And Again, Todos Santos

Posted on January 9, 2025 by buskbob

“There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it gets sent away”

Growing up I had friends who every year, every summer, went on the same vacation, to the very same spot they went the year before, and the year before that, and the year before that. And I naively thought, “How silly….this big, wide world and you return again and again to the same spot….Don’t you get tired of that? What is the allure?”

Well now I know. For the last six years we have been coming to Todos Santos, every December, to escape the dreariness of our Wenatchee winter. And over the past six years, I have learned to appreciate coming to the same spot. You find it’s familiar, it feels like home. You know every road, the location of each and every speed bump. where to find the most delicious chiliquiles, the most aromatic coffee, the secluded beach. People recognize you, treat you like friends, welcome you. Even though you have been here a ton, you learn to find the new in the familiar….the boutique you always walked past, the brass doorknob shaped like a gecko, the saguaro cactus that looks exactly like it is waving hello. There is no question as to what to pack…we know the weather and what to expect, we can consolidate down to one carry on, we know to bring the binoculars for whale spotting and salt for the rims of the margarita glasses. We are open to uncovering new adventures and experiences, undiscovered corners, new restaurants, new beaches. Anxiety is reduced for you know all the ins-and-outs of immigration and custom control, how to avoid the rash of requests for taxis and time-shares, where to pick up your car rental, how many pesos you need at the toll booth, what stores are open on Christmas Day….you have it all locked down!!!! There is a lot of comfort in coming to the same spot year after year.

This year we were not going for adventure, or dancing or drinking….we came to Todos Santos for one thing only, to relax!!! And that we did. Everyday to the beach, to lie upon the golden sand shaded only by our little umbrella, marvel at the whales spouting and breaching, and reading all the novels we haven’t had the time to read until now.

And when you are in Todos Santos, there is never a lack of good food everywhere. We actually tried a few new places. Miguels, in Todos Santos for the past 24 years. We had their world famous chile rellenos stuffed with lobster and had a chance to talk with Miguel about all the changes he has seen. And we went to a little hole-in-the-wall spot, Tacos El Poblano, where they make the tortillas by hand and the tacos el pastor and tacos asada were out-of-this-world. We ordered chips and guac and I swear there was close to a gallon of guacamole!!!! So good. And this year we had to try a new pizza spot, Buone Pizza, take out only cooked in a brick oven….we had the pepperoni and the Italiana. Brought them home and ate them on the deck with homemade margaritas. And of course, we had to go to some of our favorites…The Green Room, La Esquina, Docecuarenta, Na Há at La Poza and Heirbabuena in El Pescadero.

Coffee at Docecuarenta….our favorite morning spot

Lobster filled Chile Rellenos at Miguels

Something new this year was the meeting up with some friends, totally unplanned. First we met up with Elke and her fiance Rob. We met Elke at Burrowing Owl Winery in Oliver, BC. She was our server in the tasting room and we just hit it off and during our conversation we both found out we were going to be in Todos Santos at the same time (they in El Pescadero) So we met up for dinner at Heirbabuena and had a wonderful dinner. But there is more….Heidi has been working with Janel Keating Hambly at work. Janel is a nationally known speaker and author for Solution Tree….a real expert on Professional Learning Communities. Janel, and her husband Jay, had planned a trip to Cabo and then a few days in Todos Santos. They wanted to stay at the same spot that Heidi and I stay at, Villas La Mar, but unfortunately it was full, so they booked a room a La Poza, the sister property just down the road. Turns out Janel was the principal at my son’s elementary school, and Jay was the Superintendent at the district. Such a small world. We had dinner with them twice…once at Na Há (La Poza) and then again on New Year’s Day at the Todos Santos Brewery (the Rose Bowl was playing…let’s not mention the score) Such fun meeting with them and learning about all the connections we have. Such amazing people.

Visiting with Elke and Rob from Oliver BC

Dinner at Todos Santos Brewery with Janel and Jay

We definitely completed our goal of relaxation. (It did help that we had a 90 minute couple massage) We returned as usual with deep, dark tans and relaxed body and mind….until we got to the airport in Seattle. Our evening flight to Wenatchee was cancelled, of course only after we flew to Wenatchee and couldn’t land. Spent one uncomfortable night in the airport as we couldn’t find a hotel at 2:30 am in the morning. We were booked for the 12:30 pm flight only to find it was delayed 2 hours. Coming into Wenatchee it appeared we were landing only to have the pilot abort the landing at the last minute saying the runway just wasn’t visible. But he was going to try another approach, from the other end. Nail biting time as we descended, nothing but thick fog out the windows and then, with only seconds before touchdown, we see land below and a huge cheer erupts as the wheels touched down in Wenatchee!!!! An exciting ending to a most wonderful trip. Until next year….yes, we are one of those people now!!!

Kauai Family Time

Posted on December 20, 2024 by buskbob

The best part of travel is who you share it with.

Kauai 2024. This trip had its start Christmas 2023. With the kids we decided we needed a family trip and what better place than to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. We were all in agreement and now we needed to let the grandkids know. We planned a big “reveal” on Christmas Eve Day, but we weren’t just going to tell them….they would have to work to find out. First they had to complete a number of challenges….the search for the missing reindeer, collecting snowballs with reindeer hooves on, puzzles, trivia….and with each completed challenge, clues were given and finally the last clue opened the page letting then know we were heading to Hawaii this coming July.

And here is a little video of the reveal:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JLQFlMGsa4M

Now this is a really BIG deal, for one, this will be the first time all of us will be going on a trip together that requires an airplane to get to the destination, and secondly, for Cody and Bradley, they had never been on a jet plane across the ocean. They both have life threatening allergies and being trapped on a plane would be a scary proposition should either of them have a reaction. But all precautions will be made and as scary as it is, mom and dad decide it is time.

So all year we wait and prepare for the trip. Plane tickets are purchased, rental cars rented, bags packed, possible itineraries sketched out. And Jamie found a way to get a few days off of work and will be flying out to join us a few days after we arrive. In total, 11 of us….in Hawaii !!!!

July arrives and we all convened at our our departure gate at SeaTac…excitement is in the air. Alaska Airlines was amazing to work with. They allowed the boys to board early and for Amanda to wipe down the seats and area with disinfectant wipes. They announced over the intercom that there were people on-board with severe nut allergies and to reframe from eating nuts or seeds, and when we landed in Lihue, the boys received flying wings! Nice touch.

