Road trip to Detroit July 2013

Meet me in St. Louis - Part 1

I went to St. Louis a couple of times in the 70s when my sister lived there and then once on business and for the 1985 World Series. Other than that, I never really gave much thought to that city. But, a couple of months ago I was chatting with a friend about how much I missed traveling - I never go anywhere except to Dallas and I'm bored with that. There is really nothing exciting about it since I lived there for 30 years. Well, except during baseball season and the Rangers are in town!! Anyway, he said I should start going to Kansas City and St. Louis - big cities with all the things I like including major league baseball. I have been to KC a few times since moving back to Tulsa, but completely ignored STL. So I headed up there for a couple of days a few weeks ago. My great-niece, Andrea, lives there and she acted as tour guide as drove all around the city. She is a very cosmopolitan young lady and LOVE St. Louis. I was really surprised....I thought STL was more cosmopolitan than it is. But, it's not. It's more industrial with a smaller feel to it than Dallas or KC. I guess you would say it is to KC what Ft. Worth is to Dallas......kind of the red-headed step-child.....but hey - nothing wrong with that. Y'all know how I get infatuated with cities and STL is my latest heartthrob. One of the first things I like to do in a new city is to check out the museums and universities. We drove to Forest Park - it is a 1,300 acre public park where the zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, History museum and science museum are located. Dallas friends - think Fair Park only much bigger and more beautiful. There was no time this trip to do anything but drive through, but planning on spending a day at the museum next trip. Next stop - SLU (St. Louis University). This is a private Jesuit school located in the midtown area. It's like Yale - it is not a contained campus, but is interspersed throughout the area so really not much to see and not too impressive. However, I did get to their art museum which was really great. Very small - one entire floor dedicated to Jesuit art. There were some wonderful antique lithographs of the Stations of the Cross. I really like religious art and history....Catholicism in particular, so this was a real treat. I had never heard of the Stations of the Cross until I went to Israel. There was also a modern art floor - not usually something that interests me, but I liked several of the pieces I saw here. We did a tour of Busch stadium (my first trip to the "new" one which I think was built in the early 2000's). VERY nice ballpark. Smaller than most - very cozy - I really liked it. Wanted to get my bearings there before upcoming trip to the Rangers/Cardinals game in June (next blog). We also visited the "old" and "new" cathedrals. Now I have seen so many wonderful cathedrals Europe that I almost skipped these, but I'm glad I didn't. The new cathedral contains 41 MILLION pieces of tiny ceramic tiles making up the windows. Pretty amazing. Had lunch at an Italian restaurant on THE HILL which is the Italian neighborhood. Someone had recommended it. It was great!!! Nothing fancy - in the words of the person who told me about it..."an Archie Bunker's Place" type of restaurant. And yes, there were pictures of Frank Sinatra on the wall. Good food - and I developed a taste for toasted ravioli. Don't like raviloi and wouldn't have even thought of trying this except someone recommended it. It's my latest craving!! After coming home, I went to several Italian restaurants here in Tulsa to try it - YUCK!!! My son and I made the rounds of the Italian joints in Krebbs - Isle of Capri wasn't bad, but didn't care for the others. Even Campisis in Dallas was bad - in fact it was probably the worst of all. (But still my favorite place for veal parm and fettuccine alfredo). Sunday morning before leaving, I went downtown for a cup of hot chocolate and "gooey butter cake" - another STL specialty - at the coffee shop where Andrea works. And guess what was right across the street? A local, independent bookstore!!! I was in heaven!!! Three of my favorite things - downtown in a big city, hot chocolate on a cold dreary morning, and a local bookstore. Now this is far from the best book store I've even been in (TATTERED COVER in Denver remains at the top of the list), but I did pick up a book about the first woman owner of a baseball team (Cardinals). So, all in all - I like St. Louis and am enjoying this mad little affair I am having with it. My girlfriends (and some of my guy friends) fall in love with men. Me, I fall in love with cities. Another blog to follow about second trip.

I may become a Royals fan again

Hey guys, I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written a travelogue – and this isn’t much of one – but I did make a little weekend trip to Kansas City to see the Royals play the Twins. I had a great time. I haven’t been to Kauffman stadium since the 1985 World Series and had forgotten just how awesome it is – much better than the Rangers. Now this doesn’t mean that I am giving up on my Rangers, but it IS easier to get to KC and easier to maneuver that stadium than in Texas.

