What do you do to de-stress, for fun?

[eds]

This kinda came out of another thread talking about big boy toys and having fun. Recreation. Things like Harley's, boats, convertibles, mountain biking, etc.

With all the heated debates in these here forums, I'd like to talk about what we all do for fun on a regular basis. I'm not talking about vacations to Aruba which are necessarily limited in scope. I'm talking about unwinding on a daily or weekly basis. Something we do regularly to de-stress, detox if you will.

It could be as simple as smoking a nice Cuban on the back porch, enjoying a fine wine or a scotch, exercising, or as elaborate as playing with expensive toys like a boat , a cycle or driving around in classic cars.

What do you all do to de-stress on a regular basis?


For me it has to be a fine wine or scotch while smoking a nice Cuban on the front porch...the drives down to the shore are nice too but all too infrequent given our changing weather.

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

For me it has to be a fine wine or scotch while smoking a nice Cuban on the front porch...[/QUOTE]

...Cigars I agree. I am into to Rocky Patel or Gurkgha right now. However, I do encourage sampling as many cigars as possible.

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

Meriden could use a good cigar bar. That would be an investment in downtown that I would support on a weekly if not daily basis.

[collie]

I shoot pool - the greatest stress buster for me.

[tjohnl]

i took up kayaking [sp] with my girlfriend. i'd love to enjoy a cigar but after quitting cigarettess [sp,again] 14 years a ago, i don't want to tempt fate. but a good scotch...thats good all by itself.

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

In a word...







sex


lol

There...somebody had to say it !!!

[Chriss P]

Scuba Diving in RI-MA-ACADIA-CT Lakes

Mountain Biking - Cockaponsette Forest

Hiking- Guifridda

GeoCaching

COD4-CRYSIS-IL2(1946)

Nature HDTV Documentaries

All that comes to mind immediately.

[Modica]

I ride my bike and rollerblade. Also, I do a form of self-hypnosis which involves deep breathing, relaxing each part of the body and visualization.

[rapuda]

I agree with BillCarson.

I was thinking it, but he said it.

[RC12L4]

I like to cook, more specifically I like cooking outside on the grill, a real grill, with charcoal, none of this pansy ass "gas" either.

[Common Sense]

I like the way you think Eds except for the Cigar. I love the smell of a good cigar, just can't or won't smoke anymore. I do love a good shot of tequila, straight up no lemon or salt. Like my scotch also, usually Johnny W or Dewar's. However not on a daily basis. Maybe it's time to change. Maybe we could learn something from the old days when people would have a cocktail after working all day. I love to play pool but don't have a table. Cribbage was fun, but no one to play with anymore. When the weather is nice I like to walk or bike ride but this winter did me in. Need to start from scratch. Ugh. I'm going to keep checking back to see if anyone comes up with new ideas for a way to de-stress on a daily basis. I still read the comic page, something my Grandfather taught me. He said to start the day with a laugh. I miss him.

[Charles E. Peevyhouse]

i took up kayaking [sp] with my girlfriend. i'd love to enjoy a cigar but after quitting cigarettess [sp,again] 14 years a ago, i don't want to tempt fate. but a good scotch...thats good all by itself.

tjohnl: I kayak as well. I am not sure what you prefer saltwater or fresh, but if you like saltwater, in my humble opinion, the only place worth going is the Thimble Islands. You can reach them from Stony Creek or Sachem's Head. Sachem's Head is a little easier launch because there is less congestion, but Stony Creek is a short paddle and you are right in the middle of the islands. :)

[Chriss P]

For Kayaking

I would also consider the Stonington Point to Watch Hill trip via Sandy hook on a calm day.

Also a trip around seldon Island from the RT 148 Ferry.

Lords cove is also a great run.

[jma]

The minute I smell the ocean, I'm relaxed.

[Common Sense]

I'm with you JMA when the weather is nice.

[eds]

Wow lots of nice things here...

RC12 -> I with you on that one. I make my own charcoal from logs. Throw a few pieces of mesquite in there, or hickory. If anyone has apple wood, I need some...

[RC12L4]

Wow lots of nice things here...

RC12 -> I with you on that one. I make my own charcoal from logs. Throw a few pieces of mesquite in there, or hickory. If anyone has apple wood, I need some...

