Today was our monthly travel get together and we missed it.
As the weather has (somewhat) changed from winter to spring I needed to make sure my lawn equipment was prepared for the upcoming mowing/gardening/fighting the annual weed war season. It has been over a year since I had performed a tune up on our lawn tractor and this year I just didn't feel like doing it myself. So, we loaded up the beast and took it south to a reputable small engine repair business.
All of that appears straight forward but, this is me and nothing is straight forward for me.
You see, to load the great mechanical marvel that shears my tender grass (weeds) I have to back the pick up truck into a culvert in front of my house. This effectively lowers the bed of the truck to just about 8 inches from street level. Obviously, this makes loading much easier. For those that will ask the inevitable question, "why don't you just use ramps?" The answer is simple, I don't have any and I don't load the beast often enough to warrant having any. In fact, this is only the second time I have loaded it in the truck, the first being when we brought it home a few years ago.
A week later, the reputable small engine repair business called and said they were done. My wife and I have both been a tad under the weather so we waited until last night to bring the beast home. Once home I maneuvered the truck back the culvert to unload our cargo, being careful not to go too far in the culvert as I didn't want to risk getting stuck. I should mention, while Betty and I were feeling under the weather, the weather was doing its part to provide natural moisture to the ground. I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "April showers bring May flowers". Well, April has been showering us for quite a few days. This led to my concern about getting stuck. But, I made sure I stayed above the truly wet part of the culvert.
And that didn't help at all.
Once we had unloaded and stored the beast I discovered the truck had zero traction on the wet grass. Try as I might, this truck was going nowhere. I left it for the night and only returned to it the next day when my youngest son arrived in his four wheel drive pick up. Long story, short (as if I haven't made this long enough) 30 minutes later the truck was in the driveway and I now have a set of spinning tire tracks through my front yard. All is good in my world except, we missed our monthly travel meeting.
We are disappointed as the meetings gave us an outlet for our excitement for our upcoming trip. Also, we have garnered several great travel tips and suggestions on what to do, see and where to eat. This meeting was also the last one for a couple of months as several members are leaving in the next couple of weeks to their own travels. One trip in particular is being taken by three members, a photo safari to Africa. Another is leaving today to enjoy London and Paris and yet another couple leaves soon for a trip through Italy. By the time everyone gets back Betty and I will be just two weeks from leaving on our trip to Paris. We may try to squeeze in a meeting before we leave.
We are getting closer, just 69 days left and our adventure begins.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
I'm still here
Sadly, I haven't made any posts for a few weeks but, that doesn't mean there hasn't been anything to write about.
Time has been an issue.
Here, where I live, we have had three snow storms in three weeks totaling almost 30 inches of snow. I realize in some areas of the U.S. this is a common amount and is expected each year. But here, last winter we barely got below freezing and our winter weather was more in line with Paris, it was just wet. Maybe 90% of our precipitation was rain, 10% just a light flurry or dusting of snow. It was been 20 years since we've had this amount of snow in such a short time and we really were not prepared for it. Now, here it April 1st, and the forecast for today is sunny and the mid 60s (that would be Fahrenheit). Tomorrow, however, the forecast calls for more snow. Someone really needs to explain to Mother Nature the concept of Spring.
A few weeks ago we had our monthly meetup of travelers, as it happened a new face appeared at out table. He, too, is going to France this summer and will be spending around a month in the Loire valley. As we spoke with him we learned he has been to France several times over the years and knows the country quite well. When he learned we would be in Paris for three weeks the same time he would be in France he offered to show us around Chartres which would make for a good day trip out of Paris. He speaks French fluently (as well he should since he teaches French at a University) and is a delight to talk to. I think we will accept his gracious offer and explore Chartres for a day.
As I write this, we have 90 days, 3 hours, 23 minutes and 42 seconds until we leave. The closer it gets, the more anxious I am becoming. I'm anxious, obviously, to leave, I want to spend as much time as possible in Paris celebrating our 30th anniversary and I want to leave NOW! I can't, of course but that doesn't keep me from wanting to. I'm also anxious in wanting to make sure I have done everything I need to, to prepare for the trip. I have the plane tickets, passports, an apartment rental and money put back to support us while we are there. I have made copies of everything I can think of, just in case something gets lost. I also have a list of suggestions for different restos to try, shops to browse and areas to explore. I have a new camera to record our experience and celebration.
