Around Reno/Tahoe

I recently received a request for me to write something in my blog.  As some of you may know, one of my passions is TRAVEL.  I admit there hasn't been much in the last couple of years.  Until this girl is able to throw caution to the wind and get on that plane, I've decided to do the next best thing.  Travel in my own backyard!  

actually my front yard

We live in a very beautiful area at the base of Mt. Rose, approximately 20/25 minutes drive to Lake Tahoe.   Our view of the mountains are truly majestic and hidden hikes are everywhere.  Miles and miles of easy, moderate and strenuous trails are within 5 minutes away.  The reason for my interest/obsession is fourfold.  There is some chatter about preparing for the Inca Trail, a trek to Macchu Picchu which would be a "bucket list" trip of a lifetime.  Isn't it on everyone's?  I think I need some conditioning for this, plus, I would like to survive!  It would be embarassing to have to evacuate from the trek on the back of a llama!  (I do love llamas, though.)

Looks like fun, huh?

 Secondly, I just finished a book about Grandma Gatewood.  Who is that you may ask?  Cliff note version, it's about a 67 year old grandma who literally takes off for a walk by herself on the Appalachia Trail.  The trail happens to be over 2000 miles long, beginning in Georgia and finishing up in Maine.  And she does it with her tennis shoes on!  The third reason.  To get into better shape, drop some poundage (I think I've heard this part before!)  Lastly, I have another book (yes, I'm a bookaholic) which is comprised of most of the hikes in and around Reno and Lake Tahoe.  So, my quest begins...  The goal is to complete most of these hikes.

Now, if you don't mind reading about some great hikes, humor me as I "log" my "travels"  Maybe it will lead to Macchu Picchu or the Camino....   Hope so!  Stay tuned....

Castles, Churches and the Cookies of France

To get the full picture and "flavor" of a country one must take part in a few tourist attractions.   In France, there is the cuisine, of course, along with the wine, however, the castles and churches have so many stories to tell.  Most produced a feeling that life was certainly not easy.   Constructing a castle took many lifetimes with one generation starting "the project" while the next generation or two would fulfill the dreams of their ancestors.   Most castles were built with protection in mind, thus the fortress, and were usually perched on top of lofty hills or mountains affording great views, not to mention a superb vantage point to spot encroaching marauders and barbarians.

Carcassone, a sprawling castle compound surrounded by the lower city, was extremely Disney-like.  Built and rebuilt over the centuries, it was more or less a refuge for the believers of Catholicism and a city within a city.  Due to its easy access, roads, river, etc. it has survived the battles and test of time quite well.  It helps to have a good tax base with all of its restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops in the mix.

One of a multitude of towers in Carcassone

St Nazaire Cathedral in Carcassone

On the other hand, the Cathar compound of Montsegur, did not fair so well.  It's easy to see why not!  You have to applaud their efforts to schlep food and supplies up this steep grade in the first place.   The beauty and serenity of the surrounding area was overshadowed by the fact that over 200 Cathars were finally overtaken and marched down to the waiting flames, because of their religious beliefs.  

Montsegur

Hugging the Pyrenees Mountains further North from this site was the town and Chateau de Foix.   This was closely affiliated with the Cathars.   It was one of our "day trips" and quite the hike to the top.   The Chateau was a stand alone castle unlike the self contained Carcassone, but was still rather impressive.  Before the climb we dined on more tasty salads de France with gizzards or anchovies and goat cheese medallions.  You can never get enough cheese in France.

Which brings me to the next subject, the cookies in France.  Pastry shops are plentiful and the sweet aromas purposely lure you over to the entrance (and inside) these beautifully displayed shops.  One of our favorites was in the town/city of Poitiers on the way back to Paris.  We spent one night there but Poitiers had me yearning for at least another night.  Centrally located, it was a short drive to the coast and quite near to the gentle hilly wine regions of the  fertile Loire Valley.  Maybe, on the next trip.  More about this area to come....Just a few more installments and I'm done!

Cookies in Poitiers  Too many to try!  What's that handsome Italian doing in that French shop?

