Hardy Hibiscus

The hibiscus in a beautiful flower. However, in Western NY it is a signal that summer is almost over.

BULL!!!

FROG THAT IS
The Bull frog it croaking away this am in the pond.
We had 2 and I thought that they were both lost
to the crane. But Alais one is still here.
They must like the warm weather too.

Bear Looking for a fur coat

So a bear walks into a fur shop--- no it's not the start of a joke, but it really happened in Aspen, Colorado.A small black bear walked through the front door of Mark Richards Fine Outerwear store on Saturday night.The bear browsed through the aisles and then went into the store window and posed next to the furs on display.He then left without damaging anything in the store.The Division of Wildlife says there have been quite a few bear encounters this summer in Aspen.

New web posts

I have posted some more pictures to the website. You can see a mixture of pictures from TN 1995 and 1996 by clicking here or the link above. I have also edited some the pictures from the weekend Angelica. I was able to add some captions in place of the regular file names that were coming up over the pictures.

Nice weekend

Had a nice weekend at camp. It was good to have the travel buddies come down for the day. Even though we had a few sprinkles the real rain held off until late at night. Arlo sure enjoyed his first margarita. We will have to watch him. For A link to some of the pictures click here.

Camper in the woods.

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Aloha Kona

Finalized and paid for our flights from Honolulu to Kona in October. Less expensive flights that met our needs were hard to come by. Must be filling up because Iron man is in town that week as well. Now if only some of the car rental rates would come down for that week.

Pic: a crowded Kona beach, kuabay

Tn pictures

I have been working on putting together some pictures from the 1990's Tennessee trips. It is turning out to be more difficult that originally thought. Trying to piece together which negatives are from which trip is tuff. When I had the negatives scanned they were scanned by individual strip. So now a have a bunch of digital negative strips. I thought I had them better organized than they turned out to be. Even more frustrating is that I cant find all the photo albums to help me out. I hope to have some posted in the next few days.

Allie safe and odorless.

So this am, I was going to let Allie out before I took my shower. Usually she is in her condo but it bedding was cleaned and still wet, so she slept on a chair in the living room. I decided to wait. It was a good thing. When I opened the bathroom window there was a skunk traveling through the back yard. She would have run right into it.
After my shower, I did a perimeter check and all was clear. Allie was able to do her business safely.

Some trees have a soul, Others just a face

Tree whistling at the witches

Some pictures from 1994

I posted some pictures from out trip to Tn in 1994. The link is above. I tried some new slide shows to display the pictures rather than just pasting them onto the web page. I think that it turned out pretty well.
The last few flower pics under here actually were very nice pictures. They lost a lot in the resolution aspect when they were re sized to be uploaded. I hope to post some higher resolution copies of them on the regular web page in the next few days. It is also hard to believe that there is only one more day left in the month of July. What the hell time is really flying. I have only been in the pool 4 times!!!! What a waste of a summer so far. The Bahamas are looking better and better right about now. Bring on Sept 5th.

You looking at me?

Bee on cone flower

Future cruise decisions.....so hard to make when you are cheap like me.

tiger lily

tiger lily

Cone Flower close up

Cone Flower close up

day Lily

Prarie blue eyed day lily

Weekends Keep Getting Better!!!!!

Not only rain, but tornadoes...... 2 in the area this afternoon.

Some updates

As you can see from the links above I have made some updates in the pets and home, friends and family section. I also plan on having a new link go live tonight(Fri). It will be under the HFF link area. It is from a weekend trip to the family cabin in the summer of 199o

Gidget will be missed. Adios mi amiga

Taco Bell dog dead at 15
Gidget, the Chihuahua that helped coin the phrase "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" has died. She died of a stroke at the age of 15.
Her owner says she loved being the mascot for Taco Cell and when she wasn't shooting commercials, Gidget enjoyed lying in the sun.
She had a few other cameo roles including the film Legally Blonde 2.

Deer visits my dentist.

I have been lazy updating the site with pictures. So here is
another local animal story of interest.


Glad I went to the dentist last Friday.

(Greece, N.Y.) -- Greece Police said a deer crashed through a window at the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry at the Greece Ridge Mall around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Mall security guards caught the incident on security cameras.
The large deer was badly injured and cornered into one office, where it caused significant damage. Police were unable to chase the deer out without tranquilizing it.
Greece Police say the deer was tranquilized, removed from the store, and then put down. They believe the deer may have been struck by a car before jumping through the window.

It was actually a nice summer day and I was off! Almost margarita and fire time.

Bee on cone flower

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What the hell is this BLUE SKY?

Just another rainy Saturday, and hey, it is a whopping 64 degrees out. But hey my teeth are clean.

Emma and Allie test album

View Full Album

This is a test to see how this feature works and if it will transfer to the main web page. These are all pictures taken over the last month.

Rainbow after the storm

This is a rainbow that appeared after on of the bad thunder storms last week

Black eyed stella in bloom

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chris is of to get cheap meds in Canada. Will he be singing Oh Canada or bitching when he gets home.

What the hell, now mobile blogging is not working?

Feed informer

It looks like the blog is not transferring on a regular basis. It is supposed to update at least a few times a day. Well the post I made Sunday night still has not posted(Tues am) to the web site. The problem is that I don't know any other way to do it, other than using Feed informer. Any suggestions appreciated.

