Soon, in less than three months, I plan to be travelling to New Orleans or Montreal (still deciding between the two) or the Philippines. The latter scenario is looking increasingly unlikely, but nonetheless I will still plan out both scenarios.
First, I should note that dates haven't been set in stone yet. Currently, my family plans to get two to three weeks off, to allow time for meandering and sightseeing. These trips will occur sometime in June (if we're lucky) or August (if we're unlucky).
I should also address that if I go to the Philippines, I am a total newbie at trying to plan out a trip involving flights. Any suggestions would be first-rate and greatly appreciated.
PHILIPPINES
Destination: Manila, Philippines and other destinations in Visayas
Proposed Airport: Dulles Airport (IAD)
Route: I-81 -> I-70 -> US 15 -> VA 267 -> some airport roads
Note: I understand that I have to get there ASAP, so no time to dilly-dally.
Note 2: Still figuring out finding finances. In short, my grandfather is supposed to pay for the trip (it's clearly more complex than that), and I'm still trying to find the best flight. Anyone got ideas for how to find the best flight?
-Arrive at Dulles at least two hours before the flight, parking the car at Long Term Parking.
-Travel to the Philippines via plane; perhaps do some sightseeing if we have a long layover (2+ hours)
-Sightsee in the Philippines. Since I don't know the Philippines that well, I'll leave my dad to do all of the sightseeing and transportation. I don't plan on getting a rental car because traffic is horrid, so most travel will be by foot or by jeepney.
-Take care of family affairs, as it has been over 15 years since we've last been in the Philippines.
-Leave and go home.
In short, I don't really have a well thought out structure for this trip, and that's because I'm simply naive to the Philippines. If someone has prior travel experience there, then feel free to share. I should know enough Tagalog to get by, and my dad should stop us from visiting any slums or shady neighborhoods.
NEW ORLEANS
Note 3: This section will be more in depth, because I do have a rough outline of what I want to do. For readability purposes, I've split this sections up into three segments.
Part 1 Destination Atlanta, Georgia
Route: The Slightly More Interesting Route
-Day 1: Reach Knoxville, detouring via West Virginia to make use of scenery.
-Day 2: Reach Chattanooga, but use US 27 instead of I-75 to admire some scenery near the city.
-Day 3: Sightsee a bit in the morning, with a short side trip to Monteagle. Drive to Atlanta and do more sightseeing.
Routes Converge
-Would like suggestions for what to do in Atlanta. Some ideas I have is the 1996 Olympics site, Coca-Cola HQ, MLK's birth home, and maybe assorted museums. Maybe visit a friend who's been here for college.
-Will spend Days 3-5 here. By the evening of day 5, or morning of day 6, make our way to New Orleans.
Part 2 Destination: New Orleans, Louisiana
Route: I-85 -> I-65 -> I-10
-Arrive in NOLA by day 6; maybe visit a bar or listen to jazz in downtown if time permits.
-Still thinking of attractions to visit, but I have a few in mind. The French Quarter, Pirate's Alley (was a home of William Faulkner, an esteemed writer), Louis Armstrong Park, some churches, and take a look at remnants of Hurricane Katrina damage
-Spend days 7-11 in NOLA, giving me five days.
Part 3 Destination: Asheville, North Carolina
Day 12 Route: I-59 -> I-75
-On day 12, drive up to Athens, TN and check into a hotel for the night. If time permits, drive around in the Great Smoky Mountains.
-Day 13 sights: Tail of the Dragon and Fontana Dam, Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg area (Dollywood, if time), assorted sights in Nantahala National Forest, Asheville I
-Day 14 sights: Asheville II, Blue Ridge Parkway, assorted sights in Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests; pick up some real BBQ
Part 4 Destination: Chambersburg, PA
Route: I-26 -> I-81
-Day 15: Drive home.
I'm probably working with an unreasonable schedule, but I have an extra two days in case something messes up. If I have more time to work with, I could probably squeeze an extra day in NOLA.
Once again, suggestions are appreciated.
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 20, 2019, 07:53:51 PMAnyone got ideas for how to find the best flight?
Google Flights, though if you're anti-Google, Kayak is a close second. Both would allow you to conduct a search based on your personal definition of "best" (cheapest, shortest travel time, fewest number of stops, etc.).
If the age in your profile is correct, and you're a minor, then you'll need to look into the requirements for a minor traveling with only one parent, both those set by the airline and those set by the immigration authorities of the US and the Philippines. Expect that all will take a closer look at a child traveling alone with their father vs. traveling alone with their mother, and you don't want to be turned away because you didn't prepare adequately.
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 21, 2019, 09:18:20 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 20, 2019, 07:53:51 PMAnyone got ideas for how to find the best flight?
Google Flights, though if you're anti-Google, Kayak is a close second. Both would allow you to conduct a search based on your personal definition of "best" (cheapest, shortest travel time, fewest number of stops, etc.).
If the age in your profile is correct, and you're a minor, then you'll need to look into the requirements for a minor traveling with only one parent, both those set by the airline and those set by the immigration authorities of the US and the Philippines. Expect that all will take a closer look at a child traveling alone with their father vs. traveling alone with their mother, and you don't want to be turned away because you didn't prepare adequately.
Fair enough; I have done some fairly detailed searching for flights. Any airlines you'd recommend for overseas flights?
Yes, that is my true age; I thought that immigration authorities would give us a pass because I have a parent along, and we're only visitng, but I suppose the way my father looks plus a child alone with their father is somewhat suspicious. I expected airlines to give me a hassle, but this comes as a slight surprise.
I don't know about the Philippines, but Canada requires that a minor travelling with only one parent have a notarized letter from the other parent giving permission for the trip, this because of incidents in the past where parents involved in custody battles have absconded with kids. Travel.state.gov might have relevant information. Don't guess. Do thorough research and if you can't find an answer online, perhaps you could contact the embassy in DC.
Regarding the driving itineraries, I think Staunton to Augusta is a pretty easy day's drive. I've done Northern Virginia to Macon within the past five years and it was easy, though long. When I was 24 I did Northern Virginia to Montgomery in one day via the I-81/I-40/I-75/I-24/I-59/I-459/I-65 route. It was also pretty easy, except for afternoon traffic near Birmingham, but it's a long enough day that it's not a distance I would manage now in my mid-40s. My lower back would be way too stiff by the end of the day, even with seat heaters.
