I need to try Maui someday. I've visited Oahu (twice), Big Island and Kauai. They have their own unique charms. Kauai has stunning green mountain scenery and great beaches, but the Big Island has much better snorkeling.
Next year I have been thinking about a road trip to Montana and going up into Alberta to see its national parks. If I do go, I will try to stop by and look Wooglint up.
Kerry, I have always wanted to go to Montana! I imagine it is very beautiful...we drove from Iowa to Boise when we moved there, through Wyoming and Utah. Some gorgeous country out there...
Maui is great, but I wouldn't suggest it w/the kids as I think it is more set up for couples.
As for Montana, it is gorgeous! That would be a good trip to take w/the kids and not too bad of a drive, especially in Montana where the roads are straight and flat.
Interesting about that strip mining. I had not heard about it but looked it up and see it is for dirt that is saturated with oil. Having seen the long lasting effects of what a gold dredge can do from 100 years ago, I would guess that ravaging of the forests and land of northern Alberta would be similar if not worse than a gold dredge.
I saw similar devastation in Nevada at Virginia City where there is still a TON of gold, but it is too deep to get at w/out spending like crazy!
The entire hillside where the mines are is completely gone!
However, it may be the best Old West town I've ever visited, save Bodie, California. Beat the Hell out of Tombstone, AZ, which I hated b/c it was too commercialized on the surrounding streets.
