tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34682222453598239212023-11-16T06:05:37.370-08:00The Nomadic Wanderings of Two Humans and One DogJoin us as we journey across this great nation over the next year, attempting to delve into cultures and experience more than just the standard tourist. We will be renting homes via Airbnb and staying for extended periods of time; learning what it is about each city that makes it unique and sets it apart from others. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13098759143911675276noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-81347573815386938232016-09-11T16:50:00.003-07:002016-09-11T16:50:42.124-07:00A Long Time Gone<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">So much has happened in our world since my last post. Tom
got a new job, we bought a home, we lost our Ethel, we’ve traveled, we adopted
Penny.</span></div>
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Why the absence? Adjusting back to settled life and Utah was
way harder than I thought it would be. Being amongst friends/family again has
been wonderful, but my gypsy soul has been aching. It is hard to write when
you’re not quite content with where you are at. I’ve been working on coming to
grips with it all and realizing that this is where we need to be, where the
Universe wants us right now, so I need to embrace it and stop fucking
wallowing. Yes, I gave myself a pep talk and a come to Jesus!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Work front, Tom loves his job! He is the VP of
Technology/CTO of a local ad agency and loves their vision and the projects he
gets to be a part of. I walked right back into my position as the Fitness
Coordinator at the Rec Center, and have the pleasure of bringing health and
wellness into people’s lives again. Or torture, depending on how you look at
it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our home is one of a kind, built by a local architect,
Lester Petitt. It is round, magical, and if we are going to be in Utah, I can’t
imagine living in any other home. Its quirkiness suits us and its proximity to
Millcreek Canyon, Downtown and Park City is more than ideal.<br />
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Ethel, our best friend, passed away in December at the ripe
age of 17. Eight months later and I still tear up at the mention of her name. That
girl was pretty much our world for ten years and experienced so much life with
us, needless to say I am still healing. Losing her broke my heart and it’s been
a slow, slow recovery.<br />
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To cope with our loss, we’ve traveled, a lot. Palm Springs
for the holidays, Page, AZ to escape the Utah winter inversion, Portugal
because we haven’t been to Europe in ages, and Canada for solitude and to
escape Americans blowing things up for the 4<sup>th</sup> of July. Did it help?
A little, the freedom was nice, something we haven’t had in many years; having
an aging critter definitely impacts the way you vacation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, there was still in hole in our hearts, so here
enters Penny, a four-year-old dachshund, and the newest member of the Compagno
family. Penny is adorably fat, and is quickly taking over our hearts. Little
does she know what she is in for, poor girl.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-13778313080362902042015-05-15T14:21:00.000-07:002015-05-15T14:21:02.517-07:00Texas Bound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Leaving Saint Augustine was hard, but the prospects of
seeing old friends along the way seemed to add a little sunshine on the
horizon. We had originally planned on taking a very indirect route so that we
could stop over in Nashville and add a new city and state to list of time
spent, but once I knew that one of my dearest and best friends was going to be
in Alabama while we were on our trek west, our route became more direct. Plus
an added bonus, we would be driving through Pensacola, which meant a dinner with
one of my college/sorority sisters must be included. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loren and I</td></tr>
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We arrived in Pensacola early Friday evening and it allowed
me the opportunity to sneak away and meet up with Loren; a ZTA Sister from SUU,
for a drink and reminiscing about the good ol’ days at college and all the life developments
since then. It was such a great night of fun conversation and I a reminder as
to why I completely adore this lady. Plus I haven’t had the chance to see her
since her wedding many moons ago, but seeing her and talking, it was like no
time has passed; I just love those relationships where you can get together
after years apart and it’s as though no time has gone by, it’s almost as though
the conversation started off just where we left it last.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise view from our hotel room</td></tr>
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Saturday was full of surprises and unexpected gifts that all
started early. First we were lucky enough to have a beautiful east facing hotel
room over the bay, so all we had to do was open the drapes and let the suns
painted light permeate our room all while we laid in bed in sipped on our
coffee; this was a much needed start considering the early morning loading of the
car the day prior. A sunrise call from Stephanie, letting us know she landed
safely in Alabama the night before and her ETA to meet up with us for a full
afternoon of hugs, laughs and non-stop talking. We quickly devised a plan to
meet up in downtown Pensacola for lunch, giving her time to drive the coastline
and for us to stop and visit the Air Force Armament Museum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and the look of joy on his face from staring at planes</td></tr>
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The Armament Museum was great, giving Ethel the opportunity
to strut her stuff by age old planes and of course my favorite, watching Tom
completely geek out at all the aircrafts. His bits of history and information
about each plane floored me, I knew Tom loved them, but how much and what he
knew was such a pleasant surprise. His giddy reaction and fascination was well
worth the stop and total man haven if you’re ever the area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beads, beads, beads!!!</td></tr>
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From there we were on to Pensacola
to find a dog friendly lunch haunt and to meet up with Stephanie. We had
originally planned on meeting up with her downtown, but once we arrived we were
immediately met with the mayhem of a Mardi Gras Day parade and celebration. We
had a bit of time on our hands so we parked the car and took off to explore
some of the floats and the crazy antics that were already unfolding. It is
these spontaneous adventures that I just love stumbling upon and getting to be
a part of, plus the people watching just takes the cake! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighter plane engine</td></tr>
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Instead of trying to figure out
how and where to meet amidst the Mardi Gras crowds, we found a little diner
just outside of downtown to meet up at. Fortunately for us we were the only ones
outside for the three short hours we occupied their tables, which was wonderful
for Ethel, she was able to run amuck and not be bothered to share anything,
especially her people. Sorry, y’all I have raised a dog diva!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie, Bonnie and Tom</td></tr>
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Time flew by and before we knew it
the sun was beginning to set, at some point the restaurant staff ceased to exist
and all that remained was endless conversation. Although Stephanie and I would regularly
text and often talk on the phone, there is just something to be said about
seeing one of your favorite people in person after a long absence. I don’t think I realized how much I missed
Stephanie until she was standing in front of me and couldn’t stop hugging her;
seriously, if people didn’t know us, they might have though us lesbians;
especially after the boundless hugs goodbye! You’d think somebody had died!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Mississippi as we head back west.. What an amazing year since we crossed it going east!</td></tr>
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Next day, we were off to Texas and
bound for our new home for the next six weeks. This is the first time since we
set out that we have not used Airbnb for one of our extended stays, instead
this time we used Execustay through Marriot. Not because of a lack of options
with Airbnb, but pricing more or less; I don’t know if it because part of our
stay was during spring break or what, but the housing prices were off the
charts high for Airbnb. In fact I had checked out the cute little retro place
we had stayed at last time we were in San Antonio <a href="http://gonewanderlusting.blogspot.com/2014/01/home-sweet-san-antonio.html" target="_blank">(click here for that post)</a>,
but that had close to doubled since our last stay over a year ago.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Antonio apartment</td></tr>
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Our home in Texas was a great
location for Tom, less than half a mile to his client, so he could walk to and
from work, making the need for the car almost obsolete other than
Ethel and I’s adventures during the day. Our cute little apartment was exactly
that: cute and little, although we don’t require much. Execustay managed to win
us over with everything: new, clean and completely organized for our stay. This
is definitely a service we would use again, the fresh new towels, bedding and
dishes, pretty much won us over. Not to
forget the pool and the gym, seriously though, the pool was divine at the
complex; it almost felt like we had been transported to a Vegas resort! So here it is, our perfectly located <a href="http://www.execustay.com/about-execustay/index.php" target="_blank">Execustay</a>:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-29251926770430727072015-05-01T12:36:00.000-07:002015-05-10T13:41:28.158-07:00More Than A Beach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our return to Saint Augustine kicked off with a bang,
literally. We arrived just in time to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the pier for
<a href="http://www.beachblastoff.com/" target="_blank">Beach Blast Off</a>. Food, drinks, live music and to top it off an amazing fireworks celebration all to say goodbye to an incredible 2014 and welcome in all the
adventures that 2015 has in store for us. I know I mentioned in a previous post
that St. Augustine and I are kindred spirits, the town even functions on my
timeline; up with the sun and to bed with the sun. So imagine my delight when
the fireworks happened at 8:00 at night! I was over the moon that I could send
an epic year off at a fantastic celebration, still manage to hit the sheets
early and wake up ready to take on 2015, fully rested and full of zest! <o:p></o:p></div>
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If Beach Blast Off wasn't enough to kick start an amazing 2015,
Tom had concocted this unbelievable birthday celebration for me. That’s right,
I turned another year wiser on January 2<sup>nd</sup>, and Tom managed to outdo
himself with a magical weekend escape to the <a href="http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/amelia-island-plantation?gclid=CImExMyQlcUCFQGUaQodYRcAcw" target="_blank">Omni’s Amelia Island Plantation</a>. Not
only did we have a great room, but I woke to breakfast in bed, a morning at the
spa, lunch in town, upon our return to the hotel the concierge had set up champagne
and cake in the room and if that wasn't enough, Tom had one more surprise up
his sleeve. He had arranged a private bonfire on the beach for us; more
champagne and the makings for s’mores. It was all so dreamy and Tom made me
feel like a complete queen, granted he does that on a regular basis, but an entire
weekend of it was lovely and so appreciated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With such an epic kick off to 2015 it got me to thinking
about life, our last year and all the wonder that has come with it. I know we
are living in this sort of dream world, the travel, the experiences and I am
never for one minute not grateful for the opportunities that life and the
universe has given us; for taking the plunge and saying what the hell, let’s do
it. Life has a crazy way of presenting itself and I feel beyond blessed to live
in this fairy-tale that I do and the gratitude I feel for those that have been
there for us; to help us make it happen and for those that we get to share it
with, our readers! Thank you to you all for growing, learning and living it
with us. Okay, enough of my sentimental side, I’ll get back on task and reveal
more of our crazy adventures.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHobptLSh-qw3VyQtLrhZ6pIvrLXsMmZmy0kmxwIaIpeviGfVvNflth9ZpGKShr-2zpDqR2lp_vm-1o4mWdocvlhAUBhF79uBycUqvbzhauHfP1SLdOURdEXask_R2SCcRnPNe7Zf8zu-/s1600/IMG_6062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHobptLSh-qw3VyQtLrhZ6pIvrLXsMmZmy0kmxwIaIpeviGfVvNflth9ZpGKShr-2zpDqR2lp_vm-1o4mWdocvlhAUBhF79uBycUqvbzhauHfP1SLdOURdEXask_R2SCcRnPNe7Zf8zu-/s1600/IMG_6062.JPG" height="400" width="397"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Ethel playing on the beach</td></tr>
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Saint Augustine takes the holidays to the extreme and then
they tack on another month of it, it is the Nights of Lights, which goes from
Thanksgiving to the end of January. The entire town is draped in Christmas
lights and this year was a little extra special due to the city celebrating
their 450<sup>th</sup> year anniversary has the oldest settlement in the United
States. Of course being us we needed to add a little extra magic to an already
enchanting experience, we decided to tour the lights by a private horse drawn
carriage. We took to <a href="http://www.thetastingtours.com/" target="_blank">The Tasting Tours</a> lobby, procured a bottle of wine and met
with the beautiful Leo (our horse) and Laughlin (Leo’s handler) to hop on board
our carriage. Seeing the city at a slower pace and a different perspective just
added another level of beauty to the city; also, the sound of a horse trotting
along the cobblestone streets, the click, clock and clack, just made it that much more alluring. If you
ever need a moment to feel like Cinderella, this would be the city and the mode
of transportation to help you find your inner princess.</div>
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<a href="https://www.elgaleon.org/" target="_blank">El Galeon</a> is also parked in the docks of Saint Augustine
until summer for the 450<sup>th</sup> anniversary, the full-size reconstructed
Spanish sail boat is open for tours and gives a great perspective of what it
would have been like for those that crossed the ocean blue all those 500 years
ago. A look into what it would have been like to been part of Ponce de Leon
crew and the craftsmanship of what goes into building a man-made ship of this
size, all truly remarkable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also happened to be in town during the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/casa/learn/news/theenemyatthegates.htm" target="_blank">“Enemy at the Gates”</a> at Castillo De San Marcos and to be honest is was probably Tom’s
favorite excursion upon our return to St. Augustine; he got to watch cannons
fire at night, what manly man wouldn't love that! The staff and volunteers provided a
living history tour by candlelight; the fort is dark, lit only by candles and
we got to watch actors reenact scenes from battles past. Completely enthralled
by the history, seeing the fort without electricity and the loud booms of the
cannons echoing within the fort walls all added to that otherworldly experience
of what it might have been like to have been there during the battles; minus
the fear or our lives of course. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides adventures and copious amounts of time on the beach,
Saint Augustine has this magical way of drawing family to us. Tom has another
long lost cousin, Jean. In fact it is Tim’s sister that you might remember from the<a href="http://gonewanderlusting.blogspot.com/2014/08/ontario-outings.html" target="_blank"> Ontario Outings</a> post.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdUikwAXHnGAStDSIVNPPNs5VLWufLKkuNsQ9rNksUpK8l46ygAxkEwI7E1WnIi5eDDU6GeNDBQ04oJzlEU92QF6FcgX3VpqVPwybqKR1X44D-U8iiHAegLelysF4BELFHE0w4CO5z_TY/s1600/IMG_6132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdUikwAXHnGAStDSIVNPPNs5VLWufLKkuNsQ9rNksUpK8l46ygAxkEwI7E1WnIi5eDDU6GeNDBQ04oJzlEU92QF6FcgX3VpqVPwybqKR1X44D-U8iiHAegLelysF4BELFHE0w4CO5z_TY/s1600/IMG_6132.JPG" height="295" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stole this shot from Jean that she took while we were out walking on the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean and Tom looking through family photos<br>
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Jean and her husband, John, live over in Tampa and took the
drive to St. Augustine for the weekend to meet up, get to know each other and
share history on really the unknown side of Tom’s biological father's family. Jean and
her husband were such a delight and it was so wonderful to spend time with
them, getting to know them and hear stories about Tom’s grandmother, aunts,
uncles and of course little tidbits about a man that helped bring Tom into the
world. Jean was so thoughtful that she put together a photo album of Tom’s
heritage and we spent the evening browsing photos, listening to stories and
learning what life was like all things Lenny.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandi, John, Jean, Bonnie and Tom</td></tr>
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And if just getting to meet Jean and John wasn't enough, we
found out that Tom has another cousin, Sandy, that actually lives in St.
Augustine and she joined us all for brunch the following morning and chimed in her
stories and memories. Getting to know family along this journey has been such a
great and wonderful experience for us and these moments in time that have made
Project #Gonewanderlusting worth every mile.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXkRsi73ociO_9MRZNoAKlKTaR16sTuFtFdfFNgBdpqpNQ4F3MBwROtgU_3dEKFJOixtdjp6IktZid8oGyFPnBNH0NnZpVzBWWkUHe0W6kQDPePshn6h8Ym1bmN1nJ32gXww_DyeFXtF6/s1600/FullSizeRender+(27).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXkRsi73ociO_9MRZNoAKlKTaR16sTuFtFdfFNgBdpqpNQ4F3MBwROtgU_3dEKFJOixtdjp6IktZid8oGyFPnBNH0NnZpVzBWWkUHe0W6kQDPePshn6h8Ym1bmN1nJ32gXww_DyeFXtF6/s1600/FullSizeRender+(27).jpg" height="350" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin, Sherry, Todd and Evie</td></tr>
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A few days after meeting Jean, John and Sandy, and just
before we hit the road for Texas, Todd, Sherry and the kids flew in to Saint
Augustine to show Sherry’s parents a town that captivated their hearts as well when
they were here visiting us in October <a href="http://gonewanderlusting.blogspot.com/2014/11/family-fun.html" target="_blank">(Click here for that visit)</a>. Neither Tom
nor I had seen Todd and Sherry’s kids, Evie and Gavin, in over two years, so we
were just ecstatic about the opportunity to spend time with them and just
admire the young adults that they have grown into. The passage of time is mind boggling,
days go by way to fast and before we know it the years have slipped by; thank
God for Florida, because I am pretty sure we have seen Todd and Sherry more
times since we’ve been in Florida than we had in the last two years in Utah.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDyK31F3lk-DU7tmIrDlp_dV7ZHIqijKTDmC_LaP6lMFSgi7RsvPQcpQiqzmdWM-FetP2twv6YjPnxBELWeT4Nhx6_nPeZu3R8gzymsgmF47TJnzYbZPY2g9fk5DwLG04RuBw9N3B_4Ik/s1600/IMG_6019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDyK31F3lk-DU7tmIrDlp_dV7ZHIqijKTDmC_LaP6lMFSgi7RsvPQcpQiqzmdWM-FetP2twv6YjPnxBELWeT4Nhx6_nPeZu3R8gzymsgmF47TJnzYbZPY2g9fk5DwLG04RuBw9N3B_4Ik/s1600/IMG_6019.JPG" height="400" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our breakfast send off crew</td></tr>
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Meeting up with Todd, Sherry and the kids made for an
exceptionally hard send off from Saint Augustine, every piece of my being was
dying to stay, to spend more time with them and also knowing that part of my heart
was being left there on the beach. This place has captivated us and we can't wait to return again. Until then we have more shots that we took while exploring Washington Oaks, the museums and of course our time spent on the beach.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkONAzd5V_DFOm1ZcFC9NMtnEW3xlT_TpbSAyShcab90Bgyd8vai_d8PJUwvw3qEGwEAYuilfvJmg5nuhk6P8VydN-W4Dq1abOL-SToOV7j63t0hRjSQ-D74hXWLaLHBj892Crqm13Es2a/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkONAzd5V_DFOm1ZcFC9NMtnEW3xlT_TpbSAyShcab90Bgyd8vai_d8PJUwvw3qEGwEAYuilfvJmg5nuhk6P8VydN-W4Dq1abOL-SToOV7j63t0hRjSQ-D74hXWLaLHBj892Crqm13Es2a/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" height="400" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky shot at Washington Oaks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXpFK7KYUHZ4-FZYt9pSPdDNLKseBVfpPAwy_9SUhXNH4iF9GxRb3IgpOcKbGNnwhO8BnDJ-jbJzdUX9VePEUuooYPDXgq7t1fyFXIqiJvYRcZ58I9Za2ZRCqdFytcSeoCweavQtubWn5/s1600/IMG_5730.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington Oaks State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coquina Beach at Washington Oaks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightner Museum</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-45314338275027732742015-04-03T07:14:00.000-07:002015-04-03T07:14:59.210-07:00How to be a great AirBnb Host (from a serial AirBnb guest's perspective)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you have reached this post without knowing our blog, you can read about our individual AirBnb stays from the previous posts.<br />
<br />
Considering my wife and I have been using AirBnb monthly for the past 15 or so months - I believe we have earned the status of experienced guests. We have stayed in an array of places from tiny a NYC apartment to multi-room beach houses. Our only real limits during our searches are price and the pet policy (our dog is also along for the journey).<br />
<br />
I don't think we would call ourselves picky, but we have definitely learned what makes life a little easier while on the road for so long. The list isn't extensive. I'll break everything into three categories. The first of course are the "Must-haves".<br />
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This category is simple, if they don't exist it makes life potentially miserable either upon arrival or at some point during the stay. Remember we are roadies, we don't have a home base so some of these may not matter as much to a short term-er.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Toilet Paper</b> - have some on the roll and some close by for backup. Sometimes we have some left over from the previous stay and pack it with us, but not always. When you come off a long haul road trip it's nice to know I don't have to completely unpack to use the restroom.</li>
<li><b>One medium sized non-stick frying pan</b>- There were a few places where we didn't even attempt to turn on the oven, but usually scrabbled eggs are a morning ritual and if you don't provide at least one good pan, it really puts a damper home cooking. (we actually purchased our own and pack it to every new location)</li>
<li><b>Ok we need more than just a frying pan</b> - provide enough kitchen stuff to let us cook most basic meals. We don't need a gourmet supply of pots, pans and utensils, but try to cook a decent breakfast and dinner in your provided kitchen before you rent it out as a test. </li>
<li><b>Coffee Pot</b> - enough said. (I assume I don't have to list microwave.)</li>
<li><b>Towels</b> - not just one in the bathroom or hidden away in a closet, have a few and put some in the kitchen too.</li>
<li><b>Pest control</b> - no one wants to see bugs of any kind. We were pretty lucky to avoid any major issues thank God! (Bonnie hates to kill spiders for me)</li>
<li><b>Wifi</b> - I don't care if you have cable, we cut the cord long ago. I do need to work and occasionally watch Netflix or Hulu so please have at least a 3mb connection with a single throughout the house.</li>
</ul>
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The next category I would call "Over the top". These are the things a host can do that are really above and beyond and sometimes - if you have been in the car for 10 hours with a dog that has occasional panic attacks can really make our day.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>A welcome package</b> - This has been provided on many occasions, it's amazing how much it makes the guest feel comfortable in the rental. If you want to go way over the top provide some treats or booze, enjoying some wine while I unpack the car is always a pleasure. If you aren't weird, greet the guests. We have only met a couple of hosts, but they were great experiences.</li>
<li><b>Coded door locks</b> - keeping track of keys is a nightmare! It is so much easier to remember a code and know you will always be able to get back in without the need to contact someone if you don't have the keys. I know it's not always possible because of property rules, but it's an awesome feature.</li>
<li><b>An iron and board</b> - We have a tiny travel iron which is a pain, whenever a house had these items it was a wonderful surprise. Remember on the road, everything gets wrinkled.</li>
<li><b>Washer and dryer</b> - when these are in the rental, it really saves the day. Everyone probably understands how fast laundry builds up, and without knowing an area it can be difficult to locate a worthy laundromat. We already have to yelp dry cleaners every month for dress clothes.</li>
<li><b>Stuff to do</b> - you know, tell us where the best restaurants are located, what are the must dos only the locals know about, give us some history on the property, whatever, make it an experience.</li>
</ul>
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Luckily we haven't had poor hosts, it's what makes AirBnb so cool, but if there were anything we wouldn't want to happen, they would fall into this final category - "Avoid these".<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Require us to do something for you</b> - We are nice, we will comply. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but do your best to not give us chores (see 'over the top' for ways to keep us happy if you do ask)</li>
<li><b>Miss anything on the"Must have" list</b> - Duh.</li>
<li><b>Angry neighbors</b> - Are you renting your place on AirBnb and your neighbors hate the idea? Resolve it! </li>
<li><b>Illegally renting your place</b> - Are you breaking building rules, HOA rules, or local laws? Guess what, your guests don't want to be caught in the middle of some battle. Do it right or don't do it at all.</li>
</ul>
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So there you have it. See we aren't high maintenance, but we do know what we like. Feel free to ask us questions. AirBnb has been great to us and I would suggest you give it a try over a hotel next time you travel. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13098759143911675276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-22136934913728851652015-03-24T10:15:00.000-07:002015-03-24T10:15:36.715-07:00A Return to St. Auggie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_3k8wHFYWBp_fTH6WhwAnzYYYclZIFo3NLX-OxsR8oVBPjNOVNh_ZiOBjeVVdhE2DuTsKsSeQWUHErY_unxBiPFBDdMtbBePiKGV0qDiHH1EFo9OWbBbvotdHAxKbbFbkav0ux-DEQj9/s1600/FullSizeRender+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_3k8wHFYWBp_fTH6WhwAnzYYYclZIFo3NLX-OxsR8oVBPjNOVNh_ZiOBjeVVdhE2DuTsKsSeQWUHErY_unxBiPFBDdMtbBePiKGV0qDiHH1EFo9OWbBbvotdHAxKbbFbkav0ux-DEQj9/s1600/FullSizeRender+(18).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscape, but in
having new eyes.” </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> -</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marcel
Proust</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We descended upon St. Augustine Beach again, once wasn't enough for us and we needed to get back. In fact, this is my confession:
I am addicted to the ocean, this place and the energy that surrounds it;
however, no intervention needed, I am fully and painfully aware of it. We had
originally planned on spending another five weeks here, but when Sherry let us
know that Todd and her were bringing the kids and her folks out in February,
well that left us scrambling to extend; how could we not find a way to see them
all? Bonus, we got to stay longer and our five weeks became seven weeks, a
chaotic last couple of weeks as we transitioned from our first place to an
interim hotel and then to our last home here, but nothing a walk along the
beach can’t calm and completely worth the pandemonium in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first place this visit was up on<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2367204" target="_blank"> 13<sup>th</sup> Street</a>,
when we were here last October we were down on 6<sup>th</sup>, and I found myself
pining for the lower streets. They have more of a local charm to them and it
could be they are closer to that “Golden Mile,” and the beach living
is at its finest. Or it could be that I wasn't in love with our place like
I was with the <a href="http://gonewanderlusting.blogspot.com/2014/11/home-sweet-anastasia-island.html" target="_blank">little yellow cottage</a> we stayed in last time. This place was
updated and had some great conveniences, but was completely lacking in that
perfect nostalgic beach home, especially that 50’s-70’s style retro home that
makes Saint Augustine Beach so unique. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like I said, our first place had some great amenities,
especially only being a block from the beach, but is a place that had
completely been updated and well it lacked in the beach feel. In fact the décor
was more like the eighties got frisky with as Asian tchotchke shop and the
outcome was our living space for six weeks. Fortunately we are movers and
shakers and don’t really spend too much time indoors, and why would we, there
is a beach a block away! Being down on the higher streets, put us in a more
tourist area, so everything was close. Meaning, we could run across the
street to grab dinner from one of the great restaurants on the island and the
pier was around the corner, making my Wednesday produce haul from the
farmers market much easier to get back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg2i5IFSJ5mBrSXO3iC7jC5iGnF1GuVQDs8J4NtkluItJ_iiF-_Bp6oWg57b8cZW12TAQnJ3VtnrlDqkE56AjcHY_Ud86-3tcTXu6u0fIYnPQH7-A6SoH79KuE6wSsen2lkjM_UVIV96J/s1600/Lightner+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg2i5IFSJ5mBrSXO3iC7jC5iGnF1GuVQDs8J4NtkluItJ_iiF-_Bp6oWg57b8cZW12TAQnJ3VtnrlDqkE56AjcHY_Ud86-3tcTXu6u0fIYnPQH7-A6SoH79KuE6wSsen2lkjM_UVIV96J/s1600/Lightner+015.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Time flew by and our once five weeks, that extended and
turned into six, was gone and we found ourselves loading up the Flex again and
off to Ponte Vedra Beach to crash at the Sawgrass Marriott. We had one night
where we were homeless and in between spaces in Saint Augustine Beach, we needed
to be out of the 13<sup>th</sup> street home and our next landing space on 5th
not ready for one more day. So we leveraged Marriott points and pampered
ourselves a bit, and Marriott thought we needed some extra love too and they upgraded
us to a Villa. Ah, the perks of being married to a road warrior! And such a
welcome surprise after all the stress and chaos of finding another home to rent;
although I might have considered sleeping in the car had it meant we got to see
our family! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaxsw-sawgrass-marriott-golf-resort-and-spa/" target="_blank">The Sawgrass Marriott</a> is right next door to TPC (Tournament
Players Club) Sawgrass. Home of the PGA
headquarters and probably the world’s most famous golf course, how can one
forget that notoriously famous 17<sup>th</sup> hole. Our villa looked right out
on the 14<sup>th</sup> fairway and although I found it peaceful and relaxing,
Tom might have might have been slightly tortured; being so close to such a
famous course, not having his clubs and the $400 fairway fee kind of put the
idea of playing a round a tad out of reach for now, but there is always next time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JWxqRUy-e-qCVaK3xUa5SwbMrgpvCIFFqWMW04cHSjKzn_qYRt7UTsC6uViHWe5j7MvcgTPcom2gJmDv2l3TqKRohaqtUlnVxpOr_asWj2tTMEdQvKeTZzs9Yu5PsNZm8yJCTnONtrhV/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JWxqRUy-e-qCVaK3xUa5SwbMrgpvCIFFqWMW04cHSjKzn_qYRt7UTsC6uViHWe5j7MvcgTPcom2gJmDv2l3TqKRohaqtUlnVxpOr_asWj2tTMEdQvKeTZzs9Yu5PsNZm8yJCTnONtrhV/s1600/IMG_5968.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the patio of our Sawgrass Villa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fully rested, we got back in the car and made our way back
to St. Augustine Beach to unload the car and get moved into our last home here
before moving on to our next destination. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1878871?s=9" target="_blank">Our place on 5</a></span><sup style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1878871?s=9" target="_blank">th</a></sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> was such a
welcome and inviting surprise; we walked into a haven of beach chic. A home swarming with
charm and I was ecstatic we got to finish out our visit here in a
place that screams St. Auggie!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNHkiV8PbHWN83z270KdtepXgEsXGB57UohNfl2Dp1YuNfIK22SPtb02koaY9WoW_3WJI1Gm9_HlIBpHI-jI03-7d1QdFxQrJ3JLb5ACEjF5PGBBdbhApvV1nbWZUG90PoWaPpVG85JWS/s1600/_header-Sawgrass-THEPLAYERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNHkiV8PbHWN83z270KdtepXgEsXGB57UohNfl2Dp1YuNfIK22SPtb02koaY9WoW_3WJI1Gm9_HlIBpHI-jI03-7d1QdFxQrJ3JLb5ACEjF5PGBBdbhApvV1nbWZUG90PoWaPpVG85JWS/s1600/_header-Sawgrass-THEPLAYERS.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image of the 17th hole, borrowed from the TPC Sawgrass web page, not my image :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The home was idyllic and was the epitome of a true beach cottage</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. We
were one house from the beach and back in the haven of that precious Golden
Mile, where surfers run up and down the road and the locals are differentiated from
the tourist by those that have shoes on versus those that don’t. The home was
clean, a mix of vintage and even had bikes, surfboards and paddleboards for us
to use; granted the water was freezing so the latter two weren't really options
this stay. We also became cat parents while we were staying there, that's right, this home comes equipped with its very own cat, Donger. In fact the home is his and anyone that stays, are his guests. Donger spent his days at the beach and only made an appearance at night and had his own room off the back of the house; and my allergies only acted up once when I was giving the guy a little too much love for my eyes to handle. And how did Ethel handle the cat, well the old girl is so blind, I don't even think she realized he was there most of the time, besides, I think she was fully aware she would be a on the losing end of an battle with Donger; street cat vs. pampered pooch, the odds wouldn't have been in her favor. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWr70a4Q25E1yxc7-NqBqJN-e97n06GYyXiEJG2yBuKFLUzAKGCDsSnfjARqwyo34SHFLidI5GGmFP0Lo9hsT97lriIpx9U70G83mNvH_soyS_6MTnLgq9pg7ATPJdmOL8uO-tSHbNaS/s1600/5th+Street+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWr70a4Q25E1yxc7-NqBqJN-e97n06GYyXiEJG2yBuKFLUzAKGCDsSnfjARqwyo34SHFLidI5GGmFP0Lo9hsT97lriIpx9U70G83mNvH_soyS_6MTnLgq9pg7ATPJdmOL8uO-tSHbNaS/s1600/5th+Street+003.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This being our last week in town and being in a place that cozy, that exemplified beach living was hard to leave, but here she is, our last home
in St. Augustine, unless of course I convince Tom to move there! Which by
the way, every home we have stayed at in St. Auggie is officially up for sale
right now, I must be putting out some crazy, 'I want to move there' energy! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donger the Cat</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-5672822040417835272015-03-06T08:40:00.003-08:002015-03-12T09:07:31.008-07:00Georgia On My Mind<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
“We have a saying: If you go to Atlanta,
the first question people ask you is, “What’s your business?” In Macon they
ask, “Where do you go to church?” In Augusta they ask your grandmother’s maiden
name. But in Savannah the first question peoples ask you is “What would you like
to drink?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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----John Berendt, <i>Midnight In The
Garden of Good and Evil<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Savannah is romance, from the way the Spanish moss cast shadows along
the pavement to the couples holding hands as they slowly drift through one of
the public squares or along the river front; everyone takes the time to stop
and smell the fragrant bouquet of flowers lining the sidewalks. Savannah is a
true icon of exquisite southern living and I can’t imagine it not bringing out
the dreamers heart in anyone that strolls her charming paths.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXSmfEelH7PgH08CSLQG3woyCPJdG2EHeEoN6XtJdTloFQTX1jjp_cAe7J6Vh_rCYfEj4X50VjGuLlwH8226rA2WsGrolkNhDBS7NdQi9AcmKrNnMirCL9ZkkAO5E7-dQ0e7HTBynvVZL/s1600/IMG_5557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXSmfEelH7PgH08CSLQG3woyCPJdG2EHeEoN6XtJdTloFQTX1jjp_cAe7J6Vh_rCYfEj4X50VjGuLlwH8226rA2WsGrolkNhDBS7NdQi9AcmKrNnMirCL9ZkkAO5E7-dQ0e7HTBynvVZL/s1600/IMG_5557.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain in Forsyth Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Starting with a quote from “Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil,”
just seemed necessary to set the stage for this captivating city, and although
I call it by name, the natives just refer to it as “The Book.” The residents of
Savannah are eccentric, colorful, artistic and know how to show one a good
time, so much so that the city doesn't even have open container laws; they want
you to feel so welcome, they allow you to walk down her fabled streets with a mint
julep in hand. This adds to the magic and puts a whole new spin on “Slow-Vannah,”
you have no cares and getting lost is even more freeing when one feels a bit
tipsy.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTcUlz455ZwoiwkJXx6QI8pk9DDHbrfVbqT-mfzzag2xz8evH1z_ZfITzUyUfB8uBZ-V5Zt4KLwAzgS7VkJVzvCZeRBDkWOS4DHdBFmo1IrxD_kdGKINSvludwqQUViWh35hXkpnmXtzf/s1600/Savannah+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTcUlz455ZwoiwkJXx6QI8pk9DDHbrfVbqT-mfzzag2xz8evH1z_ZfITzUyUfB8uBZ-V5Zt4KLwAzgS7VkJVzvCZeRBDkWOS4DHdBFmo1IrxD_kdGKINSvludwqQUViWh35hXkpnmXtzf/s1600/Savannah+004.JPG" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Front</td></tr>
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There is a tranquility about Savannah, and that could have a lot to do
with the remaining 22 of the original 24 squares that dot the city landscape.
