KEY WEST

Hi there!

Part 2

Our plane adventure to the Florida Keys.  Flying all the way down to Key West was quite interesting.  Didn't expect so much water, we were both expecting to see more land.

If you look closely at this photo, you can see the road and rest is all water.  Also the Everglades, a lot bigger than what we thought.  Not what we both had pictured in our heads.

After some hours, we made it to Key West.  Hard to land right away there, lots of planes coming in.  They had us go out quite far and circle around, till it was our turn.  Finally landed!  We got there late in the afternoon so by the time we checked into our hotel and freshened up, it was time for dinner.  The town seemed quiet and quaint, where we were.  Little did we know once we started walking around.  Cruise ships stop here, so during the day is very busy and packed with people.  Some nights, same, but not all, when the ships head out, town gets a bit quieter, not quiet lol!

  

   We had dinner at Bob's, which we are mentioning because we highly recommend 10/10!!! It was that good!  Doesn't look like much, but we're telling you! Find it and try it.

It was absolutely delicious!  Everything we ordered, off the charts.  If you like escargot, it's a must order here, one of the best we've had.

  

       Poke bowl                        escargot                                     pork chop        

Next day we decided to book a hop on hop off tour, which normally we highly recommend.  In Key West, don't waste your money.  In our opinion, it was expensive and we didn't realize, town is small and you can easily do all the things on your own walking around.  Save your money and put it towards entry to the different sites tour around town.

Tours we really enjoyed.  The little White House.  If you're into history, you'll appreciate this.  President Truman stayed here for quite sometime during his presidency.  Very interesting and well  preserved.

This one wasn't a tour but we made a stop to quench our thirst with  a cocktail and read all about it.  Did you know this?  The birthplace of Pan American World Airways?  We had no idea, hadn't really thought about it to be honest.  They had their first flight from Key West to Havana on October 28 1927.  This was the United States first international air service in scheduled operation

  

Another unknown to us was the start and end of Highway 1, we haven't been to the start but we found the end.

 

Our last tour for the day was The Hemingway Home and Museum.  Very interesting, and also very well preserved.  They have more than forty cats on the property.  Nothing against cats, but the cat urine smell all over the place, including inside was a bit much, and a bit disgusting to be honest.

We came, we saw, we conquered!  Key West has lots of restaurants and bars.  Lively atmosphere and party all day all night vibe.  There is no open container law, so people can walk around from one place to another with their drink.  Not a bad thing, but something we both noticed.  Lots of older people in Key West, not your twenty some year olds.  Can't blame them, it felt expensive no matter where you were.  

The weather was absolutely gorgeous when we were there, truly enjoyed it and we're both looking forward to visiting again.

P.S. Mallory Square is the place to be at sunset.  One of the most gorgeous sunsets we've seen yet!

FORT WORTH TEXAS

Hi there!

Part 1

So last week we did a ten day adventure in our own plane.  The plan was for Todd to stop for a class in Fort Lauderdale and then head on down to the Florida Keys.

We stopped in Arlington Texas to fill the plane with fuel and rest for the evening. The worker at the airport suggested we check out Stockyard Fort Worth. We had no idea what a fun place it is.  There is a plethora of restaurants, stores, bars, and live music.  Not to mention a variety of activities, including cattle drives, rodeos, museums and historic walking tours.  Walking around an officer shared with us that on any given night, sometimes you'll find actor/actress from Yellowstone or Landman out and about in town. We watch both shows, so of course we thought that was kinda cool.  Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to stay more than one evening so............we had dinner (which we highly recommend reservations, all places were packed) but missed the rodeo which would have been so much fun to attend.

 

Onto the next stop.  Savannah Georgia! Rich in history and culture.  It's been on our list for quite some time, we finally made it.  It truly did not fall short.  Just beautiful!

The way this city was designed by its founder General James Edward Oglethorpe, its unique and so charming.  He definitely knew what he wanted and what he thought would work, and still does today.  He laid it out in a series of grids, allowing for wide streets and public squares.  You can see from one square on to the next.  We always suggest taking a hop on hop off tour, or any city tour to learn about the place you're visiting before doing anything else.  We learned Savannah had 24 squares in all, but only 22 stand today.  You might recognize one of them in the movie Forest Gump.  The opening scene was filmed at Chippewa square. 