The purpose of the trip was actually to take an elderly friend from Muskogee to visit her sister in Lawrence, KS. We left Tulsa about 7:00 yesterday morning and was making pretty good time until we had a blow out just south of the Kansas line. I was a little worried about Mrs. C making this trip any way and then when this happened I was concerned that it might be too much for her. But, she did great. She was so amazed by the fact that between my Blackberry and my GPS, I was able to get emergency roadside assistance and find a place in Coffeyville to get a new tire without even leaving the car!!! While we were waiting for help to come, a couple of jokes came through via e-mail so I read them to her. She liked one of them so much, she laughed until she cried and wrote it down to tell it to her sister. AND – the guy who changed the tire turned out to be a Rangers fan and he had watched the game the night before so we had fun talking about that. He was cute, too and I was about to fall in love until he started spitting tobacco!!!

Everything got resolved pretty quickly and we were back on the road in just a little over an hour. Then it started raining and rained all the way to Lawrence. Y’all know I don’t see too well in the rain anymore, but it was slow and steady so not too bad. After dropping her in Lawrence , I headed on to KC and it started raining really hard. I had to pull off a couple of times and regroup. It was raining so hard, I just knew the game was going to be called, but the minute I pulled in to the hotel, it stopped!!!

Now this is going to work out really great for me to go to games in KC – there is a Holiday Inn right across the street within walking distance of the stadium. And I have beau coups of points so I can stay free!!! Now even though it is walking distance, the street that you have to cross is I-70 (there is a covered walkway). Still, this was a night game and I decided that a half-blind, completely clumsy girl shouldn’t try that alone, so I opted to take the shuttle. And, the driver was very loyal Royals fan – I was wearing my Rangers tee shirt and tried my best to convert him, but no luck.

The hotel was CRAWLING with Minnesota fans as was the shuttle. They told me that is very hard to get tickets to the new stadium in Minneapolis so they just go to the road games instead.

The game was great!!! I really like that stadium – they have renovated it since I was there in 1985 – added a beautiful waterfall in the outfield that they turn on and light between innings. It rained most of the time, but my seat was under an overhang so I didn’t even need my umbrella. But, I also had an obstructed view of the screen so next time I will try to get one a few rows down. I was sitting right in the middle of some Minnesota fans – guys in their 30s who were having a little too much to drink and getting rowdy and foul-mouthed. I was beginning to get a bit annoyed. In the 6th inning, the Twins had a two run homer that tied the game and these guys got so excited that some of their beer ended up on me. They were VERY apologetic and kept saying how sorry they were. They really were nice kids – I just told them it was OK and I’d forgive them if they’d clean up their language a bit. They laughed and never said another bad word.

Now those of you who go to ballgames with me know that as long as the boys are on the field, I am going to be in the stands. I do not leave before the last out is called. BUT, last night’s game went to TWELVE innings and by the end of the 10th I was beat and not sure how late the shuttle would run so I headed on out. Dave, the shuttle driver, said he had already taken one load of people back to the hotel, but he came back to wait for me.

Got up early this morning and headed downtown. I spent a lot of time in KC in the early 80s so I just kind of walked around the old haunts and reminisced about what’s his name and the good times we had back then. Early Sunday morning there was no traffic, it wasn’t raining, not many people around – really nice way to kill a bit of time.

Then I headed on back to Lawrence to pick up Mrs. C. We had an uneventful trip back home – no rain, no car trouble – just some wonderful conversation and some quiet soothing music when she wanted to nap. For those of you who don’t know who Mrs. C is, she is the mother of Brenda, my best friend growing up. Brenda died in 1969, but I have stayed in touch with her mother all these years and have gotten to spend a lot more time with her since I’ve been back in Oklahoma.

WB – did you know your friend Ned Yost is with the Royals now? There was a nice picture and article about him in the program.

Texas friends – I’ll be in Dallas the weekend of May 8 for Bill’s birthday party and then again the weekend of May 22 in conjunction with a business trip. Would like to go to the Rangers game Saturday night – anybody else up for it?

Belgium February 2006 - Who is Johnny Mobile

Thought y'all might enjoy this funny story.

On my new cell phone, the phone book entries go on a
SIM card rather than in the phone's memory. If you
have more than one number for a person then you have
to create separate entries, each with a unique name.
So, for my brother Johnny I had an entry called
"Johnny Home" and one called "Johnny Mobile".

My house sitter took me to the airport yesterday and
on the way, I called Johnny on his cell phone using
the voice dial feature. I told my phone to call
"Johnny Mobile". After I hung up, Grace said "Who is
Johnny Mobile? I've never heard you mention him
before?"

