Travel With Betsy

“Who dat?”

Who, indeed…..

I hope I don’t offend anyone with my “slang”. I was so amused by my own strange and uncharacteristic look that I couldn’t resist asking the question, and the tone seemed appropriate. Honestly, I’m having a hard time recognizing myself on this trip…and, I know “who dat”! But, every time I see myself in a window or mirror, I am caught a little bit off guard and still wonder if I am looking at someone else. Maybe I am…..hmm…..a mystery…..

Most of the people who were aware that I was heading into this “arctic freeze” were aghast that I would expose myself to the short, cold days of northeastern Canada for some fun time away, when I could have gone somewhere that was warm and balmy. But, I really wanted some seasonal weather and the thought of possibly seeing some snow at the holiday seemed warm and comforting to me after my unsettling year. I learned years ago when I was frequenting Switzerland and Germany in the winter that cold is not as bad as one imagines if one is ready for it. The well-prepared traveler can stay quite warm, even in the coldest of climates if ready for them.

So, about a month before I set out, I began to make my plan. I purchased some warm wool sweaters and some layering turtlenecks, bought some boots and liberated my fur lined “shearling” jacket and gloves, that have protected me well from the elements in the past, from the scented bed of moth balls they were resting in for the last 10 years to get me ready for this chilling adventure.

I had a few glitches…always the case it seems……

For those of you who are unaware, the “shearling” jacket is made of suede and has a fur lining. Years ago when I was more into a mind set than I am today that everything I wore had to match exactly, I purchased some fur lined gloves of the same color suede as my jacket to wear along with it. If this combination won’t keep you warm, nothing will….and, it matches! I decided that in order to get rid of the “eau de mothball”, I decided I would need to get both the jacket and the gloves cleaned. They were both pretty stinky.

As I began to research how to get these pieces cleaned, I learned that a regular dry cleaning wouldn’t do the trick on these items. They needed to be sent to a dry cleaner that specializes in cleaning leather items. My local dry cleaner was happy to coordinate this with their contact in Los Angeles. So, about a month before I left for Montreal, I entrusted both pieces to my local dry cleaner.  I was assured that there would be plenty of time to get them to the leather cleaning service and back in time for my trip.

Great!

When I went back at the appointed time I found, much to my disappointment, that my jacket had come back, but not the gloves.   As it turns out, the driver of the delivery truck had the gloves with him, but forgot to leave them with the coat. When my local dry cleaner realized this, they called the leather cleaner and asked if they could overnight them, which seemed like a good plan that would still meet my time frame.

This, of course, did not happen.

So, I didn’t have my warm gloves to bring along. What I do have is a pair of very fine leather gloves that are lined with silk. They look nice. And, they are better than nothing, but not terribly warm. For 2 weeks in the cold, I wasn’t going to buy a new pair. I would just have to tough it out.

I also didn’t have a hat. I gave up all of my knitted winter hats a few years ago when I had a small moth issue and never replaced them. Why would I? I live in sunny California where the weather is fine all year long. Who needs a hat? For that matter, who can even find a hat to buy in sunny California?!

I couldn’t.

So, I came to Montreal without a hat.

This is a problem for maximizing body heat in cold weather, as most of the heat escapes through the head, accelerating the feeling of cold. So, on my first day out, I went up the street from my hotel and bought a touristy knit hat with a maple leaf on it. The maple leaf was understated….still there, though. But, the hat matched my coat somewhat and it was cheap……

……enough said.

Later in the day, though, as I was walking around Montreal and doing some shopping, I happened into the Canadian equivalent of Lord and Taylor. I thought I would just stop into the hat section and see what they had.   Right there before my very eyes was a suede hat in the same color of my jacket….and, it was lined with fur……just like my jacket.

I will digress here and say that I have been trying to improve my appearance over the last year and this hat was not doing much for me in the “fashionista” department. But, it matched my coat. When does that happen? So to make myself feel better, I sought the advice of 2 young French Canadian girls who were shopping in the hat section to see if they thought this hat was stylish.

They didn’t speak much English, but one of them had enough to say that she “loved the hat”…..and, it matched my coat!

“Right?!”, I said, “Isn’t that great?”

Still, I debated about this for awhile. Even on my way to the checkout to buy the hat, I engaged one of the clerks in the store about the fashion statement I would be making with the new hat.

He said, “It matches your coat. It will be fine. It’s very cold now. You need something to keep your head warm.”

Well……not exactly a rousing endorsement. But, I decided to forge ahead. So, not only do I have a new hat,

but so does a homeless man that I met on the street. He is now the proud owner of the knitted hat with the maple leaf on it. I’m not sure if he wanted it, but he has it. And, I feel good about having given it to him.

I can’t say I am in love with my new hat.  But, I can say that it’s the warmest hat I have ever had. My head is so warm, you could fry eggs on it. Well, maybe that’s a little extreme. But, the hat….along with it’s friend the “shearling” jacket….have kept me unbelievably warm in the last 2 days that I have been exploring Montreal. I have also attracted some attention with the hat. When I was on the Metro today,

a few people came up to me to compliment me on the hat. One of them said it made me look like I knew what I was doing. Hmmm……I wonder what that means? I’m taking it as a positive. Why not……

I’m guessing that I will be happy to have the hat when I get to Quebec, too. It is darn cold here and will be there, too. But, I am loving it! And, honestly, in these days of being too hot most of the time (you know what I am talking about) I am finding the cold to be a welcome relief.

I will update you on my actual “travel” adventures on the next post. But, I had to tell you about my new hat.

So, you say…..

”Who dat?”

I say…..

“Dat me”

…in my new hat….. and my “Shearling” jacket…..

….rockin’ Montreal …..

“Dat’s all for now….”

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad…..

Well……actually…..I’ve been sleeping……..in the railroad station…in Scranton, PA…during my recent trip to the east coast. I spent two splendid nights at the former Lackawanna Train Station, now the Radisson Hotel, getting a good night’s sleep and a history lesson about Scranton.

If you’ve been to Scranton, you know that it’s not the most “happening” place in the world.

In fact, I wouldn’t have come here except that I wanted to visit some people in the neighboring towns and this seemed like a central location. When I started out, I knew there wasn’t much there, but when I took a walk around town and did my usual interview of the locals for interesting sights to see, they all said,

“Have you been to the Radission? It’s the most interesting thing here. That’s pretty much it.”

