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Originally posted by John Stuart MillRIP: Charlie Munger​Originally posted by Robert “Hoot†Gibson -
Been to Chicago twice and it was my favorite big city. Shaw's Crabhouse and Oyster bar is my favorite. Next best thing to fresh oysters outside of the Keys.
After going to San Francisco, it's become my favorite big city.
Love this area in the late fall and winter. Gatlinburg is more relaxing during this time because the crowds are smaller and the hiking trails aren't overrun with people walking 3, 4 or 5 wide at a snail's pace. I tolerate Gatlinburg because of the hiking. One could hike all over SMNP and never see it all. I'd like to hike to LeConte Lodge and stay overnight, but the wife ain't keen on no electricity and communal running water. I've hiked to the lodge several times by myself from different trails.Extremism is so easy. You've got your position, and that's it. It doesn't take much thought. And when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.
Clint EastwoodComment
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NYC at Christmas is beautiful....been twice nowComment
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San Francisco/Northern California are on my list of places to travel, so I can't compare it yet. But, Al's Beef, Giordano's and Gino's East Pizza, Do-Rite Donuts, Chicago would be hard to top.
I have the same thoughts over Gatlinburg. I hate the town and think it's a cesspool, but the beauty of the park is its saving grace. We hiked out to Andrew's Bald last year, then the next day hiked the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Charlie's Bunion.Love this area in the late fall and winter. Gatlinburg is more relaxing during this time because the crowds are smaller and the hiking trails aren't overrun with people walking 3, 4 or 5 wide at a snail's pace. I tolerate Gatlinburg because of the hiking. One could hike all over SMNP and never see it all. I'd like to hike to LeConte Lodge and stay overnight, but the wife ain't keen on no electricity and communal running water. I've hiked to the lodge several times by myself from different trails.
Likewise, I want to hike to the LeConte Lodge either via the Alum Cave Trail or the Boulevard Trail. The Boulevard Trail isn't a short way to go at all, I'm just an Appalachian Trail junkie. My long term goal is to hike a portion of it in each state, if not the whole thing.Comment
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Not really. We drove around Providence for a little while, but that was the only other place we saw while we were there. Nice town, best I could tell.
Block Island is really cool, though. Just a nice vibe all around. Great food, interesting bluffs and lighthouses, and if you're there for a week there's enough stuff going on to have one major unique thing to do each day.
I will say, though, that our timing had a lot to do with our experience. We were there in the last week of May, which we were told is right before tourist season begins. Apparently, the island gets pretty overrun with tourists and hippie kids who are there for work, so in the summer there's a crowd and a party atmosphere that we didn't see. Might be cool, but at the time we were pleased to have avoided it, and we very much enjoyed the peace and quiet.
And the swordfish.Comment
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I've had Giordano's, but haven't been to Al's yet. Will try it and Gino's next visit. Chicago's great because it's close and practically free to fly via Southwest. San Francisco is foodie heaven. Fisherman's Wharf is loaded with great restaurants and several are italian seafood. Sonoma and Napa both have some really good restaurants that feature the local wines.
Gatlinburg reminds me a bit of a hillbilly Las Vegas without the gambling. It's tremendous for people watching. We'd often sit at Hogs and Honeys (Now Hogg's Upstairs Taverne) on the deck, Mellow Mushroom's upstairs patio or Loco Burro's Fresh Mex Cantina's roof top have drinks and watch.
Alum Cave Trail is on my list to hit next visit. I've hiked to the Lodge via Rainbow Falls - Bullhead Trail. It's about 12-13 miles round trip. Had a cousin who hiked with some of her friends to the Lodge for an overnight stay in late November. Overnight lows reached 9 degrees.Extremism is so easy. You've got your position, and that's it. It doesn't take much thought. And when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.
Clint EastwoodComment
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I have been to San Francisco. I went there on a government business trip over 20 years ago. I got sick while I was there so I din't get to see much of it. What I saw I really liked. I did see the harbor that was beautiful. Also crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and went to Alcatraz. I would like to go back and hopefully not get sick.
Also been to Providence RI. We went there over 25 years ago to a wedding. It was an Italian wedding in the Italian section of Providence. I don't remember much about the city now. I do remember the Italian flag colors painted as stripe on the road in that section.
