Category: Uncategorized

Regardless of where you are traveling this year these tips may save you some money.

Check for any discounts on hotels, airfare or attractions. Are you a rewards member, or AAA or AARP? Can you use your hotel points? If you have a spouse that travels frequently and stays at one hotel chain, be sure they are signed up for the rewards program. The points add up and can be used for a vacation to save some cash.

Are you absolutely sure you will be staying at the hotel you booked? If so, many offer a discount of up to 30 or even 50% off the rate if you prepay for your room. Some of these will refund payment if you cancel within 24 to 48 hours.

Already bought your plane ticket? Keep checking the fares anyway. Some airlines will adjust your ticket if fares go down.

Read the guidebooks or ask the hotel if there are discounts on attractions you wish to visit. Sometimes you will get a deal or a coupon just by asking.

Once you get to a new, or even favorite, destination…walk. There is no better way to see the sights than on foot. Plus you save on costly cab rides. You can even visit the sites in your hometown or in the closest large city and save money by having a staycation. Check online before you go to see the best times to visit certain attractions, museums, zoos, etc.

Check the weather before you go. And be sure to check daytime as well as night temps. If you don’t need a heavy sweater…don’t let it take up room in your suitcase. On the other hand, you may want to plan on wearing layers of lighter clothing to stay warm enough.

Summer is on its way. Head to California for these ideas…

Pet a bat ray at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Designed to give a sense of what it’s like to be in the water with the animals is just one of the special beauties of this aquarium. Sardines swim around your head in a circular tank. A petting pool gives you a hands on experience with bat rays. Other tanks give you the feeling of swimming with jellies.

Watch boats and builders at Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. Many times you might see boat builders actually at work.

Or just watch boats. Balclutha, an 1886 full-rigged three masted sailing ship, sailed around Cape Horn 17 times. She is over 250 feet long and newly restored. The Eureka, a side wheel passenger and car ferry, hosts a collection of vintage cars on board.

Take some time out to grab your lunch at a gourmet to-go window, sit by the bay and watch the ships and sailboats. Some award winning chefs from places like Fish and Farm or Chez Spencer are now serving lunch from to-go windows. American Box Lunch at Union Square, Spencer On the Go in SOMA, Greens to Go in the Fort Mason or Marina district, The Sentinel in the Financial district and Little Skillet in SOMA are just a few. Check them out.

Ever wonder why wineglasses come in a variety of shapes? Or, are you are a beginner wine drinker and can’t figure out what glass to use when serving wine to your guests? Is there a difference?

According to Riedel Glass, an Austrian glass manufacturer, the philosophy is simple. The content of the glass determines the shape.

Sparkling wines are served in a tall, narrow glass allowing the wine’s bubbles to form at the bottom and rise to the top better than in a wider or more shallow glass.

White wine glasses are shorter than a Champagne glass with a medium diameter bowl. If, however, your white wine is more full-bodied, serve it in a glass with a slightly larger diameter bowl, allowing it to breathe and release its full aromas.

Lighter or medium bodied Red Wines are served in a glass with a slightly wider bowl than that of a white wine. Heavier Reds need the largest bowl in order to mix as much wine as possible with air. You also will be able to stick your nose into the glass to appreciate the wine’s bouquet.

Dessert wines are served in small glasses or ones with small bowls.

Why all the differences? Try tasting the same wine from different glasses. From the moment you stick your nose into the glass to the final tasting…you will notice a difference. Does that mean you’ve been doing it wrong. Absolutely not. It’s up to you how you want to serve and drink your wine. These ideas just may help you get started.

Besides…it’s fun experimenting.

Balloons over Napa Valley are a common site Saturday mornings. We glimpsed this one on our way to our Lake Hennessey hike.

Moss covered trees line the shores of the lake.

If you are in the Russian River Valley or headed to the Armstrong Redwoods, stop at Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol for lunch. Eclectic in decor this delightful place with amazing food is located in a historic railroad building. Floors are slightly uneven…booths are generous…they pour a bunch of different beers from all over the country and the world…and their chef uses local cheeses, fruits, produce and meats.

Not sure which was better…salad of mixed field greens with beer poached pears and Cowgirl Creamery goat cheese or the homemade tomato soup with hints of gin and fennel.

Of course you know where I am…but what is this? Look closely. Could almost be a gorilla covered in a blanket…or not.

Saturday along the coast at Bodega Bay was picture perfect.

Crashing waves against the rocks

Thundering surf

Beaches yielded some good California Jade

Rock sculptures jut out off the beaches

Celebrating 75 years…just a drop in the bucket of the life of these magnificent trees.

Any idea where I was when I took this photo?

Just outside of Palm Desert in The Living Desert lies this beautiful spot…

Yup…this is part of the Fault Line

Beautiful animals in somewhat normal habitat roam. This cheetah was looking for a nap.

This African Cerval is showing off his beautiful coat.