They create these wonderful gathering places of beauty and history, and forces
one to just give in to the laid back atmosphere manifested here. When James Oglethorpe founded the city, he was
on to something; build a public square and build out from it, creating a city
built on a grid system and utopic space for those that live there. For my Utah
people, Savannah would be like coming home; Brigham Young most likely based his
“Mormon Grid” off the design of Oglethorpe that precedes Salt Lake by over one
hundred years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE5XBiHW65XhXiO8dPLZtH9a8sc2R49_TkMywPovsbTzrQHhvGTkqX0IM1CdwFK0ltS1oa-JWsMaddC_Gugexo_OAN8S8mh46B3ExYG-kjWvzgBxIuZ_8H8LOpdRvUDyhplDD_mA8Qem-/s1600/IMG_5558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE5XBiHW65XhXiO8dPLZtH9a8sc2R49_TkMywPovsbTzrQHhvGTkqX0IM1CdwFK0ltS1oa-JWsMaddC_Gugexo_OAN8S8mh46B3ExYG-kjWvzgBxIuZ_8H8LOpdRvUDyhplDD_mA8Qem-/s1600/IMG_5558.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom wishing I would hurry as I slowly walked Jones Street (deemed the prettiest street in America)</td></tr>
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Savannah is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the
world, and I must attest to the truth in that statement. Never in all my life
have I visited a city that has taken my breath away quite the way that Savannah
does, well I digress, Venice is superb for the jaw drop. There is a reason film
after film is made here; artists and writers flock to the place as a haven for
their originality and for inspiration, the place bleeds serenity and beauty. I found
myself making excuses to take the thirty or so minute drive that direction on a
regular basis, just to get lost on her streets or plop down on a bench in
Forsyth Park and just watch the people in their own whimsical worlds while the
city transported us all to another time and place.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Book Lady Bookstore, loved this place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The outskirts of Savannah are home to Wormsloe Plantation and
Bonaventure Cemetery, both pet friendly. These places both boast this alluring
yet eerie feel to them. Starting with Wormsloe Plantation, once you drive
through the gates you are greeted by a mile long drive down and old dirt road,
lined by over 400 live oak trees, it’s almost like you've been carried away to
a more genteel period in time. The entire scene is so picturesque, you can
understand why it has been so photographed and used in so many films. Granted
the entire drive the only words popping into my head were, “run Forrest, run!”
The rest of the place, not too much to see, the home is privately owned and tours
are not given. We did however add to that creepy vibe as we experienced an M.
Night Shyamalan moment when we watched the “villagers” dancing and singing in
circles; hopefully warding off evil spirits. I know, my smart ass remarks have
now ruined the place, but seriously witnessing the live oak canopy is off the
charts, and a must visit if in the area.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wormsloe Plantation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then there is Bonaventure Cemetery which just exemplifies the words
hauntingly beautiful. It is a place that transcends time and has so many
stories to tell. I can see why it was a muse and filming location for “The
Book,” and although the famous Bird Girl has been moved to a museum, this place
still houses many uniquely Gothic memorials. This place is magical, it’s almost
like you can feel the energy of those that have been laid to rest there; I can
only imagine a full moon on a foggy night and the spirits roaming the little
dirt paths. But not in a creepy way, I visualize it as mysteriously
romantic, if a cemetery can be such, or maybe I am just drunk on Southern
Charm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonaventure Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keep driving past Wormsloe and Bonaventure and you will run out of
mainland and end up on Tybee Island. Now
to understand the world and the people here, just take the unique and funky personalities
of those from Savannah and kick it up a notch with a bohemian beach vibe. Those
that live there have the laid back, easy going lifestyle down to a science and
I am pretty sure time literally slows down here. Not only is the place beach
chic, it boasts a lighthouse and pristine white sand beaches. We spent
Christmas Eve here, sand between our toes and sitting back in one of the many
bench swings that line the seemingly untouched beaches.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tybee Island Lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our official goodbye of Hilton Head, we decided to take the long way
around on our journey back to Saint Augustine, yes, we went back. We diverted
off of I-95 and stopped to explore the Golden Isles, seeing just a little more
of what it is the Georgia has to offer. Our first stop was Brunswick, a small
port town, on the Georgia coast; we checked out Old Town: the square, The Ritz
Theater and the historic appeal of the town. Like Savannah, it adheres to a
grid system built around squares, making it easy to navigate and adding a
quaintness to the city. The town felt small, but in a cozy way and we pretty
much had the boutique lined streets to ourselves, all making it a perfect scenario
to grab a cupcake and eat while we walked.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ritz Theater in Brunswick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In St. Simon we found all the people that were missing in Brunswick,
the place was packed with those lunching and browsing the fun beach shops, it
was almost reminiscent of our time in <a href="http://gonewanderlusting.blogspot.com/2014/07/day-tripping.html" target="_blank">Cape May</a>. We traveled past the city
center and right to the St. Simon lighthouse to explore its history and stroll
the streets, taking time to enjoy the unique blend of antebellum homes colliding
with beach cottages; quite appealing I must say. The island was unique,
eclectic and still held on to that old world beach glamour; something I was
hoping Hilton Head Island would have been.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Simon Lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then finally on to my favorite of our three stops, Jekyll Island.
Jekyll Island has this exclusivity about it, it was originally purchased by a group
of wealthy families as a retreat and represented one-sixth of the world’s
wealth, the one percenters of the one percenters, and then purchased by the
state of Georgia when “The Club” closed in 1947. Interesting tidbit, the first
intercontinental phone call was made from Jekyll Island in 1915, well a
four-way call also including DC, New York and San Francisco. But the best spot on Jekyll Island and one of
the coolest nature made sights I've ever seen, Driftwood Beach! I didn't want
to leave, I was enamored with the place! This stunning phenomena has happened
over time, as the island recedes and the trees are left fighting to stand,
eventually falling and creating a tree graveyard of sorts. Driftwood Beach is
about as picturesque as one can imagine, almost bewitching and I am dying to
back there at sunrise. If Tom wasn't so determined to get the three of us to
St. Augustine to our new abode and unload, we might have stayed, but now, I have
a new spot to add to our list.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horton House Ruins</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tybee Island:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Savannah:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXKZL8OZRsWJETXf2JRGRQ7PAzfsBckT_bwdqvxf0cU8sppyaobJbQ3hjpeiBVwY_8z7NA4GKEi5Fii-5YYf4pUFd3vxdFqf6QlskmeWsGo34Jn6oJayDB7esrkf7a2dMqouHEKx2NKIn/s1600/Savannah+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXKZL8OZRsWJETXf2JRGRQ7PAzfsBckT_bwdqvxf0cU8sppyaobJbQ3hjpeiBVwY_8z7NA4GKEi5Fii-5YYf4pUFd3vxdFqf6QlskmeWsGo34Jn6oJayDB7esrkf7a2dMqouHEKx2NKIn/s1600/Savannah+010.JPG" height="368" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lafayette Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p4y07jUDXa3x0pHBt47PTSpcxouzxNVFO9-LIp5nHT0Hc-6zBnCzptv9eMjS3kXyMFbhlYru04M5oXYLwEJaaXXQHDqkb8X-juU8940920YQ7mfBT6yi50qVoROhpuDp0ZAnTsK_rn5o/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p4y07jUDXa3x0pHBt47PTSpcxouzxNVFO9-LIp5nHT0Hc-6zBnCzptv9eMjS3kXyMFbhlYru04M5oXYLwEJaaXXQHDqkb8X-juU8940920YQ7mfBT6yi50qVoROhpuDp0ZAnTsK_rn5o/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wormsloe Plantation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIdYFG5rsX9rdZJ_qX38pOAjByZtu3WfoZYIH9sgCZpm_q9FBoz9Z7mqGKylGVsoO2F_pZbA2EgF_iDFbio5utBUrJDf_0JnOBMTgpGGvL3pEmad0KpXJEeE1wIejklZff6U2mSvWRADS/s1600/Wormsloe+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIdYFG5rsX9rdZJ_qX38pOAjByZtu3WfoZYIH9sgCZpm_q9FBoz9Z7mqGKylGVsoO2F_pZbA2EgF_iDFbio5utBUrJDf_0JnOBMTgpGGvL3pEmad0KpXJEeE1wIejklZff6U2mSvWRADS/s1600/Wormsloe+034.JPG" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our M. Night Shyamalan Experience</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBq0IOrZ13G9wBQuzGt9cVntPzZaQ8b_dN6_lNOUYzrUlCxK4STKVKOJywm9kSwRIsSmy-Os5IxhKN3pSXKzRfylEfV-GEdfr0Y-bj13vdHCzUS6BzEV1HMbHeT4MlxluXbJAv2W14eFF/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBq0IOrZ13G9wBQuzGt9cVntPzZaQ8b_dN6_lNOUYzrUlCxK4STKVKOJywm9kSwRIsSmy-Os5IxhKN3pSXKzRfylEfV-GEdfr0Y-bj13vdHCzUS6BzEV1HMbHeT4MlxluXbJAv2W14eFF/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonaventure Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMiNgYV8Uln-PL5sx70WsinxFs5HnySlmUzMtu9pzaVmIwer_9zfULugBLE5_avos1YipAxqGEax-P_LXa0fETd2EmqAPJF4tG5Bd3lYD__7ugw0anOrKnNKY0VcCMP5bMk0lb4PwCk4P/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMiNgYV8Uln-PL5sx70WsinxFs5HnySlmUzMtu9pzaVmIwer_9zfULugBLE5_avos1YipAxqGEax-P_LXa0fETd2EmqAPJF4tG5Bd3lYD__7ugw0anOrKnNKY0VcCMP5bMk0lb4PwCk4P/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonaventure Cemetery</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-84129391645955577522015-02-25T16:50:00.001-08:002015-03-05T11:40:48.027-08:00Low Country Living<div class="MsoNormal">
To say South Carolina wowed me
would be an understatement, I was not prepared to fall head over heels in love
with this place, but we did. We've spent time in Charleston before and adored
it, but Beaufort and the artsy haven of Bluffton, just made my heart skip a
beat and I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to linger and meander
endlessly down the live oak lined streets, to soak in that southern hospitality
and gaze upon its antebellum homes. South Carolina just has this delight about it, an old world feel that collides with nature, creating this environment
that wins every ounce of your being over. My heart was taken with this
place the exquisite moment that I watched a herd of deer happily bounce through
the salt marsh while woodpeckers pecked at the nearby tree. It was all too Snow
White like and if I could save time in a bottle, this would be the place and
the moment to have done so. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes and books on King Street</td></tr>
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Like I said before, we have been
to Charleston before, but just couldn't resist the temptation to zip up there
again for a weekend. We had such an extraordinary visit the last time we were
there and seeing it all decked for the holidays was just an opportunity we
couldn't refuse. Southern charm collides with southern Christmas flair, and
bam, you have a recipe for perfection!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Market decked for the holidays</td></tr>
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Charleston is this mecca of well-preserved
southern charm; from the church steeples that accentuate the skyline to the horse drawn carriages riding past century old mansions, are unforgettable. Getting a couple of days to explore and get lost in the neighborhoods is all it took to remember why
it is that we are so drawn to this place. We started with immersing ourselves
with locals, visiting the holiday farmers market to shop, to peruse and pick up
some holiday gifts for our loved ones. We took our time to visit with the shop
owners, see the real Charleston, and give one older gentleman the
opportunity to see everything. That’s right, Ethel was in her stroller, being
pushed by yours truly and it just made one guys day, in his words “he has now
seen it all!”</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel and I strolling the Battery</td></tr>
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Once we left the farmers market we
let ourselves become immersed in Charleston, we walked captivated by the homes
and the lush magnolia filled gardens, just engrossed in the ambiance of what is
probably one of the South’s greatest cities. Eventually we day-dreamily found
our way to the battery, stopped for a bit on a park bench and let the critter
out for her own strut through the park. For us, having no agenda and no map,
but allowing ourselves to wander is sometimes the best travel plan one can
make; we tend to experience so much more of life this way.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom taking in the grounds at Magnolia Plantation</td></tr>
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Charleston is also home to some
astounding plantations. Last time we were here we had the opportunity to visit
Middleton Plantation, this time we opted to go just a little further down the
road and check out <a href="http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/" target="_blank">Magnolia Plantation</a> and a big bonus, it was dog friendly. The
gardens were simply amazing, especially considering that they are the oldest
public gardens in America. And winner, winner, they have a hedge maze, talk
about taking an opportunity to get lost, how could we not partake! Downfall,
the azaleas don’t boom until spring, but hey, I can always use this as an
excuse to go back. If you’re traveling with kids, they have a train and a
petting zoo on property as well; great experience for everyone all around.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Plantation</td></tr>
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Wrapping up our time in
Charleston, was spent in full holiday spirit, taking time to enjoy the holiday
lights and we even drove out to <a href="http://coastalcompanion.com/south-carolina/charleston/holiday-festival-of-lights/" target="_blank">“Nights of Lights</a>” to add a little extra enthusiasm
to the Christmas season. Downfall the line was long, an hour wait, but
completely worth it; next time we will know to get there right as they open and
to dress a little warmer so that we want to park and get out and explore the Christmas village. Overall though, it was a great trip to Charleston and a wonderful
reminder of how much we enjoyed this city, and I already can’t wait to go back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhtq7eEN4K9NqV8qXrj5yG2K82KbNM6-HntVc_TKFnoxOwZ16LDMIJ18-TjTrTIuMNW5VOv7gEwOjOVRrKJHHTa1yuFoVhGbq-4kMv0tdMAv781hmjV8lGCo0kp7X76wLiJYfpH2OXtUS/s1600/iPhone+3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhtq7eEN4K9NqV8qXrj5yG2K82KbNM6-HntVc_TKFnoxOwZ16LDMIJ18-TjTrTIuMNW5VOv7gEwOjOVRrKJHHTa1yuFoVhGbq-4kMv0tdMAv781hmjV8lGCo0kp7X76wLiJYfpH2OXtUS/s1600/iPhone+3519.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grounds at Magnolia Plantation</td></tr>
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Charleston isn't the only city
making up the South Carolina Low Country. Ten minutes from our place was the eclectic
town of Bluffton. The historic district is a quaint and charming area, lined
with great little art boutiques, one of a kind shops and historic churches. I
became quite the regular to the Thursday farmers market, the main street is
shut down and vendors set up shop, and one can just drift from one booth to the
next under the moss shaded streets. Bluffton just exudes this artsy charisma,
which is completely welcoming, nothing bourgeois about it, and the city does a
great job at luring residents and tourists alike to visit Historic Bluffton by
the droves. One of our favorite events we partook of while there was the
Art Walk, spending an evening admiring the creativity of the residents and
giggling as many of the locals just zip around with their critters via golf
cart. Such a great energy and feel to a little city and one that shouldn't be
overlooked.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dl7SUANCky7zKC_MrOwJ7GSLR7XRKTu1QPE1j0ITv-rcOsALx_Hj9Ooz_-JO_Kn72jtY0K26lalatqQINcNOjwejlSsngj_QLUDiNta1p_yCOiCIu6ogO-L_mL6yVrgqmkxNrQ5Af0i8/s1600/iPhone+3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dl7SUANCky7zKC_MrOwJ7GSLR7XRKTu1QPE1j0ITv-rcOsALx_Hj9Ooz_-JO_Kn72jtY0K26lalatqQINcNOjwejlSsngj_QLUDiNta1p_yCOiCIu6ogO-L_mL6yVrgqmkxNrQ5Af0i8/s1600/iPhone+3484.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Walk in Historic Bluffton</td></tr>
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Then there is Beaufort, probably
one of the wealthiest towns of its size in the country and it is oozes
sophisticated charm. We took a day to just linger, gaze upon its antebellum
homes and soak in a little sunshine along the waterfront. Beaufort is true southern
hospitality at its finest, one of my favorite memories was this older home
owner, I should clarify here, mansion owner of one of the most amazing
properties I have ever seen, just walking out of his home and across the
grounds to the Intracoastal to shoot the breeze with a kayaking crew and to
wish them a wonderful day. Or another gentlemen walking out of his esteemed
home as we walked by, making a point to come and say hi and meet Miss Ethel. Things are different in the south and maybe it
is just the difference between new and old money, or just that hospitality that
gets ingrained in one from growing up southern, but is charming and captivating - and I love these people!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antebellum Home in Beaufort</td></tr>
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Hilton Head itself caters to
tourists and other than picnics and strolls along the beach we really didn't
spend too much time here. Unless of course it was to eat, they have some amazing
restaurants’ on the island. The beaches are pristine and made a great
place to throw down a blanket, eat some lunch and then take a little walk with
our feet in the ocean while our food digested.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilton Head Light House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Low Country captivated us,
even that pungent smell of the salt water as the tide recedes from the marsh
soil won me over. The ever changing landscape of the marshes as the tides would
come in and out; the place is beautiful and absorbing it all was too much, we
must go back soon! Plus there are just too many golf courses for one month, Tom has a bucket list to fulfill. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Images from Magnolia Plantation:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedge Maze</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Images from Beaufort:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyoPjKlmfyuuQwrzxlKbm3nzYmWMM4VoqQ7xs-w7a9SO6hFSDD4wbLr122YHZsYkC1KkWu09W1Vxf7s7GJZHAr7Cf0vb-FPNztDHsRGB5sEtyEr1DP-qbn4Aw5leL5j7FkFXpOEQBLK3Q/s1600/iPhone+3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyoPjKlmfyuuQwrzxlKbm3nzYmWMM4VoqQ7xs-w7a9SO6hFSDD4wbLr122YHZsYkC1KkWu09W1Vxf7s7GJZHAr7Cf0vb-FPNztDHsRGB5sEtyEr1DP-qbn4Aw5leL5j7FkFXpOEQBLK3Q/s1600/iPhone+3466.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sheldon Ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjUeRJFmlrupSKGjM1NHQHDJMXKzv5c_vIen6VZYUmdwADJNgh4OJrukPzColrTn3F6OdJ557OzkLJI25DD2AX1Tk-Tr4GsQL9eKO59G7TIxkAa5DZaMOTNn_oXiMMyc6J2v9PYyP9kK8/s1600/iPhone+3471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjUeRJFmlrupSKGjM1NHQHDJMXKzv5c_vIen6VZYUmdwADJNgh4OJrukPzColrTn3F6OdJ557OzkLJI25DD2AX1Tk-Tr4GsQL9eKO59G7TIxkAa5DZaMOTNn_oXiMMyc6J2v9PYyP9kK8/s1600/iPhone+3471.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sheldon Ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1dPMY_r8vJf-9kT_itWorgaiBsw2NQw6gHAwaSv8X2mQp0B_mpVBn0ZTjZQ6bWdpCeGogJhsXkCJ9HAlT_ZVQ2GKejQoJCdVNAdjuSLUXmTi8myTWKrZuQFo6f9iH45Munij2aMjm66U/s1600/iPhone+3461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1dPMY_r8vJf-9kT_itWorgaiBsw2NQw6gHAwaSv8X2mQp0B_mpVBn0ZTjZQ6bWdpCeGogJhsXkCJ9HAlT_ZVQ2GKejQoJCdVNAdjuSLUXmTi8myTWKrZuQFo6f9iH45Munij2aMjm66U/s1600/iPhone+3461.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy covered steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antebellum home, fall foliage and Spanish moss</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2MpUoo7uXwZXgdVSagiyAskD0WUrjHXqiziHB47INfVpvtAOwZUaUIR40vaqWERtENLskCb4aOWpXsM4L8HZGfBAvTLFiq03Gk903hKhEUM-JCAr5oxYwR4L8hSjhQt5117OxLIIodqw/s1600/iPhone+3473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2MpUoo7uXwZXgdVSagiyAskD0WUrjHXqiziHB47INfVpvtAOwZUaUIR40vaqWERtENLskCb4aOWpXsM4L8HZGfBAvTLFiq03Gk903hKhEUM-JCAr5oxYwR4L8hSjhQt5117OxLIIodqw/s1600/iPhone+3473.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree stuffed with bricks at Old Sheldon Ruins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_q7uD-7Ppxsx41pgvF0Pj8U0bBqv_AAa3SoBuIY-oA7N1b7ztk6HXD9t5H03GHN4xU6Nx3Gtzfn3UWZnRUi5IyHbBikOnCUuVKrlCloxvKy3srQs1Q3n0AL0Zn1_i5cDqyNEUlf-Ue47/s1600/Beaufort+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_q7uD-7Ppxsx41pgvF0Pj8U0bBqv_AAa3SoBuIY-oA7N1b7ztk6HXD9t5H03GHN4xU6Nx3Gtzfn3UWZnRUi5IyHbBikOnCUuVKrlCloxvKy3srQs1Q3n0AL0Zn1_i5cDqyNEUlf-Ue47/s1600/Beaufort+010.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Intracoastal from Beaufort </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-40104103438312359232015-02-04T16:39:00.001-08:002015-02-04T17:08:38.736-08:00Home Sweet Hilton Head<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Once upon a time we rode into Moss Creek Plantation and were
immediately enchanted as we drove down a winding road, canopied with live oak
trees that were dripping in Spanish moss; the place oozed southern charm and truly felt
like we had stepped into the pages of a fairy-tale. Our Hilton Head home was more than just a
place to land for the holidays, it was like living inside a virtual
painting. Walls of glass spanned the back of the home and looked out over
the salt marshes, creating a sensational and an ever changing landscape for us
to endlessly gaze upon; finding motivation to get out and leave was hard, I
mean why would we want to, we had a stunning view right from our kitchen table.