Quote
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL
A D V I S O R Y
MINORS TRAVELLING TO THE PHILIPPINES
Updated information from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on minors travelling to, or departing from the
Philippines:
FOREIGN MINORS TRAVELLING TO THE PHILIPPINES:
1. WHAT IS A WAIVER OF EXCLUSION GROUND (WEG)?
Under the provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, foreign minors travelling
unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent, are considered "excludable aliens" and must secure a
"Waiver of Exclusion Ground" (WEG) issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
2. WHO ARE COVERED BY THIS REQUIREMENT?
As a general rule Foreign Nationals below 15 years old traveling alone to the Philippines, or
accompanied by persons other than their parents must secure a WEG.
3. WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE WEG REQUIREMENT?
- Foreign minors accompanied by either parent (NOTE: If the last name of the child is different
from the last name of the accompanying parent, documentary proof of the relationship
between the parent and the child may need to be presented to the airline and the Immigration
Officer; the child's authentic Birth Certificate is recommended).
- Foreign minors 15 years old and above;
- Foreign minors (below 15 years old) with Philippine ancestry if they are accompanied by a
Filipino grandfather, grandmother, guardian or relative, provided that the accompanying travel
companion submits proof of the children's Philippine ancestry to the Bureau of
Immigration at the port of entry. The parent of the child/ren is advised to execute an Affidavit
of Consent to Travel that states the name of the travel companion and the latter's relations
with the child/ren. The Affidavit must be executed at the Philippine Consulate General, signed
by at least one natural parent or guardian.
- Foreign minors below 15 years old who have lawful residence in the Philippines or have been
issued re-entry permit;
- Dual Filipino-Foreign nationals who can show proof of Philippine citizenship (valid Philippine
passport or Identification Certificate) in addition to a foreign passport.
4. DO MINORS TRAVELLING ALONE TO THE PHILIPPINES USING THEIR PHILIPPINE
PASSPORTS NEED A WEG?
No, as Filipino citizens, they are NOT considered excludable. However, if they are DEPARTING
FROM the Philippines alone or accompanied by persons other than their parent/s, they may need a
Travel Clearance unless they are able to present documents exempting them from this regulation
(more on Travel Clearance below).
5. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A WEG?
a. Affidavit of Consent, Guaranty and Request for the Issuance of the Waiver Of Exclusion Ground
(WEG) executed by at least one parent or by a legally appointed guardian of the child naming
therein the person who will accompany the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will
reside in the country (the said Affidavit must be submitted to the Consulate General prior to the
child's departure for the Philippines and presented to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival in
the Philippines).
b. Photocopy of the Birth Certificate of the child
c. Photocopy of the data page of the child's passport
d. Photocopy of the passport of the accompanying adult or guardian
6. HOW DO I OBTAIN AN AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT FOR THE WEG?
- The Affidavit of Consent may be filed at the Philippine Consulate General in person. One parent
or legal guardian must bring the duly accomplished form (download from www.pcgny.net), a
photocopy of the same, and two photocopies of a valid Philippine or US passport and a second
valid photo-ID. The Consulate charges $25.00 per document notarized.
- If the person who will sign the Affidavit of Consent cannot come to the Consulate, and he is a
resident of New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, s/he must comply with the following steps.
Step 1: have the affidavit of consent notarized by any local notary public; Step 2: bring the
notarized Affidavit to the Office of the County Clerk where the notary public is registered. The
county clerk's office must attach a certification to the notarized affidavit that the notary public is
registered in the county. Step 3: send the Affidavit to the Consulate for Authentication. The
Consulate charges $25.00 per authentication.
- If the person who will sign the Affidavit of Consent cannot come to the Consulate, and s/he is a
resident of Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island or
Vermont, he must comply with the following steps. Step 1: have the Affidavit of Consent
notarized by any local notary public. Step 2: bring the notarized affidavit to the office of the
Secretary of State. The Office of the Secretary of State must attach a certification to the
notarized affidavit that the notary public is registered in the state. Step 3: send the affidavit to the
Consulate for authentication. The Consulate charges $25.00 per authentication.
- The Affidavit of Consent that has been properly notarized and processed by the County Clerk or
the Secretary of State may also be sent to the Consulate by mail, along with payment in the form
of a money order and a self-addressed, pre-paid and stamped priority/express USPS envelope.
7. WHAT FEES MUST BE PAID FOR THE WEG?
- For processing the Affidavit of Consent to Travel (with all other documents attached), the
Philippine Consulate General charges a fee of $25.00
- Upon arrival in the Philippine, the Bureau of Immigration charges the following fees (as of June
2009 - please check www.immigration.gov.ph for latest fee schedule):
a) Application fee: Php 2,000.00;
b) W.E.G. fee: Php 600.00;
c) Legal Research Fee: Php 20.00;
d) Express Lane fee: Php 500.00
- WEG application filed at the port of entry requires that the applicant leave the passport with the
Bureau of Immigration, which will be released only after the WEG is secured.
- For Non-US passport holders arriving from the US, a copy of the Alien Registration Card or proof
of legal residency in the US is required
8. IF MY STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES REQUIRES THAT I APPLY FOR A VISA, CAN I ALREADY
APPLY FOR A VISA SIMULTANEOUS WITH MY APPLICATION FOR AN AFFIDAVIT OF
CONSENT?
Yes, if entry or duration of stay requires a visa, one can apply for a visa simultaneous with the
application for the Affidavit of Consent.
Visa requirements are: i) accomplished FA Form 2-A; ii) passport valid for at least 6 months beyond
the proposed stay in the Philippines; iii) proof of financial capacity of parents; and iv)photocopy of
airline ticket and travel itinerary. For the list of visa fees, please visit our website: www.pcgny.net
9. DO MINOR CHILDREN OF FILIPINOS/ FORMER FILIPINOS NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO THE
PHILIPPINES WHEN USING A U.S. PASSPORT AND ARRIVING ALONE?
Like all US passport holders, if the duration of stay is more than 21 days, a visa will be needed
(NOTE: Sufficient proof of Filipino ancestry must be presented upon arrival to avail of exemption from
WEG requirements).
[...]
For updated information tailored to your specific needs, please visit the website of the Philippine
Bureau of Immigration (http://immigration.gov.ph/) and the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and
Development (http://www.dswd.gov.ph/).
Alright, so I think I should be A-OK with travelling to the Philippines. I don't anticipate any problems with the US side of things, but who knows; they tend to have stricter guidelines.
With NOLA, I think I've got a new, more interesting day 1 route by staying in Knoxville rather than Staunton. The upshot of this is that I get additional time, cutting travel time down from 3 days to 2, and it is much more scenic than sticking to I-81.
Route: I-81 -> I-70 -> I-68 -> I-79 -> US 19 -> I-77 -> I-81 -> I-40 -> I-75
Hotel: Most likely somewhere along I-75, as I have to make it to Chattanooga the next day.
