Time to go back home to Northern Kentucky, it’s supposed to be in the 30s, time for snow skiing ⛷️
Ladies night out at St. Petersburg beach
Bike riding in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida
A friend joined me for five nights of my 10 night stay in St. Petersburg, Florida. We rented bicycles for 2 days and took the complimentary bus from our Airbnb to downtown St. Petersburg. There are some slots for bicycles to be stored while riding on the bus.
These are some of the sites we saw while cycling.
I love areas like this where you can cycle along the water front.
The Salvador Dali Museum
I took the complimentary shuttle from my Airbnb near St. Petersburg Beach, Florida to downtown St. Petersburg and then walked about a half a mile to the Salvador Dali museum.
Salvador Dali was from Figueres, Spain. Major themes in his work include dreams, the subconscious, sexuality, religion, science and his closest personal relationships.
The admission price is normally $30, but on Thursday evenings from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. it’s half price.
Bike riding at St. Petersburg Beach
These are a few of the sites I saw while bicycling at St. Petersburg Beach. I cycled about 8 mi round trip.
Bicycling is a great way to get some exercise and see things at a slower pace.
Chihuly Collection Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida
I’ve seen Chihuly glass sculptures in various places but this collection was exceptional!
If you’re ever in St. Petersburg, Florida, try to make a stop at this museum.
St. Petersburg and Treasure Island Beach
I’ve been to the beach a few times since I arrived here in St. Petersburg, Florida. My favorite things to do at the beach are to walk and people watch.
Cool Airbnb in St. Petersburg, Florida
I left home on December 5th for 10 days in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since my family has died, there’s not much for me to do around the holidays so I decided to get away for some fun in the sun.
The Airbnb I picked out is less than 2 mi from the beach and there’s a complimentary shuttle that stops a few blocks away that transports you to the beach and also to downtown St. Petersburg.
A girlfriend joined me for 5 days which was nice. I go home on Thursday.
Taking advantage of freebies on Veterans Day
My day started at 6:00 a.m. when I went to the gym to work out. Then I headed to Bob Evans for a complimentary breakfast since I’m a Veteran.
Later I stopped at Applebee’s…
And finally I went to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse for dinner and met a potential date there. He’s also a Veteran. We split our entrees. I don’t usually eat at these places but it’s nice to have complimentary meals.
Happy Veterans Day!
Esporta
I decided to join a Fitness club…Esporta is a 12 minute drive for me. I was there at 5:00 a.m. this morning and worked out for about an hour. They have a variety of classes, water aerobics, yoga, boot camp, zumba, spinning and also have a sauna and hot tub. Looking forward to taking some of the classes.
They also have racquetball courts and a basketball court.
I’ve been working out off and on for almost 45 years. I’ll be back in fighting shape before you know it!
Halloween Party
I went to a Halloween party last night. It was at a couple’s home located 30 minutes from my home in a suburb of Cincinnati. Their costumes were quite creative.
I only stayed a couple of hours. People were still arriving when I left. I’m not into large gatherings anymore and am not close to any of these people. I used to live near this area of town and it actually made me sad driving through it. I began missing my son and husband and the life I used to have.
Their home and landscaping is beautiful.
The fire was so hot you couldn’t sit by it. More creative costumes…
I wasn’t going to attend but changed my mind the day of. I’m making more of an effort to get out and do things.
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Mishaps
A few months ago I decided to have my kitchen and bathrooms remodeled. I was taking a walk in my neighborhood and there was a guy painting a garage, so I asked him if he knew of anyone. He gave me the referral and after a five week wait, they began. During the five weeks, I picked out the tile, faucets, granite, etc. The owner of the remodeling company said he could have it complete in three weeks. They began in the guest bath and one week into the project, a pipe burst. I had been taking a nap (I only average 5 hours sleep a night) and upon awakening, went to check out their progress. They had left for the day about 45 minutes before I woke up.
Approaching the door I heard a noise and when I opened it, water was gushing out from behind the new vanity. I tried turning the water off but realized a pipe had burst. That’s when I noticed the carpet in my foyer was completely soaked and partially in my guest bedroom. After turning the water off at the main line in the laundry room, I frantically called the owner and the guy that did most of the work and left them a voicemail. I called the owner back again, he answered and said they were on their way with fans. While I waited the 45 minutes for their arrival, I began researching water damage and called a water damage restoration company. They told me I would need a lot of “air movers” (a certain type of industrial fan), and an industrial de-humidifier.
