L'Italia la mia maniera ( Italy, my way)

I think everyone has an image of Italy. My first image was from Geography class and the fact that the peninsula was shaped like a boot. I mean come on, where else on our planet can you find a land mass shaped this distinctively? For some the image could be the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum, the canals of Venice, Pompeii or the Truli houses of Southern Italy. With the recent release of the movie, "UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN", our images might have changed forever. However, you should read the book, it is a true story of the author's challenge of finding a residence in Italy without all the Hollywood added. So with that said, let me give you my thoughts on a trip to Italy.

In the beginning, we(my son and I) were going to go and rent a Villa in the country and live the life of a local for a week. Parker Villas, http://www.parkervillas.com, offers a wide variety of villas and apartments in almost all the regions of Italy. The prices range from as low as $655 a week for a studio apartment to $20,000 a week for a villa that sleeps 20 people. Some have pools, with most you need to rent a car but all are very well maintained and offer life in Italy like it should be experienced. Another good website is http://www.cottagesandcastles.com/. I like both of these but I wish they would add mapping locations to each villa for rent and also, transportation that is available, should you decide not to use a car. We Americans are so hung up on cars and being in control of our movements, we miss the experience of public transportation in countries that rely heavily on them. What an experience it would be to travel by bus or train with the local people. So maybe when I am not so destined to see as much of Italy as possible, I will give the villa rental a try.


But plans change, as we all know. So a friend and I are working on a trip to Italy in late September of 2008. We would like to see Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome. Details will take time to be confirmed but here is what I see happening:
Day 1 - fly out of the US into Milan

Day 2 - take a train to Venice and spend two days.

Day 3 - Venice

Day 4 - Venice

Day 5 - Train to Florence, spend this day and day 6

Day 6 - Train to Sienna or Montepulciano

Day 7 - Tuscany

Day 8 - Rome

Day 9 - Flight back to US


One day in Rome is not nearly enough, but our focus in on relaxation, not historical sites.

So flying into Milan and out of Rome is called "open jaw". There are a couple of websites that consolidators use and I would also suggest using to get your best price. Try http://www.sidestep.com/, www.farecompare.com, and http://www.airlineconsolidator.com/reservations.html. Ok, so now you have your air transportation done, we move on to land transportation.

If we can get into Milan early in the morning, we can catch a train around noon to two o'clock over to Venice. Trip takes about 3 hours and we plan on buying a Eurail pass, 2nd class, 5 days within 2 months, cost is $207.00. So we arrive in Venice around 4 p.m. and go check into the hotel. I have found a hotel in Venice, Hotel Bernardi Semenzato, http://www.hotelbernardi.com



Average rate for rooms is 56.50 euros per night. It has excellent reviews on the Trip Advisor website. This hotel is located close to St. Marco's square, 5 minutes from the Rialto and the vaporetto stop is only 5 mins away. And now a little education for those of you, who like me, have never been to Venice. The vaporetto is the water bus and it is suggested that if you are to be in Venice for a couple of days, to go ahead and buy a 72 hour travel card or a Venice Card. This little ditty can explain in greater detail:




Venice is a compact city, and you can easily explore most of it on foot. However, there are times when it's convenient to use public
transportation:
1. To reach the city from the airport.
2. For getting to your
hotel, if it isn't within walking distance of your arrival point.
3. For the obligatory ride up or down the Grand Canal. (Tip: The vaporetti are least
crowded when you're headed toward San Marco in the late evening.)
4. To visit the Lido and its beaches.
5. To reach islands such as Giudecca (site of the
Venice Youth Hostel), Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Venice has an excellent public transportation system, but tourist fares are high: €6,00 for an adult riding on most vaporetti or waterbuses. If you plan to use public transportation
often, you can buy a 1- or 3-day travel card at any ACTV vaporetto ticket booth.
For a longer stay, or for more perks (such as unlimited use of public toilets),
you may want to consider the Venice Card.
The Venice Card comes in two colors, each available for 1, 3, or 7 days. Go to http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-card.htm for more information on this card.

The Rialto is a bridge, but oh, what a bridge. Ponte di Rialto may not be as famous as the Piazza di San Marco, but it is the true heart of Venice. The bridge was built between 1588 and 1591. It was the only bridge that crossed the Grand Canal until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854. The bridge has three walkways, two along the outer balustrades and a wider central walkway that is lined with shops selling jewelry, linens, Murano glass and other items. You can reach the bridge on foot and by vaporetto.

One of the most famous location in Venice is of course the Piazza di San Marco. The piazza started in the 9th century as a small area in front of the original St. Mark's Basilica. It was enlarged to it's current size in 1177. Now think about this, America, or rather Columbus discovered the "new" world in 1492. The Pilgrim's landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, the United States didn't become a country until 1776. This Piazza is 830 years old. Wow, it really can boggle your mind. Anyway, the area between the Rio Batario and the Doge's Palace were filled in to form the square in preparation of the meeting between Pope Alexander III and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

The Piazza has always been the centre of Venice and is the lowest point in the city, which lends it to flooding during high water surges from the Adriatic Sea or heavy rain.

The Piazza area houses many museums and has lots of history that I do not want to get into here but the suggestion of many travel writers is to find a table, order a chilled glass of Prosecco and watch the tourists.

So next we will cover a few other sights that you might like to see in Venice, in the meantime, check out these movies set in Venice. The Italian Job, The Red Violin, Bread and Tulips, and one of my favorites, Don't Look Now, with Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie.

Michigan in the Summertime

On Golden Pond, although not set in Michigan, always conjures up visions of renting a cabin on a lake and enjoying a week of peace and quiet. Listening to the loons, canoeing or kayaking during dawn and sitting around a fire at night. Although plans could change, mention of a cruise instead have come up, I would like to do just this type of vacation with my son in 2008.

