The third week of our south-of-the-border adventure immersed us in the beauty of central Costa Rica. We flew Volaris Airlines from Cancun, Mexico to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Centrally located in the beauty of central Costa Rica, San Jose lies in a valley surrounded by dense green mountains shrouded in the mornings […]
Playa del Carmen is a bustling little city on the Caribbean coast on the Yucatan peninsula located mid-way between Cancun and the obscure little Village of Tulum. Playa del Carmen seems to have qualities of both. The Little, Big City and its Famous Fifth Avenue Playa is small enough to be less expensive than its […]
Next week, Ron and I will be heading out for a Latin American adventure to experience one of our long-dreamed-about destinations in Mexico and Latin America. We’re very excited about getting away for a few weeks on a Latin American adventure and exploring the cities, rainforests, and colonial highlands of three countries, Mexico, Costa Rica, […]
On our recent trip to Italy, we had the good fortune of touring several towns on a tour through Tuscany with Walks of Italy. Upon our return, Shelli penned the following article, which was published 11/15/2017 at My Itchy Travel Feet. Here is an excerpt: “Learning about secret tunnels in the heart of Florence . […]
Several years ago, Shelli and I became acquainted with Walks of Italy, one of the premier tour companies available today. We have toured with them many times throughout Europe, and have always found them to be professional, knowledgeable, and fun. Last year, Loredana from Walks introduced us to the Pineli family, and Fontanaro Organic Farms, in […]
Umbria: A Family Escape in the Heart of Italy If you’ve ever wanted to discover the heart and soul of Italy outside of its splendid cities, a family escape in Umbria is for you. Like its more famous neighbor, Tuscany, this agricultural region of central Italy is also dotted with Etruscan ruins, iconic hillside villages, […]
Ah, Belize, . . . summertime and the livin’ is easy . . . . err, that is, if you’re a teacher who has summers off. Next week, my husband and I will be jetting off to a Caribbean island known as the world’s second largest Great Barrier Reef – Ambergris Caye (pronounced “key”), Belize. […]
New Mexico has some of the most scenic and diverse small towns in the United States, but sometimes you have to get off the interstate to see them. The town of Madrid (population about 300) is one of those places. Although it may not be as famous as other places in New Mexico, it has […]
Breathing in the fresh air . . . warm sunshine on your face . . . sounds of children playing. Phoenix has phenomenal weather this time of year. It’s sunny, clear, and warm during the day and slightly chilly in the evenings. It’s a great time for being outside and enjoying our phenomenal climate. It’s […]
Brunch is a favorite meal and not just because of the food. It is a weekend pursuit. It’s fun to try new places, new recipes, and different neighborhoods. If you’re visiting or just looking for a different place to go, here are five of our favorite places to find brunch in Central Phoenix. The Vig This […]
The archives record it as Historic Jerome, Arizona. However, people visiting from around the world speak of it as picturesque, distinctly western, fun, friendly and HAUNTED. Jerome is located at an elevation of 5,200 feet on the side of Cleopatra Hill, a portion the east rim of Verde Valley. It occupies a prominent status on […]
Looking for Historic buildings and businesses . . . quaint shops and diners . . . top-shelf wineries on both sides of the street . . . all are yours to enjoy in a two block stroll on Main Street in Historic Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona. With its mild climate, friendly people and wide variety of […]
Fresh, clean country air with just a hint of pine and mesquite . . . peaceful sounds of the slow moving river . . . the vibrant orange Arizona sunset . . . . wildlife along the river’s edge. The rhythmic clickety-clack of a slow-moving historic train. The Verde Canyon Railroad carries passengers through one […]
From our vantage point in Wengen, the Jungfrau Range is a lot to take in. It’s a dramatic backdrop, especially today. The billowy white clouds float effortlessly in the bright blue sky, allowing an occasional glimpse of the tops of some of Switzerland’s highest and most rugged peaks. The Classic Swiss Village of Wengen Wengen […]
Ever since I watched one of Rick Steve’s programs on Italy and he talked about climbing the dome in Florence, Italy, I decided it was something that I wanted to do. Before his program, I didn’t even know that it was something that people could do. While in Florence, I got the chance. Florence has the […]
Every year, we spend at least two months with family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The photographic architecture, crisp clean air, strikingly bright blue skies, earthy smells of lavender and sage, and, of course, the Balloon Fiesta make this one of our favorite destination spots in the Great Southwest. But let’s not forget that one of […]
The scene is quite tranquil . . . the soft sounds of birds chirping . . . red plumed quail scampering across the path . . . cottonwood leaves fluttering in the breeze . . . beautiful blooming cacti. All experienced while biking the Bosque in Albuquerque. The Bosque is a Spanish word meaning “woodlands” […]
Summertime is almost upon us and many families are scrambling to enroll their kids in activities offered during the summer months when school is not in session. And one of the coolest activities I’ve seen in downtown Phoenix is a culinary camp for kids, ages 7 through 12 years old. It’s a four, half-day, camp […]
This Shepherd’s Pie recipe is adapted from the “The Engine 2 Diet” book written by former firefighter, Rip Esselstyn. To his recipe, I also added carrots, celery, beets, and sweet potatoes, which makes it a perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal. The recipe makes a hearty meal and the leftovers freeze well. […]
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world. The wearing-o-the-green, Celtic music, shamrocks, and, of course, Irish food are all part of the scene, whether or not our heritage is actually Irish. So, what do vegetarians and vegans eat during the festivities? Recipes for corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s beef pie, and lamb stew […]