Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Flight to Venice and Venice--Day 1,2,3
I flew to San Diego and James and I flew to Atlanta--no problem but we spent 6 hrs in Atlanta so we were very tired by the time we arrived at the Venice airport. However, we had breakfast while flying over the Alps and I was so impressed. I had never imagined how extensive they were. The many lakes of turquoises, blues, and greens were like little
jewels and the Alps seemed to go on and on forever.
Another venture someday, maybe.
At the airport, James hired a water taxi to take 8 of us to our hotels, which were on canals and near the famous St. Marks Square. The captain's driving of the water taxi was extraordinary as he turned the corners and passed the Gondolas. The water was very dirty and buildings old and watermarked on the outside but the hotels and shops were amazingly clean not damp at all inside. After showering at the Calvalletto Hotel we walked through St. Marks Square and saw the Basilica (Cathedral) and then met Mike and Mary Anne Hinsvark and Jarrod and Monica Hendricks. We wandered through the small streets and looked in the shops while looking for a restaurant that Mike remembered by the Rialto Bridge. We finally found it and it was worth the search. We sat under a lighted veranda by the canal so we could watch the Gondolas and lights on the water and across the canal. The food and service was wonderful and the Creme Caramel (flan) the best I had ever had. It was a magical place.
I slept well that night even with the shutters open
and noise from the street below in the early am
but James did not so I shopped all morning while he caught up on his Z's. There was so much beautiful murano glass, laces, handkerchiefs and leather purses plus lots of touristy type things. It was fun to watch the people in the Square --though why they would let those dirty pigeons land on their arms and hands was beyond me.
When it was time to check out a man appeared with a cart and loaded all our luggage and then maneuvered the cart up and down the stairs over the canals. It was only a 10 minute walk from our hotel to the pier hotel where we left our luggage to wait for the water taxi.
There was still time to shop so I found the leather purse I had come to buy and James went crazy for ties, soccer shirts for the children, tapestries and table cloths for Camber.
The streets are very narrow and many, many tourists but the shops are very nice and some of them are very, very expensive (purses for $400) etc. I did not buy that kind.
It is easy to see that Venice or Venezzia survives with the
tourist trade but it is well worth the trip.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sacramento Temple Open House
Marjorie, Utahna, Mona and I traveled to Sacramento Friday and met Mona's friend Sandy to tour the new Sacramento Temple. After a delicious lunch at my favorite restaurant, Brookfields, (I ate the salmon) we had a delightful tour. It is very beautiful, a little larger than the Reno Temple and smaller than the San Diego.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Can you believe that this is what I will be doing this next week? I am replacing my daughter-in-law Camber on a luxurious cruise in the Mediterranean. This is the Silver Wind, an Italian cruise ship built in 1995. Now what to pack..oh yes, the trip was earned by my son James and they won't allow infants thus Camber is letting me take her place as she can't leave Baby Kelsi. We fly to Venice Wednesday!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Flowers the Deer Cannot Reach...
Monday, August 21, 2006
What's New at at My House?
I hardly noticed this deer taking refuge behind my woodshed. He kept an eye on me but didn't move. Probably waiting till dinnertime so he can eat again--I think their rations must be getting low because more and more of the lower plants are now being eaten also--oh well, I'll think about what to do about that next summer.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Handprints in Place...
A Patio started...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Family Picture
Farewell to Everyone!
Friday came so soon and everyone had to go home. Pulsipher's pulling their boat all the way to El Cajon. Hardys driving to Sacramento and flying to San Diego, then back to Rancho Santa Fe. And I drove Meagan to Redding where she was to meet Matt and his friends--the friends had all come for a High School Reunion in Eureka. Unfortunately they had a flat and were late but Meagan and I used the time getting pedicures and shopping at Macys. Oh, yes, and we also took my car for a quick lube and had a wonderful lunch at the Tecate Grill. And how could I forget getting a few chocolates from Sees. It was a good day and a great week.
Friday, August 11, 2006
What to do at Lake Almanor?
You play on the beach and dock and you eat a lot of the time--
You play with the newest baby, Kelsi, 4 months old--
You do wakeboarding from Gary's new boat--at least Gary, Tanner, Amy, Kelly, Sarah, and Meagan did it--here they are unloading, boat is on the right.
You visit--
Linda and Gary in Mom's dining room...
And you shop, fish, go to Frostie's, play games...
Tanner won a lot at Chinese checkers--
Jimmy liked the Lincoln Logs--
Fruit Basket was a hit but Murder was too confusing for some...
So what to do at Lake Almanor?
Lake Almanor Handprints
Six years ago the grandchildren did handprint decorative stones for the side of my front walk.
Some of them cracked plus two more grandchildren were born so James and Linda supervised mixing the cement and creating the new stones. Messy but nice--here are the results. I didn't show baby Kelsi's. Her hand did not show well so both feet in but then one foot was smooshed so Daddy put his handprint in with her foot--cute.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Family Reunion in Lake Almanor
A little out of focus but family gathers together--missing is Craig in Brazil, Matt V in Truckee, Meagan's Matt is hiking, Kristi's Mike is working and Linda is taking the picture.
Michael picked up Meagan in Redding and she came to visit while Matt went hiking with his friends.
More eating and gathering as the Valkos join us for supper and Meagan has come from Eureka.
Son James from Rancho Santa Fe and Daughter Maria from Susanville holds James' newest baby Kelsi.
Kristi is looking good--just two and a half months to go!
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