Queen On The Run

 

My most amazing trip was New Zealand. My son Lance was doing a semester abroad in New Zealand and when he was finished with school I met up with him and we spent three weeks traveling New Zealand. Thankfully he was in the airport when I arrived because I didn’t have a phone number for him his phone never worked right. Of course this was 2011 I’m sure things are a little better now.

He picked me up from the airport made me take a bus to his flat and had me walk up this huge hill with my luggage. Of course he had been out the night before and had only a couple hours of sleep so he showed me where he lived and around campus and met lots of his friends. We then walked down the hill through the city to the Sky City Grand Hotel. I picked that hotel one it had a casino and two it was nice and I knew I needed some rest before we began our journey.

He picked me up from the airport made me take a bus to his flat and had me walk up this huge hill with my luggage. Of course he had been out the night before and had only a couple hours of sleep so he showed me where he lived and around campus and met lots of his friends. We then walked down the hill through the city to the Sky City Grand Hotel. I picked that hotel one it had a casino and two it was nice and I knew I needed some rest before we began our journey.

 

We had a couple days in Queenstown before we had to hike the Milford Sound. Me being in not so good shape got conned into hiking the Milord track by my son who I would do anything for. He called me before I was coming and said mom do you want to hike the Milford sound with me. It’s a four-day hike they drop you off in a boat and pick you up on the other side. It’s a mere 53-kilometer I thought not knowing how much that really is in miles. If you don’t want to do it I am going to do it so you’ll have to come a week later. A week later!! No way Ill do it I said. So he booked us the tickets for the hike. We arrived at the boat not knowing you have to buy tickets for the boat also but they fit us on. So remember if you are hiking you need to get a ticket for the boat also. He also didn’t tell me you have to share bunks with others. He also didn’t bring enough food thinking we could eat a jar of peanut butter and bread. So if you’re not a hiker like me bring enough sugar and protein and a pot to boil your food in. The huts have bunks but no kitchen gear and a fireplace but you only get three pieces of wood. One day it rained all day so everything in our pack and on our person got wet. Honestly it was the amazing hike you will ever do in your life. Walking was the only way you get to see these waterfalls and mountains. The water out of these falls was the most amazing water I’ve ever put to my lips. I found out half way through that they have guided walks where all your meals and accommodations are included. It’s also a 5-day trip instead of 4. You have to climb up a mountain the top of the Mackinnon Pass. It was a pretty hairy path so Lance ended carrying both his pack and mine. I did ask if a helicopter could pick me up and for $1000.00 it would. I didn’t need the helicopter but I was very afraid I wouldn’t make it. The last day Lance said I did the best because I was damn sure I wasn’t going to miss the boat back to Queenstown. Just so you know it’s 33.5 miles to the end but it felt like 100. To be honest I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

From the boat to the bus to the hotel, which was the Rydge Lakeland Resort nice place, we went in to see if they had a room. I needed a bath and a shower. And I told them to not to worry about the smell it was just me. I wanted to just stay at the Novotel but the prices were higher on the weekend and Lance said no. Seeing our luggage was stored at the Novotel, which was very nice of them, Lance took another hike to the other hotel to retrieve out luggage.

 

 

Queenstown was my favorite. We rode on the Shotover Jet up the Shotover River canyon. It turns 360 degrees and you feel like your going to run into the rocks. Its crazy fun. Then there’s the famous Fergburger. It’s a must stop! The one thing we should have done was bungee jump. But I have to admit I was scared I might hurt myself.

 

 

 

 

We fly back to Auckland where I rented the car form Hertz so we received a nice car this time. We drove up to Paihia in the bay of islands. which has beautiful beaches, fun shopping and resorts. The temperature was a lot warmer which is more my kind of vacation. We went fishing and I being the only woman on the boat caught the biggest fish a shark.

The best part of this trip was spending three weeks with Lance just the two of us. If you can, take a trip with your son or daughter just the two of you. It’s a trip you will never forget. They grow up so fast, get married then your time to take a trip will be gone. New Zealand was far the best trip I’ve ever been on.

 

 

 

 

So the next day we got up a little earlier to go to Sequoia Park. The road going into the park from the south was a little hairy.

