Boise Daily Photo on the Road

Seattle Quick Trip

2010-10-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

Quick trip to Seattle last weekend. Here's my hotel view of Lake Washington. If you click to enlarge, you'll see a float plane on the dock.

This is the new Starbucks on Olive Way - the first one in the world to serve wine and beer.
Cheers! My parents and I shared a bottle of wine.

Roadside Images Boise to Cannon Beach, OR

2010-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

These images are in no particular order, but I bet those who have made the trip will recognize many of these :)

The Curtis Hotel in Denver

2010-01-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

I'm on the "Laugh out Loud Floor," otherwise known as the 7th floor. The Curtis pegs itself as a boutique hotel, even though it is a DoubleTree property. Each floor has a theme - one is the "big hair" floor with lots of Marge Simpson art.
We get Groucho on our floor. The drawback for this hotel is that I have a non-smoking room that reeks of tobacco. It's surrounded by smoking rooms and the stench wafted into my room all night. They obviously have ventilation issues, so if you're sensitive to tobacco smoke, do not stay here.

Quick Day in Boulder, Colorado

2010-01-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

The view from the Boulderado hotel. I didn't see much of the town. Just zipped in for a meeting and left in the AM for Denver for a conference.

My room at the Boulderado. That's a lot of flowers!

Beecher's Cheese

2009-08-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

One of the vats to make the cheese curds at Beecher's in Seattle. It's our favorite cheese!

Space Needle View

2009-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

One of the views from the top of the Space Needle.

Yep - We Went Up

2009-08-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

Fifty-two stories in an elevator to get to the top of the Space Needle. Cost close to $52, too!

Food and Flowers

2009-08-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

Food, flowers and art are the specialties at the Pike Street Public Market.

Dungeness - the best crab there is.

2009-08-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

It's hard to get a shot of lucky pig "Rachel" with all the kids clambering on her. She's in the Pike Street Market. Just follow the hoof prints in the sidewalk to find her.

2009-08-04T00:51:00.000-07:00

We walked down to the market and this was our first glimpse.

Somebody's Treasure

2009-08-03T00:49:00.000-07:00

I always wonder how this happens. Someone collects a clunker with a mind to make it shine again? Is it an object of affection? Or, just a derelict no one wants to pay to get rid of?

Draw Bridge

2009-08-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

The University Bridge goes up and down to let tall boats through - mostly sailboats.

Another Hazy Skyline View

2009-08-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

The heat haze really blurred the view from the ferry.

Seattle Trip: Hazy and Hot

2009-07-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is how Seattle looked for much of our trip: hazy because of the heat.

Seattle Trip: Bainbridge Excursion

2009-07-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to dock as we returned to Seattle from Bainbridge Island. I was happy to get a clear shot. The skies were very hazy during our trip because of the super hot temperatures.

Wynn and Encore along the Strip

2009-03-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

Poker tournaments at the Wynn have a minimum $540 buy-in. We hadn't been to Las Vegas in a couple of years. Everything was much more expensive than last time. A bottle of water is $3 everywhere, even in a vending machine.

Seahorses

2009-03-16T00:46:00.000-07:00

Seahorses in a tank at one of the hotels along the Las Vegas Strip.

Pretty Kitty at the MGM

2009-03-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

One of the lions at the MGM Grand.

Paris in Las Vegas

2009-03-14T00:45:00.000-07:00

The Paris on the Las Vegas Strip.

Oxygen Bar in One of the Shopping Zones

2009-03-13T00:41:00.000-07:00

Breathe flavored oxygen at a kiosk in a shopping district. After all that secondhand smoke, I can see the need.

Marilyn Monroe Bus

2009-03-12T00:40:00.000-07:00

Impersonators are commentators on the bus tours.

Indian Shrine at Caesar's Palace

2009-03-11T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is on the grounds at Caesar's Palace. There were people placing incense in holders along the railing.

Prehistoric Creature in the Tank at the Mirage

2009-03-10T00:38:00.000-07:00

That prehistoric-looking creature at the bottom really caught our attention in the tank behind the check-in desk at the Mirage. We think it's an eel.

Empty Trump Tower

2009-03-09T00:33:00.000-07:00

Our view out of one of our hotel room windows at Treasure Island. The cabbies told us this new Trump Tower is mostly empty and in some sort of bankruptcy.

World's Tallest Chocolate Fountain

2009-03-08T00:30:00.000-08:00

Looking up...the world's tallest chocolate fountain flows in the Bellagio. White, milk and dark chocolate streams.

