tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44908694068178022782024-03-12T21:27:31.439-05:00A Glad DiaryA Glad Diary is a Lifestyle blog. I muse about Travel, Home Design, Product Reviews, Shopping Lists and Life Lessons that inspire you to live life to the fullest. Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comBlogger945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-70488574990853755342023-11-20T15:30:00.002-06:002023-11-20T15:30:00.137-06:00Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvbPFBCM40cKGiI6JEPgS7WUopvltLnIOkTmZhaRGQY65jCy0jQvLJWlsLCrKJasAGB7jMgxQcntj3Sn1l-MU00XDMjC-rBjNvg2eOvltuAIh_wRA1bMIQVooTXxdwO_uflQvmqHyuIr8qG7AbFIJGxRDx-Tje_PIRfao9kHPo7_AsriR3K4cAfQIUQC0/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2508.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RvlLs5K2__OZGKHuMzMCRauioxcZizAkVH3goYZhbrKokeWDwxubcgXS8QxSuZSglgJvK9J2Q92QTI_9XDeyYJQaewhK39fT0201XDzTshnIm8U-t7gnp-eaWyR0ULtSDgdsAIR7Q1Fc0qksZkvfFM0KcCQLjl6U1p0BDI1_BV11jX2_3pKfEcnUOx6i/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492_5.png" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tf2xCiomldjqXyqDIZPNA_EiyhMJvM23J-QGNPlSV9zpL8Y_H7aCv9kEqLnvJcFzeW-8NcM2jFrb-P9ZrzYvSXRDSd4xyhJAe6hoPQKAWgWnzL9gwekXlZGv2aHsYARZ9og6sWZUzo3A6ew1qlQGdEsmMvJiUO98NZkpkjXy72B6_LOaxZ2bcpYORGAv/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2489.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv4OxpzHHI-BkjjZ5HbhM5TgVTh0IZxd0MsC5w7FU9OVqmM3KYKd5OeaReu1NQqc9d_677pm-oWIEFMXRL2UqBvKhx2iXMyN2LgnAt7gsZZYJl_wB610UFPXfM1CgZMSq41VrA_uGyA7ldHqH2Q-CPZSUKdbtpmGYDql8SQ29ZNoDGMkEZZkyKkJNo5rl/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492_4.png" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi733H_HyCfozQqTzishufh4Y44Ox0EFf0iUqc3lRv2IYynQSh2dpglEkKnXtjAF0htkfa_GiJ_ZzMGSUmJc9BhirhFS19mfu3U69kIiXvlvpR3McrAUDk3DwvQD6XS-xIDc3wmNIO8EzKP10Q128wfB8x0H78rMUsfWRbtfaxGXtNkc5I9DCTkGKShJF1-/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2491.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvkrcZ390hEEGlfkbeAAwHlWoczlOYCP3PGsHwmaqzWu8LdzQyYjF259siP7dJvt4N96Pa5jfJQdyEtVo7OU_m63IRJRz2tJ7o3y-6kjnGt0UrclM6CjX4CqRgBdljaBBe3BFp0poam8_05oL0Q41GYg8nPrkAHCQnGh1yb1ebx9VqYmptLmcszjAwfsc/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492_1.png" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwaAIwhA5YVG-RNMV_szyaBXISLI6KPoBdSNQL4AuxtPpHrXbPl4YrZnJpseBjRv8L5Ipw92cM18jSCyUutBocABD7QgnoxN9GydkvPb4u3q8LoPf4Z5hRSjKfOlbkpVuYfxkI3nxuUApejZNKOnmYbsrmSx7SEHFl2ilSOAxr4Svj9mP-xT0b0DFp9qR/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2498.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUKtQNllOIRqUvIwsfOzfTbSj139fbnputsGssZCRJMN6vWqD1wKps9kJdpnYdb_vH3G8czQWlXCvNrw1CVnpdgeo2jTMUJjdKYtj2nioWUfnL2wmvQMjC9BKnn1eDiUd1dtbm8UCZM9sgmAIXUcjv1V3YhFpYgGUQZza2fArDbf3fQ-X3lqqp2wU8Q1I/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492_2.png" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPayHznVP-X4UYeAEFuRzRC6740Ye2HYGH9tdTLYXVLuf1lglh_Q5d_LxjSZGQFmaXbyw9N7rSU0EuyT5APXHp7kxgneR4bRH99H3n5h4yy-qfCECFlcPryPpV93_r5_pFPU8vgdLvDszTkLJVrESPXdNE3mom2ZGalS6mxTRV0yF5tyHSE5NuFlM3LHCR/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPawYdCJdBAwZbskOM7f-1Ew65d7-wC1OPIeXCs-6J_qpC_DHRmrP3gVl-vinxM8WJNWTXEE3BwM_lyvLHAz_bm_kK3X0DMBOw9T1pHPVqpz9JHYZQcPj0oRzqFje7u29iQ2MIyXrtCQuIGI1UNHtqAdNpRhj60kHtCmYwSOzrvNvvnuyhvuidX3qwiRgI/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2492_3.png" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQC2Nva2-9J1CR1u-yW65kV0Q4nNlJcXZcUOoLTHHhttnOhOryoKqZk4OoIdXNyhtCsNS1DcYzkNVOHyvD7GfS1gOzh5ye24sFZpXPqsB4al4qZWV9Po1_Ksupm61909E61eZyvUn3s9p15b92gXOWyGWnQdasye7_L4SM4AtArxwRgpxwoHZ8HiVV7Iv/s16000/north%20carolina-charlotte%20downtown-aug2023-2516.jpg" title="Watch a Game at Downtown Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina" width="100%"/>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comCharlotte, NC, USA35.2270869 -80.84312676.9168530638211578 -115.9993767 63.537320736178849 -45.6868767tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-81761045773363460462023-11-16T15:00:00.001-06:002023-11-16T15:00:00.134-06:00An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2h6eBLnkKoKwab01hHTmeXQuTzmj_IvrA1kp1Akr9dWcqrtaugZ77kwPtpCatbjL49gJy-BLDPawZUYuj2ucWTYp5oqdeJGdjs4utIc-tPivT61s4Uk_xDuWQ1x1F-wXxm417vzdO6BOjYWYBXdbPX2XF0Gm1cvQsLdEKalG9sluh6A_6T4ciWUw_96i/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2452.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaZdQakWETE_0hHQAsRQUaUmrMoiC01NBU_3rdeXgo-GG6UZ2cURZNf0Y0p1Qj7xXSgvRWovS3fZA_h9XO6u-wL1KyVDT87N3rwpjHRSgB3nfWGDTbU9mmwxRMITsQbL9W2g8NPKStpIXD09ZC2xgClCPwJ6QrkLDTemBiQc-WnUdOjieOYHPlzbCi1g5/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2422.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJW3LjaZHZakgMPGyc2QqG-9mWhmoiyE0e8c1nq697ggoJ6R64UB7juQ2F5v11RBp-8UKbuax0-kGKY2cWZlSytVAMEQ2Q76ry1E8dZN9WsTLvIRe-3-y4Em_iAIfq3EP5TONrAKRsvPeXBNtV54c_iPigr8LslM6QkcoeBFqXKU23PA8FbLB9RczT7yI/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2435.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsXq1kHw2xOdMz62Mre2bF3zgpaSLlUGBB-XP-7KVTY3-Pel5rfSMVbZSrCC9GBU91t6xPX7TAyLfnIyMV8T1rpQYaguizck9PhEYqpHF_kRFFwFoMfjAtzqVYQAZeIfY2rv73pbGVkkyTp_1n_DHMkrMWFvxYoLfxZRzkkqmmXXyWcyRLndpwFLhvC5O/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2434.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="55%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNamU6DvryWm-UZ6L-Tu6-BOGJtMUDInaKpwCqCmdKm7AlERHsuyCU4oHsBtqqxQIhpQos4wK1McKU_QC740cAaf-FJUdDfoK3nPhaSytG8dRSY0LF3uKwK33Co9KR_sp8mKNUKFEqx0-Tgw8YLAft7srsRxOdUzQ85BUD8DboVEVe_hkIdd6vCh61Q1S/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2419.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Kfkq4X0BhbFCv43f00xKqiLRuHptjpwL8LO23hEjmcQDO4jg4zc8okGR2rtmQco8EBDhRv0JsRUR0AkWntanV9PvGSLd3zu2Q_ylEGHk0uAXISPwE1doXHFJT9rHDEGf12fG7U9X4705uqhg24I-LYJiabrsj9FvCybwtLVmBfm5BIUXZyd2pmBU3jr/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2440.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLODtWU-FSeZMSdivmlAD03XT325445L8V7YyMIazZaCKyfGD_35sMzgDs-JV8rQLpu7BHPc9JjBs-gJPMdW7gvWsMKxM6_MBHOyoIgTuhDtexHvpjaWKRsI5tI7c6TzzchNxLSlL0LsfopkbyaB66zvqJeqJ8DZXoqg5FdBoPMayv22lQT1s6HyNxpas/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte_aug2023_1.png" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN2iQTjpd0rs30i3xaIE1Fr7Pai0TbdkLRQcyhBPrv2LqPU6ZHdWwQWuJLlhNTDtTH_EFvL4C1263ix8Wpxix6g1o2Wv0ZnZDQs1_ytceadL7msL0uqlE20BeasWyYBBCuYfIuZKJ9L5lM5DXujqDrp2YX2xth5gv476VQbfRWhaz6NwFRGrBai-v_XPd/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2453.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCz2Vnbdi8rHnW4Bs6CZupeFcLNAYzu4Ldngi8nZE7AHEyKZt-KKX2o5_aDPo3gC_B4USn13EqKQ2tsJOG0SmEwIrune6oP2axzQaBBj8luojsw7PCik0-R3MaW1Nat9-JwjUmwsBBolh35c19QkpI7RMjKDUOPJttOaVcolCjxn_M0ZKijymBNYdTd9y/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte_aug2023_13.png" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJwxm0TbRpkv7MvlPs7b0lKr76C6NoMBCVDYnC6P5dKFU0qPmITZwjDMv1vb9bQ7y55be_fMDJQz5iK3BB0TY_yFv143DnbfS0snpZc9gRzRa-RGpKEQVoF2S8xJMyb4OtJ4bqBdiyDxj7iRZGs0Vv2XDfFPpm5IeJ0SzTXW26kizPV-07razCQ2-w37w/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2436.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMO3aEC4oX4k-S-zb-K7Vjpz5i5OOg1DorczALbfGmn6vnCZc4XCmujpWcp0pY-PrB4pmZ2Q9XtDMFizioYc9Mo2eecOAZi9MadvG9Ur5jcvpqOpvnUTOB0MSJ_uygm5BSL_a7qH2SGrX4CKmaDXXuU5ubMWbl4ras2_oIz9973hviNrDuHvO-dTzgJ1_/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte_aug2023_12.png" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%"/>
<br />
<img alt="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-9eTQmM1BJZsOyt_i-bhMq8x_8cE7rrhfzltov2VNeEH3LiethW_4wjKK4NrCZqCpaLH1kmRnIry6rJbafnwj6v2GIeNZV6cYFb9WdSQMKBKZXYfK_NfJE0xyKMuX747oYScAHFF5tXl4VgF1gVGdg8UoC8WR5dbSmsknqUgdj0L_s2eRZ7BdkBmKVX6/s16000/north%20carolina-freedom%20park%20charlotte-2421.jpg" title="An Afternoon Stroll in Freedom Park Charlotte | Things To Do in North Carolina, USA | Travel | Places to Visit" width="100%" />Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comFreedom Park, Charlotte, NC, USA35.1878274 -80.8474666.8775935638211578 -116.003716 63.498061236178849 -45.691216tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-82657835585060371502023-11-10T17:30:00.010-06:002023-11-10T17:37:24.051-06:00In Travel: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USAThe drive from Charlotte to Asheville took 2 hours and 30 minutes. Yes, the route is scenic. In fact, North Carolina is covered with lush greeneries all around. Tall trees line up the highways. You'd think you're passing through a forested area. <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">So where's everyone?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike your eyes, the maps won't lie. Behind those verdures, you'd find restaurants and shopping centers. Oh, how I love it there. Truthfully, our visit is because I wanted to see if the city fits our lifestyle better than that in Austin, Texas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But of course, convincing my other whole, the hubby, won't be easy. Understandable, since relocating to yet another city is expensive and stressful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Entrance and Tickets</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Imagine you're super rich and your friends don't know about it. Then one day you invite them to your place for a party.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From the gate to the main house, it probably took us 5 minutes to get there. Well, I could be overestimating. But the point is... it is huge. After all, it is an 80,000-acre estate.</div><div><br /></div><div>We paid $80 per person, including our 6-year-old. For that price, we only get to see the gardens and the surrounding areas, not the grandeur inside the mansion. You have to pay more to get in. Pricing details are <a href="https://www.biltmore.com/visit/tickets-pricing/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, it is expensive but if you think about the upkeep of such a ginormous place the cost is reasonable. Also, if you buy the annual pass it'll be worth it. Wouldn't that be advantageous if you lived in North Carolina? :)</div><div><div>
<br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDJUrLkhLraIn3ySD-OJMkFa0OlCC9d5AEpR8jnbxFsZvCSYsNK3OCmkq7gCsHCcnPcT7HbKTfhCAaqES2kPuVDyduTTZup8xaTfv6chKEjzfuJkynIfuVdPSBEXUO8jgTMzSRn8uRmEdwQkeUblyYUkB_JWZuH3bBOg4XMpVia_ESK-A39mw2zwXc_iu/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2358.jpg" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IKE6RHPCoBNsTHzDJlwOWCzFtCffLHB6ziG5XxEabM6m66_ONJXtHREFefbp5qdlxtYClPb5AGTQ0KMmcKXa4Yd4wfPegPJvnWsSdMVMvJB6_zih2n2neV7I3t7Gw1o0oyALw9ZdlAKlgcTmF-ANYPRrk149qMY-OcwwKgHrr4x-tt0ZYh3vFWLt8ILQ/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2363_1.png" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>Please excuse my son. It's challenging to get him to smile for our family photo.</div><div><br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdWJYWZ-n9oioMrm5k1cy8iIXXs5Z-OZVNpimhJRHlcEfg1FN5UFz7uM3RGo3ixDIZNWaT6FPRLsOdzIB04fXTuSnXhWgodAD-2KK7FVevqA7D2HQyP5mBmCoWPJyDet4NNHvH2MZR6qZfSWLfUfyxJ6EEz_mGLXNouB726-cKwqplzIBFKBzuhRtfoJe/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2311.jpg" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP0cuR4YpN_Qur7tkZTIIfFt2vpmp6jiEHS8K2nhcmvE_I6Ao7L22pDJgQtWftGmYY0AQCNIrz9gCbQbH_BNyHd2aN_j2MEozfVcfVw-e_XeaZf1Pe4f3YlJW550vuo-2-OGmR39WOCgbPinEr9hHCsQzToOYTV7JH2pXK6WmNoKtESL1gW3vR6v0PS-n/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2326.png" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Things To Do</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Because we only got to visit that summer afternoon, we were only able to explore the Shops at the Biltmore Estate, which is also called the Biltmore Village. There's live music, restaurants, a confectionary shop, and a hotel on top of a hill. People were having a picnic in the small park. We saw others hiking, biking, fishing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Can you believe there are still more fun things to do we haven't even explored at the estate? Check out the full list of activities <a href="https://www.biltmore.com/things-to-do/activities/full-activities-list/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also took a quick tour of the history of the place and about the Vanderbilt family, who were once the wealthiest and most prominent families in the United States. They made their fortune in shipping and railroad and expanded to other industries later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When you hear the name it reminds you of the excess and opulence of the Gilded Age. They had their peak during the 19th century.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxmvUy5fRi-Sa81v8JODPskeS_GE2YG5tLtp3NEVI11SXgkacfu81as6JaTDbEeKSDeDFFFPqUNkKmKJlXi-HVFxsPJioa2O1UL4pgjffS0bt6iZQV4bNYP0RTGXsN1awt3Kn9NLNdruPwz0Nddbwmobe70N38KaTdkwfpj7ccfC7sX3o4i72cwGp8NFW/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2327.jpg" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-gAi5W-wCxul25Qap8YQAGI0KsFC5IvjlNB9cLFgvRdVWVXdk0jiuhmhgdRWl0DL8_T-YLtWr3ISUpxHr9a5QXJaY1KaEKNtIeBoSKKoiSdGHPKdHW3c_A7kpSnf32_LiOGxp6lL_zUneddBUx8SH1OU39Q3xiEd7-8bs-diPk2uEMD7Qi5_32-i3Sst/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2335.png" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The vibe of the place reminds me of our visit to <a href="http://www.agladdiary.com/2022/10/mont-tremblant-quebec-in-fall-travel.html" target="_blank">Mont Tremblant</a>, Quebec, Canada. Probably because of the architectural style of the buildings inside the vast acreage. Which, by the way, is hugely inspired by Sir Vanderbilt's travels to Europe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And speaking of Europe, I wish for us to visit there one day. :)</div></span></div><div><br />
<img alt="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sjjZzp2eO6355Yq-mh2mnnEa85VwKW_Buzg3oSSlesjdYcK8uFgRd2hObiZ4H2_7UCniEKqCQIMpMO71rpxIFtKAEnDLxKdV9Wpvy_qZhG4emFZJqBiXfQW6PtngwYV4kMFPE_OB0l7-h5rLwlOp4gEkThxXpEpeh3W0qXEMLiKIGmoBdL5HCak0773h/s16000/north%20carolina-biltmore%20estate-2355.jpg" title="Travel Guide: A Visit to Biltmore Estate North Carolina, USA" width="100%" /><br /></div></div></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.com1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA35.5527514 -82.5636904999999937.2425175638211527 -117.71994049999999 63.862985236178844 -47.407440499999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-81091504401137612872023-07-31T17:00:00.388-05:002023-08-01T16:47:52.748-05:00Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnyVKj2g6N9TZrzVgZ2CLgJtqP9WfxQv4vouaYwC5ZuNHIoOajv2GNJpzaBzjJYsFZjSueF0iXVhhUo6b65dJ1KShb-TMBJvNwMggmDYkyQNFMyzWB1kpzDfWhSH-8w7pEhTJRUSjyRkXQ4UkznDaeAJ_iUqZQtb5fJe6ejfajkH-FkH9t_DZwTBPw982/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1927.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br /><br /><div>
