Great Vacation Spots

Spring break is coming, with summer not far behind, so it's time to choose your vacation destinations.  So I am going to be completely biased with the following post.  If you are not a runner, cyclist or skier, you should probably look away.  If you are, then we should be able to find something to suit you.

(In no particular order)
Top Vacation Spots for An Athlete

1. Iowa: So we all know that Iowa gets a bad rep for being a “in the middle of nowhere” state.  Famous

Me with a Turkin in Iowa

for the movie, Field of Dreams, a bunch of cows, soybeans, corn and absolutely nothing else, you’re probably shocked to see the state on my list.  However, Iowa’s most exciting feature is RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).  One day, some people working for the newspaper, the Des Moines Register decided to bike across the state, river to river.  What started as a few people, turned into a 10,000-20,000 person journey that occurs every July.  As a six-time RAGBRAI rider, I have done everything from seeing the world’s largest horse, to dunking a nun in a dunk tank to visiting a state penitentiary to asking Lance Armstrong in person how many miles he rides his bike a year (25,000) to hitting up tons of cool water parks, public pools, lakes and slip 'n slides.  There’s also loads of delicious pork and pie.  If you are a cyclist (or pie lover) who hasn’t tried RAGBRAI, I urge you to log onto the website and register now.  It will be an adventure you never forget.   

RAGBRAI

2. Washington D.C.: D.C. is a great place not only to explore American history and culture, but also for notable athletic events like the Marine Corps Marathon.  One of the largest marathons in the United States, registration for the lottery is open today, so don't tarry in signing up!  You won't regret it.


3.  Destin, FL:  Some call it the "Redneck Riviera", others the "Emerald Coast".  To me, it's home

away from home, since I've been going there my entire life.  What began as a fishing village has now become a booming tourist destination, full of golf courses, tennis courts, pools and beautiful white sandy beaches.  Located on the panhandle, not far from Pensacola Naval Air Base, and right next to
Eglan Air Force Base, Destin is a great place to kick back for a few days and work on your tan.  And if you need a work out, hit up the nearby Crossfit Gym, race one of several road races in the area, swim in the ocean or run, bike and rollerblade, all the while enjoying the delicious seafood the Destin Area has to offer.

Beach: Destin FL

4. Ottawa, ON: If you're looking for a change of pace, head to Canada, where you'll be met with maple sugar candy and maple syrup, tons of awesome museums, and a proud hockey team.  In winter, head over to nearby Quebec and try your hand nordic skiing at the Gatineau Loppet!

5. Toronto, ON: See a show, ride to the top of the CN Tower, go to the Royal Ontario Museum, go to a hockey game, shop, cheer on the home team at a Blue Jays game.  The possibilities are endless.  Just go!

Covered Bridge at the Outdoor Center 

6. Bethel, ME: Home to Carter's XC Area, the Bethel Inn (which offers several kilometers of tracked and groomed nordic trails and operates two locations, one by Bethel Inn and one by Sunday River Ski Area), Gould Academy (which also has a nordic center of its own which offers several races throughout the nordic season, and also only a few minutes away from Sunday River, where you can enjoy a nice ride up on the Chondola (Half chair/ Half Gondola) and amazing downhill skiing, you will enjoy a meal at the Matterhorn and skiing you'll never forget.




7. Utah: Ski in winter, bike in summer.  What more can you want but beauteous national parks and great riding/ skiing?

Niagara Falls from the Canadian side

8. Buffalo, NY: So I'm biased, since I lived there for most of my life, but even though Buffalo has a bad rep for the snow and low population, it has so much to offer.  We have snacks and meals you won't find anywhere else, which include Beef on Weck, Original Chicken Wings and sponge candy, among others.  Not far from the Erie Canal, Canadian bike paths, great skiing, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines where Steve Bauer (former pro cyclist who medaled in the Olympics) hosts a ride every year, and Toronto, Buffalo is not to be missed.  We also offer the Ride For Roswell, Buffalo Marathon and Half Marathon, among other
athletic endeavors not to be missed.

Delaware Park in Buffalo NY in winter

Other Notable Destinations:
Czech Republic
Cleveland, OH
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Atlanta, Georgia
Rhode Island
Antigua, Guatemala

On the bucket list:
Antarctica
Oregon Coast
Yellowstone
TBD