Things have taken a more interesting turn.
Due to some schedule shenanigans, it turns I'll bundle this trip with a trip to Montreal. I'm thinking of also sneaking time in Boston as well. I suppose I should get to planning the route now, but here's a rough sketch of how things will work:
June 12th - June 20th: NOLA and the Smokies; return home on the night of June 20th/early morning of June 21st
June 21st - June 27th: Montreal and Boston; return home by June 28th
I'll ask my dad to see if I can't get additional time to move the start date to June 10th or 11th. That means I get an additional day in NOLA and the Smokies, or at the very least more driving time.
In short, I'll be adding 7 states (MS, LA, AL, GA, FL (planning to clip the corner by Atmore, AL), VT, and NH). Probably could get Maine if I persuade a bit. I'll also be adding Quebec to my list of visited provinces.
When I do plan to visit Quebec, any French phrases I should know? I know thank you (merci) and the four cardinal directions (nord, sud, est, and ouest).
Most important phrase: Ou sont les toilettes, s'il vous plait?
I assume you can figure out what that means without a translation. ("Les toilettes" is customary even if there's only one.) The first time I visited Quebec, I was 11 years old and I did not know that phrase and I had to ask the question of someone who spoke no English, so after some failed words I kind of mimed standing at a urinal and that did the job. Better just to know how to ask!
But in Montreal you probably won't have any problems relying on English. Quebec City can be a very different story, but in Montreal most restaurants and hotels will be bilingual. Note that some restaurants will give you a French menu if you greet them in French and an English menu if you greet them in English, so if you walk in during the evening and say "bonsoir" the menu you get might not have any English. Of course you can just ask if needed. This is not always the case because some restaurants' menus are bilingual.
Bonjour hi!
Quote from: Rothman on March 25, 2019, 12:11:33 PM
Bonjour hi!
Heh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that one.
So I know I don't have to worry with restaurants in Montreal, but what about whenever I go outside the city? I plan on doing so for one of the days, to visit the First Nation villages and the Laurentides where I'll either encounter more French or a totally foreign Native American language.
Oh, and the route:
I-81 -> I-88 -> I-87 -> A-15
-I could probably find a more exciting route, but it's a nine hour drive. I don't think I have much time to faff around.
Montreal to Boston (2 routes):
A: A-10 -> A-35 -> I-89 -> I-93 -> US 3/Everett Turnpike (cause why not) -> I-495 or I-95 -> I-93 or MA 2 (involves surface streets)
B: A-10 -> A-55 -> I-91 -> I-93 (detour to Maine if possible via NH 101 and I-95)
I'm not sure which is a better ride; I-89 (seems twisty) or I-93 through Franconia Notch.
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 25, 2019, 08:47:53 PM
Quote from: Rothman on March 25, 2019, 12:11:33 PM
Bonjour hi!
Heh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that one.
So I know I don't have to worry with restaurants in Montreal, but what about whenever I go outside the city? I plan on doing so for one of the days, to visit the First Nation villages and the Laurentides where I'll either encounter more French or a totally foreign Native American language.
Oh, and the route:
I-81 -> I-88 -> I-87 -> A-15
-I could probably find a more exciting route, but it's a nine hour drive. I don't think I have much time to faff around.
Montreal to Boston (2 routes):
A: A-10 -> A-35 -> I-89 -> I-93 -> US 3/Everett Turnpike (cause why not) -> I-495 or I-95 -> I-93 or MA 2 (involves surface streets)
B: A-10 -> A-55 -> I-91 -> I-93 (detour to Maine if possible via NH 101 and I-95)
I'm not sure which is a better ride; I-89 (seems twisty) or I-93 through Franconia Notch.
Just take I-93 through Franconia Notch, it's been documented well by Freewayjim.
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 25, 2019, 08:47:53 PM
Quote from: Rothman on March 25, 2019, 12:11:33 PM
Bonjour hi!
Heh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that one.
Not really. "Bonjour hi" is actually how French Canadian businesses greet their customers to show that they're bilingual. Quebec was trying to put the kibosh on it some months ago and got some serious blowback from tourist dependent businesses.
Quote from: Rothman on March 25, 2019, 09:56:46 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on March 25, 2019, 08:47:53 PM
Quote from: Rothman on March 25, 2019, 12:11:33 PM
Bonjour hi!
Heh, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that one.
Not really. "Bonjour hi" is actually how French Canadian businesses greet their customers to show that they're bilingual. Quebec was trying to put the kibosh on it some months ago and got some serious blowback from tourist dependent businesses.
I can concur with that. I visited Montréal back in 2015. Everyone at the hotels and restaurants greeted me with some variant of "Bonjour, Hello" and depending on how I replied, knew whether to converse with me in French or in English. I did try to reply "Oui" or "Merci" if appropriate later on. You should have no problem in Montréal and its suburbs.
When checking in to my hotel I had printed out my reservation, figuring I could just point to it if I had to. But the desk clerk was talking to the person in front of me in fluent English, so I knew there wouldn't be an issue.
One thing my now-wife was unprepared for the first time she visited Montreal was the bathroom faucets being labelled "C" (hot) and "F" (cold) because they're labelled in French. Of course the hot is still on the left and the cold on the right.
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 26, 2019, 08:44:32 AM
Of course the hot is still on the left and the cold on the right.
Unless the faucet was installed the other way...
Quote from: 1995hoo on March 26, 2019, 08:44:32 AM
One thing my now-wife was unprepared for the first time she visited Montreal was the bathroom faucets being labelled "C" (hot) and "F" (cold) because they're labelled in French. Of course the hot is still on the left and the cold on the right.
There's a bilingualism joke about the taps being labeled "C" (for chaud) and "C" (for cold).
Well, looks like things have become interesting once more.
Sadly, I can't go to New Orleans this year, so I've scaled my ambitions down to Hampton Roads. So far, here's a general list of things I might see:
-Jamestown
-Yorktown
-Williamsburg and Busch Gardens
-Colonial Parkway
-Kitty Hawk, NC
-Monitor vs. Merrimac site (unsure if there's a marker)
-CBBT (will probably be used on the return trip)
-Norfolk Naval Base
After June 15th or so (I'll change the date when I get a more definite answer), I go back to Chambersburg, rest for a few days, pick up my mom and head to Montreal.
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 20, 2019, 07:24:31 PM
-Kitty Hawk, NC
Just a tip if you plan on going from Hampton Roads down to Kitty Hawk, try to go during the week. Traffic is much heavier on Saturdays & Sundays, and the toll on the expressway through Chesapeake down that way spikes to $8 one-way (which does a good job at luring clueless tourists passing through). During the week, it's just $3 one-way which is much more reasonable, a lot less traffic, and less crazy drivers on the road.
