Travel Tip

A good travel tip I just ran across...

If you download the United Airlines (yahoo search engine) toolbar…

Perform one search or purchase one item by April 30th, 2011 and receive 250 free Mileage Plus miles.The miles should post within 10 weeks of the promotion end date.

Receive 1 mile for every three searches (up to 100 per month)

Shop with the United retailers, of course there’s more earning power there as well.

Taking off the winter chill

We just got back from a week-long vacation in Florida.  Phil had to go down for a Marine Technician's class and we decided to take full advantage of it and tour the state as well.

Started out in Daytona, the 18+ mile beach that Phil loved driving on,  Also toured Daytona National Speedway. 
Spent the next three days in Islamorada, a small fishing town in the Keys that was absolutely perfect for the kind of vacation we had in mind.  If you're ever down there, you must check out Chesapeake Beach Resort.  Laid out by the pool.  Took a paddle boat over beautiful corral reefs in shallow water, watched stingrays and large fish swim by.  Our room was very nice with a great view of the Atlantic with a private balcony. There were maybe 3-5 other couples there at the time, not crowded at all.  Right next door was Wahoo's Bar & Grill that overlooked Whale Harbor Marina.  Delicious food and drinks (mmm Rumrunners!) that also overlooked the Atlantic. 
Drove down to Key West for an afternoon, since our charter fishing trip we had planned got rained out.  But that's the nice thing about Florida, there's so much to do and see you can just go with the flow.  Stopped in at Robbie's for some Tarpon feeding fun, which are these HUGE fish near the docks that pretty much swallow your hand.  Phil fed them while I was attacked by a damn Pelican.  And without a doubt the best piece of Key Lime Pie was found at Lorelei's Cabana - They served it frozen and oh my was it good! 
Next up was the Everglades.  First we stopped in the national park and walked the Anhinga trail, crazy to see 8 foot alligators just feet away from a bunch of tourists.  Also along the way were many different bird species.  We loved it.  After the park we had to go to a seperate location for the airboat ride that we were really looking forward to, but unfortunately it was just a tourist trap, the ride only lasted about 10-15 minutes.  Still neat though, we saw a handful of gators and also a few very large iguanas hanging overhead in the trees.  The driver did a few 360's that threw water on those who sat in the front - yes of course that was the two of us.  We need to get one of those boats! 
After touring all that, checked out the Gulf side of Florida which included collecting shells and taking in the beautiful Sunset.  Visited Beverly Hills to see my friend Kathy.  And then it was time to head back to the Orlando area and fly out the next day. 
Amazing, beautiful and warm vacation overall.  Can't wait to return one day and do it all over again.  Well, maybe not all of it being that we drove exactly 1300.0 miles.  I'll take a drink in one hand with my feet in the sand - planted for hours soaking up the sun and laughing with girlfriends.  Yes...that's the next trip I have in mind!  :)

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Summer's over already, are you sure?  Well alright then if you say so. 

What a delightful summer it was, no wonder its my favorite season.  We had the boat out as much as possible with friends and neighbors skiing, tubing, fishing, and diving into the cool waters of Idaho.  Other memories made were the many camping trips, outdoor parties, relaxing in the backyard, and so much more.

Our most special mention for the season were the moments spent with both of our Grandmother's.  In June we took my Grandma Geri on our long awaited dream trip to Yellowstone.  It was just the three of us on a nice road trip to a beautiful place.  We drove non-stop for three days and the sights we saw were breathtaking.  It was so special to experience that with her and keep my promise made over ten years ago that we would someday do this together.
About a week after we returned home from Yellowstone, we got the call from Michigan that our Grandma DiMaria wasn't doing too well, and that it was time.  We jumped in the car right away and were in Michigan 36 hours later. The next four days we spent by her bedside holding hands, hugging, laughing, smiling...saying our goodbyes.  We'll never forget all the special memories and moments surrounded by all of the family.  And leave it up to Grandma and her Italian sassiness right through till the end, she had us in fits of laughter for most of the time.  Grandma passed away about a week after we came home, just a few days before her 96th birthday.  She lived a beautiful life, and she'll be carried in our hearts always.  Riposa in pace Nonna, ti vogliamo bene.

And time marches on...the leaves are turning now, Autumn is here. We'll be close to home for the holidays this year.  With college out of the way, I've been decorating pumpkins for the front stoop and am very much looking forward to getting into the Christmas goodies.  But before I can get ahead of myself, there's still some fall projects to do around the house.  We've got painting to do indoors and out, and also just bought a new Stor Mor shed that'll be used for all of our gardening/camping/boating supplies.  Very much looking forward to getting a bit more organized in our tiny little abode.

Exploring Yellowstone with Grandma July 9-11, 2010

Am's trip to Washington

Ridin' in Style ~ Go Broncos!

November 4th - 11th 2009

It's quite the treat when I'm able to mix family time in with a business trip.  Flew into Seattle on Friday evening and spent the weekend with my family before driving south for a week of Sales Training in Vancouver.  
To get that long awaited hug from Grandma is always something that brings tears to my eyes.  I can't even describe how much she means to me.  And seeing Uncle Don, Merrily and all the kids was just as special.  A highlight was playing with the twins.  Legos, potato heads and lincoln logs ~ oh to be a kid again!  I was also able to take Grandma up to Lynnwood with me to visit with Uncle Dan and his wife Dawn.  We had a great visit and were sad to have to leave before her beautiful apple pie was ready.  But with Seattle traffic, you're sort of forced to adhere to it's schedule. 

Other than coming down with a nasty head cold, the rest of the trip was great.  Had a productive 2-day training session with the team, and a few nice dinners.  Hudson's in   Vancouver was very nice, my favorite for sure.  Also stopped in at one of the best stores ever...say it with me now, "Trader Joe's"!!