It is Official

I am stopping this blog! Starting a new one with a new focus...I have been out West for two years now...so moving here seems done. So...if you want to follow along...

http://haystock.blogspot.com/

Happy reading and thanks for reading this one!

After Thanksgiving...

Okay, Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. I get to see my family, which for a switch I like spending time with (I know tons of people dread it)...and I get to eat my favorite meal of the year...turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, some vegetable, and mom's rolls....followed by several types of pies. I REALLY love the leftovers! This year my sister-in-law and brother hosted and it was FABULOUS! She even made homemade applesauce that was to die for! I am not sure I had enough to eat...and I am positive I will be making a turkey sometime in the next month or so. Last year we had a perfectly fine Thanksgiving in Seattle with my sister. I love her, but being around the rest of the family this year made me really appreciate getting to see them all. We played our multi-person Solitaire, around the world ping pong and of course the Wii! We ate...and I had been doing so well...I have lost 58 lbs on WW...I fear weighing in on Saturday because I am afraid that I have gained at least a pound if not more. I did really good through Thanksgiving...but the day after and the days to follow I have reverted to my old habits of eating...which is BAD...very BAD! I hoped that I would fare as nicely as I did last year with the no weight gain at all...I am afraid that isn't possible. I miss bread...I hardly ever eat it anymore...so of course I indulged. I am pleased to say that I didn't eat any sub par food, only yummy things! But...too much of it...and not enough exercise. Will I do it again? Sure enough, I am betting next year will be the same! Anyway, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I know I did!

Just a little note on voting...

As today is election day...I have to say a few things about voting. Just because a candidate plays as many ads on TV as humanly possible...doesn't mean people will vote for them. In fact it is annoying...and it makes me not want to vote at all. I can read about the issues and watch what they have to say. The other thing is the negative campaigns...there is nothing more annoying than watching ads that tell how much the other candidate is a liar, etc...because the other candidate will to the same about you...so try something new and just state what you are for...that will help me decide more than the negative stuff. Also...when it comes to the presidency...people who are undecided? Well, take a look at ALL of the other candidates. We run more than two parties here in the United States of America...why not check out what the other ones have to say? Maybe they will have something that you like more than a Democrat or a Republican. The fact that we can only really learn about the two parties makes me ill...and usually causes me to vote in a direction that my friends say is a THROW AWAY VOTE...who are they to say how I use my right to vote? Anyway, just wanted to make a few notes and get some of this off my chest. Anyway...regardless of how you feel, definitely exercise your right to vote...especially you women...women died, starved, got beat, etc so you could have that right!

Portland, OR

So, Tim and I LOVE Portland, OR...this may be a place for us to live sometime in the future. Sunday after we left Ashland, we headed to Portland. Tim's parents came with us to extend our visit just a little. We stopped at the Outlet Mall just outside Portland for socks...yep. I have an addiction to Bass socks. I stocked up!! There isn't a Bass near me anywhere that I am aware of! I needed some knee high socks and a couple nicer socks as well. http://www.woodburncompanystores.com/ This place is about 35 miles south of Portland and really incredible! Tim and I went to check into our hotel http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=60&category=Location%20Homepage and then walked to his parents' hotel to meet them for dinner. The NUMBER TWO reason I wanted to stop in Portland was this restaurant...http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageid=96&id=1 Jake's. Tim took us there the year we all went to Olympia National Park and to the Redwoods...they have this incredible dish that I CRAVE...all of the time. It is Mussels in Puttanesca sauce as pictured! It is so good! So, we ate dinner there...we all had things that were good...and then dessert...don't even get me started. We parted ways and agreed to meet at the NUMBER THREE reason we went to Portland...Voodoo Donuts. Tim and I watched an Anthony Bourdain show where he tried the donuts at Voodoo. Ever since then I have wanted to take Tim there. Monday morning we were at Voodoo Donuts at about 9:00am. http://voodoodoughnut.com/ Tim and I decided to share one and each pick an additional one to try. We ended up with a Triple Chocolate Penetration, Maple Bar with Bacon, and Dirty Old Bastard. Tim's parents weren't so sure about this for breakfast but they ended up with an incredible looking apple fritter! Then we headed to the NUMBER ONE reason to visit Portland, Powell's Books http://www.powells.com/ We agreed on 45 minutes to wander around and then meet back! We did pretty good....it is hard to limit yourself to only 45 minutes! Then we said our goodbyes and headed out! It was about 11am. Tim and I stopped at Multnomah Falls to hike to the top (great way to get rid of that sugar). It was so nice! I was so proud of myself! I made it to the top without too much trouble. I did have to stop and catch my breath a couple times...the trail goes straight up! It was a great view of the Columbia River! We left there and made it to The Dalles for lunch at BURGERVILLE...http://www.burgerville.com/ for fast food this stuff is pretty good and of course I had to try the Caramel Apple Milkshake! Tim and I got home in time to watch BIG BANG THEORY (our favorite sitcom) and HEROES!

