Day 11 - 30 day challenge

We went boating on Lake Michigan!

Highlight:

Getting to see the river and Lake Michigan

Low-light:

Crazy drunk people from Jersey!

Something Fun:

• Lake Michigan, by volume, is the second largest Great Lake and the only one located totally within the United States.
• Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake by surface area (behind Lake Superior and Lake Huron).
• Lake Michigan is the 5th largest lake in the world.
• Lake Michigan discharges into Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinac at a rate that allows for a complete change of water about every 100 years.
• Every inch Lake Michigan rises or drops equals 390 billion gallons more or less water in the lake.
• The lake forms a link in a waterway system that reaches east to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway and south through the Chicago River locks, to the Mississippi River and on to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Over 43 percent of all Great Lakes fishing is done in Lake Michigan.
• More than 10,000 ships have sunk in the Great Lakes - with 3,000 of those in Lake Michigan.
• Lake Michigan contains the world’s largest collection of freshwater sand dunes.
• The Sleeping Bear Plateau is a 4 square-mile field of dunes, crowned by Sleeping Bear Dune, the highest dune in the state, rising to more than 440 feet above Lake Michigan.
• The word "Michigan" was originally used to refer to the lake itself, and is believed to come from the Ojibwa Indian word mishigami, meaning "great water."
• Lake Michigan is bounded, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
• Lake Michigan is the largest freshwater lake in the United States.
• The Petoskey stone, Michigan's state stone, is composed of a fossilized coral, and the only place in the world it is found is on Lake Michigan beaches in northern Michigan.
• Lake Michigan was formed during the last Ice Age as glaciers advanced and then retreated across the region, creating large glacial lakes.
• The sand on Lake Michigan beaches in southwestern Michigan is often called "sugar sand" because it resembles grains of sugar in size and purity. The sand is also referred to as "singing sands" because of the squeaking noise, caused by high quartz content, made when walking across it.

Day 10 - 30 day challenge

It's hard to blog while on vacation! I forgot to last night so here's our day yesterday...

Spices!

And of course, LOTS of cheese!

Taking a break from the sun

Entering the Festa Italiana downtown Milwaukee - Lakeside park

Looking towards the city

Taking the gondola ride!

Highlight:

Seeing the city

Low-light:

Mmm... don't really have one. Finding parking.

Something fun:

Gondola ride!

Day 8 - 30 day challenge

Well, instead of being in my moms living room in Milwaukee catching up, I am in my living room in Denver watching Brunch with Bobby while Geof works late. This = the low-light of my day. Flight was cancelled today but I'm heading out tomorrow. I'm making sure to relax and pretend I'm on vacation - no sense in being upset, really. I have really awesome travel luck so no complaints!

Here are some photos I took earlier this week after picking up Geof from his work trip. We are quite familiar with the trip to DIA.

Welcome to Denver

Storm over the mountains - It is monsoon season in Colorado

Love these sculptures - and the grass is never so green as it is now!

Heading West

Maybe because it is always so sunny here, they put up cloud sculptures?  Anyone know the story?

Highlight of the day:

Taking the day off to pack and get the house ready for our trip to Milwaukee - Taking the pup on two slow sunny walks

Low-light:

Cancelled flight - Geof working late

Something Fun:

 Fun Facts about Denver International Airport (one of my all time favorite airports, btw)

• The Jeppesen Terminal roof is made of a Teflon-coated fiberglass material that is as thin as a credit card.
• The four busiest airports in the United States - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles International, and Dallas Fort Worth - could all fit into DIA’s 53-square miles of land.
• Denver International Airport is one of the world’s greenest airports. We also have the largest solar farm at a commercial airport in the United States.
• The airport contributes over 22 billion dollars a year to Colorado’s economy.
• Denver International Airport was one of the first airports in the United States to integrate art into public spaces.  During construction, artists worked with architects to integrate art into the airport. 
• Denver International Airport has the only passenger bridge in the United States where you can watch an airplane taxi beneath you.
• Some people think there’s a conspiracy making our airport the center of a New World Order.  Rest assured the story is definitely a myth.

