http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , California , San Mateo en-us Sat, 18 May 2013 22:03:49 +0000 Sat, 18 May 2013 22:03:49 +0000 June 24 2012...Do you remember the days when drinks were simple...vodka on the rocks scotch neat tequilla shot...well this drink is a Cosmo with cotton candy...I enjoyed the pouring more than the drink itself...but it is worth blogging about it... http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-729120.html We awoke to the five different alarms we set at about 515 AM. The kids still not fully recovered from travel to Barcelona from Africa were difficult to rouse even with repeated shaking. We eventually made it down to the lobby and into a taxi. All went smoothly first through the short hop from Barcelona to Frankfurt and then through the long haul to San Francisco. Its been a phenomenal t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-726783.html Our trip got off to a good start this year. Perhaps we benefitted from some karmic rebalancing for last years rough start We arrived at the airport on time and checkin went smoothly. We had time to sit down for some food once we past security fearing we might not enjoy the dinner served on the plane. The plane began boarding on time and we were happily getting settled in our seats when some http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-719603.html More leisurely start today breakfast at 8am in Hans cafe Bob had bacon and egg on a pancake Which was a first and not exactly a full English breakfast but with two pancakes substantial the others had cereal whimps.Checked out of the Hotel Vertigo and did scenic drive down Pacific Coast road. That is until we were stopped by Road Closed signs. We did not know this but there was a big Annual http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-718069.html Up at 430 to get dressed and drag our mattresses back into the family room. Checkin went smoothly for the first leg of the trip to JFK but the security line was ridiculous especially for 545 am on a Sunday Our tolerance for the indignities of air travel was already pretty much shot and this was most unwelcome. Ultimately we made it onboard with a few minutes to spare and had a reasonably http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-621425.html Slept in retrieved our luggage required some persistence and cancelled planned events in Vienna. All our work had been carefully tucked away and with our house in disarray in preparation for floorwork there was nothing to do but vacation at home. It was lovely. We sat on our front porch for the first time ever and enjoyed the beautiful weather locally then had dinner and margaritas with f http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-621423.html We have purposefully let a few days pass before trying to write the beginning of this tale because it was an ugly start. It is a relevant backdrop to what follows so here it is. On Friday afternoon John and Sonia left work early to be home in time to move every last item out of the back half of the house all the bedrooms and office to enable the floors to be refinished in our absence. We http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-621421.html Here are some of the action adventure books or book series that take place in AfricaJade del Cameron Mystery Series by Suzanne Arruda. Historical fiction. Book titles include Mark of the Lion 1919 British East Africa Stalking Ivory 1920 Mt. Marsabit British East Africa Serpent39s Daughter 1920 Morocco Leopard39s Prey and more.Crossing the Heart of Africa An Odyssey of http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-615104.html Well we are on our way to China. We drove to San Mateo tonight and we catch our plain tomorrow at SFO. We will arrive in Beijing around midnight Sunday. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-610297.html Aldo's PizzaSan Mateo CAOct 16 2010 http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-541408.html Attic B Street VineSan Mateo CAJuly 15 2010 http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-518709.html Up at 515 AM and tired we took a smooth and speedy taxi trip to the airport. With no traffic we got there in plenty of time to navigate the airport process in our foggy state. Now on the plane home as we chase the sun around the planet after 20 hours of traveling we should arrive in SF 10 hours after we left Athens. Everyone had fun and had some great experiences but we are all excited abo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-515886.html By Melisse.What do you do when you need a tool you dont happen to have You may look to buy one or borrow one or just make do with what you have on hand. Or you may get inventive if you cant find exactly what you need if it just isnt made is no where to be found...you just might make one.Last week we visited a friend John Lyddon who I hadnt seen or spoken to since the summer of 197 http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-487657.html http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-422646.html Departure day We figured that we wanted the kids to be ready to sleep on the plane so we got them up a bit early this morning. We walked to downtown San Mateo with the dog to get bagels. Lauren was very choked up about leaving the dog for two weeks. She suggested she might call him and was shocked to hear that some people actually do call their pets while on vacation. Kids to camp for the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-417151.html Two days to go. I had this hairbrained idea that it would be convenient to have the floors refinished while we were away so we're moving furniture. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-416293.html Someone suggested a travel blog. So here we are trying to figure out how to do this so that we are experts by the time we hit the ground in Europe. We leave in Three Days The kids are excited. We're down to planning minutia. The dog knows something is up and is hoping it won't go badly for him. It will. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-416038.html Aqua is the volcano that looms over Antigua. It is majestic. The little city under it so reminded me of Tahoe City in the 1960's and 70's. Friendly people. Small independent business. Delicious food. Visitors welcome and needed. Antigua for me was both new and familiar.Ive been back in San Mateo for a week now. Returning to my house feels like taking off tight pointy highheeled dress shoes http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-415640.html The attacker struck me from behind. Startled and stunned my breath left me. Three quick blows to the head and shoulders. Then nothing. Quiet. I felt no pain. I blushed when I realized I was standing in my tiny bedroom closet and the shoes I had just thrown up to the highest bulging shelf had fallen back down and pummeled me on the head as I turned to leave. Dangerous shoes were my assailant. M http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-395268.html Last OctoberMy exneighbor asked me what I had been doing recently.Wandering around aimlessly I quipped. She look startled. Then disgusted. She never did think I gave her straight answers.Yet that is exactly what I have been doing for the last year when Luke my 16 yearold son I raised alone for 12 years moved in with his Dad. Wandering wailing at my empty nest wondering what I sho http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Mateo/blog-394107.html