Vacation stories/pictures thread

I have also taken that trip to Hana. The twistiest road I have ever been on. Hats off to the brave soles that built all those bridges to get there. We had a blast at the seven pools and the black sand beaches were something else.
I loved the winding roads. We visited Lindbergh's grave. Our tour stopped at seven pools also so we could take a dip. We toured the black sand beach of Waipio Valley. Our guide, Calle Lu, had an old homestead there. He let me take out some of the black sand. (I almost got caught at the airport :eek:)
We snorkeled off of Lanai. Our boat broke down on the way back and we had to sail into port. We got applause when we came to dock with the sails up. That was so kewl. :headbang:
h2scan0063.jpg
h2scan0085.jpg
 
@Johali what 7 races, a curious mind wants to know? :)

I'll share mine:
Daytona Feb., 14,15,16,17
Maybe Atanta on the 25th
Charlotte Roval Sept., 28,29,30
Itinerary subject to change without advance notice. :D

Martinsville March 25th
Richmond April 21st
Chicagoland July 1st
Daytona 2 July 7th
Darlington September 2nd
Kansas October 21st
Homestead November 18

We also wanted to make the Charlotte Roval but It's looking doubtful that she can get that week off. We almost always make the Daytona July and Homestead races and the other 5 are races that my wife hasn't been to. She's trying to take time off this year to check them off of her bucket list. We get back home from our "big" vacation the morning of July 5th and leave that afternoon after unloading and restocking the beast for Daytona. A tight schedule but that's part of the fun.
 
Good book about P-40's in WW2 is "God is my co-pilot" written first person by Robert L. Scott about a very small P-40 squadron in China fighting a guerilla war with the Japanese.
 
If you ever get the chance, go to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fl., be sure and plan a full day to visit, absolutely one of the best I have ever been to. I was able to go there yesterday.
http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

View attachment 33634

View attachment 33635

These photos do not do it justice, each aircraft is immaculately preserved.

I live eight miles from there which is close enough to it to see the Blue Angels practice every Tuesday and Wednesday when they're here which is pretty much always. They're continuously adding and upgrading new exhibits so we go about twice a year. It's absolutely amazing. I've enjoyed watching them expand since it opened in 1962 or 3. It's also free admission.

What are you doing snooping around my town @sdj ? :D
If you're still here and need some pointers about points of interest, restaurants etc. PM me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdj
What are you doing snooping around my town @sdj ? :D

Had meetings at the Grand Hotel Mariott Resort in Point Clear, Al, last night and today spent the better part of Friday day enjoying the exhibits, they are (I very seldom use this word) awesome! :punkrocke :salute: The folks that did the restoration do amazing work. I donated pretty heavy as I left, worth every penny. Most museums do not let you get up close and personal, they do at this one. I could go on and on.
 
Had meetings at the Grand Hotel Mariott Resort in Point Clear, Al, last night and today spent the better part of Friday day enjoying the exhibits, they are (I very seldom use this word) awesome! :punkrocke :salute: The folks that did the restoration do amazing work. I donated pretty heavy as I left, worth every penny. Most museums do not let you get up close and personal, they do at this one. I could go on and on.
The work is done mostly by volunteers that built and maintained them in the first place. Retired military, DOD engineers etc. It is a helluva place to spend a day or two.
 
I posted this but a glitch bit it. Here it is again.
I just finalized the route for our main vacation trip this summer. Each spot from E to J is a hub that we'll use to wander out into the unknown. Actually I've made a list of the must see places and things to do. We also plan to attend 7 races this year with Chicago being the one on this trip. And yes we'll be pulling the beast to the campgrounds as usual.

upload_2018-2-25_6-58-38.png
 
The beast is loaded and hooked up. Heading out first thing in the morning for the White Oak Campground on Lake Eufaula Alabama. Going to get in some top tier Crappie fishing. I'll be back online in time for the race tomorrow.
 
