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Victoria’s Chinatown and Biking to Oak Bay

Posted on September 10, 2016 by
Tasteful Homes Surround Victoria's Waterfront

Tasteful Homes Surround Victoria’s Waterfront

Sep. 4:  The loft is decidedly a noisy place on a holiday weekend.  It wasn’t obvious at first, but if it wasn’t the noise carrying from the bar downstairs, it was the neighbors having a party.  And when they settled down, the seagulls starting conversing loudly.  But there are a lot of benefits to urban living, so who’s complaining?

We were heading to the Hotel Grand Pacific, which had a gym, and, on route, we saw a boat show in the marina.  Each and every boat appeared to be handcrafted and extremely artistic.  We walked down and took a closer look at the boats.  read more…

Posted in Canada, North America, Victoria
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Royal BC Museum and Downtown Victoria

Posted on September 10, 2016 by
High Tea Is Served at the Empress Hotel

High Tea Is Served at the Empress Hotel

Sep. 5:  We had a bit of a groggy start to the day.  I slept like a rock, but my body was running slow due to the shitty Chinese food from last night.  Michael did not sleep well, due to the party in the alley and in the apartment next door.  But we were determined to get moving, because we have get moving personalities.  Today we wanted to explore the Royal BC Museum and downtown Victoria.  A trip to the gym provided rhythm and seemed to work out some of the funk. 

After the gym, we saw there was a festival on the Parliament lawn and checked it out.  I got a total kick out of female vocalists doing renditions of Stevie Wonder tunes.  The feeling from the people dancing and celebrating was contagious.  Kicking back and celebrating is absolutely something that must be done in places where the summer is short.  The Pacific Northwest has short summers, but they are dependably warm and dry.  This creates the perfect environment for summer festivals.read more…

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Parliament and Robert Bateman Center

Posted on September 10, 2016 by
A Mural of Vancouver Island

A Mural of Vancouver Island

Sep. 6 and 7:  I am back in Eugene now.  It took the better part of the day to travel from Victoria to Eugene.  But I will back track to yesterday morning.  We had a whole other fun filled day in Victoria, so let me not brush over that.

I slept like a rock despite the party at Lucky Bar and due to Michael’s days long sleep deprivation, he managed to conk out for the night too.

We skipped the gym, because resting the muscles is a wise thing once in a while.  And instead we started the morning with a walk downtown to a couple of museums.read more…

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Traveling Solo vs with a Friend vs with a Group

Posted on September 1, 2016 by

Traveling soloDecisions, decisions!!  But seriously though. . .

What sort of trip do I want?

Do I want to be taken care of by others or largely be on my own?

How do I want to interact with the place and the people?

What sort of experiences do I want to carve out for myself?

These questions all need consideration, because how you answer them and who you answer them with, will completely determine your course and your experience.  And let it be known, I have done all three styles of travel and would again, depending on the circumstances.read more…

Posted in Travel Advice
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NYC — South Street Seaport and Aldea

Posted on August 15, 2016 by
Crossing the Bridge Is an Iconic NYC Moment

Crossing the Bridge Is an Iconic NYC Moment

Aug. 10:  New York City is arguably the greatest place on earth.  This assumes that you like cosmopolitan cities.  And that you also are fond of outspoken and forthright people.  And part of the reason why I am more than halfway willing to stand behind my statement that New York City is the greatest place on earth, is because I am from New York (that’s New Yawk in case you didn’t know).  I actually grew up on Long Island.  But since there is no break between Long Island and the Manhattan, it’s fair game to say I am from New Yawk.

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Le Bernardin and Central Park

Posted on August 15, 2016 by
The Empire State Building All Lit Up

The Empire State Building All Lit Up

Aug. 11:  Even two days in NYC is not anywhere near enough.  It’s a true statement even taking into account that I go there regularly so my accumulated NYC time is pretty substantial.  Yet NYC, like Paris, is one of those places that people, including myself, keep going back to again and again and again.  So next year or later this year will be another chance to people watch and eat my way through NYC.

Le Bernardin came highly recommended to me through Dan.  I fully trust his foodie advice so a month prior to our trip, I made a lunch reservation for Woody and myself.  I didn’t know all that much about Le Bernardin or Eric Ripert, but I didn’t need to.  It is one of six restaurants in NYC that have been awarded three Michelin stars, so assuming Ripert is not another Paul Bocuse, we were in business.

Woody and I were dressed to the nines.  When we stepped out of Penn Station into the broiling city, I was able to tolerate the heat in a knee high white dress.  To get some exercise, we began walking to lunch, read more…

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With Wallowa Llamas into Eagle Cap Wilderness

Posted on August 1, 2016 by
The Granite Mountains Sprawl out before Me

The Granite Mountains Sprawl out before Me

Jul. 23 and 24:  Dan and I are absorbing the clean mountain air up at 8,500 feet in the northeastern corner of Oregon.  Now that’s a long way from home, at least when using a car and not a plane to get here.  Last autumn Dan mentioned that he got an email from Raz that the 2016 Wallowa Llamas schedule was released and it was right then that we picked the dates to go on a trek into Eagle Cap Wilderness.  Between the trips that overlapped with the Oregon Country Fair and another one with my son’s birthday, there actually was only one option.  So at that moment we made a pact and officially signed ourselves up when the New Year rolled around.read more…

Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Exploring Pine Lakes

Posted on August 1, 2016 by
The Half Moon Is High in the Sky

The Half Moon Is High in the Sky

Jul. 25:  We are on our second and last night at Pine Lakes.  I certainly could drink in the scenery here for more days.  However, I am fully accepting of the fact that we have more magnificent places to explore.  So we are on the move.

This morning, Dan and I arose early.  We joined our fellow trekkers as they milled around the camp gathering for breakfast.  Raz had cooked up Swedish pancakes.  From what I could tell, they are regular pancakes, served with a variety of sweet toppings on the side.  One of them was even made in the shape of a llama!  Being out in the woods makes people hungry.  They were enjoying the food, which is mostly what matters.read more…

Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Deeper into Eagle Cap Wilderness

Posted on August 1, 2016 by
So Picturesque

So Picturesque

Jul. 26:  We are sitting in our new camp, a ways up the trail from Crater Lake in one of Raz’ hidden camp sites.  I will tell you more about Raz’ camp sites in a moment.  This one is not THE Crater Lake in Oregon, but a small lake deep in the Eagle Cap Wilderness that bears the same name.  The frogs are active, as we are winding down.  We are thoroughly enjoying hanging in our tent listening to the frogs as the sky turns from dusk to dark.

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Exploring Eagle Cap Wilderness’ Crater Lake

Posted on August 1, 2016 by
My Type of Bench

My Type of Bench

Jul. 27:  The llama trip is on its sunset.  Two nights at Pine Lakes and two nights at the Eagle Cap Wilderness’ Crater Lake.  Dan and I are grateful that Raz has shared some special spots with us.  And I am grateful that Dan turned me on to Wallowa Llamas.

With no rain fly on our tent (our choice) the chilly air last night had us awake earlier than usual.  The starry nighttime sky gave way to the clear blue sky of the morning.  I luxuriated in staying wrapped up like a mummy for a bit longer while I heard the other campers milling around.  Raz diligently got up early and got coffee going as well as breakfast.  Fresh out of the oven Mexican Grits were well received by everyone.  And ripe, juicy melon was a fine complement to them. read more…

Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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