We had booked a trip to Kaanapali, Maui, for Labor Day. I was looking forward to a couple of days beach, pool, dolphin trips, cocktails and good food. In summary, island living. On the morning of August 8, we heard the devastating news that a wildfire was threatening the town of Lahaina. The strong winds…
After a great trip to Oregon in 2022 for Juneteenth holiday, we decided to repeat it this year. With a new destination this time: Vancouver. We expanded it from Hiking for wine in Oregon. to a weekend of hiking and culinary adventures in Vancouver. Shannon waterfalls and Sea to the Sky trail Stawamus Chief…
Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” Walt Whitman Slowly we party again Birthdays and Holidays Although we saw a spike in COVID after the holidays, we kicked of 2022 celebrating several belated birthdays: we had a great party at Domenico winery in January for Eilish and a fun…
The Best Picnics ever! A beautiful August evening in Redwood City, California. Hundreds of people, all dressed in white, gather in the parking lot of Canada College for a yearly tradition: le diner en blanc. This one is called "Picnic en blanc". But it is the same thing, a worldwide event, that started in Paris…
Visit Glacier National Park Before It's Gone During last year's glamping trip to Sequoia National Park, we agree we want to make glamping a yearly event. So for this year's destination, we decide to go to Glacier National Park. As the predictions are that by 2030, there won't be any Glaciers, only mountain lakes, now…
The Wicklow Way During one of our regular hikes in California, we realize that several of us will be in Europe this summer. One of the hikes that we had on our list, was the Wicklow Way in Ireland. Spontaneously, we decide to try to do it while we are all in Europe and we…
I am visiting New York in July. It is hot and humid. On the first day, we brave the heat and walk in Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO. However, on Sunday, Andrea suggest we go to Governors Island to escape the heat of New York City. Fun Ways To Keep Cool …
A Hike To Remember I am in The Netherlands in May, when my friend Vanessa sends me a text. Do I have June 20 off? I tell her I don't but I can take it off. She has a credit for airline tickets and wants to go somewhere for the Juneteenth weekend. Am I interested…
Sunshine And Fun The Snyman's graciously invited me to spend the 4th of July with them at Rhona's brother Noel and sister-in-law Helena's house at Orange Lake, upstate New York. So on the morning of July 4, I board the train at Grand Central Station, destination Beacon. It is a beautiful 1 1/2 hour train…
Can You Imagine Happy Life Of Not Having Children? Not having children can be a quiet sadness that is always there in the background. Because it is so much bigger than becoming or being a mother. It hits in different phases of life. When your friends have children, or grandchildren, when their children graduate or…