Touch down right on time in Lihue. It is always fun to get off the plane in Hawaii. You are immediately greeted with warm, tropical air. It feels good, and smells good. You know you have arrived!!!!

We make our way to pick up the rental cars….one for each family.

We found the perfect rental that comfortably held all 11 of us. It is a double-condo, situated on the cliffs above Kalapaki Beach, by Nawiliwili Bay. Originally these were two separate condos, a mirror image of each other. But the owners opened a wall between the two living rooms making it one large condo. We had two decks, two living rooms, two kitchens, four bedrooms, four bathrooms plus pull-out couches in each living room. Space for all of us to be together, and also to have some privacy. There was ample parking and best of all, the view over Kalapaki Beach. And this beach was perfect for activities….safe and gentle, lots of sand, surfing lessons, stand up paddle boards and outriggers to rent. Good for swimming and splashing in the surf. And several restaurants (Dukes, Italian, Pizza) and a high-end resort are located just beyond the sand….and the biggest hit of all, an ABC store right next door.

One of Heidi’s Famous Coffee Cup Pictures…..our view from the deck.

It was time to explore and enjoy the island…..and we decided early on that there would be times where we would all do things together and there would be times when we would go our separate ways.

One of the group activities we really enjoyed, was the Inner Tube excursion down the old sugar cane canals. Soooo much fun. We all drove to Kauai Backcountry Adventure headquarters, just out of Lihue, checked in, grabbed our gear (helmets and headlamps and gloves) and loaded onto a bus…and away we went…up towards Mt. Waialeale and the start of the irrigation ditches.

When we got there, we had a quick safety talk and then sat our butts down into inner-tubes and away we went…floating, twirling, sometimes crashing into each other. You go through three or four tunnels…all dug by hand and some over a quarter mile long. This is where your headlamp comes into play, and your gloves to push yourself off the walls.

Ready to get our gear….crocs and one flip-flop

At the end we were treated to a picnic lunch, then back into the bus for the return to headquarters. At the end of our time in Kauai, almost everyone agreed that this adventure was the most fun.

Each day was a new adventure and everybody found something they loved to do. Some took surfing lessons, others rented Stand-Up Paddleboards, or rode the waves on an outrigger canoe. Trips were made to waterfalls, to put-put golf, and to beaches.

As a group we went to Anini Beach on the North Shore and found some epic snorkeling….eels, huge turtles, trigger fish, parrot fish, damselfish, boxer fish, unicorn fish, urchins, massive sea cucumbers, brain coral….so much more. The water was so clear and the beach is protected by a long reef just offshore. The beach itself is pretty narrow, but lots of shade. Such a fun day of snorkeling!!!!

One day, Heidi, Jamie, and I went to a real secluded beach and found seals, crabs, and of course, chickens.

and of course when you finish a hard day in the sun….you need refreshments and food!!!

And in the evening….game night!!!!!!

And whenever we are on Kauai, we always find time to meet with our long-time, really good friend, Rachel Furutani. We have known Rachel and her family for over 20 years and it is always a joy to meet and catch up on all the happenings. And Rachel treated us to a HULA PIE…decadent, delicious and oh so filling!!!!

When all the kids and grandkids went home, Heidi and I stayed on the South Shore for a few more days. And mostly we just sat at the beach and shared memories of the past week with family. Definitely a trip to remember!!!!!

The trip had fun times (Fourth of July in Hawaii)

And if there is one picture that capture the essence of our trip, it is this one ….fun, just a whole lot of fun.

St. Augustine

Posted on December 10, 2024 by buskbob

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish Colonists, is the oldest continuously inhabited European established settlement in the current United States. Everywhere you go in this seaside town are signs stating the oldest this, or the oldest that….We saw the Oldest House, The Oldest Jail, the Oldest School House…on and on and on. We had been in Orlando attending a conference and we had a couple days after the conference so we decided to rent a car and drive up to walk about St. Augustine.

We parked at one end of town and bought tickets for one of those hop-on, hop-off buses, and away we went. One of our favorite stops was the old fort – Castillo de San Marcos. Of course, it is the oldest masonry fort in the nation and the oldest structure in all of St. Augustine. The Fort was completed in 1695, came under fire for the first time in 1702 from British Forces. The Castillo was used as a military prison during the Revolutionary War, and at one time it held three signers of the Declaration of Independence within its walls. It is in remarkable condition and you can wander all about. Everyday, starting at 10:30 and repeating every hour until the last firing at 3:30, volunteers dressed in period costumes fire off one of the cannons.

Lightner Museum

Originally the Alcazar Hotel, built in 1888 by Standard Oil co-founder Henry Flagler, as a destination resort with a casino, a grand ballroom, bowling alley, huge indoor swimming pool (at the time the world’s largest), health facilities (a wellness center), Turkish Baths, and upscale rooms. Outside were tennis courts and croquet lawns. The Great Depression and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and changing recreation tastes in the public brought an end to this luxury hotel and it closed its doors for good in 1931.

Today the building is home to the Lightner Museum, showcasing the vast, eclectic collections of Chicago publisher Otto Lightner. Otto wanted a museum as a “collection of collections”. Everything is in here, Victorian Art Glass, mechanical musical instruments, a shrunken head, an Egyptian mummy, toaster collections, baseball card collections, and so, so much more. And you can wander around parts of the old hotel, see where the pool was, the grand ballroom. Interesting fact, Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel (and held the record for quite a while for the fastest crossing) swam in the indoor pool.

Flagler College

Across the street from the Museum is another hotel built by Henry Flagler, the Ponce de Leon Hotel. This beautiful hotel closed in 1967 and is now part of Flagler College, a private, liberal-arts college founded in 1968. Besides being a dry campus, it is famous for the paranormal activity that is said to occur with some frequency. It is said that the mistress of Mr. Flagler, who lived in a room on the fourth floor, killed herself in a fit of despair. Her spirit has been reported roaming the halls. Mr. Flagler’s wife is also reported haunting the college. Mr. Flagler was able to have her diagnosed as insane, so he could then divorce her to be with his mistress. She spent her life in an insane asylum. And lastly, Mr. Flagler himself is said to traipse around the halls. When he died, his body was put on display in the lobby of the hotel and his spirit now keeps watch over his beloved hotel. We didn’t see any ghosts while we were there, just a beautiful building.

