tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65741538984913305542024-03-12T16:20:52.179-07:00There and Back AgainA Travel (B)log, not necessarily in any ordersharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-89460950324651712402013-10-07T13:20:00.001-07:002013-10-07T13:20:51.337-07:00A Little Furthur<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A Little Furthur</div>
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There’s
nothing like live music to refresh the spirit, especially rock and roll (a
loose term). This year started our tour by attending four shows performed by a
band called Furthur. This group is a remnant of the Grateful Dead and has quite
a following, going strong after all these years. They are excellent musicians,
no doubt. </div>
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The
first show was in Washington State at Marymoor Park near Redmond. It was an evening show, and miraculously we
didn’t get rained on and managed to get back to our vehicle without getting
soaked. Berkeley was next. We flew down
to stay with Ari’s sister Debbie. The weather during our visit was perfect,
warm & sunny. The shows there were held at the Greek Theatre which is an
excellent venue. There was a timeless quality about this experience, most
refreshing and renewing. Music is a universal language and when the songs are
geared towards peace, happiness, and love, what more could you ask?</div>
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sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-36538433331299560512013-06-20T07:17:00.002-07:002013-06-20T07:17:30.533-07:00Night OutJune 19, 2013<br />
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Our first night officially out and about here in Cloverdale. Love the Mexican Food.<br />
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<br />sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-2900963840593884932013-06-18T09:53:00.002-07:002013-06-18T09:54:42.163-07:00In Cloverdale<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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We’ve
been taking walks around the neighborhood before Ari goes to the office. It’s been so lovely in the cooler part of the day before the world wakes up. The birds sing and this morning we saw the sunrise and a couple of big jackrabbits in a nearby park. I wasn’t quick enough on the camera to capture the rabbits but I did get these:</div>
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sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-85433923774502518872013-06-17T08:43:00.002-07:002013-06-17T08:43:24.982-07:00On To Cloverdale<div class="MsoNormal">
June 15, 3013</div>
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Saturday</div>
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This
was the last day of Ari’s training, and was a shorter class. We went to lunch with Bruce and his wife
Sharon. They are really down home, nice folks.
I am glad for the connection. Mr. Johnson has been in the business for a
long time. </div>
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Today was laundry day & while it was washing we did a bit of shopping at a nearby store in preparation for tomorrow’s drive. We found a fun taco place Chipoltes for dinner. Life on the road.</div>
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Tomorrow we head towards
Cloverdale and have yet to determine whether or not to visit with Ari’s sister
on our way there. I am mostly packed.</div>
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June 16, 2013</div>
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We
rescheduled our visit to the bay area to visit my sister in law, so our chosen
route to Cloverdale was California State Highway 29, a relatively short drive
from Sacramento. The scenery on this route always fascinates me. There are so
many different varieties of vegetation down here including palm trees, lemon
trees, vineyards, and fields of sunflowers. There were two lakes along the way as well, Lake Berryesa <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/mp/berryessa/facts.html">http://www.usbr.gov/mp/berryessa/facts.html</a> and Clear Lake.</div>
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We
checked in at 2:30, did a little food shopping and ended our day with burritos
at the nearby restaurant, El Molcajete.<a href="https://foursquare.com/v/el-molcajete/4bbf9f962a89ef3bc53fef88/photos">https://foursquare.com/v/el-molcajete/4bbf9f962a89ef3bc53fef88/photos</a></div>
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Clear Lake</div>
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Route 29</div>
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sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-65267657150481942472013-06-14T09:51:00.001-07:002013-06-14T09:56:13.544-07:00Ashland to Sacramento<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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June 10, left China Bend around 6:00 am, that night at the
Dalles, OR</div>
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June 11, drove from The Dalles to Ashland</div>
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We arrived in Ashland Tuesday night after a long day of driving. Our room wasn’t quite ready yet but when it was a shower and a nap was definitely in order, then off to the pub (The Black Sheep) for some food and libations before the play, <a href="http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/cymbeline.aspx">Cymbeline</a> It was a great play and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The theatre troupes at the Shakespeare Festival do such a wonderful job. It was a bit chilly, though, colder than I had expected. I was glad I had worn my jacket, neck scarf and socks.</div>
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The next day’s drive was not quite as long and I had my turn at driving the California freeways. I took the first shift from Ashland. We got an early start so the traffic was not bad so I actually enjoyed the experience. Driving the freeway is one of the things in life that I have wanted to accomplish and now I have. I still don’t like city driving though, as it makes me anxious.</div>
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We found the Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento & checked in early. The problem was that in our room the internet was not working which simply would not do, so we got moved to a different room…..and here we are. It is a suite, actually, with two rooms so that Ari and Mr. Johnson can do the class.</div>
