This is the first day we have had an Internet connection. Thursday and Friday we were at Grant Village in Yellowstone and I sent an email describing my awe at Yellowstone National Park.
Yesterday, Saturday, we left for Jackson Hole WY and the Grand Teton National Park. We stopped for lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge. It has a magnificent view of the Tetons. It was another day of cold and periodic rain - but even with cloud cover the mountains are majestic. Again, pictures are worth a thousand words. We arrived at the Lodge at Jackson Hole about 3:30 PM. Here we have free Internet, TV, fridge, microwave, not to mention a Keurig coffee maker. It is a world class room.
Breakfast is included as usual and there is a full breakfast bar. Today is a highlight of the trip with the float trip on the Snake River. The rafts are the same as for white water - but only a few "rough" places. I loved it but it was cold, windy, and cloudy -- but no rain. The man who stood up and rowed turning the raft in different directions was in short sleeves - what a workout. I sat in the raft with the family with a 13 year old daughter and 15 year ofd son. They are a typical family and it is fun to see the interactions. Dad "pushed" his son to get a hat with a wide brim and underchin strap - because of all our rain showers. The boy is naturally trying to lose it and today seemed like a possible opportunity. Rather than go to Jackson Hole this afternoon, they were going for a hike. I think that was a great choice.
This afternoon was free to roam around Jackson Hole. I think I have seen too many of these high class tourist towns to be a judge. It is interesting - and I can see staying here for more hiking - and sampling the many restaurants. Most people were leaving for a Western Camp Cookout. It was an extra and I opted not to go. It is still cold -- but I think it is getting better. We head for Salt Lake City tomorrow.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
BOOKS
I am getting ready to leave for my vacation on Saturday. I fly to Chicago and catch the train there on Sunday, August 17th. I will be home on the 31st after spending a couple of days with Mari in Denver.
I had hoped to learn how to include pictures in the blog - but cannot figure out how that works.
I am listening to nonfiction mostly biographies as I quilt and sometime knit. Last month I listened to Joyce Kearns Goodwin's biography NO ORDINARY TIMES about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt personal life during WW II. I think it is more about Eleanor Roosevelt and her involvement and influence on America's development than Roosevelt and Churchill during that time. Several things were a surprise to me about the effects of bigotry in the 40's. She may have done more than anyone to promote fairness toward blacks and later the Japanese. It does show a picture of Franklin's personality and his decision-making. Last but not least their marriage becomes understandable.
Now I am listening to David McCullough's TRUMAN. Already I can see how his personality from childhood on made him the leader he became. Each book gives me more of a feeling for our history.
I am reading CALL THE MIDWIFE by Jennifer Worth. It is set in England just about WW II and is the best picture of people coping with poverty and hardship - but making a life. The TV show on PBS is based on this story and since I watched it for two seasons, I was afraid I might not enjoy the book. Not the case at all.
I had hoped to learn how to include pictures in the blog - but cannot figure out how that works.
I am listening to nonfiction mostly biographies as I quilt and sometime knit. Last month I listened to Joyce Kearns Goodwin's biography NO ORDINARY TIMES about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt personal life during WW II. I think it is more about Eleanor Roosevelt and her involvement and influence on America's development than Roosevelt and Churchill during that time. Several things were a surprise to me about the effects of bigotry in the 40's. She may have done more than anyone to promote fairness toward blacks and later the Japanese. It does show a picture of Franklin's personality and his decision-making. Last but not least their marriage becomes understandable.
Now I am listening to David McCullough's TRUMAN. Already I can see how his personality from childhood on made him the leader he became. Each book gives me more of a feeling for our history.
I am reading CALL THE MIDWIFE by Jennifer Worth. It is set in England just about WW II and is the best picture of people coping with poverty and hardship - but making a life. The TV show on PBS is based on this story and since I watched it for two seasons, I was afraid I might not enjoy the book. Not the case at all.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
America's Great National Parks
MY FIRST TOUR
Dick and I always preferred to stay in one place and go places at our own pace. Being alone, I am going to try a tour. I looked at this one last year but I was reluctant - and it was not the right time. After New York went well and Greg recovered, I decided this was the time. I called late on Friday and there were only two seats left. I spent the weekend thinking and talking to family. Suddenly, I knew I would always regret it if I did not go. I called my contact, Suzanne, and booked the trip.