Ashland, OR

Had another great weekend in Ashland, OR! Tim and I drove down to meet his parents. We had a rocky start. Thursday night we left after work and on the way, I managed to hit a large 2x4 in the middle of the highway with nails in it. Luckily we were able to make it to the hotel...but the next morning we had FLAT tires on the passenger side. So Friday we started our trip at Le Schwab tires getting two new tires and a repair. We left by 11am to continue down the road....stopped for lunch at one of the McMenamin's http://www.mcmenamins.com/ for lunch, which was YUMMY! Came out to find a FLAT tire AGAIN!. I thought Tim was going to kill someone! Anyway, we went to Le Schwab tire AGAIN...and another hour later, we were on the road. Turns out if we put the pedal to the metal we MAY make it to our first show. We arrived in Ashland about 8:10pm...and ran into OTHELLO within the first 15 minutes...we had seats in the balcony until intermission then moved to sit with Tim's parents for the remainder of the show. It was a great play! (this is my second time seeing the play, 5th time seeing the story) We went out for dinner after the play at Standing Stone Brewing Company http://www.standingstonebrewing.com/ with some yummy soup and pizza...then we turned in about 1:30am!

Next morning we were up and eating breakfast in our hotel, the Stratford Inn http://www.stratfordinnashland.com/ We have stayed there the past two years and it is nice! We went to a Backstage Tour of the theaters and the Shakespeare Fest about 10am which was very interesting, we got to see behind the scenes and some of the places the actors, stage manager, costume designers, etc are during a production plus a little history about Ashland OR and the Shakespeare Festival! Then we walked around shopping, had lunch at Greenleaf http://www.greenleafrestaurant.com/ which is always YUMMY! Then continued shopping and walking around. Went back to the hotel to wait until dinner then headed to Omar's http://www.omarsrestaurant.com/ for dinner before our show. They had the most incredible Prime Rib cooked in rosemary and herbs! We managed to roll out of there in time for our show, OUR TOWN (I never get tired of seeing this play). It was particularly cold in the theater that night...well it is an outdoor theater fashioned after the Globe in England...so you have to dress like you are at a football game. It was between 25-35 degrees both nights we saw the plays and we BUNDLED UP!! For more about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival check out their website! We are already planning for next year. http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx

We left Ashland on Sunday after eating an incredible brunch at Morning Glory http://morninggloryrestaurant.com/ and headed to Portland, OR!

Pictures

I am posting more pictures on FLICKR, if you have an account you should be able to find me, or try this link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13198689@N00/

So far I have only posted the Barcelona pics...more to come later!

T

Sunday Sept. 14th Coming Home

So, we were up about 7:30am, Tim had a cab coming for us at 8:30am, we would have taken the Metro but Tim had two suitcases and the backpack...too much to maneuver through crowds. So, he headed out to a bakery for one last baguette and pain au chocolat while I got ready. We were in the lobby by 8:20am where our cab was waiting. Another friendly and interesting cab driver. He was from Cambodia originally, left there with nothing and moved to Paris...We got to the airport in plenty of time...got through the lines...they were long to get to the ticket counter. We got to our gate...I got one last Orangina (I have decided I LOVE the stuff). My throat was really sore by now...Tim and I were both feeling a little less than perfect. We boarded and headed back to the states. Couldn't help but compare United to Lufthansa...I flew the German airline to Europe...clean, spacey relaxed...United to the states...it was more cramped, more strict...less friendly. I watched MISS PETTIGREW SAVES THE DAY and PRINCE CASPIAN. We arrived in Chicago about 1:45pm...had to go through customs, get our bags and recheck them...more lines. But, we managed to get through. Our flight to Spokane didn't leave until 8pm so we had Peter and Katherine meet us and we went back to their place to hang out for awhile. They had a great snack for us. Tim was bemoaning the fact that food just won't be as good anymore. Sure he misses BBQ and Mexican...but the food on the plane was vile compared to the food in France. He was really going through withdrawal! I assured him he can get some pretty good French pastries at the Liberty Lake Farmer's Market! It was great to see Peter and Katherine! Then, before we knew it we were back to the airport and waiting to leave. We had to wait for our pilots. Once in Spokane (I couldn't tell you how the flight was, I slept the WHOLE time!) We got off to get our luggage...I lost the luggage lottery and mine ended up in PHOENIX???? really, how does that happen? Anyway, they promised to deliver it on Monday and we left to head home.