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 20, 2019, 07:24:31 PM
-Monitor vs. Merrimac site (unsure if there's a marker)
There's a lookout & historical marker in Newport News - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9823587,-76.3961986,446m/data=!3m1!1e3
The Wright Brothers memorial is in Kill Devil Hills because that's where the first flight actually took place.
QuoteI'm not sure which is a better ride; I-89 (seems twisty) or I-93 through Franconia Notch.
Just now seeing this so jumping in. I-93 hands down. Shorter and faster.
Quote from: froggie on May 21, 2019, 09:35:57 AM
QuoteI'm not sure which is a better ride; I-89 (seems twisty) or I-93 through Franconia Notch.
Just now seeing this so jumping in. I-93 hands down. Shorter and faster.
I'm also late to the thread....but I concur with this, and will point out that depending on your geo-geek interests, you may want to check out the border communities of Stanstead QC and Derby Line / Beebe Plain, VT if you go 10»55»91»93.
Also, depending on the dates of your trip...be aware that bridge construction and Turcot Interchange reconstruction leads to potential closures on routes of interest to roadgeeks on the weekend. (Actually, Montreal is doing a very good job of turning parts of the city into an almost-undrivable mess with construction-related closures.)
Ok, so far I have two options to choose from for the first week. It's Hampton Roads or Boston. I feel that the Smokies will have to be put on the backburner (and I'm slightly burnt out from consuming barbecue).
I might be able to squeeze June 20th (an extra day), but that means no scenic route up to Montreal. We'll have to stick with I-87. I may also be able to squeeze June 13th, but that's the day we leave Chambersburg, so we might not do much. Below, I've decided to compare the two cities and possible plans for each.
HAMPTON ROADS
PROS: History, nicer beaches
CONS: No rapid transit, spread out
BOSTON
PROS: Dense, also very historical
CONS: Worse traffic than Hampton Roads
ROUTE TO HAMPTON ROADS
I-81 -> I-66 -> US 17 -> I-95 -> I-295 -> I-64
ROUTE TO BOSTON
I-81 -> I-78 -> I-287 -> Hutch (and Westchester Avenue) -> CT 15 -> CT 8 -> I-84 -> I-90
HAMPTON PLAN
June 14th: Yorktown
June 15th: USS Wisconsin, Norfolk Naval Base, Monitor - Merrimac battle site
June 16th: Free day, nothing planned
June 17th: Jamestown
June 18th: Busch Gardens (possibly), Williamsburg (Governor's Palace + Old Capitol)
June 19th: Kitty Hawk, Roanoke Colony site; CBBT if time allows
BOSTON PLAN
June 14th: Salem and Concord (Walden Pond, Lexington and Concord battlefield)
June 15th: MIT, Harvard, Boston University (MLK's alma mater); JFK's house if time
June 16th: Boston Commons, Old North Church, Old State House & Boston Massacre site, Bunker & Breed's Hill
June 17th: Plymouth landing site, Cape Cod (probably only down to Sandwich)
June 18th: Free day; go to museums or visit sites not yet visited - possibly JFK's house
June 19th: Another free day; Cheer's bar? Franconia Notch? Maine?
As always, I'll modify this plan when the time comes. This'll likely change depending on hotel placement, but I'll probably switch the days that some events occur. Any warnings or wisdom is always appreciated.
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 26, 2019, 12:46:11 PM
Ok, so far I have two options to choose from for the first week. It's Hampton Roads or Boston. I feel that the Smokies will have to be put on the backburner (and I'm slightly burnt out from consuming barbecue).
I might be able to squeeze June 20th (an extra day), but that means no scenic route up to Montreal. We'll have to stick with I-87. I may also be able to squeeze June 13th, but that's the day we leave Chambersburg, so we might not do much. Below, I've decided to compare the two cities and possible plans for each.
HAMPTON ROADS
PROS: History, nicer beaches
CONS: No rapid transit, spread out
BOSTON
PROS: Dense, also very historical
CONS: Worse traffic than Hampton Roads
ROUTE TO HAMPTON ROADS
I-81 -> I-66 -> US 17 -> I-95 -> I-295 -> I-64
ROUTE TO BOSTON
I-81 -> I-78 -> I-287 -> Hutch (and Westchester Avenue) -> CT 15 -> CT 8 -> I-84 -> I-90
HAMPTON PLAN
June 14th: Yorktown
June 15th: USS Wisconsin, Norfolk Naval Base, Monitor - Merrimac battle site
June 16th: Free day, nothing planned
June 17th: Jamestown
June 18th: Busch Gardens (possibly), Williamsburg (Governor's Palace + Old Capitol)
June 19th: Kitty Hawk, Roanoke Colony site; CBBT if time allows
BOSTON PLAN
June 14th: Salem and Concord (Walden Pond, Lexington and Concord battlefield)
June 15th: MIT, Harvard, Boston University (MLK's alma mater); JFK's house if time
June 16th: Boston Commons, Old North Church, Old State House & Boston Massacre site, Bunker & Breed's Hill
June 17th: Plymouth landing site, Cape Cod (probably only down to Sandwich)
June 18th: Free day; go to museums or visit sites not yet visited - possibly JFK's house
June 19th: Another free day; Cheer's bar? Franconia Notch? Maine?
As always, I'll modify this plan when the time comes. This'll likely change depending on hotel placement, but I'll probably switch the days that some events occur. Any warnings or wisdom is always appreciated.
I would suggest that you drop Yorktown as there is somewhat limited hours there. Most of the stuff there is outside of Yorktown proper, so be prepared for that if you do go there.
The traffic on I-64 through the tunnels can be worse than anywhere in Boston.
I'd argue 93 approaching the Zakim is worse.
Quote from: Rothman on May 26, 2019, 01:25:16 PM
The traffic on I-64 through the tunnels can be worse than anywhere in Boston.
If so, does the 3MBT serve as a favorable alternate? Heck, even the James River Bridge? I'd like to dodge traffic as best I can, but I know that the bridges and tunnels are the chokepoints in Hampton Roads.
All I know is that almost every time I've been down to Hampton Roads, the traffic jams on I-64 were quite epic.
Not I-95 south of DC epic, but epic nonetheless.
Depending on your origin/destination, the Monitor-Merrimac can be a useful alternative and I would actually suggest that if your O/D is in/near downtown. When I lived near downtown, I'd often hop the Midtown Tunnel to 164 to the Monitor-Merrimac mainly because I was only a few minutes from the Midtown and it was mostly limited-access, whereas to go from downtown to 64 more directly either requires several miles of city street (as for which one, "pick your poison") or heading out of your way east on 264 to catch 64.