I posted this but a glitch bit it. Here it is again.
I just finalized the route for our main vacation trip this summer. Each spot from E to J is a hub that we'll use to wander out into the unknown. Actually I've made a list of the must see places and things to do. We also plan to attend 7 races this year with Chicago being the one on this trip. And yes we'll be pulling the beast to the campgrounds as usual.

View attachment 33651

I was looking at that map thinking "Dang, they're going to bypass a few scenic drives" most noticeably (At least for my knowledge) Highway 7 in Arkansas between Harrison and Russellville. After some quick thought, it's probably best to avoid curvy mountain roads while hauling a big camper. Not the safest thing to do and also would likely take much longer than your planned routes. Should be a fun trip though! I have decided that my next big vacation, I want to concentrate on one certain area rather than taking a road trip. We drove from Kansas to New England a couple years ago and had many things we wanted to see on the trip. It felt like we spent so much time driving and hardly no time actually enjoy things and relaxing. On the way back, we had planned on stopping in NYC, but changed our mind that day because we would have only had like five hours to explore which is not at all enough time for that city. Anyhow, enjoy the trip and make sure to take tons of pictures!
 
The work is done mostly by volunteers that built and maintained them in the first place. Retired military, DOD engineers etc. It is a helluva place to spend a day or two.

Fellow I went through tech school, airframe repair, was involved in the Quonset Air Museum. Always after me to get involved but I had too many irons in the fire, now the museum is closed and I regret not getting involved as I love the old war birds.
https://www.newenglandaviationhistory.com/tag/quonset-point-aviation-museum/
 
Went out to Steamboat Springs Colorado last week to visit my brother who works out there as an adaptive ski instructor. Did some skiing and visited this really awesome hot spring.
Screenshot_20180326-105359_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20180326-105347_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20180326-105332_Gallery.jpg
Screenshot_20180326-105553_Gallery.jpg
 
I was looking at that map thinking "Dang, they're going to bypass a few scenic drives" most noticeably (At least for my knowledge) Highway 7 in Arkansas between Harrison and Russellville. After some quick thought, it's probably best to avoid curvy mountain roads while hauling a big camper. Not the safest thing to do and also would likely take much longer than your planned routes. Should be a fun trip though! I have decided that my next big vacation, I want to concentrate on one certain area rather than taking a road trip. We drove from Kansas to New England a couple years ago and had many things we wanted to see on the trip. It felt like we spent so much time driving and hardly no time actually enjoy things and relaxing. On the way back, we had planned on stopping in NYC, but changed our mind that day because we would have only had like five hours to explore which is not at all enough time for that city. Anyhow, enjoy the trip and make sure to take tons of pictures!
We concentrate on 2 to 4 States a trip. This summer it's South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota. That way we can cover those States from end to end and mark them off of the map.
 
Went out for a bike ride today. A very small Portion of the Hauraki bike trail. Maybe 10 miles. It was beautiful out!
b1a50d29105da4968358f68285ccc3b4.jpg
920dfbc5704e8375c95c1cddc5940d26.jpg
a28274976a32f595a08c13cddd9fa676.jpg
4e5ffcbbd564f55c6437ae35afb5f4c3.jpg
667fb9ce9050c2f23117ca657b94f1a5.jpg
44e6e5395a8da418b8b76d732465a056.jpg
f8f271fe9cafe1e3089219a6584a1003.jpg
0313a83f566beeacac64a2ce30f064e3.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Went out for a bike ride today. A very small Portion of the Hauraki bike trail. Maybe 10 miles. It was beautiful out!
b1a50d29105da4968358f68285ccc3b4.jpg
920dfbc5704e8375c95c1cddc5940d26.jpg
a28274976a32f595a08c13cddd9fa676.jpg
4e5ffcbbd564f55c6437ae35afb5f4c3.jpg
667fb9ce9050c2f23117ca657b94f1a5.jpg
44e6e5395a8da418b8b76d732465a056.jpg
f8f271fe9cafe1e3089219a6584a1003.jpg
0313a83f566beeacac64a2ce30f064e3.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
That looks great.
 
