What did you do?

[roadwreck]

better late than never, but here's a few photos from my vacation

I like the Corona inspired pic at the end. Is that a Presidente beer?

Yup. Good eye.

The resort we stayed at was all inclusive, including alcohol. Which was nice, but the ONLY beer they had was Presidente. It's decent beer, but by the end of the week I was ready for something different. I didn't drink much beer on the beach anyway, it gets warm waaaaaay to fast. Mixed drinks were a much better choice for beach drinks. They would bring drinks right down to you, or if you didn't feel like waiting the beachside bar was only 100 feet away.

This is actually a view of the beach from the bar, not a bad place to sit either

 

[Ble_PE]

That was the only beer they had at the place we went in the Dominican as well. Our place had it on tap so I took a 32 oz insulated mug and had it filled at the bar. That kept the beer cold enough while I was sitting on the beach, but then again I didn't really give it a lot of time to warm up either!

 

[roadwreck]

That was the only beer they had at the place we went in the Dominican as well. Our place had it on tap so I took a 32 oz insulated mug and had it filled at the bar. That kept the beer cold enough while I was sitting on the beach, but then again I didn't really give it a lot of time to warm up either!

This place had it on tap too. Actually, the only place you could get it in the bottle was from the mini-bar in the rooms. So to take that picture we had to carry two bottles of beer down from our room to the beach.

There were a number of people who were using insulated mugs on the beach. We could have done that too I suppose, but I didn't see the point in traveling with an insulated mug and buying one just for the week seemed a little silly. As it was I'm glad I didn't go that route, it meant I tried a few other drinks that I probably otherwise wouldn't have. And it meant I had to burn a few extra calories walking to the bar and back a little more frequently (I could have waited for the servers to come around but I was to impatient for that). Somehow I actually came back from an all you can eat, all you can drink resort a few pounds lighter than when I arrived. Don't know how I managed that, but I'm alright with it.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

I always end up losing a couple pounds on vacation. Between lots of outdoorsy stuff, meals at odd times, etc. I'm always a little lighter.

We usually just stop at a grocery store each morning and get stuff for breakfast and lunch, so it's fatty to eat out every meal. We either cook dinner at a campground, or stop for a hot meal somewhere.

 

[snickerd3]

We're doing an extended 5-day weekend in the Smoky Mtns in October. I'm really looking forward to that. Hiking, camping, rafting, and maybe a bluegrass show.
And I get to add 2 or 3 more states to my list.

Sounds good. I'm sure you got it planned out, but let me know if you need any info. My wife and I spend a fair amount of time there (we live about 30 min away). Be warned, the park is super crowded in October, especially on the weekends. If you need to drive from where you are (smokemont? elkmont? cades cove?) to your trailhead plan for plenty of time and try to leave early. Also, there are a lot of stimulus road projects going on this summer (which were needed) that have several of the roads closed. I would guess they should all be done by Oct, but you might want to check the website a few days b/f your trip just to make sure. Have a good trip.

Thanks! I was surprised when reading up on things that Great Smoky is the busiest NP by a long shot. I always thought it would be Grand Canyon or Yellowstone.

We're camping in Cosby, TN. It sounded like one of the quieter campgrounds in the park and was tent only.

We have a half day rafting trip down the Pigeon River lined up, but other than that don't have any firm plans.

I am curious what there is to do around there on a rainy day if hiking is out. Suggestions would be appreciated.

If anyone is planning a fall trip to New England, I'm here if you have questions.

There is always Dollywood.

The Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg was actually really cool. Lots of things I've never seen before, or just on discovery channel. The neon poisonous frogs were cool.

We didn't go, but there is a zipline adventure through the mountains/trees that looked fun.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

The Ripleys Aquarium in Gatlinburg was actually really cool. Lots of things I've never seen before, or just on discovery channel. The neon poisonous frogs were cool.

I saw that in a tourism guide and it looked sweet. But we have a big aquarium in Boston so I'd probably only go if the weather sucks.

I saw one of those neon deadly frog exhibits at the Mystic Aquarium in CT. They're really cool. Mystic is a great place to go for a weekend.

 

[chaosiscash]

Thanks! I was surprised when reading up on things that Great Smoky is the busiest NP by a long shot. I always thought it would be Grand Canyon or Yellowstone.
We're camping in Cosby, TN. It sounded like one of the quieter campgrounds in the park and was tent only.

We have a half day rafting trip down the Pigeon River lined up, but other than that don't have any firm plans.

I am curious what there is to do around there on a rainy day if hiking is out. Suggestions would be appreciated.

If anyone is planning a fall trip to New England, I'm here if you have questions.

Cosby will be quieter. The only downfall is having to drive through Gatlinburg if you want to get to any of the trailheads off 441, Roaring Fork, or Cades Cove. As far as stuff to do on a rainy day, it just depends on what you like. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are both very, shall we say, commercialized. Like snickerd mentioned, there is a Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, as well as a lot of other indoor activity stuff you can go do, for a cost. In my opinion, Dollywood is a great place if you have young children, but for a couple in their 20s to 30s with no kids, it doesn't hold a lot of appeal. However, lots of people seem to like it, so maybe I'm just jaded. Pigeon Forge is also home to a large number of clothing outlets. If the weather's bad, they'll be packed with people shopping.

