End of Summer

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Travel Spirit

This weekend has been wonderful! Saturday we started the day with our usual three-mile trail jog at the nature center. There were beautiful wildflowers ~~weeds~~ everywhere, so I picked some to bring home. Breakfast was a yummy smoothie with strawberries, banana, Greek yogurt, coconut milk, oatmeal flakes, honey, 1 cup of ice, and some Chia Seeds. I discovered the Chia Seeds at Trader Joe’s and was impressed by the amount of fiber, Omega 3, and Protein in 1 tablespoon!

That afternoon we rode the Harley to the Milford Street Festival. We stopped along the way because Randy wanted a photo with this tank…

We stayed at the festival for about an hour and stopped by the booth of one of Randy’s friends…Steve Black…who makes cool jewelry out of spoons and forks. A lot of the pieces are Harley and breast cancer (ribbon) related.

There were a variety of booths including face painting…

This parrot was cool…

We stopped in a gun shop and I thought this would make an artsy photo…

And this wall looked cool. The three different colors and textures really popped!

We rushed home, changed clothes and left for our next adventure…Bob’s Pig Roast. It was in honor of his deceased wife who had died from cancer. Everyone donated $10 to the American Cancer Society…so $2700 was collected!

This is Bob…

I took about 150 photos, but picked out just a few to post. This is my friend Shari. I took 7 photos of her with my flash on and she blinked every single time. So I turned the flash off and…voila…

This was the beginning of the party…before most of the group arrived. The port-o-lets were for the guys and the inside restrooms were for the ladies.

Randy, Frank and I were toasting with three different beverages in a wine glass. Wine for me, beer for Randy and water for Frank!

It was a busy and FUN day! I’m grateful we have so many nice friends! We’ve had beautiful weather, but it is cooling off this week. Hope your weekend was great and wishing you a wonderful week!!

xoxoxo

Country Roads Take Me Home

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Randy and I took a beautiful motorcycle ride last night. He drives and I ride on the back…didn’t want to mislead you into thinking we have two! Although it was hot during the day, because of the low humidity, the evening was chilly.

I told him I’d like to ride around and take some photos…so we rode for about two hours on country roads. I wasn’t able to get him to stop for some of the photo ops…it was tricky on the roads…also having to turn around too much.

Something I find interesting is that when other people are driving, I get a little nervous and am quite the back seat driver, but when we’re on the motorcycle I feel really comfortable. I feel a sense of freedom…and I tend to live more in the moment…experiencing the sights, sounds and sensations.

First we rode to a covered bridge that is shut down for repairs. I would’ve taken a photo of the front, but there was a big ugly sign on it stating that…so here’s a photo of the inside…

This barn caught my attention…love the blue!

I like old barns…

This was a cute homestead…

It was starting to get dark…

I thought you might enjoy this photo I captured the other morning of an owl in the backyard…

Anyway, we ended up riding to a bar called “Plain Folks” that’s located in Pleasant Plain, Ohio, and met our neighbor there. I didn’t take my camera in…but it’s a really cool place. It used to be a school house and last night was “open mic night”. Some really talented people sang and played guitars. Everything from “On the Cover of the Rolling Stones” to “Take a Load Off Fanny”. For being out in the middle of no-where, the clientele aren’t your typical “redneck” country folk.

We’re trying to get out and enjoy the weather before the rain starts Saturday!

Taking it Back With You (roadtoithaca.com)
The Fastest Electric Motorcycle Is Also the Most Practical (wired.com)
A Motorcycle Road Source (thetexasrambler.com)

Taste of Blue Ash and 38 Special

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Yesterday was another busy day. We started with a 3 mile hike at Long Branch Farm & Trails. I love to trail jog and hike there because it’s only 5 minutes from my house and it’s lovely! First we hook Jake up in the back of the truck where he proceeds to whine and howl the entire way because he’s so excited…

Next we enter our enchanted forest…

We follow along the trail feasting our eyes on all of the nature…

Cross over some creeks or in Jake’s case — wade through them…

Emerge into a clearing….

Take a peek inside the corn fields…

Do a hand stand because I can…

After a quick shower…it was time to hop on the Harley and take the back roads to the beautiful suburb of Cincinnati called Blue Ash. Every year they have an event called the Taste of Blue Ash that lasts the entire weekend with well-known musicians, lots of food and plenty of people watching! And it’s free!

Of course, I went off of my Paleo Plan again and had a pulled pork bbq sandwich and some fried pickles…

The bandstand…

People watching…

My girlfriends April and Anne and Chris…

This balloon was way way way up in the sky…

The band “38 Special” sounded great and they had all different colored lights…but the blue were my favorite…

My friend Frank…

We had a great time! Hope you’re getting out and enjoying life (especially free events)!!