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Sacramento is so big and the area we are at is not that appealing; too much traffic and not much beauty but it is what it is and all part of the job. I am thankful. Here in this room it is clean, cool, and comfortable. I can read and write freely and it is a great opportunity to get caught up on some writing projects.</div>
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sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-47629211791863087672013-06-10T18:59:00.005-07:002013-06-10T18:59:47.450-07:00First Day...China Bend to The Dalles, OR<div class="MsoNormal">
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We left
China Bend around 6:00 this
morning. Had lunch in Kennewick Wa around 1:30 at the Ice Harbor Brew Pub. Great sunny day, I drove for a little bit. So far the trip has been fun. Lovely views of the river along the way. Awesome rock formations along the road the further south we got, past the tri cities area. Not used to being in the city. There is so much hustle and bustle. I am just a country mouse at heart. A travel blog is harder to keep than I thought, mainly because I am so tired at the end of the day and by the time we are settled in for the evening I can hardly think straight. We are both hungry and tired but don’t have the heart to go driving again to eat. The cost of being here out in the world is always surprising although it shouldn’t be. But this is part of our job, so be it, and it must be done. All is well for the first day of travel. We’ll both feel better after showers and a good night's rest.</div>
sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-38902437353102321482013-05-25T11:22:00.001-07:002013-05-25T11:22:59.792-07:00Upcoming TravelsBasic map of our upcoming journey to Oregon and California. There may be slight differences in the routes on the way down if we decide to visit the Redwoods again. Dates of travel from June 10 to June 25.<br />
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In the meantime, enjoying the spring right here at home.<br />
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tiny wildflowers among the pincones:</div>
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campfire circle:</div>
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all the snow has melted:</div>
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Rattlesnake Creek:</div>
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<br />sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-70345607600503495432012-03-21T19:37:00.001-07:002012-03-21T19:48:00.639-07:00Shakespear and Grateful Dead (Further)<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The following is a brief description of a trip we took to Oregon last fall. First stop was Ashland where we went to the Shakespeare Festival and also had dinner with John, Mysti and the kids one evening. Next stop was Eugene where we went to three Further Concerts. The weather was very cooperative. We are certainly diverse in our choices for entertainment, I will say that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, September 20, 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Our trip started Monday morning. All was going well, rather efficiently. We had our bags in the car, the doors of the house locked, coffee & breakfast cleaned up, plants watered, but as we sat in the car, poised and ready, turned the ignition, there was that tell tale clicking sound…uh oh! dead battery. Not to worry, we put it on our handy dandy car charger that we keep on hand for such occasions, and it wasn’t too long before we could leave, around 10:30. It’s nice we didn’t have a particular schedule, other than meeting Knowing at 7:30 at the Ram’s Head McMinniman’s here in Portland, after check in at the Park Lane Inn, a clean and adequate dwelling for the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It’s warmer here in Portland, quite pleasant. We walked the several blocks to McMinnimans and got there early in time for happy hour for some brews and a snack. It was fun to hang out. Knowing showed up about 7:30 and we bought her dinner. She is a lovely girl, I will say. Very sweet and outgoing, very loving. She is getting excited about her upcoming trip to New Zealand. I am very proud of her. She walked with us back to the motel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, September 21, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Glorious day, today is my parent’s 64th wedding anniversary. I didn’t pack enough clothes for hot weather, may have to pick up a top or something, or a skirt. It is supposed to be 91 today so we are going for breakfast and then to stroll around town before it gets too hot. Love shopping, as long as it doesn’t last too long and my feet get tired, or I get hungry and cranky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Dinner/happy hour at our favorite place, The Black Sheep last night, two half pints of beer and some chips for me! Very good, Ashland is such neat place, one of those magical places on the planet, I do believe. Play was excellent of course, Henry IV part two. Great acting, in the Elizabethan theatre, outside. The stars were twinkly. I rented a blanket for my lap, otherwise it was not cold, and it was like being at a baseball game. Tonight we have different seats, unless we can get them changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We are staying at the Bard’s Inn which is a Best Western. We have a bunch of points so the three days are free. Upstairs, room 227. I am carrying all the suitcases, as Ari has been having hernia issues and cannot lift, but that’s OK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We stopped in Eugene on the way down and had a new battery put in the car so that is no longer an issue, had lunch while they put it in. I got a salad from the deli at Safeway, pretty good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I haven’t been sleeping well lately, not sure why. I go to sleep, but then wake up in the middle of the night and awake for hours. Sigh. I think about my kids a lot, and my parents, and their lives, want them to be well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday, September 22, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Another sunny day, up, dressed and ready for the day ahead. Last night’s performance of Pirates of Penzance was very good, I enjoyed it immensely. Called John last night. The plan is for us to meet at some point today. He and/or Mysti are supposed to call and let us know sometime this morning/afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We strolled around town yesterday, window shopping and people watching. Had a margarita at Agaves, very good drinks. Nap in the afternoon, and then the performance. Our last day here in Ashland until next year. Will