They were right. But, after my few days, I would say that if this is your only claim to fame, it’s not too bad.  You could certainly do much worse!

During my days in Scranton, I learned that, years ago, it was a bustling coal and iron-producing center. The area had an abundance of iron ore and boasted the largest stores of anthracite coal in the world. Based on this, the Scranton family, for whom the town is named, saw the possibilities for the town through the refinement of iron ore. So, they used their resources to develop iron mills. The mills went on to produce iron rails that would then be used for the development of railroads. Rails had previously been imported from England, so this presented a perfect opportunity for the town to thrive. The ensuing rails allowed for the organization of railroads in the area that would carry coal to the eastern seaboard. Rail routes were, then, developed between New York and Scranton that led to the development of a rail system and transportation of coal throughout United States.

Scranton became a center for rail transportation and hosted a number of developing railroad companies. In the mid-1800’s, they combined to form the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.

The first train station was a simple wood structure. But, as the economy flourished, a new train station was envisioned whose design reflected the financial success of the town. Ground was broken in 1906 and the structure was dedicated in 1908. Over the coarse of time, the coal industry was diminished due to the development of newer and more efficient fuels and, with that, rail service diminished, as well, leading to the demise of the train station and the town. The station came into disrepair until the 1980’s when it was renovated as a tourism attraction in hopes that it would draw people to the area.

Most of the features of the French Renaissance designed building are original and are, themselves, works of art beginning with the exterior. It is built of Indiana limestone with 6 columns across the front. Above the front door is an 8 foot bronze clock.

The main entrance that once led to the waiting area, but now leads to a lobby and a formal open-air restaurant, is made with Formosa, an Italian marble with a pink and yellow tinge.

The grand lobby, which is 2 stories high, is captivating with its mosaic tile floor and marble walls….

The fountain was originally outside, but was brought inside during the renovation to protect it from the elements.

As you look up, you can see a rounded, vaulted ceiling made with original Tiffany glass…..

And, there is a series of 36 tile murals that ring the walls of the lobby, whose pictures reflect the various stops of the trains.

Just fantastic!

I spent some time in the bar, which was a part of the old train platform. There, I found 2 original crystal chandeliers that were sparkly and beautiful.

The drinks were sparkly and beautiful, too!

I had been to the hotel years ago for dinner. But, I had not really paid attention to the detail and the history of the old station. I’m glad I took another look. The stay in this hotel was the most unexpected delight of my whole trip!

Even more than the building itself, though, I loved meeting the people who were actually “working on the railroad”….or, better, in the railroad station…..the Radisson Hotel. They were outstanding! On my first day there, I was walking through the lobby snapping pictures. Before too long, one of the waitresses in the formal dining room came over and offered to give me a tour of her favorite spots in the hotel. I took her up on it.

Then, when I went into the bar, the bartender walked over and offered the same thing. His favorites were different from the waitress. One of them was this “vault” which was where the proceeds of the station were kept safe.

I ate breakfast in the small café and encountered a waiter and his manager who were entertaining, and whose goal it was to be sure I had a good breakfast, good company and some good nut brittle, a side business for the waiter. I was blown away by their kindness and attention. And, I was impressed that the management team supported the efforts of the waiter in his business endeavor.

I can honestly say that I have ever encountered a group of staff members who were more welcoming. But, it was the pride in their work and in the workplace itself that was so very notable. Each person had his own perspective on the history of the structure and had found his place among the artifacts. It was evident that they felt like more than just employees and found themselves to be a part of the story of the old train station.

So, this is where I will leave you….thinking about the sounds of trains clacking along the tracks, visions of the grandeur of the building and the allure of the stories that unfolded there.

All aboard……….

Every Picture Tells a Story……

Like this one…..

And, this one…..

When I travel, or when I have a special occasion…or just when I see something that I think is interesting or cute, I take a picture. I’m guessing you do, too! It’s part of the joy of life…documenting images of things we want to remember!

It’s fun!

Years ago, my husband, who came from a long line of professional photographers and who was quite talented himself, introduced me to the basics of taking photographs. It was a skill that has added to my “joie de vivre”over the years! He taught me some of the most important elements such as how to best use the available light, how to frame the scene in an interesting way, and how to identify subjects that would, indeed, actually make a good photograph. Over the years, under his tutelage and with his encouragement, I learned to use a point and shoot Polaroid camera, a 35-millimeter camera and, a digital camera, and probably some others that I can’t remember!

Now, I just use my iPhone. That works pretty well, too!

The basics of light, framing, and subject is always the same, but the development of the cameras has made it increasingly easier for me to take a very suitable picture…..or to adjust my picture so that it is very suitable……or to just keep taking pictures until I actually get one that is suitable. It always amazes me at the end of a trip of how many good pictures I have and how easy it is to erase the ones that are not. Also fun!

Amateur photography has come a long way, baby!

But, it all started with George Eastman, who took what had been a very complex process and simplified it so that we could all get some satisfaction out of documenting our stories through pictures. This was the type of person that George Eastman was….always interested in bettering the lives of the “common man”. He, after all, began his journey as just a “regular guy” who never even completed high school. With some brains, hard work and compassion he built the Kodak Company and revolutionized photography!

I learned all of this and more during my “East Coast Boogie” in the last weeks when I visited the George Eastman Museum. It was another one of my museum stops that was well worth my time. It would be worth your time, too, if you are around and about Rochester.

Most people know about Eastman’s contributions in the photography world. Most of us have had a Kodak camera or at least some film. A lesser known fact is that he made a wide range of contributions to include world-wide humanitarian efforts that changed people’s lives for the better. Some of them were so effective that they are still in play, albeit in different formats.

George Eastman made a lot of money. There’s no denying that. And, he used it to enhance the pleasure in his life and that of his family.  There’s no denying that, either.  This was evident in the grand house that he built in Rochester, which is now the museum. He wanted a large “country” house in the city. So, he built it.

He wanted extensive gardens where he could sit and commune with nature, so he built them.

He wanted a farm planted with fruits and vegetables, so he built one. He wanted farm animals, so he bought them.  If he wanted it, he got it. That’s just how he was.

