Travel / Vacation thread

[Cackalacky2.0]

My one and only buccees experience is one in Texas and I knew it was gonna be good when I saw people legitimately tailgaiting in the parking lot. Grill out with brats and wings. Brewskis in the foldable chair cup holders.

Inside did not disappoint. Felt like everyone was forced to take a hit of Murica before entrance.

FIFY

 

[IrishLion]

My first time in a Bucc-ee's was in Texas. My niece is going to Baylor so we flew into Austin stayed a day and drove to Baylor and stayed for a football game as well.. On the way back to Austin we stopped at Buc-ee's and I was not prepared.

I left with the following:
10lbs of variety jerky (beef, pork, bison)
A bedazzled Buffalo head
A beer flagon made from an actual longhorn horn
BBQ sandwiches,
smoked turkey legs
immodium (preparing ahead of time for the onset of the "itis" and eventual toilet time back at the hotel)
and some sweet ass leather boots

Got a small bag of the hot and spicy beef jerky last time we were in.

Will be purchasing several larger bags of the same next time... as that shit is the GOAT.

 

[Fbolt]

Hit Heavenly and Stowe this winter along with the local ski areas. Just bought new skis-Ugh!

Will be headed to Dublin for Pearl Jam with brothers in June

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Fbolt]

Tiny bit-ha

 

[NDBoiler]

Heading on a family camping/hiking trip this summer out west. Going to visit Roosevelt NP, Glacier NP, Banff and Jasper. Tent camping at all of them and will be doing a fair amount of day hiking. I’ve done some research and I’ve got all the major highlights covered, but if anyone has been that has some hidden gems, I’d be happy to hear about them.

 

[Rasputin]

Between Roosevelt NP and Glacier NP - highly recommend two side trips. First, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. If you are at all familiar with the story, and everyone should be, this is a really cool experience and its never crowded. Doesn't take all day. Can be done in 2-3 hours, and you get to drive the whole battlefield and stop at key battle stations where there are markers explaining what took place at that location. If you're going, read up on the battle first. It will make actually being there much more special. Second, drive the Beartooth Highway. Being able to drive to 11,000 is so convenient. The mountain views are stunning. It's not directly between the two NPs and will take you through the north edge of Yellowstone (where it will be super crazy tourist busy in the summer), but still worth it.

Glacier NP - Going to the Sun Road is essential. Rasputin prefers the west to east drive.

Banff - Don't just go to Lake Louise and take your standard photo of the lake like a lazy tourist. Get there very early. You won't get to Moraine Lake if you're not there by 6AM. Too busy. Lake Louise will fill up fast too. Bring your boots, lots of water and a pocket full of cash, and hike up to Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. There is no more accessible way to immerse yourself in the Canadian Rockies, away from the crowds at Lake Louise, than hiking to the tea house (takes 2-3 hours one way depending on your fitness, so round trip its 4-6 hours) and treating yourself to a large slice of chocolate cake and tea. Breathtaking scenery. If you're staying in Banff for a bit, the Rasputins favorite hidden gem of a hike is Stanley Glacier hike in nearby Kootenay NP. You will be pretty much all alone for a day in the mountains. The first hour is meh, but once you get up into the valley, and you can see the glacier ahead of you surrounded by sheer rock faces on both sides, you'll be awestruck. Pack a lunch and stop at the green oasis just below the glacier for a well deserved break. If you're not one for isolation don't do it though. It can be a bit intimidating being so far away from civilization and not many people are ever up there. And there may be grizzlies so bring bear spray.

Banff to Jasper - If you're doing the drive, you'll be on the Icefield Parkway. It's an event all on it's own. Take the time to stop at Peyto Lake. It will be packed with tourists because they all have to check that box and get that pic, but it's still worth it. When the parkway takes you close to one of the rivers, stop and get out. Take your shoes and socks off and the whole family can go stand in the creek and see who can last the longest in that glacier runoff. So damn cold! You won't last a minute. You should also consider doing the Parker Ridge hike. The first hour and a bit is nothing but boring switchbacks (but great cardio) but once you get up top you'll feel like you're in Lord of The Rings. The landscape is very reminiscent of New Zealand. From the top of the hike you can see the Saskatchewan glacier. Worth the effort. Finally, sign up for the Athabasca Glacier tour. Very touristy but worth it.

Could go on all day but you get the gist.

 

[ND87]

Heading on a family camping/hiking trip this summer out west. Going to visit Roosevelt NP, Glacier NP, Banff and Jasper. Tent camping at all of them and will be doing a fair amount of day hiking. I’ve done some research and I’ve got all the major highlights covered, but if anyone has been that has some hidden gems, I’d be happy to hear about them.

Jeebus...hope that's like at least 3 weeks

Also, make time for Many Glacier.
Gotta get tix in advance; had our best hikes.
Be prepared for sudden weather changes. We had sun one minuten hail and freezing rain 10 mins later. In early Sept.