Day 7 - 30 day challenge

Travels! So far this year I've been going going going. I have been to St. Augustine, FL, Kauai, HI, Richmond and Virginia Beach,VA, and now I'm going to Milwaukee, WI tomorrow! I LOVE to travel, incase you were wondering. HUGE pet peeve = people who say that but never go anywhere. Just freaking GO people! What are you waiting for? GO. { also... Geoffrey might get to come with for a job in the Green Bay area. EEEEK! Fingers crossed for us }

Milwaukee Art Museum

Inside the art museum

 Highlight of the day:

See "EEEK", above! -sending my out of office email! See ya suckas!

Low-light of the day:

Dealing with grumpy-not-a-morning-person-hubby on morning walk - but by end of walk he looked like this:

 (So really, not a bad low-light at all)

Something FUN:

The wings of the "Calatrava" museum open up, then close every day. We saw this last time we were there, pretty neat!

see more about the architect here

What to bring on a beach vacation?

We just got back from 8 days on the North Shore of Kauai. Whoa. That place is INCREDIBLE! I wanted to never ever come back, to forever live in the middle of the blue pacific on the garden island with my toes in the sand and flowers in my hair and ukelele songs playing through my head. The food, the people, the scenery, the sloooowness, the sun, the rain, it was all so very blissful. More posts to come on that, I assure you ;) Until then, I wanted to do a little run down of what I consider 10 essential things to bring on a beach vacation!

 First and foremost - we all love to get sun-kissed, but we have to be smart about it! It's not just about avoiding sunburn, you are protecting your skin from cancer and sun damage for years to come. 

1.Sunblock: Look for a paraben free formula - if you don't know what parabens are, find out here. My favorite brand is Alba botanica, found at any local health food store. Don't wait until you get to the beach to try to buy some, as you may forget and end up with a sunburn that can ruin a beach vacation! 2. Cheap sunglasses: don't bring your most expensive pair! You'll be swimming in the ocean and the pool, then tossing them in your bag when you get to a restaurant, so go buy a few cheap pairs for the trip. 3. Get a beach cover up: You don't want to mess with shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops at the beach, just pull this over and go - pick something that you would feel comfortable wearing into a grocery store or cafe. This one is great because it also has pockets and who doesn't love a dress with pockets? 4. Big floppy hat: Once you get a bit of sun on your face, put a cute floppy hat on - this will help protect your cheekies! A red face = a hot mess...

5. Sandals you can walk in: Don't bring your 4 year old worn out flip flops, as you will likely be doing quite a bit of walking around beachy towns, exploring the sites and sandy beaches. 6. Compact Umbrella: If you're going to the beach, it's probably going to be in a tropical climate, thus a good chance for seasonal rain storms. Don't let it ruin your time, keep a small umbrella in your purse just incase. Also useful for when you've left your hat and you're starting to get too much sun. 7. Maxi Dresses: These are a MUST for tropical weather. Easy, breezy, and the long length is dressy enough to wear to dinner if you want. Pair it with some bangles or a long necklace. 8. Tropical Nail Colors: Pretty fingers and toes make us feel happy and sexy, and on vacation, this is important whether you're with your hubby or maybe looking for Mr. Right... now. {wink}. 9. Shoulder Purse: For hands free walking and a bag that doubles as a beach bag, pick up a cheap over the shoulder purse. Old Navy, $12. 10. Guide books: I can't live without guide books when going someplace new. Foders or Frommers are the go-to's - they will lead you to the best beaches, restaurants, activities, and hidden local spots. Happy travels!

