TravelsandEscapes

What color on a cloudy rainy December day. In fact, red is one of three colors present right now at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

Green wreaths and red bows are impressive against the stark white headstones.

Sobering in size this newly dedicated National Cemetery is the seventh in California and the 124th in the nation. Able to serve veterans’ needs for the next 50 years fourteen of the 561 acres are currently developed.

Saturday, December 12 was the date for the wreath-laying event honoring fallen veterans. This year wreaths were placed on all 5,400 grave sites.

Impressive to look at…sobering to know these men and women gave it their all for our freedom.

If you are in need of last minute ideas for your traveling friends…here’s what these festive pelicans have to say.

Give a gift certificate to a spa. When your friends get home from traveling, they just might need a spa treatment.

How about a Christmas tree ornament in the shape of a globe…complete with maps.

Find a pair of easy to pack slippers.

Luggage tags.

Gift certificates to restaurants.

Movie passes.

Flowers…even at Christmas.

When I asked for favorite things you always take with you, these are some of them:

slippers…especially when going to a B & B as the floors may be hardwood and a little chilly

wine glasses…if you dislike plastic cups in your room, pack a couple of Riedel O glasses

coffee essentials…as a coffee addict you might like to take your own to use in a hotel coffee maker

wool shawl…works as a blanket on the plane or when you need an extra layer

reading light…small battery powered lights are great in hotel rooms with poor lighting

silk travel pillow…it’s worth the room it takes up

fleece hoodie…except in hot weather this works on the plane & out in public; plus you can wad it up in your purse or backpack and it still looks good

iPod…great for long plane rides

a husband…(my personal favorite answer)…good for leaning on in the plane, reaching stuff out of overhead bins, watching my purse when I go to the bathroom, carrying cash, holding my hand, getting me coffee in the morning…need I go on?

If you plan a trip to a destination with high humidity, save the silica gel packets that come in purses or shoes. Or you can ask for them at your local camera store. When you pack them in a plastic bag with your medications, binoculars, camera or iPod they prevent the humidity from damaging or fogging them.

When you get home, put the gel packets in a 150 degree oven for about half an hour and you can reuse them your next trip.

For your clothes, pack a large garbage bag inside your suitcase or duffel bag and pack your clothes inside it. Everything will stay drier.

Anyone recognize this site? Maybe a clue will help.

Or maybe anyone who watches golf will know where this is…

If you are in the Walnut Creek, CA area and want authentic Italian food you must check out this restaurant. Caffe Delle Stelle is located at 1532 N. Main Street in Walnut Creek.

It’s been there a while and they know how to do food. My good friend, Anna, and I had a great discussion about food and Italy with our server, Domenico. He should know…he is from Italy.

Italians don’t just eat a meal. They value it for what it is…a celebration of food, wine, friends, conversation and relaxation. He likened it to “getting away from your day” for this celebration. Forget your issues and take time to celebrate.

He’s right. If you’ve ever been to Italy or have been around Italians at meal time…it’s an experience. With all the gestures and loud voices you may think they are mad at each other. Not so…they are expressing what is important to them and allowing you to do likewise.

All the while…good food and wine complete the meal. I’ll be back to Caffee Delle Stelle.

If you are planning a cruise vacation this winter…don’t be left standing on the pier watching your ship sail off. And if you live or travel through winter related areas, keep these simple tips in mind.

Leave a day early. This gives you a buffer in case there are delays. Plus you can start your vacation with less stress.

Take a non-stop flight if you can, eliminating connecting flight issues. If non-stop is not an option, leave a minimum of one hour in between your connections.

Try for the earliest flight out in the day. That way if something goes wrong, you have options.

If something does go wrong, don’t panic. Try to be friendly to the airline personnel. Your bags just might end up with you for your destination in Miami instead of some remote spot in Alaska!

Keep your itinerary with reservation numbers, flight numbers, and phone numbers to the airlines as well as the cruise line. Instead of going to the long line at the airline counter you can sit down and make some calls. Usually you will get some resolution quicker than standing in line.

Check out trip cancellation lost baggage insurance. It may save you some money or in some cases will pay for you to reach your embarkation port or fly to another port to meet your ship.

Waves were still rolling in late in the afternoon and towards sunset.

Sun is starting to sink.

And when it goes…it just drops into the sea.

Roll after roll of large waves hit the beach in Monterey, CA.

Surfers would have been busy…except for the rocks.

Sea spray could not be avoided. And these really did thunder as they hit the rocks.

The rolling just didn’t stop.

Exposed rocks…for now. Wait a few seconds and another round of waves will hit.

Water colors range from bright blue to blue-grey.

When in Carmel, CA, take time to visit and reflect at the Carmel Mission. Built in 1771 this mission includes an “Indian Cemetery”, which honors the Native Americans who worked and helped the Padres.

Stones, shells and simple headstones mark graves in the back courtyard.

There are five museums and a working church within the Mission grounds. This National Historic Landmark is a place to visit as you learn more about the Spanish and Mexican influence on the history of California.