The "I'm Traveling somewhere" Thread

[Harmony]

EB those are great shots!  You took those?  Wow.

Beautiful places.  Very zen.  I can almost imagine the sound. 

[jingle.boy]

Gorgeous shots!

[faizoff]

Those are Seriously Cool Pictures El Barto!

[TAC]

Great pics Bart. My parents took us up there when we were kids. Busted out the Triptiks.

[King Postwhore]

I see the lines in the rocks and think about how many centuries span to those rocks.

[El Barto]

Thanks, guys, but seriously the scenery and the camera did all the work. When you find places that beautiful it's hard to not take good pictures.

Fillmore Glen really was awesome. It's one of those places that nobody knows about, and I actually blundered into it completely by accident. It's a nice hiking trail that's pretty much a mile and a half of those pictures. At one point I was taking a picture of a different waterfall and when I turned around it was pouring down leaves. It looked like a snowstorm, but with yellow leaves instead of white snow. Sadly, pictures couldn't really capture it.

[Harmony]

I hope if you haven't already that you get them printed and framed for your abode.  As a fellow amateur photographer (who was definitely better at film than digital because I'm old) there are few things more satisfying than to see your work displayed.

[Stadler]

Speaking of Chicago...

I'm going to Chicago in a few weeks for a work conference.  I've flown through Chicago previously but have never been in the city.

I just got tickets to the Cubs game on July 14, so that night is spoken for, but I'll have the evening of July 13 (after arriving at O'Hare and making my way to the hotel) and most of the afternoon and evening on July 15.  The conference and my hotel are near the intersection of Wabash Av. and Monroe St.  I'm basically planning on going straight from the conference to Wrigley Field and partaking of some Chicago dogs.  So...here are my questions:

- Anywhere in particular I should go for a dog at or near Wrigley?  Or is it a "you can't go wrong wherever you go" kind of thing?

- Anything I should know about Wrigley Field itself?

- It looks like I can take the L (El?) from the Monroe station to Wrigley Field and back.  I'm pretty comfortable with trains/subways and generally prefer those when traveling to places like NY, Boston and DC.  Any reason I shouldn't take the L?

- Places to eat near my hotel?  I'm mostly looking for burgers, steak and/or BBQ, and it needs to be a place I can go solo since I almost certainly will be.  A place called Smoque was recommended for BBQ, and it looks like that's pretty near the hotel.

- Any must see places nearby?  Looks like the Sears Tower is really close.  I won't have a car and don't want to stray too far since I'll only have one afternoon/evening for this sort of thing.

You're not far from the Palmer House; there's a restaurant right next door/around the corner - I'll try to find the name - that is something you'd picture Sinatra eating at in 1964.  I LOVE it, and go there whenever I'm in town, though I haven't been there since 2015 or so.  I'm looking on the map now and I don't see it, but it was under the Loop.

As for Wrigley, it's like Fenway, in that it's right in the neighborhood.  There's a bar - I think it's called "Murphy's", don't quote me - that is literally through a garage door in the stadium.  There are also a number of placed right across the street in the area.  Getting a good Chicago dog should not be a major endeavor at all. 

[El Barto]

I hope if you haven't already that you get them printed and framed for your abode.  As a fellow amateur photographer (who was definitely better at film than digital because I'm old) there are few things more satisfying than to see your work displayed.

I learned with film, but I wouldn't go back to change my life. When you only had 24 exposures, and you had to pay $12 to see how they turned out, every one needed to be perfect (and I certainly nailed a few). The pictures I posted were 4 of 400, fired in 3-shot bursts with an endless array of tweaks between them. I apply the exact same adjustments to my DLSR that I would with my old Olympus. It's the ability to experiment and pick the best of the lot makes all the difference.

And scenic pictures aren't really my thing when it comes to home decor. 

[Harmony]

I hope if you haven't already that you get them printed and framed for your abode.  As a fellow amateur photographer (who was definitely better at film than digital because I'm old) there are few things more satisfying than to see your work displayed.

