More Camino Training

Warmish days in December are rare in this area, so Kevin and I took advantage of what was most likely the last decent day to embark on an 8+ mile training walk along the White River. I carried my pack, which is 10 lbs including 1.5 liters of water. I have everything in my pack except a first aid kit and toiletries.

Kevin opted for no pack, but that’s ok. We will focus more on packs in early spring. For now it was just nice to get out and enjoy the weather. I started out with a long sleeved shirt but had to change after about two miles into a lighter weight base layer. That is the purpose of training walks…learning what clothing feels best in various conditions.

The leaves have nearly all fallen, but the route is still beautiful. Our morning walk was cloud free and just a light breeze. We have about 1.5 inches of rain on Saturday. As a result, the White River was flooding, encroaching on part of our route, but it was still passable. I used the flooded areas to test out the shoes. Yes…they are water resistant!

The scenery was lovely. Lots of geese, ducks and other water fowl. Not fond of all the geese dropping along the path!

Not sure how many more days like this we will have before real winter sets in, but for now we are trying to take advantage of every one we can. Much of winter will be spent weight training and walking indoors and marking of the days until we arrive on the Camino.

December 3, 2018 0

Happy thanksgiving

Hope that everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving. In all my travels, I have learned that food, family, and friends bring us together. Today, Kevin and I will have a small dinner…just us and the kitties. The 12.5 lb turkey is in the oven. Gobble gobble.

November 22, 2018 0

8 Mile Training Walk

Just love walking in the fall, and with our Camino just six short months in the future, our walks have more purpose. We have worked unto a solid 8 miles with packs. This will be about half the distance on a typical day on the Camino. Sunday we walked along the White River. My pack was 10 pounds; Kevin’s a bit lighter. We already have most of the gear we will take on the Camino. The only items I don’t have in my pack are my first aid kit and a few toiletries.

The pilgrims on the Camino say “the Camino will provide” meaning that if you need something, don’t stress, it will appear along the way. Kevin had left this walking stick at home, but just as the pilgrims said…a stick had been left onshore as the flooded river receded, leaving Kevin a perfect walking stick for the day.

9C039EFA-D4F6-4371-8715-9DCC1E73CB71

I just love fall and the colors were near peak. We had heavy rains earlier in the week so the river was high, washing all the goose droppings off the path. 9A96C4DA-7A46-4013-94EE-C627B24624B8

33BB452F-4D36-4584-AD5A-8A307FEC5BBD

This tree was especially brilliant. It was all I could do not to jump in the leaves.

As winter sets in we will have fewer opportunities for our river walks, but for the next few weeks, we will enjoy as much of the outdoors as possible.

November 12, 2018 0

Training for the Camino Portugues

Several months ago my husband and I watched the movie The Way, starring Martin Sheen and directed by Emilio Estevez. My husband commented “ that looks like fun…we should do that.” And since he really doesn’t like anything involving exercise or the outdoors, I immediately agreed. The route in the movie is the Camino Francés…500 miles which takes most people about 5 weeks. At present, it’s rather difficult for me to get that much time off….so we are going to walk the Camino Portuguese. Only 161 miles, but ends at the same place, Santiago de Compostela.

018a27f9198079d21485581c3fcd967c303ee2afd2

The Camino is actually a series of routes taken by pilgrims to the cathedral in Santiago which is believed to house the bones of St. James. Many walk for religious or spiritual reasons. Others walk for the physical challenge.

In May, we will begin our walk in Porto, Portugal and, if all goes as planned, will finish about 18 day’s later in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Today, we bought the hiking shoes we will use on the trek. It takes about six months to break in hiking shoes properly and we want to make sure they fit properly to avoid blisters. Tonight we donned our backpacks and new shoes want went for walk, about 5 miles. Other than the heat and humidity, the packs and shoes felt fine. Training will continue until May. Stay tuned for updates. Buen Camino.

August 26, 2018 2

Dining in…Vietnamese Pho

I have always loved to cook. From ribs, to desserts; French to Asian. Doesn’t matter. Cooking is a form of relaxation and creativity. Last night, Kevin, my husband and sou chief, and I prepared Vietnamese Pho. A warm and hearty combination of chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, scallions, ginger, red onions, cilantro, fish sauce, rice noodles, and homemade chicken broth, topped with fresh mint from our garden.

August 2, 2018 0

Fargo…yes…Fargo for vacation.

Back to where it all began…at least my life in academia. It had been four years since seeing our friends and colleagues in Fargo and North Dakota State University, so Kevin and spent two days driving (each way) to revisit our old stomping ground.

