Friday, November 26, 2010

The Blue Danube & Prague

One more travel opportunity we couldn't resist - we do enjoy river travel. This one started in Budapest - we had been there in 1972 and everything seemed pretty grey under communism. Now it seems to be booming and it's a beautiful city with a lot of history. We had city tours and time to explore on our own.

The ship was the River Aria with Grand Circle Travel. We've decided we like being taken care of - transportation, pickup/delivery from/to airports, etc. The meals on the ship are always wonderful, the program directors knowledgeable and helpful. We had a total of seven nights on the ship.

Our next stop was Brataslava in Slovakia, another historic city. Then to Vienna - and a tour of the Opera House - with the Christmas markets starting to be set up. Then to Linz. Don took the tour to Salzburg - I remembered it from 1972 so I stayed back and went shopping with two Minnesota sisters we had met on the ship. That was fun.

Our last stop on the Danube was Linz - another interesting city.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Egypt - 2010

We finally made it to Egypt and what a place! It is a land of contrasts and it was especially interesting to be there during Ramadan - no daylight savings time, no eating or drinking (even water) between sunrise and sunset, museums and shops on varying open/closed schedules, and much celebration and eating after sunset for the faithful. I highly recommend Overseas Adventure Travel - they took such very good care of the 14 of us in our group. The food was fantastic and very satisfying (mostly Mediterranean - hummus, tahini, pita bread, baba ghanoush, a soft white cheese to die for, grilled chicken, kofta, rice pilaf, grilled tomatoes, french fries, wonderful pastries made with nuts and honey, etc.).

We saw the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, visited several tombs in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, went into King Tut's tomb, visited the Howard Carter home (due to be open to the public next year), took a hot air balloon ride around Queen Hatshepsut's temple, had a too-short but wonderful Nile cruise (Luxor to Aswan), a camel ride (note that Ruth got the biggest camel), saw a sunrise on the way to Abu Simbel, had a felucca (sail boat) ride to a botanical garden, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the back streets and markets of Luxor, visited a farm and also a women's sewing center, had mint tea in a Nubian home and dinner with a family in their home in Aswan. And of course we visited the Pyramids and Sphinx, and saw the "solar" boat in the Cheops Boat Museum (put together after 4000 years), and a trip to the oldest step pyramid at Saqqara. We also went to the Citadel of Salah Al-Din in Cairo, visiting the mosque, a Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Church and Jewish Synagogue. It is amazing to learn the similarities between the religions - we sometimes pay more attention to the differences. Of course there were the markets and vendors - bargaining required.

Tarek, our guide and Egyptologist, was wonderful and everyone in our group was easy-going and noncomplaining (no novice travelers in this group). It was a fabulous trip and the hardest part was the long bus ride in the sky to get home.

Use our name if you book with Grand Circle or Overseas Travel Adventures (http://www.oattravel.com/) - you'll get a discount.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Full Day in Jamestown

Thursday was a very full day.

First our breakfast (a very nice vegetarian omelette).

Next, arrival of our newly retired friend Betsie from the San Francisco area (only a 3-hour drive). It was good to see and be with her most of the day.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is only a couple of blocks from Jamestown's Main street. It turned out to to be very remarkable. We enjoyed a guided tour of the still-working Roundhouse that holds seven locomotives at a time. They had just completed the complete renovation of their locomotive No. 3. Since the 1920's it has been in over 100 movies and television shows (e.g., High Noon, Petticoat Junction). They had built and have installed a brand new steam boiler on locomotive that meets all the modern steam boiler regulations. You can see in Ruth's and Betsie's faces how excited they were to be there.

Returning to the hotel we discovered the lights weren't working in our room, and walking into town (next door) all the stores and eateries were without power also. So we hung out on the balcony outside where there was a warm breeze (oh yes, it was quite hot that day).

Then it was time for Betsie to return (another three-hour drive) for hockey practice.