be heading to Eugene tomorrow, I have mixed feelings about this….and will be glad to be home. I have to get more active in the planning of things. Our plans seem to take on a life of their own, which is not necessarily bad but in this case after we got home from another few days, we’ll be taking yet another road trip up to China Bend which is way too soon after this one. Maybe Ari’s parents will change their minds. It is possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday, September 24, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Here in Eugene at the motel getting ready for another day. I had more fun at the show last night than I thought I would. At first I was a bit reluctant because of all the “altered states” of consciousness, but Ari was really sweet. His brother David and his friend Woody, a guy in his 30’s who reminds me of a teddy bear, are also here in Eugene and are sharing a room down the street from ours. When I first met him I thought I was back at Slug Hollow, a “trigger” went off and it sort of made me nervous, but I got over it. All those days of pot smoking and hanging around all sorts of people. Good people, and those that sort of just wander through life, purposeless and unwashed. It still isn’t really my “thing”, though. I like security, a home, a center, at least, and good friends that I can count on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Weather is still good; it was hot yesterday, cooled down at night for the show. So many people. No dinner last night and so far bad coffee and no breakfast today. Hmmm…Oh well I am sure it will all work itself out eventually. Waiting for Woody and David to stop by. No smoking, guys, this is a non smoking room. I’m laying down the law!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Otherwise I am feeling fairly rested after a couple of beers last night and long walk to the venue and back. If it rains on Sunday like it is predicted, I am opting out, as I am not that dedicated of a “deadhead”, or one at all for that matter, but it has been a good experience so far. I’ve learned to flow and glow for the most part and just enjoy what is happening in the present. They played some oldies that I recognized so that helped. Otherwise it was almost too long. The shows are from 7:30 to 11:00, with a break in between. People of all ages attend, lots of older people of my generation as well. Love is what makes the world go round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Update. Went to brunch at McMinniman’s with David and Woody. The waiter spilled a mai tai all over me. oopsie. Sticky, but gosh, it happens. He didn’t charge us for our coffee. Came home & napped, walked to the market for orange juice, discovered that we brought our good coffee after all. Motel coffee is truly awful. Had our second cup at McMinniman’s which was really good. I was able to nap, though, but now am feeling energy again. We’ll probably go soon to hang out at the park before the show starts. I hear it’s going to be a full and crazy night but I have learned to flow with it and not judge or worry about stuff, just experience what is happening…it’s a good thing to do. Thankfully Ari is such a good friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday, September 25, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Last day in Eugene. We slept in until 8:45 this morning, now getting ready to go have some lunch. We found our good coffee, just had forgotten it in the car. We had some scones this morning so already the day is a pretty good start. The weather has changed and it looks like rain. Sigh. I am all geared up and ready. How bad can it be? I just figure, might as well complete the vibration of this trip. This will probably be the longest show of all because it will be wet. The whole thing is an experience; I do understand why people attend. It’s a cultural event. Part of me thinks I am crazy, a little. Just think I could hang back here and watch the season premier of Desperate Housewives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I still feel out of place, a little, like I can’t really let go, not really feeling at home, that sort of thing. I am probably over thinking. Ari and I have been doing our own thing as far as sitting together, although the 4 of us have been walking back together. I only had one beer last night, as we sat down further and I didn’t want to have to use the restroom, especially in the later part of the night when things start to fall apart and the bathrooms overflow, and people are staggery from all the alcohol. And then making the way through all the people. I can do it, I have done it, but sometimes I am not in the mood to handle it. All in all I am adjusting pretty well, I feel. We have a nice motel room which is wonderful, clean sheets, hot showers, a fridge & microwave and we are in walking distance of the places we want to go, so there are the blessings. Plus Ari has been very sweet, he’s been to so many Dead shows in his life, never with me, he goes for the music. There are lots of people my age there, us old hippies. Music is good, I must admit, reminiscent of my rock and roll days and how good it is to have a peaceful and unified gathering, those golden moments in life. From experience in the Family as well, the garlic festival where a mini culture is set up for a few days..an alternative from the main stream unreality of the world.</span><br />
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Our accomodations in Ashland:</div>
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The Green Show:</div>
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Happy Hour at the Black Sheep:</div>
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Grateful Dead: (Further)</div>
