One vacation spot/ activity that was hyped and a let down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in New England for 45 years. For starters, the vast majority of people don't own second houses. Of those that do, there are hardly any in Cape Cod, I mean there are second homes all over the place Cape cod's not that big. Thirdly, many people never go to the cave because of the traffic and it's cold and it sucks.

Are you kidding me? Growing up, everyone I knew had second homes on the Cape, no matter what their profession - which later struck me - my friends’ with (2) teacher parents have this beach place?! We had senior skip days there!

I don’t know where you are from, but you need better friends.

In what century could 2 teachers afford a house on the Cape? Did they take a horse and buggy out there?

Not that long ago. Depends on one's priorities, I suppose.

This was my experience as well a couple decades ago. Small primary residences to afford small Cape second homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern shore - so boring!

+1

Not that nice, either. I expected a lot more.

You need to be rich enough to have a boat to properly enjoy it. Otherwise it is just marshy waterfront with nasty muck under the water. Not really that great for swimming.

Yes, exactly!

Except the homes aren't that great, the food isn't that great, and if it is not nice weather, well.....I could take a boat out here, no problem. It's like people who go to the beach to swim in a pool. What the actual?

Boating in the Potomac is not at all comparable to the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Bay is one of the best places in the world to sail. There are very few places that have the combination of open, yet fairly protected, water, with such a wide variety of sailboat depth inlets, bays and anchorages all within a few days of sail of each other. Because it's a bay, the destinations are in all directions, so you can see which way the wind is blowing and decide where to go. On most coastlines, you can pretty much sail north and south (or east and west if you're on the northern Gulf Coast). If the wind is coming from a "bad" direction, you've got no choice but try to tack your way up and down. The bottom is even fairly soft in most places, so you don't wreck your boat if you run aground. Compare to LA, which has better weather for most of the year, but there's really nowhere to go. You can sail to Catalina and back, and that's pretty much it. Mexico is doable, but not in a weekend. Maine is comparable, but the weather sucks most of the time and the rocks and tides are very unforgiving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in New England for 45 years. For starters, the vast majority of people don't own second houses. Of those that do, there are hardly any in Cape Cod, I mean there are second homes all over the place Cape cod's not that big. Thirdly, many people never go to the cave because of the traffic and it's cold and it sucks.

Are you kidding me? Growing up, everyone I knew had second homes on the Cape, no matter what their profession - which later struck me - my friends’ with (2) teacher parents have this beach place?! We had senior skip days there!

I don’t know where you are from, but you need better friends.

In what century could 2 teachers afford a house on the Cape? Did they take a horse and buggy out there?

Not that long ago. Depends on one's priorities, I suppose.

This was my experience as well a couple decades ago. Small primary residences to afford small Cape second homes.

Yup there are a lot of modest homes on the Cape. if they are not in the fancier towns and not right on the water, they are not necessarily crazy expensive. Also one generation ago, homes in the Boston area were cheaper. My parents had a nice three bedroom home in Newton that they bought with no help from their parents and a combined salary of what would now be about $130K. I doubt people could do that today.

[Anonymous]

Pisa, Italy
Big Sur - there are much more breathtaking views along the Oregon coast line
Boulder, CO
Agree that Seattle is meh, but I never knew that it was hyped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in New England for 45 years. For starters, the vast majority of people don't own second houses. Of those that do, there are hardly any in Cape Cod, I mean there are second homes all over the place Cape cod's not that big. Thirdly, many people never go to the cave because of the traffic and it's cold and it sucks.

Are you kidding me? Growing up, everyone I knew had second homes on the Cape, no matter what their profession - which later struck me - my friends’ with (2) teacher parents have this beach place?! We had senior skip days there!

I don’t know where you are from, but you need better friends.

In what century could 2 teachers afford a house on the Cape? Did they take a horse and buggy out there?

Not that long ago. Depends on one's priorities, I suppose.

This was my experience as well a couple decades ago. Small primary residences to afford small Cape second homes.