I think I'm ready.
I know I'll forget something.
Time has been an issue.
Here, where I live, we have had three snow storms in three weeks totaling almost 30 inches of snow. I realize in some areas of the U.S. this is a common amount and is expected each year. But here, last winter we barely got below freezing and our winter weather was more in line with Paris, it was just wet. Maybe 90% of our precipitation was rain, 10% just a light flurry or dusting of snow. It was been 20 years since we've had this amount of snow in such a short time and we really were not prepared for it. Now, here it April 1st, and the forecast for today is sunny and the mid 60s (that would be Fahrenheit). Tomorrow, however, the forecast calls for more snow. Someone really needs to explain to Mother Nature the concept of Spring.
A few weeks ago we had our monthly meetup of travelers, as it happened a new face appeared at out table. He, too, is going to France this summer and will be spending around a month in the Loire valley. As we spoke with him we learned he has been to France several times over the years and knows the country quite well. When he learned we would be in Paris for three weeks the same time he would be in France he offered to show us around Chartres which would make for a good day trip out of Paris. He speaks French fluently (as well he should since he teaches French at a University) and is a delight to talk to. I think we will accept his gracious offer and explore Chartres for a day.
As I write this, we have 90 days, 3 hours, 23 minutes and 42 seconds until we leave. The closer it gets, the more anxious I am becoming. I'm anxious, obviously, to leave, I want to spend as much time as possible in Paris celebrating our 30th anniversary and I want to leave NOW! I can't, of course but that doesn't keep me from wanting to. I'm also anxious in wanting to make sure I have done everything I need to, to prepare for the trip. I have the plane tickets, passports, an apartment rental and money put back to support us while we are there. I have made copies of everything I can think of, just in case something gets lost. I also have a list of suggestions for different restos to try, shops to browse and areas to explore. I have a new camera to record our experience and celebration.
I think I'm ready.
I know I'll forget something.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Life has a way of getting in the way
Yes, I know, it has been two or three weeks since I've posted. But alas, as the title says, life does have a way of getting in the way.
Our monthly travel group moved its meeting to a new location, while it is farther from our house distance wise, it takes about the same amount of time due to being able to take the highway all the way. Moving the location make sense, it is easier to get to and because of that fact, more people decided to join in. Many more tales and stories and tips to listen to and absorb, that is a plus. The downside is, it is still at the same nameless, overpriced franchise, just a different location.
As far as life getting in the way, well, we had been enjoying a fairly mild winter until this ...
... ten inches of snow. As Mother Nature graced us with a gauzy blanket of white, life still beckoned. My lovely wife works for the public school system which closed for the day, she, in turn, had the day off. Not so, for me.
When I woke the morning of the snow, there was no snow on the ground. Not even a flake floating freely on the wisps of air in the darkened morning sky. By the time I arrived at work, which is almost a 30 minute drive, the first crystals of snow had begun to fall. Three hours later, it was announced we were snowed in. The highways closed, the road directly in front of our facility became jammed with cars manned by the folks desperate to get home.
Around two in the afternoon, we were told the highways reopened and we could leave for the day. My drive home was an obstacle course of cars, trucks and snowdrifts. Cars and trucks lined the highways where drivers had lost control and slid into deep snow. Several cars became stuck in the middle of the highway and were abandoned where they stopped. My normal 30 minute drive became 90 minutes but, finally, I made it home to find a warm fire burning in the fireplace. I didn't get a chance to enjoy it until two hours later as I had to shovel enough snow out of my drive to park off the road.
While this was enough to slow down my plans for writing and updating this blog, Mother Nature wasn't finished. Two days later, a much slower moving snow storm moved in. By the time this storm left it had deposited over 12 inches of snow, making a total of almost 24 inches of snow is less than four days.
And that my friends, is how life got in the way.
Our monthly travel group moved its meeting to a new location, while it is farther from our house distance wise, it takes about the same amount of time due to being able to take the highway all the way. Moving the location make sense, it is easier to get to and because of that fact, more people decided to join in. Many more tales and stories and tips to listen to and absorb, that is a plus. The downside is, it is still at the same nameless, overpriced franchise, just a different location.
As far as life getting in the way, well, we had been enjoying a fairly mild winter until this ...
