We were so lucky that a Pow Wow and Native American encampment was going on while we were in Stone Market. It's an annual event worthy of the tickler file! We got a Stone Mountain "Adventure Pass" which covered the $10 entry fee to this and other attractions throughout the park. Buying the tix at the camp ground office had the bonus of making a single ticket ok for two days' admission. [View Full Entry]

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Stone Mountain, near Atlanta, Georgia, is magical. We're camping in a virtual four star resort. Two golf courses, choice of nice restaurants, history, geology, fun, scenery, boating, and fishing. Bicyclers are here in droves. Family activities include mini golf, a train ride around the mountain and an incredible high top "Sky Hike"course” with kids in harnesses attached to a zip line. November is great here. No crowds, other than 6,145 fourth graders and their chaperones here on a field trip on Friday. The students are learning so much from a Native American cultural celebration a [View Full Entry]

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Asheville, NC---Most American cities are struggling to regain a "certain cache" and economic base. Asheville, NC is another such town on the cusp of becoming very special. Among the highlights for us was a visit to some great galleries. One, A Boy and His Dog Fine Art Gallery, landed us a sneak preview of the upcoming Steve Tracy show. Steve himself was there and we had quite a visit. Steve's recent fall scenes of the Asheville area are wonderful; as are his New York series. The gallery, located on Patton Ave., is “not to be missed” if art is your thing. [View Full Entry]

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Asheville, NC --- This little corner of North Carolina near the Tennesee border is beautiful; a fact not lost on George Vanderbilt, who built his stunning and LARGE retreat near Asheville. It rivals other massive and elaborate American and European homes we have oogled. The landscaping, by Frederick Law Olmsted, is amazing and true to its original design. The house tour is very well organized, we opted for earphones and a recorded tour and are happy we did. We had lunch at the Bistro on the grounds of the estate near the winery. An interesting winery tour and wine tasting were [View Full Entry]

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The ride from DC to Lake Norman (near Mooresville, NC) was shrouded in mist; but the beaurtufl fall foliage managed to peek through. Virginia was beautiful; but no stopping for us. Sometime we should plan to stop at Old Town Alexandria; but not this trip. The dam that created Lake Norman was built in the early 60s and the homes are newish and stylish. We went with Cindy to pick up Ray at the Charlotte Airport (about a half hour drive). We've been in the Charlotte Airport many times on layovers; so, it was interesting to see it from the "non-secure [View Full Entry]

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Our blog followers (we have had over 23000 hits - thank you all very much) know that as much as we get around; we LOVE where we live and work here in Upstate NY. We are more or less Schenectady and Saratoga County based. We'll be off in the motor home soon; so are reminiscing about our great home base. Once the Saratoga Race Course starts to wind down its summer meet; festivals abound in the Capital Region. Scottish Games in Altamont; Little Italy Festival on Jay St., Schenectady, Greek Festival, Carrot Festival, Stockade Art Show, and Stockade Walk-About House Tour [View Full Entry]

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We are heading south in "The Schooner" a little earlier this year in hopes of better travel weather and to follow the brilliant foliage. The Mohawk River Valley, the Schoharie Valley and bright color through the hills of Pennsylvania didn't disappoint on a glorious first day. As we approached Baltimore/DC, the farms dotting the countryside were a visual treat. This year's planned stops are Washington DC, Ashville NC, Lake Norman NC, Stone Mountain GA, and Fort Desoto Park FL before landing for a brief spell in Pine Island, FL. Every place except Fort Desoto, DC, and Pine Island are new t [View Full Entry]

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We're home following a great 10 day trip to Paris, a river cruise on the Seine to Normandy, and back to Paris for two days. I am starting with the end of the trip and working my way back. That is because the last of the photos are the most ready. First of all it was an incredible trip and we had the time of our lives. Next, a commercial announcement! A big thank you to Empress Travel on Upper Union St. in Schenectady, NY for making the arrangements and Uniworld, the cruise line we chose (the River Baroness gave us [View Full Entry]

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Over the top! Crowded (although seasoned tourists said this was nothing compared to summer throngs)! Beautiful! Decadent (no wonder there was a Revolution)! Versailles! We got to Versailles from the River Baroness docked at Port de Mantes la Jolie after spending the morning at Vernon (blog details of Giverny in process). The River Baroness moved on to Conflans while we were at Versailles on this optional tour. It seems that many visitors to Paris have to skip Versailles because of the approx 2 hour commute time. Our route to and from the Palace made good use of time. We are impressed [View Full Entry]

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Subtle, beautiful, peaceful, so in harmony with nature and so impressionistic. Giverny! We felt right at home in Claude Monet's charming gardens and bright, (the dining room is totally painted the brightest yellow we have ever seen) eclectic "cottagey" home. Our own little Ballston Lake garden tends to get a little busy/messy like Monet's (on a much, much smaller scale). We love the wild and muted colors of flowers competing for the light. Even the so called Japanese garden doesn't adhere to the traditional rules of Japanese landscaping - but there is bamboo and little arched bridges and w [View Full Entry]

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