Yup there are a lot of modest homes on the Cape. if they are not in the fancier towns and not right on the water, they are not necessarily crazy expensive. Also one generation ago, homes in the Boston area were cheaper. My parents had a nice three bedroom home in Newton that they bought with no help from their parents and a combined salary of what would now be about $130K. I doubt people could do that today.

You doubt it???? Boston prices have eclipsed DC prices. Chain link fences abound for close to a million!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hands Down- Amalfi Coast in Italy- so disappointing. Waaay too much hype for what you get. Rocky beaches, windy roads you can't walk to from town to town, the crowds.

There are some stands outs--like Ravello--but the rest I could do without. What a waste of money.

Wow. I had a completely different experience. Then again, I last visited 20 years ago. It was charming, quaint and beautiful, and no crowds. Glad I got there before the hype!

You didn't beat the hype, you just enjoyed it. The Amalfi Coast has been a "must-see" destination since I was a teen...in the 60s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in New England for 45 years. For starters, the vast majority of people don't own second houses. Of those that do, there are hardly any in Cape Cod, I mean there are second homes all over the place Cape cod's not that big. Thirdly, many people never go to the cave because of the traffic and it's cold and it sucks.

Are you kidding me? Growing up, everyone I knew had second homes on the Cape, no matter what their profession - which later struck me - my friends’ with (2) teacher parents have this beach place?! We had senior skip days there!

I don’t know where you are from, but you need better friends.

In what century could 2 teachers afford a house on the Cape? Did they take a horse and buggy out there?

Not that long ago. Depends on one's priorities, I suppose.

This was my experience as well a couple decades ago. Small primary residences to afford small Cape second homes.

Yup there are a lot of modest homes on the Cape. if they are not in the fancier towns and not right on the water, they are not necessarily crazy expensive. Also one generation ago, homes in the Boston area were cheaper. My parents had a nice three bedroom home in Newton that they bought with no help from their parents and a combined salary of what would now be about $130K. I doubt people could do that today.

You doubt it???? Boston prices have eclipsed DC prices. Chain link fences abound for close to a million!

DP here. I agree - the chain link fences are long gone, but the Boston area has totally eclipsed the DC area.

As for the Cape - no, these houses were definitely on or near (short walking distance, literally down the street) the water, which we frequented growing up. As you know, it is only an hour ride to the Cape (unlike here, where it is three hours to anything remotely resembling ??? a beach). Most people keep the beach house in their family, for this reason - like I said, different priorities.

It is difficult for someone from the D.C. area to understand - not only that, they try to Google real life experiences, and that simply does not work, for obvious reasons. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern shore - so boring!

+1

Not that nice, either. I expected a lot more.

You need to be rich enough to have a boat to properly enjoy it. Otherwise it is just marshy waterfront with nasty muck under the water. Not really that great for swimming.

Yes, exactly!

Except the homes aren't that great, the food isn't that great, and if it is not nice weather, well.....I could take a boat out here, no problem. It's like people who go to the beach to swim in a pool. What the actual?

Boating in the Potomac is not at all comparable to the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Bay is one of the best places in the world to sail. There are very few places that have the combination of open, yet fairly protected, water, with such a wide variety of sailboat depth inlets, bays and anchorages all within a few days of sail of each other. Because it's a bay, the destinations are in all directions, so you can see which way the wind is blowing and decide where to go. On most coastlines, you can pretty much sail north and south (or east and west if you're on the northern Gulf Coast). If the wind is coming from a "bad" direction, you've got no choice but try to tack your way up and down. The bottom is even fairly soft in most places, so you don't wreck your boat if you run aground. Compare to LA, which has better weather for most of the year, but there's really nowhere to go. You can sail to Catalina and back, and that's pretty much it. Mexico is doable, but not in a weekend. Maine is comparable, but the weather sucks most of the time and the rocks and tides are very unforgiving.

