Over 35 Vacation/Travel thread.

[PhDPepper1111]

I do hope this wasn't one of MT's trips, this doesn't sound much fun
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57939501

Reminds me of a piece of amazing documentary film I saw about polar bears. From what I remember, one of the crew was left back at the hut on his own while the rest were filming something elsewhere for a few days, he was just there to rest a couple of days and not part of the documentary. He recorded some of it on a camera, but he was on his own and all unplanned so it wasn't slick footage. Very shortly after the others left a large male polar bear started stalking him patiently, they had a trip wire around the compound to trigger bangs and flares and that normally worked to scare the bears away. This one must have been very hungry and it wasn't at all dissuaded. The hut was absolutely tiny and not entirely bear proof. The guy recorded a sort of vlog of the incident, you could feel his increasing stress in the updates as it went on because he wasn't sure how it would end, he had no rifle and his best weapon was a cast iron skillet/frying pan. He barricaded the door but the window wasn't securable, ideal size for a polar bear to stick its head and shoulders through and the room was so small it'd be hard to avoid becoming lunch. The guy had to wait for the bear to stick its head/shoulder through the window and hit it on the tip of its nose with the pan. It didn't like that and it retreated, luckily his colleagues came back the next day with a rifle and scared the bear away, but it was an interesting and tense video log!
Wonder if I can find it on YouTube somehow?

Not my idea of a nice vacation!

[bustasinclair]

Catching a plane tonight at 10:30pm to Denver, Colorado. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport tonight and then tomorrow we will drive to Granby, Colorado for about four days. We haven't planned anything officially, but we will likely hike, kayak, sight-see, etc. we have an Airbnb rental until Wednesday. After Granby, our itinerary is blank and we will play it by ear; return flight is next Saturday night.

Nothing too exciting, but it's our first vacation since before Covid and we are ready to get the hell out of Dodge.

[TryingBB]

Catching a plane tonight at 10:30pm to Denver, Colorado. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport tonight and then tomorrow we will drive to Granby, Colorado for about four days. We haven't planned anything officially, but we will likely hike, kayak, sight-see, etc. we have an Airbnb rental until Wednesday. After Granby, our itinerary is blank and we will play it by ear; return flight is next Saturday night.

Nothing too exciting, but it's our first vacation since before Covid and we are ready to get the hell out of Dodge.

Nice!! Have fun and stay safe.

[Corbi]

Catching a plane tonight at 10:30pm to Denver, Colorado. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport tonight and then tomorrow we will drive to Granby, Colorado for about four days. We haven't planned anything officially, but we will likely hike, kayak, sight-see, etc. we have an Airbnb rental until Wednesday. After Granby, our itinerary is blank and we will play it by ear; return flight is next Saturday night.

Nothing too exciting, but it's our first vacation since before Covid and we are ready to get the hell out of Dodge.

Sounds fun no matter what, Colorado is a beautiful state so please post up some pics if you take any.

[OldFartTom]

Catching a plane tonight at 10:30pm to Denver, Colorado. We're going to stay at a hotel near the airport tonight and then tomorrow we will drive to Granby, Colorado for about four days. We haven't planned anything officially, but we will likely hike, kayak, sight-see, etc. we have an Airbnb rental until Wednesday. After Granby, our itinerary is blank and we will play it by ear; return flight is next Saturday night.

Nothing too exciting, but it's our first vacation since before Covid and we are ready to get the hell out of Dodge.

Sorry to say I hadn't heard of Granby, so I googled it. ****!!! there are some beautiful pics around that place, mirror lake and all sorts of lakes, hills and fantastic scenery.

Enjoy your trip

[bustasinclair]

Nice!! Have fun and stay safe.

Thanks, man. We are looking forward to about 20-25 degrees lower temps. It hit 98 degrees here in Houston today.

Sounds fun no matter what, Colorado is a beautiful state so please post up some pics if you take any.

Sure thing. I'm sure we will take quite a few pics! I love the Colorado scenery.

Sorry to say I hadn't heard of Granby, so I googled it. ****!!! there are some beautiful pics around that place, mirror lake and all sorts of lakes, hills and fantastic scenery.