Another wierd weekend

This whole summer has been really strange so far. Saturday am was beautiful sunny and warm. then in the early afternoon torrential rains. like 2 inches in the back yard. Then about 4 it cleared up enough to get a little pool time in.
I thought Sunday would be better pool weather but no such luck. Sunny until about 1 pm (that when the sun finally hits the pool) then the clouds moved in and it was pretty cool as well. No pool today. Now that it is 8pm the Sky is clear and the sun is shinning. Now it is time to relax, have a margarita and enjoy the fire.
The rain did afford me some indoor time to go though some negatives to send in for scanning. Now I need to get busy updating the web page.

At least we are having a nice Saturday am. No rain yet

Bear card

Test post to webage

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This is a mobile post test to the webpage.

Test

This is a test to see if an update will take place.

New video post

As you can see up above, I have posted a video of allie taking a swim with Emma. This was Allie second trip in the pool, so I think she was getting cold and wanted out faster this time.

4th of what month?

Happy 4th ofJuly every one. Its a whopping 58 on the deck this am. Where is my snuggie? I guess it is going to warm up a bit later and the sun may shine. Right now it looks like an october sky/

Hail

Friday Afternoon hail storm. Some or the left overs on the ground and on the net covering the ponds.

Emma at camp

Ok Its cool and the grass is damp, Where the hell is my fire!!!!!!!!!

Another Crappy weekend.

Saturday was a complete wash out. It poured all day.
Sunday Started off on a little better note. We drown down to see my dad for fathers day. Of course once we got to the cabin it started to rain. We still were able to have strip steaks on the grill. Did not get a chance to get many pictures of the girls like I hoped. I have one or two I will try and post later. Once we got back home it was nice and sunny, just in time for the sun to set. At least we were able to have a margarita by the fire.
Today is the First FULL day of summer. So far not looking too good out there!!!!!!!!

Slow go

Looks like things are not transferring very fast from the blog site. Hmm been like 2 days. This happens every once in a while and I have no Idea why.

Exciting story turns sad

I was following this on the Internet all morning. It is very close to my house. About 1130 I was shocked by the sad news.

A black bear that took up refuge in a tree in a northwest Rochester neighborhood last night has died.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says it's not entirely sure of the cause of death.

Police were first called to the Bernice Street and Parkwood Road area around 12:30 a.m. Police were originally told by the DEC to monitor the bear until it came down, but after hours in the tree, it was decided to use tranquilizers. The bear was shot with two tranquilizer darts. After the second shot, the bear eventually fell into a net.
Neighbors reacted to seeing the bear on the street.
"I thought I was seeing things at first but then I came back to reality once I seen him in the tree. He's a pretty big boy must be six feet tall," said area resident Barry Wilt.

Stinkin' Crane

It is bad enough that I had to cover the ponds with nets, but now even my water enjoyment is ruined. I figured since it it kinda warm and there is not cold wind off lake Ontario I will try an float in the pool with a lemon aid for a while. I get changed, get the tube out of the basement, sun glasses out of the car and make some lemon aid and fill a large glass. Emma is even a bit excited to see me heading toward the pool. I start to take off the solar cover, and think hmmm the water on top of it has a slight odor. As I take the cover off the stench gets worse. I guess the crane picked up a fish that was too large for it to swallow or it dropped it into the pool. Roasting and rotting under the solar cover was a nine inch fancy tail gold fish. I got it out of the pool and out front but not bagged yet. The water smells like a fish kill on the lake. Time to super shock the water for a few days. Allie must like the fish smell because she must have rolled in the dripping. So much for a swim any time soon. I think I better add some grey goose vodka to my lemon aid!!!!!

Ellens New DO

nice

Pond Update

Looking at the pond this am, there appear to be more fish left than originally thought. There are about 10. They were a little more active today. Maybe even spawning. They are pretty good at hiding when you approach too close.
I hope to have the Hawaii 2004 pictures live tonight. They are all set to go just need to add a few links. When posting, I did notice that not all of them are there. I must have a batch of negatives hiding some where.

Not only the canadians invaded the back yard

Upon close inspection of the ponds yesterday we noticed the the Crane must have been paying visits. A large number of gold fish are missing and a few of the smaller Koi. I think the gold fish are almost wiped out, there are only about 3 or 4 left. The ponds are all coverd with nets again. I hate them....

New web Posts

As you can see above I have done some new updates.
There are new pictures of Emma and Allie in see the pets.
There are some pictures of the garden/Yard in home, friends and family section.
I am in the process of going though the 1349 negatives that I sent in to be scanned. I now have to pick the ones I want and they will put them on DVD for me.
I am no starting to work on some pictures from the Fall 2004 trip to Hawaii, hope to have them posted to the web page later in the week.

The Canadians are invading my back yard

Well at least the snowbirds

Should have listened

I should have listened to my back on Sunday when it got bad. Monday am it felt a little better so I did some more yard work. Planted some flowers. By Monday night I could not move again. I have been out of work for 2 days now. I am going in today. Will see how it goes. I think the worst part will be the drive in. I should have asked Chris to pull my car on the street last night so I don't have to back up out of the driveway.

Happy Memorial day

I hope everyone has a great memorial day!
More yard work to do here, even if my back is kinda sore.
The garden is really coming along nicely.
I posted some pictures from our spring 2003 Trip to Tn. This included the pictures of Tori's first experience with a bear out in the wild.

Friday

Will this week ever END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Got and email today that my second batch of negatives are being scanned. They are in India. Can't wait to see how they turn out.

Long Week

Will the weekend ever get here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I booked my ticket to Hawaii in Oct. Got an incredible price. $440.oo including all taxes and fees. I almost wonder if it was a mistake, but my E-ticket is in hand. Aloha!!!!

There all done!!!!!

All the cruise pictures are posted including Barcelona yeah!!!!!

