Sunday Travel Thread: Over the River and Through the Woods [Y-not]

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.
-- Johnny Carson

Sitting here looking out the window watching snow fall... yep, it's November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

PROCEED TO PANIC!!!

All done now? Good.

Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite holidays, second only to Christmas (although it's getting closer and closer as the hassle of putting together bundles of gifts and shipping them across country has become wearing). I like the simplicity of Thanksgiving: it's a big meal flanked by time off and lots of football. Hard to go wrong with that.

Well, except for the hassle of traveling.

First, a poll:

Now, a song:

Although this version is designed as a Christmas song, it really was based on a poem about Thanksgiving. Here's a little bit about that famous song:

First published in 1844, "Over the River and Through the Woods" was a poem written by Lydia Marie Child - a poet and novelist (and quite the advocate for emancipation of slaves). Child published the poem in a collection for children titled Flowers for Children, Vol. 2.
The song "Over the River and Through the Woods" is a song about taking a trip to visit grandparents and other family members on Thanksgiving day. The narrative of the lyrics celebrates the long journey there, the snow and the animals the family passes along the way. The narrator seems to be a child, though that's not explicit, and it spends about a dozen verses anticipating the joy and familial communing which will take place around the Thanksgiving table.

Mr Y-not and I were flat broke when we first got married. Between our lousy finances and the nature of our jobs, traveling 800 miles "back East" for the holidays was not an option. Later, when it would have been more feasible, various circumstances conspired against it.

On the couple of occasions when we did travel "home" for Thanksgiving, our trips were unmitigated disasters. (I'm looking at you PEOPLExpress Airline! BTW, did you know they've been resurrecting that monstrosity?)

Really, the only flaw with Thanksgiving in my mind is the travel, especially if you are far enough away that driving is not an option. Even before the days of shoe bombers and horny TSA agents, flying was a hassle, especially if it took us through Newark (one of my least favorite airports and number four on this list of worst airports in North America). These days I do almost anything to avoid flying.

So we just don't do it and, instead, listen with (barely concealed) amusement to the horror stories of our friends and co-workers who go through the torture of travel.* Although it's not Thanksgiving-related, I liked this one:

[T]wo British women were arrested by authorities after they tried to take the body of a dead relative on to a plane at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport. Airport workers became suspicious after the two women got out of a taxi with the corpse of 91-year-old Curt Willi Jarant, who was wearing sunglasses, and tried to check him in for a flight to Berlin. The women -- Jarant's widow and stepdaughter -- explained that they thought the dead man was asleep. Nevertheless, police booked them on suspicion of failing to give notification of a death.

Do you have any good travel stories?

*If you do have to travel, especially with kids in tow, here are some tips to make it go more smoothly. (One thing I've learned to do is to carry individually wrapped Fig Newtons, which I offer to the parents of squirmy kids sitting near me. I'm surprised by how many parents don't seem to have good snacks for their kids when they travel.)

Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:45 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I'm going upstairs to the dining room.

Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:46 AM (8N+Kq)

2 Oh yea, not gonna yell FIRST! Not gonna do it.

Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:46 AM (8N+Kq)

3 Any drive of 1,000 miles or less, beats flying.

For me, ANY drive beats flying. Except for overseas flights. Amphibicar ain't all that seaworthy, even now.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:47 AM (RzZOc)

4 You cant make me.

Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:47 AM (8N+Kq)

5 Blog is leaning to the right. Good, that's the way I like it.

Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:47 AM (8N+Kq)

6 Someone left the italics open?

Let's see if that fixes it.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:47 AM (RzZOc)

7 Nope. I typed in [ / I ] , with no spaces. Doing it again, too.

Looks to be something the OP or Pixy is gonna have to wrangle?

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:49 AM (RzZOc)

8 I got it. Sorry!

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:49 AM (9BRsg)

9 I'm traveling to HEB and back to get the damn turkey and the damn fixin's. Does that count?

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at November 23, 2014 11:49 AM (mB6ez)

10 "Looks to be something the OP or Pixy is gonna have to wrangle?

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim"

You have to do it three times Jim.

Posted by: Mrs. Ida Lowry at November 23, 2014 11:49 AM (8N+Kq)

11
I've never had a bad Thanksgiving. Don't understand the family argument thing.

I guess I should Give Thanks for that. Family, Food, Football.

Also Pie.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 23, 2014 11:50 AM (NtzGn)

12 What's HEB?

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:50 AM (9BRsg)

13 Oh, okay. So NOW if fixes things.

*hrummph*

Anyway, I'm off to Texas City Municipal Shooting range. Got an '06 deer rifle to zero.

Mk. X Mauser, .30-'06, new Nikon 3x9-40 Pro-Staff scope. Cheap rig, ought to be good enough for +/- 200 yards.

It'd be nice to put fresh backstrap on the table for Thanksgiving!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:51 AM (RzZOc)

14 >>I've never had a bad Thanksgiving. Don't understand the family argument thing.

I think it's that pressure of taking what should be the world's most awesome holiday and turning into we all HAVE TO travel and put on our NICE CLOTHES and have MANNERS etc etc.

Also, a too many people in the kitchen.

Growing up, our T-days were very nice, but they only involved our immediate family b/c we were 8+ hr drive from cousins and grandparents.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:52 AM (9BRsg)

15 HEB = Grocery store chain founded by Harold E. Buttz.

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at November 23, 2014 11:53 AM (mB6ez)

16 What Thanksgiving means to me

1) fighting about who takes my mother back to the home

2) Talking politics without walking out: about 50-50

3) Seeing my left wing moon bat shit eating liberal non-sexual sister

4) Hoping there is an interesting Football game on so I don't have to talk to anyone

5) My younger daughter going to her asshole liberal boyfriend's family

6) Hope the food is good

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 23, 2014 11:53 AM (nzKvP)

17 Y Not.

H.E.B. Huge, major, whopping big Texas grocery store chain.

Big n' bad enough to have run Kroger and Albertsons, clean out of San Antonio, and other markets.

Names for founder, Howard E. Butt. No, he was not one of the famous Butt Sisters.

Superb stores, prices, quality, freshness and values. Oh, and the selection. You'll not shop Wal Mart after a few trips through HEB.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (RzZOc)

18 12% of NY public schools are illegals -- and rising fast.
DRUDGE REPORT @DRUDGE_REPORT 5m
Flood of illegals pour into NYC public schools... http://drudge.tw/1rdQTXS

Posted by: Costanza Defense at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (ZPrif)

19 I meant to mention, CharlieBrown's Di has a thread in draft about Thanksgiving FOOD so let's try to stay vaguely on topic and stick to travel-related stuff.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (9BRsg)

20 We go out to eat on Thanksgiving. Who wants to cook all that?

Posted by: Pot-8-Os at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (vq+ud)

21 Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Sunday that President Obama refuses to accept that only Congress has the authority to establish federal immigration laws and that members should block the presidents nominees and some funding until he rescinds his executive action on the issue.

At the very least

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 23, 2014 11:55 AM (nzKvP)

22 HEB = Grocery store chain founded by Harold E. Buttz.
Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at November 23, 2014 11:53 AM (mB6ez)
*********
My Brother

Posted by: Seymore Butz at November 23, 2014 11:56 AM (jucos)

23 >>H.E.B. Huge, major, whopping big Texas grocery store chain.

Thanks for putting me some knowledge.

