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Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:05 pm
by howard
Bojangles in the Charlotte airport, between flights. That, my friends, is what I call living large. Don't hate.

If they opened in NYC, I could go full Homer Simpson/300# and it wouldn't take much more than a year.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:48 pm
by rass
I stopped at one on our sojourn through Bojangles country earlier this summer. Egg and ham biscuit hit the damn spot.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 2:59 pm
by Sabo
The Charlotte airport, despite being busy as hell at all times, is a pretty good airport.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 3:01 pm
by rass
As to that, had a 2 hour layover there once, and meh? I think my arrival gate and departure gate were really close, which was great. Not sure if the airport deserves credit for that, though.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 3:03 pm
by Sabo
rass wrote:As to that, had a 2 hour layover there once, and meh? I think my arrival gate and departure gate were really close, which was great. Not sure if the airport deserves credit for that, though.


Yeah, but they have rocking chairs in the main concourse. And someone playing the piano near the food court. That makes it better than most!

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 6:49 pm
by howard
Sabo wrote:Yeah, but they have rocking chairs in the main concourse. And someone playing the piano near the food court. That makes it better than most!

And right above that area where the piano player is located, a little second floor balcony w/rocking chairs, by a little chapel. Lots of good food choices, free wifi, I haven't traveled much the last few years but I was impressed. Crowded but much more civilized than the NYC ports (which are abominable as we all know.)

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 3:46 pm
by rass
The rather stocky male conductor on my mid-town direct train smells like sugar.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:12 pm
by brian
So has anyone actually been to Boise? Because I've checked in with a few friends who travel for work pretty extensively and it seems like no one has ever been there.

Gonna go up for the Potato Bowl and have scouted out a few interesting bars and restaurants but curious if anyone has any first-hand experience with anyplace memorable.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:19 pm
by Steve of phpBB
brian wrote:So has anyone actually been to Boise? Because I've checked in with a few friends who travel for work pretty extensively and it seems like no one has ever been there.

Gonna go up for the Potato Bowl and have scouted out a few interesting bars and restaurants but curious if anyone has any first-hand experience with anyplace memorable.


I guess I've technically been there, but I've never stopped. Folks who have been there say it's a decent visit.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest there's probably not as much night life there as in Las Vegas, though.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:21 pm
by brian
Steve of phpBB wrote:
brian wrote:So has anyone actually been to Boise? Because I've checked in with a few friends who travel for work pretty extensively and it seems like no one has ever been there.

Gonna go up for the Potato Bowl and have scouted out a few interesting bars and restaurants but curious if anyone has any first-hand experience with anyplace memorable.


I guess I've technically been there, but I've never stopped. Folks who have been there say it's a decent visit.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest there's probably not as much night life there as in Las Vegas, though.


Well, alls I'm looking for is a few places with some decent food and maybe a couple awesome local breweries. Looks like there's quite a few choices downtown of the latter so I'll probably be sated regardless even if I just wing it.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:18 am
by BSF21
sancarlos wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:38 pm
mister d wrote:Also the white qualification, as the winery we were at on Long Island this past weekend was >50% asian.
There is a great winery in the Napa Valley called Brown Estate. I kid you not, it is owned and operated by an African-American family. They have a great tour and tasty high-end zinfandels.
Any other recs in Napa? We're going with another couple in October and staying in Yountville for 2 nights (San Fran the other couple days we're there).

Anything can't miss? They've been there before so we've got some built in tour guides but always looking for suggestions. We're also going to have a day to ourselves in SF if anyone's got anything out there that's can't miss and won't take up an entire day.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:27 am
by DaveInSeattle
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:18 am
sancarlos wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:38 pm
mister d wrote:Also the white qualification, as the winery we were at on Long Island this past weekend was >50% asian.
There is a great winery in the Napa Valley called Brown Estate. I kid you not, it is owned and operated by an African-American family. They have a great tour and tasty high-end zinfandels.
Any other recs in Napa? We're going with another couple in October and staying in Yountville for 2 nights (San Fran the other couple days we're there).

