Trip to Leavenworth 2014

Memorial Day 2014

Leavenworth Courthouse. Photo taken Memorial Day, May 26, 2014.

Leaving Leavenworth

On the Kansas side of the Missouri River about to cross over into the state of Missouri. Photo taken from car window on Monday, May 26, 2014. 

Store Window

Leavenworth, KS

Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Theater

Leavenworth, KS

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Wards

Leavenworth, Kansas

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Polish Pottery

Mom love's going to the Polish pottery store.
Photo taken Saturday, May 24, 2014

Tattoo Parlour

I'm fascinated by all the old buildings in Leavenworth. I wonder what the town was like in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Sam says he thinks the town could play up its history a lot more than it does.  Photo taken Sunday May 25.

Return Trip

Monday May 26, 2014

We were on the road by 9:00 a.m.  Mom was driven down a week ago by Uncle Denny and returned home with us. Athena's good behavior at Sam and Becky's and also in the car impressed. Her only incident involved throwing up on the carpet and that was a result of feeding he a little faster than usual but also, we think, due to the excitement of being in a new place. The boys really enjoyed having Athena around. Just before we left Cashel said, "I'm getting used to having a dog around." Last year they were much more vocal about expressing to Sam how much they'd like to have a dog of their own. I wonder if Sam and Becky anticipated that this year and had a little talk with them because there was not a peep about it this trip.

The drive back was long and uneventful. It would be nice to break it into two days sometime in the future.

Saw a lot of these driving through Iowa:

Birthday Recovery

Sunday May 25, 2014

Slow paced morning which was great considering yesterday's busy-ness. Played a great game of Clue  Cashel particularly had a great time with that. We all went to brunch at the Prairiefire Mall south of Kansas City. After that we made a stop at the American Museum of Natural History at Prairie Fire. The boys had a great time there. 

Cairic's Birthday

Saturday May 24, 2014

Celebrated Cairic's birthday today with an Indiana Jones themed birthday party. Becky put a lot of effort into the shindig with Mom's help and also with the help of her friends Jenny and Sally the whole thing turned into quite a fun production. Dale and I helped with the limbo in our native masks.

In the evening we went to Baan Thai, a restaurant in Leavenworth. I, of course, had a martini.

Dale and the Boys

Friday, May 23, 2014

And We're Off

Friday, May 23, 2014

Left at 10:00 a.m. for Leavenworth. Mom was driven down by Uncle Denny a week ago.

Crossed into Iowa around 11:30 a.m. Stopped near Dows, Iowa for a picnic lunch. Before leaving Minneapolis we stopped at Kowalski's to pick up some wraps and also corn and bean salads from the deli. It was nice to eat outside because Athena could be with us. She enjoyed a quick run before we hit the road again. She was perfect in the car the entire way.

Crossed into Missouri about 3:45 p.m.  After getting in we took Athena for a walk with the boys. Ordered pizza and watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with Sam, Becky, the boys, and Mom.

Annual Trip to Leavenworth

Yep, time once again for our annual trip to Kansas. While walking Athena prior to our departure, I noted that it finally felt like a spring day in May. It was slightly cool with a gentle breeze although the sun was out which made it feel warm. It was a perfect balance. Leavenworth is supposed to be in the 70s and 80s. 

Missing Mazatlan

Cigars in Mazatlan 2

Cigars in Mazatlan 1

Return from Mazatlan

The backyard upon our return from Mazatlan on Sunday April 6, 2014. Still leftover snow on the ground from the 8 inch snowstorm we missed while we were gone.

Mazatlan 2014 - Hibiscus

The hibiscus that was blooming around the resort was beautiful.

Mazatlan 2014 - Shells

I liked looking for shells on my beach walks. Although there weren't a lot to be found, the ones I came upon were quite pretty.

Mazatlan 2014 - Te-Amo Cuban Cigars

Mazatlan 2014 - Te-Amo Cuban Cigars

Mazatlan 2014 - Imbibing

Gin and tonic on the plane.

Pina colada at La Paloma.

Cocktail hour martini on the balcony.

Martini at Los Delfines.

Mazatlan 2014 - Return Home: Picking Up Athena

We got home at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. The flight home was wonderful. It was hard to leave the sunshine but picking up Athena from Silver Dog was more than enough to make up for it.

Mazatlan 2014 - A Few of My Favorite Things

Cigars in the hot tub.

Mazatlan 2014 - A Few of My Favorite Things

The sun.

