Take a Vacation

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm going to Nashville, TN to go to the State Live. Any advice on things to do while there? It will be a short trip: Saturday - Tuesday.

I am a huge fan of Nashville hot chicken. I love Hattie B's, but there are several others that people swear by.

Nashville is a blast. Live music everywhere you go. You can google who will be in town that weekend, but you should just go to Broadway and wander around.

[Donuthole]

I'm going to Nashville, TN to go to the State Live. Any advice on things to do while there? It will be a short trip: Saturday - Tuesday.

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at the Peg Leg Porker back in 2019. I still consider their Hot BBQ sauce to be the best I've had.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I'm going to Nashville, TN to go to the State Live. Any advice on things to do while there? It will be a short trip: Saturday - Tuesday.

[falafel]

Went to Hapuna but couldn't snorkel because the water was rough. It was a decent beach but nothing special. The golfing, on the other hand, was great. We stayed at a place in Waikoloa village and golfed the beach and lake course there. Also golfed Mauna Kea and another course 20 miles inland. The best thing about that round was that on the eighth hole a herd of about 30 wild goats wandered into the fairway and just hung out. That's something that doesn't happen here on the mainland.

That happens at Cascata outside of Las Vegas all the time. But they are bighorn sheep instead, which is a lot cooler, IMO. But I guess you normally don't get 30 of them together. More like 2-10.

[Commando]

I got back from the big island last week (my first time in Hawaii). I don't get it. We did all the tourist shit, but the only part I really enjoyed was the golfing, and if all I'm looking for is golfing, I'd rather go to Myrtle Beach.

lol you are tripping. I did the Manta Ray scuba where you sit at the bottom of the cove with a flood light and watch the enormous Manta Rays feed on the plankton attracted to the light, and the dolphin snorkel (where you go out in a boat and dip into the water when you see the wild bottleneck dolphins coming back to shore in their sleep after hunting all night). The only thing you liked was something you can do literally anywhere? That amazes me.

[Commando]

So we have our NZ itinerary, and at first glance it looks we'll be won't be doing basically anything that you did. This is the tentative plan, which Mrs. NWC has spent time enough on that I know not to critique or suggest much change. Anyways:

Flying into Aukland, getting there in the morning and spending one night. We wanted to go to the Tiritiri Island but the ferry doesn't run on the two days we are there. We looked into booking a charter but that's really pricey. We're thinking of spending a day on the Oneroa Island checking out the sites. There is a nudist beach there but we will be pretty jet-lagged.

Driving to Whiritoa beach and spending 2 days there. On the eastern coast. Doing some kayaking and chilling there.

Three days near Rotorura. Glow worms cave, redwoods, probably a Maori cultural thing (Mrs. insists).

One day in Taupo, checking out Lake Taupo and environs.

Three days in Napier. Sort of open-ended here. We'll be visiting Mrs. NWC's HS friend, maybe some vineyards.

Fly to Christchurch on the South Island. Spending a couple of days near Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo.

3 days near Queensland. More hiking, visiting other HS friend of Mrs. NWC.

One day guided fishing tour on the Mataura River. Please weather gods, you can rain on me every day this whole vacation, if you just give us this one clear day

Te Anau for 4 days. Mrs. found a 4 day hiking excursion where they pick you up from the hotel each day, drive you to a destination, hike the day, and drive you back. Please, no hating from the peanut gallery.

Driving to Queenstown, flying back to Aukland and leaving NZ that night.

Even spending almost 3 weeks there we quickly realized you can barely scratch the surface. We considered limiting ourselves to one island, but we reasoned if this is the only time we ever go to NZ we need to experience as much as possible. I feel like we should spend some time in Aukland to see the sites that you and others suggested, but I think it's going to be the scenery that lingers in my memories, more than museums and such.

Wow that's a lot of time in NZ. I was there a little over a month for an externship back in law school. I did the glow worm caves, Rotorua, and a whole bunch of amazing hikes on the weekends. The best part of NZ is the food. In Taupo I did the famous bungee jump, which was a blast/pretty scary. You guys are right to see the South Island, since I was just on the north island and don't feel like I saw enough of it anyway. Take lots of photos whether you want to or not is my only advice.

[Commando]

We decided to go to Hawaii over Christmas this year when my daughter gets home from her mission. It looks like a few of my siblings and their families may come along with us.

We were thinking that Maui would be good to go to but weren't sure how well things have recovered in Lahaina after the fires.

Any suggestions for a potential big group. Any other tips.

I belong to a couple Maui forums. Maui is fully operational, minus Lahaina. I might set up shop in a condo in Kihei and do a day trip or 2 to Black Rock for snorkeling if you want. Sounds like a good time!

[Commando]

Any active volcanoes on Maui, or just on the big island?

Just the Big island, where you can see the glowing lava flows.

[BigPiney]

I want to live where you live. That sounds cool as hell.

also very windy

[Non Sequitur]

Goats....no. But the golf course I live on this happens regularly with deer. Also, in the Spring/Summer, there is a herd of around 11 elk that hang out on the golf course.

I want to live where you live. That sounds cool as hell.

[The_Tick]

Went to Hapuna but couldn't snorkel because the water was rough. It was a decent beach but nothing special. The golfing, on the other hand, was great. We stayed at a place in Waikoloa village and golfed the beach and lake course there. Also golfed Mauna Kea and another course 20 miles inland. The best thing about that round was that on the eighth hole a herd of about 30 wild goats wandered into the fairway and just hung out. That's something that doesn't happen here on the mainland.

Goats....no. But the golf course I live on this happens regularly with deer. Also, in the Spring/Summer, there is a herd of around 11 elk that hang out on the golf course.

[Jeff Lebowski]

We love Maui and have gone several times. We usually stay at Kaanapali beach. Lots of great snorkeling and beaches nearby.

We have some friends who were just there. They said they won't let anybody go near Lahaina, but everything else is functional.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If you watch the documentary "The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari" on Netflix you might change your thoughts about going to see a volcano.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81410405

We watched that. Super interesting.

[BigFatMeanie]

If you watch the documentary "The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari" on Netflix you might change your thoughts about going to see a volcano.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81410405

[Northwestcoug]

Any active volcanoes on Maui, or just on the big island?

I think Haleakala is 'active', but nowhere near as active as the ones on the big island.