Cruise PIctures posted

The cruise pictures are now posted. Check them out.
Today Is Emma's 13th birthday.

Cruise Pictures progress

I am now just verifying the links and proofing the site. I hope to have it live by Sunday evening. I will finish up the Barcelona part at a later time

Still working on them

I am hard at work trying to get the pictures posted!!!! really. There are just so many of them to sort though this year. I like so many of them, that it is hard to eliminate any.

The weather is finally starting to cooperate too. Nice eve out. Sitting on the deck working on the pics and smelling the lilacs. Even the hardy geraniums have a few flowers on them now. The pool is open but need to get the filter going.

Cruise pictures

I am trying to work on the cruise pictures so that I can get them posted as soon as possible. There are quite a few pictures to go through. I am really hoping to have then done by the end of the week. I did add a video (above) to the web site. It takes a while to load. I may have to put it on you tube and see if it runs faster that way.
I am also trying to get yard work and laundry done in between everything else as well. All the animals are getting back into their regular routines. The cats really missed us this time. Even Josie has been overly affectionate.

Barcelona Spain May 3-4.

Barcelona Spain May 3-4.
Sunday we had a final breakfast on board with our new friends from California. We picked up our luggage and headed to the taxi line. It was quite long. We headed to our hotel right off the upper part of Les Rambles. The Silken Les Rambles.
It turned out to be a very nice hotel for the amount of money I paid for it. The entire bathroom was made of marble. There was a phone and sound system in the bath.
We headed out and started exploring the city. We bought tickets for the hope on and off bus. We got to see a great deal of the city. We only had time to do one of the three lines. We first did the entire circuit to see the city. We stopped at the sagrada familia took some outside pics. We then had very unimpressive paella for lunch.
We then traveled up to the parc Guell and explored that for a while. The park was totally designed by the architect Gaudi. From there we took the metro to the bottom of Les Rambles and walked back up to the hotel as we enjoyed the sights.
It was then time to clean up, and get ready for the Flamenco show. It was right on Les Rambles so we walked down to it.
The show itself was out of this world. The sangria was pretty good too. After the show we walked around the gothic quarter for a bit looking for a place for dinner. Finally about midnight we returned to the hotel.
We got up early Monday for our flight home. We were delayed about 3 hours in Newark but other than that the trip was uneventful.

Cannes France. May 2 2009

Cannes France. May 2 2009
Neither of us was particularly impressed with this port. There was not much of interest there. We walked among the Gucci and Prada stores, looked in a few of the souvenier shops and walked to the beaches. The beaches were not that impressive either. The water was a bit dirty compared to all the other med ports we had been in.
We took the tender back to the ship. WE spent time at the pool. For lunch we had bbq ribs. The ship had large grills going near the pools.
Speaking of French food!!! We spoke with some people from Canada who informed us that horse is a popular meat in southern France. So I guess I was correct and Chris did have a horse meat sandwich for lunch the other day.
Spent some time in the spa in the early eve. For diner we went to Le Bistro. We had the fish soup again. This time Durry the Matride made sure we had lots of extra seafood in it.
We stopped a few places and said goodbye to some of our friends and headed to the room to pack. We started having gale force winds and the ship was very rocky. So packing was kind of tough.

Cinque Terra Italy May 1 2009

Cinque Terra Italy.
I hate the fact that I have to write this after some time has passed. I am sure that I have already forgotten some or the things I wanted to write about this incredible place.
The tour left the ship at about 705am. The bus ride to La Spezia where we caught our first ferry, was interesting as well. We had an excellent tour guide. She was very concerned that being a national holiday that it would be very hard to keep everyone together. She gave us her cell phone number and the train we had to catch to get back to the La Spezia should we get separated. Everyone made it!!! The crowds were bad however because it, was a holiday, and the first day without rain in over 2 weeks. She had said since last November the weather has been terrible.
On the hour and a half bus ride she told us interesting stories about some local customs superstitions and how one towns people looked at another’s. We got to drive past Pisa and see the tower from a distance. We also drove past mountains made of marble. This is where all the ancient sculptors got there marble. Pieces would fall and they would be put on barges and shipped to Rome and Florence via specially built canals.
Once we arrived in La Spezia we bordered out boat. Which had way too many people, and started on our Journey to the Cinque Terra. Once we arrived in Riomaggiore we got off the boat and toured the town. We then walked on the street of love to the next town Manarola. Again we visited the town, and the boarded the next boat. We sailed past Corniglia, we stopped briefly in Vernazza and sailed on to Monterosso.

We left the tour and explored the town on our own. We found this little restaurant for lunch. We found a table and it started to fill up a bit. They must have thought enough people!!!! Because at that point they locked the doors.
We had an amazing lunch of pasta with pesto and fried calamari. We then walked around the town some more. We found some lemon chello and snuck it onto the ship. We later joined our group and hopped on the train to La Spezia to catch our bus back to the ship.
Once on board (about 630) we spent some time in the spa. We had a very late diner in La cucina to continue with the Italian theme.

Home safe

made it home safe and sound. will Post the last few days of vacation blog soon. Then I need to start working on the pictures

Last few days

Cinque terra italy was out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannes.... not so great. Villefranche was much nicer last year.
Have to get off the ship in a few min.
Day in Barcelona today
Home tomorrow. Will do full updates then.
Chow chow.