The house itself was decadent….

……and was the site of many fancy parties and gatherings with friends. It also showcased Eastman’s many interests, such as his love of music. He had a strong affinity for organ music and had this extravagant pipe organ in his “conservatory”.

The pipes extended to the second floor of the house. And, he had an organist on staff to provide music at different times of the day. When the organist wasn’t there to play the organ, the organ played itself….via a large collection of music rolls from which Eastman chose depending on his mood.

He also liked to hunt and had this head of an elephant on display in the conservatory.

So…..Eastman enjoyed his money! I like that about him. I also like that he had a variety of interests. It gives him depth.

What most people don’t know is that he took a lot of that money and gave it away so that other people could enjoy their lives, too, and have a better quality of living. He donated over 100 million dollars to educational and arts organizations. He was a generous employer and gave some of his money to his employees in the form of profit sharing and bonus’. He created healthcare programs and started clinics all over the world where people could get free dental care, medical attention and have minor surgical procedures done that would enhance and improve their lives. Some of these clinics are still viable, including one in Belgium. He started a charitable organization called the “Community Chest” that has since evolved into our United Way. And, he created the very first employee pension system. It was so good, that Roosevelt used it as a format for what we now know as Social Security.

It’s quite a legacy for someone from such a humble background.

As Eastman aged, he developed some issues with his back, spine and muscles that left movement difficult and painful. It limited him. He didn’t like that. So, one day he was at a doctor’s visit and as the doctor was listening to his heart, Eastman said to the doctor,

“Exactly, where is my heart?”

The doctor pointed it out on Eastman’s body. A few days later, Eastman went to his room and took out one of two guns that he had and shot himself in the heart. He had the second gun in case the first one failed. He wasn’t depressed or down-hearted. He was just done.

He left this statement, now a famous quote, “My work is done. Why wait?”

Indeed…….

There’s really nothing more to say about this remarkable person who did so much for so many people, and left us with a way to remember the stories of our lives.  But, I can tell you this.  I will be thinking about him the next time I take out my trusty iPhone to snap a picture…maybe you will be, too.

Every picture tells a story…..

Here’s to the next one….

This has been my mantra about Paris since the first time I visited there many years ago. I know how cliché it sounds, but Paris has been my favorite refuge over the years. And, indeed, at the times in my life when I felt the need to get away, get inspired or just get in touch with myself, I have fled to Paris. There’s something about the bustle of the people, the art, the music the food, the language…..I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it’s invigorating and I always come away feeling re-energized and excited about life. I have the same feelings after my trip to New York City this past week.

I had been to New York City many times when I was working. I had a satellite office there, right above Penn Station. I would take the train from Washington, DC about twice a month to my office, work the day and then head out and about in the evenings in Time Square for a fun evening at the theater, or a shopping spree or a nice dinner. I thought I knew the city fairly well. But, in reality, I never strayed too far from this part of the city. I didn’t have time. I was working. So, as I walked through the city for the last few days, I was amazed at how much is here….and how much I had missed all of those years ago.

I was in need of a museum fix, which was why I decided to add New York City to my itinerary this time. I had never visited the museums in the city and thought at the very least, this would tide me over until I could get to Paris. The Upper East Side of the city seemed like a perfect location.

I was right!

Each morning when I walked out of my hotel, I was reminded of the quiet section of Madrid and the residential area of Rome where I stayed during some visits a number of years back. There were people bustling around all of the time and there was significant traffic, but it was quiet somehow. I could sit peacefully at the outdoor café around the corner from my hotel, sip my coffee and read or add to my blog. I could easily and safely walk around my neighborhood and do some window- shopping in the variety of upscale shops on the adjacent streets. I could also walk a few blocks in any direction and find a great restaurant for a meal when I was hungry.

“Museum row” started just a few blocks from the hotel. I walked along 5^th Avenue, a very pleasant tree lined street that runs along the east side of “Central Park”.

One could stroll or take a rest on one of the many benches along the way and watch the people, get a snack from one of the many food carts along the way….

….or wander among the many booths that housed artists showing their wares.

It was quite pleasant.

First, I visited the “Met”.

There, I was happy to find artwork of every kind. I could have been visiting the “Louvre” in France or the “Prado” in Madrid.   As often occurs for me, I happened into the museum just as a tour was starting. This one was a highlights tour of the museum. Perfect! I joined in and found the “docent” who escorted us to be very informative and also entertaining. She walked us through some of the great works to include a painting of the “Waterlilies” by Monet,

a “painting within a painting” by Matisse, and a wooden African sculpture that had, what looked like “shrapnel” sticking out all over his body. The guide helped us to interpret what we were seeing. It was fascinating and gave us a basis for viewing the other works of art that we would see on our own in the museum.

All of the great masters were there. When I viewed the Cezanne painting of “Mount Sainte Victoire”, I was reminded of my stay in Aix en Provence where I viewed many renditions of Cezanne’s beloved mountain.   It reminded me of my lively afternoon hike on the mountain with a group of retired French folks that I met along the way. My apartment there had a view of the mountain and, so, I studied it often and came away with my own perspective on its beauty. It was fun to, once again, compare notes with Cezanne.

I was intrigued at the “Met” by the roof top garden and café that had it’s own fun works of art in the form of white, digitally produced sculptures laid out on long dining tables that looked like they were ready for diners to sit and join them for a meal.

And, the city view from this vantage point was spectacular.

I visited the “Frick Museum” the next day,

which reminded me in ambiance of the “Momarton” Museum in Paris, a house that displayed different types of artwork, but primarily Monets. The “Frick” didn’t have any Monet’s, but the intimacy of the museum was the same. The small size allowed me to move at my own pace through the museum, get up close to the art and form my own opinions. It was delightful.

When I stepped into the impressionist section of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), much to my surprise, I found a long panel of the Monet “waterlilies”…

….that transported me back to my visits to my favorite museum in Paris, l’Orangerie. L’Orangerie contains a section with 2 circular rooms that display long panels of the Monet “waterlilies”. They are connected together without a break between and present as one scene on the walls of the circular room. I love how you can sit in the middle of the room and feel like you are sitting in the middleof the garden of Giverny itself where these works were painted. The room in MoMA had this same feel, although the works were not quite as extensive.