Anything can't miss? They've been there before so we've got some built in tour guides but always looking for suggestions. We're also going to have a day to ourselves in SF if anyone's got anything out there that's can't miss and won't take up an entire day.
Haven't been there in a long time, but the V. Sattui winery has great wine and really nice grounds for having a picnic lunch.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:31 am
by Giff
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:18 am
sancarlos wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:38 pm
mister d wrote:Also the white qualification, as the winery we were at on Long Island this past weekend was >50% asian.
There is a great winery in the Napa Valley called Brown Estate. I kid you not, it is owned and operated by an African-American family. They have a great tour and tasty high-end zinfandels.
Any other recs in Napa? We're going with another couple in October and staying in Yountville for 2 nights (San Fran the other couple days we're there).

Anything can't miss? They've been there before so we've got some built in tour guides but always looking for suggestions. We're also going to have a day to ourselves in SF if anyone's got anything out there that's can't miss and won't take up an entire day.
I can't recommend the experience at Repris enough.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:36 am
by Nonlinear FC
My suggestion with a trip to wine country - if there's a wine you tend to like or gravitate towards... hit up that place, even if it requires making a reservation.

My wife and I have been out there 3 times and one of our favorite tastings was at Frog's Leap in Rutherford. Had to book it, but it wasn't all that big of a deal. Nice little tour with one of the chief production folks and then a really relaxing, seated tasting.

Unfortunately for us, right after we went there, that place got really popular and their wine got priced out of our budget in a snap.

We went to French Laundry, which was cool for the experience, but holy fuck... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

There's also an AWESOME taqueria in Yountville... Well, this was 7 or 8 years ago, but if it's still there and you just want good food without any fuss.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:38 am
by Nonlinear FC
Also, might need to check on your state laws, but a cool service that wineries and a few packaging places in town will provide is to ship your wine home. Makes it a lot more fun when you can buy a bottle or more at the place you just tasted and not worry about your luggage weight on the way home.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:43 am
by Giff
We're spending a couple days out there next month, so will report back then as well.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:08 am
by Rush2112
SCK and I both recommend Mikkeller Bar in SF.

and why not take the 101 down to SF so you can hit up Santa Rosa and Russian River?

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:17 am
by BSF21
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:08 am SCK and I both recommend Mikkeller Bar in SF.

and why not take the 101 down to SF so you can hit up Santa Rosa and Russian River?
Flying into OAK. Have a day-2 in SF before going up to Napa for 2 days and then flying back out of OAK.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:22 am
by Rush2112
Beer Revolution in Oakland was a great little low key spot.

The Trappist, also in Oakland, is a fantastic Euro-inspired pub. Great beers and really good food.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:25 am
by Giff
If you haven't done Alcatraz, I recommend it.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:56 pm
by BSF21
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:25 am If you haven't done Alcatraz, I recommend it.
I want to but I feel like that's gonna be an all day commitment...I want to hit a lot of stuff and kind of explore if we can

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:02 pm
by L-Jam3
You could certainly do Alcatraz in the morning, so ferry there, tour, and back is less than 4 hours. If your schedule allows, AT&T Park is an absolute treat.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:02 pm
by Rush2112
I do highly recommend going up the 101 on your way to or from Napa. Muir Woods and the Presidio are both really great.

Plus you can think about what it would be like to have shit tons of money and be able to live in Marin.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:28 pm
by The Sybian
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:08 am SCK and I both recommend Mikkeller Bar in SF.

Yes! Very cool place. Just be careful, you can get a contact high from all the weed smoking on the streets in that area.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:51 pm
by duff
Nonlinear FC wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:38 am Also, might need to check on your state laws, but a cool service that wineries and a few packaging places in town will provide is to ship your wine home. Makes it a lot more fun when you can buy a bottle or more at the place you just tasted and not worry about your luggage weight on the way home.
Indiana doesn't allow residents to have alcohol shipped to their residence. Tried doing it a few years ago and the winery said that they couldn't because of Indiana's blue laws. Not sure the change recently allows it.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:57 pm
by Nonlinear FC
duff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:51 pm
Nonlinear FC wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:38 am Also, might need to check on your state laws, but a cool service that wineries and a few packaging places in town will provide is to ship your wine home. Makes it a lot more fun when you can buy a bottle or more at the place you just tasted and not worry about your luggage weight on the way home.
Indiana doesn't allow residents to have alcohol shipped to their residence. Tried doing it a few years ago and the winery said that they couldn't because of Indiana's blue laws. Not sure the change recently allows it.