 

 

I learned a few things about the Sequoia Tree. One they only grow here in the park. They need four things to survive; Sun, water, soil, and fire. Yes I said fire.  Over the years they have found the trees need natural fires for the minerals so they do control burns to help them survive.  General Sherman is the biggest tree in the world standing 275 feet and over 36 feet in diameter. You can’t get a sense of how big these trees are until someone is standing by one. Their bark is kind of soft like a thick foam.

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed Sequoia Park much better then Yosemite just because it wasn’t as crowded. Early into the morning we ran across another friend.

 

At first we were scared shitless to walk by him but some people had been there yesterday and said he’s friendly so we slowly made our way down the path. Everyone definitely needs to see the biggest tree in the world!

 

May 18 was the next adventure Yosemite National Park. We thought we had left early enough but getting to the park around 9 wasn’t really early enough. People were everywhere. My thoughts are go early because by 11 am we couldn’t find a parking spot to walk to the falls. Seeing they had alot of snow this year the falls were spectacular. I think this was the most water they have had in years. The sites were amazing but being so crowded it took away some of the beauty. We came across a bear first thing in the morning. It looks like he has a collar so maybe he’s friendly. I wasn’t going to find out.

Heading into the park we saw some spectacular water falls.

 

 

 

 

My advice to you is yes go see it but go early May to beat the rush.

 

 

If you like to camp they have these fun little tents you can rent. I peaked in one of the doors and they have bunk beds so I’d advice knowing who your sleeping with.

 

 

All in all a fantastic day.

I picked my sister Lisa up in Reno and we to Lake Tahoe. Good thing I brought my winter coat because I sure needed it. We took the scenic route 431 to 28 to 50 which was an amazing roadway. Getting to Lake Tahoe I was just in awe. See for yourself

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed at Harrahs. Did you know one half of Lake Tahoe is Nevada and the other half is California?  Rounding around the lake on Hwy 89 was a little scary. Being a little hung over and it was starting to snow the road had no guard rails so when you came to a 45 degree turn it looked like you would fall off a cliff straight down. We arrived at Squaw Valley to find out the weather was so bad they closed the Gondola that we intended to ride up the mountain. I wish we would have had better weather. Who would have thought! It was the middle of May.

 

So I took Hwy 15 to Hwy 50 to cut across to Reno because my sister wanted to go to Lake Tahoe with me. My GPS in my truck kept wanting me to get off the 15 but I had looked at a map and knew which way I wanted to go. My GPS wanted to take me up to Salt Lake City which is way out of my way. I turned unto Hwy 50 wondering if I was crazy.

 

The Highway was really desolate. I went around 200 miles before there is even a gas station so make sure you stop for gas before you need it.I did stop on the side of the road a couple times to see this. Steptoe Valley

So I came across a tree in the distance looking like it was filled with black birds. I saw one of these on the way to Page so I decided to stop and see what it was. What do you think it was??

 

Must be a trail that when people accomplish it they throw their shoes in the tree. I didn’t see a sign for the trail or really see the trail at all so I’m just guessing.

I got to Reno a day earlier than I had expected so I did tell a little white lie when I got to Harrahs in Reno. I said I had a reservation for two nights Saturday and Sunday. They said they were all booked up but she got on the phone and found me a room. When I drove into Reno it felt kind of sketchy. It was Saturday night and a baseball game was just about to start so the traffic was bad and  I was a little intimidated so I stayed in the hotel that night. Sunday being mothers day I decided to grow some balls so I put on my Harley Jacket and found the Reno Riverwalk District. They were having a River Festival with kayak races and booths with food beers and fun crafts to buy. I found a restaurant that had a Mothers day Brunch called Wild River Grill.

 

The most amazing thing happened!! I had the filet which was amazing and some fruity drink and when I asked for the check the waitress told me my lunch was taken care of. I said what?? She said yes its all taken care of tip and everything Happy Mothers Day! Tears started forming in my eyes. I couldn’t believe it. As I walked away from the restaurant I started to cry. That was one of the nicest things that has happened to me. I called My son Lance to tell him what had happened and he said oh I did that. I have been following you on my phone. I laughed because I had turned that follow your family thing off. I headed to the festival and had a really great day so it turned out Reno isn’t all that bad.

