More Travel Adventures in Paris

Well, just when we thought our wild travel adventures in Paris where over for this trip we discovered Murphy had other plans.  In essence he put us in the middle of one of the largest traffic jams I’ve ever seen on the Place de la Concorde.

It started innocently enough.  We took a bus to a designer boutique in Places des Vosges where Sherry had seen a purse she liked.  Then it was to another bus, which runs straight down Rue de Rivoli to Concorde.  Our goal this time was to stop at Angelina’s to pick up a Christmas present.  Both of these trips went off without the slightest hint of what was to come.

After Angelina’s the plan was to have lunch at Restaurant Voltaire.  This required crossing the Seine which should be easy enough.  However, this is where the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries are located so there are fewer bridges.  Our best bet was to finish walking towards Concord and catch the bus from there.  Incidentally, this is the same bus we took home on Thursday.

Our first sign of trouble occurred as we walked by the Hotel Le Meurice.  There were lots of police and black sedans indicating that some dignitary would be traveling soon by motorcade.  This is not a big deal since dignitaries stay there all the time.

Then we arrive at Place de la Concorde.  What a frigging mess it was!!!  There were cars trying to go every direction and police every where desperately trying to direct traffic. Soon, the reason for all this chaos became crystal clear as motorcade after motorcade after motorcade made their way around the traffic circle heading towards the Presidential Palace.

When we get to the bus stop you can see they are not letting buses in to that area.  So, we walk to another stop that is also blocked. Finally, we walk across the Seine because traffic was going nowhere while police motorcycles with full sirens blaring seemed to be everywhere.

Across the river we managed to flag down a taxi.  When we told where we wanted to go he just kind of laughed and told us good luck with that!  The traffic in Concorde was impacting traffic in all directions for miles so he felt confident that no driver would try and take us through that mess.

So, we caught another bus for home, moving away from Concorde, and ate at another bistro we know that has great food. Once seated, I realized that it had taken us nearly 2-hours to get from Angelina’s to our table by the window at Bistro Relais Odeon.

Once we were back at the apartment I did some surfing on the web and discovered the cause of it all.  The headline reads - French President François Hollande on Friday hosts nearly 40 African leaders at a Paris summit on peace and security. Yep, that’ll do it.

It was not the way we planned the day to go but in the end we had a great meal in Paris so I’m not complaining.  It’s just another example of being willing to roll with the punches in the City of Light.

AU revoir!

Misadventures in Paris – Part II

This is the continuation of Misadventures in Paris – Part I.

You may remember that the concert was the Four Seasons by Vivaldi.  We did some quick searching on the web and discover this concert lasts about 45 minutes.  So, we choose to have dinner afterwards.  I mean this is Paris after all and finding someplace to eat dinner at 9:30 on a Saturday would not be a problem.  We even had a plan.  After the concert, we would hit the closest brasserie and have French onion soup with a side of fries and some nice red wine.

As we rush through the front door, we saw something about the Ave Maria on the poster. That’s odd.  Our tickets only mention the Four Seasons.  This is what we are discussing as the musicians take the stage.

However, this is a little bewildering as well.  You see, there are clearly 4 chairs and 4 music stands set up but 5 musicians and a woman in a formal gown come onto the stage.   As they reach the center, 4 musicians take their places and the other musician and the woman keep walking and disappear into the shadows.

Finally, the music starts and it’s lovely.  But it’s not the Four Seasons.   After three songs, the woman comes out and performs the Ave Maria in full operatic soprano.  To be honest, I am not a fan of this style but we both love the Ave Maria (we played it at our wedding) so it’s all good.

However, after the Ave Maria she performed another song.  Then another and another.  After 5 long songs, she took her final bow and the last musician came on stage.  At last we get the Four Seasons started and it was absolutely beautiful.

Well, the first three seasons were good.  We left before the fourth since it’s now after 10:00 and we are starving and it was time to implement the last part of the plan.

We head out the front door and beeline for the closest brasserie.  As soon as we sit down we have a feeling we choose badly.  We were right.  Our soup had no flavor at all.  It was mostly broth with a few onions thrown in for good measure.  The only true flavor came from the burnt cheese on top.  And the fries.  They were very greasy and had obviously been frozen.

After spending a lot of money for pretty piss-poor food we found the closest Metro, bought new one-way tickets and headed home. On the way we passed Rue de Buci and the Café de Paris, which is one of our favorite local restaurants.