Traveling through on I-10, I observed a tree standing green in the middle of a body of water. Odd. And the next tree is within a few meters away. From afar, they appear man-made just like these <a href="http://www.agladdiary.com/2022/10/ottawa-ontario-things-to-do-see-rock.html" target="_blank">rock sculptures</a> in Remic Rapids Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. But upon closer inspection, they are indeed trees. No, not mangroves. They are tall.</div><div><br /></div><div>We drove by multiple long stretches of these bridges in Louisiana on our way to Florida. <i>These must be the swamps. I wonder if we could find alligators popping its head out of the water.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Early this month, we vacationed in the Florida Panhandle for one week. A friend tipped us about it last month. Why not? This is the nearest white beach we could visit, which is, ahem, 11 hours away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's our Roadtrip Itinerary...</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 1 (Saturday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stop by Houston for lunch at Jollibee and bought snacks at Red Ribbon.</li><li>Stay for the night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfhv9TMJsEqcgMaePcrC_ttugk9DFkppOzgoLexxp3JYAAi3vbARuSySrkFBruEdsQ5XATw_XsJCabFRVA3X3tARNcW4UVubBFZc9EjgXj-dMC_NbF8B0YqNweAllG4fg419XxDbcYKIcakNN5t5r0a7EaL4MCLsbDWHZwUpjzmsLJVBxbZNNBuxSIo8u/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1890.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" /></div><div>
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu2MjNQr8FqdESOuC8-2kvaFfbfisAnNRWPgttI8ZDSYnX-iIE8gPuWJxrxJx6NvfbDVKklm6VjO2WMmdUP4HfNmfru9pzrJh_qlVXTbSMzZ3Ah4W-MIulLTe40Ce3BKMrC65pjJCPbHRSqZycIW7Pl-oYpEnMzKPJZvGnZ-U_-xAJmgtsjMh_TP1XBLv/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_1.png" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Day 2 (Sunday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Arrived safely in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We stayed at Hilton Garden Inn. I like how convenient it is to work out at this hotel. The gym is accessible and pretty safe since everybody could see you from the outdoor courtyard. I prefer people around when the family is not.</li><li>Dinner at the hotel. You could never go wrong ordering seafood in Florida. Everything is served fresh. Gosh, I miss it!</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 3 (Monday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Breakfast at the Waffle House.</li><li>A quick stop at Target for essentials</li><li>Free and easy stay at the resort.</li><li>Dinner at Old Steam Bay Restaurant. Must try! I have this mindset whenever we go to a different place: Must eat at food places we haven't tried before and probably will never again.</li><li>Got souvenirs from Alvin's Island.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUKjknBv2wwjary0UcquHoKYw4BCOSVgKDn6DbTismh1oN2AO6Dxw0ucTLOEpmpbsJmWRGPAMWNrGOd5JNQWrRDR4rfhnl9_03n2uLJd0phIYTRC-pGps_aw3QM-FFPs-1SKUOQ_6UR3bDtHsbjbKsQ7W_vZYLMjrE29RQgkk8qxN5Gp-_JMT5GzuilPr/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1950.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 4 (Tuesday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brunch at the Donut Place Destin, Florida</li><li>Visited the <a href="http://www.agladdiary.com/2023/07/things-to-do-in-florida-panhandle.html" target="_blank">Destin Harbor Broadwalk</a>. Stalls for boat cruises line up the harbor which makes it convenient to compare pricing.</li><li>Dinner at the hotel.</li></ul></div><div><div> <img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2XQdGTqgPbNk4-SijM3SI12Vw4KAGzLy7dYxmkdXVRS5wynlkqxHd3pzqffmSyg9bmcv0yC65sHhhBungV_fZHArqt6rDugQMA0PqIEulUeVk2qBW3l8J7TAYTi7Ow2uyn0k14Rrj5VRl12rT4--kwaUd4jbctlZfVbwsKzGx3FxoPBnAs93zNzcggtF/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6046.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" /></div></div><div>
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZUzoyxmFOubuC8NjUA-H-Iw6urBPqZC7e9KWOG1xOYOlN_Z8tX_J57oDCm9alIl5x670StYJEuC1wkt76VzoEYmwelLnN1ZkOgTvKNyH96-wptfUcbt2WRKa2v7KFbHypEm6rkHuSne4oNowwBhptHtRXlaf8ypzK3b2UlShyxUqdks5908m5Ksfl2Lq/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_5.png" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX_nwidiu953g_IEA9JckSVp4MRYgcq7bC3zQ4L8tEPshvK681lX5ptBkAr_i7uRYrBvgTKNOYDqjEufn245Gj1GRe-0KaN1FIM6S0l5FzNOlaGSa9HkszEN3WcHIJtViF-yj-f3mcztkRjFHcLPWkwF851uz-MUvdczJuzrvi1o0RbHxQHywaZUMYkDi/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1916.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpM47wp1wI1SM6SrgHvd7ppObtgetFPx0z3gw86AXgcG6O0AcJxsVnu8ttV9LxTfpvpHDeGirrwxjszTWoki6Mp1ETweoNL-NfxpXMoLxcvq97owcRR5Qo0sf_1Lm76eC65DxvaoKl4xPjTYUIUOc9Ia1u8yOUYEcLfWVLWnoubUgNQF8utOoNJmozVzf/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1920.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" /></div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 5 (Wednesday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brunch at JJ Chago's. Next to it is a small souvenir shop. We had a good chat with two wonderful ladies in there. One of them, stationed at the cashier, recommends the book, <a href="https://amzn.to/47cdNu1" target="_blank">The Noticer</a> by Andy Andrews. Without hesitation, I add it to the cart. I do appreciate it when others recommend a book. </li><li>Move to a different hotel at Spring Hill Suites By Marriott Navarre Beach for a change of scenery. It's quiet out there as compared to that in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Not much traffic and you need to get out of the island to eat and shop. If you drive westward, you'll reach Pensacola.</li><li>While waiting to check in at the hotel, we head back to Destin Harbor Boardwalk for a caricature of my son by Cartoons by Deano.</li><li>Dinner at the Beach House Social. Oh dear, it's the best!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuKbzHRsvd5s_DMbXjDNU7pNksnf8GpMikiCeU5SNHI7XcauIlcBmHmgMY66YrFxmUBdeJMJ5G-PfOrES6YtP6pATJSHSZshGHM8hlk6NBcWz1BURTeWw2bI1OxF48yIasz87rNo3JA7gCaR3nOanViPIiL1o7QIlCAYnkvKK6xCfHAUQqEHdiMepE6GY/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6048.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lJh_Ryz8aU7WEsegqCIl9ljplBKwt_Qze7yhnE7Z4odZhPGplZKs_7du4kZfp3ZtAeX9M7c1nLjUnj_C4ybuEEYWEZ5lYvBa0jOQJ_rHCo9u89G3SyQLg0VnThC7qKy5HgJDqpX6_eYgBnst9g6TXnKKhr8u_kk4P6DEZypbzkAi_GmLI_SwWpYtuPih/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_7.png" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCreQC2Gch3FpJTR1O5JDoZ3U058hdhDvk9ltsBjWBRnthEBDk03_Y_gBkjZPUUrJ7hJXRmzSNokaXroBRoXQ-Kcx5lSHjfivFubvMi1a75gUCYh5g8kGblDmg_ADUqoeh4OwKXiEAwBYY66AJPCJk8QEo6CUv9EmgZkZd5LxOpPfueI-iPk99nskJGpe/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-2036.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEjrRuPaH5GlN8j0UvP-Uq44yN0e0FVx8qwFGHjr0hwwGRwwYraH4cmzFQhfAe77qoRsSk30jEzaKZuc3Jxrr9vNBLfDP8EBSwF85G5EV8j0D4yug7Z4sZDtzyFimCj6TYQZoyXX17CaAF_Ed95ZXKjOJGeLa8znlEByEmlgIQdHrciMKGdERoyj-hnUu/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-2045.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMyaAThw5_XRbjYsNimm1w2jOOcc4TOdZAYNhbiGsAhzjYyffXvBxMEqCEds6qcZhRi-ovTn0b-7fN0BlTeuTVLDrBBEzKljNWUyha9My7cUWQ_TizZBgQ_FVRSwVDn5MBmf2PpeT6YepGM51cCfjMI1VXjRNOxHpzG8rFCDJPKXlXKRjwQ_oApxEbYkE/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-2055.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br /><br /><h3>Day 6 (Thursday)</h3><div><ul><li>Brunch at Dewey Destin's Navarre. You could enjoy your mouthwateringly fresh seafood at the beach. They have picnic tables outside. From there, you get to see Navarre Beach and the bridge that connects to the mainland.</li><li>Visit the <a href="http://www.agladdiary.com/2023/07/things-to-do-in-florida-panhandle-with.html" target="_blank">Gulfarium</a>.</li><li>Late afternoon is spent in the lazy river at the hotel.</li><li>For the last time, dinner at the Beach House Social. Thank God for good food. </li></ul></div><br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb2WNKnx9faM6NirxAK3UAkSs8bCr4d7qYuPzJamdUdRYOKQsApLW3FTj18qAzSsSKlVQSFBcXA_FFSDTrhS6fodabWwBp18rWgOT2I2swEMfvof8R9kd1x1ZVGDjkuz5ljY3tSV-bjTouVCUpJSz7DavClwnHJC5q3oYLi_dsKSRkDY6BrtNRGfaHffw/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-2031.jpg" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" />
<br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 7 (Friday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Drive back home to Austin, Texas.</li><li>Stopover at Lafayette, Louisiana, and stayed for the night.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 8 (Saturday)</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stop at Houston, Texas for late lunch at Jollibee and bought snacks from Red Ribbon. ;)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xu5vmZiU0a3u338sogHYTxt5_S0v8B7106yWBFJ2PrLfb-m_P7MfDuzKm-KW_I8nq2y2miUxTrZH1n5mScAAUDpIgcNq2Ng_r8noRigOAeJluI4QDdD8Ca-yYdenRbA1KkSwloooGr5yqVZEHv743uNEZx7MIOQv1zGdPA-FlLnucTdKGSoNUNuMQwvH/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_6.png" title="Austin, Texas to the Florida Panhandle (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre): A Week Long Roadtrip Itinerary" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Road trips are nice. We get to notice places we'll not otherwise see while flying. Just like this body of water separating I-10. </div><div><br /></div><div>We pass through the George Wallace tunnel in Mobile, Alabama where teenagers squealed to try the acoustics. A NASA space center somewhere in Alabama. Resort Casinos in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Where to next? :D</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you looking to visit the Florida Panhandle soon? I hope this itinerary is of value to you.</div><div><br /></div>
Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comFort Walton Beach, FL, USA30.420070799999991 -86.61703082.1098369638211452 -121.7732808 58.730304636178836 -51.460780799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-23934553138594047572023-07-27T17:00:00.000-05:002023-07-27T17:00:00.146-05:00Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMre9DG86xv__iqnQddOR0FSIUro6GG_YYF8-N8P-OWdBnpWKQZL2npbB_iaMTIWSxFPEL9sMfOE9ors-iqxfz5yCMrPkLhQOo76SVvXwBApWX7iPWPJD7EcIU76Gu95eTgxzR7LQAxSKeVqhlBtt7a6bfZElLT8j8lPiB1S05vz5lIEfgXivXaqbvbD6Z/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1990.jpg" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBw2G1uhZ66PKyqpchIz-8jzDllV6hdU1AliIuI4nY7IKkhh9WjCGRZNjCUpBp2NYEL9qZB5SN9FMwch_rAH9AVZogbW_65UY5Ug-aIxotBbWREE0D6NsmXqyJR5OyMv1ozG361-gTlw3CmdaNy57qDlKks093LKG-YsFr9rCkpDAg_1LGNHBDExkrDaOB/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_4.png" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS_lTumL06vkla3sJ1hHkWFPQGsPEHQ6lDykMc8GFTBvGTiEp8sM4jC1k3Ef4vv20dFpj4H8-1L5Uo92IbZCElCkn_V3mv-9JwDODloX2K5QKvJhytlteozTlRPw42CwcRhtC6468lh4VjuQnNmJ8xcTtgMeik6pueInUK9Hz23xQkVaGwHHeBqmbshlu/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1954.jpg" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNcVj07NRhR9nw2kmR9cCru-NlIcg5hzhCIoJCY7kkg0c9txpQudmgugcn8bEX-Lu81UKXbThVcLeqWKCjlpG102HFs7R74g05x-KsOPYRYkUwyRo8Vw9Gjts7-mHqn-kEstWOIu9MnIV2PjihpWST62t--NnFa1ePtBzdHVGeBTZXW4nLiFXTg5puqAQ/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_2.png" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5q7a5SNVj4n8LvwN29DEOMybNsw3FBDWhuDLk4HapslyWeVfGR2p45frLZTTqYs-HusuOfxSakBGdI03LpU6JYmsfS088VzZQuvdk5wy48wVMRm8qvPnsydRJJVVzHHNfnpiUWigrXlgRblsgknaIA9Yu6QsNBWLbaMgqk9Zxb7sZHOFtkdtyG0t-761x/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1962.jpg" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIfFUj76PfZ5K1KpBFkKHRwEJ5CEpowEkyE-gpH8oWBzqwPXUMMw8jAluvOd9HfYD6aSz4dUBpXvQ_q_evCsOL5VqKDsbpBgrm4s9_FqnsKiSauduHTzZGHK10TI6yoAKqVhJCkASuHBvtUsyGAmZb90PYmZUN48BCoCCTcVz9anZVR5BHOfhMMk8ppKv/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_8.png" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrayPlWP6-Rpdjcpcekd01CBaTwG-88oyOemS17Ve2gwgIlFKGvV6C2aL89lEaiY4EyJq7_1r8kteU8DMKag0U00zX95x4oUK9F-j0op5RnLlaa8IwlPwJMMkelRs2puiTahSbwWk6PK6q_YPKB5aYta1AhFxnUoDCHYS_pOTRXc_6qrCD7LuJ0IQ0PIXy/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_3.png" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6K2NEibgMuQtEMWIfmPyMyCf77V6WNtaRcx2DMB_oomYnlvyXFY86NkX0JMClOQHoUPa-MYoCaeO2tVc3-IM_0pJ3eJuBjmJ5gSGJmGacvc8GqzikbHDG8tLskZ9knD1IxwKIlcWCy3YZbnN65XC90jdRd4xTshMyjU-CB2YrYRl91blyjiwhMQ1tTFN/s16000/Things%20to%20do%20in%20the%20Florida%20Panhandle_Navarre_Destin_Fort%20Walton%20Beach_9.png" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCKdIJQUPDfulYbn0r5boycPJvqKBOhj-c8CCEpHVsuol5Y2qil4NEKy3djEBHbH-9C5LsiWa-7muOLPr9p6QOzLzEyqu-oU-fradLnJxU6aMzXygRpb9fZ6ARyiCIo6qjhHr-scJA1gjqmw9UAyYpNcbEIvUoiLou1NvoeNIa244_iosaPMEL9YjIOMZ/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-1965.jpg" title="Things to Do in the Florida Panhandle: Destin Harbor Boardwalk" width="100%" />
<br /><br /><div>On our turn at the corner, we saw a school of fish in the water. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Look." I directed my son's eyes to where they were. </div><div><br /></div><div>But within a few seconds later, I urged him to move on, "Gosh, it smells bad here. Where is that coming from?"</div><div><br /></div><div>The husband nodded his head at protruding washroom at the side of the restaurant. Thus, we begin ambling our way again to wherever the boardwalk leads us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boats were departing and arriving at random spots. Food trucks, restaurants, and shops of all kinds lined up the side of the street, leading to the entrance of the Harbourwalk Village until the of the road. </div><div><br /></div><div>The husband bought 2 bubble teas for us and ice cream for our son. I spotted an empty table and enjoyed the harbor.</div><div><br /></div><div>While there, two young lads plus others disembark from a fishing boat and begin displaying their fresh catch. A small gathering, forming a semi-circle, ensued. If only we don't live 11 hours' drive away, I would have goad my other whole to join the bargain. Haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>Growing up in Cebu, Philippines, never once thought that there are places in the world where they couldn't eat different kinds of fresh fish, seashells, and marine plants. One time while were at the beach with my grandma, she spotted and sea cucumber, skinned it, and eat it right there. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Florida Panhandle sure does remind me of the white sand beaches of my hometown Cebu, Philippines. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Because we live far from the gulf we get the frozen stuff. That's fine still, so long as we could still enjoy them.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>Although we were interested to book a boat excursion during our visit, we decided to opt out to keep our days fluid. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was the right decision because when our son agreed to see the dolphins at the Gulfarium -- after selling him the idea for a couple of days -- we were able to go without reservations. Check it out <a href="http://www.agladdiary.com/2023/07/things-to-do-in-florida-panhandle-with.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, whenever we visit a new place, I make sure to get an art souvenir. Here our boy posed for a cartoon drawing by <a href="https://cartoonsbydeano.com/" target="_blank">Deanno</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>To find out more about the HarborWalk Village, check out their site <a href="https://www.emeraldgrande.com/harborwalk-village" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comDestin, FL 32541, USA30.3935337 -86.49578332.0832998638211535 -121.6520333 58.703767536178844 -51.3395333tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-87090005774497243472023-07-24T17:00:00.000-05:002023-07-24T17:00:00.154-05:00Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHh4BAQg8LBWLLH3iHHiZcicZfL9xObets3F2BF8DaS10OnETmgWStlmgif-Hhz9iF-Ltwwv79bkPFVJRxDv9Mkx5uoEdAPLO0ew1i48S5bZzJ4LMIBU-5BmH9S1OYUHUoYLH4rp_BmFx9oWZ_ENmv-X92FpC7Yjo9tLslYwlD3MIEl9oBdinu1uxmBqm/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6058.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_O7f1Fdhb8JBht8oEcUp0L0E0OykyueJ65MT-0ZVA5NFchogQG8EPvh1bgWQPadRtmn45CyRsTzlZ4lP4PFnsXaMPMC9KOyvsmf5hTWVKS19XoaG6osYFtYum2v6YSyhfpesA6hNbG733BiMD3dgfMg3uxwN7JDFll85gH6-a56usr_y9BTBI-9Oer1k/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6052.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS6Do8uy06EjE80kFEl_h6boCFA0PMTILzi2Do-fZFwjW0F4mLcXJtniZf_cUWAeic7e_vNheyQ5UfTGXf4yXrL_v3lSUSYBMoraBR9ycNh7WyjjPGhX9FHxKKg-iMV0sRn_D3ZU-eF2M-IiXBLqEU4KOfQYuDcNjgJnU5JBweHhgFNA0A9WTnjrI-BJy/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6055.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xN328byUusu-y3SZoOpayIH1_OpM1JfrT-jLoQEJiiujDr_nk8qykTigr10VEorxaru7QN9c6kTclp-sfIbZ-RtFg-cnBUucnGlrBom2wP0irxEO0iE_9K9zUZA8XxW27lZI_zoqO-7C2HXXNrpYWHOEyzToPfyaVbx61-CUA14y3TM0Kt1RiFz0K8wh/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6075.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="55%" /></div>