Sept. 13th Final Day in Paris

So...our last day in Paris. We woke up late...after our walking about all yesterday. Tim headed out to get us pain au chocolat for breakfast and then we headed to Notre Dame, the main thing we planned to do. I was in charge of the Metro...so we headed to the station to get a day pass. The girl in front of us in line helped us by telling the clerk we wanted day passes she said it was because he spoke no English. It was so helpful! Anyway, we managed to get our day passes and on the Metro. We arrived at Notre Dame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris...stood in line to get into the church, it wasn't too bad. Once inside it was incredible! Words cannot describe. All of the pictures and all of the books just don't do it justice. We decided not to pay extra to see the treasury, but wanted to go up into the towers. Before we left the church I wanted to get something for Missi and my friend Liz's mom (both are devout Catholics). The line for souvenirs was crazy! Once outside we went to the line for going up into the towers. Tim went to get us a baguette with ham and cheese and something to drink while I held our place in line and took pictures. There was a man walking around with a gargoyle mask on who decided to walk right up to me while I was taking a picture and startled me. We met a couple of couples from Virginia, they were pilots and their wives coming to Paris for a couple of days. They had been in England, so we had to know how travel was with the tunnel closed. They told us that they had traveled all day yesterday and arrived in Paris about midnight last night. We finally got to go up...spiral staircase with small spaces and slightly slippery steps. LOTS OF STEPS. Once to the top the view was incredible. I would have to say this view rivaled Sacre Coeur. I don't suppose many people get to see this view because of the steps and tight places. We got to go into one of the bell towers, Tim has decided he is going to read Hunchback of Notre Dame when we get back to the states. Apparently Victor Hugo's novel is somewhat responsible for the cathedral being restored as opposed to being destroyed. Then we went up even more steps and even more small spaces to get to the top of one of the towers, the view awesome!! Coming down, my legs were shaky and I got a little nauseaous you just go round and round til you get to the bottom. We stopped at a nearby cafe to have hot chocolate and a crepe (the worst one I had...rubbery and tough) probably due to the fact this was a more touristy place! Anyway, we decided to walk along the river towards Place de Concorde http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Concorde we headed down the river, tons of artists, postcard places, posters, book vendors lined the sides of the river. We decided to cross the Pont Neuf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont-Neuf and come back over on the Lover's Bridge...the metal one with lights that you see in foggy pictures as a romantic spot...also had lots of artists and musicians...it is only a pedestrian bridge. We walked along the Louvre...no we didn't go. We contemplated doing the top 10 in 45 minutes..but decided we would rather just roam Paris. We did walk through the Jardins du Tuileries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuileries_Palace to the Place de Concord and from there we could see Champes Elysees and the Arc de Triumph...we would have walked further but it was starting to rain. Tim and I both paid 0.40 euros to use the public toilet and then took the Metro back to our hotel. We stopped at the hotel for a short rest and for Tim to get his book (Lonely Planet's France) to find a restaurant for our last meal in Paris and France for that matter. He found a couple places...and we set off to find them. We found one, but it served mostly seafood. The other, said we could get a table at 10pm...we were pretty hungry NOW...so we found a cafe that we had passed that looked good. It was cute! We had a great last meal! Tim ordered duck with herbs and honey and I got a crepe with ham, potato, spinach and goat cheese, it was soooo good. We split some Gerwitz and water, and for dessert we had Mollieux du Chocolat, basically a gooey hot chocolate cake with ice cream and whipped cream. Very GOOD! Then we headed back to the hotel to pack and go to bed. What a day!! We leave tomorrow :(

