- - a. k. a. . b i r t h d a y s . m o n t h !
...and another trip around the sun....
I scheduled two birthday trips this month - from the bucket list and to honor Mama and Daddy. at the beginning of the month I took a day off from work (3 day weekend!) and flew to North Carolina, by way of Baltimore - where I had a delicious crab cake on brioche sandwich for dinner - and stayed at a gorgeous resort snuggled in the Smoky Mountains in Asheville.
TRIP NUMBER ONE
I got up early and had a Southern breakfast which included lox, blintzes, biscuits and gravy, and cottage potatoes made with sweet potatoes and apples -- delish!
fueled up and ready for the day, I got to Biltmore House by 9:00 and got right into the house.
the glass art pieces are by Dale Chihuli, one of Mama's favorite artists. this exhibit was here for just one more weekend, which is when I would be in LA, so I had this one and only opportunity to see it. if Mama were here she would take hundreds of photos, so I came here to do that in her honor.
I was only here one day so I crammed a lot into the schedule. at 10:00 I went on the Rooftop Tour, up several flights of stairs and along some very narrow walkways.
one of the rooms on the Tour is the Architect's Room where there are blueprints and this model of the house on a swiveling raised platform.
a different view, looking down on a roof and the Chihuli blue glass.
a tradition on the Tour is to pat the gargoyle's behind for luck.
a view from the roof across the esplanade...
...and of the roof...
...and under the roof! we were squeezing through narrow passages and under low ceilings and openings throughout the tour. it's a good thing my rational brain shut off my fear of small and high places so I could endure the whole tour, because it was spectacular!
near the end of the tour I looked out a window and noticed it had started to rain. this was definitely going to change the planned schedule, as meandering through the gardens during a downpour didn't sound appealing, and I didn't bring rain-gear. or my wellies!
but there was a lot in the house I didn't see before the Rooftop Tour, so here you go!
the great pipe organ
formal dining
casual dining (but always dressed formally)
one of the many rooms where music was played
some of the books in the library
part of the library ceiling
mrs. V's writing desk
her fainting couch in her bedroom
one of the many guest rooms
one of the many paintings - created by party guests - in the Halloween Room
...a bowling alley...
...and swimming pool!
after touring the house, it was time for lunch before the carriage ride. I drove over to Antler Hill village, found two more glass sculptures, did some wine tasting at the winery, and had a bison burger at Cedric's Tavern ... Cedric was their beloved dog.
then I drove over to the barn and hopped on a Carriage Ride around some of the wooded trails behind the House. our horses were Justin and Trace, two lovable Belgians. along the way we saw turkeys and deer. our guides filled us in on some history, as well as their own personal reminiscences of working with the current generation of Vanderbilt offspring. all too quickly, the ride was over.
I drove back over to the House again to tour the gardens, but no sooner did I start shooting photos, it started to gently rain again. I ducked in and out of alcoves and pergolas, but it was pretty much useless, I got fairly damp by the time I'd tromped through much of the main gardens where the glass sculptures were.
around the corner and down a lovely vine covered pergola, there were more sculptures, dancing in the rain.
after a great deal of walking, my feet told me it was time to rest. I found a quiet umbrella'd table in the courtyard of the Stable Cafe. here there is much shopping, as well as the restaurant where I had made reservations for dinner. I was still fairly full from the bison burger, so I had a delicious salad with home grown goodies, and a lovely glass of wine. I watched the sunset above the rooftops of this former stable.
I didn't have to wait much longer to gain special entrance into the Chihuli at Night display. glorious in the daytime, and spectacular at night!
after 12 hours on the property, it was time to call it a spectacular and glorious night!
the next day, on the way to the airport to go home, I stopped at the Billy Graham Library. one of Mama and Daddy's "dates" before they were married was at a Crusade, one of Rev. Graham's earliest ones in the late '50s in NYC.
I went through the tour, and heard and saw so much information about him, much of it I've known since I've read a few of his books. there was even memorabilia from the Crusade they attended!
Reverend Graham's very own preaching bible, with so many personal notes made in the margin.
even a piece of the Berlin Wall is here. this is the second piece of the wall I've seen in my travels.
stepping outside into the Memorial Garden, you can see where the Grahams are buried. and nearby, three others from so many Crusades are there too - - Bev Shea and Cliff & Billie Barrows. Ruth Graham's prayer rock was moved here from their home, and I rested and prayed a moment myself, in this wonderful sylvan place of tranquility.
all too soon it was again time to leave. this time I flew home by way of Love Field, in Daddy's adopted home state. it was a quick trip, but one well worth it. I even drove through the town in North Carolina where Mama and Daddy got married, nearly 60 years ago!
