The Journey of 1,000 Miles

 

Thanks, good and faithful sneakers

While I was writing about distant lands and travels past, life continued in New York. One of the activities that continued was my walking journey. I walked 82 miles in April, just a few miles short of what I'd hoped, 85 miles, but enough to keep me on track for my 1,000 mile goal for this year. 

This took a lot of miles

On Friday I noticed that I'd just about worn out the soles in my every day sneakers. They probably needed to be replaced for three months, but I honestly didn't notice that the sole was getting very thin. I added new sneakers to my list of things I needed to buy. I've done very little buying this year, but in the last week I bought binoculars -- there will be lots of animals to view -- an adaptor for my electrical devices and a new pair of baby blue sneakers. I also bought insect repellant, more sunscreen and school supplies. The school supplies are for a visit we will make to a school in Zimbabwe.  

Now that I've got everything assembled, there's both not a lot left to do and also an awful lot left  to do. I've got most of what I need to bring sitting on the couch and my suitcase is open and ready. I'm going to Weight Watchers tomorrow morning, making a quick visit to the bank and then I'm treating myself to a pedicure. Then it's home to pack. 

Some time tomorrow I will begin to realize that in 48 hours I will be in Africa. I will be both excited and anxious, though I keep reminding myself that as long as I have my passport, chargers, my prescriptions, phone and a change or two of clothes I'm fine. 

I'm hoping to do one more post tomorrow, but as I've learned over the years packing and organizing will take longer than I anticipate, and I'll be sidetracked with at least a half dozen little errands that somehow didn't cross my mind in the last week. That said, the next post will either be from the plane -- wifi is included -- or once I've landed in Johannesburg, and very shortly my miles will be walked in South Africa.   

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Z Is for Zimbabwe

 

Z is for Zimbabwe

This is definitely a better late, than never post. April and the A to Z Blogging Challenge for 2025 have ended, but since I will be visiting Zimbabwe in eight days, it seemed a very fitting finish to the Challenge, and a "Z" unlike any others that I've posted. 

I leave on Thursday for two plus weeks in Southern Africa. I've already mentioned our visit to Botswana, but we will also be visiting Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The stops in South Africa are in Johannesburg and Capetown. In Zimbabwe we will be staying in Victoria Falls and driving to Chobe National Park in Botswana, which will include a game drive -- zebra, lion, hippo and giraffe are among the animals we may see -- and a game cruise. There are three stops in Namibia, and we're able to visit both the extraordinary Namibian desert and the coastline. 

The sand dunes of Namibia

The trip doesn't seem real to me and probably won't until I am on the plane or perhaps when I am in the airport in Johannesburg. Even typing "the airport in Johannesburg," it's a totally unreal feeling. But I'm starting to put things aside that I know I will be packing and just ordered binoculars and a new pair of sneakers. I'm excited about seeing Victoria Falls, going on a rhino safari in Zimbabwe, seeing the dunes in Namibia and Table Mountain in Capetown. But one thing I 've learned about travel -- which extends to almost everything in life -- is that very often the things I most look forward to aren't the most memorable. There are sights, people and places that are waiting for me that I can't anticipate, but will leave immense footprints in my heart and in my memory. 

I'm going to try and post often, but it's not the easiest on my phone, which is the only device I'm taking with me. I will much more likely post on Facebook and Instagram. I don't expect to buy much in the way of souvenirs, but will be on the lookout for something for a blog giveaway when I get back. 

I plan to do a few more posts before I leave and catch up on more regular content. I've loved doing the travel posts, but it's time for coffee, spring in New York City and a few random reflections. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

U Is for Uluru/Ayers Rock

 

U is for Uluru/Ayers Rock

For most of the  A to Z Bloggers the April Challenge has ended, but Buttercupland is bringing up the rear. We're posting about U -- Uluru -- today and we'll posting "Z" tomorrow and a giveaway. 

Uluru is a sandstone monolith, near the center of Australia in the Southern part of the Northern Territory. This extraordinary site, sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area, the Anangu. It is a World Heritage site and one of the most recognized natural landmarks of Australia. 

