MYKONOS

Mykonos  is the island of the windmills.  It is the party island, and the island that the rich and famous come to for vacation (that is obviously why we are here! ) We are staying at the incredible Cavo Tagoo looking directly at the sea and the sunset.  A fifteen minute walk to the old town where the restaurants, nightclubs, jewelry stores and souvenir shops abound.  We have walked and hiked every day here to walk off the wonderful breakfasts that are served.  Four of us spent the day yesterday at the island of Delos where according to mythology, Zeus' illegitimate twins (Apollo and Diana) lived.  The site is 2500 years old and some of the buildings still have walls.  It was a very interesting tour and a wonderful boat ride to get there.  Dinner last night at an incredible restaurant called Avra.  The Avra salad must be recommended to anyone coming to Mykonos.  Tomorrow we leave for one final night in Athens then home tomorrow.  I have never stayed in a place as incredible as this hotel, and doubt that I ever will again.  Truly an experience I won't forget.

SANTORINI

The island of Santorini is in the middle of the beautiful Aegean Sea.  The major town is Fira and that is where we are staying in the Aressana Hotel.  Sadly, we are not in a room with a view, but how can we complain, we are in the Greek Islands.  The weather is beautiful, albeit very very windy.   We are supposed to take a sunset cruise tomorrow evening.  Perhaps I will be feeding the fish, but I am game to try anything.  Speaking of fish, have you ever heard of Fish spa? Today, I had my feet exfoliated by GARRA RUFA fish.  Yes, they ate away at my dead skin and I now have feet as soft as a baby's bottom.  Here are some photos of the beautiful island, the white buildings and blue church roofs and window frames.  Incredible! 

 

ATHENS

We spent only one night in Athens at the start of our vacation.  We arrived at the Hotel Electra at about 2:30 in  the afternoon after virtually no sleep on the flights.  We soon discovered that our three hour walking tour of the city was to begin in 15 minutes.  All we could think about was taking a nap, however, once we started walking we all perked right up.  There are no riots or demonstrations or people lined  up outside the banks to withdraw all their money.   The tour culminated at the Acropolis and the Parthenon.  What amazing architecture.  We took some great photos of the lights on the Acropolis from the hotel that evening.  Found a great little restaurant on the way back to the hotel for our first Greek meal which we shared with four others in our group.  

Thanksgiving

The last camping of the season and are we lucky! It could just as easily have been 35 degrees and rainy, which would have been no fun; but, sun, blue crisp skies, 60 degrees. Diana and Peggy rented a cabin right on the lake, but, unable to secure one of those, we decided to take a chance on camping. Turkey dinner made in the little camper stove would have been tough, but the cabin has a full kitchen. Mimosas while cooking, turkey, stuffing, (and dressing as Nancy won't eat the stuff in the bird) mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, butternut squash and apple casserole, broccoli casserole, peas, onions, cranberry relish, jello and carrot salad, gravy, rolls and apple pie with ice cream! Isn't that just NUTS for 4 people.....and we get to do it all again this evening.


There is wonderful hiking for all of us -especially the dogs- to enjoy, not to mention the lake. I think our kids would break the ice to reach the water so they could swim.
Today we are thankful for our health; our wonderful friends and supportive families; the jobs we have that allow us to have plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful place we live and places we visit; and two dogs who are well behaved and make us smile every day.
So tomorrow we will go home, winterize the camper and cover it up for four months. Time to hibernate a little and enjoy Virginia's next season.

Location:Lake Anna State Park, Mineral Virginia

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.

Friday day 4

Day 4 (Friday)
This was a great day because we had virtually nothing planned until evening. Diana and I walked down the road and got a chunk of Brie, a hard roll an apple and water. We then took the ferry across to Cadennabria, a town across Lake Como from Bellagia. We then took a great hike up up up to the chapel de S. Martine. It was a steep hike, but the path was wonderful and at every switchback there was a monument with painted ceramic tiles depicting a scene from the bible. It was a great excuse to stop and get our breath. There is a procession to the chapel every year and lots and lots of people make the journey to the chapel which is then open for a service. I can just see the 90 year old women walking this hill, saying prayers at every turn and not sweating a drop. We made it to the top to find an old man and his best friend. He wanted so much to talk with us and ask us our stories, but he was speaking such rapid-fire Italian that the only thing that I got was that he and his friend were friends for 40 years. We had our picnic and started the long journey back down. It was a glorious day and well worth the effort. Tonight we were treated to a brief concert by the Bellagio men’s choir. They sang about 5 songs for us and that just might have been the highlight of the trip so far. Everyone either had a great big grin on their face or tears dripping down their cheeks. We finished the day at our favorite restaurant up the hill from the hotel. It is a family owned restaurant, catering mostly from what we saw, not to tourists, but to locals. They were very nice to us and tolerant of our lack of Italian language skills. They hugged us good bye at the end of the evening.