MoMA had a wide variety of works to look at….

,

….as well as a display on Frank Lloyd Wright, which I found very interesting  .

Saturday, when I had had my fill of museums, I ventured down to “Time Square” to see if I could find tickets for a play.

As I looked up at the tall buildings, the lighted marquis, the huge screens with scrolling advertisements and the masses of people walking along the streets, I was reminded of the spectacle of Las Vegas. Just as when I have visited Vegas, I loved absorbing the chaotic energy that was generated. It was invigorating.

I stood in line at the discount ticket booth and began to talk to the people who were standing in line with me about the plays….which ones they saw and liked. After some interviewing, I decided on “Beautiful”, the story of Carole King.

It was just great. The person who played Carole King was outstanding and I enjoyed hearing her music that was popular back when I was in college.

I also learned that she wrote many familiar tunes that were performed by other artists.  Who knew!  My reward for standing in the discount ticket line was a seat in the 4^th row on the aisle. The seat, and the play were both fantastic!

Walking back to my hotel, I happened on to a street fair that reminded me of the markets that I have seen in France, Germany, Switzerland, and in my own hometown. There were booths selling all kinds of things….hats, dresses, food of all types ….just about anything you could think of.

And, did I mention the fine meals that I had throughout? They were all fantastic!

And, now, as I am writing this post, I am thinking about how I was right there in one city that, literally, offered me all of the things I love the most about traveling. And, I have only skimmed the surface!

I left New York City feeling satiated…physically and intellectually. And….I am wondering where else in the world I could go for a mere few days and come away with this much satisfaction.

I’m drawing a blank.

New York City might be my new Paris……

…..or at least a close second……

It will always be a good idea.

One of the things that has made this trip so interesting for me so far is the odd mix of destinations I have chosen to visit. I’m trying to connect with family and friends and, so, had a number of random locations that I was trying to figure into the mix. It left me a bit all over the map in my travels. My path makes good logical and linear sense. But, it lacks a bit of practicality. For example…….

Who wants to drive into New York City?!

Not me.

I have been to New York City. I know what the traffic is like. But, I wanted to go from the Finger Lakes to Scranton, PA and then to New York City. Try as I might to find a reasonable public transportation option from one to the next, I was unsuccessful. So, driving was the only way.

And, so, it was a plan!

I have seen some wide and varied scenery in my driving extravaganza, to include the winding roads of rural Pennsylvania and New York to the bumper to bumper traffic of New York City……and everything else in between. You can’t get too much more diversity than all of that!

The first leg of my driving experience was very leisurely and, I have to admit, just plain fun! When I left the Finger Lakes to go to Scranton, Bill and Linda at the bed and breakfast suggested that I bypass Route 81. I remember Route 81 from my visit to the Scranton area probably 15 years ago. There was a lot of construction being done on the road. Apparently, it’s still going on!

What?! How is that possible?!

The thought of hours of sitting in heavy traffic, convinced me that I should take the back roads.  It was a longer drive, but not that much. And, really, what else did I have to do?

I went through every small town between the Finger Lakes and Scranton. I encountered cars, trucks, farming equipment, bicycles, Amish horse and buggy set ups…..pretty much anything you can think of.

I also saw lots of agriculture…mostly corn, but some cabbage as well. It reminded me of our cross-country trip from the DC area to California nearly 10 years ago. All we could see for miles into the horizon were the tassels on the top of the corn plants.

This was like that.

I stopped to take this photograph so that you could all see it.

Almost had my car door taken off on this small road, too. Forgot to close the car door when I got out to take the photo. It was very exciting!

Up and down I went over the mountains and wound myself through the twisting roads. The scenery was beautiful. I stopped to stretch at this lovely vista!

When I got hungry and wanted to stop for a bite to eat, I was again reminded of our cross-country trip. There were not a lot of choices. I made a stop at the “Dandy” truck stop.

I saw them everywhere….a small regional chain, I think. I got myself some water and some pretzels. When I got back to my car I looked up and saw this sign next to the door of the convenience store that was part of the “Dandy”.

They were advertising “Fried Twinkies”! I could have had one of those. Apparently, the “Dandy” is known for this delicacy.

I’ll pass….fried “Twinkies”….are they kidding? Not for this gal!

As I continued to drive, I continued to think about the “Twinkie”. Silly “Dandy” store. Who fries a “Twinkie”? Then, I looked to the side of the road and saw a sign for the “Better Choice Restaurant”.

“Better than what?” I wondered. “The place selling the Fried Twinkies?” I’m guessing anything would be better than that!

You get the picture.

I was glad to reach Scranton where, after I settled in, I was able to muster a very nice salad and a reasonable beer.

No “Twinkies”! HA!

I did my visiting in Scranton and then headed on to New York City. The back way to New York City was 5 hours as opposed to the 3-hour route that included some highways. Honestly, I was getting tired of driving and just wanted to get somewhere, so I took the quicker route on the highway through the Poconos. It was still a pretty ride, just shorter and more traffic wth lots of trucks. I stopped for a coffee and filled my gas tank in Stroudsburg. Cute town!

As I pulled into New York City, I looked down at my gas meter. It was only 1/2 filled. What?! How can that be? I had filled the tank not too long ago. After some thought, I surmised that I had probably pulled the nozzle out of the gas tank too early before the tank had time to fill. How was I going to find gas in New York City? Do they even have gas in the city? I considered just turning it in without filling it, but the gas replacement cost was about $10.00 per gallon…..too much for this frugal traveler. I would drop my luggage at the hotel and then seek out some gas before returning the car.

The driving experience in New York City was just what you are imagining…bumper to bumper traffic, lots of taxis weaving in and out, no turn signals, cars double and triple parked that you couldn’t anticipate….

……You know, chaos……

I sat in traffic without moving for 10-15 minutes at a time. It was nuts! So, when my new renter texted me with a question, I had plenty of time to respond. We resolved her dilemma, and I texted her about what I was doing. She instructed me to “lay on the horn”. Good advice that I had already given myself. It’s about the only thing the drivers respond to here, albeit one of the most benign actions one can take in traffic. I can never figure out how people think that honking the horn will make the traffic move faster.