... ten inches of snow. As Mother Nature graced us with a gauzy blanket of white, life still beckoned. My lovely wife works for the public school system which closed for the day, she, in turn, had the day off. Not so, for me.
When I woke the morning of the snow, there was no snow on the ground. Not even a flake floating freely on the wisps of air in the darkened morning sky. By the time I arrived at work, which is almost a 30 minute drive, the first crystals of snow had begun to fall. Three hours later, it was announced we were snowed in. The highways closed, the road directly in front of our facility became jammed with cars manned by the folks desperate to get home.
Around two in the afternoon, we were told the highways reopened and we could leave for the day. My drive home was an obstacle course of cars, trucks and snowdrifts. Cars and trucks lined the highways where drivers had lost control and slid into deep snow. Several cars became stuck in the middle of the highway and were abandoned where they stopped. My normal 30 minute drive became 90 minutes but, finally, I made it home to find a warm fire burning in the fireplace. I didn't get a chance to enjoy it until two hours later as I had to shovel enough snow out of my drive to park off the road.
While this was enough to slow down my plans for writing and updating this blog, Mother Nature wasn't finished. Two days later, a much slower moving snow storm moved in. By the time this storm left it had deposited over 12 inches of snow, making a total of almost 24 inches of snow is less than four days.
And that my friends, is how life got in the way.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Travel Shows
Since all our travel plans are finished and we're waiting for our departure date, we've been watching travel shows on television.
I'm sure you have seen, or at least heard of, most of them. All of Anthony Bourdain's shows, Samantha Brown's series and Rick Steves' Europe among others. All feature wonderful travel destinations that I would love to visit although, admittedly, some of the destinations on a few of these programs I have no intention of visiting.
Anthony Bourdain's programs focus mainly on one city and while he could explore each city's history, architecture or cultural he chooses to focus on the food and alcohol. This really isn't surprising as he is a chef and admittedly is very fond of alcohol.
Rick Steves, Samantha Brown and others try to squeeze as many sites in as possible while traveling. While I find all of these programs entertaining, and I am able to pick up a few pointers, I really don't feel their travel styles fit ours. Rather than try to visit 14 cities in 7 seven days, I would rather slow down and experience one or two cities.
I realize most of the travel programs shown in the United States are geared to the traveler with limited time, therefore push yourself to visit as much as possible while you're there, I believe we will come away from our travel experience richer simply because we decided to experience the area rather than just visit. Our time spent in Paris will be an immersion into the city, the art, the architecture, the people and the food. We plan on the biggest decision each day will be whether we turn left or right once we leave our apartment each morning.
This doesn't mean we will not have plans at all. There will be an anniversary dinner to plan, specific sites either my wife or I want to see such as the Louvre and Notre Dame for me and the catacombs for her, if they're open. I'm sure we'll do some shopping while we're there (it's Paris, who doesn't shop in Paris?). Mostly though, we are going to wander the streets of Paris, get lost and discover what surprises await around the next corner.
Until next time keep the dream of travel alive.
I'm sure you have seen, or at least heard of, most of them. All of Anthony Bourdain's shows, Samantha Brown's series and Rick Steves' Europe among others. All feature wonderful travel destinations that I would love to visit although, admittedly, some of the destinations on a few of these programs I have no intention of visiting.
Anthony Bourdain's programs focus mainly on one city and while he could explore each city's history, architecture or cultural he chooses to focus on the food and alcohol. This really isn't surprising as he is a chef and admittedly is very fond of alcohol.
Rick Steves, Samantha Brown and others try to squeeze as many sites in as possible while traveling. While I find all of these programs entertaining, and I am able to pick up a few pointers, I really don't feel their travel styles fit ours. Rather than try to visit 14 cities in 7 seven days, I would rather slow down and experience one or two cities.
I realize most of the travel programs shown in the United States are geared to the traveler with limited time, therefore push yourself to visit as much as possible while you're there, I believe we will come away from our travel experience richer simply because we decided to experience the area rather than just visit. Our time spent in Paris will be an immersion into the city, the art, the architecture, the people and the food. We plan on the biggest decision each day will be whether we turn left or right once we leave our apartment each morning.
