Tagged With "17 Mile Drive"
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Re: 12 Countries ask vouchers instead of refunds
In a conversation with Travel Rob last week, I set out my minimum conditions before a bailout or other relief can be discussed: 1) All boarding to be by efficiency, no priority for anyone except physical need 2) minimum one free checked bag for all flights over 250 miles (under 250, you should drive or take a train, anyway) 3) elimination of most nuisance fees 4) minimum 32" pitch with no more than 2" recline 5) 20-year cap on exec salaries...CEO to earn max 20x full-time flight attendant...
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Re: France: Cameras are watching more than speed
I'm very wary of surveillance when it applies at an individual level. However, traffic, often high speed traffic, has to be regulated (Highway Code) for us to expect to survive most journeys. Who is it that would object to bad driving being scrutinised ? They may well be grateful some day that someone else's misdemeanour has been noted. if you mindfully do that stuff, you shouldn't. And if you won't behave among the rest of us, then maybe you shouldn't drive.
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Glad you're traveling again, Mac. Boston is my home town, and October is THE BEST MONTH. Where are you staying in the city? I'd walk the Freedom Trail if you're feeling up to it. Go down to the waterfront. Boston Common and Charles Street are fun places to hang out. Newbury Street is fancy shopping and also has a few fun bistros and coffee shops. The Science Museum is excellent. Plenty of seafood to be had. New England clam chowder is great if you have sweater-weather. Go whale-watching...
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Mac. I'll be in Pennsylvania - Delaware - Maryland - Virginia later this month through September. Although a good way south of your expedition the colours of winter arrive gradually and the days are still warm enough to enjoy walking the empty State Parks. Only a leisurely days drive south of Boston. I love that warm gap between the end of an English summer and getting back home for that first chill of winter. LATE SEPTEMBER
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 16, 2015: Franklin Automobiles in Tucson, Arizona
Notice on the 1910 Model G Touring car, it's a right hand drive car. Most early US 1900 cars were because drivers of horse drawn carriages sat on the right. The US only started to change when Ford put a left hand drive on a 1908 Model T so passengers didn't have to enter the car in oncoming traffic.
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Re: Red Brick and Sandstone: Look of the North
If you had travelled a mile north you would have seen the biggest brick built building in the world. Liverpool Tobacco Warehouse, The 14 storey building spans across 36 acres - and its construction used 27 million bricks, 30,000 panes of glass and 8,000 tons of steel
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 13, 2015: Gettysburg at dusk
If you are going to Gettysberg, I highly recommend also seeing the Anteitam battlefield. It is about an hour's drive away, and well worth the trip. I would probably do Anteitam first as it the battle there was about a year earlier in the war.
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Re: Gallery: Transport, Rural South China
What an amazing variety! I like to look around in Europe for "oddballs" like small pedal-powered trucks and other small delivery vehicles, but these take the cake. I'm especially fascinated by the front-wheel drive truck that appears to be friction-driven (power applied to the surface of the tire, rather than to the axle).
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
What would seem perhaps most beneficial would be not only to have auto-pilot type systems with human override but also to have auto-pilot functions that remain active while humans "drive," providing a second opinion. "Hey, human: are you sure you don't want to slow down/speed up a little here?"
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Originally Posted by JohnT: Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it. I agree with you John, that market forces will drive this. But the demand for "free"...
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 7.5
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: It seems to be "Leopold", a symbolic 1890's photographer, by David Clemons, Higgins Point, Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. Well done Port Moresby. However there is a minor point about the location. Higgens Point (yes, this is the correct spelling) is about 0.2 mile southeast of the location of the statue. The statue is actually located on the 34 acre Coeur d'Alene Parkway, a thin strip of park land running along the Centennial Trail for about 1/2 mile...
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Re: Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb
Walking the "Walls" that enclose the City - maybe 3 miles around - is a local ritual ! At frequent intervals there are Pubs to stop at. The idea being that you stop at each one , have a drink and proceed to the next. Its only the hardened drinkers who complete the circuit. A friend from Anna Maria Island, Florida sent his daughter to stay with us for a while. Same age as my daughter and they got along like a house on fire ! So when we arrived in Chester I told her our day was walking around...