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Walking to the Further Show:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with the kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knowing and I at McMinniman's in Portland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-50895289074525758152012-03-17T20:05:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:09:41.034-07:00ON OUR WAY TO ITALY<span style="font-family: inherit;">First Stop New York</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was time to travel again. This time our destination was Italy and on our way took the opportunity to stop in Manhattan to stay in the Best Western Hotel President. We had stayed there before on our honeymoon trip to Paris because we liked the location near Times Square not that far from the Lincoln Center where the opera house is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">New York is exciting, full of a palpable energy, which, since I had been to New York before, was learning to enjoy. After a morning stroll through the remarkable Times Square, we lunched at the landmark Carnegie Deli on 7th Avenue at 55th Street. It amazed me that, although it was very crowded and there was a line outside waiting to get in, we didn’t have to wait very long to get a table or to place our order. For me, being here was the embodiment of the New York experience. While we waited for our Rueben sandwich (where else but in New York can you get a $25.00 sandwich, but they are sandwiches like no other. They are huge. That is why we split one) we munched on pickles, people watched, and observed the “walls of fame” filled with photographs of celebrities, dignitaries, and athletes. The Carnegie Deli is also famous for its home made cheesecake, but we were full. Maybe next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop was Guggenheim museum which is Frank Lloyd Wright's last major work. The building is distinctive and from the street looks like a white ribbon curled into a cylindrical stack, slightly wider at the top than the bottom. Inside, the viewing gallery forms a gentle helical spiral from the main level up to the top of the building. Paintings are displayed along the walls of the spiral and also in exhibition space found at annex levels along the way. The rotunda is lit by a beautiful skylight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That evening we dined before the opera at restaurant called Rosa’s Mexicano near Lincoln center and Metropolitan Opera House. Rosa’s was the most upscale Mexican restaurant that I had been to and as quoted on their website: “When we opened the first Rosa Mexicano in 1984, New York Magazine applauded us for introducing New Yorkers to a “hitherto unfamiliar, elevated version of Mexican cuisine.” After the appetizer of chips and guacamole made to order at the table we decided this would be sufficient refreshment, accompanied by a pitcher of sangria which was delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year’s opera was an Italian one; Bellini’s La Sonnambula. This opera, originally based on a ballet, was light and romantic and tells the story whose heroine Amina who gets herself into all sorts of trouble by ending up in a stranger’s bed. You can imagine all the twists and turns of the plot. The music was lovely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the performance we strolled to a nearby café called Pigale where we enjoyed a nightcap of absinthe. Absinthe is a flavored distilled liquor emerald green in color that tastes strongly of licorice. Known also as the Green Fairy, it is said to be the favorite beverage of artists and writers such as Van Gogh, Monet, Oscar Wilde and Earnest Hemmingway. There was a procedure that went along with the serving of this drink. The waiter brought a water container with a spigot on each side. This served to drip water over a sugar cube which was placed on a special slotted spoon which is held over the glass. It was an especially entertaining way to end the first segment of our journey.</span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-89982252212973460082011-03-22T13:35:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:12:00.843-07:00Puerto Vallarta, 2007<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">In March of 2007 we flew to Puerto Vallarta Mexico to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. Naturally we were pleased to be somewhere in the warm sunshine which was a welcome change from our gray and blustery northwest. In the late 1940s Puerto Vallarta was known as "Puerto Las Peñas" A quiet Pueblo with a small population, it had a lovely beach and there were many warehouses owned by the locals. Corn, seeds and coconut oil were stored in these warehouses and exported by large ships that docked off the main street. The regional commerce areas in this era were Puerto Vallarta, San Sebastian, Talpa and Mascota. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Puerto Vallarta, which some say is the Riviera of Mexico, is located on Bandarras Bay, the third largest bay in the world and North America’s largest. I close my eyes and see graceful birds swooping in azure skies, smell the flower laden breeze, and feel the glow of the sun on my skin. Everything is bright, vivid and festive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">We stayed in the old part of Puerto Vallarta. Our hotel, the historical Hotel Rosita was built in 1948 by Mr. Salvador Gonzales for the merchants and their families traveling long distance had no place to stay while they were doing business. The Rosita,is located at the north end El Malecon, which is a mile or so of sidewalk along the beautiful white sand beaches. The Rosita is one of the oldest hotels in Puerto Vallarta, and it is quite charming, and according to one of the reviews a well kept secret. Our idea was to get a flavor of Mexico, rather than to stay in one of deluxe Americanized hotels to the north, with the golf courses and the fancy restaurants. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> The hotel is a ten minute walk to the main church, municipal offices and Puerto Vallarta's market place and is considered the most traditional hotel in Puerto Vallarta because of its typical Mexican architecture. In 1962 John Houston, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Eva Gardner and their entire filming crew stayed at the Hotel Rosita while filming The Night of the Iguana. Hotel Rosita offers the ambience of how life was once enjoyed in Puerto Vallarta.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">After we claimed our luggage and looked for a cab, an official looking gentleman in a suit and tie came up to us and told us he needed to talk to us. He ushered us to a counter in an area of the airport and proceeded to sell us tours, time share and whatever else he could. He had quite the sales pitch and was very convincing. The end result was that we agreed to get a free taxi ride to a fancy time share the next day to have a complimentary breakfast and listen to a speech about how great the time shares are and how much we would love it. How much can we pay? Oh, and we got coupons for a free boat ride and/or a massage. In the end, we decided not to take advantage of the coupons, and instead opted for free time of our own.