Yep MD is a pain in the ass, but we have enough friends in NoVa that we just worked around it.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:12 pm
by BSF21
duff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 1:51 pm
Nonlinear FC wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:38 am Also, might need to check on your state laws, but a cool service that wineries and a few packaging places in town will provide is to ship your wine home. Makes it a lot more fun when you can buy a bottle or more at the place you just tasted and not worry about your luggage weight on the way home.
Indiana doesn't allow residents to have alcohol shipped to their residence. Tried doing it a few years ago and the winery said that they couldn't because of Indiana's blue laws. Not sure the change recently allows it.
They may have changed this by now. If all else fails I'll ship it to a friend in MI or OH and pick it up from them.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:33 pm
by wlu_lax6
2nd for Muir woods

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:49 pm
by Giff
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:56 pm
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:25 am If you haven't done Alcatraz, I recommend it.
I want to but I feel like that's gonna be an all day commitment...I want to hit a lot of stuff and kind of explore if we can
It's really not. I feel like it was < 3 hours. I never had a desire and then dragged to it once...I've been back with anyone else who's never been.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:02 pm
by govmentchedda
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:49 pm
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:56 pm
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:25 am If you haven't done Alcatraz, I recommend it.
I want to but I feel like that's gonna be an all day commitment...I want to hit a lot of stuff and kind of explore if we can
It's really not. I feel like it was < 3 hours. I never had a desire and then dragged to it once...I've been back with anyone else who's never been.
Isn't the boat ride at least 30 minutes or more each way?

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:35 pm
by Giff
govmentchedda wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:02 pm
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 2:49 pm
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:56 pm
Giff wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:25 am If you haven't done Alcatraz, I recommend it.
I want to but I feel like that's gonna be an all day commitment...I want to hit a lot of stuff and kind of explore if we can
It's really not. I feel like it was < 3 hours. I never had a desire and then dragged to it once...I've been back with anyone else who's never been.
Isn't the boat ride at least 30 minutes or more each way?
Alcatraz Cruises says you can stay all day, but plan on 2.5-3 hours. I still say it's worth it.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:41 pm
by sancarlos
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:18 am
sancarlos wrote: Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:38 pm
mister d wrote:Also the white qualification, as the winery we were at on Long Island this past weekend was >50% asian.
There is a great winery in the Napa Valley called Brown Estate. I kid you not, it is owned and operated by an African-American family. They have a great tour and tasty high-end zinfandels.
Any other recs in Napa? We're going with another couple in October and staying in Yountville for 2 nights (San Fran the other couple days we're there).

Anything can't miss? They've been there before so we've got some built in tour guides but always looking for suggestions. We're also going to have a day to ourselves in SF if anyone's got anything out there that's can't miss and won't take up an entire day.
Oh, yeah. I go to Sonoma more than Napa, but there are many great ones to visit. We do the wine country frequently. Avoid the big crowds at places like Beringer, Beaulieu and Ferrari Carrano. In Napa, we like Brown, Failla, Bueller, and Storybook Mountain the best. If you go to Calistoga, do the mud baths and massage! And, Dick Vermeil has a wine tasting room in town (you can take a photo with his cutout!). In Sonoma, go for Merry Edwards, Furthermore, Joseph Swan, Benziger and Porter Creek. Some for the tours and some for the wines. I'm probably forgetting some. Check out their websites for descriptions of what they do best, but I can tell you those are all primarily red wine houses.

Also, if you have time to kill, send me a PM and I'll meet you for a drink. I live a half-hour south of SF.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:13 pm
by cerrano
following mrs. cerrano down to nawlins for her ala conference in 2 weeks (Friday to Monday) and will spend 75% on my own due to her schedule down there.

never been before, but i think we have a reservation at commander's palace with a bunch of librarians, and not sure where else. since im on my own most of the day, what do I have to see down there, which bars should i be drinking at? what would be your go to places?

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:29 pm
by Rush2112
Mrs. Cerrano is a librarian? I've only been to local ALAs, they send us systems people to the tech conferences in excellent places like Orlando! and Jacksonville!

Be sure to hit up the conference wine and cheese night!

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:37 pm
by cerrano
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:29 pm Mrs. Cerrano is a librarian? I've only been to local ALAs, they send us systems people to the tech conferences in excellent places like Orlando! and Jacksonville!

Be sure to hit up the conference wine and cheese night!
yuppers. she's a middle school librarian and the vp of njasl this year. she be on the come up in the school library world. i'm just riding her coattails.

"i came all the way to new orleans and all i got was this conference brie shirt."

