The New Hotel California

We'd like to take this opportunity to inform all visitors that the Hotel California will be relocating, some time in October, to Barefoot Circle. We decided the name of the street was so darn cute we should invest in this property. It is only fair to advise past visitors to the Dolores Street location that they will no longer have a private balcony off their room. However, especially if you have only stayed at the King Street location, you will be pleasantly surprised by our new amenities. We now have a conveniently located laundry room on the main floor and a swimming pool a few short steps from the back door. Our bright new dining room still serves meals when the chef feels like cooking and there is an excellent restaurant within walking distance. Because of our increased expenses ( a honking big mortgage) we will have to raise the cost of a room by 90%. Looking forward to seeing you at the new location!

Almost Heaven, Big Bear

Okay, it isn't West Virgina and it isn't even close to the Canadian Rockies, but it's only a two hour drive and they have rocks, trees and a lake. Mark and I needed a break and we both had a three day weekend last week so we headed for the San Bernardino Mountains. We rented a little cottage right beside the main highway (we'll know better next time). We did some hiking - well some walking up hill for a couple of miles - and while Mark fished I scrapbooked on a picnic table beside the cottage, read my book and walked around the lake to admire the many million dollar "cottages". We ate crackers and cheese and drank wine. It was perfect. Well it would have been perfect if Mark had caught a trout for dinner. So now we have to go back to catch the one that got away. I think we'll aim for October - the crowds should be gone by then.

rocks and trees

Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics

Did you see them? Click my comment line to leave your answer.

Wow! I had three reasons for tuning in on Friday night at 8 o'clock, on the 8th day of the 8th month in the year 2008, and none of them had to due with luck. The first reason is that Mark and I walk to a sports bar for dinner(The House of Brews, for those who have been there) every Friday and then usually head home to watch a movie. We had no movie. That is the least of our reasons.



The second reason is that when we were in Beijing last November the Chinese people were so proud of hosting the games that we knew the show would be spectacular. Please note the blue sky over Tiananmen Square - proof that every day is not smog covered. That is smog, not fog, you see on a gray day.


The third reason is our young friend Marlene, who is a soccer referee at the Olympic games. This photo of her was taken at our place where we cooked a Beijing style meal and ate enough noodles. dumplings and Peking duck to feed a small town. She was a ref at the Brazil/Germany game and then had the unexpected treat of attending the opening ceremonies. Her fellow refs are writing a blog everyday so we can have a first hand peek into what is happening in Beijing.

I am so glad we watched the opening ceremonies, as they were truly spectacular and offer proof that the Chinese can invent anything.