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The sales personnel were very good at their jobs. After softening us up with a good breakfast and some friendly banter, we were introduced to another person who showed us brochures and tried to convince us to buy into their time share. We declined, of course, but he continued his pitch. When he realized we weren’t backing down he introduced us to yet another sales person. By this time we were getting annoyed. When we said no for the final time, the man said, “There’s the way out,” and pointed us in the direction of the parking lot. We did get a free cab ride back. The lesson learned, of course, was that we were targeted as obvious first time tourists. No harm was done but we were so annoyed that we didn’t take advantage of the free coupons and instead relaxed in our own way.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">We spend our days walking on the Malecon and touring the shops; each afternoon we enjoyed a happy hour in the outside lobby of the hotel. The margaritas were excellent and so were the chips and guacamole. There were few evenings that was what we had for dinner because this was so satisfying. On afternoon on one of the last days before we left we were sitting on the lounge chairs and heard a loud flop. Much to our surprise a fish lay on the ground near us. Apparently one of the birds lost its grip. One of the staff dealt with the fish. We thought this amusing. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">There was a festive atmosphere while we were there. One day there was a children’s parade. The kids were colorful in their costumes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">View from the terrace into the courtyard of the hotel:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">the marketplace:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">from Liz Taylor's villa:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">from the Malecon:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> on the way home from the market:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">from the hotel:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-87128690942818481992011-03-20T15:16:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:07:58.007-07:00Tucson 2011<br /><em><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>This year Ari and I took our annual wedding anniversary trip a little early by traveling to Tucson, Arizona for some rest and relaxation in the sunshine. We stayed in deluxe accommodations in Ari’s parent’s home and were delightfully hosted for several days. Ari’s godfather Leon, who lives in London, was also there with us.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>One of my favorite things to do was to sit out back on the patio to read, listen to gurgling of the fountain and gaze at the Catalina Mountains in the distance. The backyard was quite different that what I am used to; a far cry from evergreen trees and green ferns but the landscape of rocks, sand and so many different kinds of cacti and other desert plants was no less fascinating. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>The desert is a land of extremes. Hot and cold. The mornings although sunny were chilly until mid morning and once the sun went down in the evenings the temperature dropped immediately. Tucson is situated in the Sonoran Desert and is surrounded by five minor ranges of mountains: The Santa Catalina Mountains and the Tortolita Mountains to the north, the Santa Rita Mountains to the south, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Tucson Mountains to the west. The city is located on the Santa Cruz River which is now a dry river bed for most of the year and floods during seasonal rains.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>We also walked the dog, Brandy in the mornings which was a great chance to get fresh air and enjoy the magnificent scenery. I was told to watch out for rattlesnakes. I am glad I didn’t see any, as I wasn’t wearing boots as recommended, but my sandals. Brandi knew her way very well, and let us know when she was ready to return home.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>March 2, 2011</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>If I were to describe Southern Arizona in two words they would be, color and warmth. We are venturing out today, our first official outing since we have arrived, as we have been relaxing (I have napped a couple of times) and settling in since our arrival and I have not been not doing too much aside from reading (Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo) and playing on the Internet. We have the guest suite here which is very comfortable. The first night Jon, Ari and I went to the library and borrowed a movie; The Singing Detective. It is in several parts; we only watched the first part. A very strange movie. I think the British have an odd sense of humor. We took a short walk around the neighborhood yesterday after Leon arrived.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Staying here is like being at a resort. Jon grilled steaks last night for us all, and beat me in a game of Scrabble. He and Leon went on a two day hiking trip with Jon’s hiking group. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>March 3, 2011</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Yesterday we visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The highlight was the butterfly display. Drove to 4th street which attracts the college set and the shops are reminiscent of the 60’s . We stopped in a little cafe for some chips and beer after wandering around for awhile looking at a few more shops.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>That evening Ellyn took us to see Lost in Yonkers, a play by Neil Simon. It was quite good. We had balcony seats, first row. I was impressed with the acting as well as the story.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Update: spent the afternoon at the Tohono Chul Park; quite pleasant with lots to look at. We called Doug and Ariel; they invited us over Tomorrow night for Happy Hour at their place. Ellyn made a Thanksgiving dinner. I am stuffed.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>March 6, 2011, Sunday</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Yet another sunny day, but of course, we are in Arizona! The sunset last night was simply gorgeous. There are some things that can’t be photographed. They must be enjoyed in the moment.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Sidebar: Friday we spent the day relaxing and then visited Doug and Ariel at their place which was beautiful and an oasis. I was happy to see them again. They are both good people and some of my favorites. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Yesterday (Saturday) we (Jon, Ellyn, Leon, Ari and myself) went to the art museum, had lunch at a Mexican place after. Ari and I visited a swap meet, but didn’t buy anything.