Wicked Good Times in Boston

We kicked off summer travels with a trip to Boston. Frank had flown out ahead of me for work. Just like my first visit over Labor Day weekend, last year, I took Spirit's red eye on a Friday evening. I opt for the exit row upgrade and sleep as much as possible. The flight arrives at 6AM and allows a full Saturday to take in the sights.

We've stayed at the InterContinental on the waterfront and the Hilton Back Bay most recently. Both are great hotels, near all sorts of attractions. The best part of Boston is that it is such a walkable city. Plus, I love how quiet it is in the heart of the city with so many green areas; thanks, to the Big Dig.



Last trip, we settled the great debate of Mike's or Modern - Neither, if you ask me. Harpoon Brewery and their killer pretzel was more my speed. For the record, Frank thinks the cannoli's at Caffe dello Sport (also on Hanover St) are superior.







We did a duck tour and familiarized ourselves with the typical tourist attractions.













Some sights are better experienced on foot like the Boston Public Library.





I easily walked six miles exploring the city. There is so much to see. You could spend a day in Boston Commons alone.

















Acorn Street on Beacon Hill was particularly quaint. I had to stop for an obligatory selfie.





Lastly, for one of our final stops, I had Frank take me by the Paul Revere house since I kept missing it.



Then we strolled over to the oldest taverns, we ended up at the Green Dragon. Low and behold, bellied up to the bar next to a blast from the past. It seemed a fitting way to end the trip.

October is...

Crisp air. Open windows. Changing leaves. Cozy fires. Pumpkin everything (blech!). And a fresh start!!

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. How will you spend the last 90 days of 2019?

I am dedicated to growth and the pursuit of happiness. My plan began two months ago. After a trip to Chicago, I had lengthy flights and long drives, alone, that allowed me to clear my and focus on my wants and needs. Meeting with old friends and beloved family it became obvious what my next move should be.

It was time to quit my job. Yes, the one that is safe, secure and I've kept post at for more than 16 years. There was no plan for what comes next, but I knew if I stayed I would never find out. I was great at my job, I enjoyed the part I've played at shaping the city of Las Vegas and its landscape. I had just had the busiest year in the company's existence, it required me to run on all cylinders, I was able to shine. I was at the pinnacle, but it did not fill my cup. I was proud of my feats, but that pink puffy heart stuff that feeds the soul was lacking.

Frank came to pick me up from the airport after that Chicago trip. I told him I planned to quit my job. He was supportive just as he is of my every whim. Though, I don't know that he knew how serious I was. The next day, I gave my notice. Let me tell you, it has been a whirlwind 8 weeks! Interviewing my replacement, training, and maintaining my level of work while juggling trips all over the country, and time at home, supporting family. All coupled with a cough that lingered for a month (allergies) and sleepless nights (thanks to my sweet niece that thinks sleep is overrated), thankfully I was fueled by coffee and a finish line.

I made it. I am free to explore my many curiosities, travel and grow. I hope you join me for the adventure.

Summer is not the San Francisco Treat

About a week ago, we decided to switch things up and check out San Francisco during the summer. Typically, we wait until winter to take advantage of crab season. The White Sox were playing in Oakland and Spirit had flights dirt cheap so we figured why the heck not? We convinced our friend Chris (also originally from Chicago) to join us. There was little arm twisting, for the record. I snagged a good deal on Hotwire for Intercontinental one of our favorite hotels in San Francisco.

Even if there is that old quote, "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" (Mark Twain often gets credited with it, but I believe the author is unknown). Let's go! The forecast looked promising highs mid to upper 60s and lows in the 50s. I can deal.



I cannot deal. It is stinking cold. I went to Burlington Coat Factory immediately upon it opening so I could buy a warmer jacket than the one I packed. I have experienced the micro-climates before, but never with swings like these. Depending on your location it felt like a a sunny summer day but then a 5 minute uber ride could teleport you to a bleak wintry day. If not Mark Twain, whoever said it, got it right!

