I'm Dreaming of a White Valentine's Day

Oops! It's no dream. After several days of melting snow and increasingly visible grass, we now wake up to a white Valentine's Day. In fact, it is currently snowing as I write this post. By the looks of the sky, we may be in for quite a snowfall.

I hope everyone out there has a great Valentine's Day. I have already emailed my sibs and kids to wish them a happy day, and Dad and I have exchanged our Valentine's Day greetings. Now we can all go out and make snow angels, or not!

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.

Yeah! The Women Won - Finally!

Over the past year, my aunt, uncle, Dad, and I have played a series of cribbage games. Although we women win a game on occasion, the men have always won the series.

Well, yesterday the women won!

We were invited over for lunch, which was delicious. A pleasant surprise? The meatloaf was made of venison.

Then Dad and I headed for home, taking the long way around through the countryside where Dad was raised. We did a drive-by through the cemetery to check on Mom's flowers. We decided to get a fresh hanging basket although winter will arrive all too soon.

All in all, a beautiful Friday heading into the Labor Day weekend. Country drives have long been a family favorite, and this drive did not disappoint.

Best of all? The women prevailed at cribbage - this time.

Do you ever take long drives through the countryside? What is your favorite location?

Michigan's Autopalooza August

In following the links from yesterday's article regarding Fall Foliage, I came across the www.Michigan.org link and found the Pure Michigan Official Travel and Tourism site.

The month of August is Autopalooza August in honor of 2008:Year of the Car. Michigan is celebrating the centennial of General Motors and the Motor T with a summer long auto-tourism festival in SE Michigan.

If you click on Autopalooza August then go to Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, you will find a fantastic slide show of race cars and Belle Isle. This year, the Grand Prix is August 29-31.

I'm having trouble linking everything for this site, but if you are interested at all in racing or other sites around Michigan, do check out the http://www.michigan.org site.

The views of Belle Isle from the air are exquisite.

What is happening in your area of the country? As summer ends and fall begins, will you visit any festivals, fairs, or fall color tours?

Confessions of a Newbie Blogger

I'm not sure why the headline picture is so huge, but there it is!!! Definite learning curve going on here. I'll try to shrink it if possible. If not, I may have to go to a different picture. If anyone has any information or suggestions, please let me know.

My sister, Susie, takes wonderful pictures. A couple more are on ElderCareCafe. I haven't asked her permission to use them, but at least we can enjoy them until she figures it out. I'm trying to get her to market her pictures. I think she could have quite a sideline business.

Thanksgiving weekend 2004, she and I flew out to Las Vegas on a cardboard airplane during turbulent weather. While I was in panic-mode, she was alternately sleeping and taking pictures of the ground below. Fortunately, she got some wonderful pictures. Hopefully, she will allow me to show some of them on this blog. If she says no, I might occasionally slip one in here anyway.

Hey, what are sisters for.