OT Vacation Plans? (2 Viewers)

[HailBlazers]

Nope. Unregulated capitalism is killing the American dream.

 

[bigbailes]

Anyone here been to Austin, TX? Apparently, that's our next destination. May SRV rest in peace.

Austin nightlife is far superior with downtown having a number of different areas with different vibes depending on your mood. It does feel like Portland with the trees and general attitude of the city. Toss in things like the LBJ museum and history of UT campus. Plus there is Lady Bird lake, and Lake Travis, along with some cool swimming holes and awesome hikes. That's not even to get into the BBQ (LA BBQ is my personal favorite, Franklin has the name and is good but you'll spend 3 hours in line and have to get there as the sun rises, Black's is great dino beef rib and pretty solid on everything else, while Salt Lick is 40 minute drive but has the best atmosphere and laid back vibe while walking past the open pit as you walk in.) That said the Tex-Mex food is average in Austin (and don't dare call it true Mexican food or people around here will fight you.)

San Antonio is alright, the Riverwalk is cool for the boat/architecture tour but the restaurants are almost all of the chain and boring variety. The rest of downtown is pretty non-descript outside a couple cool churches to look at and the Alamo will be much smaller than you think. I actually preferred doing the hop on/off trolley tour of the other missions around the city over the Alamo. It's worth seeing but sad that all around it is just tourist trap garbage.

I will say if you're going to do Austin, you might as well hit up SA as well and there are some cool spots inbetween and it's only 80 miles from one downtown to the other. Gruene (pronounced Green) is a tiny town right off I35 that has an iconic music hall and some good restaurants sitting right on a river. Plus it's the same exit as Bucee's ... maybe the most Texas thing of all time. Basically the biggest convenience store you'll ever experience. It's loud, brash, oversized but has almost anything you could ever want from a pit stop and the cleanest bathrooms you'll find at any highway stop.

 

[ABM]

Austin nightlife is far superior with downtown having a number of different areas with different vibes depending on your mood. It does feel like Portland with the trees and general attitude of the city. Toss in things like the LBJ museum and history of UT campus. Plus there is Lady Bird lake, and Lake Travis, along with some cool swimming holes and awesome hikes. That's not even to get into the BBQ (LA BBQ is my personal favorite, Franklin has the name and is good but you'll spend 3 hours in line and have to get there as the sun rises, Black's is great dino beef rib and pretty solid on everything else, while Salt Lick is 40 minute drive but has the best atmosphere and laid back vibe while walking past the open pit as you walk in.) That said the Tex-Mex food is average in Austin (and don't dare call it true Mexican food or people around here will fight you.)

San Antonio is alright, the Riverwalk is cool for the boat/architecture tour but the restaurants are almost all of the chain and boring variety. The rest of downtown is pretty non-descript outside a couple cool churches to look at and the Alamo will be much smaller than you think. I actually preferred doing the hop on/off trolley tour of the other missions around the city over the Alamo. It's worth seeing but sad that all around it is just tourist trap garbage.

I will say if you're going to do Austin, you might as well hit up SA as well and there are some cool spots inbetween and it's only 80 miles from one downtown to the other. Gruene (pronounced Green) is a tiny town right off I35 that has an iconic music hall and some good restaurants sitting right on a river. Plus it's the same exit as Bucee's ... maybe the most Texas thing of all time. Basically the biggest convenience store you'll ever experience. It's loud, brash, oversized but has almost anything you could ever want from a pit stop and the cleanest bathrooms you'll find at any highway stop.

Man, thanks for that! Duly c&pasted! Fronklin's is on my bucket list, but not to that extent. We'll definitely hit up some night life in Austin. The museum sounds cool. Funny you should mention Bucee's. They're building one of thos in Murfreesboro, TN (where I live) and it's supposed to be the largest in the nation. I'm hearing 240 pumps, but I could be wrong. I've also heard that they don't allow trucks. As large as they are, that seems strange to me as there would be a significant amount of lost profit opportunities in that regard.

 

[bigbailes]

Man, thanks for that! Duly c&pasted! Fronklin's is on my bucket list, but not to that extent. We'll definitely hit up some night life in Austin. The museum sounds cool. Funny you should mention Bucee's. They're building one of thos in Murfreesboro, TN (where I live) and it's supposed to be the largest in the nation. I'm hearing 240 pumps, but I could be wrong. I've also heard that they don't allow trucks. As large as they are, that seems strange to me as there would be a significant amount of lost profit opportunities in that regard.