You can order from here for wood chunks you can't find.
http://www.barbecuewood.com/StoreFront.bok

Also, for anyone else that would like a good book on BBQing I'd recommend this one: http://www.barbecuebible.com/ it's actually a good read, the author, Steven Raichlen, that wrote the book went on a world wide tour while writing it, it has many different recipes as well as the basics on cooking on a grill. When I lived in Texas Steven Raichlen had his own show that came on every Sunday "BBQ University". It was a good show and I was always amazed at what this guy would cook on a grill.

[eds]

Thanks for that link! I can smell it now...
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Golden Gooch]

This kinda came out of another thread talking about big boy toys and having fun. Recreation. Things like Harley's, boats, convertibles, mountain biking, etc.

With all the heated debates in these here forums, I'd like to talk about what we all do for fun on a regular basis. I'm not talking about vacations to Aruba which are necessarily limited in scope. I'm talking about unwinding on a daily or weekly basis. Something we do regularly to de-stress, detox if you will.

It could be as simple as smoking a nice Cuban on the back porch, enjoying a fine wine or a scotch, exercising, or as elaborate as playing with expensive toys like a boat , a cycle or driving around in classic cars.

What do you all do to de-stress on a regular basis?


For me it has to be a fine wine or scotch while smoking a nice Cuban on the front porch...the drives down to the shore are nice too but all too infrequent given our changing weather.
Here are the activities I do to unwind ; I take breaths , cruise around on my bike ,draw, paint ,even airbrush , powerwalk , and other activities . About powerwalking , I am a part of the Meriden Movers program . More . . . .

[Golden Gooch]

Wow lots of nice things here...

RC12 -> I with you on that one. I make my own charcoal from logs. Throw a few pieces of mesquite in there, or hickory. If anyone has apple wood, I need some...
How do you do that ?

[eds]

Two ways.

Big barrel, heat, and no oxygen. The wood turns black but will not burn without the oxygen. Time consuming yet fun.

Other way, which is easier and what I do most times is to make a bed of hot coals first then transfer them to the grill for cooking.

I have a 30 ton splitter 9 horse gas motor I use to make big logs into 1 inch sticks. Then take the sticks and cut them with a bow saw. Little blocks make coals faster.

A lot of work, but worth it.

[BillCarson436]

Hello...

For an honest response...lol

I read.

[Marc Syrah]

Hi Folks!
Like I said in other Posts... The Forums make good summer reading! :D
(My wife STILL hasn’t brought me home a new book... And I finished the Harry Potter series back in May! :mad: LOL!)
Anyway...
The wine thing is a good way for me to relax. I am not familiar enough with scotch or cigars. Once upon a time I took up smoking a pipe. Like cigars and wine, there are too many different pipe tobaccos to try. My wife enjoyed the “aromas” of my pipe... for about 1 month. Then she told me to “put an end to it”... “Yes dear”... (See my other post! :D )
Kayaking.... We have been avid kayakers for more than 18 years. We spent this past Sunday riding the waves at Bluff Point and then just drifting up the river there with no one else but the native birds. FAVORITE KAYAKING PLACE – Farm River – East Haven / Branford border... A few islands you can land on... and... if you come to the house on a rock.... Take a Right for one of the most tranquil places I have ever been.

And to Bill.... LOL! Not one person agreed with you!

Final thought...
This Post ended in May ’08... It’s now summer....
What are you doing to relax this Summer?

[UNiRAC]

Hi Folks!
Like I said in other Posts... The Forums make good summer reading! :D

And to Bill.... LOL! Not one person agreed with you!

Final thought...
This Post ended in May ’08... It’s now summer....
What are you doing to relax this Summer?
Gone Sailing from Black Rock Harbor... luckily , I have a KAYAK on the [unknown/uncharted] beach, to which I get to my boat [ ALL year round ! :eek:
See Y'all in a couple of dayz . :cool:
ps: this winter, I am taking my KAYAK back to Meriden to get hung up on the Great Quinipiack River Mess! L0L

[Marc Syrah]

Hey UNiRAC!
What kinda boat you got?
My wife and I have Sea Kayaks and we didn’t get to use them this weekend...:(
Instead we did some yard clean up. Pulling weeds and trimming trees is one way we relax... And Gardening! :)
Unfortunately...
Right now our tomatoes suck! :mad:
Anyone else here? :confused:

[tjohnl]

we went on Hanover Pond last weekend and I was very surprised to have bottomed out in the middle of the pond and also towards Red Bridge. Didn't the town dredge this a few years ago?

