OT: General OT Thread [NO POLITICS, RACE OR RELIGION]

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Thinking of Smoky Mountains NP. Any tips (staying/entering from the TN side)?

Avoid Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg unless you go to a cabin in the mountains. It's 100x worse than the Dells. We stayed in Gatlinburg Holiday Inn on points. Hotel was crappy but it was walking distance to NP boundaries so we avoided crossing town, which is probably an hour long crawl during peak seasons. Would have been miserable if we had to drive through that every morning just for a hike.

If you are driving, I really enjoyed Knoxville as a stop. Originally booked 1 night on the way back, but switched it to 2 after stopping there on the way down and upon seeing Gatlinburg. Stayed on the square where there are a lot of nice out door restaurants and walked to campus less than a mile away.

If you are in it for hiking, Mammoth Caves has always had a soft spot in my heart despite being nothing special. Multiple times I haven driven on 65, pulled into the park did an awesome hour run/hike, used their ice cold camp showers which feels amazing if muggy, and back on the road within 2 hours. Never an issue finding a parking spot/having a wait to get into the park and is free. Probably adds an hour to your drive taking 65 but at least adds variety with some stops on the bourbon trail/small towns.

[MickeyDavis]

Thinking of Smoky Mountains NP. Any tips (staying/entering from the TN side)?

Avoid Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg unless you go to a cabin in the mountains. It's 100x worse than the Dells. We stayed in Gatlinburg Holiday Inn on points. Hotel was crappy but it was walking distance to NP boundaries so we avoided crossing town, which is probably an hour long crawl during peak seasons. Would have been miserable if we had to drive through that every morning just for a hike.

If you are driving, I really enjoyed Knoxville as a stop. Originally booked 1 night on the way back, but switched it to 2 after stopping there on the way down and upon seeing Gatlinburg. Stayed on the square where there are a lot of nice out door restaurants and walked to campus less than a mile away.

If you are in it for hiking, Mammoth Caves has always had a soft spot in my heart despite being nothing special. Multiple times I haven driven on 65, pulled into the park did an awesome hour run/hike, used their ice cold camp showers which feels amazing if muggy, and back on the road within 2 hours. Never an issue finding a parking spot/having a wait to get into the park and is free. Probably adds an hour to your drive taking 65 but at least adds variety with some stops on the bourbon trail/small towns.

Good info. We'd probably fly into Nashville and then drive (it's about 3.5 hours from Nashville to the NP). Where would you suggest to stay near the park entrance? If Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg are that congested are there other alternatives? Knoxville is only about a half hour away but then I assume I'd still hit the traffic heading into the park. Probably looking at 2-3 days to do the NP. I was in Knoxville once on business 15 years ago but don't know the area at all.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Good info. We'd probably fly into Nashville and then drive (it's about 3.5 hours from Nashville to the NP). Where would you suggest to stay near the park entrance? If Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg are that congested are there other alternatives? Knoxville is only about a half hour away but then I assume I'd still hit the traffic heading into the park. Probably looking at 2-3 days to do the NP. I was in Knoxville once on business 15 years ago but don't know the area at all.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend Knoxville if you are planning on going back and forth. It would be a pain going through that area more than once. If doing Gatlinburg again in a hotel, I would probably stay in the Historic Trail Parkway area. Close enough to the entrance where you are past the traffic and can get in and out of the park easily. Assume there are cabins in that area as well.
If it was me though, I would fly to Charlotte and come in that way. Flight/Drive is probably the same when you factor in more direct options to CLT*. Had multiple friends stay in Asheville area and loved it. Plenty of cabin options, same type of hikes as the NP, close enough to NP to cross it off the list, and great beer scene.

*CLT has a nice Centurion lounge my buddies hit up on the flight back from a Hornets/Bucks trip. My family is becoming snobs and having a Centurion or a comparable lounge is a factor on our trips. Nice to feed the wife and kid before a flight and I usually have a few to relax. Those credit cards have high AF but worth it if you are the type willing to squeeze out the value of the credits.

[emunney]

I'd probably just go through and set up shop in Asheville, love that town.

[BUCKnation]

What do you want to do?
Want beach city feel? High-end resort? Quiet timeshare? Easy 1 hr hikes? 10 hr hikes that are crazy beautiful but also dangerous as hell? Is this the only time you will ever go down there, or will you probably go a few more so you don't NEED to see anything.

