Anyone got any travel planned?

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishingmn We've got a pretty full schedule - April 2016 - Wife spends weekend in NYC with sisters & mom May 2016 - 15 days at Western US Parks inc. Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Sequoia & Yosemite July 2016 - 8 days at in-laws cabin in MI on Manistee River August 2016 - Guys golf weekend here in MN (8 college buddies) Sept 2016 - 7 days with another couple along coast of Maine (Bar Harbor, Rockland, Ogunquit) Sept/Oct 2016 - I serve as Marshall at Ryder Cup (not really travel as it's in town) Feb/Mar 2017 - 1 week in Roatan, Honduras & 1 week in Belize (Ambargis Caye) The reason why we planned so hard to hit ER is upon us and we are very excited!

Well sure, but what will you do all day in June?

[ivinsfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishingmn We've got a pretty full schedule - April 2016 - Wife spends weekend in NYC with sisters & mom May 2016 - 15 days at Western US Parks inc. Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Sequoia & Yosemite July 2016 - 8 days at in-laws cabin in MI on Manistee River August 2016 - Guys golf weekend here in MN (8 college buddies) Sept 2016 - 7 days with another couple along coast of Maine (Bar Harbor, Rockland, Ogunquit) Sept/Oct 2016 - I serve as Marshall at Ryder Cup (not really travel as it's in town) Feb/Mar 2017 - 1 week in Roatan, Honduras & 1 week in Belize (Ambargis Caye) The reason why we planned so hard to hit ER is upon us and we are very excited!

This is a great mix of close to home and away from home.Your May trip would be my top choice except I'd probably swap out the Cali parks for Moab and Capital Reef.

Are you happy with just one week away in the winter? We are in central MN and need a longer break. We like to enjoy the nice weather in Spring and Summer and spend our travel money during the winter season.

[Fishingmn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivinsfan This is a great mix of close to home and away from home.Your May trip would be my top choice except I'd probably swap out the Cali parks for Moab and Capital Reef. Are you happy with just one week away in the winter? We are in central MN and need a longer break. We like to enjoy the nice weather in Spring and Summer and spend our travel money during the winter season.

Really looking forward to that May trip too.

The trip next February is 2 weeks (1 week in each site). I'd personally prefer to go in January to miss the worst month of the MN winter but we are going with a group and this is the dates that worked. I do agree that being gond in the winter is ideal since the May - Sept time is so nice here.

[ohyes]

We are headed to Clarksdale, MS this weekend. While not an exciting-sounding trip, it may turn out to be a different-kind-of-fun trip

Clarksdale is only a few hours from us. We are going because DH learned a musician he really likeshas a crush on will be at the Shack Up Inn.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyes We are headed to Clarksdale, MS this weekend. While not an exciting-sounding trip, it may turn out to be a different-kind-of-fun trip Clarksdale is only a few hours from us. We are going because DH learned a musician he really likeshas a crush on will be at the Shack Up Inn.

Well, if you have any interest in real blues music, Clarksdale is the heart of it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarks...a_Blues_Museum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Road_Blues

And who does your DH have the crush on?


-ERD50

[ohyes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERD50 Well, if you have any interest in real blues music, Clarksdale is the heart of it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarks...a_Blues_Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Road_Blues And who does your DH have the crush on? Grace Askew. We have seen her three times in the last five years. I like her music/sound (she was on The Voice a couple years ago), but my admiration is much, much less involved than DH's. DH got his dad's attorney(Boston area) interested in Grace A; we plan to purchase that atty an autographed CD. -ERD50

To be honest, we like blues but are not disciples. However, we have been Googling and reading and plan on visiting the museum. Learned a lot about Robert Johnson during the last few days - poisoned at age 27yo, it seems. It looks to be an educational couple days.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyes To be honest, we like blues but are not disciples. However, we have been Googling and reading and plan on visiting the museum. Learned a lot about Robert Johnson during the last few days - poisoned at age 27yo, it seems. It looks to be an educational couple days.

