Punalu’u to Montreal

It’s about to snow in Montreal.   Which is a bit of a shock after spending last week in Hawaii where the precipitation was made up of big fat slow rain drops in 75 degree weather.   I landed here in Montreal yesterday, about 36 hours after leaving Kona/Kailua Airport.   I spent 6 hours in my bed.  [...]

Road Trip to Utica

“Utica?  Why Utica?” That’s pretty much the reaction I got when I told people we were stopping in Utica on our circumnavigation of Lake Ontario.  Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Rochester … those they got.  But Uttica?   Frankly, I chose it because it was the first major town at the end of the winding roads through the [...]

On our way to Niagara Falls

Lake Ontario is huge. Did I say huge?  I meant ginormous. Mike and I left Rochester Saturday morning for a drive along the south-west side of Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls.  We drove the scenic route through Hilton and Greece and along the 18, following the South Shore of the lake.  In the little town [...]

On Being A Minnesotan

I like Minnesota.  St. Paul reminds me of Portland with its river front park, winding tree-lined streets, old homes and quirky neighborhoods bustling with restaurants, shops and art galleries.  And bookstores.  Lots of bookstores.  The vibe is there.  Last night the Twin Cities hosted Northern Spark the first all-night art festival in the United States. Cousin [...]

Vancouver Adventure, Part Two

Food. It’s all about the food.  Dinner the first night is as good as some of us are lucky enough to get when Mike is cooking.  We call in Paint Chow and the food at Sooke Harbour House is done in the same style, the same approach, as Mike takes.  But they have a set [...]