Summer vacation

[vicspats]

So … was curious what people had planned for the summah? Not sure where that topic goes, it’s my first attempt at starting a discussion. Not sure if one has even been started …

 

[jboston19]

It’s worth a shot starting. The BB/GF thread is the most active, so definitely nice to at least attempt something different.

I work on a ship and it’s scheduled for drydock in Bayonne in a month. That’ll last for at least 45 days. Not exciting and not particularly what I want to do with my summer, but it is what it is.

How about you?

 

[jmt57]

I got my summer vacation started early. In mid-May the wife got me a birthday gift - she found a super cheap flight, plus reasonably priced hotel, and we spent 3½ days in New Orleans. I had mentioned some time ago that it was on my bucket list of places to go. Got there early enough in the season that it was warm but still avoided the standard southern June-September hot & humid climate. I wanted to avoid Mardi Gras and at the same time avoid extreme temperatures.

Bourbon Street was sleazy, but fun and safe. Overly touristy, but not that bad. Much of the second day on we spent on Frenchman Street, whic borders the French Quarter and the Farbourg Mariny neighborhood. The music was incredible. Not just street performers. Every bar/restaurant, one after another, had live music much of the day plus all night. Never a cover charge - the bands would ask for tips. But everywhere we went, these musicians were extremely talented. All different but related genres - funk, R&B, soul, blues, jazz, etc.

The food was fantastic, though the better food was found in other neighborhoods. Lots and lots of homeless people, but not a single one ever bothered us or asked for money. Everybody was super friendly, nobody looked down on us tourists or tried to grift off us. So glad we went. Will probably return again in the near future.

As for this summer, no special plans as of yet. Unfortunately her dad is old and health is starting to fail. He was just in the hospital, getting out of the interim care/rehab place this week, plus another relative is terminal. Life is too short and no fun at the end. I do want to head out to LA to visit my daughter, but since I'm not into the Hollywood-celebrity thing I don't know that there is anything special that is a 'must-see' out there for me. Perhaps others that have been there can make a recommendation or two of someplace under the radar to go to.

 

[oldrover]

We moved to Florida so that we'd ALWAYS be on vacation.

 

[signbabybrady]

I got my summer vacation started early. In mid-May the wife got me a birthday gift - she found a super cheap flight, plus reasonably priced hotel, and we spent 3½ days in New Orleans. I had mentioned some time ago that it was on my bucket list of places to go. Got there early enough in the season that it was warm but still avoided the standard southern June-September hot & humid climate. I wanted to avoid Mardi Gras and at the same time avoid extreme temperatures.

Bourbon Street was sleazy, but fun and safe. Overly touristy, but not that bad. Much of the second day on we spent on Frenchman Street, whic borders the French Quarter and the Farbourg Mariny neighborhood. The music was incredible. Not just street performers. Every bar/restaurant, one after another, had live music much of the day plus all night. Never a cover charge - the bands would ask for tips. But everywhere we went, these musicians were extremely talented. All different but related genres - funk, R&B, soul, blues, jazz, etc.

The food was fantastic, though the better food was found in other neighborhoods. Lots and lots of homeless people, but not a single one ever bothered us or asked for money. Everybody was super friendly, nobody looked down on us tourists or tried to grift off us. So glad we went. Will probably return again in the near future.

As for this summer, no special plans as of yet. Unfortunately her dad is old and health is starting to fail. He was just in the hospital, getting out of the interim care/rehab place this week, plus another relative is terminal. Life is too short and no fun at the end. I do want to head out to LA to visit my daughter, but since I'm not into the Hollywood-celebrity thing I don't know that there is anything special that is a 'must-see' out there for me. Perhaps others that have been there can make a recommendation or two of someplace under the radar to go to.

I don't have any summer plans yet but your trip to New Orleans brings up some great memories for me. I went there my first time in 2002 for the Superbowl and as you may recall that game was awesome.

 

[Username]

I live on the west coast of Ireland. What is the 'summer' phenomenon you speak of?

 

[n1997y]

I live on the west coast of Ireland. What is the 'summer' phenomenon you speak of?

It’s what you vacate to find elsewhere.

 

[n1997y]

No specific plans yet. Partly baked thought of flying into the EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh next month. EAA is the Experimental Aircraft Association, so mostly home built kit planes. But they also focus on warbirds and vintage aircraft, and my sixty year old airplane qualifies as vintage. Would be a lot of fun, just not sure it’s worth the hassle.

If I had the budget I’d try to get out to Vegas for Black Hat and DefCon. I’ve been to smaller hacker cons but never got my employer to foot the bill for the Vegas trip, and now that I’m retired I’d need to fund it myself. Would be nice but I’d need to see ROI and that’s still too speculative to justify the trip this year. I’d be better off staying home and working on my AI apps.

Right now best bet looks like a return to the Black Rock desert. This might be the year I finally make good on desire to fly myself in to Burning Man. Was going to do it last summer but caught Covid and couldn’t go, then when the rains hit I realized I’d dodged a bullet. Will see what the playa provides this year.