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The condo was smack in Moss Creek Plantation; home to two
golf courses, a tennis center, an equestrian facility, pool/fitness center,
miles of walking/biking trails and a reserve island. Needless to say the
grounds were vast and the community completely catered to those living there,
whether it be their primary home or second home.<br />
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Speaking of second homes, the Salt Marsh Cottages in which
we stayed were specifically designed in the seventies as a second homes for those
migrating south for the winter. The designer, Jakie Lee, won national recognition
with this design; creating an organic design that just seamlessly blended in
with nature and bringing that outdoor connection inside. The architecture was
superb and we truly felt like we were part of the environment from the comfort
of our couch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our wall of windows</td></tr>
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This place was an amazing holiday retreat for us and we opted to spend five
weeks here, just so that we weren't perpetually on the road and could just hunker
down and enjoy the holidays and each other for a bit of time. Being here for Thanksgiving
and Christmas, I couldn't resist the opportunity to set up a Christmas tree this year, especially after last year and having our home packed up and in the utter state of chaos that surrounds a move, it really seemed like a must this year. A little something
to anchor us and give us a sense of “home for the holidays”feeling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from upstairs loft</td></tr>
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Giving into the holidays was really easy and I couldn't
wait to get back to all those traditions we have had year after year, especially after skipping out on them last year. From the tree, to cooking Thanksgiving dinner,
and although it was just the three of us, it was perfect. And for me, once a
puzzle comes out, the holidays are near; I grew up in a home that during the
winter break we would spend endless hours together constructing puzzles. I know
it probably came about as a means of my parents keeping our minds occupied and
off the television, and possibly out of the hair while they dealt with the pandemonium
of the holidays, but to this day, seeing a puzzle on a table screams Christmas
to me just as much as the trimming the tree does.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A holiday tradition </td></tr>
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While in Hilton Head, we had an opportunity to meet with
some of the neighbors and I feel like they just adopted us and took us in as
part of their families. On Thanksgiving Day, one set of our neighbors, Sue and
Tom, invited us over for pre-dinner cocktails, insisting we come over and meet
their family. They were the true beacon of southern hospitality and made us
feel so welcome on a day that we were missing those so dear to us. It meant so
much to us to pop over for a bit and just feel that family-like setting and the
two of them and their kindness really added all that much more of an appeal to our stop in
South Carolina. Meeting them, their kids and grand-kids is such a cherished
memory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham339mjhYbFv8NL94nTSUufqAYJOYCNtXLilbj7XBfqR3kPWsuAWH7XTOvEEfAqcuXLDSLzkFIUO1IO4QY2B2sSRElfUqathV_LfwUbS00o7zC2g75fTdaS-fFy-4Brmz36Nv7c3Mcn8G/s1600/iPhone+3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham339mjhYbFv8NL94nTSUufqAYJOYCNtXLilbj7XBfqR3kPWsuAWH7XTOvEEfAqcuXLDSLzkFIUO1IO4QY2B2sSRElfUqathV_LfwUbS00o7zC2g75fTdaS-fFy-4Brmz36Nv7c3Mcn8G/s1600/iPhone+3424.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge leading out to island reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ethel even loved it here. I honestly couldn't even
tell you what her favorite was, it could have been so many things: warming in her bed in front of the fireplace,
getting out for fun quiet walks of chasing squirrels and birds on the reserve
island, or her daily treats from the security guards. In fact she became obsessed
with the security guard check in as we would return from excursions or errands
and the security person would be there with a little treat for Ethel upon our
return, they knew her just as much as she knew them and trying to contain her
from hopping out of the car window and into their arms some days was near
impossible.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Spirit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not only did our Hilton Head home and community win us it over, but
its location was beyond ideal. Everything was nearby: the beach was a quick
thirty minute drive, the heart of Savannah was forty minutes away and Charleston
was within a two hour drive. This is definitely a place I would love to spend
more time in and even possibly settle, we absolutely loved it here. So if you y’all
get a hankering for the south, here it is our holiday retreat in Moss Creek Plantation, you should definitely go and visit, the place is magical! <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3746708" target="_blank">https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3746708</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-20260722030498622502015-01-28T14:55:00.000-08:002015-01-28T14:55:02.512-08:00Gulfing Around<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Gulf Coast gave us some time to unwind which was
a delightful change of pace after the past few months; it really was our first
down period since Toronto. A large aspect being in part to the area not being as
pet friendly, lots of smokers, and the difficulty of getting around; driving
just didn't seem worth the effort some days. The experiences we had
were fun, but this place failed to make a big impact on us as a place we’d want to
settle for the long term. For us, a lot of it was lack of refinement, for a better word; honestly speaking, the place was a little too "Magic Mike" for our liking, driving past "Jugs and Mugs" type places every mile or so just wasn't our thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So what does one do when they land in a place that makes it
a little harder to get around and adventure with a pet, well my research and
hunting for merriment just goes into overdrive! I am determined to make great
family memories come hell or high water, even if Ethel forgets within five
minutes of the experience, Tom and I remember. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Intracoastal has some great little places for those traveling
by boat to stop and dine; besides St. John’s Pass there is even a McDonald's
with a boat dock so you can stop for an ice-cream break. The idea of not seeing
this seaside view seemed like we’d be missing out on a big experience on the
Gulf side, so it was put high on the priority list as a crusade that needed to
happen while we were there. With a little tenacity I found<a href="https://islandmarinerentals.com/" target="_blank"> Island Marine Rentals</a>,
and they were just as thrilled about letting Ethel join us on the boat as we
were, so we splurged and rented a boat for the day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Tom looking cute as ever</td></tr>
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Captain Tom slowly navigated our boat up the Intracoastal
while we scoped out the mansions of the stars, the random beach islands and the
shops lining the waterway. Once we hit the Gulf of Mexico, Tom opened up the
engine and we skipped across the waves, feeling the ocean mist as it kissed our
cheeks and taking in the beach from a water perspective. It has been ages since
the three of us have been on a small boat, so I had forgotten how much you feel
of the bounce as the boat jumps the waves and the wind burn as you zip along at
high speeds; the nostalgia hit me like a wall of bricks and I remember all the
joy I have spent boating Lake Powell and now I want a boat again!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel and I channeling our inner Grace Kelly</td></tr>
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One of our favorite cities that we spent the day in was
Tarpon Springs, watching as the sponge boats brought their haul in for the day
and strung versions of SpongeBob himself out to dry. I tend to forget that a sponges come from the sea, I am used to the store bought loofahs. Learning the aspect of how they are harvested, then strung to dry
was quite an experience for me. It really made me appreciate the moments in the
bath and using nature as a cleansing device, quite refreshing and now more appreciative of all of Mother Nature’s gifts. Plus not to forget the huge
influx of Greek immigrants that have settled in Tarpon Springs and influenced part of their economy. They are the ones out diving for
sponges, creating bakeries and eateries to accommodate residents and a major driving force for this tourist destination.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SpongeBob out to dry</td></tr>
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Then there was the beach for sunny and clear days. Some
spent basking in glorious rays of sunshine, creating shell art or taking in the
inspiration and creation of others via the sand. Many days I took advantage of getting out
to take photographs, taking some time to play with lighting and of course any
excuse to be outside on the warm days to make up for the colder fall moments we
experienced here; a brutal realization that winter does happen everywhere. Even
in Florida! And although, the inclement weather is few and far between, it
still makes you appreciate its warmer days.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtserOOf29SGiFYrBRLvQbwIvwiWMKVuUnxdQ3-fkrGwWbXioH7VxFD6msRCBnIFDPQF6dVISgIM0nmx2coiIWcnaweW71mSYBn_FO1pzfGHybORpxMyH07bWvMfZQFBdL2l0BJtlYFRi/s1600/iPhone+3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtserOOf29SGiFYrBRLvQbwIvwiWMKVuUnxdQ3-fkrGwWbXioH7VxFD6msRCBnIFDPQF6dVISgIM0nmx2coiIWcnaweW71mSYBn_FO1pzfGHybORpxMyH07bWvMfZQFBdL2l0BJtlYFRi/s1600/iPhone+3411.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist in the midst of carving sand</td></tr>
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Just before we left we were able to witness “Sanding
Ovations”, a sand sculpting contest, and we just amorously stared in awe at the
hard work and persistence that goes into one of these works of art, it was mesmerizing.
The participants spent three days creating sculptures out of sand, the patience
and vision that go into them in unimaginable, not to mention if they have a
collapse. Ugh, I can’t even imagine how they calmly recover, I would
be the one kicking the sand and yelling awful obscenities, but they don’t, they
calmly recoup and continue on! Watching something like this and seeing the end
result has been one of the bucket list items and now I get to cross it off;
next step I guess is learning to do it myself, in fact it might teach patience
and that would be a good lesson.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tools of the trade and recovery from a collapse in progress</td></tr>
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Regardless of the mobility of getting around, we did manage
to have scads of fun, but know now that the Gulf isn't the place for us. Next
up Hilton Head for the holidays and until then I bring you photos from Indian
Rocks Beach. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-27014254221005205902014-12-23T13:02:00.000-08:002014-12-23T13:03:14.076-08:00Home Sweet Indian Rocks Beach<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF99hl5CrPvON6mT4HPgH5iaq3QnQzPeCzxFrXobegG1QXA1mYFmXixctJUyvPWzRPdNO_OqK7GUD0DKlbl9qdCXz6lPjawK5PR3JOg3fhqXdmeuh9NIiYmdg6GIs3dBIUboBukRkT9SiA/s1600/iPhone+3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF99hl5CrPvON6mT4HPgH5iaq3QnQzPeCzxFrXobegG1QXA1mYFmXixctJUyvPWzRPdNO_OqK7GUD0DKlbl9qdCXz6lPjawK5PR3JOg3fhqXdmeuh9NIiYmdg6GIs3dBIUboBukRkT9SiA/s1600/iPhone+3408.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>We left the Atlantic side of Florida with just a quick drive
across the state to spend the end of October and the first third of November on
the Gulf of Mexico at one of the barrier islands. Although they were in the same state and both
the epitome of beach life, Indian Rocks Beach failed to win me over the same way
the Saint Augustine did; IRB was missing that carefree, easy going lifestyle
that I had become accustomed too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Getting to the barrier islands from Tampa is quite a journey
and we learned quickly that whatever the mileage is, you needed to double the
amount of time to miles to get anywhere due to the copious amounts of traffic
on Pinellas Peninsula. I like to compare driving here as being as torturous as
pulling teeth; I’m pretty sold on the idea that most people here got their
license from a Cracker Jack Box. It was a huge wake up call after leaving St.
Augustine, where everyone is all smiles and peace signs; no you go, no you
first. Instead I was afraid if I blinked on the gulf side that someone would
take the front bumper off the car trying to get in front of us; I had to revert
back to New Yorker Bonnie in quite a hurry and well that bitch was well hidden
in a cobweb of beach Zen.</div>
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On the island, in Indian Rocks, life was a little slower and
the beach was just across the street which meant sunsets and pristine white
sand were in my future and that helped curb the frustration of driving. Downfall,
the beaches nearby were not pet friendly, so I would sneak over with Ethel in
my arms to and stand at the tree line to watch the sun say goodnight. However restaurants
and shops were all in walking distance, and the Gulf Boulevard Shuttle could be
picked up just outside our door which made getting around simple and easy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The only pet friendly beaches were at State Parks and at
each end of the chain of the barrier islands; Fort de Soto and Honeymoon Beach.
Each of these ended up being about a forty minute drive to get to, although
beautiful, a bit of a drive for a dog who hits a max of beach time within
thirty minutes, so visiting just didn't seem worth the time. Also, Gulf
Boulevard didn't have sidewalks but an extension of the road for walking on and
every time we went out onto the road for a walk, I was pretty sure somebody was
just going to look down for a second and steer right into us. Daily walks with
the critter became walks in our condo complex down to the fishing pier instead
of getting to peruse the community, alleviating any unnecessary panic about the
dog getting too close to the road. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once we left Philadelphia, we thought we were done with walk
up buildings, but we were surprised by being on the third floor of a walk up in
Indian Rocks. Which we may have only complained about a little while we were
moving in and out, but I must say the view of the Intracoastal totally made up
for the labor. Plus the condo felt huge and spacious and reminded me a lot of
our old home, they were built about the same time and some of the finishes were
pretty similar. Bonus it was furnished with a king size bed, something we didn't realize how much we missed, and the community had a swimming pool which made for a quick escape for a little sun time without having to commit to the beach. Overall this place gave us a great little oasis for a month even though I still felt myself pining for St. Augustine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here it is, our<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1974981" target="_blank"> Intracoastal View House</a> in Indian Rocks
Beach: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-643337520144914352014-12-15T07:43:00.000-08:002014-12-15T07:43:30.015-08:00America's Oldest City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When we weren't at the beach or entertaining family in St.
Augustine, we were generally off on a history lesson. Like I said before St.
Augustine is the nation’s oldest occupied colony, founded in 1565, 55 years prior
to the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and to say there is an abundance to
learn here would be an understatement. Not only does this place exude stories
of the days of old, it is also rich in architecture and charm coming from mixing the old with the new. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakJvtTbGZlOaTtz2usCt4ffQyjt2u566EZiEEyhOYqmT-htqNwO4tFvBgdFoXOGlrwqxZe6HIDxj8UKnCGpfIJT838PfKfvMJK1CWoSIYpeFV2zeTYsN8WaY5ijR8zz6AkTZ_fQJ_A0dC/s1600/IMG_5080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakJvtTbGZlOaTtz2usCt4ffQyjt2u566EZiEEyhOYqmT-htqNwO4tFvBgdFoXOGlrwqxZe6HIDxj8UKnCGpfIJT838PfKfvMJK1CWoSIYpeFV2zeTYsN8WaY5ijR8zz6AkTZ_fQJ_A0dC/s1600/IMG_5080.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aviles Street</td></tr>
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Old Town St. Augustine sucks you in the moment you walk upon
her cobblestone streets; the Spanish style collides with a bit of British
influence and it gives you that complete European feel. Aviles Street lies
right in the heart of Old Town and is the oldest public street in the USA,
today it is closed to cars and lined with cozy outdoor cafes and quaint local
shops. Also in the heart of Old Town sits Flagler College, named by the
Princeton Review as one of “Americas Best Colleges.” And although the college
was built in 1968, the architecture mimic's that of the city and you would never
guess it wasn't there from the beginning. Running along the Intracoastal is Castillo
Drive; home to Mission Nombre de Dios, Castillo de San Marcos and eventually running
into the Bridge of Lions before crossing over to Anastasia Island. Regardless of your mood, St. Augustine has
something to explore.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxIJYgKjwbirHZk9muLx6YDuYqhHrn2Al7_nVgc4XUIkrUhOcZLqOPofA1U1gESatwm3zI-35AS7KDARqEN7fu0q5RImluH9PyTAWgT_cq8KmygCf5_mZG0uI0UoTt2CMI3mNfpo94_CF/s1600/St.+Augustine+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxIJYgKjwbirHZk9muLx6YDuYqhHrn2Al7_nVgc4XUIkrUhOcZLqOPofA1U1gESatwm3zI-35AS7KDARqEN7fu0q5RImluH9PyTAWgT_cq8KmygCf5_mZG0uI0UoTt2CMI3mNfpo94_CF/s1600/St.+Augustine+023.JPG" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flagler College</td></tr>
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Starting from St. Augustine’s beginnings we did the same,
hitting Ponce de Leon’s, Fountain of Youth. Taking time for a sip of water,
alright we guzzled the water and they even let Ethel have a cup of water from
the Fountain of Youth! Do I feel younger? Well of course I do, even if it’s all
my head, but a girl has got to do what she must to keep herself looking young
and feeling vivacious! Ponce de Leon landed in Florida in 1513, prior to its
settlement by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, and the park gives over 500
years of history of the area and its transition from Spanish, to British, and
finally American acquisitions. Of course Tom and I were very giddy about learning the historical aspects, the prospects of life longevity, but Ethel was ecstatic to chase the copious amounts of peacocks in the park. This place is a definite must if you’re in the
area and want to get an extensive history lesson that is fun for the entire
family, plus the views of the Intracoastal are spectacular!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXfwfKfRXajVJJNF6r7Idf_vBFKTyyoUC8ey2r1hYLnFLMN5Co88kxrQrRLbFDCS-RCG6_FaMXseiR_6bHHT1U2otxxyfNH93mAHUgecSbtFpOS0xdxQZ9z_8d6dhkZrZngr7IyofLcGW/s1600/FullSizeRender+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXfwfKfRXajVJJNF6r7Idf_vBFKTyyoUC8ey2r1hYLnFLMN5Co88kxrQrRLbFDCS-RCG6_FaMXseiR_6bHHT1U2otxxyfNH93mAHUgecSbtFpOS0xdxQZ9z_8d6dhkZrZngr7IyofLcGW/s1600/FullSizeRender+(7).jpg" height="348" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guzzling water at The Fountain of Youth </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Next up was the Mission de Dios, the home of America’s first
mission, built in 1567, and often called the country’s “Most Sacred Acre.” Today
its massive steel cross is believed to be the tallest in the country and the
little chapel is still home to the first American shrine to the Mother Mary, “Our
Lady of La Leche.” Walking the grounds you can feel the reverence of the
property by the people visiting and preying in the little chapel, you are immediately
aware as to why it is cherished and still has so many visitors to this day
passing through her hallowed gates. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp32CxZ9odwVwSwvsiRp5YxjAaqMuQ3va4h2-XQPHkadRE9fWCXwkA0UYHHufk2w6_Jpe6bkEY5q9NbgLD-tLrro-ngoXwsJ-3nBZKz-YdOvZIga5jXBB1700zRSNNT0iY-3qExwvISdV/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp32CxZ9odwVwSwvsiRp5YxjAaqMuQ3va4h2-XQPHkadRE9fWCXwkA0UYHHufk2w6_Jpe6bkEY5q9NbgLD-tLrro-ngoXwsJ-3nBZKz-YdOvZIga5jXBB1700zRSNNT0iY-3qExwvISdV/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission de Dios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAtro1g5mWXi1T7xJjFXfKjGo7RDCv9JeSNIFL6k0BZCvhnfn9rOGXFcxQijZLGPqv6yHT4QKFIsTQqwTYfv2YdB60ukgVVhCYweYxvJ48PfTgEGkJCOxDbHoPLT8vbSH3L3ZwSiAQL5l/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAtro1g5mWXi1T7xJjFXfKjGo7RDCv9JeSNIFL6k0BZCvhnfn9rOGXFcxQijZLGPqv6yHT4QKFIsTQqwTYfv2YdB60ukgVVhCYweYxvJ48PfTgEGkJCOxDbHoPLT8vbSH3L3ZwSiAQL5l/s1600/IMG_5040.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission de Dios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just a little up the road from Mission de Dios, is Castillo
de San Marcos. Ground broke for this miraculous fort in 1672 and it is
built solely from coquina <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquina" target="_blank">(to learn about coquina, click here</a>), which pretty
much made the place indestructible.
Considering that this fort is still standing over 300 years of wear and
tear, and by wear and tear, I mean the British tossing cannonballs at it and it
looks the way it does is amazing. Especially when you consider that you are
climbing the same stairs that the Spanish tread all those years ago while defending
their claim on Florida, and that they haven’t had to be replaced to accommodate
tourists is insane. This place, the stories of Spanish and British rule, the
back the and forth and knowing what happened here, it’s spectacular, the
history is so rich and I was mesmerized by it. I don’t remember learning about
the territory wars in school, you know, it’s all Spanish and British history
and predates anything American by a long shot, so being privy to this now, well
I feel like I missed out on something in my education. Don’t worry though, I am
geeking out on it now for all of us!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBzdZ-HytXEoPENHxIScKf6rX2BU0ZmGTgTLcpgHsuXuwvliOz01S4CaXyiEcVbVc9Wi57hoX7-4zzZ7dtwDlRHe-_69vK4dmbFX_R8W06fiTpdmdT5__FRIwox8USOAtLMLVhU9esZza/s1600/St.+Augustine+Mission+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBzdZ-HytXEoPENHxIScKf6rX2BU0ZmGTgTLcpgHsuXuwvliOz01S4CaXyiEcVbVc9Wi57hoX7-4zzZ7dtwDlRHe-_69vK4dmbFX_R8W06fiTpdmdT5__FRIwox8USOAtLMLVhU9esZza/s1600/St.+Augustine+Mission+023.JPG" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castillo de San Marcos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3bEbqj9LTu0kMBbPDvuOyVnBLanWbllm2Ah2vay5yT3h3g3jkBH_tsdbv5-YoBb9aYI_EWaPnRGugQseztp9NizWGmnPFOTr6CX8dj0turnMXtlDHLyXDwo5CjQxtDmH8ma5_Pvy8GPx/s1600/St.+Augustine+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3bEbqj9LTu0kMBbPDvuOyVnBLanWbllm2Ah2vay5yT3h3g3jkBH_tsdbv5-YoBb9aYI_EWaPnRGugQseztp9NizWGmnPFOTr6CX8dj0turnMXtlDHLyXDwo5CjQxtDmH8ma5_Pvy8GPx/s1600/St.+Augustine+003.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Augustine Lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just over the Bridge of Lions and back on Anastasia Island,
lies the Saint Augustine Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Florida. We had
the pleasure of climbing the stairs to take in the panoramic view of St.
Augustine and experiencing what it would have been like to carry the old
kerosene pales up to the top of the stairs, needless to say, I need to do more
bicep curls, that thing was heavy.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPduwUCo-UtaLohvjr79GUBSixlnmJW0bCs_fCAaSkmwa5eMjbzm9-s8svcKZec8AKHg_1H5oaVQ1w2IQB8RSJbM7y9x5eKQeFCu10sJwRWOufAE4u95SLrbjisOAT8TFB88IR7A2TMFWm/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPduwUCo-UtaLohvjr79GUBSixlnmJW0bCs_fCAaSkmwa5eMjbzm9-s8svcKZec8AKHg_1H5oaVQ1w2IQB8RSJbM7y9x5eKQeFCu10sJwRWOufAE4u95SLrbjisOAT8TFB88IR7A2TMFWm/s1600/IMG_5025.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs leading to the top of the lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ4Qw38ie5s9gJBreDpJC41-2YefBkNM_8czUkeV2LnJZrwRA5FuFhQ3RxosF7zZ9VaERtRF7Z4GGGJ_PLCAtlxwtRoxVdUI_vYdjvDc4EEYpFLPi6DXeXBt2mXPJOVrpCTRcw2vsXBn1/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ4Qw38ie5s9gJBreDpJC41-2YefBkNM_8czUkeV2LnJZrwRA5FuFhQ3RxosF7zZ9VaERtRF7Z4GGGJ_PLCAtlxwtRoxVdUI_vYdjvDc4EEYpFLPi6DXeXBt2mXPJOVrpCTRcw2vsXBn1/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View through the lighthouse window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just outside of St. Augustine we found Tom’s version
of heaven, The World Golf Hall Of Fame! This place is a golf lover’s mecca: an
extensive museum, two golf courses, putting course, hole in one challenge and
an interactive staff to make sure you’re getting the most out of your visit. We
have toured a lot of museums, especially over this last year, but we have never
entered one that was so much about creating an experience as this one was;
not only did we learn, but they made learning about golf fun. If you are a golfer,
this place is a must stop and talk about making us miss not having our clubs on
the road with us, my hands were itching for a driver in my hands. This place in
all honesty made me miss home just a little bit, our golf course view and a
club house just around the bend, but then we returned to our beach house and I
walked out to the ocean and shook my hankering for home right off! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSVvcmhnwzxWG2Ok7tgPenLcX_xPz0wZ9WsFYpLQHzaWNM-LWZbprA49uSnjPJX-Fe1q-nFd4dV0YDVntmgv9ZpF1YfWh9pcWmlYNnf9MXUUC4HBHRt96_IRyB0RjPXvXPrWuKzXaI491/s1600/IMG_4965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSVvcmhnwzxWG2Ok7tgPenLcX_xPz0wZ9WsFYpLQHzaWNM-LWZbprA49uSnjPJX-Fe1q-nFd4dV0YDVntmgv9ZpF1YfWh9pcWmlYNnf9MXUUC4HBHRt96_IRyB0RjPXvXPrWuKzXaI491/s1600/IMG_4965.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just outside of Jacksonville lies Kingsley Plantation and it
holds a very interesting story. Zephaniah Kingsley and his wife Anna Kingsley
where the owners and it’s the story of Anna that leaves one captivated. Anna
was captured from West Africa and sold to Zephaniah as a slave and later became
his wife and mother of his four children. He eventually left her in in charge
of running Kingsley Plantation, giving her rise from slave, to wife of a
plantation owner and then becoming a plantation and slave owner herself. A
remarkable story given the time period of the late 1700’s and early 1800’s,
granted at this time Florida was under Spanish control, but once Florida was
gifted to America, their interracial marriage and her role in the plantation
came under scrutiny and they moved to Haiti for some time. Eventually Anna took the
issue to court after her husband passed and the court ruled in her favor and
honored the treaty with the Spanish and reluctantly gave her back her inheritance.
