Montclair, New Jersey

Spent the weekend in Montclair, New Jersey visiting family and friends.  I was fortunate to be gifted round trip tickets on the Acela train from Boston to NYC.  Not sure I will be able to go back to Bolt after such luxury. 

My Aunt Kathe, Uncle Neil and friends Phil and Lara are all living on the same street now
 Right where this station is located.  Super convenient for me and lots of fun too. 


Arrived Friday evening and enjoyed fish tacos, salsas and wine outside with everyone. 

Saturday was a little overcast, but still a very nice day.  Aunt Patty, Aunt Kathe and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.  I am always amazed by the size of some of the houses here.

Later Kathe and I headed down towards one of the shopping areas and enjoyed lunch at Raymond's

and wandered around a bit checking out the shops and area

I thought this place was cute.  Wish we had outdoor seating in Brookline.

The Police Station where my Grandpa Joe use to work

 

Then went and saw "The 100ft Journey" would recommend this one.  Very well done. 

Day complete with Sushi and Wine

 

Sunday was a lot of fun.  Went to Hoboken with my friends Phil and Lara and did some Kayaking on the Hudson.  Really cool to see views of Manhattan, but wouldn't want to fall in the water

 

 Phil and Lara making their escape from Jersey to New York

 A nice treat after kayaking

The streets of Hoboken.  I've been told this town was once a dump, but I really like it now

 

Thanks for having me.  Had a great time



Providence, RI

Went to Providence for a night, and met up with my friend Diana who is staying there a few days.  The train ride was super easy and quick.  Even though I did manage to get on the wrong train heading down.  Fortunately, ended up where I needed to be.  I guess when they say now boarding train # to destination X it doesn't mean the train that is currently at the station boarding. 

I was not impressed with this town at all.  For one thing everything was closed.  Which is good to know for the future.  Do not go on a Sunday.  Walking around the various areas- stores, restaurants everything was closed. Felt like being in an episode of  The Walking Dead.  We eventually stumbled upon a burger place for lunch and enjoyed a nice meal.

One thing that Providence is known for is the river walk area.  This was very pretty and there were even a few people on kayaks.  The city does a river fire on some nights where they light up the river. Is suppose to be pretty spectacular.  Guess if they lit the river while I was there.... Um, Nope of course not. 

One thing that Providence did have going, and something I think Boston could improve on is art.  They are suppose to have a pretty decent art scene.  Although, once again everything was closed so were not able to explore any galleries.  However, there was some decent art and interesting murals to see just wandering around town

these tiles were painted by locals as a memorial for 9/11 victims.  This is just one section of the tiles.  They were underneath a bridge on the river walk.  A great way to spruce up an otherwise drab area

I also thought this painting was fun.  It is at Trinity Bar.  A musical interpretation of the last supper
Looks like Elvis, Patsy Cline, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, Billy Holiday?, I'm not sure who the next one is, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis JR, and Frank Sinatra

 

Would be interested to go back and see the river fire display.

Shawme Crowell/Myles Standish(South Shore) MA

Audra and I decided to leave the limelight of the city for a few days "roughing" it on the South Shore.  Had a "little"issue setting up the tent

somethings not right...

Seriously, WTF we both grew up camping.  Why the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is this so hard?

Figured it out.  Never had a tent go together like this one before.  Glad we weren't dealing with setting up like our neighbors.  Unbelievable the amount of stuff people bring.  I swear some tents were bigger than my bedroom.

  After the campsite debacle we decided to head over to the beach for some well deserved R&R.  Unfortunately, it was pretty chili out so we ended up only staying about an hour

On the way back to Shawme Crowell (where we spent the first night camping) we found a bible themed mini golf course.  With bible themed holes and scriptures throughout the course.  Amen!

Was a good time.  And a few hole in ones were shot.

That night we enjoyed a nice campfire, a yummy meal and some S'mores.  As far as I am concerned the only way a graham cracker can be eaten (covered with marshmallow/chocolate yumminess)

Our coke bottle said "share a coke with Stars" perfect for camping : )

The next day we moved over to Myles Standish where we spent a few nights(Myles Standish was a military advisor for the the pilgrims not sure who or if there was a Shawme Crowell)

the campsites were right on top of each other, but we did have a beautiful lake to enjoy swimming in and some scenic hiking

 Took a little getting use to, but the water was nice and refreshing

 Enjoying a nice walk in the park

 Part of an old fireplace.  Curious what use to be here

view looking down on one of the lakes.  