Lincolnville

Perhaps the most interesting time we had was visiting the Lincolnville Neighborhood just a little ways behind the Alcazar Hotel. Back in the late 1800’s, this neighborhood began as a “freeman” community, a place where emancipated slaves came to live. The neighborhood grew and thrived with churches, school, stores built. In the 1960’s, Lincolnville attracted nationwide attention for the roll it played in the civil rights movement. Demonstrations were held here. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed here numerous times. He was once arrested at a nearby Monson Motor Hotel when he stopped in to order lunch. The white owner, James Brock, refused to serve him and called the police to arrest Mr. King for trespassing. At a later date, James Brock poured acid into the swimming pool when black and white protesters jumped into the pool. All through this neighborhood are old homes with plaques describing the history. Quite the neighborhood.

And in this neighborhood we found our favorite little cafe, THE BLUE HEN…where Heidi, who happens to LOVE biscuits and gravy, found the very best here at the Blue Hen. And that is saying something for Heidi has tried buscuits and gravy all over the place.

Some other sights we saw…

The Old Senator…a live oak more than 600 years old

After spending a most enjoyable day at this old town, we headed to Cocoa Beach for a quick shopping trip at Ron Jon Surf shop and dinner at Coconuts on the Beach.

Braving the Wind and Rain in New York City

Posted on April 8, 2024 by buskbob

“I am in love with cities I have never been to and people I have never met. Oh darling. Let’s be adventurers.” Author John Green, Paper Towns

The last time we visited New York City was back in 2018 during Spring Break. It was Heidi’s first time to the Big Apple so we visited the big sights; Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, 911 Museum, MOMA, Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, Time’s Square, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fashion District and made it to a Broadway Play. We treated ourselves to New York Pizza and New York Cheesecake and traipsed all over Central Park. And it snowed on us! And rained on us!!!! And chilled us to the bone. And we swore it would be awhile before we returned.

Well this year, and it is Spring Break, and it seemed like it had been awhile, and though all our friends were heading to warm climes…Arizona, Palm Springs, Costa Rica, Mexico, Florida, we thought it would be fun to head back to New York City to see a couple of plays and some sights we missed last time. Yes, that was our plan. So months in advance we booked our hotel and flights, secured tickets to two Broadway plays, made plans to visit the MET, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, grab a pastrami sandwich at Katz Deli, walk about Central Park, wander about Grand Central Station, and find a few hidden gems…..and we kept our eye on the weather report. Two weeks prior to departure, forecasts called for partly sunny skies and temperatures nearing 60 degrees ….much better than snow. Unfortunately the forecast didn’t hold, instead worsened until it read 95% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms….oh well, what can we do but go forward, bring warm clothes, rain gear and umbrellas. We are from the Northwest so we have practice battling rain.

We arrived late afternoon, grabbed a taxi into Manhattan and The Ace Hotel..a cute, hip spot in Mid Town. In fact, when we walked into our room and opened the shades, we looked right at the Empire State Building. Starved, we went and grabbed a nice dinner and then, believing it might be the only day there without rain, we made our way to the Empire State Building. Up we went, to the 86th floor observation deck just as the sun set and gazed upon all the twinkling lights of this amazing city.

We wake up the next morning to the sound of rain pelting against the windows. That 95% chance of rain was spot on. But after a hearty breakfast, away we go down into the subway to head downtown get off at the City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge station. Now the Brooklyn Bridge is this iconic bridge built in the late 1800’s and opened Sept. 24, 1883 and was at the time the longest suspension bridge in the world. It is a cultural icon, highlighted in books, paintings, photographs and movies. Advertisers have used the bridge to sell everything from vaseline to Absolut Vodka. And we planned to walk across it. The only nice thing about all the rain coming down was it kept the crowds away and we had smooth sailing. The views to the city are amazing as you cross over the East River. Unlike so many other bridges, the walking lanes are totally away from the traffic.

Next back on the subway and wind our way north to visit the MET. Love the MET, and it is huge and holds so many treasures. And today it was crowded for everyone wanted a warm, dry spot to escape the rain. Our favorite section has always been the impressionists section and that was our first stop!!!

This painting by Henri Regnault of Salome…look at how the lace fabric is transparent…amazing talent.

Love Van Gogh

Heidi and a Rodin

This one so realistic it looks like a photograph (William Bouguereau, Breton Brother and Sister)

And some American art….first two by Winslow Homer and the last by George Caleb Bingham

Water Lilies by Monet and the Bridge at his home in Giverny, France. Fun to see this painting as we actually walked across that bridge when we visited his gardens.

Slogged back to the hotel, dried off, grabbed a bite to eat and it is off to our first play, Moulin Rouge, The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Oh what an amazing show…the singing, the dancing, the acting, all superb. And one of the stars of the show was none other than Boy George of Culture Club fame. And at the end of the show, the cast sang a bit of Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me…to a thunderous applause!!!! We LOVE Broadway Shows. And we had great seats…about 6 rows up from the stage!!!

Our last full day looks to be the worst weather-wise….hard rain all day long with evening thunderstorm!!! We cannot get a break!!! But into the deluge we went…to Grand Central Station, one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

Built back in the 1870s by Cornelius Vanderbilt when train travel was the rage, but by the 1950s cars and planes had surpassed trains as the main means of getting from point A to point B, and the station fell into disrepair, it lost its National Landmark status and was scheduled to be torn down, replaced by a new skyscraper. But Jackie Onassis and legendary architect Philip Johnson banded together to form the Committee to Save Grand Central Station and succeeded. The building was cleaned up, layers and layers of soot and grime were removed from the walls and ceiling. The ceiling constellations once again could be seen from below, broken windows replaced, trash removed, and the station was expanded. Today it is such a vibrant area. People scurrying to catch their train, shops and eateries abound and everywhere there is motion and activity.

And we tried to find a few Grand Central Station Secrets.

The Whispering Gallery: In the passageway near the Oyster Bar stands an acoustic marvel known as the Whispering Gallery. Two people standing at opposite corners of the vaulted archway can communicate, their voices reverberating like a game of telephone that no one else can hear. When Heidi spoke into the wall, her voice carried across the arch to my ear at the other side, about 50 feet away…and her voice was clear as day and no one else could hear. To this date, no one knows whether this fascinating acoustic effect was intentional.

