tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72854754837664046492024-03-13T07:16:46.431-07:00Diary of a SuitcaseThe travel blog of Pen and Hive. Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-20781665003987974662019-03-16T07:19:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:02:17.216-07:00Mid Winter Escape to Mexico<div>
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I was so busy recovering from the January of Hacking and Project February that I never wrote about our mid-winter cruise to Mexico. It was a trip that grew from us and another couple to a group of ten. Now on any other kind of trip, I'd say ten is far too many. Too many to get seated in a restaurant without reservations, too many to even get a consensus on where to eat. Plus in a group that size, you can just about bet at any given time someone won't be happy.<br />
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All of which makes a cruise the best option for a large group of people. You hate the stand-up comedian? Go hear some music instead. You're too tired to go to the show after dinner? Go to your cabin and read a book. You've had enough of being sociable (where are my introverts?) find a quiet corner and people watch. And the same principles apply in port. If everyone's going shopping and you want to snorkel, you can do that. Every person could actually do a different activity during the day and end up back at dinner together to share their experiences.<br />
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<i>Did you miss last year's girls' trip? </i><br />
<i><br /></i><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/03/girls-gone-mild-rap-conversion-and-big.html"><i>Girls Gone Mild: who knew we liked rap? </i></a><br />
<i><br /></i><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/03/girls-gone-mild-emotional-outbursts-and.html"><i>Emotional Outbursts and Strip Karaoke</i></a><br />
<i><br /></i><i><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/04/a-first-time-for-everything-list.html">First Time for Everything List</a> </i><br />
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Here are this year's highlights: </div>
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Train to NOLA: This is one of the things we love about this trip. Yes, you have to get up at the crack of dawn but once you are on the train you can relax and start your vacation. It has the added benefit of not having to drive or park a car in the Big Easy. </div>
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Evening in the Quarter: </div>
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Consulting an app to find a restaurant is a waste of time. The standards for food are exceptionally high and in 33 years of travel, we have literally never had a bad meal. A restaurant putting out subpar food just isn't going to make it. We have a few places that have been our favorites over the years but we also have great success just walking around and trying new places. Honestly, you can't go wrong. Some of our old standbys have been: <a href="https://www.redfishgrill.com/">Red Fish Grill</a>, <a href="https://acmeoyster.com/">Acme Oyster House,</a> <a href="http://menaspalace.com/">Menas Palace,</a> <a href="http://www.21stamendmentlalouisiane.com/">21st Ammendment</a>, and the <a href="https://www.bombayclubneworleans.com/">Bombay Club.</a><br />
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But on this trip, we stumbled upon <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=the+governor+new+orleans+restaurant&rlz=1C1PRFI_enUS737US737&oq=the+governor+new&aqs=chrome.2.0j69i57j0l4.8372j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">The Governor</a>, which was awesome and I took the ladies to one of my and my daughter's favorites, <a href="http://maisonsoule.com/">Maison Soule</a> the next morning for breakfast. <i>Bottomless mimosas? Yes, please. </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Sailing Day: </div>
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Well done, Carnival! The most seamless and hassle free check-in and embarkation ever! I had that one burger I let myself have every year from Guy Fieri's as we set sail and watched the skyline fade into the distance. It's a fascinating ride down the river to the gulf that takes about five hours. You see things from the ship that it's impossible to see any other way like the Domino Sugar Plant.<br />
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Day at Sea: </div>
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Sailing across the Gulf of Mexico means a whole day for relaxing, touring the ship, and doing whatever fun activities are going on. This night is also dress up night and it's fun to see everyone decked out in their finest. It's a people watching extravaganza!<br />
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Cozumel:<br />
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This was a day of shopping, eating, and drinking. Mostly shopping. You have to love a place where when you are shopping they offer you shots of tequila. I mean that's a brilliant business model. <i>And very effective if my last Visa bill is any indication. </i><br />
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Progresso:<br />
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More eating and drinking. Then massages on the beach. If you'd told me I'd ever be laying face up on a public beach in my bra I'd have called you a liar.<br />
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Day at Sea:<br />
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This was the day I had so much fun dancing on the deck my feet caught on fire. Okay, let me explain. The music in the club every night had been abysmal so no one had hit the dance floor. So on deck when they bust out the Cuban shuffle and YMCA my friends and I were all over it. Now I did notice my feet felt kind of hot. And as I looked around I made a mental note that everyone else had on flip flops. When I sat down my feet still felt really hot so I looked at the bottoms of them. Blisters. Big ones. And red burn marks.<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Cue This Girl is On Fire. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>My husband went to the infirmary to get me some medication to put on them which helped but I walked like I was 110 the rest of the day. Moral of the story: put some dang shoes on when dancing on a sun hot surface.<br />
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The train ride home: I love Amtrak's little roomettes. It's perfect for when you aren't going far enough to get a real sleeper car, but need a door that closes because you're an introvert and have far exceeded your social interaction quotient for the week.<br />
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<i>This week is the ten year anniversary of the most magical trip I've ever taken. Read about my first visit to Italy: <a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/03/why-i-always-celebrate-ides-of-march.html">Why I Always Celebrate the Ides of March. </a></i><br />
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Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-74240763335500286522018-12-18T05:35:00.000-08:002019-07-27T06:01:41.080-07:00Making the Most of Your Camera's Phone While Traveling<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Are you old enough you remember people inviting your parents over to see their vacation photos on a slide projector? Doesn't that sound like a fun evening? Complain all you want about social media, its invention has saved all future generations from having to keep from falling asleep in the dark while a neighbor explains some unfunny thing that happened to him and his wife at Niagara Falls.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Snore.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I love taking photos of all kinds but left my good camera at home for a recent trip to Pensacola. That old photographer's axiom about the best camera being the one you have with you proved true. You can still get quality artistic photos with your phone. Here are my best efforts last week on my iPhone 7.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">...and yes, were plenty of silly shots on the beach with friends but I'm guessing they look just like yours. The top photo is of a friend in the distance picking up seashells. Every beach photo doesn't have to be at sunset with smiling faces. This photo actually captures our friend's personality quite well. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Experiment with close up... </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> ...and far away. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Look for beauty in the details. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Try black and white for dramatic images. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXK0F74KSfd0ZM7SdXFD86-Pqhy5T8lhOWdOugcJMgNfakzLKyNxIa0nioB-APcEvSMT02P8BIsyMfL1YvS4eeFSUsxIm88q1GkYvA27BPschxxxNC48GAOQv3-c47fJ0g6H7Om-qz9M/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXK0F74KSfd0ZM7SdXFD86-Pqhy5T8lhOWdOugcJMgNfakzLKyNxIa0nioB-APcEvSMT02P8BIsyMfL1YvS4eeFSUsxIm88q1GkYvA27BPschxxxNC48GAOQv3-c47fJ0g6H7Om-qz9M/s640/IMG_1909.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Capture the theme of beach week with something other than feet in the sand.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The best thing you can do to improve your photos is to study photos in magazines that feature the kind of pictures you most want to take. Looking at great photographs will teach you about composition and inspire you to try new things. Bad angles and composition won't be undone with even the most expensive equipment. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Happy photo taking! </span><br />
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Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-54292181365309687752018-12-04T05:30:00.000-08:002019-07-27T06:04:29.141-07:00King Street Station Seattle<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypKxC80t_F9J3CXCLXyZ-mw8fSkHsiaWbO9hmGZJ4K2QR2UKRLtSjGmJnx_mvBfQcC44fZQLjTwxJ1c3RCz-PDvgt2m5ww044NX0jvMeK-secQdqjQW91Z2PmZ2hiR2BThuoI2nGqoeg/s1600/IMG_6919.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="amtrak" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypKxC80t_F9J3CXCLXyZ-mw8fSkHsiaWbO9hmGZJ4K2QR2UKRLtSjGmJnx_mvBfQcC44fZQLjTwxJ1c3RCz-PDvgt2m5ww044NX0jvMeK-secQdqjQW91Z2PmZ2hiR2BThuoI2nGqoeg/s640/IMG_6919.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="train station" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We went to sleep to this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5BVYY5Ln5VcGQtdGwi75jo9Yzz_LtQP0ddG5Aq_OTBlhQNVoSy4csisOx5awBQ49BgJnpRy474jsQUHcGCiF9xVjFpo0evbneFOQGsY1mzwbA11vnsu6Er2ZK1hp9NbD8eg-tEmhd1k/s1600/IMG_6829.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5BVYY5Ln5VcGQtdGwi75jo9Yzz_LtQP0ddG5Aq_OTBlhQNVoSy4csisOx5awBQ49BgJnpRy474jsQUHcGCiF9xVjFpo0evbneFOQGsY1mzwbA11vnsu6Er2ZK1hp9NbD8eg-tEmhd1k/s640/IMG_6829.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">And woke up to this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO52wlVg-YclYLh9rsXH5vN_BetN8sdXJcpfzQprE7McYvpIezQSx3ARPtA6r2SZX-aFdaGVhVYrt8te2AqsSHtlDmJputRAIZAgIjbBoUvWuK-o5miidgmWt-I30X2qGS6uVBUFD_aPk/s1600/IMG_6881.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO52wlVg-YclYLh9rsXH5vN_BetN8sdXJcpfzQprE7McYvpIezQSx3ARPtA6r2SZX-aFdaGVhVYrt8te2AqsSHtlDmJputRAIZAgIjbBoUvWuK-o5miidgmWt-I30X2qGS6uVBUFD_aPk/s400/IMG_6881.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">This trip made me add a couple of new goals to my bucket list.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1. Visit all the really beautiful train stations.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">2. Visit all the tallest buildings especially those with glass floors.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">3. Take all of the great train trips.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">If you missed the beautiful Union Station you can read about it </span><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/11/north-to-chicago-all-aboard-city-of-new.html" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">here. </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> While I had heard of Union Station I had no idea what the Seattle train depot would look like.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Y'all. It was the one time on the trip I was mad at myself for not having my real camera with me. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We arrived at </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Street_Station" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">King Street Station </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> on time in the morning ready to begin our fun stay in Seattle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlNfJw6ZliSh6d2MwpAn1lxtRKOq8a7xz6XDr0Fh4sumNF2-L1QvD3xlA6VsbtynJhzg_03gnV0hkvhDyCMVrQF7bLie5KLrjNZikO1HPCy6KmVYLIoXL-QdrER6npq_m7m8pXkaxeAQ/s1600/IMG_6900.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlNfJw6ZliSh6d2MwpAn1lxtRKOq8a7xz6XDr0Fh4sumNF2-L1QvD3xlA6VsbtynJhzg_03gnV0hkvhDyCMVrQF7bLie5KLrjNZikO1HPCy6KmVYLIoXL-QdrER6npq_m7m8pXkaxeAQ/s400/IMG_6900.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I had a little trouble getting out of the train station. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6yUHf-Y47z99QEqF7C6G-lPfcs2rfMv-x-g0lWhwDbs4iTDxhj6C7lNzOMBSF_JVHH5VDWdgvOKcKNSluCObpr1y6jZWEHJ7QGw14ZPgfJgWX5bo4VE_a2wo_Xv_afXM0fSSA-IdehQ/s1600/IMG_6909.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6yUHf-Y47z99QEqF7C6G-lPfcs2rfMv-x-g0lWhwDbs4iTDxhj6C7lNzOMBSF_JVHH5VDWdgvOKcKNSluCObpr1y6jZWEHJ7QGw14ZPgfJgWX5bo4VE_a2wo_Xv_afXM0fSSA-IdehQ/s640/IMG_6909.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">This station was built between 1904 and 1906. It was designed by the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">firm of </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_and_Stem" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Reed and Stem">Charles A. Reed and Allen H. Stem</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, the who also worked on designing Grand Central Station. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmKVFYd2cVH6W1GUCD8D44awKRUHQDSjBLP0JCWrIJou_40MAduWpIs_W1yDcHzAsIKg5c4rGu1XwXlVMHva0cOVYAkIx8IudFUkIRwo-jNXgZEeBOuRYIxVAUmrk5uuaIzP25-uH3tQ/s1600/IMG_6911.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmKVFYd2cVH6W1GUCD8D44awKRUHQDSjBLP0JCWrIJou_40MAduWpIs_W1yDcHzAsIKg5c4rGu1XwXlVMHva0cOVYAkIx8IudFUkIRwo-jNXgZEeBOuRYIxVAUmrk5uuaIzP25-uH3tQ/s640/IMG_6911.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I really need for somebody to get married on that balcony!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3a36v29E-1cYgYLRMQfFWBepkmryGUnwtstxbDUuXFPSSAqoFdSdBCBP6uJ4zeerd5xe8abP_u4Lho6Yunjxy8WcmzsqU99ipnlISYpRnJVpAoxZNgI_yak1oTBZNopFQFwIqO8E-7Uc/s1600/IMG_6913.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3a36v29E-1cYgYLRMQfFWBepkmryGUnwtstxbDUuXFPSSAqoFdSdBCBP6uJ4zeerd5xe8abP_u4Lho6Yunjxy8WcmzsqU99ipnlISYpRnJVpAoxZNgI_yak1oTBZNopFQFwIqO8E-7Uc/s640/IMG_6913.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="King street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Like many other cities Seattle allowed the building to fall into disrepair as air travel replaced train travel after WWII. But more recently they had the foresight to do a proper restoration which was completed in 2013.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9iocxNXWZ9SOQE6SGfIhR0SilUkcjPVOt4kiJUX90cjlYF_DXp5CBu7yMbaf0lJrrbxiO9T0kxY8vlFKgtkdz4c7EpMUd1RBOIGU7cIgaKqjQwjgbjhOmo4ywTG1tcv_MDQbFsPlTQ/s1600/IMG_6914.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9iocxNXWZ9SOQE6SGfIhR0SilUkcjPVOt4kiJUX90cjlYF_DXp5CBu7yMbaf0lJrrbxiO9T0kxY8vlFKgtkdz4c7EpMUd1RBOIGU7cIgaKqjQwjgbjhOmo4ywTG1tcv_MDQbFsPlTQ/s640/IMG_6914.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I'm a pushover for giant clocks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7XY-t_TiyG59SPV172-vwF0p1OF99GwdqWWpdzduAFrWbgLyvyhQkhWZ_2h-rnjzrF1si5V9o3BUkHJaFZqIEFzUrNBPl_m3Kn68KKtztiwjpw2We3vm7DYpiOffgc-V8-Sy20dTCcE/s1600/IMG_6916.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train depot" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7XY-t_TiyG59SPV172-vwF0p1OF99GwdqWWpdzduAFrWbgLyvyhQkhWZ_2h-rnjzrF1si5V9o3BUkHJaFZqIEFzUrNBPl_m3Kn68KKtztiwjpw2We3vm7DYpiOffgc-V8-Sy20dTCcE/s640/IMG_6916.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">And fancy ceilings like these ornate coffered architectural gems. Can you believe that during the sixties there was actually an ugly drop ceiling of nasty acoustical tile covering these? </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I'd like to see the guy who suggested that idea. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr83mOnnIbAXYHJMJZV8IiaOL36njqoGquShwHC5cPOHLLBQ7PGHPwEz7jfKPh_stXwCVcSI9Zr5lke0OvwQ7wn80IIBR7IswSBF91pqwCxCiCvGvRPnqOv_u7k0UB3PKwGrTwBYsLeR4/s1600/IMG_6917.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr83mOnnIbAXYHJMJZV8IiaOL36njqoGquShwHC5cPOHLLBQ7PGHPwEz7jfKPh_stXwCVcSI9Zr5lke0OvwQ7wn80IIBR7IswSBF91pqwCxCiCvGvRPnqOv_u7k0UB3PKwGrTwBYsLeR4/s640/IMG_6917.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Beautiful details everywhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-APu6e8Tf0Mn2CFt4DjV0jUzBO3yxlbMzeXNlLXbPrhtlelbk1EspF8hp1RCb4mLG8rOxx3K_N_LFkWGht_XVVrqlonqCr9LE9tPsXAmB-9D4jUBRB2BBbBV71SqOwOBYmu0ipGgrkQ/s1600/IMG_6923.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train depot" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-APu6e8Tf0Mn2CFt4DjV0jUzBO3yxlbMzeXNlLXbPrhtlelbk1EspF8hp1RCb4mLG8rOxx3K_N_LFkWGht_XVVrqlonqCr9LE9tPsXAmB-9D4jUBRB2BBbBV71SqOwOBYmu0ipGgrkQ/s640/IMG_6923.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Check out the beautiful green and gold iridescent glass tile border and the elaborate plaster rosettes on the ceiling.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn_UUeofhPXpTdETW6vCSEjOTOFMg3oaJb-IUPbwREbgp2oR0LD5hXrCJu0cay0QskobK1p30QfkLDArC9VC4bEdoE6ctcJ4n50GR_bYA63tTDNu5Ye6p66xuExANH8YBdO9tH7bpCBE/s1600/IMG_6924.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle train station " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn_UUeofhPXpTdETW6vCSEjOTOFMg3oaJb-IUPbwREbgp2oR0LD5hXrCJu0cay0QskobK1p30QfkLDArC9VC4bEdoE6ctcJ4n50GR_bYA63tTDNu5Ye6p66xuExANH8YBdO9tH7bpCBE/s640/IMG_6924.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Don't forget to look at the floors if you pass through this fantastic building!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1YrdfJ9QfVM_7nOkM_3pVRTSm1CnyfrcBqnEC0IJ0pq4YAmqzORmP14u3fPdBMAV7r2LARYlnN1rj2BB9Wh4qmMAQ9ghHrd3LkDPwGc04SUkD674DvwuVSpWB1qR8PmVad4cziJ7TwM/s1600/IMG_6925.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle travel" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1YrdfJ9QfVM_7nOkM_3pVRTSm1CnyfrcBqnEC0IJ0pq4YAmqzORmP14u3fPdBMAV7r2LARYlnN1rj2BB9Wh4qmMAQ9ghHrd3LkDPwGc04SUkD674DvwuVSpWB1qR8PmVad4cziJ7TwM/s640/IMG_6925.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">You just can't go wrong with classic black and white mosaic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr993LJ4DLbYtUtGQ7_2wDpRbVaUK6tBYwYpwOUY3FjIlY62eUadD0U2xdvmoc7E1IgJlaz5JpTcQdv_JqmAfoJcea3Mx4efbPpC1-_D4ZzJzvf2hVwxSO_wgWKs7172r7JZkJwJcgZI/s1600/IMG_6926.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle architecture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr993LJ4DLbYtUtGQ7_2wDpRbVaUK6tBYwYpwOUY3FjIlY62eUadD0U2xdvmoc7E1IgJlaz5JpTcQdv_JqmAfoJcea3Mx4efbPpC1-_D4ZzJzvf2hVwxSO_wgWKs7172r7JZkJwJcgZI/s640/IMG_6926.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Need a closer look?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhqOpbxyNFcgGdud0JhaUcsgGy3PJrJoP59-a7GF1bBuvxRJm6-Ald-VCy-DMviqxQ60kFFK3z4sszCVg5sglKoBig9Ldtam5-EV6AascQs6BMvB8Sye8WJz63e4sFQbdSO8xc_RmXMQ/s1600/IMG_6929.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="king street station " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhqOpbxyNFcgGdud0JhaUcsgGy3PJrJoP59-a7GF1bBuvxRJm6-Ald-VCy-DMviqxQ60kFFK3z4sszCVg5sglKoBig9Ldtam5-EV6AascQs6BMvB8Sye8WJz63e4sFQbdSO8xc_RmXMQ/s640/IMG_6929.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="seattle architecture" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Or a wider one?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxNsOGPMQNa7rDR0HdSmKYylAgQzX2ApECgTo-TH4qCNtzD508-hw_OtHvpZMyEv8BDnqMMBOaH4ulpFBA3yUENqgQhMbMSIFagGwSr01JrdLZ5GE5mVxbV7Xh91D0hkA4k7qWLb52co/s1600/IMG_6930.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle architecture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxNsOGPMQNa7rDR0HdSmKYylAgQzX2ApECgTo-TH4qCNtzD508-hw_OtHvpZMyEv8BDnqMMBOaH4ulpFBA3yUENqgQhMbMSIFagGwSr01JrdLZ5GE5mVxbV7Xh91D0hkA4k7qWLb52co/s640/IMG_6930.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I mean, I told you I had trouble getting out of here. So many details to take in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvLbQ5ncylgkkUPmUs3X8xAfb7KGRumoR_xDIA9Q62msLwjkAPz8OpAXtpA1kRxzruAfpnqcTcXonX7_XV22YmZSmrvB6x3zUwXlb6E-Q2z-GaxWERvTlISiWIcRpwFrT2indaZPzA3g/s1600/IMG_6931.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="king street station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvLbQ5ncylgkkUPmUs3X8xAfb7KGRumoR_xDIA9Q62msLwjkAPz8OpAXtpA1kRxzruAfpnqcTcXonX7_XV22YmZSmrvB6x3zUwXlb6E-Q2z-GaxWERvTlISiWIcRpwFrT2indaZPzA3g/s640/IMG_6931.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="seattle architecture " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The entire building is a little jewel box of incredible workmanship.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqgwgSeNKiJc5oHPBO1wAaDUg5ur2Aka6_PzWt5AhuE3ZIZkEru2Qf_TCBVfcldVyYLqknCi0K1YrkowsHxIE84oEs-T9xaFZ3exLub60tYFY9aaazHsRSgdNEGp4CICZeXmtpwE0MMc/s1600/IMG_6933.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle architecture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqgwgSeNKiJc5oHPBO1wAaDUg5ur2Aka6_PzWt5AhuE3ZIZkEru2Qf_TCBVfcldVyYLqknCi0K1YrkowsHxIE84oEs-T9xaFZ3exLub60tYFY9aaazHsRSgdNEGp4CICZeXmtpwE0MMc/s640/IMG_6933.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Yeah, so in Memphis, we tore down our beautiful old train station and built a hideous post office. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Our leaders are all cool like that. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14saSjnqGPGUzYpgfgd6Zrv7Byt5tAOXWyC5CXU35cf95emLYPgZRKmW4FD3ba91Z9HWNWUN7Y1J_oTiH9nD58RGn4Rys-oV1eaoTdjluHQCfn6ErC6XwpAvKmAEhPQBwzFd_SLdThFo/s1600/IMG_6934.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle architecture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14saSjnqGPGUzYpgfgd6Zrv7Byt5tAOXWyC5CXU35cf95emLYPgZRKmW4FD3ba91Z9HWNWUN7Y1J_oTiH9nD58RGn4Rys-oV1eaoTdjluHQCfn6ErC6XwpAvKmAEhPQBwzFd_SLdThFo/s640/IMG_6934.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station seattle" width="640" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Kudos to Seattle's city leaders for having a vision of what could be.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCL4FamYMsjZxGJFsYCcPx26L5KwLnjeufpXz-bULvv69XQv1mFNPwU2pt8BadSk8GhXcd6xSnZuhgQs5cvRLA6F5xoQvBaS8DueDxaGgnoQF5ndwde0EnopozE7Cv2doJ8CQjE1MEUQ/s1600/IMG_6936.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCL4FamYMsjZxGJFsYCcPx26L5KwLnjeufpXz-bULvv69XQv1mFNPwU2pt8BadSk8GhXcd6xSnZuhgQs5cvRLA6F5xoQvBaS8DueDxaGgnoQF5ndwde0EnopozE7Cv2doJ8CQjE1MEUQ/s640/IMG_6936.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="train travel " width="480" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I thought the tower looked familiar when I finally made it outside. It's based on the tower of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice. It was the tallest building in Seattle when it was constructed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF88KgGwrBvhyphenhyphenet6nMKAJhbAKcba-CSyxkkgoWhUgsod4U__4SlCUBUKBfzXWZVcziLz5h8MJ_kYZEzrkQSBfCHRTGXgXpk_B6H88AbUJej9fUnLGahKqxUYeJZJYGgSHIwpjae-MyUQ/s1600/IMG_6938.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="seattle architecture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF88KgGwrBvhyphenhyphenet6nMKAJhbAKcba-CSyxkkgoWhUgsod4U__4SlCUBUKBfzXWZVcziLz5h8MJ_kYZEzrkQSBfCHRTGXgXpk_B6H88AbUJej9fUnLGahKqxUYeJZJYGgSHIwpjae-MyUQ/s640/IMG_6938.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="king street station " width="480" /></a></div>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We finally made it out of the train station and to our hotel! If you are in Seattle don't miss this gorgeous building. You can visit for free and there's no line!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Next up: Pike's Market, Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens, and the Underground Tour.