Travel, Food & Photography

Tag: Wine

Standard

First Full Day in Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Castle & Scottish Impressions (Day 10)

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 158 Views

We woke up on Day 10 to a view of Arthur’s Seat from our apartment window. After days of driving and exploring remote ruins, it felt wonderfully refreshing to be based in a vibrant city again. Scotland was already winning us over.

We began the morning with a gentle uphill walk along the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle for our 9:30am tour. Along the way, we passed the charming little 16th-century Queen Mary’s Bathhouse, a picturesque turreted building just outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The castle itself felt more like a living museum than the ancient ruins we’d seen earlier in the trip, but its position high above the city delivered spectacular views. The cannon gunports offered perfect “framed” shots of the rooftops and spires below, and we were charmed by the historic Dog Cemetery—dating back to 1837—with its tiny headstones honoring soldiers’ and officers’ loyal dogs (and a few other pets).

After leaving the castle, we wandered down Cockburn Street and enjoyed a relaxed lunch of wine and charcuterie at a cozy spot. Feeling revived, we made one of the best decisions of the trip: hopping on a double-decker hop-on hop-off bus tour. It gave us an excellent overview of the city’s layout and helped us decide where to spend more time. After walking more than six miles already, the ride was a very welcome rest for our feet.

The bus route took us past several standout landmarks, including the towering Scott Monument and Calton Hill. We hopped off to explore the hill’s impressive monuments: the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, and the unfinished Scottish National Monument.

We returned to our apartment in the late afternoon and cooked a simple but satisfying dinner—bunless burgers topped with cheddar, bacon, and eggs. Having a kitchen during this trip has been an absolute blessing after long days of sightseeing.

Practical Tips for Edinburgh

• Book Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance, especially for morning slots—they sell out quickly. (This destination is included with the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass.)

• Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour on your first day. It’s one of the smartest ways to get oriented.

• The Royal Mile has some steep sections—comfortable walking shoes are essential.

• Staying somewhere with a kitchen helps you balance restaurant meals, save money, and recharge after busy days.

Fun Facts

•  Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano that last erupted around 350 million years ago. At 251 meters (823 feet) tall, it offers some of the best views over Edinburgh. In 1836, boys discovered 17 mysterious miniature coffins containing tiny wooden figures in a cave on its slopes—their purpose is still unknown.

•  The Royal Mile is actually 1.07 miles long and follows the ridge of an ancient volcano, which explains its steep sections.

•  Queen Mary’s Bath House (16th century) is more likely a garden pavilion or summer house than an actual bathhouse. The story of Mary, Queen of Scots bathing in wine or goat’s milk here is a charming legend with no historical proof.

•  Edinburgh Castle has been besieged at least 26 times, making it one of the most attacked places in Britain. It sits atop an extinct volcano (Castle Rock). The cannon batteries and gunports in this area are part of the Argyle Battery and Half Moon Battery. This is also home to the famous One O’Clock Gun, which has been fired daily (except Sundays) at 1:00 pm since 1861 to help ships in the Firth of Forth set their clocks.

•  The Dog Cemetery dates to the 1840s and holds about 20 small headstones for officers’ pets and regimental mascots. The first burial was Fido in 1847; the dogs often accompanied soldiers on global campaigns. It’s viewable only from above to protect the site.

•  The Scott Monument is a 61-meter (200 ft) Gothic tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the author of Ivanhoe and many other classics. It’s the second-largest monument to a writer in the world and features 68 statues of characters from his novels. Scott is depicted at the base with his beloved deerhound, Maida.

•  Calton Hill is another volcanic outcrop and part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its collection of monuments gives it a dramatic, almost Athenian feel—earning the city its nickname “Athens of the North.”

•  The Nelson Monument looks like an upturned telescope and honors Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). It once had a time ball that dropped at 1 pm to help ships synchronize clocks.

•  The Dugald Stewart Monument is an elegant circular temple honoring the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher. Its design by William Henry Playfair perfectly frames the city views and is one of the most photographed spots on the hill.

•  The Scottish National Monument was meant to be a full replica of the Parthenon in Athens to honor Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. Funds ran out, leaving the dramatic unfinished “ruin” you see today—often called “Scotland’s Disgrace” or “Edinburgh’s Folly.

Final Thoughts from Our First Day in Scotland

Edinburgh felt alive, historic, and full of character. The blend of medieval streets, grand architecture, and energetic city buzz made us fall in love with Scotland almost instantly. We couldn’t wait to explore more of the capital and beyond in the coming days.