Enjoy your trip

Yeah, it is a beautiful place. We chose that location due to its proximity to some great places like Rocky Mountain National Park and Winter Park. Should be a great time! Thanks.

[OldFartTom]

Managed to get a 1 overnight vacation last weekend to Yorkshire Dales went with an old buddy. Beautiful part of the world.
I know.. "no photos and it didn't happen" but it was dark and so wet that I couldn't get any pics. I only had phone with me not a camera and that was staying inside 2 layers of ziplock plastic bags, a padded envelope and in the backpack otherwise it'd have been destroyed for sure.

I will shameless post someone else's photo I found on the internet as that shows the bottom 25m or so (last 80ft, of the about 320 foot descent) to get inside to start exploring. And yes, the way out is back up the rope again! so a good workout


Their picture is very odd, because it had been sustained dry weather for a week when I was there and there was a LOT of waterfall pouring down the hole, their pic it almost looks dry. Anyway, any of you UK folks reading this who enjoy the outdoors -- get yourselves over to Gaping Gill. Pant sh*ttingly impressive stuff. A great trip, totally recommended.

[PhDPepper1111]

Managed to get a 1 overnight vacation last weekend to Yorkshire Dales went with an old buddy. Beautiful part of the world.
I know.. "no photos and it didn't happen" but it was dark and so wet that I couldn't get any pics. I only had phone with me not a camera and that was staying inside 2 layers of ziplock plastic bags, a padded envelope and in the backpack otherwise it'd have been destroyed for sure.

I will shameless post someone else's photo I found on the internet as that shows the bottom 25m or so (last 80ft, of the about 320 foot descent) to get inside to start exploring. And yes, the way out is back up the rope again! so a good workout


Their picture is very odd, because it had been sustained dry weather for a week when I was there and there was a LOT of waterfall pouring down the hole, their pic it almost looks dry. Anyway, any of you UK folks reading this who enjoy the outdoors -- get yourselves over to Gaping Gill. Pant sh*ttingly impressive stuff. A great trip, totally recommended.

Beautiful stuff, good to see you getting out there Tom!!

[Corbi]

Hit up Kansas City for a Chiefs game, good time at the game but the city isn't anything special. Did try BBQ at Joes, Jack Stack and Arthur Bryants with Arthurs coming in a distant 3rd as they coat everything with nasty sauce. Joes had great ribs and the burnt ends at Jack Stack were the best I have ever had.

[PhDPepper1111]

Yummy! Love that KC BBQ!

[Bando]

Going to see Eric Church in Buffalo NY in a couple weeks, tickets were a gift, just learned they were $315 each. To me that's ridiculous. 6x the price of the hotel and uber. Then they will charge 8 bucks for a beer inside the arena.

Chit is getting out of hand.

[Corbi]

Currently in Pigeon Forge TN and it's great, busy as $hit with ungodly traffic but the food is good and no freakin masks anywhere. Was disappointed with the food at Ole Red in Gatlinburg but Frizzle Chicken in Pigeon Forge is awesome with divine chicken and the biscuits and gravy were very good.
Did a nighttime Alpine sled run which was fun but pretty expensive for a 7-8 minute round trip ride.

[xTeTe]

Not much of a trip.. but did drive up to LA last weekend for the Eagles concert at the Forum.

More importantly, stayed in Venice Beach that Friday night, and went to Gold's for a workout Saturday morning. Went early and thankfully not too busy yet.

It was a pretty cool experience (for $40 lol). Didn't see anyone famous, but there were a lot of large human beings there.

[PhDPepper1111]

Currently in Pigeon Forge TN and it's great, busy as $hit with ungodly traffic but the food is good and no freakin masks anywhere. Was disappointed with the food at Ole Red in Gatlinburg but Frizzle Chicken in Pigeon Forge is awesome with divine chicken and the biscuits and gravy were very good.
Did a nighttime Alpine sled run which was fun but pretty expensive for a 7-8 minute round trip ride.

Shoot. Still, sounds like it was a good time and you were able to get out for a bit!

