Well, its almost time to think about it

Gatlinburg with a little snow on the mountains

It's that time of year again, when those who don't have to handle the work, look forward to the event.

And, those who do, can't believe that it is only about 16 weeks and a few days until Christmas.

The summer heat's not gone yet, the vegetables are dying on the vine, but hey, what a great time lies ahead.

New Orleans' Fulton Street turned into Christmas Wonderland

We have already started making plans to experience the holidays. On previous occasions we have journeyed to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA., and Bellingrath Gardens outside Mobile, AL.

Christmasy Callaway Gardens

On our first Callaway Gardens trip about five years ago, we managed to also do the "drive through" for the Christmas decorations at Lake Lanier north of Atlanta.

This year we plan to be in Gatlinburg on Dec. 7 for their annual Christmas parade which, chamber officials say, draws as many as 80,000 hardy souls.

Bellingrath Gardens beauty

Its going to be a wild fall, what with a nine-day trip planned to the West Coast. That will be followed by a Halloween outing with four of our grands to Six Flags over Georgia.

Next comes a holiday dance recital by one of our grandkids in New Orleans where maybe we'll experience a Miracle on Fulton Street again.

And who knows, we could also make a pre-Thanksgiving trip, either a cruise, or another visit to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Ho, ho, ho

As I have said before, when the temperature rises, my interest declines. Well, with the temperatures expected to start dropping as we head into the Fall, my interest in travel increases.

Hey, is that Bing Crosby I hear singing in the background.

Next post: Sept. 11, 2012

Hurricane Isaac mostly a 'rain event'

Hurricane Isaac fails to keep fishermen at home in flooded area of Ocean Springs

Our travel plans over the past few days has  been mostly to Wal-Mart.

Why? Because Wal-Mart has all we need in order to prepare for a hurricane. I really didn't need much of anything but I went over there shortly after noon on Sunday.

I wanted to browse around and pick up an extra tarp. I was also interested in the reaction of local people to the approaching storm.

When I arrived, the "locusts" had already made their way through. About a 10-foot or longer display of flashlights was empty. Another 10-foot space of canned chicken (except for about 30 cans) was gone. Lanterns in the camping section had also disappeared.

Other shelf space throughout the store was empty. Water, batteries, and other so-called survival supplies were being checked out.

I asked the clerk when was their busiest time. She said, shortly after  9 a.m.  I was listening to the television, and at that time I heard that the track of the storm was forecast to be headed directly for Biloxi, our neighboring town.

Over the course of the history of Isaac, it has been predicted to hit a number of places including Tampa, FL where the Republican National Convention is being held. The storm was to head north and hit in the Sunshine State's panhandle area and then drench Georgia.

Forecasts kept pushing it to the west. It was maybe Pensacola, then Mobile, Biloxi and finally the Louisiana coast.

As I write this at about 6:18 p.m. Central Daylight Time Tuesday, Hurricane Isaac is moving into the mouth of the Mississippi River just south of New Orleans. The storm is expected to continue inland and make its way into northern Louisiana sometime late Wednesday.  It hasn't reached the wind speeds that were forecast and is being called a "rain event."

Later in the week it will finally diminish in intensity and dissipate.  

A lot of people are glad that it wasn't as strong as anticipated and that it hit farther west than expected. 

After all, Hurricane Katrina hit this area on Aug. 29, seven years ago. It is much too soon for another storm of such devastation.

Next post: Sept. 4, 2012

Hotel California, Florence, Italy style

Every now and then I think back to our trip to Italy in 2005 and wonder about the Hotel California.

In describing it to an individual recently, I sort of gave it a bad review, but that's only because the only thing I saw of the hotel were the entrance door off the street and the sign hanging on the side of the building.

View of bed in room from hotel's website

I wish we had gone in to check it out.

The singing group the Eagles had a hit in the US back in the 70's with a song of the same name and over the years it has been one of my favorite songs.

And in a post a while back, I did quote from the song concerning a situation that "could be heaven or it could be hell."

Interior shot from hotel's website

I have wondered about about the business in Florence and did I do it wrong.

After going on the internet, and checking out their website, I may have done it wrong.

Terrace shot taken from hotel's website

The pictures show an upscale hostelry and it appears to be one in which I would check out on a return visit.

With breakfast included, three nights in a double room runs $425.93 and the same time in a single room runs $325.93. Another website had the rooms listed less than those above.

I guess one would say those are fairly comparable prices and not too expensive although expensive to me is usually something more than $65 a night although I have gotten into the habit of plunking down $100 or more a night if the occasion called for it.

Reviews on the hotel were mixed.

For some, it "could be heaven," and for others, "it could be hell." Just depends.

Next post: Aug. 28, 2012