It is kind of amazing how different people spend their time on Hawaii.

I personally liked Maui. The drive up the mountain is like you are driving in the sky and you are literally above the clouds.
One advice is if you do Hana, try to stay in Hana. otherwise just a long drive. We stayed at a locals coconut farm and camped. Only one on property with outdoor shower and view of ocean with only a horse farm between us and the water.

We're mostly looking to relax - some time on the beach, some nice drives, some easier hikes, etc. Mostly want to be close enough to nice restaurants and local attractions, but a short drive away from some beautiful nature.

From my very limited experience, I think Kihei in Maui would be nice. That area has the laid back beach town feel, beaches* within walking distance, close to boat launches for snorkeling the crater area, coolest 90 minute drive up a mountain, and plenty of cool hikes (bamboo forrest, etc) on the drive to hana.

*Depending where you go you could be disappointed in the beaches. Waikiki beach looks really nice, but that is because they hauled in a bunch of sand (arent allowed to do it anymore) and now eroding, Kihei has a lot of small dark brown beaches in the public area, other parts of maui has cool black beaches and such. Just be ready that not every beach is endless white sand.

Yeah, to jump on this. I love Kihei. Really nice resorts in that area and nice, less crowded public beaches. Kihei Caffe is a top tier brunch spot.

Waikiki is always packed but still a nice beach. It's fun to go out in the water, b/c its basically like a giant wave pool. You can walk out like a quarter mile and it'll be barely chest height.

[MickeyDavis]

Good info. We'd probably fly into Nashville and then drive (it's about 3.5 hours from Nashville to the NP). Where would you suggest to stay near the park entrance? If Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg are that congested are there other alternatives? Knoxville is only about a half hour away but then I assume I'd still hit the traffic heading into the park. Probably looking at 2-3 days to do the NP. I was in Knoxville once on business 15 years ago but don't know the area at all.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend Knoxville if you are planning on going back and forth. It would be a pain going through that area more than once. If doing Gatlinburg again in a hotel, I would probably stay in the Historic Trail Parkway area. Close enough to the entrance where you are past the traffic and can get in and out of the park easily. Assume there are cabins in that area as well.
If it was me though, I would fly to Charlotte and come in that way. Flight/Drive is probably the same when you factor in more direct options to CLT*. Had multiple friends stay in Asheville area and loved it. Plenty of cabin options, same type of hikes as the NP, close enough to NP to cross it off the list, and great beer scene.

*CLT has a nice Centurion lounge my buddies hit up on the flight back from a Hornets/Bucks trip. My family is becoming snobs and having a Centurion or a comparable lounge is a factor on our trips. Nice to feed the wife and kid before a flight and I usually have a few to relax. Those credit cards have high AF but worth it if you are the type willing to squeeze out the value of the credits.

I'd probably just go through and set up shop in Asheville, love that town.

Great info. GF likes Nashville hence flying in and out of there but we've been there before so NC is a good option if it's less of a circus getting into the park.

[ReginaldDwight]

Good info. We'd probably fly into Nashville and then drive (it's about 3.5 hours from Nashville to the NP). Where would you suggest to stay near the park entrance? If Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg are that congested are there other alternatives? Knoxville is only about a half hour away but then I assume I'd still hit the traffic heading into the park. Probably looking at 2-3 days to do the NP. I was in Knoxville once on business 15 years ago but don't know the area at all.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend Knoxville if you are planning on going back and forth. It would be a pain going through that area more than once. If doing Gatlinburg again in a hotel, I would probably stay in the Historic Trail Parkway area. Close enough to the entrance where you are past the traffic and can get in and out of the park easily. Assume there are cabins in that area as well.
If it was me though, I would fly to Charlotte and come in that way. Flight/Drive is probably the same when you factor in more direct options to CLT*. Had multiple friends stay in Asheville area and loved it. Plenty of cabin options, same type of hikes as the NP, close enough to NP to cross it off the list, and great beer scene.

*CLT has a nice Centurion lounge my buddies hit up on the flight back from a Hornets/Bucks trip. My family is becoming snobs and having a Centurion or a comparable lounge is a factor on our trips. Nice to feed the wife and kid before a flight and I usually have a few to relax. Those credit cards have high AF but worth it if you are the type willing to squeeze out the value of the credits.

