Couple's vacation destinations?

[Mr Baloo]

I love Charleston and San Fransisco.... Neither of them beat New Orleans other than in July and August... but heck, it is hot everywhere right now, and New Orleans has been cooler than Minnisota????? figure that one out....

OK, guy gushy alert..... it doesnt matter where you go... it only matters who you go with..... my wife and I could go anywhere with or without our close group of friends and make the party up as we go... no matter where that is... hell we could have a great weekend in Oklahoma.... not that we have, but we havnt been there yet...

[nolarookie]

Admittedly, NOLA is bad, weather wise, this time of year. But it's technically "value season." I'll bet they are giving away hotel rooms and there are great deals at restaurants right now because it's so freakin hot no one wants to move.

[fizboBunny]

Anyone planning a trip to New Orleans should be aware of two festivals. The first is called Southern Decadence and is held on Labor Day Weekend. A contractor from Alabama that I knew through work brought his young kids and wife down to New Orleans for a weekend and it happened to be Decadence. He got to the quarter, saw what was going on, then turned around and headed home. The other is Essence Fest which is held over 4th of July weekend. It can be crazy crowded for Essence. I've been stuck on Canal St. once when an impromptu party started in front a hotel. Every car stopped and everyone got out just started to boogie. Something like that can be fun, but can also be a nightmare if you are trying to actually get somewhere.

[pfalcioni]

Every car stopped and everyone got out just started to boogie. Something like that can be fun, but can also be a nightmare if you are trying to actually get somewhere.

I am decently certain that no other town in the US experiences "Boogie-Jams". And I really do love places that are able to keep their own personality even with the pressures of McHomogenization coming from all sides.

[mousehelper]

Well guys, this is where we ended up. We got a pretty good (not great) deal, and are happy with the choice. Wish it had a hot tub, but I'l take the ocean crashing on the rocks. Love that! I know the area, and it's wonderfully situated. Fast and easy access to the carriage trails, hiking, and the Loop Rd. Lobstahh-- here we come!
: )

[pfalcioni]

That looks cozy, comfortable, and totally relaxing. Great choice!

[vicki_c]

That looks great to me. Have a great time! When are you going - soon, right?

[nolarookie]

Looks gorgeous!

[runDisneygirl]

Fantastic choice. Have a great time!

[mousehelper]

Jamie leaves for Zambia on Friday, and we leave Saturday morning.
: )

[BlountFam5]

Thanks for showing us where you finally ended up! It looks like a perfect relaxation spot. You'll need to fill us in when you return...

[famouschinesecontroller]

Looks like a great choice. If you can handle the drive, head out to the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound one evening for dinner. You order your lobsters inside, and then eat outside at picnic tables. You can BYOB. Also I can't remember the name of it, but there is a small brewery on Rt 3 just north of Otter Creek, that does tastings in the afternoon. Can't miss it; left side of the road as you head south. And for the best truffles I've ever had, check out Ben and Bill's chocolate in Bar Harbor. I miss Acadia. For a fun excursion, try a carriage tour; http://www.carriagesofacadia.com/tours.html. We've done both the Jordan Pond House tour, and the Day Mountain Summit tour (although it used to be right around sunset which was awesome.) Enjoy

[vicki_c]

Judy's choice + 2 other friends on Facebook who are in Acadia this week = my interest in going there! Considering it for next summer, maybe instead of Vermont. I didn't know we had such a wealth of knowledge here (Jane). I will have to pick your brain on that sometime in the future.

[mousehelper]

Vicki -- Acadia Nat'l Park I think is the #1 most popular Nat'l park-- I'm not really sure. It's a beautiful place. Lots of hikes. Just don't plan on a lot of Ocean swimming. My girl friend from there says unless your legs are blue, you really haven't swum in ocean waters.

I have eaten at the Trenton Bridge before, and plan to do it again for sure. But, I also plan on having some lazy man's lobstah already picked over and swimming in butter.

We missed popovers at Jordon Pond last time, so that paired with the carriage ride is high on my list.

Thanks for the other info -- We'll enjoy the brewery and the chocolate for sure!! And I am going to investigate some boat rides out to the outer islands-- Cranberry, right?

My daughter has my bike, and Jon gave his to the Fresh Air child down the street. We may have to get them back, or rent for a week.

And of course I 'll have to stop in and visit Martha at Seal Harbor. Perhaps I should call first so she can prepare the guest house...
; )

[George]

Have a wonderful time, Judy and Jon!