Friday Sept. 12th Versailles and Eiffel Tower

So, we got up early to head to Versailles...we grabbed a pain au chocolat and headed to the metro. We were able to purchase a ticket that would take us all of the way to Versailles, we just needed to do some transfers to get us where we needed to go. It was virtually painless although the metro was crowded, being a Friday. We got to the right train and ended up sitting next to a couple from Canada...they had just come from England...before the tunnel fire. When we arrived we got the all day pass which would get us into everything, and got the audio tour for the main rooms. Tim and I got separated again...it was somewhat stressful...but I was able to convince a man to let me in and find Tim...so that was okay. We were able to see the State Apartments, Chapel, most of the Gardens, Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. This is definitely a more than one day place to come. We walked most of it...we did break down and take the small train from the Petit Trianon to the end of the main garden. Marie Antoinette's english hamlet was very interesting. The main pools had rowboats that you could rent and paddle around in. The weather

was pretty nice...sun came and went. We tried to see a fountain that was blocked off, looked like they were setting up for something, maybe the pope? We headed back to the train station and decided to stop at a cafe for some snacks and beverages. We got on the train with an interesting assortment of people, a couple from California, a couple with a child from England, well he was stationed there, from Wisconsin, it was an interesting group of people. Tim decided that it might be great if we stopped at the Eiffel Tower before heading back. So...we stopped there...it was right on the Seine, and there were boats. I wanted to check out the cost and times of boat tours. Well, one was leaving about 7:30pm and it was only 7pm...so we decided to get a boat tour. Could not have been a better time...the sun was setting, the temperature had been dropping so the boat tour was cool! As we went by Notre Dame, the pope was there...there were crowds of people on either side of the river, cheering...the pope was on huge screens and there was a choir singing...it was incredible! Once back at the Eiffel Tower, we debated on whether or not we should just go up since we were there...but we hadn't eaten...and it was late. We decided we were there, why not...we only went to the 2nd stop, the wait for the top was really long...and I have heard that the top is nice...but the view isn't really the best for seeing the city. Now, I know my friend Wes will give me crap...I had told him years ago that he was NUTS for not even going up in the tower...now several years later, I am seriously thinking of not even going up...well we did the 2nd stop...the view was great, at night, the city was lit up. We left the tower to try and find out metro stop...after a lot of walking and fighting...Tim and I made it 6 days without getting on each others nerves...but that night, tired, hungry, cold...annoyed. Anyway, our metro stop was closed because of the Pope...so we finally caved and got a taxi. Our taxi driver was incredible. He was from Vietnam...trained in the US for the army, fought in the war, worked counter intelligence and fled with his life to the states, he lived in the US for only a short time, the racism was too much. He moved to Paris and worked with the government against communism. Once the Iron Curtain came down his job was no longer needed, so he became a taxi driver. I told him he should write a memoir! He dropped us at our hotel. We decided to eat at the cafe just below our hotel. I ordered onion soup with cheese again and fries, and Tim got a Croque Monsieur.

Both were very good. It was soooo late, we were so tired, once we ate, we went right to sleep!

Thursday Sept. 11 - Train to Paris

Got up early and had another one of those awesome European breakfasts...I am definitely going to need to hit WW hard when I get home! For whatever reason I didn't really sleep well, I was up and down through the night and then up really early this morning...staring at the ceiling. We arrived at the train station without a hitch, taxi driver was so nice! People have been so friendly here! I immediately fell asleep on the train. I had intentions of staying awake and looking at the countryside...but could not stay awake. I slept for at least 2 hours. I woke up and Tim and I had the rest of our baguette and brie a banana and some coke and water. A lady came through the train handing out questionnaires about the train service...that was interesting...Tim and I worked on one together as it was entirely in french! Once we arrived in Paris, we found the taxi depot and got a taxi. Our driver wasn't extremely talkative but he was friendly and pointed out some landmarks along the way to our hotel. So, we stayed in Montmartre, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre a very risque area of Paris...the Moulin Rouge, also a place of artists and writers. The entire main street was full of sex shops and erotica...it was little bizarre to say the least...but our hotel was really nice! Also found out that the Pope will be in Paris tomorrow...interesting! We stayed in the room for a little while, resting...I wrote some post cards. We started out looking for how we'd get to Versailles tomorrow...and then headed up the hill to Sacre Coeur. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur,_Paris It was a great walk and a great view of the city. We went through the artist's square with cafes, artists, and shops. We stopped for a banana split and then continued on to the church. There were tons of people there. The view of Paris was spectacular. This was recommended to me by a co-worker. I could see most things except the Eiffel Tower from this point. We walked into the church, high ceilings, huge stained class windows, incredible woodwork. Outside there was a band from Mexico playing Imagine and getting the crowd to sing along. We decided to make our way down the hill toward the cemetery to see if it was still open. It wasn't, but it seemed like it was going to rain. We picked our restaurant just as it started to POUR! Tim ordered frog legs and I ordered the onion soup with cheese (French onion soup...but it isn't called that here). It was really good! For dessert we got a creme puff, only it had ice cream in it instead and it was smothered in the most incredible chocolate sauce! We headed back to the hotel...thankfully the rain had stopped. We looked at the crowds going into the Moulin Rouge. We are headed to Versailles tomorrow!