As usual, I have done the research and found a couple of interesting places. Rent for a week can run from $425 - $1500. You can rent one cabin, isolated, or you can rent at a "resort" where there are several cabins, boat rental, and other people. Most of the rentals require you to bring bedding but almost everything else is provided. Again, http://www.vrbo.com/ is a great start but I have found a few others through the Michigan website, http://www.michigan.org/.

So, based on a few personal criteria, Ludington, Michigan is my first choice.

One of Michigan's featured Beachtowns, Ludington and Mason County are home to breathtaking natural beauty that includes two historic lighthouses, miles of pristine Lake Michigan beaches and
rolling sand dunes, the Pere Marquette National Scenic River, the popular Ludington State Park, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Manistee National Forest area, the largest charter fishing fleet on the great lakes, and the Lake Michigan carferry service which carries 620 passengers and 180 vehicles between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

The car ferry is my main reason for choosing this location but after checking
into it, there are several reasons to stay here, as you can see from the insert
from the website above. There is a lake separate from Lake Michigan where there are several resorts and cabins for rent. The town itself is one of the premier Beachtowns of Michigan. You can do some charter fishing on Lake Michigan, hiking in the Ludington Stae Park, or take that ferry over to Wisconsin and Door County.

Although I have not made a personal decision on a place to stay, here are a few I found.

By the Lake at Parkview Cottages and rentals, http://www.parkviewcottages.com/. Offering cottages, apartments and houses in the town. You do have to contact them for pricing, but these are really nice. The Parkview Cottages were built in 1937 and have been meticulously maintained through the years. They offer knotty pine interiors and field stone fireplaces.

Another place is Outland's Long Lake Resort in Walhalla. This is east of Ludington and located on Long Lake. They offer 2 - 3 bedroom cottages that run from $595 - $900 weekly. http://www.outlandslonglakeresort.com/

A couple of websites for Ludington are:

http://www.visitludington.com/

http://www.ludingtoncvb.com/

So my plan is to rent a cabin for a week, fish, canoe, sight see, antique shop, and possible horse back ride, but basically just get away from it all and relax. After a week in Michigan, we will board the SS Badger for a trip across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, then drive up to Door County for more shopping and eating.

The ferry trip across Lake Michigan takes approximately 4 hours, you leave Ludington at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and arrive in Manitowoc at 12:00 noon Central Standard Time. My plan is to unload the car, and drive up to Door County which is 86 miles to the north. I think we will stay in Fish Creek which has the entrance to the Peninsula State Park and other sites to see. I have found a privately owned cottage that has a minimum 3 night stay before June 23rd and since we are heading that direction right after school is out, that should work good. Located right on the water and is beautifully maintained.

Shopping, biking, and eating are just a few of the activities we plan on enjoying up there. In fact, this cottage is so nice, we might just drive to Ludington, take the Ferry across, and stay up there for a week. Weekly rates are $955, Saturday to Saturday.

Things to do in Fish Creek include winery tours, Door County's Trolley tour, explore lighthouses, bike around the parks, or do some tours. They offer some kayak tours as well as cruises on Green Bay. I am sure that I can fill a week with wonderful stuff to do and wonderful food to eat. Want to try one of those famous Door County fish boils for sure.

The Door County fish boils started as an economical way to feed the large hungry groups of lumberjacks and fisherman in the area, but has now become an integral part of the wonder of Door County. The ingredients consist of mild, delicate whitefish, potatoes, and onions. During boiling, and at just the right moment, kerosene is thrown on the flames, the kettles boil over and the fish oil that has collected on the surface is carried off into the flames. A metal pole is then used to remove the basket of fish, potatoes and onions, served with butter. MMM, my mouth is watering already.

Another fun thing to do is a Sundae Drive. That's right, SUNDAE drive. And we all know what a Sundae is. Check out the website, http://www.doorcounty.com/do/ideas/sundae-drive.aspx and it will show you a drive through the back roads of Wisconsin, stopping for an occasional treat of ice cream. They list a whole itinerary which lasts approximately 1/2 a day.

There are 5 wineries and 1 brewery listed on the website above and that would be a great day trip around the peninsula, stopping for lunch and a little shopping.

I have convinced myself that this is indeed the trip that I should make next summer. And for my son's enjoyment, we can always do a water park or two, if we can find one.

One of my friends wants to go to Europe next September, so I think I will start on my next blog with some ideas for that. Until then, see ya.

Bon Appetit

Chicago has a huge selection of restaurants. It would be impossible for me to cover the whole range of possibilities. Since I am working on a weekend trip to see the Phantom with some girlfriends, I will mention a few that we are going to try.



We are taking the Amtrak train from Indianapolis to Chicago. It arrives, hopefully, around 10:00 a.m. From there we will check into the hotel, or at least leave our luggage there for a later check in, and go do lunch. We have decided to go to The World Famous Billy Goat Tavern and Grill. Ordering from the Billy Goat may go something like this:

"Cheezborger! Cheezborger! You want doublecheez?!? Who's next!?! WHO'S NEXT!?!"
If you take more than one second to answer: "Don't look at the menu, look at ME!
I order for you - DOUBLECHEEZ!" If you only feel like a single: "No.
DOUBLECHEEZ!!!" If it's the end of the week: "It's Friday, doublecheez for
everybody! It's payday! Triplecheez for the big guy!" Want French fries with
that? "No fries - CHEEPS!" Thirsty? "No Pepsi - COKE!" To drink: "Coke or
Diet?!"

This was made famous on Saturday Night live by Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Lorraine Newman.

Another interesting note in history, when the Republican convention came to town in 1944, the owner, William "Billy Goat" Sianis put a sign in the window saying, "No Republicans Allowed". This caused the restaurant to be filled with Republicans demanding to be served and was a great publicity stunt that led to fame for the owner. The restaurant was originally across from Chicago Stadium but moved to its current sight in 1964.