[blyday]

Looks like you have a fun place picked out.

Man.....I've been out of the mix here for a while.....I need to get caught up!!!

[dmandaro]

Lovely!! Enjoy.

[goodferry]

Beautiful! I hope you enjoy your trip

[famouschinesecontroller]

Don't forget to check out all the ranger led programs. Definitely get your bikes and do the carriage trails. Also forgot about one of our favorite hikes. It goes around Jordan Pond. We always start at the south end by Jordon Pond house and walk clockwise around. The west half is on this amazing boardwalk that they've built. A few rock scrambles midway, and then a pleasant flat trail around the top of the pond and east side.

[famouschinesecontroller]

Judy's choice + 2 other friends on Facebook who are in Acadia this week = my interest in going there! Considering it for next summer, maybe instead of Vermont. I didn't know we had such a wealth of knowledge here (Jane). I will have to pick your brain on that sometime in the future.

Holler anytime; We've been there 4 times; always camping but we have checked out several of the hotels.

[mousehelper]

Don't forget to check out all the ranger led programs. Definitely get your bikes and do the carriage trails. Also forgot about one of our favorite hikes. It goes around Jordan Pond. We always start at the south end by Jordon Pond house and walk clockwise around. The west half is on this amazing boardwalk that they've built. A few rock scrambles midway, and then a pleasant flat trail around the top of the pond and east side.

Great! Thank you.

Some friends may join us. They want to do the Precipice Trail. Ya. Not happening. Jordon Pond sound setter. Don't get me wrong-- I love climbing up rocks. I just like lots of land around me!
: )

[famouschinesecontroller]

I think you are leaving or maybe already left; one last thing: Poor Boys Gourmet. Best deal in town, and hands down the best Fra Diablo I've EVER HAD. Try to make reservations; if not, no worries. Really good, really inexpensive. Skip lunch; go early.

[mousehelper]

We leave Saturday at 5am.
Big picture:
I retired today from 25 years of child care. Our youngest leaves tomorrow for a 10 day mission in Zambia. Tonight there are a ton of Sr type high school theater kids partying in my house to say good bye. And Saturday at 5am Jon and I leave for a week in Acadia.

Yeah-- when we do it, we DO it.

Life is good.
: )

[mousehelper]

Jon is lying on the rocks down by the water looking at the stars. Sounds lovely, but its a bit black out there for me to be climbing on rocks. Jane-- I wanted to especailly let you know that we tried the Poor Boys and it was great. Great prices, great food. Thanks so much for the heads up there. We tried Jordon Pond House trail today, but you couldn't ge tnear the place. We decided you have to RD it, so will do that tomorrow. Trenton Bridge Lobster didn't disappoint. 3 soft shell for under $25. I don't know how people eat lobster in a fancy restaurant. I wear and old tshrt, and dive in!
Spent a lot of the day on a boat going to Cranberry Islands the other day. Now I look like a lobster! Forgot sunscreen. The houses out there are nice little summer cottages... Geesh.
Anyway -- thanks Jane, and if you have any more tidbits, I'll take em.
: )

[famouschinesecontroller]

Jon is lying on the rocks down by the water looking at the stars. Sounds lovely, but its a bit black out there for me to be climbing on rocks. Jane-- I wanted to especailly let you know that we tried the Poor Boys and it was great. Great prices, great food. Thanks so much for the heads up there. We tried Jordon Pond House trail today, but you couldn't ge tnear the place. We decided you have to RD it, so will do that tomorrow. Trenton Bridge Lobster didn't disappoint. 3 soft shell for under $25. I don't know how people eat lobster in a fancy restaurant. I wear and old tshrt, and dive in!
Spent a lot of the day on a boat going to Cranberry Islands the other day. Now I look like a lobster! Forgot sunscreen. The houses out there are nice little summer cottages... Geesh.
Anyway -- thanks Jane, and if you have any more tidbits, I'll take em.
: )

Glad I could help. Is the free LL Bean bus still running around the parks? Like I said, we've always camped in the Backwoods campground, but when we were there a few years ago, there were FREE buses running anywhere you wanted to go in the park. Sorry to hear the trail was so crowded; we've always been the first week in August, and not had any issues. I hear lobster prices are at an all time low. Something like $2 a pound for soft shells and $4 a pound for hard shells. Glad you enjoyed Poor Boys; it's one of our favorites.