After about an hour, I pulled up to the hotel, met a person outside that appeared to be a bell clerk and dropped my luggage. I neglected to get a claim ticket, which I didn’t even give a second thought until I was almost at the gas station about 30 blocks away. Just then, I wondered whether the guy I had entrusted with my luggage really did work for the hotel. Maybe….. he was just there dressed as a bell clerk, but was really stealing luggage. I mulled this over as I filled my tank….

…..and decided that because there was nothing I could do about this issue, I would take a more positive stance. I would believe in the goodness of people and assume that my luggage had made it inside the hotel. If it wasn’t there, I would have the opportunity to do some shopping!

I filled my tank, drove back through the traffic about 20 blocks to the Hertz drop off and left my car, and then walked the last 10 blocks back to the hotel.  My total route was about 50 blocks. It took me 2 hours.

The hotel had some difficulty locating my luggage. Oh no……

But, guess what! There is was right on the luggage rack where I left it. I was so happy! There really are good people out there….even in New York City!

So, now I am getting to know my New York City neighborhood on foot, which is a much more pleasant way to explore the city.  I’ll let you know what I find!

Signing off…….

Miss Betsy Walking….. in New York City!

“One can never be too thin or too rich”…..or have too much breakfast…

Hmmm……

I might take that back….the breakfast part anyway….after four days with owners Bill and Linda at the Oliver Phelps Bed and Breakfast in Canandaigua in the beautiful Finger Lakes of New York.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a bit of a lightweight eater. Don’t get me wrong, I like good food and I like to eat, but I can’t consume a lot at one time. My tummy just can’t fit it all in…and, if I try to fit in too much…well….I’ll just let you mull that over…..no detail necessary.

Also, I don’t eat a lot of sugary treats. I can…but, I just don’t. So, a little bit of sugar goes a long way with me. I’ll just say that it gives me more than my fair share of a “jolt” of energy. So, you can imagine my reaction to the very large and primarily dessert oriented breakfasts that were presented each morning of my stay at the Oliver Phelps.

Oh boy!!

Each day of my stay at “Chez Bill and Linda”, (aka Oliver Phelps,) Linda lovingly prepared a very decadent 3-course breakfast for those of us lucky enough to stay there. They were heavenly and dessert-like.

Each day was even more delicious than the last…..I just couldn’t get enough.

Neither could anyone else.

But, by the third day of my four-day stay, I and my new bed and breakfast friends began to pace ourselves. We had to, if we were going to enjoy the other nice restaurants in Canandaigua, that is.

Despite it all, I ate the breakfasts….happily….I might add. They were delicious. But, let’s just say that I was on a carb high for my first few days on the road and am still, at about one week into my trip….feeling very full!

A bed and breakfast is not usually my choice of lodging when traveling. I’m not sure why. It just never crossed my mind.  But, the idea of such a place was appealing to me for this trip. When I travel, I like to get a good breakfast and then just pick around at things for lunch and have a nice dinner. Breakfast already built into the cost of my lodging was a great option, it seemed! What I didn’t realize was how big the breakfast would be…… and how many carbs would be involved!

I began to realize that one actually could have enough….or possibly too much breakfast. But, it was worth it! It was just so darn good!

I will add a brief side note here that my pants still button. I find this comforting right now….

I loved everything about the Oliver Phelps. I loved having access to Bill, one of our hosts, who knew all about the local wine region and could give me recommendations of the best places for tasting wine in the whole of the Finger Lakes.

I loved that when I came back from my day of exploring and wanted some camomile tea and couldn’t find it among the options of flavors that had been left out for the guests, Bill went into the kitchen and found some for me….and found me some honey, too.

I loved that I slept in a bed and stayed in a room that reminded me of home.

I loved that it was easy to walk up the street to the quaint downtown area of Canandaigua and enjoy the cute shops in town…..

……and could walk right up to the lake to enjoy the scenery……

……and the local color.

Check out the inside of this little house.  There were rows of them right on the water.  I am always thinking about another place to live….maybe this is an option!   Hmmmmm…..

I loved that dinner was an easy walk to the town. I could have a glass of wine and not worry about driving.

And, I loved that I could easily meet other travelers and compare notes about fun things to do in the area.

It was nearly perfect.

Nearly…….

My only issues in the whole mix of things were the carb issue…and…..the fact that I’m not really a morning person. It takes me awhile to get started in the morning. And, I sometimes feel grumpy at having to get up. So, facing a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed group in the morning was somewhat challenging for me. But, I did it, because the end result was entertaining conversation! I met some very interesting, intelligent and fun people!

I will put on my happy morning face anytime if it means I can hear some fun stories.

I am in New York City now, land of amazing food. So, I’m hoping that tomorrow morning when I get up, I will no longer be full, and that I will feel like eating some of the amazing New York City food!

I am cautiously optimistic.

I’ll keep you posted!

“East Coast Boogie….”

Well……….

It has been a difficult number of months. I hate to start a series of fun blog posts with that, but it’s true. In between enjoying the fun local scene in my hometown, I have had to deal with some life events that have not been nearly as enjoyable….one right after the other…..since before the beginning of the year. These things, in combination with the weird and crazy happenings in the political scene here and abroad, have really put a damper on things for me and have curtailed my fun travel escapades for the year so far.

I was in need of a travel adventure! Badly! But, I also wanted and needed to visit some east coast friends and family. So, I thought,

“Why not connect them all together?”

Yes…..why not?!  Travel is always a good idea.  No matter where you go!

I was sold!

So, I left Los Angeles a few days ago….on my way to a fun journey to see some east coast landmarks while mixing in a few fun visits with family and friends.

For the next few weeks, I will be doing the “East Coast Boogie” with stops in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC metro area. By the time I am done, I will have satisfied my “fun travel quotient” for the summer and done some fun and needed people connecting, as well.

My adventure started on Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. when my taxi didn’t come to pick me up at the appointed time.

UGHHH……

I have used “Yellow Cab” numerous times this year and have never had a problem. However, this morning when I called the dispatch office of the taxi company to find out where my taxi was, I was disappointed to hear that they did not have a record of my request and it would take at least 20 minutes for them to get someone to my location to pick me up. We have a small airport in the little town where I live, but sometimes the security lines are out of control, so one needs to get there in plenty of time.  And, of course, I didn’t leave plenty of time, just enough time to get there and through the lines.

