Water is one of the elements that draws me. Not only is a dip in a cool, refreshing pool a soothing treat, but sometimes just the beauty of some pools is a treat for the eyes. I am fortunate to live in a community that boasts an exceptionally beautiful pool. It is an oasis featuring swaying palm trees, a mid pool island with a fragrant rose garden and an area at one end that mirrors a beach with a zero depth walk in area.

If one is not lucky enough to have a such a pool to beckon them, maybe you can visit one of the drop dead gorgeous pools that I found on BudgetTravel.com. I can’t resist posting them for you to enjoy. So here they are the TOP TEN (and a half*) most gorgeous pools. Be sure to click on the slide show.

Oh ya…here is the “and a half”*

I couldn’t resist this one. It takes me back to when I was just a little girl. In the summer Mom would let us luxuriate in her galvanized wash tub in our back yard on a hot summer’s day with a little pan to pour the cold water over us. Ahhhhhhhhhh we thought that was just it!!!

Picture courtesy of pingu1963

 There seems to be a lot of talk lately about how we are not able to take vacations due to the economy. A lot of us are concerned with how to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table and have decided to forgo vacations at least for the foreseeable future. Yet, people are a resilient lot and have come up with some doable options to still feed the soul with adventure. While travel in general seems to be on a decline this year, there are still some ways to downsize and still have a little fun.

 All of the marketing gurus in the travel industry are finding ways to provide reasonable compromises. New terms like “stay-cations” or “day-cations” are on the radio and TV all the time to advertise special deals. Deep discounts on hotels, airfares, cruises abound if you can be somewhat flexible.

For those, like me, who work and have limited scheduled vacation time that lack flexibility, the idea of a day trip in my local area seems to be a good fit for me and one that, in the short term, will satisfy that craving to see and try new things. A day well planned can almost seem like a little, mini vacation.

 My daughter, Jenn (aka The Leftover Queen) and I for years took an annual vacation and one year, while living in the DC area decided we would spend our whole week just around town. We actually stayed in a little efficiency, but could have as easily traveled daily from home. The thing here is to not let yourself get mired in TV, phone calls and other distractions that would make it less like a vacation. One of the best things about a vacation is to just get away and escape the every day routine.

 Anyway, we had a blast. We went to different places everyday. Saw all of the Smithsonian Museums, all of the monuments, spent a whole day at the fabulous DC zoo and ate different ethnic cuisine every day. It was wonderful and we didn’t have to spend more than one round trip metro fare for travel! (Maybe one day, I will tell you more about the places to see and the special little seasonal things to do in our nation’s capital.) That is the beauty of traveling local. Up to that point, I knew more about faraway places than I did about the abundance of what there was to see in my own backyard. I will venture to guess that this is pretty typical.

 I have been in the Ocala, Florida area now for over two years and I have to admit there are lots of places for little mini day or overnight visits to be made and I have decided that this is the best time to do just that. In the upcoming weeks and over the summer, I will be planning a series of little day or weekend trips and as I circle around town. I hope that these will inspire some of you to do the same thing where you live. And, I would invite you to share with me what you find. Happy traveling.

I just updated my other blog LeftoverQueen.com with a post about our visit to Venice, Italy !!!

I just got back from an amazing whirlwind trip to Italy. We saw many places and many wonderful things, for when you are in Italy, being such a small country, it is recommended that you visit several regions. We flew into the beautiful and ancient city of Venezia, Venice, and spent one night there.

Venezia- gondolas-duomo-venetian masks

Highlights of course were Piazza di San Marco, the Gondoliers, and the amazing and thriving shops all over the city dedicated to the celebration of Carnivale - full of elaborate masks and costumes. Venice really is an enchanting and romantic city -made up of tiny canals where most people travel by foot or boat (no cars) full of tiny shops, cobblestone streets and the most amazing architecture.

The next day we headed to Tuscany and specifically to Torraccia di Chiusi right outside of the beautiful and medieval village of San Gimignano. The Torraccia di Chiusi is an amazing place. The accommodations are exceptionally beautiful and the views from the villa are stunning. All you foodies out there should go, just to experience Chef Bruno’s cooking. He is an absolute genius in the kitchen and of course prepares traditional Tuscan cuisine using fresh and seasonal ingredients that they produce right there on their farms. He also enjoys preparing Etruscan and Medieval cuisines if you are so inclined. He was a joy to spend time with each evening at dinner, hearing his food stories and about life in the Tuscan countryside.

San Gimignano- entrance to san gimignano - us with chef bruno - tuscan hills - view from our room

From the Torraccia di Chiusi we made several day trips. Our first was to Firenze, or Florence.