Lounging by the pool.

Mazatlan 2014 - A Few of My Favorite Things

Morning coffee on the balcony with Dale.

The sky and sand of morning walks along the beach.

The sound of the ocean during walks along the beach.

Mazatlan 2014 - Day 5: Wrapping It Up

Saturday April 5, 2014

Morning coffee on the balcony with Dale.

Tried to stick as much as possible to our routine for our last (albeit not full) day at Estrella del Mar due to the things that have become part of our routine are the things we've LOVED doing here.  Coffee on the balcony followed by Dale taking a run and my taking a beach walk. I'm going to miss stripping down to my speedo and walking on the wet sand as my skin drinks in the warm sun while looking at the beautiful coastline and listening to the waves.  I'm already looking forward to the next time we're back.

Met up with Dale at the pool after my walk. We asked each other how many more days we thought we could stay without getting antsy. My guess is that I could handle at LEAST a couple. I think seven days would be perfect.

Had lunch in the hotel's courtyard although we were given the same menu as the Poolside Cafe.  I think anywhere you sit and can find service is considered the Poolside Cafe because we were given the same menu.  Anyway, I had the tuna fajitas which is what Dale had yesterday. He had a club sandwich with fries.

We spent most of the rest of the afternoon getting the condo tidied up and mentally preparing ourselves for the break with paradise. I'm so glad we missed the 8 inches of snow that fell back home. It was so nice sitting under an umbrella by the pool in nothing but swim trunks and felling the breeze caress my chest. That may sound cheesy but, hell, it's true. A warm enough temperature in shade with a soft breeze is nothing less than sensual! After the long winter we had this year it was so good to rediscover that feeling. I can't wait to go back.

Mazatlan 2014 - Day 4: Exploring the City

Thursday April 4, 2014

The following photos were taken when in Mazatlan as we were trying to locate Sanborns which is where John and Dianne recommended that I find cigars.

Top left and right: On the highway.
Bottom left: Toyota dealership. 
Bottom right: 2 Pollos. 

Senor Frogs. I'm not sure how to explain Senor Frogs. The shop was in the same mall as Sanborns. Sanborns is a higher end Mexican department store that also has a cigar counter. Not something you'd find in American department stores.

Mazatlan 2014 - Day 4: Cigars, Cocktails, Food, and Snow

Friday April 4, 2014

Woke up to a clear blue sky this morning. Another fabulous beach walk. Found some unique shells and I must say I'm amassing quite a collection.

On Facebook I'm noticing a lot of folks back home are posting pictures of the snow that started falling yesterday. Dale says there was about 8 inches of snow in Minneapolis. So glad we missed it. Our timing for this trip couldn't've been better. I'd like to say I planned it that way but everyone knows I'm not that all-knowing and powerful.

Lunch at the Pool Side Cafe which is in Las Villas Hotel which is on the Estrella del Mar resort. We sat outside and a very sweet cat came up and sat by my feet while I ate my crunch chicken tacos. Dale had the tuna fajitas.

A couple days ago Dale talked to Dianne on the phone and she gave him the name of the store John goes to to get cigars when he is here.  It's called Sanborns and it's actually a department store. I purchased two Te-Amo Churchills and a lighter. I'll leave the lighter and one of the cigars for John since I smoked one of his last night. 

We drove into Mazatlan to pick up cigars and some food to get through our last day tomorrow. We also filled up the rental car so we can return it with a full tank.

We went to dinner tonight at Los Delfines which is in the Las Villas hotel here at the Estrella del Mar resort. I had the surf and turf of shrimp and steak. Dale had the fish special. I, of course, started out with a couple of martinis. I watched the waiter make them and kudos to him for shaking the hell out of 'em. Sadly, they were rather weak for martinis. I think he reversed the vermouth to gin ratio. The t.v. in the bar was set to VH1 Classic which was a helluva lot of fun to watch. Dancing On the Ceiling by Lionel Ritchie was a scream. When we got to the restaurant there was a reallly drunk and obnoxious American woman who was climbing on barstools and having the waitstaff take pictures of her and her date posing in sombreros. I tell ya - some people.

After the restaurant Dale and I returned to the condo for our final evening. We hit the hot tub again and I lit up the Te-Amo Churchill I purchased today and enjoyed the warm water and sight of the cresent moon as I puffed happily away. How relaxing. Dale and I both commented how we're both going to really miss this place.

Mazatlan 2014 - Day 3: Sunset Photos