We sat down and promptly order an assortment of desserts.  They were exquisite and did a fine job finishing off a tiring evening with a wonderful flourish.

There you have it.  Challenging transportation, unadvertised changes to the concert, and horrible food can be found in Paris. The trick is to simply proclaim c’est la vie and roll with the punches until it finally gets better. And that usually starts with dessert.

Au revoir!

P.S. I was looking at the bus map today and discovered that the 24 bus we were waiting for actually does not come down that street so we were waiting for a bus that would never come.  I have no idea why the number 24 bus logo appeared on the stop along with the 21, 69, 72 and 81.

Misadventures in Paris – Part I

You don’t have to hang out with Sherry and I very long to discover we love Paris.  We’re happy to regale you with story after story of the great times and adventures we’ve shared in the City of Light.  But, before you get the misimpression we only see Paris through rose-colored glasses I can tell you that we’ve had a few misadventures as well.

Last night was one of those misadventures.

It all started around 6:00 pm when I posting on FB that we were in the motel where Oscar Wilde died on the day of his death – November 30th.  Suddenly Sherry remembered we had tickets to a concert that night to hear Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at L'église de la Madeleine, which is one of the many beautiful churches in Paris.

No worries since the concert started at 8:30.  At 7:30 we catch the 95 bus near the apartment.  From there we’ll change to the 72 bus and finally the 24 bus. We settle in for the short ride, which takes us right in front of the Louvre and that’s where it starts to go a little sideways on us.

We got to enjoy the view of the Louvre much longer than intended because traffic was a mess.  We are finally off the bus and ready for the next leg when we realize it’s nearly 8:00 already.  So, we ditch the buses for the metro and that’s when our plan really took a turn for the worse.

Earlier that day we purchased full-day Metro tickets, which work on the buses as well.  However, I bent both tickets so now they had a crease and could not be read.  Merde!!! Back up to the buses, which normally don’t require you to show your ticket even though legally you’re supposed to.

We get to the bus stop and receive a pleasant surprise.  The 24 bus stops here and that means we can skip the 72 bus all together to save a little time.  And with that we feel like we’re back on track.

As we stand there waiting we see a bus approach.  It’s a 72 (of course it is).  Should we board it? Nope, we’ll wait for the 24.  Then comes a string of buses that’s almost comical. A 69, 81, 72, 69, 21, 81 and 21. Every bus that passes that is not a 24 raises our stress levels just a bit because at this point we are running out of time.

Time for a new plan.  At 8:20 we’re climbing into a taxi after finally giving up on the bus.  Of course now the taxi is stuck in heavy Saturday night traffic.  Still, he did a great job of navigating his way through town and we handed our tickets to the young man at the door at precisely 8:30.  Three minutes later, the chamber quartet walks onto the stage and the concert began.

However, this is not the end of the evening’s misadventures so stay tuned for part 2 to see how the night unfolds.

Au revoir!

Paris

The next travel adventure for Sherry and I starts on Thanksgiving.  While, most Americans are stuffing themselves with turkey and other great holiday fare, we’ll be stuffing ourselves into seats 12K and 12L on Air France flight AF083.  Destination – Paris!!!

We love vacationing in Europe in general and we travel there as often as possible (which really means as often as we can afford it). However, it seems that we frequently end up back in Paris.  As a result, we’ve gotten to know the city pretty well.  Particularly the 6th arrondissement where we like to stay.

Of course, at this point many of our friends and work colleagues know about the trip.  The reactions we get from people when they hear we’re going to Paris, especially if it’s a new acquaintance who doesn’t know our history, is usually the same.  It’s usually something like – “I would love to go to Paris one day.”

What happens next really intrigues me as they begin to daydream about the City of Lights.  They’ll talk about seeing the Eifel Tower or other famous sites.  They’ll talk about art and culture and food. They’ll longingly daydream about sipping wine at sunny cafes as the city begins to seep into every corner of their being.  And, they talk about all of this like Paris is on the moon.

For some reason this cracks me up.  I understand if you can’t afford the trip.  While it’s not as expensive as people think, it can be a little pricey.  But other excuses such as I don’t speak the language, the flight’s too long, I don’t have the time, etc., are just that – excuses!