Being in Savannah is like traveling back in time, a window to the past.  We visited the Owens-Thomas House & Slave quarters.  Bonaventure Cementery, Wormsloe Historic Site, Prohibition Museum and Ghost tour at night.  Savannah is a very walkable town. One of the highlight spots on River Street is the Cotton Exchange Building, which dates back to 1887.  Savannah used to be the #1 cotton seaport.  It was neat to still see these building and imagine all that went on back in those days.  Good and bad.

There is no shortage of restaurants and bars regardless of where you stay.  The food is 10/10.  They also have the famous Byrd's Cookies, and Leopolds Ice Cream, always packed, be ready to wait in line.  We hit Savannah just right, not hot and not cold, weather was just perfect! (Side note, for those that like to do girls trip, Savannah would be a great place to spend a three to four day with friends)

Chippewa Square 

Leopold's Ice Cream, notice the line

The Olde Pink House in Reynolds Square

Wormsloe Historic Site

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist 

Bonaventure Cemetery

Havasupai, Arizona

Visiting Supai Village and Havasu, Mooney and Beaver Falls

Our own amazing Photo of Havasu Falls

So last year while looking through Instagram I came across this beautiful photo of an amazing landscape with the most gorgeous waterfall.  I turned the phone towards Todd and said "look, this looks amazing! I want to go here"  I wrote the place down for future adventures.  Being that Todd flies I didn't see a problem since this place is in Arizona and we're in California.  I figured a skip and a jump.

This year in April we went to Peru.  Like our Italy trip last year, it was absolutely amazing and unforgettable.  We did so much that I don't know where to start for the blog or photos.  What I do know is that after Peru, our desire to keep moving and be adventurous has grown to another level.  We got home and a week later I was onto the next trip.

So...........this adventure started with the photo with the amazing landscape and water fall!  Didn't research it like I do everything else.  All I knew is, "I WANT TO GO THERE," and so I looked up where it was, and found out it's on the Indian Reservation of Havasupai, Arizona.  I found the phone number of the only Lodge in the village of Supai.  I called and they only had two nights available May 21st and 22nd, (Tuesday and Wednesday) which I did not want.  I wanted a weekend.  The lady on the phone proceeds to inform me that they are sold out for the year.  With that being said, I took the 21st and 22nd.  Within five minutes, the lady calls me back and says "we just got a cancellation for the 10th and 11th of May" with no hesitation I said "i'll take it"  mind you, I still haven't research a thing.

I got off the phone extremely excited, text Todd and told him the "Great not so great" news.  I started doing all the research.  Within seconds I had a "OH WHAT DID I GET OURSELVES INTO!!!" moment.

It turns out......there is only so many permits per year to be on the Havasupai Indian Reservation for Havasu falls and the other falls.  All permits have been sold out since February 2019.  The Lodge in Supai Village has 28 rooms which were also sold out.  Talk about meant to be and good luck!!!!!! I called at the right time, yeeepeeee!!!! Sort of......................................

I went into panic mode.  I didn't have a permit to be on the Reservation, all I had was a room at the Lodge.  I read several articles and blogs saying that if you didn't have a permit they would ask you to hike back and off the Reservation.  Mind you, this is after you just hiked down from the hilltop of the Canyon eight miles down into the Canyon and into Supai Village.  Which I also didn't know.......to get to Supai you have to hike for eight, yes! eight miles.  No other way but a seven minute helicopter ride for $85 cash or $95 with a credit card.  All locals (Natives) get priority on the helicopter.  Meaning, they go first.  You could be waiting one hour or four to five for your turn.  You never know.

In the Canyon on our way to Supai Village

I tried everyday to call the Lodge back to cancel, there was no answer. Finally after a week, I got through again.  A different lady informed me, that "yes, we also need permits".  So bummed! I canceled our rooms. (You have to cancel two weeks prior to your date to get your refund)
Todd calls me a day or two later from work and says "they charged the credit card, you need to call and make sure it's cancelled".  Supai Village is down in a Canyon mind you, very remote.  Once again, it took me days to get a hold of someone.  Hallelujah!! Finally!!!  The original lady answered the phone.  My reservation has not been cancelled and no I do not need a permit, the permit is included with the reservation to the Lodge.