This doesn't mean we will not have plans at all. There will be an anniversary dinner to plan, specific sites either my wife or I want to see such as the Louvre and Notre Dame for me and the catacombs for her, if they're open. I'm sure we'll do some shopping while we're there (it's Paris, who doesn't shop in Paris?). Mostly though, we are going to wander the streets of Paris, get lost and discover what surprises await around the next corner.
Until next time keep the dream of travel alive.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Cruising Along
It seems we have entered the cruising phase of our planned anniversary trip; having made our arrangements for travel and lodging, ordered and picked up Euros to pay for any initial costs once we arrive and read countless books and blogs about Paris, it seems there is nothing left except sit back and cruise along until our departure.
Rest assured, we still have our daily responsibilities to each other and our places of work. The day to day schedule of waking to the chimes of the alarm clock bells, the morning routines before heading out to fulfill our obligations before returning home. This still exists and will continue to exist until we leave for three weeks during which time we will forget our daily grind and enjoy the beauty and love of each other with Paris as the backdrop.
I will continue to post here, although the frequency may drop however, once we arrive in Paris I'm sure we will have plenty to share with any and all that happen across this humble site.
Until next time, take care and dare to act on your dreams of travel.
Rest assured, we still have our daily responsibilities to each other and our places of work. The day to day schedule of waking to the chimes of the alarm clock bells, the morning routines before heading out to fulfill our obligations before returning home. This still exists and will continue to exist until we leave for three weeks during which time we will forget our daily grind and enjoy the beauty and love of each other with Paris as the backdrop.
I will continue to post here, although the frequency may drop however, once we arrive in Paris I'm sure we will have plenty to share with any and all that happen across this humble site.
Until next time, take care and dare to act on your dreams of travel.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Monthly Travel Gang
Yesterday Betty and I met with our travel group and discussed our plans as well as offering encouragement to each other.
We get together once a month at a popular chain establishment that shall go unnamed mainly because I think this chain is overrated and overpriced. Rising to popularity with the younger crowd. However, it is centrally located and Betty and I will split a tea or coffee or soda.
After this meeting, one of the gang mentioned he was going to Spin Pizza for lunch. Betty and I joined him and I'm glad we did. Spin Pizza cooks classic Italian pizza in a wood fired oven and it is delicious. Betty and I had the Pollo Arrosto e Chevre (Roasted Chicken and Goat Cheese) with crimini mushrooms and caramelized onions.
Our partner for lunch had a salad and a small three cheese pizza that looked and smelled wonderful.
Travel talk, good friends and great pizza ... I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.
Until next time.
 |
| The Travel Gang |
We get together once a month at a popular chain establishment that shall go unnamed mainly because I think this chain is overrated and overpriced. Rising to popularity with the younger crowd. However, it is centrally located and Betty and I will split a tea or coffee or soda.
After this meeting, one of the gang mentioned he was going to Spin Pizza for lunch. Betty and I joined him and I'm glad we did. Spin Pizza cooks classic Italian pizza in a wood fired oven and it is delicious. Betty and I had the Pollo Arrosto e Chevre (Roasted Chicken and Goat Cheese) with crimini mushrooms and caramelized onions.
Our partner for lunch had a salad and a small three cheese pizza that looked and smelled wonderful.
Travel talk, good friends and great pizza ... I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.
Until next time.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Dollars to Euros
Touching back on the upcoming anniversary celebration and learning experience for traveling outside the United States, think about what will happen once you arrive in a new country with nothing but American Dollars in your pocket. Chances are, you're not going to get very far.
This was a topic of conversation one day when our little travel group got together for sharing dreams, stories and lies. All but one stated they waited until they arrived at their destination then sought out an ATM to get cash in whatever currency that particular country took. I considered this rather smart as it would negate the need to carry cash and I would not have to pay the exchange rates at a Currency Exchange vendor. However, as is evident in one or two of my previous posts, what I consider smart at the time does not always work out.
The owner of the apartment we are renting requires the balance of the rental to be paid in cash upon arrival, common practice throughout the vacation rentals industry. I also need cash to purchase tickets from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris proper. Hearing the opinions of my travel group, I originally decided I would just find an ATM at the airport and withdraw the cash I would need. Nice, simple and I would not have to carry a large sum of cash.
Nope, not gonna work that way!
I find out the maximum I can withdraw from an ATM on our travel account, on a daily basis is $500.00 which would not cover the balance of the apartment. After some discussion with my wife we then decide to change dollars to euros here, not an easy task when you live in the American Midwest.