If you like to gamble, there is an Indian Casino in Cherokee, NC, on the other side of the park. Not my thing, but it gets a lot of traffic. Another option is to ride to Asheville, NC. Its about an hour drive away, and it is home to the Biltmore House, which is a huge estate build by the Vanderbuilt family a long time ago. You can tour it, and its actually pretty cool, but I seem to remember it being kinda pricey.

I realize I haven't given you many suggestions for rainy day activities, but for me the appeal of the area is the park itself. The good news is, weather here changes pretty quickly, so odds are if you get rained on one day it will be nice the next. There are some great hikes. I highly suggest Rainbow Falls, and I have heard that Ramsey Cascades is great (I haven't done it yet, but its on the list for this fall). Expect Laurel Falls, Grotto Falls, Clingman's Dome, and Cade's Cove to be the most crowded areas.

 

[snickerd3]

Cosby will be quieter. The only downfall is having to drive through Gatlinburg if you want to get to any of the trailheads off 441, Roaring Fork, or Cades Cove. As far as stuff to do on a rainy day, it just depends on what you like. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are both very, shall we say, commercialized. Like snickerd mentioned, there is a Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, as well as a lot of other indoor activity stuff you can go do, for a cost. In my opinion, Dollywood is a great place if you have young children, but for a couple in their 20s to 30s with no kids, it doesn't hold a lot of appeal. However, lots of people see to like it, so maybe I'm just jaded. Pigeon Forge is also home to a large number of clothing outlets. If the weather's bad, they'll be packed with people shopping.

expensive is an understatment for gatlinburg. They prefer you walk around town or take their buses, so parking was like $5-10 depending on where you found a spot, no street parking. The aquarium was like $25/person.

 

[Chucktown PE]

VT, I would definitely hit up Asheville and the Biltmore VT. From what I know about you (you really like goatse, you use placemats, and you're an engineer of some sort ) you'd like Asheville. It's a hippie town, and the Biltmore is spectacular.

 

[Dark Knight]

Was in the water twice this week-end. Friday kayaked the Rock Springs Run/Wekiva River. Not a good day for pics since it was cloudy and wildlife was hiding.

Saturday my wife asked me to take her to the Econlockhatchee River, just three miles from our sub-division. She wanted to see eagles and big gators. We can say 1.5 of the two goals were meet.

Here is a pic...

We saw three gators but only one was cooperative and posed for pics. The other two did slide to the water as soon they sensed us. None of them was the big gator we saw on our previous visit here.

 

[frazil]

VT...From what I know about you (you really like goatse, you use placemats, and you're an engineer of some sort ) you'd like Asheville.

:lmao: VT - I don't know what that says about you...or Asheville!

edit: Or me! I like you and Asheville!

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

It says that: 1. I'm a pervert, 2. At lesat I'm a neat pervert, 3. I'm technically inclined yet socially awkward.

We're staying in Asheville the last night since it's partway back to the Charlotte airport, and it's a lot quicker to pack up and get out of a motel room than it is to close up camp, not to mention it will give my gear time to dry.

 

[Chucktown PE]

It says that: 1. I'm a pervert, 2. At lesat I'm a neat pervert, 3. I'm technically inclined yet socially awkward.
We're staying in Asheville the last night since it's partway back to the Charlotte airport, and it's a lot quicker to pack up and get out of a motel room than it is to close up camp, not to mention it will give my gear time to dry.

I was wondering if anyone was going to comment on that.

it will give my gear time to dry

That's just beggin for a perverted comment.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

I never even mentioned tent poles...

 

[Dark Knight]

Paddled the Silver River, again, yesterday(September 4th). A great day for at the river and a great view of the real Florida. For the first time had great chances to take pics of big gators and did it. Here is a sample...

Saw another, bigger than this, but the pics did not come out well because the lack of good light.

 

[maryannette]

Nothing special for this weekend, but we had a neighborhood get together tonight. Everybody brings something to cook on the grill. We had thick pork chops marinated and grilled. YUMMY. Good margaritas, too.

 

[Dark Knight]

Nothing special for this weekend, but we had a neighborhood get together tonight. Everybody brings something to cook on the grill. We had thick pork chops marinated and grilled. YUMMY. Good margaritas, too.

What is more special than good margaritas? :winko:

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

Nothing special for this weekend, but we had a neighborhood get together tonight. Everybody brings something to cook on the grill. We had thick pork chops marinated and grilled. YUMMY. Good margaritas, too.

My wife hates ham, bacon, sausage, etc. So she basically equates any sort of cured pig meat to all pork in general. Which sucks, because I love fresh pork.

I took a day trip to Cape Ann yesterday and meandered along the shore for a while. We had a picnic lunch in a shady area, and when the wind picked up, it was actually cool. I forgot how pleasant it can be not to be hot all the time.

Today will be mini-golf followed by lunch at an Indian place we like. We're keeping it low key this long weekend since we are going away the next one.

 

[cement]

we mostly stayed home this weekend and relaxed, but we did make a quick day trip to hike up the Arapahoe Basin ski area.

Here is a picture from the North Pole looking down on the top of the chairlifts with Keystone, Breckinridge and Lake Dillon in the background:



and here is a panorama of Montezuma Bowl:

 

[Dark Knight]

we mostly stayed home this weekend and relaxed, but we did make a quick day trip to hike up the Arapahoe Basin ski area.
Here is a picture from the North Pole looking down on the top of the chairlifts with Keystone, Breckinridge and Lake Dillon in the background:

View attachment 3613

and here is a panorama of Montezuma Bowl:

View attachment 3614

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet lusone: