Van Buren State Park

Mike and I went camping in Michigan but before we left I got a call from Ellen and they said they could join us for a few days at Van Buren State Park in South Haven Michigan. We were so excited that they could come.
After setting up camp we were able to take a small hike to the beach with the dogs.
On Saturday Ellen and I went into town did a little shopping had a really good Rosemary Paloma Margareta yuummy! Then on to find perch.
Off to the beach with the dogs and snacks.
Poor Deke got stung by a bee or a wasp not sure but the little guy was so scared and hurt. I of course flipped out. When Jim would try to look at his paw he would cry and not let him touch it. But the good news Deke just kept licking it and fixed it himself. He was fine by the time we left.
Back at camp Ellen made us perch, Mike made baby back ribs and I made Dad's beans. Wow was everything good.
Mike and I were leaving on Sunday so time to say happy travels to Jim & Ellen.
It may have only been two nights but it was a great time with great friends.
Love you guy's! Where it the next trip!

Visit to the East.

Mike and I went to visit Marissa. It is always a good time to see her and Charlie. Mike stayed for just the weekend then he went home. I stayed and also got to go see my friend Joan.

I stayed with them a couple of nights, then Joe took Joan and I into New York. First of all I am not happy with myself for not taking more pictures. ( What was I thinking).

Joan and I started out at Eataly. It is amazing!! They have everything you can think of from Wine to Meat, Seafood, Fresh Produce, Fresh & Dry Past, ect. You can Shop & Eat! Joan and I had an amazing lunch, we started with roasted beets, roasted onions, olives, and mushrooms.

Then we had pizza, It had fresh ricotta with parma ham, center was arugula & prosciutto, and the other end had creamy mozzarella with sweet San Marzano tomatoes. And of course a nice glass of wine. It was sooooooo good.

I could have spent half a day maybe all day shop a little and eat some more.

Our dinner that night we went to Carnegie deli. I did not take a picture but we split a corned beef on rye. They are so big!

Joe came in the next morning to pick Joan up. I always laugh and enjoy our time together. Thanks guys for the hospitality and being such great friends! Love you guys.

I spent Friday in the big city walking around wasting time till Marissa came to meet me. I had a nice lunch then went back to the hotel and took a little nap.

When Marissa arrived we shopped a little then went back and got ready for dinner.

Now this is where I get really mad at myself! We went to Sushi Samba and the food is so good but the presentation is really pretty. We ordered Mochi for dessert, it is Japanese cake filled with ice cream. To my surprise Marissa told them it was my birthday so they had a candle in a raspberry for me. The lady next to us said we have to sing Happy Birthday and of course I did not miss out on that. Thank you Marissa it was so fun.

Saturday we went out for brunch at Alice's Tea Cup again another great meal. Then walked around shopped a little more then headed back to the hotel.

We had early dinner reservations tonight at Balthazar's Marissa favorite! She loves the Steak Tartare. It is really good. Not a surprise it was another great dinner.

Looking at my trip I think I must of ate my way threw the city.

Sunday came and time to go back to Marissa's. We stopped at Vita Mia of course to pick up rice balls, and Joe and Joan's for some things I did not take into the city. We also went to Ikea on the way.

Monday morning came and time for me to head home.
I love my time with Marissa, we may not be able to see each other as much as we want but the time we do spend is priceless!
I love you to the moon and back.

Virginia

On Monday we went for another drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a different directions. I could put lots of pictures that would not show just how beautiful it is. The Parkway is a two lane road with views on both sides. You drive for miles and never pass another car. If one is going to ever go on a road trip this would be one not to miss.
Our camp at Goose Point was great, with so little time to see things we could have just stayed at camp and enjoyed it and the weather. Maybe next time.
Tuesday came and time to pack up to head home. When we got into Ohio, they had rain for three days lots of flooding in the lakes and creeks. Hit a bad storm that I am not sure how Mike drove, I could not see a thing. Thank goodness it only lasted about a half hour but at the time seemed for ever. Somehow we lost two hubcaps off the silver slipper.
When we got to Salt Fork State Park we were not sure what it would be like because of all the rain. As it turned out the site we reserved was pretty wet and muddy. But the good news very few campers. As we looked around for a new site came upon one area with no campers. We took it. Felt like our on campground.
The weather cleared enough to take the dogs for a walk but not enough to see much. Had the weather been better we would have stayed another night. Had another bad storm.
We would come back to this park another time.
Even with rain, storms loss of hubcaps it was a great trip!