When we lived in Houston we shopped at Randall's, which was pretty darned nice as I recall.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:57 AM (9BRsg)

24 Oops, sorry. I'll move to the other thread.

Posted by: Pot-8-Os at November 23, 2014 11:57 AM (vq+ud)

25
There could always be a MoMe Thanksgiving. Buffalo is nice this time of year.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 23, 2014 11:59 AM (NtzGn)

26 I wish we lived close enough to drive to see relatives at this time of year, especially now that our parents are elderly. Ideal range, imho, is about 300 miles or five hours. Close enough to do easily, but far enough to avoid a lot of "pop ins" from relatives.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:59 AM (9BRsg)

27 HEB = Grocery store chain founded by Harold E. Buttz

I assume he went by 'Harold' his whole life.

Posted by: t-bird at November 23, 2014 11:59 AM (FcR7P)

28 Don't worry, Pot. I only meant let's save recipe sharing and whatnot for CBD's thread, just as a courtesy to him. General T-day chit-chat and even OT stuff is fine with me. I just didn't want to pre-stomp his food thread.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:01 PM (9BRsg)

29 We're all special spoiled little snowflakes when it comes to this travel whinging. Think about the pioneers when saying good bye really meant good bye as in never seeing your loved ones again...

Yeah you can get off my lawn anytime, starting now...

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 23, 2014 12:01 PM (zPNX5)

30 My family all live in Oregon, except for my mother. When I was in the Army it wasn't a problem, since I usually volunteered to be the Staff Duty Officer over the holidays in exchange for being able to get out of it when I needed a weekend off for something else. Now that I'm out, I've had to start alternating again. Last year I drove two days to spend Christmas with the family in Oregon. This year I'm spending both holidays with Mom and Stepdad. My cousin recently moved from Portland to Denver. Since she's got no one else around, we're going to do Thanksgiving at her place and then I'll go to see Mom on Friday.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at November 23, 2014 12:03 PM (10ydV)

31 Think about the pioneers when saying good bye really meant good bye as in never seeing your loved ones again...

there are some people I'd like to say that kind of good-bye to. As my wife was saying to one of her friend on the phone this AM, I like animals a hell of a lot more than humans.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 23, 2014 12:04 PM (nzKvP)

32 >> Last year I drove two days to spend Christmas with the family in Oregon.

That's some serious Awesome Son points you racked up!

Who are the folks who answered "over 2,000" miles on the poll? Just curious.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:05 PM (9BRsg)

33 NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- President Barack Obama is playing golf at an exclusive Las Vegas-area course with a retired shortstop, a Democratic Party donor and a newspaper owner.

After Obama took about five hours to play the 18 holes at Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas on Saturday, the White House said that he had decided to play an additional nine holes.

His foursome includes retired New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Obama campaign supporter Stephen Cloobeck and the owner of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, Brian Greenspun.

Casino mogul Steve Wynn built Shadow Creek in 1989; it is now owned by MGM Resorts International.

Obama is spending the weekend in Nevada after delivering an immigration speech in Las Vegas on Friday.

He returns to the White House on Sunday.

Well fuck jeter and I am a Yankee fan, but my Country is more important.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 23, 2014 12:06 PM (nzKvP)

34 Obama is one of the most blatantly elitist POTUS I can remember. Shaking my damned head at the fools who voted for him.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:08 PM (9BRsg)

35 Geting to have TG with a full blown WTMI moon bat liberal MORMON of all things. Think the worst liberal hyperbole and spin ever then turn it up to 11t11! We do not even mention politics..well I do as it is kind of fun listening to the psycho babble during commercials. The stuff some people believe is just outrageous and when it is liberal spew coming from a Mormon supposed MorBot it is kind of exciting in a train wreck sort of fashion.

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 23, 2014 12:09 PM (zPNX5)

36 When we lived in Houston we shopped at Randall's, which was pretty darned nice as I recall.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 11:57 AM (9BRsg)
Now owned by Safeway/Albertson

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at November 23, 2014 12:10 PM (R8hU8)

37 No need to travel anymore, I am the patriarch of my family. Come to me my children and bring my grandbabies.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at November 23, 2014 12:10 PM (GKxF1)

38 My folks are flying out from Texas, and a friend of mine is driving down from NYC to spend Thanksgiving with us. While I'm hosting, technically, my mom is still doing the lion's share of the cooking. It's her joy and I'm not stealing it from her.

Posted by: no good deed at November 23, 2014 12:10 PM (w3a0Z)

39 Just took the poll. Looks like Mary Cloggenstein has 28 friends. 29 folks that have a soul half the size of a shriveled wastrel raisin. Reaffirms my thoughts on some folks.

I will be having dinner with my family and possibly a few invited friends. Turkey, oyster dressing, and hard cider highlight the menu. Hopefully the cook (me) isn't too crocked to cook.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:12 PM (Rt+dc)

40 I'll be staying home and cooking Thanksgiving dinner for just me and my dad and brother. It's my favorite holiday. Makes me miss my mom terribly, but everything I fix on that day is something she taught me to cook and I am so thankful for that.

Posted by: huerfano at November 23, 2014 12:13 PM (bAGA/)

41 No need to travel anymore, I am the patriarch of my family. Come to me my children and bring my grandbabies.
---

Sweet!

I'm starting to think Thanksgiving should be turned into a three-day holiday. Everyone should get Wednesday thru Friday off. Sure would take a lot of the pressure off of folks trying to see family.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:13 PM (9BRsg)

42 By the way, from Texas the four points of the compass are Up, Down, Out and Over. Up to Oklahoma, Out to California, Down to Mexico and Over to North Carolina.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at November 23, 2014 12:14 PM (GKxF1)

43 Shop online, then you don't have to ship anything... Or do gift cards. Stick them in the Christmas cards.

Posted by: StrinaM at November 23, 2014 12:14 PM (uhuPK)

44 It's my favorite holiday. Makes me miss my mom terribly, but everything I
fix on that day is something she taught me to cook and I am so thankful
for that.
---

Yeah, I miss my mom at this time of year, too.

I wish I could visit my dad this year, but the circumstances are complicated in a way that really don't allow it.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:15 PM (9BRsg)

45 I don't have any family left, so my Thanksgiving tradition is a Swanson's Hungry Man turkey dinner that I share with my cats.

That tradition started when I was living in an apartment and lived on TV dinners. Since then, I have learned to cook a few things, but I'm not about to cook a whole turkey.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:16 PM (sdi6R)

46 Shop online, then you don't have to ship anything... Or do gift cards. Stick them in the Christmas cards.
---

I can't bring myself to do that. Kills the joy of gift-giving for me. Aside from sometimes resorting to gift-basket type things for great aunts and more extended family, I feel compelled to put together a bundle. It's the shipping that's the biggest PITA and also insanely expensive, but that's the down side of being far from home.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:17 PM (9BRsg)

47 As most of the horde knows, I took Vic to elementary school.

You all have no idea how traveling in the 50's was. No planes only cars. NO interstate, only routes.

My parents were both farmer's children, my mom's dad a dairy farmer, my dad's dad a plantation sort of guy. Lots of democrats working for them.

Traveling to Thanksgiving took all night. Dad would put us in the car and it would take 10 hours to travel from Baltimore to Roanoke at night. During the day? ha ha.

Then it was a quail hunt and a nap and a big meal. Or it was football VPI vs VMI and then a nap. Grandfather was class of 98, aka 1898 VPI. Dad '36.

Posted by: Nip Sip at November 23, 2014 12:20 PM (0FSuD)

48 I don't have any family left, so my Thanksgiving tradition is...rickl

If you're anywhere near the northern half of Montana you're welcome at my table.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:21 PM (Rt+dc)

49 Sitting here looking out the window watching snow fall... yep, it's November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

61 and sunny. High of 74.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 23, 2014 12:21 PM (AZ21N)

50 One of my favorite memories from Thanksgiving as a kid was hanging out with mom, helping her pull out the "good dishes" (which were Franciscan-ware "desert rose") and polishing the silver.