Yes, and if you read up a little more, I think it will add to your appreciation. I should go visit the museum myself, I could bore DW for hours on end with stories of these blues artists!

In fact, I think I will go listen to my Robert Johnson collection right now. I have the box set, every single song he ever recorded (then a few years later they claim to have found one more, but an alternate take of an existing song). But I love alternate takes - to me, that's where you really hear the musician at work, crafting the song (I love the alternate takes from the box set of Layla and other Love Songs)

Hmmm, IIRC, Crossroads Blues take 2 has more of the beat that Cream used, ...

"Come On in My Kitchen" - one of my favs,

"Terraplane Blues" - saw Steven Stills solo on this (AWESOME!) when he appeared with Crosby , Stills, and Nash - along with The Band.

"Love in Vain" - Rolling Stones covered this.

"Hellhound on My Trail", "If I Had Possession over Judgment Day" , and a few more are favs of mine.

But no, I'm not a disciple of The Blues


-ERD50

[ohyes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERD50 Yes, and if you read up a little more, I think it will add to your appreciation. I should go visit the museum myself, I could bore DW for hours on end with stories of these blues artists! In fact, I think I will go listen to my Robert Johnson collection right now. I have the box set, every single song he ever recorded (then a few years later they claim to have found one more, but an alternate take of an existing song). But I love alternate takes - to me, that's where you really hear the musician at work, crafting the song (I love the alternate takes from the box set of Layla and other Love Songs) Hmmm, IIRC, Crossroads Blues take 2 has more of the beat that Cream used, ... "Come On in My Kitchen" - one of my favs, "Terraplane Blues" - saw Steven Stills solo on this (AWESOME!) when he appeared with Crosby , Stills, and Nash - along with The Band. "Love in Vain" - Rolling Stones covered this. "Hellhound on My Trail", "If I Had Possession over Judgment Day" , and a few more are favs of mine. But no, I'm not a disciple of The Blues -ERD50

Sure wish you would show up this weekend!!
and, yes, DH and I have a lot more to read between now and Friday.

Amazing.
Thanks.

[Bamaman]

I lived in Memphis 18 years, and traveled to Clarksdale often working. I never considered it a destination, however the local community has worked hard to develop its tourism--music and barbeque.

I'd prefer to stay in Tunica in one of the casino hotels, and just drive the 1/2 hour to Clarksdale to eat and listen to music.

[Ronstar]

Just started planning a two week trip to England and Ireland for the fall.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar Just started planning a two week trip to England and Ireland for the fall.

Oh, good. Can you share your itinerary so lazy Sarah can copy it for our trip in November?

[MichaelB]

My brother and his DW are planning a trip to England. She is an excellent trip planner and when they were visiting a month ago commented that she was unable to find "reasonably priced" hotel options for London.

[simple girl]

FYI I've noticed lots of housesits available in England, if that floats your boat. Of course you have to be able to work your schedule out with theirs. Cat sits are easier, of course, because you don't have to walk them or be home every "x" number of hours. So that is the better option if you want to do more intense sightseeing vs getting to know a local area at a slower pace.

Have to pay to be registered on a housesitting site I belong to, though.

[HFWR]

Speaking of Clarksdale, I'm thinking about taking the long way to my yearly houseboat adventure on Dale Hollow.

Leave here (DFW), and take I-20 to Vicksburg, then up 61 to Clarksdale. From there, swing by Tupelo on the way to Muscle Shoals, then zigzag over to Natchez Parkway for the drive into Nashville.

Depending on how I feel after the three-day drunk houseboat weekend, may head over to visit the Smokies. TBD...

