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favorite US city to visit
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ECUGrad07 Offline
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Post: #201
RE: favorite US city to visit
You Texas/NM folks have nothing on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 05-stirthepot

[Image: Smokies.jpg]
[Image: river-of-fog-great-smoky-mountains-natio...0x1080.jpg]
[Image: blue-ridge-highway.jpg]
[Image: 2016-07-23_grandfather-mountain_swinging...k-view.jpg]
[Image: chimneyrock.jpg]


Asheville, NC
[Image: asheville-skyline(webonly)-sz.jpg]

Boone, NC
[Image: obm_mountains_carousel.jpg]

Lake Lure, NC
[Image: kayak.jpg]
07-12-2017 10:04 AM
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TheOrigamiJimmyChin Offline
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Post: #202
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-11-2017 06:46 PM)geef Wrote:  Big Bend might be my favorite place in the United States. You're dead on - magical doesn't even begin to describe it. I spent a winter there in the mid-90s working on the trail crew. We used to pay an old Mexican guy a buck to row us across the river at Rio Grande Village (one of us had to bail water as he rowed), then walked into the town in Mexico. Shot pool with Federalis (guns and all), then hung out with an American bar owner who was an excellent guitar player. Just a few years later, Robert Earl Keen met him and he became the subject of 'Gringo Honeymoon' (give it a listen).

There's a great hot spring, with a hidden one in the middle of a bamboo thicket nearby, in an old abandoned house overlooking the Rio Grande and Escalante(?) Canyon. I'm a hot spring fan, and nothing's ever approached this one.

Had some great times at La Kiva and the Starlight in Terlingua (saw Jerry Jeff Walker at the Starlight), but nothing approaching David Byrne in Marfa. And, damn straight on the Gila Wilderness - another awesome place.....

You're referring to Boquillas, a short boat ride across the Rio Grande (or I've walked and swam across for various reasons too). The guitar player is Danny, and he didn't own the Park Bar, he was just a fixture there for many many years. He spent about a decade there in Boquillas as a fugitive from the DEA. He finally gave himself up, served his time, and I understand he's still around in Terlingua, along with a son who's also a talented guitar player. I came across this photo last night online of Danny and Doris Sanchez, who owned the Buzzards Roost "Bed & Breakfast" (or more accurately, "cot and frijoles").

[Image: 14721484_1304130569598216_69513391008204...e=59F9A328]

Many great times there. Boquillas fell on hard times after 9-11, as President Bush closed down the "unofficial" crossing. No tourists for over 10 years was a very tough time for them, as they're effectively cut off from the rest of Mexico due to its remoteness. Before the crossing was shut down, all their mail and food came from the US side. I don't know how they survived without, but they are some tough SOB's.

The good news is that there is now an official port of entry...even if the crossing is still by the same old jon boat. It re-opened in 2013...at a cost of something like $5 million for an unmanned port of entry. If you want to cross now you've got to bring a passport, get a visa on the Mexican side, and check back in on the US side. I'm sure we're much safer for it. 03-banghead

My son's first trip outside the US was on that little aluminum jon boat about two years ago. Boquillas has really changed. For one, they have electricity now...a small solar plant was opened 2 years ago, so they now have things like refrigerators! (I mean, the Park Bar always had a refrigerator full of cerveza, but now they can plug it into an outlet!)

The town has doubled in size since they re-opened the border, up to 250 people now. Jose Falcon still has a restaurant, and with electricity, you can get ice cold drinks and dishes with MEAT in them!!! The Falcons have even opened up a small hotel there. It's come a long ways. I'm happy for all our friends there.
07-12-2017 10:38 AM
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Moody Magic Offline
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Post: #203
RE: favorite US city to visit
I'm a native Texan and I much prefer city life over country life but as great as all these places mentioned are, nowhere comes close to matching what California offers. Taking a week or two to fly into either LA or SF, rent a car, explore LA or SF for a couple of days and then jump on the PCH and head north or south. It is stunning. The beaches, coastal communities, the coastal redwoods, national parks, camping opportunities golfing and so much more. Something for everyone.
07-12-2017 10:43 AM
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TheOrigamiJimmyChin Offline
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Post: #204
RE: favorite US city to visit
Damn...still looking around the internet for stuff on Boquillas, and I came across this obituary for Victor Valdez Ureste. You may remember his big booming voice echoing off the canyon walls near the crossing. He passed away last year. http://bigbendnow.com/2016/08/ureste/

