<p>Talladega</p>
<p>mom60, here is a less sternous Kilimanjaro climbing trip that can be done in less than 2 weeks:</p>
<p><a href=“http://m.rei.com/adventures/trips/africa/kilman.html”>http://m.rei.com/adventures/trips/africa/kilman.html</a></p>
<p>For Hawaii, I highly recommend the Kalalau trail hike with an overnight stay on the secluded beach (you guys are probably tired of me talking about it! 
)</p>
<p>“Has anyone gone to Cuba?”</p>
<p>I spoke with a buddy who went to Cuba a coulle of years ago. She was not impressed. Unless you have a non-US passport, your freedom of movement could be restricted. </p>
<p>These are my H’s list…Pheasant hunting in Scotland, Machu Picchu, hiking in Iceland or a bike riding tour in Italy.</p>
<p>I went with our oldest on a week-long trip, summer after 10th grade, that he helped plan. We went to Kings Island and Cedar Point to ride roller coasters. My D and wife went to San Diego to the zoo, Seaworld, and Disneyland. We are currently planning for a trip with the youngest.</p>
<p>Some of these (backpacking trip) sound more like work than fun.</p>
<p>Bunsenburner- the Hawaii tourism board should hire you.
H and I went to Kauai recently. H would love to backpack that trail. The one issue he is one of those people who doesn’t go to the same place twice unless we have family to visit.thanks for the feedback on Cuba.
Manchu Picchu is high on the list if they can get more time off or feel it is doable in 8 nights. If time off isn’t going to work I have also suggested backpacking near Tahoe or Mt Whitney.</p>
<p>Another vote for an active vacation like Backroads. We did a hike, bike and helicopter trip with them in the Canadian Rockies, and it was wonderful. Another similar company is Sojourn. We used them and biked the Columbia River Gorge area of Oregon. It too was wonderful. A man and son were on the trip together. The man had taken each of his sons individually over time. There are also group sailing trips on catamarans In the Caribbean that could be lots of fun for certain people. A friend of mine let her kids each pick someplace they really wanted to go, and both parents went. One picked Korea (heavy into Tae Kwon Do), another picked Australia (as luck would have it, a big fencing competition for dad was there), and the third picked Paris (lost touch with friend before that trip happened).</p>
<p>For those who like Windsurfing, Columbia River Gorge in Oregon is a great idea. We went there for my husband’s windsurfing. </p>
<p>As posted earlier- ask the daughter for her input. Let father and D plan their special week. </p>
<p>What about heli-hiking or heli-skiing in Canada?</p>
<p>Machu Picchu! Can be uber strenuous hiking or not.</p>
<p>Bunsenburner- this kid hates skiing with a passion. She had a bad experience when she was younger and it isn’t anywhere near the top of her lists.
H has Machu Picchu on the top of the list. Now he needs to consult her. </p>
<p>Just curious if either D or your H has elevation issues and might get high altitude sickness (HAST). This is something that makes folks at altitude like Machu Pichu miserable, which can be awful for everyone. Especially if folks aren’t very gradual getting to high elevation, it can strike and leave even experienced folks who frequently go to elevation weak and miserable. It’s something to include in travel plans so that getting to altitude is more gradual instead of sudden.</p>
<p>If I were picking a trip for me and an adult child, I’d go for Machu Pichu or Kilimanjaro. No cycling so we could talk (walk near each other), somewhere exotic, somewhere expensive for a young adult, somewhere that would require a bit of training and study to appreciate----I would like for us to plan for the trip and have the anticipation of going. We could be talking about our training and comparing notes about what we would see. </p>
<p>HIking in the Scottish Highlands looks amazing or the Ireland coast to coast hike.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/europe/scotland_high.html”>http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/europe/scotland_high.html</a></p>
<p>How about the Galapagos? You have to get in & out of zodiacs and walk around the islands? That was something we had contemplated with my folks before deciding it was a bit arduous for them.</p>
<p>How about one of these cool trips?</p>
<p>From the National Geographic book Journeys of a Lifetime</p>
<p>The Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
The mountains climb over 13,00 feet (4,000 meters) into the skies southwest of Dubois in Wyoming. Native American tribes hunted here, and their rock drawings and paintings are visible from the trails. In late September, moose chase each other through snow willows, and the hillsides are ablaze with orange and yellow cottonwood. There are more than 155 miles (249 kilometers) of trails.
<a href=“http://www.wind-river.org”>www.wind-river.org</a></p>
<p>The Milford Track, New Zealand
Described by hiking aficionados as the finest walk in the world, the track—from Glade Wharf on the northern shores of Lake Te Anau to Sandfly Point near Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island—takes four days. The track starts by meandering through the beech-tree forests of the Clinton Valley, climbs to the Mackinnon Pass through subalpine tussock and alpine herbs, and then descends into the more diverse forest of the Arthur Valley with its ferns, mosses, and lichens.
<a href=“http://www.milfordtrack.net”>www.milfordtrack.net</a>, <a href=“http://www.doc.govt.nz”>www.doc.govt.nz</a></p>
<p>Concordia Trek, Pakistan
Situated on the border of Pakistan and China, Concordia is a remote and isolated place. Huge glaciers spilling from the mountains of K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum meet here and melt to form tributaries of the Indus River. It is a 14-day trek from Askole to K2 base camp. At the end of the trip, refresh your tired body in the hot springs in the Braldu Gorge near Askole.
<a href=“http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com”>www.concordiaexpeditions.com</a></p>
<p>The Pindos Traverse, Greece
The mountains of the Pindos stretch 180 miles (290 kilometers) from the Gulf of Corinth to the border of Albania. The highest of these mountains are over 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), and even on the sunniest days the air is cool. In springtime the wildflowers are among the loveliest and rarest in Europe.
<a href=“http://www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk”>www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Haute Route, Corsica, France
This 124-mile (200-kilometer) trail crosses the spine of mountains that run the length of the island, from Conca in the southeast to Calenzana in the northwest. The walk will take you through high mountains and pine forests frequently punctuated by clear streams and pools. There is the occasional snowfield to cross early in the summer.
corsica.forhikers.com</p>
<p>Amarylandmon- my S spent 30 days backpacking in the Wind River wilderness. He loved his time there and at the end of his trip he was sad to come back to civilization.
New Zealand, Galapagos are both places I would like to see.
Altitude sickness is a concern.</p>