Travel With Sher

September 2016 we embarked on our first river trip. We chose Viking River Cruises and traveled from Amsterdam down the Rhine River to Basal Switzerland.  It is hard to compare Viking River Cruises with other cruise lines, since this is the only river cruise we have taken, but we were very pleased. We met many wonderful people and they related their experiences on Viking compared to some of the other river cruise lines. For the most part, they all preferred Viking for one reason or the other.  Some thought the food was better, some liked the friendliness of the crew, one group liked how accommodating Viking was to each individuals needs.

One recommendation I would make would be to purchase the drink package. We were advised to do this and we were very glad.  This means you have unlimited access to the bar and higher end wines.  If you are careful and watch the emails from Viking they offer free drink packages and free air for ships they are trying to fill.  Once my husband retires I feel we will take advantage of theses offers.  If you watch you can also get 2/1 deals.

Another recommendation is not to worry about a room with a balcony.  There is such a wonderful top deck and places to sit out that we very seldom used our balcony. We were traveling with another couple and 4 of us did not fit on our balcony and although we were side by side there was a privacy wall separating the two balconies.  A Juliet balcony would have been just fine.

Pick and choose your excursions carefully.  There are many included excursions that are very informative and fun.  Many of the ones you pay extra for last your whole day and you lose that chance to explore on your own.

Last but not least when traveling through the locks, which I loved doing, remember that if you are out on the deck you are going to get wet! when you see that wall of water coming get under cover!

Journal entry Sept. 131, 2016:

Charlie (our son-in-law) took John and I to Fredericksburg, VA to the train station. We rook Amtrak to Alexandria, VA and then the metro to Reagan National Airport.  Ate lunch at Legal Seafood, through security and to the gate.  Boarded our plane at 5:30 and arrived at JFK early.  Went to find our gate and then went to the American Airlines Club where we relaxed, ate and had drinks. Down to gate around 9:00 PM. Boarding time in 56 minutes – However that was NOT to be. There was an issue with our plane. They are “working” on it. Time of departure kept getting moved back.  Finally it was announced that they were taking the plane out of service and we had to change gates. They brought out sandwiches, drinks and chips for all.  We are at the new gate-delayed again! More food and drinks are brought out.  By now it is 3 AM. Finally, a new crew has arrived and we boarded the plane. We back out of the gate, but we have to return to the gate to pick up paper work that had been left, The paperwork was needed for some liquid the plane was carrying……….

The sliver lining to all of this was that John and I got upgraded to business class so we had beds to lay down and sleep, Bose headsets champagne, quiche for breakfast and fruit. (They also served dinner at 4:00 AM. but I chose to sleep through that. John had prawns.

More problems when we get to Heathrow with our connecting flight, but that is a story for another time.

In the past two years Fredericksburg VA has been fortunate to have undergone a boom in new restaurants. When we first moved here we would drive to Old Town Alexandria in order to eat at a variety of restaurants. Although we still enjoy Alexandria we no longer need to fight I-95 traffic to enjoy a meal.

William Street especially has seen a lot of growth and now Princess Anne as well. There have also been some new openings on Caroline street. There are also restaurants that have been here for a long time, but they have grown and improved as well. It is fun to go downtown and try the new venues as well as visit the ones that we love. Now and again a restaurant doesn’t make it for one reason or the other.

This past weekend my husband and four friends went to the newly opened FOODE. This is not a new restaurant in town, but it is a new venue. The restaurant is housed in an old bank on Princess Anne street. They have done a remarkable job in restoring the building and there are even tables in the old vault. I have been there for both lunch and dinner and each time have gotten to eat in the vault. (Maybe they didn’t trust me out among the other patrons !?!?!). There is a small bar on the left as you enter as well as a couch and two overstuffed chairs to sit on as you wait. The staff is friendly and efficient. We were seated after a very short wait and waited on immediately. The menu changes daily. It is not a large menu, but there is enough variety to find something that you like. One of my favorites has been the scallop appetizer. The scallops practically melt in your mouth. There is also a little history lesson that goes along with your meal. We were presented with a write -up of the history of the building and its significance in the history of Fredericksburg. Very interesting. I would highly recommend FOODE to those of you not familiar with their wonderful dishes.