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:38 am
by Rush2112
Coolio. I got into libraries because of the prodding of a school librarian when I was teaching but never thought once about going that route. Too many budget woes. I have a friend that's a school librarian and she had to look and look and basically got the position because she's also got her Masters in school counseling.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 6:11 am
by govmentchedda
cerrano wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:13 pm following mrs. cerrano down to nawlins for her ala conference in 2 weeks (Friday to Monday) and will spend 75% on my own due to her schedule down there.

never been before, but i think we have a reservation at commander's palace with a bunch of librarians, and not sure where else. since im on my own most of the day, what do I have to see down there, which bars should i be drinking at? what would be your go to places?
Feel like we just did NOLA on here (for TT, maybe?). dba in the Marigny had great live music, and anything on Frenchman Street is a step less touristy than Bourbon, but the secret is definitely out. Mother's, near the French Quarter, is really good for diner type food, there's usually a long line. I really like the chargrilled oysters at Drago's at the bottom of one of the taller hotels at the end of Canal St. near the river. Carousel bar is pretty great. You probably ought to hit up Cafe Du Monde at least once as well. You really can't go wrong there for food and drink.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 6:39 am
by rass
cerrano wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:13 pm following mrs. cerrano down to nawlins for her ala conference in 2 weeks (Friday to Monday) and will spend 75% on my own due to her schedule down there.

never been before, but i think we have a reservation at commander's palace with a bunch of librarians, and not sure where else. since im on my own most of the day, what do I have to see down there, which bars should i be drinking at? what would be your go to places?
The untold tragedy of Katrina is that I was supposed to make a trip down there under similar circumstances, and my wife's conference got cancelled in the aftermath of the storm. She was already pregnant that fall, and we had our first kid the following February, so it was to be my last great hurrah before fatherhood. Still haven't been to NO.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:22 am
by brian
govmentchedda wrote: Fri Jun 08, 2018 6:11 am
cerrano wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:13 pm following mrs. cerrano down to nawlins for her ala conference in 2 weeks (Friday to Monday) and will spend 75% on my own due to her schedule down there.

never been before, but i think we have a reservation at commander's palace with a bunch of librarians, and not sure where else. since im on my own most of the day, what do I have to see down there, which bars should i be drinking at? what would be your go to places?
Feel like we just did NOLA on here (for TT, maybe?). dba in the Marigny had great live music, and anything on Frenchman Street is a step less touristy than Bourbon, but the secret is definitely out. Mother's, near the French Quarter, is really good for diner type food, there's usually a long line. I really like the chargrilled oysters at Drago's at the bottom of one of the taller hotels at the end of Canal St. near the river. Carousel bar is pretty great. You probably ought to hit up Cafe Du Monde at least once as well. You really can't go wrong there for food and drink.
We'd probably hang out together quite well in NOLA. To this list, I'd add if you're looking for a great dive type places to get some great Creole food, hit up Coop's Place on Decatur. For recommendations on bars I don't really have any because my normal MO is to just stagger into a place for awhile until I get the urge to hit up another place and that usually only takes a drink or two. Still if you've never been, don't deprive yourself of a hurricane at Pat O'Brien's though. Yes, it's touristy, yes, it's not as cheap as some other places, but it's an experience. Don't shy away from the gay section of Bourbon Street either. They make some great drinks with infused vodka at Napoleon's Itch. The bartender/owner there is a really great guy.

Re: Swamp Travel Guide

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:53 am
by HaulCitgo
brian wrote: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:22 am We'd probably hang out together quite well in NOLA. To this list, I'd add if you're looking for a great dive type places to get some great Creole food, hit up Coop's Place on Decatur. For recommendations on bars I don't really have any because my normal MO is to just stagger into a place for awhile until I get the urge to hit up another place and that usually only takes a drink or two. Still if you've never been, don't deprive yourself of a hurricane at Pat O'Brien's though. Yes, it's touristy, yes, it's not as cheap as some other places, but it's an experience. Don't shy away from the gay section of Bourbon Street either. They make some great drinks with infused vodka at Napoleon's Itch. The bartender/owner there is a really great guy.
Unless you want to be killed. Bullets, that is, not wrath of god. Was there some days after pulse and it was palpably uncomfortable. Mostly because of the armed guards. I say walk and follow the music. Transport and follow the music. Pretty much follow the music. And its hot as fuck. Id go swimsuit and bare chest. See what kind of friends you can make.