The Ailing Teal-Mobile

This photo is actually of the original teal van that Mom and Dad drove for several years. My sister bought one just like it, and that is the one I currently own.

According to the note my mother wrote on the back of the photo, the van was new and I believe the year was 1997. I know my van is a 1997.

Mom and I were on a trip to the U.P., visiting her cousin Sharon who lives along the Lake Huron shoreline. She and her husband have a beautiful house on the lake, along with several cottages on their property they reserve for visiting family and friends.

This cabin was right on the edge of the channel, just a couple of feet from the water. The channel ran into Lake Huron from Cedarville, MI. It had two bedrooms, with a large window in the living room and one in the dining room. We ate our meals at the dining room table while watching the swans glide along the water.

It had to happen sooner than later

The Teal-mobile is ailing, probably on it's last legs. Although I was hoping the van would make it through the winter, it is on the blink, and it appears to be the starter. At eleven-years-old, and almost 150,000 miles, what do we do? Repair or buy?

Dad has a much easier time getting in and out of a van, while I would like to have a smaller car, such as a Chevy Cavalier. I really wanted to keep the van going as long as Dad was around, but now we are faced with quite a dilemma. With his health care costs rising dramatically, an additional car expense is not welcome. Decision time!

Anyway, the Teal-mobile has traveled many miles throughout the years. She has seen much of the United States and has enjoyed every minute. Whether out west, down south, to the north or to the east, many wonderful sight-seeing memories will remain.

What was your favorite vehicle through the years? Did you travel together? If so, where did you go and what wonderful sights did you see?

High-end Lodging Now Less

Hoover Dam Photo by M Sue Monroe c. 2004

According to a USA Today article, now is a good time to visit high-end luxury lodges. All across the country, from California to Virginia and many states in between, top-tier hotels and spas are slashing prices.

For example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas, "which commands $300 and up nightly in busy times, just announced rooms for an amazing $149 this fall, even at Thanksgiving. The Fairmont chain has slashed rates, to $155 in pricey D.C. and Chicago — nearly $40 off the same time last year. Some luxe London hotels are price-cutting. (The May Fair's rooms now start at about $250, down from $290 last year.)"

Do you hear that MSM? My sister loves to travel and we joke about her high-end rooming needs vs my penchant for base accommodations. After all, who really needs a jacuzzi in their room?

Several years ago, over Thanksgiving break, MSM and I flew to Las Vegas, rented a cool car, visited Hoover Dam, and then drove south along the Colorado River, staying in Lake Havasu City, driving on over to Palm Springs, Oceanside (playing in the Pacific Ocean), overnight in Encinitas, then back to Vegas for a night before flying home. We compromised on the hotel arrangements, staying in moderately-priced but nice hotels.

Now living several states west of me, she is not that far from Vegas.

Hey Sis, I know a great place to spend Thanksgiving! Call the Bellagio!

Will you take advantage of this good news? Where will you go? Ideally, where would you like to stay? Check it out while the prices are great and let us know about your trip.

It's Jean Season for a Reason

Back in the day, when I was growing up, there were strict rules regarding the changing of the seasons and what was appropriate to wear. Although we wore jeans around the house, after all we lived on a farm, we were strictly monitored when adventuring beyond our neighborhood, especially if we needed to dress up.

Now days, denim is seen all through the year. When I was young and on the fly, every fall several of us females would see our guys off to the local university football game, or at least seated at the bar watching the away games. Then we would take off on a road trip every Saturday afternoon without fail.

We had our jean skirts, jean jackets, denim purses with the jewels and what-sits on them, appropriate shoes or knee boots, and off we would go down back country roads to the bars we only visited once a year, for nachos and beer. What could get any better than that.

As we drove the back roads, to a different bar each week, we saw scenery we didn't get to see at any other time, leaves were changing, tongues were flying, we caught up with each others lives.

We have all scattered, over the years, one even died way too young, but the memories linger on every Saturday in fall, when I think back on the blue jean jacket and all.

What is your favorite fall memory? Was denim involved?