The gardens, the views and the tabby ruins here are amazing, but nothing as fascinating
as Anna’s story, the mainstream and progressiveness of the Kingsley’s life was
refreshing and encouraging; plus the strength she must have had to deal with
any and all persecution she dealt with is just admirable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB7JlpTZXUPNPwy82Dcg5BcA5ExTL7QASi7SKU8rNWdxcZGo-aORw_Ku4mMdj7a6BY0rtaax8OK7gtiqIvsMwHseLDg3daMtj8iOzOEEgQ6bN7qBNhjEVLW6EFyExu8sv7Dr9HXn6FMCM/s1600/St.+Augustine+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB7JlpTZXUPNPwy82Dcg5BcA5ExTL7QASi7SKU8rNWdxcZGo-aORw_Ku4mMdj7a6BY0rtaax8OK7gtiqIvsMwHseLDg3daMtj8iOzOEEgQ6bN7qBNhjEVLW6EFyExu8sv7Dr9HXn6FMCM/s1600/St.+Augustine+030.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingsley Plantation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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St. Augustine gave us so many facets of life, from learning
to lounging. The beach was the focus for much of our time here, the crash of the
waves was invigorating and opened up that need to create. I spent many a
morning and afternoon combing the beach and creating shell art, reading or
running out to jump the waves. This place created so much magic for us that we
will be returning after Christmas and for the month of January, a first for us,
a return to a place on this trip. I know, still so much to see and do, but this
place has captivated us and we can’t wait to spend a little more time here and
hopefully y’all can bear with us on a few more adventures in St. Augustine. To hold you over until our return here are a few more photographs of our time here.</div>
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Shell Art:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA-NNIGcyYYqgzBXqATwTbSRcxjfEauOZjv2LNep4s-kM4IiwK1Phoowf_OdnFXMOBLxnBY46tVhN_Ov05AKnZ3IpkDxbrHMTWR4e7LSsuZ-NPWUNEaO0ha9HAHJALkY-WKM0KLW-fNaN/s1600/FullSizeRender+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA-NNIGcyYYqgzBXqATwTbSRcxjfEauOZjv2LNep4s-kM4IiwK1Phoowf_OdnFXMOBLxnBY46tVhN_Ov05AKnZ3IpkDxbrHMTWR4e7LSsuZ-NPWUNEaO0ha9HAHJALkY-WKM0KLW-fNaN/s1600/FullSizeRender+(8).jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxK_LJaeJxeb3k4Hn_M290XiLtbzniGnEUPbaC_vp0lDxn6ye9gAKHAY-a7gBAx-lJqiI7ff28dm-mZ3Hb72Oj_jvsHRqr9283jnlFHsq722KuD0FlNvJO6U9HRyvW1bWnJyP5ILuiB5Yx/s1600/FullSizeRender+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxK_LJaeJxeb3k4Hn_M290XiLtbzniGnEUPbaC_vp0lDxn6ye9gAKHAY-a7gBAx-lJqiI7ff28dm-mZ3Hb72Oj_jvsHRqr9283jnlFHsq722KuD0FlNvJO6U9HRyvW1bWnJyP5ILuiB5Yx/s1600/FullSizeRender+(10).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Beach:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZLajlvxkHumzBrPLQZM1ekPkHDCvjf0HC3HfABP9VZ7ur3_E2YehzCETtSKXmXRYTdubGqVr8VEgRFaLli1WJ8DFcljiYzEsG4tSX0-8K9ocx8ON4ngzadad1a2VJrRJAVArmB9oadZ0/s1600/FullSizeRender+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZLajlvxkHumzBrPLQZM1ekPkHDCvjf0HC3HfABP9VZ7ur3_E2YehzCETtSKXmXRYTdubGqVr8VEgRFaLli1WJ8DFcljiYzEsG4tSX0-8K9ocx8ON4ngzadad1a2VJrRJAVArmB9oadZ0/s1600/FullSizeRender+(11).jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise and Ethel's paw prints in the sand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike and shoe drop before heading off to the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail leading to the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family beach day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waves crashing in and sunrise reflecting in the sand</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-81083988582458179572014-11-20T08:34:00.002-08:002014-12-08T16:58:55.035-08:00Family Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tom’s brother Todd turned the big 4-0 and we wanted to help
his beautiful wife Sherry make it something really special and memorable for
him - plus on a completely selfish note we wanted to see them both. A few
conversations with Sherry, and some scheming we were able to
assist her and help concoct a grand affair for Todd. Leveraging Skymiles, Tom
and I were able to pitch in with plane tickets while Sherry took care of
everything else. Sherry planned everything, including conspiring with Tony and Diane (Tom and Todd’s
parents) to take the kids for the weekend,
while they came out to St. Augustine to celebrate. I am pretty sure Sherry
succeeded in bowling Todd over and then throwing in one more surprise as they
boarded their connecting flight in Atlanta to St. Augustine - Tom was there
waiting for them on the plane to fly the rest of the way to Florida on his way back from San Antonio. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Todd heading out to body board</td></tr>
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The majority of the weekend was spontaneous and completely
centered around the ocean. Days where spent lounging on the beach, taking to
the waves by body board, Todd and Sherry taking complete advantage of the
proximity to the sea during their visit and hopefully enjoying every moment of
it. In fact one of my most cherished memories of our stay in St. Augustine
happened while they were visiting and involved the four of us sitting on the
beach one night after a storm had moved out over the Atlantic Ocean. All of us
sipping on wine as we sat in awe, watching as lightening ricocheted across the
sky, giving us our own nature driven firework show! The power and energy that
illuminated the sky while listening to the snap of thunder and the soothing
sound of waves, all creating an amazing ambience to just sit, marvel and catch up on
life. A memory I will never forget and they company made it a perfect moment in
time! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange encounters on the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todd raising the main sail</td></tr>
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We had one event planned for Todd and Sherry’s stay, a sunset sail which didn't disappoint. The sail started perfectly, we put Todd to work assisting the crew with raising the main sail to
mast as we set out to sea. The crew kept our wine glasses full. They were exceptionally
friendly and fun to talk to, and the Captain even let Miss Ethel man the wheel for a bit. We all sat back, took in the scenery and marveled at the well-oiled
machine that was our crew, watching them move sails, run across the boat as the
wind would shift and learning what it takes to sail a schooner was quite a
learning experience. Then there was that magnificent sunset, creating an ambiance
of magic as she highlighted the historic St. Augustine in front of her and left
a trail of golden streaks to dance across the ocean. Our sail was a perfect
start to a crazy and fun filled night. Poor Ethel was such a trooper and
went along the entire night, although I am pretty sure she slept through the
bulk of it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todd and Sherry taking in the view</td></tr>
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All of us tipsy and starving as we disembarked the boat, we immediately
set out in the search of dinner and ended up at a fun outdoor place on Aviles
Street. Good food, great conversation, a dog passed out on top of my feet and
the most interesting server I think I have ever experienced. At one point she
was Brazilian and had no voice, later she sounded like New Yorker with a voice
and at another point she changed her clothes. To top it off she kept bringing us
free food and wine and then she graciously kicked us out; our response “if you
want us to leave, quit bringing us food to eat!”</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Cruise with an outline of St. Augustine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me stealing kisses from Tom</td></tr>
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After being kicked out of the restaurant, we stumbled down
St. George Street looking for more fun and happened to meander into this crazy,
eclectic wine bar; enticed in by a bobble head, a one man band and the fact that they let Ethel come hang out with us up at the bar made it a
perfect landing spot. I vaguely remember ordering a drink and getting some
strange concoction and then learning later by some bar friends that
the bar was technically not a bar, but by some weird Florida law they can sell
fermented alcohol without a liquor license. So the vodka water I had was fermented,
hence the weird taste. Hind sight, had I known this, I would have gone with
wine and not the weird Florida moonshine I ended up with. We happened
to close down yet another place, we got the boot and this is when we all
learned pretty quickly that St. Augustine isn't really night town because
everything was pretty much shut down by midnight. I am wondering if during peak
season in the summer months if it’s a little different? Although, it suits
me, I am such a morning girl, being out past ten is kind of a big deal for
me and St. Augustine made me feel like party animal, it was good for my
ego!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Sunset Cruise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge of Lions Drawbridge welcoming us back to port</td></tr>
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The long weekend with Todd and Sherry went by way too
quickly and it was hard to say goodbye to them, but I am sure their kids were
very excited to have them home, even if we didn't want them to leave. Getting
to celebrate with Todd for his 40<sup>th</sup> almost felt like being home
again and it was nice to be around familiar faces and family. Lucky for me, my
sister-in-law (my brother’s wife) who is also one of my dearest friends, Staci, was
coming out to play the following week while Tom was working. So although I
had to say goodbye, I still had another hello coming my way, which helped ease
the pain of letting them go.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun family shot from our sail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Reflections</td></tr>
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Staci flew in on a Sunday and we had five wonderful days
with her, packed full of fun adventures and of course lots and lots of beach
time! But when we weren't of playing in the sand or rescuing live
starfish that had washed ashore, we were off doing something crazy,
like zip lining over alligators or exploring the haunted side of St. Augustine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charm in sailing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City view from the marina</td></tr>
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One day, cloud covered skies with rain on the horizon, Staci
and I had the need to move, so we opted to explore our adventurous side and headed over to the Alligator Farm to attempt the zip line. Little did we know
that it was a full two hour obstacle course that included 9 zip lines with
obstacles sixty feet from the ground; ground that was covered with very large
and very hungry alligators! Besides zip lining over large ravenous beasts, we
also walked across high wires, rickety old bridges, log jumps and then ended
our adventure with a forty foot free fall! Talk about endorphin's running wild,
such a fun and spur of the moment thing and one of my favorite memories. I am
so glad I got to do this with her and didn't read all the details online before
driving over, I might have decided against it!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shots from Staci and I's obstacle course</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA3U6cwPoqaAo6BhQd6ttZUNjDWIQ_6kHppuH_14EItrQxIdIbWatGJMlFoRhQTpLJJ-iUEwCp6Xeb2zF0hLNAYYWC0XCqSu-GYaDBeZrZBCodkyxz9SU0v23r_QQKZbr_s_eSfyXSwQ2/s1600/IMG_4815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA3U6cwPoqaAo6BhQd6ttZUNjDWIQ_6kHppuH_14EItrQxIdIbWatGJMlFoRhQTpLJJ-iUEwCp6Xeb2zF0hLNAYYWC0XCqSu-GYaDBeZrZBCodkyxz9SU0v23r_QQKZbr_s_eSfyXSwQ2/s1600/IMG_4815.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost tour fun</td></tr>
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Staci’s last night in town we headed out to dinner and then
for a walking ghost tour of historic St. Augustine. Were we scared? No. We did
however learn a plethora of history about the city that I wouldn't have
learned otherwise, so on that account, I have to say it was 100% worth the time
and money. St. Augustine is America’s oldest city, so to say that there isn’t
paranormal activity, would just be naïve; the stories, the puns and learning
the overall dark side of its roots was phenomenal! The puns of course coming
from the yellow fever outbreaks and people being assumed dead, but only in a
coma. The wealthy citizens would hire individuals to watch over the grave of
their loved one buried in Huguenot Cemetery by tying a string around the buried finger. This string was then tied to a bell on the surface,
so if they awoke from a coma versus actually being dead they could be “Saved by the Bell” by
the person paid to watch over them from a death of being buried alive. So were
people actually buried alive? Yes! They have actually found caskets with scratch
marks of those that awoke from their coma, to only end of dying of suffocation. I
know, crazy and creepy! What else did we learn? Well the Intracoastal is
connected with the Matanza River, which I knew with my broken Spanglish, meant
slaughter, but learning how it got its name was another fascinating story, but
I am going to leave that one for y’all and your own ghost tour of St.
Augustine; as much as I want to, I can’t give you all the gory history!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the three starfish Staci and I rescued</td></tr>
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Having family visit was amazing, wonderful and I was just
over the moon to see OUR people! We haven’t had guests since April when Susy
came to see us in DC and I didn't realize how much I missed everyone. And not
to take away from all the friends we have been able to meet up with and see
along the way, or the new friends we have met on the road, but it just isn’t
the same as those you are used to interacting with on a regular basis; those
that know you and still love you regardless of your craziness! Saying goodbye
to Todd, Sherry and Staci was hard. Maybe it is just the hold that family has
on you, that unconditional love, or the not knowing when we will see them
again; but I have been left with that longing and maybe feeling a little
homesick for our people as of late, so dammit, I need more of you to come visit
because I am not ready to come home yet!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise and combing the beach with the beautiful Staci</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise Selfie</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-34385756828740064762014-11-04T11:35:00.000-08:002014-11-05T06:24:02.469-08:00Home Sweet Anastasia Island!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We landed on Anastasia Island, with just a quick drive over
the Bridge of Lions from the city of Saint Augustine herself and quickly
adapted to the carefree, go lucky, happy attitude of island living; our month
of idyllic life began the moment we pulled up to our home in Saint Augustine
Beach, it was like driving into a dream. From the proximity to the sea and the charm
of our adorable yellow cottage, it was almost as if I needed to pinch myself to
verify it was all real; the setting was almost too perfect to believe. Needless
to say, St. Augustine Beach won us over from the get-go! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course the beach being half a block away was the focal
point of our trip, being able to wake with the sun almost every morning to
watch her rise up out of the Atlantic had such a refreshing and renewing
energy. It was almost like a spiritual experience for many of the locals,
running into many of the same friendly faces day after day, cup of coffee or
surfboard in hand, just watching the gift of vitality the sun brings at the crack of dawn, grateful to start each day anew and reenergized by its light. Acclimating to the Salt Life didn't take long, trust me, as
you can tell, blog posts are very far behind! I was sucked into the present, not wanting to miss a moment of playing in the sand or listening to the sound of the waves. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our First Sunrise in St. Augustine Beach</td></tr>
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Unfortunately,
Ethel didn't appreciate Tom and I’s love for the beach as much as we did and would
run from the ocean as fast as her little legs in powdery sand would take her.
On the plus side, we found her a great doggie daycare to play and mingle with friends while
her humans took to the waves! Most of the beaches here are pet friendly, well,
pretty much everything is pet friendly here. Think I am kidding? Ethel pretty much
went everywhere we did, well except the market, but as far as dog friendly
cities, I have never visited a city that values pets as much as this place, except maybe Black Mountain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24rXTIATstZVxy713JFhbgV9DEP1f12CVaJwFr8B-pnm41CDTF_wUKf9hHRvNsH-fWo2Ijq43rAVEE_h5kB64LYkd6kfRidU3v24JXGiQvL_bxlrDgdot0PpC6xvuip_2e1aV7T7pM7XV/s1600/St.+Augustine+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24rXTIATstZVxy713JFhbgV9DEP1f12CVaJwFr8B-pnm41CDTF_wUKf9hHRvNsH-fWo2Ijq43rAVEE_h5kB64LYkd6kfRidU3v24JXGiQvL_bxlrDgdot0PpC6xvuip_2e1aV7T7pM7XV/s1600/St.+Augustine+019.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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Saint Augustine Beach is truly a beach town, if you have
shoes on, you’re a tourist! The locals walk barefoot virtually everywhere and I
can say, it is pretty easy to get used to not putting on shoes, in fact there
are a couple of times that Tom and I hopped in the car realizing, oh shit, we
need shoes! Everyone is friendly, kind and they live on beach time; things get
done when they get done, no rush and no worries. Especially if the waves are
beckoning the surfers to the sea, this is a surf town and well, surfing comes
first regardless of work. In fact there are a couple of shops and eateries that
would just flip the open sign to closed and you could watch the staff,
surfboards in hand, running to the ocean! Now “City Bonnie” might find this
annoying, but “Beach Bum Bonnie” found this enticing! Everything about this
place had me wrapped around its finger! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Beach</td></tr>
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The home itself was cozy and exuded the beach vibe; from the decor to the outdoor shower. The house even smelled of the sea and not in the fishy gross way, but it had that appealing scent of moisture. Imagine a cool night, waves crashing and the breeze blowing through the window, that is the smell this place emanated! Besides the fun vibrant colors in the home, the place boasted a couch with fish on it, seriously, how can it be more beachy than that! </div>
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We have so much to share from our time here: our adventures,
visitors, history and pictures, but in the meantime, here she is - the home that
captivated us - the place we almost needed to be evicted because we really
didn't want to leave - our <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7350" target="_blank">Magical Beach Oasis</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJzS_224Ha8txPvjqsha_iclMXzr8UVKstqVYkRA7jgOe4cngN_911jVsvqQCS7C9v_aZ8z76jlUhuALs-lt6w407gZe6rx27RBMVZ7knSb1VODF7AOdhdhF4jeNcpHqcejO2ictYcWeN/s1600/St.+Augustine+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJzS_224Ha8txPvjqsha_iclMXzr8UVKstqVYkRA7jgOe4cngN_911jVsvqQCS7C9v_aZ8z76jlUhuALs-lt6w407gZe6rx27RBMVZ7knSb1VODF7AOdhdhF4jeNcpHqcejO2ictYcWeN/s1600/St.+Augustine+018.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGiaz2RbyVrSoT0wfgPx46MWTb5MgRUYZGf3dtC0CBbD5D7eke1VcsXm2TYpa3IbqXp_cMEPaqNLI1AmkQMJKJrMFraJeH_zUPWbU60sNCMxLMkWsGGI01r9XXO57r0fyU4avZUT9OB0t/s1600/St.+Augustine+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGiaz2RbyVrSoT0wfgPx46MWTb5MgRUYZGf3dtC0CBbD5D7eke1VcsXm2TYpa3IbqXp_cMEPaqNLI1AmkQMJKJrMFraJeH_zUPWbU60sNCMxLMkWsGGI01r9XXO57r0fyU4avZUT9OB0t/s1600/St.+Augustine+015.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Patio</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tJuSFvM1vZU3bR09oyH-e9nP8da7-CBk2c1JKjWs2n8MOG_Xn_NZu9-e1Dkv98HPTVBGhJ2J7KXEwhQ1eEF3IJpAVNMWPz3iNsxhvfR1T6ZV_IV-s9TRj_N8q5YCjeLuBl1XWHeH-m6x/s1600/St.+Augustine+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tJuSFvM1vZU3bR09oyH-e9nP8da7-CBk2c1JKjWs2n8MOG_Xn_NZu9-e1Dkv98HPTVBGhJ2J7KXEwhQ1eEF3IJpAVNMWPz3iNsxhvfR1T6ZV_IV-s9TRj_N8q5YCjeLuBl1XWHeH-m6x/s1600/St.+Augustine+004.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family room complete with a fish couch! It was literally covered with fish! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShB3uwWeIkqvPOaAUlIOXOe7Vr1MJm_4vES7vc3XQoDm-pYvjY1K3n8umwffmxTCxDFWBL2Z0yNyylXPaqs50UOYz5tjEi8u9Xs_5sM02fcL1_-mer1qkNAcf8DkEG28ZqPimq5-50PcC/s1600/St.+Augustine+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShB3uwWeIkqvPOaAUlIOXOe7Vr1MJm_4vES7vc3XQoDm-pYvjY1K3n8umwffmxTCxDFWBL2Z0yNyylXPaqs50UOYz5tjEi8u9Xs_5sM02fcL1_-mer1qkNAcf8DkEG28ZqPimq5-50PcC/s1600/St.+Augustine+001.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest room that got used!!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH2gcO6GUNS6g1HxqxR7ltK10Bemo-woxiJiPIgbNjJucBLCWidE-9tBSkbXqdPN17nM931mm9LZnXtu2mlxZfij6L1yvR_koK6vsY3a_eiP1-tFw3JPf_glrsXUABOmKPmPW5VN6xt4n/s1600/St.+Augustine+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH2gcO6GUNS6g1HxqxR7ltK10Bemo-woxiJiPIgbNjJucBLCWidE-9tBSkbXqdPN17nM931mm9LZnXtu2mlxZfij6L1yvR_koK6vsY3a_eiP1-tFw3JPf_glrsXUABOmKPmPW5VN6xt4n/s1600/St.+Augustine+007.JPG" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2jhnIwoVfhVT72TPd-c58RMBKxhPWBsdyNuYiLBjEY0ulLLkmHvvmzsKoPAB5wZyNYCGVZKmvLXwze7ZWoKWfrPMnmcRR3CUGFor4uahuVeTvNvZKHcye_WoxGoPJntdBcsd9_gpWA4J/s1600/St.+Augustine+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2jhnIwoVfhVT72TPd-c58RMBKxhPWBsdyNuYiLBjEY0ulLLkmHvvmzsKoPAB5wZyNYCGVZKmvLXwze7ZWoKWfrPMnmcRR3CUGFor4uahuVeTvNvZKHcye_WoxGoPJntdBcsd9_gpWA4J/s1600/St.+Augustine+009.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJCCDgWK0Ni-QIB51q1hew0L-iYy5mSh1eot2JT4T5O5AcCJ2mNfY7dYeUcjGFdSEOPBoil2gK1XQa4nWWjDW6FjXZpBTyWtrI5-dPEiuvSJtCssz5BmoO2B9cV2L23KrnOdeLT-VB0t5/s1600/St.+Augustine+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJCCDgWK0Ni-QIB51q1hew0L-iYy5mSh1eot2JT4T5O5AcCJ2mNfY7dYeUcjGFdSEOPBoil2gK1XQa4nWWjDW6FjXZpBTyWtrI5-dPEiuvSJtCssz5BmoO2B9cV2L23KrnOdeLT-VB0t5/s1600/St.+Augustine+017.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRMdEayw6ZFcqjp5OqDoXAqrRCGsl5_o7AVCsIvszkgcH7vPeJonnprnjQ-EedTJXcQjFhXdzBWvOP_lo3ES14YtT9jCRGadbAX0jEWk5zXOs_ZD8jSKkeoGTkGTEGY4iNW-860Sj8_zf/s1600/St.+Augustine+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRMdEayw6ZFcqjp5OqDoXAqrRCGsl5_o7AVCsIvszkgcH7vPeJonnprnjQ-EedTJXcQjFhXdzBWvOP_lo3ES14YtT9jCRGadbAX0jEWk5zXOs_ZD8jSKkeoGTkGTEGY4iNW-860Sj8_zf/s1600/St.+Augustine+005.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell Art for the Home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpYUn5ca11HA8NkjLNLk-whZd2tbV_E8Ps3czAlZSHPekOuHoevMMbeTVhXV3BCPjfIj9LyoYR_0tM2I7RPaRTFg-65ZchlNTzamJOO_X55vQEgekq-ScYbrxlaSvAdlI3Hz_dlRWtVH0/s1600/St.+Augustine+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpYUn5ca11HA8NkjLNLk-whZd2tbV_E8Ps3czAlZSHPekOuHoevMMbeTVhXV3BCPjfIj9LyoYR_0tM2I7RPaRTFg-65ZchlNTzamJOO_X55vQEgekq-ScYbrxlaSvAdlI3Hz_dlRWtVH0/s1600/St.+Augustine+020.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy Front Porch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1RKxp-USl6aSxdFmbUsR6cBCc8xHJt7VhP4MiZ26cs2RR_VdDSX68uMVCBZF8enp5NwFYug2d_whVJOsGTd6srMc2YCuY5h-wwDIMXJsmLXbOcnCya1oplOlvX_3ThxayLuw_IDHs5uj/s1600/St.+Augustine+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1RKxp-USl6aSxdFmbUsR6cBCc8xHJt7VhP4MiZ26cs2RR_VdDSX68uMVCBZF8enp5NwFYug2d_whVJOsGTd6srMc2YCuY5h-wwDIMXJsmLXbOcnCya1oplOlvX_3ThxayLuw_IDHs5uj/s1600/St.+Augustine+012.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Outdoor Shower</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-6312178777689723032014-10-24T18:22:00.001-07:002014-11-05T06:27:21.234-08:00Appalachian Adventures!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in
the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that Goddamn mountain.” Jack Kerouac<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I had to start with this quote because it feels synonymous with
our trek and the Blue Ridge Mountains and I love Jack Kerouac, so any reason I
can to quote him, I will. We left the bustle of the city for the age old Appalachians,
hankering for some down time and seeking the opportunity to follow our mountainous
roots. We needed to get back to nature, hitting the hiking trails and just
bask in the grandeur of Mother Nature. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzatwOrI7dR_QoGe6NVVNs4jiGE-5JxEdxmjwQ4O_8DV0ksIz0Mnovo8hIDelMS9JIAB-EaermnLi4kxJDQeqhcT8fsNIikcSFkCD_Mm5L0Q4Zn5A52Eqjhkxj2tNYbVGQZxHw6mc0u1aC/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzatwOrI7dR_QoGe6NVVNs4jiGE-5JxEdxmjwQ4O_8DV0ksIz0Mnovo8hIDelMS9JIAB-EaermnLi4kxJDQeqhcT8fsNIikcSFkCD_Mm5L0Q4Zn5A52Eqjhkxj2tNYbVGQZxHw6mc0u1aC/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Carolina Arboretum</td></tr>
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Being from Utah there is a vast difference between the Appalachians
and the Rocky Mountains. Yes, I can already hear those used to the Rockies,
calling the Appalachians lovely rolling hills and although they might not peak
as high as the Rockies, they do possess a wisdom and spirit that the Rockies do
not. These “hills” were once as high or higher that the Rockies but being four
times older than the Rocky Mountains, they have had more time to erode and
eventually whittle down to what we see today. Can I say I prefer one to the other? No! They
both have fantastic trails and beauty galore, but while the Rockies have a
vibrant youth and energy about them, the Appalachians magnetize with their
enlightened serenity.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvw531NBbBRVu1bueGrmChWVQXUWv9PyQ2GWUa63XP-m-dxJsQnc-J5GJ5RWJ_qiqu0mFgLdpY0at1hHX4f6MRaMBr3-dsmeCUPC4L2zTUd72UTLKPtsF5DyJ6wEHMzudSmilBNFjOM9c/s1600/IMG_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvw531NBbBRVu1bueGrmChWVQXUWv9PyQ2GWUa63XP-m-dxJsQnc-J5GJ5RWJ_qiqu0mFgLdpY0at1hHX4f6MRaMBr3-dsmeCUPC4L2zTUd72UTLKPtsF5DyJ6wEHMzudSmilBNFjOM9c/s1600/IMG_4730.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimney Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also noticed a difference in regards to the outlook of
life in general of the people that surround both of these regions. In Utah,
everyone is always going and planning, hell, the state motto is “Busy Bee.” The
people we met and conversed with in the Asheville and surrounding areas, seemed carefree and to go with the flow; a life lived in the moment if you will. Which got me thinking
about if the vibe and if the age of a mountain can affect the behavior of those
that live in her shadows? Or if the more conscious perspective of those here in
the south, or if it could be in large part due to the powerful vortex energy that
surrounds the area. Now I just need to hunt down a scientist to study this for
me, takers?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiHa9OCvGKmOlSddKT14RfdqQxu-hk0xkh_BK7EKOSbXEpkdwhaSLaWSLywHfbuosDzE07MCyUYyv6H0tXZBGy2rTNNaoH5fbDwJVJsWv-NATEfoz1QEBzL6XyG4Xu3TuD0wjQYfokTDP/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiHa9OCvGKmOlSddKT14RfdqQxu-hk0xkh_BK7EKOSbXEpkdwhaSLaWSLywHfbuosDzE07MCyUYyv6H0tXZBGy2rTNNaoH5fbDwJVJsWv-NATEfoz1QEBzL6XyG4Xu3TuD0wjQYfokTDP/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" height="400" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hickory Nut Fall or better known as the fall in "Last of the Mohicans"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our stay in the Blue Ridge Mountain area was packed full of
marvel and adventure and I really just couldn't wait to get out the door and
see where the next trail would take us. With
hiking trails galore, we couldn't resist taking every weekend to hike and indulge
in a new piece of eye candy. I feel as though we had just begun to scratch the
surface of the beauty that the vistas of the Blue Ridge hold while we were
there. Beyond just hiking we found lots of excursions and fun to be had, most
involving nature in some aspect, but really, you’re nestled right along the
Blue Ridge Parkway, how can you not partake. So here they are, our crazy
mountain adventures, crammed into one post because well, I’ve been busy and
here I am trying to play catch up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRufC4p6PoDaUUKCuUJC0VZPUvuXUfH3YMXqvb3d5_N0MCFPxvLVdpgNQ2cpM5Ml1vTOcudPCo5mxDBbH1v_QGlJqAow535zHVEZu5PkW8jNwDz-5M3UoeVFw1WCXJOQ7Kq01SYs2I6i0y/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRufC4p6PoDaUUKCuUJC0VZPUvuXUfH3YMXqvb3d5_N0MCFPxvLVdpgNQ2cpM5Ml1vTOcudPCo5mxDBbH1v_QGlJqAow535zHVEZu5PkW8jNwDz-5M3UoeVFw1WCXJOQ7Kq01SYs2I6i0y/s1600/IMG_4732.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Lure or that place "Dirty Dancing" was filmed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our first hike was Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls. Now I
am not quite sure if Chimney Rock should be classified as a hike, since there
is an option to take the elevator to the top of the 26 stories versus climbing
the 500 stairs to its majestic peak; a great option for those that want to take
in this natural splendor, but may have physical limitations. The namesake is
for its resemblance of a chimney sticking out of the ground and on a clear day
one is rewarded in their climbing accomplishment by viewing 75 miles of
stunning vista! I believe I could have sat for hours on its perch looking out
over the panorama of the Blue Ridge Mountains, captivated and in awe at the
remarkable view.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOHn4ySYSf8be5u4Rmh3poV9aewSKXw79APyR-_XKCvp_UjzeTBvoojVNyZwxXNDbQFzNmrosPY-aMYigYCVaPkmC3-6g9JSTY_nTNk_Ku7voHdtwGi1lQpW2oIjOqJ5iE5-3soLnVjb4/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOHn4ySYSf8be5u4Rmh3poV9aewSKXw79APyR-_XKCvp_UjzeTBvoojVNyZwxXNDbQFzNmrosPY-aMYigYCVaPkmC3-6g9JSTY_nTNk_Ku7voHdtwGi1lQpW2oIjOqJ5iE5-3soLnVjb4/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Lure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once down from the perch of Chimney Rock, there is another
trail leading you towards the waterfall made famous by the “Last of the Mohicans,”
Hickory Nut Falls. Less than a mile stroll and you are immediately cooled by
the mist of the falls; 404 ft. of water force pouring over the side, making it
one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The water shimmering
silver as it falls down the side of the huge cliff walls; demonstrating the
force of Mother Nature and the power of erosion and how this entire area has
been shaped over thousands of years.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Yf19I_kA0LDclrdk_KWL0kF1Tl-LYi13fF9eEnzyeyE7ZyQSEuxYgsjQZx8b7B20kFG3nNeIRETJIYBnH09qvw35AYOJxrO6kY_Us2NrsAH6JRj43VRbAN_Asr2xvp30UEz4-fWWhvIe/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Yf19I_kA0LDclrdk_KWL0kF1Tl-LYi13fF9eEnzyeyE7ZyQSEuxYgsjQZx8b7B20kFG3nNeIRETJIYBnH09qvw35AYOJxrO6kY_Us2NrsAH6JRj43VRbAN_Asr2xvp30UEz4-fWWhvIe/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald Village Mine</td></tr>
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Our bodies cooled down from the falls and back in the car we
couldn't resist the urge to explore and check out the town of Lake Lure that
was just up the road. Not only was the film “Dirty Dancing” staged here, but it
was also a vacation destination to many luminaries: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Calvin
Coolidge and FDR to name a few. Lake Lure is a natural amusement park; between
the walking trails around the lake, the sandy beach and the flowering bridge,
one could easily feel as though they have been transported to a whole new world
and a time of whimsy, when lake side resorts were all the rage and life was a simpler
time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Mining Adventures</td></tr>
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One of our first non-hiking adventures took us to Emerald
Village to go panning for gems. We got in touch with our inner child and didn't
even hesitate to dig right into the dirt in search for that giant emerald. This
enterprise was so much more than I had originally speculated, but Tom, Tom knew
all along it was going to be a blast and his smile said it all as he scooped
heaps of dirt from our pile of earth and onto the pan for the water to wash
away, leaving us nothing but sweet rewards. To say we had a “gem of a time,”
would be an understatement, this place was a kid’s paradise, especially for
those adults that are still children at heart. So how did we make out? Not
quite sure, but we sent our loot off to our family jewelry expert, Sherry, to
figure it out and come up with some beautiful creations all her own; I for one
can’t wait to see what she comes up with.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blowing Rock</td></tr>
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The following weekend we were prepared for another hike and
we headed to The Blowing Rock, a cliff that overhangs the valley of John’s
River Gorge and is North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction. The three of us
were prepared for a hike to get in order to see this view, so imagine our
surprise when we walked out of the fee station and there she was, right there
in all her glory! Those of you that know me, know that I am rarely a person
without words, so imagine a site so jaw dropping that I was left speechless! I
was in a state of wonderment at the quintessential beauty of the sight in front
of me; if there is a heaven, this is what I envision it would look like.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandfather Vineyard</td></tr>
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After being bribed to leave The Blowing Rock by the
prospects of wine tasting and rain on the horizon, the three of us headed over
Grandfather Vineyards to search for drier weather. Not only were we met with
great wines and the comfort of an indoor tasting, but the terraced vineyard was
treasure in and of itself. Vines ripe with dew covered grapes, a slight cloud
cover and brightness that only fresh rain could bring all brought the perfect
landscape for a sipping on a glass of wine and eating a delightful afternoon
snack. The grounds were the perfect backdrop, Adirondack chairs lining the babbling creek, it was like a little oasis that almost made you forget that anyone else was around. A perfect atmosphere to regroup before heading into town for some Art in the Park. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandfather Vineyard</td></tr>
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Being in the mountains and in such an outdoorsy play land,
we got to relish in times past and recreate a lot of our childhood moments. One
such event included the day we decided to go on an apple picking adventure. Of
course a lot of the apples on the low lying branches had been picked already,
but not to fret, I still remembered how to climb a tree! That youthful rush as
I reached for limb after limb, climbing higher and higher, picking delightful
honey crisps as I went and then tossing them down to Tom to put in our basket.