My dad gave me the silver after she died, so I use it on Thanksgiving and Christmas, even for just the two of us.

We had some fun Thanksgiving's while I was in grad school. Used to host the international students for dinner. That was a blast and usually fun menu items would be added... except for the year the Polish dude brought the head cheese. ugh.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:21 PM (9BRsg)

51 I do have a travel story, though. Reposted from the morning thread:

Last night I went to see Bob Dylan at the Academy of Music in Philly. It's a beautiful old concert hall which normally hosts symphony orchestras and operas. I described it in the ONT at 1:44 am, and there are some interesting links.

I hate driving and parking in the city. Everybody else seems to know where they are going and are determined to get there in a damn hurry. Me, I'm practically lost as soon as I exit the interstate. I get disoriented on city streets. I'm never sure which way I'm facing.

When I bought the ticket online, there was an option to buy a ticket for a parking garage, so I took it. I figured that would make things easier. But when I got there, there were parking garages all over the place, and I couldn't figure out which one was mine! I overshot the area where it was supposed to be, and with the streets all being one-way, I had to loop around for a second attempt. I was burning precious time, and Bob is very punctual.

The second time, I stopped and asked an attendant if this was the right place, with horns blaring behind me. He told me where to go, and I got my car parked.

But after going around and around in the garage, when I exited I wasn't sure which street I was on, and which way the theater was. I was about to have an aneurism by this point.

I asked a young couple passing by, and they said to follow them. They were on their way to the concert too! When we arrived at the entrance, I thanked them profusely and went to my seat. The concert started the moment I sat down.

Can you tell that driving and parking in the city is very very stressful for me?

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:22 PM (sdi6R)

52 That's some serious Awesome Son points you racked up!

Who are the folks who answered "over 2,000" miles on the poll? Just curious.
Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:05 PM (9BRsg)

Dad didn't tell the grandparents that I was coming, so Grandma was surprised with having all of her grandkids under one roof for Christmas day. First time that's happened in probably 15 years, and likely the last time since one of my cousins went back to jail shortly afterwards. I doubt that he'll be out before grandma passes.

Posted by: Colorado Alex at November 23, 2014 12:23 PM (10ydV)

53 Those are some memories, Nip.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:23 PM (9BRsg)

54 Dad didn't tell the grandparents that I was coming, so Grandma was
surprised with having all of her grandkids under one roof for Christmas
day. First time that's happened in probably 15 years,
---

That is so boss.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:24 PM (9BRsg)

55 48
If you're anywhere near the northern half of Montana you're welcome at my table.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:21 PM (Rt+dc)

Thanks! But I'm in Pennsylvania, which is nowhere near the southern half of Montana, let alone the northern half.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:25 PM (sdi6R)

56 40 I'll be staying home and cooking Thanksgiving dinner for just me and my dad and brother. It's my favorite holiday. Makes me miss my mom terribly, but everything I fix on that day is something she taught me to cook and I am so thankful for that.
Posted by: huerfano at November 23, 2014 12:13 PM (bAGA/)

---------------------

Remember when my grandparents were still alive, Thanksgivings were huge. And then everyone started dying off. There's only three of us left from the original family. Somewhat smaller Thanksgivings now.

Posted by: Soona at November 23, 2014 12:27 PM (3wZ9I)

57 I'll be on the run this holiday.

Posted by: Gruber at November 23, 2014 12:28 PM (XzRw1)

58 Geting to have TG with a full blown WTMI moon bat liberal MORMON of all things. Think the worst liberal hyperbole and spin ever then turn it up to 11t11! We do not even mention politics..well I do as it is kind of fun listening to the psycho babble during commercials. The stuff some people believe is just outrageous and when it is liberal spew coming from a Mormon supposed MorBot it is kind of exciting in a train wreck sort of fashion.

Posted by: Fewenuff at November 23, 2014 12:09 PM (zPNX5)

Reminds me, an acquaintance of mine posted on her Facebook page last week a warning about eating wheat grown in the USA. She believes a story about the reason people have diabetes, get bloated and have digestive problems, etc. eating wheat products from here is because farmers spray all their wheat with roundup to dry it prior to harvest. And it's the round up residue that is poisoning everyone. And the proof is if you go to Italy and eat pasta there, voila, no digestive issues, because their wheat isn't contaminated with roundup.

Never mind that even Snopes has totally debunked this, along with the many wheat growers, and small farmers who say it is absurd that anyone would spray roundup pre harvest, round up doesn't dry wheat, wheat turns brown when it is ripe. Even if there was some magical elixir about roundup pre harvest, NO ONE could afford to go spray an entire field with roundup for such a reason.....

But, you know, science.

Posted by: Jen the original at November 23, 2014 12:29 PM (hjTr7)

59 53
Those are some memories, Nip.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 12:23 PM (9BRsg)
True dat. The older I get the more amazed I am at what my parents went through to be with their family.

Love is powerful shit. I am glad they did, and I love every memory of those times.

Which reminds me, everything we do will be remembered by someone.

Be good!

Posted by: Nip Sip at November 23, 2014 12:30 PM (0FSuD)

60 thankfully my brother in law loves to host thanksgiving every year.....since we've been in az we've gone every year except the mistake we made by going to los angeles two years ago....that unleashed a whole lotta crazy

Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl 104 days until spring training at November 23, 2014 12:30 PM (u8GsB)

61 Many, many trips from MD or South Jersey to Pittsburgh, Chicago or Buffalo.

NEVER try to get thru Breezewood PA on Wednesday night. Basically all of 270, 70, 76 chokes up Wed Aft and stays bad til after midnight. Just stay home and leave Thursday AM. Plus if you work the FM you'll find Alice's Restaurant often enough to sing along and get in practice.

IIRC I was driving over the Susquehanna when the new announced W's Thanksgiving Iraq flyin. Then the press shit themselves all over it, again.

Posted by: DaveA at November 23, 2014 12:30 PM (DL2i+)

62 About 120 miles to the ranch.

Long weekend of turkey, hunting, seeing some old friends, and, not giving a shit.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:33 PM (VXV0F)

63 I have to confess: I hate Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bah humbug!

Between the mawkish sentimentality, the rampant commercialism, and just the plain hassle, I don't need either one.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at November 23, 2014 12:35 PM (oKE6c)

64 Thanks! But I'm in Pennsylvania, which is nowhere near the southern half of Montana, let alone the northern half.
Posted by: rickl

OK, but the invitation is always there.

Before I was married and was living away from family holidays were tough on me. I always wanted to be with the people that tolerated me the most. Now that most of them are gone I'm very happy with the few that are left, and sensitive to those like you that spend the time alone. I hope you get through the day as best as possible. Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:37 PM (Rt+dc)

65 Thanksgiving doesn't feel that commercialized to me. Of course, I ignore the stupid Black Friday stuff.

We have our turkey on Wednesday, then lounge all day on Thursday, eating leftovers and watching football. Awesome.

Posted by: Y-not knows things about VT at November 23, 2014 12:39 PM (jW91e)

66 55
I'm in Pennsylvania, which is nowhere near the southern half of Montana, let alone the northern half.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:25 PM (sdi6R)

On the other hand, I think I'd rather drive to Montana than repeat my experience last night in Philadelphia. I prefer roads with numbers. They make more sense to me.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:41 PM (sdi6R)

67 "I hate Thanksgiving and Christmas."