As you can tell by yet another thread title change, it's time to head to Boston. I've also decided to post a full itinerary.
June 13th - Driving Day
Chambersburg, PA to Saugus, MA
Leave in the morning
Route: I-81 -> I-78 -> US 22 (-> PA 33 -> local roads -> PA 611 -> Portland-Columbia Bridge) or (Belvidere Road -> CR 519) -> I-80 -> I-287 -> Hutch Pkwy.(yes, I know about Westchester Avenue C/D movement) -> CT 15/Merritt Pkwy. -> CT 8 -> I-84 -> I-90 -> (Boston roads; unsure of how to navigate this)
Comments: No clue if PA 611 is more scenic than Belvidere Road/CR 519. I know PA 611 runs along the Delaware River, and I just barely miss out on the Delaware Water Gap, but I haven't really explored that area of New Jersey. We'll also arrive in Boston in the middle of rush hour, so I'm unsure how to navigate the area. I suppose avoiding I-93 would be a good start.
After Arrival: Visit Walden Pond
June 14th - Lowell and Salem
Tour: Lowell Mill sites and museums, town of Salem and witch trial sites, visit any interesting museums, and clip the New Hampshire state line
Time permits: TBA
June 15th - Greater Boston
Tour: Lexington and Concord (including the battlefield), Walden Pond
Time permits: Plymouth
June 16th - Boston Day 1
Tour: Colonial era sites - Boston Massacre & Old State House, Old North Church, Boston Commons, Boston Harbor, Old South Meetinghouse, Bunker & Breed's Hill, USS Constitution
Time permits: Museum of Fine Arts
Dinner: Food stands...somewhere. Visit Cheers Bar for bragging rights.
June 17th - Boston Day 2
Tour: MIT, Harvard, Boston University (maybe?), JFK's House, Museum of Fine Arts
Time permits: TBA
June 18th - Boston Day 3
Tour: Definitely Museum of Fine Arts, JFK Library, Massachusetts State House?, other museums
Time permits: TBA
June 19th - Martha's Vineyard
Tour: Jaws film sites, something else
Route Home: Woods Hole Ferry -> Woods Hole Road -> MA 28 -> MA 25 -> I-195 -> MA-RI 24 -> RI 114 -> Newport streets -> RI 138 -> RI 4 -> RI 102 -> I-95 -> I-287 -> Hutch Pkwy -> Cross County Pkwy -> Henry Hudson Pkwy -> I-95 -> I-78 -> I-81
June 20th - Chambersburg
Rest and prepare for Montreal
June 21st - In transito
Chambersburg, PA to Longueuil, QC
Route: I-81 -> I-88 -> I-90 -> I-87 -> A-15 -> A-20
Leave in the morning, arrive in the evening
Time permits: TBA
Comments: It's basic, mostly because I have nowhere in mind. It hits all the scenic spots I want; I-88, Northway, etc.
June 22nd - Montreal Day 1
Tour: Biosphere, Phi Centre
Time permits: TBA
June 23rd - Montreal Day 2
Tour: Walk around Montreal, see the sites; Mount Royal, dinner at Au Pie du Cochon
June 24th & 25th - Montreal Days 3 & 4
Tour Montreal
June 26th - Greater Montreal
Tour: Laurentides, First Nations, lunch at La Maison amérindienne (First Nations restaurant + museum), dinner at Sucrerie de la Montagne
June 27th - Ottawa
Tour: Parliament, Gatineau
Evening of June 27th - Afternoon of June 28th (possibly)
Head home, via ON 417 -> ON 416 -> ON 401 -> Thousand Islands Bridge -> I-81
If you want to avoid NYC going up, stay on NJ/NY 94 to NY 300 to I-84 in Newburgh after the Portland Toll Bridge. Some nice scenery as you pass along the NW spine of NJ, plus an Appalachian Trail crossing and some hilly terrain in NY state.
Got a reminder of how miserable driving in eastern MA can be today:
Typically takes 3 hours for me to drive to Salem from Albany Today it took 4, due to an accident in a work zone on the Pike and then other incidents that clogged alternate routes (e.g., people had to rubberneck to see a stoner get arrested and his car searched on I-495). Couldn't dodge any traffic snarls today.
Still stupefied at cars slowing down on upgrades on the Pike. I don't remember it being such a problem when I was a kid, but for the last few trips between Boston and Albany, it's reached epidemic levels.
Good luck!
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on June 08, 2019, 11:29:47 PM
If you want to avoid NYC going up, stay on NJ/NY 94 to NY 300 to I-84 in Newburgh after the Portland Toll Bridge. Some nice scenery as you pass along the NW spine of NJ, plus an Appalachian Trail crossing and some hilly terrain in NY state.
I've heard glowing reviews for CT 8, however, and I've heard that the Merritt is an interesting ride. I also want to check out the new Tappan Zee bridge for myself. The Goog estimates that this adds an hour to my trip, but based on your experiences (and others, if they choose to chime in) do you think staying on I-287 and encountering any possible traffic could offset that additional hour?
Quote from: Rothman on June 08, 2019, 11:53:47 PM
Got a reminder of how miserable driving in eastern MA can be today:
Typically takes 3 hours for me to drive to Salem from Albany Today it took 4, due to an accident in a work zone on the Pike and then other incidents that clogged alternate routes (e.g., people had to rubberneck to see a stoner get arrested and his car searched on I-495). Couldn't dodge any traffic snarls today.
Still stupefied at cars slowing down on upgrades on the Pike. I don't remember it being such a problem when I was a kid, but for the last few trips between Boston and Albany, it's reached epidemic levels.
Good luck!
I did consider the Pike being a possible issue...would it make sense to head up to MA 2 as an alternate? Maybe even US 20, if MA 2 is too far out of the way?
I apologize for the questions, but this is completely unexplored territory for me north of I-78. I've only been to New England once.
At least on Saturday, it didn't matter which way you went on or inside of I-495. There were slowdowns on every route.
The issue with MA 2 is that it really isn't convenient from the south. Cutting that far north and over kills your time anyway, if you're caring about time.
That said, from western MA, like Northampton or Amherst, MA 2 becomes a much more attractive option. My family preferred MA 2 to get to the western suburbs from that area.
Quote from: Rothman on June 09, 2019, 09:45:55 PM
The issue with MA 2 is that it really isn't convenient from the south. Cutting that far north and over kills your time anyway, if you're caring about time.
I'm not terribly concerned about time, but I do want to try to minimize time spent in traffic jams. It'd be nice to do something in Boston, but it's not a must.