[Image: Valdez-photo-WEB.jpg]

I had also read or heard years ago that Juan Valdez had died. You'll remember him from the Park Bar also...his arm always "le duele", and the only thing that would help was another beer. :)

[Image: 920x920.jpg]
07-12-2017 10:56 AM
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TheOrigamiJimmyChin Offline
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Post: #205
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:04 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  You Texas/NM folks have nothing on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 05-stirthepot

Those are certainly beautiful locations, but there's something reassuring about being in a place that's a 3-1/2 hour drive from the nearest Wal-Mart.
07-12-2017 11:11 AM
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Lizard Breath Offline
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Post: #206
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:04 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  You Texas/NM folks have nothing on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 05-stirthepot

[Image: Smokies.jpg]
[Image: river-of-fog-great-smoky-mountains-natio...0x1080.jpg]
[Image: blue-ridge-highway.jpg]
[Image: 2016-07-23_grandfather-mountain_swinging...k-view.jpg]
[Image: chimneyrock.jpg]


Asheville, NC
[Image: asheville-skyline(webonly)-sz.jpg]

Boone, NC
[Image: obm_mountains_carousel.jpg]

Lake Lure, NC
[Image: kayak.jpg]

Very nice. We actually have a lot of good places that are similar. Maybe not as good but pretty similar. Our beaches in Texas are pretty nice too. Texas has a little bit of everything.
07-12-2017 11:53 AM
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Lizard Breath Offline
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Post: #207
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:43 AM)Moody Magic Wrote:  I'm a native Texan and I much prefer city life over country life but as great as all these places mentioned are, nowhere comes close to matching what California offers. Taking a week or two to fly into either LA or SF, rent a car, explore LA or SF for a couple of days and then jump on the PCH and head north or south. It is stunning. The beaches, coastal communities, the coastal redwoods, national parks, camping opportunities golfing and so much more. Something for everyone.

Irvine/ Laguna is my top 5
07-12-2017 11:54 AM
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geef Offline
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Post: #208
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:38 AM)TheOrigamiJimmyChin Wrote:  
(07-11-2017 06:46 PM)geef Wrote:  Big Bend might be my favorite place in the United States. You're dead on - magical doesn't even begin to describe it. I spent a winter there in the mid-90s working on the trail crew. We used to pay an old Mexican guy a buck to row us across the river at Rio Grande Village (one of us had to bail water as he rowed), then walked into the town in Mexico. Shot pool with Federalis (guns and all), then hung out with an American bar owner who was an excellent guitar player. Just a few years later, Robert Earl Keen met him and he became the subject of 'Gringo Honeymoon' (give it a listen).

There's a great hot spring, with a hidden one in the middle of a bamboo thicket nearby, in an old abandoned house overlooking the Rio Grande and Escalante(?) Canyon. I'm a hot spring fan, and nothing's ever approached this one.

Had some great times at La Kiva and the Starlight in Terlingua (saw Jerry Jeff Walker at the Starlight), but nothing approaching David Byrne in Marfa. And, damn straight on the Gila Wilderness - another awesome place.....

You're referring to Boquillas, a short boat ride across the Rio Grande (or I've walked and swam across for various reasons too). The guitar player is Danny, and he didn't own the Park Bar, he was just a fixture there for many many years. He spent about a decade there in Boquillas as a fugitive from the DEA. He finally gave himself up, served his time, and I understand he's still around in Terlingua, along with a son who's also a talented guitar player. I came across this photo last night online of Danny and Doris Sanchez, who owned the Buzzards Roost "Bed & Breakfast" (or more accurately, "cot and frijoles").

[Image: 14721484_1304130569598216_69513391008204...e=59F9A328]

Many great times there. Boquillas fell on hard times after 9-11, as President Bush closed down the "unofficial" crossing. No tourists for over 10 years was a very tough time for them, as they're effectively cut off from the rest of Mexico due to its remoteness. Before the crossing was shut down, all their mail and food came from the US side. I don't know how they survived without, but they are some tough SOB's.