Uluru by day

When I was planning my trip to Australia (2018) I wanted to make sure that Uluru was one of the stops on the itinerary. It's not a quick trip. Australia is a big, big country and Uluru is in the center of a country that's larger than the United States (by 1%). My group flew to Alice Springs and then drove the 208 miles to Uluru. It was a fascinating drive with scenery that was awesome and the biggest, fluffiest clouds ever. 

The site was first named Ayers Rock in 1873 after the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. In 1993 a dual naming policy was established that allowed Aboriginal names to be added to established names and in 2002 Uluru/Ayers Rock became the official name. 

Sunset at Uluru

 

 I'm not quite sure where April went. One day we were starting out with A Is for Alaska and in the blink of an eye we're about to visit "Z." In the interim the flowers and trees have bloomed and Passover was celebrated. I've been part of two major celebrations, a wonderful family wedding and an 80th birthday celebration. And next week, after a year of looking forward, we're off to Africa. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday. 

Q Is for Queensland (and R Is for Great Barrier Reef)

 

Welcome to Queensland, Australia

I loved my visit to Australia in 2018. What a fabulous place to visit, with amazing natural beauty, great coffee, the friendliest people and koalas. If the flights from New York weren't so long, I'd be back there every year. I could write about everywhere I went in Australia -- and may just choose one other place --  but Queensland, the state in northeastern Australia  is an easy pick. 

My tour group spent three days in Queensland and we were based in Cairns. One of our days we visited the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 900 islands and ten per cent of the earth's coral reef systems. It was an extraordinary experience to go below the water in a tiny submerged vessel -- not a true submarine -- and see the coral and the sea life around it. The Great Barrier Reef, as is every reef,  is under pressure from climate change, coastal development and illegal fishing. 

A high point of my visit to Queensland was a day spent in Kuranda and the Kuranda Koala Gardens. I know there are people who will laugh at my choice of activity, but I'd been eager to cuddle a koala since I started planning the trip to Australia. When I realized it was not only possible, but part of our itinerary, I was 100% on board. There was a charge for this, but I think it's some of the best spent vacation money of my life, and I made the most of it. One of my travel buddies was kind enough to document the entire two minutes I spent with "my" koala, who I think of as KiKi Koala. 

First contact with KiKi. She is not enthusiastic. 

I'm thrilled. KiKi is less so.

Buttercup and KiKi

I've made the bold decision to skip L, M, N, S and T and go directly to U for our next A to Z Blogging Challenge post. U is today's letter and I will do the post for U on Sunday, when we'll be returning to Australia and another extraordinary location. I'm at a family wedding for the next few days, but I'll be back on Sunday and eager to complete the Challenge next week. 

I hope you've enjoyed our visit to Queensland today and will rejoin the tour for more stops next week. Appreciate the visits and comments very much!

As ever, thanks for visiting and big koala hugs!

O Is for Ooh-La-La (and P is for Paris)

Ooh-La-La! We're in Paris

If I was to choose my favorite city, besides New York where I've lived for almost fifty years, there is no question that it's Paris. I fell in love with Paris in 1958 when I went to see the movie, "Gigi." I had little comprehension of the theme of Gigi, which was not appropriate for an eight year old, but I loved the music, the clothes, and above all I loved the look of Paris. I started to study French four years later and part of our study included learning about the geography of France, especially Paris. What began so casually at the movies became a life-long relationship with beautiful Paris. 

In French, Ooh-la-la literally means "Oh, there." But it can mean so much more, both negative and positive -- Oh my, Oh boy or simply, Wow! My first trip to Paris was in 1966 and my most recent was last April. Over the years there have been eight trips between those two trips. I've had the good fortune to stay in a number of different neighborhoods and become more familiar with my favorite city. 

One of my all-time favorite views

One of my favorite places in Paris is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, on an island in the River Seine. Unfortunately it wasn't open to visitors when I was there last year, as it was still under (re)construction from the 2019 fire. Happily it reopened in December and, though I have no set plans, I'd love a return visit to see this landmark.

The Cradle by Berthe Morisot

Another favorite part of a visit to Paris is visiting museums. Yes, there are museums in New York, but Paris is a treasure trove. I had a wonderful visit at the Louvre -- Ooh-la-la! -- but also loved my visit to the Musee d'Orsay, home of the Impressionist paintings. The museum was once a train station that became a wonderful place to display an extraordinary collection of Nineteenth century paintings.