ROME

Rome Italy, April 30th
So we gave Rome another chance. I am glad we did. The visit was much more pleasant this time. I guess not being among the screaming crowds and protests of Labor Day helped.
We caught the 730 train and got to Rome in no time. Our first stop was the Vatican. We did a quick walk through because we had 10am tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. We arrived at the museum entrance a little before 10. I am glad I pre bought the tickets because the ticket line was already 3 hours long. We say some of the highlights of the museum and then off to the Sistine Chapel. It truly is an amazing site to say the least. No photography is allowed so I had to buy the book.
It was perfect day weather wise. The first day it did not rain in Rome for weeks. I am not sure how much walking we actually did but it was a lot. (Slight blister). After leaving the Vatican we headed toward the Castle St. Angelo to get some outside photos. Then it was time for some awesome gelato. That was all I really had on my list to do after last year’s time there. We next walked to the Plaza Navona. Not wall to wall people like last year. The fountain of the 4 rivers is still under repair.
We then wound out way through the narrow streets, getting lost a few times to the campo di firore and explored the markets there. They really did have a little of everything. Chris then stopped at this bakery for a canoli for later on.
We had lunch at this café on the corner. It was very good and inexpensive compared to what we paid in the past. We started with a large plate of prosciutto. I had pasta carbonara and Chris had pasta with egg plant.
We then walked up to the Roman forum and coliseum. We once again subjected ourselves to the Roman subway system to the train terminal. We did have not have much of a wait and were back on board by about 545 pm.
Once back on board the ship we went to the spa and soaked our tired feet.
Dinner was at the Magenta dinning room. It was surf and more surf night, it was seafood served over pasta. I picked over that and had a lamb chop. Chris had a steak.

Ajaccio France

Wed April 29, Ajaccio France.
Today was Chris’ birthday and we celebrated in the French country side. We took a tour to the mountain villages and the gorges of Prunelli on the island of Corsica.
Although the day started with clouds at least there was no rain. We traveled the country side on narrow mountain roads on huge buses. The bus barely fit on the bridges. There were steep drop offs and you could not see any of the road from inside the bus. I did not get sea sick the whole cruise so far but I did take a meclazine and compazine that day on the bus. I thought for sure I would puke.

Upon returning to town we walked the colorful streets and found a nice café for a late lunch. We had these awesome paninnis and a glass of the house wine. We split a chocolate and banana crepe for dessert.
Once back ship we relaxed some then went to the steak house for dinner.
We actually went to bed pretty early since we had an early day and I am sick.

MED Sea day

April 28th Tues (day at sea)
Today we spent a wonderful day at sea sailing the med. It was sunny for most of the day. We had a 2 hour period about 3-5pm where there were some clouds and light sprinkle.
It was a nice day to finally get some real pool time in. As usual there has to be a complicated story ever to accompany a day of relaxation. After lunch we started looking for a lounge chair near the pool. We saw to and started approaching from the back of the chair. As we got to the chairs Chris put his bag on the first one, as I started to unroll my towel to put on the back of the chair. All of sudden from 3-4 chairs down some one throws a towel onto my chair. At first I thought ok must be someone I know being smart. Nope, it was actually some lady being serious. I said to her excuse me there are two of us. She said there are 2 of us as well. (hehe hehe as she laughed evilly)
Well that was all Chris needed to hear and some choice words started flying. She just laughed it off. We started to walk away and turned around and said screw it I am taking this one chair. And I did while Chris looked for 2 other chair somewhere else. Her husband came over and asked what happened. She said that she was called a nasty name but not as bad as she was called yesterday in the food line. So she must do this type of thing all the time to people.
Oh well we sat in the sun for an hours and then went to the spa.
For diner for we went to La Cucina. I had a wonderful seafood risotto and Chris had the osso bucco. We split an order of the lobster ravioli. They were ok but not great.
We finished the evening with a show by Enrico Cifiello an Italian artist, He was very good. He is currently playing at Caesar’s In las Vegas

AHH MALAGA AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday April 27 Malaga Spain.
Malaga lived up to all its expectations! The weather, the food and the people.
We arrived in Malaga about 8 am and were greeted by sunny skies and the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea.
Yesterday while in Cadiz, I think that I forgot to mention that when the weather cleared while on tour, we were able to see the coast of Morocco and the entrance to the strait of Gibraltar. Last night I woke up about 230 and was able to see the outline of the Rock of Gibraltar. I was hoping that it would be lit up, but it was not.
We took the short shuttle bus ride from the ship to the port entrance. We walked for a while on their park avenue which is lined with beautiful gardens and sculptures. We then caught the hop on hop off bus and did the entire circuit to see this magnificent city.
On round 2 we hopped off at the beach and watched a few dolphins jumping in the sea. We walked the beach for a while and found this little café right on the sand.
We sat in the sunshine and had a pitcher of sangria. WE had a few light tapas because we had to save room for a real lunch at or favorite restaurant. We had a shrimp omelet which is like a shrimp frittata. Calamari rings and a much larger than expected plate of fresh anchovies with lemon. I think Christopher is now an anchovy fan. (Pictures coming soon).
We then walked from the beach area to the historical part of town, stopping along the way for many photo ops. The Alcazaba was closed. A bit disappointing because it was something I wanted to see. After quite a long time of walking and searching the narrow streets we found our restaurant. We took a table on the street.
Last year there was a very helpful, accommodating waiter there. This year there was a friendly Spanish man who spoke absolutely no English. I was able to speak just enough Spanish to get by and to order as well as some light chat about our trip. We ordered another picture of sangria, an order of fresh grilled anchovies on toasted bread and finally the plate of local fried fishes. We were not able to come close to finishing the plate. There was easily enough for another person to fill up on. After a meal there you always get a brandy to wash things down with. I know that the plate had 2 types of fillet of fish, shrimp, scallops, sardines, anchovies and scallops.
Then we started our walk back to the port. I don’t know how but Chris stopped to get an Ice cream!!!!!!!!! After returning to the ship we fell asleep for about an hour. We then went up to the spa. Finally about 930 Chris said we have to have dinner!!!! We went up to the blue lagoon restaurant. Where we had a very light dinner. Chris had cheese cake for dessert and then went to the buffet to have his nightly ice cream!!!!!
Tomorrow is a sea day in the Mediterranean. Last day to relax before the craziness of France and Italy starts.