TRIP NUMBER TWO
the following week I took a whole week off from work - The Birthday Week - and flew down to la la land to check off more destinations from the bucket list. no Mouse Land this trip!
Day 1 - Birthday-day - I woke at 3AM to get to the Long Beach pier to catch 6AM ferry over to Catalina Island, a favorite destination of my high school friend Kermit, so it's been on my bucket list for about 40 years now. I treated myself to the Commodore Lounge, and enjoyed a glass of champagne on the crossing. at one point we were accompanied by a pod of dolphins, and I was so enthralled watching them, it wasn't until they were almost past us that I thought "take a video!"
this was another day with a crowded schedule, and hopefully nothing would throw me off it. the weather was glorious. I brought a wrap in case it was chilly, but never put it on. first stop, the Wrigley Botanical Gardens open at 8AM so I caught a taxi up to there, and the gardener let me in a few minutes early.
There are many plants here that are indigenous to the island, many of which are drought resistant.
my ultimate destination in the Garden was to get to the Wrigley Memorial and see the view from the tower. much of what is built in Avalon is from my favorite architectural era of Art Deco. plus, many buildings are decorated with island-created Catalina tile. during WWII, with their men off to war, the women had to work, and so the tile company was started to give these women jobs and create a worthwhile commodity. win-win!
I never heard why, but somehow ravens figure into the history of the island, and here were several carved in motif into the stonework of the memorial tower.
another quick taxi ride back down the hill and my next stop was the town's Museum, which opened at 10:00. before that, I stopped at the cafe inside the Post Office, and had a cup of coffee and a yogurt-fruit parfait to tie me over until a late lunch. this was a cute, old-fashioned post office that also had a hardware store, a real estate or travel agency, and some other businesses, besides the cafe. plus it had several clocks with the various times for Avalon, Hawaii, Bermuda, Capri ... you know, all the exotic destinations :-)
at the museum, you first watch a short movie about the island and the Wrigleys, and then you enter the exhibits. So much interesting information! for a small island, a lot has happened here. at one time it was home to a very large bird park. many of the structures were built during the art deco architectural era, and those beautiful buildings still stand. Mr. Wrigley held spring training for his baseball team here for many years. it was the playground of the stars of the golden age of movies, and was used as a backdrop for several films. during WWII it was used by the military for combat training. it also survived two major fires, nearly 100 years apart. and a Hollywood mystery/tragedy which may never be solved occurred here as well.
up on the roof, there is a rooftop garden with more sculptures - these are more ravens - plus more of the lovely Catalina Tile, and they even have their own Chihuli glass objet d'art. there was an extensive collection of the pottery that had been made here; some of it was truly unique.
I quickly made purchases at the gift shop then scurried down to the pier. my day was scheduled with military precision and I couldn't run late at anything or I'd risk missing an adventure! next up was my tour around the bay in a glass bottomed boat!! we motored out to Lovers Cove where the fish hang out. along the way our captain told stories of Avalon. when we arrived he threw out small buckets of fish food so the fish would swarm under the glass panels. he did inform us that the food they get from these tours is a small percentage of their daily diet, so we humans are not adversely affecting their natural feeding patterns.
it was a gorgeous day on the bay, and the trip ended much too quickly.
on the recommendation of the Captain, I had a quick bite at one of his favorite hangouts. I had a light lunch - seafood salad - since I knew I had a reservation at a fancy french restaurant later in the evening.
next on the schedule was an open coach tour of the island, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable about our various stops. we did a slow-drive-by of the present home of the Wrigley descendants - just a "small bungalow" on the side of the hill...
...and here is a view from the rear.
everything people eat and use has to be brought here by boat. there is only one gas station on the island, and gas is very expensive. there are few cars here; most people travel by golf cart. if you do want to bring a car to the island, there is a 40 year waiting list that you can add your name to :-)
this is as close as we got to the original Wrigley mansion, which is now a charming, pricey, B&B. the views from this location are spectacular.
all too soon my ride was over, and I needed to set off on foot again. I had scheduled two tours at the Casino which was on the other side of the bay from where the ferry first dropped me off. here I am in an obligatory selfie (so image is flipped) with the Casino in the background. you stroll along the Via Casino, and you pass the exclusive Tuna Club where this statue called "Leaping Tuna" stands.
also along the pathway were unique picture tiles of the various locales, and land and marine life around the island. here are just a few of the many.
finally I made it to the Casino, a feast of art deco architecture and interior design.
the ceiling inside is un-restored and has all original painting!
we also went inside a couple of dressing rooms of the stars,
and passed the rigging and controls backstage!