After a very serious….and not so nice……discussion with the Yellow Cab dispatcher and the taxi driver they dispatched to pick me up in 20 minutes, I took matters into my own hands!

I called “Uber”!

I should have done this to begin with. In 7 minutes, Thaya was at my house and ready to take me to the airport. She was truly a lifesaver and a “breath of fresh air.” When she asked how my morning was going, I, of course, shared with her my tale of the no-show taxi.

“Oh”, she said. “That’s too bad. The taxis in this area are terrible.”

You think?!

I was getting ready to be testy with her….I was inconvenienced after all…….when she began to tell me about her experiences with “Uber”and “Lyft” and how wonderful it is to work for them….. and…… how it offered her a way to “give back” sometimes.

“Give back”?  I was intrigued!

She told me about a recent pick up she did at the local hospital. There was an older man who had been waiting for 2 hours at the Emergency Room for a taxi to come when the hospital staff called her to pick him up. With each call, the dispatcher promised a pick up in the next few minutes. But, despite numerous calls from the hospital staff, the taxi never came to get the visibly critically ill man.

Thaya picked him up in record time and delivered him to his house. When they got there, the man realized that in the excitement of the ambulance coming to the house to take him to the emergency room, he had forgotten to take his keys with him to the hospital. He was locked out.

Thaya, not wanting to leave him alone, called a locksmith and then waited with him until he was in his house. She even went in with him to get him settled before she left to pick up her next customer. The man asked if he could call her for a ride to his follow-up check up later that week and she agreed.

He never called.

After some days, she went by the house and found a neighbor watering the flowers.  Thaiya learned that the man had passed away.

“We never know what we are going to get into from day-to-day”, Thaya shared.  “I have other stories, too.”

What a poignant tale…. and….a true testament to the kindness of people.

I was inspired to drop my malaise of the last few months and forget about my bad taxi experience…and being ugly about it……. so that I could summon up my usual enthusiasm for travel and people connecting.

I”m happy to say that I found it! Whew!

And, in my usual form, I met several interesting and entertaining people on my travel day….my first day out.   The first was the Homeland Security checkpoint person who…..after I told him about my taxi story……tried to convince me that I had missed my flight.

“Your flight was for yesterday!”, he told me.

What?!

“Oh”, he said”, Just kidding!” Ha!

He was trying to be funny.  Actually, it was funny. We both got a good laugh out of it.

Then, there was the woman on the ride between my hometown and LAX who thought I looked like the birth mother of her adopted daughter. I am often told that I look like someone or another.  It’s kind of funny! My seat mate and I had quite a conversation about this……which, by the way…..did not reveal whether this was a good thing….or a bad thing. HMMM……..I”ll assume it’s a good thing…..

And, on my last leg, sitting next to me was the college philosophy professor who thought I was a therapist. I was reading a book on mindfulness and happened to ask him if he was a nervous flyer after he wondered if I would open the window shade because he was claustrophobic. No, I’m not a therapist, just observant. After a lively conversation, he invited me to join him in Denver to view the eclipse on the 21^st. He insisted that I had to see it.  I’d like to…..but, I can’t go….with him…..on the 21st…..or ever…….too bad!  HA!

My last perk of the day was at the Hertz counter. My fight got in to Rochester around midnight. When I was planning my trip, I decided it made good sense to stay at the Fairfield Inn on the airport property. I would pick up my car the next day when I was awake and alert and then go on my way to visit my nephew in Rochester. As it turns out, the Hertz counter was just in front of the baggage claim. The cars were in the lot across the street…no waiting, no shuttle bus, no hassle. So, I went up to the counter to see if I could pick up my car now instead of tomorrow.

No problem!

The clerk was really nice and very helpful. And, after some fun repartee we realized that we were both from California.  He wondered if I had a Costco card.

But, of course.  Everyone in California has a Costco card.

My status as a Californian, my Costco card and my sense of humor got me a free upgrade to the next level of car, free Siruis radio and a substantial discount. I ended up paying less money to ride more days in a better car with an upgraded music experience .  If I had come in the next day…or had been cranky…… I wouldn’t have gotten any of those things.

It was a good call!

Here’s what I learned on the first day of my whirlwind tour of the east coast. There are still nice people out there who are willing to go out of their way to make your day.  But, you do have to open your mind in order to see them and realize the kindnesses.  I forget that sometimes!

What a great lesson….

I, for one, have been way too focused on my own limiting thoughts in these last challenging months trying to figure out how to handle certain situations, whether I am doing the right thing, and ruminating about how others will feel about me if I do this or that. I’m done.  It’s too much “stuff” to get bogged down with.  My fun day of traveling cross-country made me realize that I need to “get out of my own head” for a while and do what I do best….connect with people and the things that bring me joy!

So, I’m stoked and ready to do the “East Coast Boogie”.

Fun stories guaranteed!

Stay tuned!

“Filoxenia is the Greek word for traditional hospitality, in which a stranger (xenos) is instantly made a friend (filos) after being welcomed into one’s home.”

I learned the meaning of this very special term at “Dio Deka”, the restaurant where I chose to dine on my last night in Los Gatos. “Filoxenia” is the base of the culture, and it was evident in every aspect of this fabulous restaurant.

“Dio Deka” is a former Michelin rated Greek restaurant located in the Hotel Los Gatos, where I made my base for the great Forester “bonding” adventure. It is the only Greek restaurant in the United States that has received a Michelin Star. When I visited Los Gatos years ago, eating in this restaurant was part of my plan. It didn’t work out on that trip. But, I vowed to come back and have a meal here sometime.

This was the time! What better way to end my stay in Los Gatos than by enjoying a meal and the fine company of the family at “Dio Deka”?   Not only was the food spectacular, the hospitality experience was unparalleled. I was dining alone, but truly felt like I was having a fine meal in the company of friends.