Fortunately it was warm and sunny in Oakland. So, the weather was beautiful for the baseball game. Unfortunately, it was a horrible showing for the Chicago White Sox. I've been to the coliseum for Raiders football, but this was a first for the A's. It's definitely in need of improvements, but the staff is very friendly. They have a huge area for family fun and I particularly enjoyed the Tree House. It was a good time despite our huge loss.





With the game out of the way we got down to business. The business of eating, of course. We filled up on favorites like the Crabhouse, Golden Boy Pizza, Hot Cookie, Saigon Sandwich and Salt & Straw. We also checked out Tony Gemignani's Chicago style pizza joint, Capo's. I mean where else would we go after a CWS game?



Don't let the giant Old Style mural fool you. They have a great booze selection and the food menu will have you salivating. It was hard to narrow down the options because it all sounded amazing. We did finally settle on the stuffed Old Chicago and a small order of spaghetti and meatballs to share. It was fantastic. Tony delivered yet again.





We were feeling a bit burned out on the crowds; summer brings hoards of visitors. Homelessness has always been predominant but it never posed concern before. It seems drug use was wider spread this visit and it was complete zombieland in parts of the city. We were harassed a good amount, we encountered many that were unpredictable and aggressive. Rather than spend another day in the city, we made the last minute decision to rent a car and visit Napa and Sonoma. It's been a few years since Frank and I have been and Chris had not been before.







The Golden Gate Bridge is usually hard to miss, but even when crossing it this time it could barely be seen. We made a pitstop at the viewpoint across the bridge. You'd never know that perspective often provides a stunning view of the skyline and the bridge. It was a complete white out.





Shortly after crossing into Sausalito the fog lifted and we had sunny blue skies the rest of the day.



Breakfast was at Sonoma's Sunflower Caffe. Eggs with farm fresh veggies was served up and they have lovely patio dining. Lunch was Palisades Saloon in Napa. The lamb burger and cheese curds are mighty tasty. The trip did not disappoint.







I learned summertime is not the best time in San Francisco. I'll stick to visiting during crab season. The weather is warmer and the crowds are thinner. Which is much more my speed. On the hand, summer is a beautiful time to visit Napa and Sonoma. The weather was perfect!

Remember me?

I'm the one that was filled with false promises of updates and sharing travel tales. There is no good excuse. Life has been on fast forward, the past year has been insane. Work days are long and tiresome, once home the computer is the last thing on my mind. I spent so much time wishing it were different. I miss writing and my blogging was always such a good way to document travels, special occasions, milestones and even the mundane. I've come to realize that time spent wishing was wasted. Wasted?! Yes, because honestly, It boils down to not setting aside the time to make it priority. I. No one else has control of how the hours of my day are spent.

The bottom line is that I need to learn to prioritize the things that fill my cup and feed my soul. I haven't found that balance. Yet.

I've committed to all sorts of things in the past year like exercise. Intermittent fasting, quitting diet coke, making better choices, traveling… heck, even binging Game of Thrones to catch up with the rest of the world before the finale. I guess FOMO is real, but I digress. See how far behind I am? You get the point, right?! I just need to get it together.

So, here we go. Attempt #3732.

This is 39

While you wait for me to get my act together and finish our European tale. Allow me to share, this is 39. No filter, no make up, just all those perfect imperfections. Those freckles are reminiscent of every sunburn. The wrinkles are reminders of times of worry and also the best spurts of laughter. While I'm eager to leave the braces behind I'm so grateful for the pain relief this TMD treatment provides. Most of all, I'm thankful for everyone and everything that's gotten me here. As I begin my final year of my 30's. I think of Rob Thomas' new song "One Less Day (from Dying Young)" If you haven't heard it give it a listen.

We will celebrate with dinner on the strip later in the week. Last night, we watched the Knights at Gold Mine Tavern and grabbed dinner at Juan's Flaming Fajitas. I so badly wanted the Knights to earn their place in the playoffs with a win. It was all I wanted for my birthday. They had one job. It's OK - they get it done later this week. It will be another reason to celebrate.