Next Up:

Day trips from Edinburgh including The Kelpies (the giant horse sculptures), the Falkirk Wheel, and the Wallace Monument — plus more evening exploring in the city. NEXT…

Click any photo to enlarge or start slideshow.

Standard

Liverpool, Chester Walls & Driving into Scotland (Days 7–9)

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 107 Views

Introduction

After our Stonehenge and Bath adventures, we continued heading north. Days 7 through 9 were a nice mix of a fun music detour, deep history in Chester, and our official crossing into Scotland.

Day 7: Liverpool Stop & Arrival in Chester

We left Bristol with some extra time, so we decided to make a detour to Liverpool to visit The Cavern Club — the famous underground venue where The Beatles got their start. The club is small, dark, and full of history. We stayed for a while, had a beer, and listened to a local musician. It was a fun, lighter stop that broke up all the historic sites we’d been visiting.

From Liverpool, we continued on to Chester and checked into our Airbnb right in the heart of the city. Our accommodations were wonderful—definitely a step up from the last two places. It was a good reminder that you can’t always trust the pictures on the Airbnb site; it’s worth reading the reviews carefully and looking very closely at the photos before booking.

After settling in, we took a short evening walk to get our first glimpse of the famous city walls.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Day 8: Exploring Chester

The next day we fully explored Chester. We walked the entire Chester City Walls — the oldest, longest, and most complete Roman walls in Britain (nearly 2,000 years old and 1.8 miles long). The views from the top over the city were beautiful and really brought the history to life.

We also wandered through the Roman Gardens, visited the amphitheater remains, and explored Chester Cathedral. We ended up spending quite a bit of time there, slowly wandering through the nave and side chapels while marveling over the incredibly detailed carvings — the stonework was so intricate, with everything from delicate foliage to biblical scenes and grotesque gargoyles. The cathedral’s towering ceilings, intricate carvings, and stunning stained glass windows were truly impressive. We finished the afternoon with some people-watching and a relaxing glass of wine on a sunny patio before heading back to our Airbnb.

Day 9: Driving from Chester into Scotland

On Day 9 we left Chester around 9am for the 4.5-hour drive to Edinburgh. We made several enjoyable stops along the way:

•  Brougham Castle – A 13th-century ruin where we climbed the steep spiral staircase for great views.

•  Mayburgh Henge – A stone circle where Jerry and Dave had a spontaneous moment — they took off their shirts and “frolicked” to the remaining stone while Karen and I laughed from the bank. It was one of the funniest moments of the trip!

•  Arthur’s Round Table and Penrith Castle – Quick stops that added to the scenic drive.

The landscape became more dramatic as we crossed into Scotland. It felt like a real milestone in our journey.

Tips for These Days

•  The Cavern Club is worth a stop if you have any interest in The Beatles.

•  Chester is very walkable — plan at least half a day for the walls and cathedral.

•  The drive from Chester to Edinburgh is pleasant with good stops. Build in extra time if you enjoy ruins and stone circles.

Fun Facts About Our Stops

Here are some interesting tidbits about the places we visited — they added even more appreciation for the history along the way!

•  The Cavern Club, Liverpool: This legendary underground venue opened in 1957 as a jazz club but became the epicenter of the British rock scene. The Beatles performed here an incredible 292 times between 1961 and 1963. It’s small, sweaty, and atmospheric — exactly as it was in the early days, with the original stage still in use.

•  Chester City Walls: These are Britain’s most complete circuit of ancient city walls and the only ones in the country that still form a full, unbroken loop around the city. In the 18th century, they stopped being used for defense and were turned into a fashionable public walkway — complete with steps added for easier strolling and even a few quirky traditions like the “Wishing Steps,” where locals say if you can run up and down without taking a breath, your wish will come true!

•  Brougham Castle: Built in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont on the site of a Roman fort (Brocavum). It was later restored in the 17th century by the formidable Lady Anne Clifford, who loved it so much that she died there. Locals once believed a giant named Turquin lived in the ruins — a legend possibly linked to Arthurian tales of Sir Lancelot!

•  Mayburgh Henge: This massive Neolithic henge (about 4,500 years old) was built using an estimated 20,000 tons of river cobbles from the nearby River Eamont — no ditch, just an enormous stone bank up to 15 feet high. Only one giant standing stone remains in the center (there were once several). It’s one of the most impressive and least-visited prehistoric monuments in Britain.

•  Arthur’s Round Table: Despite the name, this Neolithic henge (around 2000 BC) has nothing to do with King Arthur — the association came centuries later. It’s a large circular earthwork with banks and ditches, located just 400 meters from Mayburgh Henge. In the 19th century, a local pub owner even turned part of it into a tea garden!

