CharlieTiger

It’s wreaking havoc on the aluminum market as well. About 10% of the world’s supply comes from that area and several plants were hit with strikes from Iran. When you don’t properly shut down an aluminum plant, it typically takes 12+ months to restart. The pots cool and it solidifies. You have to chip it out and start all over, having to rebuild them if it’s not done right.

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It appears the NPS has put a hold on the Chisos mtn lodge renovation in Big Bend

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The 2027 federal budget proposal cuts $736mm from the National Parks budget, which is about 25% of the total budget.

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Is even more frustrating given the fact that National Parks have one of the best overall returns of any federally managed dept.

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Bruce was on sports talk radio in Atlanta probably a week ago and he said it likely takes $8-10MM to be a top tier team now and he had just over $4MM in his last year.

We did a few days in Paris in 2019 with our 7 year old and almost 3 year old at the time. Wouldn’t recommend kids that young there, it but it was the second half of a trip with some extended family to Provence.

Depending on the time of the year, spending time in the outdoor spaces in Paris can be very nice. There are several gardens to stroll through. Get lunch and find a spot to just hang for a while. The Tuileries, Luxembourg, botanical(jardin de plant), champ de mars at the Eiffel Tower. Walk along the Seine. All of this would require a stroller with a toddler but the area along both banks of the Seine is very walkable. There’s a boat taxi that’s fun for kids too that will take you from the botanical gardens to the Eiffel Tower and back with several stops along the way.

Ile de la Cite was fun to walk around as well. I can’t remember the name, but there’s a great ice cream shop on the island. We gave the kids a break there. And all the Orangina they could drink.

If you choose to go to the Louvre, you can get arms reach from the Mona Lisa with a stroller. At least we could in 2019. They had a walkway roped off along the right side of the room for strollers and wheelchairs and you can get right up to it. You’ll have to carry the stroller up and down tons of stairs, but we actually enjoyed our visit. We did the Orsay too. Neither are really kid friendly, but you just gotta make do.

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From Rome to Amalfi, take the high speed train. Don’t drive on the Amalfi coast, narrow roads, blind hairpin turns and absolutely terrible parking situation. Get a room with a nice view on the Amalfi coast, doesn’t have to have a beach. Do a day trip to Capri. Gelato!

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Keep in mind the main train runs to Naples and then you either have to transfer to a slower train to Sorrento or get a driver to take you from Naples, which is what we did. Transfers aren’t that expensive. Whatever you do, don’t drive yourself unless you have a death wish.

We stayed in the northern side of the peninsula near Massa Lubrense and did a boat day which I highly recommend. We had a boat to ourselves(4 adults, 4 kids) and cruised from the marina near ML around to Minori/Maiori and back. We had an older Italian guy for our captain who was hilarious. We got to see the coast from the water, which was a much better way to do it in the middle of summer, imo.

We got hot, we stopped and got in the water. We were hungry, we stopped and ate at a restaurant on the water just past Praiano. We made stops at all the major towns along the way. An amazing day.

If you want to stay in a quieter area, you may be able to find an Airbnb somewhere right off the blue(east/west) line stops in one of the neighborhoods going east - Inman Park, Candler Park, Decatur. It’s a really easy Marta ride and drops you off right there. Plenty of great spots to eat in those neighborhoods.

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Yellow jerseys in 2027?

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Helmets

Following

We’re going to Spain in early July and likely doing a week in Portugal before hand. Will more than likely fly into Lisbon. Can’t decide if we want to do multiple stops or just try to relax in one area - possibly Algarve region or somewhere along the Duoro valley.

Barcelona the next week for the start of the Tour.

If you stay in Springdale, you’re going to miss the incredible drive in through the east entrance on hwy 9. It’s a jaw dropper when you drive through that tunnel.

If you haven’t been to Bryce, see if you can fit that in too. They’re both incredible and unique in their own ways. I’d hate to be that close and not get there too. A good day there is going down Navajo Loop > Peekaboo Loop > Queens Garden. You’re looking at about 10 miles for that.

The crowds at Zion will depend on when you’re there. I’ve been in Late October with small crowds and early April with a 2 hour wait for the shuttle. Weather was similar both times and there was snow in Bryce in April. Probably a little warmer in Bryce and Zion in October though. October was ideal. Both times I’ve been I stayed between them for access to both. Might not be what you’re looking for, but it’s what I’d recommend.

Most of the “must do” Zion hikes have been mentioned but if you can’t do Angels Landing or have height issues, continuing up the west rim trail past Scouts Landing is a great option. Another trail that I never see recommended is Watchman Trail. It’s really close to the main visitor center. It’s maybe 1.5-2 hours and you get some really nice views into the canyon. I’ve heard good things about the Kolob Canyons area too. Haven’t been there yet.

There’s also amazing mtn biking around Virgin/Hurricane if you’re into that.

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Cormac McCarthy books are pretty good.

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They can be difficult to follow initially. He doesn’t use quotes so at first you may not know if someone is speaking or who they’re speaking to. You get used to it after a while though.

I’d also recommend All The Pretty Horses for those interested in reading McCarthy.

The Road is very bleak though. Once I finished that book, one of my first thoughts was….”if society ever gets to that point, I’m out.”

I see Kevn Kinney at the Dekalb Farmers Market a decent bit.

Conan O’Brien’s podcast had Chris Robinson on a few years ago(just listened a few weeks ago) but it’s a great conversation. Chris is damn funny btw.

Late 80’s/early 90’s was a little before my time(was only 12 in ‘92) so that’s about all I got. Some damn good music was made in this state during that time though.