 

Bryce Canyon is located north of Page Arizona so a friend of mine had suggested I take a look so I jumped in the car and headed north. Words alone can not express the beauty and the mass of these rock formations. So I’m going to show you instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I need everyone to know my intentions of this blog is to inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and travel or do things they have always wanted to do. It is not to learn how to spell or use grammar correctly because I’m a photographer not a writer. I will try my best to write better in the future posts but be patient with me because to tell you the truth I don’t care about grammar. I love to travel, push myself out of my comfort zone and inspire others to do the same. Thank you everyone for understanding and continually supporting my passion.

 

 

 

 

Spending two days in Page Arizona was probably not enough. I took a chance with the Priceline deal where they give you a price and they pick the hotel. I have done this in Chicago and gotten very nice 5 star hotels for cheap, so I decided to do it for Page. Wrong idea! Do not do Priceline in small cities. My hotel was called the Rodeway Inn.  The air and furnace did not work, the bathroom was so small you couldn’t shut the door, but I made it work. Actually, I could walk to restaurants and it was close to the golf course and the helicopter tour I took to Lake Powell. It has been a dream of mine for many years to shoot Antelope Canyon and it was well worth the trip.  I took the photography tour which allowed for the photographers to have a couple minutes to shoot with no people in the way. I was the only woman which I thought was odd, but one funny thing happened we lined up with our tripods to shoot part of the canyon and one guy accidentally hit the other guys tripod and the other guy went off on him.  My Tour guide quickly separated the two while I laughed to myself thinking if they knew what they were doing they wouldn’t be so uptight. Amateurs

 

 

 

I then took a helicopter tour that landed us on this rock formation. Its a mile high but there really isn’t anyway you can tell that from the photos I took from the top.

 

 

 

 

 

I had some time to kill so I ended up going golfing. Lake Powell Gold Course was very fun and so awesome to look at with the mountains surrounding the course. When I finished I went to the club house for a sandwich and met a very nice couple from Oregon. They asked me to haver lunch with them and come to find out his name was Lance, the same as my son. He also travels on his motorcycle for a month at a time by himself. He said he still rode his dirt bike but all his friends that he used to ride with won’t do it anymore. I suggested he find younger friends that still have the thrill bug in them. For someone who was afraid to go anywhere by myself, I’ve come along way and I’m so glad I have. This has been an amazing journey so far.

Bryce Canyon will be the next stop.

Im Having a difficult time not working full time so I decided to take a road trip. I jumped in the car and decided to drive to California and back. I was surprised to see how many friends and family I had that had a lot of fear around me traveling by myself. Im a 56 year old woman that has traveled quite a bit so in my mind I’m like whats the big deal?? There are so many people nothing what their heart wants to be doing because of fear. To be honest Years ago I hated to be alone. Now its essential. So I left Appleton WI on my way first to Kansas City.

That part off the trip was easy. Straight shot. I stayed at the Ameristar Casino and hotel which was very nice. The casino was the biggest casino I had ever been in.

Being the avid Packer fan that I am I had to see the Chiefs stadium so I took a trip to Arrowhead Stadium. Its a nice stadium and you don’t have to worry about parking because it’s in the middle of a field. Great for tailgating.

 

Then I put downtown Kansas City in my GPS and it took me through some older neighborhoods. Honestly it was the only time I felt a little uncomfortable so I drove downtown and didn’t stop. It looked like a nice city with some fun things to do but  I followed my gut and kept driving.

I made my way down Highway 70 to Denver. I had made this trip one other time when I was 19 but honestly I didn’t remember much. The straight shot to Denver was a piece of cake. Getting through the city It was like I turned the corner and bahm the mountains. Curvy roads wet snow cars flying by me. My husband texting me while Im driving through the mountains, which block do you like?? Are you kidding me?? Im suppose to look at a text while Im driving through the mountains. He then called me and I said stop texting me when Im driving!! He said pull over and look at the block. Like thats the most important thing in the world. I drove for about another two hours and finally after white knuckling it enough I pulled over in Dillion CO and got a room. My room had a great view.

 

I did look at the block and they looked the same to me. I walked to a brewery called dam brewery. Great food nice bartender. I had forgot how breathtaking the mountains were. Its funny how you are driving on the same road you were on in Kansas but the mountains being right next to you are so intimidating. It like they can suck you in at anytime. It was so accelerating.