I learned with film, but I wouldn't go back to change my life. When you only had 24 exposures, and you had to pay $12 to see how they turned out, every one needed to be perfect (and I certainly nailed a few). The pictures I posted were 4 of 400, fired in 3-shot bursts with an endless array of tweaks between them. I apply the exact same adjustments to my DLSR that I would with my old Olympus. It's the ability to experiment and pick the best of the lot makes all the difference.

And scenic pictures aren't really my thing when it comes to home decor. 

Back in the day, I had access to a dark room, so it was less expensive.  I totally get the ease of digital, I just haven't taken the time to learn all the ways to use it when it comes to photo editing.  Maybe after I retire...

There is a joke in here somewhere about a preference for black velvet art or dogs playing poker but I can't quite get it right.   

[cramx3]

Those are some cool pics.  I've never gotten into photography before.  I'm usually content with the phone pictures these days, but a DSLR camera and a good eye can do wonders for taking an amazing photograph.  Maybe one day I will dive in. 

[King Postwhore]

Speaking of Chicago...

I'm going to Chicago in a few weeks for a work conference.  I've flown through Chicago previously but have never been in the city.

I just got tickets to the Cubs game on July 14, so that night is spoken for, but I'll have the evening of July 13 (after arriving at O'Hare and making my way to the hotel) and most of the afternoon and evening on July 15.  The conference and my hotel are near the intersection of Wabash Av. and Monroe St.  I'm basically planning on going straight from the conference to Wrigley Field and partaking of some Chicago dogs.  So...here are my questions:

- Anywhere in particular I should go for a dog at or near Wrigley?  Or is it a "you can't go wrong wherever you go" kind of thing?

- Anything I should know about Wrigley Field itself?

- It looks like I can take the L (El?) from the Monroe station to Wrigley Field and back.  I'm pretty comfortable with trains/subways and generally prefer those when traveling to places like NY, Boston and DC.  Any reason I shouldn't take the L?

- Places to eat near my hotel?  I'm mostly looking for burgers, steak and/or BBQ, and it needs to be a place I can go solo since I almost certainly will be.  A place called Smoque was recommended for BBQ, and it looks like that's pretty near the hotel.

- Any must see places nearby?  Looks like the Sears Tower is really close.  I won't have a car and don't want to stray too far since I'll only have one afternoon/evening for this sort of thing.

You're not far from the Palmer House; there's a restaurant right next door/around the corner - I'll try to find the name - that is something you'd picture Sinatra eating at in 1964.  I LOVE it, and go there whenever I'm in town, though I haven't been there since 2015 or so.  I'm looking on the map now and I don't see it, but it was under the Loop.

As for Wrigley, it's like Fenway, in that it's right in the neighborhood.  There's a bar - I think it's called "Murphy's", don't quote me - that is literally through a garage door in the stadium.  There are also a number of placed right across the street in the area.  Getting a good Chicago dog should not be a major endeavor at all.

May I add from Spence, that his go to for deep dish is Lou Malnottis.

[pg1067]

Speaking of Chicago...

I'm going to Chicago in a few weeks for a work conference.  I've flown through Chicago previously but have never been in the city.

I just got tickets to the Cubs game on July 14, so that night is spoken for, but I'll have the evening of July 13 (after arriving at O'Hare and making my way to the hotel) and most of the afternoon and evening on July 15.  The conference and my hotel are near the intersection of Wabash Av. and Monroe St.  I'm basically planning on going straight from the conference to Wrigley Field and partaking of some Chicago dogs.  So...here are my questions:

- Anywhere in particular I should go for a dog at or near Wrigley?  Or is it a "you can't go wrong wherever you go" kind of thing?

- Anything I should know about Wrigley Field itself?

- It looks like I can take the L (El?) from the Monroe station to Wrigley Field and back.  I'm pretty comfortable with trains/subways and generally prefer those when traveling to places like NY, Boston and DC.  Any reason I shouldn't take the L?

- Places to eat near my hotel?  I'm mostly looking for burgers, steak and/or BBQ, and it needs to be a place I can go solo since I almost certainly will be.  A place called Smoque was recommended for BBQ, and it looks like that's pretty near the hotel.

- Any must see places nearby?  Looks like the Sears Tower is really close.  I won't have a car and don't want to stray too far since I'll only have one afternoon/evening for this sort of thing.