So, is there a moral to this story.  Perhaps a little one.  Why spend time dreaming about an adventure when you can simply go have one.  If you want to go to Paris, or London or Tokyo or Bora Bora or wherever, quit dreaming about it and go.  If you do, you’ll discover the memories are much better than the dreams.

Au revoir!

The Beauty of Rain

What is it about rain?  People seem to love it or hate it.  While some romanticize the notion of laying in bed on a Sunday morning and listening to it rain others complain about ruined plans and getting wet. I can honestly say I’m in the first group.  I love the rain.

While there are many ways to enjoy rain, one of my favorites is to simply sit at a small table with a cup of coffee and enjoy the peace and serenity that comes with a gentle rain. It doesn’t matter if the table is in my kitchen or at the Café de la Mairie in Paris. I am also just as content with a glass of wine or a deep rich cup of hot chocolate.

We have some great state parks near my house and I absolutely love hiking or running through them on a rainy day.  To begin with, there are a lot less people so it’s easy to lose yourself in the beauty of nature. I seem to be more in touch with the world around me in ways that are difficult to articulate.  I enjoy riding my bike in the rain and feeling like a kid again much like I did last Saturday (read Feeling like a child for more on that adventure). 

I adore Paris in the rain.  I don’t what it is but something about the rain really brings out the essence of that beautiful city for me.  Whether it’s sitting in a café or strolling hand in hand down the Boulevard Saint-Germain with Sherry, I have this overwhelming feeling of being content. 

Sherry and I are going back to Paris this November and one of the plans is to hire a professional photographer do take some outdoor portraits.  Since you never know what the weather has in store that time of year we are preparing for both blue skies with sunshine and grey skies with rain.  Personally, I hoping for rain.

Au revoir!

Easter Brunch at La Valencia Hotel

Sherry and I decided we needed a spring time get away this year.  As we were trying to figure out where to go, the perfect solution presented itself.  Sherry was attending a conference in San Diego in the days leading up to Easter so we decided to spend 4 days in La Jolla.  Our plan was simple.  It was to be 4-days of relaxing, eating, drinking and (for me) writing.

Fortunately, we realized this was Easter weekend very early in our plans.  This meant we were able to look the perfect spot for our Easter Sunday Brunch.  After some extensive web searching we choose the brunch offered at La Valencia Hotel where in addition to excellent food we were promised lovely views of the Pacific Ocean.  A few clicks later and our reservations are set.

We left the house we rented on a gorgeous Easter morning and took the short 10-minute walk to La Valencia.  As we arrived you could see all of the buffet stations set up in the open court yard. We checked in a little early but our table was ready and we were shown to our seats.

We were lucky enough to sit outside where we could fully enjoy the brochure-worthy view.  We were awaken from our trance when our server mentioned that the brunch price included bottomless mimosas. After that it was “game on” as we headed to the buffet stations.

I won’t try and recount all of the foods they offered but it was a beautiful selection of breakfast and lunch items.  Nor will I trouble you with everything I tasted. I will tell you that it was all truly fabulous.  Of course, we saved plenty of room for dessert, which offered selections that were both creative and delicious.

After spending about 2-hours eating and drinking, it was time to head out for more adventures.  We walked down to La Jolla Cove and watched the sea lions play and frolic in a crystal clear ocean.  Then, we shopped our way back to the house were we spent the afternoon reading and relaxing.  It was a wonderful way to spend Easter. 

It was one of those days you wish you could relive again and again.

Well, it just so happens that the conference Sherry attended is already booked for the week before Easter next year. So, somewhere between the mimosas and bunny tails (one of the desserts) we decided to come back.  I’ll be happy to let you know how is was the second time around.  Until then . . .

Au revoir!!!

A Flashback of Love

This Saturday, I headed out for my usual morning ride. As a meandered my way down to the ride start in Petaluma, I rode past the Church of the Oaks in Cotati.  It just looked so perfect that I had to stop and take a picture.  That also gave me a moment to reminisce about how this lifelong story began.

You see, Sherry and I were married in the Church of the Oaks. Well, at least that’s were our California wedding ceremony occurred.  The first ceremony was in Stateline, Nevada.  Allow me to elaborate.

Sherry and I were already engaged, and living together, when we decided to elope to Nevada one night in August.  The plan was to use the increase in my housing allowance (I was in the Coast Guard at the time) to pay for the “real” wedding, which was scheduled for the following June. So, we piled into our Suzuki Samurai and headed for Nevada.

That first ceremony is actually a story onto itself. Let me just say we were married at Love’s Wedding Chapel by a guy who could be best described as more animatron than human.  I don’t think he could talk and move his head at the same time. The whole thing was so surreal that I clearly remember everything about that day.

Fast-forward to a short 9-months later and you have our second ceremony at the Church of the Oaks.  There were only 3 people who knew this was the second wedding because they attended the first ceremony in Stateline.  That’s because we didn’t tell anyone about eloping.  Not even the minister (or Sherry’s mother for that matter).  We actually have 2 marriage licenses. One from Nevada and one from California.

Of course, we did tell everyone eventually and they all thought it was a lovely and charming story.

What a wonderful way to start our lives together. It also makes for a great story, which is still unfolding to this day. After 27 years together it’s pretty awesome that our love of live, and each other, will continue to add chapters to our story for many years to come.  

Au revoir!

Giotto’s Chapel

Sherry and I met in an art history class at Santa Rosa Junior College in 1985.  In addition to falling in love with each other, we both fell in love with the paintings and frescoes of Giotto.  Neither of us were aware of his works before the class but we were simply amazed by them.  We were so enthralled that when we became proud owners of a new puppy we named him Giotto.

We have seen many of his paintings in museums in both the U.S. and France but Giotto’s grand masterpiece is considered to be the frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy.  So, you can imagine our excitement when we added Padua as a key destination during our recent vacation to Italy.

We didn’t take any chances.  We bought our tickets online well in advance.  We arrived an hour early instead of the requested 30-minutes.  We were giddy with excitement as we watched the 15-minute video during the acclimatization process.  And then, we were led into the chapel.

The greatest poets in history would have difficulty capturing how our first look made us feel.  It was awe-inspiring, breath-taking, surreal, stunningly beautiful, and mesmerizing all at the same time.  There was also a sense of “finally” as we were looking at his master work after studying the man and seeing pictures online for all those years.

Everywhere you looked there were works by Giotto.  On the walls.  On the pillars.  On the ceiling.  Even the trim was decorated by his hand.  Perhaps just as amazing was the fact that he painted the entire chapel in just two years.

We spent the next 20-minutes trying to soak in every aspect of this magnificent accomplishment.  Then our host informed us it was time to leave.  We were the last ones out. 

This was definitely on of the highlights of the trip.  Partly because we had waited for so long to see it but mostly because it spoke to our very souls.  And, you can rest assured that we will see it again on a future Italian adventure.

Ciao!

Three weeks in Italy

Sherry and I just had the pleasure of spending 3-weeks touring northern Italy.  After many trips to France this was our first Italian vacation and we hoped to make the most of it.  I’m happy to report we were successful. In a word, it was fabulous!!!

This trip will generate numerous posts as there are so many stories to tell.  For now, here’s an overview of the trip.

We flew into Milan where we spent the first night enjoying the sites.  The next morning it was off to Lake Como for a couple days to see the Museo del Cyclismo and the Chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo, both meccas for cyclists.

Next we drove to Verona, home to Juliette’s balcony, because it was on the way to Venice.  However, Verona turned out to be a wonderful city and I’m sure we will go there again.  From Verona, we turned in the car and trained to Venice with a stop along the way in the city of Padua to see Giotto’s Chapel.

Arriving by train in Venice was everything we imagined and more.  It is such a beautiful and historic city and definitely one of the highlights of the trip.  However, we had been on the go for the entire trip and it was time to slow things down a bit as we left Venice for Florence.

In Florence we abandoned hotels for a studio cottage in the Florentine hills.  From here, we spend the week exploring the city as well as the Tuscan countryside with day trips to San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena and Montalcino.

We spent most of the last week in the Piemonte region at a little place outside the city of Alba.  This part of the trip was all about relaxation.  Well, relaxation and eating great food, drinking phenomenal wines, and exploring hill top villages with castels.  Finally, it was back to Milan for a final few days before flying home.

There you have it.  A whirlwind tour around northern Italy.  I can’t wait to tell you more about it so stay tuned.

Ciao!!!

Inspired to write

About 2-hours ago, as I was waiting for pizza to go, I was hit by two inspiring thoughts.  Before I share them it might help to know that the pizzeria I was at is in the Barbaresco wine region in Piedmont in northern Italy.  After placing my order I went out on their terrace to enjoy the stunning views of the Italian countryside.  And, it was here that I realized that  I am one lucky, lucky guy and that it’s time to start writing again!

