Thought I’d drop a quick thread here to do a quick check in on where everyone is at. Mostly wanted to tell Mad Lith (if he’s out there somewhere) I found some of that Lagvulin at Costco for just over $40. That’s a pretty incredible price!

Anyhow, I’m not much on here during the summer as summers in Alaska are something you take full advantage of. I hope all our members, past and current, are doing well! Looking forward to re-engaging with you all (yes even you Mongo, PHX and Stinger lol) once the season begins. I’m not sure how it’ll shake out just yet but it’s always fun to watch … regardless.

Meanwhile in the World Cup … go Portugal and Mexico!

Hey Skip! 46051

3 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Thought I’d drop a quick thread here to do a quick check in on where everyone is at.

Great to hear from you. I always worry when someone in a forum goes silent.

I look forward to discussions about our amazing Bears with you.

38 minutes ago, Pixote said:

Great to hear from you. I always worry when someone in a forum goes silent.

I look forward to discussions about our amazing Bears with you.

Likewise Pix! All the best to you. Hope things are going well.

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

Hey Skip! 46051

lol! Ok I’m slow. Is 46051 your zipcode?

I’m still in the Phoenix area, Gilbert. My wife hates when I wear a Bears shirt because we can’t go anywhere without running into Bears fans stopping me to talk. That’s before we were a winning team. I expect a bigger band wagon this year.

Lagavulin started me on a scotch whiskey journey that has no end in sight. I need another bottle of that because it pairs well after a mesquite barbecue meal and it’s summer time.

On 6/19/2026 at 4:51 PM, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Thought I’d drop a quick thread here to do a quick check in on where everyone is at. Mostly wanted to tell Mad Lith (if he’s out there somewhere) I found some of that Lagvulin at Costco for just over $40. That’s a pretty incredible price!

Anyhow, I’m not much on here during the summer as summers in Alaska are something you take full advantage of. I hope all our members, past and current, are doing well! Looking forward to re-engaging with you all (yes even you Mongo, PHX and Stinger lol) once the season begins. I’m not sure how it’ll shake out just yet but it’s always fun to watch … regardless.

Meanwhile in the World Cup … go Portugal and Mexico!

Hey AG, you have to get out and enjoy the 24 hours of daylight before you have none lol. I hope all is well in Alaska.

On 6/19/2026 at 9:29 PM, AZ54 said:

I’m still in the Phoenix area, Gilbert. My wife hates when I wear a Bears shirt because we can’t go anywhere without running into Bears fans stopping me to talk. That’s before we were a winning team. I expect a bigger band wagon this year.

Lagavulin started me on a scotch whiskey journey that has no end in sight. I need another bottle of that because it pairs well after a mesquite barbecue meal and it’s summer time.

Yes it isn’t a bad Scotch at all. I’ve determined I'm more a Bourbon guy but will dabble in a Scotch here and there. This one I like. Like I said good price at Costco.

I hear you on the Bears gear. Was in Colorado a few years ago watching the Rockies play. Wore my Jordan #45 Sox Jersey with Bears hat. Got a lot more “Da Bears” than I expected. This year I’ve seen more Bears fan out in the remote-er parts of Alaska thinking “where did you all come from”?

On 6/22/2026 at 7:28 AM, adam said:

Hey AG, you have to get out and enjoy the 24 hours of daylight before you have none lol. I hope all is well in Alaska.

So far so good sir. Just hosted our 4th annual block party and had a great time in the sun . We try and keep it near the solstice since the weather in June is generally better. Having it “beach themed” almost felt like we were in the islands. Lol. Tomorrow’s supposed to be in the mid 70s and possibly creep into the 80s for the weekend.

Before you know it our sun will be gone and the snow will be back. For now we’re living big in the sun . Hope all is well for as well in ‘Bama(?).

7 months a year in Northern Ill, MP (61115) and 5 months in Pattaya , Thailand.

Literally cheaper to live than going to Florida or AZ for the winter.

300 to 350 for a nice condo- food 20 a day-6 for a 1 hour massage- drinking is a little cheaper- 9 for phone service airfare last yr was 985

69 to 89 everyday while Im there, where I stay has an ocean 10 minutes away. I have a broken body after plumbing for 50 yrs and need the sun..

Is Thailand fairly safe? My wife and I are looking at it for winter retirement...

On 6/26/2026 at 4:35 PM, Mongo3451 said:

Is Thailand fairly safe? My wife and I are looking at it for winter retirement...

I have been to 36 countries and its the safest one I have been to. The year I retired I went to Columbia and Thailand for a month to try to find a warm place to go for the winter. It is literally cheaper to go there than Florida and AZ where I checked out spending the winter.

There is petty thievery there but I have never experienced it personally. Im not out at 2 AM stone drunk, so I dont put myself in a position for that. 70% of their GNP is tourism and they go out of there way to protect it. You dont see a police present either , where other places I've been you notice it all the time.

Now the airfare has been up the last 4 yrs over previous yrs. 3 yrs in a row I paid 1180 RT from ORD. Last year 985 , so its coming down. Previous to those yrs, I went 14 times for under 740 and twice for under 600.

The weather for the whole yr is 69 to 95 every day. During Dec-Jan-Feb its perfect weather. 69 to 85. I am by the Ocean and its always a sea breeze that makes it much better than inline. In 2019 Thailand was the most traveled country in the world, Bangkok was #1 and Pattaya # 15, where I stay.

It is one of the most scenic countries in the world and NOT expensive. I could find a place to live for 200 a month but I like big pools with gyms and sauna . Last yr I paid 320 a month. Covid was dirt cheap and since then the rents have been going up as people try to recover from the Covid yrs which was a disaster in Thailand. The same place I have stayed the last 5 yrs is a condo complex , other renters can pay up to 800 a month, where I have paid much less.

If anyone wants to travel to Thailand on a vacation, contact me I have 14 yrs experience going there. I will gladly give advice. Its paradise. I suggest a minimal two weeks because of the length of the flight getting there.

Awesome summary stinger! Thank you.