Costumes For Sale

2009-03-07T00:31:00.000-08:00

A lavish costume and mask shop in the Venetian.

Big Winners in Las Vegas

2009-03-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

My husband and my mom Sooz showing off the winnings...11 pennies!

Flower Arrangement at the Bellagio, Las Vegas

2009-03-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

Giant fresh flower arrangements all throughout the Bellagio, Las Vegas.

Bellagio Conservatory

2009-03-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year was the current display in the Bellagio Conservatory.

Bellagio Ceiling - Chihuly Glass

2009-03-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

Look up when in the lobby at the Bellagio to see a massive Chihuly glass decoration.

Bellagio Check-In Desk

2009-03-02T00:05:00.000-08:00

A peek behind the check-in desk at the Bellagio. We visited the Bellagio, but didn't stay there this time.

Las Vegas Nightclub Decor

2009-03-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ten of these rose petal-filled tubs line the entryway of one of the nightclubs in the Venetian. I don't remember the name because I'm not near hip enough to enter the club...or the tub.

View of Ship Equipment

2009-01-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

Look at those stormy skies. It didn't rain but the seas were rough that night. Quite a few folks got woozy. No one in my immediate family was affected.

Huge Gingerbread House

2009-01-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

This is a real gingerbread house on the ship. When the carpenters were making it, they were handout out free frosted gingerbread samples. It smelled wonderful every time we walked by the house.

View of Castaway Island

2009-01-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

The view of Castaway Island before we went to play.

More Playing in the Water

2009-01-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

At Castaway Island. We spent the day, playing in the water, and sitting in the shade.

Mickey Makes an Appearance

2009-01-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

We stayed up late to catch Mickey. We're glad we did, hardly anyone was there so we had time to take lots of pictures.

Belle Poses for Pictures

2009-01-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

Lots of costumed characters on the cruise. They posed for pictures before dinner each night, made scheduled appearances, and surprise appearances.

Port of Call: Castaway Island

2009-01-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

Disney's private island in the Bahamas, a port of call on the Disney cruise. Beautiful water. The water was chillier than I expected. The air temperature was hot.

Approaching Nassau, Bahamas

2009-01-07T00:04:00.000-08:00

The view from our cabin while approaching Nassau, Bahamas.

Powerful Sunshine

2009-01-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

Too much morning sun poolside.

Watch Cartoons While Swimming

2009-01-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

Watching cartoons poolside.

Bon Voyage Party Kid View

2009-01-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

My daughter collecting streamers at the bon voyage party on deck.

Bon Voyage Party on Deck

2009-01-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

My beautiful step-mother at the bon voyage part on deck.

Areas for Adults Only

2009-01-02T00:05:00.000-08:00

Just a peek at the adult pool. We didn't go there. We did the kid pool and the family pool. There were lots of "adults only" areas, including a very nice restaurant we ate at one night when the kids were parked in the kids' club.

Disney Cruise to the Bahamas 2007

2008-12-31T14:41:00.000-08:00

This is the terminal at Port Canaveral. In the background is a model of the ship. We had to get our passports scanned here, get our daughter signed up for the kids' club, and sign a few documents before boarding the ship.

Bank Holiday in Bath

2008-10-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Bath on a Bank Holiday, so shops were either closed for the day, or closed early.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

2008-10-03T20:33:00.001-07:00

Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford Upon Avon. We didn't pay for the tour. It sure looks like a grand house to me.

Portsmouth - Home of Sherlock Holmes

2008-09-30T11:38:00.001-07:00

This shingle beach is in Portsmouth. It was a town I wanted to visit because of its prominence in literature - the home of Sherlock Holmes. And it's the site of a lot of maritime history. It was a tough visit, though. We got there late in the day. It was very hot, and our non-air conditioned hotel put us on their top floor facing the sun. And the window would only open 1 inch - I guess they wanted to keep people from leaping out of the window. In the morning, we found a large and nasty-looking bug in our daughter's bed. Shudder. But, hey, the beach was interesting.

The Brighton Coast

2008-09-29T08:47:00.001-07:00

We stayed in Brighton two nights and what an interesting place. It's on my list of places I want to see again someday. It was HOT when we were there. We stayed in a boutique hotel in one of the happiest neighborhoods in Brighton and would do it again. Great characters at the hotel, generous, kind, helpful, charming and fun! Can't believe all the niche shops that go on and on in Brighton.

Copper Scarecrow Thingy

2008-09-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Another street performer along the Thames. We were making are way to the Tate Modern when we met this one.