What fun looks like in your 40′s and 50′s (travelspirit333.wordpress.com)
Request a song off of Jimmie Van Zant – Feels Like Freedom (foleymon.wordpress.com)

The Germania Society – Cincinnati’s Original Oktoberfest

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Yesterday was a fun packed day! We started by going boating on the Ohio River. Our boat is old — but it’s fast and fun! Kinda like us! I prefer to boat and slalom-ski on the river rather than one of the area lakes because it’s less crowded and the scenery is better. We’ve been boating on the river for 20 years. This is in the New Richmond area.

Some of the towns along the river are quaint and picturesque…

We didn’t stay out long because we had plans to go to the Germania Society’s Oktoberfest on the West side of town and meet friends there. Cincinnati has a large percentage of German heritage residents. I’ve been to the Oktoberfest that’s held in Downtown Cincinnati quite a few times, but never to this one. I actually enjoyed it more than the Downtown event. We hopped on our Harley motorcycle (thank goodness because there were so many people there, you had to park a mile away if you arrived by car) and enjoyed a beautiful ride there. Randy’s holding my Warsteiner beer (he’s not a lush)…we only drank one…they’re so big! I’m usually not a beer drinker (I prefer wine) but I really enjoyed this beer and when in Rome!

Prost!

Here’s our friend Richard on the left – he’s 6’9″ tall (just like my son) – and doesn’t he look so German and handsome! The other people are strangers that I requested a photo from…

I went off of my Paleo Plan and had a bratwurst, a few potato pancakes and a funnel cake (that I didn’t get a photo of because I was too intent on eating it)!

Some of the traditional games were there…including “The Rat Game”….nothing like betting on rat races!

There were rides…

Alpine Horn Blowing…

I liked the look of these flags under the large tent…

I love the atmosphere once it’s dark…all of the lights are twinkling and anything is possible!

I’m glad we were able to go to a festival type event this summer! Hope you enjoyed coming along!!

Munich: Three Boozy Beverages Beyond Beer at Munich’s Oktoberfest 2012 (jaunted.com)
New Oktoberfest celebration in the works (wcpo.com)

My Old Kentucky Home

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Had a great weekend! Went 4-wheeling/gun shootin/fishin and of course photographing in Kentucky at my husband’s cousin’s cabin. My son and his girlfriend joined us and we brought our dog “Jake” for the first time on a car trip longer than 30 minutes. It was a 3 hour trip and he panted the entire way there. Next time I think we need some doggie downers! He had such a good time exploring the property and tracking all of the smells…the ride was worth it!

Here’s some of the land surrounding the cabin…

After unpacking the vehicles…I made sandwiches for them and had a huge salad for myself. They snacked on organic cheeries/grapes/strawberries/blackberries and celery/carrots/apple with hummus. I tried a trick with the apple that I found on Pinterest…cut the apple and put a rubber band around it so it won’t brown.

Then…it was time for the 4-wheelin fun! We used to own 4-wheelers but sold them about 10 years ago…so it was a treat to get to ride again. Here’s my son and his girlfriend looking like “The Terminator”…

After taking a quick ride, my husband and I went for a hike. We walked in the glorious sunshine and stopped occasionally for me to take some photos…

We came up through the woods to find our way back to the cabin…

Then it was time for more photo fun…

I like it when people aren’t afraid of looking silly!

The porch had a lovely view of the fishing pond and was a great place to kick back!

This was calling my name….”take my picture—please”!

We did lots of target shooting!

A different perspective.

I brought along the ingredients for Se-mores…but I was good and only had a chocolate bar! The next morning the lighting was different so I took this photo of the cabin…

We went fishing and I caught one. This photo is of my son taken from the cabin with my zoom lens…

Jake wanted to ride in my lap for a few minutes on the drive home…

It was a wonderful weekend and we’re blessed to have our family and such a wonderful place to visit! I hope you had a great one too!

Cave Woman (“Paleo”) Diet

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Hello friends! I’ve been laying low since Saturday because I hurt my back jogging 6 miles. I’m sure it was a combination of things…sleeping on a bed in the basement a couple of weeks ago (where it’s cooler) that didn’t … Continue reading →

A Day in the Country

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Travel Spirit

I had a nice day hiking with my husband at Stonelick State Park, which is located North of Cincinnati and only 20 minutes from our home. We got a late start–about noon–so it was really hot and humid. Here are some photos from the hike…

We had fun playing Tarzan on a vine…

He got a little close…

There was an antique machinery show at the Park…so after our 4 mile hike we checked out all of the cool stuff! I really enjoyed talking to this guy–his name is Jack Miller and he does custom forging–the old fashioned way–a real “blacksmith”. I would love to learn to make things either by welding or this way.