On our way to Fargo, we stopped in La Claire, Iowa. Home to the TV show American Pickers, but also home to a lovely winery, distillery, AND brewery. Of course we had to sample some of the local flavors (just a taste for me because I was driving).

Once in Fargo, we made the rounds, but the real reason for the trip was to see Weird Al in concert. It just happened to be our wedding anniversary as well.

Of course…it’s not summer in Fargo without the RibFest. There are few things in life better than ribs for lunch, so of course we were second in-line when the event opened on Wednesday.

June 7, 2018 0

New Year’s Eve in Dubai

My husband and I spent the holiday at the amazing JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai. Yes, Dubai…the site of the horrific fire last night. More on that in a moment. We made our reservations six months ago and everything was perfect. Our evening began with photos in the lobby and dinner at the Tong Thai restaurant in the hotel. The set menu, served family style, included five different appetizers, soup, sorbet, six main course dishes, and dessert. Apparently since I stay at Marriott properties a lot, the staff knew my birthday was in just a few days and surprised me with cake and a song. So much food…and this was only the beginning of the evening.

Afterwards we headed to the Vault on the 72nd floor. We had reserved our table, looking onto the Burj Khalifa. To my surprise we were table #1, and had the very best view of the Dubai skyline. On one side we could see all the way into the dessert on the outer limits of Dubia; on the other, we could see the beach and the Burj Arabia.

Unfortunately, this also meant that we were witness to the terrible fire that engulfed The Address, a luxury hotel and apartment building attached to the Dubai Mall and near the Burj Khalifa. At first, we thought the flames shooting up the side of the building was a video, but quickly realized they were real. Everyone in the Vault stood at the windows helpless, watching the flames engulf the building. All only prayed that everyone makes it out safely.

As of this afternoon, the fire was out; only 16 minor injuries were reported. One person did suffer a heart attack and there has been no word on his/her condition. This is stunning given how fast the fire spread and knowing that the hotel, all 63 floors, was booked solid, and their bars and lounges on the top floors would have been packed.

What a start to the new year. One we will not soon forget. So Happy New Year to you all and here’s to all the joys and adventures of 2016.

img_2136-1

January 1, 2016 5

Holiday Time…Paddle Boarding and Santa

One of the biggest adjustments to living in Abu Dhabi has been that the leaves don’t change; a visual reminder that the holidays are approaching. The temperature has dropped from the 110+F to a more comfortable low 90s, but it is mid November and all the vegetation is still green. For me, November is time for Thanksgiving (yes, I’m American) and the site of holiday decorations in the stores. But in Abu Dhabi this is the time to go outside and enjoy the pleasant weather. Restaurants have set out their outdoor seating and the beaches are crowed. I’m not complaining…I spent last weekend on a paddle board exploring the Eastern Mangrove region. (That’s me in the pink top.)

But not to fear…the holiday season, complete with Christmas blend Starbucks coffee and mall decorations, is fully present in Abu Dhabi.

My husband and I stopped in the local Ace Hardware store last week and I immediately turned into a giggly 5-year old girl upon seeing the huge Christmas trees and rows and rows of holidays decorations. Everything one could possibly want to add holiday cheer to the home. It was all there…lights, wreaths, life size Santas, tree toppers. I couldn’t resist and added a small tree and this lovely book to our cart.

All the malls add traditional holiday decorations to their stores, but the ones nearest the expat areas really show their holiday spirit. The Abu Dhabi Mall, shown below, features a three story Christmas tree and Winter Village, complete with a jolly old British Santa. Photos with Santa are free and come with candy! I love watching families of all faiths and nationalities que (line up) to have a moment with Santa.

This year, we are staying in the area for the holidays. We have made reservations at the JW Marriot Marquis in Dubai and will spend a few days there to ring in the new year. We have reservations at the “Vault” on the 72nd floor for New Years Eve. Our table looks onto the Burj Khalifa which will be the site for a huge fireworks display at midnight.

So although the leaves don’t change and layers of clothing are not required, the holiday season is certainly present in Abu Dhabi!

November 14, 2015 0

The Pen Store

I typically don’t write about specific stores but this one is a hidden gem. Hidden between the hundreds of chain stores lining the avenue in the Taksim area is “Panter” selling writing instruments of all types along with leather bound journals and antique treasures. The shopkeepers speak limited English but are friendly and have very fair prices. High quality, excellent service, and wonderful staff. When in Istanbul this shop will be a pleasant relief from the tourist vendors in the area.