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Re: Traveling for Local Food
The Varsity Drive-In in Atlanta is the tops. " What'll ya have! What'll ya have! ". Denver needs something like that.
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Re: Minneapolis in the winter
Hi Theodore! I am a Mall of America fan. You can easily spend an entire weekend (or many evenings) at the Mall of America. First of all, the mall is very easy to get to by train from downtown (CICAK did a wonderful job explaining that), and fares are quite cheap (fares go for about $1.75 to $2.25 one way depending on what time of day you ride). As CICAK also mentioned, there is something for everybody at the mall. If you just want to find a warm dry place to walk and people watch, I believe...
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
Google made that self drive car. It seems to work fine. Getting on a self drive airplane is less trouble. there would be no crazy drivers passing on the right or tailgating.
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Re: Finally some good news! Whistler or Banff
I don't ski either (bad knees), but I've visited both of these destinations. There are pros and cons to each. Both is a little over an hour's drive from their closest major airport, Vancouver for Whistler and Calgary for Canmore. Whistler is close to the coast, but high up. So they usually have good snow, but depending on the year, it can get soggy by spring and sometimes ice crusted. Banff area is far more likely to have nice light powder during the spring break season. Some people swear by...
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Re: Whom did you say was flying this plane?
Originally Posted by Bling: Google made that self drive car. It seems to work fine. Getting on a self drive airplane is less trouble. there would be no crazy drivers passing on the right or tailgating. Yes, Bling, but flying is a three dimensional activity, not a two dimensional one, at at gar greater speeds! And Google is not infallible by any stretch of the imagination.
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Re: Arches National Park — One of America’s Finest
There's a ton of stuff to do around Moab, Travel Luver. There's also scenic Canyonlands National Park nearby, well worth exploring. Off-road biking (bicycle, not motorcycle) is extremely popular. Hiking in the cooler seasons. Whitewater rafting is excellent in the summer. And you're less than a day's drive from your next Utah destination, such as Bryce, Zion, or Monument Valley. One of my favorite spots in the US!
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Re: Best Outdoor Workout Spots?
I love walking in the mountains! Almost anywhere will do, but the Canadian Rockies in the summer are my favorite place. A 10-15 mile hike is a good workout and lets you enjoy some spectacular scenery, including lots of flora and fauna.
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
I've seen a lot of "award creep" in my days, and I think there's more to come. A "mile" is worth less and less all the time. It's clear that airline miles aren't worth banking for any period of time. Use them when it's logical to do so. They likely will be worth less in the near future. Thanks for the link, PHeymont.
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Re: Hi Everybody! I'm new here.
Originally Posted by Travel Luver: Hi Ted, I think we're all pretty new here. I'm from the Pacific Northwest. Welcome to the group. I get out to LA some. My business takes me to Ventura County (Amgen). Any good tips for a place to eat out that way? I saw the link to www.roadfood.com on a different thread, so I'll check that out, but wonder if there's some place you like to go. Hi Nature Lover, Amgen is T.O., just west of the San Fernando Valley and I really never go there. But about 20 miles...
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Re: Photo sharing services
I've used Picasa Web Albums (linked with the Picasa desktop software, by the way) from Google for that; I upload the raw pictures as an archive (not shared) and then a selection of edited ones that are shared with whoever I give the link to. Free up to a point, and added storage is pretty cheap. the one downside is that you occasionally have to click some links to say that NO, you do not want it linked to Google+ The other reasonable choice is DropBox; once you've created a folder in your...
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Re: Up, Up and Away: Airline miles cards with big bonuses
I have a Delta American Express Platinum card that has served us well. The fee is higher than the gold card, but we can check two bags free, priority boarding, and a free companion pass yearly. We fly two or three times a year and the value of the waived baggage fee and the companion pass far exceed the $150 annual fee. The card also accrues one mile for each dollar spent and lately has offered cash back incentives. For example: spend $15 at Panera's using the card and receive $5 credit on...
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers
AAA seems to choose their contracted towing services very well. I have always had good luck with them. I used the coverage when I had a break down with a rental car in a small town. The rental car company suggested that I call AAA for towing to their office in a nearby larger town to exchange the car. The rental car company had a contract with the same towing company that was under contract to AAA in that area. So that was very easy. If the tow goes over the 200 miles, they charge something...