Part Four - Thank You, Mirepoix

I may have mentioned or hinted that our home for a week in the South of France was a bit secluded.  Thank God for Mirepoix, a sizable village/town around a 30 minute drive.  It has at least two claims for fame that I witnessed.  One is that it is a very well preserved medieval town with its carved timber construction.  Very quaint!  Another claim is its "famous" apple festival (all things apple) which was held the weekend we were there.  In addition,  Mirepoix is also home to the equivalent of an upscale Walmart-like store called the Super U!  I found myself in the produce section the first day just staring at the displays in awe.  Beautiful varieties of fresh produce abounded.   Stopping by the seafood area was a sight and not smelly, and the selection process could take hours in their massive cheese section.  Yummy!  I was thoroughly impressed!

We did the apple festival and on other days we chose to make that a lunch stop on our way to explore the countryside.  Duck was ALWAYS on the menu and hubby usually gravitated to that entree.  On the day of the apple festival we stopped by an eating establishment that had less than stellar service.  I'm sure the waiter was having a bad day as the menus were practically thrown our way.  In his defense, it was extremely busy, however.....    The menu was hard to decipher (all in French, no surprise, but also no hint at what anything meant).  So, canard (duck) was a safe choice at this moment in time!  And I knew the word for fries.  When the order arrived it wasn't what any of us were expecting.  How can this be?  It had to be a mistake, right?  I didn't have the appetite for duck innards and icky potatoes.  Hmmm..should we summon the waiter or eat what was plopped in front of us?    We were saved when the crabby waiter guy proceeded to grab the crock of stomach lining and deliver it to a table elsewhere!  Whew!   Wrong table!   Our duck arrived.  What was this?  It looked like ground duck with spices wrapped under a blanket of duck skin....actually pretty tasty.

Duck Innards?  I didn't order this or did I?

That's more like it!

At two other restaurants the service was very good and the award for best cassoulet goes to Chez Paps.  Enjoy the pictures of our meals although pictures never do the real deal justice.  Stay tuned for more!

The BEST cassoulet

Selling confit at the apple festival

I'll have one of each!

Great fish dish

More chocolate mousse?  Bien sur!  (Of course!)

Riviera Maya Getaway - Part Three

In Mexico there are plenty of all inclusive properties to choose from.  One must do the research to find the best ones.  In my opinion, The Royal in Playa del Carmen meets and exceeds my idea of "the best".  The restaurant choices are Pelicanos,  beach front, serving upscale beach seafood, Tapas Pinxtos, Spanish and Basque style food, also beach front.  Then there's Spice, the "breakfast" spot also serving lunch, dinner and the best coconut ice cream!  You can sample almost every cuisine here.

Down the street is Asiana, serving sushi, noodles and several Southeast Asian entrees, including duck. 

Across the street you find Italian and Mexican restaurants.  The new kid on the block is Mediterraneo accompanied by a whole new wing of rooms, quiet pool and Starbuck -type coffee house.

Grouper from Mediterraneo

One of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at is called Marie Marie.  Most of the other restaurants don't require reservations.  This one?  Absolutely!  And it's easy to see why.  They "literally" rolled out the red carpet for us the first night.  (We ate there twice)  As we entered the place all the servers were lined up and started to applaud as we strolled in.  I almost had to look around  to make sure Angelina and Brad weren't behind us!  I guess that's what they do for the 1st arrivals!  Nice touch!

The food was terrific, the atmosphere romantic, yet colorful, with beautiful murals on the walls, and the service was amazing.  Okay, so it sounds like I'm being paid to write a good review for them.  Not so!  But I will show you some pictures...see what you think.  Too bad there's no taste-o-vision on this blog, huh?

Yucatan fondue - not the diet special!

Hubby's steak

Monk fish medallions

Lobster bisque

Melt in your mouth lamb chops

Disclaimer:  All of the above food was not eaten in one sitting!  For those of you with a hearty appetite this could be accomplished.  That's the beauty of going to an all-inclusive!

A Quick Getaway to Riviera Maya

Traveling is my HOT BUTTON.  When it's combined with excellent food choices I'm a happy girl.  When it requires long sunrise walks on the powdery white sand beach, I'm there!  Add a sprinkling of relaxing snorkel excursions and I (almost) never want to go home.