The basket was full in no time and we rushed to get back home to make apple crisp; mouths watering as we could already taste the warm crisp merging with the large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top and yes, it was damn tasty!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky Top Orchard</td></tr>
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Another day and wanting a trail adventure that was close by,
we headed to the North Carolina Arboretum. Not only does this place offer up
over ten miles of hiking and biking trails from beginner to advanced, it also
offers plenty of cultivated gardens to sit back and enjoy post hike. The
Arboretum was a complete dog haven, with an outdoor café where Ethel could sit
and relax with us and regroup before touring the Bonsai Garden and taking in
all the vibrant flowers this place boasts. Overall this place is pretty
magical, giving a nature experience for all levels of fitness and for those
that just want to peruse gardens or for those of us looking for a more arduous
excursion through the vibrant forests and a definite recommend if you’re in the
area and want something close to Asheville.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Trees at Sky Top Orchard</td></tr>
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Triple Falls was also on our list of places we must hike,
being so close to a place that the “Hunger Games” was filmed it would be a
travesty to not visit this spot. DuPont State Forest Park, makes it really easy
to get in and see not only Triple Falls, but Hooker Falls and High Falls as
well; a nice and fairly easy three mile groomed trail. Of course Triple Falls
exuding the most character out of the three as it cascades down the hill side,
creating three distinct falls; a great spot to stop for a picnic and to just
take in the dramatic scenery mixed with that Hollywood presence.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triple Falls also known as the place in the "Hunger Games"</td></tr>
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Then there was our grand adventure, the Blue Ridge Mountains
setting the idyllic backdrop for a horse ride, and it was an opportunity we
couldn't pass up. It was imperative that we made this happen. We arrived at the
stables early, taking time to enjoy the free range farm and the creatures that
live there before saddling up for a two hour ride through the back country. Neither
of us had been on a horse in years, so we were a little nervous, but the guide
set us at ease and gave us a nice boost of confidence. The ride was picturesque
and peaceful; truly a great way to spend the day, taking in some breathtaking
scenery without even having to walk. The
best aspect the leaves, were just beginning to change, and the foliage was spectacular,
riding along the ridge line, we were captivated by the bright red and orange
against the bright blue sky. Two hours flew by and it was an experience we will
treasure for years to come and a bonus that our asses weren't nearly as sore as we had anticipated.</div>
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Asheville and the surrounding areas truly offer up so much to do and see. If we weren't off on an adventure you could find us strolling along the shops and the Urban Trail in Asheville, sometimes stumbling upon festivals on Lexington Street or lost in the ginormous farmers market, picking up produce and local goodies.The people here are kind and lovely and we had the pleasure to meet new people and I even had lunch with our charming host, Monica; who by the way is amazing and I am so happy I had the opportunity to meet her. And less I forget, this area is a foodie's heaven, especially for those that try to eat local and organic like us. We feel so fortunate that we got to come back to this place and stay for a longer time this time! So far we've spent the most time in North Carolina, making it nine weeks as opposed to any other place, we really love it here and I definitely wouldn't mind owning a little cottage nestled right among Blue Ridge Mountains.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of fall</td></tr>
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Thank you for bearing with the long and rambling post in my
attempt to catch up on our journey, we have been busy as of late and sometimes
I just let the moment overtake me. Our time in Black Mountain and the Asheville
area was phenomenal and it was so hard to leave; from the quaint towns
surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the rich green forests, and the rolling
smoke covered hills. If we weren't heading towards the ocean, I don’t know if I
could have managed to leave, this place truly captured my heart!</div>
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While I work on getting caught up, please enjoy some images of our time in among the great Smokies. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FFTsAtUGMnYPwr6Bh8Irdyu27HT7KGsCnNfVPES8M3zyLkhN3HP75x01FZb-dIbMx5JL-MsI10qnKurgx-jblTxnNyGVlSh72NkQ5wQstMzh3rfbmYPUDz0pYI1UFF_sup9n0qFJO_Nf/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FFTsAtUGMnYPwr6Bh8Irdyu27HT7KGsCnNfVPES8M3zyLkhN3HP75x01FZb-dIbMx5JL-MsI10qnKurgx-jblTxnNyGVlSh72NkQ5wQstMzh3rfbmYPUDz0pYI1UFF_sup9n0qFJO_Nf/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Craggy Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPodHUCqaozFEAFUJfxGjRWzwwjeCxKGw4wBnmwPI6JrFv_gDVVe8TOxfh3snYCj5xOx8EUuINX6Vr31Ybu9Apvm7AAOUvbanIsSfAlXP54WEeF5F1p_eFAkbnQcCm0Uw70A4y1UvDqhfS/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPodHUCqaozFEAFUJfxGjRWzwwjeCxKGw4wBnmwPI6JrFv_gDVVe8TOxfh3snYCj5xOx8EUuINX6Vr31Ybu9Apvm7AAOUvbanIsSfAlXP54WEeF5F1p_eFAkbnQcCm0Uw70A4y1UvDqhfS/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Glass Waterfall</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-37225507819873860112014-09-26T17:05:00.001-07:002014-11-04T07:32:04.663-08:00Home Sweet Black Mountain <div class="MsoNormal">
We departed Boston bright and early, knowing we had a
lengthy day on the road and we wanted to get in as much discovery as possible
before hitting our landing point for the evening. The Flex was loaded and pointed towards the sea for our first trek to Rhode Island and all on our set
timetable, insert happy dance here! Seriously, for or us these days this is a
big accomplishment, especially since I have become accustomed to the <i>laissez faire</i> attitude on our journey
and generally find myself moving much slower than I anticipated. I know, I have
become that person you need to deceive by telling them the party starts sixty
minutes prior to the official time. At one point I would mock these people and
now I have come to value the aspect of living and being in the moment, and I
must say it is quite nice here, I don’t know what took me so long to succumb. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Newport, home of the social elite was our first stop, taking
a moment to stare in awe at the opulence of the chateaus of the rich and powerful.
I felt like I was a world away and had just stepped out of the pages of “The
Great Gatsby,” a tad envious, but at the same time the grandeur of these places
seemed tinged with sadness. I don’t know if that is because the vast size or
that they just seemed cold and appeared to lack that cozy “home” vibe. Many of
these historic mansions were built during the American Gilded Age, 1865-1914, some are open for tours, some still occupied and some rumored to be haunted; all exuded
a lush extravagance and I wish we would have had time to tour a few before moving on to our next destination, but alas, we arrived before opening hours. We
did however take some time to stop on Ocean Drive, breath in the seaside air and
listen to the crashing waves before loading back up and hitting the road for
Mystic, CT.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bascule Drawbridge</td></tr>
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Mystic is a town that screams nautical from the very second
you drive in to the historic downtown; the maritime feel consuming you as you
drive over the Bascule Drawbridge and park along its shop lined streets. Our
stop came at a perfect time, ready for a coffee re-fill, a nice walk to stretch
our legs and to witness this counterweight bridge lift and lower to let boats pass
through the channel on their way out to sea. Our only regret was arriving too
early for lunch at the famous Mystic Pizza, but we did however manage
a fresh bag of kettle corn from a local shop that was gone within an hour of
being back on the road.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monticello and it's picture on the nickel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Between stops and detours we had hit eight states
(Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
Maryland and Virginia) and we had been on the road for close to twelve hours. By
the time we had hit our resting place in Charlottesville, VA we were ready to
crash and burn. We rose with the sun and went out for a run, breakfast and one
last stopping point before heading to our final destination in Black Mountain,
NC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Jefferson's resting place at Monticello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our quick stopping point was to visit that famous home that
has had its mark on the reverse of the nickel since 1938, Thomas Jefferson’s
retirement estate, <a href="http://www.monticello.org/" target="_blank">Monticello</a>. We arrived early, before the crowds had set in
and virtually had the place to ourselves, giving us plenty of unobstructed
photographs and time to take in the serenity of the views overlooking the Blue
Ridge Mountains. We took our time, walking the trail up to the home, passing by
the resting place of Thomas Jefferson and his descendants, the slave quarters and then looked upon the
beauty of a home. Before leaving we stopped by the gardens and vineyards, all
still producing from the original plants in Jefferson’s time. A few of the tour
guides stopped to visit with us, admiring Miss Ethel’s adorable factor, and we
learned that Monticello works with no-kill animal shelters, adopting dogs to
live on the property and to roam free during hours they are closed to the
public. If you ever find yourself in this area, Monticello makes for a great
history lesson and is definitely worth the stop.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardens at Monticello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two days on the road and we finally had arrived at our
resting place for September, just outside of Asheville, NC in the quaint town
of Black Mountain. As you pull up to our adorable Red Cottage, the first thing
you notice is the picket white fence, then the rocking chairs that adorn the
lovely front porch; imagine our delight and hurry to unpack so that we could
pour a glass of wine, sit out front and begin to thoroughly enjoy the view of
those majestic Blue Ridge Mountains while rocking away. This porch has a serenity
about it, I start my day out here with my morning cup of coffee and end it at
night with a glass of wine, listening to the birds by day and the sound of
crickets by night, all adding to the allure and charm of this home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers at Monticello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our place here has been a real retreat for us, being in the
country, surrounded by mountains again and something all three of us needed
after spending five months experiencing city life. There is a peaceful silence
about this place, a calming essence, or we could just be succumbing to the
healing vortexes and that vibrational energy that resides in these ancient
mountains. I feel like our spirits have renewed and we have been loving the
opportunity to just get out and embrace the harmonic energy of Mother Nature
again.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Tomahawk</td></tr>
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Not only do we have all this amazing electromagnetic energy
going on around us, but we have the cutest and coziest home to stay in and the
hosts have not let any detail go. The home has everything one could need: to
cook, to relax and the love and hard work that has gone into this place definitely
shows. Our hosts are the real deal, kind and friendly, oh and beyond fabulous;
they continue to make sure we are taken care of and have completely spoiled us.
In fact upon our arrival, we were greeted with wine, coffee, snacks, fresh
produce and all the makings for a breakfast the following morning; did I
mention they have thought of every detail! Their kindness and generosity has
been beyond appreciated and I am contemplating never leaving!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoiled by our hosts, and this is just a portion of it. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ethel has also taken to this place, she loves having a yard
again, to sniff around and play without the restraint of a leash. I do have to
say it has been wonderful to just open the door when she needs to go out and
getting to forego the process of putting on the harness and leash, then searching
for a grassy patch like we did in the city! Ethel’s favorite is Lake Tomahawk
and taking a stroll around the lake, chasing ducks, meeting new friends and
getting all her wiggles out. I have also fallen in love with our daily strolls
here and many of times I have make it a midpoint for my runs, just so I can
soak in the view and the calmness of the place, it almost makes me forget I am
running, almost.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Adorable Black Mt. Home</td></tr>
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We have been here for a bit now and have been out on so many
adventures that I can’t wait to share with you, but for now, here she is, our
little <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1882085" target="_blank">Red Cottage</a>:</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-15634706809172968972014-09-18T14:44:00.003-07:002014-09-18T14:44:48.282-07:00Beantown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When we weren't hitting the road for day trips we were
either walking across the bridge to the North End or hopping the ferry to Long
Wharf to experience as much of Boston as we could. Our time in Boston was our shortest
leg of our trip thus far, three weeks, and to say we felt a bit rushed is an
understatement. Fortunately Boston is a city that we have spent time in before,
so the typical tourist clichés we've done before. Crossing off Cheers and the
Freedom trail from our list of must do’s was pretty easy since we've “been
there, done that,” it gave us more time to focus on getting to know the
neighborhoods and taking part in community events, exploring the real Boston. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnrUoOdwx8ddXDhhZNSKTiIYO3fccX0hJf6GXZf7BU3NVIdOCatbvs67zaKO8JvuNepAPhwfbE3o6BMlub5s5xgvahcQ_1_R5PlmVP4JgBst8tCA9hnJN4FAgWo3dpWVXjEv-qWo_ejV9/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnrUoOdwx8ddXDhhZNSKTiIYO3fccX0hJf6GXZf7BU3NVIdOCatbvs67zaKO8JvuNepAPhwfbE3o6BMlub5s5xgvahcQ_1_R5PlmVP4JgBst8tCA9hnJN4FAgWo3dpWVXjEv-qWo_ejV9/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square in the North End</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now the Freedom Trail as I mentioned in a previous post was
right outside our front door and although it wasn't part of our agenda, we
couldn't avoid running into it, so we got to wave hello to many of history’s
famous places on a daily basis and some days being so close to tourist central
proved more difficult than others. Those days included my morning runs when I’d
chance upon the Freedom trail, where I felt like I was playing “Frogger” with
tourists, but hey, I looked like a savvy local and I got really good at
navigating and recommending places to stop for coffee. Plus, constantly seeing historical
landmarks is pretty impressive; especially on the days that
they take the U.S.S. Constitution out of her slip for a quick sail, which by
the way, requires a lot of effort by the Navy and the Boston PD, and seeing
such an old ship at full mast is phenomenal!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM-Pt6aQoa6EIBv8y3iBnkCGUcSEctqT7JZIYj1bIRIXwqh4IMLQcc-YVcuItkoJk8sY8IZy3pDvPfIAs4x1xkiEWFU9RFOgHj9Pm1GZn7wOY_19A2lk564TSB93RweBhCmTkbyOp_08w/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM-Pt6aQoa6EIBv8y3iBnkCGUcSEctqT7JZIYj1bIRIXwqh4IMLQcc-YVcuItkoJk8sY8IZy3pDvPfIAs4x1xkiEWFU9RFOgHj9Pm1GZn7wOY_19A2lk564TSB93RweBhCmTkbyOp_08w/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Freedom Trail</td></tr>
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Some days were mellow and just involved us strolling the
cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill or the North End, stopping and sitting for
coffee and a pastry in the community square, or perusing the local shops and sitting
back and taking the time to visit with some boisterous natives. Other days,
perfection was offered up by just popping a squat in Boston’s Public Garden and
watching the Swan Boats pedal by or getting lost for hours at <a href="http://www.brattlebookshop.com/" target="_blank">Brattle BookShop</a>; running my fingers across books wrapped in plastic, books older than my
great grandparents, and just letting the smell of wisdom and the written word
envelop me. Days like this, while casual, were blissful and full of cherished
memories.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP0bYZ8GoUA38J1DI1qFMbcIxQri-Hj6i3TVcJFlE-dagmWKpV4Jmo5w0p0XMt8N5gXYzP252NK_Bp8t1k3NCgE0YtB72iz1WkYD7ai4KfrmVJZMGZtUGnSc_bVfAYYPOqoWzeHhozTcl/s1600/IMG_4143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP0bYZ8GoUA38J1DI1qFMbcIxQri-Hj6i3TVcJFlE-dagmWKpV4Jmo5w0p0XMt8N5gXYzP252NK_Bp8t1k3NCgE0YtB72iz1WkYD7ai4KfrmVJZMGZtUGnSc_bVfAYYPOqoWzeHhozTcl/s1600/IMG_4143.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beacon Hill</td></tr>
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Then there some days, you stumble upon <a href="http://www.fishermansfeast.com/" target="_blank">Fisherman’s Feast</a>, a
festival that has been occurring annually in the North End since 1910. This is a gala that dates back to the 16<sup>th</sup>
century and the tradition was brought over by the devoted fisherman from Sicily.
