|
Post by trinity on Aug 24, 2015 9:20:48 GMT -8
We camped near Pagosa Springs, CO last year, seemed like a decent town, not too big, Weminuche on one side, South San Juans on the other.
|
|
|
Post by starwalker on Aug 24, 2015 10:13:45 GMT -8
Eagle Nest, New Mexico (I agree with the crowds hurting Taos) in the summer, come home to Oklahoma in the winter (I'm close to the Ouachita and Ozark Trails.)
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Aug 24, 2015 10:16:55 GMT -8
(we do love Boulder, but not only does it have that pseudo-hippie veneer over some serious wealthy-white-folk prejudice, it's too expensive). Yes, this perfectly captures what I find insufferable about those kinds of communities. I love Santa Fe, for example, but I doubt I could really live there, because of the playground-for-the-rich aspect in the summers. Not only can I not afford to live among the upper crust, I don't want to.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Aug 24, 2015 10:21:04 GMT -8
A well thought-out response from Travis, as one would expect.
I realized that I short-changed the greater Yellowstone area in my original list. Most of the area that I've been to at one time or another just feels a little too touristy to me--certainly the Jackson area.
We did have a lovely pizza meal in Lander this summer, though: seems like a pleasant town with some granola factor and quirkiness without the fake veneer of playground-for-the-rich granola towns.
Probably too far from NE Yellowstone for your preferences, but certainly near some great hiking.
|
|
|
Post by hikerjer on Aug 24, 2015 10:24:03 GMT -8
I agree about the "upper crust" thing. While Jackson, Ketchum/Sun Valley, Estes Park, Taos, are all very nice and situated in great country, they really are the playgrounds of the rich, famous and pretentious. I can stand the towns for about two days before I've go to get out.
|
|
|
Post by hikerjer on Aug 24, 2015 10:27:17 GMT -8
Travis, I'm a bit surprised you don't particularly care for Livingston, unless it's the wind. I find it a great little town and not nearly as pretentious or expensive as Bozeman, which I like well enough. But Bozeman is becoming more upscale all the time and Livingston is a nice alternative to it. Wouldn't mind living there and should have put it on my orginal list. Actually, though, I'm not dissatisfied with my current location.
|
|
|
Post by graywolf on Aug 24, 2015 10:39:26 GMT -8
I like where I live, halfway between Santa Fe and Taos. I just don't go where the rich play. Within 1 1/2 hours I can be hiking in the Pecos Wilderness, the Jemez Mountains or the Weminuche Wilderness in Southern Colorado.
|
|
|
Post by markweth on Aug 24, 2015 10:51:02 GMT -8
I've found Hamilton, MT (an hour south of Missoula, MT) to be incredibly well-situated in regard to year-round outdoor recreation -- indeed that is why I chose to move here last year when I was fortunate enough to find a job in the area. Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is right outside of town, Glacier and Yellowstone within 5 hours, a day of driving will put me in North Cascades National Park, and a loooong days drive will put me near Utah's canyon country.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,895
|
Post by zeke on Aug 24, 2015 10:54:16 GMT -8
Tucson or Flagstaff, for the Canyon hiking. Port Angeles, Wa. for the Olys and the kayaking with orcas. Bend, Or, except Ory lives there and not sure I want to be bumping into him at the grocery. This area near Tampa isn't bad, as long as the AC holds out. I hate the Eastern time zone though. Too many programs on TV after I go to bed. Live sports run too late. Aiea, Hawaii wasn't bad either, but it is in the middle of traffic. Might enjoy it more now that I am retired. Concorde N.H. was nice, but back in the EST again.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
|
Post by BigLoad on Aug 24, 2015 10:58:03 GMT -8
I like where I live, halfway between Santa Fe and Taos. I just don't go where the rich play. Within 1 1/2 hours I can be hiking in the Pecos Wilderness, the Jemez Mountains or the Weminuche Wilderness in Southern Colorado. That seems tempting. Places like Espanola and Chimayo appeal to me, but I don't know how well I would do without more urban conveniences. I might have gotten too good a feeling about Taos because it unseasonably cold and there was a big early snowstorm when we were there. It had an excellent ratio of interesting stuff to people, which probably degrades badly in better weather.
|
|
|
Post by graywolf on Aug 24, 2015 11:16:30 GMT -8
Places like Espanola and Chimayo appeal to me, but I don't know how well I would do without more urban conveniences. I know what you mean but I do get some urban conveniences in anyway. Next week I'm going to see Bela Fleck & Chick Corea together at the Santa Fe Outdoor Opera, about a 20 minute drive. During the winter months I have season tickets to UNM Lobo Basketball, 1 1/2 hours.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,000
|
Post by BigLoad on Aug 24, 2015 11:20:17 GMT -8
Espanola does have a Blake's Lotaburger, which could probably make up for the lack of an opera.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2015 12:50:44 GMT -8
I realized that I short-changed the greater Yellowstone area in my original list. Most of the area that I've been to at one time or another just feels a little too touristy to me--certainly the Jackson area. We did have a lovely pizza meal in Lander this summer, though: seems like a pleasant town with some granola factor and quirkiness without the fake veneer of playground-for-the-rich granola towns. The touristy and playground-for-the-rich factors have always left me hesitant about Jackson. I much prefer the Old Jackson of 40 years ago. Lander has been a consideration. As far as I'm concerned, backpacking the Wind River Range is best begun through the Indian Reservation north of Lander. The grizzlies prefer that side of the Wind Rivers also. And the un-mapped routes through the reservation have been a "family secret" for decades. Travis, I'm a bit surprised you don't particularly care for Livingston, unless it's the wind. I find it a great little town and not nearly as pretentious or expensive as Bozeman, which I like well enough. But Bozeman is becoming more upscale all the time and Livingston is a nice alternative to it. I very much appreciate your recommendation, Jer. I don't dislike Livingston. I just don't know the town well enough to like it yet. I've mostly just driven through the town. But there are some things I think I'd like very much about Livingston. In researching the area, I find that I would need to go to Bozeman for some things Livingston does not have (such as a Chevy dealer). But the wind does not bother me at all. Just about every place I've ever lived is more windy than Livingston — according to Weather Service data. It amazes me that Livingston is even considered windy. Travis, nice area! When you going to move there? Say hi to Doug Peavock for me as he lives there. Well, with two respected voices such as yours and Hikerjer's recommendations of the area, I'd like the move to be sooner rather than later. But alas, I'm troubled at the thought of leaving Wyoming. People could ask me why in the world I'd move from my home state of Wyoming to Montana. All I could say would be, "I moved to Montana to be closer to Wyoming."
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Aug 24, 2015 13:24:31 GMT -8
If I found myself living back east, I'd consider Asheville, North Carolina. Mostly for the music scene and being close to the AT.
|
|
|
Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 24, 2015 13:31:17 GMT -8
Cheyenne Wells, CO
|
|