I even had a moment in the spotlight, and sang a few notes from Begin the Beguine - - acoustics are awesome!
there aren't many of these left in the world, especially in working condition like this one!
much of the original gold leaf is still here
this hidden treasure was discovered when they removed a wall that had been built during a remodel; and they have several original projectors, some still in working order.
from a bygone age - a hat check room
finally, on the seventh floor, we reached the ballroom, which is an architectural marvel; note that there are no visible supporting beams - the ceiling is held up by the hidden superstructure.
the spectacular view from the balcony
our tour ended here on the balcony; and since I was on the next tour, I just tagged along with our guide to pick up the next group - a hubby and wife, so a nice small group! we took a slightly different route and saw some new sights on this tour. instead of seeing it from the stage, we entered from the back of the theatre.
on this tour we actually walked out onto the ballroom floor, and I was inches from the bandstand. there were several unique panels like this one decorating the walls around the ballroom. we even got to see some old props from a western party that was held long ago.
all too soon it was again time to move on. I took a leisurely stroll back to the ferry pier, taking in the sites along the way. Leroy the cat and Old Ben are famous denizens of Avalon.
there is a Veterans Memorial Park
this is a tile map of the village; I'm pretty sure I walked the equivalent of all these streets today!
...and the sun sets behind Avalon's bay....
we slip into Long Beach harbor and see the Queen Mary; she'll be a destination two days from today.
by the time I debarked from the ferry and walked to my car, I was running late for my 9PM reservation at L'Opera; I opted to call them and cancel, and have my lovely birthday dinner at a later date and time. it was time to snuggle into a comfy bed and rest up for the next adventure! what a great 58th Birthday!!
Day 2 - two bucket list destinations today. got up early to check out of the hotel and head to the California ScienCenter, where there is the space shuttle Endeavor, as well as a King Tut exhibit! (a two-fer, since I really was only going for the shuttle.)
I had a reservation to first see the Tut exhibit, then I grabbed a bite to eat at the cafe on sight, then I saw the 3D IMAX movie Journey to Space, and finally, my reservation to tour the Endeavor exhibit. it was a huge endeavor just to get the shuttle to its final destination, and it was interesting to read through and view the photos of that multi-day activity that much of LA turned out to witness.
once inside, the shuttle hangs above you, nearly close enough to touch. the external tank is outside. they are building a new structure that will house the shuttle and tank in its original configuration as if it were on a flight gantry. I will definitely need to come back to see that!
a short drive and a long UP-hill walk - I had to park about a mile away - and I was at the Griffith Observatory. ever since watching the movie
Rocketeer, this has been a destination on my bucket list. I love the art deco styling of the building. as I walked slowly up the hill, I could see where there had been a recent fire that had burned nearly to the observatory! once on property, there is a relatively new sculpture honoring the great actor James Dean, and the perfect photo has the Hollywood sign in the background.
like my trips to Biltmore and Avalon, my schedule had military precision, and I had two Planetarium "movies" also scheduled; they were
Water is Life and
Light of the Valkyries. These were fascinating to watch on the domed ceiling! after the movies, and a bite to eat at the Wolfgang Puck "End of the World" restaurant, I was ready to climb the next flight of stairs up to the roof, and witnessed the awesome view of the LA basin as the sun was setting in the West.
it was a long drive home in rush hour traffic, and my map app kept rerouting me off the main highway - three times! - to avoid only 20 minutes of additional traffic. I had scheduled a second hotel nearer Anaheim, thinking I would be spending time there, which wasn't the case after all. I was so exhausted, I knew I needed wine and pizza for dinner, so I found the nearest King Arthur Supreme and settled in for a restful slice of pie and pinot grigio :-P yes, life is good! turned in early since tomorrow is another l..o..n..g day!
Day 3 - and more art deco. I hope you're not finding the theme tiresome! have I mentioned, this is my favorite architectural style. the drive back to long beach in the early morning was short and uneventful, thank goodness! I found out when I got there early that I wouldn't get to board first thing ... early entry to on-board services are only available to guests who have stayed overnight! They could make that detail more prominent on their website - please!
the British staff that were there however were very pleasant, and I enjoyed chatting them up until it was time to board. once on board, I had tours scheduled very closely with no opportunity to lag behind. first up was a tour about her Glory Days, then a tour of an exhibit of items from Princess Diana's Legacy, and another walking tour examining the ship's Steam and Steel. I had about 40 minutes to grab a quick bite - since I couldn't get breakfast on board earlier - my big meal would be later tonight on the upper deck. would you believe .... this model of the QM is made entirely of Legos!