After we do a little shopping on the Magnificent Mile, we plan on going to dinner at the Italian Village Restaurant. This restaurant is the oldest Italian restaurant in Chicago. Opened in 1927 by Italian immigrant Alfredo Capitanini and is located upstairs at 71 W. Monroe. They offer "good, simple food in ample portions" and a 45,000 bottle wine list, the largest in the Midwest. It has been YEARS since I last visited this restaurant but it left such an impression on me that I searched for it on the Internet and half expected not to find it. When I was a teen and involved in Job's Daughters, one of my club member's Dad took us here after he picked us up at the hotel. I remember walking up stairs and entering a room that looked like an Italian Village. We sat in a booth and had the most delicious spaghetti I had ever eaten. This was a far cry from the Chef Boy R Dee spaghetti in a box that Mom served on nights her and Dad went out for dinner. In fact, it was the only pasta or Italian type food I had ever eaten up to this point. I cannot wait to visit here again in November.

On Sunday morning our plans are to have brunch at The Signature Room at the 95th. This brunch has a large array of offerings but the best part is location, location, location. Located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building, the views of Lake Michigan and the city will be well worth the hefty price we are paying for the meal.

As I mentioned before, the array of restaurants can be overwhelming. A fantastic website that list by cuisine is http://www.chicagorestaurants.com/. Here you can find the restaurant, if it caters, if it delivers, links to individual websites and it even has links for night life and hotels.

Another great website is the Menu Pages. It lists by cuisine or location and has a map showing the different neighborhoods. Once you click on a restaurant, you get reviews, maps, printable menu, etc. This website has 6231 menus for 2935 restaurants. http://chicago.menupages.com/

I am really looking forward to this weekend with friends. Chicago holds so many images in my mind. There is so much history here. I read a book called "The Devil in the White City". This book was written to describe the time of the World's Fair in 1893. This was Chicago's chance to prove that it was a major city in growing world. Daniel Burnham was the chief architect on this project and was given the daunting task of turning an abandoned area of Chicago known as the Black City into something magical and profound. With help from Fedrick Olmsted, who designed Central Park, he created a city of alabaster buildings, lagoons, and the Ferris wheel. One of the two buildings still standing today houses the Museum of Science and Industry. The book also details the escapades of one Dr. H. H. Holmes who lured victims to his World's Fair Hotel and murdered them. He is considered to be one of the first serial killers in Chicago. His hotel was located at 63rd and Wallace.

We will be leaving Chicago after we visit the Field Museum and returning to Indianapolis by train. The cost for a round trip ticket is only $36 and with gas and parking, this is the best option for us. We do not arrive into Indy until almost midnight but we can rest on the way home.

My son and I are planning a typical American vacation for next year. We are looking into a cabin in Michigan and some of the sights to see. My next entry will feature this trip and the info I find. How about a ferry trip across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin?

Chicago on another day

So as I mentioned before, there is a lot to do in Chicago. Here are a few suggestions:

• Shop on the Magnificent Mile - the northern part of Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive. at the south end bordered by the Michigan Avenue bridge and at its northern end by Oak Street Bridge. Shops, restaurants, hotels, entertainment. Website: http://www.themagnificentmile.com/


• Theater - several venues including Broadway, Comedy and Drama. Best information site, http://www.theatreinchicago.com/


• Navy Pier - For over 10 years, this family orientated amusement park has entertained Chicagoans and tourists. http://www.navypier.com/home.html


• Shedd Aquarium - This has improved greatly since my visiting days. They have several exhibits:Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Waters of the World, Oceanarium, Wild Reef, Special Exhibits. Admission $24.95 - 27.95. Website: http://www.sheddaquarium.org


• The Field Museum - Exhibits include Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Eskimos & Northwest Coast Indians, Pawnee Earth Lodge, Art Lacquer of Japan, Hall of Jades, Bird Habitats, Animal Biology and Africa to name a few of the permanent ones. There are also several temporary exhibits and upcoming exhibits. Admission from $8 - 12. Website: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/.


• Brookfield Zoo - Not only animal exhibits but animal presentations are at the zoo. The All in One ticket includes admission to the zoo, Dolphin Show, Butterflies!, Children's Zoo, Hamill Family Play Zoo, Carousel, Stingray Bay and the Motor Safari. Pricing for this ticket is $15.50 for children and seniors, $21.50 for adults. General Zoo Admission is $6.00 and $10.00 and you pay extra for the above displays. General Admission plus 3 of the above displays is $11.00 and $16.00. Website: http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/


• Adler Planetarium - The only museum with two full size planetarium theaters. Features exhibits about space travel, black holes and all things astronomy. General Admission - $8 - 10, Galaxy Package(included 1 show) - $17 - 19, and Universe Package(includes 2 shoes) - $21 - 23, Website: http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
  

There are also all kinds of tours to take. Neighborhood tours, sightseeing boats, sightseeing buses, tour guides, architectural, Bike/Water bikes, Food & Beverage, and other special interests tours. Take a peek at http://www.choosechicago.com/tours.html.

What about a trip to the top of some of the tallest buildings in the World?

The John Hancock Building is 1500 ft tall, which includes it's antennae, which makes it the 3rd tallest in Chicago, 4th tallest in the U.S., after the Sears Tower(also in Chicago), Empire State Building(New York) and the Aon Tower(Chicago). 100 stories high, it consists of office space, condos and restaurants. The 40th floor boasts the America's highest indoor swimming pool. The 94th floor observation tower competes with the Sears Tower, difference being, the John Hancock is in the commercial district and the Sears Tower is in the financial district.

Speaking of the Sears Tower, it is the tallest building in the U.S. surpassing the World Trade Center only a year after it was built. It also held the distinction of being the world's tallest building from 1973 - 1998. The skydeck is on the 103rd floor and tourists can experience the sway of the building on windy days.

Chicago offers every type of entertainment possible and there are several websites that will point you in the right direction regardless of your interests. A few a listed below:

http://www.choosechicago.com/

http://www.gochicago.com/

http://www.cityofchicago.org/

Next entry will cover restaurants, are you hungry??????