So we checked out Sonora. What a busy, crowded place. Not quiet and small like Jamestown (good choice, Don). Don had also found on the internet some entertainment for us:

Sierra Repertory Theatre "The Marvelous Wonderettes"



by Roger Bean, Music by Various

Off-Broadway's brand new smash! When the band doesn't show at Springfield High's prom, The Wonderettes -- Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy -- step in to save the day. The girls belt out 50s favorites like "It's My Party," "Mr. Sandman" and "It's In His Kiss," trade teenage gossip and share their big, bold hopes and dreams. You've never had this much fun at a prom and you will never forget THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES! "Hilariously inventive and highly entertaining, bubbly and irrepressible!" Associated Press

My goodness, the energy those gals have!

We head back to San Diego in the morning. It's been a pleasant sojourn. Next month, Egypt.


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Historic Jamestown, CA

We've made it to Jamestown, California along Historic Highway 49. Our apologies to Norm driving his beautiful long RV along the winding roads last year. They're still very winding and steep - even in our smaller Honda CRV.

The hotel is wonderful - old seeming yet sufficiently modern (TV tucked away into a small armoire, wireless internet). Don is loo0king forward to checking out Railtown (http://www.railtown1897.org/railtown/default.asp) I suspect is the real reason we're here. It's o.k. with me.

this is our room:





Fiery Lola Montez

Queen-sized bed and claw foot tub compliment this antique filled room next to our balcony. Separate sitting room and a TV/VCR.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Last Day


Our last day in Arizona - we've enjoyed the trip (especially the leisurely pace). Prescott is a delightful city with the wonderful feel of a small historic town. Our hotel is right downtown and in walking distance of the town square, courthouse (still in use as such), shops, restaurants, Victorian homes, etc.

Morning included breakfast in the Peacock (dining) Room - lemon souffle pancakes (served with raspberries) and fresh pecan coffeecake (trying to eat light knowing we'd have lunch later). Then another walk around town and visitor's center. We managed to check out with five minutes to spare (oh, the stress of a noon deadline!). We met our friend Kate Higgins for lunch at the Palace Saloon and Restaurant (http://www.historicpalace.com/) and enjoyed catching up.

Then the most miserable three hours of the entire trip - driving west into the sun and heat to Blythe (but the scenery was still enjoyable). Tomorrow four hours (plus stops) to home and the kitties.

Best addition to our travel arsenal (adding to king sheet to cover motel bedspreads, brighter light bulbs to read by, instant hot water maker and instant coffee for Ruthi until Don wakes up in the a.m.) is a NIGHTLIGHT - wow, we've used it in each location. No more stumbling in the dark or jerry-rigging a light or listening to a bathroom fan all night (the joys of an aging body).

Now we need to plan our next adventure.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Heading home

Sedona to Prescott via Tlaquepaque and Arcosanti.

Sedona is still beautiful with its red cliffs. Approaching it from the north is far more enchanting than from the south with it's long line of strip malls and motels. Don thinks the stormy weather seemed to enhance everything.

At The Talaquepaque art center in Sedona, I wanted Don to see the outdoor wind sculptures that were twirling around in the brisk breeze. I remembered seeing these from my previous trip and thought he would enjoy them too.

Then on to Arcosanti for lunch and a tour (http://www.arcosanti.org/). Don was impressed with the architectural details (asked lots of questions). Our tour guide was a fine arts student originally from Missouri, moved to New York City and now a workshop attendee (apprentice) halfway through his program. Don would like a stay there (90-year old Paolo Soleri is there on Thursdays to answer questions) - anyone care to join in?

Then on to Prescott. Our internet wanderings led us to the Hassayampa Inn (http://www.hassayampainn.com/) - and we are enjoying it very much. It is a year older than our house and is right in the historic downtown area and we wandered the streets and antique stores after checking in. Dinner was in the Peacock Room (hotel dining room) and Don is enjoying a newspaper in the lobby by the fireplace while I toil away here (in our pleasant room). We brought along two extension cords and I needed both tonight. The available electrical plug is on the opposite side of the room.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Leaving Flagstaff

Well, it was a week that went much too quickly - as they all are these days.

We managed to get loaded up and out the door before 10:00 a.m. checkout. And no check-in until 3:00 p.m. anywhere. So we checked out Sunset Crater and Wapatku (sp) National Park - one cool thing about being a senior with the Golden Age Pass.