No harm. I'm not real fond of them either. Just try to get through them and wait for Spring.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:42 PM (VXV0F)

68 I put up with my wife's family starting shit when they came to our house for Easter, and I avoided them, staying out of the ruckus. Seeing this,She suggested that her Mother hold it this year. They started the same shit there. I told my wife that she can take the kids over to her brothers house this year; I'm not going.

Posted by: Blue Hen at November 23, 2014 12:43 PM (DM5Ao)

69 I'm going for a long trip this year.

Posted by: Marion Barry at November 23, 2014 12:45 PM (3wVvK)

70 Y-Not, thank you for giving me the opportunity of discussing holiday failures.
Ain;t gonna, but thank you none the less.

I like cooking the turkey carcass down after getting the meat off. MMMMmmm, turkey soup. Thicken some of that and put in peas, the world is a nice place for a while.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 12:45 PM (t//F+)

71 I put up with my wife's family starting shit when they came to our house for Easter, and I avoided them, staying out of the ruckus. Seeing this,She suggested that her Mother hold it this year. They started the same shit there. I told my wife that she can take the kids over to her brothers house this year; I'm not going.

I thank God that both my family and in-laws are hard right.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 23, 2014 12:45 PM (AZ21N)

72 Thanksgiving team this year is myself, my older daughter, and a friend of mine from work.

Posted by: eman at November 23, 2014 12:46 PM (MQEz6)

73 Traveling from Sao Paulo Brazil (business) to Connecticut (Mom) Then to China (business) and home to California!

Posted by: skree at November 23, 2014 12:46 PM (F9K32)

74 I don't care about the left or the right at that point; I just wish that they could shut the fuck up. But they won't. And my wife will get angry at me. Soooo.

Posted by: Blue Hen at November 23, 2014 12:47 PM (DM5Ao)

75 Sorry, Blue Hen. No real drama in my family (yet) but I have close friends with that shit.

It's a shame. People can suck so bad.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:48 PM (VXV0F)

76 And it's the round up residue that is poisoning everyone. And the proof is if you go to Italy and eat pasta there, voila, no digestive issues, because their wheat isn't contaminated with roundup...jen the original

Roundup is often sprayed on the acreage prior to seeding to control weeds so the wheat seedling don't have to compete with the more vigorous weeds. This also saves on fuel and other oil based products becase that practice replaces the need for mechanical tillage. In essence, use of Roundup is a green technique. Also, Italy gets a very large percentage of the durum for their pasta from Montana and N Dakota where the use of Roundup is quite prevalent.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:49 PM (Rt+dc)

77 "Traveling from Sao Paulo Brazil (business) to Connecticut (Mom) Then to China (business) and home to California!"

Jeezus.

Travel much?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:50 PM (VXV0F)

78 69 I'm going for a long trip this year.
Posted by: Marion Barry at November 23, 2014 12:45 PM (3wVvK)

----------------

Be sure to dress for hot weather.

Posted by: Soona at November 23, 2014 12:51 PM (pANPl)

79 There is no need to leave the bunker. I have plenty of canned turkey, canned stuffing, and radscorpion/pumpkin pie. The Mr. Handy is a whiz at spicing things up with a little 'scorp venom.

Posted by: The Lone Wanderer at November 23, 2014 12:51 PM (xxobp)

80 45 I don't have any family left, so my Thanksgiving tradition is a Swanson's Hungry Man turkey dinner that I share with my cats.

That tradition started when I was living in an apartment and lived on TV dinners. Since then, I have learned to cook a few things, but I'm not about to cook a whole turkey.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 12:16 PM (sdi6R)

Well, in that case, on Thanksgiving I'll raise a glass to your good health.

Too bad there is no Find a Moron(ette) app that offer a chance at something else.

Posted by: eman at November 23, 2014 12:52 PM (MQEz6)

81 How's Montana, Bill?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:52 PM (VXV0F)

82 We don't usually travel for Thanksgiving, but this year we're flying the whole gang to NYC to watch our son's high school band march in Macey's parade.

Looking forward to the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial. Not too excited about the city itself...

Posted by: chipotle at November 23, 2014 12:53 PM (K4RIu)

83 RickL, where the Hell you at?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:55 PM (VXV0F)

84 When I travel these days I'm driving. It would seem that I don't travel that far--just within the state of Pennsylvania--but that ignores the fact that this is one serious long-assed state. I live in Philadelphia, but my mother lives in Chambersburg (middle of the state and to the South). This past year I've made repeated trips to that area for work purposes.

First of all, Google and Mapquest can just F**K off. Unless you're flying the now-defunct space shuttle, you're not making that trip in two and a half hours; it will probably take half of that time just to make it from South Philly to the Turnpike. On a good day, at 3AM. Expect the ride to take about five to six hours, unless you're diving the Mach 5 with Speed Racer's methhead twin on full tilt standing on the gas pedal.

Two weeks ago on the way home a snowstorm hit just as I passed Harrisburg. Unexpected, but it wasn't so bad as I do know how to drive in those conditions. Past Morgantown the snow turned into steady rain. Normally not a problem, but it was also darker than the inside of a black cow's arse. And this was around 6PM.

OK until I got onto the Schuykill ("Sure-Kill") Expressway, which is probably one of the world's biggest ongoing traffic jams fed by entrances on both sides. Because of headlight glare, the water on the road and on my mirrors my visibility was extremely restricted; it doesn't help that I have poor night vision to begin with--a family curse.

In the city it was even worse with the streetlights and traffic turning every freakin' raindrop into an incandescent kalideoscape and the difficulty of finding and entering a parking spot.

Feh. Until spring I'm traveling as little as necessary, so holiday travel for it's own sake ain't happenin'. Fortunately my family understands....

Posted by: Jenk at November 23, 2014 12:55 PM (4c9sF)

85 We're sticking around this year, and having a subdued feast, since we'll have both boys home with us at Xmas, (for one), and a bit later for the second when he rotates out of the UAE.

Since this is the travel thread, I should offer up something on topic, though.

Virgin Valley Nevada.

A little something for the more adventurous among us. From California, you will have to drive about 75 miles over unpaved roads to get to it, and the nearest gas/store is about 20 miles away from the camp ground. The camp ground is one of the two reasons to even visit this very remote location. It's situated among thermal springs......it even has showers that run 24 hours a day. Hot showers. They never turn off. Just outside the shower is a thermal pond....very warm, six feet deep at the most, and an excellent place to spend some time in the evening.

The other reason for going there, ever, is the opal. Virgin Valley opal rivals the best stuff coming from anywhere else, though it is not stable, and must be kept in water, (or treated with a special resin). Very bright, very colorful. An opalized rattlesnake head was even found at one of the mines....along with pine cones, branches, etc.

For fifty or sixty bucks a day, you can spend all day digging for your own opals. It is hard work though....the volcanic ash/clay face of the trench is rock hard, but with proper tools, it's doable. For about half that price, you can take the easy route, and rummage through the tailings, (and there are some great pieces to be found there).

The mines that cater to rock hounds also have gift shops/rock shops. Pick up a couple pounds of the 'common opal', which looks nondescript, until you place it under a black light.....or near a geiger counter. It's chock full of uranium, you see, and based on how brightly it glows under a black light, and makes geiger counters rattle, there's quite a bit of it.

While you're at the gift shop, use the toilet. Otherwise, back at the camp ground, your only option is the outhouse....where all the cool scorpions and black widows hang out.

Like I said, this is something for the more adventurous. Still, this is a worthwhile trip.....and suitable for the warmer season only, (May through October).

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at November 23, 2014 12:56 PM (0IhFx)

86 After divorcing my first wife I used to take my kids over to her family's for TG and was invited to stick around for the festivities. They didn't want her there which should have been a big red flag before I married her but my judgement was clouded by being a young male.