The good news is that there is now an official port of entry...even if the crossing is still by the same old jon boat. It re-opened in 2013...at a cost of something like $5 million for an unmanned port of entry. If you want to cross now you've got to bring a passport, get a visa on the Mexican side, and check back in on the US side. I'm sure we're much safer for it. 03-banghead

My son's first trip outside the US was on that little aluminum jon boat about two years ago. Boquillas has really changed. For one, they have electricity now...a small solar plant was opened 2 years ago, so they now have things like refrigerators! (I mean, the Park Bar always had a refrigerator full of cerveza, but now they can plug it into an outlet!)

The town has doubled in size since they re-opened the border, up to 250 people now. Jose Falcon still has a restaurant, and with electricity, you can get ice cold drinks and dishes with MEAT in them!!! The Falcons have even opened up a small hotel there. It's come a long ways. I'm happy for all our friends there.

Wow! Thank you for spurring so many great memories. Danny. That's right. For some reason, I thought he was the owner of the bar. And, all of my memories are indeed pre-9/11. I read an article - and wish I could find it for reference - that the border crossing from Mexico into Big Bend is the least accessed (for good reason) by undocumented immigrants. The leaky rowboat would have sufficed for eternity.....
07-12-2017 11:59 AM
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Moody Magic Offline
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Post: #209
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 11:54 AM)Lizard Breath Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 10:43 AM)Moody Magic Wrote:  I'm a native Texan and I much prefer city life over country life but as great as all these places mentioned are, nowhere comes close to matching what California offers. Taking a week or two to fly into either LA or SF, rent a car, explore LA or SF for a couple of days and then jump on the PCH and head north or south. It is stunning. The beaches, coastal communities, the coastal redwoods, national parks, camping opportunities golfing and so much more. Something for everyone.

Irvine/ Laguna is my top 5

Never spent a lot of time in Orange County but I worked with a lot of people who lived down there. It had to be great to deal with the commute into LA.

My favorite place to get away in California is Monterey/Big Sur. Spending a week there to unwind is incredible. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been..
(This post was last modified: 07-12-2017 12:42 PM by Moody Magic.)
07-12-2017 12:40 PM
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Boca Rocket Offline
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Post: #210
RE: favorite US city to visit
07-12-2017 01:03 PM
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MJG Offline
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RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

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07-12-2017 01:24 PM
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ECUGrad07 Offline
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Post: #212
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:24 PM)MJG Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

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[Image: giphy.gif]
07-12-2017 01:25 PM
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isidnirb Offline
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Post: #213
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:24 PM)MJG Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

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You need to venture out more for your summers.

There is a reason everyone in the north travels south for Spring Break, Summer vacation and Fall breaks. From the Outer Banks, to Charleston, Savannah, Destin, etc. Then check out all the visitor license plates.
07-12-2017 01:46 PM
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Pony94 Offline
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Post: #214
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:24 PM)MJG Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

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Maybe Harbor Springs
07-12-2017 01:50 PM
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DownOnRohs Offline
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Post: #215
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:46 PM)isidnirb Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:24 PM)MJG Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

You need to venture out more for your summers.

There is a reason everyone in the north travels south for Spring Break, Summer vacation and Fall breaks. From the Outer Banks, to Charleston, Savannah, Destin, etc. Then check out all the visitor license plates.

The reason is those places during spring and fall breaks have weather similar to northern summers.

Have you ECU guys been to Lake Michigan in the summer? 90 degrees and humid isn't everyone's ideal late-July day.
07-12-2017 02:21 PM
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colohank Offline
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RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:04 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  You Texas/NM folks have nothing on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 05-stirthepot

[Image: Smokies.jpg]
[Image: river-of-fog-great-smoky-mountains-natio...0x1080.jpg]
[Image: blue-ridge-highway.jpg]
[Image: 2016-07-23_grandfather-mountain_swinging...k-view.jpg]
[Image: chimneyrock.jpg]


Asheville, NC
[Image: asheville-skyline(webonly)-sz.jpg]

Boone, NC
[Image: obm_mountains_carousel.jpg]

Lake Lure, NC
[Image: kayak.jpg]

Those are some nice hills, for sure, but we've got mountains out here that are almost two miles higher in elevation than Mt. Mitchell. Imagine 54 peaks that are 14,000 or more above sea level, and another 900 or so above 13,000 feet.

