Category Archives: Uncategorized

November 1, 2021 On our way from Kiawah to Charleston, we stopped by the magnificent Angel Oak. The tree is a Southern live oak and is estimated to be about 400 to 500 years old. It stands about 66 feet tall but what is truly remarkable is how far it spreads with branches reaching 187Continue reading “Charleston, South Carolina, USA”

October 31, 2021 On the last day of October, we went kayaking. Jasper led us through the narrow streams that wind through the marshes to the beach where we saw something truly incredible and somewhat frightening, as befits Halloween day. But more of that later. As we kayaked along, we saw a host of wildContinue reading “Kiawah, South Carolina, USA”

October 30, 2021 On our next day on Kiawah, Jasper and Eve led us on a long bike tour of the island. We stuck to the more sheltered landward side of the island. This part of South Carolina is called the low country and it’s easy to see why. The area is very flat andContinue reading “Kiawah, South Carolina, USA”

October 29, 2021 We just got back from a very enjoyable long weekend with our good friends, Jasper and Eve, at their place on Kiawah Island. Kiawah is a barrier island on the Atlantic about 25 miles south of Charleston in South Carolina. Named for the Kiawah Indians who lived in the area, it isContinue reading “Kiawah, South Carolina, USA”

September 27, 2021 By the mid-1900s, Venice had fallen into neglect and become labeled as the “Slum by the Sea”. However, recently it has become an increasingly desirable neighborhood, with some homes selling in the millions of dollars. The result is that it is now an interesting mix of old and new. There are stillContinue reading “Venice, Los Angeles, California”

September 26, 2021 In our AirBnB, there is some interesting artwork, so we decided to start todays post with a quiz. Pick which celebrity each of the following paintings depict. The answers are at the end of the post. At the start of the 1900s, wealthy developer, Abbot Kinney, set about building a new seasideContinue reading “Venice, Los Angeles, California”

September 23, 2021 We took advantage of the bikes that came with our AirBnB and took a long ride through the surrounding wine country and into Sonoma town. We rode through Sonoma’s suburbs, checking out the houses. These similar houses were across the road from each other. They were taking different approaches to landscaping, withContinue reading “Sonoma, California, USA”

September 22, 2021 Unlike many visitors to the Napa and Sonoma valleys, neither of us are wine lovers. But we still had a great time exploring the two valleys. We were staying in Sonoma but made the short drive to nearby Napa to have a look around. There was a devastating earthquake in Napa inContinue reading “Napa, California, USA”

September 19, 2021 The Melrose Trading Post is LA’s favorite flea market. Held every Sunday on the grounds of Fairfax High School, it is one of the largest markets we have visited, selling everything from jewelry to furniture. Mostly, however, it is a prime spot to pick up vintage clothing, attracting large numbers of teensContinue reading “Melrose Trading Post, Los Angeles, USA”

September 18, 2021 The Huntington is a beautiful place to spend a lazy day. Established in 1919 by Henry and Arabella Huntington, it contains a library, art museum and approximately 120 acres of gardens. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the library or museum this time around but we have visited them in theContinue reading “The Huntington, San Marino, California, USA”