A Fall Visit to the Beach

Just came back from a fabulous five days at the beach. There is really nothing like the beach in the fall when the air is clear, the
colors sharp and the bugs hibernating. This will sound like a dating website, but "I love long walks on the beach, pink sunsets, romping dogs, evening fires, golf (when I am playing well), and good friends." and the birds,


did I mention the birds? Wood storks, egrets, heron and the ducks splashing and playing in long lines. This long weekend (or short week) was all of that.

Location:Huntington Beach South Carolina

New York, September 2011

1000 Islands, St Lawrence River, New York, September 2011

We are here in NY on our fall vacation in the 1000 Islands Region. Our first stop is Jacques Cartier State Park. It is a beautiful park, sitting right on the St Lawrence River. The site is perfect, we can sit and watch the boats go down the seaway or let the kids play in the water right out the door of the camper. The weekend had the park about half filled, but now that it is mid week, there are very few of us here. It is lovely to not have to have the dogs on ropes. Today we played 9 holes of golf at one of the state parks that is a golf course a few miles from here. It was an easy course but lots of fun. We will plan to do it again before we leave this area. Expecting some rain tomorrow so will go out for a drive to see the area. The dogs are doing very well, we take them for a big run twice a day and they are loving all the chipmunks and squirrels. It is great to camp at this time of year when there are so few other people in the campgrounds. We can be comfortable letting the kids just run and run.











FALL 2011 Chapter 2

The Thousand Island Region is (obviously) named for the multitudes of small islands in the St Lawrence River mouth. Actually, there are 1864 islands--to be an island, the ground must be above water 365 days a year and there must be two living trees on that island. Many of the islands have wonderful "weekend cabins" that to you and me are castles. Nancy and I took a cruise to see many of these millionaire mansions. It was the first cruise for both of the dogs. I don't think they would tell you it was the finest part of their vacation, but they survived. We stopped at Hart Island to see Boldt Castle as well as a farmer's market and wine tasting festival. All was going well until we tried to walk Annie past the alpaca pen. She freaked out....... You would think a bear jumped out of the woods behind her. I don't think she ever saw it, but her nose sure knew something was different. Here are a few photos from the day, the glorious and the understated island homes.






FALL 2011 Chapter 3

We made the decision to drive south as we left the St Lawrence River to a park that was recommended by one of our fellow campers. We are now at Green Lakes State Park just outside of Syracuse NY. It is named for the two glacial lakes that are central to this beautiful park. The lakes are protected, surrounded by trees with no boating or fishing. They are the most wonderful turquoise green color when the light refracts through. It is a combination of the limestone, the depth of the lakes and the bacteria in the water that combine to make the result unusual but fantastic. The campground is nothing to write home about, but the park is very special. There is a Robert Trent Jones designed golf course here which is amazing. For $12 we played the most spectacular course we have ever played. Difficult? yes! The ball was always either above or below our feet.... but ... Wow! The weather has not been too good; nice yesterday as we played golf, rain last night and then again today till about two when the sun came back out and we played another nine holes.



FALL 2011 Chapter 4

Our final three days have been spent in a very familiar place that just feels like home. The Finger Lakes is one of our favorite vacation spots in the autumn, and it did not disappoint us again this year. The weather promised to be rainy all week, so we thought it would be a good place to go as there is always something to go and do. All and all, the weather was not too bad with rain on only the final day. It is a beautiful big campground with wonderful spacious sites, plenty of open space to walk the dogs, and green green grass everywhere. We went shopping at the outlets in Waterloo in Thursday, typical outlet mall; nothing exciting to report except that we each spent some money on things that seemed very reduced in price. (seemed being the important word here). Friday, the rainy day, was spent cruising around and wine tasting. I had fun, can't really say the same for Nancy as she was sitting in the car, in the rain most of the time with wet dogs....... Keuka Lake is really the most beautiful place with rolling hills and incredibly picturesque vineyards reaching down to the water's edge. I am sure we will come back to this spot many times in the years to come. The leaves were not very colorful this year, really just starting to turn, but the ride home produced some stunning color.