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers
One note on why the other AAA coverages just doesn't compare to the Premier Membership.The Classic Membership only allows towing of 5 miles.The Plus allows the 100 mile, but if you use just one 200 mile tow,you will see the value.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #297
Here's the last set of clues! Send your answer to TGSuggestions@gmail.com This first house was built for a wealthy commission merchant, that was modified many times. A neoclassical revival front porch with ionic columns and a circular pavilion was added to the main Italianate structure. Also, a carriage house was added made from bricks of the demolished house next door (mentioned in Friday’s clue). It is now listed as a Victorian Mansion on a list of historic registered places and landmarks.
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Re: Welcome to The Golden State.
Currently estimated at 32,00 acres in size, the Butte Fire is now burning 1 mile from Mokelumne Hill. While I have no doubt the tiny town will be saved, your best view of it at the moment may be here , on TravelGumbo. More details on the CalFire site.
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Re: Yellowstone HQ, Mammoth Hot Springs
I guess "spunk" is one way of seeing it. I suspect for the Park Service he's more huge pain in the butt. I'm surprised they haven't deported him, could maybe drive him to Banff in the dead of night.
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Re: In Egypt: Up the Nile
Back in 1989, when TWA still existed, took their 14 day tour. I believe there were 35 of us. We started in Cairo - 4 days staying at Mena House opposite the pyramids A huge WOW! During our stay there we traveled to Sakkaha and Memphis. Boarded a bus that took us to Alexandria - 2 days staying at Montazah Sheraton. From there we took a train to Aswan (dirty dishes - everyone sick). In Aswan, we stayed on Elephantine Island's Loews Aswan Oberoi. Went to Temples of Philae and flew to Abu...
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Re: Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg, Canada. Where Gumbo Was #36
Apr 13, 2013 The boss of New York’s Central Park hailed his first visit to Birkenhead Park which inspired its design as “a dream come true” Doug Blonsky, president and chief executive of the New York Central Park said: “You drive around Birkenhead Park and there is no question that the physical similarities between here and Central Park are there" “To come here and take a look at it is a dream come true for me."
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Fine houses in their pristinely manicured gardens. Don't think I could even afford the taxes. I do like the areas that remain untouched by golf and the hand of fortune. I prefer the untouched to the "candy box tin" painting of nature. I've been to many places where the presence of paupers - like myself - detract from the ambiance of opulence. Even today I had a note attached to my car, that parking in a non-designated zone was being selfish. Even though they were full !
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Far be it for anyone to say you are selfish, Garry! It is one of the most expensive places to live in California, but I suspect all those drivers going through help subsidize the neighborhood more than that homeowners might want to let on. And I'm not sure most of us could afford the taxes, even if we wanted to. Being an average guy, this is just not my scene.
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Breathtakingly expensive if I recall. I'm surprised that you are allowed to take photos without paying into the local coffers! :-)
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
I'm also surprised there's no per photo toll imposed on the great unwashed masses visiting the shores of the drive, Mac!
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Well, the unwashed mass did enjoy his time there.... :-)
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 25, 2014: Fall colors at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta
Hi GarryRF, Yes, this part of the world includes vaste stretches of wilderness. Lots and lots of unspoiled mountains, valleys, forests, rivers and lakes. It is only an hour's drive from west Calgary, so lots of those of us who live here spend our weekends in the Rockies. Much like those in Denver. Camping is wonderful in the summertime, as the weather is mild and the days very long. It's also great to hike here at that time. Camping in the winter is only for the brave of heart. You need to...
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Re: Cruising California's 17 Mile Drive
Cars and bikes are fine, JP, but hogs aren't. The road is good enough so I suspect the home owners (much of the drive is through residential areas) don't want the noise of a big pack of motorcycles passing their gates and fine-trimmed lawns.
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Re: Taos NM - Indian, Mexican, and Yarn
Great pictures!I wish I knew how to knit. You make it look fun and friendly. I have been to Taos four times for a writer's retreat at the Mable Dodge Luhan House , which is in walking distance to the Wired Cafe and other restaurants and shopping. It's also a quick drive to fantastic hiking. (Watch for rattlesnakes though.) And if you're up for a 13,000 ft hike or mountain biking, drive to the Taos Ski Valley . Kachina Peak has one of the best views in the world.