I should also clarify that the hotel I'm staying in is in Saugus, so I was considering taking MA 2 in and hooking around via I-95 or zig-zagging through Somerville to reach I-93 and make it to Saugus somehow. I thought that it'd be better than trying to chance the Pike and I-93 in the midst of rush hour. Again, I'm no native, so I'm guessing trying to get inside I-495 without traffic during a weekday rush hour is like trying to break a window with a fluffy pillow.
Keep in mind MA 16 can be an exciting drive (Alewife Brook Parkway) -- very narrow lanes, bad signage and speeding traffic.
The cloverleaf at I-95/I-93 is a horrible chokepoint. Development has pretty much ensured it will never be updated.
That all said, just stick to a plan and take the traffic as it comes.
The Merritt and Wilbur Cross are indeed a nice scenic respite from the Interstate. I believe the tunnel is on the Wilbur Cross–the only highway tunnel in Connecticut, if I recall correctly.
Edited to add: That's not to mean there wouldn't be traffic on the Merritt, of course!
Are you going to post a detailed trip report?
For the Montreal leg, two things to be aware of:
June 24th is Quebec's national holiday. Things may be impacted by the three-day weekend / start of a vacation week. There will also be a good sized festival in town that weekend. (Although, Montreal is a city of festivals all through the summer.)
Also, the northbound span of the new Samuel de Champlain bridge is now scheduled to open the morning of the 24th of June.
BTW, noelbotevera, since your Montreal itinerary mentions the Biosphere, you might look into whether the funicular to the top of the Olympic Stadium tower is open. It's been closed the last three times I've been in Montreal, but all of those were in January so I suspect that might have been part of the reason.
Don't forget to factor in the exchange rate when you figure prices for activity in Canada. $1 CAD is currently worth about 75¢ USD, so you can knock 25% off the prices when figuring out how much you're spending. It's still usually worth putting gas in the car in the US prior to crossing the border if possible, though, because US gas is typically cheaper. GasBuddy currently shows prices in Champlain, NY, as ranging between $2.75 and $2.91 a gallon for low-grade, whereas in Montreal it shows between $1.20 and $1.27 per litre for low-grade. Using the $1.20 figure, that's around $4.53 CAD per gallon, which converts to about $3.38 USD. On a 15-gallon fillup, you'd save almost $10 by refuelling in the USA.
One other suggestion I may have made before: Check whether your bank, or a family member's bank, has a fee-free ATM arrangement with a Canadian bank. (Bank of America, for example, has such an arrangement with Scotiabank.) If so, get cash from one of the Canadian bank's ATMs.
Okay, trip report time! I've returned from Boston, and have had a rest.
Taking it from the top:
June 13th - I awoke with a start at 7 AM, and used the next hour to prepare (breakfast, hygiene, etc.) My father and I left the house at 8:15 AM, following some picture taking of our new mailbox, and made it to I-81 and I-78 by around 10 AM. Rather than taking I-78 and I-287 into NJ, I opted for a more scenic route: US 22, PA 33, I-80, and PA 611 around the Delaware Water Gap.
By noon, we had reached the halfway point - the PA/NJ state line - and saw we were making good time, so we had a bathroom break. We bolted down I-80 to I-287, and navigated the terrible I-80/I-287 interchange, facing traffic on the exit and having to complete a left merge onto I-287 NB. I surprisingly found I-287 moving during a Thursday afternoon, and saw the new Tappan Zee Bridge (which I prefer over the old one - sorry, not sorry). We made our way into CT at around 1:45 PM, after exiting at the Hutch and traveling north on the Merritt.
After yet another break, then traffic jams, we found our way on CT 8 at 2:20 PM. I can say that CT 15 and CT 8 is definitely a more scenic, traffic free route to I-84, compared to I-91 at least. By 4:30, we made it to the Mass Pike after experiencing traffic jams in Hartford and a cop stopping a speeder on I-84 east of the CT/MA line. I realized that it was rush hour into Boston, and choosing not to brave Mass Pike traffic, we chose to head up to Walden Pond...on a cloudy, dreary day. Yes, it was raining for essentially the entire day.
Not to be deterred, we exit onto I-290, passing through the substandard wonder that is Worcester and I-290 through the city, clinching I-190, and making my way eastward on MA 2. Bypassing Concord, we make a bathroom break at the gift shop and begrudgingly pay $15 for parking. Yes, $15.
With a lighter bank account, we tour the pond for a while - admiring the sights, the birds, the water, and the trees. I'm astounded that Thoreau was so famous, that they preserved an entire pond in his memory. You don't see that with many historical sites; a place so popular and beloved, it is never to be disturbed by humans. While Thoreau's house is long gone, with the cabin being used for wood, luckily a replica of the house is present at the parking lot. However, out of admiration and curiosity (my father, while never Walden, does appreciate Thoreau's prose), we decided to visit the house site. Half a mile, lots of puddle dodging, and picture taking later, we visit the house and leave at 7 PM.
Rather than continuing on the slog that is MA 2, we instead choose to go to downtown Concord, taking Lexington Road and MA 2A and simultaneously viewing the Lexington and Concord battlefields. Reaching I-95, we move south for an exit and take the MA 2 eastern freeway into Boston, utilizing Fresh Pond Parkway and Memorial Drive. Crossing the perpetually in reconstruction Longfellow Bridge (though it wasn't being reconstructed when we visited), we make our way into downtown Boston. Making our way along Cambridge Street, we park at the Boston Public Market and eat dinner at Quincy Market.
Dinner being clam chowder and lobster mac n' cheese, with dessert being a Boston creme pie, we make our way to the Central Artery, heading northward to the Tobin Bridge and US 1 north, and arriving at our hotel in Saugus for the night, around 9:15 PM.
June 14th - Grabbing an early start, somewhere around 8 AM, we disembark for Salem at 9 AM. First, we try to view the Proctor Farm (actually in Danvers) via US 1, MA 128, and several local streets, but then realize that...there's absolutely nothing there, and the trail is obscenely long. Well, too long for the time we had.
No problem. We merge onto the deathtrap that is MA 128, and exit at MA 114. Following that to Salem, my father suddenly has to use the bathroom, giving me an hour all to myself. I toured Salem solo, viewing all the sights and touring one of the judges' houses with my father. I missed the House of Seven Gables and Proctor's Ledge, but that's okay, since the house now has three gables and the Ledge is now a Walgreens. I did however, view Nathaniel Hawthorne's office at the Customs' House, so at least I saw an important place of his (he worked there for a few years in the 1850s, bored out of his mind until he got fired and became an author soon after).