Here are some of his wares…but he also makes decorative pieces.

I’m not really into antiques, tractors, or old cars…but some of these were really unique…

This is an orchard tractor. The sides are shielded to protect them from tree branches, etc.

I loved this Studebaker and the attached little camper. I had checked into buying one of these…I could pull it behind my little honda…sleep in it…it has a fridge & cooktop. So cute!

To top off the day we had a bite to eat. I usually eat really healthy…like sprouted whole grain bread, salads, oatmeal smoothies, etc., but I had a cheese (artificial–I think) steak hoagie, Pepsi, and deep fried Oreos! The Oreos were really good…but now I’m paying for it–sore tummy!!

Hope your day was great!!

What fun looks like in your 40’s and 50’s

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Since I’ve been back from Africa…a lot has been going on. Some of it is personal and heavy-duty–so I can’t talk about it. But most of it has been FUN!

This was my friend April’s (on the left) boat christening party. She’s amazing! She just finished 1st in her age group in a triathlon.

I really enjoyed this 4th of July pool party. That’s me on the right with the hat on. I didn’t know most of the people…but its good to get out and meet new friends!

This was at an outdoor concert in a suburb of Cincinnati called “Blue Ash”.

Downtown Cincinnati with friends…

The wine tasting meeup.com organization I belong to had an event at the Art Museum…

Its been really hot here, so I’ve been to the neighbor’s pool, my girlfriend’s pool, and to the beach at Eastfork Lake. Lots of other fun events like a Reds Game, bicycling 20 miles on the Loveland Bike Trail, jogging almost every day, hiking, and trying new recipes that I find on Pinterest.

Like, Spinach Orzo, Shrimp Tacos, and fresh peaches, lemonade and vodka in a blender!

Tonight after jogging or hiking (can’t decide which one to do) I’ll try a Blackberry Margarita…yum yum!!

Hope you’re having a fantastic summer (or whatever season it is where you are)!!

Hiking Table Mountain – India Venster Trail

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Travel Spirit

I briefly talked about hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town, Africa a few weeks ago in my post about my Couchsurfing experience in Cape Town, but I wanted to give you some additional information!

I had researched a few companies and hikes on Trip Advisor and was interested in the India Venster trail. I had decided to wait until I arrived in Cape Town to make any arrangements, mainly because of weather. I’m glad I did, because the people I couchsurfed with were able to get their neighbor, Keith, to hike the India Venster trail with me.

India Venster Trail–Table Mountain, Cape Town

It basically traverses up the front of Table Mountain, under the cable car. We came across the National flower for South Africa on the trail…the beautiful Protea…

Here’s a closer view…

Being a local, he was very familiar with this trail. I had read that it isn’t marked as well as some of the others and is a little more challenging because of some rock scrambling. In America it would be considered a Class 3 level for rock climbing. I was a bit nervous, but wanted a challenge. There was only one spot on the trail where I was finding spots for my fingers within the rocks and was perched precariously…wondering what I had gotten myself in to!

The Platteklip Gorge is an easier route for those that don’t want a little thrill!

I had arrived to Cape Town from Ohio, North America the day before, but slept well, so I felt up to it. Luckily, the day was mostly sunny and we had spectacular views!

The view coming down in the cable car….Spectacular!!

Taking Cable Car down from top of Table Mountain

There have been a number of deaths on this trail, with various contributing factors such as…inferior physical fitness level, traversing down is more difficult than going up, rapid weather changes, and others.

I thoroughly enjoyed my hike on Table Mountain! It was even better than I expected!!

Couchsurfing Cape Town (travelspirit333.wordpress.com)
Platteklip Gorge ~ Caught in the dark, barefoot! (runningthecape.wordpress.com)
Red Bus City Tour of Cape Town (travelspirit333.wordpress.com)

Picking up Bushman in Botswana

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Travel Spirit

With almost two weeks of my 35 day African Overland Truck adventure behind me, we were on the road again for 9 hours driving from the capital of Namibia—Windhoek—on our way across the border into Botswana to visit the San Bushmen. Upon arrival to Ghanzi, which is located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, I decided to spend $5 to upgrade from my tent to a Bushman hut. It had electric and a bed with warm blankets! Oh…the things we take for granted!