Truth be told, I went back and forth about whether to take a chance on this restaurant.   It was relieved of the Michelin star in the last few years, and I read a few reviews that were not stellar. So, I did my usual survey of locals to get an opinion. Even those were mixed. But….seasoned traveler that I am….I know how it goes with reviews. One needs to take them with a grain of salt.   There are lots of different slants on what constitutes “good” and even more variation on “great”. And, frankly, the Michelin star is a good quality measure, but does not always guarantee a great meal. Still, I was so conflicted that I waited until about an hour before I was planning to go to dinner and decided that if I could get a reservation, I would give it a try. I’m so glad I did.

After I was seated and had a minute to review the menu, the waiter came by and we established that I was dining alone. He wondered if I would have a glass of wine. But, of course! I wondered if he had a recommendation. I had decided to have the Moussaka. He recommended several wines that would pair well with that choice, but I landed on an “Old World” Bordeaux Blend.

He explained that the Moussaka was not “traditional”, but a “deconstructed” version, which made me question my choice a bit. But, his description sounded so good, that I decided to stay with this. I also ordered some marinated Greek olives. For those of you who have traveled with me, you know that I have an olive fetish. I love them….all kinds….and have tried them everywhere I have visited. So good!

The Moussaka was, indeed a treat. It consisted of 2 short ribs, each of which was topped with a slice of roasted eggplant that was topped with a small mound of pureed potato that had been crisped in the oven. The ribs were placed decoratively on the dish surrounded by an eggplant puree, a balsamic reduction and a sprinkling of roasted cherry tomatoes. There was a crisp, homemade potato chip propped up on the side of each of the short ribs. It was a work of art.

I constructed each perfect bite with a small bit of each of the components of the dish. The combination of crispy, smooth and chewy textures along with the savory and sweet flavors was unbeatable. And, the wine choice was a perfect match for the flavors and the richness of the meat.

A few minutes into the meal, the waiter came by to get my thoughts. All I could say was

“This is fantastic! So delicious!”

We chatted for a few minutes about my visit to Los Gatos, and I asked him about the lost Michelin star. Apparently, they had a change in chefs and things went awry. He said it happens all the time. But, they now had someone new, William Roberts, who is showing great promise. I agreed and said that if this meal shows any indication, they would certainly win back their star.

Well……he relayed my compliment to William, who communicated back a hearty thank you through the waiter. Then, as I was nearing the end of my meal, William came by to meet me and thanked me for my comments. He was so appreciative….and humble. I passed along my card from the tasting room where I work. I hope he stops by sometime. He said he would…..we’ll see……After he left, the General Manager came by to see what I thought of the Moussaka.

Again…..Delicious!

At the end of the meal, my waiter came by with the check and said that William was so glad I enjoyed my meal that he waived the cost of my glass of wine. How nice!

As I left, each of the staff members I passed spoke to me, thanked me for coming and wished me a good evening. What a wonderful experience! I truly felt like I was a welcome part of their family!

This experience was the highlight of my day, even a little higher than my discovery of the “off-roading” capability of the mighty Forester!

It even topped my wine tasting follies for the day, which is always a favorite for me! In the end, I did find a few open tasting rooms where I met some interesting characters and had some great wine.

This tasting room had a tropical theme!  Funny!

My favorite for quality was Wright’s Station.

The owner and winemaker was behind the bar pouring. He was retired from another career and decided to try his hand at making wine. So, he went to UC Davis to study winemaking, got a certificate and went to town. He has a fairly new tasting room with spectacular views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

I loved his Pinot Noir….and other things, too…..but, the Pinot was my favorite!

My favorite tasting room for interacting with interesting characters was Savannah-Chanelle.

The wines were good, but the staff was better. Mike and Luke were behind the bar. They kept me quite entertained….and informed about the wine…..while I was there. We swapped tasting room stories and had a few laughs. Very fun!

So, all in all, I would deem my “bonding” adventure a great success. I am one with my new car (which, by the way got a stunning 34 miles per gallon on my trip home….another thing to love), my tummy is full of yummy food and wine, and I have some new friends in Los Gatos….my favorite part of travel.

I also have a new word in my repertoire….“Filoxenia”. I think I will take this on as my new travel mantra.

I like it. I think it suits me……

“Off Roading”…..What is That….Exactly……?

When I was buying my Forester, the dealers that I talked to really emphasized the fact that it was a great “off-roader”. Each time this came up…….and it came up often….I assured them that I would not be doing any “off-roading”. Truth be told, I don’t really even know what that means. I was buying the car because the seating position was so comfortable. Not only could I adjust the seat a million different ways, I would also be able to sit high up off the ground and be able to see really well out of the massive windows. I stand firm on my reasoning. But, today, I got a sense of the value of having a car that can go, literally, anywhere.

I started out this morning ready to explore the Summit Road wine region! I got in my trusty Forester, engaged the GPS system and took off. Down the highway I went, once again relishing in the comfort features of the car. When I got close to the Summit Road area, the nice GPS woman spoke to me and told me to get off the highway at the next exit, which I did. Then, as soon as I left the highway, she said that I needed to make a sharp left turn. I missed it. UGHHHH…….

I thought, “No worries. I’m sure it will recalculate.” And, it did!

I was happily listening to my free Siruis radio and following the guide when I realized that I was off the main road and really had no idea where I was. I kept on going, following the directions because….I really had no idea where I was. So, I thought it best to follow the GPS. It must know what it’s doing. Right?!

All of a sudden, I realized that I was driving down a single lane dirt road. The road was lined with giant trees…..maybe redwoods…..whose branches had created an arch across the road as far as I could see.   As I went along through the center of the arch, I realized that the road was becoming quite narrow. It was also getting pretty dark underneath the arch. I looked at the GPS on the dashboard where it was counting down the miles to my destination. It was still counting, so I figured I was still OK.

I thought about a conversation in regards to the Forester that I had with my friend, Nancy.

She said, “You could flip the back seats down and sleep in the back if you wanted to. Isn’t that great?!”

I wondered if, later,  I would have an opportunity to test this out, as I continued to creep along on the unfamiliar road.

But, still I kept on going. Honestly, what else could I do?

It reminded me of my trip to France a few years back when I rented a car to go to Les Baux from Aix en Provence. Near Les Baux, the GPS led me off the main road into a field where I landed in front of a herd of donkeys that had the biggest heads I have ever seen! It was shocking! This was kind of like that, but without the donkeys.

Anyway, I digress…..it was becoming a bit of a challenging drive, so I slowed down to a crawl. As I looked ahead, I saw some small tree limbs across the road.