Our bank is a small bank that has been in the same place on Main Street since its founding in 1884, they do not have the capability of exchanging dollars for euros.
Our credit union which we are using for our travel savings likewise, is a small financial institution that does not have the capability to exchange dollars for euros.
What to do? Time to ask the master of the internet, Google.
According the Google there are three banks in our area that have the capability to "order" euros. The process is rather straightforward, as there is no need to keep euros on hand you must place an order for how many euros you would like, pay for them, then within a week pick them up at the bank or have them delivered to your home for a slight fee. If you have them sent to your home you MUST be present when they arrive, you have to sign for them. Needless to say, we decided to pick them up at the bank.
Ah, but which bank?
The local branch of Bank of America told my wife they could order euros for us however, their rate was too high (they wanted close to $1500.00 for €1000.00) plus you had to have an account with them.
Commerce Bank was slightly cheaper and they said we did not need an account although, the rate would be lower if we had an account.
Wells Fargo Bank had the lowest rate, about $1372.00 for €1000.00 but again, we had to have an account with them.
We decided to work through Wells Fargo since we were already have financial accounts with them and they offered the best exchange rate with the lowest fees. So ... off to the local branch we go to open an account.
We opened our account this past Saturday, had to wait until Monday to order the euros though. It appears the computer system that contains the data of the new account that was just opened doesn't recognize the data for the new account for 24 hours. As the bank was closed on Sunday, we arrived Monday after work to order our euros.
All went smoothly as we ended up with a lady who was almost giddy that we were going to Paris for our anniversary. So, our euros are ordered and we shall pick them on Friday after work and promptly close the account.
You do what you have to do.
This was a topic of conversation one day when our little travel group got together for sharing dreams, stories and lies. All but one stated they waited until they arrived at their destination then sought out an ATM to get cash in whatever currency that particular country took. I considered this rather smart as it would negate the need to carry cash and I would not have to pay the exchange rates at a Currency Exchange vendor. However, as is evident in one or two of my previous posts, what I consider smart at the time does not always work out.
The owner of the apartment we are renting requires the balance of the rental to be paid in cash upon arrival, common practice throughout the vacation rentals industry. I also need cash to purchase tickets from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris proper. Hearing the opinions of my travel group, I originally decided I would just find an ATM at the airport and withdraw the cash I would need. Nice, simple and I would not have to carry a large sum of cash.
Nope, not gonna work that way!
I find out the maximum I can withdraw from an ATM on our travel account, on a daily basis is $500.00 which would not cover the balance of the apartment. After some discussion with my wife we then decide to change dollars to euros here, not an easy task when you live in the American Midwest.
Our bank is a small bank that has been in the same place on Main Street since its founding in 1884, they do not have the capability of exchanging dollars for euros.
Our credit union which we are using for our travel savings likewise, is a small financial institution that does not have the capability to exchange dollars for euros.
What to do? Time to ask the master of the internet, Google.
According the Google there are three banks in our area that have the capability to "order" euros. The process is rather straightforward, as there is no need to keep euros on hand you must place an order for how many euros you would like, pay for them, then within a week pick them up at the bank or have them delivered to your home for a slight fee. If you have them sent to your home you MUST be present when they arrive, you have to sign for them. Needless to say, we decided to pick them up at the bank.
Ah, but which bank?
The local branch of Bank of America told my wife they could order euros for us however, their rate was too high (they wanted close to $1500.00 for €1000.00) plus you had to have an account with them.
Commerce Bank was slightly cheaper and they said we did not need an account although, the rate would be lower if we had an account.
Wells Fargo Bank had the lowest rate, about $1372.00 for €1000.00 but again, we had to have an account with them.
We decided to work through Wells Fargo since we were already have financial accounts with them and they offered the best exchange rate with the lowest fees. So ... off to the local branch we go to open an account.
We opened our account this past Saturday, had to wait until Monday to order the euros though. It appears the computer system that contains the data of the new account that was just opened doesn't recognize the data for the new account for 24 hours. As the bank was closed on Sunday, we arrived Monday after work to order our euros.
All went smoothly as we ended up with a lady who was almost giddy that we were going to Paris for our anniversary. So, our euros are ordered and we shall pick them on Friday after work and promptly close the account.
You do what you have to do.
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