After getting situated, I made my way to meet the group and to say hello to the indigenous San Bushman. I had brought a wand with bubbles to blow for children along the 8,000 km overland truck journey, and when our translator saw it, he took me by the hand over to the small group with their children and let me start blowing bubbles. No one took a photo of me with the bubbles…but here are some of the people.

At first I thought they had horrible body odor…but later found out that they rub a plant on themselves to ward off mosquitos!

Later, I wanted a photo with them. One of the fun things I do when traveling is pick up men…

I’m not sure he was enjoying it though!

Later that evening, for $10, we were treated to traditional dancing by the fire. There was a funny moment when the translator was giving us some history of a local tradition that is performed by girls when they start menstruating. I thought he said that they have to dance naked in front of the elder men of the tribe and was asking him more questions trying to clarify it. Everyone had a good laugh, but I still didn’t find out what really happens!

We all had a great time with the San Bushmen of Botswana!

Couchsurfing Cape Town

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’ve never heard of Couchsurfing before… based on my first experience… it’s a wonderful way to learn about a new place. I stayed with a couple named Odette and Neal in Cape Town, Africa and they were so hospitable!

Neal and Odette

They picked me up at the airport and I even had my own bedroom in their lovely home!

Odette and Neal’s place

They enlisted their neighbor…Keith…to take me hiking to the top of Table Mountain—Amazing!

Indiavestner Trail–Table Mountain, Cape Town

Taking Cable Car down from top of Table Mountain

I ate wonderful home cooked meals with them and they even took me shopping! I took them out to dine at a sushi restaurant as a token for their kindness.

A fellow blogger, Rory Alexander, met up with us while we were dining. He has three blogs and I would link to them, but my link isn’t working correctly right now. He’s an unbelievable photographer!

I’m definitely a fan of Couchsurfing now!

Cinque Terre…The Five Lands and “Guido”

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Although all of the destinations on my 12-night Mediterranean cruise (taken in 2010) were amazing, I was looking forward to Cinque Terre most of all, and it didn’t let me down! In 2006, I had spent hours upon hours researching and booked a solo, three week backpacking trip to Europe, to include Cinque Terre, and because of life, had to cancel it, so I was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to visit. Especially due to the recent disaster there!

After docking in Livorno, we boarded our pre-paid/reserved train…a little over one hour trip…to La Spezia and then hopped on a short regional train ride that delivered us to the last of the five villages, Monterosso al Mare. I thoroughly researched this excursion, because when you’re on a cruise ship, timing is very important! If you miss your ship, you’re “ship” out of luck!

I took this photograph of Monterosso al Mare while hiking. Everyone that I spoke to on the ship was going to Florence and/or the leaning Tower of Pisa. They didn’t know what they were missing!

This is the beginning of the 1 1/2 hour trail that we hiked from the fifth village to the fourth village, Vernazza. Although I purchased some great Merrill sandals, especially for this trip, I was beginning to get a callous on the edge of my heel. But nothing could dampen the dazzling vistas!

The entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The natural beauty was almost overwhelming!

The trail varied in it’s difficulty and scenery…

You can see the village of Vernazza in the distance.

It’s like a jewel jutting from the cliff…

After having some lunch in town…due to time constraints, we took the train to the first village, Riomaggiore, where we briefly looked around and headed back to the train station in La Spezia.

We had over an hour to kill at the train station, so we went for a walk and my traveling companion overheard a woman talking to a taxi driver about taking her to her ship, which happened to be Royal Caribbean. We spoke to her and within seconds we’re sharing the taxi with her to go back to the ship. Obviously, we weren’t thinking…we were over an hour away from the ship…and the woman said the taxi was only 10 euros…which is about $12 to split.

Within a couple of minutes we realized that she was heading to a different Royal Caribbean ship and I’m asking “Guido” the taxi driver if he is going to charge us anything for taking us back to where we came from. He said he wouldn’t and started making a wierd gesture with his arms and saying in his half Italian and broken English that we were tight!

Then…the lady wanted a receipt for her taxi ride and he wouldn’t give her one…gesturing and almost shouting…so she exited the taxi and on the 5-10 min. ride back to the train station, he is saying “Cacare”, over and over. Upon inquiring as to its meaning, he informed us it meant “F____ you”. He was upset with the lady wanting a receipt…so to break the tension…I requested him to teach us how to say it…so we’re all three in unison saying…”Cacare, Cacare”!

If you’re ever in La Spezia and want an unforgettable taxi ride, try to find “Guido”!

p.s. Later…I discovered from a fellow blogger that “Guido” is actually a slang term to denote someone that is lower or working class of American/Italian descent.