Posted by: Buzzsaw at November 23, 2014 12:56 PM (Mxs5H)

87 How's Montana, Bill?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill

Pretty good today. Temps in the upper 30's, wind speed about 20 knots. How's Texas today?

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:57 PM (Rt+dc)

88 Not a travel story, but a shopping tip. Last year I had to go to Target for something a couple of days before Thanksgiving, and it was deserted, so now Target is where is I go to pick up last minute items during Thanksgiving week. The nice grocery stores are mob scenes this week, so I go to Target for those last minute salad greens,bread, tortillas, sodas, onions, milk, chips, etc. Walgreens works too for some items.

I'm not cooking the Big Dinner, but we're spending the holiday with family 50 miles away in the Hill Country, so I need to bring stuff to live off of besides turkey. Plus ammo, and stuff to shoot, like the little pumpkins I've been using for decorations.

Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 12:57 PM (ImzkZ)

89 Traveling from Sao Paulo Brazil (business) to Connecticut (Mom) Then to China (business) and home to California!
Posted by: skree
-----

So..., 21st Century 'Over the River and Through the Woods.'

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 12:58 PM (F2IAQ)

90 Heh, the proof that the farmers want to spray roundup to kill the wheat to make harvesting earlier and easier explains Monsanto and BSAF's drive to create Roundup resistant wheat how?

Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2014 12:59 PM (t//F+)

91 I have a feeling this will be my last TG that doesn't include a ss tray and sharing my taters with Bubba.

Posted by: Bill Cosby at November 23, 2014 12:59 PM (XzRw1)

92 nood football up!

Posted by: rickb223 at November 23, 2014 01:01 PM (AZ21N)

93 Sticky wicket, Virgin Valley sounds like my kind of fun. Hot water, gems and scorpions. YeeHa.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 01:01 PM (Rt+dc)

94 "How's Texas today?"

We are balmy. Like 65-70F today. I'm being a lazy ass though.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 01:01 PM (VXV0F)

95 In essence, use of Roundup is a green technique. Also, Italy gets a very large percentage of the durum for their pasta from Montana and N Dakota where the use of Roundup is quite prevalent.
Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:49 PM (Rt+dc)

Agree. I live in farm country and have wheat, beans, etc. everywhere. If it weren't for roundup, fields wouldn't begin to have the amount of production needed to feed everyone.

Posted by: Jen the original at November 23, 2014 01:02 PM (hjTr7)

96 >>I have a feeling this will be my last TG that doesn't include a ss tray and sharing my taters with Bubba.

Posted by: Bill Cosby

We gonna share your "taters" all right Billy.

Posted by: Bubba at November 23, 2014 01:03 PM (3rrMW)

97 I expected to stay local for thanksgiving but instead I'm (so far) 2500 miles away at my parents', heading another 1000 or so to Yellowknife on Wednesday.

There will be no turkey.

Posted by: Gingy in Canada where it's cold at November 23, 2014 01:06 PM (NYEU2)

98 Mrs. Hammer & I will have just ourselves this year. I regret (a little) that we'll not be with family. On the other hand, it means: A. We won't have to make accommodations for visitors, and B. Will not have to travel.

Some while back we made reservations at a nice place for Thanksgiving dinner, so we won't be cooking, which is not so easy for just two people. Something's gone but something's gained. (H/T to Joni Mitchell)

One reason for these arrangements is that Mrs. Hammer works for a large department store, and Black Friday begins on Thursday night, so she must report for duty at 7:30 p.m. Sucks..., really sucks.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:07 PM (F2IAQ)

99 Dumb q here, I am using chrome and cannot see the poll.
Any ideas?

Posted by: FCF at November 23, 2014 01:08 PM (kejii)

100 64
I hope you get through the day as best as possible. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 12:37 PM (Rt+dc)

Thanks again. No worries, as they say in Oz. I don't mind being alone on Thanksgiving. The cats are good company. I've been known to spend the day raking leaves, and I may do that again this year. I don't feel like doing it today. I did the front yard yesterday, but there is still the backyard to do.

Christmas, on the other hand, is a bit sadder. Maybe "bittersweet" is a better word. I don't know why.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:08 PM (sdi6R)

101 I've been known to spend the day raking leaves,
-------

The urban equivalent of Bringing in the Sheaves

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:09 PM (F2IAQ)

102 Time to put the tablet down and go to the shop and work on my latest project. Later on folks.

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at November 23, 2014 01:09 PM (Rt+dc)

103 I remember one year, 2010/2009 something like that there was the breathless ZOMG!! TODAY IS THE BUSIEST DAY OF THE YEAR, EXPECT MASSIVE DELAYS local news thingy. The had a live on the scene type anchorette at the airport to show how horrible travel would be. And it was hilarious since there was practically nobody there. The TSA lines had like 5 people in them, and everything was running about as smooth as could be.

And yet she was still sticking to the script of ZOMG TRAVEL WILL BE HELL TODAY!!

It was some of the funniest TV I had seen.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (0LHZx)

104 62 About 120 miles to the ranch.

Long weekend of turkey, hunting, seeing some old friends, and, not giving a shit.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:33 PM (VXV0F)

Sounds perfect. Deer, dove, or what?

Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (ImzkZ)

105 Without stomping the food thread, for those cooking for themselves or a very small group, Target has an excellent boneless turkey breast for about 10 bucks, all seasoned and in a bag, just throw it in the oven, frozen for 2.5 hours. Add some gravy and a potato or just proceed directly to sandwiches....

Driving to northern VT for Thanksgiving, about 4 hours. My extended large family TG plans tend to change every year, now that my parents are in FL winters and we are rather scattered up and down the east coast. Luckily we all get along and I always look forward to this week more than about any other holiday.

On an unrelated note, I started watching Friday Night Lights last night and I have a bigger crush on Texas than ever. so good.

Posted by: Goldilocks at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (SgBAA)

106 98
Mrs. Hammer works for a large department store, and Black Friday begins on Thursday night, so she must report for duty at 7:30 p.m. Sucks..., really sucks.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:07 PM (F2IAQ)

This Black Friday nonsense has reached the point of insanity. I never go near a store on that day.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (sdi6R)

107 Thanksgiving will be just the wife and I. She has to work Wednesday and Thursday night and the girls are 1500 miles away. Girl number 2 will travel to her sister's for Thanksgiving and her birthday on Friday. They live about 100 miles apart. The plan is to drive out and see them for Christmas.

Posted by: High plains homebody at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (9xjez)

108 There was no option in the poll for not traveling but nobody is coming over so it's just the three of us,. and I ordered most things from the local catering place because I don't feel like making a big thing for three people

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 23, 2014 01:14 PM (RZlSA)

109 This Black Friday nonsense has reached the point of insanity.
Posted by: rickl
-----------------------------
Wait until you find out how campaigning is done..

/sarc

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:16 PM (F2IAQ)

110 Yeah, I forgot to mention that I didn't take the poll, because I didn't see a "sharing a Swanson's Hungry Man turkey dinner with the cats" option.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:17 PM (sdi6R)

111 rickl - BTW, a while back I think (?) we discussed the movie '84 Charlie Mopic'. Was that you or rickb?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:18 PM (F2IAQ)

112 Celebrates the oppression of minorities and women by fat white men. LOL. I have a feeling most of the Pilgrims were not fat men.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 23, 2014 01:19 PM (RZlSA)

113 I have a feeling most of the Pilgrims were not fat men.
Posted by: Fenelon
---------------

Pilgram: "Have you tried the roasted acorns and dried grass?"

