From the Big City to the Michigan Lake

What do you say when your husband asks you if you would like to join him on a business trip to New York? "Of course, I will go" was my response. Another plus to the trip is that we had the opportunity to visit Billy's grandparents on Long Island. We took off Wednesday evening, and we were able to spend all day Thursday on Long Island while Billy worked remotely.

 

 I don't think I will ever get tired of Central Park. While Billy was at his meeting, I sat in the park. When I wasn't people watching I read with my handy, dandy Kindle.

 After the work day was done, Billy and I ventured downtown to check out the 9-11 Memorial. It was quite moving to see never-ending pools and the sheer amount of names listed along the memorials. 

 One of the 9-11 Memorial pools. Beautiful. 

 I think it is pretty clear to those who know me that the High Line is one of my favorite places in New York. This was our first time walking along the High Line during sunset. 

 Our night was very Billy-centric. We ate dinner at Bill's Bar & Burgers. We ended our evening at Billy's Bakery. If I were to open a bakery, I would want it to look just like Billy's. 

 On Saturday, our travels took us to Michigan. We met up with Sara, David and Mia in the Detroit airport. Some of our good friends' family have a lake house in northern Michigan. We took them up on their invitation to join them, especially since we would be celebrating two special little girls' 1st birthdays. Thanks Christina & Jacob!

 Here I am about to embark on my first water skiing lesson. I was not able to get up during this trip, but I had loads of fun trying and drinking lots of lake water. 

 Yay, Billy! It took him a couple of tries, but Billy was able to ski for a bit. It must have been all of that practice at Boy Scout camp.

 My handsome hubby!

 One of my favorite pictures from the weekend. 

 Billy took in some wakeboarding on our last night at the lake. 

 After a weekend of fun, Sara and Billy were back to work in the great state of Michigan. I decided to tag a long for the ride throughout the state since I had nothing better to do besides watch tons of trashy TV and lay on the couch.

Sara loves Ann Arbor, MI, so we decided to check it out and eat dinner there. We took a quick drive around the University of Michigan football stadium, and then noshed on some tasty food. 

All in all I have to say my first trip to Michigan was a success. Now I'm able to check another state off the list. I'm thankful for such wonderful friends and family. Until next time.

Mexico....Beach, that is

My mom rented a beach house in Mexico Beach, Florida. She loves the idea of having the family come down to spend the week together at the beach. It works better for some families than others. I was a little skeptical about going to the panhandle of Florida when my mom invited me down last year. My mind immediately went back to memories of Panama City Beach from my teenage years. It just didn't seem like a place that I wanted to be at this point in my life. Well, Mexico Beach is the opposite of PCB, and that's why I love it.  It is a small (that's an overstatement) beach town east of Panama City with loads of beach houses and a handful of motels. It provides much more of a family feel that other beaches along the panhandle.

 This is the life. 

 My mom enjoying the sunset.

 My nieces have arrived. Niece #1 diving right in with out changing and discovering things around the beach.

 Niece #2 looking concerned. She is going through her terrible twos.

 An amazing sunset in Mexico Beach. 

 Who's ready for putt-putt? Niece #1 has a creative strategy ~ she hits the ball as many times as she needs to get it in the hole, and then reports that she got in one or two strokes. Mind you, she does know how to count correctly. 

 Niece #1 is showing us how stylish golfers can be. I have to agree! 

 My mom and I had a girls day in Apalachicola. There are lots of antique and junk stores which are fun to look around. 

 We ate lunch at Up the Creek, and this was our view. It started to pour as we were leaving. Thank goodness for shelter. 

 Celebrating Mom's birthday with a great looking cake thanks to Niece #1 and me. 

On our last day in the Sunshine State, we took a drive out to Cape San Blas. We ate lunch at Cone Heads, and then search for this little lighthouse. 

I have to say this was a pretty good way to start the summer! Until next time.

Continuing with July 2011

I know what you are thinking! You said that you would update at least once a week as part of your goal for the summer. Wrong! I said I would update on average once a week, so being the math teacher that I am that means I understand that I can blog more than once a week in the future to beef up my number of posts. I didn't realize how busy I was last July. 

July 2011

During the middle of July, I took a road trip to Asheville with some friends who are near and dear to my heart. One of my friends has access to a cabin in the area, so we took advantage of the opportunity and enjoyed breweries with flying monks, shuffle board and fried chicken.

At the end of July, I found myself back in New York. I joined my mom who just concluded her time at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, and we went out to Long Island to celebrate my sister-in-law's baby shower.

 Any time I'm out on Long Island, I like to spend a little time in NYC. My mom and I stayed at Andaz Wall Street thanks to my hubby who knows how to get great deals using Priceline or Hotwire. It is my favorite hotel in the city. Free snacks & wine, modern design, loads of space and close to the subway ~ who could ask for more!