Wonderland=Cinque terre (mesmerizinggirl.wordpress.com)
My Happy Place is the Italian Riviera (briefhiatus.wordpress.com)
Cinque Terre Italy – It doesn’t get any better than this…. (boxmag8.wordpress.com)
In The Shadow Of Cinque Terre, Discovering The Treasures Of La Spezia (gadling.com)
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre (detailinthefabric.wordpress.com)
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy: Backpacking With My Daughter (legionofdoorwhores.wordpress.com)
Travels: Cinque Terre (alanajonesmann.wordpress.com)

Haystack Giggles in Vang Vieng, Laos

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Travel Spirit

After traveling seven hours from Luang Prabang…we reached the town of Vang Vieng in Laos. As you can see, the landscape was absolutely breathtaking! One of the women that was traveling with the G Adventures tour that I was on through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, remarked that there wouldn’t be any night life here. There was one road leading into town and it was quite rural.

With this to gaze at…I didn’t care!

One of these sweet little girls stuck her tongue out at me after I took the photo…because I didn’t give her any money.

Claire and Isabel–two of the ladies on the tour and I rented some rickety bicycles and explored some caves in the countryside. Traversing the bumpy dirt roads made us giggle…the simple things can be so much fun!

Then, when Claire got up on the haystack for a photo…it started collapsing…so we collapsed with laughter! Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of that.

This photo intrigues me. I wonder what the boy was doing. His dog almost looks like a fox to me and he has a bag by his side. I would have stuck around to find out, but we were on our bicycles, so off we went.

We spent two nights in Vang Vieng and then drove three hours to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. After checking into the hotel, I walked to the market and shopped. Everything was so inexpensive – $3.00 for a purse, $5 for a silk scarf, etc. I couldn’t resist this hand embroidered blouse and splurged on a shampoo and style for $5.00!

Our tour finishes with Hanoi, Vietnam and the stunning Halong Bay tomorrow!

On the Road to Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Food Friday – Lao Baguette (thebigmangolife.com)
A Lazy day in Vang Vieng (travellingstrom.com)
The Sober Side of Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Falane paradise, Vang Vieng – Vang Vieng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

Chocolate Banana Pancakes in Luang Prabang

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’re just beginning to read…this was a trip I took through GAP Adventures in 2009 with six people from Canada, US, Germany, and the UK, to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

We spent the night in Pakbeng, on our way to Luang Prabang in Laos, en route from Chiang Mai via Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong. I just had to say that! I was capturing images of the sunrise at the river’s edge and was pleased to see this fisherman beginning his day.

We went as a group that morning to buy 70 notebooks and pens, 8 dozen eggs, and a variety of other things from the local market to give to another group of villagers (I believe more Hmong) that live on the Mekong River. Notice the supplies lying on the ground next to the guy in the red coat, who was our Tour Guide while we were traveling through Laos.

We delivered the school supplies to the children! I could just put that little girl in my suitcase and bring her home…she’s soooo cute!

On our way to the quaint town of Luang Prabang, we stopped at a spiritual cave called “Pak Ou Caves“.

Luang Prabang was everyone’s favorite town…with lots of shopping, good food, nice markets and friendly people.

This seemed very odd…a line of clothes and hunks of meat.

Chocolate Banana Pancakes were on every menu…

One of the women on the trip and I rented a bicycle and explored the town. It’s a great way to see more! I also had another massage by a young girl that had very strong hands.

Life is good!!

Luang Prabang – Laos – Truly delightful (discovertheorient.wordpress.com)
Luang Prabang in my mind (ameramor.com)
Festival season in Luang Prabang (ttrweekly.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Exploring the Night Markets of Luang Prabang, Laos (landlopers.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Temples, Buddas, monks and waterfalls. – Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

Fried Bugs and Elephants in Thailand

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’ve been reading along…you know that in 2009 I did a lot of travel. It began with Egypt and Jordan in March–followed by Peru for three weeks in May, and now in December, another G Adventures trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

So…for the story–

After checking into my hotel in Bangkok, Thailand…having just traveled 33 hours from the Midwest, I needed a massage. Although it was 3:30am in the morning, I was able to get a massage in my room for $5.00 (from a girl). It was the first of four massages I would enjoy while in Southeast Asia. After sleeping for a few hours I briefly explored Bangkok prior to attending a “get acquainted” meeting with the other tour attendees, who turned out to be a married couple from England on their honeymoon and four women from Germany, California, England, and Canada.

The following day we took a boat ride on the famous canals aka Klongs of Bangkok and visited a Buddhist Temple…one of many to come!

I took some video footage from my trip and made a few movies (for the first time) with my Mac…so if you’d like to see some very aggressive catfish, watch this.

I loved taking photos of the monks…