Well, not writing per se but story telling.  You see, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not really a writer.  I’m more of a story teller.  I like sharing my experiences through stories that hopefully make the people listening or reading feel like they were right there with me.  That’s always been my goal but now I am just a little more conscious of it.  Let’s blame my new found clarity and inspiration on the beautiful Italian countryside, with perhaps a nod of acknowledgement to the wine.

I feel like, as a very lucky guy, that I have many stories to tell.  Therefore, I’ve reached a point where it doesn’t matter if they are read or heard they still need to be told. 

So, if you are so inclined, I invite you to join in my adventures with Sherry.  I have a list of blog titles that I plan on making my through in the next few weeks.  And, it I can make you feel like you were there as you read each one, then I will have accomplished what I started out to do.  For now, I’m off to enjoy a little more inspiration.

Ciao!!!

Paris with Kids – Part II

In Part I, I wrote about the many joys of being in Paris with children.  While the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were obvious highlights, the quiet strolls through the parks, sipping hot chocolate, and just relaxing in general weren’t bad either.

The thrill of Friday night was the Christmas Market along the Champs-Élysées.  This is a spectacular market that forms every year and a stroll along the stalls is somehow both exciting and relaxing at the same time.  This was followed by a couple spins around the famous Ferris Wheel of Paris, which gave us stunning views of the lights of Paris.

On Saturday, we were off to check out a kick-ass playground and the Guignol puppet show in the Luxemburg Gardens.  Sherry and I have always enjoyed watching children play here and were really looking forward to watching children we knew having a blast.  After paying a nominal fee, we spend the next 90 minutes with huge smiles on our faces because the kids had even bigger smiles on theirs.

At last, the bell announcing the start of the Guignol puppet show began to ring so it was off the theater.  Watching the kids watch the show, which was of course in French, convinced me of two things.  Certain things are funny, like being scared by a big hairy spider in an old château, in any language and that the true universal language has got be the laughter of children.

As the day winded down, we ate lunch in a Brasserie, shopped in the Latin Quarter, made the requisite stop at Shakespeare and Company, visited Notre Dame, and made a side trip to get the best ice cream in the world.  The day ended with a 2-hour dinner complete with view of the Eiffel Tower followed by watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the Trocadero, which is our favorite vantage point and where the whole adventure started.

The last part is traditional for Sherry and I and it’s how we end every trip to Paris.  What made this trip truly special was enjoying one of favorite places in the world with some of our favorite people in the world.

As for the kids, they never ceased to amaze us.  Their energy, wide-eyed bewilderment, and their laughter added a whole new dimension to this trip.  But mostly, they simply got it!  They understood what hanging out in Paris was all about and that was truly special for us.

À bientôt

Paris with Kids – Part 1

During our most recent trip to Paris, Sherry and I got to see the city from a whole new perspective.  We got the opportunity to explore the City of Lights with kids since our very good friends were joining us for a few days.  So, the stars of today’s post are Abby, who is 10, and 5-year old Graeme.

Let me just say right off that the kids were awesome!!!  They rode the Metro and buses.  They played in the parks.  The toured the Louvre Museum. They sat through 2-hour dinners. But mostly, they did what kids do best, which is live life on a whole different level and that made this trip very special for Sherry and I.

One of the first things we did was go to the Trocadero, which has the best views of the Eiffel Tower in the entire city.  After a few photos and lots of excited comments, we went down the the base.  As the adults were looking up and discussing the what it would be like to live in the area, the kids were trying to catch drops of water (condensation from fog) that were falling from the second level.  Leave it to kids to turn a 122-year old, 990 foot iron tower into a game.

Next up was Notre Dame, where there many more awestruck looks and comments.  On the way, we discovered the best way to get around with kids was by going through the parks.  This allowed the big kids (us adults) to stroll and chat while the real kids ran around, chased each other, and acted like, well, kids.

The next day, the family went to the Louvre Museum and we got to hear all about it at dinner.  Abby and Graeme were simply amazed.  You could tell they were truly soaking in that they were in Paris, in the Louvre and seeing such beautiful pieces of art.  They had also purchased pencils and sketch pads to start creating their own works of art.  At dinner, Abby asked why the Mona Lisa is the most popular painting in the world.  I just love that inquisitive side of kids.