Here is the number for the Lodge.  They don't answer the phones everyday it seems.  We noticed you have a better chance getting through on Fridays and Saturdays between nine and noon when most people are arriving and checking in for the weekend.  (928) 448-2111 or (928) 448-2201


Long story short.  We did not wait till 2020 to make it to Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls in Arizona.


Here is a quick brake down for you on where it is and how it works.

Located on the Havasupai Indian reservation a side canyon of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Day hikes are prohibited.  Yes, they do check, there are checkpoints throughout your hike.
Permits for the year go on sale in February and are usually sold out within hours.  We met people there that had waited months, some years, to get a hold of permits.  CRAZY!!!!! we had no idea.
Here is the website if you're interested in going https://www.havasupaireservations.com
If you are interested, go on the website and create an account, be checking because people can put up their permits for sale for the same price they paid.  You have to be ready for those specific dates though and you have to do all the purchasing and name changes through the Havasupai Reservations website.  There is a 3 night 4 day minimum, $125 per person on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) or $100 per person weekdays 3 night 4 day minimum.  It's $125 per person if you're staying in the Lodge in Supai Village.  Each room holds up to four people.  The Lodge has been recently renovated, it was very clean and comfortable (Glamping for Todd and I, sorry not sorry).  If you stay in the Lodge, you have to hike down two more miles to the campground and the start of all the Falls.  Keep in mind, you have to hike back up two miles everyday to get back to the Lodge.  We did it and didn't mind it at all.  After walking all day and being in the falls, nothing felt better and nicer than a hot shower and nice mattress to sleep in.
If you stay in the Campground and you don't mind sleeping in a tent, your scenery is absolutely gorgeous!!!!  The down side, you have to carry your tent, sleeping bag, food, cooking utensils, clothes and any camera gear that you might want.  YES! you want something to take photos with.  For all this, you have three options.  From the Hilltop parking lot, where the hike starts, to the Campground is twelve, yes, ten miles.  The hike is not hard, but it feels forever.  It was thundering and raining when we were there.  Wet, muddy, slippery, rocky, sandy all of it, but the scenery is breath taking with every turning curve of the Canyon.  One you can carry your backpack with all your stuff, two, you can reserve a mule and pay to take all your stuff while you hike down. Or three, you can pay to have the helicopter take your stuff for $20 and hike down or $85cash/$95(with credit card) to ride the helicopter with your bags down.
Todd and I chose to hike down with all our stuff.  We had, clothes, towels, bathing suits and camera gear along 3 liters each of water for dehydration.  No food since we were planning on eating in the Village of Supai.  The trail down to the village is stunning, loved being in the Canyon.  The feeling of accomplishment that we both had when we made it to the Village was great!

The Village has one Cafe which is close for renovations right now.  One grocery store and one small convenient store at the entrance that sells food sometimes.  Because the Cafe is close at the moment, some locals have pop up tents with tacos on indian fried bread, which we had never tried.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.  We had food.  Saturday and Sunday the pop up tents had breakfast and coffee for sale.  We did alright.  We didn't starve.

Flew over to Arizona Friday, rented a car, drove two hours on route 66, then onto 18 for 60 miles and then hiked eight miles down to Supai Village.  Got there about six in the evening.  Hiked all day Saturday, in and out of waterfalls and Canyons.  Sunday we got up early to stand in line for the helicopter back up.  Natives on the reservation have priority on the copter.  It was perfect to have done the hike down and then the helicopter back.  We got two different perspectives, both equally amazing and enjoyable.  We made it out of there by 12:30 noon, drove two hours to the airport and flew two and a half hours home.  Our crazy weekend to give you and idea of cost if you're going from California to Havasupai Falls Arizona, was a little over $1,000 and that's excluding fuel for the plane or the rental car.  You can drive your car all the way to the hilltop and park there.  For us, it would have been a nine hour drive there and nine hour back.  Time is money.
Would we do it again?  In a heart beat!

Havasu Falls         

If you would like to view our trip photos go to:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/toddandmartha/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2293982980695389&__tn__=-UC-R

Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-6tE6-OmNg

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Five days in Coeur d'Alene is just what we needed as summer comes to an end.  We stayed at the Coeur d'Alene Golf Resort, which turned out to be absolutely breath taking.  Somehow we ended up with a room facing the lake with living room and balcony.  Waking up and opening the blinds to this was dreamy!!!! (specially with a touch of a button👏😊)

And first..............Coffee!