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:20 PM (F2IAQ)

114 Thus dies the thread, requiescat in pace.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:22 PM (F2IAQ)

115 106 98
Mrs. Hammer works for a large department store, and Black Friday begins on Thursday night, so she must report for duty at 7:30 p.m. Sucks..., really sucks.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:07 PM (F2IAQ)

This Black Friday nonsense has reached the point of insanity. I never go near a store on that day.
Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:12 PM (sdi6R)

I think the lunatic shoppers who are causing this need their heads examined. What sane person would want to ditch the family on Thanksgiving to join the mob at a big store? You can get the same deals online, but these sick women seem to like this shit. Christmas is ruining Thanksgiving. I'm already sick of Christmas, and it gets worse every year.

I've worked on Thanksgiving several times, but it was because animal care is a 365/year deal. No one needs to shop for toys and tvs on Thanksgiving.

Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 01:22 PM (ImzkZ)

116 Thanksgiving is about sports right? So I'm taking the thirteen year old Prince on a motor trip from Denver to see the Cowboys game on Thursday, the Thunder/Knicks game on Friday, and the Broncos/Chiefs game Sunday night. And he will only miss one day of school. I dare any relatives to try to keep up with us.

Posted by: SacredCow at November 23, 2014 01:23 PM (L8S77)

117 RickL-

I hate driving in Philly. I've had to go there a fair amount in the past because I've had parishioners in the hospitals there. The streets all seem to be one way so I pray a lot while I drive around.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 23, 2014 01:24 PM (RZlSA)

118 my first Thanksgiving with my beloved was in London. I was stationed in Turkey and he in Germany and we thought we would celebrate in London. Hard to believe but they do not give a shit about it. We ended up having to eat in an Indian restaurant, which was playing the Lambada. It was trippy but a great memory

the Thanksgiving before that hubby spent eating in a tent in the Desert just after Saddam invaded Kwait

Very wonderful hubby has printed a program that talks about how wonderful our nation is, the origins of the holiday, and some readings. Everyone is required to read from it, including ultra prog vegan anarchist relatives

Posted by: ThunderB at November 23, 2014 01:26 PM (zOTsN)

119 Black Friday is what Grubes do. The MSM goes apeshit over it of course, but it's a small percent of people that line up at Best Buy at 4am.

Nobody I know does it, or at least nobody I know admits to doing it, since they know who idiotic it is.

Save $200 on a TV in exchange for spending 6 hours in line in 30 degree weather? Yeah...fuck that.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 23, 2014 01:27 PM (0LHZx)

120 111 rickl - BTW, a while back I think (?) we discussed the movie '84 Charlie Mopic'. Was that you or rickb?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 01:18 PM (F2IAQ)

No, I don't recognize that movie.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:27 PM (sdi6R)

121 he calls it his Thanksgiving Seder. You MOTs will know what I mean

Posted by: ThunderB at November 23, 2014 01:29 PM (zOTsN)

122 83 RickL, where the Hell you at?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 23, 2014 12:55 PM (VXV0F)

Oops, missed that one. Philly suburbs.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:33 PM (sdi6R)

123

97 There will be no turkey

"Moosisen", then?

Posted by: Hilados y Turbia at November 23, 2014 01:35 PM (4DCSq)

124 For me, ANY drive beats flying. Except for overseas flights. Amphibicar ain't all that seaworthy, even now.

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 23, 2014 11:47 AM (RzZOc)

Calgary to Phoenix: 3 days by car, two nights on the road, over $300 in fuel. By air, it's 2.5 hours, plus about 3 hours bureaucratic time in both airports (total). Airfare about equal to fuel bill. Of course a rental car becomes an expense.

It's an enjoyable road trip, plenty of awesome scenery. But the round trip does take 6 days out of my vacation time. If I can spare the time, I will drive, no question. But if I have only a week or 10 days free, then flying makes much more sense.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 23, 2014 01:40 PM (7MWCL)

125 123

97 There will be no turkey

"Moosisen", then?
Posted by: Hilados y Turbia at November 23, 2014 01:35 PM (4DCSq)
---
We will be driving to Yellowknife for a funeral. I expect Tim Hortons and Boston Pizza.

Posted by: Gingy in Canada where it's cold at November 23, 2014 01:42 PM (NYEU2)

126 Been a while since I've flown, but back in the day used to fly from LAX to AZ to visit my mom on Thanksgiving.

The worst was coming back. Especially if I came back on a Sun. and had to wait for a taxi . Hell, you could go through a pack of smokes 'till one came along. So unless Thanksgiving is close, never flying like that again.

Posted by: HH at November 23, 2014 01:46 PM (Ce4DF)

127 Black Friday reminds me of camping out in line for the opening of ticket sales for big concerts back in the 70s. But they were more orderly affairs.

Nowadays I can leisurely buy tickets online from the comfort of my home months before the event. That is a big improvement.

Posted by: rickl at November 23, 2014 01:49 PM (sdi6R)

128
We're going to my BiL's for Thanksgiving Day. Big gathering with no overt political discussions - the families focus on the football games instead, which is as it should be for a day of thanks, I guess.

We're bringing a superb stuffing recipe that we use to stuff pork chops - bread, corn, apples and spices - and onions simmered in a maple and honey sauce, so we should be a hit on the food front.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at November 23, 2014 01:51 PM (/dvmK)

129 Too bad there is no Find a Moron(ette) app that offer a chance at something else.

Posted by: eman at November 23, 2014 12:52 PM (MQEz6)

You know, years ago, when I lived in Calgary, a woman acquaintance had an "orphans' Christmas" every year, for all her friends and acquaintances who were transplants from some other city. No reason you couldn't do that for Thanksgiving, or even just organize a group to go and celebrate the holiday at a nice restaurant of bar that could provide the meal.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 23, 2014 01:52 PM (7MWCL)

130 My travel story:

I once smuggled a live hamster through international customs by sticking it down my shirt.

Posted by: parteagirl at November 23, 2014 01:52 PM (Plx/u)

131 I'm in the planning stages for next summer's road trip/son's graduation present.

I'm figuring on Black Bear Pass or something like that, Capital Reef Park, maybe Death Valley and the Mojave Road.

Anybody with any knowledge or thoughts, I'm looking.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 23, 2014 01:53 PM (l3vZN)

132 And notice how it's not "Black Friday" anymore. Both Wal-Mart and Target are opening up Thurs. evening at 6pm.

Black Thursday.

Posted by: HH at November 23, 2014 01:53 PM (Ce4DF)

133 "I once smuggled a live hamster through international customs by sticking it down my shirt."

Can't match that, but I did once smuggle a case of Coors beer back to D.C. on the airlines.

And I denounce myself. How I can use the term 'Coors' and 'beer' in the same sentence makes me ashamed of myself.

Posted by: HH at November 23, 2014 01:58 PM (Ce4DF)

134
On an unrelated note, I started watching Friday Night Lights last night and I have a bigger crush on Texas than ever. so good.

I really like that movie, particularly how it portrays the loving relationship between the head football coach and his wife. The "coach football in Alaska" and their exchange of affectionate blown kisses after Permian lost the championship game are subtle and perfect touches to a great story. Highly recommended.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at November 23, 2014 01:59 PM (/dvmK)

135 The mines that cater to rock hounds also have gift
shops/rock shops. Pick up a couple pounds of the 'common opal', which
looks nondescript, until you place it under a black light.....or near a
geiger counter. It's chock full of uranium, you see, and based on how
brightly it glows under a black light, and makes geiger counters rattle,
there's quite a bit of it.

While you're at the gift shop, use
the toilet. Otherwise, back at the camp ground, your only option is the
outhouse....where all the cool scorpions and black widows hang out.

