Balloon Fest - Bucket List

For decades I've dreamt of owning a hot air balloon. Having gone up every chance offered, from Arizona to Myanmar, it's always a thrill. 

Our wonderful friend's, the Stockers, live in Corrales, just on the edge of Albaquwrque. Every October the area hosts an international balloon festival. A perfect opportunity - a week of balloons night and day.

The fairgrounds host every unhealthy local food imaginable. Corn dogs anyone?  Pins, hats and paraphernalia galore. As night falls, the special "night glow" festival  sees emorphius shapes take form, rising to vertical positions and "glowing" as the propane heats air to complete the inflation. When completed - it's time for fireworks. 

The next morning it's coffee at 7 and there are the gentle roar of fans in the next field next door. Coffee in hand, we go to investigate. Dozens of balloons inflated there, joining hundreds more in the sky. 

Afterwards a drive to Cuba - the landlocked one in New Mexico. Retro signs, expansive landscapes - wonderfully typical southwest. 

And then there's old town Albaquwrque. Adobe buildings and individual artisans  surrounding the town square would remind you of Santa Fe 25 years ago. 

Add a Mariachi Band and a local Mexican  dance school - and you'll have a day that's unforgettable.  

A week around balloons only inflated my interest. 30 hours of flying time to be licensed - I could do that.  Easy! Now there's only the balloon, the basket, truck and chase team. Ok - one step at a time and maybe another visit next year.      

Re2pect

It's a little more than a week since Derek Jeeter made his last Fenway appearance as a Yankee. 

Number 2 has had a multi decade career with the Yankees, always playing the same position. No matter what you think of him, (remember we ARE Sox fans), you have to congratulate him on his professionalism and a scandal-less career. And EVERYONE at Fenway did. September 28 was Jeeter Day. Although about a third if the stadium had likely come from NYC, everyone stood, cheered and gave this player the Re2pect he deserved and few others have earned. 

Through the eyes of a Dane

Anders is one of Karen's most longtime friends. When he asked to come from Denmark to visit the US for the first time, naturally the answer was "of course", but how to decide what to do in less than two weeks? 

Landing in NYC, the whirlwind included Times Square, the Met, Guggenheim, Grand Central Station and the 9/11 Memorial. Then wandering along Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty was about all we had time for before visiting Karen's mom and brother Chris.   (Touring NYC with Karen is a fast paced affair, guaranteed to cure jet lag!)

A sailor and educator  about life in the 1800's made stops in boat building Mystic Connecticut and whaling Nantucket mandatory. They didn't disappoint. 

Not to be missed - Sturbridge Village. It reminded them both of where they'd met in Denmark and the years Karen had spent at Lejre, working as an 1800's weaver while illustrating books for the center. 

And while in the neighborhood, why not try out the local "hipster" BBQ joint. Sorry, no open faced sandwiches and liverpostej here!

Finally, here in Boston and it's Steve's turn. So where might you guess we headed? After a visit to Harvard Museum's  glass flowers - it's off to Fenway. 

Remarkably, not only did our Danish friend learn the essential  rules under Steve's tutelage, he insisted on watching games on TV during the week. Steve felt validated!

Then we were off to Maine. Lighthouses, rugged coasts, lobsters, sunsets, warm

days and cool nights. You know the drill. There's nothing like it - particularly for a Dane with the sea in his DNA. 

Back in Boston, there's whale watching, Walden Pond, Concord,  the MFA, Freedom Trail, Italian delights from the north end  and just hanging out watching the boats sail the Charles. Oh, and a traditional diner for a dose of comfort food. With huge omlettes, home fries, people sitting at the counter with chatty waitresses, well this certainly isn't Denmark! 

It may not have been the most balanced view of the US, but it's a big country and you have to start somewhere. We're certain our Dane has thousands of images dancing in his head and may still be catching up on the rest he didn't get while here on his vacation. PS - the request has already come in to inquire about renting a sailboat in Maine for a month - one of these days!  

Napa Without Wine

Impossible! What would be the point?

Well there are those, believe it or not, who don't live for the new harvest and this year's wine rating. And, if your reading this, then you already know that includes Mr. Steve. Still, it's a beautiful corner of the world and we had the opportunity in late August to share it with a group of McKinsey friends. So we decided to investigate beyond the vineyards.  

First - get a convertible. You might have done that anyway - but taking the scenic route and spotting small signs is going to be key. 

Then the adventure is yours. We say go the gamut - from weird to wonderful. 

Confess - you didn't know that the workd's largest petrified forest was right here in Napa. Coastal redwoods fell like matchsticks in the direction of the lava flow from Mt St Helen a mere 7 miles away. Over several million years, water seeped through dust and ash. Cell by cell wood is transformed into solid silica, quartz and stone. Voila - petrified wood!

   

First discovered in 1870 by Charles "Petrified" Evans, the forest was visited by many. Robert Lewis Stevenson was among the frequent guests and has a tree named after him, which he wrote about in "Silverado Squatters."  Note the red trunked Manzanita trees - not petrified, but a colorful bonus. 

Next - the Old Faithful Geyser of California is a mystery of nature, which captivates the imagination AND has been written about in National Geographic. 

However, it only erupts about every 30 minutes, so bring a book and relax in the outdoor covered area. You might also investigate the "steam well." Built in the 1930's, it's 150 degree vapors boil eggs and can cook a pig. (Hey, that's what the sign says!)

The culinary delights and wonderful vistas are endless. We suggest the Culinary Institure of America, for the cooking store alone. Auberge's cliffside, outdoor deck's view is a perfect place for a midday break. Long Meadow Farmstand represents the Napa you dreamt of - and is owned, ongvwith the Ranch, by old friends. 

Bouchon Bakery is  the perfect stop to provision for your drive back to San Fran. You'll delight in whatever you find and be fortified while making notes about where you're going to stop next time your in the wine country.