Archive for the ‘Adventure & Travel’ Category
Contributed by: TJ Wisner
Yes Virginia, there are some really cool thinks to do in Flint, Michigan! Although the city has been struck by an economic tsunami of sorts, there are still great things to see and do in the area. As many of you know, we ask COGs to keep their lists of “Things to do” to no more than ten. Therefore, this list is not meant to be all inclusive and it isn’t even necessarily the “Top Ten” things to do in Flint. My friend and fellow COG, Tom Sumner, co-host the first hour of “Flint Mix Friday” on 94.3 WKUF in Flint and we brainstormed this list today on the radio.
How cool is that?
So if you are a Cool Old Guy (or for that matter any cool person) who finds yourself in Flint for a day or more, you really should check out one or more of the following:
1- Visit the wonderful Flint Institute of Arts. They offer a wide range of permanent exhibits and some very cool glass exhibits for the summer of 2010.
2- If you are into cars (and who isn’t) there are vast opportunities to do some cool things in the area, like visiting my friends at Paragon Corvette Restoration. Steve and the gang have created a cool business and they will take you on a tour after visiting their showroom. Very cool!
3- For the history buffs, you must take a few hours and go back in time at Genesee Counties “Crossroads Village.” This place is remarkable!
4&5- You are going to get hungry and here are two things to choose from. BTW-Neither are all the good for you, but I believe in everything in moderation. Get in you car and visit Angelo’s for a “Flint Coney” or go to your nearest “Bill Thomas Halo Burger” and get a half-pound supreme deluxe with olives. That’s right…olives! As they say: “Seven days without a Halo Burger, makes one week.”
6- Now if you are hung-up on healthy eating, visit the world famous Flint Farmers Market. This place is packed with wholesome foods and cool things you can take home to the wife and kids, or grand kids. Trust me on this, Steady Eddies veggie burgers are the best!
7- If you are still trying to get over Pluto loosing its status as a planet, you will love the Longway Planetarium. This place is so cool, you just need to check their hours and go there. They occasionally offer some very cool rock-n-roll shows too!
8- Another, somewhat crazy, place to visit is The Machine Shop. One of the most unique venues for national talent is right here in this small bar where you can see everything from Mushroomhead to a Johnny Cash Tribute. Me…I’ll take Johnny Cash or Uncle Kracker.
9- Oh wait…speaking of cars, you might want to stopover at one of Flint’s jewels, the Sloan Museum. Here you will learn everything about the history of Flint and the automotive industry. The large model of one of Flint’s original industries (logging) is definitely too cool!
10- When you are done doing what you want to do in Flint, finish off you day with my absolute favorite desert in the WORLD. Go to Pesto’sand enjoy a Strawberry Phyllo. Just do it…it’s only about $6 and you will write home about it.
To all my friends who own great eateries and businesses here in the Flint area and did not get mentioned, add a comment or two. It doesn’t mean I don’t like you and maybe you will make the next list of “Ten Things to do in Flint.”
TJ Wisner is not only a Cool Old Guy, but he is the Founder! You can connect with him via email at tj@coololdguys.orgor on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Terry.Wisner
Contributed by: Sean Sullivan
If you don’t have a conversational appreciation of Paris you certainly can’t qualify as being a “cool” older guy. It’s not nice to judge but the truth hurts.
After you knock out the biggies, you should have some unusual experiences. Many travelers might have heard of these spots; fewer have actually been: Musee du quai de Branley – Jean Novel architecture, spectacular “living wall” of plantings, new by Paris standards (mid-’90s). Catacombes de Paris – deep in a former stone quarry, tunnels and tunnels of heaping piles of human bones and skeletons dating back to the mid 1880’s. Extra points if you’re want
to add a creepy edge to your elder coolness. Promendes Gourmandes-one-day cooking class and walking tour. Lovely host (Paule Caillat) and you’ll come away with some good recipes that you can casually say you picked up in cooking school in Paris. Note: this can only be in
response to a question. You negate any coolness by dropping this unprovoked.
Eglise Saint-Sulpice – the kids read about it in the DaVinci Code. Second biggest after Notre Dame. This cool brass line bisecting the marble floors indicating where the sun streams twice a
year hitting some sacred spot. At least one 3 Star (Michelin) restaurant.
Bone up on David Leibovitz’s blog before you go.
Last but not least, find Violets. No one knows about them and they’re terrific.
Sean Sullivan is a Cool Old Guy who is 51 and lives in NYC and East Hampton and you can see his blog at: http://spectacularlydelicious.com/?p=56
I am certainly over 39 (49) but my college age kids might debate that
I am cool.
I am the host of the Amateur Traveler. The Amateur Traveler is an
online travel show that focuses primarily on travel destinations and
what are the best places to travel to. It includes both a weekly audio
podcast and a twice monthly video podcast. I left my job as a VP of a
Silicon Valley social media company to do consulting, podcasting and
blogging.
I focus predominantly on travel.
My favorite cool city would be Istanbul which I have covered Continue Reading
Contributed by: Lynn Hoffman
Here’s what us old guys do in Vienna.
•take the tram to Grinzing (a neighborhood on the north side) and
visit the heurigen which are small wine bars attached to the local
vineyards. sit at a table with the other viennese and you may discover
that you speak german.
•buy a transit pass that covers Continue Reading
Contributed by: TJ Wisner
Hikes, Rides and Side Trips
Sedona is located in the Coconino National Forest and offers many great, and mostly easy, hiking trails. One of my favorites is the West Fork of Oak Creek which is nestled in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Continue Reading
Contributed by: Andrew Macnair
I’d opt for Glasgow – not my home city by birth but certainly in spirit. Without wishing to incur the wrath of my compatriots from Edinburgh, Glasgow is Scotland’s leading city. If you have not visited here are some reasons why you should:
The best cultural life outside of Continue Reading
Contributed by: John Wilder
Most people have never gone to an air-show. Parents are always looking for no or low cost fun activities to take their kids to. I took my kids to air shows for years. They have much going for them as a family activity.
Air shows on military bases are always free. Air shows at other venues Continue Reading
Contributed by: Dan Conlon
I guess I qualify to answer all three questions. I am an Old Guy and have a favorite city in Naples, Italy or Bella Napoli and I like to share it with others.
The best thing about Napoli is watching the people and how much they enjoy life and family. The food is fantastic. If you have not had a Margharita Pizza from Napoli, you have not had a pizza. My favorite restaurant is Continue Reading
Contributed by: TJ Wisner
Obviously, gambling and shows are things you can do in Las Vegas, but here are ten things Cool Old Guys might like to do besides hanging out in the exciting casinos and experiencing the magnificent shows. These are in no particular order of significance, but it could all be done in one day. Continue Reading