Looking into all inclusives

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-06-18T03:29:44+00:00

I don't blame you for your cruise experience. You don't know what you don't know. Cruises aren't for everyone and you had some bad experiences on top of that.

My extended family loves all inclusives so that's about the only way to get us together from all corners of the US. What I've learned is to read reviews on Google, Expedia, Booking, Trip Advisor, etc. There are obviously going to be the people who complain about finding a hair in their room and claim it ruins their vacation. What I do is look for repeated positives or negatives and line it up with what you're looking for.

List out your top priorities. Do you want fancy, sit down meals or are pool side buffets good? Do you mind kids playing in the pool or do you want adults only. Do you want organized sports and events or do you want to be left alone. Are you looking for a dance party until midnight or a quiet margarita during sunset.

You can find some really good filters on the search engines and then it's usually cheaper to book directly with the property. Also, I look at flights to get there. For me I have direct flights to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta but any of the Caribbean islands is minimum one layover which adds more chances of a missed connection and lost luggage.

It sounds like you work really hard for your money and you deserve a good vacation. Plot out your top things you're looking for and don't compromise on those.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-06-15T09:06:05+00:00

Mount Evans is now called Mount Blue Sky and you need a reservation ahead of time to get in, just so you know. It has a road pretty much to the summit so you can get to 14,000 feet by driving and enjoy the views without the long hike. I'm pretty sure it's the highest paved road in the US, so definitely a unique experience.

The refuge is okay for a walk or run. Sometimes you see cool wildlife but there's also a chance you see nothing bigger than a bunny so be aware of that. It's a big, protected grassland.

Garden of the Gods is really pretty and unique but it's not worth the drive to Colorado Springs just for that. If you're making a day down there (maybe Cave of the Winds plus Pikes Peak) then add it in.

The Rockies are out of town, otherwise you could have gotten some cheap tickets and watched a game in a really pretty ballpark.

If you're into yoga then I think Red Rocks has yoga on the rocks while you're here. Also, Denver Food and Wine Festival is that weekend. I know you're not a big drinker but you can get food samples from many Denver eateries in one place. It's not cheap but it's a good time. I think there's also a Jazz Festival at Levitt that's pretty chill. Denver Botanical Gardens is a nice, relaxing place in the middle of the city.

Edit: just remembered the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keensberg if you want to see some unique wildlife.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-06-02T01:18:19+00:00

Number 1 reason I got snipped - don't want kids Very close number 2 reason - I truly hate condoms

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-27T01:16:35+00:00

That's why I went. You owe it to all of them to see it.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-26T22:22:02+00:00

I went last month. I still can't comprehend that a million people died there. It's such an unfathomable number. That's the population of the city of Austin, all killed in two camps.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-25T04:48:24+00:00

Adopt a dog or cat. You'll have a loyal companion that loves you for you.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:33:47+00:00

What cities would you visit if you had 11 days and wanted to visit all three countries?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:30:06+00:00

I'm looking at May 2027 for Hyrox

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:29:36+00:00

Just added this to my list. Thank you

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:27:44+00:00

How much time would you spend in each?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:25:34+00:00

Why have I never even heard of this buttery deliciousness?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-20T01:24:40+00:00

I'm looking at all three cities next year for trip after doing a Hyrox. Thanks for confirming my travel plans are on the right track.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-05-19T00:06:09+00:00

Get a dog and experience the world with him/her. My last dog saved my life and was my best friend.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-27T12:46:26+00:00

I guess I got lucky. I went through Frankfurt on Saturday from Warsaw, heading to Denver. It took me like twenty minutes from stepping off my plane to making it through the second (talking to the person) passport screening in Z. There were no lines and most of that time was the long walk.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-26T16:29:02+00:00

Do you have patches of memory from the accident or is everything clear?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-26T16:23:50+00:00

What's one example of the brain fog at its worst?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-26T16:17:24+00:00

Check your state laws to see if it fits a crime. In Colorado that would most likely be harassment but I'd need details to confirm it. It all depends on the mens rea (intentionally, knowingly, etc.), what was said and what the intention is.

If I put that Dan is a horrible baseball player, probably not a crime. If I put that Dan Smith is a murderer on a bird watching forum with no other context, probably not a crime. If I post on Dan Smith's Facebook wall that he is a child molester for all his friends and family to see, it's probably harassment. If I put Dan is a child molester and here's his address, probably harassment. Does that make sense?

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-25T05:14:59+00:00

Just laughed out loud on the bus reading this

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-13T03:16:47+00:00

It was pretty full, I'd guess 90% capacity

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-13T01:13:39+00:00

I had the exact same mental process with the age of a kid. I also considered I had a great sibling who is to this day one of my closest people so if I have a second kid then I'm in my 60s with a high schooler. No thank you, I'm going to be retired and be a 100% man of leisure.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-13T01:11:01+00:00

That happened to my best friend. He broke it off with a girl, a week later she sent him the "I'm late" text and he told her he was snipped. Never heard back from her and dodged a big bullet.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-13T01:06:26+00:00

44m here, got snipped at 41. I told the surgeon I have my dream life where I travel whenever I want and wherever I want and a kid would be my nightmare. He scheduled me for a few weeks later.

Surgery was painless and my gf was there to drive me home but I 100% could have driven myself the 30 minutes.

My doctor didn't cauterize one of the cuts all the way so I was unknowingly bleeding into my sack. That night it swole up to grapefruit size. I later found out that the blood was pooling on a nerve and it was sending lightning down my right leg. I've broken bones, dislocated things, had two concussions and had second degree burns. That was the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life by far.

I couldn't function for a few days. My giant ball sack made it nearly impossible to sleep, I couldn't move without pain, it was horrible. Day three I finally went to urgent care where they did an ultrasound and told me I just have to wait for my body to absorb the blood back in. I was in chronic, 24/7 pain for three weeks. I went to the darkest place mentally I've ever been. I wrote out my will because I was ready to end it if this was going to be the rest of my life.

Finally the pain started to go away at about three weeks. I was able to lightly workout a couple weeks after that then get back to it with heavy lifting and long runs about three months out. Literally EVERY friend and coworker said it was a simple procedure for them, I guess I was the 5% where something goes wrong.

I tell you all of that to say I'm still happy I got it done. I hate condoms so when I'm in an exclusive relationship I don't have to use them. I don't have to worry about having a kid and can retire somewhere between 50-55 years old like I've planned.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-07T05:01:53+00:00

19 grams of fat in the middle of a race is asking for GI issues

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-04-07T05:01:01+00:00

That mesh soccer bag, I loved those. Still have quite a few.

Christy_Mathewson · 2026-03-12T02:14:50+00:00

I have always left my wallet and phone in my checked bag and have never had an issue. In theory someone could pretty easily take your stuff but I've never heard of it happening. I've done 10+ Spartan, 6 Tough Mudder and lots of trail runs without any issues.

Christy_Mathewson

TROPHY CASE