The trip also included shopping at the Christmas markets, playing in Luxembourg Gardens, catching the Guignol puppet show, and going back to the Eiffel Tower at night, but I’ll save the rest of the tale for my next post. 

À bientôt

Back in Paris

Sherry and I have spend the last week back in Paris.  This is the 5th trip where we’ve rented an apartment in the same general area and to be honest, it’s start to feel like coming home.

Our Paris vacations are actually very hard to explain to most people.  They always want to know what we do while we’re here.  They ask if we went so such and such museum and we say no!  Then they’ll ask if we went to see certain monuments and we once again say no.  So, what do we do in Paris?

The answer to that is as simple as it is complicated.  The short answer is that we simply hang out in Paris.  The longer, and more reflective response, is we try and capture some of the essence of living day to day in the City of Lights.

That means we shop for food and other essentials.  We cook.  We explore parts of the city without tourist sites to see what’s there.  We run errands that take us to new parts of the city.  We visit our favorite bistros and cafés while also finding new haunts.  We sip wine and café crèmes while watching a city in constant motion.  And, when we come in November, we do the majority of our holiday gift shopping.

Without a plan, we also loose track of time.  There are many days we have to calculate what day of the week it is.  We loose track because when we’re here, it doesn’t really matter.  There are also many discussions at breakfast that start with the question: “Well, what are we going to do today?”

As much as we love Paris, we decided to take a break after this trip.  There are other parts of France yet to be explored.  There’s also Italy, Spain, Greece and other countries we would like to see.  However, we will be back as this city captures our hearts and souls like no other.

À bientôt

A Perfect Day in France

I feel I should start by admitting that’s been a while since I posted to either of my blogs.  Let’s just say that life and starting a cycling team have taken up quite a bit of my time.  However, Sherry and I are back in France and I can’t think of a better time get going again.

Sherry and I left for France on 11/11/11 for a week in Provence followed by a week in Paris.  Overall, the trip was pretty routine.  An 11-hour flight to Paris followed by a 3-hour TGV ride to Avignon.  We like to spend the night in Avignon so we can be a little fresher on our drive into the Luberon, in this case to the village of Ménerbes.

On Sunday morning we awoke ready to start our day.  This was probably helped along by a lovely evening in Avignon with lots of great food and wine for dinner.  We took a taxi back to the TGV station to pick up the rental car and a few quick minutes later I was re-acquainting myself with the art of French driving.

The plan was to go straight to the Sunday market at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.  This is by far our favorite Provençal market  as it meanders through the town and along the Sorgue river.  The day was made even nicer with stunningly beautiful weather and the fact that we were shopping like locals.  After many hours of buying local vegetables, cheeses, ham, olives, gifts for friends and drinking the occasional coffee, it was time for our next destination.

The guy at the rental car agency suggested we go see Fountaine-de-Vaucluse.  This is where the Sorgue River literally comes out of a cave at the base of a cliff.  We visited there in 2007 but due to the recent heavy rains it was supposed to be spectacular.  However, when we arrived it seemed that every French person in the region had the same idea so we decided to go back another day.

As we left the village, we saw a sign for Gordes.  This may be our favorite village in Provence so we headed that way for lunch.  We tempered our excitement by saying if it was also crazy full of people then we would save it for another day as well.

Fortunately, we found a place to park with no problems and the village was pretty empty.  After a short stroll, we had a lovely lunch at the restaurant that is featured in the movie A Good Year.  After a bit more relaxing and photo-snapping it was time to head to Ménerbes and check-in to the house were we would spend the next 6 nights.

So, there you have it.  Our first full day in France and we’ve already been to our favorite market and village under the bluest skies we’ve ever seen.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.

À bientôt

Celebrating 25 Years

Two days ago, Sherry and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  It has been an amazing adventure filled with love and laughter and a genuine feeling that we would rather spend time with each other then anyone else.  That was true on our wedding day and it remains true today.

So, you might think I would write about the secrets to a long marriage or how lucky I am to be married to such a remarkable woman.  I could recount hundreds of stories about our lives together.  But, I’m not.  Instead, I’m going to write about our dinner that night because I think it says a lot about why we are so happy together.

We chose the Glen Ellen Inn for dinner.  It had been a while since we were there however, we always seem to pick them for romantic occasions so they seemed like the perfect choice.  We were wrong.

