What is Your Favorite Vacation Spot (and what is on your BBQ and in your glass)?
Mates,
Another summer weekend is here. We were swimming in a local lake and then I just had an ice cream cone, the kind you get up north, where a 'small' is the size of the Bell Tower down in AA. Vacation time is usually summer time and it got me to thinking, if/when you get to go on a vacation, what is your favorite place to do so? Is there a country/city/lake that has been your 'go to' spot when you could slip away? Is there a long-held family place that holds special memories and you want your kids to have some of that, too? Or maybe there's some exotic places you've been or are headed to that were dynamite.
Tonight's questions are:
1. What is your favorite vacation spot, and why, what makes it your favorite?
2. What is on your BBQ and/or in your cup, perhaps even an adult beverage in your vicinity?
Have a great weekend,
XM
We just did a week in Covington, VA...Cliffside Inn...a golf resort on the Jackson River...with most of my wife's family. A lovely area...very, very lovely area. From there were drove to Copper Harbor for a week at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge with a couple of my sibs. Again, a most delightful place and area.
Now, I just asked my wife what/where she would pick as our all-time favorite-and we agree. We have only been there once...3 years ago for two weeks. Really, even though it would ruin what is special about it, everyone should experience this place---Vancouver Island.
I would say though, the three weeks we spent in Laos and Vietnam a couple years ago were most remarkable as well.
Last evening my brother called to invite us to go to the Mulhouse, France area with them and my sister and her husband-next May...an area where he spent a year or two as a young adult on a work study program. We will probably go.
Edit: Should give an Honorable Mention to Belize, San Pedro/Ambergris Caye. Spectacular snorkeling.
Love the UP. Have rented a cabin in Grand Marais many times.
Pouring myself a chocolate cheesecake milkshake stout.
1. St Thomas US Virgin Islands
2. Grilled some Wahl burgers with a Belgian homebrew in hand.
Sipping on a pour of John J Bowman Single Barrel 100 proof 🥃👍
Just got back from there. First time. Magens Bay Beach probably the best beach I’ve ever been on. It was like being in a pool, water crystal clear and Bushwackers flowing!
Glad you liked it. Been there a couple times. Lifelong best friend has timeshare condo at the Marriott which are amazing. Also stayed on Morningstar Beach for his youngest daughter's wedding who is also my goddaughter. Everywhere on the island is beautiful. Bolango is a fun spot and taking the ferry to St John's for the day is highly recommended. Back to back hurricanes devastated St Thomas a few years back. Slowly coming around.
Vacay: Greece (all of it)
BBQ: fresh sea trout
I used to love Cedarville/Hessel in the UP. The family cottage there pooped out. These days Alpena and Glen Arbor are my favs.
I don't drink much these days(I'm old). I like Bud or Dirty blond(Basic beer).
I like anything on the grill or BBQ'ed. We live for the summer in Michigan so do every thang outside ya can.
Favorite vacation spot for my selfish self is a Canadian Shield lake with muskies. Preferably Lake of the Woods. In the US with the fam, Colorado up in the mountains somewhere is tough to beat. Going to try with Montana soon.
I like brisket. Also chicken wings. And in my glass is a good bourbon. It’s what I’m drinking now.
Which bourbon are you drinking?
Any suggestions???
Good allocated Bourbons are hard to come by these days. Old Forrester is a favorite for the money. Pound for pound hard to beat. Great in a cocktail or however you like it. They have several special offerings like the 1920 edition that are fantastic for the money. Typically start with one on the rocks with a splash of cola then enjoy one on the rocks, then neat, then sipping straight out the bottle.
Can't go wrong with Old Forester. Got one on the shelf.
Really like Old Forester. Have a bottle of 1920 stashed away.
1. Best family weekend was in Monterosso al Mare while in Italy. Great food, great weather and great people. Close second in Stratton, VE.
2. Pulled pork via pork shoulder on an Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco. So simple, flavor is great, and leftovers are easy. Sweetwater 420 Strain on tap right now.
Headed to monterosso In a month. Any recommendations?
1. If you hike to the other towns, be prepared for the heat and few service options in other towns.
2. Masseria il Frantoio - excellent, more formal dinner service.
3. Trattoria Da Oscar - lively, casual seafood.
4. Alcohol, grocery and general retail are very limited.
5. Beach and people are very accessible & informal.
[3 years and 1 pandemic later, not sure what businesses have changed.]
Ketchup and Metamucil.
You maniac!
Too much moving around—with my family when I was a kid (a different place every 2 years), on my own for decades, and again with my own family— to have a special spot to return to.
So 10 favorite places, most of them because of family together:
Ann Arbor
Barcelona
Chicago
Coos Bay
Corsica
Lanai
London
Mt. Hood
New Mexico
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
Spain is my place. Dropped out of Michigan to go to Barcelona in the early 80s, and only came back to preserve my scholarship. Go there whenever I can.
At home we love to get up very early and drive to Apalachicola, Fl for breakfast, spend the day at the St. Joe state park, and then stop at Indian Pass for oysters on the way home. It’s like a whole vacation in a day.