We made it to Sedona (25 miles) for night. And that is still a spectacular place to see (despite the commercialization we've come to know and love).

Friday, April 30, 2010

Let it snow...




Thursday was Grand Canyon day! There was a 40% chance of precipitation so we gathered our bad weather stuff and headed out. We started out in sun and headed toward the clouds...then light hail (little balls bouncing on the road ahead of us)...then snow (light flakes aimed at the windshield). It was pretty neat.

The Grand Canyon is still spectacular. The sun would be shining and you could see far distances. Then the clouds rolled in and there was canyon and mist. Then light snow and you could see fellow tourists (mostly speaking foreign languages) heading for cover (the shops). Then sun again - all within minutes. Quite an experience.

The bottom picture is the view from our living room this morning. My only firm plans today are packing - we have to be out by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow and I do dislike rushing. It's been a very short week.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Flagstaff - part 1



We're enjoying Flagstaff and are glad we've done our sightseeing with Steve and Lorelyn. Today is a stay-in day (they just left for Bluff, Utah for Steve's plein air painting class) - the winds are blowing mightily and we're doing laundry and catch-up reading (I'm only on book two of five I brought along).

Sunday Steve and Lorelyn arrived for supper and a show (the new Sherlock Holmes on DVD). Too much action.

Monday we checked out the Riordan Mansion (http://azstateparks.com/parks/rima/index.html) and downtown Flagstaff (lunch at Macy's) and evening entertainment of Last Chance Harvey. Nice film.

Tuesday was Walnut Canyon (http://www.nps.gov/waca/) and La Posada (http://www.laposada.org/) in Winslow for a wonderful gourmet lunch. The place was originally designed by Mary Colter as a hotel for guests traveling by train. It had fallen into disuse by the late 50's and transformed into offices - destroying a lot of the art and charm of the place. It is still being renovated but seems a wonderful place to stay.

It was two-fer Tuesday for videos here so our evening entertainment was A Serious Man (so-so) and Up in the Air (better).

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Day 4, Flagstaff Trip

We did manage to make it to Flagstaff and check-in at 4:00 today - it was pretty hard stretching the 140 miles into a many-hour drive. We started with the Powerhouse Museum in Kingman and had to weave amongst the bikers and Special Car Show people and vehicles sharing the parking lot - another stress time for Ruthi (who doesn't like crowds).

The museum was great (once inside and up the stairs) - depicting the early days of the area, the wagon train travails, the depression era migration (Grapes of Wrath) by truck, and the 1950's Studebaker version of taking the family via Route 66. There were displays of 1950's diners and gas stations - made me think of how good it was to grow up in those days.

The GPS told us we'd be in Flagstaff by 1:00 so we decided to chance the bikers taking Route 66 to Seligman - I think most were already in Kingman - and it was nowhere near the beauty and enchantment of the previous segment (thus the lack of stress - there's always a tradeoff, somebody once said). But it was far more pleasant than the stretches on the Interstate.

We were up to arriving at 3:00 so we stopped in Williams (we'd enjoyed staying there one other trip) and walked the streets. There at least it seemed their economy was doing better (not quite as many closed businesses as I recalled) but still sad.

Then we were up to 3:59 - yippee!!! So back to I-40 and we arrived at our location in the nick of time (just kidding).

We have a "one bedroom deluxe" accommodating 4 people so Steve and Lorelyn will join us for a couple of days on their way to Steve's Plein Air painting class in Utah. Should be fun.

This condo has a wide screen TV and a Ruthi-favored fireplace (on/off switch), washer/dryer, full kitchen with dishwasher, whirlpool tub, private balcony and view of pines.

More later...

Friday, April 23, 2010

Day 3, Flagstaff Trip



Had a slow start in Needles - breakfast (we split a "Big Mess" Omelet with hash browns for Don and biscuit & gravy for me), Needles museum (Don's newest best friend Jackie had been born and raised in Needles then worked for Costco in Washington...), then to the next door thrift store (Don bought two T-shirts and a denim shirt so he wouldn't have to go into deep storage for the remainder of the drive to Flagstaff) then to gas that had jumped to $3.899 per gallon for Biker Weekend so we drove back to town to get 5.57 gallons for $20.00 ($3.59/gal).

