Wow lots of great suggestions. Just want to clarify I am looking to go to places I haven't been. I have done most places in the Vicinity including Shenandoah Valley,Charlottesville VA,North Bend state park region NC, Pipestem State Park in WV,Jersey Shore, Southern and eastern Pa,Southern WV.
I am intrigued by the Smoky mountain region but is it vastly different from the Shenandoah valley area? Is it worth the extra 5 hour drive? I understand that is a tough question to answer
While I'm interested in driving a bit farther I want the destination to be unique and worth the drive. This gets to be very subjective. But I have lots of great places within 400-500 miles of the Baltimore metro area. If I'm going to stretch out and go farther. I want to get more out of the experience than just more drive time. Huntington Beach State Park,SC is a fantastic place but is it worth the extra 8 hours drive time vs. Assateaque state park in MD
I do enjoy the journey and time behind the wheel and would love to go west to Colorado, Mt. Rushmore and destinations beyond but I simply cannot leave work that long.
Based on all the great feedback Mammoth caves Kentucky/Tenn area. and Lake Michigan Sand Dunes are high on my list in terms of being unique to what's available closer to MD. I'm in a quandary over the Smokey Mountain region.
No real decisions have been made so keep the suggestion coming. I really appreciate everyone's input. It really helps expand my thinking