Initially upon arrival, they thought they could salvage the carpet but realized they couldn’t. After cutting it into more manageable pieces, they took the screen off of the guest bedroom and threw it outside. Wet carpet is very heavy. They only had two fans with them and I told the owner what the restoration company told me, so the following day he had a company come out to survey the damage and give him an estimate. The following day the baseboards were removed and the equipment was set up. The noise level was off the charts…think jet plane taking off. After moving everything from my office and guest bedroom into the great room, I stayed in my bedroom or on my patio for four days until they removed the equipment. Nine days later new carpet was installed.
The night of the “mishap”…
Before and after photos…
Granite, backsplash, and new sink in the kitchen…
Master bath…
Master bathroom (the shower was enlarged)…
Guest bathroom (the photo isn’t the best…looks like there’s blue stripes on the walls, but there aren’t)…
Guest bathroom (tub removed)…
The middle drawer of the vanity needed to be replaced from the water damage, but it was missing the hardware, so I’m waiting for that to arrive.
I painted both bathrooms. The three weeks turned into 4 ½ weeks, but I’m pleased with the result. The only good thing about the “mishap” was that I now have new carpet in my foyer, guest bedroom, office and steps. Including some new decor, the project cost $22,000.00.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Autumn
My friend Scott and I left Tuesday Morning on a road trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park. I had booked an Airbnb for two nights above Gatlinburg. It was more room than we needed, with three bedrooms and two baths. The highlight of our lodging was the view from the balcony on the third floor.
The following day we did a 2 1/2 mile hike at Laurel Falls.
Autumn is my favorite season, I love the colors!
We stopped to check out Mannish Branch Falls, but weren’t able to cross the creek to see it up close.
Our next stop was “the Sinks”.
Our second hike was 5.5 miles at Rainbow Falls. The elevation change was 1,500 ft.
The mountains were dusted with snow.
Since it hadn’t rained much for a while, the falls were smaller than usual but still beautiful.
We saw two bears from the car.
All together we walked over 10 miles yesterday, and my body knew it. After a hot shower, some pizza, and a couple of Tylenol, I was almost good as new.
Blink 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Last night I went with a friend to Blink in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s an annual global art display, spanning 30-blocks, with 39 large-scale projection mappings, murals, interactive light sculptures, music from over 80 bands, and diverse entertainment from both local and international artists. It lasts for four evenings. We walked about three miles to see about two-thirds of it.
This is in an area called Over-the-Rhine
Washington Park, also in the Over-the-Rhine area, had some beautiful installations.
Cincinnati Music Hall
Fountain Square
There’s even a parade
One wall of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
My friend Scott
Next to the Moerlein Lager House near the Ohio River
The Banks area near the riverfront
The beautiful John A. Roebling Suspension bridge crossing the Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky
I highly recommend taking a road trip to visit Cincinnati during this event!
Eden Park to Mt. Adams Hike in Cincinnati, Ohio
I had a date Saturday morning to take an urban hike. I suggested meeting at Eden Park Overlook and hiking to Mt. Adams…approximately 3 miles round trip.
Eden Park
Eden Park Overlook
We took a break at The Bow Tie Cafe and had some water. The view was gorgeous!
View from the Holy Cross Immaculata Church
He wasn’t a match, but it was a beautiful day!
Meetup.com Hike in Ludlow, Kentucky
Yesterday, I led 11 hikers on a wooded 3.6 mile loop trail at Devou Park in Ludlow, Kentucky. The trails are seven minutes from my home. I’ve been a member of Meetup.com for 15 years and am an Assistant Organizer for the Tri-State Hiking Group, one of the meetups. Recently, I’ve been making more of an effort to get out to meet people and do more activities. In the past three years since the death of my husband and son, I’ve tended to isolate and lost my passion for most things in life, except travel, which I’ve used as a form of therapy. It was a great 1 ½ hr. hike with wonderful weather.
The leaves are finally beginning to change color.
Afterwards, a couple of the hikers and I went to The Standard Covington Restaurant in Covington, Kentucky for dinner/drinks. This morning I scheduled the same hike for an upcoming Saturday.
Sherry Lachelle Travels 