Crazy Travelers...: May 2009

Monday, May 25, 2009

Time in North Carolina

Things have been busy for the Crazy Travelers since the last post!

A while back, Frank received an invitation to play golf with Bobby Bowden in Cashiers, North Carolina. (Ok, there were a few more people in addition to Frank that received the same invitation.) We were looking forward to the trip for several reasons, but mainly because we hadn't seen Rick & Joanne since January! It was great to spend time with them and to meet other FSU folks. Unfortunately, Bobby stood us up! (Something about his dr. not letting him travel with an ear infection.) Oh well, his loss! We had a fun time anyway.

Rick, Leann and Joanne at the Cullasaja Club waiting for a ride to the BBQ.

"A rose between two thorns."

While the guys played golf, Joanne and I had a little road-trip from Highlands to Cashiers where we were meeting a friend, Kathy and her sister for lunch. Along the way, we took advantage of a photo opportunity at a scenic overlook.

Whitewater Falls - the highest waterfall east of the Rockies!

Growing up, we would often go to NC for vacation and a few times stayed at a timeshare in Sapphire Valley. (It's been 25+ years since I've been back to that area.) As we were driving to Kathy's house, I saw the familiar Sapphire Valley sign! I couldn't believe it...she lived in Sapphire Valley! Just seeing that sign brought back memories of some fun times with the family.

Joanne, Kathy and Leann on Kathy's porch with Sapphire Valley behind us.

She has an amazing home at the top of the mountain! What a view!

After leaving Highlands, we headed to Boone to get the house opened, spring plants planted and to check on the deck/landscaping project completed during the fall. Everything was beautiful! (A little chilly, but blue cloudless skies!)

Driving into Hound ears. Colorful Rhodies and azaelas line the road.

View of the 18th tee box and fairway.

Should be a postcard! View of Grandfather Mountain in the background.

(Click on the picture to see the 'profile' of Grandfather.)

Our trip to Boone was short, but very productive! The deer have enjoyed nearly all of the new landscaping that was done and I hope they will stay away from the new plantings!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Birthday weekend - Girls Rule Fishing Tourney

One of our goals this fishing season was to enter several tournaments. And as it turned out, the "Lady Angler" tourney was the same weekend as my birthday.

We attended the Captain's meeting/party on Friday. And we met some really nice people! Unfortunately, they did better at the raffles, but that was more incentive to work toward the angler awards.

Saturday morning....We were set for a 6AM departure from the dock.

Captain Pete (our mate for the day) and Captain Frank (my mate). Dang, they look good with their coordinating shirts and sun-protective buffs. We are sure to catch fish today!

Yes, this is the moon as we are leaving the channel, entering the St. Lucie River.

Our objective was to hit the inlet by 6:30AM and then run south-east a bit and be ready to have our lines in at 7:30AM. But, our plan was foiled! The *&^%-ing railroad bridge was down! We were stuck on the 'wrong side of the tracks' for nearly 30 minutes and 2 trains!

Finally! The bridge opened...everyone and their mother was anxious to get out to fish!

Sunrise on the St. Lucie River.

Lots of anglers ready to hit the open water!

Captain Pete and Me watching the lines and getting ready to tackle some fish!

(Because it was a Lady Angler Tourney, I was the only one allowed to reel in the fish.) We were ready for a busy day!

Fish On!!! Actually, two fish were on within 30 seconds. Pete clearing the lines to make way for boating this pair of dolphin!

We had to have our lines out at 2:30 and then head to the weigh-in. We were excited to report that we had fish to contribute! (Not many could do so.)

Oh yeah! At the time this picture was taken, I was in first place for Dolphin at 15.3 pounds...beating the previous entry by 2 ozs!

Yep, we returned home with 2 dolphin in the box!

Me and my crew, represented at the Awards Banquet. (We clean up pretty well.)

This was a neat experience and I'm glad we decided to enter. We've met some interesting folks who are interested in fishing, boating and traveling. (I hope we will get to spend time with them again.)

Debbie and Brian, Debbie and Steve, Frank, me and Capt. Pete.

Not to mention endless glasses of wine, a yummy meal and dessert! (We deserved it!)

Drum roll, please.........