Wednesday Sept. 10th Toulouse

Slow start this morning...I could not seem to get motivated and we were going through our things...packing for the next day a little. I also wanted to write more postcards. Tim had huge plans for showing me all of Toulouse and I just wanted to go slow and easy...so that was hard for Tim. We finally left about 10am and headed out. Tim wanted to point out places in the neighborhood and go to a couple churches. We checked out the flea market on Capital Square first...found some interesting things. Then we headed towards the first church. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_de_Saint-Sernin,_Toulouse As we went down a road we passed the library. Of course I had to go in. I went in and asked if I could use the Internet...I had to get a card first...so I did. Then I got on the Internet and emailed Lynn. It was difficult as the keyboard was TOTALLY different than what I am used to...so it made typing difficult. Once done in there...I met a lady who gave me some brochures about the library and told me about some exhibits coming soon. We then headed to a market...Tim used this market a lot to get food and produce. We went to get some items for a picnic. We ended up with a baguette, 1/2 a roasted chicken, brie, bananas and oranges. Then, we walked to the park. This was a city park, lots of flowers, dahlias, french countryside flowers, there was a Japanese gardens there as well. We sat on a park bench in the shade and ate our lunch, it was great! So many people in the park as well. We finished and went through the Japanese Gardens, saw turtles, lizards, frogs, dragonflies and fish of course...after we left there we bought some ice cream from a stand and ate it. The cutest dog was there...sitting under a table trying to keep cool. This was one of the more hot days on our trip. We headed back towards the hotel taking a different route. Tim took me past where he used to live and he wanted to take me to the French Bed, Bath and Beyond store, which was amazing. Too bad that I only have room for small things in my luggage! We also stopped at the French Best Buy so I could get a thumb drive for my pictures. Once in the hotel, Tim napped while I messed with the pictures. We decided to go to the other big church and Tim took a detour to get me some ice cream...from a place called Octane and the ice cream was chocolat noir 70% cacao...it was yummy! We walked down a street with tons of shops...more high end than quaint, the church was built over 3 centuries and you could see the different stonework. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Saint-%C3%89tienne_de_Toulouse It was incredible. Then we headed to St George Square to find a place to eat. Tim was trying to decide what he wanted to eat his last night in Toulouse...he was kind of sick of duck and wasn't sure crepes or cassoulet were in his future. We decided on the Van Gogh Cafe and Restaurant, we ate outside...lots of people watching. Our waitress was so nice and patient with our french. Tim ordered gnocchi with cheese and I ordered a caprese salad...then we shared fondant au chocolat for dessert, a very fudgy cake, served hot and it was delicious! Our waitress brought us complementary shots of something as well...not sure what it was, but it was good! We headed back to our hotel...we were in bed by 9:30pm, about the earliest we had been in bed. Marie Antoinette was on the TV...interesting since we are planning a trip to Versailles soon!

