Do you want to add exciting, motivating, and beautiful experiences to your life? Go to Spain!!! With my resourceful wife, Dana May, we lived in Spain for a year. We chose to make our home base an apartment in Madrid. Madrid's central location gave us easy access to Barajas airport, the central train station as well as a convenient bus depot. A good car rental system is also available in the city and at the airport. In Madrid, the … [Read more...]
Market – La Paz (Bolivia)
"Son para dinero y trabajo," the plump little witch raises the talismans to eye level. "Con estos tu tendras buena suerte." Magic talismans for money and jobs? Do they work? Of course not, but I need all the luck I can get, so I purchase the talismans for five Bolivianos. Darn cheap if they'll do as claimed. Depositing the new toys in my leather shoulder bag I continue down the street, with my wife teasing me to the tune of "Raiders of the … [Read more...]
Peru Expedition Part 1 6/20/01 – 7/15/01
Wed. 6/20/01 My sister Patty drove me to the San Luis Obispo airport, as she has done on many previous trips; and I left SLO at 10:36 am, arriving in LAX at 11:45 am. There I joined several other fellow climbers and trekkers (including my son Kevin and his friend Deborah) who had arrived from other cities. Leaving LAX at 2:10 pm, we arrived in Lima, Peru at 12:40 am on 6/21 after an 8.5 hour flight and adjusted our watches for the 2-hour time … [Read more...]
Death Valley, CA – Restaurants & Food
If you set your expectations low for culinary options prior to visiting Death Valley you won't be disappointed at all. In our experience, the food tends to be average and over priced. But you have to remember, this is in the middle of the desert - it's not like you can just walk out and pick fresh lettuce in the 120+ heat at times! PANAMINT SPRINGS Restaurant & bar review coming soon! STOVEPIPE WELLS Badwater Saloon - like the Tollroad … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru – Other Activities
All listings on this page are alphabetized. We visited or participated in all the activities listed on this page. Colca Canyon - view our description here El Misti - towers above Arequipa at 5,822 M or 19,101 feet. Visitors to the city can't miss it; it dominates the skyline. Several options are available for hiking in its vicinity or climbing to the top. A normal climb is 2 to 3 days but those who have problems with altitude or are not … [Read more...]
Las Vegas, NV – Casinos
There are so many casinos in Las Vegas; one could spend months just visiting, gambling and viewing all of their other attractions. Many of the Casinos, especially located along Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) are considered Super Casinos. There are only a few destinations on the planet where you will find a Super Casino - Las Vegas is one of these cities. A Super Casino is like an entire city contained within one giant mega entertainment … [Read more...]
McConnell’s Ice Cream, Santa Barbara CA July 2001
McConnell's Ice Cream Santa Barbara - If you are ever in Santa Barbara California be sure to stop in at the Mission Street Ice Cream & Yogurt Shop, featuring McConnell's Ice Cream. In our humble opinion, McConnell's is the "best" ice cream in Santa Barbara. This shop is located at the corner of Mission and De La Vina streets just a few blocks over from the northern part of State Street (actual address, 201 Mission Street). The prices aren't … [Read more...]
Manzanillo, Mexico – Cuyutlan & Paraiso
Cuyutlan & Paraiso are located 30 miles southeast of Manzanillo. Not built up, a number of smaller fishing villages are located in the region along with several fine seafood restaurants. I like this area compared to the city of Manzanillo because this is rural Mexico and is well-removed from the beaten path of many tourists. It is a popular spot for vacationing Mexican families, many of whom are from Guadalajara. Cuyutlan like several of the … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Shopping
Oaxaca offers an incredible variety of shopping experiences. The premium shops are located north of the zocalo, while to the south of the zocalo are less expensive markets and lower-end shops. The highest quality shops can be found on Valdivieso which turns into Alcala, and the parallel street next to it, 5 de Mayo. These stores sell exquisite jewelry, beautiful wooden carvings, hand blown glass, rugs, paintings, ceramics, and other crafts. Some … [Read more...]
Oaxaca, Mexico – Food
Oaxacan food is generally quite tasty - there are lots of good restaurants in the city of Oaxaca. And in general, these restaurants are priced reasonably. Most restaurants will serve cut up pieces of limes in a small dish. Diners can either squeeze these onto their meals or use them to clean your hands after finishing eating. The following are select Oaxacan specialties. Amarillo con Pollo translates to chicken in a yellow cumin and chile … [Read more...]