The Indonesia archipelago has over 17,000 islands – which can present a challenge when planning a trip. How do we decide which islands to visit on a two-week vacation? I wanted to see Borobudur and Michael wanted to see Gunung Padang – both in Java – great, that’s the first destination. Where to go next? [...]
When Michael said he wanted to go to San Francisco for his birthday trip I was not keen on the idea. We have been to the Bay area and wine country many times, but it has been a while. The last time I was in Union Square, it was sad to see that the area [...]
I wasn’t going to write about our fourth annual trip to Pismo Beach, California. It was a nice, mellow week but there wasn’t anything of interest to share. But then I found inspiration in an unexpected place. The Tides Inn finished renovating the beach house with new furniture and air conditioning. The best part was [...]
I’ve wanted to visit the Ojai Valley for a while. A few years ago, we planned a trip with Indy but had to cancel due to his health. This year we finally made it to Ojai – twice. On a warm June day after battling freeway traffic, we reached the peaceful Ojai Valley. We settled [...]
On a Galapagos Islands cruise, we saw blue footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, penguins, and sea lions on uninhabited islands with diverse landscapes. Galapagos is an archipelago of 19 volcanic islands 620 miles from Ecuador. Most islands are uninhabited and the only way to visit is with a guide. Galapagos has been on our ‘wanna [...]
On a long-anticipated international trip, we explored Mayan ruins in Guatemala, saw a Star Wars filming location, and watched the sunset on top of a temple. It was seven years since our last international holiday. My mom’s illness and death, the pandemic, and then Indy’s failing health kept us close to home. After Indy passed, [...]
A bittersweet holiday at a destination filled with memories. It was a week of relaxation, reflection, and a few tears. A few months ago, as we anticipated the upcoming holiday trip to Pismo Beach I worried about Indy’s health. Would he enjoy the trip? Would he have a health crisis when we were there? Would [...]
Our first road trip without Indy was a mellow anniversary get-away to Santa Barbara a few weeks after he passed. Michael and I typically schedule vacation time for our anniversary in early December. This year, we planned a staycation due to Indy’s health. Indy passed away two weeks before Thanksgiving. We didn’t want to be [...]
Sometimes all you need for the perfect vacation is the roar of the waves and a view of the coastline… oh, and authentic Turkish delight. From world travelers to home bodies… First there was COVID and then Indy’s advancing age (he turned 13 in November), so we decided to put away the passports for a [...]
We enjoyed the beach house at The Tides Oceanview Inn & Cottages in Pismo Beach so much in December that we decided to return for Michael’s birthday. Ten days before the trip, I called the hotel to ask a question and had an unpleasant surprise. The staff said, ‘We were going to call you… Due [...]