You're not far from the Palmer House; there's a restaurant right next door/around the corner - I'll try to find the name - that is something you'd picture Sinatra eating at in 1964.  I LOVE it, and go there whenever I'm in town, though I haven't been there since 2015 or so.  I'm looking on the map now and I don't see it, but it was under the Loop.

As for Wrigley, it's like Fenway, in that it's right in the neighborhood.  There's a bar - I think it's called "Murphy's", don't quote me - that is literally through a garage door in the stadium.  There are also a number of placed right across the street in the area.  Getting a good Chicago dog should not be a major endeavor at all.

Indeed, I won't be far at all.  I'm staying at Palmer House (which appears to be in "The Loop").  Looks like there are a bunch of places very close by, so I probably can't go wrong with that either.

May I add from Spence, that his go to for deep dish is Lou Malnottis.

Well...don't kill me, but I think Chicago style pizza is pretty foul.

[King Postwhore]

Hey, to each his or her own. My gut tells all that I like all pizzas.

[cramx3]

Hey, to each his or her own. My gut tells all that I like all pizzas.

This.

[Stadler]

Speaking of Chicago...

I'm going to Chicago in a few weeks for a work conference.  I've flown through Chicago previously but have never been in the city.

I just got tickets to the Cubs game on July 14, so that night is spoken for, but I'll have the evening of July 13 (after arriving at O'Hare and making my way to the hotel) and most of the afternoon and evening on July 15.  The conference and my hotel are near the intersection of Wabash Av. and Monroe St.  I'm basically planning on going straight from the conference to Wrigley Field and partaking of some Chicago dogs.  So...here are my questions:

- Anywhere in particular I should go for a dog at or near Wrigley?  Or is it a "you can't go wrong wherever you go" kind of thing?

- Anything I should know about Wrigley Field itself?

- It looks like I can take the L (El?) from the Monroe station to Wrigley Field and back.  I'm pretty comfortable with trains/subways and generally prefer those when traveling to places like NY, Boston and DC.  Any reason I shouldn't take the L?

- Places to eat near my hotel?  I'm mostly looking for burgers, steak and/or BBQ, and it needs to be a place I can go solo since I almost certainly will be.  A place called Smoque was recommended for BBQ, and it looks like that's pretty near the hotel.

- Any must see places nearby?  Looks like the Sears Tower is really close.  I won't have a car and don't want to stray too far since I'll only have one afternoon/evening for this sort of thing.

You're not far from the Palmer House; there's a restaurant right next door/around the corner - I'll try to find the name - that is something you'd picture Sinatra eating at in 1964.  I LOVE it, and go there whenever I'm in town, though I haven't been there since 2015 or so.  I'm looking on the map now and I don't see it, but it was under the Loop.

As for Wrigley, it's like Fenway, in that it's right in the neighborhood.  There's a bar - I think it's called "Murphy's", don't quote me - that is literally through a garage door in the stadium.  There are also a number of placed right across the street in the area.  Getting a good Chicago dog should not be a major endeavor at all.

Indeed, I won't be far at all.  I'm staying at Palmer House (which appears to be in "The Loop").  Looks like there are a bunch of places very close by, so I probably can't go wrong with that either.

May I add from Spence, that his go to for deep dish is Lou Malnottis.

Well...don't kill me, but I think Chicago style pizza is pretty foul.

So if memory serves, if you're standing at the reception desk, looking across at the bar in the lobby, go out the doors to your right, and take a right.  The restaurant I'm thinking of is down on the right, on that block. I can't remember if you cross any streets, or if you take another right at the corner.  The consierge ought to help you.

[faizoff]

Hey, to each his or her own. My gut tells all that I like all pizzas.

This.

For me Pizza is Pizza, and I love it all (almost) but I definitely think deep dish is overrated. I won't mind eating it but if I'm starving, I'm not waiting 30 mins for a deep dish pizza to be made.

[El Barto]

Deep dish pizza, or casserole as I see it, is crap. And at the same time tavern style pizza goes completely under the radar there. I'm not a huge fan of that, either, but at least it qualifies as pizza rather than soup.

