them sometime)
As many times as we've been to Disney World, I've never been when the crowds are at their lowest and the temps are at their coolest.  Guess I'll have to plan something for February!

Happy Trails!