Well, it's Something That Can't be Resisted

2008-09-23T19:03:00.001-07:00

I was afraid we wouldn't find any of these in our day and age of cell phones. They weren't "everywhere" - but still scattered about London.

County Hall and the London Eye

2008-09-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Our hotel in London was in this building - County Hall. Of course, we rode the London Eye which was a great preview of our stay, helped us get oriented. This picture was taken while walking over the Westminster Bridge.

Golden Queen Along the Thames

2008-09-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

We saw the golden king putting on his makeup a bit later so he could be by the queen's side.

Singing the Blues in London

2008-09-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Another street performer along the Thames. He did sing a few lines of blues for a pound.

Bobby Busker

2008-09-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

A break in the clouds, and the walkway along the Thames in London becomes crowded with street shows. This Bobby pulled a "rainbow" out of my daughter's hair for a pound. She thought it was great!

The Fashion Museum in Bath

2008-09-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

The interactive area of the Fashion Museum in Bath. It was a fascinating place, the display of gloves was especially interesting. The tough thing about the place was the low lighting everywhere, because light is so harmful to delicate cloth. Guests are free to try on hoop skirts and corsets.

The Weir at the Old Mill Inn - Bath

2008-09-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is the weir at the Old Mill Inn - and you can take a boat between this weir and the one in downtown Bath. That's something we did. It was great. We were the only ones on the boat. And we saw a kingfisher. They're so small!

More Green Water Views

2008-09-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

The Roman Baths tour is one I want to take again, and spend more leisurely time. I didn't get to listen to all of the tour. Everyone gets a personal listening device and you punch in codes to hear tidbits of history. They also have kid versions.

Roman Bath Yucky Green Water

2008-09-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

My daughter posing in front of the bath under the open air, which they explain is why the water is green. The sunlight encourages aglae to grow. There are signs all over that say, "don't touch the water," and them most kids do. They also offer a free drink of the water at the end of the tour, and they warn you it will taste like metal - we passed. But Jane Austen fans know the importance of the Pump House and the alleged "healthy" qualities of the water.

The Cathedral in Bath

2008-09-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is the view of the Bath cathedral from the walkway above the Roman Baths. Yep, the cathedral was built on top of the baths, as was much of Bath in this area. It's the piece of info missing from all the displays, who, where and why did they fill it all in and build on top of everything?

Laundry Led Us to the Royal Crescent

2008-09-12T00:05:00.000-07:00

The famous Royal Crescent in Bath - which we found by accident because we were looking for a place to do laundry. We found the Spruce Goose laundry facility, and my Dad parked the car just up the street - right in front of the homes. I like this picture because it shows some of the famous Bath stone in less-than-makeup-perfect shape. I wondered when we were there just how the stone was kept clean. Do they blast it? Use acid cleaners? I never did find out.

Old Mill Inn Riverside

2008-09-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is right out the restaurant at the Old Mill Inn in Bath. The river is called Avon, but it's not because it's THE River Avon, it's just a general term for rivers. The setting was perfectly pastoral. Across the river, sheep were grazing.

Off to Bath - the Old Mill Inn

2008-09-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is the water wheel at the Old Mill Inn in Bath, England. A delightful place and the restaurant there was one of the best meals we had during our trip to England. We heard some story about how the wheel was going to turn the restaurant for a "revolving restaurant" attraction - but that since the river sometimes flows fast, the turning would have made diners nauseous. I don't know if that's true, but it is true that the wheel squeaks.

This is One Wisteria Vine

2008-09-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is one wisteria vine, and how lucky we were to be at Hampton Court Palace when it was blooming. Made my wisteria vine at home look really wimpy!

Hampton Court Maze

2008-09-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the middle of the Hampton Court Maze, which is listed as the biggest, or oldest, in the world - I can't remember which. We let our daughter lead for part of the way, but she kept taking us in circles. It was fun. The maze was built as a place for contemplation. The big compass arrow swings around every once in a while to further confuse. This is the maze featured in the Jerome K. Jerome classic, "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)."

Covered Walkway at Hampton Court Palace

2008-09-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is another feature in the massive palace gardens. My daughter ran though it several times, even though it was a hot day. When we visited England in May of this year, it was their hottest May since some time in the 1700s.

One of the Many Gardens at Hampton Court Palace

2008-09-06T10:51:00.001-07:00

The gardens at Hampton Court Palace go on and on. The Palace is home to the longest herbaceous border in the world, 1/2 mile - mostly tended by volunteers.