My Kind of Town, Chicago is my kind of razzamatazz and all that jazz!!!

Chicago...........growing up in the shadow of this big city had no impact on me whatsoever. Yea right. In fact, I was supposed to go to school right downtown Chicago at the Harris Institute but that plan was waylaid by a scholarship to a Illinois state supported school. So now, years later, my only experiences have been an occasional visit to the museums, football games or the airport. But now that I am close again, although it is still a good day's drive to get there, I plan on checking it out more. I do remember when I was growing up, I belonged to an organization called Job's Daughters. And every year, we had a convention in Chicago and it was held at the Conrad Hilton Hotel, which is now called the Hilton Chicago. This is a very nice hotel and rooms are exquisitely appointed. It is expensive but worth it.

It is also conveniently located on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park and the Museum Campus. Guests at the Hilton can use the hotel's free shuttle service to the Magnificent Mile and great shopping. I always liked staying there, waking up early in the morning and walking over to Lake Michigan. It was peaceful and gorgeous.

Chicago offers a multitude of lodging options. You will pay dearly to be downtown. Priceline prices run from $129 - $359 for a downtown hotel. There are a few other options. Again I will mention http://www.vrbo.com/, which lists several condos in the area. They run about the same price but you would have a kitchen and this helps with meals. Although the restaurant selection in Chicago is to die for, so you would want to give the restaurants some of your business. What about a Bed & Breakfast, check out http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ for offers.

I have found a couple of hotels that appeal to my tastes. Hotel 71, located at 71 E. Wacker Drive, is a modern boutique hotel experience. Some friends and I will traveling to Chicago in November to catch Phantom of the Opera, we have opted to stay at this hotel based on location, price and the size of the rooms. For two rooms, two queen size beds with a sitting area facing the river, $643 for the night. Splitting this between 5 people and our costs are running around $130.

The second hotel, The Cass Hotel, which is located on the Magnificent Mile, has been renovated this year and is now designated as a Holiday Inn Express hotel. Located at 643 North Wabash, this hotel is decorated very nicely and has great amenities.

Entertainment abounds in this wonderful city. Not only in the downtown area but in the suburbs as well. I am concentrating on downtown because that is where my interests lie. I will be covering Navy Pier, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, to name a few.

So let us begin..............our 6th grade field trip was to the Museum of Science and Industry. This is a huge museum and has all kinds of hands on exhibits. I remember walking through the human heart. Going into a World War II Japanese submarine. Talking on telephones where you could see each other. A wonderful electric train layout, a coal mine, so many many things. But that was many years ago, we won't say how many, just take my word for it. Today some of the best attractions are as follows:

THE U-505 SUBMARINE

On June 4, 1944, the German submarine known as the U-505 was off the coast of West Africa looking for American and Allied ships. Depth charges from the USS Chatelain blasted the u boat out of hiding. It was the end of the terror campaign the u boats ran in the Atlantic that almost altered the result of World War II. The U-505 Submarine exhibit is a part of your entry ticket but if you want to do a tour of the submarine, it is $5 per person. These tours are limited so it is best to buy your ticket and time in advance.

Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle

"Colleen Moore was always fascinated by dolls and doll houses. She owned several elaborate doll houses as a child, but later in life her father, Charles Morrison, suggested that she should pursue her passion for miniatures and doll houses by creating the "doll house" of her dreams. Her position as one of the
most popular actresses in Hollywood gave her the resources to produce a "Fairy
Castle" of fantastic proportions."

This castle today is worth $500,000, it measures 8'7" x 8'2" x 7'7" and contains over 2000 miniatures.

THE COAL MINE

Descend 600 ft underground and explore a working coalmine from it's humble beginnings to the technology used today. You explore Old Ben #17 which opened in the museum in 1933. This tour takes you through the stages of coal mining up to modern day with all of the safety precautions they now take.

FLIGHT 727

Explore the inner and outer workings of an actual Boeing 727. You will learn about the force of flight, cockpit, black box through hand-on and interactive displays

THE GREAT TRAIN STORY

The Great Train Story replaces the 60 year old model railroad exhibit (oh darn) but takes you through a journey across America, from Chicago to Seattle. The exhibit starts in Seattle harbor and moves you east across the nation to downtown Chicago.

HENRY CROWN SPACE CENTER

Here you will get a first hand look at the space crafts and artifacts that have been used through out our space program history. Two such spacecraft are on loan to the museum, Apollo 8 Command Module and Aurora 7 Mercury Space Capsule.

SHIPS THROUGH THE AGES

This is a collection of authentic ship models with reproductions of the first seacraft that sailed the ocean 5000 years ago to the luxury liners of the mid 1900's. They have a nearly life-sized mock up of a tall ship quarterdeck where you can experience handling a real ship at sea. They have an ancient Egyptian ship, copies of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria and the Mayflower.

WALK THROUGH THE HEART

The heart exhibit opened in 1952 and features a 16 foot tall model of the human heart. It has interactive exhibit units and has been updated with units on heart attacks and strokes. The human heart will outlast the normal activity of 7 automobiles each driven 10 years for more than 100,000 miles.

YESTERDAY'S MAINSTREET

A recreated 1910 street of yesteryear complete with cobblestones and brick takes you back to a time of silent movies and old fashion soda fountains. Included in the exhibit:

Dentist's office, Dr. John B. Murphy's office, Berghoff's restaurant, Jewel Tea Company grocery, Law office. Lytton's Clothing Store, Commonwealth Edison, Gossard Corset Shop, Chas. A. Stevens & Co., Chicago Post Office and Walgreen's Drug Company, Marshall Field & Co., The Nickelodian Cinema, Finnigan's Ice Cream Parlor and Photo Studio.