Their ancestors still honoring the Madonna del Soccorso by throwing her a party
every year while she sits at its center after being moved from her home at the Fisherman’s
Club. She is gallantly carried by those faithful to her where she sits witness
to the festivities at a chapel at epicenter for the four day celebration. Tom
and I witnessed this time honored homage as they returned the Madonna to
her resting home for the year - the fireworks, the streamers and the prayers in her honor in return for her blessings of help and protection; a wonderful sight and one of those gems we will relish having witnessed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Ru0oJs9WPIpWeBz9DF8jaBwnEu8h44_JxzjlrSVFUEASUdfghAt-LmzSC0zxLKUCN3eXTJsqvxecRug_9ZKDwg3Pfi7ALIgvU1TFO77kPlwtym77RIgI0DWZGAdiSCg_K2Vxm5EgOzX/s1600/Nantucket+and+Bean+Town+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4Ru0oJs9WPIpWeBz9DF8jaBwnEu8h44_JxzjlrSVFUEASUdfghAt-LmzSC0zxLKUCN3eXTJsqvxecRug_9ZKDwg3Pfi7ALIgvU1TFO77kPlwtym77RIgI0DWZGAdiSCg_K2Vxm5EgOzX/s1600/Nantucket+and+Bean+Town+071.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madonna del Soccorso</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Other days, we wore our tourist caps and would visit revered
Universities, hoping the mass brain power would some way rub off; as if just
being in the presence of the genius would in turn, by association increase our
IQ. Perusing Harvard’s Old Yard, touching the foot of the bronzed John Harvard for
good luck and immediately regretting the decision and wishing I had brought
baby wipes with me - but hey, I do feel lucky so it must have worked even with
the plethora of germs we may have contracted.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DLFgWATdGfGkuA9CYX25Wkvdlsb33H3P4DNgPkpG2coHK-JGFVpacyGPkl0ATgCEyW-zCYe-XPZl5c2zHWQjUbSaNroO2pLlu4XRe7Y3o71JG5vQL8bRB7eG0_NY0fUbHMqb_-s-R4bW/s1600/Nantucket+and+Bean+Town+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DLFgWATdGfGkuA9CYX25Wkvdlsb33H3P4DNgPkpG2coHK-JGFVpacyGPkl0ATgCEyW-zCYe-XPZl5c2zHWQjUbSaNroO2pLlu4XRe7Y3o71JG5vQL8bRB7eG0_NY0fUbHMqb_-s-R4bW/s1600/Nantucket+and+Bean+Town+017.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Harvard</td></tr>
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Overall, Boston was too short a stay. It is a city unique
and full of its own captivating charms, a city that we will greatly miss,
especially those crisp evenings and our strolls along the harbor. It was one of
the harder ones to bid adieu to and one we look forward to returning to soon. In the meantime here are some more photos from our time there and hopefully they'll hold us all over. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTypXe03HE8yaJj1VhNhhc8rOuc2UoQ-ibnRDJdbIV4ri9nST4bP6gO6OvHWMxTfXZWioDJIyqy7UDBjkOiNPmAyPaeXuIqKI_OLNQyOqkQ1idMXyjBFbFepF3H8NRcvVdRcSF4s-sdk_W/s1600/photo+4+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTypXe03HE8yaJj1VhNhhc8rOuc2UoQ-ibnRDJdbIV4ri9nST4bP6gO6OvHWMxTfXZWioDJIyqy7UDBjkOiNPmAyPaeXuIqKI_OLNQyOqkQ1idMXyjBFbFepF3H8NRcvVdRcSF4s-sdk_W/s1600/photo+4+(17).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Constitution</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVLnrRfs2mdTwrGyQpKSKHa_lc5cxNWKQs_LqWFJD1Fd-piJwH-fswMXT3NJeBct0c3fbQ6J8XIldvUg_Ey9GMCx12s4F3MDXc6aJGsdi75ZAKm9TOgdnHa7ZOn6gzMLMpSFxtBRJsYSS/s1600/IMG_4123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVLnrRfs2mdTwrGyQpKSKHa_lc5cxNWKQs_LqWFJD1Fd-piJwH-fswMXT3NJeBct0c3fbQ6J8XIldvUg_Ey9GMCx12s4F3MDXc6aJGsdi75ZAKm9TOgdnHa7ZOn6gzMLMpSFxtBRJsYSS/s1600/IMG_4123.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan Boats in the Public Garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1tMi4D2aQjgos-OhkCW3lo9mHLFWFBVLw-WdMC3kwbyjIs1angWoNC9gP_g1_3GJ8oFaT523tGqtFMv7I3G4eUOlTsYjGwk0Gy9g4_VIkwr0PjVUvxYpylQBMBH8spZnndptItTeeEZd/s1600/photo+1+(27).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1tMi4D2aQjgos-OhkCW3lo9mHLFWFBVLw-WdMC3kwbyjIs1angWoNC9gP_g1_3GJ8oFaT523tGqtFMv7I3G4eUOlTsYjGwk0Gy9g4_VIkwr0PjVUvxYpylQBMBH8spZnndptItTeeEZd/s1600/photo+1+(27).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Sunset</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo9r9fkkLc9a3LtiyGsJrzvUaVOfZFfo1Bz-CukF253xAqMuNzm3FSBese29ugvs7WICABREccUeZ6zH9OK73gtzYc_XEYOkWo-hZ_3R4c_d2OV5UVe_KSngiADhlU8y8m2VsR1sq2ZbL/s1600/NE+Coast+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo9r9fkkLc9a3LtiyGsJrzvUaVOfZFfo1Bz-CukF253xAqMuNzm3FSBese29ugvs7WICABREccUeZ6zH9OK73gtzYc_XEYOkWo-hZ_3R4c_d2OV5UVe_KSngiADhlU8y8m2VsR1sq2ZbL/s1600/NE+Coast+036.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunker Hill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDWJjBrPr2HBR4alN8UULKSj4QyGIzJFjRrSqx979LNsDqVjWPumzKQFjrknff-WVeoFZe9fzcrdYA19hD-Ay0wAiTMiO1El-Yxf471B9nrCyVV-f3GTlZzjy6l9nfguvXOp7mv6AiGPq/s1600/Brattleboro-Books-Outside.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brattle Books</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-38222071658844920572014-09-10T17:10:00.000-07:002014-09-11T14:47:24.237-07:00The Coast and an Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We really wanted to make an extended stopover in Portland,
Maine a part of our agenda for the East Coast, unfortunately the flight
schedules and costs for Tom to get to San Antonio didn't work in our favor and
it had to be axed. However, being in Boston and so close we couldn't resist the
temptation to zip up for a fun filled day trip to this eclectic and vibrant
city, and of course, knowing us, we had quite a few exploratory pit stops along
the way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First stop was Rockport, MA for what can only be described
as a breakfast of champions at <a href="https://plus.google.com/103056090381971510154/about?gl=us&hl=en" target="_blank">Roy Moore Lobster</a>. Tom’s face lit up like a
kid on Christmas morning as he bit into his lobster roll, lobster as fresh as
you can get it, as in just off the boat that morning, something that can only
be likened to biting into lobster flavored butter. Even Miss Ethel was spoiled as
the chef brought her out bites of fresh smoked salmon, perfect start for all,
getting us geared up for our day pack full of adventures. We sat out on the
back deck in a slight sprinkle of rain, devouring breakfast and looking out over
the bay, taking in the ambiance of what a true fisherman’s wharf looks like;
lobster cages lining the docks, fishing boats parked along the deck and men
hauling in their fresh morning catches, all just making the experience of this
town all the more captivating. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Roy Moore Lobster</td></tr>
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Rockport is more than I ever envisioned. The village is
picturesque; charming shops sandwiched between narrow streets and the sea,
locals out for their morning run and gathering together for quick morning hello’s
with their neighbor. Down the road at the center of town, lies a
park, where the farmers were setting up their produce for the weekend farmers
market, all adding to its allure. I can easily see why this town attracts so
many visitors and those making their weekend escape from Boston.</div>
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Stomachs full, we hopped back in the car and headed towards
Portsmouth, NH to check out <a href="http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/fort-constitution-state-historic-site.aspx" target="_blank">Fort Constitution</a> and the lovely <a href="http://www.portsmouthnh.com/thingstodo/todoDetail.cfm?TodoID=19&CategoryID=6" target="_blank">PortsmouthLighthouse</a>. Fort Constitution sits adjacent to a U.S. Coast Guard Station, in fact
you literally walk through the Coast Guard compound to access this historic
site, following a red line as your guide, so no one gets’ lost or worse, mistaken
as a threat. Once inside the fort, you are again free to roam at your own will,
reading plaques and learning the history of a place that has been defending our
country since 1631, and I was bewildered to think that we have fortresses guarding
us against sea bound threats dating back that far or ever for that matter. The
entire concept seemed so European and sea side Castle like to me, the idea of
this in America was a surprise and fun learning experience about our countries
history. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portsmouth Lighthouse</td></tr>
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Just outside of Fort Constitution sits the stunning
Portsmouth Lighthouse. The morning fog hadn't quite dissipated and the white
from the lighthouse just seemed to pop among the mist coming off the water,
which in turn made for some great photos. Now the lighthouse itself was closed
so my photo ops came at me climbing down into a fort window, and me hanging out
the side to get the shots; a precarious situation, but dammit, I need to
capture the moment! Sometimes I think Tom should follow me with a camera just
to photograph the positions I put myself into to get the shot, now that would
make a pretty entertaining Instagram page.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Dock</td></tr>
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Our detours complete we were officially Portland bound. We
rolled into the historic downtown and took time to walk, shop and eat
ice-cream, taking in all the magic and ocean breeze two humans and one dog
could handle. The people-watching in Portland was my favorite, I could have sat
for hours, completely mesmerized by that burly fisherman look meets hippy flare
that every local there seemed to sport; trying to determine if a person was
just coming in off a boat after months at sea or heading off to a local drum
circle was quite the conundrum; the two energies were fused together like the
twins of zodiac sign, Gemini. Needless to say, the people seemed really cool
and like those we’d like to grab a drink with, if only we had the time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Head Light</td></tr>
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We made one more stop before turning around and heading back
to Boston and that was at the <a href="http://www.portlandheadlight.com/" target="_blank">Portland Head Light</a>, Maine’s oldest and one of
the world’s most photographed lighthouses. This lighthouse is in Fort Williams
Park creating this scene that just beckons you to relax and then we realized this would have been the perfect spot to sit down with a blanket, a picnic
basket and a bottle of wine. This is a place you could easily spend hours; just
caught up in trails, or lounging away listening to the ocean wave’s crash while
lying in a blanket of grass. But alas, it was getting late and Boston was
calling and homeward bound we had to head. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Heading north would not be the end of our coastal
adventures, we still had one magical island to visit; a place where swag and charm
collide creating an idyllic fairy-tale setting. The three of us hopped on the
ferry from Cape Cod bright and early one Saturday and set sail for this illustrious place,
this isle called Nantucket! We were immediately met by Heather and her friend,
Malissa, as we exited the boat and readily made our way down the cobblestone
streets to the Prince’s holiday retreat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brant Point Lighthouse</td></tr>
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Willy, Heather’s husband, was kind and courageous enough to
take on the task of dog sitting the high maintenance Miss Ethel while we snuck
out for a guided bike tour with Heather and Malissa. First stop though was
suiting Tom up with Nantucket Reds and a welcome mudslide before heading over
to the bike shop to pick up our bikes and my favorite, getting to see this
island through Heather’s eyes, a tour I was truly looking forward to since I
know how much she loves this place. Heather weaved us in and out of enchanting
neighborhoods, cottages big and small lining the streets and the sea. Quarter-boards
dawning the name of the homes which immediately piqued my interest; I wanted to
know the story behind the name of the home and how it came to be. I immediately
burst into thought about what Tom and I would name our next home when we settle
down again, but know this, it will have a quarter-board; I was that intrigued
and in love with the idea. Our bike tour took us to the beautiful <a href="http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=629" target="_blank">Brant PointLighthouse</a>. The sand warm on my feet, seashells that glittered in the sand and
the view of the lighthouse and the marina, it was a place I could have easily
just spent the day. If only I could control time.</div>
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We headed back to the Prince retreat to bid our adieus as we
set out for some family time, dinner and the boat trip back home. We took a
nice stroll down the streets, talking with the locals; I am always so amazed at
the conversations that strike up because you have a dog and the people you meet
because of it. Two men stand out, both prior humans to dachshunds; one an
oysterman and the other, well, his family has been on the island forever as he
put it. Meeting with the locals just adds more appeal to this place and I can truly
see why it is a destination of not only the wealthy, but for all of us day trippers as
well. <o:p></o:p><br>
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Once back on the boat and on our way out to sea, we watched
as the sun made its last dance across the water, twinkling across the ocean as
it made its descent and off in the distance we could hear the faint sound
of the Boston Pops playing at an outdoor concert on the beach. All making for a
perfect send off to one of the most captivating places I've ever been. Nantucket we will be back! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-4058512454060745262014-08-15T12:26:00.000-07:002014-08-15T12:26:54.632-07:00Home Sweet Boston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of Complex</td></tr>
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We found our Boston home smack in the<a href="http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/cny.htm" target="_blank"> Charlestown Navy Yard</a>.
Charlestown dawns the prestige of being the oldest neighborhood in the
metropolis of Boston, as well as home to the <a href="http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/" target="_blank">U.S.S. Constitution</a> and <a href="http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bunkerhill.asp" target="_blank">BunkerHill</a>. Being situated right on the Boston Harbor and Mystic River, makes for an
excellent front row seat to the sunrise over the city and lovely evening walks
for the family right along the harbor; we really couldn't have asked for a more
perfect location to stay while here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A little history on the area: Charlestown was the first
capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony all the way back to 1629 and it is home
to the oldest Navy Yard in the country. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Independence_(1814)" target="_blank">U.S.S. Independence</a>, the very first
Navy ship, was built right down the road from us and the area we are staying is
now part of the National Park Service. Our home in Boston isn't to be excluded
from this history either, it was once the metal shop for the Navy, of course
completely rehabbed but still exudes that character of what it once was. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X-W6TrDYUF3JmUFjDcQfjyx4p3u_OLSe-vVrshs1czkWggzK3Mv_NU7v5Wzg7H1dqzNf07v4c6_Azk1WfrXDuLMJB9FGzzgXHJhPygmo8gLsMjG9B04LMu_jkKwlNgE3CZGZZ7k4jALb/s1600/photo+3+(27).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X-W6TrDYUF3JmUFjDcQfjyx4p3u_OLSe-vVrshs1czkWggzK3Mv_NU7v5Wzg7H1dqzNf07v4c6_Azk1WfrXDuLMJB9FGzzgXHJhPygmo8gLsMjG9B04LMu_jkKwlNgE3CZGZZ7k4jALb/s1600/photo+3+(27).JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Our condo represents a plethora of history and when the
building was converted in the 1980’s they did an amazing job at leaving the facade
of its roots, many of details were left so that you can still see the representation
of its rich past. Each unit holds the original windows and the exposed brick
interior walls, adding that rustic old feel, while blending with a touch of
modern. This is a place where you can feel the history, but still relax in the
comfort of current day amenities; I can only begin to imagine the stories these
walls hold. Besides beautifully shaped arched windows, this place boasts
vaulted ceilings, a giant skylight and a tin roof. The tin roof I had the
pleasure of thoroughly enjoying yesterday as a rainstorm came in, listening to
the soothing sound of the “tap, tap, tap,” of the rain as it hit the roof;
hearing that cleansing rejuvenation of the rain just added to the charm and
energy of this place, causing me to fall even more in love with it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Harbor Walk</td></tr>
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And to top off the perfection of this place, the building itself as well as the community are very pet friendly. The condo complex has a huge dog park for the resident critters as well as being one block away from the <a href="http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/" target="_blank">Boston Harbor Walk</a> and kiddie corner from <a href="http://playground-hoppingmass.blogspot.com/2014/05/mayor-thomas-menino-park-charlestown.html" target="_blank">Menino Park</a> along the waterfront. Needless to say, Miss Ethel has plenty of options to mark her territory and explore which makes for a happy girl, which in turn makes for very happy humans. </div>
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Charlestown gives that small community feel while still
being able to be part of big city life. We are just a quick walk across
the bridge or we can take the ferry over to Long Wharf in Central Boston,
depending on where we want to go and what we happen to be up to that day. Being
in a walking city again is so refreshing, knowing we never have to pull the
Flex out of the parking garage and that we can access anything we need by foot
again has breath of fresh air. Who knew we would fall in love with the idea of
not having a car and the convenience of public transit; a shocking
surprise for both of us and a definite must to wherever we land.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So here is our Airbnb gem and <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2167993" target="_blank">Navy Yard Condo </a>for the month
of August: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-40619584307519906052014-08-12T13:04:00.000-07:002014-08-15T12:46:18.061-07:00Meandering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mapping out one location to the next can sometimes be a
little crazy and doesn't always work the way I envision, sometimes leaving gaps
in landing places. It could have something to do with availability in the cities we
are bound for, or it could be my procrastination and indecisiveness. It can be a struggle to find a place because we can’t make up our minds where we want to go next,
but it all works out in the end and gives us an opportunity to see sights that would
have gone unseen by us otherwise. We had five days between Toronto and Boston,
five days with the open road and no agenda, nothing to do but explore and spend
quality time with friends. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cayuga Lake</td></tr>
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Our week of
meanderings took us to the Finger Lake region of New York and then to the
official “Jersey Shore,” Monmouth Beach where the “Compagno Car of Chaos”
descended upon the Prince family. We left Toronto, bound for Ithaca, fairly early in the
morning, hoping to avoid the mayhem of traffic at the border, but alas everyone
else had the same agenda! We sat in a line of cars for close to an hour and part
of it on a bridge spanning Lake Erie no less. Now I don’t know about you all,
but being grid locked on a bridge sort of freaks me out; it tends to make me
feel vulnerable. I don't like the lack of an escape route other than jumping to my death, maybe I am being paranoid or I have seen way too many doomsday movies, but
seriously it kind of scares me.</div>
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Only thirty minutes of being petrified on a bridge before we
finally approached our gate, passports handed over, we were asked a few
questions and then because I had put Tom’s Global Entry pass in his passport
for safe keeping, we got sent the inspection zone! Sitting in a building,
wondering if they were going to inspect the car, pull out all of our strategically
packed belongings and us visualizing our cargo pummeling the Customs Agent as
he opened the car door, but the stars aligned and they only asked us a few
questions and then cleared us for<a href="http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/sentri-overview" target="_blank"> Sentri</a>. Although looking back I feel like I
was robbed of a great photo op, Customs Agent having to be rescued after bag
after bag falls from the Ford Flex, arm extended, reaching for aid, between the
Samsonite luggages. I should stop now before they revoke our privileges,
especially since I now feel obligated to take another trek across the border in
order and utilize our expedited credentials. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming Hole at Robert H. Treman State Park</td></tr>
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We landed just outside of Ithaca for two nights, ready to take
on the Finger Lakes region, hikes, wine and all, and mostly just ready to move
our legs after spending the majority of the day in the car. I had researched
some of the pet friendly hikes and vineyards so we had a pretty good grasp on
what we could and couldn't do in town, definitely more than a day and halves
worth of adventures, forcing us to pick and choose our favorites. The downfall was we were constantly
on the move and didn't have the pleasure of taking our time - we lost a bit of the leisure aspect of travel we both enjoy so much, but still spectacular.</div>
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Finger Lakes is surrounded by stunning waterfalls and swimming
holes, we only hit three of the many that surround the area, ones that we knew
where in pet friendly parks and we knew Ethel could join us. We started with the Lower Falls in <a href="http://www.fingerlakes.com/parks/robert_treman_state_park" target="_blank">Robert H. Treman State Park</a> and I wish we would have come prepared in a bathing suit.
This is an amazing little water fall that cascades right into a giant swimming
hole, with a diving board and all. The place was just beckoning us to jump in,
it was so hard to resist stripping down to my skivvies and not taking a dive.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucifer Falls</td></tr>
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Further up the park lies the magnificent Lucifer Falls, a
bit of a jaunt to get down to it, and Miss Ethel demanded to be carried for
half of it, her poor little old legs! Dog in arms, we made it down to the base,
in awe of the energy and yet the serenity of this fall - here lies that
moment that I wish were not rushing, because this is a moment that I would have
loved to of been able to bask in. It would have been nice to sit
and listen all day to the gush of water as it fell from the mountain, enjoying that wondrous
mix of vitality and peace that only Mother Nature can give.<br />
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After hiking back out, we were ravenous and thought it would
be best to stop for a bite of food before heading off to a wine tasting. We
stopped right in the heart of Ithaca, ate some lunch and perused the streets.
I was slightly disappointed since I had heard how adorable this town is, but unfortunately
it was under some major construction while we were there, entire streets
blocked off, masking its certain charm.</div>
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Full and ready for some vino we headed off to <a href="http://www.sixmilecreek.com/" target="_blank">Six Mile Creek Vineyard</a> for a wine tasting. Six Mile Vineyard was great, the staff was exceptionally friendly and they let Miss Ethel into the tasting room with us,
even offering her own water bowl. The wines were tasty, the atmosphere excellent and the
view and the grounds were gorgeous. Throughout our eight months we've been to
quite a few vineyards, of course most during the off season, but it was so nice
to finally see succulent grapes growing on the vines - the fruit of the
nectar of which one is drinking. The
staff encouraged us to take Miss Ethel for a walk through the grounds. The landscape was stunning and a lovely way to relax. It’s nice when we can bring the critter
to places like this with us. I highly recommend this place to those of you who
are traveling with your dog and if not, still stop in for a tasting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six Mile Creek Vineyard</td></tr>
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One last hike to snap us out of our food and wine coma, a
stop at <a href="http://www.fingerlakes.com/parks/buttermilk-falls" target="_blank">Buttermilk Falls</a>. Again we were taunted with another swimming hole at the
base as we hiked up the side to the top of the falls. Once top side
and sitting in the shade, we looked out as the water rolled down the mossy rocks
and into pool below, the screams of children splashing and playing in the
background was surprisingly calming. Sitting for a moment, we relished the mood before
heading back down the hill and into the car for a ride along Cayuga Lake.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttermilk Falls</td></tr>
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The next day we were Jersey Shore bound, to stay with the
Prince Family for a few days, in their beach retreat and summer escape from
Brooklyn. Heather greeted us with wine, dinner, good conversation and of course
lots of laughter. I was looking forward to one of my favorites, "Heather Adventures" - in which I was so spoiled with as part of our NYC jaunt! She always has a way of
finding the best “off the beaten path” excursions to do and she never fails us.
This time, lavender picking for all of us, so excited I could almost smell the
rich scent of lavender. Now I think we all had in mind lush fields of lavender,
visualizing the Provence landscape, rolling hills of incredible rich purple. Imagine
our surprise when we rolled up to some ladies house; yeah we went lavender picking
out of somebodies back yard! Even though it wasn't what any of us had in our
mind’s eye, it was still an adventure for the books! Chickens were running amok, stories
of bee swarms and the eccentric group of ladies shopping in the lavender store for pillow sprays and lotions, made it all worth the drive. Did I mention the
store was the front yard, next to the badminton court?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk2XH6WHrdAsz-Z4w0l68hp6CR5_dJmAbn5LWgPl2M45CU8ln7KsKBSGoxNYsrzmyN1Juaa5dusCb037aLRbb7_7Pc42RNuiuS6G6SmybpqZbyUuQMHpoaoV-mKe-CN42bF5xYqJgZIIP/s1600/photo+2+(25).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk2XH6WHrdAsz-Z4w0l68hp6CR5_dJmAbn5LWgPl2M45CU8ln7KsKBSGoxNYsrzmyN1Juaa5dusCb037aLRbb7_7Pc42RNuiuS6G6SmybpqZbyUuQMHpoaoV-mKe-CN42bF5xYqJgZIIP/s1600/photo+2+(25).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather and her adorable boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A visit to the Jersey Shore wouldn't be complete without a
stop to <a href="http://www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/NJ_BEACHES_SHORE_GUIDE/POINT_PLEASANT_BEACH_BOARDWALK_JENKINSONS.HTM" target="_blank">Point Pleasant</a> to take in all the clichés that give Jersey its reputation
for being a little rough around those refined edges. Point Pleasant didn't disappoint,
we were surrounded by Snooki and Pauly D’s look-a-likes galore. My jaw dropped
as I just sat back and watched the people walk by, surprised that it really was
true, that reality television hadn't failed me and that this world truly exists;
people watching at its finest!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP0neJSw3nXKsgfxYXIPwGyWaFFA1yKcSeq92Sjxz6sLoLoPOALJSnMgnDDil1EhkeHZ_KkwirwT8lrF5ingrFLVef5eJXnLQC-96UM0hBke95sKWKDoNmk5z8FqWOuFc_5P6odKNTpQy/s1600/photo+1+(25).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP0neJSw3nXKsgfxYXIPwGyWaFFA1yKcSeq92Sjxz6sLoLoPOALJSnMgnDDil1EhkeHZ_KkwirwT8lrF5ingrFLVef5eJXnLQC-96UM0hBke95sKWKDoNmk5z8FqWOuFc_5P6odKNTpQy/s1600/photo+1+(25).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel, taking time to smell the lavender or possibly chasing a chicken</td></tr>
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Of course being on the ocean, Tom, Ethel and I stopped over
at the pet friendly <a href="http://www.visitnj.org/trip-idea/asbury-parks-beach-and-boardwalks" target="_blank">Asbury Beach</a> for a bit, to breath in some of that salt air.
It is amazing what a sea breeze, the crash of the waves, and the sand between your
toes can do for your center, such a calming essence, it gets me every time. It
was exactly what we all needed before taking the trek the next morning for
Boston.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Jersey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our five days in between homes was a great opportunity to
catch up with friends, wonderful late nights full of reminiscing and enjoying the sights we wouldn't have had the pleasure to see otherwise. Thank you
Prince Family for letting us invade your beach escape for a few days, and
introducing us to new friends. We loved being able to catch up with you all and
your hospitality was much appreciated! Next up Boston!!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnlSZt_kZ7yxEd50wjHCp1te_Bew53Fv2WpC9j5mJFOqHmlcnrCDMoo2rjxi2PD9DKmqjujCybYjAiM1oejqjA7SMPjxIxZ5cRhfhwh7mDk3ZuRDYm7tRSqXaHY41w5ahT0kUQFUbVYFS/s1600/photo+5+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnlSZt_kZ7yxEd50wjHCp1te_Bew53Fv2WpC9j5mJFOqHmlcnrCDMoo2rjxi2PD9DKmqjujCybYjAiM1oejqjA7SMPjxIxZ5cRhfhwh7mDk3ZuRDYm7tRSqXaHY41w5ahT0kUQFUbVYFS/s1600/photo+5+(5).JPG" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Amazing Prince Family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-28548994848219555802014-08-07T17:39:00.001-07:002014-08-07T18:09:26.138-07:00Ontario Outings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh, Ontario and your adventures. My favorite of course was that jaw dropping waterfall, but let us not forget perusing downtown
Toronto, the Distillery District and the Belt Line. This post is directed at our
Ontario based excursions and all the fun we had while pretending to be Canadian
for one month. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZEQWvlFbizZIXe_QXMHgh3wvnk6xYYVdq8zndpRlVmUmlt2GjaloCqcV1Ch6RXbH7NWWwFr-8VEnqqJWMNMVRXt4t5E7AoIgTVwULKR1CQZ3zezv1tdvnykzue4EmsPq3hej1YPmU2mZ/s1600/photo+5+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZEQWvlFbizZIXe_QXMHgh3wvnk6xYYVdq8zndpRlVmUmlt2GjaloCqcV1Ch6RXbH7NWWwFr-8VEnqqJWMNMVRXt4t5E7AoIgTVwULKR1CQZ3zezv1tdvnykzue4EmsPq3hej1YPmU2mZ/s1600/photo+5+(4).JPG" height="258" width="400"></a></div>
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Let’s start with my favorite, Niagara Falls!
A-freaking-mazing! Granted driving into Niagara you feel like you've taken a
detour and have suddenly landed in the Canadian version of Las Vegas. It is kitschy,
full of casinos, Ferris wheels and total Niagara clichés, but in reality the
city does need to provide some other form of entertainment, I mean one can only stare
at a waterfall for so long, regardless of how remarkable it is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPiA6hnHGF050TOHsuJthYI34KSORl-B3tvIC3dnFgbB_iJVk87raAcoW5S_L6ocojoXVjC9l9y5WXL_KFFQQt1m1ZXQWouRKKcNLR_cqYju6sFIOl7MDhmbfj9EPInbwzxuyi1h6-qh8/s1600/photo+2+(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPiA6hnHGF050TOHsuJthYI34KSORl-B3tvIC3dnFgbB_iJVk87raAcoW5S_L6ocojoXVjC9l9y5WXL_KFFQQt1m1ZXQWouRKKcNLR_cqYju6sFIOl7MDhmbfj9EPInbwzxuyi1h6-qh8/s1600/photo+2+(21).JPG" height="257" width="400"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqeIs-W0tHSCxzxdiClh5XEpCaTxtOFQfQoyOzj_2Pfmk2rKBpSoHtCgMtoU8RQpod0ohPEX7i4H01YOQ1t0tNPsLL4qXrGy62cScpSWp-3iZagR7Zi6HttjCvIr5BXNaUDDwji4zCXLQ/s1600/photo+2+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqeIs-W0tHSCxzxdiClh5XEpCaTxtOFQfQoyOzj_2Pfmk2rKBpSoHtCgMtoU8RQpod0ohPEX7i4H01YOQ1t0tNPsLL4qXrGy62cScpSWp-3iZagR7Zi6HttjCvIr5BXNaUDDwji4zCXLQ/s1600/photo+2+(19).JPG" height="400" width="400"></a></div>
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We had made plans to meet up with Tom’s long lost cousin,
Tim and his partner Steve from Buffalo, while visiting Niagara, but first we
needed to take in the fury of the river. We arrived a couple of hours before
our lunch date, bound and determined to hike into the whirlpools; unfortunately
heat and lack of adequate planning prevented us making it before having to turn
around and head back into town. Feeling slightly defeated, but the excitement
of meeting family members for the first time quickly overcast our brush with
failure. <o:p></o:p><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOa9vxaEEzpt0izUmm-02Tcx9mt-gSN7CSE5pNZ3JsY2Nn1JZFbRFye459LADMjtbksZky4cCmXge_b88WOmZyEgcP9n7LXfN78QPjZyQcclWB7LO7DVKxN1bRxpNIFDjITbjhIvS2K2T/s1600/photo+4+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOa9vxaEEzpt0izUmm-02Tcx9mt-gSN7CSE5pNZ3JsY2Nn1JZFbRFye459LADMjtbksZky4cCmXge_b88WOmZyEgcP9n7LXfN78QPjZyQcclWB7LO7DVKxN1bRxpNIFDjITbjhIvS2K2T/s1600/photo+4+(12).JPG" height="267" width="400"></a></div>
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Tim is a cousin from Tom’s biological father side and since
Tom was quite young when his mother said sayonara to Ralph, that part of his
life has been minimal to say the least, especially since he passed about
eighteen years ago. Fortunately though, Tom’s brother, Todd, did some genealogy
research, looking for family members, medical history and what not and came across
some long lost cousins, including Tim. Being able to connect with him, learn
that part of their genetic make-up has been a great experience and learning
what little was known about Tom’s biological father has been fascinating. Meeting
up with Tim and Steve made for a wonderful afternoon; we spent hours chatting,
getting to know one another, learning about that side of Tom’s heritage and it’s
definitely one of the greatest treasures we've had on our journey. Thank you
Tim and Steve for making the drive across the border and dining with us even
though we were a little ripe from our hike; we did test that unconditional
family bond by meeting up post exercise. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV3lStZ6i_cWg6-imGucafq-XAW6II15CELn1HDZr_mRMHkrSkmXCtJh7QXHJ4IORqmh_viZaROr0KtAjW0sUQNyYOIXBqn-2yL3qfD3WNTuCuMmHlkkOzw6CtxYg_C5Rhti0FKEfuKQY/s1600/photo+3+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV3lStZ6i_cWg6-imGucafq-XAW6II15CELn1HDZr_mRMHkrSkmXCtJh7QXHJ4IORqmh_viZaROr0KtAjW0sUQNyYOIXBqn-2yL3qfD3WNTuCuMmHlkkOzw6CtxYg_C5Rhti0FKEfuKQY/s1600/photo+3+(18).JPG" height="400" width="341"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and his cousin Tim</td></tr>
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On our way back into Toronto, we took a quick drive through
the thriving wine town of <a href="https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/" target="_blank">Niagara on the Lake</a>, of course part of me want to
stop, taste the wine, but the urge to shower and crash had a greater pull.