•  Penrith Castle: Constructed in the late 14th century in distinctive red sandstone to defend against Scottish raids. It later became a residence for Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future King Richard III). The ruins sit right in the middle of a peaceful park today, making for a lovely quick stop.

These little details made the drive feel like a journey through thousands of years of history in just one day!

Final Thoughts

These three days offered a great balance — music nostalgia in Liverpool, rich history in Chester, and the excitement of crossing into Scotland. The spontaneous moments (especially at Mayburgh Henge) made the journey even more enjoyable.

Next Up:

Our first full day in Edinburgh — walking the Royal Mile and visiting Edinburgh Castle. NEXT…

Click any photo to enlarge or start slideshow.

Standard

Stonehenge at Sunrise, Avebury & Bath: A Magical Day in Southern England (Days 5–6)

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 126 Views

Introduction

After our busy castle day in Kent, we continued our journey westward. Days 5 and 6 turned out to be some of the most memorable of the entire trip — featuring an extremely early morning at Stonehenge, ancient stone circles, and the beautiful city of Bath.

Day 5: Portsmouth, HMS Victory & Moving Toward Stonehenge

Today we drove to Portsmouth so Dave could visit HMS Victory. As a huge military history buff who had been there decades earlier, he specifically chose this stop. The ship is currently under restoration but we were able to do the tour and hear the stories of its glory days and of the sacrifices that were made along the way. Here’s a bit of her story:

HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s famous flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel. Still in active service with the Royal Navy after more than 260 years, she serves as the flagship of the First Sea Lord and welcomes visitors at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Built between 1759 and 1765, she consumed around 6,000 trees—mostly oak—equivalent to 60 acres of woodland. Though a massive 104-gun first-rate ship, Victory was surprisingly fast, reaching 11 knots under sail. Her hull was later copper-sheathed to protect against shipworms, and sailors aboard drank beer or wine instead of water, which spoiled too quickly. The name “Victory” even carried superstition, as the previous ship with that name had sunk with all hands.

A veteran of the American War of Independence, French Revolutionary Wars, and Napoleonic Wars, she fought at Ushant, Cape St. Vincent, and Trafalgar in 1805, where she lost 57 killed and 102 wounded—including Nelson. Today, very little of her original 1765 timber remains due to constant restoration. Well worth a visit if you’re in Portsmouth!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Afterwards we drove to Freemantle to gather with Dave’s cousin Blaine and his family for a phenomenal feast of Indian cuisine at Coriander Lounge. Finally, we checked into our AirBnB and turned in early since we had an insanely early booking for Stonehenge.

Day 6: Stonehenge at Sunrise & Avebury

3am comes early when you have a 5:30 reservation for the inner circle tour at Stonehenge!!! We arrived in Freemantle last night to find our AirBnB was not as advertised. When we woke up we made the snap decision to pack up and take everything with us and find another place to stay that was closer to our next destination in Chester. We made it out quickly and arrived on time for our Stonehenge tour.

The morning fog gave a perfect mystical vibe to the stones. Our guide, Chris, was really funny and knowledgeable! As he gave his instructions on visitor guidelines he “requested” that we refrain from touching, hugging, licking, or kissing the stones and that everyone please keep their clothes on. As the tour group gave a chuckle he said, “Oh, you laugh…”, because apparently people have to be told this. He also informed us that all these actions are a criminal offense that could land us in prison! Yikes! We spent close to an hour examining the site and asking questions before moving along to our next stop, Avebury Henge and Stone Circles.

This was a self-guided tour through pastures filled with large standing stones, sheep, and lots of sheep sh**! Watch your step!!! You may even want to wear galoshes. The early morning light bathed the countryside making it look like a painting. It was perfect! Check out the pics below.

Bath & Bristol

Next stop, Bath. Along the way we stopped at a cafe for coffee and a bite and arrived to find the city bustling with people and street performers. Bath Abbey towered above as we walked along the River Avon toward Pulteney Bridge and found ourselves at Thai Weir where we ordered a bottle of wine to enjoy on the balcony as we did some people watching and marveled at our surroundings. Another beautiful day in England!

We found a place to stay in Bristol, made ourselves some dinner and hit the hay by 9pm after our long day.

Tips for Stonehenge & This Route

•  Book your Stonehenge Inner Circle experience well ahead of time. These exclusive sunrise or sunset tours (which let you walk among the stones) are very limited and sell out months in advance — catching the sunrise there feels truly magical. Note that the English Heritage Pass covers standard entry but not these special timed access tickets, which must be booked separately.