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZpbrqTSgvxFwY2vm3QPreuB5Y1wnQKIhecDfLiiJWiXmRo4qcT_8Bx7JLqlODmdBJTF7tMUMTlILj-qjQ3aPhMc5BCCLFdDsspDOvfa1N6IW4SrXFjhQkzr82j3P960l_KucAsxDmFjjsNLP0ysOpctol9ec63djbKCgsc4IuUbDmUP4vUgdUAxQ4HmW/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6082.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglN7qh00s5MlaSuNiZmPim1QAJNSieTVlOOhGszP-KPQr642waEUNudQ8FH60cun-YavvXOnWXG_Y2BF0_s508rcG05hOmAnfqYfdZC-5q-3KScpjLcbHXhShvPeAzuC_FzPeNCRE-ufROOl74IKellno1DKrCYBYw520grgOsERfxJkU0GLhEvff_2-WO/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6062.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" />
<br />
<center>
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yVaC9BhJQAshXdZO_xwDHXpo8-OlAcBBY7um-b1HgQZJkArp8XcDFcykKfPiOOoVN2rEcN0DGakEvRMQq7ijrDHA1FcFz2C46zMRUE1S_ZOltywDaaHyrgtNKKN5s7r_UWED5uLJax5vCr6czdbAwKnwSt78kCc_fh7Pzgcbi_R_1Z9VElQiE81A8oeM/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6071.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="85%" /></center>
<img alt="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7OatKfKDucd4WM6Lgp0TgoIuzPy9Gp32T8gEbuJWUutt1Scm7Oog6w0j3NdXNHzqFFD6_NDFMEC16TCo9A2gQYzY7ye4uldnZQZ6KQpHddMFPizVB4xBaicCLfD7688Azs8NEh_upoHoib207quWXfD5YSMcVUpA3LYopLY-VzDkG7mJOEbvlC1dH1RE/s16000/destin_navarre_fort%20walton%20beach%20florida%20usa%20travel%202023-6073.jpg" title="Things To Do in the Florida Panhandle with Kids: Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park" width="100%" /> <div>After clearing up our plates from the table, the little boy requested to see the dolphins at the Gulfarium. My eyes grew big. They hurried to lock with my husband, who just returned from the area where to place the empty plates and throw the trash. </div><div><br /></div><div>"He wants to go to the Marine Park," I announce.<br /><div><br /></div><div>For the past couple of days, I've been selling him the idea but he wouldn't buy. Not until two days before the end of our Florida vacation that he had a sudden change of heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>"But wait, we need to go back to the hotel to get my DSLR camera."</div><div><br /></div><div>The poor hubby had no choice but to go back. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>Though it took us longer to get to our destination, we were still able to catch the Sealion and the Dolphin shows. We stayed at Navarre Beach while the Gulfarium is at Fort Walton Beach which takes about 30 minutes drive depending on traffic</div><div><br /></div><div>It was drizzling but thankfully, we were still able to meet most of the resident animals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our son loved the visit so much that he still sleeps with the stuffed dolphin toy we bought him. It reminds him of funny dolphins at the Gulfarium. In fact, we named it after one of them. Cosmo. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Marine Park isn't that big and as developed as other places we've visited but it sure is fun for the kids. And just a few meters away is the beach. We could see it while saying hello to the seals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gionni got interested in the sea shells, he picked one and check out what is inside. It reminded me of my childhood days when we were still living in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines. The shoreline of Mactan Island near the Marcelo Fernan bridge, which connects Cebu and Mactan, is still clean. And that bridge was still not there. We used to pick up sea shells and boil them for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly, gone were those days. When the bridge was built, the squatters came. Or were they there before? Probably. Still, I'm grateful to have experienced those times.</div><div><br /></div><div>How much is the admission to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park?</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out their website here --> <a href="https://gulfarium.com/general-admissions/">https://gulfarium.com/general-admissions/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Would I recommend it? Yes, if you can.</div></div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comFort Walton Beach, FL, USA30.420070799999991 -86.61703082.1098369638211452 -121.7732808 58.730304636178836 -51.460780799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-21237212287123016682023-07-03T17:30:00.084-05:002023-07-04T00:22:34.478-05:00Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio RiverwalkOh Texas, why so hot? Sweltering at that.<div>
<br />Last month, we drove two hours away to celebrate our son's birthday in San Antonio.</div><div><br /></div><div>We stayed at the Canopy by Hilton without an itinerary on hand. We'll be there for one night anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>For lunch, we stopped by Jollibee, a Filipino chain of restaurants. While our little boy is young, we want him to acquire the taste of our motherland. And yes, he loved chicken joy -- a food item listed on the menu.</div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKREQE2fkQ7a7fdPiMGOGE2QkrOdy0AM5FO8fKVpLflkq55MahJAvOoIpEYKbKRTNPzSl5ps5hGnOI1q25sB5U-383ErdZHOKo81JUP5zYiWRzNyWJMTZAZsWipPBYRonTEnyzK3gLIKsRbMt_TXDAOe7Dy-8kjORkIZD1Jkt2iQ-p74CXB37wQuy6ZtJR/s16000/san%20antonio,%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023-1684.jpg" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh057b35arjGDXwCfLeUTuTvvNAoSbsLX8jcvOVY0QbmVCoXLGcrR5L5-pL6F7PypX-kqnNzQjo4KqXKsIe_lqtb4x1WxRbciCkc5inOgujB1uVM_c1LCbTawSOqz3ky-Me6boE__oWFdk48CZq79Dtf0bC4tnTa9umuYiNRGFU53Lq2INfJKOZ2-krcBeq/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel6.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUCd92Lk3jz-0-zbHZoUCYu4vwc7w9XvY0oLajtjQKT_Qv0G0b4fSq7DJUeqxolRxamigNSKhuovDFGAiyAUMFNaaVnLgpXWJnZ0X4I3xVmhfnh_3zSgHHOLSfHXme8qb6ulVCLjZcFyxnK5BR6TaVxa_fIE9V7u6g9mc2UtK6rky2js_tkKcy1xxmjbs/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>After checking in at the hotel, we strolled downtown. I wish we could have waited an hour before sunset. Gosh, the heat feels like being slowly cooked inside the oven. I guess we're now used to the cold weather up north. Story <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/life-update-moving-back-to-us.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>'Twas a huge relief to get inside the Shops at the Riverwalk but then the birthday boy saw the cruise and wanted to take a ride. Sure why not -- even though I was crying inside knowing we'd be seared from the intense heat -- it was his day after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>I told the hubby one time.... if there's going to be a report of a sun flare, Texas will surely be hit. (This is not factual okay, I think this way because it seems we're in close proximity to the sun.)</div><div><br /></div><div>And guess what? I suggested we move out of state after this trip. Ha!</div><div><br /></div><div>To give you an idea... I have this <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2016/09/colorado-bound.html" target="_blank">small pink luggage</a> back when I was still <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2014/01/singapore-instagram-photo-diary.html" target="_blank">living in Singapore</a> (around 2014). The handle melted while it was sitting at the back of our vehicle on our way to our intended destination. But could it also be because it was old? Probably! Nah... it's just too hot down south.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, below are the views from our boat tour.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYQ2_I4iNJRbrwXMj0hYgISV7cHhvd9RTAlV-C3-Pjs_PoTKMxqiBnRcAYLWvY-4UoVjJ-hyQd56rxEqSxfbdMFalDkk3w4M_YjxJ2VsX1PQ7FzglzZCZqRVCo_47nJIlorensYcW7MwAjOhJpkIg89Lqzbjpy7puxm5RwkaN85wmwpdAS1o_2t1Ivzq0/s16000/san%20antonio,%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023-1650.jpg" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittBD_57_8U2cG00J80D6dl5vOlYZPwPYTBhG01axJ-rCTSL7eMTDc6CL26HWZrI5V0YRyh3Z1fXG14_MT-5F6N0BVZBf49tnJrJqdM94LKJzHfEuDvxCx3du2U0W3RDxOjXqWUe_5VoOywPZ3-4tdexT0w7MaiBZ5qieJOj3xqjKdPF6ntjzebO-CLpld/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel7.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eP-BPGfYuexCmrqFWylk38NWUcJTKL5vrcA4QOkqOBNEDuxnYUd53AL8fSxyYm0Q7v5La8sMyM645oQpxU2NPfaCw5NvdWaI4X1UMaIfKSHwTEc2RMW9-vIU57JgQc3xo5otZI3hGHBfXQUz2AqrZtqeEY23bk4-Df0ryqJqbeJgYfUtn72BAmQ1WtMy/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel5.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nB76WeG4lrb304gsyKwQx_nD0u1yA0S_bOJkR6e9AkDWf8GhIYq1kIY3INoUROM37eEqUjMIPmuLS8BDWIkwXBPqmKX6uiIVDMciu3xT7NLc_T2ImF9C9linvaRdROC5pytk9fv7JN3-271CeAtNaHTKYx1FyMLxRa88r2IvqssaaWCVAO9XASKMoYiR/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel_2.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>And here's a view from our hotel room. </div><div><br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01tksbcIpr-cOewPH1QuyxITzEaffYs3PGPKonz72FUpLnF8YxRX7JdkDDB_Ojg6xCuCrrVYJQHC-2dvVvwA14OTIqpam7X5_SnaPCa73LIztkqykVYxOySvNJFfdIMP3AK-0XGq7xIGfYtXcg3sqvThufWlmK2lqKb9VhGm5W3I9RaofxxO7gdD7q_jU/s16000/san%20antonio,%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023-0262.jpg" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9qF661GKKJGC57vvxKFnMbOHCC_OfkvQK1M8o_bHDKeWpVnY3Scyl0fIVciIaVQKbHGRkuCuP1Pv6PT32yFYdWqT1x7JXeRiy695EpLDraeqXOtr-ubBY9H-_uMJ5_As8gSmRLAqPvdr2DJZm3UfLAZCDmm1l_0sQyrLtLEkjLVTBqUCB78mykS4Gdl0/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel_3.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXlyx1apKHc0cQ45Mpdc6R6ClzersIlI9UL-eGrqLEv-ROOMZNoSuvN4Y3W2LW5Jx0eAob8Ysqt-KlDtFwprDGd9pLMmq3y1Q9ItTDRQ_r5a-rEjiiUs_XDK3UsaZCRVQDleNb_2VrkGzy9qesBW9nVAb8j4-lWL6SzdglDKHZV3ovumEE8WDKw_xtuGJ/s16000/san%20antonio%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023%20travel_4.png" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTJTTcshttb7MtHjfUGab4o-hPaaWZ3S5J41bGZfIUNTD5Y6zOr2bssytq2Cvk1--igH40G4CpVBRIkgYDVRqnXHJ59u9-rNmTr74tZv8CavXf5wrVJYBlOhjSgRabSNHN9tB0qOSs_M-fBIjniIS7CN6DfX1n3Hj5OXP0QbNANLdbz9AcpPxs6MFpWh/s16000/san%20antonio,%20texas,%20usa%20june%202023-1680.jpg" title="Texas, USA Things To Do: San Antonio Riverwalk | Travel" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Exhausted from the scorchy excursion -- yeah, my mistake I wore heels too -- I wasn't able to join my family during dinner. My hubby raves about the food downstairs. We wanted to go there for brunch the next day but it was packed we decided to skip.</div><div><br /></div><div>They also witness the fun at night whilst I'm snoozing many floors above. That's fine though, this trip is meant for our son. We want to let him know we celebrate him. Thankfully, he gets it.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>So when is the best time to visit the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas? If you can tolerate the heat, then anytime. If not, avoid going in the summer.</div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comSan Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA29.4229737 -98.4860339999999891.1127398638211545 -133.642284 57.733207536178845 -63.329783999999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-22044258436239663892023-06-01T17:30:00.037-05:002023-06-01T17:30:00.144-05:00Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping <img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamsus87ck5n7ptks3QUTievrNpC7_ezy5u8C5TLxJ8Nnp3Yly2MQ3IPU6eDjl5wVRL5ZuMZpo0gVM5sciWbKdfhDSPLLsWbdDNkCNHnF1S8f3-KK7_E9Eq33muHrplyokxrj4jf90tceZXnpHjprTBYIfQkkV2Okocxd4_saX77jJONSK8RVJ2ilA4A/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-6023.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRnoqtfRg9nNIxkQtp0xyDi57pLDL4QACpbFbAraj5e_tbiQ_lDu-y6abOHFED8WyRP1U258I_S0U87jOYyRVIqkBgYCEr-Svkiq3aM_RkJ3EEQ-o-Df1QaqtDQAyJU7YvBRMKf09RLtdd1xEJbbTz1zLzx7mDkUi-ol2M1AyVBivAI5FbUhmj776Pg/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-59751.png" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SQN90vtetd97ZPpC4esyTnlA_Tm4pVGvu4AtuoAvBQEEkQFx82z8h_AYhzdzfXyPqLhLm2UGQOlVn0rQTSCrGtNwN4oStyFgcMsUk_D5dRmxXUeFsCRn6HS2BIEllBM_WT-vZy_eSZA9ReNlrIisZORyjwV93UStzbgOpaq2w096Dzd20vWTndlpA/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-5975.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP7ZMPUNiftz7yiIxK_U_ijlR-91RMdg0qnJdydljLrVFVyV_lJUzg9LH4NicXhZuvWwhlMgvF349TA3EgE4Si9OxevGXnig7gp8D4GYYTcJnoW2wcWD6vJvmMOI34DNtfxGntvJOEVfm4s-iozf7QHEqWgcaBqs9d3QphJXezgCJCGxj2sb1d7FyHw/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-59753.png" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_GggRtv2ZqjhPka49WeADlddo21GOzAR5CA1sTqHYbV6E9CItvLbBi3aq7pTfr7OvfZYx30oOnQfefn56lTnHkmb76prPSgEkSqhwfL7ySq0awj_kx3tb-YLmfV9DBQO77lekfQPwbacFI5uVvqB0LWKSNZLIxSW8l9ALK8QsCLi2TE2IknVvtttfg/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-5995.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGqaWTE4m57dTtB9EtZhcho68VChyTIwgwahSvBH_1gDVe2NwskdqInFxXnMCspgPj_8kAsjpdtgHmxskUpEQ9gY5oBNM5_InF-Cza_pIRNEiX3KxGQWLGbSqjNeK8zJKbA6Jjoes3L21xlBUWgcc8QlsE8t5b6Sx-fYlARJKf-qCfFLn21n0Jn0h3A/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-59754.png" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuASb2iGTduZq6ZBtjMxHJeZp22zs7EjZyVVpCXpThJnvWim3YWUtqbuCnwvjRgaMEYzsJslNvp0zhYEzmimMRWHHQpQfJgfbMKo9aZzShy0msDwU3oyJQKwB8TUOkjzFyud2mpyI9O6Nk4MoWNj--ZuynG2AmsXyP8H32gBmIpMNltvKuyVaBD2QRAQ/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-5976.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzFCMGkrLGR0Ch_Dtcvo5xYMRAdC8TJAmEbqSNaoQljLzJENh5DjnpgquWmUCuwyj765H5QnOA9U_3FFLL6yvbFjJoBMCrnEri4rmSn3FJQkmhh6wG4DTEwV7OcnrCxjjPUbGcbE33347joaFwnG0EepPHUJt864NrjaLnJS8Q6aE8BLYUoTHXoxqhA/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-59752.png" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNWGgrp5i0zZu_Y99yefJHSDtBC4UEl3fWRP2ogb1UZkOsYUDBDc9Uk3YV2ncoVtdC0SYUdZnDeCkXKz9PKNkI3XuNL0XhGnZ3fc9IU1rV7laO0lll3rvwpkJjeFVYhMAnn3NcYCbjyr9Y6-ErPljn14tGEeprMckI9lAg5xjGmzH5rEZ307J_QLNRw/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-6029.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHKppuR9ci8H_ZvGvKaMc0l_QoRNPWC8n6R2MNGOPc8ivF1_zrO8V6gMy4fJcVB4upNsRAXDve1SD-mLEc6UGz9Ee2wWddALb1K8HBveRxbvchNDvpB2MevI77i2N93o7XjZarLvt_AbIokg6pGp5JU0OE8H38wloHb9NtI7nBeLHQblyRwwoy3PDVA/s16000/talula%20mesa%20marble%20falls,%20texas%20glamping-5992.jpg" title="Austin, Texas Things To Do: Talula Mesa Glamping" width="100%" />