Upon arrival, the special romantic table we were promised was nowhere to be found.  Although we brought wine for dinner I wanted to start with glasses of champagne but a quick look at the wine list changed my mind.  Meanwhile, Sherry was looking at the menu with a funny look on her face and when I looked I immediately knew why.  It was mostly sandwiches and salads.

Being happily married for 25-years has us on the same page on most issues and on that night we both knew this is not what we wanted.  So, I stepped outside, made a few calls, and came back to let her know we were on our way to Estate.

Our experience at Estate was everything we were looking for on this special night.  The food and service were outstanding.  Plus, when they discovered it was our 25th anniversary, they created a special dessert, which they offered as their treat.  It was one of the best anniversary meals we’ve experienced (which deserves it’s own blog).

So there you have it!  It was a shaky start but a glorious finish and that perhaps bests describes our marriage.  I think all marriages start of a little shaky as you learn to live and love as a couple.  But for us, this period passed very quickly and it’s been smooth sailing ever since as we work our way to our own glorious finish many years from now.

Au revoir!

Sunflowers

I was at a work event on Tuesday that was part of the Farmer’s Market. As I was leaving, I noticed a booth selling sunflowers so I bought a bunch for Sherry. Needless to say, there were big kisses, and big husband points, when I got home.

Actually, maybe I do need to say. You see, Sherry loves sunflowers! She always tries to have at least one vase filled with them in the house at all times. One of her favorite moments in every Tour de France is when the peloton is cycling through the sunflowers fields of Provence.  A few years ago we were lucky enough to be in Provence at end of the season and she got to stroll around among them with a big smile.

What is it about sunflowers that make people smile? Is it because they look like they’re smiling at you? Or is it the beautiful hues of yellow and gold?  Maybe they remind us of sunshine and that’s what makes us smile. Of course, they have the word sun in their name and I am sure that also helps.

I think it’s the name.  It just sounds happy.  However, that may only be true in English.  While you would think the French name would be la fleur du soleil it’s actually tournesol, which isn’t as nice in my book.   The same is true in Spanish where the name is girasol and not la flor del sol.

In the end, I guess the “why” they make us smile doesn't really matter and we should just accept the fact as one of life’s little pleasures.

Au revoir!

Two weeks of positive vibes

In the back of my mind, I knew it had been a while since I updated this blog.  Don’t get me wrong, there are have been many, many things that were blog-worthy, I just haven’t had the time to write about them.  Then I noticed that “a while” turned into two months so it’s time to get caught up.

The most significant event in the past few weeks was returning for my second year at WCMS (you can read about my first year and the program here).  I met my classmates last year and we formed instant friendships.  While we developed our professional skills, we were also building bonds that, for many of us, will last a lifetime.

Since last year we have all stayed in touch by telephone, email, texts and Facebook, but for two weeks in July we get to hang out face-to-face.  You know what means, right?  Lots of laughs, late nights, story telling, reminiscing, and just the “occasional” drink to keep things going.  All of this is set against the backdrop of college life complete with living in dorms, eating cafeteria food, and studying for exams. 

Second to only Sherry (my lovely wife), these people are collectively one of the most positive influences in my life today.  They will never truly know how much they mean to me and how they’ve helped me during those tough times we all experience.  When I’m feeling a little down, I only need to reminisce about our times together and I immediately have a smile on my face. 

I can only hope that everyone gets to experience something so positive at some point in their lives.

Au revoir!

A Shopping Cart of Memories

Last week I saw this shopping cart on my street as I finished my run.  Out of nowhere, I had a flashback to my childhood that dates back nearly 40 years. 

I was with my grandparents, who had a huge impact on my life, as we returned from a weekend fishing trip.  As we entered a town on the way home, we saw 2 young boys, about my age of 12 or so, pushing a shopping cart down the street towards us.  Well, one was pushing it and the other was riding in it.  Anyway, my grandparents started commenting on how nice these boys were for returning the cart and how that kind of courtesy was rapidly disappearing in the younger generation.  No sooner had they finished this conversation, we passed the market the cart was from.  You guessed it!  The boys were stealing, not returning the shopping cart.  For some reason this "tickled" (my grandmother's favorite term) the hell out of us and we laughed about it for next hour.

Now, I see shopping carts all the time so it amazes me that seeing this particular cart this morning brought back a memory from 40 years ago with such clarity.  I can also tell you that it put a huge smile on my face and I spent the remainder of the run remembering other good times spent with my grandparents.  I also felt like I was more ready to face the day, come what may.

