Travel / Vacation thread

[GowerND11]

Next time don't forget to pack your hairline! Dude, looks like the MPB is kicking in quick, good thing you put a ring on it now

I kid, but seriously, congrats on getting engaged! I'll be interested to see the adventures of the Koon when fatherdom comes.

New threads that will pop up:

1, Anyone know how to put on a diaper?
2, Is it too early to feed him solid food?
3, Crib recommendations

Koon will naturally not follow any of the advice...

 

[woolybug25]

New threads that will pop up:

1, Anyone know how to put on a diaper?
2, Is it too early to feed him solid food?
3, Crib recommendations

Koon will naturally not follow any of the advice...

That's why is was taken off guard. While still rushed like all koon decisions, he picked out a ring and figured out a proposal all by himself. He inquired no advice from the board. Our little guy is all growns up.

 

[tussin]

That's why is was taken off guard. While still rushed like all koon decisions, he picked out a ring and figured out a proposal all by himself. He inquired no advice from the board. Our little guy is all growns up.

Agreed, the fact that he purchased a ring without coming to IE for advice is truly shocking.

 

[zelezo vlk]

That's why is was taken off guard. While still rushed like all koon decisions, he picked out a ring and figured out a proposal all by himself. He inquired no advice from the board. Our little guy is all growns up.

Agreed, the fact that he purchased a ring without coming to IE for advice is truly shocking.

Maybe he got it from listening to a timeshare presentation.

Couldn't resist.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Agreed, the fact that he purchased a ring without coming to IE for advice is truly shocking.

That's why is was taken off guard. While still rushed like all koon decisions, he picked out a ring and figured out a proposal all by himself. He inquired no advice from the board. Our little guy is all growns up.

I believe there are thread already covering those topics. He likely just searched, read a little, then sent some PM's

 

[wizards8507]

Agreed, the fact that he purchased a ring without coming to IE for advice is truly shocking.

Maybe he got it from listening to a timeshare presentation.

Koon was flush with cash from all the tuition reimbursement he stole from Bank of America (or was it Verizon)?

 

[kmoose]

That's why is was taken off guard. While still rushed like all koon decisions, he picked out a ring and figured out a proposal all by himself. He inquired no advice from the board. Our little guy is all growns up.

Not a chance. He probably tweeted back and forth with Rosie O'Donnell to get advice.

 

[tussin]

Koon was flush with cash from all the tuition reimbursement he stole from Bank of America (or was it Verizon)?

 

[koonja]

I wasn't going to get advice from others on the ring for my Fiance. She wanted something dainty (only 4.5 size fingers), with side diamonds, and was afraid of a solitare because of the ring snagging on things. She wanted something simple and elegant.

I actually ended up buying my ring online, and personalizing it. I bought through James Allen, and the first setting and centerstone I actually sent back, because I the setting was too thin. I kept the centerstone with the original order, and increased the setting size. I got a cathedral setting to 'run up' the sides of the ring, to give it more security from snagging. I also customized it with claw-prong settings for two reasons. First, it further secured the centerstone. Secondly, my diamond has one flaw, and if you look closely, you can see it on the edge. The claw prong covers this inclusion, making the diamond virtually flawless (color is already colorless, and cut is excellent). We both love the finalized product, I don't look at many women's wedding rings closely, but I've never seen one sparkle like this one.

All in all - I paid $5,400 for everything, for a GIA certification, and a signed valuation of $6,900. Here's the centerstone I purchased:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2143637

Here is the setting. It's not my actual setting, but the standard one I customized the prongs on: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ound-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1105

I was very skeptical of buying online, like anyone would be. But the money back, free shipping (free insurance too) gave me peace of mind. And I used their money back originally and it was painless, no questions asked.

I looked in person 100 times and didn't just window shop, and this ring, at least for us, is better than anything we saw in person. There was one she really liked at Helzberg, and after I received this one in the mail, I brought it into Helzberg to compare side by side and this one put her at that time favorite ring into a chokehold. If you want to get a centerstone diamond for ~30% less than you'd pay in person, I'd definitely suggest this route to someone.

 

[calvegas04]

Will be heading up to Denver for 5 days in October. Any good suggestions on a couple small day trips out of the city? Have been looking at Rocky Mountain National Park and possible Vail or Aspen. Will be hitting up some breweries for sure as well.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'll be in Vegas this weekend.

