Driving Vacation

Day 3: The Street Sydney I commute to work through George St. from my hotel in Darling Harbor neighborhood. It is one of my favorite streets in Sydney downtown. It has multiple personalities. On the south end, it starts in Chinatown where the Asian immigrant settled in the second half of 19th century. In the north end, it concludes at the historic Rock district where the first Australian settlers came and established residence.Next to Chinatown, George St. crosses Liverpool St. where several ambrosial Tapas restaurants create a little Spain. In the middle, it crosses Druitt St. It is one of the liveliest pedestrian crossings in Sydney with the backdrop of the majestic 19th century Queen Victoria shopping center, St Andrews Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Sydney, and the equally historic sandstone Sydney Town Hall. It... read more

Driving through the deserted lush Mt.Wilson rain forest, just 120 km northwest of Sydneyof Route 40, I fall madly in love with this land. Mt. Wilson is a mountain range that spans for five kilometers north of the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park. The rich volcanic basalt soil makes this region a perfect location for many natural-appearing large scale English gardens. Many not only feature symmetrical shrubberies with graveled walks, tree-lined plantations, and vibrant and contrast perennial blooms but also grottoes, temples, tea-houses, belvederes, pavilions, sham ruins, bridges, and statues. The Australia's unique tall eucalyptus trees create continuous canopy over the stringing zigzags, sweeping bends, and straights. It is summer time and the temperature is mild and perfect for Cabrio driving. There are no... read more

Don't get fooled by the bland brick building and simple Victorian architectures around town. Aspen is very opulent; the epitome of luxury, style, and grace. Strolling down the streets, big fashion names that fill Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Fifth Ave in Manhattan, Avenue Montaigne in Paris, and Bond Street in London are well represented here. Arts Galleries that cater to the strangest tastes are as common as Toyota in Tokyo. I never heard the "organic contemporary style" till I opened the Aspen Home Design magazinethe magazine, should include classic, clean, and simple sinuous lines. It incorporates pieces crafted from reclaimed wood and recycled materials. Furthermore, the style uses fabrics that utilize vegetable dyes. I would remember that for future reference. Either I was way behind with my vocabulary or this town really leads the bleeding ... read more

After a brief stop at Georgetown, we headed west on I-70. My longing for exhilarating driving was answered by the Loveland Pass highway sign. Anything with the word “Pass” in this mountain region means driving ecstasy. Without a GPS, I took the exit ramp. I didn’t care where this US-6 West would lead me. All I knew, I was about to experience the mountain road that would wake up all my senses. Route US-6 is a wide nicely paved ascending two-lane undivided highway with ample emergency lanes on both sides. The highest point at the pass is 11990 ft. I mesmerized the picturesque view of the mountains and valleys before me. The vista point at the Loveland pass offers the breathtaking grandiose view. No matter which direction I looked, I saw hundreds of mountains and they ... read more

Back in 2009, I remembered when I had one day in San Francisco. I woke up earlier and rented a great car, Audi. I always love this car because they have a great machine, perfomance, and the stability. Because driving traveler should have a right car before they tarvel far and in order for their own safety, that's why I trused myself to Audi! One balmy morning, I got up with a craving for some wood fire brick oven baked bread. And the only place I know is the Wild Flour Bread Bakery near Sebastopol in Marin. I am sure there are other specialty bakeries closer to San Francisco. But then, what is the point of driving one mile to get a loaf of bread when I can drive 72 miles through scenic northern California Highway ... read more