Cadiz Spain

Arriving Cadiz

April 26th Sunday Cadiz Spain.
As you read from the earlier posts the day started with very bad weather conditions. Before entering the port this am the winds were a bit over 60 MPH and it was raining like hell. The ship was listing to the side because of the constant wind. Once the wind subsided we were able to get into the port.
We had booked a shore excursion today to take us to the white villages of Spain. We went to a mountain village called Vejer a la frontiera. Even though most of the time we spent there was in the rain it was spectacular. The white washed building with incredible tile work were really something to see. The sun came out for the afternoon and we traveled though a national park down to the coast. We saw the light house in the area where the battle of Tralfagador took place. We then traveled to a coastal white village. We had free time to have lunch. Being Sunday many things were closed. We searched for a place to have lunch, but everything was filled. We went into one restaurant, looked at the menu and left. It was much too expensive for lunch. Chris just had to eat so he had by a candy bar and soda.
Once we got back on the ship we had a very light late lunch (500pm) we then went up to the spa for a while. For diner we went to Magenta. We started off with marinated muscles, Cesar salad, Veal picata and we split a roast long island duck.
The show tonight was this wonderful violinist Izabella Zebrowski. She played both the electric and acoustic violin. I really enjoyed the show, I am not so sure about Chris.
Tomorrow is the port of Malaga. This was my favorite port last year. I hope the weather holds.
I hope we make it home next week. We both have a slight sore throat…. Swine flu?????????

Leaving Cadiz

Storm at sea sunday

We are not able to get into our port in Spain yet. WE are having a MAJOR wind and rain storm. The Captain has come on and told us not to wory that we are listing to the side Reminds me of the Pride of Aloha days and the little boat in Alaska!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisbon Portugal

April 25th Lisbon Portugal
We spent a great day in Portugal today. We traveled up Tagus River into a beautiful sunrise. Getting from the port to the main square in Lisbon was a bit of a hassle. The buses were late getting to the ports, and no one was around to guide us.
Once we arrived at the main square we walked to the train station. It was a nice morning for a walk. We bought tickets for the train to Sintra. The train left on time and about 4o minutes we arrived at the mountain top town of Sintra. We then caught the local bus in Sintra and started exploring this incredible little town. I think it is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. Very narrow winding roads made out of cobblestones that traveled through a forested mountain sides.
This area has 3 palaces. We stopped at the Moorish castle, but it started to rain a bit. We caught the next bus up to the Penna Castle. This is a fairytale type castle. Very colorful and hard to describe. You will have to wait to see the pictures. We toured the park and the inside or the castle.
We took a roller coaster bus ride back down to the train station and headed back to Lisbon. Once there we walked around until we found a more “authentic” Portuguese restaurant. We found one!!!! We had an appetizer of shrimp cake. This was like a pureed shrimp turnover. We both had the seafood rice which was just out of this world. For the amount of food and quality it was a very cheap meal.
We could not find the bus to take use back to the ship so we hired a cab. It was only €5,05 so it was not bad. We fell asleep for about an hour and then headed up to the spa.
Dinner tonight was at the Grand Pacific dining room. I broke some rules tonight and had the roast leg of veal. There was also a cold watercress fennel soup; it was kind of unusual tasting but good.
Well once again it is late and we need to change the clock ahead for the last time. So off to bed I go.

Lazy Friday

April 24th Friday.
Another lazy glorious day at sea. We slept in a bit again this am. Went for a late light breakfast and then up to the spa. I could really use one of those thermal pools at home. Maybe in the basement.
It was a bit warmer so we were able to have lunch out on the aft deck and not freeze because of the wind.
Later in the eve we went to shakers martini bar had some drinks and listened to the strings concert.
We found ourselves at Magenta again for dinner. We had a wonderful roast leg of lamb with goat cheese risotto and a side order of the vegetarian grilled egg plant.

Ponta Delgada

Table for 2 in Le Bistro

April 23, 2009 Thus Ponta Delgada
We were awoken about 545 today by the slamming of waves and gale force winds against the ship. It felt as if we actually fell down into our beds accompanied by a loud noise. We slept on an off until 7am. We got up had breakfast and prepared to go ashore in Ponta Delgada in the Azores Islands.
The Azores are located about 930 miles off the coast of Portugal. They are owned by Portugal but function as an independent state. Once we got on shore, I thought that I was going to have a vertigo attack for sure. I was rocking like I was back on the ship. I would look out and the ground was moving. I actually got nauseous for a few min but that passed. The first order of business was to find a pharmacy for Chris. He needed sleeping pills. I think we found him some pretty good stuff!!!! I mean it aint over the counter at home. We checked out a few of the local stores and were amazed at the €1,20 wines.
We walked the narrow streets for some time. We found this botanical garden, the jardin Jose Do Canto. It was a nice place and the weather was great to walk around in. (YIKES AS I A WRITING THIS THE SEAS ARE GETTING REALLY ROUGH about 5 pm). We explored some more of the town and then returned to the ship for Lunch.
Since there were beautiful sunny skies we found a lounge chair at the pool and hung out there listening to the band for a few hours. Chris won a drinking bottle in the trivia game. Every we are running into now are saying we look quite red. We then went to the spa for a little bit. I did not stay to long because I wanted to get back to the room and watch for whales. No luck yet, and with all the white caps I don’t think I will spot one unless it breaches.
Well no whales at all. Quick nap. Then we went to Le bistro for dinner. WE both started with an order of escargots. Chris also had some braised scallops. We both had the Mediterranean fish soup as our entre. I now have a new favorite desert on the ship. It is a chocolate napoleon. Out of this world. I would pay the 15.00 cover just for that. Chris had vanilla crème brule with berries, and we split the chocolate fondue. The couple at the table next to us insisted that we try some macadamia nut cookies that they brought aboard from south Hampton. They were very good.
We went to the stardust theater to see Moscow magic. It was a Russian style variety show with magic, music and quick changes. IT was actually quite good.
Bump the clock ahead again…… OFF to bed.