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Happy Travels, Y'all! </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">XOXO</i>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-1107550104122480652018-11-20T05:01:00.000-08:002019-07-27T06:07:29.027-07:00West to Seattle Aboard the Empire Builder<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The train left Chicago on time headed north before turning west sometime during the night. </span><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/11/north-to-chicago-all-aboard-city-of-new.html" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Read about the ride from Memphis to Chicago here. </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">While my husband napped I pressed my face against the window of our sleeper car to catch glimpse after glimpse of idyllic farms flashing by. Red barns with stone foundations. Windmills. Authentic farmhouses not "farmhouse style" wannabe mid-century ranch houses. The scenery was plucked from every vintage children's book about life on a farm. I was enchanted.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Our steward (ess?) Erika came by to introduce herself and give us all the information about meals, bed set-up, etc. She offered to bring us meals in our room if we didn't want to eat with anyone else. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Just so you know table sharing is classic train procedure.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I mean it's how Eva Marie Saint meets Cary Grant in North by Norwest! </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We did eat in our room the first night but it was a lot of trouble finding room to put all the plates and glasses on our tiny table, so after that we went to the dining car.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I stepped off the train in Milwaukee so I could say I'd been to Wisconsin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The thing about traveling by rail is that you see the backside of cities. The original and oldest parts before highways made every landscape everywhere about Walmart and Home Depot.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">After dinner, we played cards, something we never do at home, mainly because we don't know any card games. We worked at poker which doesn't make much sense without betting, but resorted to kid games like War and Crazy Eights. It got dark early so far north so we called in a night around 9:00. It felt luxurious to have our own sink.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The oddest thing about the sleeper car is that the toilet and shower are a combo. When I first checked this out I thought "I won't be taking a shower in there." But I did. Four times. The first time while we were rambling through rural Wisconsin I disrobed and asked my husband if he thought we should close the curtains. "What? We're in the middle of nowhere." Just as I was stepping into the shower we passed a crossing with several pick up trucks stopped at the crossing. After dark with our room all lit up all I could do was hope the train was moving fast enough for me to be a blur. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Otherwise, I can only hope no one was scarred for life. </i><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Then while I was in the shower the train lurched to one side and the door flew open while I screamed and grabbed it with my hand...the same one I was holding the shower head with spraying water everywhere. I'm sure the other travelers wondered what all the shrieking and laughing was about.</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> I was personally rewriting The Girl on the Train as a slapstick comedy. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Guess who's in the top bunk again. But I got a ladder this time!</i><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I slept surprisingly well and we had breakfast with a German man who'd been living in Wisconsin for four decades. Over our meal of pancakes and bacon, he told us about his work promoting insects as food. He'd been around the world speaking on the topic and had written a paper with a title so scholarly I still couldn't remember it after asking him to repeat it three times. Something about edible insects and industry in Tanzania. It was all fascinating but I couldn't help but notice how much he was enjoying the eggs and toast.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> The landscape droned on through North Dakota in brown and blue. Mile after mile we looked for trees or any kind of break in the landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Farms were far between and the lives of the people living on them seemed isolated and depressing. I imagined that the antidepressant medications and alcohol consumption rates were high. While ND isn't in the top ten for depression it is indeed ranked as the drunkest state with the most alcohol-related driving deaths.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">It looks pretty in these pictures and at some points, I was startled by the stark beauty. The ability to see so far and so much sky certainly had a nagging appeal. But but when we saw any sign of civilization it was so </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">far</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> from </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">anything.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> It was all so Lonesome Dove but mostly just looked lonesome.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4h2aTw1kY6YHgRr_eekX0YBSnh4uuZYn_Of6GWz9We9ZvvTv1nAw8eGYM4ZArjUMCR1ubyz3nEni5wgeAKYeetVTxHkJbUGImP9D1M3s2ZhB1qBcXcUUdrLTiXy5_AqHmqSmM9ajNxw/s1600/IMG_6829.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4h2aTw1kY6YHgRr_eekX0YBSnh4uuZYn_Of6GWz9We9ZvvTv1nAw8eGYM4ZArjUMCR1ubyz3nEni5wgeAKYeetVTxHkJbUGImP9D1M3s2ZhB1qBcXcUUdrLTiXy5_AqHmqSmM9ajNxw/s640/IMG_6829.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I was told later by a fellow traveler that while people from east of the Mississippi think this looks desolate that folks from here feel a bit claustrophobic in landscapes hemmed in by trees. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">People are fascinating, aren't they? </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLFXI4hx6nHyEZhe95CLDyshyphenhyphenzaE3zq3FcDH8fR9_Wh4mhiNC3wZJGNE-OnE4DMnp-9sv5-Ap4Bdhc1ekJb_ZDSv2Cjt_L8n-IAp_BdgDiUavFWEEF-o95F78Beyyyxbkw5DyhYnM0Yo/s1600/IMG_6824.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLFXI4hx6nHyEZhe95CLDyshyphenhyphenzaE3zq3FcDH8fR9_Wh4mhiNC3wZJGNE-OnE4DMnp-9sv5-Ap4Bdhc1ekJb_ZDSv2Cjt_L8n-IAp_BdgDiUavFWEEF-o95F78Beyyyxbkw5DyhYnM0Yo/s640/IMG_6824.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> To us it was vast and bleak even on a sunny day.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">As we traveled farther west we began to see not just isolated farms but abandoned ones. Collapsing barns and houses where people had plainly just packed up one day and left. I filled my time looking out the window imagining what happened to them. </span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=abandoned+houses+in+north+dakota&rlz=1C1PRFI_enUS737US737&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBkM3o-b_eAhVRiqwKHc5iC58QsAR6BAgCEAE&biw=1366&bih=657" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Check out all the pics of abandoned ND houses on Google.</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> In one field a couple of miles from anything resembling a structure sat a Model T rusting away. It's a strange thing to see modern ruins. We passed a ghost town where there was a street of buildings without one patch of paint to be found. I thought about the wind howling through those lonely buildings in winter. Snow falling through the cracks. My imagination swirled.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Inside the train, we struck up conversations, Train travel forces connection. We ate lunch with a quiet man and dinner with a chatty man who was a retired librarian and his wife, a doctor in Missoula. He had the answers to many of our questions. The government had given people land to get them to move here and some of them had made it for a time but it was too harsh and hard to make a go of it. That's what had happened at those abandoned houses we saw. People gave up and moved on. While this wasn't the area affected by the Dust Bowl it was obvious that the Depression was what finally drove people out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8wIGxjC-z2qcWOaGXv6-g10k400G8LP8bMXtHzPP_3QiPyCOJxr4eHaXgZVEq836IvrqsDoVYc2RbmadNH-R0QpcPO5CGzQCqC1iXhyphenhyphen0fhIC_IfMXc1oJJSfq20x9z9r5QyRyGlGKbI/s1600/IMG_6849.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" class="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8wIGxjC-z2qcWOaGXv6-g10k400G8LP8bMXtHzPP_3QiPyCOJxr4eHaXgZVEq836IvrqsDoVYc2RbmadNH-R0QpcPO5CGzQCqC1iXhyphenhyphen0fhIC_IfMXc1oJJSfq20x9z9r5QyRyGlGKbI/s640/IMG_6849.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">At one stop, border patrol agents strolled through the train asking people how they were enjoying their trip. Just as the sun began to set we saw the mountains in the distance. We'd be going through Glacier National Park overnight. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">That's the one thing I'd recommend about this trip. Fly to Seattle and do it in the opposite direction.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> But I have to confess I gained a more complete understanding of just how </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">vast</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> this country is on this journey.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We bedded down the second night winding through the mountains and on the second floor of the sleeper car in the top bunk I felt every twist and turn. I had an apprehensive moment where I realized that if the train derailed upside down I'd be in the worst situation. I talked myself down off that fearful ledge and fell asleep dreaming of mountain streams and misty landscapes.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The next day: Seattle!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Happy travels, Y'all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">XOXO</span>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-41316291017828608972018-11-13T05:25:00.002-08:002019-07-27T06:10:20.727-07:00North to Chicago: All Aboard the City of New Orleans<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38xSJke1S2d1-R8VL5U3RjaqZ0I0EQ6HHb6NMqsFSKSwC2rtJbudr9hDDT09V7pIu90A5gcQq9iA3tnZajU1nJ1-50lIY1c9PiwCuR4oVFk7rvjP4pIoO2Jh_AzY28YsZFSl5aVNWD2M/s1600/IMG_6657.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="amtrak" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38xSJke1S2d1-R8VL5U3RjaqZ0I0EQ6HHb6NMqsFSKSwC2rtJbudr9hDDT09V7pIu90A5gcQq9iA3tnZajU1nJ1-50lIY1c9PiwCuR4oVFk7rvjP4pIoO2Jh_AzY28YsZFSl5aVNWD2M/s640/IMG_6657.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="city of new orleans " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">For over thirty years my husband and I have been riding the City of New Orleans from Memphis to New Orleans for football games, cruise departures, and long fun weekends in the Quarter. Last month we finally departed when it was time to go to sleep after catching the train north to Chicago instead of at the crack of dawn traveling southbound.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We settled into our roomette which is a private space with a door and a couple of seats that the attendant comes by to magically turn into a couple of bunks complete with sheets, blankets, and a harness looking operation for the top bunk that is supposed to keep the person up there </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">(me)</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">from rolling out onto the floor during the rocking back and forth overnight. If you are claustrophobic fight hard to get the bottom bunk.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">When I first got myself settled it felt a bit mildly distressing but I took a moment to think about how exciting and magical my 10-year-old self would have thought it was. </span><a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2018/02/reframing-life-events-as-success.html" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Read my post about the strategy of reframing.</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> I remembered how much fun it used to be to hide in small spaces as a kid. I fell asleep in no time and the worst part of the whole thing was having to climb down in the middle of the night to use the bathroom at the end of the hall.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I thought of all the old movies I've seen that had amusing train scenes. Scenes of folks sleeping in berths with just curtains for privacy and using the shared restroom. I was glad I had some context to put this adventure into. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">My husband was less amused when I put my foot in his face in the dark at 2 A.M. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">When we woke up we headed to breakfast and were seated with a sweet older lady from the Chicago area. I propped my phone up while waiting for our food to catch a time-lapse of the passing Illinois countryside as the sun was coming up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai2GxpnrwZoNpbx8iMwxfdrlktWj-I31jW0inCqdCMmVuozgeeCZVHiyKHrB59eaQZhjGw1aoRUmCJUKBNSEff7p3xbCKGR2aZdh9yLnsfalV8mc2mUg5-yzZd5UWBEEF3xBHwQ7rr28/s1600/IMG_6659.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="timelapse" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai2GxpnrwZoNpbx8iMwxfdrlktWj-I31jW0inCqdCMmVuozgeeCZVHiyKHrB59eaQZhjGw1aoRUmCJUKBNSEff7p3xbCKGR2aZdh9yLnsfalV8mc2mUg5-yzZd5UWBEEF3xBHwQ7rr28/s640/IMG_6659.MOV" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="train sunrise" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I jumped up from where I was sitting to get this pic at the Kankakee stop because it's in the song, The City of New Orleans.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>All along the southbound odyssey</b></span></div>
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<b>The train pulled out at Kankakee</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">And rolls along past houses, farms </span>and<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> fields...</span></b></div>
<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxQM1hJ3BxG1KLTD_aXjpfhoPbVdn-Ej4hlhXZl2wx9_D8zTKb_97pGaWre7jTD4alwHpIQO-00N2xmxNPpQC1spLd_8y2_PegQGK2MCAf1uTvycgFfZJoD1Q5T07J1m6A6NZBVy66C4/s1600/IMG_6673.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="amtrak" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxQM1hJ3BxG1KLTD_aXjpfhoPbVdn-Ej4hlhXZl2wx9_D8zTKb_97pGaWre7jTD4alwHpIQO-00N2xmxNPpQC1spLd_8y2_PegQGK2MCAf1uTvycgFfZJoD1Q5T07J1m6A6NZBVy66C4/s640/IMG_6673.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="kankakee" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Once we arrived in Chicago we packed up our stuff we stepped off the train and into Union Station.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrk4TW_TIXtLq7HZOVu52ltczXGXw8roMWGUnWVrLfm3_N-J8FtG010WrqNj_tDKRYd2BTVA-ps6lRXIpyyiehiihknbIC0AsFPF4QbWhO5amLU7uKPJ0RZEAa6p8trIQ3olZ0-IxacM/s1600/IMG_6790.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrk4TW_TIXtLq7HZOVu52ltczXGXw8roMWGUnWVrLfm3_N-J8FtG010WrqNj_tDKRYd2BTVA-ps6lRXIpyyiehiihknbIC0AsFPF4QbWhO5amLU7uKPJ0RZEAa6p8trIQ3olZ0-IxacM/s640/IMG_6790.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="union station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Wow.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxnaql_uKOuVHJ89yoYGss5oE5u9QubR-GjbjJW35bgBnha1v8vwQLTrYMrpHbNKOI3aPkqKbnLJTUfL23Bq1HPPn8H9xuD-dmwdprulJduxe_L5yt71mKVdIA9fd5qAi0hFUnvLvtbg/s1600/IMG_6690.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="chicago train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxnaql_uKOuVHJ89yoYGss5oE5u9QubR-GjbjJW35bgBnha1v8vwQLTrYMrpHbNKOI3aPkqKbnLJTUfL23Bq1HPPn8H9xuD-dmwdprulJduxe_L5yt71mKVdIA9fd5qAi0hFUnvLvtbg/s640/IMG_6690.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="union station " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eOKl_VII3aWH_BTzu12GIYK61MIrxcmTvia3cfnyXP1n2NZCBOE2nj5tisdqcxvrJ8c5J_KwgUePlqNRB8wifRmM8fFLoxviYW0MuFwhFe_nbCIISnId26PT_Rqvu_Wv2Cm1isIodxU/s1600/IMG_6692.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="chicago train station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eOKl_VII3aWH_BTzu12GIYK61MIrxcmTvia3cfnyXP1n2NZCBOE2nj5tisdqcxvrJ8c5J_KwgUePlqNRB8wifRmM8fFLoxviYW0MuFwhFe_nbCIISnId26PT_Rqvu_Wv2Cm1isIodxU/s640/IMG_6692.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="union station" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We stopped dead in our tracks. What a palatial building! Memphis tore down its own beautiful marble train station to make way for a post office during some sad mid-century city planning debacle. NOLA's station is also a pretty sad affair. But this!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1DuQ5E7TG6WLPqTizrlzDz4fgPumGqXB_gnVN3QfYiTs1As3auOyxdBuiWSef_dLiAQIkNQNyLCdYrrlvPYGs_ypkO7lcdsOMjnikVrHuYvOWAV7dOOAjBoRKkirvvvXsXofKSqdutU/s1600/IMG_6693.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="amtrak metropolitan lounge" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1DuQ5E7TG6WLPqTizrlzDz4fgPumGqXB_gnVN3QfYiTs1As3auOyxdBuiWSef_dLiAQIkNQNyLCdYrrlvPYGs_ypkO7lcdsOMjnikVrHuYvOWAV7dOOAjBoRKkirvvvXsXofKSqdutU/s640/IMG_6693.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="union station " width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Also, being in a sleeper car affords you entrance to the Metropolitan Lounge, where you can store your bags and grab a gourmet coffee and fancy oatmeal.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMfnuSN01wM4tNmByIzfDujQz2durLFZ8PyThoYdbEKeRbKdGlv-rzLXTLY26k5sUvasY6jhRx-0hBPjxif7p5WaBFQ1_akwI0RjPWJag2ARC4jCmn4o_FIpuoW4a6tiQZnfB4d6Kzg0/s1600/IMG_6701.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="union station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMfnuSN01wM4tNmByIzfDujQz2durLFZ8PyThoYdbEKeRbKdGlv-rzLXTLY26k5sUvasY6jhRx-0hBPjxif7p5WaBFQ1_akwI0RjPWJag2ARC4jCmn4o_FIpuoW4a6tiQZnfB4d6Kzg0/s640/IMG_6701.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="train travel" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs-Hxoj0LqNcSM7-hPOt11AZhN9mQYX9uwdSU_-dsQ29-vGIdMVOD8O1m33qrh4942G5uijACXYKXccvbAAh5v625Zg51zc9ptdk5rn-lDBP0XzJ1s9EQm7YHj9jNxoIq0PNF3AH-nLo/s1600/IMG_6699.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="amtrak" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCs-Hxoj0LqNcSM7-hPOt11AZhN9mQYX9uwdSU_-dsQ29-vGIdMVOD8O1m33qrh4942G5uijACXYKXccvbAAh5v625Zg51zc9ptdk5rn-lDBP0XzJ1s9EQm7YHj9jNxoIq0PNF3AH-nLo/s640/IMG_6699.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="train travel " width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx0SXhq9Ynf61VVv3iLxN11IRuex_GgAXgqg6ZEmAXSkgWzoLjnBOPfRrkb46kaPms7fj7eosNa6lOvCubQzALd1JaNq4Xbbuc-tMbMQn7FqhL0qCPyqE9HRAP0yaxD6-V5_nHzjN2jI/s1600/IMG_6698.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="union station" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx0SXhq9Ynf61VVv3iLxN11IRuex_GgAXgqg6ZEmAXSkgWzoLjnBOPfRrkb46kaPms7fj7eosNa6lOvCubQzALd1JaNq4Xbbuc-tMbMQn7FqhL0qCPyqE9HRAP0yaxD6-V5_nHzjN2jI/s640/IMG_6698.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="metropolitan lounge" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Yes. Fancy oatmeal is a thing. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Since we had about four hours between trains I thought it might be worth trying to go to the Sky Deck at the former Sears Tower, now Willis Tower. Trip Advisor didn't give me much hope warning about 2-hour lines to buy tickets, more time in line for the elevator, and 40-minute lines to get time on o</span><a href="https://theskydeck.com/the-tower/facts-about-the-ledge/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">ne of the ledges.</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Since it was right around the corner we decided we'd just walk over and see what it looked like.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDkX6zuzMwRcfmU4qaYzX-uPac1BuK3XAC0fTWD6EIUVe-kEA6oJe_20QJuNspPJCS9nhXgWITL7vUTeaMYaHnpKCIEHeFizV15HeYJZ5JzsiGeokVolmK0MuWmhW9Y23Q6bWZYUMsJA/s1600/IMG_6726.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="chicago landmark" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDkX6zuzMwRcfmU4qaYzX-uPac1BuK3XAC0fTWD6EIUVe-kEA6oJe_20QJuNspPJCS9nhXgWITL7vUTeaMYaHnpKCIEHeFizV15HeYJZ5JzsiGeokVolmK0MuWmhW9Y23Q6bWZYUMsJA/s640/IMG_6726.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="willis tower" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">It looked like no line. </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">FYI a cloudy Wednesday morning is a really great time to try it. The elevator ruined me for all other elevators that take so long to go up like 4 floors. You are whisked up 103 floors in 60 seconds. There's even a fun video on the ride to show you all the world landmark heights you are passing as you go along.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmfI6flKfUTYV_Tw_X43hVK0GL8zAGKmC0qhTRbJvT7kvLYAqzmSvOYk9Kj6PtG9bfSPKMOjtQIdv8F7r1yqypagTOEUbOz6Fb_LDCxsQcWqv0sA5WXOV3iFmykB9uZLQUpj6gtQB0Ss/s1600/IMG_6777.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="willis tower" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmfI6flKfUTYV_Tw_X43hVK0GL8zAGKmC0qhTRbJvT7kvLYAqzmSvOYk9Kj6PtG9bfSPKMOjtQIdv8F7r1yqypagTOEUbOz6Fb_LDCxsQcWqv0sA5WXOV3iFmykB9uZLQUpj6gtQB0Ss/s640/IMG_6777.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="sky deck " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The doors open and there you are at what feels like the top of the world.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidprvAX499QeilsEqkr7Z953bRZQ0z2QLrpTgIF-0jM-T2UxMXieMkhJ9JJcwNTVlcNk3wNn43HGnP1uHxWIPWWDs0n3WOWdjTMLZeIUF7qKQKJ5CfZtmqSkNNwrr0ocOxHo_c1DOSXbE/s1600/IMG_6735.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="sky deck" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidprvAX499QeilsEqkr7Z953bRZQ0z2QLrpTgIF-0jM-T2UxMXieMkhJ9JJcwNTVlcNk3wNn43HGnP1uHxWIPWWDs0n3WOWdjTMLZeIUF7qKQKJ5CfZtmqSkNNwrr0ocOxHo_c1DOSXbE/s640/IMG_6735.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="chicago" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We jumped in a line for the nearest ledge where the ledge assistants tell you that you only have 60 seconds on the ledge. There were maybe 20 people in the line but as there are a few ledges it went really quickly. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">What can I say? I love a good photo op. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO3C0WcQOEVcwKRO-h24B5SCm_B0ZTCJjLpPDh2XoPiYg2cZ4IJLH6sWJwJW7FAcU0PnAlCNUF_DKqu2W0aOI2F7zGitkpG32KuhWMGseQeojmeV6WXanbb_VaaKEMQv-UZZTZ3hSY5c/s1600/IMG_6739.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="the ledge" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO3C0WcQOEVcwKRO-h24B5SCm_B0ZTCJjLpPDh2XoPiYg2cZ4IJLH6sWJwJW7FAcU0PnAlCNUF_DKqu2W0aOI2F7zGitkpG32KuhWMGseQeojmeV6WXanbb_VaaKEMQv-UZZTZ3hSY5c/s400/IMG_6739.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="sky deck" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I was looking forward to doing this but when it came time to take that first step, which looks to your ancient brain like you are stepping off a building, I balked. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">My husband held my hand since apparently the primitive part of his brain is broken and he jumped right out there. </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> My modern brain quickly adjusted to this new and weird information </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">(don't trust your eyes) </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">and then I didn't want to leave!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wwyubX9yxJI-BJlVTVSWKPbMYUQgDkgvxIju4rgl5nEzY_s6mar-SHVuwvEKHbCb6CrziGNCvBZE3u_GvxKYivRBkSwHV_imoO_7MtJrC8e8tBqEPGhAVmFJeDf5Cn5VoDLoErJKg6g/s1600/IMG_6749.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="sky deck" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wwyubX9yxJI-BJlVTVSWKPbMYUQgDkgvxIju4rgl5nEzY_s6mar-SHVuwvEKHbCb6CrziGNCvBZE3u_GvxKYivRBkSwHV_imoO_7MtJrC8e8tBqEPGhAVmFJeDf5Cn5VoDLoErJKg6g/s640/IMG_6749.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="the ledge " width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Yes, it's surreal. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtFcBSw98ktBFHTGtr53_8WratB_KxZoN6apqyhVtb0rxxxT2h3Xh5blgwV1MV5ayvc6EB2fjtnb7UvhuGxaIfCIDhpg-BmWUB8LtPINkUgJXXKTftrgVW3Q0TfQmw-JVgNcN-nr-New/s1600/IMG_6761.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="sky deck" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtFcBSw98ktBFHTGtr53_8WratB_KxZoN6apqyhVtb0rxxxT2h3Xh5blgwV1MV5ayvc6EB2fjtnb7UvhuGxaIfCIDhpg-BmWUB8LtPINkUgJXXKTftrgVW3Q0TfQmw-JVgNcN-nr-New/s640/IMG_6761.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="the ledge " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">While we were on the ledge we noticed no one was behind us waiting. We got plenty of time to get all the picks we wanted.