Then onward...to Topock the start (or end) of the longest stretch of Route 66 - Very popular for the bikers. They were everywhere. And there were even more of them congregated in Oatman (otherwise a cute little desert town I'd like to stop to see sometime). As we entered the town the parking lot outside was packed with bikes and bikers and got worse as we passed through trying to avoid bikes, walking bikers, burros and other cars trying to get through too.

Otherwise, it was a beautiful scenic drive. We arrived in Kingman around 3:00 and checked in to our selected motel (the coupon doesn't work during Kingman Hog Days of course but the manager found us some special discounts so we stayed). Then to the Mohave museum and a walk around downtown. It is very sad to see all the closed businesses and for sale or lease signs in the windows. A lot of businesses and homes are in disrepair all over.

Tomorrow to Flagstaff - onward we go.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Day 2, Flagstaff Trip




Day 2 and we made it to Needles (by way of Calipatria, Niland, the Salton Sea - it was actually pretty and had many, many seabirds, - Oasis Date Gardens, and Mecca to Joshua Tree National Park - loaded with blooming wild flowers - dark yellow, light yellow, purple, a few pink - and Amboy Crater (http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/needles/amboy.html or http://www.desertusa.com/mnp/mnp_amboy.html)

Then on to Needles to use our special savings coupon for a motel room (less than internet rate) but since it was "Biker Weekend" it would be the normal weekend rate. Well, that explained all the groups of motorcycles passing us in a hurry all day.

Then off to explore downtown Needles. Guess I still like San Diego. We'd had a few sprinkles in the afternoon and the sky and clouds have been spectacular. There was a rainbow the size, clarity and closeness I've never experienced. We climbed the hill by the motel and were impressed by the views of the mountains and clouds with rain in the distance - so spectacular with the late afternoon lighting. Not something you'd notice midday.

We can't check in to Flagstaff before 4:00 Saturday, so we'll need to slow down. Don thinks we might make it to Kingman tomorrow.

(please note photos are in reverse order - maybe someday it will let me move things around to where I want them - this is definitely not the Pagemaker I eventually learned to love!)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Day 1, Flagstaff Trip




We made it to Brawley today (132 miles). It rained a bit going over the mountains and there were patches of snow on the side of the road. Once in the Imperial valley, the sun was out and it was warm but windy. Gas at Costco El Centro was $2.959, elsewhere it is $3.059.

Don had a watchful eye for the different crops being grown in the Valley - he didn't remember seeing corn growing here, and there was one field he didn't recognize so we stopped and determined it was cantaloupes (he didn't remember that growing here either). There was also a field filled with burlap bags we expect were filled with onions or leeks. We should have stopped and looked more carefully so we could be accurate.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Death Valley - February 2010

February and time to get out of town. Where haven't we been in a very long time? Yes, Death Valley and Scotty's Castle. We both remembered being there with our parents but had we been there together in the last 40 years? Don't remember.

So, first stop, the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris. http://www.oerm.org/



It was pretty interesting and we had a personal tour (midweek is great - no crowds!)

Then to Colton for night (grand total of 100 miles - enough for one day).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - day 2

Onward to Death Valley via Olancha and lunch at the world famous Ranch House Cafe (but Don's burgers are better). And what amazing scenery through the valley. It is vast with snow capped mountains in the distance, sand dunes, hills, shrubs, geologic wonders everywhere.

We had reservations at the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in Death Valley Junction that Don found on the web. It looked pretty rustic but interesting (and more affordable than the resorts in the park). We had the Swan Room - the frescoes are hand painted by Marta Becket (dancer, painter, concert pianist) now 85 years old and still performing in her opera house on the weekend.

http://resnexus.com/resnexus/book/more.aspx?B=16&ID=1167&ResID=24247

Thursday, February 25, 2010 - day 3

This day was Scotty's Castle for Ruth. http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/scottys-castle.htm
I loved the house tour, especially the pipe organ concert at the end. Don really enjoyed the underground/power house tour.

Friday, February 26, 2010 - day 4

Long drive home.

Next known trip: Flagstaff, Arizona end of April.