Ah yes...St. Joe Peninsula Park-before Hurricane Michael destroyed it. It has to be in the running for one of the greatest beaches in the world-we would walk miles and miles, playing in the water...all to ourselves! We loved staying in the cabins on the bay side. Meet the shrimp boat coming in with the nights catch and gorge ourselves with a wonderful boil. Oh my.
Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island. It is a HUGE resort with everything you need for the entire family. There is tram and water taxi that goes from one end of the resort to the other. There are a ton of shops and restaurants near by, so you are not stuck with expensive resort prices.
In the ponds are hundreds of exotic tropical fishes. The pools are huge and have great water slides. There is a man made lagoon where a family of dolphins are kept (you can swim with them for a price). The swimmable part of the lagoon is gentle enough for even the most novice of swimmers. There is even a family of sea turtles that come in everyday to feed. You can swim with the sea turtles as much as your heart desires.
If your a seasoned snorkeler, the open water in front of the resort is the BEST snorkeling spot I have ever seen (Hawaii/Caribbean). There are schools and schools of fishes in packs of numbers that you rarely see anywhere else.
I haven't been to a lot of places in Maui and Waikoloa is both cheaper and better in almost every aspect. If you are looking for a family vacation spot, this place is hard to beat.
Snorkeled there also loved it.Also snorkeled a spot the locals called two step,it was like being in an acquarium and a bit overwhelming
There are some great nominations here, many of which I love and would visit again without hesitation or regret. But the most fabulous vacation I have ever been on is Morelia, MX. The city itself is a UN World Heritage site, the surrounding towns are charming with astounding artists and artisans, but the Monarch butterfly reserves in the nearby mountains are magical and stunning.
Tragically, the State Department says it is not safe to travel there now. But if it becomes safe again, it is a Bucket List destination. FYI, I cannot recommend the hotel Villa Montagna highly enough.
If you avoid all the places the State Dept claims are travel risks you will miss the best of what the world has to offer 😉
That is definitely in the back of my mind. You only live once, and I've got twice as many years behind me as in front of me on a best case scenario. So screw the warnings from Foggy Bottom.
1) So far, I love taking the family to North Myrtle Beach (Specifically Cherry Grove Beach). We always drive down through Kentucky and Tennessee and stay a couple days in Gatlinburg to see the National Park. The whole trip is relaxing and the kids absolutely love it. I’ve never been out west, so we’re planning our next trip to be Oregon Trail themed.
2) Gotta have some Coors Light (Or even Banquet) on hand.
Don't die of dysentery!!
1/just spent 10 days in satellite beach with my wives cousin so I’m recency bias but we have a place up in Smuggler notch we’ve had great times at as a family.
2/made a couple racks of St. Louis cut ribs secret rub but one had a homemade mustard based Carolina sauce and one I did with a more traditional sauce I make with cider vinegar and molasses
3/ I turned 40 this week and the wife got me a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue which I’m partaking in at the moment.
where/what state is satellite beach and smuggler notch?
Satellite beach is in Florida, Smugglers notch is in Vermont. Great Skiing over by Stratton.
Is the apostrophe before or after the s on wives?
Vacation used to be Currituck on the OBX before our son passed. These days, it’s Pisgah. My wife and I love the gravel biking there .
Tonight is all about Horse Solider bourbon. Last weekend was brisket on the smoker.
Re Q#2, flank steak seasoned only with Himalayan salt, on a salad of mixed greens, arugula, romaine and basil from our garden, plus a few things we didn't grow, topped with EVOO and Fustini's chocolate balsamic.
Started with a Reyka Vodka martini, a Syltbar prosecco during dinner, a couple of Sazeracs for dessert, and now sipping on a nice Italian red from Cantoro Market.
1) Taos, NM, artsy/hippie/mountain/ski town. Sante Fe's smaller and more outdoorsy (camp/hike/ski) cousin. Have airbnb'd/camped several different spots both in and outside of town, including an earthship (look it up!) and what had to have been my favorite outdoors shower of all time, overlooking both the mountains and sunsets on the plateau! Shoutout to Michael's Kitchen! Might as well hit up Ojo Caliente natural hot springs and check out the Rio Grande bridge/ or camp in the gorge while you're in the vicinity.
2) Been drinking down the low-fills in my whiskey collection in preparation for an upcoming move, sipping on Pikesville Rye tonight from Heaven Hill (6-yr age statement, 110 proof, Maryland-style rye) on a single big square ice cube. Solid, I like my ryes more than my bourbons these days and this one delivers for ~$50, would shine in a cocktail, think it's awful dangerous for the proof to sip on, balanced spice.
Double-fisting with a Fat Tire because it's what the roommate offered and yard work was extra thirsty work. First I've had in from New Belgium in years! Still decent, but there are so many better local options these days. As in Michigan and so many other parts of the country, we live in the beer times, at epicenters of the best and best selection of beer we the consumer have had on offer. Sad to hear about OG Stone selling, but can't begrudge a company for doing what they think is best either. 3 shrugs out of 10.