[ReaperKK]

I've only had deep dish a few times (funny enough never while visiting family in Chicago) but it was awful. It was really heavy on the sauce and tasted what a casserole tastes like
 

[cramx3]

Are we just labelling Chicago pizza as deep dish? The typical deep dish pizza here is nothing like chicago style pizza.  I've actually never had a true Chicago pizza, but judging by the looks of it, I'd probably rank it fairly low.  I would love to try it one day.  I'd probably still like it though because generally i just like all pizzas.  The local deep dish style here is really good too, but it's not my usual choice more of a switch things up type of pizza. 

[King Postwhore]

I have. It's great. I wouldn't have it all the time but I definitely like it

[pg1067]

So if memory serves, if you're standing at the reception desk, looking across at the bar in the lobby, go out the doors to your right, and take a right.  The restaurant I'm thinking of is down on the right, on that block. I can't remember if you cross any streets, or if you take another right at the corner.  The consierge ought to help you.

Judging from Google Maps, that could be Miller's Pub or Exchequer.

[El Barto]

Are we just labelling Chicago pizza as deep dish? The typical deep dish pizza here is nothing like chicago style pizza.  I've actually never had a true Chicago pizza, but judging by the looks of it, I'd probably rank it fairly low.  I would love to try it one day.  I'd probably still like it though because generally i just like all pizzas.  The local deep dish style here is really good too, but it's not my usual choice more of a switch things up type of pizza.

As I see it, Chicago is known for two styles of pizza. Deep dish and tavern style (super thin crust). Beyond that, Chicago has its own style of deep dish pizza, aside from the deep dish seen elsewhere. From what I've seen, and had down here, their style kind of sucks ass.

[King Postwhore]

What's the city that's known for the sauce on top of the pizza?  I saw it on TV but I can't remember where.

[Adami]

What's the city that's known for the sauce on top of the pizza?  I saw it on TV but I can't remember where.

Chicago deep dish has sauce on top.


Love Chicago. Lived there for two years. Hate their pizza. Glad I live in NYC now.

[Chino]

What Detroit has is basically fancy cheesy bread.   

Come to CT if you want the best pizza.







I will die on this hill!

[Harmony]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

[El Barto]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

They all have sauce. Only two and a half of them appear to have tomato sauce, though, thus disqualifying the others in my book.

[cramx3]

Those pizzas all look good, but brick oven pizzas are not the best over a typical NYC slice IMO.  I don't think CT pizza generally is as good as NYC or even NJ.  It's a big reason why I don't care for Dave Portnoy's pizza reviews. 

[King Postwhore]

What's the city that's known for the sauce on top of the pizza?  I saw it on TV but I can't remember where.

Chicago deep dish has sauce on top.


Love Chicago. Lived there for two years. Hate their pizza. Glad I live in NYC now.

It's Detroit style pizza.  I just figured it out.

[jingle.boy]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

Obvious emote is obvious - just not Homer.

[Harmony]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

Obvious emote is obvious - just not Homer.

Hey - that emoji isn't available in the group of emojis I see on my screen.   What level do I need to achieve to have access to the secret DT emoji list? 

But that ain't Homer.   

[lonestar]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

Obvious emote is obvious - just not Homer.

Hey - that emoji isn't available in the group of emojis I see on my screen.   What level do I need to achieve to have access to the secret DT emoji list? 

But that ain't Homer.   

You just need the right code...

[jingle.boy]

Chino - only a couple of those delicious looking pies appears to have sauce.  Is that typical for your area.

Also, where is the Homer drooling emoticon?   

Obvious emote is obvious - just not Homer.

Hey - that emoji isn't available in the group of emojis I see on my screen.   What level do I need to achieve to have access to the secret DT emoji list? 

But that ain't Homer.   

You just need the right code...

@ Harmony ... You're right, there's only a few dozen in the reply screen.  However, there's rumoured to be about 800 "hidden" emots.  You get to learn them - or if one is anal like me, keep a spreadsheet of them once discovered.  I seem to recall there's a thread somewhere that lists a bunch of them that people have found.

And RJ... use the right one  

[Lonk]

is....is that eggs on a Pizza?