Last Post from Italy

This will be my last post for this adventure. Sitting in the airport in Milan waiting for our flight. We are in the Priority Lounge sipping cappuccino and thinking that I better not get too used to this lifestyle. Yesterday was our only poor weather day. We had a lot of rain the night before and very cloudy foggy day. We took the gondola up the mountainside over looking the lake, unfortunately we were only overlooking the fog. We then got on rented mountain-bikes and rode down the mountain. It was loads of fun. First on a trail then through a small village. Half way down we got below the cloud level and got some really nice views. Last night we had two parties, sort of like a progressive dinner, but this was progressive cocktail parties. Started on the roof of the hotel where everyone in our group brought the half bottles of wine they had left, and any other open food that they would not be taking back, you know the cheese and bread stuff, then on to the lawn for the fun awards ceremony and proseco. We have gotten to know the people that we have traveled with a little more this year and have found them to be delightful. Each time we have traveled with this group there are some new faces, but for the most part, the people are the same time after time. Although we do not spend a lot of time doing the group things, it is nice to have different folks to go to dinner with each evening, or to chat with in the lobby. I am looking forward to getting home, a long day ahead. . . . .

Sunday

Day 6 (Sunday)
Today was our journey to Milan. It is a very big industrial city that was 60% bombed out in World War II. The post-modern architecture is therefore quite different than the other large Italian cities I have seen. We initially toured the old castle in the center of the city. It was actually once the city and the city grew in circles around it. The old structure is still completely there. There were many good photo opportunities, so you know I had fun. We went from there to LaScala the opera house. It is probably the most famous Opera house in the world. The inside is incredible. There are boxes on the walls for about 6 stories in a semi-circle around the stage. There is seating on the floor as well. The place is appropriately ornate for an opera house. I wish I could have taken photos to show you all, burt it was forbidden. We then walked through the Galleria which is the huge shopping area with all the Prada and Louis Vittone etc.etc shops. Fashion is the leading industry in Milan and even on a Sunday in this very catholic area, it was evident what really rules. From there we walked to the cathedral, the third largest Catholic Church in the world with huge numbers of statues and spires etc. The inside was fantastic, as all gothic churches are, but mass was going on so I really did not see the altar. I went outside and climbed to the top of the church for the view. It was not the beautiful vista that I have seen from other Duomos because the city has all different aged, sized and colored buildings, but the best part was the ability to get up close to so many of the marble statues all over this building. The final to this day was a trip to see The Last Supper by Leonardo deVinci. It was quite an amazing thing to see this huge wall painted in l490 still standing there in all its beauty. What was even more amazing was that it was still there after the war. The wall to one side of it was destroyed and the entire back of the building was gone, but the wall stood. What can I say, you really just have to see it yourselves.

Saturday

Day 5 (Saturday)
Today was a travel day. We caught the bus this AM to Stresa which is on Lake Maggiore. We stopped in Lugano Switzerland for a brief visit. The town was interesting and there was some interesting art in an old chapel, but otherwise, I think it was a shopping stop for those who really wanted to buy a Swiss watch or chocolate. Diana and Leslie and I took a little motorized train around the city getting a little tour, but that was nothing very special. The best part of Lugano was that it is at the end of another beautiful alpine lake (Lake Lugano) Our new place to stay is a lovely hotel on the water. The town is bigger than Bellagio and pretty touristy, but lots of good looking restaurants and shops. Tonight we went to a fantastic restaurant and had the full 5 course meal. Started with antipasto, meats, then some pate and some fish with pickled sauce on it. The next course was a wonderful apple risotto, then pasta pillows stuffed with cheese and pear. Then meat (lamb, beef, chicken, duck) and potatoes and grilled vegetables. Our desert was a choice of 5 different things. And of course the wine. . . . .Remember how I was so worried that I would gain an additional 10 pounds on top of the ten extra I was already carrying? Well, I will have no problem meeting that goal.