I found it funny how Salem officially promotes its maritime history, but refuses to acknowledge the witch trials. Of course, the townspeople don't seem to think twice about the trials, but it seems the town government or the Massachusetts equivalent seems reluctant to recognize them. For what its worth, Salem Village was so ashamed of being involved with the trials that it was eventually renamed Danvers (the underlying reason is simpler; it was renamed after a settler in 1752, after becoming incorporated into a town).
With Salem out of the way, on to Lowell. Taking MA 128 south to US 3 north, I clinch the Lowell Connector and use the spare time to visit the National Historic Site there - the textile factories, of course. By this time, it's 2 PM, so I make my way to the Heng Lay restaurant and meet with 1. We spend the next hour eating lunch and talking about things, and choose to visit Robert Frost's home in Derry, NH. Via the use of School Street and some out of Lowell, I clinch NH 111A and make one of the last tours of the day before the place closed.
No matter; the three of us in tow, we go picture taking and explore the trails surrounding the property. Of course, picture taking occurs during this time, reaching a crescendo of a photo of me and 1. It was around 5:30 PM by now, so my father and I decide to take 1 home, clinching MA 213 in the process, and conclude our day by going to Manchester-by-the-Sea and recreating a shot of the eponymous film. Oh, and we visited the beach. Turns out you have to kick the sand to make it "sing".
With bellies filled with haddock and onion rings, we once more slept at 9 PM.
June 15th and 16th - We spent both of these days in Boston, repeating the same route: US 1 north to Walnut Street east through Saugus and Lynn, and using Lynn streets to reach the MBTA commuter rail station there. I can't recall all the streets I took, so I'll do this infoblast style, instead using subway lines to represent my movements. As always, I took the Newburyport/Rockport line to North Station, taking advantage of $10 commuter rail weekends.
The 15th, went to:
Granary Burying Ground (via Green Line C/E Branch to Government Center, then walked to the cemetery)
Boston Common
Viewed Massachusetts State House
Orpheum Theater - where the climax of the novel The Bostonians takes place
Viewed Park Street Church
Old South Meeting House
Viewed Old City Hall
Viewed Old State House
Viewed Faneuil Hall
Old North Church
JFK Library (via Orange Line at Haymarket to Downtown Crossing, then Red Line to JFK/UMass)
Bunker Hill Monument (really Breed's Hill)
We mostly walked everywhere on this day; it was rather hot, but not uncomfortable. Dinner was at Kelly's Roast Beef, the Somerville location.
The 16th, went to:
MIT (via Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, Red Line to Kendall - MIT)
Harvard and the Civil War Memorial (via Red Line to Harvard)
Museum of Fine Arts (via Red Line to Park Street, then Green Line E Branch to Museum of Fine Arts)
USS Constitution (via Green Line E Branch to Haymarket)
Yep, a lot more subway riding. The weather on this day was miserable, so it's why we chose not to walk everywhere. We barely made the Constitution, arriving 15 minutes before it closed.
June 17th - It's not really Boston anymore. We took the opportunity to head up to Maine and eat real lobster rolls. Rolling out of Saugus at 9 AM as usual, we headed up US 1 to I-95. After passing through the Hampton toll plaza, we realized that our E-ZPass was in our other car...which was with my brother. Yes, we purchased a new car just prior to this trip...and forget to transfer the transponder. Whoops.
I used the opportunity to pay the toll online (mobile!), and drove up stressfree to Bayley's Lobster Pound in Pine Point, Maine - a few miles southeast of Scarborough. Consuming the second best lobster roll ever, and savoring the sweet lobster (well, I didn't...I was hungry!), we planned out the rest of our day. We decided to head up to Portland via ME 9, US 1, and I-295, then I realized that there were beaches north of Portland, accessed by ME 88.
We first tried Mackworth Island, but found it full. So, we proceeded north to Cousins Island and also explored part of Littlejohn Island. We parked, and used a short trail to reach a secluded beach on Cousins Island. I used the opportunity to take a swim and relax in the cold water; my father, being improperly dressed, browsed his phone.
By 3 PM, it was time to return to Portland and get dinner. We decided to go to the Clambake Restaurant in Pine Point, stopping by Portland to take photos of an elegant church (the name currently eludes me). Accomplished by clinching ME 88 to I-295 South, and utilizing Portland local streets, we made it to Clambake at 6 PM. To explain this discrepancy, my father had to use the bathroom, we got lost in Portland (somehow managed to cross the Casco Bay Bridge and end up in the southwestern end of the city), and got caught up in traffic somehow.
No problem; we went to the seagull infested Clambake, and had dinner. The fried clams and lobster roll were...okay. Tomorrow, we'd have better seafood. For now though, all we could do was get into the car, and...
realize we were low on gas. Hypermiling to New Hampshire at 8 PM, we utilized the lack of taxes to fill up on cheap gas. Made it home at around 9:15 PM, and slept.
June 18th - This was our free day, and we utilized it by hightailing it down to Plymouth Rock. The route being US 1 to I-93 to MA 3 to the end of US 44, we made it to Plymouth Rock and took a few pictures along with reading up some of the history of the legendary rock. As a farewell to Plymouth, we decided to purchase some salt water taffy, as we had work to do.
That work was to eat better fried clams. The closest place was Evelyn's Drive In in Tiverton, Rhode Island off of RI 77. Rather than clinching MA 3 and MA 25, I opted to clinch I-195 (RI-MA, of course) and later MA 24. I took some road and part of MA 58 to I-495, following it to the end, then taking I-195 to MA 24, which then became RI 24. Exiting at Fish Road, I took that to RI 177 and followed it to its end.
The fried clams were good, but as always, I'd eat better fried clams later that evening at a cheaper price than Evelyn's. I can't quite describe how they tasted, but they were rather crunchy, but the clam flavor was very prevalent. I also tried lobster chow mein, which is exactly what it sounds like.
Okay, next stop was to see the Monet exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, which my father missed (initially, we wanted to see Lexington and Concord in detail, but due to heavy rain we decided on MFA - Boston). We clinched MA 24, taking it to I-93, which we followed to its end, then took I-95 to I-90 and exited at Huntington Avenue/MA 9 (Exit 22). We spent roughly an hour there, viewing Monet's vivid landscapes and parody of European views of Japanese culture, a famous El Greco painting, some Picasso paintings (my favorite painting in the museum was Portrait of a Lady by Picasso, by the way). Again, it's something you have to see for yourself; words can't truly describe it.