 

I forgot how many great ski areas there are in Colorado. Breckinridge,Vail,Keystone,Powederhorn,Steamboat,Silverton just to mention a few. I drove by some and it really made me want to come back in the winter. I didn’t know about driving in the winter though.

I saw a sign Welcome to Utah. Oh Utah. I had been to Salt Lake City and that was amazing but when I started to see the gorgeous rock formations I was in awe. Breathtaking!

This has been an amazing journey so far. I have made my way to Page Arizona where Im going to Antelope Canyon tomorrow. Check in at another day for the next update. Thanks for your support.

I’ve been to many Caribbean Island and this one is in my top five. Great food great people great beaches! Most people we met have been coming to this island 20 or 30 years in a row. I had never heard such a thing. But I now know why. We took the bus downtown one morning to explore the island. We found the marina and hired a boat to take us fishing a couple days later. We stopped at Mojitos Cantina. 

Fun shopping fun cafes. Waiting patiently in the heat to take the bus back, me wanting to take a cab but my husband Stu wanted to take the bus believe me take the cab its only 4 dollars more and well worth it.

The next night we checked out the north end of the island stopping for dinner at Smokey Joe. Excellent ribs. We ventured out to check out the casinos on this end of the island. We Walked a little farther than we wanted to and finally a mini van cab stopped and gave us a ride to the casino by our resort Divi Golf. We played cards till the early morning and finally made it back to our room. When I woke up in the morning I could see light coming from our doorway. Our door was wide open. We must not have shut the door tight. Stu got up to make coffee and he said Brenda there’s an iguana in our sink. Laughing he scooped it in a glass and put it outside. On the flip side we pulled into our house in Appleton WI at 2;30 am and our front door was wide open. Don’t know if it has been that way all week one day or one hour. The wind can push that door open if its not locked. Open door policy thats what I called it.

Next morning we went fishing and caught three fish a wayoo and barracuda and a bonito. We had more on the line but they outfitted us.

My husband likes to stay busy so we took a Jeep tour. Of course we had to take the all day and not the half day. It was a great way to see the island. The jeep could go off road so it was exciting to see rock beaches. I would recommend the half day that would have been enough for me.

Divi golf has a challenging nine hole course. Golfing in February is a treat for anyone from Wisconsin. I would recommend going early in the morning or later in the day because I had to buy a towel just to wipe the sweat off. 

What else can I say EAT DRINK and be Merry

In October My friend Kathy and I decided to run up to Canada for a few days to their family cottage. I told my son where I was going and he said make sure you try the Pountine. Never hearing of it I didn’t know what he was talking about so I asked Kathy and she said its fries with cheese curds and gravy.There’s pountine trucks on the side of the roads.Seeing it was October the leaves were turning and the ride up was breathtaking. Stopping at the first Pountine truck we could find only to be denied. The truck was closed. So were the next 5 we stopped at. We decided to take a turn off our path ended up in Mattawa Canada and found one that was open.Jumping for joy we parked the car practically ran to the truck only to watch the lady hand out a tray of fries and look at us and say sorry we are closed. Whining we cried come on we’ve come all the way from Wisconsin. Sorry no go so on our way we went. 

Landing at the house which she made it sound was like something from Deliverance, was a beautiful house on the Ottawa River. Im not a morning person, not at all. but I heard Kathy get up one morning for the sunrise. I crawled my ass out of bed and it was breathtaking.

We hiked The Ottawa River south of Beachburg. Even though it was October there were crazy kyakers heading down the falls. I believe the Ottawa River is one of the best kayaking rivers in the world. I hear they even kayak in the winter. Thats crazy to me.

Duchesnay Falls

 

Seeing we only had a couple days to enjoy Beach Burg Canada a sweet little town with very nice people we had to start the road trip home still not getting my Poutine. Back to Mattawa we went. This time they were open and the pure delight of just getting the punting was enough but eating it was better. Im so glad I don’t live in Canada because I would weigh a lot more than I already do. Now back in the states so many establishments are copying Canada and making their own version of Poutine. Of course if you have something that good you have to get on the band wagon.Thank you all for reading my first Blog  To be continued