Check out all of the restaurants in town. You are sure to find a favorite or two or three or even four. Some are better for breakfast, some for lunch, others are better for a drink and an appetizer. There are restaurants with a view, restaurants with outdoor seating, Italian, French, Vegetarian, Seafood, Farm to Table. There are restaurants in historic buildings and some new construction. If you cannot find a place to eat, you either aren’t really hungry or you didn’t look very hard. When you have finished eating take a walk around town. There is a lot to see and do in our little town.

Journal Entry June 23, 2013 Oak Island NC

Back to house and ready for dinner at 5:00 at the Fish House at Blue Water Marina. Best meals yet! Liza-lump crab, Charlie-sweet and sour shrimp, John-Frogmore stew (crawdads, shrimp, potatoes, sausage, corn)-wouldn’t order again. Drew-grouper Oscar, Sherry-shrimp and scallop marinara, Mark and Chip-king mackerel, Cris-steak and shrimp stroganoff, I had mahi-mahi and scallops.

*When we got to the point ambulances and firetrucks appeared. They were wheeling a man down out of the 2nd floor motel doing CPR.

Gregg did not go with us to eat. Instead he ordered pizza and got the wrong one. Then the pizza girl (a different one) came and gave him another pizza. As he was walking to the kitchen to put his pizza away he kicked something. It was the sapphire that Sherry had lost from her ring earlier in the day!

All sat on the deck and drank, listened to music, got splinters in our feet. Oh wait, only Cris got a splinter. It took 1 Martin and 2 Sepiks to remove it! Off to bed at 11:30.

An important tip for flying is to let the gate attendant know who you are, in a nice way, and that you appreciate their help. This is, of course, if you are trying to change your seat, looking for an upgrade, etc. Do not approach the attendant in a threatening manner or blame them for flight delays. This is not their fault. It is also not their fault that the airport has incorrectly listed a flight as “on time” when it has indeed been delayed. If you tell them nicely, they will call someone and have the flight status updated.

Journal entry January 2, 2016

Up at 7:00. Last day on the island (Curacao). Down to the beach and met up with Laura and James. Said our good-byes.

Up to room and ready to go to the airport. Got to airport in plenty of time. went to the lounge.  Out to get ready to board the plane DELAYED! Finally got on board. We had been upgraded to 1st class. Good dinner on the plane. I had filet and lobster, salad and mac and cheese. John had cheese cannelloni. Arrived in Miami and had to RUN to our plane after going through customs. Get to gate only to find out this flight IS DELAYED….. John went to the desk and asked for an upgrade  and went to the bathroom. Of course, our name is called. I have all of our luggage and am trying to  get to the desk. A very nice lady helped me get there. Only one upgrade was available. I declined it and thanked him, and explained my husband and I  wanted to stay together. I stayed up by the desk and sympathized with the gate attendant. He was quite overwhelmed and kept apologizing to everyone for the delays. (People were not nice and were very cranky). Apparently the crew was delayed from another flight. They finally arrived. I wanted to clap, but didn’t. We finally boarded. John and I were in the bulkhead at least and were consoling ourselves that that was close to first class, had more leg room etc. Two twenty something boys came on and said, “Excuse us, but WE are in seats 7B and 7C”. Just when we were about to protest they smiled and said, “You’ve been upgraded to first class!” I jumped up and said “All right then!” and off we went to first class. Just before they closed the door the gate attendant came on with the manifest, smiled at John and I and said, “How do you like those seats?” My reply “Love them and thank you. Hope your tomorrow is better!” I got a thumbs up and another smile.

Every  summer we head for the shores of North Carolina for a two week stay in an ocean front rental. We have been in several rentals over the years and one thing we have learned is that no matter how nice the rental there are just certain things that they don’t have and you need. A few years ago we began assembling a vacation box. It is a large green plastic tote box from Lowes. Here are some of the things that are in our box:

• Sharp kitchen knives. No matter where we have stayed the knives are always dull.
• A small cutting board. We just really like to have our own since there are many things that can be cut on a cutting board.
• A screw driver.
• A pair of scissors.
• An extension cord.
• Band aides
• Dish towels. There are never enough.
• A deck of cards.
• Note paper for keeping score when playing cards and to make grocery lists.
• A small tray to carry drinks to the beach.
• Plastic cups. A lot of the houses we have stayed in have glasses made of glass and plastic is just easier for the beach.
• A nice frying pan with a lid. Often the frying pans are “well used” and they tend to burn things.
• Storage containers with lids. We just use the Glad ones.
• Skewers for kabobs.
• Small clock radio. There usually is one in each bedroom but often they do not work.
• A hand operated can opener.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Our box also has an assortment of things that are left over from the previous year such as garbage bags, aluminum foil, paper plates, napkins, and anything that is left such as salt, pepper etc. that we do not want to throw away.  We did have a rolling pin, but found that an empty wine bottle works just as well. Besides being practical it is fun to check out the box each year and see what is in there.