10 Things to do in Colorado before you die

 

1) CLIMB A FOURTEENER { no, sadly I haven't }
At 14,060 feet, Mount Bierstadt is one of the easiest to ascend, with a wide trail that winds its way through swamps, high-mountain meadows and boulder fields. The journey begins at Guanella Pass, just south of Georgetown. If you worry about having never climbed that high before, put your fears aside. There are so many people - from young whippersnappers to truly elderly - hiking on weekends, it looks like a trip to the mall, but they'll offer assistance if you need it. Long's Peak by moonlight just might be the ultimate adventure. If that's not for you, climb one of the state's thirteeners, which are just as majestic but don't get the same attention. You're likely to see one of the state's Rocky Mountain goats staring down at you from a rocky crag, an eagle flying high above, or ubiquitous marmots on the ascent. If your health or other situations won't allow you to climb, then take the Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak. Or drive to the top of Mount Evans. No matter how you get there, you really will be "on top" of the world, and there's no feeling like it.
Related: Quiz: How many of Colorado's 54 14ers can you name

Red Rocks Movie Nights

2) ATTEND A CONCERT AT RED ROCKS {yes, and a few movie nights }
Pack a picnic dinner, get there early and hope it's a full-moon night. While your immediate goal is to sway the night away to good music, the side shows all add up to an experience like no other: the moon over the stage, lights of Denver in the background, sitting on rock-hewn seats, the smell of concert-goers' drug of choice. Or go to a sunrise Easter service, no matter your faith. 

3) EXPLORE MESA VERDE { no - but want to }
Sometimes we tend to downplay what's in our own backyard, but as with other ancient ruins around the world, the cliff dwellings at this national park near Cortez should be visited over and over again. Look and marvel on your own or take a ranger-guided tour for more insight into the people who once inhabited the more than 600 dwellings. Only a small percentage of the archaeological sites have been unearthed, but there are enough open to the public to leave you with a sense of awe. Alternatively, take a full-day tour of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, where a Ute tribal member will guide you through the park's cliff dwellings and explain Ute history and the many examples of wall paintings and petroglyphs. Tours begin at Tribal Park headquarters 20 miles south of Cortez. Special tours, including those on horseback, are available throughout the year. While there, stop at the Pottery Factory, where tribal members continue to paint traditional patterns and more modern ones on functional, museum-quality pots. 

4) SINK INTO STRAWBERRY PARK HOT SPRINGS { ohhhh yeeeah }
Let's be honest. One of the attractions of this place - besides the natural setting near Steamboat Springs - is that you can go au naturel after dark. Masonry walls create pools of different temperatures, so you can always find one that's "just right." Spend the night in one of the rustic cabins, or better yet, choose the train caboose, because how many chances will you get to spend the night in a caboose with a fireplace? Other hot springs bubble from the ground in many areas of the state, including the great kahoona - Glenwood Springs. Try some of the smaller ones for a more intimate setting: Hot Sulphur Springs near Granby has several private pools and caves; Mount Princeton Hot Springs near Buena Vista allows visitors to sit in makeshift rock pools in the Arkansas River. How cool (hot?) is that?

5) VISIT GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK { ALWAYS has been on our list - but no }
Hike to the top of one of the state's greatest natural phenomena, then snowboard down, or just walk as most people do. The park in the San Luis Valley is open 24 hours a day, so climb at sunrise or sunset or under a moonlit sky. Marvel at the beauty of Crestone Peaks, especially during the spring or late fall when the tips are coated in white. Then, in late spring or early summer, dip your toes in Medano Creek if it's flowing. Climb to the top of Star Dune, the highest at 750 feet, for spectacular views and photo opportunities. Visit during a meteor shower for an unhindered view - no lights, no obstructions - just sky and shooting stars

6) TOUCH DINOSAUR TRACKS { yes }
Once upon a time, Colorado was mired in water and mud, making it the perfect place to record the wanderings of dinosaurs small and large. You don't have to travel far to see footprints and bones from giants like the apatosaurus or those of fierce predators like the allosaurus. At Picketwire Canyonlands on the Comanche National Grasslands south of La Junta, walk an interpretive trail that includes more than 1,300 tracks. That's not the only place in the state where they left a big impression. Several museums and trails near Grand Junction allow you to view bones and tracks in situ. At Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, tracks, bones and other fossils are etched in stone along the "dinosaur highway."