Yea Bucees is a thing to behold ... the one at that exit between Austin/SA is currently the largest one in their chain and I think has 120 gas pumps, so 240 is quite the jump! I will say the Tex-Mex in SA is better than Austin but Austin does have some decent spots. I always had more luck in East Austin, where you get more of the hole in the wall joints, plus that's where Franklins/LA is as well.

 

[bigbailes]

Do NY, Boston, Philly and Atlantic City/Jersey Shore! I wanted to hit up the Jersey Shore this summer, but probably not. Wanna go to Philly to do a cheesesteak tour.

Did that trip with some buddies close to 15 years ago. Started in DC/Balt, then to AC, Philly, Cooperstown, Springfield, Boston and finally NYC. It was a great baseball trip with a ton of good food mixed in. Did the Pats/Ginos double header while in Philly and it was delicious but we were only there for the day.

 

[Shaboid]

Did that trip with some buddies close to 15 years ago. Started in DC/Balt, then to AC, Philly, Cooperstown, Springfield, Boston and finally NYC. It was a great baseball trip with a ton of good food mixed in. Did the Pats/Ginos double header while in Philly and it was delicious but we were only there for the day.

We did a similar baseball trip right after my HS graduation. Starting in DC/Baltimore, Philly, both NY teams, then Boston to finish it off. What a blast that was.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Breakfast tacos are the thing to get in Austin too. In town, there are several spots that are good. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-breakfast-taco-in-austin

I went here. Its a little out of the way but its worth it. https://www.valentinastexmexbbq.com/

I hit up the tourist trap restaurants too. Matt's Famous El Rancho and Magnolia Cafe. Matts was pretty good, a bit chain-y. I really liked the Migas (chips and eggs) at Magnolia, and its right on South Congress Street.

 

[ABM]

Yea Bucees is a thing to behold ... the one at that exit between Austin/SA is currently the largest one in their chain and I think has 120 gas pumps, so 240 is quite the jump! I will say the Tex-Mex in SA is better than Austin but Austin does have some decent spots. I always had more luck in East Austin, where you get more of the hole in the wall joints, plus that's where Franklins/LA is as well.

I make a little dish, not sure what to call it. It's never the same ingredients. However, the concept is consistent. Usually involves leftovers. I'm making it this evening. Tonight, will be leftover smoked chicken breasts. (Could be cooked beef, pork, seafood, whatever). I cut those up unto bite-sized pieces. These were well seasoned when smoked, so don't need to add anymore spices. If I wanted, I could add a bit of cumin and chii powder, or ?? when cooking the veggies. I usually use a large cast iron skillet. I begin by stir-frying any vegetables I have on hand. Tonight will be some chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, diced jalapeno, small broccoli flowerettes, and mushroom slices. Once at the al dente stage, I add the chicken and come cooked rice until all is sufficiently heated through. I then throw cheddar/jack over all of that, slap the skillet into a 350 oven until the cheese is thoroughly melted. Pull it out and serve with tortilla chips, guac, salsa, and sour cream. The idea is to scoop the meat/cheese/rice mixure with a large chip, then top with any of the cold ingredients. It's pretty tasty.

 

[ABM]

I make a little dish, not sure what to call it. It's never the same ingredients. However, the concept is consistent. Usually involves leftovers. I'm making it this evening. Tonight, will be leftover smoked chicken breasts. (Could be cooked beef, pork, seafood, whatever). I cut those up unto bite-sized pieces. These were well seasoned when smoked, so don't need to add anymore spices. If I wanted, I could add a bit of cumin and chii powder, or ?? when cooking the veggies. I usually use a large cast iron skillet. I begin by stir-frying any vegetables I have on hand. Tonight will be some chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, diced jalapeno, small broccoli flowerettes, and mushroom slices. Once at the al dente stage, I add the chicken and come cooked rice until all is sufficiently heated through. I then throw cheddar/jack over all of that, slap the skillet into a 350 oven until the cheese is thoroughly melted. Pull it out and serve with tortilla chips, guac, salsa, and sour cream. The idea is to scoop the meat/cheese/rice mixure with a large chip, then top with any of the cold ingredients. It's pretty tasty.