Tuesday Sept 9th - Storming the Castle

So, I actually slept through the night...it was amazing! We got up and packed. Decided that we would have breakfast at our hotel...it was another amazing European spread! So delicious! We found out that our hotel had the cutest courtyard in the back, unfortunately it was raining so eating outside wasn't an option :( We packed the car and then headed to the castle. Before we went in, Tim wanted to show me the graveyard, which was awesome! Creepy and old! Tons of great picture opportunities for sure! Then we headed into the castle. Tim had been here with his co-workers but they didn't go into the chateau. We went on the tour of the chateau...this place was incredible. Looking at the walls you could see the different builders and time periods. This place dated back to Roman times. Part of what had been torn down had been reconstructed to look like it might have back when the castle was used. The weather started out kind of rainy and drizzle, the sun peeked out here and there, but it was so overcast. Perfect for walking around in a castle. Tim kept having me take pictures of him recreating Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail...it was fun. Once we had finished with the Chateau, we walked the cobbled streets of the castle. There were restaurants, shops, hotels and a cathedral (of course). It was like one huge Renaissance festival! Tim said when he had been there before there were people dressed in period costume. There weren't any on the day we were there. We shopped a little and then decided to head out. Before we left, Tim wanted me to film him doing a bit from Monty Python. So, while he was on the wall, I was down below...he yelled out filthy English knights...as some English people were walking by...they continued the line from the movie behind me...it was funny! Tim wanted to get to Toulouse that evening. We decided to take a less traveled road to Toulouse instead of the highway, so we could see the countryside. It was very pretty. Lots of sunflower fields (most of them done for the season), corn, I even saw a hybrid corn field or two. There was construction on the road as well. Tim wanted to go to Airbus before the hotel, I was starting to fade...but we went. Then to the hotel. It was on the corner of a busy square. While I napped, Tim returned the car to the rental office. When he returned we got up and got ready to walk around Toulouse. We decided to walk around that immediate area only. Tons of shops and cafes. Tim wanted to take me to his favorite crepe place, but it was closed...so we settled on one right near the hotel. The crepe was yummy. I got a salad, a crepe with white asparagus, cheese and ham, and then a chocolate crepe for dessert. Tim had an egg, ham, cheese, mushroom crepe, also really good. Then, we turned in for the evening.

Monday Sept. 8 Dali Museum

So, I wake again about 5am, cannot get back to sleep! I listen to another couple episodes of Wait Wait...until Tim gets up. We decide to eat the European breakfast offered at the hotel. It is an incredible spread. I wonder if Europeans feel the same way as we do about Continental breakfast. Anyway, tons of bread, cheese, salami, ham, cereal, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, tarts, pastries, etc. It was really good. Then we finished packing, checked out and went to get the car. We had a car in a 24 hour lot for our trip out of Spain. We got on the highway, got some petrol...and off we went. We were headed for France...with a small stop along the way. The Dali Theatre/Museum in Figures, Spain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Museo this museum was designed by Dali. A couple weird turns later, we arrive. We are able to go to the museum and to the jewelry display as well for the same price. It was very interesting. I would have liked to have some more time to head to the coast and go to his home. The jewelry was incredible! We got a quick bite to eat once we left the museum...and then headed on to France. We passed by fields of corn, sunflowers, grains....we saw chateaus in the distance and even got a glimpse of the coastline. Going from Spain into France was as simple as slowing down as we crossed the border. We headed on to Carcassonne. We arrived and found our hotel fairly easily. The hotel used to be an abbey...so it was very quaint. The view from our room was the castle...the sun was going down and the view was incredible. I was getting REALLY sleepy...every afternoon I had been taking a nap, so I was tired. I fell asleep for about an hour or so, then got ready to go out and find dinner. Tim had a place he wanted to try in his book...the hotel clerk wasn't sure if it would be open or not. We went ahead and walked there. It was open. Tim wanted me to try cassoluet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassoulet and what better place to try this than an off the beaten path restaurant! It was yummy, very heavy food....but good. We want to try and make it ourselves. We walked some of it off going back to the hotel. It was about 10:30pm when we got in...tomorrow we storm the castle!