Journal entry Saturday May 25, 2013 a continuation:

If you recall my last post detailed a trip to Ocracoke Island where I fell asleep and thought I had slept all night when in reality it was 6 PM not 6AM as I thought.

*While I was napping Liza and Charlie had an adventure of their own. Liza: We went in search of a shirt for Gregg. The shops was closed. On the walk I needed to use the bathroom. We stopped at Creekside to use their bathroom. Since they are for patrons only, we had to buy a drink. The bartender was a former lawyer from Baltimore. He and his girlfriend had stopped in Fredericksburg on their way here. We talked and laughed with them and the other patron, and HV/AC guy form Berryville for quite a while. It was funny. Also, they were out of white wine so they served me sparkling wine in a large bowl shaped glass, filled to the top, and only charged me $2.00.

May 26, 2013: Up and out to run and walk at 7:45. It would have been earlier, but Liza’s wallet is missing. A search began and it has not been found. Was it lost during yesterday’s adventure? Liza and Charlie stopped at some of the places they had been the previous day to look for it. No luck. We went our for lunch and continued the wallet search. Still no luck. When we got back to the house we sat around and relaxed. Liza and Charlie were sitting in the sun when Charlie’s phone rang. I took it outside to him. It was the sheriff’s office. Someone returned Liza’s wallet and deputies are on their way to return it. I see a cruiser coming by slowly and I yelled. “Wallet-wallet-wallet!” It was returned with everything still in it.

On Tuesday March 29, 2016 my husband John and I headed for the Northern Neck of Virginia to the Tides Inn Resort in Irvington, VA. I had read the reviews, both good and bad, and was anxious to see what our thoughts would be. Among the many comments were: beautiful setting, friendly and  helpful staff, musty rooms, outdated, would return, would never return etc. etc. etc.

We arrived at the Inn at 2:53 and were greeted by the door man who was extremely friendly and helpful. He explained where check in was, where to park, helped with our bags etc. We checked in and were given the keys to our room. The gal that checked us in had just started and this was her second day. She was very nervous, but very friendly. Off we went to our room, or so we thought. We could not find our room. There did not seem to be a room with our number in the building. A man that worked at the marina at the Inn happened by and asked us if we needed help. We explained we could not find our room. He immediately took over and assured us he would help us find it. He went to the desk, then came back, took our bag and helped us to our room. Our room was actually in the adjoining building. (I am sure that if the person that checked us in had not been new this would have been explained to us. I also feel pretty sure that this was later explained to her as well). We entered our room and there was the musty smell that had been in one of the negative posts.  John and I just looked at each other and I went over and opened the sliding glass door that looked over the marina with a gorgeous view! We left the door open, there was a screen, and within a few minutes the musty smell was gone. Our room was very nice, the bathroom appeared to have been recently updated and the balcony with the view was great to sit out on and read, look at the water etc.

The food at the resort was  wonderful. The oysters were great and I don’t even like oysters. We later learned that the oysters that are harvested locally are less briny than ones closer to the bay and therefore sweeter. I loved them…… The drink of the Inn is a Lancaster Lemonade. It was warm enough that we were able to sit out on the veranda and have our drinks and watch the water. We liked the personal touch in the dining room where your server knew you by name and made you feel special.  (Some people complained in reviews I read about the price of the food. There are options off premise that have lower prices and are easy to get to if you want. We walked to a little place called Local Call each morning for breakfast. It was not pricey and was very good, plus it helped us get part of our daily walk in.)