...her glory days...
two of her more famous and royal passengers, the Duke and Duchess.
our tour guide, telling us about this wedding chapel, which is still in use - frequently!
this artwork is in one of the grand ballrooms, where all the art is of various dance forms throughout the world and history. of course, I like the flamingos. below, this exquisite wall map showed the location of the QM and her sister ship in real-time as they navigated the Atlantic!
...and then, the peoples' princess....
...a view of the steam and steel... our guide was former US Navy, so he was very passionate about his subject matter.
after lunch, I had a few quick minutes to run around and take more pictures before it was time for the next tours. here is an ornate painting over the bar in one of the restaurants.
then it was on to the Haunted Tour, where I did not see any ghosts; the Winston Churchill display featuring information in parallel with the new movie about this Darkest Hour; and a 4D movie (with vibrations and water spray) about the QM and her history. it was nice to sit down for a few minutes, after so many tours upstairs and down!
it wasn't mentioned on the tour, but it appears the kitchen staff were serious about how they prepared kosher meals.
this piano is a space where many sightings have occurred
me, pretending to be scary.
unfortunately many lives were lost on the other side of this space, as this is the bow of this ship, which was involved in a crash with a small craft.
our tour guide telling us about the apparition that frequents this swimming pool.
....their finest hour...
this is a replica of the bank of phones that were available to Churchill and his staff.
a replica of his sleeping quarters in the bunker
a replica of his drawing room; please note, the bar in the back is so similar to my dresser which has newspapers from 1930s England!
since I missed out on having my birthday dinner on the night of, I made up for it having a phenomenal dinner at Sir Winston's, up more stairs on the uppermost deck. it even has a dress code. I did read that on the website, so I was appropriately attired. My waiter was most attentive, and made excellent suggestions for a wonderful meal. I stuffed myself with an appetizer, salad and soup! I really could have stopped there and been satisfied, but the beef Wellington and (not your grandmother's) creamed corn were so worth being stuffed! and my waiter even surprised me with a beautiful birthday dessert! Yes, he received the good tip he so richly deserved.
this drink is named Clementine, after his wife; it's made with bourbon, plus orange and basil flavors.
after this delicious meal, I had just a few minutes to go souvenir shopping before the ship's on board stores closed. the drive home was again uneventful, and I poured myself into bed, very tired and very happy!
Day 4 - I was so tired, I slept in until 9:00! (yes, this week, that is sleeping in!!) I didn't relish the prospect of going to a theme park with any crowds, so I checked the website of this presidential library, and it fit the bill - - it was close, it was open, and it was inexpensive! while my politics may or may not match the party (I'm free to keep my vote secret!) I love history and this place was chock-full of really neat stuff! I was amazed to find that this property had been owned by his father and he was born on this site! it was purchased back when he became president, which made keeping all the actual articles - not replicas - so much easier. the landscaping is gorgeous, and I can see why it would be used as a destination wedding - which they were setting up for one during my visit.
this picture alone was worth the price of admission
....feeling presidential.....
December 21, 1970 ... yup, it really happened!
the third piece of the Berlin Wall I've now seen in my lifetime ... without ever having to leave the US.
what woman doesn't want to see the first lady's wardrobe!?
when Kennedy and Nixon were freshman congressmen
I always wanted to be Grand Marshall in the Rose Parade!!
a recreation of the cabinet room
flowers for the wedding; the staging area is indoors, out of the heat, in the ballroom
favorite presidential portraits in the ballroom
looking back at the Library from the garden
setting up for outdoor ceremony; apparently it will carry on indoors in the ballroom afterward
his original birthplace; the house was only moved vertically, to enhance the foundation.
I can now say I've boarded Air Force One, Marine One and the presidential yacht Potomac. and if you count the USS Missouri, I've been aboard four presidential crafts.
when I first arrived, the piano was being tuned; I finally got a picture without the tuner in frame.
now, you knew I was going to have to get the T-shirt! it says:
"I would love to meet you just to say hello if you're not too busy."
when I got back to the hotel, the weather turned ugly as the remnants of Hurricane Sergio made it to SoCal. It even knocked the power out, for a few minutes, but we were restored pretty quickly. it was still raining the next day when it was time to fly home. I wasn't going to let a little (a lot of) precipitation dampen my spirits; this was a wonderful birthday vacation where I got to check off a lot of items from my bucket list!!
for Halloween I saw an unusual art exhibit at one of my favorite local destinations, the stately home of Montalvo. it's creator is Bruce Munro, an he has a very creative way of sustainably using items and light to create unique art pieces. I went on Halloween, when we were allowed to "dress." since I knew the exhibit had an area where there were a thousand lighted flamingos, I knew how to fit it!