</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Okay, obviously that <b>I</b> wanted. It's like the ultimate photo booth! </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67i8jMlkHaF96-e_PFhq5RffjPEMBNDLPJJ9uNM3IQTK_2Awzcbyop8m-yzZVYspn0AhrQY5LwPcvYaZdcM0vA40lXX7tC6mwlKspLV8aAA8GayxHpvGa43YReVbtIZ0QEYM5Pn0J87k/s1600/IMG_6776.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="sky deck" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67i8jMlkHaF96-e_PFhq5RffjPEMBNDLPJJ9uNM3IQTK_2Awzcbyop8m-yzZVYspn0AhrQY5LwPcvYaZdcM0vA40lXX7tC6mwlKspLV8aAA8GayxHpvGa43YReVbtIZ0QEYM5Pn0J87k/s640/IMG_6776.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="the ledge" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Everything about this trip just kept working out like the clouds parting for a glimpse of a beautiful blue sky over the city.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehojYrBXP9oSdJTMAttHuofef6JnfwpG2RAypAgrAnOqg5vuNMKBczsP1Fc1oiPAKyOv3ZA-kqQGw_oVif6XBuLIHSlrasW-e-MKccvmCjD1FGdvUCalALvSjD9T2yf69SLcoVjdyq1I/s1600/IMG_6772.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="sky deck view" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehojYrBXP9oSdJTMAttHuofef6JnfwpG2RAypAgrAnOqg5vuNMKBczsP1Fc1oiPAKyOv3ZA-kqQGw_oVif6XBuLIHSlrasW-e-MKccvmCjD1FGdvUCalALvSjD9T2yf69SLcoVjdyq1I/s640/IMG_6772.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="chicago" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We still had time for martinis and sushi for lunch at a great place we happened upon on the way back to the station called Hot Woks Cool Sushi. Once again our timing was perfect! It was practically empty when we were seated and when we left there was a line out the door.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWztb9RWf8Looie8N33ctpeelH5MkTCCRu-DjnS52mV95y63FU-Ugj5fKlDN6ACW3V3MAlTzFPrJnNwX96SdSEUH3yT882sjDLh9OnYwiLbaf6nWOxubAl-lwEU_v2WNFp0vSIwM88cQo/s1600/IMG_6786.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="martini" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWztb9RWf8Looie8N33ctpeelH5MkTCCRu-DjnS52mV95y63FU-Ugj5fKlDN6ACW3V3MAlTzFPrJnNwX96SdSEUH3yT882sjDLh9OnYwiLbaf6nWOxubAl-lwEU_v2WNFp0vSIwM88cQo/s640/IMG_6786.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="hot woks cool sushi" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Next, we hit one of the many bars in the train station and chatted with the locals most of whom apparently were on their lunch hour. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I guess the 3 martini lunch is alive and well in Chicago.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> I overheard my husband tell the guy next to him "Your train station is nice than our airport."</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Embarrassing but true.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Also, everyone we met in Chicago was so nice! It felt, well... southern except things moved a little faster. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We headed back to the lounge to grab our bags and get ready for the next part of our train adventure as I marked the Sky Deck off my impromptu bucket list.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">What's on your bucket list? Also, how much of a trip do you plan ahead of time?</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Happy travels, Y'all! </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">XOXO</i>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-46916872439766265002018-11-09T04:24:00.001-08:002019-07-27T06:13:12.409-07:00Fall Break on the Alabama Coast<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesqewFWglezfItE0iNe21a96S4HQMo64w706cT84NBQ0nUqKPaA_I3IpmA1Eyleu66QOXV20Nfxfdo8nIZQOwbmNoKf1Kq-7VgBRQ7blXYzz3d-xFazjLG_v9bwxXzC1YuLmH2sQtdY4/s1600/IMG_6232.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesqewFWglezfItE0iNe21a96S4HQMo64w706cT84NBQ0nUqKPaA_I3IpmA1Eyleu66QOXV20Nfxfdo8nIZQOwbmNoKf1Kq-7VgBRQ7blXYzz3d-xFazjLG_v9bwxXzC1YuLmH2sQtdY4/s640/IMG_6232.HEIC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The answer is that there isn't anything much cuter than a baby at the beach. Though I'm partial to this particular baby and this particular beach. It was this kid's first trip to the beach and what with it being the first born child for them, grandchild for us, and first nephew for Uncle Snarky it was a bit of a production.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I documented our march to the Gulf. We were an attention-grabbing lot as it were but why had I not thought of banners, and a marching band, or at least a fanfare of trumpets to round out the scene? Either the baby was super adorable or we made a spectacle of ourselves because people put down their books and pointed and smiled.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"Oh, that's the first grandbaby for sure."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Thank goodness the kid likes the sand and the water. Personally, my entire goal at the beach is to prevent getting salt water in my eyes but it didn't bother him. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I know I had more to say, but what was it?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Help me, Y'all. Instagram is rotting my brain.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">#orangebeach #florabama #beachbaby #familyvacay #fallbreak</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">See what I mean. I've forgotten how to write with like actual words and what not. Hence, pictures!</span><br />
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Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-42470158494949767402018-04-03T05:38:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:13:50.845-07:00A Little First Time For Everything List<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">On our last day at sea as the Triumph crossed the gulf on its way back to New Orleans, we soaked up the sun with a bit of sadness that our trip was drawing to a close. The night before I had gone to the salon to get my hair cut after seeing how fantastic Debi's hair turned out. The Scottish stylist, Emma knew exactly what I wanted before I finished explaining. She gave me a great cut and just when I thought she was finished she went back in and cut out what looked like enormous swaths of long hair.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">There was a gasp from my entourage. We'd all been the cheering section for Debi when she got her hair cut and now they were there to be my moral support. There was a </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">lot </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">of hair on the floor. It looked amazing when she finished blowing it out and curling it.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">It has never looked remotely like that one time since I returned home. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Our last day at sea was extremely chilly compared to the other days. A cold snap had swept south while we were away so I was glad I'd made the most of the waterslide the day before. We spent our last day reading, laughing, and semi-packing. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Packing to go away is so exciting.</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Packing to go home is always depressing. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I decided since I've never been on a cruise without my husband before I would make this a trip of other firsts.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>I kept a list in my travel journal: </b></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Girls' Trip Cruise</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Having my picture made with the captain.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Getting my hair done.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Going to the dance club.</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> (every night)</i><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Having bacon at all 3 meals one day.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Shopping for jewelry while doing tequila shots</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Doing the Cuban Shuffle in the ocean.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Getting a henna tattoo.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Dance party in a Mexican taxi.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Eating a Guy's Burger Joint burger. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Ahem...on the daily. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Trying almond and chocolate tequila.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Going to Guest Services myself to get my bill straightened out. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">(usually my husband's job)</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Salsa lesson.</span>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-13202413197791456452018-03-30T05:53:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:14:07.228-07:00Tequila Shots and Jewelry Shopping in Cozumel<br />
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Our first of two stops was Cozumel. If you are going to do an excursion there I highly recommend snorkeling on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palancar_Reef">Palancar Reef </a>which ranks among the most amazing things I've ever done. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/.%20http://snarkytravel.blogspot.com/2011/02/cozumel-snorkeling.html">Read all about snorkeling and dancing in Cozumel. </a><br />
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But if you just want to get off the ship and wander around to do some shopping it's perfect for that. If you land at the port closest to downtown you are all set. If your ship docks at Puerta Maya you'll need to take a taxi to downtown for about two bucks apiece.<br />
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We had a female taxi driver who turned up Ke$ha on the radio so we could have a dance party in the car, obviously a theme of the trip. She couldn't stop laughing.<br />
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On the main strip, beachfront, there is plenty of shopping. What's with all the diamond stores? But we always head a block or two away from that for walking down sleepy little streets away from the fray of thousands of cruisers who seem to feel safest among the throngs of people. Just a couple of blocks over you could be in any little Mexican village. I have always felt safe in Cozumel and the Yucatan, in general, is a safe part of the country compared to areas where walking across the border is possible.<br />
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In Mexico, I shop for 3 things: silver, turquoise, and blankets. I have a blanket from each trip I've made. They are perfect for taking to yoga or for using on chilly nights on the porch. I found one early in the day and marked that off my list.<br />
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We stopped at a charming small cafe called <i>Casablanca (some sketchy reviews on Trip Advisor but we had a fun experience)</i> for a snack. Under an umbrella, we drank two for one margaritas and ate guacamole.<br />
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Next to it was a guy doing henna tattoos, something I've always wanted to do. Maggie and I did this. <i>Because if you are going to get an Indian style henna mandala Mexico is the place to do it, right? </i><br />
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Meanwhile, my friend, Debi and her daughter located a jewelry store and Debi returned wearing a stunning ring. The guy had started at a price of $825.00 but she ended up paying less than a quarter of that. Haggling is something the locals expect and happily engage in, but if you whip out your money at the first price they'll gladly take it.<br />
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After my margaritas I thought jewelry shopping sounded like a fine idea. We all headed back to the store. They were ready with the tequila shots when we walked in. It was a small store with 4 of the most charming men you've ever come across. Pouring us tequila and talking silver and turquoise.<br />
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How much cash can you spend on jewelry? Please note: whatever number you say is what you will spend. These men are the definition of smooth. I asked for a shot of tequila for every step of the process.<br />
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I can't even think about buying jewelry...without more tequila. Etc. Etc.<br />
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<i>Y'all! Almond and chocolate tequila. Who knew?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>I ended up with a stack of 7 square silver bangles and a pair of turquoise earrings for sixty bucks. I had one thicker bangle on my other arm as I was paying and one man came over to say in a low voice to the guy checking me out "Don't' forget about that one." To which the man taking my money said, "I'm giving that to her." The first guy made a face, like "well, okay, then."<br />
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<i>I wondered how many times a day they did this little act. Obviously, that encounter would have been done in Spanish if it was real. </i><br />
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We laughed about all this later and wondered if we'd been taken advantage of and just assumed we had overpaid. Upon returning home though our research showed that we had actually paid fair prices for our purchases and it was one of the most enjoyable shopping experiences I've ever had.<br />
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Plus the tequila was so amazing I had to stop before we got on the ship and buy some to bring home. <i>Surely these guys are getting a kickback from the tequila sellers. </i><br />
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<i><b>Things you hear when shopping in Mexico: </b></i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>I can tell you are a good woman. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Do you like tequila? </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>How much cash do you have to spend? </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Here's a charm for you. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Come inside and taste the tequila. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Special price for you. </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Have some more tequila. </i><br />
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If you are heading to Mexico set aside some money for shopping. It can feel a bit like gambling and like gambling part of what you are paying for is the entertainment. Just don't take more than you can afford to <i>happily </i>part with.<br />
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<br />Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-81373056006588218612018-03-28T07:41:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:15:07.485-07:00Girls Trip: Departing NOLA Aboard the Triumph<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> Our ship set sail on St. Patrick's Day, but the first order of business that day was shopping on Royal Street. It's my favorite street in the Quarter full of unique little gift shops, antique stores, and art galleries. We picked up some goodies and headed back to the hotel for our car and drove to the Port. I'd never parked in the Cruise Parking before but it was the easiest thing ever and the porters come right to the car to get your bags out and whisk them away.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_l42KXLQ20SQU508cwbM-ZhESem14-DCpMJ9JaGvD9xF8NqJzbQXRxAZsCwyjDtjwRVSQudXMHKtJg6dDL-gbr73y-F0X4eO2dZClwONNfmZo84AtPv2M9NvOg_r8_WxzA4U9Rvq3h0/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_l42KXLQ20SQU508cwbM-ZhESem14-DCpMJ9JaGvD9xF8NqJzbQXRxAZsCwyjDtjwRVSQudXMHKtJg6dDL-gbr73y-F0X4eO2dZClwONNfmZo84AtPv2M9NvOg_r8_WxzA4U9Rvq3h0/s640/IMG_1342.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">After we parked we headed down to get to the escalators to go up and through security and check-in. As I stepped onto the escalator I started to cry. My crew was worried about me and I could hardly talk to tell them that they were tears of joy. First I knew how much my bestie, Debi was going to LOVE cruising, but also I appreciate every single wonderful thing that I ever get to do and don't take anything for granted. So I had a little moment as we headed up to get in line.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">My girls totally got me. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScYwCmyh2gF51C9CnhI-n1CvcoMeB8iBUY1P1xzwP70GDQxbc7y3V7iqt2LAWvqqhkQ2wovHJMYknnXqEYZHla6lzML3OncBm5GdV3-Yh1ACVfuKXJguoa1BWNjZ5E_BZKwfFFktUnPU/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1600" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScYwCmyh2gF51C9CnhI-n1CvcoMeB8iBUY1P1xzwP70GDQxbc7y3V7iqt2LAWvqqhkQ2wovHJMYknnXqEYZHla6lzML3OncBm5GdV3-Yh1ACVfuKXJguoa1BWNjZ5E_BZKwfFFktUnPU/s640/IMG_1340.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Check-in was easy peasy and before we knew it we were on the ship with drinks and food. Later as the ship sailed down the river Debi asked me if I wanted to split a burger from </span><a href="http://www.guyfieri.com/eat-at-guys/guys-burger-joint" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Guy's Burger Joint. </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"Oh sure. Why not?"</span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Y'all. This was my first burger in 7 years. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Apparently, the answer to yesterday's question: Who are we? (for me, at least) is </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">someone who listens to rap and eats beef.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh490E4xx0Eak1GCrSRMmbOwZpDltAx6B0ST857aDkDLKOnkDxKoKy5PLeOAhQlahA8ieBeYIXrRjkg_r8EMkUpH5Cv7Kvhi4N7ViC5mTcRgPB5-nbtJI_-vgSAc9XSzVXbe7bV2Zt7hfo/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh490E4xx0Eak1GCrSRMmbOwZpDltAx6B0ST857aDkDLKOnkDxKoKy5PLeOAhQlahA8ieBeYIXrRjkg_r8EMkUpH5Cv7Kvhi4N7ViC5mTcRgPB5-nbtJI_-vgSAc9XSzVXbe7bV2Zt7hfo/s640/IMG_1548.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="569" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Did burgers always taste like this? Is Guy putting crack in the burgers? Is it so good because I haven't had one in so long? </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I should probably just confess that I had one every day. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJOE1ME1bcibFxmowrsFgXfpLde4nIt_xrrsWaaCYknOdOjoZ3u3LbMa2Bt3jxcoCXwGtiDiSCveVp7-nj5eLF_j6VCYuc2hnyPo4W8We0T4HTPofWflX9dlPdcTOv-jCIAp60yUtZgQ/s1600/Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJOE1ME1bcibFxmowrsFgXfpLde4nIt_xrrsWaaCYknOdOjoZ3u3LbMa2Bt3jxcoCXwGtiDiSCveVp7-nj5eLF_j6VCYuc2hnyPo4W8We0T4HTPofWflX9dlPdcTOv-jCIAp60yUtZgQ/s640/Collage.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">After organizing our things for the week we headed out to dinner and a show. Then we settled in at karaoke. The fun thing about karaoke is that some of it is surprisingly good and some of it is, well...awful. The best thing is when the bad singers are having the most fun and the crowd tries to help them out by singing along. Karaoke became a nightly event for us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91HitIGHd-V5TMRnGNau1FEDImOoj_v2hkpCs_4MlzmlyrrfObMiWi4_fc95dEytOndGcvQtx7Vyds9dt-sSnzZO2RWBzuwFUZgMKry4bpiaz2gCaUa3-Hl1R4xh7CM9tfdeD_8k7Y2Y/s1600/IMG_1365+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91HitIGHd-V5TMRnGNau1FEDImOoj_v2hkpCs_4MlzmlyrrfObMiWi4_fc95dEytOndGcvQtx7Vyds9dt-sSnzZO2RWBzuwFUZgMKry4bpiaz2gCaUa3-Hl1R4xh7CM9tfdeD_8k7Y2Y/s640/IMG_1365+1.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> I need to tell you a funny thing that happened. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">One of the bad singers was a young guy who took his shirt off in the middle of his song which was hilarious. Later, while someone else was singing a guy in the crowd yelled: "Dude, take your pants off!" Someone in our party didn't hear it and my friend pointed to the guy and repeated what he said.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Just in time for a man to turn around. All he heard was "Dude, take your pants off." and to see her pointing in his direction. He looked a startled as she tried to explain, but you can't unring that bell. Whenever we saw him afterward he was known as </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">No Pants Guy.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"Look, No Pants Guy is over there."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"No Pants Guy is here with his sons."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"No Pants Guy's sons are laughing and pointing at us."</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Any trip is enhanced by a running joke. They tend to be among the "You had to be there" stories but I know you are my people. </i>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-12913187458086826112018-03-27T07:40:00.002-07:002019-07-27T06:15:59.512-07:00Girls Gone Mild: Our Girls' Trip Begins<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GzRhSVBsGtfZ39zza6KCjU31JiApXy1pBQRnDAQV-mvXyOVSDg_OjetDZFv3RfVrih6xBTPTWJKO4V-TPcIzF2Gvsxmat2eXtI-jDskatuAq6fI125nQb-0PIBME4BDYo1Fvw1pTM8/s1600/29402070_185986932206436_2674386387582582784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8GzRhSVBsGtfZ39zza6KCjU31JiApXy1pBQRnDAQV-mvXyOVSDg_OjetDZFv3RfVrih6xBTPTWJKO4V-TPcIzF2Gvsxmat2eXtI-jDskatuAq6fI125nQb-0PIBME4BDYo1Fvw1pTM8/s640/29402070_185986932206436_2674386387582582784_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I have a fun hangover. But it's Saturday, and I'm keeping up with my three posts a week one of which has to happen today. Last Friday my oldest friend, Debi, and I, her daughter, Casey, and niece, Maggie drove to New Orleans to catch a cruise to Mexico the next day. This was what Maggie wanted to do for her 21st birthday.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Here's a secret: if you ask me to go on a cruise I'm in. No occasion necessary. </i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We rode down in a driving rainstorm the entire way listening to rap. Now, if you had asked me before I got in the car if I liked rap I would have said no and probably made a face like you were asking me how I felt about root canals. I can't even imagine what I would have said if you had asked if I wanted to be in a car for 7 hours listening to it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">But...</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">By the time I got out of that car, I had started a new Spotify playlist that included Nelly and Juicy J. According to Debi's Fitbit, she had taken 7 thousand steps in the backseat of the car. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">You can't sit still when listing to Lil Mama and Ludacris. Just sayin'.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We kept looking at each other and saying "Who are we right now?" </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">No. seriously. Who. Are. We?</i><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We arrived in The Big Easy, checked into our hotel, and headed out to the Quarter in search of food, drinks, and beignets. We happened upon a restaurant called </span><a href="http://www.dejavunola.com/menu/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Deja Vu</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> and fulfilled everyone's po' boy requirement. While we were settling our bill a Saint Patrick's Day parade went right by and we racked up several handfuls of beads.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGSrVi_pqo23eLRbfJ6vWGc4c7u3J37xotclsV2zXIzKY9cf3aENqs7KzkJWTB7dhN_E8z33J-AGDmQgmyV2lIS5juuQ0IEKAcV84274QpmvrHSBs7QTZWrihALhl39IPewUQ__SnYzQ/s1600/29511144_10213267832587704_3615878205171069588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGSrVi_pqo23eLRbfJ6vWGc4c7u3J37xotclsV2zXIzKY9cf3aENqs7KzkJWTB7dhN_E8z33J-AGDmQgmyV2lIS5juuQ0IEKAcV84274QpmvrHSBs7QTZWrihALhl39IPewUQ__SnYzQ/s640/29511144_10213267832587704_3615878205171069588_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="480" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We also ran into some ladies dressed like bees and a man dressed as their beekeeper. Not sure what the connection is to Irish saints but if you've been to New Orleans you know that things don't always have to make sense. Like all the men in kilts. Only in my mind did I say, "Wrong country, guys." Details aren't all that important in party mode.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0vqX8FTDjGSQgRCVoM4CIkF8g46GheMfM9HysWrgC3y9q912q9R2tFZ46Y8ZtLjwIjGHmOQDaVWYHdkNz1744tTaJImZqNTeJdXgfVMibZEYGq5zHgYS9-XlG8SXqdgwfhHAs_C-iU/s1600/29511745_10213267832947713_2337508414444372047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #eb316e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0vqX8FTDjGSQgRCVoM4CIkF8g46GheMfM9HysWrgC3y9q912q9R2tFZ46Y8ZtLjwIjGHmOQDaVWYHdkNz1744tTaJImZqNTeJdXgfVMibZEYGq5zHgYS9-XlG8SXqdgwfhHAs_C-iU/s640/29511745_10213267832947713_2337508414444372047_n.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Next up was the legendary </span><a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Cafe DuMonde</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">. Afterward, I had hoped to take them to the</span><a href="https://bombayclubneworleans.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;"> Bombay Club </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">but that secret is apparently out and it was packed to the brim. My next choice was the Carousel Bar at the </span><a href="https://hotelmonteleone.com/accommodations-ppcb/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7tfVBRB0EiwAiSYGMzq-Qx-jya-90UtG-hQK-6Poz8uXsV0KTN5HuHO7tTFWUQVlD2QNDxoCV5oQAvD_BwE" style="background-color: white; color: #eb316e; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Hotel Monteleone</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">, but it was also filled to overflowing. We managed to snag some drinks from the bar and sit in the beautiful lobby and chat nonstop.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I did mention it was a girls trip, right? </i><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Y'all I actually lost my voice from so much talking! The rest of the week I sounded like a cross between Bonnie Raitt and James Earl Jones.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The communication only stopped when we collapsed into our beds that night and dreamt of palm trees and glimmering seas.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Just kidding. We all had the weirdest dreams that night. </i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>*black and white photo compliments of Maggie Murray</b></i>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-20996877036491160962017-06-27T08:38:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:18:14.096-07:00Cruising the Inside Passage: White Pass Yukon Route Train Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW8PsD0MrRMoC85LORb4Ypz6zoGVHHaSWUggB-pDb5B7P8gQZR9a3z9yR0vSKb-GhNsXDN-lZ5c5GaYc6cVQKZMIus6myXNntCqmOVDobKr6s7uuSnx3ef4M4Nr0eHxORS4EFB0HnXVI/s1600/IMG_1354+watermark+train.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska travel" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW8PsD0MrRMoC85LORb4Ypz6zoGVHHaSWUggB-pDb5B7P8gQZR9a3z9yR0vSKb-GhNsXDN-lZ5c5GaYc6cVQKZMIus6myXNntCqmOVDobKr6s7uuSnx3ef4M4Nr0eHxORS4EFB0HnXVI/s640/IMG_1354+watermark+train.jpg" title="white pass yukon route" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Our last excursion in Alaska was a train ride from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skagway,_Alaska">Skagway</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Pass">White Pass</a>