<br />Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comMarble Falls, TX 78654, USA30.5782297 -98.27291842.2679958638211559 -133.42916839999998 58.888463536178847 -63.116668399999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-73047886953774238732023-05-29T17:00:00.143-05:002023-05-29T17:00:00.129-05:00A Gnatty Situation: How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in House PlantsHaving indoor plants offers a plethora of benefits. One of them is to add visual interest to any space (thanks Pinterest for the flood of ideas). They also purify the air inside the home. Ah, it's nice to breathe clean air!<div><br /></div><div>They help create a space conducive to well-being, reducing stress. And increase humidity levels, which improves respiratory health and prevents dry skin. Wait, do we still need humidifiers inside?<div><br /></div><div>Great, right? </div><div><br /></div><div>But it's also worth noting they require care and maintenance. When you buy house plants, they come with an instruction tag. For novices like me who are too lazy to do anything, these help us keep the plants alive for a long time. Okay, I'll be honest. I don't actually follow what's written in there. But perhaps, I should have. </div><div><br /></div><div>In there, it is written to dry out the soil in between waterings. There is a reason for that. Scroll down to find out...</div><div><br /></div><img alt="A Gnatty Situation: How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in House Plants" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHuY0DM2vQh8Fuey3rpH5HWIWyDrLyuwTq_9NfE1YtCtL26SLiaXyrxV_2KbZdNi-4gSAJTTJqILbNJCTj_lRyBy7niRx1tzkWI6KLskC2ZcloDZAndnpN_7ejk1g3cuk62GbJ9gQTd1tH149INyTcb5fRSU53Iz-jL22dVApvcxUJ5Iv8tY8tQKYzg/s16000/how%20to%20get%20rid%20of%20gnats%20in%20house%20pants%20%7C%20a%20gnatty%20situation.jpg" title="A Gnatty Situation: How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in House Plants" width="100%" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>A few weeks after becoming a plant mom, I found out that moist soil is a gnat favorite. These conditions are conducive to fungus growth, which is their food. And when food is abundant, the population explodes.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's an excerpt from this <a href="https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/entomol/ncstate/fly1.htm#:~:text=Adults%20live%20about%201%20week,to%20be%20all%20one%20sex." target="_blank">website</a>,</div><div> </div>
Adults live about 1 week, during which time each female deposits 100 to 150 eggs. They are laid in strings of 3 to 40 in the top of the soil, usually near stems of plants. They hatch within 4 days. ~ source <a href="https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lso/entomol/ncstate/fly1.htm#:~:text=Adults%20live%20about%201%20week,to%20be%20all%20one%20sex." target="_blank">here</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Yikes! <br /><div><br /></div><div>Given that information, will you still choose to become a plant parent?</div><div><br /></div><div>Me? I'm not giving up just yet. I can't let my babies go out there in the Texas heat. They might not survive the elements.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what we've tried so far...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water. Nope, that didn't work.</div><div>2. Dishwashing liquid soap + vinegar + water. No visible results either.</div><div>3. Apple Cider Vinegar jar trap. Promising but not sufficient.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a few trials and errors, here's what works...</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in House Plants</h2><div>The hubby and I found a 3-way solution to control the gnat problem. Kill the root and the fruit at the same time, that is, eliminate both the larvae and adults.</div><div><br /></div><div>How?</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Swat them with this <a href="https://amzn.to/3IE7o02" target="_blank">bug zapper</a>. It takes them down at first contact. And oh, it feels so good doing so. It feels like you've reached the Mt. Everest summit. (lol) Okay, I'm just overreacting! </div><div><br /></div><div>Smaller gnats take only one zap to die, but adults are only immobilized for a few minutes. You still need to find them and finish the job.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, this product also works for all kinds of insects too. Again, the larger the insect the greater the number of smacks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="https://amzn.to/3q58zPY" target="_blank">Mosquito bits</a>. This addresses the gnat larvae. To apply, follow the instructions in the bag. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do it differently though. First, I soak the granules in the watering can for a minimum of 30 minutes. It's the same thing you do when you soak tea in hot water. The amount of water I fill into the can depends on how much I need for that day. Also, adding more mosquito bits to the water than what is required makes it more potent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next, skim the granules before watering. It is not necessary to keep them because once it is soaked the active ingredient (BTI) is already released to the water. Don't let the bits sit on the soil because it molds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, water the plants as usual. I use a plastic spoon to water mine. Yes, it's a slow method but this way I'm confident every square millimeter of the soil is covered. Make sure to surround the stem of the plant with water because that's where the eggs are laid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why do mosquito bits work?</div><div><br /></div><div>Inside each mosquito bit granule is a bacteria called "Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis". BTI is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soils. This means... this product is organic not chemically made. </div><div><br /></div><div>From what I understand, BTI contains spores that produce toxins. When it attaches to the larvae, it causes the soft tissues to rupture, spill their contents, and kill them. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is also important to note, that it only affects the larvae making it safe for the plants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another way to do it. Click this video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHRyNF5dSkM&t=10s" target="_blank">here</a>. I prefer this one over the others because the content creator gets straight to the point.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <a href="https://amzn.to/3MTNrVE" target="_blank">Apple Cider Vinegar</a> trap. Cover the top with a saran wrap. Secure it with an elastic band. And then poke small holes so the gnats could enter.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because these small insects like to fly around the perimeter of the jar trap, it's easy to find and swat them with the bug zapper. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>Ah yes, the gnats are under control. And I get to keep my plant babies and enjoy the benefits of having them indoors.</div><div><br /></div><div>If a gnat happens to fly by my face, I'll simply have to zap 'em.</div><div><br /></div><div>Will you try out this method?</div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0BPNL2728&asins=B0BPNL2728&linkId=f7d433b3d0a55cfbab24887b562ff90b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0001AUF8G&asins=B0001AUF8G&linkId=cfd7015cbf6a001e881d70b28a6ee210&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01K89HEV0&asins=B01K89HEV0&linkId=66670fec6b9063583ed22b6b1c9dba06&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-38860943598929358592023-05-25T17:00:00.000-05:002023-05-25T17:00:00.131-05:00Home Wishlist May 2023<img alt="Home Wishlist May 2023 | Amazon | Pottery Barn | Ikea | CB2" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGVHUDzly4eTsot5uBYtmTS2WRzJ_uZYNTQkjLa0ELrpM0W3Zc0X7jaHg2BlaWzWCwEtAHBU9t5w1yhJhEgbA7Bo7cC5afRugWCDiBqlVxiAM54qPxqafQz4d65hii5Oc8TjXfo-yMuvN3AVaIlAU033jwt8z50TtgHYQGm_8vmJ607cjqaLW2OEJyQ/s16000/home%20wishlist%20may%202023.png" title="Home Wishlist May 2023 | Amazon | Pottery Barn | Ikea | CB2" width="100%" />
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
1. Area rug <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bWE8t" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Ikea round mirror</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Coffee table book <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ICkKdn" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Floor lamp <i><a href="https://www.potterybarn.com/products/fallon-forged-iron-floor-lamp/?epik=dj0yJnU9ZDJuVzN2ZFhyUmsycl9yRnNzVkp6dEFoZTVwak8yQVAmcD0wJm49RVpUQ1dXUkE3UXFXMmN6aUpZQWphUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1J1ZGFN" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Linen Pillow cover <a href="https://amzn.to/3IzMKyj" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a> <i>(also available in other colors)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Decorative box <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pZG2uU" target="_blank">here</a> (also available in other styles)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Marble side table <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bWE8z" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Black accent table <i><a href="https://amzn.to/435sBIv" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-20835646940657709492023-05-23T18:30:00.024-05:002023-05-24T13:26:57.454-05:00Life Update: Settling Into Our New HomeHey there! Gosh, has it been ages since the last update? Well, moving to another home takes time to settle in but moving to a new country, city, or home that's another story. I guess we are in that settling-in phase now that I'm writing back again. ;) <div><br /></div><div>Also, I wanted to see if I can still do it given the hiatus. Haha. Anyway, this is another of those catch-up posts. <div><br /></div><div>So my son, Gionni, has finally graduated from Kindergarten. Woho! Which parent doesn't celebrate their children's accomplishments? But I'll let you in on something, I'm worried...</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? My son can't read yet. Although I'm happy he's entering first grade this fall, in my head I question if he can survive the next level.</div><div><br /></div><div>He was doing okay back in Canada but when we move to the US I'm surprised children are supposed to write short sentences and read Beginner books in Kindergarten. I reckon they were still playing back there in Ottawa before we left. lol</div><div><br /></div><div>We heard the news from his homeroom teacher during his assessment. "Do you teach him at home?" Mrs. B asks. Truth is, we don't. Or I don't. (Mom is in the front seat in this. When children don't do well, it's always mom's fault. Always!) </div><div><br /></div><div>How can I... when past midnight I'm still at my office desk, thinking of the best solution to fix software issues at work -- that's been months long overdue. In fact, it's been that way for a while. Since the news of our son's school situation, I've been praying for a lighter workload. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>And the mom guilt meanders its way into my head. <i>How could I possibly neglect to teach our 5-year-old? Why didn't I carve out time? Oh, it's because I was too engrossed in my own career development all those years. Selfish! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Fortunately, reason kicks in. <i>Too late to wallow in regrets now. What can I do at present?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>If I had Hermoine Granger's time turner I'll have time to tutor him. But no, I know my limit. Thus, we decided to hire a private tutor and enroll Gionni, our son, in an after-school program. Though, I still need to sit him down to accelerate his progress.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div>The pieces of furniture we ordered earlier this year have arrived. Yay! Because of that, I encourage my husband to refrain from going out on weekdays. Unlike in Ottawa, the places we frequent take about 15-30 minutes to drive -- one way. Yes, it's both money and time-consuming. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, we have been going on short drives to nearby towns but I'm not motivated to document any of them at the moment. lol</div><div><br /></div><div>And here's an update on my work desk in the living area.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="Living Area Work Station | Interior Style | Home Design | Home Tour" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZkBEkqGhsDhfWahwamM6xYjFRtPuSo_PQx9RFxBBLrnWBb2e6tsvR-rT7050_rOX5mnGWvQj2aLYxIhTnXAPgY1u97KKpZd51I1p7W8Ro2eXJpEz2NyGFdGbTcHSdCWqDZX8aOwLkLBJpERY5I0-CLTK9HTDnu-I8Mt6TjBwAY1_6PQMe6nUmu3JXw/s16000/living%20area%20work%20space-5961.jpg" title="Living Area Work station | Interior Style | Home Design | Home tour" width="100%" />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bWCEK" target="_blank">Chair</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45DWTE6" target="_blank">Faux Olive Branches</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Gold/White Framed Wall <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bWCGm" target="_blank">Canvas</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ceramic Blue/White <a href="https://amzn.to/43jxYUg" target="_blank">Jar</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Table from Ikea</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I love to collect art on our travels. ;) Do you? Hope you have an awesome week then! ;)</div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-15496039475242550882023-03-09T17:30:00.011-06:002023-03-09T17:30:00.204-06:00Simple DIY Project for Beginners: Repaint Pottery Bought from the Grocery StoreHey there! I'm back to doing DIY projects again. I'm no pro though. I could only do simple tasks like repainting a pot. Haha. But wow, a simple change of hue makes a huge difference. <div><br /></div><div>I got this pottery from H.E.b., a grocery store here in Texas, USA. I paid $20 USD for it. Love that cute detail on the side. Since this is an outdoor pot, there is a hole in the center for watering. I sealed it with an <a href="https://amzn.to/3F4QE0n" target="_blank">air dry clay</a>. The instructions say to leave it for two-three days to harden. But I gave it 24 hours before changing the paint.</div><div><br /></div><div>No paint primer was used here. I'm a little impatient to do that. Immediately, I brush it with <a href="https://amzn.to/3Jqt1lp" target="_blank">matte black</a> acrylic paint mixed with this chalk paint in <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTFzf" target="_blank">truffle</a>. Let it dry for 24 hours. Or blow dry. I confess I did the latter. Then, seal my work with <a href="https://amzn.to/3yufXoE" target="_blank">this</a> spray paint. And what do you know, It's done. Easy peasy. I'm glad how it turned out. :D</div><div><div>
<img alt="Simple DIY Project for Beginners: Repaint Pottery Bought from the Grocery Store" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik56NqUz_wtURWYN6bNpBD0baFyWxgjCLD7APsbYlVRMelBOMp-TC5J6E021qIWEmnhyBm1bGDU3_v3ekBjtR6-vIcRw8KLPWY-L3oxdzHbdGPElYJ30hVWQWFHYZ2egPxF-MwCzvWPD0hVyevspYfFv2p3nYnxqofU4afKxQfLhlUn_S2dwfJrifqKA/s16000/before%20and%20after.png" title="Simple DIY Project for Beginners: Repaint Pottery Bought from the Grocery Store" width="100%" /><div><br /></div></div></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-62485140019115472622023-03-06T17:30:00.003-06:002023-03-06T17:30:00.189-06:00Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior DesignIt has been a month since we move into our new home. Nothing new here, the hubby and I have done it countless since we got married. <div><br /></div><div>From Singapore to Austin, Texas, USA to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and then back to Austin, Texas. And within those cities, we move from one apartment to another, settling from one house to the next. Phew! Exhausting I know. Exciting nonetheless.