7) LISTEN TO ELK BUGLE { yes, camping in Rocky Mountain National Park }
Bring blankets, hot chocolate and other creature comforts, and plan to spend a few hours at dusk and into evening in Rocky Mountain National Park during the September-October rut, when males call out to and herd their "harems." Moraine Park is a favorite location for listeners, although it's now so overrun with cars and people that some of the magic has disappeared. Avoid the crowds by driving into the park along less-congested roadways, and you might get lucky and hear some stray calls. As an added bonus, the timing is perfect for aspen viewing, with the dancing leaves turning golden and red as night temperatures cool.

8) NAVIGATE A MOUNTAIN ROAD { YES! Amazing! }
Not those teeny passes, but big, burly, white-knuckle-inducing roads like Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen. At 12,095 feet, the top of the pass is well above tree line: This is what it means to be in tundra. This narrow road usually closes in September and opens in late May. Independence is the state's second-highest paved road. America's highest paved automobile road is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. That drive, completed in 1927, is less scary than Independence but just as scenic. The parking lot is at 14,130 feet, then you can hike a quarter- mile up a winding trail to the top of the peak at 14,264 feet. (Another way to stand atop the world.) A third option is Trail Ridge Road. While behind the wheel or exploring the area, you can imagine that in winter, snow drifts can get as high as 25 feet tall at the highest elevation, 12,183 feet. Even in July, cold winds blow across the tundra, but ground-hugging plants and flowers blanket the areas between lichen- covered rocks.

9) BOARD A TRAIN
{ No, but did you know they have beer, wine tastings, and dinners on the train? ON MY LIST }
The state's economy and towns once were made or broken by the presence of iron rails. Trains still hold a fascination for young and old. Step back in time and ride one of the state's refurbished rail lines, from the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Antonito to the Georgetown Loop narrow gauge line, to the Winter Park Ski Train. The Durango & Silverton runs daily excursions, even during the winter months. The coal-fired engines pull refurbished cars through canyons and wilderness along the same tracks once traveled by cowboys and miners - even train robbers.

10) RAFT THE ARKANSAS
{ no, but I've camped on the Arkansas and rafted the Poudre - does this count? }
Take a leisurely float trip, or if you live for those adrenaline highs, steel yourself for the bumpy ride only a Class 5 rapids provides. Whether you want a half-day or full-week excursion, steak lunches or a "classical music" cruise, you can find it through one of the area's many rafting companies. Shop around for deals, but remember the wildest water is in early May as the snow pack melts. Most companies run rafts through September, except of course, in drought years. No need to worry about that this year, if January is any indication.

Read more: Top 10 things to do in Colorado before you die - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/style/ci_5054084?source=pop#ixzz1MZCVEPrX

Napa - Day 1

We flew into San Francisco an hour later than we expected due to heavy fog in the bay area. Geoffrey went to work and I walked to downtown Napa from his job site. Along the way I admired the quaint little neighborhood and the things so characteristic about this region: everyone's yards had lemon and lime trees, olive trees, and roses galore! The roses get to be as big as a dinner plate sometimes! Absolutely beautiful!


I spent the afternoon meandering the streets and shops. I visited a toy shop and the Oxbow Marketplace. The Hog Island Oyster company was in one corner of the market so I sat outside and ordered some oysters and a glass of Fume Blanc. I swear to you, I feel like Napa California is heaven on earth. From the food to the lifestyle to the people to the views. This IS MY KIND OF PLACE!!! Then I found my way to the riverfront and the Napa General Store where Geoffrey met me after he finished with his job. We were starving so we went for some tapas and wine at ZuZu right down the street and to kill time until dinner service started. One glass of wine... two glasses of wine... bread and salted cod and spicy garlic shrimp and olives... we stayed for a long time and soaked up all the goodness, overlooking the Napa river.


It was quite a nice day. A PERFECT day in my world :)