Grill-wise, going all out for an end of the week solo dinner: 1-day dry-brined 24 oz. ribeye, roasted sweet corn and sweet potato, sauteed onions/mushrooms/garlic done in butter/olive oil 50/50 in the same cast iron as the ribeye to catch all that fond while letting the steak rest, red wine and worcestershire reduction, aiming for mid-rare (thanks thermapen!)
Fishing in Alaska. Brisket. Corona
love the last frontier, have been many times and have dear friends who live there.
I like Glacier National park and Whitefish, MY. I had brisket and 2 porters yesterday.
We are mainly a Michigan camping family but I have been all over Italy and several other states in the good ole U S of A. I can say some of the most beautiful places I have been to are in my own state. I am currently wrapping up a week long trip at one of my most favorite places which is Young State park in Boyne City. Lake Charlevoix is beautiful and there is always something to do…if you are the type that can’t just sit. Also, many of the other beautiful northern MI spots are not too far away if we want to take a day trip.
Nothing on the bbq but did do a delicious pork shoulder right before leaving. I have done about a dozen of them and this one turned perfect.
Water tonight but I drank enough this past week to cover a good month or so.
Currently whitefish point for the endless beach walks with rock hunting, throwing, etc. and waterfalls nearby but leaving in 13 days for a three week trip to glacier, Banff, Jasper so my answer may change shortly, haha.
drinking a yeti of mount gay and coke. Listening to Bob Marley
Belgrade--Sarajevo--Dubrovnik.
Most are familiar with Dubrovnik because of GoT, but a really cool old town along the Adriatic coast.
Belgrade has some cool underrated history and a great party scene.
Sarajevo is the point on a map where Islam meets Christian Orthodoxy meets Catholicism. Also some remarkable history (most of it sad) and a former Olympic site. You can literally walk down the bobsled run in the mountains.
Great areas to visit if you want to get off the beaten tourist path (minus Dubrovnik).
That sounds like a great trip. The Balkans are full of history and (seem to be) underrated destinations. Belgrade is a city I’d really like to visit.
1: Love going to Seward area in Alaska, great fishing and hiking. As far as the lower 48, really can’t beat anywhere in Colorado, Jekyll island, GA or the Keys.
2: Drinking some Kissing Cousins whiskey by Journeyman Distillery from Three Oaks, MI
Lefay Lago di Garda. Spectacular scenery, great food and wine.
No BBQ, but 2020 Terlan Quarz is in my glass
1. Colorado—especially Georgetown, my boyhood summer-long vacation spot—and southern canyon country in Utah.
2. Bloodys with a couple of good friends. ZingZang is an excellent bloody mix.
Late to the party but:
1) If you’re asking about a favorite place where my family would vacation regularly, then that would have to be Petoskey. We spent a couple summers up there when I was growing up and to me, it is one of the best places to be in this country during the summer.
If you’re asking about my most favorite place I’ve ever vacation, that would be Positano, Italy. Spent a few days there with my wife a few years ago and it was beautiful. Took a day trip to Ravello and that was amazing as well. One of my favorite experiences ever was buying a couple bottles of wine, heading down to the local’s beach just past the downtown Positano area, sitting out on the beach, and just drinking and talking with my wife until the sun went down, all while taking in some of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait until our kids are old enough to where I don’t feel guilty about dropping them off with the grandparents for a week or two so we can go back.
2) Nothing was on the grill last night. Just made some Cajun andouille pasta and threw in a smidge of Italian sausage as well for some extra flavor. Tonight is fajitas. We’ll get some skirt steak on the grill later this afternoon, but not before sitting in a good cilantro jalapeño marinade for a while.
Ludington. Spend a week on Lake Michigan with big stretches of beach to yourself. Work up the nerve to hit the water depending on the time of year.
I don't bbq on vacation. I find people to cook for me. I do take my Blackstone with me.
I pick up a bottle of Eagle Rare for that vacation.
I did spend 10 days in a cottage on the Straits one summer. 500yds from the bridge. Now that water I never challenged. I would be there every year in a heartbeat.
From southern Indiana. For me, as a sports fan, can't beat a weekend in detroit/Ann Arbor. You guys still up there better not take it for granted lol.
Last night was two hot dogs and Busch Light at Bosse Field.
Ft Walton,Destin love it there,been to Hawaii twice Big Island and Oahu and have never wished to live there.I could move to the panhandle yesterday.
Went to Munich and Prague in 99 loved it however flying Czech Air from Munich to Prague on old Soviet aircraft was an experience I do not want to recreate.
1. Northern Michigan. Specifically Boyne City and boating on Lake Charlevoix
2. Haven’t decided yet. I’m thinking about a spare slab. My youngest doesn’t care for pork and he just got his wisdom teeth pulled so it’s the perfect time for it. Then I have to decide which smoker to use.
3. Two hearted with a dram of Ardbeg to end the day.