The group is Vacation By Rail (www.vacationsbyrail.com) and my trip is America's Great National Parks. When we moved here my goal was to see "the west," We only got as far as northern Arizona. This trip covers much of the area I had in mind. I know I could not do it on my own, but I think it will work for me since we stay two or three days in most places -- and always have plenty of unscheduled time.
We leave from Chicago on Sunday, August 17 on the Empire Builder. We arrive in Glacier National Park on the 18th and stay at the Glacier Park Lodge Park for three nights. On the 21st we take a motor coach to Yellowstone National Park and stay there two nights. On the 23rd we travel to The Lodge in Jackson Hole for two nights. We see the Grand Tetons. We stop in Salt Lake City for one night at the Doubletree Salt Lake City. On the 26th we go to the Red Cliffs Lodge at Moab. Here we visit Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. We take the train, California Zephyr, stopping in Grand Junction at the DoubleTree Hilton for one night. The train takes us the next morning for the final leg of the trip and will end up in Chicago. I am getting off in Denver and hope to see the Chihuhly exhibit. Home on the 31st -for Labor Day.
Dick and I always preferred to stay in one place and go places at our own pace. Being alone, I am going to try a tour. I looked at this one last year but I was reluctant - and it was not the right time. After New York went well and Greg recovered, I decided this was the time. I called late on Friday and there were only two seats left. I spent the weekend thinking and talking to family. Suddenly, I knew I would always regret it if I did not go. I called my contact, Suzanne, and booked the trip.
The group is Vacation By Rail (www.vacationsbyrail.com) and my trip is America's Great National Parks. When we moved here my goal was to see "the west," We only got as far as northern Arizona. This trip covers much of the area I had in mind. I know I could not do it on my own, but I think it will work for me since we stay two or three days in most places -- and always have plenty of unscheduled time.
We leave from Chicago on Sunday, August 17 on the Empire Builder. We arrive in Glacier National Park on the 18th and stay at the Glacier Park Lodge Park for three nights. On the 21st we take a motor coach to Yellowstone National Park and stay there two nights. On the 23rd we travel to The Lodge in Jackson Hole for two nights. We see the Grand Tetons. We stop in Salt Lake City for one night at the Doubletree Salt Lake City. On the 26th we go to the Red Cliffs Lodge at Moab. Here we visit Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. We take the train, California Zephyr, stopping in Grand Junction at the DoubleTree Hilton for one night. The train takes us the next morning for the final leg of the trip and will end up in Chicago. I am getting off in Denver and hope to see the Chihuhly exhibit. Home on the 31st -for Labor Day.
Friday, June 20, 2014
NEW YORK CITY
June 20, 2014
TRAVEL
I travelled alone to New York City on June 13. I stayed at the Manhattan Club, 200 W. 56th Street, a place I rented though RedWeek. Dick and I stayed there once before as an exchange. This time it was a rental from Ivor Alexander. Doug and Jennifer planned to meet me there with Doug only staying for the weekend. Unfortunately, he had to work, so Jennifer took the train in and she stayed until Thursday. Thursday, Selena, Brad, Maggie and Ella joined me. We had dinner at Pazzo Notte, 1375 6th Avenue. Jennifer and I ate there on our way to catch a view of the "Red Carpet" people going to the Tony's at Radio City. The thin pizza is great as is the service. This out of order - but I went to see WICKED WITH Selena, Maggie and Ella. The theatre was huge as was the stage -- a great production. That culminated my stay -- but the rest of the trip was just as great.
Saturday, Jennifer and I took the bus to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine located on Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street. I like to go there because it is where the O'Donnell's lived and where Mother brought me when she left Bill and California. We stayed there several months and she had great memories of how they treated her. She would walk with me to the gardens at St. John's one day and in the other direction to Riverside Park the next day. I think they lived on 101st Street. I think we made three trips to New York during the war. Mother had a number of stories - mostly about the crowded trains and the helpful service men. One very funny one was when a serviceman ask me if my Daddy was in the service. I replied, "Which one? I have one in the Army and one in the Navy." That was true but Mother said she just slipped lower in her seat.