These are just a few of the permanent exhibits at the museum, which also features an Omnimax Theater, Foodcourt, and a parking garage. Admission is $11 for adults, $7 for children, and $9.50 for Seniors (65+)

Meet me in Montana..........Glacier National Park

The train that runs from Chicago to Portland and back is aptly called the Empire Builder. It travels along major portions of the trail blazed by Lewis & Clark. You will leave Portland at 5.:00 p.m and head toward Spokane, cross Idaho and arrive in East Glacier Park, MT at 8:16 a.m. the next day. I have chosen the Glacier Park Lodge and Resort as our home for the next few days. The park offers several types of lodging, go tohttp://www.glacier.national-park.com/ and click on Lodging and you will see all the choices. From Grand lodges and hotels & motor inns to cabins.


The Glacier Lodge is located on the eastern gateway of the park and is a rustic western themed lodge. Plenty of rooms for families on the 2nd and 3rd floors, nice pool, restaurant on site. You can enjoy golf, bus tours, boat cruises, horseback riding, hiking, shopping, and water rafting.

The lobby has Douglas Fir pillars that are 40 ft high and 40 inches in diameter. A great social gathering place with the large stone fire place and comfortable seating. Rooms run $129 - $179 for a suite.

You can make reservations for several types of activities through the lodge. We are going to be here 3 days, counting the day we arrive, so on that afternoon we are going to saddle up and ride a horse, cowboy. They have a 3 hour ride starting at 2:00 p.m.

All the beauty of the mountain front at your fingertips. The greatest view of
"Looking Glass" without the vehicles and traffic.

The 2 hour ride begins at 3:00 p.m., a guided horseback trip along the eastern border of Glacier National Park.

The maintained trail takes you to lofty sites and into the mountainous terrain
that has to be seen to be believed.

There is also a full day ride starting at 9:00 but I don't think my body can hold up to an all day ride on horseback.

The next day we are going to ride on the red buses up to the Prince of Wales hotel for afternoon tea. The bus leaves the Glacier Park Lodge at 9:30 a.m. and is 8.5 hours long.

"If breathtaking scenery is your thing, this is your tour! Begin your morning on
the “Old North Trail”, one of the oldest ‘highways’ in the world. See vistas and
views unparalleled anywhere as you wind along Montana plains and peaks. Visit the incredible Many
Glacier Valley along the way. Continue north to Waterton and the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, overlooking the Waterton Valley back to Montana. To enhance your trip even more, experience old world charm as you are served Afternoon Tea
(optional) in the lobby of this grand hotel. Return along the base of Chief Mountain, the spiritual landmark of the Blackfeet Indians.

You do cross over into Canada, so with the new regulations, you must have your passport available. Although their brochure lists two forms of identification and a birth certificate, get a passport and make it easy. Cost is $75.00 per adult, $37.50 per child.

Relaxing and eating a good steak, taking a swim in the outdoor heated pool will finish up this day. Picture taking all along the way. But resting up for tomorrow, cause rafting the river is next on the agenda. I cannot decide if I want to do a white water or a scenic float. Both use the middle fork of the Flathead River. Cost is $45 - $65 for a half day trip and $75 - $85 for a full day. I know my son would love the white water and they offer a dinner trip that includes both, so we will probably go for that one. Hopefully we will see some wild animals like Eagles, Black Bear, Whitetail Deer and Beavers. The dinner trip isn't until afternoon but the others start around 9:30 a.m.

Now there is also hiking, boat cruises, gold, fishing, and kayaking and the good thing about this website http://www.glacierparkinc.com/Activities.htm is that you can find out all the information on tours and trips that start at the Glacier Park Lodge.



A little history on the park should make for some interesting reading. Recent archaeological surveys have determined human occupation dating back 10,000 years. These would have been the ancestors of the tribes that live in the valley today, Blackfeet, Salish and Kootenai. In the early 1800's, trappers came to capture beaver and Lewis and Clark came within 50 miles of where the park is today.

As the westward movement continued, the Indians were forced into reservations. The Blackfoot reservation adjoins the east side of the park. The Salish and Kootenai are southwest of Glacier. This entire area is of great spiritual importance to the Indians.

The railway through Marias Pass was completed in 1891, allowing more people to move into the area. Homesteaders settled in and many small towns sprung up.

In 1895, the mountains east of the Continental Divide were bought from the Blackfoot in hopes of finding copper and gold. No great deposits were ever found and the rush only lasted a couple of years.

"Glacier National Park is a land of high-mountain adventure, a land that sets the
senses soaring and the spirits winging. Here you'll find lofty mountain ranges
with sculptured glacial valleys, ice cold lakes that mirror mountains and sky,
wildflowers and wildlife flourishing in alpine meadows and prairie grasslands.
These exquisite elements make up Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and the adjoining Glacier National Park in the United States. But there is more. To
commemorate the long history of peace and friendship between our two nations,
Waterton and Glacier have been designated the Waterton/Glacier International
Peace Park."

Although these two parks are divided by an international boundary and administered to by different countries, they are united by nature.

The park has wildlife consist of big horn sheep, mountain goats, wapitit(elk), black bear, whitetail and mule deer.

The wildflowers are distinguished by area. In the Alpine area you have heather, gentian, beargrass, and glacier lily, and in the east, where the plains meet the mountains, you have pasque flower, lupine, Indian paintbrush, gaillardia, asters, and shooting stars paint the prairie.

This website http://www.glacier.national-park.com/info.htm#his, has an abundance of information for you. Check it out.


The train leaves East Glacier Park at 9:54 a.m. and heads to Chicago. You will cross the plains of North Dakota, pass by Minneapolis/St Paul, and travel during the day through Wisconsin. It should be a scenic ride. We arrive in Chicago at 3:55 p.m., just in time to check into our hotel for the night. I think we will spend a little time in Chi Town, believe me there is plenty to see and do.