Picnic area at camp

Amphitheater with Ranger Mike

Nosy Maggie

Monday

Boy time fly's I can't believe it is Monday already.
Yesterday we had to dump (fun, but important thing to do) since we had to go we decided to move to another camp spot just a few rows down, has more sun still great view.
Got a late start but drove some of the blue ridge parkway. It is really pretty. The dogwoods and red buds are really in bloom and everything is so green. Had lots of sun and was warm.
Came back and made a new dessert for dinner Dark chocolate cake baked in a hollowed out orange on the grill. Yummy.
Today we are going to go a different direction on the Parkway it looks like the weather is going to be nice again.
It is also Deke's birthday it was one year ago we rescued him.
I am looking out my window at the water, blue ridge mountains and a beautiful dogwood and this is what camping is about for us the simple things that can make you just take the time to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature around you.

Virginia

Its Saturday and raining like crazy!
Yesterday we went for a drive and stopped at another State Park then came back and took the dogs on a walk. Really no hiking but they have a sidewalk lined with lights so you can walk down at night to the amphitheater. Everywhere you look is woods and water. It would be a great place to bring your boat. Mike and Maggie are becoming quite the nosy campers having to see what everyone is doing.
The rain is suppose to let up later tonight if not we will need a ark.
Kinda nice Mike is reading, Deke and Maggie just relaxing and I doing my blog.
All's good in the silver slipper.

First trip of 2011

Our first trip of 2011!

We left on Wednesday for Virginia. First stop was at a private campground that sucked! But the good news we just drove in spent the night and drove out first thing.
Had a good drive to our destination Goose Point Federal Park. It is sooooo beautiful. We are right on the water and looking at the blue ridge mountains.
Now for the bad news, I forgot my cord to down load my pictures. That being said I will have to put pictures on when I get home. If by some chance we find a place to buy a new one we will.

Take my word this is beautiful here.

Mom's 80th Birthday

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. What a long winter.
My mom's birthday is in March and she turned 80! I wanted to do something special with her. She was in Florida and I came up with the idea to pick her up and go on a road trip. Looking at different options I came up with her picking me up at the airport and we would drive to Savannah GA, then go on to Pennsylvania so she could see Marissa.
The drive was pretty from Clearwater to Savannah stopped along the way for fresh OJ.
We stayed at a hotel called Avia and really liked it. I had read of a restaurant called the Pirates House, that is in the oldest home in Savannah. Went down and our bellman Lester suggested we take a Pedi ride to it. I think that was mom's favorite part of Savannah. No pictures of the food it was not great, service was just as bad. But hey it's the Pirates House arrrrrrr. We walked back to the hotel and had a glass of Champagne.
Next day we started out with a great breakfast of grits, my first. Hey we are in the south and they were good. Walked around alittle then we took a carriage ride, it was a nice way to get a little history of Savannah.
Now for the best part for me lunch. Went to the Olde Pink House that was on Food Networks My Favorite Things. We had a BLT fried green tomato salad. It was soooooo good. We also had a chicken BBQ slider with french fries, yum! Our lunch was great.
Later went back to hotel, they have a roof top patio where we had a cocktails.
For dinner that night we went to Garibaldi Cafe, more fried green tomato's only they had a red sauce with basil. Good but not like lunch.
Savannah is so cool. We were in the historic district and lucky enough so see Azaleas in full bloom.
Next morning we headed for PA. Drove further then we thought but just made Friday's drive shorter.
Got into PA in time to have lunch with Marissa.
Mom and I looked around some then checked into a bed and breakfast that is very nice.
Marissa picked us up later and we went out to dinner with her and Tish. Then on to play domino's. Saturday was really nice we had the whole day with Marissa. Sunday came too fast and time to head home.
I am so happy to be able to have had this time with my mom. I love you and we will have some funny things to laugh about on our first road trip.
Love you Mom Happy 80th Birthday.

Chad our Pedi ride driver

Mom with her Champagne Bottle!

Grits for Breakfast

BLT Fried Green Tomato Salad

Mom trying to hide from me!