The Black Tile: On the ceiling, just above Cancer the Crab’s claw, is a single black tile. A sticky patina of water stains, train soot, dirt and grime had smothered the ceiling, but the key ingredient in the brown sludge was tobacco—decades and decades of cigarette smoke wafting up with no means of escape. If you have ever bought a car that had been used prior by a smoker, you know the residue that covers everything. To clean it all and still preserve the ceiling’s luster was painstaking work, using only mild sudsy water and gentle scrubbing with Q-tips the job was completed. This tile was purposely left uncleaned. Now you can see just how dirty the ceiling was at the time before the cleaning.

The Constellations on the Ceiling: Across the entire ceiling of Grand Central Station are the constellations the winter zodiac viewable from January to June, from Aquarius to Cancer. Also depicted are Pegasus, Triangulum Majus and Minus, Musca Borealis, and Orion. But unknown to most who gaze up at the ceiling, they were painted backwards, a mistake made by the architect. But crafty Mr. Vanderbilt covered up the mistake by telling everyone this was the view that God would see looking down upon them.

Next stop, the New York City Library….a gorgeous building and a chance to let us dry off and get out of the cold on our way back to the hotel. This building opened in 1911 and was the largest marble building ever built in the United States. The lion statues at the entrance are unofficially name Patience and Fortitude. Not sure why, but in the massive collection are locks of hair from the heads of Charlotte Brontë, Walt Whitman, Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Wild Bill Hickok, among others. Also here are the original Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore, but we couldn’t find them. Ghostbusters was filmed here as well as Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It is truly beautiful inside.

By the time we got back to the hotel, Heidi was soaked through and through, and we were both chilled to the bone…so instead of going out to eat, we ordered a pizza and a bottle of wine and warmed up in our room as the rain continued to lash at our windows.

This evening we Uber to the Lyric Theatre for another Broadway play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a must for any fan of Harry Potter. On the way to the theatre, the thunderstorm arrived….lightening, thunder, torrential rain….perfect effect for Harry Potter!!!! This play was filled with special effects so professionally done we couldn’t figure out how they did some of them. And the Dementors were pretty scary, thought for sure the kids in the audience had nightmares for nights to come. Very entertaining.

Despite the weather, we had a great time, and I’m sure we will return, but doubtful it will be at Spring Break.

Cute sign in our bathroom at the Ace Hotel.

December Sun in Todos Santos….and Turtles

Posted on January 22, 2024 by buskbob

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
-Matsu Basho

Once again, we escaped the cold, the grey, the snow of Eastern Washington, and made our annual pilgrimage to Todos Santos. Two week respite of sun, warmth, and good food. Time to forget about the stress of work and just veg for a bit.

Turtles

We have a beach we like to call our own, just a few miles north of town. We like it as we are usually the only ones there. Usually we have nothing but sun drenched sand just waiting for us to lay down our towel, plant the umbrella and unfold the chairs, but today we found a beach being pounded by huge waves. It was hard to find even a small spot of dry sand. But find a spot we did, it looked safe, we set up and as the sun was shining we thought we’d wait a bit to see if the tide was going out and perhaps the waves would subside. No sooner had we sat down that we spied a baby turtle trying to make it’s way to the surf. The cutest little thing. The waves though were so fierce the turtle wasn’t able to make any headway and was being beaten back further and further. And then we saw further up the beach more turtles…some helpless on their backs, others in danger of being eaten by a flock of opportunist seagulls, and others tossed so far up the beach they were almost into the scrub brush. It appeared a nest of turtles had just hatched and these baby turtles were desperately trying to make their way to the waves. But with the conditions as they were, all were in danger of dying, so we got to work. Heidi was the spotter, and I scooped up the sand under the turtle and carried it to the surf, timing my release with the outgoing wave. One after another we watched our little hatchlings make their way into the ocean. A few we thought on the verge of death, found on their backs drying out in the sun, perked up as soon as the water hit them. The instinct in them to pursue the open water is amazing. We counted 27 turtles we saved. We felt like heros!!!!!

Go Little Guy!!! Go!!!

So Cute!!!!

While we busied ourselves saving the turtles, we failed to notice the tide was rising, the surf was coming up over the sand berm and washing inland. Our beach towels, chairs, and cooler were all washed inland. And scarier yet, our car was now surrounded by several inches of sea water. Quick as can be, we collected our beach gear, hopped into the car and escaped before becoming part of the ocean. But we had huge grins on our faces knowing 27 turtles made it to sea.

I think I’ll let some of our pictures do the rest of the talking on this posting.

Adios, Todos Santos….until next year!!!!

Sipping Our Way Through Okanagan BC Wine Country

Posted on January 21, 2024 by buskbob

“Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.” — Ernest Hemingway.

A few years ago, on a whim, we decided to take a drive north of the border to explore the wine country in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. “Just for the day”, we said, “to see what it is like.” Once we crossed the border, our first destination was Moon Curser Vineyards – a choice feuled by both the intriguing name and the captivating story they shared. During the Gold Rush days, unscrupulous gold-smuggling miners would cross the border, all under the cover of night, trying to avoid custom agents at all cost. Often, the light of the moon would foil their plans, shedding light onto their surreptitious travels and activities….Curse you moon!!!!! Besides their captivating narrative, we found we also loved the wine and the breathtaking view down to the lake.

“Let’s keep exploring!”…. off to nearby Nk’ Mip Cellars (pronounced “In Ka Meep”), the first indigenous owned winery in all of North America. The wine here was also good…so let’s try another….backtracked to Young and Wyse Collections for their Cab Sauv, then to Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery, located right off the highway. As the day unfolded, our enjoyment surpassed expectations, prompting us to extend our adventure into the night. A quick visit to the local grocery store for toothbrushes (we hadn’t planned to spend the night so we didn’t pack anything), followed by a check-in at the Nk’ Mip Resort (a sprawling hotel and casino), a delightful dinner at their restaurant, and we finally called it a night. Next morning bright and early we zipped back home in time for Heidi to be at work by 7:30 am, and made a vow to return soon.

And return we have, once or twice a year, always finding new wineries and places to stay and eat. We truly love this unique wine growing region of British Columbia. Similar to Wenatchee and Chelan, once known for growing apples, the Canadian Okanagan was world renowned for growing peaches. In both locations, grapes have surpassed the tree fruits as the predominant agriculture crop, and wineries are popping up all over the place.

Oliver

Just north of Osoyoos, is the town of Oliver. Oliver is home to over 40 wineries and calls itself ‘The Wine Capital of Canada’, and rightly so. Grapes grown here on the Golden Mile Bench enjoy a warm climate and it’s location on the west side of the valley gets morning, rather than afternoon sunshine, making it a little cooler than the Osoyoos area just south.