forth day at sea WED

Wednesday April 22, 2009
This was our 4th full day at sea. I don’t know if it was all the wine, the time changes or both but today was a lazy day. We were both very tired all day. We did not even wake up until 1130 AM. We had some coffee in the room and then went up to lunch. After we ate we napped some more.
We finally made it up to the spa for a little while. We went to dinner at magenta again tonight. It really was not the best menu. We had a seafood cioppina which I know always to be a soup. They served it over pasta. I just was not in the mood for pasta. Dessert was a coconut mango mouse which was pretty good.
We have now sailed 2102 miles. Only 234 to go before we stop in the Azores. The waves have been very rolly today.
I will l post a picture of the map from the TV to give everyone an idea of where we are.

Sea day 3 (tues)

April 21, 2009 Tuesday
This is the Third of our sea days. It was still pretty windy all day long. At least we had some sunshine today. The water was the color of my truck, that deep water blue. Today has been a day of total sloth. Slept in a bit late, had some breakfast and napped again……..Nice. WE then went up to the spa for a few hours. After spending time in the thermal pool and heated stone beds we ventured out poolside to get a little sun. The sun was nice and warm but the breeze was still chilly.
After sitting in the 53 degree temperature we went back into the spa for a nice hot sauna and a quick dip in the thermal pool.
We meet some people for drinks in the bliss lounge once again tonight. Diner was the La Cucina Italian restaurant. We started with a nice anti pasta plate for the rolling cart. We then had fried calamari. For the main course we had an osso bucco with wild rice risotto. We split a portion of pasta with oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Of course Chris once again had 2 deserts. We also drank almost an entire 1.5L of wine. There is about a glass left.
After diner we went to the spinnaker lounge for a late night cabaret performance by the chocolate goddess of love.
We have now traveled 1406 miles from New York. The wave heights are 8-9 feet. It is a pretty steady roll. Not rocky. It is now about 1245am with the new time change.

Monday second sea day

Sunset from balcony

Monday April 20th second sea day
Another fast day to say the least. We started the day with some mildly rough seas and grey skies. As the day progressed the sky cleared and the sea became calm. Tonight for the last hour or so we are rocking pretty well. I don’t think that it is even as bad as last year. It is now about 1030pm and before bed we have to change the clock ahead another hour.
This cruise the captain is not as talkative as last year. In fact, we have not heard from him at all. So we are not getting the little trivia updates like last year. Kind of miss that a bit. We have now traveled 1137 miles about half way to our first stop in the Azores (1197 to go). Waves are at about 9 feet right now and we have a nice steady rock.
Today we had breakfast with 2 sisters that are traveling together from California. Then it was off to the spa for some relaxation in the hydrotherapy pool. I planted myself on a heated stone bed for about an hour and a half and finished my book. We had lunch at the buffateria and tried to sit out by the pool for a while. The sun was warm but the wind as a bit too chilly.
After a nap we went back to the spa for a little more time in the hydrotherapy pool. We then meet for a cocktail in the bliss ultra lounge before diner.
We once again ate at the magenta. It was lobster night. We started with ginger pumpkin seafood bisque. We each had a lobster tail and grouper diner. We split a beef wellington since we had never had that before. Desert was a honey cream brulee, it was the best I have ever had.
Tonight the show was a singer known as the chocolate goddess of love, Jane Powel. She is a jazz/blues singer. www.JaneLPowell.com We enjoyed the show very much. She did say that in 20 years of doing shows on cruise ships that this is the first time she ever got sea sick…..HMMM.
We are finally a little further south in the ocean, about even with Baltimore. There is a little more warmth in the air now. We are sailing with our balcony door open. The side to side rock is a bit faster now. I will take a pill to be on the safe side. Chris wants on too!!!! Ought oh!!!! May be the extra desert and after shoe ice cream cone is getting to him.

First full day at sea

Sunday April 19, 2009
Today was a day of relaxation. I really do not understand how these sea days go by so fast. Right now it is about 1030 pm. We have traveled 625 miles from New York. There are about 1713 more to go before our next port. The outside air temperature is 49. Over all it was a very grey day, with a few sprinkles here and there. The day started off with very smooth seas, but as the day went on we started getting some white caps. A bit rocky but not too bad. Don’t forget to check the link above to see the live web cam. It is also a very different crowd than last year much more subdued. It appears as if many more people came with larger groups.
Started the day with a light breakfast, and then went to the spa for a couple of hours. Instead of doing the buffet for lunch we went to the grand pacific dining room. We have never gone to a dining room for lunch before. Of notable interest was the chilled blueberry soup.
It was then time for a nap.
We then headed out to the stardust theater to see the show “colors”.
For Diner we headed to the Magenta dining room. Service and food were excellent. We started with a tuna tartar, fatosh, Chris had a Cesar salad instead spaghetti cabonara, and Chris also had a side of monk fish. Desert was a chocolate caramel mound as well as a banana split cheese cake for Chris. He may need to buy larger pants when he gets home lol.
We turn the clocks ahead one hour tonight.

