Location Information

Location cost depends primarily on transportation and lodging costs. Cumulative costs for the entire family don't differ much among locations - but can differ greatly for individual families. If a location is chosen within driving distance of a family that also has frequent flyer miles, it would be very helpful if they could donate miles for one or more flights to another family. If Asheville (the only driveable city for them) is chosen, Steve and Kevin will donate miles for one flight.

Counter-intuitively, Estes Park has the least number of family members within one day's drive (750 miles). The following locations are shown in order of driving distance by the most individuals.

Within 750 miles (1 day's drive):

• Santa Fe - 5 families; 17 individuals - Sharon(1), Blake(4), Vic(6), Gayle(2), Lisa(4)
• Santa Barbara - 2 families; 10 individuals - Blake(4), Vic(6)
• Asheville - 4 families; 9 individuals - Kevin(2), Suzie(2), Clarease(1), Erik(4)
• Banff - 3 families; 8 individuals - Cammie(3), Gary(2), Freya(3)
• Estes Park - 2 families; 7 individuals - Sharon(1), Vic(6)

Within 1,000 miles:

• Santa Fe - 5 families; 17 individuals - Sharon(1), Blake(4), Vic(6), Gayle(2), Lisa(4)
• Estes Park - 5 families; 16 individuals - Sharon(1), Vic(6), Blake(4), Cammie(3), Gayle(2)
• Asheville - 5 families; 14 individuals - Kevin(2), Suzie(2), Clarease(1), Erik(4), Todd(5)
• Banff - 4 families; 14 individuals - Cammie(3), Gary(2), Freya(3), Vic(6)
• Santa Barbara - 3 families; 11 individuals - Blake(4), Vic(6), Sharon(1)

Location Pros and Cons

Please feel free to provide additional pros or cons to be added to the page.

Asheville, NC

Pros

• Least expensive housing costs
• Extensive hiking trails
• Many beautiful day-trip drives
• Vibrant, artsy college town
• Highest mountains east of the Rockies
• Low altitude for Grandma

Cons

• Expensive airport, but near less-expensive Charlotte

Banff, AB

Pros

• One of the largest protected areas in the world
• Extensive hiking trails
• Many beautiful day-trip drives
• Vibrant, artsy town
• Somewhat low altitude for Grandma

Cons

• Passport costs for flyers and possibly drivers
• Housing options within town of Banff somewhat constrained

Estes Park, CO

The "cons" listed for Estes are admittedly heavy (perhaps unfairly so) due to familiarity.

Pros

• Denver has a major airport that has competitive fares from many locations
• Plenty of activities for kids and adults, many of which are free
• Beautiful scenery
• Many beautiful day-trip drives
• Continue family tradition of returning to Estes - and share our experiences with the next generation
• Estes and RMNP have many additional pros not listed here

Cons

• Several other proposed locations are within driving distance for more individuals
• We've all enjoyed alternate locations such as Captiva or Cozumel - and it's been a long time since we've gone to another location
• With limited vacation time and budget available, some think we shortchange ourselves and our families by repeatedly returning to the same place
• Many of the adults have seen or done much of what is easily available in the Estes area

Note: the same types of free activities available in Estes are also available in the other locations under consideration - but are not the same activities.

Santa Barbara, CA

Pros

• Extensive hiking trails
• Beautiful beaches
• Wine country
• Many beautiful day-trip drives
• Vibrant, artsy college town
• Low altitude for Grandma
• NW LA highlights such as the Getty Museum are within reach

Cons

• More expensive airport, but near less-expensive LAX
• Somewhat higher housing costs

Santa Fe, NM

Pros

• Most accessible location by car
• Extensive hiking trails
• Many arts offerings
• Native American culture
• Many beautiful day-trip drives
• Vibrant, artsy town

Cons

• Flights are somewhat more expensive for those who have to fly