•  Don’t skip Avebury. It’s completely free to visit, far less crowded than Stonehenge, and absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Plus, you can lick, hug, and kiss the stones all you want!

Fun Facts for these sites.

Stonehenge

•  Builders transported some bluestones over 240 km (150 miles) from Wales — without wheels or modern tools.

•  The largest sarsen stones weigh about 25 tons each (as heavy as four African elephants).

•  The site aligns perfectly with the summer solstice sunrise and construction spanned over 1,000 years, starting around 5,000 years ago.

Avebury

•  It features the largest stone circle in Britain (originally about 100 stones) and shares the same UNESCO World Heritage Site listing as Stonehenge.

•  Built roughly 4,600 years ago, the henge’s ditch and bank actually enclose part of the modern village.

•  Unlike Stonehenge, you can wander freely among the stones for a more intimate prehistoric experience.

Bath

•  The Romans called it Aquae Sulis and developed grand baths around the natural hot springs.

•  Jane Austen lived in Bath and drew inspiration for novels like Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

•  The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture including the Royal Crescent.

Final Thoughts

These two days had such a great mix of history, scenery, and spontaneity. From standing among ancient stones at sunrise to enjoying wine with a view in Bath, it reminded us why we love these kinds of trips. The early wake-up was tough, but moments like these make it all worthwhile.

Next Up:

Our drive north to Chester, a surprise stop in Liverpool at The Cavern Club, and our first full day walking the ancient walls of Chester. NEXT…

Click any photo to enlarge or start slideshow.

FoodGalleryStandard

Florence – The capital of Tuscany, Italy

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 4934 Views

My first impression of Florence was both calming and chaotic. Calming because it was one o’clock in the morning and the streets were quiet. And chaotic because we were staying at an Air B&B located in the heart of Piazza della Signoria where the only traffic allowed was either on foot or by taxi.

Arriving in Florence:

Here we are at one o’clock in the morning, six travelers who have a minimum of two pieces of luggage each. Four of us are dropped off with all the luggage at Ponte Santa Trinita, a nearby bridge, which was the closest access point to our accommodations. Meanwhile, the other two go to find a garage where we can leave our vehicle. Granted, we only had to walk about 500 meters (547 yards), which really isn’t a lot, but the four of us maneuvering luggage for six down cobblestone roads in the middle of the night was kind of funny. And on top of that we had a hard time finding the actual address of where we were staying!

Once we finally found the place, and got everything lugged up the long flight of stairs, we were able to relax, get a good night’s sleep and begin our adventure in Italy!

Piazza della Signoria:

There is certainly a lot going on here with many statues such as a replica of Michelangelo’s David, Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus, and the statue of Perseo holding Medusa’s head. There are also several restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy the sites and do some people watching. In the evening there are busking street musicians in and around the area that you can sit and enjoy.

A view looking up at the dome of Duomo in Florence, Italy
Duomo: Brunelleschi’s Dome

Florence is best known for the Duomo, a nickname given to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower). It’s a beautiful structure covered in pink, white and green marble with an enormous red tiled cupola. If you’re into history then you may already know that it’s construction was started in 1296 and took 150 years to complete.

We opted to pay extra for the ‘skip-the-line’ guided tour where they give you radio packs with earbuds to hear the tour guide’s explanation of the sites inside. We climbed the 463 stairs that take you up and between the inner and outer dome structures which is pretty amazing in itself. The passages are fairly narrow so if you are claustrophobic at all you may not want to partake.

Once inside we walked along the perimeter of the dome where we could see the giant fresco on the dome ceiling. The painting is called The Last Judgement and depicts bodies of the damned descending into Hell.

After more climbing you reach the very top of the dome where you can walk around the outside for 360 degree views of Florence. Bring your camera because this is a great place for a photo op.

Duomo Museum:

Be sure to take advantage of your included admission to the museum. We actually did it the day after our tour since the ticket was valid for 72 hours after first use.

A deli counter at a food court in Florence, Italy
Mercato Centrale:

After our tour of the Duomo we headed to Mercato Centrale for lunch. This is a huge building filled with shops full of delicious wholesome foods and around 500 seats to sit and enjoy some lunch and a beer or glass of wine between your sightseeing adventures. They have a huge variety of food ranging from pizza & pasta, to sushi, to fish, burgers, deli meats and cheeses, desserts and vegetarian fare. They have it all.