Also been to Salem, Massachusetts. Lots of history there. Especially about the witch trials of the 17th century. Most of them took place in a town called Danvers and not Salem. But some did take place there. Also toured the House of Seven Gables in Salem. It was an impressive house with a unique structure. Also saw the Witch Museum and went Laurie Cabot's Witch Store. We stayed at Revere Beach while there. It was a very nice and quiet area. Also while there we drove around the Cape. It was a very rainy day so we couldn't get out much and see things. I would like to go back there too.Kentucky fan since 1971.Comment
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I love Portillo's too, but Al's Beef is probably better, IMO. Chicago is a 4.5 hour drive from here in Cincinnati - Southwest service begins here next month, but I'm not sure it's worth it to fly to Chicago when driving is so cheap/quick.
My wife called it redneck Times Square. She hated Gatlinburg, but was mesmerized by Pigeon Forge. Go figure.Gatlinburg reminds me a bit of a hillbilly Las Vegas without the gambling. It's tremendous for people watching. We'd often sit at Hogs and Honeys (Now Hogg's Upstairs Taverne) on the deck, Mellow Mushroom's upstairs patio or Loco Burro's Fresh Mex Cantina's roof top have drinks and watch.
When we were there in October, Alum Cave was closed for trail maintenance during the week, and when it opened Friday as we were about to head home, it was slammed with cars. I love the park, and think the parks service generally does an admirable job handling the crowds, but GSMNP is getting to the point where it's too darn crowded. We got stuck behind tour buses both days, which when you just wanna get into the back country is pretty frustrating.Alum Cave Trail is on my list to hit next visit. I've hiked to the Lodge via Rainbow Falls - Bullhead Trail. It's about 12-13 miles round trip. Had a cousin who hiked with some of her friends to the Lodge for an overnight stay in late November. Overnight lows reached 9 degrees.
But, October is a peak season with the leaves changing and all. I think in the future I'd go in Mid-September. We drove from Asheville to basically the park entrance via the Blue Ridge Parkway, and that was...fantastic.
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I'll never understand the amount of saltwater taffy and hermit crabs available in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.
And while I like Gatlinburg as an outdoor destination, I've never enjoyed the town. And I hate - HATE - Pigeon Forge, mostly because it's an absolute nightmare to drive through. I'd rather go two hours out of my way just to avoid hitting the eleven thousand red lights in Pigeon Forge.Comment
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I posted this in the thread that spawned this thread. Copying it here since this is the appropriate location:
We drove out to Glacier National Park last year, which was an all-timer of a trip. I think that park gets overlooked, but personally, I'd rank it higher than Yosemite. Not for landmarks, of course, but it's second-to-none if you're looking for an untamed, pure wilderness experience in a national park.
It was a weird day if we didn't see some kind of incredible wildlife. Had a dangerously close encounter with a momma moose trotting around with a six-day-old calf; came within a few feet of hitting a black bear at 60 mph; parked in the middle of the road one evening and watched a grizzly gorge itself on huckleberries for twenty minutes; saw a bald eagle in a dogfight with an osprey over a fish. The list goes on.Comment
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San Francisco is the most striking and beautiful large city I have ever visited. Culturally I had a few unwanted negative interactions, (far more than in say NY or Chicago) but it is a fantastic place to visit. Outstanding food. The derelict population isn't so great though...
I haven't spent enough time in Chicago to make a full comparison. I will say in terms of large cities, I felt most at ease in NY city and most overwhelmed by the sheer beauty in SF.
Originally posted by John Stuart MillRIP: Charlie Munger​Originally posted by Robert “Hoot†GibsonComment
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Chicago's great. As an adult it's been my favorite big city, hands down. However, my only trip to NYC was in seventh grade; tough to get an honest feel for the town when you're that young.Comment
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I've driven to Merrillville for a state roadway widening project years ago and that's a dull ass drive between Indy and Lafayette. The wife detests riding in a car for very long now that she likes to fly. Our first trip to Chicago was in 2004 via Southwest and she had never flown. She scheduled the trip herself as a surprise to me and as way to make herself fly on a trip. We have a Southwest rewards Visa card and always accumulate enough points to fly free to Chicago and Vegas.Extremism is so easy. You've got your position, and that's it. It doesn't take much thought. And when you go far enough to the right you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.
Clint EastwoodComment
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It sure is. All of Indiana between Cincy and right before the Chicagoland stuff begins is pretty dull. The frustrating part is that the highway is only 2 lanes, and with all the truck traffic in between Indy and Chicago, it's hard to go much faster than 60 mph for more than a few miles at a time.Comment
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