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>I’ve been enjoying the conversations around the dinner table talking about the state of the world and other things; lots of laughter as well. Good food, good wine, good company. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>March 7, 2011 </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Today we visited a museum in Benson Arizona. There were Native Americans basket weavers with their wares for sale. We picnicked in the park there. The rock formations were fascinating. . ‘we visited the the Singing Winds Bookstore on the way home. The bookstore is out in the middle of nowhere. </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Pizza and gelato for dinner</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>March 8, 2011,</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Preparing for our last day which will consist of a drive up to Phoenix to see a spring training game, then off to the airport to catch our flight north. We have a stop in Portland, then Seattle, then on to Bellingham. A long day but I am feeling fairly rested. It is definitely time to go. As much fun as we have had we don’t want to overstay our welcome. A week seemed luxurious this time. We did fun things </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>I got a lot of reading done; just started a new book for the flight home called Cutting for Stone. It is really good so far.</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><em><strong></strong></em></span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-7873835346039420502010-09-19T05:33:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:09:28.059-07:00honeymoon 2005<span style="font-family: inherit;">TRAVEL ADVENTURES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">HONEYMOON IN PARIS, MARCH 2005</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have had so many adventures in my life but I think the one that is most like a dream come true is going to Paris on my honeymoon. Indeed as a small town girl dreamt of traveling somewhere exotic and romantic. Little did I know that these dreams would come true, certainly not the way I expected them to but life can, and often does, surprise us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We couldn’t go to Paris without spending time in New York first to see some of the sights; The Statue of Liberty, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and a fun tour of the famous Macy’s department store which is a culture unto itself. We also went to an opera; Die Rosenkavalier and when we left the opera around midnight were delighted to see the snow falling. I felt like I was in a movie. We stayed in a motel just off Central Park West</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing I have learned about traveling is to expect the unexpected and sure enough, our flight to Paris was delayed. Everything was going smoothly at first. Going through security and boarding the plane was no problem, but then as we were sitting on the plane we were told there would be a delay because of a mechanical problem which is not unusual. So there we sat, at the mercy of the powers that be. It must have been close to an hour before we were told that the problem was fixed and we would be on our way but suddenly some poor woman from the back of the plane had a medical emergency and had to be evacuated to the hospital. This was unfortunate and certainly I had compassion on her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then came The Wait on the Plane. It is a regulation that when an emergency like this happens the luggage of the person involved has to be taken off the plane. After all, we can’t have the luggage traveling around France without the person, now can we? Keep in mind that the plane is huge and it took literally hours to find this person’s luggage, largely because they had to unload everyone’s luggage to find this one person’s luggage, and then reload it. By now we were offered us free drinks (who cares if it was before noon, we were jet lagged anyway and it didn’t matter what time it was). At last we are in the air and flying across the Atlantic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was overwhelmed by the number of people at the airport when we landed. Not to mention being out of my element, to put it mildly, but that is what travel is for, to expand your mind. We already had an honeymoon apartment to stay in, a gift from a friend of Robert's sister, Debbie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Debbie had advised us to take a cab from the airport but Robert, who was so excited to be in Paris, artist that he is wanted to experience everything to the fullest thought it would be fun to get there by the subway (which began a years long, off and on discussion between us about the pros and cons of public transportation, subways in particular). His basic knowledge of French and his natural sense of direction kept us from getting lost. Although exhausted by this point I was game. After all this was our honeymoon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to point out here that I am not fond of subways. Most of the ones I have been on are hot, noisy and crowded and I don’t find it enjoyable, especially when I am dealing with luggage. My husband has a slightly different sense of adventure and he was actually enjoying himself. At one point as we were walking he looked back at me to say, “Honey, isn’t this fun?” and then saw the look on my face, and noticed that I was close to tears from fatigue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To make a long story short we eventually got to the apartment, which by the way was on the third floor (no elevator) so that mean schlepping our luggage up three flights of stairs. It was charming and I loved our stay there but if we ever visit Paris again we are taking a cab. To say that I was happy to have arrived is a huge understatement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To Be Continued</span><br />
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<a href="http://writergoddess.xanga.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-39198191357485492352010-08-02T14:20:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:10:41.291-07:00<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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I hadn't been to the Redwoods since childhood and I've never forgotten the experience. When we (my husband and I) got the chance to visit the park recently we considered ourselves lucky. The fact that there are ancient trees on the planet is amazing; and I believe special at the least and magical. Walking through the forest in among those giant trees was stilling and I understood where writers such as Tolkein and CS Lewis got inspiration. It is sad that we humans have destroyed so much of our planet.</div>