<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After relocating back to Austin, Texas, we decided to buy a new house. Since it's a new build, the one-month wait felt like one year. Our excitement rose like yeast with each passing day. Now here we are enjoying our 3-year dream of becoming homeowners once again. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>We still have most of our stuff (see <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/06/townhouse-rental-interior-update-june.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I've retained those items that cost more. Others, I've given away.</div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydM30YgepTVUT9-URD9pFDz2lWC4xVXlGjGjUrFvviMZk9RbleDPW3KqXKKz0RIl8386_PlIKTIenxLieeBiE6gh7MFfKoNmhCeMOlsrPCmB_vnIjVknfalGZroon_aCYofX9TqXbyEhMYgqdxt3M6YYy1ScHAuygheonRqUCzqAzDr4Kmbo6QzSImg/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5935.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjKozZOfZcMPaqC8Cq2KctDFhbmT6yM5da66L49036znhZ9sj5CygwKW7Wod3jixwavbxX4lbJ73iDodO1y9ECmgsqRz0T2GMK-2cded9cuLac0gJowpKhW0Nz5811Kb4I0qeuSzG0t5mX8YqJ1GVN7CfXkTCTeFV4YUCmAOVBgFR5IPvhC_PAmP_Ng/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5940.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGMej6nvfh04g887vmM-AGXpojWt8jPKHrz8VNc_W4dQogdbwQQtTqLRJkibgs54dQGXX9LosyNo2Q16uB2ekjONRuXhiqiIiDyP7-RFXF2T-NKKu435OgEb_T-5_BdTEtv7ts3A7yYKXmZybKjE9We2bPyun6HMIfAL7hZjdBOVF8CimgNzU6Me38A/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5945.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="75%" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I DIY'ed the white vase above using <a href="https://amzn.to/3IW3bnM" target="_blank">DryDex</a>, <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8R19iYf-J4/VruyoscAR6I/AAAAAAAAQgk/S5GGX5SruyU/s1600/guest%253Acommon%2Bbathroom%2Bfeb_2016_2.jpg" target="_blank">coffee grounds</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/3SV4V5t" target="_blank">chalk paint</a>. It use to be gold (<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8R19iYf-J4/VruyoscAR6I/AAAAAAAAQgk/S5GGX5SruyU/s1600/guest%253Acommon%2Bbathroom%2Bfeb_2016_2.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>). The new look complements better with the interior style I'm going for. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Same with the beads below. I use <a href="https://amzn.to/3SV4V5t" target="_blank">air dry clay</a>. Mold it into round balls. Poke a hole in the middle using a pencil. Then, harden outside for 2-3 days. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once dry, mix this <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTztI" target="_blank">gray</a> chalk paint with <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTztP" target="_blank">black matte</a> paint. Afterward, dab this <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTzth" target="_blank">sandstone</a> chalk paint on top using tissue paper. Seal all your work with <a href="https://amzn.to/3Zr36jc" target="_blank">matte clear coat</a> spray paint. Then, string them together with <a href="https://amzn.to/3ZJQ5kt" target="_blank">twine</a>. This took a week to make though. For the full tutorial, click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsUAghQNcqg" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxhjm-0gad_bEbVgIGzRM09DykEYLwxZXH0Bp_C0nBS4zUKrRQbagztGQ8jVPbCYMVO0nZTEyDKbZsD17q-yFCmAuF2h-wrzD9u-_UEdzpXXktiBDc2gLYf_hI5rinVTFrTHeU227DNIzPWv8QuHkCdGXHg_xsv5EGaqxOYyvvlAqN9HREJ96haSqnQ/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5942.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" /><div><img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C6SfPt7h-PYWAt2hxWNQmc0bqUDruKOY_GmjYta7JUlz1LG2X2-1P_8x6bhFdVfiommtosg_dnvttQEyJ6MvGeK-uhSraIKX59J_EmSNt-reVi2js53PJWZnoRwEmL_XkV0cwgc6d69-IQVpzACR5ZvfWqXX1VFtn2d1hkLM8Vy1ocNcHcSIOQh3gQ/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5947.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" /><br /><div>
<img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK6wHTwb6qP18VzonCWJuS-yhq_6zdeI0GTZBkNVqyaEBKQL4c4xrCT3t688dwJxg_JaSqmVT7pmono96yZA32zg-Ghm8nB6clSZCnAaWk01RnBITZujJtNUi-FqpGIUFdVusKronYZH_R7HyTRGQmbF7Ha9d5g4FDBUv4Lh8IgMJXETC5_PQ6DZNJg/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5948.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>All art in the photos is from our travels. From left to right: <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2019/08/is-entrance-fee-at-notre-dame-basilica.html" target="_blank">Notre-Dame Basilica Montreal</a>, our son at 3 years sketched by a street artist in Quebec City, <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/09/3-day-road-trip-from-ottawa-ontario-to.html" target="_blank">Tobermory, Ontario</a>, Tawain.</div><div><br />
<img alt="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpiPyVVT_u5VzNJ16Z5QSf_92T93e-hb47EyVPqpR6nYyVrbRDbuheEbq5HlfZXgNu3B_T1Ve1oEw5ovuh9wXUCnLMfJ9IVP5gM0skYV7AX8T5gu7Sc1qud1mg4dZ_v_ihkAoeguOxdHlAgXActaEOjmUQVPHEy1ktRZ_0JOucWEjqb22EYkHeDEraA/s16000/small%20living%20area%20interior%20design_3_2023-5934.jpg" title="Home Update March 2023: Small Living Area Interior Design" width="100%" />
<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">
All the Deets</h4><div style="text-align: center;">- ZGallerie Hampstead Sofa</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Cube ottoman <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTzuL" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- <a href="https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/international-concepts-k-30rt-unfinished-30-inch-round-pedestal-dining-table-1387487.html" target="_blank">Bellacor</a> round side table (unfinished)</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Area rug from <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTzuQ" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Bark Bowl <a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bTzuW" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Stripe Linen Pillow Covers <a href="https://amzn.to/3IXBmM3" target="_blank">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Faux Leather Pillow Covers <a href="https://amzn.to/41Oa3wg" target="_blank">here</a></div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comAustin, TX, USA30.267153 -97.74306081.9569191638211549 -132.8993108 58.577386836178846 -62.586810799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-70313533333899947942023-02-23T15:00:00.049-06:002023-02-23T15:00:00.198-06:00Home Interior Wishlist: February 2023<img alt="Home Interior Wishlist February 2023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xCHpa5gpGY4yZKsbvBYLttQtJL_BssAxnlkUbxN8tL6qfAhscoPCtucSHl9n6gbnjoN8drj-Ba9iYUYYqpTEH1l53keZja51NSr18Ya6TAj4c2yuI1gIFj3D46g5qASyxwvQ1yOtenRhuwbEG3D2YumRFSoq4FQ0r4lqZkmTjNqqsTn4V6BoG2dn9g/s16000/home%20interior%20wishlist%20february%202023.png" title="Home Interior Wishlist February 2023" width="100%" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1. Faux Leather Pillow Cover from Woven Nook</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Wall Photo Light from <a href="https://amzn.to/3XVVhAt" target="_blank"><i>here</i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Area rug from <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xK4xgv" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Hand Carve Wall Decor from <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bS5UE" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Metal Vase from <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bS5S5" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Black Marble Table Lamp from <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bS5SW" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Console Table from <i><a href="https://shopstyle.it/l/bS5Uw" target="_blank">here</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Round Metal Accent Table from Pottery Barn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-77565243124887521192023-02-22T17:00:00.004-06:002023-02-22T17:00:00.197-06:005 Reasons Why You Need to Use a Rug Pad<div>I can't believe it. It'll be one month since we move into our new home. Yay! I'm notorious for posting areas in our home that are not fully furnished. Well, some people like to show off works of progress whilst others like to wait till it's done. I'm in the former group thus, expect updates soon. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here I'm going to talk about rug pads. After picking an entryway rug from Amazon, (we bought a Loloi rug in size 2' 6" x 12' see <a href="https://amzn.to/3m2GeI4" target="_blank">here</a>), the hubby thought it was unnecessary to include a rug pad. Due to how affordable it is, he decided to add it to the cart. 'Twas mind-changing. lol.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It's so comfortable. Nice to the feet, right?" Urging me to nod in agreement with his new discovery. In fact, he like it so much, he added one more for our living area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="5 Reasons Why You Need to Use a Rug Pad" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zs3Um043ytCC-yNsBLLNeiXJDhhFpk6-p8aF_jLlVeZqQgff3VeKKnG9zqW7q57jyppDMDCTmZasF9Xsjw9N6bgAbPMkf6PuCvFivYCOGpwfEPfE-MN0fh0Ol2fmn0HK2fQ8k0cDV4Y631EAYfxfNi6Ay_3WRUKUoyW_8briT9JpZv156Kocd79w2Q/s16000/loloi%20rug%20with%20rug%20pad%20for%20entryway-5932.jpg" title="5 Reasons Why You Need to Use a Rug Pad" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Area rugs can add color, warmth, and texture to any room in your home. They are an excellent way to define a space, make a statement, and even protect your flooring. However, to get the most out of your area rugs, you need to use a rug pad. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rug pads may not be the most exciting home accessory, but they are essential. In this article, we will explore the top five reasons why you need to use a rug pad under your area rugs. From added comfort and safety to increased longevity, we'll take a closer look at the many benefits of using a rug pad and why it's a smart investment for your home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the reasons why we need to use a rug pad: </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Protection</div><div>Rug pads help to protect both the rug and the flooring underneath. They act as a barrier between the two and prevent the rug from slipping and sliding around, which can cause wear and tear over time. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Safety</div><div>Rug pads help to keep your rugs in place, which can reduce the risk of tripping or falling. This is especially important in high-traffic areas or in homes with young children or elderly residents. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. Comfort</div><div>Rug pads add extra cushioning to your rugs, making them more comfortable to walk on. This can be especially beneficial for areas where people stand for long periods of time, such as in the kitchen or laundry room. </div><div><br /></div><div>4. Soundproofing: Rug pads can help to reduce noise levels in your home by absorbing sound and vibrations. This can be especially useful if you have hardwood or tile flooring, which can be noisy without a rug pad. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. Longevity: Rug pads can help to extend the life of your rugs by reducing wear and tear. They can also help to prevent stains from reaching the flooring underneath, which can be difficult to remove.
Overall, using a rug pad is a simple and affordable way to protect your rugs and flooring, improve safety, and increase comfort in your home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Products mentioned in this post.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B007T58QPU&asins=B007T58QPU&linkId=84a67352ffd07a3d872b8962373379fd&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07JZYBJP5&asins=B07JZYBJP5&linkId=b52404621fad5e94b92ec1949d02f862&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07TBH64HL&asins=B07TBH64HL&linkId=0b86026f6b7b15b788d3f09debc0d0ea&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-18822367137108995172023-02-21T15:00:00.010-06:002023-02-21T15:00:00.192-06:00Natural Relief: Using Essential Oils to Alleviate A Stuffy Nose<div>While I'm grateful that my son is now enrolled to a school near our new home (story <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2023/01/life-update-househunting.html" target="_blank">here</a>), it could also mean we will be dealing with bugs that causes colds and fever. Well of course, he could potentially bring those at home. It's a fact of life. If there's a way to avoid it please share your secrets with me too. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>In our home, when a family member is sick, we'd do the usual routine: drink medicine and take lots of rest. Until recently, I've rediscovered essential oils...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Natural Relief: Using Essential Oils to Alleviate A Stuffy Nose" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJDmOt6fQv5uPv6Z4g2Q0icfmYtIuEnfK4LC-h9FYLAUz1mDGeH-X33vOpzK92EYpiXvg_dmzi8_Sjzt0TSz_5SoE0HBKcT6baeJ0wjRuO0ldozz_mmT9S87LtUjsQBfKGybdrIG0fYSuCvXYHRJaBy9wu3giIyZPyJPmZyvGQTRNAEj8maTyWlDPYw/s16000/Natural%20Relief_Using%20Essential%20Oils%20to%20Alleviate%20A%20Stuffy%20Nose.jpg" title="Natural Relief: Using Essential Oils to Alleviate A Stuffy Nose" width="100%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@chelseacgates?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Chelsea Gates</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/essential-oils?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></span></div><div>
<br />
Essential oils are natural plant extracts that are used for a variety of purposes, including to alleviate sickness. These oils contain the essence of the plant, including its unique fragrance and therapeutic properties. When used properly, essential oils can help alleviate symptoms of sickness such as congestion, headaches, and muscle aches.<div>
<br />Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties, which can help fight infections and reduce inflammation. They can also help boost the immune system and promote overall wellness.</div><div>
<br />Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, such as aromatherapy, massage, and topical application. They are generally considered safe when used as directed, although it is important to keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated and should be diluted before use.</div><div>
<br />It is always important to consult with a healthcare provider before using essential oils to alleviate sickness, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions. With the right knowledge and guidance, essential oils can be a powerful tool in supporting your body's natural healing processes.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, essential oils do not take the place of medicine but I add it as an extra to help alleviate ailments. As of writing I'm having a stuffy nose. Yes, my breathing is a bit laboured but thankfully I have essential oils in handy.</div><div><br /></div>Here are 5 essential oils that can help alleviate a stuffy nose: <h4 style="text-align: left;">Eucalyptus Oil</h4><div>Eucalyptus oil has a strong aroma that can help clear the nasal passages and ease breathing. It contains a compound called eucalyptol, which has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. </div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07Q87WXYB&asins=B07Q87WXYB&linkId=909e861f968ad07af0668ef9e203efb3&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Peppermint Oil</h4><div>Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect that can help ease nasal congestion. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in the nasal passages. </div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07Q767RK5&asins=B07Q767RK5&linkId=262ae7d79dbc411f75d0773ca7ca7387&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Tea Tree Oil</h4><div>Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and fight infection in the respiratory tract. It can also help open up the airways and improve breathing. </div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B085TNDMRV&asins=B085TNDMRV&linkId=d0cbb736ea9ea543916701b3acca79e2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Rosemary Oil</h4><div>Rosemary oil has a refreshing aroma that can help ease congestion and promote easier breathing. It contains cineole, which is a natural decongestant that can help clear the sinuses. </div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07YRRZGXC&asins=B07YRRZGXC&linkId=29d0f9ce0a5bf8ab824344a8fbb6a723&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Lavender Oil</h4><div>Lavender oil has a soothing aroma that can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to nasal congestion. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in the nasal passages.</div><div><br /></div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B07Q86KDVJ&asins=B07Q86KDVJ&linkId=7c9794913f16d1c9b8420c62ec704aca&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center><center><br /></center><h2 style="text-align: left;">
How to Use</h2><div>Easy. I simply diffuse them. Here's how...</div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Choose a diffuser: There are many types of diffusers available, including ultrasonic, nebulizing, and heat diffusers. Choose one that works best for your needs and budget. In fact, I use a cheap one I got from Walmart but here's a cool looking <a href="https://amzn.to/3EuRtz4" target="_blank">diffuser</a> made of ceramic which makes an attractive addition to any home.</li></ul><div>