 

[IAIrish]

Between Roosevelt NP and Glacier NP - highly recommend two side trips. First, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. If you are at all familiar with the story, and everyone should be, this is a really cool experience and its never crowded. Doesn't take all day. Can be done in 2-3 hours, and you get to drive the whole battlefield and stop at key battle stations where there are markers explaining what took place at that location. If you're going, read up on the battle first. It will make actually being there much more special. Second, drive the Beartooth Highway. Being able to drive to 11,000 is so convenient. The mountain views are stunning. It's not directly between the two NPs and will take you through the north edge of Yellowstone (where it will be super crazy tourist busy in the summer), but still worth it.

Glacier NP - Going to the Sun Road is essential. Rasputin prefers the west to east drive.

Banff - Don't just go to Lake Louise and take your standard photo of the lake like a lazy tourist. Get there very early. You won't get to Moraine Lake if you're not there by 6AM. Too busy. Lake Louise will fill up fast too. Bring your boots, lots of water and a pocket full of cash, and hike up to Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. There is no more accessible way to immerse yourself in the Canadian Rockies, away from the crowds at Lake Louise, than hiking to the tea house (takes 2-3 hours one way depending on your fitness, so round trip its 4-6 hours) and treating yourself to a large slice of chocolate cake and tea. Breathtaking scenery. If you're staying in Banff for a bit, the Rasputins favorite hidden gem of a hike is Stanley Glacier hike in nearby Kootenay NP. You will be pretty much all alone for a day in the mountains. The first hour is meh, but once you get up into the valley, and you can see the glacier ahead of you surrounded by sheer rock faces on both sides, you'll be awestruck. Pack a lunch and stop at the green oasis just below the glacier for a well deserved break. If you're not one for isolation don't do it though. It can be a bit intimidating being so far away from civilization and not many people are ever up there. And there may be grizzlies so bring bear spray.

Banff to Jasper - If you're doing the drive, you'll be on the Icefield Parkway. It's an event all on it's own. Take the time to stop at Peyto Lake. It will be packed with tourists because they all have to check that box and get that pic, but it's still worth it. When the parkway takes you close to one of the rivers, stop and get out. Take your shoes and socks off and the whole family can go stand in the creek and see who can last the longest in that glacier runoff. So damn cold! You won't last a minute. You should also consider doing the Parker Ridge hike. The first hour and a bit is nothing but boring switchbacks (but great cardio) but once you get up top you'll feel like you're in Lord of The Rings. The landscape is very reminiscent of New Zealand. From the top of the hike you can see the Saskatchewan glacier. Worth the effort. Finally, sign up for the Athabasca Glacier tour. Very touristy but worth it.

Could go on all day but you get the gist.

But enough about that, any suggestions for visiting the Ural mountains?

 

[dublinirish]

going to Madison WI for work next week..any eating recommendations? Tipsy Cow worth it?

 

[FollowTheFreeman]

Madison WI

Is there another Epic nerd on this board?!? 👀

 

[NorthDakota]

Heading on a family camping/hiking trip this summer out west. Going to visit Roosevelt NP, Glacier NP, Banff and Jasper. Tent camping at all of them and will be doing a fair amount of day hiking. I’ve done some research and I’ve got all the major highlights covered, but if anyone has been that has some hidden gems, I’d be happy to hear about them.

Roosevelt NP is pretty cool but my guy, that is a long way out of the way! Medora is pretty cool if your kids are young. The musical is pretty good some years, other years less so.

 

[IrishLion]

going to Madison WI for work next week..any eating recommendations? Tipsy Cow worth it?

Where’s Koonberry when you need him???

 

[Irish#1]

Where’s Koonberry when you need him???

I thought he was in Minnesota?

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Rizzophil]

Is there another Epic nerd on this board?!? 👀

Go down state street and pick one. There's tons to choose from. I also like the Great Dane downtown.

 

[gregm83]

Me and my cool, hip, young friends went to Vegas for the game vs BYU a few years ago. I was always told cheap flights, drinks, food etc. None of that was true. Glad we went for a few extra days but 4 nights and 3 days was perfect for our group. Also smoking inside a building was crazy for someone who turned 21 after bars banned smoking inside.

Not sure I would have returned but it appears a concert in the sphere might. Funny our uber driver said the sphere was the worst tax dollars spent in Vegas in the entire history. The last 12 months makes it seem like the only positive there.

 

[rikkitikki08]

The reality is everything is pricey right now, I’ve been to Vegas twice and had a good time gambling but that was pre Covid. Going to Vegas with a wife and kids at home just isn’t feasible in this economy and I imagine that’s the case for a lot of Americans. I’ve also heard Vegas has been adding fees for everything in the last few years so I imagine that’s turning a lot of people away

 

[Irish#1]

They failed to see long term when they started tearing everything down and replacing with these huge resorts. The resorts on the strip are all basically the same anymore and you can't just walk out of one and into another. Being able to hop around the strip and try your luck at the different casinos was part of the fun. Now you have to spend 20-30 minutes walking from one to another.