If you’re looking for other shopping there are several leather markets, street vendors, and shops selling clothes, housewares, luggage, and souvenirs nearby. The one thing I had to have was a scarf from one of the street vendors. At 5 euro each I wish I would have gotten more than one!

Santa Croce:

This church is the burial place of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo Galilei just to name a few. It is another of Florence’s must-see attractions as it is full of interesting history and architecture. It would be impossible for me to even scratch the surface of all the information there is to be had on just this church alone.

a sunset view of a bridge and a river lined with buildings
Ponte Vecchio: “Old Bridge”

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence dating back to 1345 when it was rebuilt after a flood. The romantic old bridge that crosses the Arno river is lined with numerous jewelry filled shops and is a great location for sunset photos.

A vie of Florence, Italy and the Duomo from the rose gardens

The Rose Garden:

If you want to see and capture some breathtaking views of Florence you have to visit the Rose Garden located just below Piazzale Michelangelo and the bronze statue of David. The garden is free to visit and contains 400 varieties of roses. You can see the garden, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, and the distant mountains all at once. The other thing you will see there is several works of art like Partir, the bronze ‘ship in a suitcase’ sculpture, by belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon.

Plan ahead:

With a population of just over 380,000 Florence is a small city rich in art and culture. There are so many interesting sites. I can tell you that two or three days is not enough time to experience all it has to offer. If you are able, it is possible to walk to just about everywhere. And, it’s a good opportunity to walk off some of the extra calories from all the delicious food you’ll be indulging in!

For more information on travel to Europe please check out my blog: Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers.

Planning Your Own Florence Adventure

If my Florence story has inspired you to visit, I highly recommend booking a private tour with GoWithGuide. Their local expert guides can create a custom experience tailored just for you — whether you want to dive deeper into Renaissance art, explore hidden gems, or simply wander the streets like a local without the stress of planning.

Book a Private Tour in Florence with GoWithGuide →

This is an affiliate link. If you book through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog so I can keep sharing more travel stories and photos. Thank you!

GalleryStandard

Lake Powell – There’s a song in there somewhere

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 3751 Views

For the past several summers my husband, Jerry, and I have vacationed in Lake Havasu, Arizona with our best friends, Dave and Karen.  But, in 2016 we were all invited to be part of a group embarking on a week-long houseboat trip at Lake Powell. Our group of eight included my husband and I, Dave and Karen, Ray and Vera (the couple with the houseboat timeshare), their young adult son, Clayton, and Jill, the mother-in-law of Dave and Karen’s son. Oddly enough, the only people who knew everyone on the trip, were Dave and Karen. The rest of us were meeting each other for the first time.

A panoramic shot of red rock landscape and Lake Powell in Utah

Coming together:

We all first came together in Page, Arizona, from different parts of the country. Dave and Karen are from Pasadena, California but had flown to Denver to make the drive out with us. Ray, Vera and Clayton drove from Sacramento, California. And Jill flew down from Portland, Oregon.

The plan:

As you can imagine, getting eight people organized and in sync might be a challenge. But, there was a plan! Ray and Vera have been doing these Lake Powell trips for several years already and have a checklist. It explains everything, from what to do in an emergency, to what everyone’s duties and responsibilities would be during the trip. “Uncle” Ray was our Captain and called all the shots where running the boat was concerned. His first mate, Vera, kept everyone in line as far as keeping our quarters in “ship-shape”.

Sharing is caring:

One of the main things we all shared in was the grocery shopping, meal prep and clean up. Each couple, or person, was to plan and prepare dinner for at least one of the nights aboard. I actually loved this because the only thing better than cooking for friends, is sitting back and letting them cook for me! During the six nights on board we had quite the variety of cuisine; grilled salmon, tri-tip, spicy grilled chicken, steak salad, Jamaican chicken, and turkey tacos; it was pretty gourmet. Of course our drink selection always complimented our dinner menu. Margaritas, fruity rum drinks, beer and of course wine.

Our fellow traveler, Jill, actually owns Methven Family Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon and managed to bring along a case of her various wines. Whether you are a “wine snob” or someone who just appreciates a nice bottle of wine, you have to check these out!

Two red and one blu jet ski perched on the top deck of a houseboat at Lake Powell

Another responsibility was helping moor the houseboat. Apparently, digging the holes to sink the anchors in, is a lot of work! Between that, a ski boat, and three personal watercraft, there was a lot of cooperation and coordination needed.

