quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
No, it's fine. New battery - check. Engine light off due to replaced air valve - check.

Trading it in for one of those certified pre-owned Lexis sedans - to be checked off in the near future.

Lexis? No, I would go with the new Westlaw, saw one at the auto show. Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
No, it's fine. New battery - check. Engine light off due to replaced air valve - check.

Trading it in for one of those certified pre-owned Lexis sedans - to be checked off in the near future.

Lexis? No, I would go with the new Westlaw, saw one at the auto show. Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

LOL!!!!!!!

Lexus..........you dick, moby.

Good catch Fan...no offense Fish, but the large fish reference was great too!

I thought Fish drove an old Marlin or at least a Amphicar.

Hi GE board! Paris was great. Especially the people. Overall, they were much more pro-American than we thought. We met a nice couple from what would be considered a suburb of Paris. They were staying in the city for a long weekend. Got a chance to chat with them over dinner about all that has happened in the last few years, especially the Iraq war. Surprisingly, they were less critical of our President than we expected.

As for the sights, and culinary delights of Paris, we were not thrilled with all the restaurants. Did you know they allow DOGS in some restaurants, but discourage children? We had none of either with us, but it was kind of weird. Can you imagine how that would go over here in Glen Ellyn? Smoking is very common, everywhere. Our hotel was nice but when I asked for a non-smoking room they looked at us like we were crazy.

I still can't figure out how they eat croissant at every meal, and still stay so thin.

quote:

Originally posted by motherof3inGE:
Hi GE board! Paris was great. Especially the people. Overall, they were much more pro-American than we thought. We met a nice couple from what would be considered a suburb of Paris. They were staying in the city for a long weekend. Got a chance to chat with them over dinner about all that has happened in the last few years, especially the Iraq war. Surprisingly, they were less critical of our President than we expected.

As for the sights, and culinary delights of Paris, we were not thrilled with all the restaurants. Did you know they allow DOGS in some restaurants, but discourage children? We had none of either with us, but it was kind of weird. Can you imagine how that would go over here in Glen Ellyn? Smoking is very common, everywhere. Our hotel was nice but when I asked for a non-smoking room they looked at us like we were crazy.

I still can't figure out how they eat croissant at every meal, and still stay so thin.

Dogs in restaurants are preferable to small children IMO. I found that the mutts in the restaurants in Zurich were usually smallish and well behaved. They tended to park themselves under the table until it was time to leave.

Just remember Fish it will be the kids , not the dog that will decide which home you go into when the time comes.

Arten speaks from experience.

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Originally posted by Arten:
Just remember Fish it will be the kids , not the dog that will decide which home you go into when the time comes.

My son likes to remind me about this.

quote:

Originally posted by motherof3inGE:
Hi GE board! Paris was great. Especially the people...

As for the sights, and culinary delights of Paris, we were not thrilled with all the restaurants. ...Our hotel was nice but ..

Details, details...

Okay, I wrote a 3 paragraph memoir on our trip and when I hit 'post now' I lost my connection...that is so frustrating!

Anyhow, cliff notes version = we stayed at the Westin Paris which is across the street from the Tuileries Gardens. Highlites were: nice dinner at the famous Hotel Napoleon (wonderful!). Took a train to a small town outside Paris and had lunch. Met a nice couple from the suburbs of Paris and we've already exchanged emails with them. Took a boat ride on the River Seine, very romantic but we were both cold and wished we had warmer clothing. We took lovely panoramic photos of the Cathedral Notre Dame. Trip was great. Let's just say my hubby has stored up enough brownie points to last, well, at least until our next anniversary!

We're going to St. Joe's later this month. A friend offered their house on the water complete with pontoon. Earlier in this post Grand Mere and red Arrow were suggested. Any others? We'll be there for two weeks so we'll have time to venture out of the area. I saw there are quite a few wineries. Any other suggestions? Saugatuck looked interesting.

quote:

We're going to St. Joe's later this month. A friend offered their house on the water complete with pontoon. Earlier in this post Grand Mere and red Arrow were suggested. Any others? We'll be there for two weeks so we'll have time to venture out of the area. I saw there are quite a few wineries. Any other suggestions? Saugatuck looked interesting.

M -

We have a second home in Saugatuck and you should definitely think of doing a day-trip to the town (and to Douglas). Things not-to-miss are:

1. Oval Beach, which has been named one of the top 10 beaches worldwide by Conde Naste Travler and also by MTV.

2. Star of Saugatuck Paddle Boat. I know, I know, it sounds cheesy, but if you haven't been to the area, this is a great way to get some history of the area and enjoy a great cruise of Saugatuck Harbor and the Lake Michigan shore. Departs from Water Street down by the red convenience store.