Bellagio from the lake

Night sky

View from the room Bellagio

Hike to Chapel

Diana on the boat

Day 3 (Thursday)
Today we took a trip on the famous Lake Como to see the sights (Including of course George Clooney’s villa -- no personal sightings however). First however we went to a beautiful Villa that had some of the most incredible gardens. The azaleas were at the least 8 feet tall and camellia bushes the size of 2 story houses. We saw some wonderful art as the original owner was trying hard to impress all because he wanted Napoleon Bonaparte to name him the first president of Italy, but alas it was not so as the man across the lake in Bellagio must have impressed him more. Como itself is a busy city with 90,000 inhabitants. The city obviously has some very old sections and many cobblestone roads. It was fun to walk along thinking that the same stones had been walked on in 1200. We took the Funicula to the top of the mountain over Como to look out aat the view. Sadly, the weather had clouded up and the views were not as spectacular as they could have been, but still was loads of fun. Dinner tonight was in a small water side restaurant in the small fishing village below our hotel. It is the only restaurant down in this area and no wonder. Although the food and the ambiance is unmatched, and the tourists were few there is a reason. The pathway (steps) going back up to the street was straight uphill, dark twisting and at least 250 yards. After a bottle of Tocai Fruillano (wonderful new white wine find) and a full dinner . . . . . . .

Day 2
This AM we had a walking tour of Bellagio with Rita, a wonderful enthusiastic woman n, who not only knew the local area but also knew history, horticulture, architecture. Another beautiful day, blue skies and a great breeze. Diana and I took a boat to Varenna across the lake from our town. It is a “fishing” village, but as today is a holiday (the Bank Holiday) there were a lot of tourists in this quaint village. We left the town rapidly and started walking uphill, uphill, uphill. . . . (note the slowdown)…uphill to the castle atop the town. We had great views and toured around the castle. Diana decided that we should try to find a different way down the mountain – well we found the goat path and Heidi and Diana and I came down the mountain along the edges of the hillside---- singing to the goats. Found a great bottle of Proseco for evening imbibing. Tonight there was a wonderful sunset, the sun was shining on the distant mountains where there is still snow peaking out of the coulars. As the sun does not set until about 9:30, we stayed in the room taking photos until the last moment. Then dinner, thank goodness as we were getting a little intoxicated. Went up the street to a small family restaurant for a typical Italian, low key dinner. Am struggling with my blog as I can’t seem to get the photos to sync with the program. I will continue to work on it.

day 1 Bellagio Italy

Day 1 – Travel Day
Diana and I flew this AM from Richmond to Boston where we met our friend Leslie S., and sat for hours on end waiting for our flight to Amsterdam. Thanks to our membership with our American Express card, we were able to spend the time sitting in the fancy lounge drinking wine and eating snacks (oink oink) albeit healthy snacks……(cheese and shortbread cookies). International flights uneventful, but of course uncomfortable. We arrived in Milan to beautiful morning blue sky and temps in the mid 70s. Diana’s luggage did not arrive; it stayed in Amsterdam and hopefully will not arrive until after noon tomorrow (our travel insurance will give her $100 to shop if the bags are delayed 24 hours). Bellagio is a beautiful little town on Lake Como. The lake is Y shaped and the town is located at the point of the land in the middle. It is surrounded by mountains with snow covered peaks in the distance. The ride in over the mountains was spectacular, lots of switchbacks, incredible views. Ate a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called BabaYago. Diana and Leslie S. had the thinnest crust pizza that was ever made. Leslie’s with arugula and Diana’s with pesto. I had pan seared fish which was incredible. We will sleep well tonight after being awake for so long. his is the view from our balcony looking up the lake. More tomorrow.