Exploring Lake Powell:

As I mentioned before, Ray and Vera have been coming to Lake Powell for several years. Therefore, they know a lot of great places to see and explore. This was fortunate for us because it was our first time there. At 254 square miles it is much larger than the 30 square miles we were used to at Lake Havasu!

Cookie Jar Butte:

On our first day at the lake we went out and found a spot to “park” for the week and got settled in. After all the work was done we hopped in the ski boat and our tour guide, Ray, took us to Cookie Jar Butte. This particular landmark is a big pillar looking rock formation with a small ball-like knob on top which from a distance resembles a cookie jar. We spent the better part of the afternoon hiking up and exploring the area. Afterward we headed back in to prepare and enjoy the first of our group dinners together.

Labyrinth Canyon:
Water carved red canyon walls with a rocky bottom at Lake Powell

Day two was probably my personal favorite of all the sites we saw. We took the ski boat and a couple of jet skis and headed for Labyrinth Canyon. The lake was down by 17 feet and made hiking through this narrow maze of sculpted canyons possible. I wasn’t the only one utterly fascinated by how the water had carved these beautiful walls of red rock.

After our hike we found a nice beach area to explore and have lunch. Meanwhile, some of our crew had fun zipping around the glassy lake on jet skis before we had to head back to the houseboat. They really got a kick out of the narrow canyons where the water was so smooth it felt like they were flying through the air. This illusion was caused by the reflection of the sky and the canyon walls in the water. They dubbed these the “flying canyons”.

That evening, while waiting for dinner, we broke out the acoustic guitars, cajon, and harmonica to perform some tunes. It was then that we accidentally came up with an idea for an original song. As you might have guessed already, the title of the song is “There’s a Song In There Somewhere”. We spent the next few days coming up with lyrics inspired by the experiences we were having during the trip.

Background:

Just a little back-story; Ray and Vera have a tradition of coming up with a catch phrase for each of their trips to Lake Powell. It’s something that ends up getting repeated throughout the week. It may start out unintentionally but ends up being used with reckless abandon. This trip was no different. “There’s a song in there somewhere” quickly became our go-to saying about everything that happened during our week together.

Lake Hazards:

Day three was quite the adventure. We started out by taking the boat and jet skis out for more exploring. This time we went to a huge natural amphitheater. It was so big that our boat was dwarfed by it. After hiking around there for a while we headed back out on the lake. Not long afterward we came across a good-sized boat stuck on a rock. It was teetering there like a seesaw but unable to move off. The rock itself was a couple of feet under water, just enough to not be visible from the surface.

The Rescue:
A large boat stuck on a rock sitting below the surface at Lake Powell

As we approached the boat we saw there were 3 people aboard. The two men and one woman had been out there for over 24 hours waiting for help. Naturally, we decided we were going to be the ones to get these folks out of this desperate situation.

We first tried lifting the boat off the rock by hand. When that didn’t work, we tried putting big tubes underneath the hull and inflating them to bring it higher on the water. After almost two hours of trying everything we could think of we finally hooked a rope to the front of their boat and literally twisted it off the rock by pulling it with ours. Once free from the rock we had them follow us back to camp to make sure they were going to be alright.

That evening, while everyone was winding down at the campfire after dinner, Vera and I set up our cameras and took photos of the Milky Way. This was actually my first attempt at night photography and I was very grateful that Vera was there to give me some of her pro tips.

Rainbow Bridge:
A photo of two couples posing together in front of Rainbow Bridge National Monument

We began day four by going to Dangling Rope marina before moving on to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This is a spectacular arch nestled in at the base of Navajo Mountain and held sacred by the Native Americans in that area. The monument itself is about a one mile hike from the boat dock depending on the level of the lake. We, however, continued on past Rainbow Bridge to hike another mile or so to an area with gigantic overhanging cliffs.

After arriving back at the houseboat, Ray, Clayton, Jerry, and Karen decided they wanted to do some wake boarding before dinner. It was a great day for it as the water was fairly calm and smooth. Clayton showed off his skill at catching air while Ray just cruised along like it was the easiest thing in the world. Jerry and Karen, though less experienced, did great too.

Cruisin’:
A very red and orange sunset reflecting off the water at Lake Powell

On day five we went exploring once again. It was fun to just cruise around looking for new points of interest. We managed to squeeze down some super narrow canyons barely wide enough for the boat to get through. Luckily we found a place wide enough to turn around.

Afterwards, we found a beach to park at and hiked around that area. There were some cool rock formations we were able to climb up to get some great panoramic photos. I loved one of the pics I took so much that I had it blown up into a five foot wide piece of art for my wall at home.

