Hey,

I’m looking for a travel mate (possibly someone closer to my age). The trip will happen during the summer (2007) for about a month. The budget is going to be really, really tight, (am a student) and so the destination/accommodations will be determined on cost. The destination is not decided but anywhere in Canada/US is fine (it must be a driving distance from Toronto). Most of my trips are planned, but I want to make this random and choose destinations on impulse. Nature/hiking/camping/tree-hugging is what I had in mind.



P.S. A car is needed, lol, and a my friend will come along

If your budget is tight, consider camping. Saves alot and gets you into the nature at the same time.

Good luck!

Good idea. You also might want to consider the occasional bout of couchsurfing - minimum cost along with meeting new like-minded people..

Thanks for suggestions. In fact someone mentioned the couch-service before but I was never inclined to check it out (unsafe??).It looks pretty safe, but am still unsure.

does anyone have any suggestions to a destination??

Travo-me,
As my screen name suggests, I can definitely help you with a destination in the U.S. From Tornonto, which direction did you want to go? Closest could be down through the Midwest, but may not be the most exciting. You are very close to the Northeast where you can see incredible cities like Boston, Philadeplhia and New York. Maine (Acadia National Park) is not too far from there is you want nature.
A much monger trip from Toronto would be western U.S., but there is so much beauty out there if you have never seen places like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Utah has 5 unreal National Parks too.
Are any of these places you were looking to go?

If you have no idea you can check out some of my photos to see if any of it looks good for you.

Northeastern U.S. trip

Western U.S. roadtrip

I've also been all over the states, numerous times, and I would suggest that some of the most dramatic sights are in the "four corners'' area. There is also plenty of free camping around, it is legal to camp in a "national forest" so long as your car is parked off the road.
National "recreation areas," national parks, and national monuments are not free to camp, though, and even the forests have pay sites, you just don't have to necessarily use them if you are equipped for backcountry sanitation.

Another suggestion I might have for you is the Rainbow Gathering:

Rainbow hompage

It costs no money, in fact, you can't even use money there, and it's a great experience. I go every year and run the Boston (B.A.R.F) kitchen. Tree hugging galore, as well as people hugging.

My couch is always open in Boston as well. We love visitors.