I'm lucky. A twenty-minute walk from my house gets me to the boundary of a national monument and adjacent national conservation area that total about 100,000 acres. A mile and half drive the other way gets me to a Kroger store.


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07-12-2017 04:18 PM
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Lizard Breath Offline
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Post: #217
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 01:25 PM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:24 PM)MJG Wrote:  
(07-12-2017 01:03 PM)Boca Rocket Wrote:  Traverse City, Michigan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DuFujGCswU
No better place in the Summer

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

[Image: giphy.gif]


lolz
07-12-2017 04:22 PM
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geef Offline
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Post: #218
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 04:18 PM)colohank Wrote:  Those are some nice hills, for sure, but we've got mountains out here that are almost two miles higher in elevation than Mt. Mitchell. Imagine 54 peaks that are 14,000 or more above sea level, and another 900 or so above 13,000 feet.

I'm lucky. A twenty-minute walk from my house gets me to the boundary of a national monument and adjacent national conservation area that total about 100,000 acres. A mile and half drive the other way gets me to a Kroger store.

Don't undersell yourself, hank. Just a few miles to the east gets you to a handful of wineries and some of the sweetest peaches this side of Georgia. A few miles to the west, and you can hop on a mountain bike and ramble all the way to Moab. Do a fellow Bearcat and former Coloradoan a favor, and toss some Olathe Sweet Corn into a box with Palisade Peaches and some chiles this summer and ship 'em on over to Oregon, would you?
07-12-2017 04:36 PM
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sfink16 Offline
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Post: #219
RE: favorite US city to visit
(07-12-2017 10:04 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  You Texas/NM folks have nothing on the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 05-stirthepot

[Image: 2016-07-23_grandfather-mountain_swinging...k-view.jpg]

Beautiful area too! It took me a while to convince my wife to cross the Grandfather Mountain swinging bride. Here is a couple from Mount Mitchell, Highest point east of the Mississippi, and Grandfather Mountain wildlife preserve:
[Image: 42519841_ee9c9e8f85_z.jpg?zz=1]

[Image: 42519845_215dd7cf0a_z.jpg?zz=1]

From observation deck at Mount Mitchell
[Image: 42519842_3217718722_z.jpg?zz=1]

[Image: 44495671_02a2d8570c.jpg]

[Image: 44495669_127e296507.jpg]

[Image: 44495670_bd52eb5d14_z.jpg?zz=1]
(This post was last modified: 07-12-2017 09:22 PM by sfink16.)
07-12-2017 07:02 PM
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Lush Offline
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Post: #220
RE: favorite US city to visit
(06-28-2017 07:39 AM)Hood-rich Wrote:  Kennecott. Been there. Stayed in McCarthy, toured the mine and hiked the glacier. It was one of several stops on our honeymoon along that highway. I remember that exact view of the mountains rising above the trees. Damn I love Alaska.

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as awesome as mccarthy was, homer is serene. nothing suits homer more than a quiet blanket of fog. i was surprised at how townie it felt and not very touristy. magnificent hiking. and you gotta camp on the spit
(07-10-2017 06:54 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  A smaller city that I really enjoyed visiting was Marietta, Ohio. Right on the Ohio River/West Virginia border and it was clean, quaint, great walkable downtown, and some American history there as well.

i'm going to get to marietta one of these days. it's been my number one to see city in the state for 10 years running. just haven't made it work. portsmouth is another neat river town. in its' heyday, that would have been a pretty bustling remarkable town. a considerable downtown. rustic. and shawnee state forest is right next door for decent backpacking and great car camping.

i knew that wheeling, west virginia would blow me away. another good river town. by the size of its' downtown, this city could easily accommodate 100,000 people. i've been to charleston and morgantown, wheeling had more of a big city feel. it's on my list of favorite downtowns, duluth is my tits
07-12-2017 08:27 PM
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