Like
I said, this is something for the more adventurous. Still, this is a
worthwhile trip.....and suitable for the warmer season only, (May
through October).

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at November 23, 2014 12:56 PM (0IhFx)

Thanks! Sounds interesting. There are opal mines near I-15 in Idaho, just south of the Montana border, too.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 23, 2014 01:59 PM (7MWCL)

136
NEVER try to get thru Breezewood PA on Wednesday night. Basically all of 270, 70, 76 chokes up Wed Aft and stays bad til after midnight.

Not a fan of Breezewood, "Town of Motels", are we?

What a fiasco that place is; never, ever liked driving through it.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at November 23, 2014 02:02 PM (/dvmK)

137
97 "We will be driving to Yellowknife for a funeral. I expect Tim Hortons and Boston Pizza."

Sorry, Ms G. I knew that and wasn't intentionally making light of the situation. Condolences and...

Canadian Thanksgiving Day is on US Veterans Day, eh?

Posted by: Hilados y Turbia at November 23, 2014 02:04 PM (4DCSq)

138
You know, years ago, when I lived in Calgary, a woman acquaintance had an "orphans' Christmas" every year, for all her friends and acquaintances who were transplants from some other city.

I did that for the four Thanksgivings that I spent at UC Berkeley while in grad school. We had some nice, but small gatherings and excellent food.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at November 23, 2014 02:06 PM (/dvmK)

139 Cooking the big feast meal on Sunday this year. Forecast for Thursday is nice so I'll be riding and relaxing. Will be just 2 or 3 people but I'll roast a full sized bird. I like the leftovers. I've been trying to declutter house so I should see if a VA hospital or nursing home could use some board games.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 23, 2014 02:08 PM (7w/kf)

140 116 troll votes. This neighborhood's gone to hell.

Anyway...for years holidays were at Chez Parents-of-Cavil (which cut down on my travel time, as that was in town for me). Ten years ago eldest brother got a house larger than that, and shortly thereafter She-Who-Raised-Me engaged in her six-month battle with ovarian cancer that ended days before Christmas. Thanksgiving was a pain that year. Christmas, and all major holidays since, shifted to Eldest Brother's joint, which is just as well since he has ridiculously comfy leather sofas...

Just made the first batch of snack mix of the year, otherwise known as "the family's secret to sticking together" (we're all addicted to the stuff!) Decided not to fiddle with the garlic salt content, as previous years' attempt to strike a happy medium between taste and lowered sodium content didn't work out too well. So the holidays have thus begun in earnest.

Posted by: Brother Cavil at November 23, 2014 02:11 PM (m9V0o)

141 The secret of all travel in the US is to never travel East of the Mississippi or West of the Pacific Coast Ranges. Especially airports, when South of the 49th parallel. A lot of Southerners will probably object, and I will admit that Tennessee has some ok airports, but your motels would shame the I-95 corridor.

Posted by: Roy at November 23, 2014 02:17 PM (wdHQo)

142
We don't usually travel for Thanksgiving, but this year we're flying the
whole gang to NYC to watch our son's high school band march in Macey's
parade.
--

THAT is cool! 'Hope you have a terrific time and that the weather is good for the kids.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 02:19 PM (9BRsg)

143 I think the lunatic shoppers who are causing this need their heads
examined. What sane person would want to ditch the family on
Thanksgiving to join the mob at a big store? You can get the same deals
online, but these sick women seem to like this shit. Christmas is
ruining Thanksgiving. I'm already sick of Christmas, and it gets worse
every year.

I've worked on Thanksgiving several times, but it was because animal
care is a 365/year deal. No one needs to shop for toys and tvs on
Thanksgiving.
---

Yeah, I don't get the appeal of shopping that weekend, either.

I used to work at a movie theater while in h.s./college and often worked Thanksgiving (and the other holidays). Not super-fun, but I guess for some families going out to a movie together is a tradition. (And it gets the kids out of mom's kitchen!)

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 02:24 PM (9BRsg)

144 We'll be eating strictly halal.

Posted by: Jimmy Carter at November 23, 2014 02:25 PM (XzRw1)

145 My email is getting hit every day with 'early black friday' specials. The left-tards paint black thrs/friday as greedy capitalism.

But I think its more that 6 years of obanomics have the retailers in such a tight spot that they are getting desperate to move merchandise and there are enough squeezed consumers as well as 'thrill of the bargain' hunters that the sales do fill the stores. In a healthy economy more shoppers would want to take it easy and employees would have leverage to say "I'll go work elsewhere rather than come in on T-day evening.

Posted by: PaleRider at November 23, 2014 02:31 PM (7w/kf)

146 I did the "over 2000 miles" thing to deliver an electric wheelchair to my mother up in Edmonton just before Canadian Thanksgiving. This'll be my first Thanksgiving sans wife and although several of her boys have invited me for Thanksgiving ... ain't traveling nowhere and get off my lawn. Besides ... hate turkey with a passion.Heh

Posted by: WingNut at November 23, 2014 02:33 PM (1056T)

147 140 116 troll votes. This neighborhood's gone to hell.

I think those were sarcasm votes. I almost voted for it because it was funny.

Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 02:35 PM (ImzkZ)

148 Y-not, those individually wrapped Fig Newtons can be, um, "infused" with other stuff, like bourbon, perhaps? That'd keep the little airplane monsters quiet for a little while, and if there weren't any, one could always eat them oneself.

Axing for a friend...

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, Curmudgeon Extraordinaire at November 23, 2014 02:39 PM (0HooB)

149 Opening up your store on Thanksgiving Day is poop.

Posted by: grammie winger at November 23, 2014 02:40 PM (3B+O8)

150 Not getting home for Thanksgiving this year, what with the heart and all, so Deb and I will be having a gourmet Turkey dinner in an incredible little restaurant (Le Chat Noir) in nearby Castroville, TX.

Holiday's gonna be a little dimmer with the passing of my Uncle Eugene, dad's older brother, a Navy vet from WWII.

Posted by: richard mcenroe at November 23, 2014 02:43 PM (XO6WW)

151 We usually go to my in-laws, which is quite the drive since they moved to Atlanta. This year we're closing on a house in early December so it just didn't make sense to travel. I'm doing Thanksgiving for my husband and kiddos and that's it. First time in our whole marriage!

Posted by: Lauren Hulk at November 23, 2014 02:50 PM (BPMYx)

152 Woman dies after airport scanner interferes with her pacemaker

It's a dangerous world out there.
Be safe. God bless.

Posted by: George W Bush at November 23, 2014 02:55 PM (XzRw1)

153 We've moved around Christmas a few times. Not fun. Good luck with it Lauren.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 02:58 PM (jW91e)

154 You want travel- two weeks ago I drove Nashville to San Diego dragging a trailer. Took me three days- stayed with friends in Fort Worth the first night and El Paso the second night. I saw a lot of Interstate.

But for any Morons with an interest, the Pima Air Museum in Tucson is TOTALLY worth it.

Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 02:58 PM (tUHzZ)

155 Thanks, Y-Not. And for bonus crazy, the in-laws are staying with us for Christmas. Fa-la-la-la-looney-bin.

Posted by: Lauren Hulk at November 23, 2014 03:08 PM (BPMYx)

156 If you Drive get WAZE for your phone, it lets other users plot on the map where cops are so you don't get caught in a speed trap. Other users will give a thumps up if the cop is still there.

Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at November 23, 2014 03:11 PM (b6koZ)

157 Interesting trip?
No problem. Thanksgiving morning 1978.
Left Atlanta airport after a 1 hour delay due to fog at intermediate stop, Augusta. That bothered me, as I could have been well on my way to Savannah (where I was headed), but I stuck it out.

