The South Rim of the Grand Canyon may be most popular in terms of visitiation -- after all, it's open to visitors all year -- but if you want an off-the-beaten path adventure, consider planning a trip to the North Rim.

Open mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim, located atop the Kaibab Plateau, offers a beautiful oasis with lush greenery, a mixed conifer forest and wildlife such as deer, turkeys and mountain lions. Here, life is much slower than at the South Rim.

Reservations for camping or other lodging are strongly recommended. Visit http://www.nps.gov for more information.

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

If you want to see how deeply the Southwest resonates in this country, look no further than the hit TV show The Office, which offered repeated shout outs to the region in its Thursday episode.

"I love the American Southwest," said new office manager Deangelo Vickers, played by Will Ferrell. "You may call them Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah. I call them heaven."

And it doesn't stop there. As Vickers prepares to hang a colorful painting of a desert scene, he continues: "Here's the great thing about the Southwest. There is so much more than desert. Along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a forest as lush as you've ever seen."

It's nice to see we're not the only ones feeling the love. You can view the entire episode at nbc.com. Want to plan a trip yourself? Here's a guide for when to go. And a question: What's your favorite thing about the Southwest region?

Photo courtesy of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Think you've missed your chance to hit the slopes this season? Think again. Even though it's already April, a variety of resorts are planning to stay open late into the month. For example, Colorado's Winter Park Resort will remain open until April 24, as will Aspen Highlands and Copper Mountain. Loveland, located 53 miles from Denver, will stay open through May 8.

What does this mean for you? Great deals. With the major crowds clearing out, resorts are looking for ways to get you there. Right now, Winter Park is offering two free lift tickets with a two-night stay, and Copper Mountain has room rates from $99 a night and adult lift tickets from $49 a day. There's never been a better time to get your fix on the slopes.

Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort.

If you enjoy traveling to New Mexico, chances are good you're well acquainted with La Fonda on the Plaza, the historic hotel located in the heart of Santa Fe. From its storied past -- the hotel has been hosting visitors for 400 years -- to the multitude of southwestern-themed art hanging on the walls, to walk into La Fonda is to step into a different world. The photo below shows the view from one of the hotel rooms.

And if you're looking for a good deal, all you have to do is make friends with the establishment. Literally. The hotel is offering a Friends of La Fonda promotion. Just sign up online and you'll receive monthly e-newsletters, special offers and other surprises. It really is good to have friends.

Kristin Finan photo