Vaya con dios

Day Tripping - Wineries and Coastal Views

On one of my days in September, I am going to drag my friend, Kerrie, to the coast. She will probably have a good idea of where to go but I think that Cannon Beach is the place to get some great pictures. Plus, on our way back, we can detour south on 47 and do a little wine tasting. And once we get to Cannon Beach, it looks like Hemlock Street is the place to shop. But to be honest, I simply want to see the Pacific Coast from the Northwest point of view. Lincoln City was suggested by another friend, Kim, who hails from Denver. And in looking at their website, it looks very promising. I love to shop for antiques and collectibles and Lincoln City has a large selection of stores. Plus, you can make your own paperweight at the Jennifer L. Sears Glass Art Studio. Or blow your own glass float. That would be a great souvenir. $65 each.

At the Pacific Coast Center for Culinary Arts, you can take a cooking class that specializes in the foods and culinary heritage of the Pacific Northwest.

There are several festivals in the area. In October, you can enjoy the Lincoln City Plein Air Art Fest. Plein Air is a French term for "open air" and features painting done outdoors on location. The Annual Fall Kite Festival includes demonstrations, competitions and other great fun. The Glass Float Gala is held at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort and includes dinner, prizes, a private showing of the Glass Galore Artists and your very own glass float. In November, there is a Chowder Cook Off and in February they hold an Antique Week.

You can also do a little whale watching. The best place, according to the Lincoln City website, is located at Roads End, the NW 21st Street beach access and SW 40th Street. You can also beach comb, check out the tidal pools or just enjoy the soothing sound of the waves washing ashore.

Just a few ideas for a day trip out of Portland.

Heading back to Portland, I would like to turn south on 47 and visit a few wineries. A couple I have found to have daily tasting hours are listed below, along with their specialities.

Elk Cove in Gaston was founded in 1974 by Pat and Joe Campbell. Winemaker Adam Godlee Campbell joined his parents in 1995 to produce Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. To get there, turn left off of Highway 47 on Olson Road. Tasting room hours are 10 am - 5 pm daily. Website: http://www.elkcove.com/

"2003 Pinot Noir Deano's Roasted dark
fruits make up the aromatics. Its chocolate and blackberry-dominated flavor
profile is medium to full-bodied, suave, and silky-textured. Drink over the next
5 years. Barrel selection from five premium vineyards of the North Willamette
Valley. Barrels chosen reflect the terroir, the cooperage as well as the
superior fruit. Deep dark red color, big, dark cherry fruit"

The previous description was copied from the pages of the Adea Winery website, http://www.adeawine.com/index.html. What a wonderful description and it certainly makes me want to taste this wine. This winery is located on Hwy 47. Tasting room hours to be reported later.

The next wineries I am going to mention use the Carlton Winemakers Studio, the nation's first "green" cooperative winemaking facility.

"Each winery operates independently with separate
cellars and staff, but all benefit economically from sharing state-of-the-art
equipment in the gravity-driven building designed to use natural light, passive
solar heat and recycled materials."

Tasting room for all of these wineries in open 11-5 daily, seven days a week and is located in the Carleton Winemakers Studio.

Andrew Rich uses grapes from the finest vineyards in the Pacific Northwest. Website: http://www.andrewrichwines.com/index.htm

Boedecker produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Website:http://www.boedeckercellars.com/

Bryce Vineyard produces 1 wine from its' 4 acre vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA.

"Using high density vine spacing, sustainable vineyard
practices, limited yields, and traditional winemaking techniques, our aim is to
produce a wine of great honesty that truly reflects and celebrates the character
of our unique site."

The vineyard is not open to the public, but they use the tasting room hours of 11 - 7 daily 7 days a week at the Winemaker's Studio. Website:http://www.brycevineyard.com/Index.html

Sparkling wine uses three essential ingredients: Pinot Noit, Chardonnay and maybe Pinot Meunier. Domaine Meriwether was 20 years in the making and produces sparkling wine in Oregon. Their website has a very descriptive page on the process for making sparkling wines. http://www.meriwetherwines.com/methode_champenoise.cfm

"Our intent is to create an estate winery known largely for its red varietals. Foremost among
our reds is the Spanish grape Tempranillo. A natural bridge between the Pinot
Noir and the Cabernet Sauvignon, this grape is legendary in Europe and vastly
under-planted in the New World. We are positioning ourselves to be among the
first estate wineries showcasing Tempranillo"

This statement from the About Us page of Dominio IV says it

all. Introducing a new grape variety. Their first production from the vineyard was in 2004. Website: http://www.dominiowines.com/index.em?pid=166195

Next on the list is Hamacher Wines. Started in 1990, when Eric Hamacher arrived in Oregon, the wine uses eight diverse vineyards located in Oregon's Willamette Valley. While many winemakers boast of site and vineyard designates, Eric has found that by leasing from individual vineyards all over the valley, he is able to benefit from their diversity without experiencing any of the problems of maintaining a huge infrastructure. His pursuit of the perfect Pinot Noir has been fueled by his years of work with wineries in California. while attending UC Davis. Website: http://www.hamacherwines.com/hamacher/index.jsp

J.Daan is a boutique winery specializing in local Pinot Noirs and Columbia Valley Syrah. Winemaker Justin Van Zanten's goal is to produce serious Pinot Noirs that reflected the unique qualities of the region and were offered at a good value. Website: http://www.jdaan.com/about.html

The Lazy River Vineyard is 146 acres hidden from the road. It is planted in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Reisling. The owners of this winery, Ned & Kirsten Lumpkin, Eric Hamacher and his wife, Luisa Ponzi, were the originators of the Carlton Winemakers Studio in 2002. Website: http://www.lazyrivervineyard.com/index.html

Ribbon Ridge was started in 1978 but the dream of producing their first Pinot Noir was not realized until 2003.