Although I would strongly recommend for those honeymooners or couples checking
out Niagara Falls area to stay in Niagara on the Lake. The streets are lined
with flowers, adorable cottage homes, a park as the centerpiece of the city and vineyards
just around the corner; this is a city that exudes romance and full of so much more whimsy than Niagara Falls. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqdxPQiQL-jls2lpGOHD1e5s0YPmdZytGh1UBQqtJlrW3ZmQ4MsK4XAYTAjl10bDWnvS1UguxVmBGj6ThoiwTR7K-rEH_A38CLJO_K_bRdqEA1IlxtUjMEf7kBD45LOHyHF12cEdp7Naq/s1600/photo+2+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqdxPQiQL-jls2lpGOHD1e5s0YPmdZytGh1UBQqtJlrW3ZmQ4MsK4XAYTAjl10bDWnvS1UguxVmBGj6ThoiwTR7K-rEH_A38CLJO_K_bRdqEA1IlxtUjMEf7kBD45LOHyHF12cEdp7Naq/s1600/photo+2+(22).JPG" height="400" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom taking in the Distillery District</td></tr>
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Toronto and our excursions here were pretty mellow, taking
them a day at a time to peruse the downtown area, the urban beaches, the D<a href="http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/" target="_blank">istillery District</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltline_Trail" target="_blank">Belt Line</a>. All unique and each got their own day of adventures.
Why? Because Toronto is the Los Angeles of the East, seriously! This town is so
spread out and you literally have to drive everywhere and in horrific traffic;
it was a quick reminder of my strong dislike of LA and why I could never live
there. Although there was lots to see and do in Toronto, it was my least
favorite city so far, and maybe it had to do with how spread out it is and that
everything is at least thirty minutes away by car. Or maybe I have become
accustomed to walking cities and having everything one could possibly need
within a fifteen minute walk from our apartment, literally being able to
run out for something is a true gem.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdISxJ_NAAc30fZjmFuNG1KpAEGkLnkwaqXQJyF4A78d3_o85zG-VEk_-WONspS82C7RVkHn4tVA_pfYD6tDB1O9SmiZmX_Va1tXJgC8AjFP7L4VJTVzZWpEJYOng-WSDqUW08B9hFJ1X9/s1600/photo+1+(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdISxJ_NAAc30fZjmFuNG1KpAEGkLnkwaqXQJyF4A78d3_o85zG-VEk_-WONspS82C7RVkHn4tVA_pfYD6tDB1O9SmiZmX_Va1tXJgC8AjFP7L4VJTVzZWpEJYOng-WSDqUW08B9hFJ1X9/s1600/photo+1+(22).JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locks of Love at the Distillery District</td></tr>
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Although we were ready to head back stateside, there are a
few things we will miss about Canada. Poutine for one, the delicious concoction
of fries and gravy, I mean, what’s not to love! Plus by the time we had left I was mastering the metric system and my ability to read directions in French, phenomenal! And, I am not going to lie, Netflix in Canada, awesome! Thanks for the
adventures Canada, but it is time to bid you adieu. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-47890914162043089592014-08-03T13:35:00.002-07:002014-08-03T13:35:29.014-07:00New France<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I get a hankering for Europe, it feels like too long
since we last crossed the vast sea to Italy; that urge to surround yourself
with old, to be sucked into a culture that just engulfs you at every turn and
just <i>suivre le courant. </i>Plus it feels
as though our friends have been taunting us this summer, as numerous amounts of
them have spent their spring and summers abroad this year; they have been instantiating
my desire to return, a yearning I haven’t been able to let go of and so what
does one do when they are already on the road trip of a lifetime and can’t
quite make it happen? Well you head to Quebec for a long weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOXBwRjoQbse2vTL5b9tCaHfmkQm6RRCXPfwiLjDPN5ado32pWUhCrmvbi1BNuUVhMbJMZflyquKlClP3puBboQLcYHFAOXBvWOzjp8aGjVTtwx7ZBDRmTxkQYXLvWyIcEkkPZuGU1l5V/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOXBwRjoQbse2vTL5b9tCaHfmkQm6RRCXPfwiLjDPN5ado32pWUhCrmvbi1BNuUVhMbJMZflyquKlClP3puBboQLcYHFAOXBvWOzjp8aGjVTtwx7ZBDRmTxkQYXLvWyIcEkkPZuGU1l5V/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+021.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Montreal from Mont Royal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Quebec is a French paradise without having to leave the soil
of North America, from the language, food and architecture, something we haven’t
been able to surround ourselves with since leaving New Orleans. Now don’t be
mistaken, New Orleans and Quebec are nothing alike, both vastly different;
Quebec is refinement at its finest, while New Orleans is its rowdy sister, both
exuding a culture and experience each their own.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsarXuSTFVOGrhG3m9yXrjHmTHu8kaTS2wdsge47PXwG0lmpVb8q_TpUiyIYi_FQLkUEmI5FOpQhZ3ni7HVStKgqxuHzM-PUzUNHReeTPKBaYoeDE5Lihfz4uwEZ2VFvVK1CyhWn3dc0L/s1600/photo+5+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsarXuSTFVOGrhG3m9yXrjHmTHu8kaTS2wdsge47PXwG0lmpVb8q_TpUiyIYi_FQLkUEmI5FOpQhZ3ni7HVStKgqxuHzM-PUzUNHReeTPKBaYoeDE5Lihfz4uwEZ2VFvVK1CyhWn3dc0L/s1600/photo+5+(3).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Habitat 67 in Montreal</td></tr>
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It has been ages since I was last in France and needless to
say what little French was still my head I had to pull from the archives of the
brain in order to retrieve what little remained so not to look too ignorant
while in Quebec. Other than catch phrases and basic language skills, I relied
mostly on a phrase that worked wonders for me the last time in Paris, “<i>'Desole, je ne pas parler le francais. Mais,
tu parle l'anglais.” </i> It works, I
promise! Although I found we really didn't need it in Quebec, French Canadians
are so quick to switch once they see you are processing what they are saying,
they don’t make you struggle a bit to comprehend, they just automatically
adjust, which was very refreshing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtQfxlf8TGPOMviZkagc_2nRtqDHKv0jc_gwXRz3ktaFcfuLEKzRuceAnKn-BtkP_jD4EH_DyOg9zZC5Ljaa2fBaNVv3rkshsKu-pSquUbJdVo3l2KIrrLd_udXVPaeEpXsealCDzeLda/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtQfxlf8TGPOMviZkagc_2nRtqDHKv0jc_gwXRz3ktaFcfuLEKzRuceAnKn-BtkP_jD4EH_DyOg9zZC5Ljaa2fBaNVv3rkshsKu-pSquUbJdVo3l2KIrrLd_udXVPaeEpXsealCDzeLda/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+039.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel Enjoying the Grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We checked into the<a href="http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/montreal-mont-royal" target="_blank"> Omni</a>, in Montreal, just down the hill
from <a href="http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/attractions-directory/municipal-and-regional-park-nature-interpretation-centre/parc-du-mont-royal_5768516.html" target="_blank">Mont Royal</a> and were ready to explore and experience all that this city had
to offer. We started of course with what was in sight, so up the hill we
climbed to take in the cityscape and get a general layout of the land. Once
down from our trek and checking with the concierge about our dining options which
had to include Miss Ethel, we noticed the Jazz Festival was in full bloom. Since
it was outdoors at a local park we thought we would join in; the concierge
confirming it was at a dog friendly park, but once we arrived at the gates we
were shot down with “no pets”, which meant Ethel got her way, as she was ready
for bed. Tom and I were a little disappointed since we were looking forward to
popping a squat on the grass and taking in some smooth tunes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw6RgoYjl10i7GQ82OO6IjTZv2A0zzuQO8449lWr4A8DSJj_qgRKwKaA7HwbRdJzOD3iTfgmeOt42uTLTLAM-dARr__Q-Uqmaftwq5AsRv27vMPFFWUOpDHIj1vUstBsOYEMzPQGaYnuP/s1600/photo+1+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw6RgoYjl10i7GQ82OO6IjTZv2A0zzuQO8449lWr4A8DSJj_qgRKwKaA7HwbRdJzOD3iTfgmeOt42uTLTLAM-dARr__Q-Uqmaftwq5AsRv27vMPFFWUOpDHIj1vUstBsOYEMzPQGaYnuP/s1600/photo+1+(19).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down by the Tracks in Old Montreal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looking back, not being allowed access to the concert was
probably a good thing, since we were up with the sun and off to Quebec City to
explore for the day, a bit of a drive, but so worth it. Quebec City really is
like jumping into France: the scenery, the sounds, the architecture and the
food, ah heaven! We spent the day strolling the streets taking in everything we
possibly could, trying to relish as much of this city as we could in one day. Getting
lost in the neighborhood streets, sitting for a glass of wine and just soaking
up the little moments that I miss most about Europe, plus people watching the
tourists is a pastime favorite. Even Ethel had fun, Quebec City was by far the
most pet friendly city we experienced during our month stay in Canada, chilling
with us in the cafés, even she seemed to be swept away by the easy going atmosphere,
or just picking up on Tom and I’s relaxed vibe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXzquh-5mFV0RFY95zw_Z5Za5FxAe-WlfGEg-hcLK840VzfY6SrHrJl0rbPNnCm_WQiV9hgDEHnVC92I8Hm-ru42DVle5_GUm7nxpfZdNCmK0LFLxnbfAjSIHvTt-rRnozR0YSirUBKjX/s1600/photo+3+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXzquh-5mFV0RFY95zw_Z5Za5FxAe-WlfGEg-hcLK840VzfY6SrHrJl0rbPNnCm_WQiV9hgDEHnVC92I8Hm-ru42DVle5_GUm7nxpfZdNCmK0LFLxnbfAjSIHvTt-rRnozR0YSirUBKjX/s1600/photo+3+(17).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM_k0ioXHA7iSbPkiq23NNdicuGbc9HVKWBCodQg-5tHCX68qJte7l5oJctcUSX_GhRWecdeyJaBz16obxC-Kwfk0lzJgOTEg0dJuyj6EnAeiLryqmPQv1wsfhDq1L6F8vhk7KyqSm66C/s1600/photo+4+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM_k0ioXHA7iSbPkiq23NNdicuGbc9HVKWBCodQg-5tHCX68qJte7l5oJctcUSX_GhRWecdeyJaBz16obxC-Kwfk0lzJgOTEg0dJuyj6EnAeiLryqmPQv1wsfhDq1L6F8vhk7KyqSm66C/s1600/photo+4+(9).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1XiJerBE1k_YDJUuwb32WViLGe1F7cDy8VH3YWQQaD0INzjsVV6wE1_Buik87c0MySZCnPer5APjdDBCtzntNoFR4a7EgAY9cHBayBv28f1CQiVBxNEEMjC8rCr9zEALnAvR57rlwfpR/s1600/photo+1+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1XiJerBE1k_YDJUuwb32WViLGe1F7cDy8VH3YWQQaD0INzjsVV6wE1_Buik87c0MySZCnPer5APjdDBCtzntNoFR4a7EgAY9cHBayBv28f1CQiVBxNEEMjC8rCr9zEALnAvR57rlwfpR/s1600/photo+1+(18).JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5a-tWN4BdGBy51_qU57VRNLSTQTJveH7sptl-ruzv6GGb84VFz-yINhrhet1VzQvyTJarNnRXiHX1-I5KTCCqejEJe7hHVgebS1SAwydV4OrwdKcPpiPWo4VKf0UdmhzES2Ec8M9NKQU/s1600/photo+2+(18)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5a-tWN4BdGBy51_qU57VRNLSTQTJveH7sptl-ruzv6GGb84VFz-yINhrhet1VzQvyTJarNnRXiHX1-I5KTCCqejEJe7hHVgebS1SAwydV4OrwdKcPpiPWo4VKf0UdmhzES2Ec8M9NKQU/s1600/photo+2+(18)+-+Copy.JPG" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before heading back to Montreal we made a quick pit stop at
<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g155033-d155582-Reviews-Montmorency_Falls_Park-Quebec_City_Quebec.html" target="_blank">Montmorency Falls</a> for a bit of a nature hike mixed with a mild shower from the
falls, waking us up from our food coma in order to make the drive back. The
falls gorgeous, the stairway daunting and all worth the expenditure of energy
in order to get those endorphin's flowing again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_9grMcZkj6oXwUyUgCZGAiieRI9mvotQL4hLOgxCrbyKFIZmf38-GKdkQyehUXZ2qR_FFt_p-dVamjk1MwvO787edhs11_nmTiLamM8o-x0HO3InQ3I8glmpd_f-CQfzr7wSgD89SgGn/s1600/photo+1+(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_9grMcZkj6oXwUyUgCZGAiieRI9mvotQL4hLOgxCrbyKFIZmf38-GKdkQyehUXZ2qR_FFt_p-dVamjk1MwvO787edhs11_nmTiLamM8o-x0HO3InQ3I8glmpd_f-CQfzr7wSgD89SgGn/s1600/photo+1+(20).JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduDUbCMWEE5ONMpblkuz9i7rJWo7FapBXn-zVUPO1JvpP8nz5cFIL7lYEy4-GZgy5_blSrMAMc3cWTRxeehNxhR8itQEfY_8M5_BWCB0cfgP4bq_Cn4NK0BG7FZ_vnIKNshemq8SzgvZ7/s1600/photo+2+(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduDUbCMWEE5ONMpblkuz9i7rJWo7FapBXn-zVUPO1JvpP8nz5cFIL7lYEy4-GZgy5_blSrMAMc3cWTRxeehNxhR8itQEfY_8M5_BWCB0cfgP4bq_Cn4NK0BG7FZ_vnIKNshemq8SzgvZ7/s1600/photo+2+(20).JPG" height="400" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase Leading Down to Bottom of Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had one more day in Montreal before heading back to
Toronto, so we took to Mont Royal again, walking around to the cemetery and
over to the <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/montreal/oratoirestjoseph.htm" target="_blank">Saint Joseph Oratory</a>. My pictures of this place do not even do it
justice; the basilica’s copper dome is the highest point in Montreal, and the
second largest in the world, only Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome being larger.
Getting up to the doors of the main entrance is no small test, one must climb
more than 280 stairs, or as we witnessed, some faithful members can choose to
take the separate staircase of 99 steps by climbing on their knees, stopping to
pray on each step.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghULCvL97tsQBwUPzatoJhFnSfu6arCB3ZkwyruWH2QZUptdDM_I_V8iSSM_4EWoIFiXhDUuSOR1RfW6tboMW7qggjX3oTfZVW1Ts8uE6MIAyrGFCncoTxI25B_uGY1W0F4O3x0hR347Xu/s1600/photo+3+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghULCvL97tsQBwUPzatoJhFnSfu6arCB3ZkwyruWH2QZUptdDM_I_V8iSSM_4EWoIFiXhDUuSOR1RfW6tboMW7qggjX3oTfZVW1Ts8uE6MIAyrGFCncoTxI25B_uGY1W0F4O3x0hR347Xu/s1600/photo+3+(19).JPG" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Joseph Oratory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before hitting the road, we stopped in Old Montreal for a cappuccino,
perusing the streets and stopping by the <a href="http://www.basiliquenddm.org/en/" target="_blank">Notre-Dame Basilica</a> to listen to the bells
as they rang for their Sunday afternoon service. Feeling nostalgic and not
quite ready to hit the road back to Toronto, we turned towards the river,
stopping for gelato, and taking everything else we could possible commit to
memory, relishing the moments and thinking about how fortunate we are to be on
this journey. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-5214790143929331242014-07-13T12:42:00.003-07:002014-07-14T16:56:14.218-07:00Home Sweet Toronto<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIszcyRkT_LzbXMs6ODLtQzRPnxcZvh52bOqOdXvgAmiPAxhCQ6M99v19OI-IAuiUwnA3WOHZTluXn2BvQIJFUdt5PkDLRCWh_FdCvvkE_B7m3r2d9FIjpjMfhMQjAFtr6kMGdNA_e_DD/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIszcyRkT_LzbXMs6ODLtQzRPnxcZvh52bOqOdXvgAmiPAxhCQ6M99v19OI-IAuiUwnA3WOHZTluXn2BvQIJFUdt5PkDLRCWh_FdCvvkE_B7m3r2d9FIjpjMfhMQjAFtr6kMGdNA_e_DD/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" height="161" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of Complex</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, I am having a hard time coming to grips with the
realization we are over seven months into our trek- Time flies when you
are having fun! Tom and I were talking the other day about how we might be a
tad addicted to the excitement each new city brings, all the treasure
troves waiting for us to uncover while we are there; the idea of going
back to reality now seems so mundane. It has been said that most people
suffer post vacation depression after being thrust back into the real world; I’m
not looking forward to the harsh awakening we might experience when we decide
to permanently land again, a lot of vacations may need to be in the cards or
maybe “nomads for life” is our calling. Who knows, we go where the stars
align! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirfQqJGL6uVBAD6UMVxdzfMMRRJNFxyX1UTGXFQqINXNUdSJRbToePy5pnEqQnd_6gtwvIjjGS8ucTgm4HuOLVE4Tgh90gGgLWcFQhdNJHPaoS5m-K2Kru6HE4bFZ0CWpKE1S3xANgqq9/s1600/photo+2+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirfQqJGL6uVBAD6UMVxdzfMMRRJNFxyX1UTGXFQqINXNUdSJRbToePy5pnEqQnd_6gtwvIjjGS8ucTgm4HuOLVE4Tgh90gGgLWcFQhdNJHPaoS5m-K2Kru6HE4bFZ0CWpKE1S3xANgqq9/s1600/photo+2+%252814%2529.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitness Facility</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This month we can officially add international road trip to
the journey, we've crossed over into Canada! We had a few stresses and concerns
getting everything set up for our month here; from making sure Tom had
been cleared for Global Entry, and his ability to fly, no pun intended, through
customs for his return flights state side, to making sure Miss Ethel had
all her paperwork in order to cross with us without having to undergo
any quarantine issues. Traveling with a dog across the border can be a bit
tricky; but luckily Canada and the US have pretty good reciprocity, we needed to show her vaccinations, requiring her last rabies shot prior to the
last thirty days or we would've need a veterinary wellness exam for
international travel. Plus Canada has higher standards for food quality than America (most countries do), so I was slightly concerned they might confiscate
her food, but they didn't even ask about it! Whew! In fact the entire process
was pretty simple, the conversation went like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom hands over passports and Ethel’s records.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: “How long will you be staying and where?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom: “Four weeks and in Toronto.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: Eye
lift<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom: “Well we won’t just be in Toronto, we will be traveling
to other areas in Canada as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: “Just the one dog?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom: “Yes”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: “Any firearms?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom: “No”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: Eyeing
our loaded vehicle, “What all do you have in your car?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom: “Mostly my wife’s clothes and shoes”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Custom Agent: “Have a good holiday,” as she handed back our
documents and sent us on our way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5a3UkkXyFr1beSabS-8aD8Y-lz8hdnbuKKm3MGLe_Unsy3BlOwX0mWS2-B3SBZkOtZw1PYBX-Do5QukRtcHiEQ1R3G3MB6TSlup55HrUDUZF6N6EFcyWG4bFfOjQSRF7BY6oTTmAXXbX/s1600/photo+1+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5a3UkkXyFr1beSabS-8aD8Y-lz8hdnbuKKm3MGLe_Unsy3BlOwX0mWS2-B3SBZkOtZw1PYBX-Do5QukRtcHiEQ1R3G3MB6TSlup55HrUDUZF6N6EFcyWG4bFfOjQSRF7BY6oTTmAXXbX/s1600/photo+1+%252814%2529.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Gift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides dealing with customs with a dog, Toronto also offered us
another first, we officially met our first Airbnb host after seven stays. The adorable <a href="http://www.travelandescape.ca/author/garine/" target="_blank">Garine, or Verginia</a> as she likes to be called, met us as we arrived and gave us a tour of
the condo complex. She had left us with some ice cold local beer in the fridge, a nice and welcome present after loading the car in Philly, then spending nine hours on
the road, and then all the unloading that needed to be done here in Toronto. Verginia is adorably
sweet, and I knew she had an art show going on, so of course my inquisitive
side required me googling her, because A) I was curious, B) I am nosy and C) I wanted to
see her photography. And what do I find?
That she works for the Canadian Travel Channel and has interviewed none other
than Anthony Bourdain, whom I have a huge married girl crush on! So yeah, you
can say I can now be connected to Anthony Bourdain via one connection if
we were playing the “Back to Bacon” game! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Ace2T2d4_OyXmPGKtBrBRkFKg9_Llnwr4l2pIpUrkA-QhJ7juxa9HezSQVtGe9LJs7ZmK3gXkTEwmKxWgZDzTgFnD7N5teeTb6dz3-UpN0NyGlWpdQXyA710k7IpY3RB-1dfyB-j16L/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Ace2T2d4_OyXmPGKtBrBRkFKg9_Llnwr4l2pIpUrkA-QhJ7juxa9HezSQVtGe9LJs7ZmK3gXkTEwmKxWgZDzTgFnD7N5teeTb6dz3-UpN0NyGlWpdQXyA710k7IpY3RB-1dfyB-j16L/s1600/photo+%25285%2529.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel Chilling Deck Side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Toronto has its gems and its drawbacks. What I love, the
produce, it is divine! Fresh is an understatement, you go to the market and it
is literally like you are purchasing strawberries minutes after they were
picked. For a vegetarian and organic health nut like me, this is seriously
heaven. Canada, especially Ontario, is exceptionally clean, even the trash bins
on the streets open by foot so nobody has to touch the gross things, it’s like
living in a version of OCD heaven! The drawbacks, Canada has a lot of rules and
rules and I don’t get along so well; I hear to the word rule and I am
automatically thinking of ways I can get around it. Yeah, conformity and living
inside the box isn't for me, the very word “rule” causes me to get a little
claustrophobic, yeah, my poor, poor parents!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Also, we have discovered Canada, Ontario specifically, isn't dog friendly. Taking Ethel out to dinner with us, even if they have patio
dining, has proved to be a bit of a challenge; apparently the idea that a pet
is a also a family member hasn't caught on here yet like it has in the
America’s, or we have been spoiled state side and visited a bunch of pet friendly cities. Although we have found if we put Ethel in her
stroller, more places are willing to cave and let her eat with us, plus, have
you seen our dog? She is pretty hard to say no to! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr6aTfqR1E8wl03S5hyphenhyphenWhUYLLtX3OW-W-ACVhKy-6AYMK913XnHjTXVCwYKe_m74_WfZmDpopiFPcjvz6023VLqvItDGgyE-guU8rd99u7sWi79I3QJUkZe_1e2-uf0U8YPjTQwRq4ku0/s1600/photo+3+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr6aTfqR1E8wl03S5hyphenhyphenWhUYLLtX3OW-W-ACVhKy-6AYMK913XnHjTXVCwYKe_m74_WfZmDpopiFPcjvz6023VLqvItDGgyE-guU8rd99u7sWi79I3QJUkZe_1e2-uf0U8YPjTQwRq4ku0/s1600/photo+3+%252813%2529.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset View From Deck</td></tr>
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As far as the condo, it is clean, modern and perfectly fits
all of our needs! My favorite, I have a functional kitchen; so the dining
out with the dog hasn't posed too many issues, because I am over the moon
to cook with good pans, knives and appliances! Ah, it is the simple
things and not being able to cook a full proper meal since DC has been a bit
hard on me; those of you that know me, know I love to cook, so being
deprived of this, is a challenge and it does make me appreciate the
times I do have an operational kitchen. The condo complex also boasts a fitness facility, so I get to sneak out while the dog takes her morning nap and hit the gym,
a fully equipped gym; for a personal trainer, this is heaven and not having one
for over seven months, truly makes you take advantage of having one a stone throw away. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The view of downtown is to die for, we have an underground
parking stall, so the large deck is also<br />
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home to the roof rack, damn height
limits on parking garages, but we do still have plenty of space for the outdoor
table and lounging with a glass of cold white wine. Which makes for a great
escape, especially since our A/C unit has been on the fritz; it suffers a bit
of schizophrenia and sometimes likes to quit working, so we have to reset the
system and while it cools down inside, the deck makes for a great option. Plus
we are in Toronto, so the high since we've been here has been 85, so it’s not
like we are living in an inferno or anything.<br />
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Here she is, our <a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/1422378" target="_blank">Luxury Toronto Condo</a> with a door man/concierge
and all, again rented via Airbnb:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq02mSVupQe49waTCnruLRR2DvyrmUVgzFyO2MicwB06yFPhuU_n5obNdJOf7G_CpJsZxU0wqoZdyIkv0aSqM1PY5cDMksn18RP3dT8mtJS1Opf-VgujI-2hyphenhyphenZJJIyBywyimQq4Cbh_lrY/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq02mSVupQe49waTCnruLRR2DvyrmUVgzFyO2MicwB06yFPhuU_n5obNdJOf7G_CpJsZxU0wqoZdyIkv0aSqM1PY5cDMksn18RP3dT8mtJS1Opf-VgujI-2hyphenhyphenZJJIyBywyimQq4Cbh_lrY/s1600/Montreal+and+Quebec+012.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Downtown From Deck</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-78783037018413809342014-07-10T11:10:00.000-07:002014-07-14T06:58:17.686-07:00Fun In Philly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Philly offered up a plethora of activities to keep us busy
and on our toes, especially those fun random events we would stumble upon that made
our stay here even more memorable. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We took a weekend with our feet to the pavement and Ethel in
tow, ready to indulge in some iconic American history; from the roots of our
countries rich founding to modern day cinema. Speaking of cinema, one of our
first stops, the Philadelphia Museum of Art to climb those steps made famous by
Rocky III; taking in the vast Philly skyline and even admiring Mr. Balboa cast
in bronze. Now this wouldn't be my last visit to these steps, I took it upon
myself to recreate Rocky’s famous run and although I didn't have the chants
from the pedestrians or the an entourage of children running after me, I
managed with “Eye Of The Tiger” blaring in my ears and of course some victorious
air jabs once the sprint to the top was complete! A sense of accomplishment, a
dire need to pee and a realization I still need to head back to the
apartment, almost burst my bubble, but I made it heat, humidity and all, and
ever so glad I did!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next stop, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell because it’s
a must, you can’t come all the way to Philly and not witness the building where the major fundamentals of our country were adopted; the Declaration of Independence
and the US Constitution (which we actually saw both of them while in DC), it
would be a crime against everything American! Standing outside the building,
knowing you’re walking the same hallowed ground of Washington, Adams, Jefferson
and Franklin is surreal, in fact all of Philly drips with the legend of
these men, of America in the making. And let’s not just focus on the men, around the corner from Independence Hall is the home of Betsy Ross, female icon of America, home where that first true symbol of everything American was sewn. Then you take one more turn and you’re
standing on the street of the oldest residential neighborhood in the country,<a href="http://www.elfrethsalley.org/" target="_blank"> Elfreth’s Alley</a>, and people still live there, in these charming homes, intact and while
still representing their history, completely livable by today’s standards. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So what do you do when you take a city rich in history and
mix it with art? Well, you enjoy the <a href="http://muralarts.org/collections/featured-murals?sort_by=popular" target="_blank">Mural Mile</a>, which is completely misleading
since it is technically 2.5 miles and that still doesn't cover all of the
murals this city offers, but none-the-less, it’s amazing. Ethel and I had the
pleasure of taking in seventeen of them in one day, walking the loop, stopping
for lemonade at a local stand, a stroll through Washington Square and of course
me taking lots of pictures. Throughout this loop not only do you revel in
the art on historic buildings, but you develop a feel of the real Philadelphia,
walking the streets of the locals, from the less crowded to the business
hustle, marveling at all the diversity and little details that make this city
so great! Not to mention you chance upon hidden gems I might not have
known about had it not been for the mural tour, a detour to the Magic Garden. I
know, not that kind of magic garden, although that would've added to the
joy this marvel is to the eyes! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The<a href="http://www.phillymagicgardens.org/about-us/" target="_blank"> Magic Garden</a> is a mosaic, a mosaic of a building, a yard
and the surrounding buildings that took fourteen years to create by Isaiah Zagar
and is absolutely phenomenal. One could spend hours here, sipping wine and letting all that Zagar has created soak in; I am visualizing string lighting, jazz
in the background, appetizers and evening gatherings in this place for reception
parties, corporate meet and greets and of course a place for fun and eclectic
gathering of friends. This is a place I would love to spend more time at, soaking it in. It literally has to be one of the most extensive pieces of art I
have ever seen; seriously, each step you take, you are stepping
on art: the ground, the steps the floors and the walls that surround you, it encompasses
you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then there is Rittenhouse Square, right outside our door offered up so much more than your regular park and nothing we
had planned for, pleasant surprises that were thrown our way; from encountering
park entertainers, yoga in the park and people practicing high hire acts.