I’d still like to make the Grand Tour by flying myself to Oshkosh, then across to Vegas, and finally up to Black Rock City, but I need to get the instrument rating first. That may be my biggest summer plan. Need to hit the books first. So probably won’t be done in time to fly that whole itinerary this year.

More than enough to fill the summer. Will see how it anll ends up fitting together.

 

[n1997y]

It’s worth a shot starting. The BB/GF thread is the most active, so definitely nice to at least attempt something different.

I work on a ship and it’s scheduled for drydock in Bayonne in a month. That’ll last for at least 45 days. Not exciting and not particularly what I want to do with my summer, but it is what it is.

How about you?

So when ship is in dry dock do you have to stay with it, or do you get to take time off and spend time on dry ground and maybe travel a bit?

 

[UGAPatsfan]

We live in Atlanta but head to Maine for 3-4 weeks/yr. We leave Saturday after a quick 2 day work trip to Vegas for me.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Started summer vacation by visiting Spaceport America to watch the Spaceport America Cup rocket launch competition. It was Tufts' 1st year ever and my granddaughter's team was successful in launch & recovery.

 

[jboston19]

So when ship is in dry dock do you have to stay with it, or do you get to take time off and spend time on dry ground and maybe travel a bit?

It’ll be like a day job. 8-5 will be the normal hours but there will be overtime -hopefully a lot- available.

I’m sure I’ll be able to slip away for at least some weekend day to visit my family in mass at least once.

 

[vicspats]

It’s worth a shot starting. The BB/GF thread is the most active, so definitely nice to at least attempt something different.

I work on a ship and it’s scheduled for drydock in Bayonne in a month. That’ll last for at least 45 days. Not exciting and not particularly what I want to do with my summer, but it is what it is.

How about you?

Live in Newport Ri … there’s always a guest or two continuously lol.. but come August the wife and I are heading to Europe for three months. Starting in Spain and ending up in either Slovenia or Vienna. Niece is getting married in September in Florence so we decided to go on an adventure. You get to get off the ship at all?

 

[vicspats]

I got my summer vacation started early. In mid-May the wife got me a birthday gift - she found a super cheap flight, plus reasonably priced hotel, and we spent 3½ days in New Orleans. I had mentioned some time ago that it was on my bucket list of places to go. Got there early enough in the season that it was warm but still avoided the standard southern June-September hot & humid climate. I wanted to avoid Mardi Gras and at the same time avoid extreme temperatures.

Bourbon Street was sleazy, but fun and safe. Overly touristy, but not that bad. Much of the second day on we spent on Frenchman Street, whic borders the French Quarter and the Farbourg Mariny neighborhood. The music was incredible. Not just street performers. Every bar/restaurant, one after another, had live music much of the day plus all night. Never a cover charge - the bands would ask for tips. But everywhere we went, these musicians were extremely talented. All different but related genres - funk, R&B, soul, blues, jazz, etc.

The food was fantastic, though the better food was found in other neighborhoods. Lots and lots of homeless people, but not a single one ever bothered us or asked for money. Everybody was super friendly, nobody looked down on us tourists or tried to grift off us. So glad we went. Will probably return again in the near future.

As for this summer, no special plans as of yet. Unfortunately her dad is old and health is starting to fail. He was just in the hospital, getting out of the interim care/rehab place this week, plus another relative is terminal. Life is too short and no fun at the end. I do want to head out to LA to visit my daughter, but since I'm not into the Hollywood-celebrity thing I don't know that there is anything special that is a 'must-see' out there for me. Perhaps others that have been there can make a recommendation or two of someplace under the radar to go to.

Hey that’s really cool !! New Orleans definitely on my list of to do’s!! Huge fan of jazz and blues.. just was always worried about the sleaze especially now that I’m getting older. And speaking about LA, my daughter who’s living in Brooklyn is trying to move out to LA. West Hollywood to be exact, was just visiting her last week trying to convince her not to go !! haha… does your daughter like the west coast? Love going through California , couldn’t live out there, my favorite place out there is Big Sur … beautiful… ya life is wayyyyyy too short. Just had some friends in this weekend who are riding across country from Denver. They figure they gonna hit 7000 miles in three weeks on their soft tails … bikers . I wouldn’t have the patience to drive that far in that time

 

[Toofy]

I got my summer vacation started early. In mid-May the wife got me a birthday gift - she found a super cheap flight, plus reasonably priced hotel, and we spent 3½ days in New Orleans. I had mentioned some time ago that it was on my bucket list of places to go. Got there early enough in the season that it was warm but still avoided the standard southern June-September hot & humid climate. I wanted to avoid Mardi Gras and at the same time avoid extreme temperatures.

Bourbon Street was sleazy, but fun and safe. Overly touristy, but not that bad. Much of the second day on we spent on Frenchman Street, whic borders the French Quarter and the Farbourg Mariny neighborhood. The music was incredible. Not just street performers. Every bar/restaurant, one after another, had live music much of the day plus all night. Never a cover charge - the bands would ask for tips. But everywhere we went, these musicians were extremely talented. All different but related genres - funk, R&B, soul, blues, jazz, etc.