 

[dublinirish]

heading up to Traverse City, MI this weekend, can't wait

 

[Blaise]

heading up to Traverse City, MI this weekend, can't wait

I used to always go there for their Cherry Festival.. It was a great time

 

[IrishLion]

Will be heading up to Denver for 5 days in October. Any good suggestions on a couple small day trips out of the city? Have been looking at Rocky Mountain National Park and possible Vail or Aspen. Will be hitting up some breweries for sure as well.

Just google any mountain trails in the area that lead to a valley with a lake, and be happy with the beautiful walk and the beautiful destination.

My cousin lives in Denver, and he's posting a new photo of some gorgeous lake framed by snow-capped mountains every weekend. I'd go just for that experience.

 

[NorthDakota]

I'll be in Vegas this weekend.

If you see a short guy with a receding hairline, a North Dakota St shirt/hat, and a salt and pepper beard.... kick him in the nuts and tell him that his son is a bigot.

 

[IrishLion]

I'll be in the Outer Banks in a couple of weeks. Anybody been in the area? Any can't-miss places to eat or anything?

I've been a couple of times before, but I was young and not concerned with planning dinner and drinks at the time.

 

[koonja]

Will be heading up to Denver for 5 days in October. Any good suggestions on a couple small day trips out of the city? Have been looking at Rocky Mountain National Park and possible Vail or Aspen. Will be hitting up some breweries for sure as well.

I went to RMNP in December of last year, and it was really cool, although we drove/hiked for about 4 hours, and never saw an animal of note.

I think in October it'll be even prettier. Check out the 'Stanley/Shining' hotel if you go that route - only like 20 minutes away from RMNP IIRC. You can get a drink there and it's pretty Erie.

 

[koonja]

For our minimoon, we landed on going to Orlando to experience the Harry Potter world. Arriving late Saturday night, relaxing Sunday, then hitting Island of Adventure Monday, and Universal Tuesday since the HP stuff is tactfully split up so you have to buy two tickets.

 

[NorthDakota]

My grandma and I are going to visit relatives in Rhode Island the second week in July. Any recommendations on stuff to do in RI, CT, and maybe Boston?

 

[Irish#1]

For our minimoon, we landed on going to Orlando to experience the Harry Potter world. Arriving late Saturday night, relaxing Sunday, then hitting Island of Adventure Monday, and Universal Tuesday since the HP stuff is tactfully split up so you have to buy two tickets.

That's a long way from the Minn/Wisc plans and completely different. Wait, why doesn't this surprise me?

 

[koonja]

That's a long way from the Minn/Wisc plans and completely different. Wait, why doesn't this surprise me?

Turns out they don't have more wooden spoons in Orlando.

 

[wizards8507]

My grandma and I are going to visit relatives in Rhode Island the second week in July. Any recommendations on stuff to do in RI, CT, and maybe Boston?

Del's Lemonade
Clamcakes and chowder at either Iggy's or Chelo's
East Side Pockets for the best Syrian street food you'll ever eat

 

[koonja]

Del's Lemonade
Clamcakes and chowder at either Iggy's or Chelo's
East Side Pockets for the best Syrian street food you'll ever eat

Not surprised all of your recommendations are to eat.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'll be in Vegas this weekend.

Try not to die

 

[wizards8507]

Took the kiddo on her first camping trip over Father's Day weekend. Four nights tent camping with no hookups, a pregnant wife, and a toddler went about as perfectly as a weekend like that could possibly go.

 

[koonja]

Took the kiddo on her first camping trip over Father's Day weekend. Four nights tent camping with no hookups, a pregnant wife, and a toddler went about as perfectly as a weekend like that could possibly go.

Cute kid. That lake looks awesome.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Took the kiddo on her first camping trip over Father's Day weekend. Four nights tent camping with no hookups, a pregnant wife, and a toddler went about as perfectly as a weekend like that could possibly go.

Impressive. Good job, sir

 

[wizards8507]

Cute kid. That lake looks awesome.

It was amazing. It stays super shallow for something like 100 yards so it was plenty warm enough to swim for long periods even in mid-June. It's a shame the clouds in that picture don't let you see the mountains in the background.

 

[NDRock]

Just got back from a two week, 12 state, 4751 road trip with the family (wife, two kids). The highlight (for me) was spending a few days in Yellowstone. Mostly camped on the trip with a couple days in a hotel thrown in.

Taking my son to Shenandoah National park for a week, starting tomorrow. Should be fun.

 

[wizards8507]

Just got back from a two week, 12 state, 4751 road trip with the family (wife, two kids). The highlight (for me) was spending a few days in Yellowstone. Mostly camped on the trip with a couple days in a hotel thrown in.

Taking my son to Shenandoah National park for a week, starting tomorrow. Should be fun.

Do you even employment bro?