Freakin' killing this thing...

 

[Lanny]

Austin nightlife is far superior with downtown having a number of different areas with different vibes depending on your mood. It does feel like Portland with the trees and general attitude of the city. Toss in things like the LBJ museum and history of UT campus. Plus there is Lady Bird lake, and Lake Travis, along with some cool swimming holes and awesome hikes. That's not even to get into the BBQ (LA BBQ is my personal favorite, Franklin has the name and is good but you'll spend 3 hours in line and have to get there as the sun rises, Black's is great dino beef rib and pretty solid on everything else, while Salt Lick is 40 minute drive but has the best atmosphere and laid back vibe while walking past the open pit as you walk in.) That said the Tex-Mex food is average in Austin (and don't dare call it true Mexican food or people around here will fight you.)

San Antonio is alright, the Riverwalk is cool for the boat/architecture tour but the restaurants are almost all of the chain and boring variety. The rest of downtown is pretty non-descript outside a couple cool churches to look at and the Alamo will be much smaller than you think. I actually preferred doing the hop on/off trolley tour of the other missions around the city over the Alamo. It's worth seeing but sad that all around it is just tourist trap garbage.

I will say if you're going to do Austin, you might as well hit up SA as well and there are some cool spots inbetween and it's only 80 miles from one downtown to the other. Gruene (pronounced Green) is a tiny town right off I35 that has an iconic music hall and some good restaurants sitting right on a river. Plus it's the same exit as Bucee's ... maybe the most Texas thing of all time. Basically the biggest convenience store you'll ever experience. It's loud, brash, oversized but has almost anything you could ever want from a pit stop and the cleanest bathrooms you'll find at any highway stop.

Lying sack of shit, nothing but nothing can touch Texas BBQ and Austin has some of the best. Other than the Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Crown Point, Hwy 101, all the green trees and great drinking water, steel head and salmon and variety of natural beauty what does Oregon have?

 

[bigbailes]

Lying sack of shit, nothing but nothing can touch Texas BBQ and Austin has some of the best. Other than the Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Crown Point, Hwy 101, all the green trees and great drinking water, steel head and salmon and variety of natural beauty what does Oregon have?

Well that seems like a really aggressive response and I'm not even sure why I was quoted but I guess you do you sir!

 

[ABM]

Well that seems like a really aggressive response and I'm not even sure why I was quoted but I guess you do you sir!

Lanny means well. He's tops in my book. Take those last reprimands of his with a grain of Eastern Oregon wheat. I'm pretty certain that's the way it was meant.

 

[bigbailes]

Lanny means well. He's tops in my book. Take those last reprimands of his with a grain of Eastern Oregon wheat. I'm pretty certain that's the way it was meant.

Only thing I can think of is he thought I was comparing Austin/SA to Portland/Oregon but it's a thread about Vacation Plans ... so whatever. Not the first time he's come after something I've posted and hopefully won't be the last.

 

[ABM]

Only thing I can think of is he thought I was comparing Austin/SA to Portland/Oregon but it's a thread about Vacation Plans ... so whatever. Not the first time he's come after something I've posted and hopefully won't be the last.

Yeah, I'm sure it's no big deal. I mean, you're pretty bailsey.

 

[donkiez]

Looks cold back in Portland. We are in Charleston right now visiting some family. It's warm and sunny. Probably going to have a pool day.

 

[donkiez]

Made it to Florence. Airline lost our luggage so that is fun. Spent the first part of the first day shopping for stuff we need. Had some good wine and pasta last night can't complain about that. So many people here also and it appears Europe is done with the masks everywhere. No one wears them here except a very few and some service staff.

 

[Lanny]

Well that seems like a really aggressive response and I'm not even sure why I was quoted but I guess you do you sir!

I wouldn't talk that way to anyone except someone I liked.

 

[Lanny]

Only thing I can think of is he thought I was comparing Austin/SA to Portland/Oregon but it's a thread about Vacation Plans ... so whatever. Not the first time he's come after something I've posted and hopefully won't be the last.

It was intended in good jest.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Made it to Florence. Airline lost our luggage so that is fun. Spent the first part of the first day shopping for stuff we need. Had some good wine and pasta last night can't complain about that. So many people here also and it appears Europe is done with the masks everywhere. No one wears them here except a very few and some service staff.

Yeah, same mask vibes when I was in London last November.