Hampton Court Palace - We Were Wowed

2008-09-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

Walking into Hampton Court Place - near London. Lots of history here, and a lot of it ugly stuff - and examples of decadence and over-the-top-ness like I've never seen before. More info here. This is actually a modest entrance, I think, compared to the buildings, grounds, art, gardens, "royal rooms," and kitchens inside. There were several groups of uniformed school children, my daughter mixed in with one group while touring inside.

In the Peacock Garden at Warwick Castle

2008-09-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

My daughter wanted to get a picture close to one of the castle peacocks. First, she chased them around. Then, she figured out that if she just stayed still, they'd come close. There was also a show/display of birds of prey. They were well-trained and flew over the crowd many times, buzzing our hair.

Warwick Castle Courtyard View

2008-08-31T09:01:00.001-07:00

These are the living quarters inside Warwick Castle, much of this is a later addition - when society uppity-ups lived here. This view is from Guy Tower. There is a sign at the base that warns there are 300 steps to the top so be sure you are fit enough for the trip. The sign did not specify that the steps were the size of a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, in a winding stairwell that only one person could possibly use at a time, and most of the stairs were in total darkness. Once you start up, you can't go back down unless there is no one behind you. Guy Tower and the coordinating Caesar Tower are war fortresses, with lots of arrow keyholes. I love it that much of the countryside is still farmland.

Silly Relatives

2008-08-29T20:14:00.001-07:00

One of these two is a relative of mine. You can guess. More of our adventure at Warwick Castle in Warwick, England. We spent hours here. Next, I'll show you the view after climbing one of the towers. The towers are true medieval, and it's true that I wanted to go back down before I got to the top - but it was not an option.

Revisiting our England Trip

2008-08-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

I'm going to share photos of our trip to England earlier this year, since we're not going to be traveling much for a few weeks with school underway. We took a lot of pictures of old buildings because here in the U.S., we just don't have any buildings this old - unless they are Native American artifacts or crumbles of structures. This is Warwick Castle. The first section (not this view) was started around 1080. This is the entrance and it's creepy. This whole castle was built as a war machine. The entrance has lots of "murder holes" - where boiling water was poured on those not welcome, or they were shot with arrows. Once inside, the cheery courtyard made the place more friendly.

Multnomah Falls

2008-08-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is Multnomah Falls. You can see this right along I-84 in Oregon, and it's a nice rest stop - including a restaurant and gift shop. There is also information about Native American legends about the falls, including how if you look at the water just right, you can see a young woman. There are also pictures of a wedding on the bridge when a huge chunk of rock fell from near the top. You couldn't even see the wedding party through the resulting splash. Amazingly, no one was hurt - they just got wet.

Stormy Weather

2008-08-20T17:16:00.001-07:00

Not much beach-playing time on our visit to the Oregon Coast this year. Squalls and storms are prevailing. We still like the cooler weather and even feeling cold. We know at home in Boise it's hot and we'll be sweaty again Thursday night.

Haystack Rock and a Sea Garden

2008-08-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

The "greenery" in front of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is called a sea garden. It's full of all sorts of creatures that I can't identify, along with ones I can - like starfish and mussels. Volunteers bring out education boards and put up sandwich boards letting people know what areas they should avoid walking on so creatures aren't damaged.

Hello Starfish

2008-08-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

This little stray starfish was peeking out of a tidepool in front of Haystack Rock. When the tide is out, there are hundreds of starfish tucked against the rocks at their base. Rainy and cool here on the OR coast, and it feels refreshing.

Deadman Pass - Rest Area?

2008-08-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

More like final "rest area?" This is an exit off I-84 while traveling over the Blue Mountains. This is also along the Oregon Trail - which goes through Boise, too. Elevation here is about 4,000 feet.

The Columbia River - Close Relative of the Boise River

2008-08-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is the Columbia River - which we'll continue driving along to Portland today. We're in Hood River, Oregon - a hot spot for windsurfing. And with high temperatures in the 90s today, I'm sure they'll be out. The Columbia and the Boise River are connected. The Boise runs into the Snake River, and the Snake feeds the Columbia - which ends at the ocean. Our drive here was hot even with air conditioning in the car. It was 104 in several spots in Eastern Oregon. Multnomah Falls and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry are on our "to do" list today.

Time for a Road Trip

2008-08-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

We'll be heading for the Oregon Coast this weekend, and sharing our journey here. This is the only "road" photo I had in my stock of pictures. Heading this way would be the wrong way to Oregon, in fact, exactly the opposite direction. This picture is on the road heading East into Boise. We'll head West out of Boise.