There are great pictures online of St. John's. The Cathedral is spectacular. It is the fourth largest Christian church in the world. The building was begun in early 1900's and because of the two world wars it is still not complete. There was a fire in 2001 and most of it was closed when Dick and I visited NYC. At this time it is a showcase for the Phoenix sculpture of Chinese Artist Xu Bing. I tried to get a picture - but the ones online are much better. It is spectacular - but it interfered with seeing the Rose Window.
We caught another bus to see the Museum of the City of New York. That was where we discovered that Jennifer's pass from the Orchard House got us both into the museums. I think this is the only museum that Jennifer had not been to. She wanted to go there to see the Stettheimer Dollhouse, a two story, twelve room dollhouse created by Carrie Walter Stettheimer over the course of 25 years. It contains miniature art made by artists that she knew. It is quite a story.
Sunday we went our separate ways. I went to St. Patrick's for the choir mass. It is a 5 minute walk from the Manhattan Club - except on Puerto Rica Day with a parade down 5th Avenue. After several detours I got to the church as mass was starting - and to my surprise found that the scaffolding is inside as well as outside. Cardinal Dolan said the mass which I watched on a TV monitor and the choir was beautiful. I had not been able to go to Carnegie Hall on our last trip to NYC and I wanted to this trip. So I had gotten tickets on Saturday for the Sunday performance. It was an interesting program - difficult to describe. The first part was a concert of orchestra and an international chorus. The last half was bluegrass with the chorus coming back for a bluegrass mass. Enough said. Jennifer spent the day with her uncle and family walking on the High Line, a linear park built on a section of the former New York Central Railroad. It is in the meatpacker's district which is now galleries.
Saturday and Sunday were perfect days for beautiful weather. The rest of the week we were lucky not to be caught in a rainstorm. It was fine with me since I needed some humidity. We met at the Manhattan Club and went out for dinner at Pazzo Notte and back to watch the Tonys.
Monday we went to the Metropolitan Museum for the Pre-Raphaelite exhibit - and to visit the Metropolitan. It was raining - so we did take a taxi. Then we met Jennifer's uncle and his daughter at the Neue Gallery. Dick and I had wanted to go there because of their collection of Klimt works. They have a great cafe and we enjoyed the pastries.
Tuesday was our Ellis Island Day. We took the subway from a stop on 57th Street just across from the hotel. No problem with the directions we received from the Concierge. It was interesting - but many of the artifacts are still in storage from Hurricane Sandy. We probably should had planned our time better - but it was worth the trip. We stopped for a quick box lunch at Starbucks which was perfect and decided to walk to the South Street Seaport booth for 1/2 price tickets. We had heard there was more available than at the Times Square booth. We debated between Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill and Act One. I told Jennifer to make the choice and she chose Lady Day -- for my sake. After walking forever we did catch the subway back to 57th Street. Audra McDonald had received the Tony the night before for her role in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She deserved it. I will always check on what she is doing. It was at Circle in the Square, a small theatre near us.
Wednesday was the Guggenheim with the Italian Futurism: 1909 - 1944: Reconstructing the Universe exhibit. We both thought it was tremendous. I had never seen any of the artists. Jennifer has the book - my gift for her birthday. We got home in time to go to Studio 54 for Cabaret. Alan Cumming was on stage almost the whole time -- it was exceptional.
Thursday, we hung out in the neighborhood. I got to visit Balducci's. Dick and I visited the original one when we went with Roger and Judy on a late honeymoon in 1961. It has had a long history since then. It moved in the 70's and became a high end leading to closing in 2009. It reopened as Balducci's Gourmet On The Go on 56th Street just down from the Manhattan Club. I will remember it if I get back to NYC.
I LOVE NEW YORK.
TRAVEL
I travelled alone to New York City on June 13. I stayed at the Manhattan Club, 200 W. 56th Street, a place I rented though RedWeek. Dick and I stayed there once before as an exchange. This time it was a rental from Ivor Alexander. Doug and Jennifer planned to meet me there with Doug only staying for the weekend. Unfortunately, he had to work, so Jennifer took the train in and she stayed until Thursday. Thursday, Selena, Brad, Maggie and Ella joined me. We had dinner at Pazzo Notte, 1375 6th Avenue. Jennifer and I ate there on our way to catch a view of the "Red Carpet" people going to the Tony's at Radio City. The thin pizza is great as is the service. This out of order - but I went to see WICKED WITH Selena, Maggie and Ella. The theatre was huge as was the stage -- a great production. That culminated my stay -- but the rest of the trip was just as great.