Day one and TWO

So Friday we got to Rochester airport with no problems. We got through security very fast, just to get to the gate to find there was a delay without flight. The wait was not too bad we boarded and then taxied to a holding area and sat for another 40 min. They were able to make up time in the air and we only arrived Newark about 10 min late.
While I waited for the luggage Chris went to use the restroom. Of course it was not experience free. He ran into Betty Buckley of 8 is enough and grizabella fame. He shook her hand but I had the camera.
We then hopped on our bus to Manhattan. It took a while due to an accident in the tunnel. On there we walked to our Hotel the Milford Plaza. It was clean and the room was pretty nice. After checking in we walked around Time Square (see 2 pics in flicker bottom of web page left). We then ate at this restaurant called Vigils. It was a bbq/ Cajun place. We both had the fish fry plate that consisted of rock shrimp, monk fish, cod fish, catfish and large sea scallops.
Saturday AM…….
We strolled around NYC to find a liquor store to buy some wine. Then we went to Chevys for some lunch and traditional blue agave margaritas.
Then we headed off to the Port. The boarding process was the easiest of any cruise we have taken. On very quickly. Our suite was not ready so we signed up for the spa package. Then we returned to the room. The mini suite is a lot larger than the regular balcony room. The room was steel at what we paid for it. We are the last balcony on the 11th floor at the back of the ship. The end of the balcony has a slight curve to it. It is large enough to have 2 regular chairs, a lounge chair and small table. Unfortunately our neighbors smoke. So I just had to close the door. BAN SMOKING ON ALL SHIPS!
For diner we went to the Sushi restaurant and had our fill of a nice assortment of items. So far Sunday AM (900) we have had smooth seas. Like glass. We are just now getting into a light 4ft chop. The ship is barley rocking at all. There is more of a vibration on the ship this year. I wonder if they added new stabilizers or something like that. Very smooth.
Sailing out of NYC was even more special this year. The weather was great. Sunny warm… I think knowing what adventures really lie ahead made it more fun. Last year we were entering the unknown. Also this year we could see ground zero more clearly because of the construction there. It actually was very moving to see the hole and vacancy left behind. Lady liberty then bid us a found adieu and we sailed under the Verrazano narrows bridge, leaving the North American continent behind.

Just a teaser

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we made it to NYC and have set sail. It is already 1100 Pm so I will update more in the AM. So far smooth seas (small wavelets 1 feet). The mini suite is great!! Large balcony with a lounge chair.

Of course Chris already had an adventure in Newark airport.

Will we make it to NYC?

We have been tracking the 435 flight from ROC to Newark for the past 2 weeks. It has either been cancelled or arriving hours late. Yesterday it was 3:05 hours late. We do have a one way car rental reservation should they cancel the flight. Not looking forward to a 7 hour drive.

Happy Easter to All

The Easter bunny is bringing ham and prime rib today. That sounds a little bit better than chocolate and hard boiled eggs. Nice blue sunny sky but it is very cold out there. Have not really worked on any of the picture updates. The professional scans are so nice I may just wait until I get the pictures scanned. I have not finished purchasing the pictures that area already scanned because I don't want them to arrive while I am away.(They come UPS)

Pro Scan Pictures

The first pictures(negatives) that I sent at the end of Feb to scan cafe are no available on line for viewing. Now I can pick the ones I want. You have to purchase at least 50% of what was scanned. The few I have looked at so far look pretty good. I may send out another batch. Will have to see what the final total on this order turns out to be.

New trip photolog

I started working on a new series of photos of a past trip. I got them all sorted and color corrected. I hope to have them published by the middle of next week. Will just have to see how ambitious I get. Some times once you get going, you just can't stop until you finish.

I am also trying to figure out what will be the most economical way to blog from the cruise ship and Europe. I don't want to spend as much money as I did last year!!! Yikes.
For my Facebook buds the links from www.travellogonline.net should pull in. To see pictures from past trips you do need to log on to the site itself

Spring time serenade

The toads were singing loud and strong this am. I guess they think that spring is really here. I hope they don't have their tadpoles to early. As long as the eggs live they do a very good job of cleaning up the water in the ponds. The koi think they are yummy too!!

More snow!

After a nice warm weekend we are back to snow. At least Saturday was warm and sunny. Did get a little yard work done.

OK now it is spring

AND STILL DAMN COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not spring yet!

Ok I know Spring does not officially start until 744 am ET. It is only 730am. But come on to wake up to snow on the ground this am was not a nice thing.

Pictures from Las Vegas, Zion and Death valley national park are now posted too. This was the Feb 2002 trip.

Happy spring!!!

Rollins Ponds pictures posted

These pictures are posted under the friends and family page. I tried to add a count down to spring counter on the home page, but all it did was over write the next vacation counter. Oh well no biggie. I just wish the cruise actually was 2 days and x hours away. One more day of warmth then the cooler temps are back

Happy St Patricks day Y'all

I kinda like the green home page. I think I will leave it up as a count down to spring. Computer says that it is 58 out. We are really getting spoiled. I hope we skip the end of March snow storm this year. I am sure that once I get home, close to the lake, we will be lucky if it is 40!