Sunday Sept 7th Barcelona

I woke up at 5am and could NOT get back to sleep! It was awful of course, Tim was sawing logs. I put on my iPod and listened to it for a couple of hours. By the time Tim got up I was ready to fall back to sleep of course! We ate some snacks in the hotel room and then headed out. We wanted to hit the Sagrada Familia http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/ A cathedral designed by Gaudi, unfinished, it is still a work in progress. We walked there...passed a library, not open though! We also passed the Arc de Triumph of Barcelona...very beautiful. Tim found a bocce court in the park! Anyway, we arrived at the Sagrada Familia and paid to get in...so much to take pictures of! We looked through the cathedral, then stood in line to ride the lift to the top and walk around the top. The view was incredible. Then we went out to see the Gaudi side of the cathedral, also amazing! We left the cathedral to hit the Picasso Museum, decided to take a cab so we would have plenty of time to walk around. We take the cab and end up waiting in a long line for the Picasso Museum. Turns out that it is free the first Sunday of the month...and so we waited to get in. The Picasso Museum was incredible. Much of Picasso's early work, you could see the transformation once his work was influenced by other artists. He had some incredible works from when he was 15 years old. Once through the museum, we went to a cafe for an incredible sandwich and some coffee. We return to the hotel for an afternoon nap and then we head out to walk the Barri Gothic region. The cathedrals and alley ways are incredible. We go into the big cathedral from last night, and then we wind our way through the alleys to other places. We got some ice cream, we see a open air market selling cheeses and meats. We end up near where we were last night, stop at an outdoor cafe from some sangria, it was really nice out. Then we head down the waterfront opposite of where we went the previous night and see the Columbus monument, there is a flea market going on there...lots of neat old things. And, then we head up Las Ramblas...this outdoor shopping area with cafes all up and down the road. There are tons of shops and artists booths. Tim and I stop to get some tapas and sit and people watch. We also got some incredible dessert churros y chocolat...very yummy! Then we headed back to our hotel a totally different way...passed a Hard Rock Cafe...I just HAD to go in! I got a t-shirt, the girl in there was so fun! She wants to come to America! We told her that Barcelona was pretty awesome! We then got to the hotel and crashed!

Saturday Sept. 6th Barcelona

So, I finally woke up about 5 hours later, took a shower and got dressed. Tim and I decided to go exploring. Before we left, we asked the hotel clerk to recommend a good place to get paella. He called a restaurant and got us a reservation for 8pm. Tim and I thanked him and headed out. We went through small passageways and alleys, all very picturesque. The buildings had gorgeous features and we found an opera house with some incredible tiling on it. We walked down an alley and came out onto a plaza with tons of people doing a dance. There was a band playing and people dancing in groups. Tim said that in the book there were traditional dances on this plaza sometimes. A lady came around asking for donations for music programs. We gave and got a sticker. There was a band playing...it was really quite something. The cathedral was pretty busy, so we continued down the alley and saw a second cathedral, we went in for a little while and looked around. Tall stained glass windows, high ceilings, and carvings, it was incredible! We continued to the water front...there was a festival going on, lots of people. We saw some gypsies with their wagon, some boats, and so we headed along the waterfront to our restaurant. We passed a soccer stadium with a game going on...then we arrived at Port Olympia, site of the Olympic village. There was a McDonald's and a Pizza Hut. The view of the sea was incredible with the sun setting. We walked out onto the boardwalk. We watched a sailboat go by and the surf for awhile then went to find our restaurant. We arrived...the place wasn't particularly busy. We ordered seafood paella for two and some gazpacho to start. It was sooooo yummy! We were offered flowers to buy and someone came along to take our picture. It was a table outside, the weather was nice, it was very romantic! For dessert I ordered creme Catalan (which is very similar to creme brulee) they also brought us a complementary dessert of cakes with melon liquor and something in a bottle with a homemade label. I guess it was grapa. Tim and I tried both, preferring the melon for sure! Once we were done with dinner, we walked back to the hotel. It was a great first night in Barcelona!

Friday Sept. 5th The Trip Begins!