"The estate vineyard is the sole source for Ribbon
Ridge Vineyard's flagship Estate Pinot Noir. We make our wines at Carlton
Winemakers Studio in Carlton, and are one of 9 resident boutique wineries
who share the eco-friendly, cooperative wine-making facility."

They also produce some white wines, 2005 Dewey Kelly Early Muscat, 2006 Dewey Kelly Cuvee M, and Muse Early Muscat X. Website: http://www.ribbonridge.com/default.cfm?action=about

Scott Paul Wines is the last on the Carlton Winemakers Studio list, but certainly not the least.

"Every bottle bearing the Scott Paul label contains true, authentic Oregon Pinot Noir. Our wines are made lovingly by hand. The aromas and flavors in the wines come only from the grapes, and the sun and the earth that grew them. Our goal is maximum transparency of flavor. Our quest is to produce Pinot Noir with flavors that are delineated and pure. "

Specializing in the Pinot Noir & Chardonnay much like the Burgundy area of France, this winery also imports from there and offers this note of interest:

"The Burgundy region of France has been producing what are widely
considered to be the world’s finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for nearly a
thousand years. Burgundy is a relatively small area (only about 13,500 acres of
vines in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, as opposed to Bordeaux’s 235,000 acres or
California’s 515,000.) Oregon is nearly identical in size to Burgundy with about
13,700 vineyard acres planted. As in Oregon, most of the winegrowers and
producers in Burgundy are small, family operations. The average estate size is
about 18 acres – enough to produce about 2,500 cases of wine each year. Those 18 acres are often split into 10 or more tiny parcels of vineyards scattered around
several different vineyards and villages – so production of each wine is often
only a few hundred cases or less."

The portfolio that Scott Paul offers from Burgundy can be found on their website: https://www.scottpaul.com/

So that concludes the Winemaker's studio list. I would like to cover one more winery, EIEIO. I mean, how can I let this by? Owner and vinter, Jay McDonald, yes, you are reading right, McDonald....started in 1995 when several of the wineries associated with the Carlton Winemakers Studio approached him to make a wine of his own. So his wines are made at the studio and sold there. He started with 200 cases and now annually produces approximately 1500 cases. Website: http://www.onhisfarm.com/

So we will be leaving Portland and I am so sure we did not spend enough time in this glorious city, but it is on to Glacier National Park. Are you ready?

Sweet Dreams & Good Food

Since I am fortunate to have friends in the Portland area, I will not need to stay at a hotel. But I want to provide what is available to all of you good people who read my blog. I have an aversion to small boutique hotels with unique decor. In looking around the web, the first one I found in Portland was the The Benson. Located in the heart of Portland, The Benson provides a unique experience among even the most distinctive hotels. Close to shopping, sightseeing and the Pearl District, the hotel was recently awarded the 4-Diamond award by AAA. Some of the amenities are 24 hour room service, complimentary evening Wine tasting(over 6000 bottles), and boutique shopping. This hotel was built in 1912 and has unmatched beauty, elegance and service. Rates are around $250 a night.

So let's see if we can find something within my price range, although I will splurge for a historic unique hotel like The Benson on occasion.

The Jupiter Hotel, located in the city and close to dining and entertainment, is designed for the creative class of people. It's affordable, $59 - $94, it's fun, roast marshmallows on the outdoor fire pit, and they have live bands in the courtyard. The Doug Fir Lounge is located on property and offers a variety of food, drinks and entertainment. Check out the menu, http://www.dougfirlounge.com/menus.html#bar, open 7 days a week.

The Silver Cloud Inn has rates around $150 a night. Located adjacent to the Nob Hill shopping district which offers a variety of boutiques, night clubs, shops and restaurants. Daily complimentary Continental breakfast is served, 100% Smoke Free and they have a hosted wine and cheese reception on Tuesday evenings. Website: http://www.silvercloud.com/index.htm

Another hotel in the downtown area is The Mark Spencer. This hotel was opened as The Nortonia Hotel in the theatre district of Portland and was considered "home away from home" for the stars who performed locally. In 1966, The Nortonia was remodeled and became The Mark Spencer. Still a favorite with performers, it also is a favorite among travelers for its affordable lodging and Old World charm. Rates run from $89 for a studio to $169 for a Jr. Suite. Guests enjoy a continental breakfast and afternoon tea and cookies. One block from the hotel is Powell's Books, the world's largest new and used bookstore.

On to the Good Food part. I have found a few, ok, several restaurants to talk about. Let's start with Genoa. As the name suggests, this is an Italian Restaurant with a menu that changes with the availability of resources. Some items are on the menu for just a few days, others for weeks or months. The options available are The a la Carte Menu, 4 course, The Chef's Tasting Menu, 7 courses, and The Grand Tasting Menu, which features small portions of everything on that evening's menu. Excellent wine cellar. Website: http://www.genoarestaurant.com/

Next we have Salty's, one of the best Northwest seafood cuisine's in the area. The restaurant is located on the Columbia River , anchored on the river with views of the river and Mt. Hood. Their Sunday Brunch was voted the Nation's Best Brunch by MSN-Citysearch.com. The menu includes Peel & Eat Prawn, Dungeness Crab, Salmon Lox, Seafood Ceviche, Clams, Mussels, Fresh Oysters shucked to order, Omelets, Crepes, Belgian Waffles, Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Cheese Trays, Salads, Bacon and Sausage, Country Potatoes, Biscuit & Gravy, Blackened Salmon, Prime Rib, Baked Ham and Seafood Chowder. Wow, that sure made me hungry. Sounds great. In the Bar-Cafe, you can enjoy cocktails, live music on select evenings, and an Happy Hour Menu. They also serve steaks, seafood, pasta chicken and sandwiches.