As we headed back to the houseboat we encountered an incredibly brilliant sunset. The sky was “on fire” and became fuel for another line in the song we were still writing.

We ended the night off with dinner, drinks and a hilarious round of Cards Against Humanity.

Antelope Point Marina:

On our sixth day at the lake we went to Antelope Point Marina. We enjoyed lunch and a cocktail and then walked up and down the docks ogling the massive houseboats that were moored there. That evening Dave entertained us by reading a story he had been busy writing. It recounted a story that “Uncle” Ray had told him some time before about some crazy encounters he had had during one of his trips to Lake Powell. We all listened and laughed hysterically at the shenanigans that were reported in the story as we drank some wine and wound down the final day of our trip.

Click on any photo to start slideshow.

GalleryStandard

Corsica – France’s best kept secret

Posted on , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment 2872 Views

Corsica is a small island just Southeast of the French mainland in the Mediterranean sea. To tell you the truth, I didn’t know it existed until recently. Therefore, it was not on my radar as a place to visit.

A panoramic view water surrounded by rocky landscape in Corsica, France
Le Calanques De Piana, Corse, France

Planning our trip:

We came to learn about Corsica through the in-laws of our best friends daughter; a french couple, Serge and Karen R., who had recently moved to Los Angeles from Paris.

We were currently in the process of planning a trip to Europe with our friends, Dave and Karen L., to celebrate our 30th Anniversaries. We figured that since we were married the same year and we’ve been friends almost the entire time, it would be fun to see Europe together.

When Serge and Karen R., said they were going to be in France for a wedding at the same time and offered to show us around and be our “tour guides”, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. At this point, we agreed to let them take over and plan our entire 16-day itinerary. After all, It’s not every day you get to vacation with cool people who speak the language and know their way around. The trip took us from the end of April through the middle of May.

Getting to Corsica:

After arriving in France with Dave and Karen and spending our first couple days in Paris, we took the train to Marseille. At this point, Serge and Karen R. picked us up in a rental van and we drove to Nice to board the ferry to Corsica. From here, we would all spend an entire week driving around the tiny island, literally.

Bastia to Porto Vecchio:

We arrived in Bastia the first night, had dinner, and stayed the night at Hotel La Corniche. The small hotel is situated high up with beautiful views of the surrounding hillside and a glimpse of the Mediterranean sea. The next day we took a walk in the rain to take in a bit more of the immediate scenery. After lunch we headed down the eastern coast to our Air B&B near Porto Vecchio. As was expected for spring weather it was cool and rainy during most of our three days there. Even so, we did some hiking and managed a day trip to Bonifacio on the southern coast to see the citadel, Old Town, and surrounding area.

WordPress Gallery Plugin

Porto Vecchio to Serriera:

On the second half of our week-long visit we drove up the western coast to our Air B&B in Serriera. We made several stops along the narrow, winding, cliff side road for photos of wildflowers and the incredible Les Calanques de Piana. Les Calanques are the red rock cliffs along the coast high above the sea.

While in Serriera we took a day to visit the small village of Evisa which is situated in the mountains and surrounded by the Aitone forest. During our drive we were surprised and delighted to come across herds of goats and pigs roaming around and grazing along the mountainous roadside without a care. Definitely one of my favorite moments during our stay!

The following day we drove to Marine de Porto for a tour of Genoise Tower and later on went for an amazing hike around Les Calanques de Piana where we got some breathtaking views of the rocky Mediterranean coastline.

WordPress Gallery Plugin

Serriera to Bastia:

As we left Serriera to embark on the last two days of our stay in Corsica we stopped in L’ile Rousse for gelato and shopping on our way to Barbaggio. Here, we stayed at a cute bed and breakfast among the vineyards. The little house that my husband, Jerry, and I stayed in was adorable with it’s grass covered roof!

The following day we drove to Patrimonio to check out the old church we had driven by earlier and then went for a long walk through the countryside. We just had to immerse ourselves in the vineyards before leaving. The next day we drove back to Bastia where we once again boarded the ferry. From here, we headed to Italy and the second half of our vacation in Florence and Venice!

WordPress Gallery Plugin

Tips on travel to Corsica:

Overall, Corsica is a beautiful island with a lot of beautiful scenery to take in. Don’t miss seeing the birthplace, and now museum, of Napoleon Bonaparte located in Ajaccio, or the Citadel in Bonafacio that I mentioned before.

There is a multitude of activities to explore such as hiking, swimming, snorkeling, rock climbing, and of course shopping.