Then there was the day that I had taken Ethel over for an afternoon walk and
ran into the beginning of <a href="http://rosenbach.org/learn/events/bloomsday-0" target="_blank">Bloomsday</a>, and we had the pleasure of sitting through
over an hour of long readings from James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” it really and truly
was all of these great little finds and treasures that made our trip to Philly the crème de le crème! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jhSaBR5fbVU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Video from just one day of fun at Rittenhouse</div>
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If you haven’t picked up on it already, I loved this city
and everything it had to offer. It was the perfect blend of hipster meets yuppie
that appealed to me, there was visual stimulation along every corner and
the people were cool! People knew us by the time we left and made a
point to say hi and make conversation, I felt like within a month we were part of a community.
Honestly this is a place I could seriously see us putting down roots and staying,
it was that appealing, in fact, so far it’s my favorite city! I know crazy,
right? We didn't even have Philly on the list originally, it just worked out
that way, crazy how fate works and I am so delighted it did!<o:p></o:p></div>
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But alas, we had to leave and head onto our next
destination, Toronto, which is where we are now, so stay tuned, I have more fun
coming your way! Not to mention, Boston for August, Asheville in September and I just booked Saint Augustine for October! Just in case any of you get a hankering to come and visit!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-2377104380530303622014-07-07T14:51:00.000-07:002014-07-14T07:01:38.855-07:00Day Tripping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Philadelphia was busy, I feel as though we were on the
run every weekend; exhausted all three of us, but so worth all the experiences
and memories we've had and created here. Besides running around the city
itself, we have had the opportunity to take off out of town for a few day
trips to the outskirts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, stretching ourselves out
over these states and developing a feel for the area. Our day trips have all been remarkable in their own way and I am looking forward
to sharing them with you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>New Hope:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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We rode into this town and we thought maybe we had taken a
wrong turn in ended up in Sturgis; motorcycles lined the street and the entire
city was booming with bikers and although it added a bad ass feel to the city
the charm still oozed out of it. The main road was lined with outdoor dining
venues, shops and then mix in grassy water canals and you have a town
challenging the Netherlands for beauty. Not to mention its twin, Lambertville,
NJ sits on the other side of the Delaware River and it rivals New Hope for
its allure; one could easily spend an entire weekend in this area and forget
about the cares of the world and lose yourself in all the beauty of what both these cities have to offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTjwj-avQWBp6dqyOL7ihsljlgCQkvHAmRhmWIJYJZZG54xxJJif7MN26Qt06TcPSN7Y69wsb-_KXFuIG2Jh4TZq-FBQ5hMOx46sCwtdknDXZBMpePLj_QHgryiUDFRPyNZE2wyx19Vfk/s1600/photo+4+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTjwj-avQWBp6dqyOL7ihsljlgCQkvHAmRhmWIJYJZZG54xxJJif7MN26Qt06TcPSN7Y69wsb-_KXFuIG2Jh4TZq-FBQ5hMOx46sCwtdknDXZBMpePLj_QHgryiUDFRPyNZE2wyx19Vfk/s1600/photo+4+%25285%2529.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now I mentioned the Delaware River and New Hope is most
famous for being that place that Washington crossed a river on one bitter
cold Christmas in 1776; so of course we had to take a quick pit stop to the
National Monument and check out this pivotal spot in American history. The
monument sits on a lovely grass hill, next to the river and while we were there
the sun was shining and the river looked rather inviting, but instead of going
for a dip we opted to quench our thirst with wine. I've told you I have this
second sense when it comes to wine and I can virtually find a vineyard
anywhere. We stumbled upon the pet friendly <a href="http://www.crossingvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Crossing Vineyards</a>, a mile
down the road from Washington’s Crossing and sat for a tasting. The grounds
were beautiful, the owners were friendly, the wines were divine and they
even let Miss Ethel come hang out in the tasting room with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-fHiWJk_cUsz83LSSwn2R1yq-Ac7al3xIbMQU9MtVy154Spxyt6DhQsK2UiGrNLiA4sR_A5Hwk_BtczOwYKRWI7-2Kq18c6_9wliB3aMIUHiAc-OSK6RD9A7VWXHnT5PTc86KQ5XFQFY/s1600/Philly+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-fHiWJk_cUsz83LSSwn2R1yq-Ac7al3xIbMQU9MtVy154Spxyt6DhQsK2UiGrNLiA4sR_A5Hwk_BtczOwYKRWI7-2Kq18c6_9wliB3aMIUHiAc-OSK6RD9A7VWXHnT5PTc86KQ5XFQFY/s1600/Philly+039.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Vineyards</td></tr>
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This is definitely a town and an area I would have
loved to have spent more time, but we were running late that day because first
and foremost we had a Philly original to try; Tom needed a cheesesteak, so a
stop at<a href="http://dalessandros.com/" target="_blank"> Dalessandro’s</a> was a must, one bite and Tom was in love! Over
all, a pretty perfect day!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY6CpbWfk7iMffMu65qNojuzQrRlsAl-CL9ymRFKf-ZCGjH9ESw8ZIhlp7IZbv8Qj_SZ_KNRGokZD1AjtoSqv92Mepio7R9iwGTj_xIjN_eqv1E7JfLAdq0NMXth7b1Tu3HGwuys5BKCr/s1600/photo+1+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY6CpbWfk7iMffMu65qNojuzQrRlsAl-CL9ymRFKf-ZCGjH9ESw8ZIhlp7IZbv8Qj_SZ_KNRGokZD1AjtoSqv92Mepio7R9iwGTj_xIjN_eqv1E7JfLAdq0NMXth7b1Tu3HGwuys5BKCr/s1600/photo+1+%252811%2529.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Enjoying His First Official Philly Cheesesteak</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jim Thorpe:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The town of Jim Thorpe is often called the Switzerland of
the Americas and derives its namesake from the great American athlete, Jim Thorpe,
whose remains actually reside in the city. Driving into this town is
like driving onto the movie set of a fairy-tale, it is that cute
and although I don’t know if I would call it Switzerland like, it seemed more
to me like a darling little town right out of England. I promise if you ever
have a chance to visit, it is like you are walking out of the pages of a
book that begins with “Once Upon a Time!”<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWliMXcfWhtXznlOtfqdQ7_oN8yMaEIWmXGV-u3xltCEj_errYNyh3Ki5eOB3Cs6BNgvqo_t-Ne7a1cWUNzk9B6KZ6Vfu3LmcX4rEHupGJvAX0urGtFqqP2iahHHuCRYy80152yZXszB7/s1600/Jim+Thope+and+Cape+May+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWliMXcfWhtXznlOtfqdQ7_oN8yMaEIWmXGV-u3xltCEj_errYNyh3Ki5eOB3Cs6BNgvqo_t-Ne7a1cWUNzk9B6KZ6Vfu3LmcX4rEHupGJvAX0urGtFqqP2iahHHuCRYy80152yZXszB7/s1600/Jim+Thope+and+Cape+May+046.JPG" height="348" width="400" /></a></div>
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So what brought us to Jim Thorpe besides our regular desire
to explore? Well I had done a bit of research searching for pet
friendly fun in the area and one of the activities that popped up was the
<a href="http://www.lgsry.com/" target="_blank">Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway</a>, so I got us tickets and I am ever so glad we did. Taking
in the hills and the river via train was a relaxing and fun filled family day,
even Ethel enjoyed it, and we all know that girl can be hard to please
sometimes. Once we hopped off the train,
the streets of Jim Thorpe were at our disposal. Now this is where the town
becomes even more fairy-tale like, there were not one, not two, but three
weddings happening at chapels in this town; men running around in tuxes, brides
in gorgeous wedding gowns and guests dressed to the nine, so mix this with
cobblestone streets, beautiful historic architecture and lush green mountains;
yeah, Sleeping Beauty has nothing on this place! The inner queen in me was begging to move here, now about finding work for Tom and I might pose a bit of
issue, but seriously, it is so tempting!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbyY0lLmTq8tKchQzIMIVC-oFyaVh6xA5RMAS9vW58BaGIpNFVVI25vRkMI2CpHXN4VOlsJsUWHxZfpTYYiYMbnLX8XdzfzX88loVk6h-LNncBM_KwM4qTTD3PP8NgKGJUw_z6GcDvjQd/s1600/Jim+Thope+and+Cape+May+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbyY0lLmTq8tKchQzIMIVC-oFyaVh6xA5RMAS9vW58BaGIpNFVVI25vRkMI2CpHXN4VOlsJsUWHxZfpTYYiYMbnLX8XdzfzX88loVk6h-LNncBM_KwM4qTTD3PP8NgKGJUw_z6GcDvjQd/s1600/Jim+Thope+and+Cape+May+006.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ1hVPZN0NQymsp8yVhxA1nRRkebGAGNamCV-onU4GnHw0Ci9SHgKzY0xhlNUrxaVYl3whxhHAEtTXakO9K49sxiUWiZJoPUMFMDzR1fNvlzbonJiNC4BxZ0DpZKjtGW9G91BYIs2XvF5/s1600/photo+2+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ1hVPZN0NQymsp8yVhxA1nRRkebGAGNamCV-onU4GnHw0Ci9SHgKzY0xhlNUrxaVYl3whxhHAEtTXakO9K49sxiUWiZJoPUMFMDzR1fNvlzbonJiNC4BxZ0DpZKjtGW9G91BYIs2XvF5/s1600/photo+2+(11).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel watching all the passengers board</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cape May:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ethel and I wanted to do something special for Tom for
Fathers Day, so we headed out towards the Atlantic for a day of <a href="http://capemaywhalewatcher.com/" target="_blank">whale watching</a>,
dinner and exploring the beach side town of Cape May, NJ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once the three of us were comfortably on a boat, we headed
out to sea, to see what Mother Nature and the Atlantic Ocean had for our
viewing pleasure. Dolphins, we saw a lot of dolphins that day and although we
didn't glimpse any whales, the frenzy of dolphins more than made up for it.
Plus we were on the Atlantic on a clear, sunny and beautiful day; what more
could two humans and one dog ask for! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Right off the beach, lies the city center of Cape May, a
boardwalk of shops, restaurants and bars. This is where we landed for dinner,
at a cute place called <a href="http://www.tishasfinedining.com/" target="_blank">Tisha’s</a>, the food was phenomenal and they even have dog
bowls with the restaurant name on them for the four legged critters that come to dine
with their owners! When you think quaint little beach town, Cape May is everything
and more that comes to mind! The location, the lighthouses and the homes all
scream beach living at its finest!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRKxShiQiZAh4jO89jDHM76q_wMhWV0GzKolE1gLA2U2ronQYzxEda4oYN_9WF5n7mThWX4f8Atdry7GZQVLJIz1vIPoTHl2d4wAVDUh_NeNXI72r-Jd1ysS3kogq4Hf0A-fJBPjLes-x/s1600/photo+2+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRKxShiQiZAh4jO89jDHM76q_wMhWV0GzKolE1gLA2U2ronQYzxEda4oYN_9WF5n7mThWX4f8Atdry7GZQVLJIz1vIPoTHl2d4wAVDUh_NeNXI72r-Jd1ysS3kogq4Hf0A-fJBPjLes-x/s1600/photo+2+(12).JPG" height="400" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side Street Leading to the Beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amish Country:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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A trip to Pennsylvania wouldn't be complete without a visit
to Dutch Country, there are no if’s, and’s or but’s about it, it is a must! And
lucky for us, we have some Pennsylvania friends that opted to be our tour
guides to the Dutch area. So not only did we see the beautiful
landscape, but the best part is we were able to enjoy the company of Volkmar and Michelle
Nitz; old friends from Utah, and Tom’s old boss at OC Tanner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9p2t_pOXJBtIQxLF6VwU2hTmEVcD2Y6j28_qUEI-EUTtvyeSRigsIY3M4AEIVOe97nkUheXsVIyo3AbBzZCDSxLJjaDtILDw_abvWhbkpisfNA9NPHiupW2h_7AHPBUT_MJZaAnsjrud/s1600/Dutch+Country+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9p2t_pOXJBtIQxLF6VwU2hTmEVcD2Y6j28_qUEI-EUTtvyeSRigsIY3M4AEIVOe97nkUheXsVIyo3AbBzZCDSxLJjaDtILDw_abvWhbkpisfNA9NPHiupW2h_7AHPBUT_MJZaAnsjrud/s1600/Dutch+Country+015.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Volkmar, Ethel and Tom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Volkmar and Michelle were a plethora of information about
the Amish and the Mennonites, information we wouldn't have gotten on our own
and in all reality I was refusing to do a bus tour, so it worked out perfectly
for us. Why no bus tour, well the idea of it made me uncomfortable and felt
like I was going to the zoo and the Amish were the animals out in the
wilderness for me to stare at, you know in their natural habitat as Volkmar jokingly put
it. This way we got to meander at our pace, driving around and the Nitz’s
pointing out things to us: the one room school houses, the metal wheels, and
the differences between the Amish and the Mennonites. Not to mention this way I
got to stop for the best soft pretzel I've ever eaten and homemade ice-cream
along the way. Of course the best part of the trip was sitting in the town of Intercourse under the shade of a
tree, chatting for hours with our own acoustic guitar player around the corner.
You couldn't ask for a better atmosphere to sit, chat, and catch up on life with some old friends.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oe3564Fm0c43g1s2pF20KzWNCXdQvuaM7zNQNmBT0AB8cTsfvv3evtF2qtDiCVF7npBUu-ukYGUUd3CTwL-deP7Ob-sWxDWuk8-2nuWKQ8E8ARetX-2X-ejc4b-wNaZf8JZvGlZmZ8Fw/s1600/Dutch+Country+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oe3564Fm0c43g1s2pF20KzWNCXdQvuaM7zNQNmBT0AB8cTsfvv3evtF2qtDiCVF7npBUu-ukYGUUd3CTwL-deP7Ob-sWxDWuk8-2nuWKQ8E8ARetX-2X-ejc4b-wNaZf8JZvGlZmZ8Fw/s1600/Dutch+Country+001.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch Country Side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZmCjLe7bFh1dSHxpGv-FrvUNSzNMhMhiTsKG96xGGhsLcXl5mKXyZxTX2_fErAlsQhWiSP3c2DF5IFlvJGIiR8b58UROqwDvL23nI15yjVtVKZK1fdmdiyuVBCqAZV6RDQZ8qPoiUQbt/s1600/Dutch+Country+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZmCjLe7bFh1dSHxpGv-FrvUNSzNMhMhiTsKG96xGGhsLcXl5mKXyZxTX2_fErAlsQhWiSP3c2DF5IFlvJGIiR8b58UROqwDvL23nI15yjVtVKZK1fdmdiyuVBCqAZV6RDQZ8qPoiUQbt/s1600/Dutch+Country+008.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Dutch Garden</td></tr>
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So Amish country, what did we think, WOW!! I think they
should offer Amish camps, seriously, you sign up, and you learn to appreciate
the simpler things life has to offer. The idea of shutting off technology,
learning that life might actually be better that way or make one appreciate the
luxuries we have now. One of my favorite moments while in Intercourse was
watching a couple of Amish families playing volleyball together, not just
popping down in front of a TV or a computer, but taking time to enjoy life and
each other; it is these moments I think people are forgetting in
life as we become so cyber connected. I mean we talk about social networks, but
does Facebook count as real contact? Who remembers that one day on Facebook?
Nobody! It is the getting out and living,
and I bet these families will have stories from that one day they got together
to play volleyball!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK-_6EWiggjEcCNiO6eqIWRWd2GFb77D_1iitc-RF5lm9oPtsnFOv6-M21E785VCJuGDtDj5GYy-69YAkhhDRFki22EnNSQLf_mTJBDkCojePVZTanvW1uQG0M1vUrkf7qfkN8r9FgkOn/s1600/Dutch+Country+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK-_6EWiggjEcCNiO6eqIWRWd2GFb77D_1iitc-RF5lm9oPtsnFOv6-M21E785VCJuGDtDj5GYy-69YAkhhDRFki22EnNSQLf_mTJBDkCojePVZTanvW1uQG0M1vUrkf7qfkN8r9FgkOn/s1600/Dutch+Country+013.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse and Amish Buggy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Also, a giggle moment, watching a Mennonite, horse and
buggy, pull up through the ATM at a bank. Seriously, I think about it and I
still smile. Or admiring the gardens, I have never seen gardens like they have;
they are stunning and perfect. If they cheat and decide to use technology out
of a moment of weakness and see my blog post about Amish Camp, I hope they
decide to offer a gardening one, because I would sign up for that in a heartbeat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIw17aWUULvCpnas2gC_IDqCt68Z8BRcpafOBDPIGZURxqW5KssJLYeWeRs0foC0DCoiPaBdL36XLy3Pk7ELqRBnT8nl98tBoILWr2gQem9TgNibnGAy6RuD7kVX7o0AJ4k-tzfjCDNVA/s1600/Dutch+Country+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIw17aWUULvCpnas2gC_IDqCt68Z8BRcpafOBDPIGZURxqW5KssJLYeWeRs0foC0DCoiPaBdL36XLy3Pk7ELqRBnT8nl98tBoILWr2gQem9TgNibnGAy6RuD7kVX7o0AJ4k-tzfjCDNVA/s1600/Dutch+Country+003.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mennonite Buggy and Horse at the ATM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The only day trip we didn't get to which I would have loved to of added, would have been a day in Pittsburgh, but unfortunately we didn't have the time to make that one happen. Overall, though our Philly stay was phenomenal and I can't wait to share all our city excitement with you!</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468222245359823921.post-13075767127307294762014-06-11T18:59:00.001-07:002014-06-17T07:00:01.888-07:00Home Sweet Philadelphia! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbURmYi-RTKoVNZyvXibbrplWjbPRpLvMM2ROX0bYCs7KPpXJa4hrD2nSCF30R9X5j_1z88qYrBdRhI4aeQUiBMbLUbnRLCe1RpTd4K1ouwq8VSVeTbAdD_J6X2XGlFBjp09lQoBq241ED/s1600/photo+2+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbURmYi-RTKoVNZyvXibbrplWjbPRpLvMM2ROX0bYCs7KPpXJa4hrD2nSCF30R9X5j_1z88qYrBdRhI4aeQUiBMbLUbnRLCe1RpTd4K1ouwq8VSVeTbAdD_J6X2XGlFBjp09lQoBq241ED/s1600/photo+2+(7).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Apartment and the Restaurant Below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am kind of sort of in love with the neighborhood we are
staying in while in Philadelphia. We are smack in the heart of<a href="http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/rittenhouse-square/" target="_blank"> Rittenhouse</a>, two
blocks from the square and every corner you turn there is something to charm the
pants off of you; architecture, remnants of history or the quaint urban
gardens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The apartment itself has these giant windows that flood the place with light, making everything bright and the open concept is great at hiding the smaller living space. We have landed in yet another walk up, no elevator, but Tom and I are becoming expert movers at this point and quickly handled the move into our new place while barely breaking a
sweat. Although part of the easier moving might be due in large part to my continually sending things back to Utah; I am pretty sure Staci is starting to curse my monthly packages of shoes and clothing, I have now realized I didn't really need to bring the 20+ pairs of stilettos with us on the journey. I'm having moments where I wish I could go back in time and tell past Bonnie what future Bonnie knows now and maybe packed for our wanderings a little differently.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSISKnPkWFqo0Bc5Ej4ogWNcU4-kHrGF4oplDib6QXVg7gx-etgJN9BFF6avz8Yo4e6v6EtaEG4dBcby6YrrQ9gKwOFCBJu7LmgrvX8CWtRCmkSQdahe06pytfsPX-mADQsA7fVbIB7YP/s1600/photo+1+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSISKnPkWFqo0Bc5Ej4ogWNcU4-kHrGF4oplDib6QXVg7gx-etgJN9BFF6avz8Yo4e6v6EtaEG4dBcby6YrrQ9gKwOFCBJu7LmgrvX8CWtRCmkSQdahe06pytfsPX-mADQsA7fVbIB7YP/s1600/photo+1+(9).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the cobblestone streets right around the corner from us</td></tr>
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The high ceilings and crown molding add so much character to
this place, it makes it easy to come back to after a day of walking and
exploring all the rich history this city holds and just relax. Plus I have a dishwasher once
again, still no washer and dryer, but the building has one, so I only have to
trek down one floor in order to have clean clothes versus the three block excursion
that we experienced in New York! I know, New Yorkers would just tell me to send it out, but I couldn't get past the idea of somebody else handling my delicates.</div>
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Parking in the city is a little crazy at times; everything in the area is either metered or you have parking garages galore if you aren't a resident; Tom and I had planned on going the parking garage route, but I was able to work my charm and get us a temporary parking permit for the month. Although charm might be pushing it, I really just had to ask and I figured the worst the city could do was tell me no. So I marched myself down to the city offices, Ethel in tow, with the lease for the month and low and behold, a glorious parking permit was bestowed upon me and completely reaffirms the mantra, it never hurts to ask!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCboxDhXqZJngQOt79HIvFMeTZNv7dhDwiTuUxqNIqxEFmQbD3XnMAdtYxUN0sQvlqWAq012-NbTBcm2NaLqM03vLlNqoVkYbN1sCAS1G3hJnCEkxQ45AKH61r0S4MumY2M23rkysFK5aA/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCboxDhXqZJngQOt79HIvFMeTZNv7dhDwiTuUxqNIqxEFmQbD3XnMAdtYxUN0sQvlqWAq012-NbTBcm2NaLqM03vLlNqoVkYbN1sCAS1G3hJnCEkxQ45AKH61r0S4MumY2M23rkysFK5aA/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rittenhouse Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rittenhouse is hopping with great restaurants on every
corner, and there is a cute little Italian place, <a href="http://www.lafontanadellacitta.com/" target="_blank">La Fontana</a>, right outside
our door, people literally eat at the outdoor tables right below us; which is pretty awesome! We are also close to Philadelphia’s City Center and pretty much
anything and everything we could want to see is in easy walking distance from us, not
to mention all the fabulous shopping up on Walnut Street. Biggest plus is the
park right around the corner; Ethel loves being able to visit the park a few times every day, it is
almost like having a yard again. The area is a bit quieter than our New York
neighborhood and she seems to be quite a bit happier here than she was there,
which is good for us, because a happy dog, keeps me happy!</div>
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This apartment doesn't have a television, which might be a
breaking deal for some, I find it to be a little slice of heaven. But I am not
a big one for TV anyway, back home, it was maybe on for two hours on the
weekends when Tom was home and that was it; plus if I find myself lacking
entertainment, one can stream via the internet or better yet read! Who needs
television when there is so much going on to experience, it’s like throwing
moments of life away! Although it is easy to say this now only because the Game
of Thrones withdrawals haven’t set in yet, so you know, if anybody wants to lend me their HBO Go account, I wouldn't object! </div>
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So here she is our lovely <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2484202" target="_blank">Philadelphia and perfectly located apartment</a>, rented again via <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a>: <o:p></o:p><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08517310137467156179noreply@blogger.com2