There is a resort fee, but it is well worth it. You do not pay extras on top of the resort fee for things such as paddle boards, bikes etc. like at some places we have stayed. Though it was too cold to use the paddle boards the protected cove would be a perfect place to use them. The pool was also closed, but it appeared to be very nice with lots of seating both at the pool and down near the beach. There was a par 3 golf course, which my husband and I had fun playing, a Frisbee golf course, volley ball nets, tennis courts, croquet on the front lawn, lots of bikes to borrow, nightly s’mores on the deck and milk and cookies at 9:30. (All included in the resort fee). There were also activities you could sign up for such as guided walks, guided bike rides and many activities for kids. There is also a spa that we did not have time to take advantage of.

Considering we were there during off season we found many things to do both in and around the Inn. We played golf, sat on our balcony and read,  walked around the town daily, rode bikes to the Dog and Oyster winery that is maybe a mile from the Inn. We drove to some nearby towns, sampled local cuisine, shopped etc. All in all we had a wonderful, relaxing time.

I would say the Tide IS IN for the Tides Inn. Are there things that need updated? Sure, but it appeared that there is constant work being done on the grounds and to the buildings. Would we go back? Yes, we would like to go back during the fall when the water is warm and we could take advantage of the water sports, cruises, etc.

The only true negatives that I have for the Tides Inn: the rooms  do have a musty smell at first, but also they just opened for the season. The Wi-Fi is spotty, but I am not sure how good it is anywhere in Irvington.

Journal entry Friday April 1, 2016:
Up and out to walk before the rain. We decided not to stop for breakfast because of the rumble of thunder in the distance. Heading back to the Inn John said, “I think this will be like when we are at the shore. Thunder rumbles all around you, but it never rains….” Three minutes later it is POURING!

“I guess you were right John, this IS just like the shore when you con Liza into walking down the beach because “It is only raining inland” and you come back soaked, your beverage glasses full of rain water and you both comment that the rain was so hard it hurt when it hit you”

Back to the Inn, shower, and pack to head home.

I often hear that Avon, NC is not an “exciting” vacation spot. There just isn’t enough to do.  First of all, there is a very large ocean…… and since the island is so narrow if the ocean is too rough it is just steps to the bay.  People surf, kiteboard, wind sail, boogie board, swim and fish.  Others sit in the sun, read a good book and souvenir shop. There is a famous lighthouse to climb as well as many wonderful restaurants to eat at.  That being said, the Avon pier is one of my personal favorite spots. When the kids were younger we would always take one evening to go out on the pier and fish.  There are many interesting sights and sounds when you are out on the pier at night. When I say we, I am referring to our friend Mark and me.  John and Mark’s wife Sherry were not interested in the pier so Mark and I took the kids. We had many wonderful adventures.

Journal entry Tuesday July 28, 1998

After a dinner at Barfoot Pub Sherry and John went back to the house. Mark, Drew, Liza, Gregg and I went to the pier to go fishing. This was when the excitement began…..

As we entered the pier a large bang and crashing was heard. I turned to see Mark standing in the middle of ice and bait. He had dropped the cooler!  Of course we all became hysterical with laughter.  Steve, a kindly pier man, went and got a mop.  Mark, being the helpful soul that he is and feeling responsible for the mess, helped Steve in the door with the mop and bucket.

“Here Steve, I’ll mop,” said Mark as he grabbed the mop and whacked the drop ceiling knocking the panels askew.

As Mark mopped I swept ice out the door. Drew and Liza pretended they were looking at postcards and Gregg put a “slippery when wet” or “caution wet floor” sign up. We then went to pay for our fishing on the pier. I had a hard time convincing the pier people that I didn’t know Mark and that I was just there with my son and daughter. When we finally got out on the pier and set up to fish we asked Mark what happened.

“I slipped on the floor. The caution when wet sign was up and they must have just mopped the floor. I think it was still wet and I slipped,” Mark stated.

Gregg said, “I put that sign up after you spilled the cooler”.

Mark “Oh.”

More hysterical laughter……..

We never did find out what caused Mark to drop the bait and the cooler.  We didn’t catch a thing that night. In fact, we didn’t even have a bite. However, we have a memory that we will never forget. In fact, it is brought up many times when we talk about some of our favorite vacation memories.

Let me begin today’s blog with a journal entry….

January 18, 2010

Up, breakfast and a quick trip to Mount Gay Distillery. Nice tour of distillery, bought many souvenirs, and saw a monkey. Back to hotel to pack for home. Down to lunch for our last meal at the Beach Bar. Back to rooms, pack and off to the airport.