Got busted by the State Police one night for being up too late.  Fortunately he did not notice the contraband we were holding as he was telling us to go to bed.  No, Officer I did not know the time nor did I know that I had a bedtime.   Such a great trip.  

Crane Beach, North Shore Mass

After four years in the Boston area, I finally made my way to the Beach on the North Shore.  Actually, it is my first time to a beach anywhere in this area.  We had a day of predicted nice weather, so Audra and I decided to forgo sleep after a night in the ER and enjoy the day.  Glad that we did because it is currently raining.  All I am saying is that the weather better get it out of its system now, because in 3 days is the official start of summer and I expect nothing but long, hot summer days.  I am definitely ready for it.
We made our way over to Crane Beach.  Not a bad trip, especially since Audra has a car.  The beach was nice-soft sand, clear albeit freezing water.  I made it in to my knees.  The heat from the sun wasn't quite warm enough to justify a full body dip.  

yes, this photo has been Instagramed.  Is that a word? Not sure how I managed a shot with zero people, because there were definitely more than I expected to be.  Didn't realize so many people had a random Tuesday off.  Don't think I will be planning a beach trips over the actual weekend.

Looks like we will be safe : ).  Found a nice spot of beach to lie out on.  You can't see most of the people with their towels just a few feet behind us.  Guess, they were more knowledgeable about the tide tables than us.

Am going to make an effort to take more advantage of being so close to water this summer. 

Tumor Travels- Portland, Oregon

Took advantage of my medical leave from work and took a trip to Portland, Oregon to visit one of my favorite people, Kristall.

It had been almost two years since we had seen each other.  Definitely not ok.  In that time she has gotten married and is now expecting her first child.  : )

 It being the northwest we did have some rainy weather.  But, guess it wouldn't be a true Portland experience if we hadn't.

She was great touring me around the city and checking out local hotspots.  One of them was Voodoo Donuts

the line for this went down the block.  Guess Portlandians love their donuts too.  The shop features some interesting and inappropriate names for the donuts, including the cream filled "cock and balls" does this actually sell? and the "old dirty bastard"

One of Portland's sayings is "keep Portland weird" The city definitely has its share of unique and interesting characters.  It is what makes Portland, Portland.

 

We also went to Powells Bookstore.  The largest bookstore in the US, possibly the world.  They had quite the selection and even had books in several languages.  Want to read Cincuenta Sombras de Gray? or Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen? They have it.  They even hand out maps as you enter the store

 

Food carts are big part of the Portland culture.  There are many lined up with all different types of cuisine to choose from.

 





Another interesting food stop is Salt and Straw

which features a pear and blue cheese ice cream.  Yes, it tastes as bad as it sounds.

Of course one wonderful feature of Portland is it's beautiful parks.  We did go and wander around one.  I'm sure it would be amazing to see the more of the plants in bloom, but it was still beautiful.

Keep on keeping on Portland

Tumor Travels- AZ

Had the opportunity to take some time off from work due to a 9lb, no that is not a typo, 9lb tumor that was found coming off my left ovary.  I am now minus a couple parts and plus a pretty interesting scar,  but I did get to enjoy some time off.

After spending a full week in the hospital.  I was finally ready to head home and ok to fly, according to my surgeon, so I headed out to AZ.  It was wonderful having the time catch up with friends and breath in some of that fresh mountain air.

Yes, mountain! my home town Flagstaff sits at a 7000ft elevation in the middle of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.  I noticed that some people have even started putting faces on these trees. 

I took a day trip to the Grand Canyon with my friend/sister Mara.  No, I did not hike or carry a pack

 Guess which one of us lives in California and which one lives in the North East : )

 

The Grand Canyon is just one of many beautiful spots in AZ.  I enjoyed having time to relax and spend in my hometown, Flagstaff.

 

Enjoying an ice tea at Heritage Square.

 

The Sonora desert

It was great being able to reconnect and spend time with family and friends back in AZ