[2017ish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Speaking of Clarksdale, I'm thinking about taking the long way to my yearly houseboat adventure on Dale Hollow. Leave here (DFW), and take I-20 to Vicksburg, then up 61 to Clarksdale. From there, swing by Tupelo on the way to Muscle Shoals, then zigzag over to Natchez Parkway for the drive into Nashville. Depending on how I feel after the three-day drunk houseboat weekend, may head over to visit the Smokies. TBD...

Sounds like a great trip--had never heard of Dale Hollow; looks interesting, and it is less than 2 hours from us!

[Souschef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister Prague and Bamberg

For spmething different, while in Bamberg, try the smoky beer. It is called Schlenkerla. If you like scotch, you will enjoy the beer
In the middle of the old part of Bamberg, directly beneath the mighty cathedral, one can find the historic smoked beer brewery Schlenkerla. First mentioned in 1405 and now run by the Trum family in the 6th generation, it is the fountain of Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer (in German language it's called "Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier"). The smoked beer is here at the brewery tavern still being tapped directly from the wooden barrel according to old tradition.

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Souschef For spmething different, while in Bamberg, try the smoky beer. It is called Schlenkerla

That's the best known one, but there is another rauchbier brewer in town called Spezial, which is just as good (slightly less smoky but wonderful).

Spezial has a beer garden on top of one of the hills (near the Schlenkerla brewery, in fact) with just about the best view in the area. It's one of my favorite places there.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...a_Bavaria.html

[Lsbcal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronstar Just started planning a two week trip to England and Ireland for the fall.

Here is one trip outline. We did the UK in 2013 and rented a car in York. Dropped it off in Edinburgh. Our GPS didn't work in the UK even with a European chip and cars one picked up in York (in 2013) did not come with a GPS. Luckily I had some printed Google directions.

At least this might be good for some hotel ideas. I don't recommend May as we ran into unseasonably cold weather. The Rick Steves Great Britain book is a good source of ideas and the RS forums are great for details:

[Sarah in SC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB My brother and his DW are planning a trip to England. She is an excellent trip planner and when they were visiting a month ago commented that she was unable to find "reasonably priced" hotel options for London.

We will most certainly be crashing with various friends while visiting over there, with the exception of Dublin, where we don't know anyone...yet. Otherwise we will dig up hostels and maybe even a Holiday Inn or two, as I've got points. A friend who lives north of London has offered a car, so we will probably do some wandering around with that as well.

I just booked a couple of nights in Marrakesh for DH next month. A single in a four bed dorm room in a fairly central hostel with free wifi and breakfast. $13.50 USD a night. Hostels and Riads in Marrakech - MarrakechRouge.com

[Ronstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah in SC Oh, good. Can you share your itinerary so lazy Sarah can copy it for our trip in November?

Will do - We’re traveling with another couple who has been there before. So far I only have airfare. Chicago-Dublin-London, and stay in London for week, then fly London-Dublin and stay in Dublin for a week, then home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB My brother and his DW are planning a trip to England. She is an excellent trip planner and when they were visiting a month ago commented that she was unable to find "reasonably priced" hotel options for London.

Good to know. We’re having a planning summit Friday to discuss this and other issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple girl FYI I've noticed lots of housesits available in England, if that floats your boat. Of course you have to be able to work your schedule out with theirs. Cat sits are easier, of course, because you don't have to walk them or be home every "x" number of hours. So that is the better option if you want to do more intense sightseeing vs getting to know a local area at a slower pace. Have to pay to be registered on a housesitting site I belong to, though.

A house would work very well, given that we have 2 couples traveling together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal Here is one trip outline. We did the UK in 2013 and rented a car in York. Dropped it off in Edinburgh. Our GPS didn't work in the UK even with a European chip and cars one picked up in York (in 2013) did not come with a GPS. Luckily I had some printed Google directions. At least this might be good for some hotel ideas. I don't recommend May as we ran into unseasonably cold weather. The Rick Steves Great Britain book is a good source of ideas and the RS forums are great for details:

Thanks for the tips! All of this will come in handy I’m sure.