Prices are average, $12 - $20 for Lunch, $20 - $30 for Dinner. Website: http://www.saltys.com/portland/

The Carlyle is a little more expensive, offering French and American Cuisine. They use locally grown produce, specialty meats and seafood to enhance their ever changing menu. Located in the Pearl District, website: http://www.carlylerestaurant.com/

Oba!, Restaurante Y Refresqueria de Lujo, serves the cuisine of the Caribbean and Cuba, goes through South and Central America, up through Mexico to the Southwest United States. The Chef creates his dishes so that they may be enjoyed by the Northwest clientele. Entrees are between $20 - $35. Open 7 days a week, sidewalk dining available when weather permits. Website: http://www.obarestaurant.com/new/home.html

For some Cajun or New Orleans fare, try ROUX. Located in the Overlook neighborhood, the chef uses the best seasonal ingredients from Louisiana and the Northwest to create New Orleans inspired dishes. Median prices in the $15 - $20 range. Full bar featuring jazz and blues music. http://www.rouxrestaurant.us/

El Gaucho is sophisticated and swank steakhouse with a Latin flavor. Pricing is at the top of the dining scale, but the personal service and excellent food would make it a night to remember. Live Latin guitar music is presented every night from 7:30 to 11:30. http://www.elgaucho.com/elgaucho/_portland/index.htm

These are just a few of the top class restaurants in Portland. But I am sure there are many moderate priced, moderate sized restaurants that deserve a little headline here. And since I will be visiting Portland in September, I will be sure and add those to the blog.

Oregon Wine Tour..............coming up.

Off to Portland/Vancouver

Before we get started on our trip to Vancouver, I thought I would point out that your train trip from Denver to Truckee will be very scenic. You leave Denver at 8:05 a.m. and arrive in Truckee the next day at 1:04 pm. So it will be day light when you pass through Winter Park, Granby (Rocky Mountain National Park), Glenwood Springs (Aspen), and Grand Junction. From Grand Junction you travel up to Salt Lake City and arrive around 11:00 p.m.

So now that you have spent 4 glorious days in San Francisco, exploring, eating, and enjoying, it is time to leave for Vancouver. You will have to catch the shuttle bus from San Francisco over to Emeryville and it leaves in the evening. My suggestion is to check out of your hotel, take your bags over to the Ferry Street Station and check them in. I am currently verifying if this is indeed an option. Otherwise, your hotel may store your luggage until the evening when you are ready to depart.




Caltrain Station, 4th & King Streets - 8:50 p.m.
S.F. Shopping Center, 835 Market Street - 9:00 p.m
Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 - 9:10 p.m.
Ferry Building, Amtrak Station - 9:25 p.m.

and arrives in Emeryville at 9:50 a.m.


Your train then leaves the station at 10:12 p.m. for your trip to the Vancouver/Portland area. When you wake up the next day, you will be near Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir, California. This trip should be scenic also with snow covered mountains, fertile valleys, and dense forests. You arrive in Portland around 3:40 p.m. or Vancouver at 4:36 p.m.




Now I have a friend who lives in the Portland/Vancouver area and I am sure that she could take me to all kinds of exciting places. What I am going to attempt to do is find some local interest hot spots and report what I find.


Let's begin with the beginning. In 1843 a man named Overton saw potential for a 640 acre site known as "The Clearing". He didn't have the quarter needed to file a land claim, so he made a bargain with his friend, Lovejoy, and they split the parcel. Growing tired of clearing trees, Overton sold his share to Pettygrove and when it came time to name the town, both men wanted to name it after their hometown. Pettygrove won, so Portland was named after Portland, Maine. Had Lovejoy won Portland would be Boston. Things that make you go hmmmmm.


Portland is located at the furthest point ships can travel up the Willamette and was a major port in the Pacific Northwest for much of the 19th century. Now Portland is rated as one of the top cities in the U.S. to live. Portland has the personality of a small town with the vitalities and activities of a large city. Because of their moderate temperatures, it is a great outdoors city. Forest Park has 40 miles of trails, streams and woods within the city. The city also boast several stunning gardens: Leach Botanical, Classical Chinese, Japanese or Rhododendron Gardens.

Festivals abound in this city. They have a Rose Festival, Festa Italiana, The Bite, and the list goes on. Check this link for a complete list, http://www.portlandguide.com/entertainment/festivals.phpdguide.com/entertainment/festivals.php


Portland, much like San Francisco, has it's own neighborhoods to boast on. Pearl District was once a decaying warehouse district and is now a urban-chic neighborhood with lofts, townhouses, and condos. Convenience abounds with stylish boutiques, specialty retailers, grocery and book stores, art galleries and trendy restaurants.



The South Waterfront District is the newest addition to the area. With condos and apartments much like those in the Pearl District, the area also includes an interpretation center with a pier and urban beach. Nob Hill is a sophisticated area that is between NW 21st Street and NW 23rd. Similar to the neighborhood of the same name in San Francisco, it features turn of the century Victorian houses, trendy shops, boutiques and book stores. Some of the best restaurants in Portland are located here, some with outdoor seating.






Chinatown/Oldtown is located south of the Broadway Bridge and behind a gate similar to the one in San Francisco. Interesting fact: Under the streets of Portland ran the Shanghai Tunnels. This was a set of underground tunnels along the riverfront that connected the brothels, gambling parlors and saloons. You can tour the tunnels today. Saturday and Sunday from late March through Christmas eve there is a market that features handmade crafts, art and food.



The Hawthorne District sounds like my kind of place. It is an avant-garde neighborhood that runs along Hawthorne Boulevard, which is lined with locally-owned coffee shops, antique stores cafes, and friendly shops. Many of them are bohemian in nature and have the flavor of the 70's, which would be my era.




Since we are only going to be in Portland for two days, my choice for day two is to get up bright and early and go to the Hawthorne District and then maybe over to Chinatown to check out those tunnels. Our train to the next stop, Glacier National Park, leaves daily at 4:45 p.m so we should have more than enough time to explore these two neighborhoods.

So, for day one, we are going to check out the day trips. I have heard Oregon makes a killer pinot noir. Sounds like another wine trip to me. Ciao