Meh we sail somewhere else completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in New England for 45 years. For starters, the vast majority of people don't own second houses. Of those that do, there are hardly any in Cape Cod, I mean there are second homes all over the place Cape cod's not that big. Thirdly, many people never go to the cave because of the traffic and it's cold and it sucks.

Are you kidding me? Growing up, everyone I knew had second homes on the Cape, no matter what their profession - which later struck me - my friends’ with (2) teacher parents have this beach place?! We had senior skip days there!

I don’t know where you are from, but you need better friends.

In what century could 2 teachers afford a house on the Cape? Did they take a horse and buggy out there?

Not that long ago. Depends on one's priorities, I suppose.

This was my experience as well a couple decades ago. Small primary residences to afford small Cape second homes.

The Cape is not immune to shiny new enormous homes - plenty of those being built there!

[Anonymous]

Malta. Interesting ..but can do the whole island in a day and did.

[Anonymous]

Nice, France

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the OBX is necessarily overrated as there are certainly some beautiful beaches, landscapes, lighthouses, and amazing sunrises. However, I don't think the OBX is all that for 1 in every 4 cars to be supporting an OBX oval sticker in 2005. What happened to all the oval stickers anyway? I thought all those people loved the OBX so much lol

LOL. The food in OBX is the absolute worst I have ever had, no exaggeration, anywhere in the world, including England (and that says a lot!). C'mon people, part of vacationing is supposed to be excellent food. Did y'all grow up on canned tuna, jello recipes, Chef Boyardee and Campbell's soup? I think I know the answer. The bar is obviously not that high here.

Plus, I expected incredible beaches - we have been to different part of the OBX, and I have yet to see anything that memorable. No thanks.

Lol at expecting “incredible beaches” north of Florida.

[Anonymous]

London
Amsterdam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the OBX is necessarily overrated as there are certainly some beautiful beaches, landscapes, lighthouses, and amazing sunrises. However, I don't think the OBX is all that for 1 in every 4 cars to be supporting an OBX oval sticker in 2005. What happened to all the oval stickers anyway? I thought all those people loved the OBX so much lol

LOL. The food in OBX is the absolute worst I have ever had, no exaggeration, anywhere in the world, including England (and that says a lot!). C'mon people, part of vacationing is supposed to be excellent food. Did y'all grow up on canned tuna, jello recipes, Chef Boyardee and Campbell's soup? I think I know the answer. The bar is obviously not that high here.

Plus, I expected incredible beaches - we have been to different part of the OBX, and I have yet to see anything that memorable. No thanks.

Lol at expecting “incredible beaches” north of Florida.

Ignorant! Beaches like Kiawah in South Carolina and Sea Island in Georgia are exceptional!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern shore - so boring!

+1

Not that nice, either. I expected a lot more.

You need to be rich enough to have a boat to properly enjoy it. Otherwise it is just marshy waterfront with nasty muck under the water. Not really that great for swimming.

Yes, exactly!

Except the homes aren't that great, the food isn't that great, and if it is not nice weather, well.....I could take a boat out here, no problem. It's like people who go to the beach to swim in a pool. What the actual?

Boating in the Potomac is not at all comparable to the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Bay is one of the best places in the world to sail. There are very few places that have the combination of open, yet fairly protected, water, with such a wide variety of sailboat depth inlets, bays and anchorages all within a few days of sail of each other. Because it's a bay, the destinations are in all directions, so you can see which way the wind is blowing and decide where to go. On most coastlines, you can pretty much sail north and south (or east and west if you're on the northern Gulf Coast). If the wind is coming from a "bad" direction, you've got no choice but try to tack your way up and down. The bottom is even fairly soft in most places, so you don't wreck your boat if you run aground. Compare to LA, which has better weather for most of the year, but there's really nowhere to go. You can sail to Catalina and back, and that's pretty much it. Mexico is doable, but not in a weekend. Maine is comparable, but the weather sucks most of the time and the rocks and tides are very unforgiving.

I love this post. A love letter to Maryland from someone who clearly knows what she’s talking about.