May be a few snags
I'm in the process of transferring my host so hopefully the transition will be smooth, but there could always be a few glitches. :) Carol
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A pause in the San Fran itinerary: STYCD
I'm still having problems uploading photos so...
"So You Think You Can Dance" has been really good this year, and I was delighted that they showed what has been going on with seasons' prior winners and competitors. I thought the scope of the dances and choreography was much better this year. Last year was a bit heavy on the hip-hop and krump [the latter I still don't get but realize it is popular]
I enjoyed the addition of Russian and Indian dances. Very disappointed that Katee didn't win. She's such a gift to dance, but I figure that the Russian dance-off between the 2 male finalists might push the voting to the male finalists. However, I'm very happy for Joshua. For not being as trained as the others, I thought he reached deep into himself and pulled out astonishing development. He was a joy to watch every time.
:) Carol
"So You Think You Can Dance" has been really good this year, and I was delighted that they showed what has been going on with seasons' prior winners and competitors. I thought the scope of the dances and choreography was much better this year. Last year was a bit heavy on the hip-hop and krump [the latter I still don't get but realize it is popular]
I enjoyed the addition of Russian and Indian dances. Very disappointed that Katee didn't win. She's such a gift to dance, but I figure that the Russian dance-off between the 2 male finalists might push the voting to the male finalists. However, I'm very happy for Joshua. For not being as trained as the others, I thought he reached deep into himself and pulled out astonishing development. He was a joy to watch every time.
:) Carol
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Day 2: Flight
The Napa Valley Balloons website had warned to dress in layers. No wonder. We were initially bundled up against the dawn chill. However, in order to get height after lift up, the balloon operator fired up the engine with a blast of heat. I soon shed my jacket.
Since the other balloon companies had headed toward the same site, there became a bit of a competition among the operators, even those of the same company. They search for air currents. Man, when we finally floated into one, the speed picked up noticeably. I was interested to learn that the farmers don't mind the balloons landing in their fields, although the first to land normally goes up to the door. Can you imagine, cup of coffee in hand, looking at your window and seeing four balloons landing in your front yard? The operators do search for those sites where the farmers have recently mowed and/or have fallow fields. Once the balloon lands, they open up the top to let air escape and then literally squeeze out the remaining air and stuff the balloon in this smal basket.
Anyway, here's a few of the photos I took as I floated across the gorgeous countryside. Since the upload feature keeps reading an error, I could only upload a few. I shall try again tomorrow for the rest. :) Carol
Since the other balloon companies had headed toward the same site, there became a bit of a competition among the operators, even those of the same company. They search for air currents. Man, when we finally floated into one, the speed picked up noticeably. I was interested to learn that the farmers don't mind the balloons landing in their fields, although the first to land normally goes up to the door. Can you imagine, cup of coffee in hand, looking at your window and seeing four balloons landing in your front yard? The operators do search for those sites where the farmers have recently mowed and/or have fallow fields. Once the balloon lands, they open up the top to let air escape and then literally squeeze out the remaining air and stuff the balloon in this smal basket.
Anyway, here's a few of the photos I took as I floated across the gorgeous countryside. Since the upload feature keeps reading an error, I could only upload a few. I shall try again tomorrow for the rest. :) Carol
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Day 2: Lift off!!!
Day 2 in Napa Valley was so jam-packed from dawn to night that I'm going to break it down over a series of posts.
Dawn saw Diane and I making our way to the Red Hen Cantina in the town of Napa where we met up with Napa Valley Balloons. Due to a fog that rolled in, the company drove us east of the mountains to a farming region. Watching the crews fill the balloons was fascinating, but getting into the basket was a gymnastic challenge, to say the least. So here's the sequence of the take-off. Tomorrow's the flight. :) Carol
Dawn saw Diane and I making our way to the Red Hen Cantina in the town of Napa where we met up with Napa Valley Balloons. Due to a fog that rolled in, the company drove us east of the mountains to a farming region. Watching the crews fill the balloons was fascinating, but getting into the basket was a gymnastic challenge, to say the least. So here's the sequence of the take-off. Tomorrow's the flight. :) Carol
Monday, August 04, 2008
Day One-Napa Valley
I'm baaaaack! I had a fabulous time in Napa Valley and in San Francisco. Of course I shot a ton of photos so I figure I will break down the trip day by day.
Last Saturday my friend and I flew into San Francisco and rented a car. Gulp! With Diane and a GPS as navigators, I managed to drive from the airport and across the Oakland Bridge. Traffic into the Napa Valley region was chunky, but we finally arrived at the hotel and dumped off our luggage. First place we headed to was the Domaine Chandon Winery. We engaged in a tasting and took our glasses of champagne out to the terrace to toast our holiday. I loved the quirky stone mushroom garden!!!
After enjoying the scenery, we headed into Yountville for a late lunch at the restaurant Bouchon. Yum!!!! It was the first of many excellent meals. I didn't eat at one bad restaurant the entire trip. We walked off the lunch by exploring the town; nice shops and overall charming downtown.
What a perfect start to the vacation. :) Carol
Domaine Chandon's 'Mushroom Garden'
View from Domaine Chandon's terrace
Bouchon
Flowers in front of the Villagio, Yountville
Old building converted to shops, Yountville
Diane and I in front of Domaine Chandon
Last Saturday my friend and I flew into San Francisco and rented a car. Gulp! With Diane and a GPS as navigators, I managed to drive from the airport and across the Oakland Bridge. Traffic into the Napa Valley region was chunky, but we finally arrived at the hotel and dumped off our luggage. First place we headed to was the Domaine Chandon Winery. We engaged in a tasting and took our glasses of champagne out to the terrace to toast our holiday. I loved the quirky stone mushroom garden!!!
After enjoying the scenery, we headed into Yountville for a late lunch at the restaurant Bouchon. Yum!!!! It was the first of many excellent meals. I didn't eat at one bad restaurant the entire trip. We walked off the lunch by exploring the town; nice shops and overall charming downtown.
What a perfect start to the vacation. :) Carol
Domaine Chandon's 'Mushroom Garden'
View from Domaine Chandon's terrace
Bouchon
Flowers in front of the Villagio, Yountville
Old building converted to shops, Yountville
Diane and I in front of Domaine Chandon
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