This is on my list.

 

[donkiez]

Yeah, same mask vibes when I was in London last November.

This is on my list.

Damn man, great recommendation! Just got back from there and it was crazy good. The bread was a little harder than I expected but still great. I got the Favalosa and inferno, ate inferno and am saving the Favalosa for later. Probably could have been smarter than going there for Easter as the line was 45 minutes even with three All’Antico Vinaio shop fronts, but I get the feeling there is always a line.

In other news our hotel/apt over looks the Duomo square so we got the watch the Easter cart explosion from the best seat in the house, which was a lot of fun. We didn't even know that's what they did for Easter. It was a great show.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Damn man, great recommendation! Just got back from there and it was crazy good. The bread was a little harder than I expected but still great. I got the Favalosa and inferno, ate inferno and am saving the Favalosa for later. Probably could have been smarter than going there for Easter as the line was 45 minutes even with three All’Antico Vinaio shop fronts, but I get the feeling there is always a line.

In other news our hotel/apt over looks the Duomo square so we got the watch the Easter cart explosion from the best seat in the house, which was a lot of fun. We didn't even know that's what they did for Easter. It was a great show.

Make sure you find a good spot for Bistecca a la Fiorentina (huge ass steak from Chianna Cows). I had some bad versions (in Florence) and an awesome version (in Tuscany), so always do the research.

Also recommend checking out Santa Maria Novella's main perfumery. Its just a perfume/colgone store but its pretty old school inside.

https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/florence-santa-maria-novella-pharmacy.html

 

[donkiez]

Make sure you find a good spot for Bistecca a la Fiorentina (huge ass steak from Chianna Cows). I had some bad versions (in Florence) and an awesome version (in Tuscany), so always do the research.

Also recommend checking out Santa Maria Novella's main perfumery. Its just a perfume/colgone store but its pretty old school inside.

https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/florence-santa-maria-novella-pharmacy.html

We had a pretty average steak last night. Just picked a spot that looked good and we were disappointed. Since then I've seen lots of bistecca restaurants with dry aged beef in the windows that look better than our spot, so we will read up and try again. So far even the bad food here is pretty good though.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Went here out in Tuscany. It was awesome. Wine, fresh made pasta and the steak

https://www.poderetorricella.net/it/il-ristorante/

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Moon and Turtle.

Pineapples.

Hilo Bay Cafe.

Three great meals. Two days. Amongst the best restaurants on the Big Island (been to all three multiple times$.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Heading to Germany and Burgundy (France) next month.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

In researching Ibiza, I really fucked up by not going here in my 20s/30s when I was single.

 

[donkiez]

Make sure you find a good spot for Bistecca a la Fiorentina (huge ass steak from Chianna Cows). I had some bad versions (in Florence) and an awesome version (in Tuscany), so always do the research.

Also recommend checking out Santa Maria Novella's main perfumery. Its just a perfume/colgone store but its pretty old school inside.

https://www.italyperfect.com/blog/florence-santa-maria-novella-pharmacy.html

Checked out the pharmacy today. Really cool stop but I was irritable from not getting my coffee and breakfast first. Going back later this week.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Checked out the pharmacy today. Really cool stop but I was irritable from not getting my coffee and breakfast first. Going back later this week.

they have weird things you can't get at their stockists in the US I believe. Stuff like licorice and stuff. Stuff is extremely expensive. I used to get the poupourri and my wife HATES the scent I got there (Spanish Leather or something). I bought the Russa there when I visited, its a more neutral scent. That spanish leather is really aggressive.

 

[donkiez]

In researching Ibiza, I really fucked up by not going here in my 20s/30s when I was single.

Sand to a beach. Could be worse you could have been married in your 20s and took her. I thought you had been there? It's always been known for an epic party spot.

I brought a gf to Rio when I was 30. Regretted most of it and split shortly after.

 

[donkiez]

they have weird things you can't get at their stockists in the US I believe. Stuff like licorice and stuff. Stuff is extremely expensive. I used to get the poupourri and my wife HATES the scent I got there (Spanish Leather or something). I bought the Russa there when I visited, its a more neutral scent. That spanish leather is really aggressive.

I'm looking for a good gift for my wife since she couldn't come this trip. I was thinking something leather but might go for a unique scent or something there instead. No matter what I get I will probably screw it up so might as well make it unique