We found the greatest little villas here to stay, Hester Creek Villas. It is our preferred spot to stay. There are only 6 villas, each with a commanding view of the valley below. The rooms are exquisitely decorated, you are greeted with a complimentary bottle of Hester Creek wine, and each morning a scrumptious breakfast is brought to your room….hard to beat. They book up months in advance so you must plan ahead. Plus the winery at Hester Creek is amazing and their on-site restaurant, Terrafina, serves up delicious meals.

Some of our favorite Oliver Wineries:

VinAmité Cellars- A small family-owned winery right off the main highway. The first time we stopped here we sat on their sunny back deck, sipping some excellent viognier, gazing at the vineyard below. Over time we have become friends with the servers and regularly trade wines.

Nice little charcuterie plate with local cheeses, meat, jam, and mustard

District Wine Village – On the North Edge of town is the District Wine Village. It was built with a local community mindset, to celebrate artisan production and craftmanship. Currently there are 12 small boutique wineries nestled around a center stage (used for ice skating in the winter). We have found several wineries here we really like. (Apricus, Winemakers CUT, and Gneiss)

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Another winery with a great story. In 1980, the Burrowing Owl was declared extinct in the BC Province. Since 2002, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery has donated over one million dollars toward the captive breeding program, and now the numbers of Burrowing Owls have continued to grow. Each year approximately 50 breeding pairs of yearling owls are released into the wild….quite a success!!!! And they make great wine here, plus they also have villas (we are staying in one later this year) and on on-site restaurant, The Sonora Room.

Stone Boat Pinot House – Another family owned winery that specializes in Pinot Noir…really delicious Pinot Noir. And one of the servers, Ove, entertains us with his tales and stories.

Others we have visited and enjoy: Maverick Estate Winery, Church and State Wines, French Door Winery (really great Rose), Intersection Estate Winery, Nostalgia Wines Inc.(Formerly Oliver Twist), River Stone Estate Winery, Rust Wine Co., Platinum Bench Winery (and they make fantastic artisan bread), and Tinhorn Creek Winery (they have an amazing restaurant here, Miradoro)

We also visited Silver Sage Winery, Phantom Creek Estate (a little too pretentious for us), Road 13 Vineyards, Red Horses Vineyards, Kismet Estate Winery, Jackson Triggs Okanagan Estate, Covert Farms Family Estate Winery, and Black Hills Estate Winery. So we still have about 20 more to visit!!!!

Okanagan Falls (OK Falls)

North of Oliver, just as you pass Vaseux Lake, you take a right on Oliver Ranch Road and head up to a little valley full of vineyards and wineries. We happened upon this area just by chance and discovered several wineries we really enjoy. Bonamici Cellars is a small winery owned by two families. Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery boasts an amazing view down to the lake and they have a picnic area where you can enjoy a picnic lunch and sips. Our favorite in the area is Stag’s Hollow Winery where two female winemakers put out some excellent Albariño and Syrah. We stopped for lunch at a winery on the other side of the valley, See Ya Later Ranch.

Naramata

Probably our favorite area to visit is the Naramata Bench. Set up above beautiful Lake Okanagan, this area sports perfect soil conditions for growing about 50 different grape varieties. The vineyards cling to the hillsides and are blessed with long days of sunshine. We have found some of our favorite wineries here.

Black Widow Winery – Everytime we would drive past this winery, Heidi would say, “No, I don’t want to stop there, I hate spiders.” But we kept hearing how good their wine was, so we overcame our arachnophobia and made our way into this amazing winery. The recommendations were spot-on, for the wine is delicious and well made, and the staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. We now can say we love Black Widow!!!!

Marichel – Excellent Syrah here, not the big, bold Syrah you find down in Walla Walla or Red Mountain, more of a medium-bodied temperate Syrah, but still with that slight peppery taste. The small little porch is a comfy spot to sip and take in the stunning view down to the lake.

On the Deck at Marichel Winery…we always get this corner table.

Lake Breeze Winery – We always stop at Lake Breeze, for their delicate wines but also to eat at THE PATIO, their on-site restaurant. The tables are shaded by trees and vines, the food is sooooo good, all farm to table, locally sourced. Once seated you just don’t want to ever leave!!!

Upper Bench Winery and Creamery – We come for the wine, but also for their cheese, and in the summer, for their wood fired oven pizza!!!! Pizza and Pinot Noir, such a good combination!!!

Other wineries we have visited and just love:

Bench 1775, Deep Roots, Hillside Winery and Bistro, La Frenz Estate Winery, Lang Vineyards, Poplar Grove Winery, Little Engine Wines, Roche Wines, Terra Vista Winery, Serendipity Winery, Tightrope Winery, Nichol Vineyards, Therapy WInery, Van Westen Vineyards. And we still have a few more to visit!!!

When we stay in Naramata, our choice of accommodation is Villa Magnolia, three tastefully decorated rooms overlooking the deep blue waters of Lake Okanagan.

Summerland

Each time we go, we tend to venture further and further, trying out new areas, new wineries. Last trip we made it to Summerland, on the west side of Lake Okanagan, pretty much right across the lake from Villa Magnolia. We enjoyed the wine at 8th Generation Winery, had the patio all to ourselves. Ventured up into the hillsides above Summerland to visit Silkscarf Winery, Lunessence Winery and Vineyards and Thornhaven Estate Winery. Had delicious Pizza and Sauv. Blanc at Dirty Laundry Vineyards.

We’ll be back again this year, ready to try out some of our favorites and explore new spots….heck, perhaps we’ll venture further north to try the whites in the Peachland and Kelowna area. Wine tasting is just a fun way to spend time together and explore beautiful spots in this world.

Las Vegas, Baby

Posted on March 21, 2023 by buskbob

Man, I really like Vegas! -Elvis Presley

Over the years we have visited Las Vegas numerous times…mostly for shows, but also for the sun, a bit of gambling, hikes, and our favorite pastime, people watching. It is a wild and crazy city that never seems to sleep, full of glitz, glamour and lights.