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-50532898625912205412009-04-09T09:44:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:10:55.134-07:00Monteriggioni<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4oR3whG_I/AAAAAAAAAHA/2Zo4AgiKJZg/s1600-h/HPIM2215.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322736097088838642" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4oR3whG_I/AAAAAAAAAHA/2Zo4AgiKJZg/s320/HPIM2215.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 241px;" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4n_ArEluI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wRw8EQdYMZA/s1600-h/HPIM2219.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322735773064402658" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4n_ArEluI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wRw8EQdYMZA/s320/HPIM2219.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 320px; width: 320px;" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4nr9sZHnI/AAAAAAAAAGw/wO9qFEO1E9o/s1600-h/HPIM2217.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322735445847121522" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4nr9sZHnI/AAAAAAAAAGw/wO9qFEO1E9o/s320/HPIM2217.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 229px; width: 320px;" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4nLXmtgoI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ea-D83pY_P0/s1600-h/monteriggioni_panorama_small.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322734885866930818" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sd4nLXmtgoI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ea-D83pY_P0/s320/monteriggioni_panorama_small.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 218px; width: 320px;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">March 16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Monteriggioni</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Tuesday we visited one of the charming hill towns of Italy, a walled town called Monteriggioni, the home of the most renowned Festa Medievale of its kind in Italy. This festival is held each year in mid July. Built in the 13th century, Monteriggioni had very little work done until the 16th century and it is virtually intact. Today it exists entirely for tourists and pilgrims, although as late as the 1960’s it was a sleepy village of farmers and sheep herders. Once inside you are transported to a different time. Its shops, wine shops, and tasting rooms line narrow streets of cobblestone, and there are no vehicles, other than an occasional truck delivering goods. We stepped into the pretty Romanesque church that faces the main Piazza Roma. There are also restaurants and hotels. We found Monteriggioni restful and enchanting.</span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-2181255328808596312009-04-07T08:44:00.000-07:002019-01-03T14:22:24.657-08:00Trip across the water. Landing at the Malepensa Airport near Milan<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sdt2nnSXnMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xCEtZmv--V0/s1600-h/HPIM2170.jpg"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321977807601376450" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sdt2nnSXnMI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xCEtZmv--V0/s320/HPIM2170.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 253px; width: 320px;" /></strong></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sdt2nTmN_gI/AAAAAAAAAFo/xLerPWIo3t4/s1600-h/HPIM2167.JPG"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321977802315922946" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/Sdt2nTmN_gI/AAAAAAAAAFo/xLerPWIo3t4/s320/HPIM2167.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 310px; width: 320px;" /></strong></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">March 16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It was surreal to land in a different country, and yet there was a sense of familiarity. Overall we didn’t have too much trouble navigating the tasks of finding the baggage claim and the place where we had reserved our car rental. Our car was a Fiat, a stick shift, which was a bit for Ari to get used to but it didn’t take long before he was driving like the best of the Italians. It seems there are no driving rules in Italy, and situations come at you fast. We had printed out maps and driving directions which made things somewhat less stressful. The challenge was that we were tired from the long flight and still had to drive from Milan to Badesse which is about a 4 hour drive. With the narrower highways, the unfamiliar road signs, the toll stops, the huge trucks on the road, and the numerous tunnels, the drive was a bit harrowing, but we made it. Had we to it over, I think we would have planned an overnight in Milan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Best Western Residenza Badesse Apartment Hotel was off the beaten path, fairly easy to find, and we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival to find that an envelope with our name on it on the reception desk with the key to our room in it (an old fashioned key, not a card that you swipe) waiting for us. The hotel reception was only open certain hours. Our room was an apartment with a kitchenette and a balcony. The space was plentiful for the two of us, quite clean and peaceful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Next activity, dinner! What else would we do but get pizza? This involved a quick drive to the outskirts of Siena where we found a take out place with excellent pizza and a bottle of Chianti to take back to the motel. Ahh, this is the life!</span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6574153898491330554.post-81813811207647143232009-03-27T11:10:00.000-07:002012-03-21T19:10:24.447-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/SdUdFYolMyI/AAAAAAAAAFg/cg8oA-rLgJE/s1600-h/HPIM2160.JPG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320190513157321506" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/SdUdFYolMyI/AAAAAAAAAFg/cg8oA-rLgJE/s320/HPIM2160.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 241px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></em></strong></span></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/SdUcizCMkHI/AAAAAAAAAFY/68WO51DC-ic/s1600-h/HPIM2157.JPG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320189918948659314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAMM4wLG3Tc/SdUcizCMkHI/AAAAAAAAAFY/68WO51DC-ic/s320/HPIM2157.