Looks pretty icy, alright.

Got a couple of travel plans on deck. First one is just a weekend trip to Duluth because my partner finally has a meds regiment that works and this is a good baby step. That one's semi-planned. If that works out alright, we're looking at Puerto Rico next and I'd like to know about the un-gentrified areas, the areas where as few property developers as possible have grossed things up.

Also, because Kath waffles a lot about getting a passport, I'm taking a solo trip to Montréal. Only thing I want to do there is hit Wilenski's. Never been there, heard only good things but I'd like recs on other things to do - not trying to fly to another country for just a bologna sandwich. I'm looking at spending two nights there in the summer.

Thanks for any recommendations.

If anyone is thinking about going to Belize, I highly recommend Belize Budget Suites in San Pedro. It was only $70 a night. It’s tucked away off of the main road and away from the hustle and bustle, but easy access to the dive shop and the reef tours. Our friends who were paying $300 a night at Mahogany Bay were a little jealous.

Charlie D wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 2:02 pm Got a couple of travel plans on deck. First one is just a weekend trip to Duluth because my partner finally has a meds regiment that works and this is a good baby step. That one's semi-planned. If that works out alright, we're looking at Puerto Rico next and I'd like to know about the un-gentrified areas, the areas where as few property developers as possible have grossed things up.

Also, because Kath waffles a lot about getting a passport, I'm taking a solo trip to Montréal. Only thing I want to do there is hit Wilenski's. Never been there, heard only good things but I'd like recs on other things to do - not trying to fly to another country for just a bologna sandwich. I'm looking at spending two nights there in the summer.

Thanks for any recommendations.

I was in San Juan about 20 years ago and I stayed in a posh hotel which was super gated, didn't see any of the real Puerto Rico at all. Hope you find somewhere decent to stay and get to experience it for real. The only thing I learned is that Barrilitos tres estrela is a fantastic rum. I hope you have an excellent trip.

Owen wrote: Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:03 pm Going to Maine for two weeks in June 12-23. Gonna hang around the coast. Hanging sorta close to Portland, but going to explore around.

Maine? Open to ideas of things to do.

I don't remember, are you into beer?

Owen wrote: Going to Maine for two weeks in June 12-23. Gonna hang around the coast. Hanging sorta close to Portland, but going to explore around.

Maine? Open to ideas of things to do.

Personal favorite spot for lobster is Nunan's in Cape Porpoise. Between Ogunquit and Portland. It's a shack right on the water and I'm pretty sure they have their own lobster pots. Wells beach is large and therefore not quite as packed as York or Old Orchard.

Having spent a lot of time there as a kid, I crave the taffy from Goldenrod in York Beach. Maple walnut flavor. And candle pin bowling at the boardwalk there. Portland has cool people and cool venues, though it's been at least 15 years for me.

Tree wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:13 am

Owen wrote: Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:03 pm Going to Maine for two weeks in June 12-23. Gonna hang around the coast. Hanging sorta close to Portland, but going to explore around.

Maine? Open to ideas of things to do.

I don't remember, are you into beer?

oh yeah.

jeff fox wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:27 am

Owen wrote: Going to Maine for two weeks in June 12-23. Gonna hang around the coast. Hanging sorta close to Portland, but going to explore around.

Maine? Open to ideas of things to do.

Personal favorite spot for lobster is Nunan's in Cape Porpoise. Between Ogunquit and Portland. It's a shack right on the water and I'm pretty sure they have their own lobster pots. Wells beach is large and therefore not quite as packed as York or Old Orchard.

Having spent a lot of time there as a kid, I crave the taffy from Goldenrod in York Beach. Maple walnut flavor. And candle pin bowling at the boardwalk there. Portland has cool people and cool venues, though it's been at least 15 years for me.

I am adding Nunan's to the list for sure! Thank you!

Going to Japan for a little over 2 weeks in May. Already planning to meet up with former FM Sleepkid for a meal and some guitar browsing. Even got a reservation for the KORG MUSEUM (which sounds like it's just a dude's house an hour an outside of Nagoya.)

Bouncing between Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kumamoto, Kanzawa, and Naoshima (thank you, JR Pass!)

My girlfriend's been a bunch over the years so I'm following her lead, and even though we're a few months out things are planned out pretty well and I'm stoked!

Speaking of Japan, does anyone know if the jazz kissen/listening bars have age restrictions? We don’t have firm plans to visit any this summer, but I’m curious nonetheless.

jeff fox wrote: Nunan's in Cape Porpoise

When I was out there we hit the Cape Porpoise Lobster Co's shack because my mother-in-law orders their lobster for her birthday every year and it was one of the best meals I've ever had, ate right there on the pier. Lobster bisque, crab cakes, Shipyard lager, Maine blueberry pie, all that. I'm going to assume Nunan's is at least that good, so you should be golden there.

Beer: Maine is a pretty great beer state. Aside from no self-respecting eating/drinking establishment going without having Allagash white on tap, there's Bissell Brothers in Portland, Maine Beer Co in Freeport, and Oxbow in Newcastle, plus a bunch of small places that are probably pretty reliable. The latter two I mentioned are a bit northeast of Portland, but New England breweries tend to be pretty physically beautiful destinations and Oxbow specializes in saison/farmhouse/mixed ferm shit if that's your thing. In the touristy area of Saco/Biddeford, there's Sacred Profane which has two beers: a light Czech lager and a dark Czech lager. One of the owners is a woman who posted on Instagram a couple years ago asking for stories of sexual harassment/abuse in the beer industry and got over 700 stories, resulting in some comeuppance for a few creeps, so give them your money if the spirit moves you. People also swear by Palace diner in Biddeford.

Maine is a fun state to explore in the summer and I'm guessing FM twelvepoint will chime in here at some point for ya. Given your dates, you are probably going to arrive just in time for the beaches to fill up.