There are a whole lot of the Mobile family members in
my cell phone book. :-)

Belgium 2006 - Press 3 for English and other cultural differences

You know how when you get an automated answer at home, you hear “Press 1 for English, press 2 for
Spanish”. Well, here it is “Press 1 for French, press 2 for Dutch, press THREE for English”. In Flanders,
it is probably 1 for Dutch and 2 for French. I just love observing this little battle between the two
regions….there is something in the paper every day. I’m beginning to feel like a Wallnonian my self and
find myself siding with them against the Flemish - those pesky reprobates!!!! More power to their
secession effort – we don’t need them!!! :)

I know that about the press 3 thing because I called to order a concert ticket today. Tomorrow night I am
going in to Brussels for dinner and a jazz concert. The artist is David Linx – a native of Belgium, but
internationally well-known as a musician. I have listened to him for years and am so excited to see him in
person.

They aren’t real big in on cooking meat all the way through here….that’s OK for beef (I prefer it rare) – but
not chicken and fish. So I was a little under the weather last night – I think a combination of undercooked
salmon croquets for lunch and the jet lag catching up with me. And the hotel’s wake up call system is
tied to the TV which was replaced yesterday so it wasn’t working and there is no clock in my room. So, I
overslept this morning – didn’t wake up till client called to check on me at nearly 11:00!!!!!

The restaurant has a salmon fillet I would be tempted to try except it clearly says “cooked on one side
only” so I won’t be having any of that.

And water and ice – you can’t get ice to save your life!!! No machines anywhere in the hotel or at the
office or in the restaurants. And they don’t automatically bring you a glass of water – with or without
ice. You have to ASK for it and PAY for it – bottled water and cheapest one I’ve had was 4 euros –
about $5 american. I was confused in the beginning when they asked if I wanted “still” or “Sparkling”
water. I thought they were saying distilled so I opted for sparkling even though I’m not real crazy about
it. Now I find they really are saying “still” as in not moving – no bubbles like the sparkling.

And no Diet DP to be found – just coke and pepsi.

But, on the positive side – the bread, cheese and CHOCOLAT is SOOOOOOOOOOO wonderful!!!!!!!

Here’s a few little odd things from the hotel guide in my room…

The front desk is referred to as “the reception”

The fitness center is open “uninterruptedly” (all the time)

If you want your laundry back the same day, must “warn” the front desk.

The coffee, sugar, creamers provided in the room is called a “courtesy trail”

Elevators, of course, are called “lifts”

Well, good night all. It’s almost 11:00 – think I’ll go to bed.

Tulsa November 2006 - Elvis has left the building

For those of you Okies receiving this, I'm sure you know about
the Metro Diner on Route 66 (11th and Harvard). For those of
you who don't here a little background.

The Metro is a 50's style diner that has been in business 22
years. The hostess stand is the back end of a '57 Chevy - it
has a soda fountain with stools, a pink flamingo, lots of
other retro fixtures and many, many pictures of Elvis, and
Marilyn Monroe and others of that era. Even though it opened
AFTER the King died, the marquee often said "ELVIS EATS HERE".

Well, today it said "ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING". The diner
closed today - the property was confiscated by the University
of Tulsa to expand their parking lot. Another one of the
little local controversies going on here that I have enjoyed
following.


The Metro was a neat place - have been there several times
with various family members - and of course my sister Cyndee
knows pretty much everyone who works there. (I've told y'all
before - she knows EVERYONE in Tulsa - we have run into people
she knows at the ballet, concerts, restaurants, everywhere we
go!!!!!

We went over there today and the place was packed. People
getting one last dose of chicken fried steak and chocolate
shakes (my favorite dish there was the Monte Cristo sandwich
and Italian cream cake).

The outside of the diner is pink and black tiles and they were
letting people pry them off and take them. Cyndee did so and
Channel 8 was there taping the activities - they interviewed
and taped her, but I just watched the newscast and they didn't
show her.

I'm attaching a picture of the marquee - but have several more
- if you want to see them let me know and I will e-mail to
you.

Mom - I will get prints for you of Cyndee and also of
Thanksgiving.

Maine September 2007 - From a posh resort to a cabin in the woods

On Monday, we headed north toward Bar Harbor , a quaint little resort town on the northern coast. I have a friend who spends a lot of time in Maine and had given me several tips on things to do and places to stay. He said to definitely take the coast highway to Bar Harbor rather than the interstate. Turns out that is about the only way you can get there short of taking the Interstate up to Bangkor and coming back down.