(Something happened and the 'official' award pictures didn't make it to the camera so this will have to suffice.)

My 15.3 pound dolphin garnered me Third Place and a pretty cool trophy/sculpture!

Thank you, Frank for an 'award winning' birthday. :o)

Monday, May 4, 2009

Andrea's home!

Andrea was home for her short break between semesters. Graduation mid-June is now within reach!

We decided to try FlameStone Grill, based on feedback from friends - with the 'tableside guacamole' being THE appetizer we tried.

Tableside guacamole-maker guy.

End product in an authentic volcanic stone bowl. Yummy!

(If it wasn't considered bad manners, we would have licked the bowl.)

A nice family dinner. :)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

NYC - Day 2

We planned for a full day in the City on Friday, starting with getting to the Today Show bright and early.

As you can see from my favorite watch brand, we didn't get there quite that early.

It was rainy and chilly.

While it wasn't a very long walk to Rockefeller Center, we were meeting our friend Brenda at 9:00 to head off for our Melting Pot Food Tour of the lower east side. And we didn't want to get jammed in the crowd and not be able to make a quick exit.

Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Ann Curry on the Today Show. (Since we couldn't hear the dialogue, I have no idea what was going on with Matt's sideburns.)

Gwen Stefani and her group No Doubt kicked off the Today Show's Summer Concert Series. (Not sure what part of Summer was on the plaza that day.)

Looking through the outside stage into the NBC Studios.

Prior to arriving in NYC, we made arrangements for a city tour. This was not your usual tour, but one that focused on the history, culture and foods of the Lower East Side (Little Italy, Chinatown and the Jewish neighborhoods.) Susan Rosenbaum is The Enthusiastic Gourmet, emphasis on enthusiastic!

It was a wonderful way to learn about that area of the city, the original settlers, and the foods and traditions they brought with them. We had a wonderful time! Thank you, Susan!

Our tour started in the Essex Street Market, which is a wonderful fresh-food market in the Lower East side. Prices are fabulously inexpensive, the variety of fresh food (fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, coffee and dry goods) unbelieveable and the owners and patrons very friendly.

Saxelby's Cheesemonger
Delicious domestic cheeses and crusty breads!

Frank, Leann and Brenda (friend from NC) at the Essex Street Market.

Ever hear of a 'bialy'? I hadn't, but now that I know what they are, I'm going to be on the lookout for a kosher bakery! A bialy is like a bagel, only lighter because it doesn't have sugar and yeast and isn't boiled and then baked like a bagel.

A bialy is round like a bagel, but not rolled out into strips and formed in a circle as a bagel is. Could add 'stuff' like creamcheese, lox, etc., but it was pretty tasty all by itself.

This isn't your Vlasic pickle store!

Barrels and barrels of things being pickled by The Pickle Guys, Yes, there were the traditional things like cucumbers and olives, but they also had carrots, tomatoes, veggies, etc.

From left to right:

New Pickles (only in the salt/water/spices brine for a week)

Half Sours (in brine for 3-4 weeks)

Full Sours (in brine for 2-3 months)

We liked the Half Sours the best - you still get some pucker, but no Vinegar is used!

Our first stop in China Town was a bakery. Very busy but wonderful smells and interested sights. While we were there, we tried steamed buns with BBQ pork filling and then a baked bun with lemon custard filling. Both firsts for us, but tasty.

The obligatory 'dried stuff' shop...kind of like our GNC. Got something that ails you? Perhaps bird nest soup will cure it. (Yes, they do sell birds nests here.)

DiPalo's Fine Foods (Italian Importer). Delicious parmasean cheese sampled here.

We also stopped at another 'every day' cheese shop and enjoyed more samples (fresh mozarella, etc.)

No trip to NYC is complete without going to Wall Street. Our friend Ron requested a special prayer be read on his behalf, but it needed to be done on Wall Street. Can't get much closer that that!

I claim no responsibility for this picture.

The first rat we've seen in NYC!

Delicious thin crust pizza from a coal-fired oven.

Doesn't matter what city you're in, Friday night pizza.

We had a great time in NYC and it was even more special to spend time with friends, explore the city from a culinary perspective and take in a few shows!