Summit. That first photo up there is my favorite from this ride. It
doesn't even look real, does it? Actually I was so caught up in the
moment I don't think I grasp that it does actually look a little
treacherous. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBP9S8-s_1GbqJWabCgm5hNmbvN6hzThdRrJeKkm6RKLbG0WDRKhtVO_b-SqPQxCx4afJK5BVd1J3Zro0mDo8f8fMYAEkW1omMADx75v1JQOPNWyvkH25pLZvK4tIBGdKC4Sb4DPq6PA/s1600/white+pass+yukon+rail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="train to white pass summit" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBP9S8-s_1GbqJWabCgm5hNmbvN6hzThdRrJeKkm6RKLbG0WDRKhtVO_b-SqPQxCx4afJK5BVd1J3Zro0mDo8f8fMYAEkW1omMADx75v1JQOPNWyvkH25pLZvK4tIBGdKC4Sb4DPq6PA/s640/white+pass+yukon+rail.jpg" title="white pass yukon route" width="480" /></a></div>
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The train literally leaves right from the boat dock and and brings you
back to the same spot roughly three and a half hours later. It was the
most convenient thing ever and so much fun. After boarding and securing
our seats the train left and just a mile or so up the tracks they
announced that we could go out to the platform and stand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe4MBvsrba1G4r1qHgCeCX1NLZ4EVe6JQnXOPzla0SsbWHEifmROjL1bdPN07izCBaa65YdYQ5a0tNct4FBtBM7o9u9IPeieq64ny2F8jvP4nM8fb49C5BRhwL1K5CqARENqIlezvCDk/s1600/riding+the+train.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass summit yukon route" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe4MBvsrba1G4r1qHgCeCX1NLZ4EVe6JQnXOPzla0SsbWHEifmROjL1bdPN07izCBaa65YdYQ5a0tNct4FBtBM7o9u9IPeieq64ny2F8jvP4nM8fb49C5BRhwL1K5CqARENqIlezvCDk/s640/riding+the+train.jpg" title="train in alaska" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I had no idea that would even be an option! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB058R2hztJAJERmLuNGid7UpJL6oDDyMUgemm_eeEkj7as8lytTBGqxIXQYwWWTBOKGVdRPLu6WvRg3pFabC8XhiW9SVIU_K0kuxs22dw6lUXYt9sAsueD4LKe-W8xdloipD6EdwrbA/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="caution sign on train" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB058R2hztJAJERmLuNGid7UpJL6oDDyMUgemm_eeEkj7as8lytTBGqxIXQYwWWTBOKGVdRPLu6WvRg3pFabC8XhiW9SVIU_K0kuxs22dw6lUXYt9sAsueD4LKe-W8xdloipD6EdwrbA/s640/IMG_1454.JPG" title="white pass yukon rail " width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I immediately jumped up and headed for the platform at the rear of our
car to secure a good spot for our little foursome. I just knew there
would be a mad rush and so I wanted to stake out our territory. I'm so
glad I did, otherwise I'd never have gotten this amazing video!<br />
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<br />
I waited...no one followed me. I looked inside the car and everyone was
just sitting in their seats. On the platform of the adjoining car an
Australian gentlemen with an enviable camera said "I thought I'd be
fighting people off over here. There's people asleep in there! I mean,
you paid your money didn't you? Might as well get the most out of it, I
say!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6CkeiKtb3OcSmcLRwZID-yBD6aP0pFDPyFDgsPVAZKlbIsjOgCGOR6EFLODtClbSTpzOk9438rDr9kdsw_O5_1g-Wm85S8yw4aV4iGrMAEpYysTucHj_5nJJRpgi_c0Z4u_KmmdVrGc/s1600/white+pass+yukon+rail+alaska.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska train" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6CkeiKtb3OcSmcLRwZID-yBD6aP0pFDPyFDgsPVAZKlbIsjOgCGOR6EFLODtClbSTpzOk9438rDr9kdsw_O5_1g-Wm85S8yw4aV4iGrMAEpYysTucHj_5nJJRpgi_c0Z4u_KmmdVrGc/s640/white+pass+yukon+rail+alaska.jpg" title="white pass summit yukon route" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually a woman and her husband joined me and while she leaned over
the edge with me to look at the view he stood in the middle of the
platform and said "I wish you wouldn't do that." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0wrTyRdesKdaro2wALG9MP4endzh4Jg0HU5nJGst3E_WNTp6cgGAY5SD486-D3t8qze27_OEHNi13vcvu8HhS02pzT50g9czjpymFN2f0cQnVQbM0mujVNFql4wFReR9booE4RoRRQ/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska train" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN0wrTyRdesKdaro2wALG9MP4endzh4Jg0HU5nJGst3E_WNTp6cgGAY5SD486-D3t8qze27_OEHNi13vcvu8HhS02pzT50g9czjpymFN2f0cQnVQbM0mujVNFql4wFReR9booE4RoRRQ/s640/IMG_1445.JPG" title="white pass yukon rail" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1695944867"></span><span id="goog_1695944868"></span><br />
I like to call myself a cautious adventurer. I don't like danger, not
really. So though a few of these pics look a little scary, I promise I
was perfectly safe the whole time. Even if I was leaning over a gate, <i>just a little, </i>to get the video and some of the pictures. <br />
<span id="goog_1695944867"></span><span id="goog_1695944868"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrPFF4mE_bDu8jh6wAt54pALc_7KwJLvq9F2qzjpEzz4oCqPOQDWuka_tlEHDLSw_bTIp7ReJVUziznVh89JygDq3d0qhrEcdr_9FsoQ5o3xrMfyZ0o7jcksWdBFXokaJAkgO-JPEtzU/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass yukon rail" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrPFF4mE_bDu8jh6wAt54pALc_7KwJLvq9F2qzjpEzz4oCqPOQDWuka_tlEHDLSw_bTIp7ReJVUziznVh89JygDq3d0qhrEcdr_9FsoQ5o3xrMfyZ0o7jcksWdBFXokaJAkgO-JPEtzU/s640/IMG_1283.JPG" title="leaving skagway on train" width="425" /></a></div>
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Notice how lush and green everything is at the beginning of the ride. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-ddvfDoXemrIvPIiDu00fp1JKywY8i7QftHl74DRxqiqJZKxBqoX_d65JPP1jwdHQ7F7LttAtqzeVwEU2ZGo9fRDDBZNNEwn8QEImVpIfcdaO_cdrV8Z0MCasvNw3-NbMhtWYzNSXSM/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cruising the inside passage excursion" border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="1600" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-ddvfDoXemrIvPIiDu00fp1JKywY8i7QftHl74DRxqiqJZKxBqoX_d65JPP1jwdHQ7F7LttAtqzeVwEU2ZGo9fRDDBZNNEwn8QEImVpIfcdaO_cdrV8Z0MCasvNw3-NbMhtWYzNSXSM/s640/IMG_1287.JPG" title="white pass yukon rail " width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As the train began to ascend the mountain I caught this glimpse of
another train coming up where we had just been. The ascent wasn't that
noticeable so this sight surprised me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwB4hB6367i2iG-FppAUmR_uwPRlj0euNNPmUIkhqw5yUCj_xMLYEPZE4g0f758vG2IHTSQnFkWuykhS03ltiZZQMQlUGZD9oRPSu2rOSbyvNEks-xrkVeWcaG7AWkIF9Y9Pv-_ih3Tw/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass yukon rail" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwB4hB6367i2iG-FppAUmR_uwPRlj0euNNPmUIkhqw5yUCj_xMLYEPZE4g0f758vG2IHTSQnFkWuykhS03ltiZZQMQlUGZD9oRPSu2rOSbyvNEks-xrkVeWcaG7AWkIF9Y9Pv-_ih3Tw/s640/IMG_1344.JPG" title="cruising the inside passage excursion" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now the trade off for being outside the car was that I completely
missed
all the interesting history of the railroad, gold rush, and sketchy
characters who opened up this area. But, hey, that's what the internet
is for. For history of this railroad as well as information about riding
it, check out <a href="http://www.american-rails.com/yukon.html">American-Rails.com</a><br />
<br />
So many horses died on this route it was known as "Dead Horse Trail."
You don't put that on a tourist brochure so it's just called White Pass.
<i>Probably best.</i> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu11cNZvf0uc2SdMT0qkNHyaG7CfEZGAc4wPDQFW7Q2lPcih7005uJ7AMuf4qVDv5ImzTLQaMB3Wp_AzZb8EyjPWadQlqK9Jcbs-f5kjwcf8EkCu9nguG0YcPrk2xmjKA-lbR44O2t8wE/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass trail" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu11cNZvf0uc2SdMT0qkNHyaG7CfEZGAc4wPDQFW7Q2lPcih7005uJ7AMuf4qVDv5ImzTLQaMB3Wp_AzZb8EyjPWadQlqK9Jcbs-f5kjwcf8EkCu9nguG0YcPrk2xmjKA-lbR44O2t8wE/s640/IMG_1389.JPG" title="alaska gold rush" width="515" /></a></div>
<br />
By the time we reached the area near the Canadian border it was cold and
the snow was still fairly deep along the tracks. I'm pretty sure I'd
have stayed home in the lower 48 and opened up a dress shop or
something. Trudging around up here on the way to the Klondike to look
for gold doesn't seem like a good idea to me at all. <i>See what I mean? Cautious adventurer. Plus, I really like to be warm and oh, I don't know...alive. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8Ig8s-DBgvhM4U8y0UmUFa6d-wNDW4CSEPddsCywX2PgynsaCMuJWHzVnXlYN03vSJQjLJuiPoi06lIju2mgkr3F-HwAzRdeiwdgVj-sjnENGpPFgDtNqetnggQp9ztZXOkyVuUhscg/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass yukon rail " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8Ig8s-DBgvhM4U8y0UmUFa6d-wNDW4CSEPddsCywX2PgynsaCMuJWHzVnXlYN03vSJQjLJuiPoi06lIju2mgkr3F-HwAzRdeiwdgVj-sjnENGpPFgDtNqetnggQp9ztZXOkyVuUhscg/s640/IMG_1396.JPG" title="snow at white pass summit" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
At the summit the landscape looked moonlike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId0Ed57dzwOLGSV2OVV0mNSNRlZAstnNEZMQ_3YX8q5Z32wUZES94m0Ue3pTfFSyMFfeW0puCprEN4XANw5WjOw1d-FElXiz9kI25HjedxKRqcd-NiJFlD3ofqXr0M-difpKUDZsHksw/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass summit alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1356" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgId0Ed57dzwOLGSV2OVV0mNSNRlZAstnNEZMQ_3YX8q5Z32wUZES94m0Ue3pTfFSyMFfeW0puCprEN4XANw5WjOw1d-FElXiz9kI25HjedxKRqcd-NiJFlD3ofqXr0M-difpKUDZsHksw/s640/IMG_1391.JPG" title="watershed sign" width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello, there, Canada!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_utpYpBoaeUl5ogPo43th0vNbgGCgLA9_tOdvGsdTdw9A6CHVuxwS6E2l3NMSf87B9aE4T-SYRb2Cxwj_Bwlxvi4fyCEdUAdsSnG3euZXK63NIH3yygoRdewZ7QGp00IF_xu8D9TRL4/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass summit alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_utpYpBoaeUl5ogPo43th0vNbgGCgLA9_tOdvGsdTdw9A6CHVuxwS6E2l3NMSf87B9aE4T-SYRb2Cxwj_Bwlxvi4fyCEdUAdsSnG3euZXK63NIH3yygoRdewZ7QGp00IF_xu8D9TRL4/s640/IMG_1405.JPG" title="american canadian border" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It might have been spring in Skagway but at the summit it was still winter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk55AzSkcy0rd4Tnrroe53EP8k9DRGA5mF0VF5E8MQZxfDsDZ6VuWUtAZ3AsdrZJGf7vjkvP4Z4CuCV8QizsF2SchvRTKIf3M9ruWiyUJUYLI_SbFqYZK_5ASp4UtgxcTV8UUg-6RIXCI/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk55AzSkcy0rd4Tnrroe53EP8k9DRGA5mF0VF5E8MQZxfDsDZ6VuWUtAZ3AsdrZJGf7vjkvP4Z4CuCV8QizsF2SchvRTKIf3M9ruWiyUJUYLI_SbFqYZK_5ASp4UtgxcTV8UUg-6RIXCI/s640/IMG_1416.JPG" title="white pass summit rail" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Seriously, no amount of gold.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf5RnUbC3Ek24qeOxVVRVOWfSzQhxIOxdUKFc4pjUJPAbMx5-5TsjZC-Gn-fA5KjUOqGKXt0NEt30JUkTdXwYHPXPGleZoSYXev7-Zw4wVeergBgzxBUGFua84Lfo34glZbdQxNb7xX8/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="yukon rail" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf5RnUbC3Ek24qeOxVVRVOWfSzQhxIOxdUKFc4pjUJPAbMx5-5TsjZC-Gn-fA5KjUOqGKXt0NEt30JUkTdXwYHPXPGleZoSYXev7-Zw4wVeergBgzxBUGFua84Lfo34glZbdQxNb7xX8/s640/IMG_1418.JPG" title="white pass summit " width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So along this part I had to be careful not to stick my neck out too far,
for obvious reasons. See that rock? Building this railroad was a blast.
Literally. Through 16 feet of rock in many places and that isn't even
talking about tunnels through mountains.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iiJarMX4ncUmHQKeSPpUKSHQ3F0RjI4GJ0sOiWUV1PMgX4cJegPwmgrhvMhAMTpvHWw09PzEfFJfT1yq41R6Y3JIMdIr6Nib1to6-Q1bTjEJmGUDMzMr0U_3vH6FE0iz0s0eb4QqeJ8/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="yukon rail" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iiJarMX4ncUmHQKeSPpUKSHQ3F0RjI4GJ0sOiWUV1PMgX4cJegPwmgrhvMhAMTpvHWw09PzEfFJfT1yq41R6Y3JIMdIr6Nib1to6-Q1bTjEJmGUDMzMr0U_3vH6FE0iz0s0eb4QqeJ8/s640/IMG_1411.JPG" title="white pass summit " width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Food Maven joined me even thought she is scared of heights, but you'd never know it! Look how relaxed she looks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWvghLysduuL23rics1wK9XHx1wtTBiBGaAzWHZXb9kxFOUEJZF-DTuIGpoKznCewjWUpAi6v3QUp9VXIbsKq5_Tm3nHALTwJqS_eGTLr85lReeeDQIN5I8E99bAKeDRdyr_NHye7VXs/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWvghLysduuL23rics1wK9XHx1wtTBiBGaAzWHZXb9kxFOUEJZF-DTuIGpoKznCewjWUpAi6v3QUp9VXIbsKq5_Tm3nHALTwJqS_eGTLr85lReeeDQIN5I8E99bAKeDRdyr_NHye7VXs/s640/IMG_1414.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1695944867"></span>
Now for my favorite photographs of the day. I saved the best for last.
Of course the very best one of all is that one at the top of this post. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqy5x8DdPvisR9QPzORZfRti4Y-1XmQY1aN2Lf7TvfnvyAygQd9ngTpbAJK9VGiWrQXH0KoBf2JIRr9pXdCK9qY8GsJqY8lhp_cWv_h1u6WlYlQU5xt4ii2LSICLPoxtsEuRQSEr917o/s1600/old+train+bridge+in+alaska.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass yukon route" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqy5x8DdPvisR9QPzORZfRti4Y-1XmQY1aN2Lf7TvfnvyAygQd9ngTpbAJK9VGiWrQXH0KoBf2JIRr9pXdCK9qY8GsJqY8lhp_cWv_h1u6WlYlQU5xt4ii2LSICLPoxtsEuRQSEr917o/s640/old+train+bridge+in+alaska.jpg" title="old railroad bridge" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS90lGBwdZNBpp7QTyvENIncE5ttFTWNcxzy5eqObLfzf1RW8uNkiFwUCtCbqVMjHYESk87oZpNxYvm2Ecx3oPg3O00rbifu7CSg_bCq_f4Pc7Fopm9zpHT9Q64SoUc-zP-ymjmQmEr4/s1600/alaskan+train+ride.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="train in alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS90lGBwdZNBpp7QTyvENIncE5ttFTWNcxzy5eqObLfzf1RW8uNkiFwUCtCbqVMjHYESk87oZpNxYvm2Ecx3oPg3O00rbifu7CSg_bCq_f4Pc7Fopm9zpHT9Q64SoUc-zP-ymjmQmEr4/s640/alaskan+train+ride.jpg" title="white pass yukon routel" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAR7yLEYFCu7KvzW28wuCYSCb5YPCoJ1g61jhccDeReukMG2st4ji9OiqZkE_GGskC8JtMDlu8Vh3pz4u8YqvvfMDMH-NoWC-veRVTrQxKCkRpUrgaSkIXBbcCcrmAZQgtwbQWGPf-ys/s1600/White+pass+and+yukon+train+route.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="white pass yukon route" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAR7yLEYFCu7KvzW28wuCYSCb5YPCoJ1g61jhccDeReukMG2st4ji9OiqZkE_GGskC8JtMDlu8Vh3pz4u8YqvvfMDMH-NoWC-veRVTrQxKCkRpUrgaSkIXBbcCcrmAZQgtwbQWGPf-ys/s640/White+pass+and+yukon+train+route.jpg" title="Inspiration point" width="425" /></a></div>
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-81031509584404287732017-06-15T09:02:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:21:21.736-07:00Cruising the Inside Passage: Icy Straight Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhkkvZHJCcajfZBVF8_QuMrrvTlmlknwyWmdBMP0yXf3wBMxBjNhqabiO90oauDeqPP8UAa_uJhad-FkUw-1ll98gEbEolPuYZm8rzCwvtD_y32gUoLtjhi3_Q2-Q3stNgp_zUFAMQZo/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhkkvZHJCcajfZBVF8_QuMrrvTlmlknwyWmdBMP0yXf3wBMxBjNhqabiO90oauDeqPP8UAa_uJhad-FkUw-1ll98gEbEolPuYZm8rzCwvtD_y32gUoLtjhi3_Q2-Q3stNgp_zUFAMQZo/s640/IMG_1024.JPG" title="icy straight point" width="425" /></a></div>
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<br />
We arrived in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icy_Strait_Point">Icy Straight Point</a>
the day after Ketchikan. We hadn't planned an excursion here and that
turned out to be a good choice because this is the most beautiful port
for roaming around, taking in the seriously stunning view, and eating
doughnuts. Okay, maybe eating the doughnuts isn't something you have on
your bucket list, but you should add it right now.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZaTFrEtJKyQiNmcANkHZniLL45zdalemYn7PYAHtLD9aDhLBuUffSbLaU2NyEPPxESRmBeQ22r3nnaI58KBJJvQjNk6nSG_V7Zt8CMnUXN7YmeI9BlZD7KSo_brdXfNZWiLIhikgbDY/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="native dance" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZaTFrEtJKyQiNmcANkHZniLL45zdalemYn7PYAHtLD9aDhLBuUffSbLaU2NyEPPxESRmBeQ22r3nnaI58KBJJvQjNk6nSG_V7Zt8CMnUXN7YmeI9BlZD7KSo_brdXfNZWiLIhikgbDY/s640/IMG_0935.JPG" title="icy straight point" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Our day began at breakfast with my husband spotting whales right between
the ship and shore. He's a regular Captain Ahab, apparently. Our ship
was so close to shore it was hard to believe the water could possibly be
deep enough for them to swim between the two but later we learned that
immediately offshore the drop off is 160 feet deep. <i>Okay, no wading then! </i><br />
<br />
We were greeted at the port by a group of teenagers demonstrating their
native dances. Their colorful garb with the breathtaking landscape all
around made me feel like I was in Alaska more profoundly than I had up
until that moment.<br />
<i> </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTvF5Wq58VyvYi5Q1FblB5gCosGtBf1ewJFqOYY4-9XhRXKhSGbCX8KG99k0cR9i8K5BVDHNgoxkR7Jh3ldGtd22fmFP4jQw3ELePBmbxvM2hVlCaM6CfSCRt5Rqbnq0K7sdSl283xHY/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTvF5Wq58VyvYi5Q1FblB5gCosGtBf1ewJFqOYY4-9XhRXKhSGbCX8KG99k0cR9i8K5BVDHNgoxkR7Jh3ldGtd22fmFP4jQw3ELePBmbxvM2hVlCaM6CfSCRt5Rqbnq0K7sdSl283xHY/s640/IMG_0936.JPG" title="icy straight point " width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
We were immediately in love with this landscape. Everywhere we looked
there was a level of natural beauty it is hard to describe. We were
headed for a little hike through a rain forest nearby but stopped first
to walk along the rocky shore. You have never seen a group of adults
more excited about rocks. With every step we discovered treasures so
beautiful that they looked unnatural, magical even. We picked up a few
to bring home and photographed some of the beauties too big to carry. I
am actually embarrassed by how many rock pictures I have. I do love
details when I travel. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_APWCZ8TVoRljBgl0-_xhCq5a2Siux7gWKW4awhwwGOu2aQVDICusp4EOHzWVb5AKA9kPyYKU4H9OmBG5ZgBUy8pTCiNqYw4-9hDBqJy4BDv6SV8uparsvTfJYzYVdUyTel3mMM9Fhw/s1600/IMG_0952.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska rocks" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_APWCZ8TVoRljBgl0-_xhCq5a2Siux7gWKW4awhwwGOu2aQVDICusp4EOHzWVb5AKA9kPyYKU4H9OmBG5ZgBUy8pTCiNqYw4-9hDBqJy4BDv6SV8uparsvTfJYzYVdUyTel3mMM9Fhw/s640/IMG_0952.JPG" title="alaska shoreline" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm only sharing these two. The straight lines and colors just dazzled us! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1tgWYjvMrzGqZyZwQ06ZRjQOyXjel3ALOpPtv8XCvBsMCCu8OnM57-cvGRpFiztEBdOu-XMB1q33cFzi_ESF5hugcFVVpmvDV-tcrGkp5p4jkzFjImILM6zpRlrCMod1mlFzXDhyphenhyphentjk/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rocks" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1tgWYjvMrzGqZyZwQ06ZRjQOyXjel3ALOpPtv8XCvBsMCCu8OnM57-cvGRpFiztEBdOu-XMB1q33cFzi_ESF5hugcFVVpmvDV-tcrGkp5p4jkzFjImILM6zpRlrCMod1mlFzXDhyphenhyphentjk/s640/IMG_0949.JPG" title="alaska shore" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
The trail through the beautiful <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_rainforest">temperate rain forest</a> was the perfect introduction to the area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSEyvzJwR-HF5dbwUcqKNneTR4yw7bFq61Xw2euCNWk73Q6Tn7Meoqz6sqojZ2YjWQreYojqWXZHocd_gXbTW5I__geixgnC2yKvCMELE8eXK7ibAG0xCG8j31Jjadl9QLAk9rSyaGRs/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSEyvzJwR-HF5dbwUcqKNneTR4yw7bFq61Xw2euCNWk73Q6Tn7Meoqz6sqojZ2YjWQreYojqWXZHocd_gXbTW5I__geixgnC2yKvCMELE8eXK7ibAG0xCG8j31Jjadl9QLAk9rSyaGRs/s640/IMG_0962.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Sometimes you just have to take that cliche touristy photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_Mk_5QQz2ogjfFAaxY5i4L0diZlVkNmdqnF76jS7RKN5HxpRiIt_Qdvm_bUjI5spUuDDObGLqRQh4pBtkahicwjlrd8gj9UPN2LzFcopiv4_AXjLVBVii6QnhwfRJxT4ETcktjH7GdU/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_Mk_5QQz2ogjfFAaxY5i4L0diZlVkNmdqnF76jS7RKN5HxpRiIt_Qdvm_bUjI5spUuDDObGLqRQh4pBtkahicwjlrd8gj9UPN2LzFcopiv4_AXjLVBVii6QnhwfRJxT4ETcktjH7GdU/s640/IMG_0964.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The whales were visible from time to time throughout the day. When they
appeared everything and everyone stopped to take in the sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_GgV4vpj6Hyp3eNZua_AnraFjYQyfRtujYRvvx-A_BklX4Z-SyciKkvO9xuHvywSnGIxtxr__aUtbpyil5Kkhnlnw9jYwksmF-C_9ulNbHqkWocHviFx8n6oCcxBiikRqajpHStbEZw/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska whales" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_GgV4vpj6Hyp3eNZua_AnraFjYQyfRtujYRvvx-A_BklX4Z-SyciKkvO9xuHvywSnGIxtxr__aUtbpyil5Kkhnlnw9jYwksmF-C_9ulNbHqkWocHviFx8n6oCcxBiikRqajpHStbEZw/s640/IMG_0980.JPG" title="icy straight point whales" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My favorite style of photography. Some charming detail in the front with a sweeping vista in the background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ7h72McXqs2mqTzoYTMKbq1FpPDr0E5ETKrR7Vqgcr41biRFgffVRfQfGJLfRQJy1PyeQZXpfdOJVnl3s-2aVekQBftOxYyffQFLN5YLQAJesQTwM96szTiOZ_xwR6On7B31T_BC1ZM/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ7h72McXqs2mqTzoYTMKbq1FpPDr0E5ETKrR7Vqgcr41biRFgffVRfQfGJLfRQJy1PyeQZXpfdOJVnl3s-2aVekQBftOxYyffQFLN5YLQAJesQTwM96szTiOZ_xwR6On7B31T_BC1ZM/s640/IMG_0991.JPG" title="icy straight point" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Like the rocks, there are a ton of these but I'm sparing you. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU1J0G4ZxtTyyT-QD00Y0KaQ2JbnIvBDC86y5xD9RS0tN-B9ylq53-QMfRrGOYgf2uWFQGqXIdogmid6VLJ8Mf3oVy9ys_Mfkr2tdD13LLb6LC4uAc35DDX3h08XyjawGzuvTWSoTyGk/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU1J0G4ZxtTyyT-QD00Y0KaQ2JbnIvBDC86y5xD9RS0tN-B9ylq53-QMfRrGOYgf2uWFQGqXIdogmid6VLJ8Mf3oVy9ys_Mfkr2tdD13LLb6LC4uAc35DDX3h08XyjawGzuvTWSoTyGk/s640/IMG_0995.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, y'all. Let's talk dandelions. Alaskan dandelions are on steroids.