Beautiful pictures, Clutch. The one with the balanced stones reminds me of the contest that Llano holds every year --- balancing the
river rocks. Some are really spectacular.
 
You wouldn't guess that we had 90 mile an hour winds two nights ago.
Hunua falls in south Auckland an hour ago.

89d965163f72e7066409c4715850a39c.jpg
2791148cacc56be1fdd8b98914445e6f.jpg
c02ac2f69fc36e2d759ef5e4e9fd0a56.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Went out for a bike ride today. A very small Portion of the Hauraki bike trail. Maybe 10 miles. It was beautiful out!
b1a50d29105da4968358f68285ccc3b4.jpg
920dfbc5704e8375c95c1cddc5940d26.jpg
a28274976a32f595a08c13cddd9fa676.jpg
4e5ffcbbd564f55c6437ae35afb5f4c3.jpg
667fb9ce9050c2f23117ca657b94f1a5.jpg
44e6e5395a8da418b8b76d732465a056.jpg
f8f271fe9cafe1e3089219a6584a1003.jpg
0313a83f566beeacac64a2ce30f064e3.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Second to last picture...the first thing I noticed was the rock along the right side of the river that looks like a black bear.
 
But what would possess you to go at this time of year?!!
Deciding to go on a road trip to Wisconsin the day before you leave taking the scenic route and not checking the weather until after I had driven 500 miles.
 
Heres today, same snow situation

Screenshot_20180415-210403_Track My Trip.jpg
 
Thinking I'll round the trip out by heading down to Indianapolis and checking out the museum at the track.
 
Just arrived in Indy going to head to the museum tomorrow
Screenshot_20180418-171745_Gallery.jpg
 
Went out for a bike ride today. A very small Portion of the Hauraki bike trail. Maybe 10 miles. It was beautiful out!
b1a50d29105da4968358f68285ccc3b4.jpg
920dfbc5704e8375c95c1cddc5940d26.jpg
a28274976a32f595a08c13cddd9fa676.jpg
4e5ffcbbd564f55c6437ae35afb5f4c3.jpg
667fb9ce9050c2f23117ca657b94f1a5.jpg
44e6e5395a8da418b8b76d732465a056.jpg
f8f271fe9cafe1e3089219a6584a1003.jpg
0313a83f566beeacac64a2ce30f064e3.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
And after yesterday's rain this is how it looked today in the Karangahake gorge.

bb2422055b6f715089f784209a671669.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Some of us spend our time doing and observing while others apparently sit with their head up their butts.

For some reason, I looked at this website when it first started and then, for some unknown reason, stopped viewing it. (Shoulder shrug) I have no idea why but do plan to spend some serious time today looking over the year(s) that were missed.

There is some beautiful photography and interesting photos. Especially of the birds. Keep up the good work. It is an absolute pleasure to view your efforts in pictures. And a story or two doesn't hurt either. I'll add one later.
 
Itinerary subject to change without advance notice. :D

Martinsville March 25th
Richmond April 21st
Chicagoland July 1st
Daytona 2 July 7th
Darlington September 2nd
Kansas October 21st
Homestead November 18

We also wanted to make the Charlotte Roval but It's looking doubtful that she can get that week off. We almost always make the Daytona July and Homestead races and the other 5 are races that my wife hasn't been to. She's trying to take time off this year to check them off of her bucket list. We get back home from our "big" vacation the morning of July 5th and leave that afternoon after unloading and restocking the beast for Daytona. A tight schedule but that's part of the fun.
Itinerary update. We missed the first Martinsville and Richmond races because of a sudden need to change plans. The other five are still on and maybe the Sept Richmond race also. Fingers crossed.
 
Ok, yesterday I went to one of my favourite west coast breached. Bethells beach.
Windy as hell.
Didn't really feel like walking to the end of the beach but thought well I'm here now....so may as well.
At least 30 minutes walk each way.

The beach....


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top Bottom