This morning I left my Airbnb at 8:30 a.m. and walked a mile for an Airbnb experience called Mexico City off the beaten path on bicycle. There were 7 of us including the guide. After a short introduction we cycled … Continue reading
Today was a long day! I had an Uber pick me up at 9:30 a.m. this morning and arrived at the Saturday bazaar at the Plaza San Jacinto 30 minutes later, just as it opened. I purchased quite a few … Continue reading
Bosque de Chapultepec is a 1700 acre park that contains nine museums, a castle, amusement parks, winding paths, commemorative sculptures, lakes and fountains. It’s considered the first and most important of Mexico City’s “lungs”, with trees that replenish oxygen to the Valley of Mexico.
The weather turned cooler and cloudy today so I thought it would be a great day to go to three of the museums in the park. I walked almost 2 miles to Museo de Arte Moderno. I really enjoyed exploring this museum.
Next I walked 5 minutes to the Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporaneo. Luckily it was free for seniors, since there wasn’t that much to see and it was just okay.
The Museo Nacional de Antropologia was another 5-minute walk. This place is amazing, it’s on par with the museums in Washington D.C. and it’s only $5.
After walking my legs off, I stopped at a restaurant for a late lunch/ early dinner. All together I walked over 7 mi. There’s still more for me to see at the Bosque de Chapultepec.
I went on a 3-mile walk in my neighborhood (La Condesa) and surrounding areas (Roma) for my first day in Mexico City. I’ll be here through the month of February. My main destinations were Parque Mexico and Parque España.
Had a late lunch / early dinner at La Vineria.
I just have to remember to keep my mouth shut when I shower 😅
I’m sitting in the JFK airport waiting for my flight to Mexico City. My original flight was to connect in Dallas and I would have arrived at 4:00 p.m. to Mexico City but it was canceled right before leaving for the airport because of ice storms in Dallas. I booked this flight that has a 5-hour layover and arrives at 12:15 a.m. My Airbnb is located in one of the nicest areas of the city, Condesa.
I’ll have 27 days to explore the largest city in the western hemisphere. I prepared an itinerary with places I will visit, listed below.
Bosque de Chapultepec
Museo Soumaya…America’s Park…Polanco… Parque Lincoln
Basílica de Guadalupe
Parque de la Bombilla…Plaza del Carmen…Casa del Obispo Galeria de Arte Popular…Parroquia San Jacinto…Atrio de la Parroquia San Jacinto…Bazaar Saturday
Alameda Central Park…The House of Tiles…Mirador Torre Latino…Museo de Arte…Palacio de Bellas Artes
Murales de la Secretaria de Educacion Publica…Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico…Zocalo
Parque Mexico…Plaza Luis Cabrera…Parque Espana
Fuente de Cibeles…Plaza Rio de Janeiro…Museum of the Object… Juarez neighborhood
I’m signed up to do a couple of Airbnb experiences: Waters of Tolantongo, and a 5-hour bike riding tour. There’s also a hiking experience and a canal boat experience that I most likely will purchase. I’m also hoping to spend a couple of nights in the beautiful town of San Miguel de Allente.
I joined a couple of meetup.com groups, so I plan on meeting some locals. It should be an amazing trip!
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.
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.
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.
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.
My first morning in Marquette, I cycled 8 miles on the multi-use path along Lake Superior.
I cycled in to town and saw some interesting sites.
My Airbnb was right across the street from Blackrocks Brewery.
I went from there to the airport in Marquette to pick up my girlfriend Sherry who was spending three nights with me at the Airbnb and then our next stop was Mackinaw City for a couple of nights. After she settled in, we walked less than 10 minutes to The Iron Bay Restaurant for dinner. We shared the Whitefish tacos and we each had a bowl of the Whitefish chowder…yum! The flight of beer was also delish!
We walked down to the shoreline and then back to our Airbnb, it was a full day!
I left my Airbnb in Traverse City and drove a scenic route along the Michigan Lake shoreline on my way to Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. I stopped in Harbor Springs for a restroom break and took a few photos. It was still early morning.
It was exciting crossing the Mackinac Bridge.
I wanted to capture a photo of the entire Bridge so after I paid my $4 toll fee I took the first exit and went to a state park to take this photo.
My itinerary included Tahquamenon Falls State Park. I stopped for lunch at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub, located next to the Upper Falls of the Park and then walked a half mile to the main viewing platform.
The falls were impressive. They reminded me of Cumberland falls, Kentucky. The rusty color was surprising. I read that Tannins cause the rust color.
There are numerous vantage points to take photos from.
I drove four miles to the Lower Falls which weren’t as impressive but still beautiful. You only have to walk 400 ft. to the first viewing platform.
On my way to Marquette I stopped at a scenic lookout to take a few photos and stretch my legs. Lake Superior is beautiful, the water is so clear and a beautiful shade of blue.