<center><br /></center><center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gladysjane0b-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B08TR1H7LG&asins=B08TR1H7LG&linkId=7af6fabad3b343e3e27ba09543afe955&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center><center><br /></center>
</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Add water: If your diffuser requires water, fill it with clean tap or distilled water, following the manufacturer's instructions. </li><li>Add essential oils: Add 3-10 drops of essential oil to the water, depending on the size of your diffuser and the strength of the scent you desire. Be sure to use pure essential oils, not fragrance oils, which may contain synthetic chemicals. </li><li>Turn on the diffuser: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for turning on your diffuser. The diffuser will then release a fine mist that carries the scent of the essential oils into the air. </li><li>Enjoy: Sit back and enjoy the aroma! You may need to adjust the amount of essential oil you use, depending on the size of your space and your personal preferences. Keep in mind that some essential oils may be irritating or harmful to pets, so be sure to do your research before diffusing around animals.</li></ul></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-88909269679395053512023-01-16T17:30:00.040-06:002023-02-28T23:39:40.124-06:00Life Update: HousehuntingBrace yourself 'coz I will be oversharing. We bought a house north of Austin. Yay!<div><br /></div><div>For 3 years while we were living in Canada we dreamed of having our own place, again, for the nth time. :D Renting is not an option. We want our house to be located in the North of Austin. We specifically want a green belt on the back. No neighbors.</div><div><br /></div><div>At that time, we didn't even know if we'd be able to go back to the US. We made plans anyway. And here we are 3 years later. We found our house.</div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZwazYeOoi-XNToSe35lShdWqv0QiiN13jn16jtxQELYpfSJpSmub2uLJk_fqYfk1gpj36yP1Vs7hA1S4GUqJ8aDGo_uBuQ-XH1_4IQbkBkcXpm-6BpmfyEAC3DHlQ2MIZzcy7XKkQNQwbeRkcSWlvg-WKP0KbTV6vcawOrcfzzJNwpYEHZv9-qph1w/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9837.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /> <div>It is smaller and more expensive compared to our Scott Felder house back in Manor. Of course, prices of homes went up during the pandemic. But we love the location and the view from the back patio is amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The above photo is reminiscent of the time we bought our house East of Austin at the end of 2017. See <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2018/01/building-our-family-home-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>. If you're wondering, yes, we still own that house. Someone is renting there at the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meritage Homes is the builder of our second home so we'll call it the Merigate house. The building is projected to be completed at the end of January 2023. Our job is to pool as much money as we can before the closing date. I pray we won't have major hiccups. While we wait, we are staying at an Airbnb near the husband's office.</div><div><br /></div><div>Allow me to give you a photo tour around. Don't expect a dolled-up space though.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Hallway</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9Wkd8noMoaJ9bfbhQ0IuL9Zh2rW4MLIRMl4qaZDSr4Syh7ZUgR-ab-Q9aa4hz3X6COYwNIvqddtbenysEP810vsfJOZDrEED1tS3E_WcnhXQoEe4H7vpiv7Z0_9O6bxe_YCi3dA_Z3Ufk5rSLUyTmKBWt80BUbZDAND-H9OGyuVF1zEaW7soJrTKlg/s16000/meritage%20homes%20january2022-8739.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The hallway opens up to the living area at the opposite end. The flooring installed is made of vinyl plank. If we compare it to the Scott Felder house in Manor, that one has better flooring. Nonetheless, I'm ok with this so long as it's not made of tiles.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvankao5fHLHvxibSuo8vV01Knz8n-4W2v0vZpYsjYzeWeuAmWjarlK1ibkjN5SMcrtiulEsX0Y9TD_IbnFMDKlnMBMm62cj3P9XVm5wVIBaL_nIWsfPbyDRqEdTgsrCIGeO9MC1t_Av4COKmyLU72YrBfeX0JsUilafIuCr5tqRXbzsE9iJh4Vu29A/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-9990.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /><br />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCDRSo-b0uSkj43lcNeXSKXMoliGgOJ5YDkFx7Iee6B5fvnRRC9j1jrtCFzbaF4qX6PPKGwmOr0h1VLzreXnXKuTGIyzjlZ8qwla2MnPuMMObE4QA299s5MXSBeAclk38HRTjq7pAmrMV0zEXMFXOzpeLjRIeTV2ebkSF20dbpM15a9iFuoEOEF8CGg/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9873.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" />
<br /><div><br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kitchen and Dining</h3>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXO4OlIDZpR7KKbueuUW_RoLIyblSgXRcJtRaLhlrIghv0LSYJ1ZokZvDuFlzdyI3l-mS_9QIo-eFLC51syPmEaykN4D4x5qrEYI2G2XlJchTu1SjsOroQ9hHwJtOVhAsiFvHky9RAVOtpvQ6Y1_kCFOa_ePjyIvYWdMTNlNPh51ZeYtaL6d10BVhag/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-0007.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vUbyW2NW7tQQ1mM7gB87sD_vgaMOoJDXSqPQ6varaENwgqkf_MGPV3CsUJRoObr5IO2xeyOsRu5E6dYqRJiwMZN1HW0Mf40CL6tETDo9Uf5_QYNNRguiR54tBzwXOSKQ6mEnt_6NOdxf-_RkYiQnCfV9yjd4QCSSBudT-W6IQliuH6tSQ1AaeHl_6w/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9865.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="50%" />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QEX1icRqKWP7D0co7kwUgMcHKm5U9T4dK-qr-wNrIxqqHzjWATYf8ko4pLz0YHLnZrVVLx0T7VOocR2oXsytR1DgzHDvnqktW2EMffp3jTzy5bLXngyB0J_DUma8m_uHArb4SxdOujgX7Nrr4KkkC-WfgLnn3zRqHmcoKwp1nMhfLnVyw0naqVoaKw/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9860.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div>
I'm thinking of placing a glass cabinet in that blank space right of the kitchen cabinets. What do you think? How would you decorate it if it were you?<br /><br />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q-GHuVWMYHb6kur95obPQntmZ2ajXTb6MUQi9I_HcXLCo-SdU2gl9l54l6B8gXP6yL9ynbp1aYZCIGS4E6k9RzrQ63xGchV6ZVnc9PM1vZYTXW8tDcW5293PmGGvSgvRFFA6a4SHJTIcHD2ZA4RgL85Z6s9zI9mJiDFG6i7UbbSnB6dQftPUU8QwFg/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-9992.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" />
<div><br /></div><div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Covered Patio</h3>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_c1lWUrifP3SAm71NXRzj1CGWpQ7RPAWv8Hi5Lqj1mGdMOdt0gxIrtH6ojgNCdj7jPBRjeYOeb-57rMnvdrNWn66eSKFeFMl3WToG_gCK-zLKSoewIYUmQ3k6K7DgUvTdcq8o6b1eMtsqU-Zyog48unRn4hBmC0wwEnSvLv5Ri7FerLjGllXiHnnDg/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9842.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /><br />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNPWywgcLd6cbIlz1vvkzNSZiQZ1lHgDXd4f3WapmFThPQrd7goLKhsfwqre2YPcfgqOCaSN88xJAsTDahl3AStQOhQttV22bpWwU5NVjZP6n3sCBUqVDLTJEnlzBv6qiHaIxutnLB2i3Nw-x6M2A7tkvaHWHc8rYfSydKuwRSYR-0MY249j5GPuTVw/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9843.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" />
<div><br /></div><div>This is what sold us on this house. Imagine waking up to that every day? Love that it's above ground level too. When we want to do something in the yard, we had to climb down to access it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The brother-in-law commented, "It's giving off that French countryside vibe."</div><div><br /></div><h3>The Second Floor</h3><div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW6Ne13SHMcLw0k8GqCevKvo9n7Dp_hvDL5_6jrwOz6ydeXqhi47sVGZrhfwZpl0EJ963CspAerHBxiE0OA9HiBLFkuSTQ3-bFAkwmKUCglb8T2R7NZXDcrm-Fr2ejBZNpFPvP3oqRIZDgyVbXk9dDhQNZ57gQpR40qlsAB5qHFQrkf-XKieHmDOUvA/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9849.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="50%" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pbOHnmlNlH7z9JgtAfll1bThRntdhYndhv0xIzcqxRl9apJlcSyggWg2hcDPOyNWPTugQLmS_5qT48k2RIkgsH-fhrVqqcu2kjOD7xMCA_V10mYt2iEXbu0CmAlfSqjDd-cmMxe4Sb9yAJ6IEFZlF9iYaGZeDqYLDDTHHf2C2baud1Vokz1VPKwwdA/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9853.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="50%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The kid checking out his soon-to-be washroom. Below is a photo of our Master bedroom view.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFh55uWYZZNzpWDmTPQZuPYl5QhljzHlHdJuz7LvEEv-E0mWfNJxKKQkhGsZaG31medOP05XpbbRlhx2l0w8RbAJsOHvhpzBC_WqfX4JCo9DLQu5296zJpnlo9EliQjZb7CBY22YlqEAJXDGqmiN6wNNIJQkwyO-V_k4a1HWK_5iuJxU_abM2jLenMA/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-9987.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AV3QTYNsklOVEB_J_KNcCWt240QOegtGHMtRgFO99FmPIddWfd1S6NQM5rWKOqVhEjq-vktASh6bl1rQVZbbv2DhbsohUC7qKO8OYNqLL6kmjrDwpiT6UiVpNEHrMDqCInW58Hp18t_vo_rlIBN_a38-c47uOI0Cc38wmpkAqi04p0yFtXk5yQd9Hg/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-9988.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>
Here's the loft. See that small hallway on the left? That is where you enter the rooms. There are 4 of them upstairs. I'll convert one into an office space. </div><div><br /></div><div>See who's curious about what's in the attic.</div><div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_-LLovnO3qNGZ5XBDMWMgTncLER4lQSU0UiEtf0lC1N5g9n9TuvCUaX595zVOR_Jhs2IsnPzFLQ0uJ0P869idV6psO0cJVNIf445A413_B5oqf2qKz9ToXExjkH7vhUOk-KwY4VAnCLrAoAKFz6sdfBJAZcuAtBDQSNpzmd1FuoipRYKv0atCW6fYw/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9852.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /><br />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoGKP8Jnhbc2bilXqlLSImGSXAqvoYsf05wZOs09An7Htq_9_alZZkCTUAFVMofZLhZ0S0bvjYPb5XfjjOt_x0QBy-4B0uZXqnR8IOhp0AJhI4CQFInPb7FkQZl_xZQ_ADS8cdqOPiDQVvGrHW7f9AxgnZZmf7J8fOSJG7mRvbZdTpJjPEDvZPB4U6w/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9857.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /><br />
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZOvu4CpGSLmuOoc-b0sKTyMgdlW-i4U5MjowhLsstmU-KBmnHwfi9YPp_rDnUtB44y-cLA909t0Y3DxxtOrdKc4PF2xG3000jfalW764WJiDWp7FuLL3ruXYvswYhHdfl-YmDvDEqYY6LdT7PLo-M7RS2yZtDq3h80jdFB9htsA-QQE0eFR0GjagCQ/s16000/buying%20a%20new%20home%20in%20austin,%20texas-9867.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /></div></div><div><br /></div>Ugh, we can't wait to move in!<div><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieityKkFLlsns7U4uEHa8ZNGLrKWLxOxxZdFJKO-Q_zmxRg6-nnWh8ZYujWGuqP6ZwnUxg1MCfy2Lupd086NN6UMQ0eI9wmXqQ5nuEBeid6j9RpYOnqzs_NJhW4Ch1H109ve9Ko2pNSYFdW4y6ctTTmxB_jKVGSOn6vWNoxRlo0gfiT5eARi8pGRVDsw/s16000/meritage%20homes%20jan012023-9999.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Life Update | Diary | Buying a House North of Austin, Texas | Meritage Homes" width="100%" /><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comAustin, TX, USA30.267153 -97.74306081.9569191638211549 -132.8993108 58.577386836178846 -62.586810799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-61909815402455127442023-01-12T17:30:00.080-06:002023-01-12T17:30:00.241-06:00Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, TennesseeAt Memphis, Tennessee, we climb up the lookout at the Bass Pro Shops to get a bird's eye view of the city. We paid $8 dollars to get to the top. But if you dine up there, then it's free. I wish we had opted to have lunch there but we were already full when we arrived from Nashville. Check out our visit to Nashville here.<div> <img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48A7NKSHiEBva49ZvRD81b2fIFwH8qXB4-ENh-V2jskJMLR-T0TBtm8_o4jjjWmhXmUON0lEhdZOEI_02TnfBMYbNuh4nmLWEY12H4q1HRqoeqPFzB05ZkHSRQTbZmEvsiCZ_pLRO8F0bMS440upAqVzHMqoMFI3zlXlN7HVihM4NCPI56lXXDbbhjA/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9653.jpg" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfxJ9jwjEf7FWUTod4LbMZz25RctvMdBFr3SRHVdf1fPLM__hQihn3Fjlag5BVY60fB-I2H_SFIoGYUb5wb9RNYT-SKR0kOF9GZRxhkg8aSVW_xX_BIZXSj3KdGgUjB6hagzLdYQsIwZSFmAN19qX-aiUOGazmhDaTqNt485D_7F8ncdpRGn2ZIYWPA/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-5854.jpg" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="75%" /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5fjPSv6H0XtdpD4AKiMMZXtXL5k5FNT5bsBbGibxl0pL8CKIZoozMAgeStFbIe0lzhs9IIso78OGiHBqqA2OpqND2_1KM9hikE0y4JEfN9BSiuov7UcC56PS-EQ54mwWc2kEN0fWyACXsvUX_H3CbGS50MPZTHiK3MZDl_8xHD1Ya2MsqvnNUXi_eQ/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-96521.png" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The elevator to the lookout is located at the center of the pyramid. It's so high, I get jelly legs. Haha. It's about 300 feet by the way. That bridge from the upper left side of the photo above separates the state of Tennessee from the state of Arkansas.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a pond with live fishes, an aquarium, lodging, a shop, a lookout, and restaurants at the Bass Pro Shops. So yes, there's much you can do there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br />
<img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlfWpIhHMJXfKFcsjKHiTBJiRp_NbAHrI9wxFCkVla4VscjaS4X8feFcS8YRclASF4f41RAMkkLD3NC5RO9wOAco1Ys_cBfqvfK9YIkbGnhJT52wE24WTnH9xtaaPWnTjIrXf4WTln0bs444aopW0MnR_Xpb9GuDHJbyyKD8r95BeRDuFrWdHbLlkag/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9638.png" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu5u14ANVBMHBADAdrnUuDKAJsLvz_8rLMA2uNGUwbEj0kp9WCjV-itLTc2DaCSFTIavchQP66oA1gkPkjxtuOUkkxJN9EYEIr_RI7qa4u9VPQuzb4BE8wEXXYQ2gAoI31XBfOeawBKvi7PUyQPY_V3RPpra4TE8B0P2CW9TzDS72ubfAdV34oKd-ZA/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9652.jpg" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVxpsXmEp76J7wcJDQ5aDdUYDm6G0oLnoBAMCI24AuWrrgRfm8YzWw4T-sHdx1UTmzce3MgtOVWEcU3R7V6eH8c-fwI3FdeL1kzQ9hdnzUOzecsxG5AapKuBeHCvH7LxtakfAqo-9MZgE1q5Hu14hGldo0TSDhhtmKwrSv9BjTYvDBr218Kd35iZ6Jg/s16000/memphis,%20tennessee%20dec2022-5882.jpg" title="Travel Blog | Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Climb up the Lookout at the Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, Tennessee" width="55%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>
</div>
But we didn't stay for long since we will be driving again for 4 hours to Texarkana. See our Canada - US Road Trip to Home Itinerary here.<div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comMemphis, TN, USA35.1495343 -90.04898016.8393004638211536 -125.2052301 63.459768136178845 -54.892730099999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-69565240157013389662023-01-09T17:30:00.355-06:002023-01-09T17:30:00.193-06:00Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Broadway Street in Nashville, Tennessee at NightWe were supposed to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Hatch Show Print located inside the former during our stop in Nashville, Tennessee. But we couldn't since we arrived late in the afternoon. And we have to drive the next day to Memphis after checkout. <div><br /></div><div>Sadly, we have a tight schedule during our <b>Canada-US Road Trip to Home</b>. I would have loved to linger in each US state we passed by, go where the locals go and eat what they eat.<div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, our hotel is just a walking distance away from Broadway street. It is famous for its live music, restaurants, and bars. The vibe of the city kind of reminds me of our visit to Las Vegas in 2015. See <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2015/11/the-las-vegas-strip-at-night-photo-diary.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>We dined at a Food Hall near the street and ordered from <a href="https://nashvilledowntown.com/go/smokin-chikin" target="_blank">Smokin Chikin</a>. Wow, it tastes good. So good we even thought of ordering takeout. If you happen to visit the area, why not give it a try? :)</div><div> <img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T8kdrFx-zEPKA8Yf00ulzIkZe_vMTMfq-ZRADwTBkvICfoVq0H8XxscpegE0vU8T-xa9FU5LeFs9jclekORJ-7qSzhZfWibkumO2hHmW3CbuGARox5dVVg6ugoLUivOnNDkIlTZ2qfCxDd8XDqXwMX2TPCZqBXsvDN6KGkdHpYToZRykKifqNAQdrg/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9796.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1P8VvYnVNmqXNl3NUpOQB3LhYsTmCEIsAntBiqiN5RueJ0ZzEBkmKBrt3vxCjpPwuc-Ma7WcQn7mfCXZuDzScnfY1RR7ap69CQyqt6QXaFLO1ocKVP4nJqRzkAxLepE5c34jzMIIpshIrYjroBZv60gIb67e8aseDIUWSj2T_9FavETNJ-RbiJ1CcA/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-5835.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJCufX86VQxGRnlhtN_ZOP-srHEWqcKpHvXrpI2RuBtmxSO51S2pu7W7KWMl8qy3Nfo-22fdevFWJFInOJGPxezadzhGqVgRGUuKofhBGNnHF4GFJ1DJlv781iG_FhjvFiPIqNhdo6WSVC_H-riaHUUnrFbTPh3W8stsPt_tvcr2OjA3Uktreorasiw/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9589.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8q8LnbveLlhoT1V2QRiKpKS2J8g1inZ5Pd2IKdHtwVO-ismNCteIAttA8vBA3zmJLbdaVoUUkKsuhJ_W4WFSCTuu8b8JlnRQGPAV3yr7KO9DuXa1ZTKwe3YhXvgChNhXtzx4varp86TLC5Qt_8M27t7SkShQwMcpdFrEspJ5tjOjO5GCrL0Em9N1pA/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-1.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9k94jpnl8SX-dHRXj8vDJr0TvBizudZdLboVT4eYnu8OT4UsRIWAUwH8Q4OYf7UOClNB_fO89oRHxx34rCJ1ZB1jR7e03wQrvexe-vuozdq50SCMWMn_aWIeaHrJDvhn-u0BWUy5Dhg9A5E5hv-1ozXDpRuJb7mJpGEZdXnulBy0pfKrAMH2sBVqLg/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-5816.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="85%" /></div>