Now calling it the “coast highway” is a bit of a misnomer. Because of the towns and trees you don’t really see the water that much. The ocean there is not like it is anywhere else. For one thing, the shore is very rocky. There are very few sandy beaches like you see in Florida and California and along the gulf coast. It’s very rugged and rural with a real feel of isolation. Which is one thing that makes it so nice. I rented a convertible and while it was cool in the mornings, it was just warm enough the rest of the day to keep the top down. It was nice just driving along in a peaceful and quiet setting without seeing beach after beach crammed with people and umbrellas.



The only time we encountered any traffic was going to dinner on Bailey’s Island . The traffic coming the other direction was backed up. We found out later that the Blue Angels were at a nearly Naval Air Station.



Bar Harbor is a resort town, but not nearly as trendy and touristy as Kennebunkport . My friend has a connection at a resort hotel and got us a really good deal on a room. We had a beautiful view of the ocean from the balcony.



The entrance to the Acadia National Park was just ten minutes from the hotel so we took a drive through there. Cadillac Mountain in the park is where you can first see the sunrise on the North American continent. We intended to drive up for that Wednesday morning, so we drove up Tuesday during the day so I could make sure I could find it. Well, I’ll tell you – after driving 4,500 feet up the side of a mountain, I decided I was NOT going to do that in the dark. I don’t know what I was thinking – I’ve driven enough in Colorado to know that I don’t like driving in the mountains!!!



We took cruise through the Bay of Maine and saw several lighthouses. And thousands and thousands of colored buoys marking the lobster traps. That was quite a sight!!! And interesting statistic I read was that last year 52 MILLION pounds of lobster was taken out of the Bay of Maine . That is just beyond fathomable!!!



Also saw several homes of the rich and famous, such as Martha Stewart and Dooney of Dooney and Burke. At the neat thing is that the lighthouses are all automated now and people live in them.





On the way back south we stopped at Boothbay Harbor which is just a very quaint little harbor – we sat on the dock of the bay eating lunch and watching a lobster boat come in and unload its catch.



All throughout the drive we had seen motels and many of them were cabins. Very reminiscent of the 50s style motels that still dot Route 66. My sister had read about one in Freeport called the Maine Idyll Court and we had already decided to stay there our last night. Now I have to say I was a little bit leery – I mean there was no security, the lady in the office went home at 10:30, there was no phone. It was in the WOODS for gosh sakes!!!! IF I were a deranged ax murderer, it’s just the kind of place I would pick to slaughter two helpless girls. But, all was well. In fact, it was quite enjoyable – the cabin was rustic, clean, and comfortable. And the price was certainly right. I would do it again – but only with someone – not when I’m traveling alone. In fact, it’s really a great deal if you are going to be in one place for several days. The cabins have porches with rockers and most of them had outdoor grills.



All the while we were driving and seeing these motels and cabins, I couldn’t help but think of PSYCHO and the Bates Motel. And what did we see in one place? The BAIT’S MOTEL – I’m not kidding!!!!



And for those of you who have asked – I did some checking and there is no CRAB APPLE COVE (from MASH) and no CABOT COVE (from MURDER SHE WROTE). There is, however, a Penobscot River (that was the name of Hot Lips’ husband in MASH). Somebody connected with that show must have been from Maine .



Oh, and I saw a house for sale in Boothbay. It was big and right on the water so I thought it must be very pricey. I picked up the flyer and was surprised. It is 4,500 square feet, 6 bedrooms, two of which are part of a mother-in-law suite. Asking price was only $895,000. Now that is still WAY beyond my budget, but a lot less than what I thought it would be.



I really do like New England . If I can ever afford to give up CPAing, I think I’d like to own a little inn there in the summer and fall and then in the winter live in Tulsa and run a little bookstore. Maybe when (if) I retire…….



Oh, and another interesting thing about Maine . And don’t anybody write me back and call me any names or say anything ugly to me for what I’m about to say. You all know I am not a racist and don’t give a flip about politics. I am only stating facts here. We did not see one single foreigner – no Mexican, Hispanic, Middle Easterner, Vietnamese, nothing. And we only saw maybe 5 or 6 blacks. And most of those were Jamaicans who worked at the resort. They work there during the summer and go home during the winter. Many of the hotels, shops, restaurants are closed during the winter.



Well, it was a wonderful trip. Someplace I’ve been trying to get to for several years and can’t wait to go back. It’s also just a short ferry trip to Nova Scotia – I’ve always wanted to go there for some salmon fishing.



Everyone have a good week. I have no more travel plans for the rest of the year except for running up to Oklahoma on weekends. Well, maybe a quick weekend in New York if it comes up on Netsavers!!!



In February, though, I am going back to Italy for two weeks.