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Category: Favorite places

MY FAVORITE MEALS IN 2025

“I believe in the quote…Life’s a Feast, Enjoy Every Bit.” My 2025 birthday dinner was simple but very special” with a little salad, a great pizza…a superb wine! Please be my quest as I share some of my favorite meals in…

WE LOVED THE “HOTEL DE LA CITE” IN THE ANCIENT FORTIFIED CITY OF CARCASSONNE! WINSTON CHURCHILL, WALT DISNEY, AND GRACE KELLY LOVED IT AS WELL!

I drew pictures of castles as a small boy and visiting the ancient fortified city of Carcassonne on a bike tour in 2013 was very special. I knew Marla would be intrigued as well. I booked Hotel de la Cite for our visit this year. At the time I was…

A FAVORITE REDWOOD PARK STEEPED IN MY FAMILIES HISTORY

My parents began taking me to the Samuel P. Taylor State Park when I was a small boy. The whole family had a great love of redwood trees. Marla and I went with our kids and their kids many times as well. Marla and I, along with our friend Lea…

AN AMAZING EXCURSION ON THE BELMOND EASTERN & ORIENT EXPRESS THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF MALAYSIA

Having a 3-night Belmond train excursion as a component of our AHI “Treasures of Southeast Asia” trip was a giant bonus and something I always wanted to do! Of course I was a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.&#8221…

A RETURN TO OUR ENCHANTED ISLAND

Our last trip to the Island of Guernsey was in 2022. We took our grandson Paxton on that trip, his first since he was a little over a year old. I’ve posted in the past about My sister Patty marrying her pen pal and moving to Guernsey. It…

BEAUTIFUL PRAGUE…”A NEW SENSATION”

Marla and I visited Prague in 2006 and we were overdue for a return visit. The trip coordinated perfectly with a river cruise scheduled on the Danube a few days later. Prague is a gorgeous, unique city full of fascinating history. The photo was taken at the Lennon Wall which…

WONDERFUL BAY AREA STROLLS…REDWOOD PARK, FOSSIL RIDGE, AND LANDS END.

Spring in the Bay Area is often beautiful with really pleasant weather and foothills filled with wild flowers. We rented an AIRBNB near Alamo with our good college friend, Lea, and explored the wonderful areas nearby. We stocked up for our picnic at the amazing Diablo Foods in nearby Lafayette…

MY FAVORITE PLACES ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA

 “The French Riviera is a place where the combination of sea, sun, and the simple pleasures of life never fail to inspire.” – Brigitte Bardot British and Russian aristocrats started arriving on the Cote d’Azur in the 19th century. Its’ fame began not as a…

MAGICAL MOMENTS…FAVORITE DINING EXPERIENCES FOR MARLA AND DICK

There is a certain “je ne sais quoi” for dining experiences which stay in your memory bank year after year. These often magical moments are much more than the creative craft in the kitchen. It could be an important celebration, the unique aesthetic ambiance of the restaurant&#8217…

A WONDERFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRIP WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND VISITS TO OUR FAVORITE PLACES.

Southern California has been a big part of our family culture for many years. As a child Marla often stayed in Laguna Beach with her family. We did the same when our girls were young. We came often, especially after we built a warehouse for our business in Irvine over…