They are everywhere, HUGE, and treated like wildflowers instead of
weeds. Maybe this is how beautiful they get when everyone isn't
constantly spraying them with Round Up. <i>Okay, so dandelions were also a theme of the day. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJK693d9yIMQ33Hz7UkVsXsO_2SkbMzB0LHP_P4XY1mq-T8Mo9Lb7-PnMyqHVrvMU5N3t7csUntCX74trGwCBhaM4E3_krw4q24TW51Ok09NFUNwLThRxZZkLg62iWSA4vd8KjMcRWBo/s1600/IMG_1000.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJK693d9yIMQ33Hz7UkVsXsO_2SkbMzB0LHP_P4XY1mq-T8Mo9Lb7-PnMyqHVrvMU5N3t7csUntCX74trGwCBhaM4E3_krw4q24TW51Ok09NFUNwLThRxZZkLg62iWSA4vd8KjMcRWBo/s640/IMG_1000.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm a little disappointed that I didn't do a better job of taking
pictures that give you a better feeling of the beautiful and charming
complex they have built at this port.<br />
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<b>For a description and history of this area check out, <a href="https://icystraitpoint.com/our-history/">Icy Straight Point/Hoonah, Alaska: Our History.</a></b><br />
<br />
It was well thought and and adorably constructed. There were
restaurants, the old cannery had been turned into a museum and was
filled with darling shops. There were outdoor eating areas, the longest
zip line in the world, and then there was this. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhqsJ7ISA62681HEgpzeCUakIIABVJtdMRdbRE4lBR1GN0EcQUg8yRmf5cBa7gKmaKRYePk72lqwkxaMTo_ebNkydGuzmQKNw-2VQFXwzHF1lb3KR_m2PVm7p1U9gEGgHCdaod9aXgPk/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska donuts" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1571" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhqsJ7ISA62681HEgpzeCUakIIABVJtdMRdbRE4lBR1GN0EcQUg8yRmf5cBa7gKmaKRYePk72lqwkxaMTo_ebNkydGuzmQKNw-2VQFXwzHF1lb3KR_m2PVm7p1U9gEGgHCdaod9aXgPk/s640/IMG_1011.JPG" title="salvation army dougnut hut icy straight point" width="627" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the Salvation Army Doughnut Hut. <i>Or as I called it, Icy Straight Mecca. </i>They
are making the tiniest most delicious doughnuts ever right there and
shaking them in a bag of sugar. There are various flavors of sugar like
Maple Bacon.<i> MAPLE BACON! </i>And apple cider, cinnamon, vanilla, and about a dozen other flavors. Here's their link on <a href="http://yelp./">Yelp.</a> <i>This is where Paleo comes to die. </i><br />
<br />
My favorite thing about this area was how photogenic it all was. There
was a stark charm that reminded me of other arctic areas of the world.
But as you can tell from the photos I really struggled with the glaring
light of Alaska in May. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BYZ4ZUUiQ71rmZkd8xqglDcdZrSCAemZwHNDZjtDraX__cYB791cIkCwTt8mRpfc8JzWcJPvtCJB2oxT_hRySvRpA3CiWTHVjgOHEvVxxgrqXSP16G9w_2u-ieagm3yIl-fQlwPk5II/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BYZ4ZUUiQ71rmZkd8xqglDcdZrSCAemZwHNDZjtDraX__cYB791cIkCwTt8mRpfc8JzWcJPvtCJB2oxT_hRySvRpA3CiWTHVjgOHEvVxxgrqXSP16G9w_2u-ieagm3yIl-fQlwPk5II/s640/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEGzqLKatHUPQA-BbenHwE_MTHwd1jPGutxOU9yTVc4cSh81yPrYgi8zJvH3p5TwCme0dPQrC6ZVK8F8xPsRN4PZQ6HpPjfvYuBzWfUXvysHk6NuPna3zzFKE5RWpKWyNLg0DYmzlIMc/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEGzqLKatHUPQA-BbenHwE_MTHwd1jPGutxOU9yTVc4cSh81yPrYgi8zJvH3p5TwCme0dPQrC6ZVK8F8xPsRN4PZQ6HpPjfvYuBzWfUXvysHk6NuPna3zzFKE5RWpKWyNLg0DYmzlIMc/s640/IMG_1005.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_mN3OKfWXYq2_3oNSFUfR1NEkuE9HkKZ3n3zVx9EJ4UUj03CquBSaBKjWl_b1-qPFQgoHuu1lSQkFmIaPS2WT25KghrZSUhWT_CdiU_psHFzoNGD8XCWA0KV8d1jndhgm5-boJ3i9FM/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1137" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_mN3OKfWXYq2_3oNSFUfR1NEkuE9HkKZ3n3zVx9EJ4UUj03CquBSaBKjWl_b1-qPFQgoHuu1lSQkFmIaPS2WT25KghrZSUhWT_CdiU_psHFzoNGD8XCWA0KV8d1jndhgm5-boJ3i9FM/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" title="bus to hoonah " width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
You can take a bus into Hoonah for a round trip of five dollars. It was
so beautiful though that we walked back. Against a fierce icy wind the
whole time. Walking to Hoonah and catching the bus back would have been a
better plan. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeOjw4ILr-cbanakEMLSrdimMPifd51Ue2d9wFV2KszJ-HPgMuwpfP47_zaQg1sbOsQCDUhv-LyA-JBPmPnmGTprZdMjzN_qXGjcLEqR7jN71DGoMwlBK9NU-oBBPc8TO5h0jOnQbr70/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeOjw4ILr-cbanakEMLSrdimMPifd51Ue2d9wFV2KszJ-HPgMuwpfP47_zaQg1sbOsQCDUhv-LyA-JBPmPnmGTprZdMjzN_qXGjcLEqR7jN71DGoMwlBK9NU-oBBPc8TO5h0jOnQbr70/s640/IMG_1043.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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We stopped into the <a href="http://www.icystraitbrewing.com/">Icy Straight Point Brewery</a> while wondering around. So adorable. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatOF059wH0zP1sEu7vaVNLNpLnXhdUv-QDr4Eej8OInwsl7XP7Qxnt-xHoYqX2BDoP382sDjoel9pM4g7R9pCVaPVIkpjj0cklIKhH8llUL_MZNLUrmDb1Ycx_Q-MtlI8cmKSnrwQSCQ/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska brewery" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatOF059wH0zP1sEu7vaVNLNpLnXhdUv-QDr4Eej8OInwsl7XP7Qxnt-xHoYqX2BDoP382sDjoel9pM4g7R9pCVaPVIkpjj0cklIKhH8llUL_MZNLUrmDb1Ycx_Q-MtlI8cmKSnrwQSCQ/s640/IMG_1039.JPG" title="icy straight point brewery" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
On the walk back we passed this sweet cemetery covered with dandelions and forget me nots. <i>Again, I have a ridiculous amount of photos of this graveyard. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqUHsWE11NfOASU48qQDRoVtZFR9G9E4El1deq6qrzfjqiwZ0w2B8ZEfkqyAKlJMceEUp2bdRq9lofpjtE9gu9mICrT5OHqTMtsAKDWifnBl55JU07uTQLZppRI8X-8lxK9wWrqRkiII/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqUHsWE11NfOASU48qQDRoVtZFR9G9E4El1deq6qrzfjqiwZ0w2B8ZEfkqyAKlJMceEUp2bdRq9lofpjtE9gu9mICrT5OHqTMtsAKDWifnBl55JU07uTQLZppRI8X-8lxK9wWrqRkiII/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<i>Okay, maybe the walk back was worth it even with the pounding cold wind. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVRw8MP6Qwdg8bDNJ775Umo_KusC6lGqa6GzemovMSALIRp4uzRF-V03KQpOCuRLOmlLoQWblg5WDTZeeVwZTCstZXxyD87y_39chkHCjAGpGfLt8vNcw4J9H0ACS_yLWT76KwGjQMRk/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVRw8MP6Qwdg8bDNJ775Umo_KusC6lGqa6GzemovMSALIRp4uzRF-V03KQpOCuRLOmlLoQWblg5WDTZeeVwZTCstZXxyD87y_39chkHCjAGpGfLt8vNcw4J9H0ACS_yLWT76KwGjQMRk/s640/IMG_1061.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
I couldn't resist trying to photograph an Alaskan bumblebee. <i>You guessed it. So many photos. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CEHIP7KdIT3pM2-ezkq72yiNRB5HuB2x2FlbIYXHhST-Ad2zej46xcSTZbYFeh453duwGV4QqiAl-NYcwiC-rKS7siXG8OoF95ILfaUboCQnDKhhtTIxjhwdlSx_z5E_oX-Oopci4tg/s1600/IMG_1078+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dandelion" border="0" data-original-height="1487" data-original-width="1600" height="593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CEHIP7KdIT3pM2-ezkq72yiNRB5HuB2x2FlbIYXHhST-Ad2zej46xcSTZbYFeh453duwGV4QqiAl-NYcwiC-rKS7siXG8OoF95ILfaUboCQnDKhhtTIxjhwdlSx_z5E_oX-Oopci4tg/s640/IMG_1078+%25282%2529.JPG" title="alaska bee " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof1fyK9IN1D4r8JdxCs74ydTnzLHV_-YZ1k3z0XAj1fKM__CniwmlrEOfGkzU-mgpgW-x3Wn7w4vIOcSFD0kmhjugUZxFpQmjgn6tqDVxhUx9HAWocXsDMWQeZ6g2Tgt24Zl6nm4qJG4/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof1fyK9IN1D4r8JdxCs74ydTnzLHV_-YZ1k3z0XAj1fKM__CniwmlrEOfGkzU-mgpgW-x3Wn7w4vIOcSFD0kmhjugUZxFpQmjgn6tqDVxhUx9HAWocXsDMWQeZ6g2Tgt24Zl6nm4qJG4/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvv3pQ2sO6oCYnbyh64m5ITck5wOWKuzQqXT507ikcGVVfKY5kBuQP5HNI-DFY2fJoAzDDEspGBPQpnyvSs8ASHXAUa76vzAvSscisN9RHO43Xs1s8iR2Fv-mPBdOjcxj09ryEkBF4CI/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvv3pQ2sO6oCYnbyh64m5ITck5wOWKuzQqXT507ikcGVVfKY5kBuQP5HNI-DFY2fJoAzDDEspGBPQpnyvSs8ASHXAUa76vzAvSscisN9RHO43Xs1s8iR2Fv-mPBdOjcxj09ryEkBF4CI/s640/IMG_1063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is one of my favorite photos of the day. I think it symbolizes Alaska perfectly. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHWyGjEInMKOMDbgh-TfrHW5ll_hQmvi9MpkyyGz6OGlMD65v1SJGBEvMCQgeHMCpejXJZCLpQvZNb-IGwupzl0ayuAJrMruGrq6lZ9A4oX_BLpz6jG5PaQ7gQ9mdzdnYnglGJiFQNKU/s1600/IMG_1080+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHWyGjEInMKOMDbgh-TfrHW5ll_hQmvi9MpkyyGz6OGlMD65v1SJGBEvMCQgeHMCpejXJZCLpQvZNb-IGwupzl0ayuAJrMruGrq6lZ9A4oX_BLpz6jG5PaQ7gQ9mdzdnYnglGJiFQNKU/s640/IMG_1080+%25282%2529.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
What could possibly be a better way to end a day than this? Whales even
swam by one last time while we were sitting here recounting our day and
saying <i>"We're sitting by a fire in Alaska!" </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi66AZqFwCxjDjPFMd_Q_u2J-MZmqjgyFWeQgKO6sFp2tmK3emj0Jry3tsAv6XhCTJiFG8KNN1qCDShgXrhBV9zgURUGvNQIDkuRmQpDlqnkbLcF0FPtIyKI3LpRxjVfUjpcVOdiZC9Y/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaskan cruise port" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi66AZqFwCxjDjPFMd_Q_u2J-MZmqjgyFWeQgKO6sFp2tmK3emj0Jry3tsAv6XhCTJiFG8KNN1qCDShgXrhBV9zgURUGvNQIDkuRmQpDlqnkbLcF0FPtIyKI3LpRxjVfUjpcVOdiZC9Y/s640/IMG_1088.JPG" title="icy straight point " width="425" /></a></div>
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-43534839673001473432017-06-08T08:59:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:22:00.914-07:00Creating a Fun Travel Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36RRLxU1y0hFkBraO6Q5Ojys5yTuNCGqH0a7WKYXXogX_fa6zpgQ_sezmq1TkzmvyW1Ky1QWMFpojk-YFJgd-PtDs7WMOzzcmY_3hudjpBfN9T402kJpAQxwp6iiKn2w4kfmnXj73_1U/s1600/love+sculpture+pink.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fun friend photos" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36RRLxU1y0hFkBraO6Q5Ojys5yTuNCGqH0a7WKYXXogX_fa6zpgQ_sezmq1TkzmvyW1Ky1QWMFpojk-YFJgd-PtDs7WMOzzcmY_3hudjpBfN9T402kJpAQxwp6iiKn2w4kfmnXj73_1U/s640/love+sculpture+pink.jpg" title="women and sculpture" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Recently I climbed up into a piece of artwork for a photo op with a
friend. As a docent at a museum where I regularly chide people for just
standing too close to the art, it felt as if I was committing some
enormous crime. But I did it anyway. Let me explain. As we were
exploring our ship we passed this sculpture, a version of the iconic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_%28sculpture%29">Robert Indiana Love sculpture.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvRozXGGIdoAscSUgQfCF7-8pGH22EBUpIvdGcohFM7OhPyJlCPBZI5e-N6LimwVXQHkXGFFQhTNxqjx7g5AOTPbDA-Q9OaPwwSOTbJmPDBU8COxHKTw-Xlx7Lr5gD55JbPLLgnPEPUU/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="love sculpture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvRozXGGIdoAscSUgQfCF7-8pGH22EBUpIvdGcohFM7OhPyJlCPBZI5e-N6LimwVXQHkXGFFQhTNxqjx7g5AOTPbDA-Q9OaPwwSOTbJmPDBU8COxHKTw-Xlx7Lr5gD55JbPLLgnPEPUU/s640/IMG_0928.JPG" title="celebrity millenium" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As soon as I saw it I imagined the cutest photo ever of me and my
friend. I looked around for a sign that said not to touch it or, you
know, <i>climb on it. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>There wasn't one. </i><br />
<br />
"We should get into this and have our picture made. I'll just climb up into that L and you sit there between the V and E."<br />
<br />
Seemed easy enough.<br />
<br />
Until I tried it. This sculpture is deep. And really slick. I tried to
climb up into the L but it was impossible. There was nothing to grab
onto or step on and I certainly didn't have the upper body strength to
pull myself up into position. Plus in the attempt my friend and I both
began laughing so hard it wasn't going to happen.<br />
<br />
A few nights later as we were leaving we told our husbands about our
failed attempt at the cutest picture idea ever. My husband thought it
was grand but I told him that we'd tried and failed.<br />
<br />
"Try again, I'll push you."<br />
<br />
So here we were 4 adults, <i>sort of</i>, all dressed up<i> (because of course we would choose to do this on dressy night)</i>
climbing, pushing, snapping, and laughing, all while desperately hoping
no one would pass by. The picture was finally taken by her husband
while mine stood by laughing. I have to say it's one of my all time
favorites. My idea was just us looking at the camera but when she said
"Hey look down here at me!" It was a stroke of genius.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu8uZgiqri1yCxQenu6Fok991W0x3gZaHG15fy8VIDSxbBIO1V1ytVq0gYP6zYpe-Z9cQdF-54Xb1A6YG4_3FmmO6rBROjvRxzSusaC-Rl6JB0UYhjaSdNbn7zqdjnZksXUqn9cb7yI8/s1600/love+sculpture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="photo op" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu8uZgiqri1yCxQenu6Fok991W0x3gZaHG15fy8VIDSxbBIO1V1ytVq0gYP6zYpe-Z9cQdF-54Xb1A6YG4_3FmmO6rBROjvRxzSusaC-Rl6JB0UYhjaSdNbn7zqdjnZksXUqn9cb7yI8/s640/love+sculpture.jpg" title="friend photos" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I...well, <i>love</i> it. I also <b>love</b> the idea that you never get too old to cause a little trouble with your friends. Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-34505729000958168602017-06-03T08:48:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:23:14.504-07:00Cruising the Inside Passage: Ketchikan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPdeC1pl2dGmXTByCGn5JGca2P-_ZXmfZJLZSV60A7s_0TRSOYpxZL-zh-GfOaQ3p_F1hMNzuz6ANgI_9KKITIDrEUDK_fpXegAAxvOWMzsmvuAwij7z21qwgKc9ky1Pgn9BQ2Jc5nJ0/s1600/IMG_9543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="road sign in alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPdeC1pl2dGmXTByCGn5JGca2P-_ZXmfZJLZSV60A7s_0TRSOYpxZL-zh-GfOaQ3p_F1hMNzuz6ANgI_9KKITIDrEUDK_fpXegAAxvOWMzsmvuAwij7z21qwgKc9ky1Pgn9BQ2Jc5nJ0/s640/IMG_9543.JPG" title="alaska highway 1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've always wanted to go to Alaska. My husband will say that I've always
wanted to go everywhere. Cruising makes a lot of things affordable and
easy that would be expensive and arduous otherwise. Though, in this
current atmosphere airline travel is certainly arduous enough for any
would be adventurer and we had a harrowing time trying to get to
Vancouver to embark on our ship, the Celebrity Millennium. If you have
ever wondered what a travel agent is good for, now that you can book
everything yourself, you should know that we would have missed our ship
had ours not been working tirelessly on our behalf all along the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTZqZdZL5EQBQjvopY5DMxds_Vl6S7Q90ruDyyU8vIl-o1ZTtIXqnkaLMnafj1j8Zqr5cy_bvbB283NmgCZkufLG2IMEk79-9-ywlcwDXkuw2DjpAjq4x9apE_wl7RDYTSqEEJcG4CSc/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cruising alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTZqZdZL5EQBQjvopY5DMxds_Vl6S7Q90ruDyyU8vIl-o1ZTtIXqnkaLMnafj1j8Zqr5cy_bvbB283NmgCZkufLG2IMEk79-9-ywlcwDXkuw2DjpAjq4x9apE_wl7RDYTSqEEJcG4CSc/s640/IMG_0906.JPG" title="celebrity millenium" width="425" /></a></div>
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<br />
Once we stepped on the ship all the stress and worry melted away. We ran into our friends and fellow travelers, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thetravelbully/">The Travel Bully</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/foodmaven/">The Food Maven</a>,
straight away and the festivities began. The next day was a sea day
which meant relaxing in the indoor heated salt pool and hot tubs.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlQN8QXKbByMqyjawpjfFxLpS0SOTZfBmEFjpyz3NngptnWkJAfyGY5A1eentMicOsUVLFGhW8dhx9lPwmTsYkfsW5ZYeX8kLLTj1U-rFoU5Cp9zaEvoaXZwGW25QZALuKpWePE7hB28/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="millenium cruise ship" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlQN8QXKbByMqyjawpjfFxLpS0SOTZfBmEFjpyz3NngptnWkJAfyGY5A1eentMicOsUVLFGhW8dhx9lPwmTsYkfsW5ZYeX8kLLTj1U-rFoU5Cp9zaEvoaXZwGW25QZALuKpWePE7hB28/s640/IMG_0912.JPG" title="celebrity millenium" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Our first stop was Ketchikan, or as my husband likes to call it
Catchmeifyoucan. Like all the towns we visited including Seattle, this
town was thrown up to make money off the gold rush. All during this trip
I was reading a book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rush-Frozen-North-Linked-Contents-ebook/dp/B01N12ED8H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496934235&sr=8-1&keywords=mad+rush+for+gold">Mad Rush for Gold</a>.