<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Where we stayed for the night?</h3><div>Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville-Downtown. (That building from the photo above.) Good decision to stay downtown. We don't have to drive to sightsee. If you book a hotel in the area, don't forget to prepare cash for valet parking.</div><div> <img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpOnuHvedzr4JjPcDgMHSstk0VUwO4ua9wxypspGREScvp6RjbkPWfw6R-x07MEJTXSZqtDpLBHZIi1ksonRiarOrXkVDfikSVJfGphIE4xp3Dgclfi2JkunWRYiNl61O5nCrmE3SqtMeXt3K5q6w63oDcsJzWP05rUGn8vpGJ3bls2QfPFtNcIEU4A/s16000/nashville,%20tennessee%20dec2022-9795.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stroll the Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, Tennessee at Night" width="100%" /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Due to our situation, which is to arrive in Austin, TX on a specific date, Broadway street is the only spot we visited whilst in Nashville. Someday we'll come and visit the city again. I hope.</div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comNashville, TN, USA36.1626638 -86.78160167.8524299638211517 -121.9378516 64.472897636178843 -51.6253516tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-18649967357524415792023-01-05T17:30:00.295-06:002023-01-05T17:30:00.487-06:00Rihoas Clothing ReviewHave you heard of this online website Rihoas? If you're having second thoughts about whether to order from them or not. Take the time to read this review before making that decision.<div><br /></div><div>Last year, I did a wishlist of Rihoas clothing. See <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/11/rihoas-black-friday-wishlist-2022.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For this post, I will be doing a review of their clothing. I got the Double-breasted Stripe Tweed Waistcoat in size <a href="https://www.rihoas.com/collections/shop-all/products/the-double-breasted-stripe-tweed-waistcoat" target="_blank">small</a> and The Mock Neck Frill Trim <a href="https://www.rihoas.com/collections/shop-all/products/the-white-mock-neck-frill-trim-knit-top" target="_blank">Knit Top</a>. The knitwear is one size. Glad the fit was okay. I usually wear small or medium.<div><div>
<img alt="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkwtlWkkL_cAVg2i--Gy7-5B6lxtw2pbfsOZCiIh_n9sG-lGnmBwNbaeQAmNeb_KeMP480NUclGTd9lioCRmtgkV5Y6_5DFjVSbgSl2wgWjnA-Enyjx9veo6Lwv152pKDmWZJWw5Uj1AsFv-RDqo7k79lZAan_JzNYrMEsUSpbRRex58veuM27TJ1Ng/s16000/rihoas%20review-5905.jpg" title="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" width="100%" /> </div><div>Since winter is upon us, I choose the white knit top due to its promise to retain warmth. The material is thick, which might now be obvious from the photo below. It has a minimalistic design with frill trim. Love how easy it is to dress it up and down. See how I styled it <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/life-update-moving-back-to-us.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, it started to pill near the underarm area. And as mentioned previously, it's only one size. Nonetheless, it is still a good pick.</div><div>
<img alt="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYMIKe_LgO_v-tV1rFuKiZ_o0gNiQeV3v2wFOYdnddNcpCucqwPTIrgQ_zlZ9LrpjkEIllvR7qHMFNDP8_dgpkSBboVfD6a0Tb5mrl9r6yAgSPClGMF9iSnLwlFEcNmXsplR854FaRSJIcYXNlw5L_jUzV9-kl8ZMv9U7tGlb62uTMF4PlXO3wh0WYA/s16000/rihoas%20review-5910.jpg" title="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" width="100%" /> </div><div>One time, the husband joked I look like a musician wearing this <a href="https://www.rihoas.com/collections/shop-all/products/the-double-breasted-stripe-tweed-waistcoat" target="_blank">tweed waistcoat</a>. Haha. Well, it does elevate any outfit. I could put on jogger pants, ankle boots, and a long-sleeve shirt layered with this, and boom, I look put together. Yes, without putting in a lot of effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since it's made of tweed, you just need to be careful of sharp objects hitting your clothing. The buttons don't look cheap and it has a lining fabric inside for a polished look. I'm ecstatic about how stylish this waistcoat is.</div><div> </div><div><img alt="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOKSZqFslY7Oj8tRdK6bxYq-3SneahK9hQOxgSayL7hhYJUzdDDjENEafgKP4jsoMv_RY1bafh1aqKga23pEhPe9kbWEZvHYTVgUCA9vwER5WoKDt4HJ0y5JDQephvDjljVdmrLbRkJ7Tj7uKA29Jp9Uc7l8F6A_t2ja3Yl2qlFj2rM4O6VV8UHZs-A/s16000/rihoas%20review-5907.jpg" title="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" width="100%" /> </div><div>Given Rihoas is located in Asia, shipping arrived in two weeks. Usually, a package from this part of the world takes about a month to reach your mailbox. When the package is sent, I was worried because we were relocating from Canada to the US that month. Thankfully, it came earlier compared to its competitors and on time.</div><div><br /></div><div>In terms of quality, it is good. Not cheap but not high quality. Probably similar to the ones you get from TJ Maxx or Shein. Just choose your items well.</div><div> <img alt="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcat6jC0TXmefEfPyFQ0vlaT99hjuvsgpUF1OvuI0ztn6NQXkbr2qlINqxRDGEgFylsxdaVAbRbdKqD1W57CNZg95z2zIiYJK-pxrJg2A-NOIAU6bFA2nIxqwssG2ra0TB1ZBV915En5Tj71BdtdHn6HRcPHeKiozvODYu7Avrh5Wf8mi2geDLCh48w/s16000/rihoas%20review-5899.jpg" title="Fashion Review | Rihoas Clothing" width="100%" /></div></div></div><div><br /></div>
Would I recommend it? I'm a little biased because I'm a die-hard Zara fan. But if you're looking for affordable options check them out too. <a href="https://www.rihoas.com/" target="_blank"><b>Rihoas</b></a> are always having sales on their website.<div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-21410335925534147032023-01-02T17:30:00.090-06:002023-01-02T17:30:00.200-06:00Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KentuckyOur visit to the Ark Experience is unplanned. We didn't know we'll pass by that area on our way home to Austin, Texas from Ottawa, Ontario. It was a beautiful surprise.<div><br /></div><div>When my husband saw the sign at the side of the road driving to Lexington, KY, we took the detour. Although it was drizzling, that didn't deter us.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zphzz7ddCO2UZKoesqUL8m3YhEEcMHD1X_UrYOf0iELL7NI0AoAR7AQMe0wc0-mg-qsW439keC_ndRTIwJYqQQSjWquDIO1dGeBxlm0-4w8_lT_AcglrjRx_Xslc7ptH7oZU3t_djhyj08Q-m535Vph8vNPO7unQXUuuSZXhVHgB4mKa6rTqYrx5Fg/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9537.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MIAw8NgOMlX2w2nnm9-KcT_BQpBWpCxfZg-ra2bQN8l7QFdQK5B-ylStUeOnRyBYqqDEdTxJA5wMwDB1vnPA66VVzQWfNTpBj_lpgtUtMXQAMSpPmtq2w3RlJuGySv57PMP8rJ3R8_o26JEMvlVWFlPP4svjVbeNwIs19sy8dvftqAciE-Xu6iBukQ/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-8514.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" />
<br />
<br /></div><div>See those cages on the left side of the photo above? You could hear the sound of birds coming out from it. </div><div><br /></div><div>You'll also hear the sound of thunder and strong winds as if the elements are pounding from the outside whilst you are safe inside. Nope, you'll not feel the swing from the waves. Haha. The children would be too scared to come in. Visitors would get motion sickness.</div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevl4B-DhfFZ9f9PKQgYYVve0wyt71Alb-oyo_PFpi7OwxAyUFKWxY5Ftt0LzkNijBHh_-FasZwt-5xVpQpmhcMvfUkCmX_tvIhDLTVRZlGNbUcu3HqFWd47-xrImyuXa8ueKtxj7oO8-NX-9pznN1kMuMNxZUPZLkqwHGeyCl5yhRyUaYb7C-VmnBsw/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-5769.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="50%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZHouMhKObVNmaj_3IAZkgQaLp6j3K6gPjPtZtX6HCUaqao3I0RjAZrfne_Z36NLqAbRsvJCDBfWAzuSzEOf2i_vAc3LWpKq-LYQdEj8GW-ureW8vRWIgVfcEofDB4F9NdMmgEgmJQPnqmLc4RU2HVVx-GQiCoS5ZoAfqaqT3xHlb-F9sAjnfrl0_pQ/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-5777.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="50%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzUHWKqeqiN7WDUfoexE_xFdAD8nhKRrLVON7Kv01pqn0Ng89G0qJegfNW2RwFA95F7C1iaxa8Y_ap2DQimHNz72s9QBKCHs9zj2NFrxBe-DAi6N-XhybSSKnygNnZlYpEdFi1Wa1P9XquYN1mYYz8hFP0NxxETI5dBWoXcqY9R-aijIOfocHYhC4kA/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9788.jpg" style="text-align: left;" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeLp6QxW5KshoWMN1uhyTtazfpOhjpXYM82BUXaFGm27L5D9JSQNJZ7yE-XkTlEdP5Krty3EwfBektdV0qpIDqSac9rk7bcHIMEwM-GeLF5K0vkQnysZi638KNN-BODYl67liwBI9Uc8AOZKopRuJFy9e6HQmCMoqI_nueK0FxWtGuB9JOCick_tElA/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9549.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="80%" /></div>
<img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-Ig5TN9vT0oB8iuWFu69t4R7tPxR4uwCWwV1hz-C23VMpb0vZzanhvw4E-GhR98oH_q8qApF8ypzRJaqRb_Sqvu7JKVtNK2EXvjatDevsVDWqIMqDQuzSwuC5pgW8UXdZ9RdZFOj5EHsBosmd49sdolcLwPjEFufaLreDS51feegIi8ju-PN4Jws_g/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9790.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiauN2n4dxDILsMuRktkyYdSR1X35OfMnKYpTxiBQICgmGbgdCqeh9zTj9lHPiMJLrfQ-Y4bAqSOf7_jGwrT8S6mptiFt29-g6LCGaVW1I96RanaLt0NjJTi9Gy96p6LGRd3TzyqpA1Y5ve6qR_CLIEDgBFdTdCtzsbuMS8alUpI8o8Mmw2DBCHy6CNw/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-8517.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt-npn5qUzxNkY5xwoezhXH5fu5qdV4fPXMcgACu33CAeNh3tZfBU56wDcwjTYsYF6dvWH4dh7urd3rNgSRul9791VqX7aXTjv9U1A9UWPXXQEZFLRcn-i3D0JlVpPFrQql2VER4tYMz1KRbNPu9nVtlrtKoaLmlYOBQfzamSLyeqLPfJPJaDrrN42w/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9550.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="80%" /></div>
<img alt="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_e6CAW8FF7YMwvRutfYFvH2YID8zRZFvZWvszooITFYVEENp6FeBefNuY974TLIC27u_XE_gafRbjsH21I71phSMn15v4pY8X1Z4yKkYVbByJ2dfzANReook2tQyL5pxEmIPb66zXuUPDCMcF1IMZ6TS3JiI_rLm8K-zlnwikTcrwiPeqJz9SAJjCw/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-9792.jpg" title="Trave Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7My2QsjAtdGj6qYvT-5kW5G9DazAn-qCAuIIU5MV8y4EhEh3tFskLzXEMCiMDs4ihjlAIo6sDSB1ZTjabsv0HVqVwZ0d7CvItCUY59ToEYnF2tZw7fygG7qr3lvX0gUYSUCeXYI5G2VH0WkVEh282Nypw6O_vdavCZN8OMuuch9QhbO8zs0c5YtTeQ/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="55%" /></div>
<div><br /></div><div>Children get to ride the carousel for free as part of admission.</div><div><br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxdJXlbOXY1YTJx2ttEXRPx2A26EkydJ2--vX8HxdmzuHlgGRi7LI7jwDvCgaaFQIDeAvvgWKUSUFh4QgOWO1zEaHUKLY7_LCFAzeL74hXwJ3N5YpzTRz3gyJvX2a42gkVwryCEudXM5iAczOVFf6Bshqb928SVGHc1rN_nUJ2Vne-4ZaqbRBM4UvFg/s16000/ark%20encounter%20kentucky%20dec2022-8518.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky" width="100%" />
<br />
<br />If you're planning to visit soon, check out their website at <a href="https://arkencounter.com/">https://arkencounter.com/</a><span>.</span></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.com1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown, KY 41097, USA38.629256 -84.579625610.319022163821153 -119.7358756 66.939489836178836 -49.4233756tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-71937057255439374882022-12-29T19:38:00.295-06:002022-12-29T19:38:00.190-06:00The Year 2022 in ReviewWas it all just a dream? It feels like one to me. My little boy gently snored on my left while I replayed all the wonderful memories we made in <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/p/canada.html" target="_blank">Canada</a>. Wet balls rolled on the side of the cheeks. Three years sure is a short time. No, I have no thoughts of ever going back to the past, but I wish I could be more present, more absorbed, and more in tune with the moment.<div><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgU_EXufWgC5mwXQzFenJzMMOsmJH6-MNGXFzERlZCBCXUBas2pTHWCKAyyfotSzejU30Utj1xhC6a2SFBm1e2wPP-yMItwk1OccWhR0VpmKZhYR6ZFcmgRtLD6OSJsRffhdkRie_uY0y2ALsw2ffz-c0qTHkETMJQriFXAKRTvXeMtoMD0T3HbRuLg/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022--2.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="100%" /><br /><br /><div>
As the Psalmist wrote, <div><br /><div></div><blockquote><div>“Teach us to count carefully the days of our short lives. </div><div>Then we will be wise in how we live.” <div>~ Psalms 90:12 EASY</div></div></blockquote><div><div></div></div></div>
<br />Here's a quick recap of the year 2022 for the Caranzo family.<div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Spring</h3><div>Ontario finally opened up after two years. Life normalized. Meaning... you socialize once again and are no longer required to show your vaccine passport to enter public places and wear a mask.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Check out the <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/04/the-biodome-experience-things-to-do-in.html" target="_blank">Biodome</a> in Montreal</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Summer</h3><div>This is by far the most eventful season of our lives as a family.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We visited <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/07/at-lavender-farm-maison-lavande-quebec.html" target="_blank">La Maison Lavande</a> in Monreal. </li><li>Day trip to Kingston, Ontario. Love the popsicles from the Asian shop downtown.</li><li>Drive 45 minutes to <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/08/summer-photo-diary-calypso-water-park.html" target="_blank">Calypso Waterpark</a> on weekends</li><li><a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/06/life-lesson-what-learning-to-ride-bike.html" target="_blank">Learn to ride a bike</a>. Yes, after 35 years of existence on this earth. Haha.</li><li>Go <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/09/summer-camping-experience-in-ontario.html" target="_blank">camping</a>.</li><li>Glamping in <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/09/ontario-canada-roadtrip-glamping-in.html" target="_blank">Tobermory</a>.</li><li>Staycation for the kid's 5th birthday at Gatineau, Quebec</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3Y7MkCKizM_s_LBowMwP3Ue0vtDY2VZf0fbm6sNumOYI3mqbnKSbaQ2W-_gz66kOfACo_1bT54w8dvee_fzHndpUFUEAA0IqeuzAU-nhYoPwBYkXZyYgEkIR003SkdDlDWwDAn3a6vUwjZk0-fHvq8rqdSoxNJJ6SBuMpg4gi6BePl2dT7tlPJWetA/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022-39.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="55%" /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-oSLJKW0Zx9CzG35LNP6XZVwXJodE5BcBvDCfNWWaM7VffqhZvYYN-6ai0TOAuTesNMaLzN8QFxQx2Mj4yKAxQH27cl2b7vZSK6t2cwYkr32UyNepPWpluEn4H2yF5YIg3ZcSc6XG7-bYVQFMLmETkJa864uCWRfsgmpHooXJxO7C_blElzdXAS5WQ/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022-78.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="100%" />
<br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fall</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ride a cable car in <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/10/mont-tremblant-quebec-in-fall-travel.html" target="_blank">Mont Tremblant</a>. To me this place resembles a lot like Europe due to the cobblestone streets. Though I haven't been to that continent.</li><li>Got our US green card after 3 years wait. Yay! Life update <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/10/life-lately-season-of-change.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</li><li>3-day Trip to <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/11/things-to-do-in-old-quebec-canada.html" target="_blank">Old Quebec</a>.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Winter</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/the-long-drive-home-from-ottawa-ontario.html" target="_blank">Canada-US Road Trip</a> to Home</li><li><a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/life-update-moving-back-to-us.html" target="_blank">Moving back to the US</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbitzTr_r3y-pYcS0hBJqM9qmuDhee9fm1NzchxA8ZRoz0dg48uoRQuha2DkgQw-DzmIPeBLL92ZmeHaAm8VA12bRwI82ewlLxREPx3OMwvo4jgSyyUNqTIM06zZvbKO0EMwhW4UQUgeCtA-B0HUqQbcO6Yb5FO2I8HTAdm6GeCY_lQFrVkzvVo_0ig/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022-.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="100%" /><div><br /></div><div>Goodbye to the cold Canadian winters. Glad we get to experience what it's like.</div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0Owqnk2BbYKo0osTxFk5djLmU0Qbnk3u198D-aOexUGoadKqHhCE7zE-MTZw4nzdPSRz9ZqT6xXrccvPvILyW2Z0NH534xqkIWfnV0OoZ_a6JbWHhdiGTldD1cksH5XVWhihyNq5n6Dvd8l6PAn1eAUklCl-5KR6D33gBZD_lR0xEUX2bplAp76r6Q/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022-7952.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="50%" /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJwhRDFtDPAkAsXerr3i-md3vSzPM057MHzEpde-7SqU2pZFrrRQsqqcSci0Wz8kR6jKnxpxtPWy7R2zzbZuDqwxDkFCJ8_LTWYL07nGc_0XMXz-O9Mt_04DfeIrtlcKpf4wGErgekUeWI42ttSk6XU0gb9SeP8zAihNLeFMGGn2yM6bEJYvzLAqqQA/s16000/ottawa,%20ontario,%20canada,%20year2022-7966.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="50%" /><div><br /></div><div>Now that chapter has officially closed, we are looking forward to our new stories here in Austin, Texas.</div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPzKwIuGn2hQbwGTQiEJFIa2P3EnCZxMYsQ3ftDomLuyBHwg4lDKBBAIg2zrA3DTx8K1q6S9AtJo8VFCjosc_80HTtzUEIfqa6hVxuvDvKGRaATlhLWO82evn-td_IBc7czr-kRRZsLr4x0f4VEc7GGvTEToHF6lOBAINfM6yq12nBwmGa5YHwyHcIA/s16000/ottawa%20ontario%20canada%20sept2022-7983.jpg" title="Lifestyle Blog | Diary | The Year 2022 in Review | Life in Canada" width="100%" /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-50937798111008419462022-12-26T17:30:00.038-06:002022-12-26T17:30:00.182-06:00The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary<div>Sharing our 5-Day <b>Canada-US Road Trip to Home</b> Itinerary.</div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZp--Nyy1PqLN1XZWkLeCcum0gv8VGkGdHs1liad8cTPI7WWDJGKARQB5JDFWZVC9Wco2KZ4ncOHccm3bO5meV2dKGHcjPAKpMclETmHJ05yNB1q60aSB7mQ2N1qkCbNHi9Pp5r_1-zjg966bHIexUhiF-KJzvyw4j3goE9KE7U5yH1lKaMrJL2Ipvg/s16000/cincinnati%20union%20terminal%20dec2022-9502.jpg" title="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" width="100%" /><div style="text-align: right;">Cincinnati Union Terminal, Dec 2022</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 1
