If you're ready to visit a national park, don't really care which one, and have quite a bit of disposable income, there are some lodging "specials" at Denali and Death Valley that might help you make up your mind.
    For those ready to hit the road, the specials at the McKinley Chalet Resort, McKinley Village Lodge, Grande Denali Lodge, and Denali Bluffs Hotel are being offered the first two weekends of July and August. The packages include a room, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch for $149 per person per night.
    That seems a bit pricey to me --- $300 for one night lodging, dinner and brunch for two? That works out to $2,100 a week! -- but if money isn't that big of a deal and you've always wanted to visit Denali...you can make reservations at 1-800-276-7234 or at Denali Park Resorts.
    Down at Death Valley, the deal doesn't seem that much better. The concessionaire calls this special its "Romantic Escape" package for couples, and it packs a wallop.
    Offered between October 20 and May 10, 2007, the $1,500 package gets you and your sweetie three nights in a luxury room with a king bed and spa tub at the Furnace Creek Inn, a fruit and cheese welcome basket, bottle of Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Blanc champagne, two terrycloth bathrobes, a tour of Scotty's Castle, and a carriage ride at sunset.
    Now, if you're familiar with the Furnace Creek Inn, you know this is one breathtaking place. It's set amid a grove of palm trees, there's a wonderful built-in pool, the rooms are wonderfully done, and the dining room has a great menu.
    Still, $1,500 for three nights? Room rates typically are $360-$385 at the inn, which translates to roughly $1,155. Tickets for Scotty's Castle are $11 for adults, which means those robes and carriage ride ring up at $323. And then you still have to eat once you're done with the cheese and fruit.
    Phew. Still, if you're interested call 1-888-297-2757 for reservations.