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Webber offers summer travel advice

Posted on Jun 22, 2009 in Opinion

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It is now officially summer and many people have a big decision to make: where to go on vacation.

Birmingham is right between two ideal vacation spots, the Smoky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico.

I prefer the Smoky Mountains, which is the location of my vacation in less than two weeks.

However, I would gladly accept a beach vacation. Below are a few examples of pros and cons of each of these vacation destinations.

You are more likely to get a sunburn at the beach. That’s not to say you can’t get sunburned in the mountains, it’s just more likely at the beach. Why? Lack of clothing. You’ll probably wear a bathing suit more at the beach than in the mountains.

Of course, everyone on the beach will be wearing bathing suits, which might be your ideal sightseeing excursion. So, if you’re willing to brave the hot sun, you could be spending time with a bunch of half-naked people.

Of course, there are tons of sightseeing possibilities in the Smokies. There are mountains as well as rivers, deer, and bears—lots of bears. If you’re deathly afraid of bears, maybe you don’t want to go to the Smoky Mountains. Maybe you want to go to the beach…where they have sharks.

If you like to go swimming, you probably want to go to the beach. There you’ll have the whole Gulf of Mexico in which to swim in, for ocean water is warmer than river water. The rivers in the Smokies are pretty chilly, even during the summer. They’re also shallower than the Gulf, making swimming a very difficult task. Oh, and beware: the river running through Gatlinburg is said to be haunted.

The Gulf Shores area isn’t completely void of the supernatural. This could be either a pro or a con, depending on your thrill-seeking tendencies; as Fort Morgan certainly seems a likely place to come across a few ghosts. It’s also a great place to visit if you’re a history buff, so that’s a definite pro.

You’ll probably spend more money in the mountains than you would at the beach. It is hard to resist all the Ripley’s attractions in Gatlinburg: Aquarium of the Smokies, Believe It Or Not Museum, Haunted Adventure, Moving Theater and Mirror Maze.

Then there’s Dollywood and all the other amusements on the strip in Pigeon Forge. There are plenty of money gobbling attractions at the beach, but there’s also a beach at the beach, and that’s a free attraction that can keep you entertained for days.

There are free attractions in the Smoky Mountains, too. Do you like hiking? Then you should probably go to the mountains. There are several hiking trails ranging from two miles to twenty and above. Some even lead to beautiful waterfalls and river rapids. Speaking of rivers, you can go fishing for free, or if you have your own equipment, you can go rafting for free.

In choosing your own vacation destination, it depends on what you like to do. The mountains and the beach are equally fun and exciting.

These ideas will help get your summer fun started. Wherever you go, make sure to enjoy some relaxation.
That is really what a summer vacation is about. You don’t want to wear yourself out. Also, don’t forget to do things you wouldn’t normally do at home.

Email: hwebber@uab.edu