Saturday, Jennifer and I took the bus to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine located on Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street. I like to go there because it is where the O'Donnell's lived and where Mother brought me when she left Bill and California. We stayed there several months and she had great memories of how they treated her. She would walk with me to the gardens at St. John's one day and in the other direction to Riverside Park the next day. I think they lived on 101st Street. I think we made three trips to New York during the war. Mother had a number of stories - mostly about the crowded trains and the helpful service men. One very funny one was when a serviceman ask me if my Daddy was in the service. I replied, "Which one? I have one in the Army and one in the Navy." That was true but Mother said she just slipped lower in her seat.
There are great pictures online of St. John's. The Cathedral is spectacular. It is the fourth largest Christian church in the world. The building was begun in early 1900's and because of the two world wars it is still not complete. There was a fire in 2001 and most of it was closed when Dick and I visited NYC. At this time it is a showcase for the Phoenix sculpture of Chinese Artist Xu Bing. I tried to get a picture - but the ones online are much better. It is spectacular - but it interfered with seeing the Rose Window.
We caught another bus to see the Museum of the City of New York. That was where we discovered that Jennifer's pass from the Orchard House got us both into the museums. I think this is the only museum that Jennifer had not been to. She wanted to go there to see the Stettheimer Dollhouse, a two story, twelve room dollhouse created by Carrie Walter Stettheimer over the course of 25 years. It contains miniature art made by artists that she knew. It is quite a story.
Sunday we went our separate ways. I went to St. Patrick's for the choir mass. It is a 5 minute walk from the Manhattan Club - except on Puerto Rica Day with a parade down 5th Avenue. After several detours I got to the church as mass was starting - and to my surprise found that the scaffolding is inside as well as outside. Cardinal Dolan said the mass which I watched on a TV monitor and the choir was beautiful. I had not been able to go to Carnegie Hall on our last trip to NYC and I wanted to this trip. So I had gotten tickets on Saturday for the Sunday performance. It was an interesting program - difficult to describe. The first part was a concert of orchestra and an international chorus. The last half was bluegrass with the chorus coming back for a bluegrass mass. Enough said. Jennifer spent the day with her uncle and family walking on the High Line, a linear park built on a section of the former New York Central Railroad. It is in the meatpacker's district which is now galleries.
Saturday and Sunday were perfect days for beautiful weather. The rest of the week we were lucky not to be caught in a rainstorm. It was fine with me since I needed some humidity. We met at the Manhattan Club and went out for dinner at Pazzo Notte and back to watch the Tonys.
Monday we went to the Metropolitan Museum for the Pre-Raphaelite exhibit - and to visit the Metropolitan. It was raining - so we did take a taxi. Then we met Jennifer's uncle and his daughter at the Neue Gallery. Dick and I had wanted to go there because of their collection of Klimt works. They have a great cafe and we enjoyed the pastries.
Tuesday was our Ellis Island Day. We took the subway from a stop on 57th Street just across from the hotel. No problem with the directions we received from the Concierge. It was interesting - but many of the artifacts are still in storage from Hurricane Sandy. We probably should had planned our time better - but it was worth the trip. We stopped for a quick box lunch at Starbucks which was perfect and decided to walk to the South Street Seaport booth for 1/2 price tickets. We had heard there was more available than at the Times Square booth. We debated between Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill and Act One. I told Jennifer to make the choice and she chose Lady Day -- for my sake. After walking forever we did catch the subway back to 57th Street. Audra McDonald had received the Tony the night before for her role in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She deserved it. I will always check on what she is doing. It was at Circle in the Square, a small theatre near us.
Wednesday was the Guggenheim with the Italian Futurism: 1909 - 1944: Reconstructing the Universe exhibit. We both thought it was tremendous. I had never seen any of the artists. Jennifer has the book - my gift for her birthday. We got home in time to go to Studio 54 for Cabaret. Alan Cumming was on stage almost the whole time -- it was exceptional.
