Travel Warnings in Mexico...

Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) is a quick 4 hour drive from Phoenix.  Because Phoenix is so close to Rocky Point it's a popular destination for us "ZONIES".  My sister in-law's parents have a home there so it makes it easy to get in our car and go.  

We had a Spring Break trip planned to celebrate my niece and nephews birthdays in Mexico and then the TRAVEL WARNINGS came.  The warnings recommended not going to towns near the Mexican border for spring break.  We thought about it, did some research and decided to keep our plans.

Because of the travel warnings we had the beaches to ourselves and best of all... no wait at the border!  We felt safe and had no problema.

Loving my latest find from Mexico... 

a Turquoise & Silver flower ring

Relaxing at the Estuary

We had a great time riding quads, playing in the sand and tubbing in the Estuary

Cutie Patooties... 

Charlotte and my niece Brittany

Charlotte enjoying her juice box 

Mexico has always had it's problems and always will.  We caravaned (4 cars) to Mexico and didn't stop at our favorite Taco Dive @ the border (trying to play it safe).  We stayed in groups and on this trip didn't go off the beaten path.  The locals told us they haven't had any problems down there and were disappointed so many people stayed away.

flying during spring break!

I just got back from a 3 day trip with packed flights and lots of families.  It's nice to see... I'd like to keep my job. 

We had a UM(unaccompanied minor) ring her call light and ask "how big are your TURKEYS"?  She had to repeat her question since the flight attendant was confused.  "I'd like a turkey".  The flight attendant noticed the UM was holding the drink menu.  The Flight attendant... "I'm sorry honey Wild Turkey is an adult beverage".

We had another child on board who was wearing his iPod and singing at the top of his lungs.  It was really cute... Oh to be a child again!

This is something I've never seen in an airport... kids jump roping.  Great idea for getting the wiggles out!

Friday Photo...

I was strolling along in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England when I saw this man carry a pig across the street to "BARRY THE BUTCHER".  Sometimes timing is everything!

Ecuador!

After backpacking through Columbia myself and 3 friends (and 2 Aussies we met along the way) made our way to Quito, Ecuador.

QUITO

Quito is South of the equator so it has mild days and cool nights which makes it a great place to visit year-round.  Quito is surrounded by white capped mountains and beautiful green hills.  We spent time in Old Town and loved the colonial architecture.  We relaxed in the large open plazas and visited beautiful churches.

OTAVALO

Otavalo is famous for it's friendly people and their Saturday market.  The market dates back to Pre-Inca times.  We enjoyed Andean pipe music, colored textiles, ceramics and of course seeing the Otavalenos in their traditional dress.

My travel compadres Chris and Tommy at the Otavalo Market.

BANOS

We took a bus from Quito and drove south past the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" to Banos.  Banos is a small town in the Amazon Basin named after the waterfalls in the area.  Many people come to Banos to relax in the thermal baths.  

It's a beautiful place to go hiking, biking and bird watching.  We saw spectacular views on a horse ride.   At one point we were riding along a cliff and I prayed that my horse would stay on the trail. ;)

 Heather playing with a spunky monkey

Candy makers make Taffy (Melcocha) along the streets.  They pull and stretch the gooey treat over large wooden pegs.

Tommy washing his clothes the old fashioned way...

Once we were in Banos I realized I had left my passport at a bank in Quito.  I could not believe I lost my passport!  I was trying to think of things I could do if I ended up in Ecuador longer then planned.  I had just been furloughed from Continental Airlines so I figured I could just stay and teach English and learn Spanish!?  

I ended up finding my passport (the bank had it) and went home with my compadres after all.  But I don't think being stuck in Ecuador would have been so bad!! :)  

Friday Photo's...

I have a little bit of an obsession with flowers on balconies!  In honor of Spring I thought I'd share a few of my pictures...

Villa on Lake Como

 

Menaggio, Lake Como

Menaggio, Lake Como

Cortona, Italy

Varenna, Lake Como

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Note to self...

No more Friday night flights through Las Vegas!

Our plane was already late getting to Phoenix because of weather then as it pulled up to the gate they noticed it had a fuel leak.  Why did I pick up a trip on Friday the 13th?  2 1/2 hours later we left on a 35 minute full flight to Vegas with lots of un-happy passengers!!!