So we have stayed at so many spots…Mandalay Bay…stayed here numerous times…love the water features they have, the lazy river, the wave pool, stayed here with Jamie when she was little and she loved the water and pools. Delano, right behind Mandalay Bay, used to be called THE HOTEL…We stayed here three times and enjoyed the quietness of the property, but the last time it just wasn’t clean. And we were disappointed with the Delano pool area where the lounges were practically right on top of the next one…hardly room to breathe. The Mirage, nice pool, fun casino, recently purchased by Hard Rock. Paris, stayed here with friends, lot of restaurant choices, Heidi will always remember the LARGE New York Ice Teas, Love eating at Bon Ami Gabi for breakfast. The Tropicana, first spot Heidi and I stayed together, we won so much in the casino. Heidi grabbed a $500.00 spin and we treated her mom and dad to Mamma Mia playing at Mandalay Bay. The property is a bit dated and is currently being considered as the futute site for a professional baseball stadium. Red Rock Hotel and Spa…a bit off the strip, but this property is still one of our favorites. There were many pools to choose from, never felt crowded. There is a 72 lane bowling alley, a 16 screen movie theatre complex and great food spots to eat. They used to have a free shuttle from the airport and would also transport to and from the strip….but COVID brought an end to that perk. And lastly, the Bellagio. While all the spots had a certain appeal, the Bellagio has been our favorite….Just seems to have an air of class, and we get a room with the view of the fountains. Love that it is situated near the center of the strip and the gaming area never seems smoky.

Valley of Fire

One trip we brought along our hiking shoes, rented a car, and made our way to The Valley of Fire State Park. It is a little over an hour drive northeast of the city, a small entry fee, and then you choose the trails you want to tackle. The vistas here are stunning, absolutely stunning. Rock walls and canyons of multiple hues. Large and small arches and even petroglyphs. We spent an entire day just exploring one trail after the other. It was late spring when we went, so the weather was not brutally hot, and we saw NO snakes.

Shows

Not sure if I can remember all the shows we have been to. We love a good show and there are plenty to choose from in Las Vegas.

I think we have been to every one of the Cirque du Soliel shows

“O” at Bellagio – World class acrobats, divers, synchonized swimmers, even comedy…and the costumes…WOW!!!! And the music!!!!!

The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage – Pays homage to the Beatles and their musical accomplishments….great music and dance revolving around the themes of the songs. Extreme sports, acrobatics, even bubbles. If you love the Beatles, you will love LOVE.

Ka at the MGM – Archers, spearmen, performers climbing all over the theatre, the show revolves around the story of a set of twins, a boy and a girl, and their perilous journey.

Mystére at Treasure Island – This was the first Cirque show in Las Vegas, opened in 1993 and still going strong. Probably the show with the most athleticism and acrobatics.

Zumanity was at New York, New York. This show, caberet style, adult themed, opened in 2003 and had a good 20 year run. It has closed and has been replaced with a new Cirque show, Mad Apple. Many people were put off by the adult themes in Zumanity, but we found this show to be good fun. Next trip we will take in Mad Apple

Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay – We loved this show, filled with dancing, guitar playing, singing, and all the great Michael Jackson songs…and yes, even a little moon-walking. The Michael Jackson avatar looked so dang real….it felt like Michael was actually there on stage!!!

Some other shows we enjoyed:

Absinthe at Caesars Palace – They describe this show as rowdy and raunchy, and we would agree, but I don’t think we have ever seen a show where we laughed so hard. And we were right up front and had to cover up with plastic during the bathtub presentation. Not for everyone, but so funny.

Le Reve was at The Wynn – A Cirque du Soleil type show, with seating all around the stage, or should I call it a million gallon pool stage. Great lighting and effects, and while we enjoyed it, it wasn’t nearly as good as “O”, in our humble opinion. It had a good run from 2005 til 2020. It has been replaced with a new show, Awakening, a dance-centric, cirque-type presentation.

Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at The MGM – We have been to a number of comedy clubs, but we feel this one is the best in Vegas. They always seen to have three different comedians each time. The club is small and intimate and we always get some good chuckles at this venue.

Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas always seems to grab their share of top performers and broadway shows. We happened to be down in Vegas at the same time Heidi’s parents were staying in an RV Park. Heidi happened to win big, so we treated her mom and dad and the four of us took in Mamma Mia. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that show and all the Abba music.

New York New York Roller Coaster at New York New York – My daughter is a roller coaster lover…so of course we had to do this coaster…like five times including once at night sitting in the very front car. The loop-de-loop really did me in.

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Food

There is so much good food in Las Vegas. It used to be you could come to Vegas and eat real cheap, big steaks for only a few bucks, inexpensive buffets, free drinks while you gambled, but those days are pretty much gone. Today there are high end restaurants with celebrity chefs, exquisite buffets, and bars mixing up exotic cocktails and drinks. Oh, you can still find many a fast food places, and drinks are still served when you gamble (just not as many waitresses and they only seem to come around once an hour or so) When we come we always try to hit a couple of really nice restaurants, always trying something new and different, and we always take in a steakhouse…SW Steakhouse at the Wynn, the Steak House at CIrcus Circus, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, the StripSteak at Mandalay Bay …all of them delicious with exceptional service. Our last visit we tried a new breakfast spot for us, Bon Ami Gabi at Paris. Really amazing Eggs Benedict and Bottomless Mimosas. We never go hungry (or thirsty) in Vegas!!!!!

More than anything, we just come to Vegas to have a fun time. We never stay too long, a few days, a few shows, some good food, veggiing by the pool and just walking about. We love the city in small doses and it is always on our list of spots to return.

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Yes, Todos Santos Again!!!!

Posted on January 18, 2023 by buskbob

In travel, as in life, seek places that speak to your soul, add value and perspective, have both an impact and the opportunity to make an impression and provide memories for a lifetime. THOSE are your places.

Seems every winter we have been heading down to the Baja Peninsula in search of sun. We used to go to Hawaii in December to escape the snow, the ice, the cold. But we kept finding rain and crowds, so we tried Cabo one year and came upon Todos Santos. This has become our “go to” winter escape spot.

SInce we have been here so many times, we have pretty much explored the surrounding area, have visited most of the shops and art galleries, and have sampled the food at most of the restaurants. So what to do this time?

