Christmas Cruise

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Signed up for a Carnival Cruise as a get away from 10 months on the road. Left from Port Canaveral, Florida, which is much easier than Miami. With Miami really need to know Spanish to get around.

Port Canaveral

Was 5 days of fun filled cruising, but let’s start by checking out the ship. The Carnival Elation is a 23 year old vessel, however, well maintained. Staff is from over 50 nations, and as with all lines staff are English speaking and accommodating. Some ship pics..

Shuffleboard
Pool
Casino
Retail
Photos are taken constantly
Much fun for kids of all ages
The Twister – even 65 year old me enjoyed this one!

Food was amazing and plentiful. Plan to pack on at least 5 pounds, but what surprised me on this cruise was folks getting into the Christmas spirit with decorated cabin doors…

And an ugly sweater contest – what fun and even the young’ins partake. Many families are on the cruise, cheaper than babysitters, and the kids seem to enjoy…

Every night on the ship was entertainment by an amazing troupe of dancers and singers. They also serenaded in Christmas music and dance. What a festive time and even the Captain got involved….

Happy Holidays

Tomorrow: More Fun

We’re Nuts

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One final mention from this trek.. If you are ever on I-75 and see this sign – STOP. They have the most delicious assortment of chocolate covered nuts, condiments, ice cream, and you can pick fruit at their persimmon grove. Many samples are available so bring your sweet tooth, and forget about the calories.

And they have a web site – check them out. Great Christmas gifts..

Caveat: No compensation received for this blog.

End of the Journey 2021

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While motoring through Kansas came across a sign for the birthplace of Bob Dole. He died this week at 98. Would have stopped if I had the energy or time. Never voted for the man, but, know he did much for military folks, and they are so deserving.

Also, along the way was this museum,

must be something in the Kansas water to create great military men.

Saw a sign for Cathedral of the Plains, so stopped to say a prayer. Had to thank the Lord for the nice weather.

Interesting to see a Catholic church in this area of the country. This Capuchin-Franciscan Church was erected in the early 1900’s by German and Russian Catholics. It is one of the largest limestone buildings on the Great Plains. The faithful hand carved and created much of the church interior.

It is on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.

And a shout out to St. Mary’s, another beautiful church down the road.. Gosh, they have many Kansas Catholics, who knew??

One last stop off.. the Czech Capital of Kansas. Here immigrants found a new land. In the 1870’s Czech’s began to arrive in this part of the country. They built huts to live in due to the lack of wood. Later they made bricks from sod or used limestone. Much of downtown remains from this era.

The original railroad station, now a hotel.

And the world’s largest hand painted Czech egg resides here.

Only in Kansas!

The Journey Back

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Started the trek to Florida after the fun Park City visit. Took I-15 traveling through Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri… Did I miss a state?? God must have been smiling on me as the weather was idyllic, and yes I know it’s climate change, but considering what this journey could have held…

Some pictures of Utah and Colorado mountain beauties..

And I finally got some Mid-Western custard at Freddy’s along the way. Freddy is famous in this area of the country. What an American story. Only wish his custard didn’t have so many calories..

Through Kansas this is an interesting site, small oil rigs in the farmlands.

An oil refinery in the making, and amongst the dirty energy, wind turbines are seen.

Go figure, but this is America.

Park City, Utah

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What a unique town… let’s take a look

Park City was discovered in 1868 when folks traversed the mountains from Salt Lake City in an effort to find silver. Later it became a mining town and in 1963 the ski industry took root and, henceforth, it has been a resort town.

It is one of the few non-Mormon towns in Utah.

Tribute to the Miner

One of the Sundance Theaters in Park City

Close-up of that great Art Deco ticket booth

And check out the Banksy artwork in the alleyway next to the theater..

What a fun town, but the night isn’t over – dining at the No Name is next..

Sundance

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My daughter has worked at the Sundance Film Festival for 4 years. Here she met the love of her life, thank you Robert Redford. While Robert Redford has sold the venue, and is no longer involved as the owner, the film festival still pays homage to the great actor.

This year the festival dates are January 20th – January 30th.