Postings

The Smoky mountains May 2007 trip Pictures are now posted on the web page.

Also I have added the Pole Dancer under the video section. I love it!!!

Coming soon

I hope to have pictures from May 2007 trip to the great smoky mountains nationl park posted either late tonight or early tomorrow eve. I just need to add some links and text then publish the file drafts. keep an Eye out

Sounds like spring

It may not be spring on the calender yet however it sure sounds like it. We are having the first thunderstorm of the season. A pretty good one too. Lots of thunder and lightning.

Hawaii 2006 pictures posted

KONA SUNSET

More web page udates coming tonight

The pictures from Hawaii 2007 trip should be posted tonight. This was the year of the earthquake and Julie

Sistine chapel

Scored my pre sale tickets for the Sistine chapel and Vatican museums a few hours after they went on sale. Pre buying save you the long ticket purchase lines. It is also for a specific time so you also don't have a long wait to enter.

Yellowstone/ Grand Teton 1999 pictures are up!!!

After having diner with friends to night I finished up all the links and the new part of the web page is ready to go!!!!!!

I Hope to get a few more trips added in March. Once April hits its the cruise...May and summer, so I need to get a move on.

Large picture update coming Saturday

Saturday eve the Montana/Wyoming 1999 picture update will go live. This is a long time in the making. I started scanning and color correcting the negatives about a year ago. Like I said earlier some did not come out as well as the printed pictures. But oh well.
I hope to have some other trips added later next weeks. All pictures on my site should be enlarged by clicking on them. some pictures on this part of the web page won't some will???!!!??

New pet page.

I have finally added a few new pictures to the see the pets page. It should go live some time after 5pm tonight.

I am also working on posting some of the pictures that I scanned a while back. I am still not happy with the quality, but I think it is the best I can do. There is service that will scan negatives at a very high resolution and do color, dust and scratch correction. It is a bit pricey, but it may be worth it in the long run to archive photos digitally. I hope to have an update of picture from 1999 Montana/Wyoming this weekend

Summer time Dreaming

On a cold damp Feb winters day, just dreaming of better days ahead.

Ben and Jerry's ice cream

Ben & Jerry created "Yes Pecan!" ice cream flavor for Obama. They then asked the public what to create for George W. Bush. Here aresome favorite responses:Grape Depression, Abu GrapeCluster, FudgeNut'n Accomplished, Iraqi Road, Chock 'n Awe, WireTapioca, Impeach Cobbler, Guantanmallowim,Peachmint, Good Riddance You Lousy Motherfucker... Swirl, Heck of a Job, Brownie!, RockyRoad to Fascism, The Reese's-cession, Cookie D'oh!, The Housing Crunch, Nougalar Proliferation, Death by Chocolate... and Torture, Freedom Vanilla Ice, CreamChocolate Chip On My Shoulder, "You're Shitting In My Mouth And Calling It A" Sundae, Credit Crunch, Mission Pecanplished, Country Pumpkin, Chunky Monkey in Chief, George Bush Doesn't Care About Dark Chocolate, WMDelicious, Chocolate Chimp, Bloody Sundae, Caramel Preemptive Stripe, I broke the law and am responsible for the deaths of thousands...with nuts

Bad news! The groundhog sees his shadow

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - The world's most famous groundhog has seen his shadow which, legend has it, means we can expect six more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil's forecast was announced in front of thousands of revelers gathered at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.

BYE BYE BUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What more needs to be said.

Allie update

Just a little update on Allie.
She was at the vet yesterday. She now weighs in at a wopping 11.8 lbs.
She does have some allergies so we are going to start some childrens benadryl an see how she does on that.

New Record

Record Report
Statement as of 06:00 am EST on January 01, 2009
... Snowiest December ever in Rochester... 11.7 inches of snow fell in Rochester on Dec 31 2008. This was not only a record for the date but also brought the monthly total up to 46.2 inches. This edges out the previous December record of 46.1 inches set in 1981. Snowfall records go back to 1884 in Rochester.

Thought it was a little snowy

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that everyone reading this has a wonderful new year!!!! 2008 was a pretty good year, I hope 2009 is even better. We got to meet some great people on the the trans Atlantic cruise, and traveled with friends to Montana and Hawaii. Chris was able to fulfill his dream of working at Hallo Bay. The year is ending as a bit of a dud since I have strep throat and our annual new years eve party is cancelled. No problem we will try and get together on Saturday and have the first gathering of 2009!!!

Christmas this year was also very nice. Great food!!! Here is a picture or Allie as a Christmas angle or maybe even baby new year. She was not very happy.

We are already looking forward to some fun in 2009. As you can see to the left only 106 days until the next big adventure. Chris is hoping to be working at Hallo Bay again this summer, and I may be able to head up and see the bears as well. Depending how long he is up there, I hope to make it back to Hawaii in the fall. Now that we are officially in winter too. I want to get back to scanning some older negatives and get them posted on the web page as well.

T'was the night before xmas and only Allie was stiring

waiting for santa

Touch of Winter

More pics

I figured that before another year goes by let me post some pictures from the new years eve luau 2006. they can be found under the friends and family page. ALOHA

Picture updates

I have added a few pictures of the animals in the see the pets section. Check it out if you like. Under the video section don't forget that it is time for Dominic the donkey once again

Where did Thanksgiving go?

Wow!! It is Thurday am. It has been a whole week since Thanksgiving. It was all a blur. I have some pet pics I need to post. Other than that all has been pretty quite. If you want to see a few pics of polar bears click on the link to our friends site here. www.whywework.com