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Re: A stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Thanks for the comments, Garry. Yes, winter arrives early because of the very high altitude. Over a mile and a half above sea level. Summers are very nice -- warm (75-80F) dry pleasant days (no humidity to speak off), and it always cools down nicely at night, so most places don't even have air conditioning. It really was that empty. No more than 6 folks in the garden including my wife and I, and of course not counting the hundreds of birds flying about.
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Re: Gallery: Signs of Toronto -- the City at Large
Thanks for stopping by, Nonstop! And welcome to TravelGumbo. I know you'd love to visit Toronto. It's actually just a LONG day's drive from NYC , and there's lots to see and do. I'd combine it with a visit to the Niagara peninsula and you'd have a lovely time.
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Re: New Eurostar Service, London - Provence
Sorry Paul but you've lost me ! If you fly to Marseilles and take the 760 mile train journey to London you'll avoid the APD. True. But that will cost you more than the APD and you'll waste a day. You dont see much from the window on a train doing 186 MPH. Be aware that the nation with the most heavily taxed European passengers is France, where over 60% of airport and passenger charges are in the form of state taxes to be paid by the passenger.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 27, 2014: Bacardi Distillery, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Another walk down memory lane! I lived in Puerto Rico for 5 years and remember it fondly. Occasionally I'd drive past Ron Bacardi but I regret I never stopped to take the tour. Not unusual, I'm sure, when we have the feeling there's always time later. An interesting name out that direction which will likely ring bells for New Yorkers, not far beyond the Bacardi Distillery, if driving from San Juan, is Levittown, a place name I always found incongruous there. Part of the post-WWII affordable...
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Re: Impression about Perth, Australia
I've actually visited Perth, attending a medical meeting there some years back. I really enjoyed the city. Mostly modern, but with historic colonial era buildings. Very friendly people, especially considering they're all descended from convicts (a point of pride and good humor with them, I found). Perth was a good springboard for a road-trip around southwestern Australia, including a drive up to Shark's Bay, through the wildflower way (am I remember that name correctly), down to the large...
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
I think it depends on where one lives. Yes, those three cities may be faster; however should someone live IN Oakland, it may take them mere minutes using public transportation to get to the Oakland airport. And, using Oakland as an example, it takes me less time to get to the Oakland airport from my house using public transport than it would if I were to take my car simply because of traffic. However, to travel to my home to San Francisco (SFO) it is actually longer to take public transport...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, August 27, 2015: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Red Rocks Park, Colorado
It's a great summary of a fun place to visit. Besides the amphitheater, there's a drive through the park which takes you by other red rock formations. The park isn't that large, but it is memorable. If you're looking for a place to eat, the amphitheater offers an outdoor terrace restaurant with great views of the Red Rock.
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Re: Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
You'd love the Canary Isles. Volcanic islands off the north west cost of Africa. Its a winter hotspot where the islands belong to Spain. Its party time all year and a favourite with the younger set. Its famous on Tenerife for young men to drive up Mount Teide in winter and collect snow from the peak in Cooler Boxes. Drive back down to the 77'f / 25'c beaches and throw snowballs at the topless sunbathers. Might be a bit too much for non-Europeans !!
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Re: GPS: 'Your destination will be...very wet.'
On our recent trip to Sicily, our GPS took us down a farm road that dead-ended, except for a rugged dirt tract that was unsafe to drive in a car (doable in a 4 wheel drive vehicle). The GPS instructed me to continue down the dirt track, but as a human being I declined the machine's advice. Good thing I did, because as we looped back we could see that even the dirt track dead-ended in a mile or so. Somehow we made it to our next destination, although it's easy and expected to get lost a...
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
50 years ago this area of Liverpool UK was underwater twice a day. Every tide. And storms would cause the land to flood half a mile inland. So this area is now a man made construction. Sand hills cover the solid foundation. Marrem grass has roots that bind the sand together. And it works. Copied off the Netherlands where much of the land is below sea level all year.