Not much of a trip.. but did drive up to LA last weekend for the Eagles concert at the Forum.

More importantly, stayed in Venice Beach that Friday night, and went to Gold's for a workout Saturday morning. Went early and thankfully not too busy yet.

It was a pretty cool experience (for $40 lol). Didn't see anyone famous, but there were a lot of large human beings there.

NIICE.

I'm heading to LA/Costa Mesa in two weeks for IPL tested worlds - won't be doing much sight-seeing but it's been over 5 years since I've been in SoCal so should be fun/interesting.

[Corbi]

Hit up Cincinnatti for a quick weekend getaway, checked out the zoo as well as a Bengals game, the city is decent by the river but go inland and it's a complete cesspool ghetto.


Stadium is right along the Ohio river.


My favorite shot, this is from the Kentucky side where we stayed.

[StinnerOzz]

Currently in Pigeon Forge TN and it's great, busy as $hit with ungodly traffic but the food is good and no freakin masks anywhere. Was disappointed with the food at Ole Red in Gatlinburg but Frizzle Chicken in Pigeon Forge is awesome with divine chicken and the biscuits and gravy were very good.
Did a nighttime Alpine sled run which was fun but pretty expensive for a 7-8 minute round trip ride.

I was there about a month ago, did one of the Alpine slides at night as well. Also a bunch of mini golf for my kid, Dollywood, a dinner show, and then a bunch of random stuff we could fit in around the tourist strips between there and Gatlinburg. The Island was cool but full of the usual stuff. If not for time constraints we would have ventured further away and got in a hike or something, but we lost at least half our 1st day on an already-short trip thanks to airline delays and had to just deal with cramming in quantity. We had a blast though.

Which slide did you do? We did Rocky Top and my 7 year old wasn't much of a fan. I grew up on the "real" alpine slides where your cart ran loose on top of a cement track and if you went flying off of it...that was your problem! Those were obviously NOT elevated above ground and just ran along the mountain declines they were on, but damn they were fun. And dangerous.

You may recall I'm the amusement park-happy guy, and with the sales on Black Friday I got a bunch of tickets and season passes to get us to a bunch of parks around the country. Next month we're looking to start off w/our first visit to SeaWorld TX, will make quick work of that and hop over to CA to do their SeaWorld and some non-park stuff. Once I finish up some work in March we'll go back to CA to go all over San Diego, Knott's Berry Farm, and Disneyland. We'll probably take of plane routes and stop in TX again on the way so we can do SeaWorld again along w/their Six Flags.

Come spring/summer we'll begin making our way to a few other states for long weekends to get their amusement parks out of the way, probably hit a nighttime Universal "private event" in June, and just rush around before Nov. hits and we take an actual, real-length vaca in FL again with - no surprise - trips to most of their parks and some downtime swimming w/dolphins and the like.

I think I mentioned it in here before, but until the restrictions on travel lessen (as if), I'm forced to not fulfill my wishes and and hit all the Hawaiian islands so I'll be keeping us busy as hell in the meantime. If nothing changes by next winter, and I doubt it will, we'll probably be looking at the Keys for a tropical/non-international getaway.

[DustinTheHuss]

I went to a cute little beach town close to me and spent 2 nights there before Thanksgiving alone. It was amazing as the weather was 78 degrees, the food and service were amazing and we didn't have to wear masks inside! I went wine tasting in the valley by there at this amazing winery. Best Brut I've ever had.

Now to plan the vacations for 2022. I really want to go to Europe but I'm afraid to travel alone as a woman, and I also fear the cost. I usually travel to visit my girlfriends in other states in the US.

[Corbi]

Booked a trip our 25th wedding anniversary, 6 night Alaskan cruise aboard the Carnival Spirit. Have never done a cruise aside from some small dinner cruise type deals in Cabo and such so looking forward to this.

[PhDPepper1111]

Booked a trip our 25th wedding anniversary, 6 night Alaskan cruise aboard the Carnival Spirit. Have never done a cruise aside from some small dinner cruise type deals in Cabo and such so looking forward to this.

Nice! I'd love to do a full Alaskan cruise - have done a day trip in the glaciers and it was unforgettable. Have fun!