Unlike Paris, I think we would have been a bit “lost” without having someone who spoke French with us. It would be helpful to know some basics before going.

Check out my blog: Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers for more information regarding currency exchange, phone coverage, and power.


Standard

Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers

Posted on , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment 3501 Views

Planning your first trip to Europe? Here are few quick tips I wish I had had before going.

Euros: Currency Exchange
A black and white photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

A lot of places in Europe accept credit cards; make sure you get one that doesn’t charge a fee for using it out of the country. And be sure to let them know when you’ll be traveling. I used a Capital One Venture card which also let me earn points toward travel.

We discovered that the best way to exchange dollars to euros was to go to an ATM when you arrive; you will get whatever the current exchange rate is, no hassle. Currency exchanges charge a higher rate and they will tack on a service charge.

Power: Dual voltage vs. single voltage AND adapter vs. converter.

We learned by chance that most of our phone and camera chargers are dual voltage; we had no idea. i.e. Nikon battery charger and laptop charger. If yours is dual voltage it will say ‘Input: 110-240v’ which means all you need is the european adapter. You can now plug directly into the wall. If you have a charger that is 110v ONLY, then you will also need the converter (converts 240v to 110v). A lot of places sell a set that contains both the power converter and the european plug adapter.

Charging on the go:

Another thing that came in handy while we were traveling was a portable USB charger. When you’re out sightseeing all day you don’t have time to stop and charge your phone which you’ve been using to navigate the city and take tons of photos. You can charge the charger while you are in for the night and use it to keep all your USB devices charged while you’re out. We were a group of six and it seems that at least one of us always needed some extra juice to get us through the day.

International Calling Plans:

There are several ways you can stay connected while traveling. We opted to get a plan with our carrier, AT&T, that let us pay $10 for each day we needed to call, text or email. At the time it was the most economical choice for us. I’m not very tech savvy and therefore I found this ABC News link that has more helpful information.

Travel: Different ways to get around Europe.

You’ve probably seen the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Well, that’s what it was for us. We flew from Denver, Colorado to Paris, France and then took a Lyft/Uber to our Air B&B. After a couple days in Paris we took the high speed train to Marseille where our friends picked us up in a rental van and we continued on to Nice and boarded the ferry to Corsica. After a week driving around the island, literally, we took the ferry to Livorno, Italy and drove to Florence; three days later it was another train ride to Venice for a few days and a water taxi to the Venice airport to get us back to Paris for our trip home. Whew! The point I’m trying to make is that all the forms of travel were super easy to maneuver and now that we’ve done it all once it will be really easy to confront the next time we go.

As is with most things it’s best to book early on any mode of transportation you choose.

Dining: Go with the flow.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Venice, Italy – Getting lost in adventure!, we stayed in a lot of Air B&B’s where we were able to shop and prepare some of our meals. Of course we also wanted to experience the local cuisine which was generally pretty good. I think the consensus was that the favorite meal during our trip was the hamburgers at Cocorico in Paris.

Breakfast:

While charcuterie is great on occasion, you will find it dominates a lot of menus and is even served as breakfast; you will be hard pressed to find anything more than a soft or hard boiled egg. I witnessed more than once, friends coming back from a trip to Europe and commenting how all they wanted right now was an American breakfast! Even after an internet search all I came up with is a link to Spoon University where someone else made it their quest to find one. You can always ask your server. My guess is that maybe you can find something more “American” in the upper end hotels. Feel free to send me information and I’ll update it here. Good luck!

Coffee:

The other thing you will have a hard time finding is a regular cup of coffee. I’m not a big coffee drinker so it wan’t a big deal for me even though I do like a latte now and then. My recommendation is to either pack yourself a french press or take some instant coffee packets. For more on the coffee situation abroad check out this article from AFAR. 

Wine:
A beautiful display of fruit and gelato in a shop in Florence, Italy

Bottles of wine in both France and in Italy are very reasonably priced. We ordered a bottle with dinner in Florence and paid about 32 euro (approx $36 at the time) for a bottle that would have cost us closer to $80 here in the U.S. If you’re curious about the cost of wines in Europe , or anywhere, there’s a great app called Vivino where you can scan the bottle with your phone and learn all about how it rates, how much it goes for and read reviews by others.

Favorites:

Last but not least, you of course can’t go without trying all the staples; crepes, chocolate croissants, gelato, pizza by the slice, and the paninis. Don’t plan to diet while on your trip because everywhere you go the food is displayed in windows like glimmering packages just begging to be opened! Bon Appetite!