Driving to Sundance is a beautiful trek through the mountains.

Then you arrive at the venue.

As many as 100,000 will visit the Festival, which has multiple sites in the area with attendees transported via bus. Some pictures of the Sundance site.

Theater
Building which also doubles as a wedding venue – and what a view.
Glassblowing is done on site as are other crafts.
One of several buildings for creatives to work in. Sundance has summer programs for rising young filmmakers.

In the main building is a hall with pictures of many important actors, dancers, and directors – recognize anyone??

The building also houses a restaurant and take out area..

Gift Shop

T shirt anyone?

Next: Park City

The Zephyr Return 2021

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Returned to Salt Lake City via the Amtrak Zephyr. Having taken that train from Denver to San Francisco, wanted to experience the trip in reverse. There is something inspiring about this train ride through the Rockies, and if you have the chance, take it.

Was concerned how to get to the Emeryville Amtrak station from San Francisco, however, Amtrak had it covered with a free bus on Mission and 55th in San Francisco. And while there enjoy the art near the stop.

Drive to Emeryville was quick with attractive bay views. The train station was organized and clean with friendly Amtrak staff.

Emeryville Train Station
Good sized waiting room with
vending machines and
small canteen, but have cash and if not
Subway is across the street.

There was a short wait due to a track accident, however, there was much station activity with the 100 plus line of trains picking up the slack in light of the truck driver shortage.

And if you need bike storage, it’s available.

The Trip in pictures

The California Foothills

California Wetlands – roads suspended over the water

Apple Trees abound

as do the mountains,

and lakes.

Then evening arrives and what a wonderful way to end a beautiful journey..

Thanks, Amtrak.

San Francisco: Sonoma State Historic Park

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In this State Park the Toscano Hotel was built in the 1850’s. Beside the hotel was a store and library. Lodgings with 3 meals were $1 per day in 1906. Local workers stayed in this area hoping to return to their homelands, however many stayed and created lives in Sonoma.*

The hotel lobby
Area at the end of the lobby where patrons could enjoy cards and spirits.
Boarding House adjacent to the hotel

Also in this complex is a military encampment created in 1834 to protect the territory. The Sonoma Barracks housed Mexicans serving 10 year Army enlistments. They provided a buffer to Russian expansion.

California has so much history. What a delight to have found these places.

Wish I could attend the December 11th tour.

*Much of the information is paraphrased from California State Park information.

San Francisco: Sonoma

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The tour allowed 2 hours for lunch, however, when the bus passed Mission San Francisco Solano on the way to the parking lot knew lunch was not an option. One can always eat lunch, but to learn more of history outweighs hunger and the Mission did not disappoint. In speaking with the state park staff was told of a historic home within walking distance, but first the Mission.

This Mission was established July 4, 1823, under Mexican rule, and the last built in California. It was prosperous, having 900 Indian workers in residence and its 10,000 acres became a building complex. The Chapel was built in 1841 by General Mariano Vallejo, a Mexican General who started his career in service to Spain.

Vallejo was a proponent of California being annexed to the United States. Upon his retirement he continued to live in the area supporting this cause and was a keen businessman having cattle and farming interests. His home was not far from the Mission property.

Living Room was…
..also a music room. The General encouraged his children to play instruments.
Living Room Fireplace
Children’s Room and..
their toys.
The Dining Room
General’s Bedroom

The General and his family lived in this home circa 1850. Some of the outbuildings on the estate.

The Kitchen outside of the home. This ensured that if fire occurred the home would be secure.
The General’s son lived in this small cabin with 14 dogs, 2 monkeys,a parrot, 3 cats, guns, and fishing equipment.
This was the General’s storage area.
View from the son’s home

What a find in the General’s storage area. This coach was the General’s personal coach and was ordered from France in 1850. The General handled the coach with a team of horses. There also was a footman for the carriage.

Some of General Vallejo’s accomplishments:

  • Member of California’s first state Constitutional Convention
  • Served in California’s first legislature as a state senator
  • Treasurer of California Horticultural Board
  • Wrote a 5 volume history of California
  • Established a 500 acre farm for his family.