Thursday, we hung out in the neighborhood. I got to visit Balducci's. Dick and I visited the original one when we went with Roger and Judy on a late honeymoon in 1961. It has had a long history since then. It moved in the 70's and became a high end leading to closing in 2009. It reopened as Balducci's Gourmet On The Go on 56th Street just down from the Manhattan Club. I will remember it if I get back to NYC.
I LOVE NEW YORK.
June 20, 2014
I did not finish the Mexican stories - but at least I reviewed the notebooks and refreshed my memory.
I stopped at the trip to San Miguel de Allende which will always be a favorite place. Pictures and journals are always available.
Now I hope to use the blog as a frequent summary of books, movies etc. The two recent books I want to remember are:
SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts is a long novel about an Australian who flees to India after escaping from jail. What makes it memorable is his tumultuous life in Mumbai and other parts of India. It does give a unique view of living in the huge slums and becoming involved in the criminal life.
DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC: A TALE OF MADNESS, MEDICINE AND THE MURDER OF A PRESIDENT by Candice Millard. It is a biography of James A. Garfield. I could not even remember when he was president. It is fascinating in several respects - it does give an idea of how politics has changed, whether the times make the man or the man the times, and a look at medicine at the time. There is a good review in the New York Times Sunday Book Review. I found it when I googled best biographies. It is an interesting list.
I also want to use the blog to track some of my more memorable maladies. This time is the three weeks of rash and itching for no good reason -- I am sure dry skin is involved. I managed to cope with it until last week when I went to San Diego and developed the worse case of dry eye that I have had. I came back from San Diego early to see the doctor about the rash and talk to Dr. Miller about possible side effects from my medicine. I had also intended to see someone about the dry eye - but have not yet.
I did not finish the Mexican stories - but at least I reviewed the notebooks and refreshed my memory.
I stopped at the trip to San Miguel de Allende which will always be a favorite place. Pictures and journals are always available.
Now I hope to use the blog as a frequent summary of books, movies etc. The two recent books I want to remember are:
SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts is a long novel about an Australian who flees to India after escaping from jail. What makes it memorable is his tumultuous life in Mumbai and other parts of India. It does give a unique view of living in the huge slums and becoming involved in the criminal life.
DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC: A TALE OF MADNESS, MEDICINE AND THE MURDER OF A PRESIDENT by Candice Millard. It is a biography of James A. Garfield. I could not even remember when he was president. It is fascinating in several respects - it does give an idea of how politics has changed, whether the times make the man or the man the times, and a look at medicine at the time. There is a good review in the New York Times Sunday Book Review. I found it when I googled best biographies. It is an interesting list.
I also want to use the blog to track some of my more memorable maladies. This time is the three weeks of rash and itching for no good reason -- I am sure dry skin is involved. I managed to cope with it until last week when I went to San Diego and developed the worse case of dry eye that I have had. I came back from San Diego early to see the doctor about the rash and talk to Dr. Miller about possible side effects from my medicine. I had also intended to see someone about the dry eye - but have not yet.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Continuing travels in Mexico
We traveled in Mexico from February 21 to March 15, 2005. Dick and I flew separately and I am not sure why. My flight on Continental was delayed and I missed the connection in Houston where we had the same flight reservation. Almost ten years later I don't remember the whole story. Dick checked into the Grand Mayan in Neuvo Vallarta and came to meet me 8 hours later. This was the first time we stayed at the Grand Mayan with the water park. This part of the resort is the same but they have added all the other things and more than tripled the buildings. We ate at the Green Break which is now Gong - an upscale Asian place.
I was using a cane and Dick says I was getting stronger. I guess I had the hip surgery in December 2004. We ate at a Fajitas place in Neuvo that is no longer there. Most of the restaurants where we ate have changed. After a week we moved to the Mayan Palace at the Marina. It is close to Puerto Vallarta so we spent more time away from the resort. We visited the Huichol Indians and made the boat trip to Los Caletas for Rhythms of the Night. Naturally, I was sick - but Dick enjoyed it.
March 3, 2004 -- Dick's 70th birthday. He kept the card - memories.
Dick has a long description of our day to visit the Huichol indians. I am so glad he was so good at keeping notes and writing them up.