Besides the landmarks and museums, I love just wandering the streets of Paris. When I say wandering, it's not exactly wandering. I generally have a destination, but I like to leave a lot of time to get where I'm going and just enjoy what may be down the street and around the corner.  This quiet corner was around the corner from my hotel last year and it was a total surprise for me. The building on the left is the Church of Saint-Sulpice, which dates from 1646. To the right of the church is a lovely and quiet plaza, which was a perfect place to people watch and edit my pictures of Paris. Ooh-la-la, what a treat!

But it's not all walking and museums. There's cafe au lait and croissants and cafes everywhere, and more than a few called me in. For most of my stay last year I had a small kitchen and my breakfast was close to my usual menu of yogurt and cereal. But lunch was my big meal out and most days included a snack stop at a cafe. 

My cafe lunch after a visit to the Louvre

As much as I love Paris we have to say adieu and go on to our next A to Z Blogging stop half-way around the world. Our next stop on our world tour is "Q," and it's the site of one of my favorite travel adventures. Please join us to meet a beloved travel buddy. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

R Is for Rockefeller Center

Easter Sunday at Rockefeller Center, New York City

We're going all topsy turvy here in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Most  other bloggers are now on S and yes, we're doing R, but we skipped L, M, N, O, P and Q. I may come back with L, M and N as originally planned or may just skip to S next. I will probably return to at least a few of these letters and I'm especially eager for Q.

I landed on R for our post today because I had a great time at one of my favorite places, Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday. I want to post Easter pictures while we're still in the season. Some of these photos were taken just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue is closed to traffic and it's filled with people in hats, dressed up (or down) and strolling along. There are lots of people and it's lively and crowded, but friendly and lots of fun. 

Pasta and Peeps

We met this family group from Long Island on Fifth Avenue. Their hats and the hats of their family that accompanied them were made of pasta. Their pug is wearing a Peeps bunny costume and they called their look "Pasta and Peeps."

We loved meeting the Honey Bears

One of our favorite hats and themes were these two sweet girls with their Wicked look. Pep and Leo were with us and this is my favorite moment of a great day. 

Aren't the hats fabulous!

I've been going to the "Easter Parade" for years and it never fails to amaze and delight me. I'm so glad I got to share this year's visit and one of my all-time favorite places in New York City. Most people think of Rockefeller Center as the place for the Christmas tree, but there are special things there in every season.

As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the flowers of spring.    

 

O Is for Oklahoma City

Remembering the Oklahoma City Bombing, Thirty years later

In yet another break from Blogging from A to Z protocol, we are postponing L-M-N, which are all connected, and moving directly to O. We're honoring history and the 168 people who died thirty years ago in Oklahoma City when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. 

I've written about my visit to the Oklahoma City National Museum in the fall after my visit to Oklahoma City. I was in Oklahoma City for a reunion with dear friends and an opportunity to visit a state I hadn't yet visited.  It was a quick visit and I knew there wasn't a lot of time for sight-seeing, but I knew had to visit the National Memorial and pay my respects to those that died there. That was a non-negotiable part of the trip. I knew it would be moving, but the memorial and the exhibit about all that happened thirty years ago today and the months that followed were beyond moving. 

My friend Debbie and I spent several hours going through the Museum, riveted by the thoughtful retelling of the events of the day and time following. It brought back memories of watching days of television coverage, and for me, too, the memories of September 11. If you're able to visit Oklahoma City this sacred site is top of the list. 

Welcome to  Route 66

Oklahoma was the 46th US state that I've visited. Some of the visits -- Wyoming and Kansas -- have been as short as one meal, and other states I've visited and stayed in multiple times. I'm looking at you Maine, Louisiana and California, and I've lived in five states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee and New York. Four states are left to visit: Iowa, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. I don't have plans to visit them, but it's always in the back of my mind. What states are in your travel plans for 2025?   

Tomorrow we're taking a break from the A to Z travel posts, but I'm hoping to pop on quickly with pictures of the Easter Parade, which isn't really a parade, but lots of people walking on Fifth Avenue. Weather permitting I'm hoping to join in the fun. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a bright and blessed Easter.