Well first off, we made reservations at a new spot, It is always a little stressful trying out a spot having never been there before….but we read all the reviews, looked at every photo we could find and said, “Let’s go for it!” And so glad we did. Named VILLAS LA MAR, the villas sit tucked into the hillside high above the ocean. Each unit has a commanding view of the Pacific and a lagoon below filled with water fowl. We sat on that deck every day and watched whales migrate past us on their way to their birthing lagoons. What a sight. (I even brought a set of high powered binoculars along so we could get an “up-close” look) Each deck was equipped with a gas fire pit…so nice when the sun set and the air turned cool. Our bed was situated such that when you woke in the morning and sat up, the entire ocean was in view. Heck, you even had a view from the shower!!!! Besides the view, we loved that our apartment had a full kitchen so we could eat in whenever we wanted. And a real plus for Heidi, every thing was spick and span, clean as a whistle. The ever so friendly and ever so helpful staff was there when needed, even loaned us a couple beach chairs, an umbrella and a cooler for our stay. The only negative, if you could call it that, was our unit was at the tippy-top, up 94 stairs. But we thought it was a good way to work off some of the weight gain we were sure to experience after eating all the delicious food this village has to offer.

Knowing the area so well, we knew where to go for a beach of our own. Our trusty little VW Polo rental did well as we navigated down dusty, rutted dirt roads until we arrived at “our” beach. There we set up our umbrella, chairs, towels and sat down to soak up the sun and read a book or two. Now and then, for no reason at all, you hop up and take a long walk down the deserted beach. And, with our cooler filled with ice and Pacifico Beer, we could enjoy a refreshment with our picnic lunch. When we tired of the sun, we headed to the nearest beach bar to partake in some guac and chips and an ice cold margarita. I know, sounds a bit boring, but that is what we love to do when we come here….pretty much nothing, void of all stress, and above all, taking in the sunshine!!!!

Last time we were here we were on the search for the best Margarita in town. This time, our quest would be the best chilaquiles. Now chilaquiles happen to be Heidi’s favorite breakfast meal. You start with fresh, fried tortilla chips, add them to a simmering Verde (green) sauce, some prefer a red sauce. Place the soaked tortilla chips at the bottom of a bowl. Add on top some Cotija cheese or queso fresco, a fried egg, some onion, cilantro, avocado, and beans (refried or whole). Delicious!!!!!! Goes well with a mimosa!!!! We tried them all over town, and voted for the one we enjoyed the most. (doesn’t take much to entertain us!!!!) Hands down, unanimous all around, the winner was DoceCuarenta….a lovely, little coffee roasting spot just out of town.

Chilaquiles at Docecuarenta – Oh So GOOD!!!

cute little spot….and they roast their coffee on the spot

It is amazing the quality food you can find in this little town. Besides DoceCuarenta, we were bound and determined to find some new dining locations. Our first find, Taller 17, a hole in the wall bakery/coffee shop. Only three customers allowed in the shop at one time, there always seems to be a line. But the wait is worth it when you exit with expertly brewed latte or cappuccino and a couple of heaven-sent cinnamon rolls. My eyes roll up into my head just thinking about those mind blowing cinnamon rolls.

Just so tiny but fill with do much goodness

We had heard of this amazing farm to table spot, just down the highway in Pescadero, Hierbabuena. As always, you drive down a dirt road for about a mile, and then there it is, in the middle of their farm. As much as possible, this restaurant pulls ingredients directly from their fields and uses only locally sourced meats and poultry. Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh. And again, the service was impeccable. But when you have Heidi along, who can resist falling in love with us?

My daughter, Jamie, from her trip down here last year, recommended Fish Tacos Santo Chilote for the best tacos in town. Our first night in town, that is where we went after we had checked into the room. And Jamie was spot on…amazing shrimp tacos and fish tacos. You add whatever extras you want on top, and then let your taste buds have a party!!!! And their margaritas were large and strong!!!!

A trip to Todos Santos is never complete without a walk-about the town. We mosey into stores, talk with the gallery owners, and try to find interesting things to photograph.

we actually brought a shaker and muddler from home so we could make our own margaritas

Every year we get a picture with Mr. Margarita at Tequila Sunrise

So, I’ll be keeping this post a bit short. We came away with tans to make everyone at home jealous. We read a couple books each. Despite the stairs, I’m pretty sure we will be taking home a few extra pounds. We found some new restaurants and place to stay. But more than anything, we enjoyed our time together here in Todos Santos. Nothing better than 10 days alone with the person you love.

Will we come again? Probably. But it is growing. More and more homes are being built. The word has gotten out. I suppose when our empty beaches start to become populated, then we will go in search of a new sleepy village on the ocean.

always like taking photos of this beautiful woman!!!

Father-Daughter Hike to Kalalau

Posted on January 17, 2023 by buskbob

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Kalalau, a remote beach and valley on the island of Kauai. To get there you must hike 11 miles, cross three streams, traverse up and down 3500 plus feet of elevation gain, and brave “Crawler’s Ledge”. It is considered one of the 10 most dangerous hikes in the world, for when it rains (and it does rain quite often on Kauai….there is a reason it is called the “Garden Isle”) the trail becomes as slick as ice, and the usually lazy streams you must cross can become swollen and angry and have swept more than one person to their death. Add tropical heat to the mix and sometimes powerful winds, and goats knocking rocks onto you and you have the recipe for a serious hike.

This trail was always on my bucket list, so in 2009, with the blessings of my wife, I secured a camping permit for five days and flew to Kauai with my loaded backpack, trekking poles, and an excited heart. I was lucky and had clear weather there and back, a little rain during my stay, but mostly glorious weather. I returned with tales of gorgeous sunsets, finding wild guava, lillikoi, oranges and tamarind nuts, soaking in streams, gazing at a night sky full of stars, and meeting wild and crazy people.

Unbeknownst to me, my tales of this enchanted valley reached my daughter’s ears and tickled her imagination. And she came to me and asked if I would hike to Kalalau with her. I’m 68 and not nearly in the shape I was back in 2009, but how could I say no? But first came COVID and then a massive storm caused mud slides that closed the road to the trailhead for months, but finally the trail opened up, so one morning at 3:00 am, I accessed the Hawaii State Parks website and luckily secured two permits for three nights in Kalalau. (unlike back in 2009 when you could secure a reservation a year in advance, you must now get online 90 days in advance, be sure to connect at 12:00 am Hawaii Time and quickly click on the date ninety days in advance…if luck is with you a permit will be yours)

Now my daughter is 28 and fit as a fiddle, unlike her creaky-legged father. I had three months to get in shape for this hike….so off I went each day hiking around home. I purchased two round trip tickets to Kauai, rented an Airbnb for both ends of the trip and hired a local to drive us to the trailhead. We were ready

Bright and early, just as the sun was coming up, we hit the trail. You don’t get much time to warm up, for the trail begins climbing immediately….up hill for the first mile, not a gentle incline, but up and over basalt boulders and slippery rocks, but you are fresh, you are excited to be on the trail, and even your backpack isn’t very heavy at this stage. And when you stop and turn around, you are greeted with the sun rising over the ocean and back down to your starting point, Kee Beach. And before you know it, you start descending back down to sea level and at the 2 mile mark you cross Hanakāpīʻai Stream and are at Hanakāpi’ai Beach. We stopped for pictures and then hit the trail again. But now the trail narrows and climbs up for what seems forever, till you reach the highest point of the trail at Space Rock. (800 meters)

Looking down at our starting point, Kee Beach, as the sun meets the day.

