Where would you go?

[Mule]

If you had your choice of any place in the continental US to travel to to shoot photos between now and January 2 where would you go? Where would you go for nature photos, city photos or event photos?

Would it be to welcome in the New Year in Times Square? Travel to southern California and document the recent destruction? Winter shots in one of our great national parks? Take in the beautiful warm weather of the Florida everglades? Attend a college bowl game?

I have a $400 credit to use up before January 2 and may be taking a photography trip. I thought it would be a fun discussion to hear about your travel dreams.

[Xia_Ke]

Ooo, that's tough. I suppose it depends on what you prefer to photograph. For me, I would be heading either to Yellowstone or Glacier National Park

[another view]

Sounds great! It's a little late for fall around here and it hasn't been that good anyway. Not sure about the rest of the country but maybe somewhere south if you went quick, some place like Smokey Mountain National Park in TN.

NYC is amazing any time of year. I was there two years ago in the beginning of December and there were a lot of Christmas displays up, mainly elaborate displays in department store windows and skating in Bryant Park. There's always so much to do and see there that it would probably get my vote.

Another thing I've thought about doing at some point is heading up north to Lake Superior where storms can get really intense this time of year. Of course it would be my luck that it would be calm, but it can make some really dramatic images. November is usually the best time for this. Any foliage will be gone but there still is a lot to see and shoot. However, from Des Moines it might be hard to get to a lot of those areas by air. In NYC, you don't need (or even want!) a rental car.

[mjs1973]

I have always wanted to travel and photograph the Blue Ridge Parkway. I bet the colors there this time of year are stunning. I have also had a dream to spend the winter watching and photographing wolves in Yellowstone.

I would also consider doing a photography work shop in any of our national parks.

[Mule]

Great ideas! I hadn't thought about Lake Superior or the Smokey Mountains. As for Yellowstone or Glaciar, is anyone familiar enough with them to know what the average high and low temps would run in December? Anyone with experience shooting winter photos at either? NYC sounds enticing. I'm not sure if I could afford the hotels in December but the thought of hitting the city and Central Park with a camera for 3 or 4 days sounds like a lot of fun.

[another view]

I'm not sure if I could afford the hotels in December but the thought of hitting the city and Central Park with a camera for 3 or 4 days sounds like a lot of fun.

I stayed at Park Central on 7th Ave on that trip and it's halfway between the south end of Central Park and Times Square. It was about $180/night for an inexpensive room, small but just fine. That's about as cheap as it comes for that area, and this was almost two years ago. I'd stay there again. It's also across the street from Carnegie Deli for one of those huge $18 corned beef sandwiches.

[mjs1973]

anyone familiar enough with them to know what the average high and low temps would run in December?

Here is a link to some average temps for Yellowstone.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recre...om=search_vert

A link for the Glacier area.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recre...16?locid=59916

[OldSchool]

Moab ??

Depends what you are into...
Tim

[Mule]

Another view, I'd be happy with $180 in Manhatten. I'll keep it in mind.

[Frog]

Alaska...mid winter...shooting norhtern lights.

[mn shutterbug]

Have you ever heard of Squaw Creek NWR near Mound City, MO? I'm heading there the last week of November. I understand they have had up to 300 bald eagles there in a day. Right now there are around 79,000 ducks at the refuge. Heck, it's only a 3 hour drive from you. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/squawcreek/index.htm

[WesternGuy]

Yellowstone for me!!! So many different things and critters to see and take pics of!

WesternGuy

[threelions usa]

dunno too much about lots of states, i think so many have so much.

the left coast for the pch, i did it this year and would go back and spend a month there.

but really at a push i would think utah for bryce and the moab. i heard though that colorado (from my friend who has lived in both) shades it.

however, when in seattle i don't know if i would EVER tire of coming into the city and seeing mount ranier daily.

[freygr]

There are too many places that I can think of.....

[walterick]

Anything west of the Rockies

This country is so beautiful and diverse you could almost just get in a car and drive and end up in some place that is beautiful and perfect. If all our suggestions are too much, try narrowing your trip by getting clear on what kind of trip you would enjoy the most. I will actually reflect your question back to you... what kind of photography trip would you be likely to enjoy the most? Mountains? The City? Events? Look at that and then decide from your heart which route you'd like.

And then go

[Mule]

All great ideas. This really gets me thinking. Yellowstone in the winter might be a great time.

MN Shutterbug, I haven't visited Squaw Creek but it looks interesting. I may make a weekend trip over sometime. The bird counts look great.