The food was fantastic, though the better food was found in other neighborhoods. Lots and lots of homeless people, but not a single one ever bothered us or asked for money. Everybody was super friendly, nobody looked down on us tourists or tried to grift off us. So glad we went. Will probably return again in the near future.

As for this summer, no special plans as of yet. Unfortunately her dad is old and health is starting to fail. He was just in the hospital, getting out of the interim care/rehab place this week, plus another relative is terminal. Life is too short and no fun at the end. I do want to head out to LA to visit my daughter, but since I'm not into the Hollywood-celebrity thing I don't know that there is anything special that is a 'must-see' out there for me. Perhaps others that have been there can make a recommendation or two of someplace under the radar to go to.

Hike and drive by Malibu and Santa Monica were two things that we loved and also the state park where you have the observatory was fantastic .

 

[vicspats]

We moved to Florida so that we'd ALWAYS be on vacation.

Was just in Sarasota in March visiting my daughter and granddaughter. My kinda town. Great bars and restaurants..

 

[vicspats]

No specific plans yet. Partly baked thought of flying into the EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh next month. EAA is the Experimental Aircraft Association, so mostly home built kit planes. But they also focus on warbirds and vintage aircraft, and my sixty year old airplane qualifies as vintage. Would be a lot of fun, just not sure it’s worth the hassle.

If I had the budget I’d try to get out to Vegas for Black Hat and DefCon. I’ve been to smaller hacker cons but never got my employer to foot the bill for the Vegas trip, and now that I’m retired I’d need to fund it myself. Would be nice but I’d need to see ROI and that’s still too speculative to justify the trip this year. I’d be better off staying home and working on my AI apps.

Right now best bet looks like a return to the Black Rock desert. This might be the year I finally make good on desire to fly myself in to Burning Man. Was going to do it last summer but caught Covid and couldn’t go, then when the rains hit I realized I’d dodged a bullet. Will see what the playa provides this year.

I’d still like to make the Grand Tour by flying myself to Oshkosh, then across to Vegas, and finally up to Black Rock City, but I need to get the instrument rating first. That may be my biggest summer plan. Need to hit the books first. So probably won’t be done in time to fly that whole itinerary this year.

More than enough to fill the summer. Will see how it anll ends up fitting together.

Burning man would be a trip … literally. I’m not sure I could handle the debauchery at this age.

 

[vicspats]

Started summer vacation by visiting Spaceport America to watch the Spaceport America Cup rocket launch competition. It was Tufts' 1st year ever and my granddaughter's team was successful in launch & recovery.

Well congratulations!! That’s pretty cool

 

[vicspats]

We live in Atlanta but head to Maine for 3-4 weeks/yr. We leave Saturday after a quick 2 day work trip to Vegas for me.

I’m thinking with the turmoil going on politically and climate wise Maine might be the place to finally end up in. That coast line is incredible

 

[jmt57]

Hey that’s really cool !! New Orleans definitely on my list of to do’s!! Huge fan of jazz and blues.. just was always worried about the sleaze especially now that I’m getting older. And speaking about LA, my daughter who’s living in Brooklyn is trying to move out to LA. West Hollywood to be exact, was just visiting her last week trying to convince her not to go !! haha… does your daughter like the west coast? Love going through California , couldn’t live out there, my favorite place out there is Big Sur … beautiful… ya life is wayyyyyy too short. Just had some friends in this weekend who are riding across country from Denver. They figure they gonna hit 7000 miles in three weeks on their soft tails … bikers . I wouldn’t have the patience to drive that far in that time

If you're a fan of that type of music, Frenchmen Street in New Orleans is a must. Bourbon Street is sleazy, the other parts less so. It is a really old city so be prepared for ancient warped brick sidewalks. Lots of homeless people but they don't bother you. Never once felt even the least bit threatened. Considering it is a tourist destination the prices for everything were quite reasonable. We're already talking about going back.


My daughter moved to LA with a few friends about five or six years ago. She was/still is really big into the arts - taking part in community plays, etc. Also took small parts in any movie that was being filmed near us, as an extra, intern, doing something behind the scenes, etc. She went there with the idea of getting involved in work behind the camera and did a few things. Problem was that so many others had similar dreams that they didn't pay crap, plus wanted you to be available 7 days a week. Then covid happened and the entire industry was shut down. She did waitressing and is now making a boat load of money at a fancy Beverly Hills hotel/restaurant. Waits on celebrities daily.

But now she is thinking about moving back. She considered trying to work her way up in management but decided against that. She and her sister (still here 3,000 miles away) were always extremely close, best friends; I'm sure that is part of her decision to return. She has also been put off for awhile by the amount of homelessness, drug addicts sleeping on the sidewalk, used syringes in the gutter, etc. Her plan is to go back to school, finish her degree, and get more of a long term "real" career rather than just a good paying job.

Even though she is moving back she thoroughly enjoyed it out there. A year or two ago she said she loved living out there. Your daughter is living in the city so it shouldn't be that big of a culture shock.