From Space Rock you descend into the next valley, Hoolulu Valley, then up again and down to Waiahuakua Valley. The Pali cliffs soar heavenward, the air quite still, the heat sweltering in this area. The backpack you thought was quite light at the beginning of the hike is now tugging at your shoulders and you keep drinking water to stay hydrated.

THE TRAIL

At about 6 and a quarter miles in you come to the second major stream crossing at Hanakoa. This is considered the halfway mark and many people stop here for the night, breaking the hike into two days…but not us, no, we refilled our water bottles and trudged on…excited to soon reach the infamous Crawler’s Ledge. Now Crawler’s ledge is a very exposed section of the trail, carved right into the cliff. There have been legions of hikers who come to this point and turn around, not willing or able to negotiate this section. Others actually crawl portions. I have never found it to be too difficult, you just watch where you are walking, one foot in front of the next, and before you know it you have made it.

Heading down toward Crawler’s Ledge…this section is actually a lot tougher and sketchier that the Ledge.

Hiking Crawler’s Ledge

Once you traverse Crawler’s Ledge you breathe a sigh of relief and know there are only 2 more miles to the beach. And while most of the tough climbs are finished, you still need to cross one more stream and descend Red Hill, known for its loose gravel and tricky footing, and exposure to the sun.

Soon you come upon the a most welcome sight, the welcome sign to Kalalau.

Jamie was so excited to reach the beach, she hiked ahead and staked out a camping spot. That left me to plod along, my legs more than a bit tired, in all honesty, downright exhausted. But I made it into camp, set up our tent, enjoyed the beach a bit and then got down to making dinner…nothing special tonight…ramen and chicken, but boy did it taste good.

The next day we lounged about the beach, explored the caves, and hiked up into the valley. Lots of guava, some oranges, but no mangoes this time of year and I could not remember where the Tamarind Tree was located. The valley is dry, result of a lack of rain this year. The sunrises and sunsets are stunning. And at night the stars truly put on a show.

A Kalalau Sunset

Morning on the beach. Love the Na Pali cliffs, worn by time and erosion.

The stars are beginning to come out, the clouds all wispy.

The waterfall where you get your fresh water and where you can wash away all the trail dust.

A Kalalau Morning

The last full day at the beach came with the threat of rain. We could see big, black clouds coming towards us and the threat of heavy precipitation. So around mid-day, we made the decision to pack up and hike to Hanakoa. This way we would be across two of the major streams and halfway home the next day should the trail be muddy and slick. We arrived into Hanakoa just as the rain started to fall. Shared a permanent shelter with a two couples who also decided Hanakoa was far enough. It was a wet night, but up early and on the trail. I think I bit the dust (mud) three times on the way back. The trail was wet and slippery. But around 1:00 or so, we marched into the parking lot at Kee Beach. We bummed a ride with a trail maintenance volunteer and he took us all the way to the rental car area at the airport. Fun guy to talk with, both his sons are world champion boogie boarders. (The Hubbards….they make Hubboard Boards) The next day Jamie and I vegged out at a beach and ate as much as we possibly could eat….good to have something other than trail food.

I have to say, the trip was a challenge for me physically. I just didn’t train the right way, didn’t do enough hills, didn’t hit the stairmaster enough. But I spent a week with my daughter, in one of the most beautiful spots in this world. It doesn’t get much better than that!!!!!

Will I do it again? Perhaps!!!!!

Making first night dinner…ramen, chicken and dehydrated veggies

NEW YORK CITY

Posted on September 23, 2022 by buskbob

I love short trips to New York; to me it is the finest three-day town on earth.’ – James Cameron

It has been quite a while since we visited New York, and I actually wasn’t going to blog about this trip, but Heidi, being much, much wiser than me, reminded me that our blog is a memory piece, a place we can return to and relive our travels and adventures, our experiences and escapades. So here goes…..

Spur of the moment, we went to New York City, the Big Apple. Both my parents were born here…Brooklyn and Queens, and I spent quite a number of days here in my youth, but Heidi had never been. We had four days during Spring Break and were determined to see as much of this amazing city as possible.

We had some “wintery weather”…rain and even snow, but the first day was spring-like….some blue sky, a nippy little breeze….weather just right for walking in Central Park…and walk we did, from one end to the other taking in all the sights.

Had to fit in some museum time so we took in MOMA and the Guggenheim….priceless art treasures inside of both these world class museums.

We made it to the Lady and Ellis Island.

Brrr, cold today but we are at the Statue of Liberty!!!

Steamer Trunks…before lunggage on wheels

Spent several evenings around Times Square, walked among the crazy hats at the Easter Parade outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and rode the subway to Columbia University to get some sweatshirts.

We ate New York pizza and New York cheesecake, went to a Broadway Show; Book of Mormon, and visited the Empire State Building. We were sorry we didn’t get tickets to Good Morning America, but we saw where it is filmed as well as the Today Show at Rockefeller Center. We spent several hours in the 911 museum and Ground Zero….so moving, so emotional, so powerful.

Took Heidi to see the Project Runway store, MOOD….disappointed that Swatch was out for a walk. One day, in search of four large segments of the Berlin Wall, the sleet and rain worked their way through Heidi’s clothes…she was so cold but didn’t want to stop our discovery….so into the massive Macy’s store we went and out came Heidi in a warm, camo jacket…..all warmed and raring to go, we finally found the home of the Berlin Wall, only to find they had been carted away and stored until MOMA buys and displays them in the museum. Bummer, but the journey was fun.

Empire State Building…and Heidi’s Camo Jacket bought at Macy’s because she was freezing.

There is so much to see and so much to do in NYC that we have vowed to come back again to take in what we missed, and perhaps to take in another Broadway show. And perhaps more of that New York Pizza and Cheesecake!!!

Our Adventures

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

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