It's the true account and tragic tale of a group of stampeders. As we
went from place to place on this trip it was clear that people had no
idea about the landscape they would encounter or the hardships they
would endure. The landscape of each place was at once breathtaking and
unforgiving. The adventurers who came to this area got much more than
they bargained for in the way of hardships but very little gold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganr6CAqhGS-lZKtLJHL3QjqEwP3nNYWHXwYSebFlQ4MmYKpoS7ptWs4artAiXQYBsVyCwE1OS8vox2hVxm2DvDoNuEhs09rKcPtsP8sJLCAX_cs5k0tso31PN93pwJpOpqIoQDsokfJ4/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cruising the inside passage" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganr6CAqhGS-lZKtLJHL3QjqEwP3nNYWHXwYSebFlQ4MmYKpoS7ptWs4artAiXQYBsVyCwE1OS8vox2hVxm2DvDoNuEhs09rKcPtsP8sJLCAX_cs5k0tso31PN93pwJpOpqIoQDsokfJ4/s640/IMG_0844.JPG" title="ketchickan alaska" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After listening to all the stories it basically comes down to this:
Alaska was founded by fortune seekers of all kinds, from prospectors to
prostitutes. Throw in the swindlers and scammers and it's quite a
colorful narrative. But of course, there were already people living
there when the Gold Rush started. Ketchikan is home to the Totem
Heritage Center. The museum houses authentic totems and covers the
history and cultural significance of these Alaskan treasures to the
indigenous people. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlNmXOs9t_hcjSlyXUoI0Jd00zlILinbRLXvHRuJ7RpyFHfA2Hiy-XS5H34IymsDJ5B0iyeNSM_ndx9nLBy80GyOfqiDh_w64sn42LU2ATcmXyqIZUpsvVnUpKX35ur13sNd-7pigotw/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ketchikan alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlNmXOs9t_hcjSlyXUoI0Jd00zlILinbRLXvHRuJ7RpyFHfA2Hiy-XS5H34IymsDJ5B0iyeNSM_ndx9nLBy80GyOfqiDh_w64sn42LU2ATcmXyqIZUpsvVnUpKX35ur13sNd-7pigotw/s400/IMG_0884.JPG" title="authentic totems" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C19v4mMiohGnsw0am7dpewsMugN7GrX0UUvcYwF8NoFEkv1G6yuJM5PnPHSbhNwils-33VEdlMI0kGmbMCxraH6YDaMmiRO_Z6SrMBheo3HeUFYHGAnYyg7frIQAS1mw7yyjLmpeNfI/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cruising the inside passage" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C19v4mMiohGnsw0am7dpewsMugN7GrX0UUvcYwF8NoFEkv1G6yuJM5PnPHSbhNwils-33VEdlMI0kGmbMCxraH6YDaMmiRO_Z6SrMBheo3HeUFYHGAnYyg7frIQAS1mw7yyjLmpeNfI/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" title="what to do in ketchikan" width="266" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed a little nature walk on what is clearly an easy and
beneficial trail to be on. We couldn't resist taking our husbands'
picture under this sign. Notice how happy they look. <i>You're welcome, guys. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTANEJnw8hmusnyDzOSL9IFLM7Ez6r_CSh0HoLHCPRV627qS1htE-hUp568WFPO3nuySj78Sm-Icn80o-zJufouzWq8Zz9W6smpo4UR2SMf6YTIIkXCqggzQ1VByO5p1wSz4p9lV-ECE/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTANEJnw8hmusnyDzOSL9IFLM7Ez6r_CSh0HoLHCPRV627qS1htE-hUp568WFPO3nuySj78Sm-Icn80o-zJufouzWq8Zz9W6smpo4UR2SMf6YTIIkXCqggzQ1VByO5p1wSz4p9lV-ECE/s640/IMG_0857.JPG" title="married mans trail" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
When you read about the history of this area once the stampeders showed
up it's refreshing to see a church. Whoever built it had his work cut
out for him. Later when came across a brothel that's a museum. Maybe I
should say a museum that used to be a brothel, complete with tours <i>but not demonstrations. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0gmNv6d9JVFry1jTE3_E-GVxn03YNWci2TAmAZWcTaExxh3dfnxR30BEUd8zCB6wWHxJfdp3QGcaK-VnA2YT_qSJ7F-nJaguLA_ogp0m8Ec6XAAplx5gEtMbOHgjXX_wtuM4ph4z2L8/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cruising alaska" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0gmNv6d9JVFry1jTE3_E-GVxn03YNWci2TAmAZWcTaExxh3dfnxR30BEUd8zCB6wWHxJfdp3QGcaK-VnA2YT_qSJ7F-nJaguLA_ogp0m8Ec6XAAplx5gEtMbOHgjXX_wtuM4ph4z2L8/s640/IMG_0824.JPG" title="ketchikan " width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWImxa_8vRTOTlvcbSAxi4I6IwbKfH1L6OZvkyffvtJ89cLNxhxYGbSfEPyKBsX95DwdYZ5C0y1U0KMKVOqNYBqoklaCmnpb1vDkclzVGOydatPjBp9wLZnCkyCr9KDGtKkGap1M951EE/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="touring ketchikan" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWImxa_8vRTOTlvcbSAxi4I6IwbKfH1L6OZvkyffvtJ89cLNxhxYGbSfEPyKBsX95DwdYZ5C0y1U0KMKVOqNYBqoklaCmnpb1vDkclzVGOydatPjBp9wLZnCkyCr9KDGtKkGap1M951EE/s640/IMG_0891.JPG" title="ketchikan alaska" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>There was good shopping in this area and I bought my grandson
a present. It's an aviator hat, but you'll have to wait until he gets
here to see it. We also bought salmon and Ulu knives here. I have used
mine every day since I got home.<br />
<br />
There is a fish ladder here in the creek here. There are several totems
around town and the scenery is breathtaking in every direction, but it
is remote. The easiest way to get there is by boat or plane. The very
best way to get here is by cruise ship. Alaska has been on my list since
I was a kid. It did not disappoint and I'll be sharing more about it in
the next couple of posts.Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-8021678371541659992016-11-01T08:45:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:24:32.012-07:00The Charming Gardens of Iceland and Norway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gevDHlzN6J8wvowh_J7O91aRuFmLtv1pIKf8xdottkeNsuajW2Jh4baagxXxQ0D5FBAJLOzAnc-q13pGOzEuTktFX9GyoXbI6cHbP2ANrEOs-fHHfbbcgX4FYzM385NUqADwCiKzd8/s1600/poppy+bud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spring" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gevDHlzN6J8wvowh_J7O91aRuFmLtv1pIKf8xdottkeNsuajW2Jh4baagxXxQ0D5FBAJLOzAnc-q13pGOzEuTktFX9GyoXbI6cHbP2ANrEOs-fHHfbbcgX4FYzM385NUqADwCiKzd8/s640/poppy+bud.jpg" title="poppy bud " width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s15AqUlNu-nOCcM51ak4Jjs7te3kD5-vly9Xdgl-LTouCH6kzsAFAOPRg6eDkNmoVZqbp8aWyT8735gGLgt4MEkWflw8lvALBFsDxgeVVx4YuV8dd2Tp4u50ry7iElIlAuhwsV_tVqw/s1600/nordic+garden9.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="black petunias" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s15AqUlNu-nOCcM51ak4Jjs7te3kD5-vly9Xdgl-LTouCH6kzsAFAOPRg6eDkNmoVZqbp8aWyT8735gGLgt4MEkWflw8lvALBFsDxgeVVx4YuV8dd2Tp4u50ry7iElIlAuhwsV_tVqw/s400/nordic+garden9.jpg" title="petunias " width="300" /></a>I
finally remembered that I told you I was going to do an entire post
about the beautiful gardens that we saw on our trip to Norway and
Iceland. I have to admit, I thought you might need <a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2016/08/your-10-step-plan-for-getting-through.html">a plan for getting through this election</a> more. Looking at pictures of sweet Nordic gardens can't hurt either.<br />
<br />
In all the places we visited both homes and businesses had cheery
plants at the doorway. These black petunias in Norway were stunning. <br />
<br />
<br />
And you know how I feel about post boxes... <br />
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<br />
...and bees. <br />
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When we got to Iceland I wasn't expecting the lush gardens we found
there. Plants were thriving in the cool summer temps. I loved the
charming little compost bin complete with the cutest little red shovel
ever. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8L6FBP8Bbq7aWqDKyaYixr9bWceM94IGQpqjPullkHiQFQUEWS8a09OsqApXTfvOCLhl3q17ZygVA6z8CU1CpKDUxkmdi4R2JFyEi9GlLEPE2m5i39kbvsRjEIOYUltXT8sMApqLz5o/s1600/nordic+garden+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="garden tools" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8L6FBP8Bbq7aWqDKyaYixr9bWceM94IGQpqjPullkHiQFQUEWS8a09OsqApXTfvOCLhl3q17ZygVA6z8CU1CpKDUxkmdi4R2JFyEi9GlLEPE2m5i39kbvsRjEIOYUltXT8sMApqLz5o/s640/nordic+garden+5.jpg" title="garden compost bin" width="416" /></a></div>
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This pic of some cabbage is the only photo I didn't edit at all. It didn't get any more perfect no matter what I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhBex-iNatzbH-l7Rxz3fFs-AvqN_YO2CMssO8Z3usvZIm3GDxpEuVJeQ5cGgL4JVGpxKwycUZVis7JcOGVHiTXsFAbVFCKkmxuQl8kght6TaUHmdNzay0HExvgHjAqrNUFLwLMJ3XlE/s1600/nordic+garden+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="garden " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhBex-iNatzbH-l7Rxz3fFs-AvqN_YO2CMssO8Z3usvZIm3GDxpEuVJeQ5cGgL4JVGpxKwycUZVis7JcOGVHiTXsFAbVFCKkmxuQl8kght6TaUHmdNzay0HExvgHjAqrNUFLwLMJ3XlE/s640/nordic+garden+6.jpg" title="cabbage " width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
The buildings in Isafjordur were sweetly stark. It showcased the beauty of even the simplest flowers to perfection. <br />
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It's traditional in the Faroe Islands to grow grass on your roof. Even
on the garden shed. It's an indication of just how much rain they get. <br />
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In the city of Lerwick, Shetland Islands it was all about the fences and gates...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkfw2WMV2dlGNeiwzo1nk3VC2ZDsYdQxGEkmial_puEZdLMSD0pV6_sNZiX0hhaDijTus15wXT7bDckliNFC1bFW1GjoR8q2vlYPMN7X3lp52c7lWecNc8a-wusDL0sdMS4MDrYLahuM/s1600/nordic+garden+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="gate" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkfw2WMV2dlGNeiwzo1nk3VC2ZDsYdQxGEkmial_puEZdLMSD0pV6_sNZiX0hhaDijTus15wXT7bDckliNFC1bFW1GjoR8q2vlYPMN7X3lp52c7lWecNc8a-wusDL0sdMS4MDrYLahuM/s640/nordic+garden+2.jpg" title="garden gate" width="336" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxPlxHb3ChC3RDZs5N_Uoqw1eLaZIGaxYu5sybw1GPpeiM62x3Vj34YtFMDf0j2R3_XKhWBBD0ddzn_AEGU_tZ7FWk_51y4DTvvBxjSyScXRns0-t2-oVdnYeuht67nez7xCwsaa_Rps/s1600/nordic+garden+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fence" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxPlxHb3ChC3RDZs5N_Uoqw1eLaZIGaxYu5sybw1GPpeiM62x3Vj34YtFMDf0j2R3_XKhWBBD0ddzn_AEGU_tZ7FWk_51y4DTvvBxjSyScXRns0-t2-oVdnYeuht67nez7xCwsaa_Rps/s640/nordic+garden+3.jpg" title="iron fence " width="376" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you look for gardens when you are traveling? I also love to garden
hunt in my hometown. It's always fun and interesting to see what other
gardeners are creating around them!
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-66257738076157984522016-10-01T08:40:00.000-07:002019-07-27T06:25:31.673-07:00Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1DlUbTBkp0QNUNY-UzpyDTBOmfIOzi__qxpN-tsP2AhRTFsFdGN04MqTGE_t81BycaODrSx_C2AMDsZ1ddw7B3ZYYVu-iqzht2pksXP8z-RD9AnSplVecQAZzHgv8vt2m-mmCdEeNZ0/s1600/blue+lagoon+10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="things to do in iceland" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1DlUbTBkp0QNUNY-UzpyDTBOmfIOzi__qxpN-tsP2AhRTFsFdGN04MqTGE_t81BycaODrSx_C2AMDsZ1ddw7B3ZYYVu-iqzht2pksXP8z-RD9AnSplVecQAZzHgv8vt2m-mmCdEeNZ0/s640/blue+lagoon+10.jpg" title="the blue lagoon in reykjavik" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight of our trip to Iceland was visiting The Blue Lagoon on my
husband's birthday. It was something we were especially looking forward
to. Our daughter, who can't imagine why anyone would take a vacation at a
place with "ice" in the name, called one night to ask if we were
watching The Kardashians.<br />
<br />
I looked at my husband across the room on the sofa and stifled a laugh. "Um no..."<br />
<br />
"Turn it on! They are in Iceland!"<br />
<br />
I hung up and told my husband he had to stop watching whatever he was watching because we had to watch The Kardashinas.<br />
<br />
<i>Are you picturing it? </i><br />
<br />
I explained why and we eventually found it in time to see them at The
Blue Lagoon doing what else--taking selfies. Turns out it was Courtney
Kardashian's birthday and I immediately imagined taking pictures of my
husband who would be turning 61 the day we would be there and using the
hashtag chasingthekardashians or something equally amusing. <i>To me and my daughter anyway. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkWJYGW7BTDf-k7aMYI1o3eWwGkuBrQSDH0wjL8UTCpm7HPqIy2dzFgucGgB4sGCFRqPcqkonyGZthSkgDlkIF7t83FQIa8ERHp1px4WazfNom0uu-m1gtJx9N2Dq9Gs-1_O_MFzKPdE/s1600/blue+lagoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="in and around reykjavik" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkWJYGW7BTDf-k7aMYI1o3eWwGkuBrQSDH0wjL8UTCpm7HPqIy2dzFgucGgB4sGCFRqPcqkonyGZthSkgDlkIF7t83FQIa8ERHp1px4WazfNom0uu-m1gtJx9N2Dq9Gs-1_O_MFzKPdE/s640/blue+lagoon.jpg" title="visiting the blue lagoon in iceland " width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
You must buy your tickets online before arriving because they limit the
number of people at any one time inside. It seems like a hassle but once
you are there you can see why. It would be a totally different
experience if the space was overcrowded. From Reykavik you can take a
bus across the moon like landscape for the 45 minute ride. The lava rock
and thick moss keep you mesmerized until you see the steam rising in
the distance. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdrwlLbwCM0hAjS7zdimIsVOBt7Z58yc95f-5twu95Y7KiEUEpQDItWM3cEOe2zvZsYnjF-RvbqT1DQQYE-lo4hRUsM_ZDgx30hGL_ECqU12uWVp6fl8EsdFIaRBRyvipzIER7WRfflo/s1600/blue+lagoon+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reykjavik iceland" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdrwlLbwCM0hAjS7zdimIsVOBt7Z58yc95f-5twu95Y7KiEUEpQDItWM3cEOe2zvZsYnjF-RvbqT1DQQYE-lo4hRUsM_ZDgx30hGL_ECqU12uWVp6fl8EsdFIaRBRyvipzIER7WRfflo/s640/blue+lagoon+3.jpg" title="visiting the blue lagoon" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Upon arrival you check in and receive a bracelet that acts as your
locker key and billing device during your stay. From there you head to
the locker to strip down and put your clothes and shoes away and shower
before putting on your bathing suit. There are large signs with
instructions. The main thing to remember is not to drip on the locker
room floor. <i>Seriously, someone will yell at you. </i><br />
<br />
After that you can enter the water. <i> This is my husband's official birthday photo. #chasingthekardashians #perryandcourtneysbirthdayadventure </i>Remember my other Kardashian experience? <a href="http://www.penandhive.com/2015/06/my-painful-kardashian-marathon.html">The Painful Kardashian Marathon.</a><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnamnsH1rACt7lDfJB0_R0bNWjc7Bj58Et7IxXVIUzKLmCVUmmHIF_8k9cJaKLNBnmV1sNVwMCvtyxlfL_fdPSKYVOAn7kU6Dmp-rJZDcuWdQNQwkWTlpxJgeGq8Xqy89EgFI7lrft-Tc/s1600/20160722_120605415_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="silica mask at blue lagoon" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnamnsH1rACt7lDfJB0_R0bNWjc7Bj58Et7IxXVIUzKLmCVUmmHIF_8k9cJaKLNBnmV1sNVwMCvtyxlfL_fdPSKYVOAn7kU6Dmp-rJZDcuWdQNQwkWTlpxJgeGq8Xqy89EgFI7lrft-Tc/s640/20160722_120605415_iOS.jpg" title="blue lagoon includes mask" width="480" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
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We tried some Kardahian-like selfies but with a severe lack of cleavage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALZ5I1uriqdR2wDreepoEQq8aKZgPXQ_4_xIznI3u36HOIulapVG3vF5bLOsO5e8WKWbZ5ZOAlXI-AwYuBzJqINbm9UUEQlDyZCgENN3aOi3zHFfkcz_vVk8_IdZTam-mhTebp9dXFeU/s1600/creatures+of+the+Blue+Lagoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="where is the blue lagoon" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALZ5I1uriqdR2wDreepoEQq8aKZgPXQ_4_xIznI3u36HOIulapVG3vF5bLOsO5e8WKWbZ5ZOAlXI-AwYuBzJqINbm9UUEQlDyZCgENN3aOi3zHFfkcz_vVk8_IdZTam-mhTebp9dXFeU/s400/creatures+of+the+Blue+Lagoon.jpg" title="visiting the blue lagoon iceland" width="400" /></a></div>
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i>Which brings me to body image. While I was looking for a place
to change and shower where I wouldn't be standing around in all my glory
I felt a little silly. That's because the Japanese women and European
woman were standing around having entire conversations or digging in
their purses while nude. I felt a little jealous. Not because they had
perfect bodies to show off but because they didn't and they seemed
completely unconcerned about it. Having that kind of casual acceptance
of one's self is something American women don't do very well. I tried to
figure out if it's our perfection obsessed culture or our Puritan
inheritance. Whatever it was the answer to it was wine. Did I mention
the "swim" up bar? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT_7WY2-fOko6gKW8kVnBtx9VnTa9IelxDf1VlOp7VsSJuYMqN0boV7-Xg20JM8mrz_SoMOMnuz_Zh433GYJkisk1mD9fBaSubvtPXFKdOv9ZO3Sd_gjtdW2J0JrvbndBQjUvBvUHgFY/s1600/blue+lagoon+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="day at the blue lagoon" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT_7WY2-fOko6gKW8kVnBtx9VnTa9IelxDf1VlOp7VsSJuYMqN0boV7-Xg20JM8mrz_SoMOMnuz_Zh433GYJkisk1mD9fBaSubvtPXFKdOv9ZO3Sd_gjtdW2J0JrvbndBQjUvBvUHgFY/s400/blue+lagoon+5.jpg" title="blue lagoon swim up bar" width="300" /></a></div>
<i> </i> <br />
Part of the Blue Lagoon ritual is wearing a mask made of silica, one of
the main minerals found in the water. Everyone does it and no one fells
silly at all. Again...wine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHW0pa4RWsGmPDll1GEqHhKRqo4D908keVSMiLq5AjvVRnxfP_dtC5juDp78g7O87b1v1XajJveqOPQQSNTMA1dU_MW7GiD92A51t-7hh-zlqG__q9oGtCCRpAWqCmH0aEEYT5fH8Pbk/s1600/20160722_134251342_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="reykjavik iceland" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHW0pa4RWsGmPDll1GEqHhKRqo4D908keVSMiLq5AjvVRnxfP_dtC5juDp78g7O87b1v1XajJveqOPQQSNTMA1dU_MW7GiD92A51t-7hh-zlqG__q9oGtCCRpAWqCmH0aEEYT5fH8Pbk/s640/20160722_134251342_iOS.jpg" title="blue lagoon spa" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i> </i><br />
This was definitely my husband's most memorable birthday to date. All of
our favorite gifts involve experiences instead of material things and
Iceland on your birthday is just about as spectacular as it gets. Just
ask my husband.<br />
<br />
Or a Kardashian. <br />
<i> </i>Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-36651336388306948822016-09-01T08:37:00.000-07:002019-07-27T05:32:02.190-07:00A Day in Bergen, Norway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QRziDfUPq9Unzl2ivk-9nk48B7lvfftLmUnxL2LBiYFZTHJeR8kPzYGpU79POruuSEnBzvTIvcUTmhn4zYEF89jJeDo0ApWr93TeV3MgEonWMijIYkSQ6UL0rASFEX2BRmUDxzL2NSg/s1600/norway+globe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="travel" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QRziDfUPq9Unzl2ivk-9nk48B7lvfftLmUnxL2LBiYFZTHJeR8kPzYGpU79POruuSEnBzvTIvcUTmhn4zYEF89jJeDo0ApWr93TeV3MgEonWMijIYkSQ6UL0rASFEX2BRmUDxzL2NSg/s400/norway+globe.jpg" title="globe" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Since visiting Sweden, Finland, and Denmark 4 years ago we've been
hoping to complete our tour of Scandinavian/Nordic countries by
traveling to Norway and Iceland. Timing it during the two weeks when we
could miss the conventions of both political parties was pure
happenstance but made us feel like travel geniuses anyway.<br />
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<br />
<br />
During this trip there was much less rushing around large cities and
more taking in magnificent vistas and mystical landscapes. This trip was
all about the views. Our first stop was <a href="http://www.bergen-guide.com/49.htm">Bergen, Norway</a> and our first priority was obtaining tickets to ride the Funicular to the top of Mount Floyen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSoCS7DeEUNddgd8RGFmKLkGhcEjLYI5oC_0wQiNhtwIojWPW3907RNrOKnXSOP7VnDULWEBnzg5X684Ttfk0emdyRY2MjW2RHtn4E8xOjNYqImXFSs9H5HhFtq6KYkOpNLZrlIGCjZE/s1600/magical+forest+ride+fixed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="funicular in bergen norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSoCS7DeEUNddgd8RGFmKLkGhcEjLYI5oC_0wQiNhtwIojWPW3907RNrOKnXSOP7VnDULWEBnzg5X684Ttfk0emdyRY2MjW2RHtn4E8xOjNYqImXFSs9H5HhFtq6KYkOpNLZrlIGCjZE/s400/magical+forest+ride+fixed.jpg" title="what to do in bergen norway" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are headed to Bergen and want to do this (it's a must, really)
you buy your tickets at the visitor center. And do it first thing in the
morning. Race there, in fact. We arrived very early and didn't have to
wait at all. When we came back down the line was out the door and down
the street quite a long way. Given that proposition it is also walkable
and would definitely be worth the effort. You don't want to spend your
day in this charming town waiting in line. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJng_3jcR371doOhN_Qx6olqKkoSo8Q3nK0DZo0WK1xotRCgOMGyDnUEtNHbjRdPsxN-opLS5vkvVFG-9Q2cxZhLp4tzeaisR364MJ6iMr__82oFO7pB5SeulcTKuBdjVfbVaTDLSbWnU/s1600/magical+forest+12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="funicular" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJng_3jcR371doOhN_Qx6olqKkoSo8Q3nK0DZo0WK1xotRCgOMGyDnUEtNHbjRdPsxN-opLS5vkvVFG-9Q2cxZhLp4tzeaisR364MJ6iMr__82oFO7pB5SeulcTKuBdjVfbVaTDLSbWnU/s400/magical+forest+12.jpg" title="funicular in bergen norway" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
When you get to the top the views are breathtaking. There are some
shops, bathrooms, and a restaurant. There is even a playground with a
troll.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXafJQtvmIV3364h29K_ODbniprrkkRtaRT3WrpwfkIcTSl_FmoE3y_H24w3abeu5GrKM3-lwpNqqmDBXrmVWZ_GLMuIoi0uxyxuJ-8ing-RHC-zwJTAmthhQgFwoKQN6WyKii-d2YWk/s1600/IMG_9459.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="funicular " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXafJQtvmIV3364h29K_ODbniprrkkRtaRT3WrpwfkIcTSl_FmoE3y_H24w3abeu5GrKM3-lwpNqqmDBXrmVWZ_GLMuIoi0uxyxuJ-8ing-RHC-zwJTAmthhQgFwoKQN6WyKii-d2YWk/s400/IMG_9459.JPG" title="troll " width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
There are trolls everywhere in Norway. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlRTATRPm8tea1WLzqs4dIkFbWUcpOCSq0_JIjq_u8fKMMNxwlzB9QmlaBir5MOsobiZFHW1Q4NEc8gozxgUWhcvSAbyIZdWhYXp2U_EWfHRl_zwSGqjVB-FF-NU6Eb0FXzPvJTkfhys/s1600/norway+bergen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="holland america cruise to norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlRTATRPm8tea1WLzqs4dIkFbWUcpOCSq0_JIjq_u8fKMMNxwlzB9QmlaBir5MOsobiZFHW1Q4NEc8gozxgUWhcvSAbyIZdWhYXp2U_EWfHRl_zwSGqjVB-FF-NU6Eb0FXzPvJTkfhys/s400/norway+bergen.jpg" title="bergen norway" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
We got some beautiful photos before a fog rolled in and completely caused this beautiful sight to disappear in a haunting mist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFSJgVj6MuqLGbsTQhLlIjxTnUtNNz-j_g3vSRSRfoHWnwI99P1k8Bb-1SUNKJqGp72qlv7q0I5F4YvSVM-WyfMWEFcBvSeJ5hyphenhyphenymOC_fVyWEENsWBTaXCmRSSK8SLG6F_kRKgD3GwAQ/s1600/magical+mist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bergen norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFSJgVj6MuqLGbsTQhLlIjxTnUtNNz-j_g3vSRSRfoHWnwI99P1k8Bb-1SUNKJqGp72qlv7q0I5F4YvSVM-WyfMWEFcBvSeJ5hyphenhyphenymOC_fVyWEENsWBTaXCmRSSK8SLG6F_kRKgD3GwAQ/s400/magical+mist.jpg" title="ancient forerst" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