Augusta was still fogged in when arrived. Circled, circled..., finally the pilot decided to give it a go. Big mistake. The fog was THICK, could not even see the the lights on the wingtips.

As we came in, we were way too low, The right wingtip hit an approach light tower. Hilarity ensued. Pilot managed to get it back in the air, but widespread panic on board.

The story gets longer. But that's the essence of it.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:12 PM (F2IAQ)

158 Used to always drive with my parents to my Grandma's house in PA when I was little. Thanksgiving holds such warm memories for me. Wish my parents were still around so I could tell them how thankful I am for all they did for me. Now that my kids are older and still in that annoying phase, I know what it took for them to put up with me!

Posted by: keena at November 23, 2014 03:14 PM (RiTnx)

159 Wish my parents were still around so I could tell them how thankful I am for all they did for me.
----------------

That.
Almost daily.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:15 PM (F2IAQ)

160 I'm figuring on Black Bear Pass

Going to take one of them u-drivem rental army jeep cars?

CW McCall, Black Bear Road

Posted by: Fox2! at November 23, 2014 03:22 PM (brIR5)

161 >>The story gets longer. But that's the essence of it.

I hope you had some spare underwear!

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 03:22 PM (9BRsg)

162 The longest Thanksgiving drive for me was about 70 miles, when I was in college. This year going to my Niece's for dinner. About 5 miles away. There will be nieces and nephews, a sister in law and other assorted people. Most of them conservative.

Posted by: Ronster at November 23, 2014 03:22 PM (9vrWU)

163 The story gets longer. But that's the essence of it.

I hope you had some spare underwear!
Posted by: Y-not
-----------------

What I needed was a spare shirt shirt. The young woman sitting next to me clawed mine half off in panic.

Skipping the intermediate details, when we finally got on the ground, myself and half a dozen other passengers assailed the airport manager, and got the airport bar opened. It was about 8:30 in the morning. Delta paid the bar tab.

Posted by: Jonnie Goober at November 23, 2014 03:27 PM (F2IAQ)

164 * glances outside at gloom, and very cold rain *

Damn..., the Take a Nap light just came on.

Posted by: Jonnie Goober at November 23, 2014 03:29 PM (F2IAQ)

165 Ooops. Sheds Goober sock

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:30 PM (F2IAQ)

166 Speaking of Grubes and Black Friday...

I am looking for a new phone plan. The options all 3 carriers offer (Verizon, AT&T and Spring) is pay $199 for an iphone6 or put $0 down and pay $27 a month for 24 months.

27 X 24 = $648. VS. $199

Are you fucking kidding me? People actually sign up for the monthly payment plan? Jezuz fucking Christ, this country is finished.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 23, 2014 03:30 PM (0LHZx)

167 We laughed, we cried, my Thanksgiving travel story here: http://tinyurl.com/o5xan8w

Posted by: bour3 at November 23, 2014 03:32 PM (5x3+2)

168 Skipping the intermediate details, when we finally got on the ground, myself and half a dozen other passengers assailed the airport manager, and got the airport bar opened. It was about 8:30 in the morning. Delta paid the bar tab.

That is a Moron's Prime Directive and First Duty.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, Curmudgeon Extraordinaire at November 23, 2014 03:32 PM (0HooB)

169 My son has an FJ that he's been fooling around with.

I think the whole trip will be done with 2 cars, but I'll leave my Tacoma aside for that road. Backing and filling on a precipice with a manual trans is something I'll have to see about.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 23, 2014 03:33 PM (l3vZN)

170 that was in reply to Fox2.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 23, 2014 03:35 PM (l3vZN)

171 I voted for the troll selection, just to be contrary.

Posted by: navybrat at November 23, 2014 03:38 PM (JgC5a)

172 I'm sorry I didn't have an option for "staying at home and not having anyone over." Especially funny since that's my own situation (w/ Mr Y-not).

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 03:40 PM (9BRsg)

173 Are you fucking kidding me? People actually sign up for the monthly payment plan? Jezuz fucking Christ, this country is finished.
Posted by: Mr. Moo
---------------

You ought to see what they can do with a Lexus SUV.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:41 PM (F2IAQ)

174 You ought to see what they can do with a Lexus SUV.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 23, 2014 03:41 PM (F2IAQ)

________

Tru dat.

I once wanted to see just how fucked I could get by a car dealer, so I played the "I can only afford $300 a month, what can you do for me" game. The offer they presented me would have had an effective interest rate of 17.2%. And even so the sales guy was like "man, I might get fired for giving you such a good deal".

There are Grubes all over the place and nobody has ever lost money selling them shit.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at November 23, 2014 03:46 PM (0LHZx)

175 Up until 2009 we always went to my aunt's for Thanksgiving, in Florida. One year, when my cousin was living in St. Petersburg, we rented a house there instead (and aunt stayed with us).
The meal was a combination of store-bought prepared items and easy to make fixin's because rental kitchen, which was just fine. However, the oven apparently ran hot, so when we pulled the rurkey out it literally collapsed, just falling off of the bones. Tasted OK, but we still laugh about that poor bird just falling like a souffle.

Posted by: Lizzy at November 23, 2014 04:53 PM (ABcz/)

176 Looks like we're working on a travel story this year. Our plans are to pick up my mom the next town over and take her to see my sister in KS. (This is her first long distance trip since she was diagnosed with cancer.). We'll overnight there and my husband and I will continue on to Chicago to see his daughter.

We were going to leave at 6am tomorrow, but I just discovered a flat tire on our car. So now we can't leave until the tire place opens tomorrow at 7am and they fix our tire.

Posted by: Mindy at November 23, 2014 05:47 PM (vDQz+)

177 We were going to leave at 6am tomorrow, but I just discovered a flat
tire on our car. So now we can't leave until the tire place opens
tomorrow at 7am and they fix our tire.
---

Bummer! 'Hope the rest of your trip goes well.

Posted by: Y-not at November 23, 2014 06:01 PM (9BRsg)

178 But for any Morons with an interest, the Pima Air Museum in Tucson is TOTALLY worth it.
Posted by: SGT Dan's Cat at November 23, 2014 02:58 PM (tUHzZ)

I ran all through it in the morning, then went straight to the airport and got on the flight back to Texas all stinky. It was extremely worth it, though my seatmate on the flight home may have disagreed.

Posted by: stace at November 23, 2014 06:16 PM (ImzkZ)

179 I will be traveling 3 hours to spend Wed night and Thursday with Hag928. For 25 years I've "had to work" on Friday, so as to not spend two nights with the MiL.

Posted by: toby928(C) at November 23, 2014 06:39 PM (rwI+c)

180 Over the River and Through the Woods, huh. When one of my older siblings, who is into geneology, discovered that my paternal grandmother was in all likelyhood a madame, it put a whole different spin on that song for me.

Posted by: Charodey at November 23, 2014 06:53 PM (hd0AH)

181 Used to travel from Dayton to Middletown, KY, for Thanksgiving with my dad's parents. Great fun, play with cousins, hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa, way too much food. The long drive home (no imterstates) was long and hard, esp. In 1950 blizzard. I was only 3 yrs. old but remember the 1949 Pontiac getting stuck in the snow out in nowhereville between Cincinnati and Dayton and feeling the panic my mom and dad felt. We drove in reverse for quite q while until my dad was able to get us back on our way. To this day, I feel that panic when driving or riding in snow. I need to move to Florida.

Posted by: Susanamantha at November 23, 2014 07:59 PM (VOMks)

182 Don't. They have snow all over the coffee tables there...oh. Never mind.

Posted by: richard mcenroe at November 23, 2014 10:53 PM (XO6WW)

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