I haven't served that much alcohol since I worked a flight to New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  One man asked for 12 Jack Daniels (he got one)!  Seriously, even if you were flying to Europe isn't that too many?! 

 

A few legs later we were so late that we ended up ferrying our plane (no passengers) to San Diego.  I was excited since I got to take off and land in the cockpit.  That was pretty cool!

So maybe flying on Friday the 13th wasn't so bad after all. 

Friday Photo's...

I was trying to be sneaky when I took this picture of an Italian women watching the sunset it Sorrento.

  

She caught me but was nice enough to let me take another picture.

CIAO!

TWILIGHT SITES IN PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON

Port Angeles, Washington is one hour from Forks, Washington. If your visiting the Twilight sites (from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Novel) you might want to stay here since you wont find much in Forks. If you book in advance you can stay at the Miller Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast (The Cullens Home) in Forks.

Bella and her friends drove from Forks to Port Angeles to go shopping at Gottschalks department store.

Bella walks to Port Book and News but decides its too "New Age" so she leaves and gets lost.

Bella is followed by 4 men then saved by her Vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen.

After being rescued Edward tells her friends he'll drive her home but first they eat (she eats) at La Bella Italia. This is Edward and Bella's first date.

If your wanting to explore Olympic National Park or relax in a beautiful area stay at the Lake Crescent Lodge (on your way to Forks). One of my favorite (kid friendly) hikes near the Lodge will take you to Marymere Falls.

P.S. This would be a great trip with your girlfriends! My sister and I did this with our husbands and they thought we were crazy and became impatient. Imagine that?! :)

*Click here to see pictures from Forks, Washington!

Volterra, Italy... In search of the Volturi Vampires!

Towards the end of New Moon Edward and Bella end up in Volterra, Italy to visit the Volturi, a coven of vampires who enforce vampire laws and keep vampires hidden from humans.

Here's a few pictures from my trip to Volterra...

                  Volterra-Hill Town/Vampire Haven in Tuscany

In the past Volterra has been less touristy than it's neighbor San Gimignano, but because of New Moon Volterra is starting to make the list on the grand tour of Italy.

                                                  Palazzo dei Priori and Clock Tower

The Palazzo dei Priori is Tuscany's oldest town hall

and danger is lurking here for Bella!

 Me... looking for the Volturi!

Yes, this vampire madness has gone too far!

                                               What a Vampire ceiling looks like :)

Although New Moon takes place in Volterra, it was filmed in nearby Montepulciano. If you travel to Volterra you can pick up a free New Moon Volterra map at the information office in Pallazzo dei Priori and follow the exact route Bella, Alice and Edward took. Or you can arrange to take a walking tour "Hot on the Trail of Edward and Bella".

TESTING MY NEW TASSEL EARPLUGS!

You want a pillow... blanket... drink... WHAT?

I worked a great 3-day trip this past weekend with my friend Lori.  

Here's where we went...

Day 1:

Phoenix-Los Angeles

Los Angeles-Oakland

Oakland-Burbank

Spent the night in Burbank

Day 2:

Burbank-Phoenix

Phoenix-San Diego

San Diego-Las Vegas

Las Vegas-Kansas City

Spent the night in Kansas City

Day 3:

Kansas City-Orlando

Orlando-Albuquerque

Albuquerque-Phoenix

Nothing too exciting happened on our flights except for a lav overflowing in the back (right next to my jump seat).  I called the pilots and told them "shitters full Clark" (from Christmas Vacation) and begged for a smooth landing!

We also had a fearless flyer group onboard.  A retired US Air Pilot started  "FEARLESS FLIGHT cleared for takeoff" 15 years ago.  So glad they got a smooth flight!

Friday Photo...

A Monk spinning prayer wheels in Lhasa, Tibet.  

Eiffel Tower Trivia...

The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Fair of 1889.  It had many critics at the time who couldn't wait for the exposition to end so they could tear it down.  

As it's end neared, designer Gustave Eiffel suggested to the military that it would make an excellent long-range radio tower which ensured it's survival.