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 241px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></em></strong></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a small town girl at heart, raised in the wheat country of Eastern Washington in a small town of a thousand people or so. As a child I dreamt of traveling one day, and imagined the excitement of new places and cultures but it wasn’t until the fifth decade of my life that these dreams came true. Traveling is an act of faith, at least from my perspective. If I think about it too much part of me is terrified, especially of flying, especially across the Atlantic Ocean to a country where I don’t speak the language. There are so many things that could go wrong; the plane could crash, war could break out, or I could get sick and/or lost while abroad. Even flying across the country holds its dangers, as 9/ll proved when my husband and I were in New York. I have learned that worry is a waste of time; life is meant to be enjoyed.<br /><br />Each year Ari and I plan a trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Every other year we plan a trip out of the country. For our honeymoon we went to Paris, the romantic dream of a lifetime. Our next trip out of the country adventure was Puerto Vallarta Mexico which was so fun, sun filled and relaxing. This year we went to Italy by way of New York. <br /><br />I have photos and memorabilia from each of these trips filed away in a drawer, waiting to be scrapbooked. I have memories stashed away in my head, waiting to be poured out onto the page. Daily life tends to take over and I have yet to write about these adventures beyond the brief notes of where we went, and what we did on such and such a date. I am trying to do better with this latest trip. It is probably of no importance to anyone but me; perhaps my family and my children may enjoy these accounts one day, and that is all that really matters.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love New York, but it took a few visits before I appreciated the culture and the excitement of the city, especially since on my maiden voyage to the Big Apple was on 9/ll. To say that was a shocking introduction to New York is an understatement. Fortunately we were not in the city at the time of the attack on the towers. We had been staying Poughkeepsie with Ari’s grandmother and were on our way into the city to spend one more day before flying home. Or so we thought. Life for all of us changed in those few moments. I remember thinking “this is what war is like.” The first thing that popped into my head was that I wanted to get back to my family as quickly as possible. The train stopped at one of the stations along the way where we all milled around a bit and then learned that there was a train coming north for us to go back up north. No more traffic into the city. Over the next few years we went back to visit Ari’s grandmother a couple of times and to take in the sights, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or go to an opera. One year we took my youngest daughter with us and took her to see the musical 42nd Street. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First Stop New York</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was time to travel again. This time our destination was Italy and on our way took the opportunity to stop in Manhattan to stay in the Best Western Hotel President. We had stayed there before on our honeymoon trip to Paris because we liked the location near Times Square not that far from the Lincoln Center where the opera house is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">New York is exciting, full of a palpable energy, which, since I had been to New York before, was learning to enjoy. After a morning stroll through the remarkable Times Square, we lunched at the landmark Carnegie Deli on 7th Avenue at 55th Street. It amazed me that, although it was very crowded and there was a line outside waiting to get in, we didn’t have to wait very long to get a table or to place our order. For me, being here was the embodiment of the New York experience. While we waited for our Rueben sandwich (where else but in New York can you get a $25.00 sandwich, but they are sandwiches like no other. They are huge. That is why we split one) we munched on pickles, people watched, and observed the “walls of fame” filled with photographs of celebrities, dignitaries, and athletes. The Carnegie Deli is also famous for its home made cheesecake, but we were full. Maybe next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop was Guggenheim museum which is Frank Lloyd Wright's last major work. The building is distinctive and from the street looks like a white ribbon curled into a cylindrical stack, slightly wider at the top than the bottom. Inside, the viewing gallery forms a gentle helical spiral from the main level up to the top of the building. Paintings are displayed along the walls of the spiral and also in exhibition space found at annex levels along the way. The rotunda is lit by a beautiful skylight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That evening we dined before the opera at restaurant called Rosa’s Mexicano near Lincoln center and Metropolitan Opera House. Rosa’s was the most upscale Mexican restaurant that I had been to and as quoted on their website: “When we opened the first Rosa Mexicano in 1984, New York Magazine applauded us for introducing New Yorkers to a “hitherto unfamiliar, elevated version of Mexican cuisine.” After the appetizer of chips and guacamole made to order at the table we decided this would be sufficient refreshment, accompanied by a pitcher of sangria which was delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year’s opera was an Italian one; Bellini’s La Sonnambula. This opera, originally based on a ballet, was light and romantic and tells the story whose heroine Amina who gets herself into all sorts of trouble by ending up in a stranger’s bed. You can imagine all the twists and turns of the plot. The music was lovely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the performance we strolled to a nearby café called Pigale where we enjoyed a nightcap of absinthe. Absinthe is a flavored distilled liquor emerald green in color that tastes strongly of licorice. Known also as the Green Fairy, it is said to be the favorite beverage of artists and writers such as Van Gogh, Monet, Oscar Wilde and Earnest Hemmingway. There was a procedure that went along with the serving of this drink. The waiter brought a water container with a spigot on each side. This served to drip water over a sugar cube which was placed on a special slotted spoon which is held over the glass. It was an especially entertaining way to end the first segment of our journey.</span>sharono360http://www.blogger.com/profile/02740061772048025967noreply@blogger.com1