The Skinny on Amsterdam

After only a couple hours of shut eye. We flew KLM Airlines from London Heathrow to Amsterdam. Our flight departed at 630AM. It was rather quiet at that hour, which made our short time at Europe's busiest airport trouble free. We touched down in Amsterdam by 9AM so we had a full day to see the sights. We were warned that the taxis can be a rip off so we used Uber and public transit during our stay. Travel tickets can be purchased on board by card. It couldn't be easier. The most difficult part is remembering to tap to board and again to depart.



We reserved our stay at Hotel JL76, but they did not have a room available for early check in. Sleep would have to wait! We stowed our bags and went out to brave the weather. It was chilly and raining steadily; we opted to pass the time at the Van Gogh Museum. I wasn't aware that tickets are reserved for a particular time; so we had time to kill before we could enter. Frank went to a cigar lounge and I went to the Stedelijk Museum for modern and contemporary art.





By the time, we toured both museums we were beyond exhausted. We were complete toast and wandered back to the hotel like the walking dead. A room was now ready for us on the fourth floor. "Oh, by the way, the lift is broken." GRRREAT. Of course, this is the one trip we didn't pack light. We each had a suitcase to lug up a tiny steep stairwell. The steps were so narrow my foot barely fit. Nevermind, Frank's 15 shoe! We were told it would be repaired the following day but we had our doubts. Elevator repair on the weekend seemed like a fantasy. We were not wrong. The elevator was purely for decoration during our stay.



About Amsterdam...







Canal homes are extremely slender and tall. Why? To save on taxes! Stemming from the boom in the 16th century, Dutch authorities levied taxes from citizens based – among other things – on the width of their house. Most are equipped with hooks to enable residents to bring in furniture and other bulky items - like our suitcases (I wish) - because (as we learned) staircases are narrow, steep and winding.



This is the one place Frank is short. He stands at 6'3" and people tower over him. I barely came to some people's knees. No joke.



There are bicycles everywhere. I've never seen anything like it. They start kids on bikes very young and without helmets - heresy! It seems bicyclists earn the right of way in every instance, so, keep your eyes peeled.





A weekend was all we needed to explore this famous city in the Netherlands. We weren't terribly lured by the sirens call of this adult playground. I prefer my coffee shops to serve coffee and the red light district was amateur hour at its best, or, um... worst.







Don't get me wrong, I have no qualms when it comes to prostitution. I support it as long as all parties are willing. As the kids today, say... you do you, boo. I was surprised by how robotic the ladies were. I compared them to Austin Power's Fembots. However, the only spell they were under where that of their social feed, the bulk were glued to their cellphones.

The Venustempel sex museum and the Holland casino both charge 5 Euros to enter. There is some punchline there about getting screwed. I'll let you find it.



Look at that queue waiting to pay to enter. Shh! Don't tell Vegas.



Food was definitely my love language in Amsterdam. The dutch apple pancakes and the pomme frites were something to behold. The chewy pancake dough was light and not too sweet despite the syrup that was more like caramel topping than the maple variety known so well in the states. Fresh apples and serve yourself powdered sugar. No devils dust for me - Thanks!



The fries were perfectly crisp on the outside with fluffy centers. Plus endless sauce possibilities. Frank's preference was the classic ketchup with mayo.



The other regional dish that wooed me were bitterballen which are fried balls of roux and meat. The tastiest of bar snacks! The best, though, were at Foodhallen.



Oh, and let's not forget the cheese. I mean come on, now! Gouda is heaven sent.



Stroopwafels are a bit too sweet for my liking, but it was an interesting battle between my braces and the strings of caramel.



Travels with Frank has led me on a tour of cigar lounges around the globe. My favorite, by far, has been Freddy's in Amsterdam. Named after Freddy Heineken. The dark wood and rich leather ooze class. The air filtration is quite impressive. I don't mind lingering for hours sipping on craft cocktails or fine bourbon while noshing on barrel snacks. The wasabi peas and cereal crisps were personal favorites. The bitterballen was quite delicious too. I'd return in a heart beat. Sunshine in the Rain (my cocktail of choice). All day.

Next stop, Stockholm.