After you take in the spectacular scenery meander around a bit. We happened upon a magical wood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9vXQ-_7o_x6riFDM_Js99F1NT-Oh1OrqYMapWE1dBmKesEWMoLKoXznRtrglPepZrh8gu1JQQPL5koPTDADq6y8XGmCYdI833OPI1FJfyePOCVpAgpTAhDIUfWchVAd8Ew6b9_s9xYA/s1600/magical+forest+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="norwegian wood" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9vXQ-_7o_x6riFDM_Js99F1NT-Oh1OrqYMapWE1dBmKesEWMoLKoXznRtrglPepZrh8gu1JQQPL5koPTDADq6y8XGmCYdI833OPI1FJfyePOCVpAgpTAhDIUfWchVAd8Ew6b9_s9xYA/s400/magical+forest+1.jpg" title="what to do in bergen norway" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are an adult and your faith in fairies and elves is flagging, Norway is the cure for that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorPgUkBdE3fqCpe2rVIPeXIBg7NTLI_vuNXarWqhy4f09vKmiQ3_icTvsNN2QwpOShqgi12ECYWFeQuA-EA2JxYXt-1P7Nq3LBGUtEyaw4WRdcbTbZs4EoUY9OU1LCZqg3kLZWq3uMz8/s1600/magical+forest+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="norwegian forest" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorPgUkBdE3fqCpe2rVIPeXIBg7NTLI_vuNXarWqhy4f09vKmiQ3_icTvsNN2QwpOShqgi12ECYWFeQuA-EA2JxYXt-1P7Nq3LBGUtEyaw4WRdcbTbZs4EoUY9OU1LCZqg3kLZWq3uMz8/s400/magical+forest+2.jpg" title="norway " width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Just when you are sure magical forests only exist in storybooks...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8pbTcqlHmNqKclfDVPq9g-cONatICwqxPxL3zx_93lpj9Kjwvqx4zhAEKtFuR7mEbwBmadC_AugPsS3ux9HyZYD0_welJHDpfHmxJva6rJQLcm5fOqE6Xl_tiDfpbTvNEkXQLyfWvCQ/s1600/magical+forest+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8pbTcqlHmNqKclfDVPq9g-cONatICwqxPxL3zx_93lpj9Kjwvqx4zhAEKtFuR7mEbwBmadC_AugPsS3ux9HyZYD0_welJHDpfHmxJva6rJQLcm5fOqE6Xl_tiDfpbTvNEkXQLyfWvCQ/s400/magical+forest+3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
and trolls aren't real...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt9xq87VrnOEtd8GxPeYywjyOB3TP8h-BEDkjqhCZWHlfTj_l3e5rk7O678Va21a7oE44e_xCazRfSOgERxH2E4RDRefhR1E8J_GOF0mHVACi7r1oXNp93s-INaOlAKlMlMrM7ChiYH8/s1600/magical+forest+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="forest in norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt9xq87VrnOEtd8GxPeYywjyOB3TP8h-BEDkjqhCZWHlfTj_l3e5rk7O678Va21a7oE44e_xCazRfSOgERxH2E4RDRefhR1E8J_GOF0mHVACi7r1oXNp93s-INaOlAKlMlMrM7ChiYH8/s400/magical+forest+4.jpg" title="norwegian wood" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
stepping into a mystical forest will make you rethink your cynicism. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVqsx6P-UlqrRV1GbEk9GMiWJbSjvt8Zqkd1dIEmvzJ0P0_xUyA5_m_g7tHQBL2WMNLIZ-ZbOZ1hE15FlqNHLQAnszexG7iPFeki7t-_cuj1YBO9Mtk5PuWi33vqkxz6WoM8uapmJk2o/s1600/magical+forest+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="forest in bergen norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVqsx6P-UlqrRV1GbEk9GMiWJbSjvt8Zqkd1dIEmvzJ0P0_xUyA5_m_g7tHQBL2WMNLIZ-ZbOZ1hE15FlqNHLQAnszexG7iPFeki7t-_cuj1YBO9Mtk5PuWi33vqkxz6WoM8uapmJk2o/s400/magical+forest+5.jpg" title="cruising norway" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Surely there is a hobbit or two here somewhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ5VBT7-ocG3g0oNibd7GsnauLfOvtPcuWkVIfxdUiJplmJ3EHP1dDF2oenxUuW39H1ZGsN-Llx86V75dwlMGjQa46NZCNWUoJkdxrZdyTmMrwWFlDU5DDp6I0Ii4Mu25lLMq_7FpdmA/s1600/magical+forest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ5VBT7-ocG3g0oNibd7GsnauLfOvtPcuWkVIfxdUiJplmJ3EHP1dDF2oenxUuW39H1ZGsN-Llx86V75dwlMGjQa46NZCNWUoJkdxrZdyTmMrwWFlDU5DDp6I0Ii4Mu25lLMq_7FpdmA/s400/magical+forest.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
The trees towered overhead in a thick mist and a carpet of moss absorbed
our voices. We spoke in hushed tones though no other travelers had
followed us here. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYiC5HZrPHNqXUr25C4kTlseEQpHhq0Ump6_KhI5sMF3aeB4gDbKSlEigJfx5bXufW6xwR50V7W3e0YamytApX4dYBRfhp8v3J78NWn0XYr7p7CSh1VRELtDOweO9ROyzI90jhI6dyGE/s1600/mf+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="forest in norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYiC5HZrPHNqXUr25C4kTlseEQpHhq0Ump6_KhI5sMF3aeB4gDbKSlEigJfx5bXufW6xwR50V7W3e0YamytApX4dYBRfhp8v3J78NWn0XYr7p7CSh1VRELtDOweO9ROyzI90jhI6dyGE/s400/mf+1.jpg" title="norwegian wood" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
So often, just steps away from a busy tourist attraction, there is an
unexplored gem that most people miss. Take time to wander away from the
crowds. Walk around the corner. Follow a hidden path just to see where
it goes. You may just find magic<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb6-bTASfdl2hLkOtUQPFZ2SWf12KyG9l3irxQ7fZRQUa3AwZJrBwSlFwvsgozogyoV8COLwhrdkANj6UXEtXsEIX3cGWm2x5JvYHpZMxDSsN84wEcZjx0sPbjQIaG-QeHmohu4oVcAk/s1600/magcial+forest+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="funicular in bergen norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb6-bTASfdl2hLkOtUQPFZ2SWf12KyG9l3irxQ7fZRQUa3AwZJrBwSlFwvsgozogyoV8COLwhrdkANj6UXEtXsEIX3cGWm2x5JvYHpZMxDSsN84wEcZjx0sPbjQIaG-QeHmohu4oVcAk/s400/magcial+forest+13.jpg" title="what to do in bergen norway" width="266" /></a></div>
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-41770321500685122242016-08-01T08:24:00.000-07:002019-07-27T05:31:32.749-07:0010 Reasons for Visiting Scandinavia in Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT6dVjDCOCQJya3fVaPhuzy2BW6JFGDMwj1mc538IkH24v8ADWfszzIwjaMHStKKl7DEaJQICnOKtyoMFWG9jAXD4TSEm5XAKlOOoypIJL_NVGyeDjuoi0Q2MovkXZ6uvcmapTeOM3Io/s1600/norway+bracelet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="travel journal" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT6dVjDCOCQJya3fVaPhuzy2BW6JFGDMwj1mc538IkH24v8ADWfszzIwjaMHStKKl7DEaJQICnOKtyoMFWG9jAXD4TSEm5XAKlOOoypIJL_NVGyeDjuoi0Q2MovkXZ6uvcmapTeOM3Io/s400/norway+bracelet.jpg" title="travel bracelet " width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
It's summer which is all about palm trees, bikinis, and tropical drinks
with umbrellas. Unless you aren't a real fan. Since I'm a gardener and
beekeeper the season certainly has advantages but secretly I find myself
longing for chilly nights by the fire with an Irish coffee. So while
lots of folks head to the beach for their summer vacation my husband and
I headed to Copenhagen and from there to Norway and Iceland with a
couple of friends.<br />
<br />
Here's a list of reasons why it's a fantastic travel option in summer:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGC1HJxOgY3JptTiCC10XmUmNRU3Z2xboQI-k1eBZXroqdjLZUIbtSgV3gM7d7-Ykk3B5gtmppzzQYskl7UQ4Az1x04kxwMxuWUPeKJfhNXx9lohxxASgNNOyZnZr-t06757oZ663tgk/s1600/denmark+boats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="danish boats" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGC1HJxOgY3JptTiCC10XmUmNRU3Z2xboQI-k1eBZXroqdjLZUIbtSgV3gM7d7-Ykk3B5gtmppzzQYskl7UQ4Az1x04kxwMxuWUPeKJfhNXx9lohxxASgNNOyZnZr-t06757oZ663tgk/s400/denmark+boats.jpg" title="copenhagen " width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>1. Charming scenery and quaint vignettes</b>. In case you don't want one more travel photo of palm trees and sand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbmm02axV2gamO-WbpkzVDkyOKmgA5BUq9V3_DQpaKOvRK0_Bw5Eyf5Dd0Q3NNEd7mbsSpGwqHXxTiumjQImfZW6ZFruXdtZV-YjSpk5FSjCFBVJxCdDK6qULfZeSZzCRb-hVYrJaTy8/s1600/IMG_9851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbmm02axV2gamO-WbpkzVDkyOKmgA5BUq9V3_DQpaKOvRK0_Bw5Eyf5Dd0Q3NNEd7mbsSpGwqHXxTiumjQImfZW6ZFruXdtZV-YjSpk5FSjCFBVJxCdDK6qULfZeSZzCRb-hVYrJaTy8/s400/IMG_9851.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>2. Gardens and flowers</b> that thrive in a cool rainy climate. I'll
be doing a whole post about gardens later but while things at home are
wilting in triple digit heat it was refreshing to stumble upon sweet
flowers and delicate plants. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMZexdF8jNGJ8NHq8zTcV-151Rq8zBeXji2mnpUHkQQdgdZitarotU9kVLNIJNaT3Am2KF8j7JrXfr2kGGfLV2vFUyu1g4VeAalcm47uaESr_lD7ylhG1MsWEvljQNGfcbw539o2awls/s1600/norway+berries.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMZexdF8jNGJ8NHq8zTcV-151Rq8zBeXji2mnpUHkQQdgdZitarotU9kVLNIJNaT3Am2KF8j7JrXfr2kGGfLV2vFUyu1g4VeAalcm47uaESr_lD7ylhG1MsWEvljQNGfcbw539o2awls/s400/norway+berries.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>3.</b> <b>The quality of the fruit.</b> These rasberries and
blackberries were massive. In Europe you can be pretty sure your food
hasn't been tampered with in that all American GMO Frankenberry way that
our FDA approves of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY3HUHFgkDeAaCBLNcc0eBoEgDvtoKmOTKOzDiU0kdkeDsmXoYurTlwF8HaEOWXygAl8Uxf8ssyxZ9QMS1C4hWRx1B-U6sUlTZcDd0C6cP2tvRl6k2p0GAanXMRfYA5juNkkCVZv6ZVA/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="moss and trees" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY3HUHFgkDeAaCBLNcc0eBoEgDvtoKmOTKOzDiU0kdkeDsmXoYurTlwF8HaEOWXygAl8Uxf8ssyxZ9QMS1C4hWRx1B-U6sUlTZcDd0C6cP2tvRl6k2p0GAanXMRfYA5juNkkCVZv6ZVA/s400/IMG_9482.JPG" title="norwegian forest" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>4. Mystical forests</b>. In the Southeastern US a summer walk in the
woods is fraught with real dangers and minor annoyances. From poisonous
snakes to ticks and mosquitoes there are a lot of things to ruin a
lovely walk including sweltering heat. We found this forest at the top
of a mountain in Norway and I don't think any natural place has ever
enchanted me more. <i>Okay except for the inside of a bee hive. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxPhf9h9eoerUcfI039uLNkdJdCfIWGpS2Zpx48087V7uqNIvNp7mDUjYyvvX2r24Gv01pcPd8dYyr6DYYyDr8B3wEIMNosjcOBIcOYGpnsYElY30CkyyqBKgu9yLS068doiewlgDqH8/s1600/norway+crab+paste.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="traveling norway" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxPhf9h9eoerUcfI039uLNkdJdCfIWGpS2Zpx48087V7uqNIvNp7mDUjYyvvX2r24Gv01pcPd8dYyr6DYYyDr8B3wEIMNosjcOBIcOYGpnsYElY30CkyyqBKgu9yLS068doiewlgDqH8/s400/norway+crab+paste.jpg" title="norwegian seafood" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>5. The seafood.</b> It's everywhere and in all forms from fresh lobsters to crab paste in a can to caviar in a tube. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eg7k3ORJDbYawRCXLnFFDCF7dRDkl0qLsb0geMV5X-nPc6iF2lFXDjpGRdPcXiAKB9JtA6Mv4Rrcs9gR2k7PNsUuhLsrcQiqx0GQUt6rxyaBUD6A-wMSOe5gn_1wqyioCcamjTGD9CA/s1600/norway+fish+market.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="norwegian fish market" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eg7k3ORJDbYawRCXLnFFDCF7dRDkl0qLsb0geMV5X-nPc6iF2lFXDjpGRdPcXiAKB9JtA6Mv4Rrcs9gR2k7PNsUuhLsrcQiqx0GQUt6rxyaBUD6A-wMSOe5gn_1wqyioCcamjTGD9CA/s400/norway+fish+market.jpg" title="fish market " width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>6. The friendliness of the people</b>. The backstory to this photo
is that as we were walking around this fish market in Bergen, Norway the
song from the speakers providing the soundtrack was Song of the South
by Alabama. That's right--as in<br />
<br />
Song, Song of the south<br />
Sweet potato pie, and I shut my mouth<br />
Gone, gone with the wind<br />
There aint no body looking back again<br />
<br />
When we asked this guy about it he said that everyone in Norway loves country music.<i> My favorite thing about travel is always a broken stereotype. </i><br />
<br />
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<b>7. You can wear your sunglasses at night</b>. Literally. As our
cruise ship left Copenhagen we had our last dark night for the next 10
days. It was cloudy during this entire trip so while it never got dark
we also never saw any actual sunshine. It's a bit disorienting but you
get used to it. This picture was taken at midnight after crossing the
Arctic Circle off the northern coast of Iceland.<br />
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<br />
<b> 8. You can give your winter clothes a vacation</b>. Your sweaters
and scarves will be so happy to get out of storage for a few days! And
when you get home you don't have to rush to do the laundry. You won't be
wearing these cloths again until fall.<br />
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<b>9. Everyone--and I mean everyone-- speaks English</b>. You won't find
signs or printed materials in English for the most part in Norway and
Iceland, but you won't have any trouble communicating. No one is really
dressing like this but the people of Renavik, Faroe Islands put on a
street show with music and traditional folk music and dancing. <i>See No. 6. </i><br />
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<br />
<b> 10. You can take a break from sunscreen. </b>You won't be needing
it. You can leave the insect repellent home too. You'll need that room
in your suitcase for an extra hat and a pair of gloves for chilly July
days.<br />
<br />
Remember the Bizarro episode of Seinfield? This is the vacation version. And it was fantastic! <br />
<br />
Happy travels!
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-56185912173683744282014-01-27T05:32:00.000-08:002019-07-27T05:31:32.813-07:00Beautiful Details<br />
Some of my favorite things are books and some of the places I just wanted a few
more minutes (okay, hours) were libraries and book stores. In Scotland
one of the things that most surprised me was that I saw several men
wearing kilts. Not as any kind of costume but with coats and ties,
briefcases in hand. <br />
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The
French know how to do lunch. These were the drinks included with our
meal in Normandy along with coffee at the end which came with a little
square of dark chocolate to melt into it. <br />
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One
thing I always like is a silly photo op. In Invergordon, Scotland I
couldn't resist this one since I was wearing yellow and all...<br />
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My love of post boxes is legendary. I'm sure people often wonder what in the world I'm doing. <br />
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Sometimes "things" just catch my eye.<br />
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I
got an entire blog post out of this beautiful picture of rocks on the
coast of South Queensferry, Scotland. I even got a blog post out of this
picture: <a href="http://www.99percentbeauty.com/2013/09/lessons-from-rocky-shoreline.html">Lessons from a Rocky Shoreline.</a><br />
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I
discovered something amazingly delicious. A strawberry-lime cider
brewed in Sweden. It's the kind of thing the offer you in pubs when you
aren't fond of beer.<br />
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<br />
I
love this quote by C.S. Lewis in a bookstore on the Royal Mile in
Edinburgh. You could see the castle from where we sipped our coffee.<br />
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Am I the only one who thinks this is actually the really practical thing for men to be wearing...(ahem) comfort wise?<br />
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I happened into this library in Belfast with famous authors in stained glass above all the windows. Charming. <br />
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<br />
Another picture from Trinity College Library. (sigh)<br />
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<br />
Several areas had up these cheerful banners and they just made me happy, which I'm sure is the point.<br />
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Another post box. (swoon)
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-63794560208266121212014-01-26T05:26:00.000-08:002019-07-27T05:31:32.856-07:00The Beatles, Braveheart, and the Greatest Generation <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Leaving Dublin, we sailed across to Liverpool, the the next stop on our
magical mystery tour. I'd booked a Beatles tour and we were met at the
ship's terminal by our taxi driver, Rob. A knowledgeable and affable
fellow. Our 3 hour tour included stops at the childhood homes, Penny
Lane, Strawberry Field (actually a girls' orphanage where John use to
climb a tree to watch them undress), the church with Eleanor Rigby's
grave out back, the church where John and Paul first met, and endless
trivia and stories shared by our cabbie. Naturally between locations he
played the song that best connected to our next stop. <br />
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I was fascinated by the fact that Paul claims he made up the name
Eleanor Rigby, that he'd never seen the gravestone or heard the name at
all. That her name on that marker is a coincidence. Yet, given what we
know about how much information the brain takes in that we are unaware
of it seems very likely he saw it at some point and registered it in
some unconscious way.<br />
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Then it was on to Glasgow, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Invergordon: <br />
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There is one stop left on the places list, Normandy. As if to match your
post about your visit to Arlington National Cemetary, I have the
transatlantic companion. There aren't really any words to describe the
feeling of the place. But my experience was profound in ways I didn't
expect. Beaches famous for fierce fighting and massive loss of life are
now
strewn with running children spending the day by the sea with sunbathing
parents. Photos of beautiful landscapes marred by barbed wire. A
carousel at the site of more heroic deeds and loss of life. </div>
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<b>Arromanches-les-Bains (Gold Beach on D-Day) </b></div>
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At Normandy American Cemetery<br />
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<b> Omaha Beach. </b>The tour buses are lined up and tourists, mostly of
a certain age visit the site and read the memorials. Pictures are
taken, with no one exactly sure whether or not it is appropriate to
smile in them. It seems like a sacred place. <br />
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Then just beyond where you see that stone monument there are steps going
down to the beach. It took me by surprise to see these happy French
families enjoying a holiday, children running and playing, parents
laughing, sunning. I stood on the steps and looked up at older tourists,
mostly American, pointing and discussing the historical significance of
the place. I looked down and saw what could easily have been any beach
in the world. I wondered what those men who died here would think of
that. I could imagine that they might tell us that was exactly what
they'd fought here for. After all what better memorial could there be
than those free French children. I couldn't help but think that if they
are aware of it, it would surely make them smile. <br />
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The following pictures are taken in and around the machine gun nest at Pointe du Hoc:<br />
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Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-8544449076930156882014-01-25T05:22:00.000-08:002019-07-27T05:31:20.941-07:00Oh, the Places You'll Go! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we move on from people to places. A story best told with the use of pictures:<br />
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Our first stop was the Isle of Guernsey, where we visted The Little
Chapel and the German Underground Hospital. Both were made famous in the
book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Then it was on
to Cork and Blarney castle. I didn't kiss the stone (who would really
want me to have more of the gift of gab?) but was intrigued by the
Poison Garden. They were growing marijuana and opium in it along with
things like hemlock and wolfsbane. After a train ride back to Cobh
(pronounced Cove) we happened upon a regatta and festival complete with
an Irish rock band and crusty old fishermen bringing in their catches of
the day. Ours was the last big ship of the season and so lots of
townspeople and festival goers came down to the dock to wave as we
sailed away. There were even ladies in turn of the century dresses and a
band that played Anchors Away. Here's what I saw as we headed out to
sea: <br />
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<br />
We awoke the next day to the industrial side of Dublin. I had 3 things
on my list for this day. The Trinity College Library, St. Patrick's
Cathedral, and the Old Jameson Distillery. But my main mission: that
Library. After waiting an hour and a half we paid and the first part of
the building is dedicated to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells">Book of Kells. </a>It
was interesting but the library was tugging hard at my heart. When I
finally got inside I was completely overjoyed. The space reminded me of a
cathedral of wisdom. A church of the written word. I was reminded of
the verse from Proverbs 4, Sell everything and buy wisdom! Part of me
wanted to sit down in a corner someplace and cry for all the things I
will never know. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
What are you going to do after such an experience? Well, it's Ireland so
head to a pub of course. And then to a church because...well, again,
it's Ireland. :)<br />
<br />
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<br />
St. Patrick's was another overwhelming experience. Jonathon Swift and
his wife are buried in the floor. One of the most interesting things to
me was the <a href="http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/Chancing-Your-Arm.aspx">Door of Reconciliation. </a>Next it was on to the Jameson Distillery, then a bit more walking before catching a cab back to the ship. <br />
<br />
Up next: Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Invergordon. <br />
Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-36430551592082080422013-09-01T05:21:00.000-07:002019-07-27T05:31:20.760-07:00Oh The People You'll Meet! Generally travelers set off with lists of important places they want to
see while on their journey. The famous cathedral, monument, natural
landscape or oddity, or well known restaurants or bars. We rarely intend
to collect conversations as part of our travel memories, yet those
always seem to be the things I remember most from my travels. I return
home impressed with who I met and what I learned from them. <br />
<br />
In addition to the embassy worker and the Qatar flight crew we met a lot
of smart, inquisitive people, and everyone seemed to have an opinion
they wanted to share about one thing or another.<br />
<br />
The Brits and Australians at dinner sounded a lot like many Americans
you talk to. They are tired of their governments backing our government
in military actions and paying the price. They are pretty sure only the
craziest of their citizens are running for office. They are convinced
whatever is being shown on the news isn't close to the real truth.<br />
<br />
We found an amusing trend among pub patrons and cabbies. There was a lot
of hostility toward people in other cities. In Dublin, we were told by
the collection of men at the bar that if we were on our way to Glasgow,
we'd better be damn careful, because it was a rough city and we'd be
mugged. We were also informed that Margaret Thatcher "single handedly
ruined that city. Glasgow use to be a beautiful city." A couple of days
later in Glasgow residents were amused. "Of course people in Dublin
would say that." My husband shared the mugging prediction with a couple
of policemen. "Aye. Have ya been mugged yet?" Of course every city has
parts it would be safest to steer clear of. We chalked up this kind of
talk to that.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
At dinner one evening we sat with a couple who were celebrating their
52nd wedding anniversary. He was American and she was Mexican. They'd
met when she was visiting a cousin in Southern California who lived next
door to him. The woman smiled as she told the story. "I didn't speak
English and he didn't speak Spanish." Of course, my female curiosity had
to know how they fell in love under those conditions. The man chimed in
"When she went home I bought a Spanish dictionary and taught myself
Spanish so I could write her letters." They had written each other
letters for 3 years--"he wrote 3 for every 1 I wrote"--until he drove to
Mexico city with several members of his family to marry her, arriving
the week before the wedding to meet her family. They had 7 children all
of whom were doctors, lawyers, or engineers and scads of grandchildren.