[jma]

Can I pick the brains of some kayak people here? I'm looking to start, but curious as to what type to begin with. I'm interested in calm waters, both here & Florida. Probably a little fishing in the mangroves down there. Any advice?

[Marc Syrah]

:) Aaahhh Kayaking...
While there’s not much left of my brain to pick, I hope this helps... :D

Start by Googling “kayak stores in CT”...

There are several really good stores that can help you decide what type of kayak would fit your needs.
The one in Old Saybrook has an extensive inventory and for the most part, the people selling you a kayak are Kayakers... (IMO... they lean a little more towards Ocean kayaks than River / Lake boats which sounds more fitting to your needs... ie: Mangroves...:) )
The one in Canton is on a river and they will usually let you try out several boats. They also have a good inventory. Knowledgeable staff as well.
There is another shop in Norwalk that “CONNYAK” recommends. I have only been there once.

FWIW. My wife and I have been kayaking for over 18 years. We looked at over 20 kayaks each before we bought ours. They cost $1,500... EACH!
ADVICE: Go check out the shops mentioned above and see the $$ range for JUST the boats!* Try out as many as you can before you buy one!

FWIW. We were fortunate enough to have a really good instructor to show us the basics and later some more advanced techniques of paddling, rescue, rolling etc.
ADVICE: *If you can afford the $$ of a BOAT, PADDLE & PFD... There are a few good instructors in the area. Take a lesson or two...

FWIW: We bought a lot of “accessories” that we never use.
ADVICE: When you make your initial purchase of BOAT, PADDLE & PFD...
Don’t buy ANYTHING else until you know you really NEED them!
(Well... maybe a Whistle... So you can let you buddies know you are under water... :D )

FWIW. We like ocean kayaking as much as floating up a lazy tributary. For us it is the best summer de-stressor...
Advice: Enjoy the summer while it lasts! :)

Last thought – Who are the most inconsideraterudeobnoxious people we meet at launch sites?
JET SKIERS!
FLAMZ Welcome! LOL! :D

Remember... Drink and Paddle Responsibly!

I would rather be upside down in my kayak... Than sitting upright at a desk!

[Marc Syrah]

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r139/Wineguys/kayak1.jpg
DE-STRESSED FOR ANOTHER WEEK!
(Thanks Meridenmatt!!)

[Happy]

Movies, Good food, exercise, good company, friends, ...

[Marc Syrah]

:) Early this afternoon we launched out of Bayberry Point in Groton and paddled out to Pine Island. We had lunch and a short rest on a little spit of a beach and then paddled around the island into Long Island Sound.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r139/Wineguys/kayak3.jpg

The waves were around two to three feet and fun to ride on. Then I got stuck on a rock and in quick succession three waves hit me broadside. :eek:
Without my spray skirt on my boat took in a couple of gallons of water. I freed my boat and continued to paddle around the island. We landed about 2 ½ hours after we launched.
Went kayaking shopping in Old Saybrook... And got hot fudge sundaes at a little “home-made” ice cream shop. Got home and threw a couple of ‘burgers on the grill... Opened a ’97 Turnbull Cabernet and hung out the rest of the evening...
I’m DE-STRESSED!

I would rather be upside down in my kayak... Than sitting upright at a desk!

What did YOU do this weekend?

[Marc Syrah]

LOL!
To De-Stress from todays economic situation...
I post on the MRJ Forums!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r139/Wineguys/985350s1u22go9h9.jpg
Night! :D

[CMNSNC]

Make sawdust! I make custom cabinets and the more sawdust I make, the better I like it. I play blues on my guitar and try to copy the riffs of SRV, Clapton and all the blues greats. Most times without success, but trying is where all the fun is.
Several years ago, my wife and I got a 'rescue' dog. I am retired and that little dog is the love of our lives. Aside from the health benefits of walking her, she has lowered my stress level 1000%! I also have somebody to talk to during the day!
Stock car racing is a blast. I'm not talking about the 'Cup' cars, but the real down home racing at Stafford, Waterford, and Thomson.
As far as booze goes, my tastes run pretty much towards anything with hopps! Especially with good friends.
And by the way, stay away from politics!

[Marc Syrah]

:D Enough of Politics!
Let's start drinking again!!!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r139/Wineguys/Wine_Taster.jpg

[Marc Syrah]

Got no Job!
Collecting UE!
Got no stress!
Collecting UE!:D