Once in Marquette, I stopped at a grocery store for supplies and finally arrived at my Airbnb nine hours after my departure from Traverse City.
I unloaded the car, made a sandwich for dinner and watched a Netflix.
The only outing I did on Day 3 of my Michigan road trip was hiking a few miles at Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve. The trails are along the Boardman River. It was only a 20 minute drive from my Airbnb.
It’s always fun to hike somewhere you haven’t been. Afterwards I packed for my departure the following day to Marquette in the Upper Peninsula, aka the UP.
On my 2nd day in Traverse City I drove my bicycle 10 minutes from my lodging to Boardman Lake and cycled the four mile loop around the lake. If you missed Day 1, it’s here.
It’s a relaxing and pretty ride.
Then I cycled into Traverse City and the waterfront to explore a bit.
This is one of the waterfront beaches.
I’d read about a very short hike to see the “hippie” trees so I drove about 10 minutes to check it out. Here’s the beginning of the hike.
Within a few minutes I was there.
I love to see eclectic things. So colorful and unexpected.
Less than three minutes away is The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. It’s a complex of buildings filled with shopping and dining.
I had brunch at the Red Spire Brunch House, located there.
I drove back to my Airbnb and took a nap. To finish my day I went to see a movie …Where the Crawdads Sing. I’d read the book and the movie was very good.
The morning of August 31, 2022, I left home (Northern Kentucky) and drove 7 and 1/2 hours to an Airbnb in Traverse City. I had three days to explore Traverse City and the surrounding areas. I stayed with a couple who have a beautiful view of Michigan Lake from their deck. They were very helpful giving me tips to tweak my itinerary. One of my followers Phil (and I follow his beautiful blog https://philperkins.photography/ ) was very helpful with ideas of where to visit on my Michigan trip.
The following day I left early, drove to Suttons Bay, and took a few photos.
The weather was perfect.
Then I drove to Good Harbor Bay Beach.
My next stop was Glen Arbor, where I had breakfast before driving to Empire Bluff Trail.
The trail is two miles round-trip and there’s a gorgeous view of Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
My next stop was Mission Point Lighthouse.
On the way back to my lodging I stopped at Mari Vineyards for a glass of wine. There are lots of wineries to choose from. I drove a little over three hours total. There wasn’t much traffic and the scenery was beautiful.
I was surprised by how pretty Michigan is and how Caribbean blue the water is.
I moved my luggage to 21 accommodations…too much/too heavy
Here’s a list of what I packed for my 11 week, 5 country European trip:
Luggage:
Baggallinni Travel Purse/London Fog 27” checked bag/Vancropak 22” backpack carry-on
Packing List – I had to pack for weather ranging from the 30’s to the 80’s:
Pants: 1 jeans/1 gray leggings/2 black leggings/1 capri black leggings/ Eddie Bauer lightweight water-resistant pants/black stretchy flare leg pants that I used as PJ bottoms but also as dressy pants
Tops: 5 long sleeve SPF tops/1 short sleeve top/4 sleeveless tops
Misc. clothing: 2 long underwear tops and 1 bottom / bathing suit / PJ top /4 scarves /10 undies / 2 bras / 4 socks / gloves / lightweight winter hat / raincoat / packable short down jacket / fleece jacket
Shoes: La Sportiva Hiking Boots / 2 pairs of walking sandals / walking shoes (wore on airplane)/ flat Vivaia shoes (for a dressier look) / flip-flops
Misc.: Packable clothesline / detergent sheets / lightweight backpack (folds up to nothing) / 2 sun visors / 2 Covid tests and masks / Tupperware container containing cold medicines, Oximeter (in case I got Covid), thermometer / Gallon and quart size plastic bags / Bag for grocery shopping (folds into 3×3 square) / 2 hangers for laundry – 1 padded/1 for hanging pants (came in very handy) / hair straightener / 2 disposable emergency rain ponchos / umbrella / lanyard for phone so I could wear it around my neck (loved this)
Toiletries: I purchased a BoaCay toiletry bag for the trip and decided to bring everything I needed instead of having to purchase things in other countries
Tech: Mac laptop and charger / Nikon D1500 camera with 2 lenses with charger / external phone charger / Adaptor / earbuds for audible books / phone charger / Fitbit charger
Wore on Airplane: Gray leggings/sleeveless top/fleece jacket/walking shoes
What I wouldn’t have packed:
My camera and the laptop (I would’ve had a backup phone instead), the hair straightener, one pair of the sandals, the long underwear, one short sleeve top, 2 of the 4 scarves, gloves, winter hat, and the jeans. I also would’ve taken small amounts of toiletry items since this made my bag much heavier and took up too much space.
p.s. If you’ve just began reading…I planned an 11 week, 5 European country, 21 accommodations solo trip from April – June of 2022. Photos were taken with my LG Velvet Android phone.