Oh boy………..

I stopped and assessed my surroundings….even thought of turning around and trying to go back. But, how, exactly, would I do that on this tiny, narrow tree lined road? I couldn’t turn around, and I didn’t want to back up the whole way  to the main road. The back up camera is good, but it was a long way back. So, I looked at the tree limb, thought about the “off-roading” capabilities of the grand Subaru Forester and just kept on going right over the small tree limb. Then, I did it again a little further down the road. WOW!

When I did the paperwork with the man at the dealership, we went over a form whose purpose it was to inform Forester owners that they should never put chains on their tires. The man I was dealing with said to me,

“The Forester will go anywhere. If you think you need to use chains to go somewhere, you shouldn’t be going. Stay home.”

He wasn’t kidding when he said this thing would go anywhere. I have never driven a car that could go over a small tree limb. It was pretty small…..but, still….a tree limb! I don’t want to do it again, but I could!   Another of the virtues of the Forester that I have discovered on my new car “bonding” adventure!

You will be happy to know that I did get to the tasting room I was looking for, (the GPS was right on. How does it do that?) only to find that the tasting room was closed on Friday.

Really?!  After all that?!

It turns out that Friday is not a great day for wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s a weekday. Many of the smaller, more interesting tasting rooms are only open on the weekend. Oh well……

The story for the day is the mighty Forester that can climb over a small tree limb and live to tell about it another day. I’m so impressed! No kidding!

So, I am officially checking “off-roading” off of my list of things to do before I die. (Not that it was on my list to begin with.  But, why not?) Since I really don’t know what that means, I am counting this experience as “off-roading”. It’s the closet I will ever get. This is a fact………

Who knew that I would be an “off-roader”!  Maybe I could add an acronym to the end of my name to highlight my expertise.   Betsy, “O-R Expert”….or some such thing……

Hmmmm………I’ll have to give this some serious thought…….!

Ahh……the Smell of a New Car……

….well… almost 9 years, 150,000 miles and a few dents and dings later (for both of us), I am parting ways with my Honda Civic Hybrid. I can’t believe it. We have been together a long time and have been through a lot since coming to California.   It’s been a good run…….But….it’s time…..

It’s been….well….about 9 years….since I have searched for a new car…..or, frankly, even thought about a new car. I had to jump start my brain a little bit to remember how to sort through the myriad of options to find the best selection for me from the multitude of cars that are on the market.  I read all of the reviews….Consumer Reports, Edumunds, Kelly Blue Book, J. D Power….on and on it went.  I had forgotten how maddening….and exhilarating….the whole process could be!  Whew! But, finally, I landed on a Subaru Forester.

It had everything I wanted….the perfect seating position with lumbar support, extra space to carry things, all the bells and whistles, and a seat height that is even with my butt when I am entering the car….no more crouching to get in…..just an easy slide……..Great!

I was ready to make a change in cars, but I have to say that it’s been a bit of an emotional ride. The Honda is the first thing of substance…..after the house, of course…..that I purchased here in California. It has been part of my support system here….a friend of sorts.  The thought of parting with it brought tears to my eyes. And, yesterday after I took it in for it’s last service, I almost wept.   My grief over selling the Honda was compounded by the weight of the very challenging decision about what kind of car “fits” my lifestyle now, the outlay of money for such car, and some unnecessary sarcasm from a friend about my choice. The whole thing left me with a rather poignant and stressful week that ended in a bout of “Buyers’ Remorse”…. the likes of which I have never seen.

I wanted to love this car!  I needed to take action! So, I decided that I would take the car on a ”Road Trip”! Perfect! A little “bonding” is what I need! What better way to put the Forester to the test and get to know it’s many attributes?!

This afternoon, I “bonded” with my Forester on my trek to Los Gatos, deep in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. I only have one full day here, but I plan to make the most of it!

I decided to stay at The Los Gatos Hotel.

It’s an old historic hotel close to the center of town. I visited the hotel just to look around when I first came to California. Ever since then, I have wanted to stay here. However, now that my dream has been realized, I’m not sure what the attraction was. I’ll just say that it has “Old World” charm. It’s a little dated and could use a little buffing up. But, it will suffice for my short jaunt. And, the staff members I have met so far have been very nice and helpful.

I have also wanted to explore the wine region here, which is known for yummy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This will be part of my “bonding” exercise.  I have already been to visit Testarossa.

They had some excellent Pinot Noirs, my favorites coming from Doctor’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Sierra Madre in the Santa Maria Valley.

This place has a great story! It was started in the late 1800s by a group of Jesuit brothers and fathers from Santa Clara College. They planted the vineyards, tended them and did all of the winemaking and sales. There were some great vintage pictures of the brothers on the walls of the long hallway leading to the tasting room.  Over the years, the operation was sold and the vineyards went into disrepair despite the best efforts of the new owners to keep it up. So, there are no longer grapes growing in the old vineyards. Now, the grapes are purchased from all over the area and are made into some very fine wines. Biz, the tasting room attendant, told me that some of the aging Jesuits who worked in the winery still live on site and come to the tasting room periodically. Some of them are 100 years old. I’ll bet they have some interesting stories to tell!

I finished my day with dinner at “Nick’s Next Door”, a recommendation from the people at Testarossa. It was a great choice out of the many good restaurants here.

The friendly staff helped me to craft a plan for my day tomorrow.  I am going to the Summit area, where there are several wineries with outstanding views and tasty wine.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a clear day.  So, it should be perfect for viewing the surrounding area.

I also spent a little bit of time walking around in the downtown area to walk off my dinner. The town reminds me a lot of San Luis Obispo, only bigger. There are lots of quaint shops mixed in with some newer stores…and lots of restaurants. It’s cute!

It was a great day! I’m feeling happy, and the “Buyer’s Remorse” is gone! After my 3-hour ride to get here, I realize that the Forester is everything I want it to be and more. And, how could one not love the “new car smell”?!

The road trip was a great idea! But, now I have something else to think about.  How will my new car fare for the night in the underground garage at the hotel? I hope it will be there in the morning….just where I left it….and that it is ding free when I retrieve it.

Parking is a little  tight in the underground garage……

The first ding is always the worst…….