I'd probably just go through and set up shop in Asheville, love that town.

Great info. GF likes Nashville hence flying in and out of there but we've been there before so NC is a good option if it's less of a circus getting into the park.

Echoing everyone Ive heard talk about Asheville says its a cool place to visit.

[AussieBuck]

I always struggled to find quality footwear, nothing lasts very long on my feet. Probably because I'm tall and heavy and I walk a lot and I've twisted my ankle like a thousand times playing basketball and it's permanently swollen, I don't know.

One day last year I was visiting a friend in a small town and my eye caught a sign "Chromexcel", that's easily the best boot leather in the world in my opinion. That was enough to get me through the door, and from there I was sold. One man operation housed in an old shop, beautiful smell of leather, old boot making machines. I had no idea how boots are made but the guy walked me through everything, I picked chromexcel exterior, kangaroo interior, layers and layers of veg tan for the soles, Daynite outsoles and a custom design based on an old Czech army boot with goodyear welts.

Then he took a bunch of measurements and found a hardwood last that roughly matched my foot and started gluing strips of thin leather on it until he was confident he had the shape and size just right. Days later I went by for a fitting and he had made one boot out of cheaper leather, with soles, laces and everything, just for me to try it on and then he was gonna throw it away. I was blown away that this is what he had to do to make a pair of boots, I actually kept it as a souvenir:



And then one day finally my boots were ready:



Was it cheap? God no. Nothing cheap or fast about the whole thing. I still cringe a bit thinking how much I paid, but I'm not regretting it. I know how chromexcel ages and I absolutely love it, and I know how these boots are made and I have no doubt they will last a lifetime, just change soles and laces every few years.

You can find boots made like that, Nicks Boots comes to mind, but man, it's a different experience wearing something that is exactly cut to your foot... easily the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. If you can swing it I highly recommend finding a local boot maker in your area and having a pair made, do it once in your lifetime. Great experience, great product, keep the craft alive.

Shout out to James Roberts of Reboot Supply in Kyneton, Victoria, Australia.

You're a **** wizard dude.

[vital_signs]

Arby's doing Mcdonalds dirty, but the Filet O Fish is trash.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=Arby%27s

[trwi7]

Thinking of Smoky Mountains NP. Any tips (staying/entering from the TN side)?

Going in 3 weeks. Will report back.

[jute2003]

Thinking of Smoky Mountains NP. Any tips (staying/entering from the TN side)?

Going in 3 weeks. Will report back.

I hear it's almost as nice as The U P

[trwi7]

Thinking of Smoky Mountains NP. Any tips (staying/entering from the TN side)?

Going in 3 weeks. Will report back.

I hear it's almost as nice as The U P

https://youtu.be/flA0O-7tMq8?t=13

[MikeIsGood]

I hadn't been watching - because basketball - but just saw that Taylor Fritz took out Nadal in the final to win Indian Wells, his home tournament basically. He beat both Nadal and Rublev (SF) in straight sets. Good for him.

[ReasonablySober]

Good for her.

[midranger]

Agree with the Asheville recommendation. I’ve never been to Pigeon Forge or really even ever heard about it until last year. Suddenly, everyone I meet has been there. It must be crawling with people. Also know multiple people who have done the cabin in the woods thing and loved it.

[midranger]

Doing 2-3 days on the bourbon trail this summer. Any recommendations for where to stay, tour companies, etc…?

[MikeIsGood]

Good for her.

Damn, just saw the headline. Seems she's always been built a little differently - she's done this before, as she mentions, but much different this time around compared to being 19 or whatever. Seems like she's quite content with what she's won and is just ready to move on. I respect that for sure.

She's a total joy. Will miss her. One of my all-time favorite players, Kim Clijsters, is I think one of the best personalities in sports. She retired multiple times (family/kids) and I think maybe had some of this same push-and-pull Ash seems to have. Maybe we see her back, maybe not.

[BUCKnation]

Pretty interesting she's done at 25, but guys like Nadal and Fed can't put the racket down and are still pretty dominant at 35+. Glad she seems very happy with the decision though, there was probably a lot of external pressure not to.

[MikeIsGood]

I'm dovetailing into the opportunity to share my favorite Kim Clijsters moments.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[StickeeFingaz]

Huge WCQ week for the USMNT...I'm pretty nervous, this is it.