It was 4:30 and we had to haul for the supposedly best fried clams at the Clam Box in Ipswich. Boston traffic being it was, it took us two hours to travel thirty miles. Utilizing Boston streets, we crawled our way northward to US 1, which was yet another slog, then enjoyed free flowing traffic north of I-95. We made it to the Clam Box twenty minutes before closing time, and could now indulge.
I'd describe the clams as being sweeter and better quality than Evelyn's. It's definitely worth the $40 we paid for two small boxes of fried clams, as they're oddly filling and definitely a treat for the tongue. To boot, the clams were cheaper than Evelyn's - $20 for a small box compared to $26 at Evelyn's.
As usual, we returned to Saugus via MA 133, I-95, and US 1. It was time to head home.
June 19th - I'll describe this day in a different fashion, describing the stops as I go.
Opening with US 1 -> I-95 -> ME 9
Stop 1: Clam Shack in Kennebunkport, Maine; Arrived at around 10 AM
-Used the time to walk around and take pictures of the town. Clams were definitely on par with Clam Box, but I rate Clam Box being slightly superior. Definitely sweeter lobster rolls than Bayley's which made them better for me personally, as it appealed to my sweet tooth
ME 9 -> I-95 > I-495 I-> I-290 (clinch) -> I-90 -> I-84 -> CT 15 -> I-91 -> New Haven streets
Stop 2: Louis Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut; Arrived at around 3 PM
-We were again in a rush to get here, as the restaurant closed at 3:45. It was the birthplace of the hamburger, and if you haven't tried hamburgers medium-rare, they're definitely a cut above your typical hamburger.
CT 34 -> CT 15 -> Hutch -> Cross County -> Yonkers streets -> NY 9A -> US 9 -> NY 9A -> I-95 -> US 206 -> US 130 -> I-295 -> NJ 73 -> NJ-PA 90 (clinch) -> I-95 -> Philadelphia streets
Stop 3: Brother's temporary home for a Philadelphia internship; Arrived at 8:40 PM, took longer than expected due to New York City traffic
-Chatted here for about an hour, with no real topics at mind. Retrieved the E-ZPass to mount in our car.
PA 3 -> I-476 -> I-76 -> US 11 -> I-81
Stop 4: Home; Arrived at 1:15 AM, June 20th
-Came here to rest and replenish our supplies for Montreal, along with picking up my sister and mother. Leaving for Montreal tomorrow. This concludes my trip report, which took an obscene amount of time to write due to lack of motivation.
Okay, I'm late by an entire month, but I was really lacking in motivation. Typing up a detailed report took a lot out of me. Instead, I'll just note observations that I found interesting, along with new roads traveled. I'll try to be distinct from 1's observations. I also have pictures from this trip on my Instagram account, and so does my father on Facebook. If you find those interesting, feel free to PM me.
New roads:
I-81 (N. of Exit 89 in PA - I-88 junction in NY)
I-84 (I-81 - Exit 16 in NY)
I-87 (Northway)
I-88 (clinch)
I-90 (Exits 25A - B2)
US 11 (I-87 - US 2)
US 2 (US 11 - Alburgh, VT)
Taconic State Parkway (Berkshire Spur - Exit 37)
A-15 (US Border - Sortie 61)
A-20 (Sortie 61 (A-15) - Sortie 312)
A-25 (A-20 - Sortie 8)
A-40 (Sortie 80 - Sortie 313)
A-73 (Sortie 131 - Sortie 313 (A-40))
A-440 (Western Segment)
Notes:
-First Nations culture seems rather lacking in the Montreal area. There's only a few museums and scant restaurants that may or may not serve authentic First Nations food. A real shame, since I haven't really tried First Nations/Native American cuisine.
-Can't really taste a difference between Vermont and Quebec maple syrup.
-Ate at Au Pied de Cochon. The meals were...expensive, but very filling.
-Since my father's a real foodie, we managed to score raw cheese under 60 days. We even managed to bring it back home with us.
-No clue as to what the Congregation of Notre Dame is about. Seems as if it's a sect of Christianity?
-Like 1 and others noted in his Quebec City trip, huge amount of Quebec nationalism; I can see why the Quebecois view themselves as distinct, since the French colonized that part of Canada before the British.
-Due to time constraints and naivety, I missed Montmorency Falls. That'll nag me; but at least I've seen Niagara Falls.
-Poutine is awesome.
-Northway is definitely a beautiful drive. Though, to be fair, perhaps NY 22 or US 9 could make a more scenic alternative.
-The Montreal Metro is definitely the best mass transit system I've been on. It's cleaner than the DC Metro, and the stations have some artistic flair.
-The Biosphere (on Parc Jean Drapeau) oddly reminds me of the Unisphere. Guess it's that Expo/World's Fair influence, for whatever difference it makes.
-Personally, I think Quebec City's old downtown is more beautiful than Montreal. Even the views of the St. Laurence River outshine Montreal's rather utilitarian view of the river.
-Quebec City's mass transit is rather lacking, though. It seems more car oriented if you live in the suburbs, and only has a bus system that I've never seen outside of Quebec City itself.
-Surprised to see that A&W (a root beer company here in the US) manages a fast food chain, selling burgers and the like.
-Ran into hassles regarding the use of US credit cards at gas stations, especially in the Quebec City area. Odd, since we managed to buy goods and services using a US card.
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 20, 2019, 12:43:20 PM
-Ran into hassles regarding the use of US credit cards at gas stations, especially in the Quebec City area. Odd, since we managed to buy goods and services using a US card.
Interesting. I've been wondering how that is, since they're chip and PIN and we're chip and sign.
I already knew that A&W had stores in Canada.
Quote-Surprised to see that A&W (a root beer company here in the US) manages a fast food chain, selling burgers and the like.
Surprised in that they have a restaurant? Or that they were in Canada?
They've had restaurants in the U.S. for decades...especially in the Midwest. Guessing you just haven't seen them since the closest ones to you are in Orbisonia, near Bedford (on US 30), and Charles Town (WV).
Quote from: froggie on July 20, 2019, 01:43:49 PM
Quote-Surprised to see that A&W (a root beer company here in the US) manages a fast food chain, selling burgers and the like.
Surprised in that they have a restaurant? Or that they were in Canada?
They've had restaurants in the U.S. for decades...especially in the Midwest. Guessing you just haven't seen them since the closest ones to you are in Orbisonia, near Bedford (on US 30), and Charles Town (WV).
Both, really. I've been to all three of the towns you mention, and have never managed to stumble across them. Only thought of them as a mere root beer brand until I found some restaurants in Montreal.
I never knew there was actual A&W restaurants until I discovered the one at Mall of America. Later, I found out there is also one in Cortland, NY.
They used to be much more common.
Last I checked, there's also one in Wilmington, NY.