So, my adventure began at 3:50am on Friday, Sept. 5th. I didn't need to get up that early, but I did...so I thought I would just get up and get going! I did a few last minute things, dishes, garbage, recycling, and some final packing and I am out the door and on to the airport. I ended up with my black back pack suitcase, a purse and a tote bag with mostly books...I thought it was pretty lightweight! I got to the airport without incident...I met a lady in the shuttle who brought her neighbor to the airport several hours earlier than her flight so his wife didn't have to get up and take him to the airport...he was in the national guard. We ended up talking about rigorous military training. Once I was checked in I decided I would stop and get something to eat...a yogurt parfait which was good and then wait until boarding. Once on the plane I decided to nap first. I think I got about 1 1/2 hours of sleep then I woke up and read THE CAMEL BOOKMOBILE which was an excellent book! I arrive in Chicago without incident, it did get a little bumpy on the way in...but nothing too major! The girl sitting next to me remarked on the fasten seat belt sign during the turbulence...we were so packed in our seats we weren't going anywhere...there really wasn't much room! Once in Chicago I decide that I may need to eat (a decision I will regret later) So I went to Chili's for a burger. I call mom, Tim calls me...and I talk to a couple ladies seated next to me. They both tell me that I should be careful in Barcelona, as they have some world wise friends who have been mugged there...picked on by a motorcycle gang or something. I head to the gate after eating a bacon cheeseburger and a coke. There really isn't anywhere to sit, so I stand...boarding the plane we show our passports and boarding passes. I sit on the aisle next to a girl from Madison WI, she is headed to a small town in France for a semester. She has never traveled overseas before...and is a little nervous, but excited. We are served dinner...Tim has told me only to get the pasta, nothing else! So..I get the pasta. It isn't bad. I eat and then decided to watch a movie. I watch MADE OF HONOR and WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, both are cute movies. I tried to sleep, but could not. I figured I would regret that later! The airline served plenty of water, soda, tea, coffee...also had complementary wine and beer...imagine that. I stuck to water for the most part...I wanted to see if I would fall asleep. I read, I listened to my ipod. We were served breakfast as well (I really didn't need to eat in Chicago). Arrived in Munich without incident. I went through customs, that was virtually painless...and then I went on the hunt for a ATM so I could get some euros (per Tim's instructions) and then I passed by some great looking eating places...with German pretzels, etc, of course I wasn't remotely hungry...and so I got some water at a shop, found a bathroom and then headed to my gate. It was kind of muggy there! They still have the little booths for smokers in the airport! We went to board the next flight...we went through the ticket gate, walked down some steps, out into a bus....then we were driven to a plane with outside steps. Spain air...it was small, dirty and cramped. There was a delay on our take off...by this time I am feeling kind of sleepy! Which...is bad. We take off and I enjoyed the great view of Germany, I definitely want to return there someday! I am sitting next to some people going to Barcelona on holiday from Germany! The guy sitting next to me is reading about the Hell's Angels. We land in Barcelona...the plane erupts in applause...I ask the people next to me if this is normal, they seem to think it is strange. I am soooooo tired. I just start following signs for luggage claim. I get to the luggage claim and cannot find my luggage. I look at everything, can't find it. I finally ask...I have walked to Luggage Claim A, and my luggage is in Luggage Claim B...the big question is how to get there...and how can I tell Tim where I am? I get out into the regular terminal and ask several people...finally I figure out that I have to go back through security to get to terminal B and then go to luggage claim. I feel like life is in slow motion and I feel ill I am so tired and worried about Tim. Anyway, I get back around and through...I locate my luggage...then I come out into the terminal and NO TIM...I am frantic at this point...I keep searching the crowd...looking...no Tim...I am about to cry...but I stop myself. I decide to get the luggage on my back...walk up and down the strip of people and keep looking. Finally, I see him, and he sees me!! Oh my gosh!! We are so happy to see each other. He was worried about me...I explain what happened...and we head to the car. I help Tim navigate back to the hotel and then I fall asleep! WHEW! By the way, it is now Saturday Sept 6th.

Super Bowl Sunday

So, I have decided to keep up with THIS blog for at least another few months while I think about what I really want to do with blogging. And, I am sure I will be doing some interesting things in the next few months.

So....we have been WHITE (snow) since December. So I LOVE this. In the last couple of weeks we have had about a foot of snow (plus some inches of snow). Which has been great. Everyone in Spokane has said they haven't had a winter like this for about 10 years. And...they are trying to assure me this isn't normal...but I want it to be normal!! Check out a couple pics from Spokane. One of me is in Manito Park, the other is outside of my apartment complex. It was something. Last weekend the snow started on Saturday and fell until Sunday night...it was incredible. The other amazing thing is how little they plow here. There were people still snowed in all week last week. They are hiring construction vehicles to help dig people out. It took until Wednesday or Thursday before our main road 29th was passable (without sliding all over the place or taking out the bottom of your car). Tim and I took his brother to Manito today to do some sledding and run around. They went skiing yesterday and really had a great time as there is even more snow on the mountains! I was planning to visit my sister this weekend...but Snoqualmie Pass has been closed for most of this week due to snow and avalanches.

And...the game is on...I haven't really been watching, but its not as if I am a huge football fan, unless it is OSU...or I guess the GREEN BAY PACKERS...other than that...I am not a fan.

Happy Football Season!

Happy New Year!

I know it has been awhile since I wrote in my blog. I am thinking of changing my blog, since I have been in Spokane for awhile and I haven't really done anything too monumental now that I have arrived. I will definitely send out my new blog once I set it up and think of an awesome cool name for it.

I did start a new job at the beinging of this year...and that has been great. I really like it!!

Best of luck to my readers! And...see you again soon!
Peace
Tracy