</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Drive from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Hope, Ontario, Canada (3 hours drive)</li><li>Hotel Stay in Port Hope, Ontario</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>My husband's company hired a service to pack and move our stuff from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Austin, Texas, USA. But because we won't be there on the scheduled date of the packing/moving, I did the initial work boxing and hauling items to specific areas of our apartment. Yes, it makes their job easier but it gives me peace of mind knowing nothing will be left out.</div><div><br /></div><div>We finish around 7 in the evening, then kick off our long journey home. We arrived in Port Hope Ontario around midnight to rest for the night.<br /><div>
<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 2</h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Drive from Port Hope Ontario to London, Ontario. (3 hours drive) </li><li>Cross the Canada-US border passing the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. (2 hours drive)</li><li>Hotel Stay in Downtown Detroit</li></ul></div><div></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_oju0R4AGZ4lqsvn0Z-k3z1xBLusLKedxLMCAYCKT3JimKDAbn07chOSWly2heDJfHDnS5hXVW_b-DD1zRoYIdYCaHckWPNYil5EDNiuzyC673OIUcI_cu4u6bEEfmTeDEHtd8M5cH6gZS0K4VmMMRSQnGklKMHB69ppCq-odrJiGQd8R4eNjy9sMw/s16000/london,%20ontario%20dec2022-9411.jpg" title="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" width="55%" /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div>Stop over in London to visit our friends and have dinner.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 3</h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Short drive around <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/canada-us-roadtrip-to-home-detroit.html" target="_blank">Downtown Detroit</a> to sightsee</li><li>Visit the <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/canada-us-road-trip-to-home-visit-ford.html" target="_blank">Ford Museum</a> in Dearborn, Michigan</li><li>Drive from Dearborn, Michigan to Cincinnati Ohio (4 hours drive)</li><li>Quick stop at the Cincinnati Union Terminal to take photos.</li><li>Hotel stay in Florence Kentucky (About 30 minutes away from the Union Terminal)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, we couldn't get inside the Cincinnati Union Terminal since we arrived in the evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>For dinner, we had Chick-fil-A. Finally. Wow, it took 3 years of waiting. Yum! </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 4</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stopover at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY </li><li>Head to Lexington, KY to visit Lexmark (1-hour drive)</li><li>Drive from Lexington to Nashville, Tennessee (3 hours 30 minutes drive)</li><li>Hotel Stay at Nashville, Tennessee</li><li>Dinner at a Food Hall near the Honky Tonk Central</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Insisted to go to Lexington, KY because I wanted to see the Lexmark Headquarters there. It was my very first employer after college. </div><div><br /></div><div>During my 3-year stint in the company, a number of Lex-peeps went on a business trip to Kentucky including my husband. (We were still acquaintances at this point.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to see where they report to work and where they stayed whilst on an international business assignment. Photo below is the Marriott Residence Inn room where he stayed for 2 months.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk0FF2tovuzubUQEw4cCchONjaTmxZDUAa4QgpwmcG6tXIeeSzgeK8E11P165yH0GXDRDXxNFnsknjAre-dh8D7Xyw3D1fagRbVQBUEaMz9w6AVzqCjFpp9VmFyblQuS4EQDm67hYPsfgAWG6VxzcoxurnM9AgL44T2c8vFLA8F6RW2EgguBIM3fZdA/s16000/lexington,%20kentucky%20dec2022-.jpg" title="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" width="55%" /><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I wish to be sent during my time with them. Though it's impossible since it's not available on my team. I'd be honest, I won't probably be picked anyway. (lol)</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 5</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Drive from Nashville, Tennessee to Memphis Tennessee (3 hours drive)</li><li>Climb up the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid to see the city of Memphis from above.</li><li>Cross the Tennesse-Arkansas state border to Texarkana (4 hours)</li><li>Hotel Stay in Texarkana on the Texas side</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Day 6</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Visit the State Line Post and Federal Building</li><li>Drive from Texarkana to Dallas, Texas (3 hours)</li><li>Lunch at Jollibee</li><li>Drive from Dallas, Texas to Austin, Texas (3 hours)</li></ul></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZR2bWs-C_FE5SODoFy7Lw2f734T4UEwDfLUgrQvGejnRkJXdpi-5vdr3xGhCQuGwkWAC8C-5GqZhxiEYcI_4A3p4D3msSkHQLYSU5px_VIgR49YyvtXu4Zy8KkYl9xPk4iBsBorFb1l-u7BiMLtlZsEjLn4WyLXWIPWO1IV4NgQ9HQlambXCpfkGMg/s16000/texarkana%20dec2022-8576.jpg" title="Travel Blog: The Long Drive Home from Ottawa, Ontario to Austin, Texas: Our 5-Day Canada-US Road Trip Itinerary" width="100%"/><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div>My husband covered about 30 hours drive from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Austin, Texas, USA.</div><div><br /></div><div>Praise God, we arrive back home safely. And thank you, Thales -- that is my husband's company -- for sponsoring our trip. Indeed, it was the most unforgettable road trip of our lives.</div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-6844458343542776092022-12-23T17:30:00.301-06:002022-12-23T17:30:00.223-06:00Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan
I was saddened by the quality of the photos taken starting at the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan all the way until we arrive in Texarkana. I might have unknowingly tinkered with the settings of my DSLR camera. Nooo! <div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, I have a backup from our phones. I'll just do what I could with the stills that I got.<div><br /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuz4SkTd1cVmaDYGOEVRO9BNUaWMoad5LWhzAqBAYCzU0Xs3vpKaOfxkg1pCmmeOGw6Roz5nsOGa35m1sL_K7QuimQrY4GBI5EUkRHZzjvfMNfJz7AGIzWQbNj7CgcBMSCSKFVHF26TqRmk0ZmR_2JBHTFlECCEfzoqOibDuAfH95ry_hKoNgHFP1xw/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9773.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-HWeL25VwE8C0_KvKvjY3MgLo1WpvLvp3i9_tKzKBmnoVoa_ar5HPdQE4p_OSSbDCdcr4dp8J5y-WGYX-LrSQM5G1-x6fxFsWfN-Vegu2hVYc7HhL3NKYURWWBsG45op1kq1GUKacO1TyT4ROPH3GopUeL-Nlfdy_0wsIVJw80T3WezaWcsKc3fLeg/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5743.jpg" style="text-align: right;" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="50%" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrA3n_reNFpMYH4C9kSKhUktnJ_815n3VhY26mAfbPpwjsh_VpTK8x59BAyDeT2saoou9DPUjmvoTtEx0JRLOcsgXusTtG_jWs9S-GMC_zn4I4eNU7SN22uCrfz3CADEl_4jt2m9BoRhs0bOhyhQOeYnEEI4qFe7RSGoXgjyyUFg7ME72UKOuIRVCAQ/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5697.jpg" style="text-align: left;" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="50%" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3>The Presidential Cars</h3></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc-qVAfTtS91ntTT-7NyM6yjZcFqrwCZgMdyBrVk6w2ufiDRC1h-9pCwygVaDjnR-CeMFgwUw6Jkxeu6oFs6gpuVOJs_nIOB1pKikVNt_IjduJA0FdUOW-0P_A2xKzmLh8YzGD6SPBIVNgMevhqcUrM-J26_MioPycDGZsYpOnQC-YVbY3YWsbT0ZhA/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9771.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /><div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjS6AAtiyNM4FzGeeT_lJy4r05x8xril3SbDV29wNOShIVzuC5CVXKdhT6rYG1zndUnH0CrUMjkyrF-IazwwyuDCFZNZI1pGbXyTY6De1FmcAuTenwez898aoZyDJ4H059q1h1iE8kH2Ap9V9QRKRWQfB-emR7_KN2GIwP1WgFvcQKShsABRAyffgig/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5707.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div>Right photo above is the Kennedy car. The very car where President JFK is assassinated. <div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDVaSz8H9eRIYx10GYSkjjI8PNxE-1dqWhK8rl5V-blsyE133sTcW9rhAVPE4gtfhijOQG7Svm2qmW46gel9eZ6MfzHMTMhijVJK_OULyEabEY6ed5nbG0LodKjw__2Npr7_EayAP8Di3o4OKYUEdHw94GzwYTb1pWEUHNMUevG2SeJHG0phZdvwHgw/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9770.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Trains</h3>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0DwwjvLcNFKol_cWA8rfnKGI9R7K6KthZHAHLr9JlVFobMgukJ6VuFLZxeaayFTQUkLnFv6w78Zg5hWIBG1K7kvlmpdylkqFCyQYrS-bQr30eAvdxxAduJkr66A8Bde_kzI0qtbqYldj_bc_IZmdda7OwdFPO7Cx6bXYDA3JMWj75Wsepu6cYK_q4g/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9775.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>The Allegheny train is huge and ancient like a prehistoric dinosaur. For size comparison, see below.</div><div><br />
<div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ9kUuVRdX2v3kDwnq9es1-X2fKeL_AbuRICHtVR3agDANPBxbeMwVqKzxxGU3Nd4GLQ5EtYmgGATEFAPj7eiNzJc44RtQYwgD7P89p2wNVmLXkuBTxl6jZmL0_jPj5O1-1acdjQdmbc-DPuxb5cPop6-lNirEns7psN0X5jy8LIQYmCyYRqCeW0UZQ/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5716.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1jEd9X49VSyWAGal-cuVVChJ3YaPrgx_Hz-BDijEmCCFrdSiGPnJHC892JKoM7Mn2l3zk4tIhBdVxxR6dSc3nLh418j-wykjMrrepVu81XzC82E8wLRHRm5m_QOAO4gqVm_gAf-Spzw8LZ2nKibFQdWKQak8Th86aVoopWZcTufTRNvhraYOT5Eiqw/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5742.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" />
</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's Ford's first attempt to go electric.</div><div><br /></div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqke4DTVAu1u1_leK07tl3FYVDrD2MTKbOybbKqZZfmW4JjBAuVoFMAogVRuZ2r1k6ASAaAZXuTRu8erF-361Kb00osZghm-uCV8tEzisrl83owhYgnQK_-WuMfd6OupeL7j0F7Rx8Wm2oDNuCYC5qfz2cptaT76Laqzm2nF6kcG75XH0N0qFZAH4kgg/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9777.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /><div><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">More Modes of Transpo</h3><div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAxu4TEhxZwVaUv-SQjwZID6NccIDc7BUbW0KoV1xC_DZtjSxfRJdhUqYj9lYoKrDxdvlxGNZWlP2q7TG14we9MI6KEhtOuvbZUdD3IcE9NylarrlJZo6B2lqFMblK5aerc-tEWqaYSTpRceaoWiPNFHC4IidODGH4JQkBiiYAUHN_sOQ_RYxOxLOPQ/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-57431.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div>
<div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrPEKA-5oJ9SoXmr4g_-LHkZj2dtbHhuEUk212lITRz2zAGF_enMiQtlIrGfLg1ZmkAYobMQNCrFNKnblSMMCqJ25haUt_l4FDCQNryYHAUhPAkWWEU00MRnvNkO1p4ZDqhC4ITMITO1ZBwbiLSpBAgZKqgbRPPJBmYyqTnyLHCRIO6vIbLT6ggtmmw/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-57398.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RueVcMeiIEq-US6BiqVVv4zVTIvIudsR96sTzJg7GSeAxB6D3Sit80gkY81c4ccZTpWygpsZ48YwkW4PJO4JA5JGJ8gESCsi30SxYmd__CgVjuzJgIVQsWp-qhA0gVGmr43Cj6UFmngUSEs1rKc9Lpd4xVsdCCNvq_0SvFQ5hukL4wEcVaFNIZ8nxw/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9778.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhWRCyo6M3rJuXros24RCtncCebQjJA6hgOTmIxq9nFD6jZfaS49_-XlkZvTFxt0o7Goi2-OU_OAtKD8mZP6J95qOMz4L_cGuXsOEyc_vyfUcPbM61Zdunx34ILdd_G8jk4mDsG62XQhWjonah6K5jFEt4nMrEbxVKr6fX6sF5CycYt-648n4nudv5A/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5749.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div>
<img alt="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbNtTHI-LEahKEzedX984JyPUJJdbHllM33pX47JyWBCyfFtYrX3ECxw60jZbXRBGpdDePu3ezgiI1SbKdE8wd8nhGKuvsfPJZ7IwjaIFcPS8kkfxNbFyXt9n4e3OOTohcrmPibH53V8vIeTpKbITeBG_NnymRgVa1EvRpSc5ufF-u1mftz0oQv6dFQ/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9776.jpg" title="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE0_c2l3VO8nuAwld7WykjOqjZrgaJjBmhuoKz9fBiXvVS-AFs182OjEWa3dOrWTmx5I6_bxf3BiXMVc9cpZKP1p0zQwagXi9l5YsC31IUhfAdyXUnlHHe91bLtsYa1mJJOPlfp0cwykd4V6JZ0-M4PYYyf7QPUfaqypRNfPKDUVHGSeDV7zwFSEZDg/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5701.jpg" style="text-align: left;" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="50%" /></div><img alt="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo-lqeV8uCiykaNuB4uuu7R-UjHC6MbcZqFzcF65mewfomwwVz0O08b-u4KYtKab06kvIxNfa3l5fjvNS0--TLiETatwa5zT_m0u6Qath4BtRwwa_gcLOr-TlexADJclSelrlbci8TmXjUnapB3TZmu0O7kQl4eOh6cJZxZFxlvvLbgyX18_vDXdbMA/s16000/ford%20museum%20dec2022-5732.jpg" title="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="50%" /><br />
<img alt="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AIWFq9fyg2SqkLCqlCTCjHvCuDieXEOseQzziOxNrVti5wENLSun-i9by12cs_x4UeX6kpwNy-2zhzzkiDUZP9vv4ZycqbX4hcdK2uHXHSrtHO8uO5LRfAAMBfv_i27kF6Mvi4F1jeqJLWGdySXV7TAHSvzOlJAHA7gsaggEDRx4XVl6DgJvpn4qyQ/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9779.jpg" title="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /><br /><div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_0lK4wDSrr3uWhY2pNA55k4lqKPNjVQo19yRu2wpsBLhdzn9K_51_s0GndY2gSUFc4vR6GPTGVcFcTK0KRri_sF97XI5tdqMB8cua7PcWgMzggtQiKjRj1kEmA6Nz9tGW92RehCDoOGTo9ySJJVeFInepPEyomcirmQGIiizTnhKcPTvKe41GXDGnA/s16000/ford%20museum%20dearborn%20michigan%20dec2022-5748.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" />
</div>
<img alt="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORGAk-PtQsccZYXBTWe19mkjbxDjYLZuWBoBoDhHyC4GqDKEuigp_4mkd58O5rDwMxTJpsXIO0mBzg7d-OfdEJxd-KAIdXGIc-1NnGr_00wmR3_jq_H0iHsceKBwFwQadiUh6JE2rSjttvHrolFMRx02NuscXeE_P46nZjOdl46vhd-NDFV3drVRgJg/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9781.jpg" title="Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Visit the Ford Museum at Dearborn, Michigan" width="100%" /></div><div>
<div><br /></div>
</div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comDearborn, MI, USA42.3222599 -83.17631449999998916.550663841391867 -118.33256449999999 68.093855958608131 -48.020064499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4490869406817802278.post-38585647404180753562022-12-21T17:30:00.004-06:002022-12-27T17:19:19.433-06:00Canada-US Road Trip to Home: Detroit, Michigan<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJggLpFLNW4P7TMdeJ8VejlDJUASHwtfqUSJyBvPmgsPG4sV8SNjruS161mFufHNvI4LjLFY2ClmVPANXWE_7Fr6fQcCKL--T4XrO_tFuMMomeOopZAOC3TRZMWAQo-5ldGtM3LG32VEziBQCmMHwr2c1zLiWsYGjcTGzzB9NLbTY4idGLMf_aYm0CGA/s16000/detriot_michigan_dec2022-5680.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnEX56irHZo1O8FX5dNkEfHbjtDfH_RrSFi_pGx_CDcX0kkKHVV1NRD7PXk900o8wZrIXlrTrEiVHUZct6ZxRyy7B9sHpV3VcaU3rozuxfvuP0SGQaD6V8uV404j_GJef32AYNa-OrJCfvyLlq0PPJrdThgyS6jIbcsqamRNTk7fayEhBP_kPYNLf6g/s16000/detriot_michigan_dec2022-5678.png" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br />
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzItwBDJbad6lvMPLjbYvzOWUk0yL9qCxwlP9qDePT87TC1uIoP9-IRdXwqJ8n0yAVVDFA0gayxbYhY5-0Re8db8F4i1ujttlNr7E_y68nOI08a6_OmC79ftKjREkjpKr_kWu7PigEpUYgqQJU95oEgthnGWaa-1IuKEqZt_Vt57U1J0mMitSZSviwQ/s16000/detriot_michigan_dec2022-5687.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObeDi9qwcHNUlQfgqyI1JXjkWiKSDzw9gu_fonDXiHfOo1tD2tIEeFFBk7L5kv2i7v3_ontAUZGLQp_Q0ARg7opyG2P88WtazeslGlzwxxox2QiU4m_TY8DjNDYiXAJAsLhqe4KMwWmnfXvIUc5zpFBiS-GaY4sLOQjrFdexrN_pIDBxZJnc3d6oalQ/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9461.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="90%" /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGdGVJTpQ1rFAG5INO1knXzX66Z-yT6E0CIsmlMsMPmjNofAy46cpPZQu2XAz_76rs-pEYPMQYPsr7_HsmmOR9TujiLAchZpP_cJcYeybPzJXhZmOdrUUMh59QhD3xuVOIhrWFYbcBzt5hQmBH7Mwh7mrEDdHhzCDORKh5wxjO4SW8w0SB7IfX9cj9g/s16000/detriot_michigan_dec2022-5691.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br /><div><br /></div><div>
The first city we landed in crossing the US border from Canada is Detroit, Michigan. We checked in at the hotel 30 minutes before midnight after our stop at Immigration. </div><div><br /></div><div>'Twas surreal! After 3 years in Canada, we're finally back in the United States of America. We were supercharged for the looooong drive ahead. According to Google Maps, it takes about 28 hours to drive from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Austin, Texas, USA. The husband probably did more. Check out our <b>Canada - US Road Trip to Home</b> Itinerary <a href="https://www.agladdiary.com/2022/12/the-long-drive-home-from-ottawa-ontario.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given our tight schedule, we don't have the liberty to explore downtown on foot. We did drive around for a little bit before heading to our next stop which is the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I would have loved to see the art deco inside the Guardian Building.</div><div><br /></div>
<img alt="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI34QLFfQiuytvs872_lnBHBn-m0b-vXHAsPSURrt7olw6Ii2tiBderXwOl_Kgo2YGPIfmt--16ld0CxFYhEbMVEnmPvYg7hBlViteILifY8ASppO8tqj-v4i5MxYuGRim_zdAh3VyQnrp6Tv-CGDGsOFOoBvdjapOw-ClVGFoma7nsJu2AzLFr6eiyA/s16000/detroit%20michigan%20dec2022-9466.jpg" title="Travel Blog: Canada-US Roadtrip to Home: Detroit, Michigan" width="100%" />
<br />
<div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Where we Stayed?</h3><div>Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Downtown Michigan. If you stay downtown, you have to prepare cash for valet parking.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What did we get to see?</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Downtown Detroit</li><li>Facade of the Guardian Building. I did catch a glimpse of the art inside. Just a little bit.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div>Gladys Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725675662365018390noreply@blogger.comDetroit, MI, USA42.331427 -83.045753814.021193163821152 -118.2020038 70.641660836178843 -47.8895038