My leg, being driven down the highway in, I think, Oklahoma.
My leg, being driven down the highway in, I think, Oklahoma.
Something that I really enjoy is travel. I have been to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Cuba, Mexico and 30 of the United States. In Canada, I have been as far east as Quebec City. I travelled across Europe by tour bus and train and across Canada by air, car and VIA Rail. I have travelled most extensively in the U.S.A.
In 1990, my husband John and I spent 6 weeks on a road trip. We camped and rarely spent more than one night in the same place. We visited Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Oregon. We covered a lot of territory in a relatively short time. We had a great time, saw some amazing places (Yellowstone, White Sands, Grand Canyon) and some weird places (Graceland!). As a result of 6 weeks of viewing road kill, I became a vegetarian.
1990 -West Thumb, Yellowstone Park, just before we realized that a buffalo was blocking our way back to the car.
In 1992, we took an Insight tour of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France. Six countries (actually starting in London) in 8 days... On a bus... But we survived and enjoyed most of it. Our tour guide was excellent, which makes all the difference. The best stop was definitely Venice, and one highlight was going to dinner on one of the Islands (they didn't tell me it was eel until after, blechhh), and coming back to the hotel late at night, crossing the lagoon in a small boat, looking at all the lights.
1992 - The Grand Canal, Venice. I still want to go back.
Even more than travelling, I enjoy planning trips. As a result, when I decided to change careers (I was a Crisis Counsellor) I went to school to become a Travel Consultant. However, I soon realized that being a travel agent was more about making sales (commissions) that researching or planning other people's trips. When I stopped enjoying travel as a hobby, I quit my job.
1993 - Monterey Bay Aquarium Kelp Forest. A must-see.
In 1997, we drove from Vancouver, BC, to Wisconsin. Why? Because we are insane.
Our last big trip was to France, Belgium and Germany in May 1999. Paris, Bruges, and Freiburg im Breisgau were wonderful.
Fodor's Travel Online: You can make you own guidebook of restaurants, hotels and attractions, based on your own desires, for a variety of destinations. There is also hosted forums on a different place each week, which are interesting if you are someone who is just interested in travel in general.
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel
A good research site for travel is Yahoo! Get Local, which has links to cities all over the world. The American sites are the most developed and include daily weather, local newspapers and travel information for the region.
Can you tell what this is or why this looks strange? It the picture of a reflection of John and I on a tour bus. John is holding the camera. The surface was the curved underside of a pedestrian walkway in New York City (1998). It is a little strange to see this picture, as I think the structure disappeared on 9/11.
Some nice places I have stayed:
Mansfield Hotel, New York City - central midtown location, excellent included breakfasts, nice decor. Okay, I had shell shock when I saw the room size, but quickly learned that it was pretty typical for NYC. I would definitely go back.
French Road Farm Cottage, Whidbey Island, Washington State - Jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, great furnishing and acres of amazing garden to explore. Whidbey Island is a great place to explore. Don't miss Deception Pass park.
Markgräfler Hof, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany - charming, right in the middle of things, excellent restaurant. Get a room at the back, overlooking a waterway, unless you like the noise of the bar down the street
Humboldt House Bed and Breakfast, Victoria, BC - several theme rooms, with my favourite being the Garden room. Excellent breakfasts, delivered hot through a special 2 way cupboard. Quiet, in easy walking distance of downtown.
Kathleen's Country House, Killarney, Ireland - beautifully decorated, friendly staff, more great breakfasts, walking distance to Killarney.
1996 - The Burren, Ireland.
