The travel journal
Stories
Our travels, one story at a time.
2025
- Birthday in Tuscany: When Plan B is Perfect
Celebrating a birthday in the hills above Florence led to unexpected delights when rain changed our plans. From morning cappuccinos in Settignano to an impromptu wine lesson…
2024
- Let the Adventure begin!
Join us as we kick off our Italian adventure! From a 2-day journey to Florence to our first day exploring the birthplace of the Renaissance – steak, leather, and winding streets…
- Welcome Back to Planet Posts!
Hello, friends! It’s been a while, and we’re thrilled to be back, ready to share our latest adventures with you.
2012
- The Aloha Spirit
From the breathtaking beauty of the islands to the warm hospitality of the people, Bev and I were deeply touched by The Aloha Spirit.
- Maui WOWEEE
Transition day to Maui was perfect. We finished up our Kona visit with me spending my last bit of quality time poolside while Carl worked on photos (as mentioned before, he’s not…
- Volcanoes Day
After so much time in the car the day before, I was ready for a little chill “Bev” time, and Carl isn’t so much for sitting by the pool reading. Up again at 6:30 a.m. and Carl is…
- Black Sand Friday
Ok, so maybe it isn't quite as exciting as getting up at 4:00 a.m. for Black Friday Sales, but spending a day exploring yet another magnificent slice of Hawaiian beauty certainly…
- Kona, Hawaii
Aloha! Back to the majesty of the Hawaiian Islands and the serenity of the “hang loose” lifestyle. We took a direct flight from Phoenix to Maui, and then a “little” hopper over to…
- Our New England Sojourn Comes to an End
We finished up Martha's Vineyard with a great late lunch/early dinner at Giordano's (fabulous meatballs and pizza and great prices) and then grabbed a taxi back to The Victorian.…
- Looks Can Be Deceiving - Martha's Vineyard
For our second day on Nantucket, we decided to rent a scooter and get out of town a bit. It has been so incredibly and unusually hot for this region. Even the locals are amazed.…
- The Cape to Nantucket
Yesterday was a bit of a transition day driving from Boston to Cape Cod in preparation for our next journey to Nantucket and Martha's vineyard. We checked in to the Captain Farris…
- The Freedom Trail - Boston
So, we choose a second home in Asheville to avoid the summer heat of the desert and then decide to vacation in new England apparently during one of the hottest summers ever. Oh…
- New England Getaway - First Stop: Boston
I’m not sure we've ever left for vacation on a Saturday before, but I kind of like it. A fairly easy morning and smooth drive to Charlotte for our mid-day flight. All the miles I…
2011
- Running of the Bulls - Arizona Style!
In our never-ending quest to eek out just a bit more life in every day, we found a local activity that we just could not pass up. Running of the Bulls USA in Cave Creek Arizona.…
- It's Another Tequila Sunrise... and Sunset
We decided to get up for another sunrise given the joy we were blessed with the day before. It was quite different this morning with a large layer of clouds settled on the…
- Sunrise, Edith's, and Flaming Cocktails
As the light starting streaming through the curtains of our hotel room, we were drawn to the gorgeous site of an amazing sunrise. As waves were thunderously smashing against the…
- Hotel California
We decided to get off the hotel property today, so we did a bit of research on nearby towns. There were two that sounded worthy of a road trip, and since we rented a car this…
- Los Cabos - Paradise Between Two Seas
A wonderful start to our day – no traffic, no long lines at security and we are on our way. Lovely conversations with our flight attendants on US Airways. Although they couldn’t…
2010
- Planes, trains, and automobiles AND boats and buses
When in Southern Italy, if life gives you lemons, make Limoncello!
- Captain Velocity
Before we left Scottsdale, some new friends of ours happened to mention that another couple that are members of our club own a winery in Chianti. As a result, they coordinated a…
- Tuscany: the sights, the aromas, the flavors!
On our drive from Santa Margherita to Gaiole in Chianti we stopped in Lucca, as several had recommended. The weather had changed some and we encountered a little bit of rain on…
- Giorno Cinque, Cinque Terre - The train goes where?!
Blogging in the car on the way to Chianti today (as Carl is cruising along at 150 km per hour).
- Mosquitoes and servers and menu’s – oh my!
Train travel is one of the best modes of transportation, hands down. However, just as on airplanes, you do encounter some strange and rude passengers. I know that Americans have…
- Giorno tre - Milano
Once again I am astounded with the fantastic transportation systems in Europe, particularly the trains. We had a 2 ½ hour train ride from Rome to Milan and it couldn’t have been…
- Buon Giorgno Italia! (Rome - Days 1 and 2)
By Bev, photos by Carl
- Day Two - X Marks the Spot
But, before we can go to bed, we both have to manage to navigate the odd time zone changes appearing on our iPhones. Even though we are still in Arizona, our iPhones are picking…
- Día Cuatro: The race is ON!