[supramax]

I went to a cute little beach town close to me and spent 2 nights there before Thanksgiving alone. It was amazing as the weather was 78 degrees, the food and service were amazing and we didn't have to wear masks inside! I went wine tasting in the valley by there at this amazing winery. Best Brut I've ever had.

Now to plan the vacations for 2022. I really want to go to Europe but I'm afraid to travel alone as a woman, and I also fear the cost. I usually travel to visit my girlfriends in other states in the US.

At the moment, the problem with a lot of Europe is that it's being Islamafied. Bobbies with sub machine guns outside of Buckinham Palace is hard to swallow.

[PhDPepper1111]

At the moment, the problem with a lot of Europe is that it's being Islamafied. Bobbies with sub machine guns outside of Buckinham Palace is hard to swallow.

I haven't been there in a little over two years although I have quite a few friends living in Germany, Netherlands etc.... the guns are a response to threats, but in general outside of pockets (at least in mainland Europe), it seems the same lovely place to me!

[Corbi]

I haven't been there in a little over two years although I have quite a few friends living in Germany, Netherlands etc.... the guns are a response to threats, but in general outside of pockets (at least in mainland Europe), it seems the same lovely place to me!

The guns can be a bit un-nerving at first, my wife freaked a bit in 96 when we hit Cozumel and the Policia had automatics, in 2006 the Italian state police were real big on the MP5's, one cop would signal for you to pull over and the other held the MP5. Security guards at gas stations in the Dominican Republic are all armed with short barreled shotguns so it's a world wide deal.

[Corbi]

Headed to Dallas for a funeral and then in may have Kid Rock in Louisville and I got tickets for horse racing at Churchill Downs the day after. It's not the Kentucky Derby as thats a few weeks earlier but they are simulcasting the Preakness and will have 11 live races. I use to enjoy the dog racing when we still had that in Wisconsin.

[Corbi]

Passed on the funeral and we went to Detroit for a little weekend getaway. That city has done a MASSIVE amount of work on a turn around, 2013 it was a cesspool except for a few blocks downtown, well now that has expanded out for a few miles and it's shocking the amount of difference to the city. Everyone wrote them off and if you see news reports now they still won't mention the work that has been done but this city is poised for a huge turnaround and it's great to see.

Toured Ford Field, had some killer BBQ at Slows, saw Henry Fords estate, etc. A lot of the city is just coming out of the fog of the pandemic and lockdowns instituted by their horrible Governor and a lot of businesses are gone forever unfortunately. The number of homeless people we saw could be counted on 1 hand and we walked all over the downtown area, did run into 1 particularly nasty women who went into a rant about how much she hated all white people, I just laughed at her & said have a nice day.

Saw gas prices that ranged from $3.87 to $5.49 with the highest in illinois and I avoided that states gas, the most I paid was $4.11.

[StinnerOzz]

Passed on the funeral and we went to Detroit for a little weekend getaway. That city has done a MASSIVE amount of work on a turn around, 2013 it was a cesspool except for a few blocks downtown, well now that has expanded out for a few miles and it's shocking the amount of difference to the city. Everyone wrote them off and if you see news reports now they still won't mention the work that has been done but this city is poised for a huge turnaround and it's great to see.

Toured Ford Field, had some killer BBQ at Slows, saw Henry Fords estate, etc. A lot of the city is just coming out of the fog of the pandemic and lockdowns instituted by their horrible Governor and a lot of businesses are gone forever unfortunately. The number of homeless people we saw could be counted on 1 hand and we walked all over the downtown area, did run into 1 particularly nasty women who went into a rant about how much she hated all white people, I just laughed at her & said have a nice day.

Saw gas prices that ranged from $3.87 to $5.49 with the highest in illinois and I avoided that states gas, the most I paid was $4.11.

I'm in the Metro area, you're right that Detroit is building up quite well. We go a lot for events and stuff and see homeless, but no more than any other big city and never any issues. Slow's is good!


---


I said before that my next trip was to be in Jan to TX & CA, with a follow-up trip to CA in March. Some things changed and we had to alter that, but we'll be in San Antonio & San Diego soon finally. Got trips to NC and VA planned and will be booking arrangements soon. Of course, more amusement parks.