As I alluded to earlier, hubby and I escaped to the Caribbean shores of the Riviera Maya two weeks before Christmas.  I'm always amazed at how quickly my body acclimates to the warm tropical air and ocean breezes after arriving from freezing temperatures back home.  But, the Mayans graciously hailed our arrival, with a smile and a "welcome" margarita as we check into our home for 8 days.  A slice of heaven?  Maybe...

We usually allow for one touristy excursion on these "relaxation trips".  This time we chose to swim in Akumal Bay with the sea turtles, combined with a snorkel into the depths of ancient Mayan cenotes (see-no-tes).  These are a series of underground caves that dot the landscape.  The cenotes are very sacred to the Mayan people as they are believed to be the connection to the underground or other world and ,at times, their only source of freshwater.  

Sacred altar

We visited three, but swam in two because a wedding ceremony was taking place at one.  Our first dip was in a semi underground cenote  warmed by the sun thus producing algae which was a buffet for small pirhana-like fish.  I guess these tiny fish are all the rage for use in pedicures.  They nibble on the dead skin!   No thanks!

The pirhana pedicure cave

Protective thorns on trees...protected from what and do they swim in the water, too?

We ventured over to the huge cave of amazing clarity and color.  The sun beamed into the cave illuminating and casting shadows into the teal colored water.  I could have floated in there for hours while peering into the dark crevices of the cenote waterway.  I found it hard at times to quiet my mind though, thinking of all those creatures from the black lagoon...a bit of an eerie feeling as I waited for unfamiliar jaws to clamp  onto my leg.  Time to climb out of the cave.  On to the remainder of our snorkel excursion...Akumal Bay Swim with the Turtles.

The deep dark cave.  Anyone for a swim?

This bay is known for its sea turtles, abundant fish, and brilliant white sand beach.  It did not disappoint, however, if I were to do it again (and hopefully, I will) I'll hire a car to get us there and venture off on our own.  I felt rushed, racing from turtle to turtle as they were pointed out by our guide.    Swimming with the turtles is supposed to be relaxing, not when it's done with a multitude of snorkelers swimming around, over and into you.  With that said, it is a gorgeous area to swim, sunbathe and snorkel, just not with a large group.  You will see many turtles (very cool), eels, stingrays, and plenty of colorful fish as well as a coral formations swaying with each swell of the waves.

If I could snorkel everyday, I'd be a very happy girl!  More about our trip to Mexico....later.

Year in Review - 2012 Part Two

Here is the second installment of my year in review for 2012.  I take MANY pictures, but sometimes all those special events don't get captured as they should.  This compilation is a small snippet of what went on in my world month by month.  Enjoy....I did.

July is always a busy month with anniversaries, birthdays and other events.  This year was no different!  I admit I was a little green with envy when I saw my son and Leilani off for a trip back home to Kauai, but also thankful and excited for them to experience such a beautiful island together with Leilani's family.

 We celebrated a "big" birthday in Half Moon Bay.  Hey..it's not Kauai but we had a great time relaxing, walking/hiking the cliffs above the beach and eating some fabulous seafood.

 In August we celebrated my son's 35th birthday.  Congratulations!!  How can that be?  I don't think I'm past my 40's!!

 August is also a great month to work play in my garden as I start to see the fruits of my labor after watering, weeding and chasing the critters away!

September brought a new addition to the family and I think my finicky  aunt kitty approves.  They are the best of friends and new partners in crime when they aren't looking this cute!

We took a brief but spectacular hiking trip to Yosemite's Tuolomne Meadows.  I spent a lot of time here in my youth so it made it that much better sharing it with my hubby.

Another fun day was spent with my almost daughter-in-law at a cooking class.  Frankly, we could both teach the class...she's an excellent cook....but, I just enjoyed the time with her.  Thanks, Leilani, for the invite.

October literally blew by as we celebrated hubby's birthday with his Italian rum cake and homemade lasagna!  And, my other love celebrated her 8th (?) birthday.

November brought Thanksgiving, of course, and I'm thankful for all family, friends, and the goodness that surrounds them.  The Christmas tree went up early this year...and she helped!

I was not happy or thankful about the past election this year and I don't want to sweep it under the rug.  It was ugly (and still is) and I wish someone else was flying around in that jet!

My cat displays my feelings best...a picture tells a thousand words!