 

[Huntr]

NY Post don't be a shitty boomer challenge (Impossible)

Everything is more expensive, and Vegas has really turned up the gouging(see resort fees and CNF). Foreign tourism is down a shitload, as well.

Pretty easy to figure out, but, yeah, sure, younger people are to blame.

fuckin boomer ass shitbirds and their audience

 

[FDNYIrish1]

NY Post don't be a shitty boomer challenge (Impossible)

Everything is more expensive, and Vegas has really turned up the gouging(see resort fees and CNF). Foreign tourism is down a shitload, as well.

Pretty easy to figure out, but, yeah, sure, younger people are to blame.

fuckin boomer ass shitbirds and their audience

It’s not as bad as you think (the article). Online gambling and younger crowd don’t drink as much is pretty much the logic.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Also smoking inside a building was crazy for someone who turned 21 after bars banned smoking inside.

Same for me, but also there are still gems out there that allow smoking inside. I'm not sure if it is still true, but 2015-2019 Cheers in South Bend still had smoking indoors. Later in life, there was a great grimy bar called "Poppas Pub" in Norfolk, Virginia where I smoked ~50% of the cigarettes I have ever smoked in my entire life on one night with $6 pitchers of Cors light.

 

[NorthDakota]

It’s not as bad as you think (the article). Online gambling and younger crowd don’t drink as much is pretty much the logic.

In my friend group, I don't believe anyone has went to Vegas in over a decade - check that, some went when they were road tripping back from Phoenix, they stopped in Vegas for a day since they were pretty close. But the point stands, we are all 30-35 years old, no one goes or wants to go. If i brought up doing a boys trip to Vegas, I would be laughed at and called a boomer. I could much more easily convince them to go to Nashville, New Orleans, etc. and avoid the verbal abuse.

 

[dublinirish]

Earlier in the spring I had to spend a week living in the Grand Sierra Resort Casino in Reno for a conference and it was depressing AF. Nobody is there for fun the building is just full of addicts/people on deaths door. I cant imagine Vegas is much better

 

[zelezo vlk]

Earlier in the spring I had to spend a week living the Grand Sierra Resort Casino in Reno for a conference and it was depressing AF. Nobody is there for fun the building is just full of addicts/people on deaths door. I cant imagine Vegas is much better

I was in the Bally casino in downtown Chicago last month and damn was it depressing. My first time going to a casino and yeah I have no desire to go back.

 

[calvegas04]

Earlier in the spring I had to spend a week living the Grand Sierra Resort Casino in Reno for a conference and it was depressing AF. Nobody is there for fun the building is just full of addicts/people on deaths door. I cant imagine Vegas is much better

Comparing reno to Vegas is an insult to the highest degree

 

[2013Irish]

I was in the Bally casino in downtown Chicago last month and damn was it depressing. My first time going to a casino and yeah I have no desire to go back.

Casinos are awful. The foothold that gambling has in American society has led to a serious cheapening of the culture.

 

[RDU Irish]

Vegas for March Madness opening weekend is fun. I like to play poker, lots to choose from. However, it is kind of insulting to say you are comping a room but hitting me with $50/night resort fee - that isn't a comp dickhead, that is $50 room evading local taxes. Pretending you can't comp that too is just absurd. Food is a PIA now too - I just want a quick sandwich for under $20 without needing a compass to trek six miles.

If driving in and paying to park would be additional insult to injury - just screams "GTFO locals". Not to mention you probably have a half mile walk to get from your parking deck to whatever building you are aiming for.

 

[calvegas04]

Vegas for March Madness opening weekend is fun. I like to play poker, lots to choose from. However, it is kind of insulting to say you are comping a room but hitting me with $50/night resort fee - that isn't a comp dickhead, that is $50 room evading local taxes. Pretending you can't comp that too is just absurd. Food is a PIA now too - I just want a quick sandwich for under $20 without needing a compass to trek six miles.

If driving in and paying to park would be additional insult to injury - just screams "GTFO locals". Not to mention you probably have a half mile walk to get from your parking deck to whatever building you are aiming for.

The strip casinos are down like 11% revenue or something while the locals casinos are up like 15%. The locals don't go to the strip except for Golden Knight games or football games

 

[dublinirish]

Vegas for March Madness opening weekend is fun. I like to play poker, lots to choose from. However, it is kind of insulting to say you are comping a room but hitting me with $50/night resort fee - that isn't a comp dickhead, that is $50 room evading local taxes. Pretending you can't comp that too is just absurd. Food is a PIA now too - I just want a quick sandwich for under $20 without needing a compass to trek six miles.

If driving in and paying to park would be additional insult to injury - just screams "GTFO locals". Not to mention you probably have a half mile walk to get from your parking deck to whatever building you are aiming for.

i actually watched a bunch of march madness games at the Casino in Reno and it briefly was exciting then and the crowd was engaged. But any other time watching old men bet on the ponies was depressing AF