                         Your shuttle to the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course

Coeur d'Alene Golf Course

The Coeur d'Alene Golf course was beautiful.  Hitting balls into the water to warm up was unusual but fun.  The 14th tee, which is out on the lake (floating green), was super cool.  You hit the ball onto the green and then you take a boat out to putt and back.  Pretty neat!!!

Driving Range

14th Hole at the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course "the floating green"

Hiking around Tubbs Hills was perfect! Not long or strenuous, just right, with a view of the lake at all times.  The fresh air was wonderful. Needless to say I did it three days in row, beats being inside working out, which I love.

The views while hiking

The downtown was small and quaint, with restaurants, boutiques and little shops lining both sides of the street.  Very nice for evening strolls

Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop
(Side note.  When I was little, I would always ask for a quarter for a gum ball, it was my thing😬 according to Todd, nothings change.  My mother, will get a kick out of this lol!)

Some of the places we ate at that we thought were wonderful and if you're in the area we recommend checking out.  Beverly's on the 7th floor at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.  Fine dining and very very good. Fire Artisan Pizza and Crafted Tap House+Kitchen were both good with and easy vibe.  Both great places to chill, enjoy and hang out.

Cedars on the Lake.  Floating restaurant, a little bit of a different vibe, but it was really good!!! Reminded me of a log house in the woods, but this is ON the lake.  We heard you can't go to Coeur d'Alene and not eat here, so we did!  It did not disappoint. Reservations are a good idea, it gets pretty packed.

                                                          Cedars


Definitely coming back in the summer.  So much to do on the lake!  That and Todd has a few more golf courses in the area that he would love to play at.

Until Next time Coeur d'Alene

NEW YORK

NEW YORK

Finally! Getting a chance to write a little bit about our four day trip to New York.  Hands down, way way to short.  New York is a must do! Not just once but several times.  Our four days were packed with everything to do and see.  It was go go go from the moment we landed.  I've never been more exhausted!  Getting up early and going to bed at 11, 12 midnight and not even clubbing😳

That's how busy we were.  We did, The Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo Brooklyn, Central Park, Grand Central Station, New York Subway, Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, Times Square, Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Empire State Building, Little Italy, China Town, 911 Memorial, 911 Museum, One World Trade Center, Oculus, Rockefeller Center, New York Public Library Main Branch, Federal Hall National Memorial, New York Stock Exchange, fewwwwwww! That was a lot!

We saw a lot and did a lot.  Everything felt it was on super speed.  We would love to go again and take our time in each section of the city and really enjoy it.  Central Park and it's surrounding should be a day alone.  It's absolutely gorgeous!!!!  Would love to go back and see Central Park in full bloom, we can only imagine.  Staten Island and Miss Liberty will take a full day.  Little Italy looks fun for food and shopping.  Just to stroll around town and take it all in would be wonderful without being in a hurry.   China town with all it's illegal imitation products was a little scary (no, we didn't buy anything) in a asian accent voice "watcha want? You like? What model? You want buy? follow me....." (as they are walking next to you and  showing you fake loui, gucci, prada, etc.)  ah..... no thank you. Not going to jail in New York or anywhere else for that matter.  China town was loaded with an array of what looked like fast food asian restaurants, you all know I love food!  Specially different stuff.  Todd wasn't having any of it.😕  My niece Irene would be the perfect partner for that adventure. I shall return LOL! And yes, we will go into every little dive possible.

Grand Central Station was something like we've never seen before! We were both mesmerized how it all works and so efficiently.  If you like Oysters, go to the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, it was fabulous!
We walked, and walked and took a cab, took an uber and did ride sharing (forgot the name of the app 😞) along with riding the subway.  I thought the subway would be a little scary, but it was very easy to get the hang of it, and everyone was very pleasant and helpful.

We love you New York!  Until we meet again!

Thank you to the kind lady that got on the ground to take this photo, best part, I didn't have to ask :)

Staten Island

Grand Central Station

Brooklyn Bridge

Dumbo Brooklyn

Central Park

Federal Hall

Charging Bull/Wall Street Bull

Fearless bronze girl sculpture

Time Square 

New York Public Library Main Branch

Little Italy, Lombardi's Pizza

St. Patrick's Cathedral

A must!!!  If you know me, you know why 😉 (SJP shoes store)

New York! 

Oculus

On to the next adventure!