We arrive at the airport and our plane is on time. We start through security. My bag is pulled and I am asked if I have a cork screw in my bag. I turn to John and ask, “Did you put a cork screw in my bag?” He says he did so we look for it and cannot find it. Eventually I am instructed to take everything out of my suitcase. Clothing, dirty underwear and all are placed in a plastic bin and sent through-nothing. My suitcase is sent through empty-nothing. (This is taking a really long time and I am getting angry. Liza and Charlie walk away like they don’t know us.)

I ask the agent, “Are you sure it was my bag that you saw a cork screw in?” The guy answered that mine was the only suitcase that had gone through. To this I replied, “His went through right after mine”, and I pointed to John. Sure enough, there it was in John’s bag. Argggg!  John laughed, I did not…..

Ebag packing cubes are a wonderful packing tool. Had I had them back in 2010 it would have saved a lot of time and headache. I found eBags when I was doing some online Christmas shopping in November. An add popped up and I decided to look at it. There is a little video that showed how you could pack your clothes in the bags and it made your suitcase neater and packing more efficient. They were having a Christmas special and also free shipping. I never pass up free shipping so I ordered a set for John since he travels so much for work. Also, we were going to Curacao the day after Christmas and I thought they might be nice to have. They aren’t just nice, they are great! If I had just had them back in 2010 each separate bag could have been put through the x-ray and there would not have been dirty clothes all over the place! Plus it would have taken way less time.

When we got home I ordered myself a set and our daughter Liza a set for her birthday. Liza admitted she was a bit skeptical of them at first, but she now loves them. Check them out at ebags.com.  Let me know what you think.

Please like and share.

Every year we (my  husband, daughter, son-in-law, and I) take a weekend trip over Memorial Day. We usually travel to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but last year we decided to stay a little closer to home. We like to take our dogs so I began to search for dog friendly vacation ideas. I stumbled upon a website “SleepAfloat” rooms that rock. You stay in a houseboat that is docked at a marina. We chose one in Baltimore, Maryland at the Chester Cove Marina. This is in Fell’s Point historical district. We rented one called Scorpius which had two bedrooms, a bath with great water pressure in the shower, a kitchen and living area. It was dog friendly so we were all set. The top of the houseboat was a large deck with furniture and an umbrella in case it got too sunny. Linens were furnished and there was maid service upon your departure. We would highly recommend this as a great weekend getaway. It was clean, the boat was in walking distance of great restaurants and the Inner Harbor, and there was a walking/ running path that ran along the bay. The only drawback was the water in the bay. It was pretty dirty around the marina. We all agreed that it was a place we would all like to go back to and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys being around the water.

Journal entry Saturday May 23, 2015: After walking through the Inner Harbor we decided to walk back to the houseboat via Little Italy. We stopped for a drink. The waitress was an older woman with ruby red lips and lots of rouge. We ordered a glass of wine and we received generous pours. As the work force came in and out they would go behind the bar and pour themselves drinks. They had wine, beer, coffee with Bailey’s.  (We were the only patrons in the bar area at the time). Evidently there was a meeting upstairs that they were all to attend. Our waitress/bar tender filled our glasses to the top and said that she would be back. Two guys came in and sat at the bar (after going behind the bar and getting drinks). They were talking to each other and the one said, “Hey, thought there was to be a meeting, but no one is here”. We said nothing……We wait and we wait. My son-in law said, “I read a book once that started off like this.  It didn’t end well!” After waiting a good deal longer (my husband fell asleep) a woman said she would go get “Helen” for us. Helen came back and she wished we had sent for her sooner. “No one wanted to be at that meeting!”

Then we tried to pay……Helen took my husband’s money and came back. No change for $100 bill.  He then gave her two $20’s. Back she came. No change for a $20. At this point my daughter and I left and went outside. We say the tow guys that couldn’t find the meeting coming out of a row house three doors up still looking confused. A gentleman and his family covered in “color” from the color race that had evidently just ended stopped and told us where he takes people to eat in Little Italy when he has visitors and he told us what to order. (All unsolicited advise). Finally, my husband and son-in-law emerged from the restaurant. They had to pay with a credit card….