Firenze - duomo - motorini - duomo

It was a pretty cold and gray day when we went, which didn’t make it so enjoyable. Although our good friends Erin and Chris from The Olive Notes spent a year living in Firenze and so they had given us an extensive itinerary of things to do while in Florence - mostly involving food of course, and seeing some of the major sites. We weren’t able to do it all, but I will discuss the highlights in an upcoming post.

The next day we headed to the medieval city of Siena which is famous for the Pallio a horse race that is done in the center of town, that is a scene of not only sportsmanship, but also huge political rivalries. The Pallio really defines Sienese life in so many ways.

Siena - duomo - lions head detail - the campo

When we visited Siena it was a nice a quiet day. The city is very charming and was probably my favorite. It was easy to navigate and the architecture there was so unique. I really enjoyed traveling the ancient streets and stairs.

After five idyllic days in Tuscany we had to head south to Rome, for some family time. Roberto doesn’t make it home very often, and so we had to make sure to go to Rome where his family lives.

Roma - forum - colosseum - pantheon

What can you say about Bella Roma? It is an incredible place. Going from the more medieval towns of Tuscany to a truly ancient place, like Rome was an amazing chance. In Rome you have the ancient alongside the most modern. From the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum to Via del Courso where Prada and Dolce Gabbana live.

Roma - trevi- bronze angel- piazza di spagna

The enormity of the buildings were breathtaking, and photos will never do justice to these ancient and modern buildings, fountains, and structures - everywhere you turn is a work of art, or some kind of major human accomplishment…and the FOOD. The food throughout the areas of Italy we traveled we all amazing, but in Rome, it is just abundant - markets, green grocers, cheese and meat shops. It is unending. Oh and did I mention the gelato and coffee? Those are whole posts to themselves.

Our final four days were spent in Ostia, Rome’s seaport.

Ostia - ostia antiqua - port of rome - il mare

Ostia Antiqua is nearby and again, everywhere you look are ruins. Ostia is reminiscent of Saint Augustine, on a much smaller scale. But it was nice to end our visit with a place that reminded us of home, and where we were surrounded by family.

To see my own story about my time as a supporter of the Dineh elders, please click here.

Following story By Bahe Y. Katenay, Sheep Dog Nation Rocks

Sweet Water Stronghold, Big Mountain. February 9, 2009 - Dineh elder resister of the traditional lands of Sweet Water is bundled up for the chilly winds as she takes some hay out to her sheep and goats. The herds need a little extra feed before going out to graze. The non-Indian, volunteer supporter is dressed warm and ready to follow the sheep as he chops some wood for grandma, Pauline and while the herds nibble on the scattered hay on the ground. Not many non-Indian volunteers do occasionally make themselves available from their busy lives to come out for short stays and help traditional, elder resisters. Very few traditional elder residents are now left throughout such regions affected by the harsh relocation laws of 1974.
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Well my birthday was about a month ago and whenever I get to have a “Jenn Day”, meaning I get to pick what we do that day from top to bottom it always involves my two favorite things - good food, and animals. We started the day by having lunch at Mango Mangos which is a delicious place to get quick, flavorful and often healthy choices. Our next destination was the Alligator farm.

We pass the Alligator farm here in Saint Augustine at least twice a week, on the way to the beach or the farmers market and I have always wondered what was behind those tall white walls. I have seen signs advertising the farm all over town as well, and when a few months ago I saw that they had now added a Komodo Dragon to their collection of reptiles, I was sold. I love Komodo Dragons, not in the sense that I want to kiss them,

No, thanks, really.

But I find them to be one of the world’s most fascinating creatures. I wouldn’t want to come across one in the wild, and at the same time I feel bad to see one behind glass, so far away from the Indonesian islands they come from. But I also feel a certain sense of awe to be able to look at one, so close up, close enough to see the texture of its scaly skin.
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I thought that it would be fun to write a different sort of post today about a fun place to go with your best four legged friend in Saint Augustine - a dog park. Roberto and I got a puppy back in September, Pepino and in November we started taking him to Puppy School. Well this past weekend, his trainers at Good Dog decided to host a “Santa Paws Party” for all the Good Dogs at the gazebo at Joe Pomar Park, a large recreational facility in Saint Augustine, FL.

Near the gazebo there is a large fenced in area just for dogs. The dog runs are double gated, and there are two sections, one for small dogs and one for larger dogs (yeah that is a husky there with Pep, but that is his friend Jax, and Jax only came in after his mom asked everyone if it was okay). It really is a great place to take your dog. Pepino loved meeting some new friends and running like crazy. He has some hound in him (either Italian Greyhound or Whippet) and so he loves fast running. Even when we go to the beach, he has to be on his leash, and we don’t have a fenced in yard, so it is difficult finding opportunities to let him go as fast as he can.