The race awaits us and we cannot wait for the race. So here’s the deal. Cabo Adventures owns four 24 meter America’s Cup Boats that were raced by Australian and New Zealand teams…
- Cabo – Día Tres
Many told me that I should relax and enjoy myself, try to forget work at least for a few days. So, far be it from me to disobey…. Day three was very relaxing without an agenda to…
- Cabo – Día Dos
Why does it always feel so good to sleep in? Even if only until 9:00 a.m. Those few precious extra hours that I don’t seem to get at home or on the road. It was a very quiet and…
- ¡Hola Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!
Friday, May 7th. Finally. Carried over 43 hours of vacation from last year and am ready to take a few days. Of course I had to really earn them by working until 10:00 both of the…
2009
- Days Nine and Ten: Home Sweet Home; Lizards, Chickens, a Place Called Hanalei and “Conversations”...
Well, after a 4-hour nap and a very long, very hot shower this morning, I feel like I am amongst the living again. First class or not, red-eye flights are just plain brutal. One…
- Day Six: Travel Day, Maui to Kauai – The Packing Pledge
I Bev, do solemnly swear to pack NO MORE than 30 pounds of luggage, regardless of trip location, duration or activities! How can a professional woman who can pack for three days…
- Day Seven: Captain, my Captain…
Today is our Nepali Coast Sunset Cruise. We had a wonderful, ginormous breakfast prepared by our innkeeper Eddi (female). We then spent some time blogging and headed out for the…
- Day Eight: Happy Hippie, Zippy Day!!!!!
I loved it in Costa Rica, and I LOVED it in Kauai! We did our Zip lining tour today and it was amazing. This was Carl’s first time, but I don’t think it will be his last. We…
- Day Five: Heavenly Hana - Dasterdly Mosquitos!
We knew we wanted to take full advantage of the photo opportunities along the Hana highway and unlike many others that see the drive as the journey (i.e. getting to Hana) we…
- Night Three: Anniversary Dinner
Even though we were up so early for our Haleakala adventure, we kept going strong all day and night for our anniversary dinner at Pacific O in Lahaina. The day was very warm and…
- Day Four: Leaving Lahaina
We both really enjoyed our time on West Maui in Lahaina, but we had made reservations for a couple of nights at the Wailea Marriott (gotta love those Marriott points!) so that we…
- Day Three: Holy Haleakala!
It's vacation, but we are up at 3:00 a.m. Ahh, the glamorous life of a photographers wife.....For those of you that know me well, you know that I am not a morning person. However,…
- Day Two: Sky High and a Touch of Culture
We saw some spectacular island views today from the front seats of our Whisper Helicopter with Carl madly clicking away with three different camera's, while I, his trusty…
- Day One: Sunsets and Seafood
It is fascinating that even as very experienced travelers, we have our moments....So, we forgot our Maui and Hawaii travel books. One 65 pound suitcase, one 50 pound suitcase and…
- Aloha Hawaii!
Greetings Friends, Family and all other "yet to be met" friends,
2008
- Last Journey Post....Home Sweet Home
Well, I have just a couple more stories I need to share in order to wrap up "Carl and Bev's Great Adventure." We are home now but we had a couple of last days with, again, some…
- Grupo de Ocho!
Wow! Visiting and trekking in amazing surroundings is one thing, being able to meet some fantastic people along the way: priceless. As I mentioned in the last post, we connected…
- Grey Glacier - New Friends...
Torres del Paine is fantastic. We can't get over the beauty and abundance that we get to experience. So, a little layout of Explora Lodge: it is a magnificent lodge in the Park…
- Long day, good day - Torres del Paine
Once again, the beauty continues. We had to get up early this morning (Saturday the 13th) to be taken to Torres del Paine (TDP). The good news is that we had a private driver in a…
- Trifecta in Calafate!
Three excursions, one day! We are determined to eek out every last drop of adventure from this trip. We have only one full day here at Los Notros, so we made sure and filled the…
- Glaciar Alfredo and Laguna Azul
Today is the most magnificent day yet. We trekked 16K (10 miles) with our new Italian and American friends to Laguna Azul, a small glacial lake high in the Andes. I can barely…
- Estancia Los Hermanos
Tuesday afternoon after lunch we went trekking with our guide Martiniano to Estancia Los Hermanos (The Brothers Ranch), which is the nearby Ranch owned by the same owner of…
- BB and CC
We are doing four posts tonight to catch up (too much fun and activity!) So if you just began reading our blog with this post, you may want to start with the "Buenos Aires" post…
- Patagonia!
Believe it or not, they actually DO have Internet at Helsingfors. You can't always count on the accuracy of information in Argentina. It's actually quite surprising since we are…
- Another wonderful day in B.A.
We did some shopping and looking on Calle Florida, a very popular and elegant street of shops where it is advised to "take a look, but buy elsewhere." Let's just say there were…
- Argentina: Today's the Day
The Adventure begins today with one of those so sought out LONG, LONG, flights spanning multiple continents: Phoenix to Houston and then Houston to Buenos Aires. We will get to…
- Buenos Aires - A Sensory Splendor!
Just finished checking in to the Hotel Sofitel, which is a beautiful property with lovely flower arrangements throughout. Had to wait for room though, since we arrived around…