They looked like they'd had the happiest life. <br />
<br />
In the hot tub one afternoon I struck up a conversation with a man and
his wife. He was a professor of business ethics at a university in
Santiago, Chile and she was a "head hunter" for several major
corporations. Our discussion quickly started with the lack of long term
thinking among corporations and governments and covered several other
topics until I finally asked what he thought the largest problem was.
"Population. Specifically people living in cities." I was intrigued and
remembered Dunbar's Law, which says that humans can only have
approximately 150 real relationships. I asked if this was part of what
he was speaking about. His eyes lit up. "Yes!" He gave a lengthy lecture
on the effects of it. (It all seemed familiar somehow. :)) His basic
theory was that once people moved into large groups and away from
villages where everyone knew them from birth to death they gained a sort
of anonymity that greatly affected their behavior. Decisions stopped
being made for the good of the group and the self was exalted. Once that
happened the short term thinking about what would be good for a single
person became more important than long term thinking. He explained that
he found the same thing happened in corporations the larger they became.<br />
<br />
When he got all finished I asked what the solution was. As the words
came out of my mouth his wife smiled a cryptic smile. He said, "Oh yes,
my students ask that all the time. But there is no solution. This living
in groups will kill us eventually most likely by a plague (he asked if
I'd seen the movie, Contagion) and this he felt sure would happen in the
next few decades.<br />
<br />
Some other people entered the tub and broke our conversational spell but
it was nearly time to get ready for dinner anyway, as stepped out of
the tub he said "Enjoy the rest of your cruise, our species is going to
end soon."<br />
<br />
One of the things that impressed us most on our trip was just how
genuinely kind people seemed to be, particularly in Scotland. My husband
played a round of golf on the "wee course" (meaning 9 holes) and after
we went to the clubhouse for a pint and a snack. The chef came out to
chat with us and when we asked if we could use the phone to call a cab
he insisted on driving us back to the ship himself. "It's 5 minutes out
of my life, I'm not doing anything right now." We explained that after
changing our clothes we wanted to catch the train and asked where it
was. "I'll just drive you over to it so you can see where your are
going. It's 10 minutes out of my life." <br />
<br />
A regular occurrence even in large cities was that if we were asking
directions from someone 2 or 3 other people would stop to find out if we
needed assistance and if they could help. Everyone was nice but the
Scots seemed to be willing to go the extra mile.<br />
<br />
We had lots of other random encounters. There was the Israeli dairy
farmer, the woman who taught international folk dances as a profession,
our bar tender who owned a rubber tree farm in Thailand, and an old guy
who walked up to me at a bar in Belfast while my husband was in the
bathroom and said "How long have you been sitting here waiting for me."<br />
<br />
I told him it had been a really long time and I was beginning to wonder
what had happened to him and that I thought maybe he'd changed his mind.<br />
<br />
His two friends he'd come in with had the most priceless looks on their faces. :)Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-88840549543386059332013-08-27T05:14:00.000-07:002019-07-27T05:31:20.984-07:00Up all Night Drinking in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz7rgSbC5_o-JJRlwr-4-8YEIOq2ZKyW9WsbMrMTgNanGLjw-vLCMdt0LNLbfYyVhyiLUchua-IZs-TP79Q0xej0ywGRYoK_8D5rQmVe4FtFc8NEtVYIzAUdowlt1lh6q81EaNAr6RAc/s1600/771.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz7rgSbC5_o-JJRlwr-4-8YEIOq2ZKyW9WsbMrMTgNanGLjw-vLCMdt0LNLbfYyVhyiLUchua-IZs-TP79Q0xej0ywGRYoK_8D5rQmVe4FtFc8NEtVYIzAUdowlt1lh6q81EaNAr6RAc/s320/771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In August my husband and I took a cruise of the British Isles to celebrate our 30th anniversary. There's lots to share, but let's start with an overview:
London, Southhampton (to set sail from same port as the Titanic), then
Guernsey, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Invergordon, and La Havre before returning to Southampton and London
again to fly home. An exhausting itinerary except that a cruise ship
makes it possible to unpack once for such a journey and sleep in the
same bed every night. <br />
<br />
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<br />
We
arrived a day early with good intentions of checking into an airport
hotel, having a nice dinner and a pint, then off to an early bedtime to
start off our UK adventure fully rested and recovered from our long
flight and loss of sleep. But as we know, travel is full of surprises.
The hotel receptionist directed us to a neighborhood restaurant a few
blocks away. It took us a moment to figure out there was one queue for
ordering food and another one for ordering drink, but then each was
brought to the table. While we stood in line a young woman struck up a conversation with me about the news from Egypt being shown
on the screen over our heads. She was from a middle eastern country
working for the embassy of another one in London.<br />
<br />
She
found the news footage upsetting and proceeded to explain to me that the
people rioting could neither read nor write and had no knowledge of
world affairs or politics other than what their religious clerics share
with them. She explained that a good man with modern ideas who could get
himself elected could most likely not maintain control. "These people
only respect strength. The need is for a very strong leader who also has
a modern way of thinking, but I fear this cannot be found." We
discussed her own country which has a reputation of stability which I
was glad to hear, as it also has a site high on my travel list.<br />
<br />
While I was engaged in this conversation my husband was chatting up a young man and woman in front of him in line. <br />
<br />
Which
is how we ended up staying up all night drinking with a Sicilian, a
Serb, and a Swede.They were a crew of
flight attendants on a layover for Qatar Airlines. They were quite
curious about the number of Americans who are passport holders. They'd
heard 8% someplace but I argued (only guessing) that the number must be
closer to 30%. Luckily I wasn't far off with Forbes reporting last year
that a record number of Americans, roughly 1/3, have their passports. <br />
<br />
We
eventually moved from the pub when it closed to our hotel lobby, where a
bored night time manager was willing to open the bar back up for a
little company. The evening was filled with discussions ranging from
religion to politics, travel, family history, home, education, and love.<br />
<br />
We began our UK adventure less rested than we'd hoped, but such encounters are always worth losing a little sleep over. Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-52328413774750934252013-03-17T10:38:00.003-07:002019-07-27T05:31:20.842-07:00Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour and Tasting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX91UytFF0pCHoVWOkeYWRG8PU0V-TJUmLVeqfqyjauYkeDJEKHaxW7VWwpyj3ZLUvEB1cNG0-ojGxhO9bOigPt7TVVTMRg5VQbthRpWMQ1fAQ7JpWAPILGqowyIc38veQNXvDSjT6hyC/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX91UytFF0pCHoVWOkeYWRG8PU0V-TJUmLVeqfqyjauYkeDJEKHaxW7VWwpyj3ZLUvEB1cNG0-ojGxhO9bOigPt7TVVTMRg5VQbthRpWMQ1fAQ7JpWAPILGqowyIc38veQNXvDSjT6hyC/s320/079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Destination: <a href="http://www.lynchburgtenn.com/">Lynchburg, Tennessee.</a> A tour of the famous <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.jackdaniels.com/visit#tourhttp://www.lynchburgtenn.com/">Jack Daniel's Distillery</a> was long on our bucket list. Okay, so maybe we have more of a barrel list.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz83JFEE5b_zp4pBzT-4jzJNprArMtWxg0-FcFxOj6VHne7DgJA5IX8Y8P6My3ewsXl5co5UYpedWkOyhJjZk8WPt6fSsz7PTDuktwSj5MdRWbYUGgVkQhMuDox4mz3fsUVdnhMSm3RGg/s1600/057.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz83JFEE5b_zp4pBzT-4jzJNprArMtWxg0-FcFxOj6VHne7DgJA5IX8Y8P6My3ewsXl5co5UYpedWkOyhJjZk8WPt6fSsz7PTDuktwSj5MdRWbYUGgVkQhMuDox4mz3fsUVdnhMSm3RGg/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a>I love grown up field trips.<br />
<br />
I'm
not sure what we expected as we drove up but a
parking lot filled with cars wasn't it. As we walked toward the visitor
center we marveled at the license plates from all over the country, sort
of a drinker's Disney Land. Stepping inside we were
surprised at the size of the building, the museum like atmosphere, and
number of tourists. You can take a free tour or for $11.00 you can
embark on a tasting tour. Guess which one we chose! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBNnVy-4SSs0X3SRHkRR02Yv1fx5sx78_BVTjbgW1wbTgjDh2KrqJHAzFXRPvcTEKdc4wSDpcRZCgOGBWwEvpRF9gzRmAh09OXTnWuq85N0dYuDUGRDxwvWNoRputK3lEdpT2NgkrnFY/s1600/055.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBNnVy-4SSs0X3SRHkRR02Yv1fx5sx78_BVTjbgW1wbTgjDh2KrqJHAzFXRPvcTEKdc4wSDpcRZCgOGBWwEvpRF9gzRmAh09OXTnWuq85N0dYuDUGRDxwvWNoRputK3lEdpT2NgkrnFY/s320/055.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar maple stacked in the rickyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After
watching a short film (use the bathroom now, there are none on the
tour!) you have a group photo made and board a van which takes you up to
the rick yard. Jack Daniel's makes their own charcoal and the process
starts with sugar maple cuts of wood, stacked, aired out, and burned
just the right amount to retain wood flavor without ending up with a
pile of ash. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlBMdHVwD5nkK8wmiZJVzArHNWqs6VsfHJw5q0AJjLNQhCr528HXP71UczAkahbj8Ylol-jKgPBbixG1Rr_KMBnQgTJPHmssBIaVUwHnz2-K_GIlO4N7fTYj6s_eJV74gkmh3B83k3fc/s1600/064.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlBMdHVwD5nkK8wmiZJVzArHNWqs6VsfHJw5q0AJjLNQhCr528HXP71UczAkahbj8Ylol-jKgPBbixG1Rr_KMBnQgTJPHmssBIaVUwHnz2-K_GIlO4N7fTYj6s_eJV74gkmh3B83k3fc/s320/064.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The tour then heads to the cave where water bubbles up from an underground spring.<br />
<br />
"Every drop of Jack Daniel's ever made has come right out of this cave." ~Tour guide, Wes Cambell<br />
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCImWO0VWyQ-THSxKU7eLmRHp_U_MOvlTEcdGg6xrA4fo1IwoXtfUoM7CJ0RjefNLEQ-jtbWKeDK6ktaQsL2BkbWIdg_G5DhgG25iSxVCDha3Li-cvT-wKMTzVhyXCryiDl9Ch1JyKsM/s1600/069.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCImWO0VWyQ-THSxKU7eLmRHp_U_MOvlTEcdGg6xrA4fo1IwoXtfUoM7CJ0RjefNLEQ-jtbWKeDK6ktaQsL2BkbWIdg_G5DhgG25iSxVCDha3Li-cvT-wKMTzVhyXCryiDl9Ch1JyKsM/s320/069.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The safe that killed Jack Daniels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just a few steps away from the cave and statue of JD
sets his house including the safe he kicked that broke his toe, that
eventually led to his death. A useful story to share with all the angry
people you know. If they are really getting on your nerves you might
just tell them you know where there is a safe they can kick.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I was unable to take photos inside any of the buildings
(which are immaculate) but here's what you need to know about the
distilling process: <br />
<br />
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBiurCm4bkhVXwTiRftuP2xU1blTlPqcP-i-RpTD6MW7D3P-nbIv9RlMd4UaNiJzgubQdBdPAHCkhmcikBsiHOjgCTKrsCryVKsWMX76C4JkM5ibkFSknsIK-wm0YeNcnk_rjvZeas1Y/s1600/083.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBiurCm4bkhVXwTiRftuP2xU1blTlPqcP-i-RpTD6MW7D3P-nbIv9RlMd4UaNiJzgubQdBdPAHCkhmcikBsiHOjgCTKrsCryVKsWMX76C4JkM5ibkFSknsIK-wm0YeNcnk_rjvZeas1Y/s320/083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a tasting tour! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP4CUm4_63W6MmJei7dtaj98hZYkzdJmSApzIRSIz_hgDT8yIcOx4jMD6oCrHOGp2w7pzZ9X57hnawCH2gn1vh321xiUNTwxu2JYoUfFxyuA7FVa-k3FNWgq1_NJqA7oGoJu4bLMpBvk/s1600/074.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP4CUm4_63W6MmJei7dtaj98hZYkzdJmSApzIRSIz_hgDT8yIcOx4jMD6oCrHOGp2w7pzZ9X57hnawCH2gn1vh321xiUNTwxu2JYoUfFxyuA7FVa-k3FNWgq1_NJqA7oGoJu4bLMpBvk/s320/074.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Trees located near the
distillery, as well as rock, and sides of buildings are covered with
what is called "still mold." A kind of mold that apparently enjoys
alcohol vapors. If you are in the woods and see trees black with it,
there is a still nearby. It was a low tech way the revenuers use to use.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkUW10Y3cW4tbU-7pBtTQwBFElKf0-a3x9OF01vGS-ncZ7tiOBCIFc9oW2VKnXcgVq9iEcN5M3oUGJWG93ounT2lh_uBdg3XXXHpk6dtA-gzm-Lid2gZ6tIVWKt8dRUMpYkUBvtb57LQ/s1600/084.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkUW10Y3cW4tbU-7pBtTQwBFElKf0-a3x9OF01vGS-ncZ7tiOBCIFc9oW2VKnXcgVq9iEcN5M3oUGJWG93ounT2lh_uBdg3XXXHpk6dtA-gzm-Lid2gZ6tIVWKt8dRUMpYkUBvtb57LQ/s320/084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
At
the end of the tour you can enjoy some lemonade. The distillery sits in
a dry county so they can't "sell" any whiskey here. They can however
"give" it away. You can taste a small portion on the tasting tour and
buy a collectible "commemorative" bottle. They then "give" you the
whiskey inside. Aren't they clever? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fb9ssokLF5fRi48suxSaZqIj_SIQPYK4mP8cjMEqOw02u6-hOxwZiNxnCUAxIVDrvHXVl21stUAY4wy7BrcSVQs4QIpx3sFnN3bIMOOaV-jtnhcqY2Kcx5MPZfr0v8r3zJ6XipYnPQY/s1600/112.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fb9ssokLF5fRi48suxSaZqIj_SIQPYK4mP8cjMEqOw02u6-hOxwZiNxnCUAxIVDrvHXVl21stUAY4wy7BrcSVQs4QIpx3sFnN3bIMOOaV-jtnhcqY2Kcx5MPZfr0v8r3zJ6XipYnPQY/s320/112.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've arrived! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'd recommend this tour even if you are a teetotaler.
The history is interesting, the location is beautiful and quaint, and
if nothing else it's nice to see an American business that can never
ship its operation overseas. There's only one place you can make
Tennessee sour mash whiskey and that's in Tennessee. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcCXSA4RmjVxpnY5h-mJE1HYfkZ_ba9Krw09JtcvdnrqY5gXQDhPhVJ8MbCGQt3I3ue6nWDv1kc1LuwI_Z8S1V15kiO6ePbmUGNE_ad8OpT15QyCrrCyYOfc-pfd_0iDye6YiWwmPlnE/s1600/088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcCXSA4RmjVxpnY5h-mJE1HYfkZ_ba9Krw09JtcvdnrqY5gXQDhPhVJ8MbCGQt3I3ue6nWDv1kc1LuwI_Z8S1V15kiO6ePbmUGNE_ad8OpT15QyCrrCyYOfc-pfd_0iDye6YiWwmPlnE/s320/088.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The General in front of the entrance to the visitor's center. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_ceFayDaIf63Kbf-ZFNWu4mTJaa1kZX4RQ4Nl-dvMrJoy0nucihKDHU1-4ueZNypb0mck_H-96ujy-AoqJZxpF4yw43n-VrOBRRYIjTUEin3g8INWjgS3Nqu9_N5SEpLQZs_sheh4Hc/s1600/067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_ceFayDaIf63Kbf-ZFNWu4mTJaa1kZX4RQ4Nl-dvMrJoy0nucihKDHU1-4ueZNypb0mck_H-96ujy-AoqJZxpF4yw43n-VrOBRRYIjTUEin3g8INWjgS3Nqu9_N5SEpLQZs_sheh4Hc/s320/067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you it was kind of like Disney Land!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy travels, y'all!Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7285475483766404649.post-731513224413360232013-01-25T14:28:00.002-08:002019-07-27T05:31:20.885-07:00Beekeeper Field Trip: Savannah Bee Company<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAIwDIdWUOJNxKHm732yLboFCPF-JyegBvqGG83h8E70z2zvprqoEdr4CUbKv6LZK88r-6Rnw3N16zO5mj7AuH7omiVrUOkP0C31BhZgAdpBmFiw-3DG_ciKJOm3Ue_9VxbZ48ppm7wX8/s1600/1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAIwDIdWUOJNxKHm732yLboFCPF-JyegBvqGG83h8E70z2zvprqoEdr4CUbKv6LZK88r-6Rnw3N16zO5mj7AuH7omiVrUOkP0C31BhZgAdpBmFiw-3DG_ciKJOm3Ue_9VxbZ48ppm7wX8/s320/1016.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_341066218"></span><span id="goog_341066219"></span>The first week in December I made an annual trek to Coastal Georgia
to visit a friend. This journey always includes a trip to the <a href="http://www.savannahbee.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home">Savannah Bee Company</a>.
This year's visit was special. This year I had a year of keeping bees
under my belt (or bee suit). It increased my appreciation of the store
and what they do there astronomically. I tasted the honey samples and
eyed the various colors in the bottles mentally comparing them to my own
backyard harvest.<br />
I looked around the store at the
various products and listened to people ask questions I now knew the
answers to. Though from all the veteran beekeepers I've heard,
beekeeping is one of those things you can do your entire life and never
perfect. Kind of like marriage or chess.<br />
<br />
My friend stocked up on <a href="http://www.savannahbee.com/product/Winter-White-Honey/ST-251">Winter White</a>,
which is a miraculous and indescribably delicious, type of honey from
"Rocky Mountain wildflower fields" according to their site.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures from my visit: <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0MNErN6d9cWhioGtPxW6x_8sEqO3uqoPTWHflmoGxAy3-VY7YmLUhXuyBwZOG4Xc3CkxU-9qaYI2n47HqqNWR5cqnmXVv1kzG5QzEwJupRwBKYbAv22pkGcsHAui61JuCoJwAy5unvw/s1600/1014.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0MNErN6d9cWhioGtPxW6x_8sEqO3uqoPTWHflmoGxAy3-VY7YmLUhXuyBwZOG4Xc3CkxU-9qaYI2n47HqqNWR5cqnmXVv1kzG5QzEwJupRwBKYbAv22pkGcsHAui61JuCoJwAy5unvw/s320/1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Honeycomb sample.<br />
<br />
<br />
Yum. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VcoNdEYX7bia2lrch7LnamUHzsgANrmvPMoWFbSMM64brdLLldiXKD7JLY-xTeOkXVqs4kkrPgo7S9V24kuczIPJtz5Wfg-gcSFGJjlIPnkhnQlyyG04qEdBjbyEE4ltGx1XWOzjwHg/s1600/1019.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VcoNdEYX7bia2lrch7LnamUHzsgANrmvPMoWFbSMM64brdLLldiXKD7JLY-xTeOkXVqs4kkrPgo7S9V24kuczIPJtz5Wfg-gcSFGJjlIPnkhnQlyyG04qEdBjbyEE4ltGx1XWOzjwHg/s320/1019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I found the clean rows of bottles mesmerizing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3THdaWvKIzu5IhPIFs2nqtwnb7qC4sOXumYDBWkKgDIblELNC_yoNtdHzgihrJUXcwr31dPymzZj_R6S_hKEUJA0yLMbytPClGkvz3MdFH9Q4C-ZxZT6AIgokXxvH3OqMge_8toI3ntM/s1600/1021.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3THdaWvKIzu5IhPIFs2nqtwnb7qC4sOXumYDBWkKgDIblELNC_yoNtdHzgihrJUXcwr31dPymzZj_R6S_hKEUJA0yLMbytPClGkvz3MdFH9Q4C-ZxZT6AIgokXxvH3OqMge_8toI3ntM/s320/1021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Step right up to the honey bar for a tasting! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG-Y12TmWXEc2CXg12WfVsORa5lvhhMacSlT983KXcats6hIk7zeWC9h9PB09gi29DCubpSNAwWG6za6xKnfju_qawHF7pIARGrjK6PGK4VJPj13mOkyLxtrSldw2rMTCqErcxtwhAXk/s1600/1025.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQG-Y12TmWXEc2CXg12WfVsORa5lvhhMacSlT983KXcats6hIk7zeWC9h9PB09gi29DCubpSNAwWG6za6xKnfju_qawHF7pIARGrjK6PGK4VJPj13mOkyLxtrSldw2rMTCqErcxtwhAXk/s320/1025.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
These
are the boxes that bees are shipped in. I cannot wait to do this with
mine. Though a Carolina wren in my potting shed thought it made a lovely
nesting site. <br />
<br />
People are always amazed that the bees are shipped in these boxes of screen and wood, and that the bees are visible.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I think this play hive is for kids only. :(<br />
<br />
The
story of this company is one of a person finding his passion in life
and taking the leap of faith to follow his dreams and see what
happened.<br />
<br />
Read <a href="http://www.savannahbee.com/content/about-savannah-bee-company">About Savannah Bee Company here</a>. Michelle @Pen and Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01226767475370482122noreply@blogger.com0