We flew to Los Cabos and stayed at Finesterra for a week. We had fun - but we agreed that we did not want to return to Los Cabos - really a party town. Again Dick has covered all that we did - where we ate etc. Again another fun Mexican trip.
2006 - The long driving trip though central Mexico. we left Detroit On January 14th and came home on March 28th. This was our transitional year. We had bought the house in AZ in late 2005 - but it was not finished until March 2007. I quit working full time in early 2006 so we spent the year traveling.
We stayed a week at Villa del Palamar closer to downtown Puerto Vallarta. We enjoyed being closer to town. We walked the Malecon with the Bustamenta sculptures and actually shopped. This trip we spent time on the "River," went to church, found German restaurants, second hand book store -- as always Dick has so much detail.
We moved to Mayan Palace for a week. This is the trip we went to the Mexican Fiesta -- great show.
This was the trip when we discovered the Estudio. It is still there and much better. We also found Guido's a great Italian restaurant and it is still in Neuvo.
We were excited about renting the car and going on a road trip in Mexico. We had a VW Pointer. The first day we drove though agricultural areas - so beautiful. We were on the toll road - great driving. First stop was Ajiici - a quaint town and a quaint hotel but it was on the main drag and the owner was helpful. We unpacked and took off to Tom's to see the Super Bowl - many Canadians cheering for the Seahawks. We were quietly for the Steelers and they won. We found a great place for breakfast Mes Amoures. We would stay there if we returned. We drove over to Lake Chapala which is known as an expat place. It is bigger but we did not want to stay. Dick explains our adventures on the road - luckily he has a great sense of direction.
Next stop on Wednesday, February 8 was at the Great Western Pasada del Vasco in Patzcuaro. Lake Patzcuaro was a development encouraged by Father Kino. Each village around the lake has a different artisan focus. One is guitars, one baskets, etc. We made a side trip to Uruapan -- fascinating place. After exploring the town we went to the Eduardo Ruiz Parque Nacionale. How beautiful!
On Saturday, Feb 11th we drove to Morelia. It breaks my heart to hear about drug battles there. It is a National Heritage site and well deserves it. The Cathedral lights up at night and you hear the music. The parks and museums are wonderful.
Next post will be about the favorite stop San Miguel.
Continuing travels in Mexico
We traveled in Mexico from February 21 to March 15, 2005. Dick and I flew separately and I am not sure why. My flight on Continental was delayed and I missed the connection in Houston where we had the same flight reservation. Almost ten years later I don't remember the whole story. Dick checked into the Grand Mayan in Neuvo Vallarta and came to meet me 8 hours later. This was the first time we stayed at the Grand Mayan with the water park. This part of the resort is the same but they have added all the other things and more than tripled the buildings. We ate at the Green Break which is now Gong - an upscale Asian place.
I was using a cane and Dick says I was getting stronger. I guess I had the hip surgery in December 2004. We ate at a Fajitas place in Neuvo that is no longer there. Most of the restaurants where we ate have changed. After a week we moved to the Mayan Palace at the Marina. It is close to Puerto Vallarta so we spent more time away from the resort. We visited the Huichol Indians and made the boat trip to Los Caletas for Rhythms of the Night. Naturally, I was sick - but Dick enjoyed it.
March 3, 2004 -- Dick's 70th birthday. He kept the card - memories.
Dick has a long description of our day to visit the Huichol indians. I am so glad he was so good at keeping notes and writing them up.
We flew to Los Cabos and stayed at Finesterra for a week. We had fun - but we agreed that we did not want to return to Los Cabos - really a party town. Again Dick has covered all that we did - where we ate etc. Again another fun Mexican trip.
2006 - The long driving trip though central Mexico. we left Detroit On January 14th and came home on March 28th. This was our transitional year. We had bought the house in AZ in late 2005 - but it was not finished until March 2007. I quit working full time in early 2006 so we spent the year traveling.
We stayed a week at Villa del Palamar closer to downtown Puerto Vallarta. We enjoyed being closer to town. We walked the Malecon with the Bustamenta sculptures and actually shopped. This trip we spent time on the "River," went to church, found German restaurants, second hand book store -- as always Dick has so much detail.