[PhDPepper1111]

Passed on the funeral and we went to Detroit for a little weekend getaway. That city has done a MASSIVE amount of work on a turn around, 2013 it was a cesspool except for a few blocks downtown, well now that has expanded out for a few miles and it's shocking the amount of difference to the city. Everyone wrote them off and if you see news reports now they still won't mention the work that has been done but this city is poised for a huge turnaround and it's great to see.

Toured Ford Field, had some killer BBQ at Slows, saw Henry Fords estate, etc. A lot of the city is just coming out of the fog of the pandemic and lockdowns instituted by their horrible Governor and a lot of businesses are gone forever unfortunately. The number of homeless people we saw could be counted on 1 hand and we walked all over the downtown area, did run into 1 particularly nasty women who went into a rant about how much she hated all white people, I just laughed at her & said have a nice day.

Saw gas prices that ranged from $3.87 to $5.49 with the highest in illinois and I avoided that states gas, the most I paid was $4.11.

That is encouraging!!

[Corbi]

I'm in the Metro area, you're right that Detroit is building up quite well. We go a lot for events and stuff and see homeless, but no more than any other big city and never any issues. Slow's is good!


---


I said before that my next trip was to be in Jan to TX & CA, with a follow-up trip to CA in March. Some things changed and we had to alter that, but we'll be in San Antonio & San Diego soon finally. Got trips to NC and VA planned and will be booking arrangements soon. Of course, more amusement parks.

San Antonio is fun with a lot to see and do as well as places to eat, I haven't been to San Diego in 32 years and my wife has never been there...soon though. What are you planning on doing in both places?

[Bando]

we went to Detroit for a little weekend getaway. That city has done a MASSIVE amount of work on a turn around, 2013 it was a cesspool except for a few blocks downtown, well now that has expanded out for a few miles and it's shocking the amount of difference to the city. Everyone wrote them off and if you see news reports now they still won't mention the work that has been done but this city is poised for a huge turnaround and it's great to see.

I posted years ago that it might be a good idea to snap up some of those $700 dilapidated houses but everyone thought I was an idiot so I never did it myself. I wouldn't go there and fix up a crack house myself but it sounds like you could resell the right property for a nice profit now.

Detroit also happens to be in a geographical area that's immune to climate extremes, no hurricanes, floods, tornadoes etc. In an extreme climate change scenario Detroit is the top one or 2 places to live IIRC.

[StinnerOzz]

San Antonio is fun with a lot to see and do as well as places to eat, I haven't been to San Diego in 32 years and my wife has never been there...soon though. What are you planning on doing in both places?

With a 7-year-old in tow, we're doing SeaWorld, Riverwalk, Alamo, and whatever else is within that vicinity. We have friends in town and they'll join us on the non-SeaWorld day to show us around a bit.

Onward to CA we'll be doing Knott's, Legoland, SeaWorld, whale watch, boat tour, fishing, Belmont Park, zoo, safari park, museums/kid activity places, and our requisite go-karts & mini golf. I think that covers all the plans. If it's warm enough (looking doubtful, but who knows) we'll try to hit a beach and/or rent some water sports gear. Then of course try to do whatever hunting for some cool food that we can. We're easy with dining, nothing special needed. Just something fun and cool. The quicker the better, as we have **** to do

I wish we had more time in TX but CA was on our radar longer and we combined them. We'll go back, probably on our way to CA again. With Universal Hollywood opening Nintendo Land next year, I know we'll be visiting and we may as well add TX into the plans again so we can see more (and do other parks therein, of course)

[steffo99]

Just booked flight and cabin for August 18-29th in Visby, Gotland again. Fell in love with the place last time and want to experience more of this little charming viking city. Was the richest european city at the time...until the danes with german mercenaries sacked it...Cool thing here though is they make a point to not change anything and really preserve the old city so much is left as is from 9th to 12 th century...



edit: saw San Antonio mentioned - that's where I did my grad school in the late 90's...miss those days and the friendly ppl there...