3. The Harbor Duck tour. Again, another boat ride, but different from the paddle boat experience. You will get to see Douglas from the water and hear about its history. The tour guide is a very enjoyable guy that is a Saugatuck native and has a great sense of humor.

4. Mason Street Warehouse/Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This is an incredible theatre, not so much in terms of looks as to what shows they get to run here. I think 'The Great American Trailer Park' Musical is running from July 14-30. Cabaret is there from August 4-20.

5. Douglas Dutchers baseball game. If you can be there on a game day, it is worth it. The game is played with the early 1900's rules and period uniforms. They are part of a National league and it really is fun to watch how the game was played when it started.

6. Fenn Valley Winery. Located in Fennville, about 10 minutes down M-89 from the Saugatuck area. Excellent tours and wine. My favorite is the Lakeshore Pinot Grigio.

7. Favorite places to eat. Chaps in Downtown Douglas is my all-time favorite restaurant. Excellent service and preperations. Everything is homemade. Every Day People Cafe, across the street from Chap's, is also very good for breakfast or dinner. The Blue Moon on Blue Star Hwy in Douglas is also excellent and has one of the best lounges in Southwest Michigan. For family dining, breakfast wouldn't be breakfast without a trip to Ida Red's Cottage on Water Street in Saugatuck. There is usually a wait, but it is worth it. For family dining dinner, go to the Grill Room at Clearbrook Country Club. It is 5-minutes out of downtown Saugatuck on a beautiful 1920's golf course. They have a fantastic, reasonable menu (10 items for $10 or less).

8. The 'Express Yourself Art Barn' is a fun place to go as a family or group. You can throw your own pottery on a wheel, do a pottery mosaic, among other fun projects.

9. Krupka's Blueberry Plantation is located on Blue Star Highway, outside of Douglas and is by far the best blueberry picking anywhere.

10. The Dunes Ride. Just north of Saugatuck's entrance off Blue Star Hwy. on the left-hand side. You tour the dunes in a multi-person dunebuggy of sorts and hear about the native duneland that surrounds Saugatuck and Douglas.

11. For hiking, try Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Again, north of the entrance to Saugatuck off of Blue Star Hwy. (the road next to the only fast food in town...Burger King - Blech!)

I could go on and on! Let us know how your trip goes!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GlenEllynRing,

Thanks, GlenEllynRing. It looks like we should try to stay overnight to get most of this in.

Well, if you decide to (and I think it's a great idea) I have some good lodging recommendations as well (there are over 70 B&B's in the area!).

Thanks again. Another friend offered her place if we stay during the week. I hear the week ends are pretty crowded so we might take her up on it. This trip is already turning out ok. Everyone wants us to stay at their place. Mostly because no one has made the trip up and wants us to check things out.

Give me a couple of suggestions in case it falls through. How is Restaurant Toulouse? They suggested that. We have definitely decided to take the bikes. The only time out this year was really bad. My husband feels the need to converse with everyone he comes into contact with. The one time he almost came to a stop. I had to swerve around and ended up sliding through the gravel. The he wants me to ride his bike back to the car with my knee gushing. He will no longer lead.

How is traffic going up? road construction? any suggestions?

Appreciate all the help.

quote:

How is Restaurant Toulouse?

This restaurant is 'OK' if you like Country French-style cooking (nowhere near as good as Bistro Banlieue in Lombard) I'd rate any of the other restaurants I listed as better than this one, but that's just my taste. Restaurant Toulouse has been around a long time and has solid clientele. It is also in one of Saugatuck's most historic buildings, the old Livery building.

Take the bikes! If you're staying in Saugatuck, you can take your bikes on the Chain Ferry, across the harbor, and then ride to Oval Beach. It is also a great area for 'country road' biking. I think the Chamber office has a nice map of good routes to take (so I've heard, not sure if this is true) so it might be worth a stop in to their office to check this out.

Traffic? TAKE THE SKYWAY! I've been going all the way down to Lake Shore Drive and getting on the Skyway this way because of the Dan Ryan construction, but if you're leaving during the week, post-rush hour, I'd give the Dan Ryan a shot. By taking the Skyway, you will avoid lots of headaches on I-294 with the construction near I-80 and the never-ending toll booth changes. Once you get on I-94 off of the Indiana Toll Road, there is hardly any construction, except for a bit around St. Joe's/Benton Harbor (very minor).

HAVE FUN and tell us all about the trip when you get back!

Saugatuck is fabulous , Take a boat ride on the lake when you're there.

There waz talk bout going to the Hamptons in mi familia.

U goin 2 visit yur boyz?