We moved to Mayan Palace for a week. This is the trip we went to the Mexican Fiesta -- great show.
This was the trip when we discovered the Estudio. It is still there and much better. We also found Guido's a great Italian restaurant and it is still in Neuvo.
We were excited about renting the car and going on a road trip in Mexico. We had a VW Pointer. The first day we drove though agricultural areas - so beautiful. We were on the toll road - great driving. First stop was Ajiici - a quaint town and a quaint hotel but it was on the main drag and the owner was helpful. We unpacked and took off to Tom's to see the Super Bowl - many Canadians cheering for the Seahawks. We were quietly for the Steelers and they won. We found a great place for breakfast Mes Amoures. We would stay there if we returned. We drove over to Lake Chapala which is known as an expat place. It is bigger but we did not want to stay. Dick explains our adventures on the road - luckily he has a great sense of direction.
Next stop on Wednesday, February 8 was at the Great Western Pasada del Vasco in Patzcuaro. Lake Patzcuaro was a development encouraged by Father Kino. Each village around the lake has a different artisan focus. One is guitars, one baskets, etc. We made a side trip to Uruapan -- fascinating place. After exploring the town we went to the Eduardo Ruiz Parque Nacionale. How beautiful!
On Saturday, Feb 11th we drove to Morelia. It breaks my heart to hear about drug battles there. It is a National Heritage site and well deserves it. The Cathedral lights up at night and you hear the music. The parks and museums are wonderful.
Next post will be about the favorite stop San Miguel.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Travels to Mexico
Sunday, April 7, 2014
When I got home from the Neuvo Vallarta trip, I looked at the great albums with a travelogue that we have kept for so long. Thanks mainly to Dick who made note each night when he tracked the expenses.
We bought the timeshare at Mayan Palace - now Grand Mayan - in March 2001. We were in a Marriot timeshare at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta and went on our first timeshare sell's pitch. Long story - but we did buy. Dick had just retired and was ready to travel. Over Christmas week we stayed in Acapulco and had a great time. We have pictures but that was before the PAGES travelogues. In 2002 we made an undocumented trip to the resort between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. We did like the town of Playa del Carmen -- when we return several years later, it had changed drastically.
Our first road trip in Mexico was from 2/28 to 3/20, 2004. I was working full time at OCC and we were escaping the Michigan winter. We flew into Mexico City, rented a car and stayed for a couple of days in Puebla. We drove to Oaxaca and stayed for four days. I bought my Mexican rug from the place where it was woven. Next stop was Cuernavaca - lovely town where Diego Rivera painted a mural covering the history of Mexico. We finished our road trip in Acapulco, stayed at the Mayan Palace and drove on to Taxco - known for their silver. We loved our quaint hotel overlooking the city - but it was a
holiday and they had a parade playing music all night. I have my silver necklace and some great pictures to remind me. It is the one and only time we flew though Mexico City.
When I got home from the Neuvo Vallarta trip, I looked at the great albums with a travelogue that we have kept for so long. Thanks mainly to Dick who made note each night when he tracked the expenses.
We bought the timeshare at Mayan Palace - now Grand Mayan - in March 2001. We were in a Marriot timeshare at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta and went on our first timeshare sell's pitch. Long story - but we did buy. Dick had just retired and was ready to travel. Over Christmas week we stayed in Acapulco and had a great time. We have pictures but that was before the PAGES travelogues. In 2002 we made an undocumented trip to the resort between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. We did like the town of Playa del Carmen -- when we return several years later, it had changed drastically.
Our first road trip in Mexico was from 2/28 to 3/20, 2004. I was working full time at OCC and we were escaping the Michigan winter. We flew into Mexico City, rented a car and stayed for a couple of days in Puebla. We drove to Oaxaca and stayed for four days. I bought my Mexican rug from the place where it was woven. Next stop was Cuernavaca - lovely town where Diego Rivera painted a mural covering the history of Mexico. We finished our road trip in Acapulco, stayed at the Mayan Palace and drove on to Taxco - known for their silver. We loved our quaint hotel overlooking the city - but it was a
holiday and they had a parade playing music all night. I have my silver necklace and some great pictures to remind me. It is the one and only time we flew though Mexico City.
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