 December rains gave us "the flood that never happened", thank God.

"Travel is good for the soul" - Wendy.   We flew off to Playa del Carmen before Christmas, wish I was there!

But, home we went for Christmas...time to spend with family.

Tuesday Travel - Picnic in the Sierra Nevadas

"There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort." - W. Somerset Maugham

Today is Travel Tuesday, and yes, I'd like to say I went hiking in Macchu Picchu or Costa Rica.  However, some of the best hiking trails happen to be right in my backyard and that's where I "hit the trails" the last two weekends.

Did you know that Macchu Picchu's elevation is lower than my hike on the Lower Loop Tahoe Meadow trail?  The Tahoe Meadow's trail came in at around 8500 elevation while Macchu Picchu hovers around 8000 feet!  Of course, to get to the Peruvian site you need to go to Cusco to begin the Inca Trail hike or take the train to a point where you hike the rest of the way.  Holy crap, Cusco is at 14,000 feet!!!  I've got more conditioning ahead of me...

Nevertheless, we made the trek into the meadows with picnic provisions in the backpack.  Hubby carried the backpack while I snapped pictures and made sure I didn't pass out!   The trail is wide and mostly flat except for a few hills which we navigated with a few brief "rest stops" to catch our my breath.  About half way we stopped for our picnic.  Gourmet peanut butter and jam, and last week roasted red pepper hummus with avocado on, of course, Tahoe 12 grain bread!

I'll leave you with some pictures of the beautiful Tahoe Meadow Trail System which starts just off highway 431 between Mount Rose ski resort and pristine  Lake Tahoe.  

Trail system map

Babbling Ophir Creek meanders through the hike

View of Washoe Lake looking East

Picnic time ...Hummus and avocado sandwich

Ahhhh!

Ring in the New Year!!

I was reminded yesterday that there's only 347 days until Christmas!  What was my reply?  Let's sock away money for a Christmas vacation next year.  Rome, Prague, or sunny Mexico, Belize?  While this past Christmas was certainly a blessing in many ways, there's just something very appealing about celebrating in a different country, learning about new customs, etc.   Maybe it's the simplicity of it all.  Maybe, it's great to be on a beach as it's dumping snow back home!  (That sounds likely.)

I yearn for the simplicity of Christmas.  No shopping or presents.  Decorating is fun but I don't go "over the top".  The only area where I may splurge is in the meal preparation and the baking scene!  To me it's a labor of love, and I enjoy creating something sumptuous for my family.  This year was no different.  So, now, on to the New Year!

This is the time I start to list my goals, aspirations, dreams, and ideas, no matter how lofty they may sound.  I get them down on paper, for myself, alone, to view.  Last year I achieved several goals and dreams.  Some of those were education based as I completed classes on culinary sanitation (exciting stuff!), real estate law (You never know when I'll be able to use that), Introduction to Wordpress (a new website and blog in the works), drawing (a waste of time, for me.  I have no talent in this area)  and finally "write and publish a non-fiction book".   (most beneficial)

Another "ongoing" goal is to conquer the "battle of the bulge".   I'm learning what "works for me" to achieve and maintain weight loss goals.  Enough on that subject!

Travel is ALWAYS  included in my dreams and goals!  For me, it's the stimulus for many achievements to follow.  Yes, I do have a plan!  Travel is my passion.  "Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind" - Seneca.  This past year I was able to meet up with a fellow San Pedro gal in, of all places, Loreto, Mexico.  I met her for the first time after following her blog called, "Sue's Life in Balance".  We had so much in common it was creepy!  It was a joy to meet her at her lovely home in the Baja.

Loreto

Any ideas of travel during the Summer months was "put on the backburner' because of our beautiful kitchen remodel.  Pricey, but priceless after completion.  We picked up the travel pace with a brief and balmy trip to the Big Island of Hawaii!  Such beauty, and a great way to de-stress before the Holidays begin!

Our Big Island view

Of course, my biggest joy is my family.  I aspire to make each year their best, sometimes falling short, but always looking for ways to make their time on this Earth a pleasant one.  Thanks to all my friends, family and readers during 2011.  My hope is for everyone to experience the best life has to offer in the coming year of 2012.  I know it will be a great one!  Cheers and God Bless you all!