My mom and I enjoy taking in a Broadway show each we are in the city. We bought tickets at the South Street Seaport TKTS booth for Memphis. Wow! Memphis is a phenomenal show with catchy music, spectacular dancing and a moving story line.

 

Alice's Tea Cup is one of my favorite places in New York. My mom and I discovered the 64th Street location on a previous trip to New York; this time we visited the 73rd Street location. Yum......tea, muffins, and oatmeal! I'm not a fan of oatmeal at all. Billy has had me try it numerous times, and I usually gag and force myself to swallow the mush. My mom had some oatmeal left, and I decided to try it. It was like a cookie in your mouth. Delicious!  Until next time Alice's Tea Cup.

 While walking through Central Park, we found Olmstead the Owl in one of the gift shops. I love owls, and I have a love of Frank Law Olmstead for many reasons. My mom treated me to new little fella.

 My mom has always had a strong desire to ride on carriage through Central Park. We were able to fulfill her dreams by taking a short jaunt through the park for an exorbitant amount of money. Anything to make Mom happy. 

 Smurfs in New York City! The Smurfs were in town at Columbus Circle promoting their movie. Doesn't that Smurf look so happy to see me?

At he was happy to see my mom!

Seattle Day 8 - July 4, 2009

Here's a post from some time ago that didn't get published.

Obviously I didn't make any New Year's resolutions to write more on the blog. I always have good intentions, but life catches up with me. So for more about our Seattle trip, read on.

Our July 4th was a leisurely day. We got up and headed to Pike Place Market. We walked around some, and then decided to eat at . The food did not stand out because I can't remember what we ate except for French fries. After our lunch, we walked around the market some more. We saw some Native Americans protesting, along with the wall full of gum, but we did not seeing any fish being thrown. I would be at the market on weekly basis to buy all of the beautiful flowers, fresh seafood and fruit & veggies. I'll just have to be satisfied with my grocery stores in Atlanta.

During our afternoon, we did a little shopping at the Gap and Columbia. After shopping, we rested in the room before it was time for our dinner reservations.

Dinner was at McCormick & Schmick's Harbourside-Lake Union. Since it was the 4th of July, we had to have reservations, and there was two hour limit for dining. We were not thrilled with the food or the service. We have dined at McCormick & Schmick's in Atlanta and have thoroughly enjoyed it. After dinner, we scouted out a spot to watch the fireworks. We walked along the lake and finally settled on a spot at the drive-thru of a Starbucks near the restaurant we ate at. The hill along the other side of the lake was super crowded so we were thankful to have spot.

After the fireworks, we headed back to the hotel to call it a night. The next day we headed home! I love Seattle and look forward to coming back.

 

 

Another 2011 Travel Update

It may be many months late, but here is another update from our travels from 2011.

May 2011
Billy was attending the Delta Sales Conference in Orlando, so we decided to go down a couple of days early to celebrate Mother's Day with his mom. 

We went to Baldwin Park to celebrate Mother's Day. Baldwin Park is a new urbanism project outside of Orlando at the former site of a military base. Lots of restaurants and shops to check out, but many of the shops were closed on a Saturday evening.

Time for some putt-putt at Fantasia Gardens.

One of my favorite parts of Disney - Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwiches. 

During Memorial Day weekend 2011, we ventured down to St. Lucia. We stayed the Fond Doux Holiday Plantation outside of Soufriere. It's an amazing little resort in the rainforest. There are little cottages scattered around the properties. This was what we saw upon entering our cottage, Tree House. Ahhhh.....St. Lucia!

We had an amazing driver (Christopher of Christopher Taxi) who picked us up the airport, took us around the area for a day trip, and took us back to the airport.

One of the Pitons. 

Since there was no beach access at our resort, they offered a shuttle to another resort in which you could use the beach. Beaches are public property, so anybody can use any beach.

June 2011

At the end of June, I joined my mom and my sister's family at Mexico Beach, Florida. My mom and I enjoyed a dinner out at Sunset Coastal Grill in Port St. Joe.

When you are in the Florida panhandle you have to play mini-golf. My niece showing us her mad skills.

I get used to this every day. I guess I will have to settle for one week a year.

July 2011

Oh how I love Long Island! Billy's uncle and grandfather treated us to tour of the Great South Bay after dinner one night. Look what we found in one of the crab traps - a spider crab!

Watch out - Billy's driving the boat!

The High Line is one of my favorite places in NYC. I make an effort to visit it during my trips to the big city along with a stop at Chelsea Market.

This was our view while waiting for the fireworks to start along the Hudson River.

Happy 4th of July from NYC!

Later in July, we ventured to southern Maryland to visit one of our good friends, Curtis. He introduced us to crabbing using hand lines. We caught a few crabs - enough of a tasty snack.

More updates for our travels of 2011 to come soon!