Puerto Penasco (Rocky Pt), Mexico

Wow, can't believe how many years it has been since I've been down to Rocky Point.  So much has changed since taking annual trips during my childhood.  

 

 

 On our way.  Officially in Mexico.  Can't wait to see the water.  Only about 3.5 hrs to get from Sky Harbor to the Mexico beach

 My assignment for the week- finish this book in time to see Judy Blume speak when I get back to Brookline.  Not that it's a difficult one.  Nice sand, beautiful weather and a good read.  Yup, I can handle it.

 La Vaca Chenta.  Wow, this guy went big time.  Not quite the same as the makeshift tents and popup taco stands that we use to frequent.  Still tasty as ever. 

 There use to be a bakery in this location that we would go to daily and stock up on goodies.  I learned to count in Spanish from the one arm man who owned it. 

 One of the highlights of this trip is meeting the newest member of the family.  My nephew Kingston.  Thanks for making such an adorable baby Mara and Jason.

 Kingston and I woke up one morning and had on matching pajamas. 

Love the beaches here. I'm not sure I have been anywhere else where you get so much beach just to yourself

 

 Caballos en la playa.  Also check out how far the tide is out.  One of my favorite things about here is the variation in the tides.  Even now I enjoy looking through the tide pools and seeing what creatures I find. 

 

 

 Tides in.  Water wasn't completely calm.  We had fun playing in the waves

 Rodeo Drive of Rocky point.  This too has changed quite a bit.  Can't believe everything is paved and actual buildings for the stores.  Got a few souvenirs to take home.  And ate some churros which were so very yummy.  They make them right in front of you. 

The sunsets are so beautiful.  Didn't quite capture it with the camera. 

Brought some of Sara's ashes with us.  Have some fun and funny memories with her coming here.  Think often of her raft being taken away by the tide and her complaints as a toddler of having sand in her butt.  Am glad we got to put a few in this spot. 

Great trip!!  Adios Mexico. 



Charlotte, North Carolina

After spending a few days in Asheville drove over to Charlotte to experience another N.  Carolina city.  The state is definitely very green.  Almost felt a little boxed in with trees everywhere along the highway.

Once in Charlotte we stayed at a Fairfield Inn.  Nice enough, with a decent breakfast.  Although they should warn one to bring their wetsuit if they want to go in the pool.  Seriously, was colder than swimming in the glacier lake, in Iceland, in the middle of January

view from the hotel

We had fun walking around this city.   The first day we hit up the Levine Museum of the New South.  A museum that talked about history of the south after the civil war ended and the affect it had on the people of the south.  The museum was well done and would recommend checking it out if in the area.

Gold Dust for wash, huh? 

Right by the museum there was this fun 7th Street Market.  Reminded me of Eataly in NYC.  Things definitely looked tasty.  Think if I had access to a kitchen I probably would have been tempted to do a bit of shopping in there.  Instead we decided to eat some more southern BBQ

 

 We found out later that Taylor Swift was in concert right by our hotel.  So, that would be why there are so many preteen girls around.  And "NO, sir I am not here to take my daughter to the Taylor Swift Concert. Thanks for pointing out that I look old enough (even if I am)  to have daughter going to the concert."  There goes your tip. Or as a good southern would say "Bless your heart" Seriously, though everyone was so friendly.  Was almost taken aback by it.  probably a really good sign its time to get out of Boston.

Charlotte's city council has set a goal to have 50% of the city covered with tree canopy by 2050.  The plan to plant 15,000 trees a year.  Personally think this is very cool.  And beneficial on so many levels.  Including how beautiful the city looks with parks and trees everywhere. 

One of many green spaces in Charlotte

 

But, I personally always find that I enjoy the architecture of a city too.  There were definitely  times of day that the sun reflects just right and creates quite the view.  And with many interesting sculptures around I find that at times a city can have a unique appeal to it.

 Thought this statue with the books was fun

 

How far from Charlotte to Charlotte?  Feel free to consult the sign.  The southern in you is probably thinking "That's about as useful as tits on a bull"

Seriously, though.  What a fun idea.  Never realized there were so many Charlottes

Decided one night to go support Audra's home state in the Stanley cup finals.  Consulting "yelp" told us to check out a bar called "Duckworth".  Holy cow,  do they have some beer options here. 

Thought it was fun that they provided tablets that you can read all about the various beers they have.  Where they are from, type of beer, how they are made, other similar options etc.


For our final day in Charlotte we figured that we would go the NASCAR museum.  Have never been a huge fan, but the museum itself is huge with a lot of interactive displays.  Found it interesting that NASCAR was originally started from men bragging about who could out run the police better with their car full of contraband moonshine. 

My attempt at the race simulator was a complete fail.  Car ended up stalling on the track and wasn't able to go anywhere.  Do think it would be fun the do a lap around an actual track though. 

For our last meal in North Carolina.  We opted for Thai food.  Went to a tasty spot called Basil.  Was a nice change from all the BBQ we had been eating. 


I  enjoyed having an opportunity to explore this area.  But, don't see myself wanting to set up roots here anytime. 

Asheville, North Carolina

For awhile now I have been wanting to get to Asheville and see what the hype is all about.  I have heard amazing things about this place for sometime now.  And have often been told that it has a new age/hippie feel that would remind me of my hometown.  Maybe even being a place that I would enjoy living.

Wandering around we found this park with people playing instruments, hackeysack, and enjoying the nice weather.  The next day the same space was used for the OOH LAA LA market.

Some live music in Asheville.  We determined the theme song of Asheville is "Uptown Funk" didn't matter where we went that is what they played
This is my first time to N. Carolina and I honestly didn't know what to expect.  We enjoyed wandering around Asheville and wandered up to the "RAD" River Arts District.  Which had several studios to explore local artists and see them work.  I always find it inspiring to see people making a living off of their art.

Some sights along the "RAD" 

 Don't think I was suppose to take a photo in here. 

 

Wedge Brewery had a great time playing and kicking booty at cornhole.  Also of course enjoyed sampling some of their brews

 Enjoyed sampling some "Southern Bar B Que" Didn't know what a strong vinegar presence there was in Southern sauces

 Thanks Luella for being open on Sunday and letting me get my grub on

 Relaxing and enjoying the  sites of Asheville

There were a few breweries in the Asheville area.  Was nice to stop in and sample after walking around in the warm weather.

 

Our attempt to check out the Craggy Mountains was a fail.  Supposed to be some interesting rock surfaces to see along the mountains.  Yup... Not so much.  Oh well on to plan B.  Explore the Biltmore Estate.

 

 The Estate Map.  Can't even imagine having a map for my estate.  The grounds were beautiful with both well manicured, styled gardens to natural landscape with tons of land, a lake etc. 

The Biltmore house.  The tour of the house was interesting.  Even the workers corridors would be a personal upgrade.  They had rooms for just about everything 

A beautiful room filled with lilies.  Smelt fantastic.  Think this would be one of my favorite spots if I lived here

Yep this too is part of the Biltmore Estate.  Honestly, I could an entire post just on the Biltmore.  There were so many beautiful gardens. large pieces of land, the house, etc was just amazing.  A few facts.  The gardens were designed by Fredrick Olmsted.  Also known for designing central park.  The house is 178,926 square feet and sits on about 125,000 acres

 

 I love the idea Asheville.  But it may be too late.  :  )
This was a fun town to explore and even met up with a friend from HS who is currently living here.