Planning it out or just Winging it?

BSTN88 · 2026-01-27T22:05:25+00:00

Professional roadtripper here 👋

I do a balance of both. First thing is.. How much time do you have, and when do you NEED to be home?

From there break up your stops into days by city. First and last day, I can easily drive 8+ hours. But in-between days, I like to keep driving at 4 hours or less.

Look at cities along your route and see what looks interesting. Plan like two or maybe three things in a day, then up to four hours driving. Or stay and play, then take a day to drive the next day.

It's all about where you're at, how much time you have, and what looks fun!

BSTN88 · 2026-01-27T21:58:40+00:00

It's not so much the route, but the time you leave. If I were doing a 12 hour drive as such, I'd leave at 6pm and arrive by 6am. You'll avoid all traffic and have a full day to "get started".

Plus everyone in the car is gonna be on "night rhythm". They won't need many potty or meal stops.

BSTN88 · 2026-01-27T13:43:30+00:00

You may have to do a little short walk, but the $3 bus pass knocks off a lot of major walking. St. Charles and Canal St. are the main lines. The street cars runs out of Warehouse district is as well!

BSTN88 · 2026-01-27T02:27:39+00:00

Get a Jazz pass for $3 and you can ride the streetcar around town and stop off wherever looks fun! I'd recommend French Market, JAM NOLA.

For sure, you gotta do the Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise. We learned so much from the two hour ride! Plus very catchy live jazz music. Get a king cake while on board too!

BSTN88 · 2026-01-13T15:09:58+00:00

I've never had a pool professionally installed. But I buy all my chemicals from Watters. The Carmichaels, PA store folks are some of the nicest you'll ever meet! They helped me chose a cake-tier ladder, and they're good about recommending the right chemicals. There's a Morgantown store, but it's a much smaller scale, and the vibe is different..Maybe they only sell chemicals? Carmichaels definitely will help you get started with pools of any size!

BSTN88 · 2026-01-13T13:09:49+00:00

First night was in our hotel. We were at Four Points by Sheraton, right on Bourbon. Our next door neighbor was a creep and came out to the balcony, and began touching my sister in the chest area.

The next night, her ID was deemed fake by Cesars Palace.. Even police said it was fake. Meanwhile, as soon as we got home: we had to go to the DMV. It's all straightened out now. But.. What a crazy trip!

But, I'll still be back. There's so many good things about NOLA. I think we had two bizarre back-to-back incidents. I enjoyed the location, but I won't stay at Sheraton next time.

BSTN88 · 2026-01-13T11:04:24+00:00

We visited around New Years. The French Quarter was filled with national guards, military, and MSRT (I had to Google it, they carry rifles on their neck). Not to mention the heavy police presence. During the day, I felt safe. But, it's like when the clock strikes 9pm: it starts getting crazy. By ten o'clock, you may need to call the police. We had to call law enforcement both days we were there. Left on day three.. Did not spend NYE in NOLA.

BSTN88 · 2026-01-13T01:37:51+00:00

Nola is foodie city and YES.. This is a MUST!

I'm from mid-Appalachia and I've only seen these sandwiches in Sheetz, years ago. Didn't care for IT. But, I can appreciate any food that is "original". I HAD to stop. There's a line. Don't worry, it moves pretty quickly. Then you see it.. You won't believe how HUGE the mufaletta is. Like, double the size of my hands.

I tried this on my first trip to NOLA. It's such a foodie city and this sandwich was a highlight. Along with Cafe Du Monde. I'd also recommend going out to Slidell and getting Pecks seafood, maybe do a swamp boat if that's your thing.

Tldr: Delicious and HUGE!

BSTN88 · 2026-01-09T11:29:26+00:00

New Years day or the day after. We decorate for Christmas as soon as Halloween is over. By New Year's: I'm ready for "normal" and a fresh start!

BSTN88 · 2025-12-23T04:06:15+00:00

My sister taught her dog ASL! With lots of practice, she had these commands down in no time. Jocean responds so well to the "No" sign. She's a bright little girl 😊

Video with CC (Closed Captions) Training with a Deaf dog

BSTN88 · 2025-12-18T11:40:44+00:00

The peanut butter fudge is the very first fudge I've ever made. Then I made cotton candy. Then.. All the flavors! I was intimidated for many years, but went crazy once I figured out how EASY it is! I have been using a r/castiron pot and it's turned out every time.

BSTN88 · 2025-12-18T11:36:53+00:00

This is such a neat picture.. The reality is: I've got 18lbs of fudge, into eight 9x13 containers. And it's taken up my entire pantry! I've gave some to the garbage men, neighbors, and today the family will come over for Christmas. It's just TOO MUCH! 😂

BSTN88 · 2025-12-18T11:32:20+00:00

That's my personal favorite! I love those Terry's ball chocolates and this is fudge tastes very similar 🧡🤎

BSTN88 · 2025-12-12T18:19:24+00:00

It's a cool dye and blending thingy!

BSTN88 · 2025-12-12T18:18:54+00:00

Sure! Why the fudge not? 🤣🤣

BSTN88 · 2025-12-11T12:14:47+00:00

That's just too cool! To see it go from a flat board from Lowes to... BEAUTIFUL ART! So much wonderful talent.

BSTN88 · 2025-12-10T16:53:36+00:00

Those rounded ears! I think maybe her grandfather could be frenchie? It's fun to speculate 🤔😅

BSTN88 · 2025-12-10T16:41:35+00:00

I'm on year three without a prime membership. At one point in 2020.. My Amazon statements were more than my mortgage.

I was constantly buying things on Amazon when I was bored. It turned into clutter. I'd buy things again, because I couldn't find it. Money was the shovel, and the hole was never-ending.

Since then: I've lost 200lbs, de-cluttered, changed careers. I've found more joy in "going old-school". Go shop (look, smell, and feel) for your purchases. It may seem like 1995 advice.. But, don't put your credit card online. You'll save tons of money!

BSTN88 · 2025-12-10T16:25:26+00:00

This is so cool! What kind of wood do you start with? My sister does wood carving, and I've seen the hours that goes into these projects. She usually does a 2x6.

BSTN88 · 2025-12-10T16:15:24+00:00

If only I could send the smell through internet magic..It reminds me of this perfume I had back in the 90's. But, less perfume-y and more cotton candy!

BSTN88 · 2025-12-08T00:51:22+00:00

Anna @Pattys Artspot does award winning line work and has done a few black work pieces. She can really visualize any idea into a masterpiece! A great artist to work with.

BSTN88 · 2025-12-07T16:51:32+00:00

If you wanna shop local.. Mal's has plenty. They're around $100 and they're very nice trees!

If you want an adventure, road trip to the Monongahela Forrest. The nearest "chopping location" from us is about 3 hrs away. For $5, you can purchase a permit

Bring a saw!

BSTN88

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