He also really enjoyed playing with the other dogs and making them chase him (although they never quite caught up!!!). As every dog owner knows, a tired dog is a happy dog!

Joe Pomar Park is located off Master Drive, just south of the intersection with State Road 16. The park is open daily.

**In the future I may post about other dog friendly places to take your dog in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine is a very dog friendly town. Dogs are permitted (on leash) at the beaches, and at many eating establishments that have outdoor seating. There is even a treat shop downtown, that is a great pit stop for your furry friend when visiting our beautiful town.**

One thing about living in Florida after living for many years in New England previously is that after a while you begin to miss the woods. You miss the maples, oaks, poplars and birches.

You miss the little streams, rivers and waterfalls.

You miss the earthy and robust smell of the Northern forests. Forests in Florida are full of reptiles, snakes, bugs, arachnids and swamps. Not really somewhere I want to be for pleasure. So Roberto and I decided that we needed to reconnect with one of our favorite parts of New England - the forest.

At this time of year the leaves are at their peak of fall foliage color - bright reds, burnt oranges and sunny yellows, the air is cool and brisk and it is perfect hiking weather.

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On a personal note, I will be traveling to New England through the end of October, and will not be updating the site while away! But look forward to more articles in November!

Madeira – Tropical, Mountainous and Lovely

Article and Photos BY: KARI HOEL

The trip to Madeira was decided during a conversation between my husband and I sometime in June, when the holiday was coming closer. “Kari, I have been thinking: What if the weather in Norway this summer turns out as terrible as it was last summer? It would be nice to go away somewhere warm and nice for a week or so – what about Madeira?” I smiled, turned on the computer, checked out some facts about Madeira (all very promising), booked tickets and said: “Yes, that is a wonderful idea, we are leaving 6 am. on July 7th. !“

Madeira is an island in the Atlantic ocean (600 kms off the west of Morocco) and an autonomous region of Portugal. The climate is comfortable all year around, and there is plenty of sunshine. The scenery is very diverse: It is rocky, but there are also hills, colorful flowers and sub-tropical forests. Madeira does not really have nice beaches, but Porto Santo – an island northwest of Madeira – apparently has a wonderful 9 km long beach. There are several seawater pools along the coastline of Madeira, so it is not hard to find places to swim and sunbathe. The Rough Guide Directions Madeira and Porto Santo contains lots of information about Madeira, and we used it a lot during our holiday.
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Join The Caravan of Support To Big Mountain Resistance Communities of Black Mesa, AZ. November 22-29, 2008!

Hug a sheep Today!

Here is an opportunity to travel to Black Mesa/ Big Mountain and do the type of work I did back in 1998 - something that made a lasting impression on my life, as it allowed me to do something for others and to work for a cause I believe in with all my heart. A way to help preserve indigenous sovereignty in this country and to help protect our natural resources!
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Greetings from Black Mesa Indigenous Support,

We are excited to inform you that we are currently putting together efforts to bring a caravan of work crews that will be converging from across the country to support residents of the Big Mountain regions of Black Mesa who, on behalf of their peoples, their sacred ancestral lands, and future generations, continue to carry out their staunch resistance to the efforts of the US Government, which is acting in the interests of the Peabody Coal Company to devastate whole communities & ecosystems, and greatly de-stabilize our planet’s climate for the profit of an elite few.

At this moment the decision makers in Washington D.C. are planning ways to expand their occupation of tribal lands to extract mineral & other resources. The coal companies have a long history of and continue to fund both the Republican and Democratic parties because they have huge interests at stake. Peabody Coal, the world’s largest coal company, is currently pushing through plans to massively expand dirty coal strip-mining operations which has destroyed land and water aquifers, completely dug up burials, sacred areas, and shrines designated specifically for offerings, preventing religious practices.

By assisting with direct, on-land projects with these Sovereign communities, you are helping families resist an illegal occupation and to stay on their lands, who serve as the very blockade to coal mining! “The Big Mountain matriarchal leaders always believed that resisting forced relocation will eventually benefit all ecological systems, including the human race.” Bahe Keediniihii, Dineh organizer and translator states. “Continued residency by families throughout the Big Mountain region has a significant role in the intervention of Peabody’s future plan for Black Mesa coal to be the major source of unsustainable energy, the growing dependency on fossil fuel, and escalating green house gas emissions. We will continue to fight to defend our homelands.”

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