The moral?  For me, it was a good reminder that reflecting on the good and positive things from your past can help you overcome moments of negativity in the present.

Au revoir!

Impromptu Adventures in Wine Country

A few months ago, a good friend moved into a studio apartment in the Dry Creek Valley just outside of Healdsburg.  The views were supposed to be spectacular since the apartment was above the office of Pasterick Winery and we were looking for an excuse to go check it out.

Last weekend, a group decided to have dinner at Catelli’s in Geyserville to celebrate Julie’s birthday.  This gave everyone the perfect opportunity to meet at Julie’s for pre-dinner drinks and check out her new place. 

The views did not disappoint.  This view is from her landing.  She also has a few of the hillside vineyards and the wine cave (an actual cave) where Pasterick Winery hold their tastings.  It is a stunning piece of property that is as tranquil as it is beautiful. 

It also happened to be Passport Weekend so the owners, Diane and Gerry Pasterick, were hosting a tasting in the cave.  As we were hanging out on the landing sipping champagne and enjoying the views, Diane shouted up a big happy birthday to Julie.  She then invited us to see the cave and tasting room.

We strolled over to the cave as Diane told us about the history of the property and creating the cave itself.  Once inside, she began to describe their wine making process.  They exclusively grow and bottle Syrah in the Rhone tradition of big taste and smooth finish.  As I listened, I began to realize this was turning into a tour, which was fine by me since I really like Syrah.

After Gerry joined us we eventually found our way into the tasting room.  Here, we were treated to tastes of their 2006 Syrah along with a brand new wine, the 2010 Rose (made from Syrah).  These wines were exquisite and I will definitely be buying some in the future.

During the tasting, Diane and Gerry began to tell the story of how they met.  It was part romantic, part humorous, and thoroughly fascinating.  We had just reached the point when Diane had accepted Gerry’s marriage proposal when we realized we were late for dinner. 

We casually left the cave while calling Catelli’s so they knew we were on the way.  Of course, all of us wanted to hear the rest of the story so we decided we would arrange a tasting very soon where we get to sample more vintages of their great Syrah and hear how the story unfolds.  Since Diane and Gerry are together and have created such fantastic winery, I think we already know how the story ends.

Au revoir!

How to Turn 50

Last Friday, I turned 50.  Now, for a lot of people that’s a bit of a scary prospect but not so much for me.  Why not?   You see I don’t think I look 50 and I definitely don’t feel it.  In my mind, I’m still this youngish dude in my early 40’s.  Anyway, that’s how old I feel so I’m sticking with it.

Still, turning 50 is a considered a milestone so I took the day off to play.  The next question was what should I do?  As usual, I got up early, made a cappuccino and starting goofing off on the computer.  As dawn broke it was decision time.  Should I ride?  Should I go for a run?  I know, I’ll get another cup of coffee and think about it some more.  An hour and a half later, I was still sitting in my chair and drinking coffee when it hit me. I always ride or run on my days off, so doing neither would be the real birthday treat. 

After deciding what not to do, Sherry (who also had the day off) and I went down to The Flying Goat, our favorite indie coffee house.  There, we sipped our cappuccinos, ate pastries and simply enjoyed the morning and each other’s company.  After a little stroll through Old Railroad Square it was time to head to my birthday lunch. 

Sherry made reservations at Auberge du Soleil.  After being seated on the terrace, we started with glasses of Champagne, which were followed by very delicious salads, soups, lobster risotto and pork dishes.  Of course, all of this needed to be paired with wine so we selected a German Riesling that was extraordinary.  All of this was thoroughly enjoyed while checking out the stunning views of the Napa Valley. 

After our late lunch we drove to the historic town of Sonoma for another relaxing stroll.  From there, it was on to dinner with friends where we once again dined on great food and wine.  The dinner was also accompanied by lots and lots of laughter as well as the occasional old man joke.

The next day I chose to sleep in, which is very unusual for me.  When I finally got up, I managed to kick out a 7.5 mile run (my longest in a very long time) in Annadel State Park. 

The time spent with Sherry, lunches in Napa, dinner with friends, and long runs or rides all work harmoniously to ensure I continue to feel young.  And with all that working in my favor, I would can’t wait to see what the next 50 years brings my way.

Au revoir!