Category: My Trips

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New York City

This will by an introduction to several posts about my two trips to New York City in the past few years. The first trip was right before the pandemic hit. The second trip was in November 2021, just as things were reopening but still requiring proof of vaccination for inside seating. During the first visit, highlights included Belvedere Castle in Central Park, the show Drunk Shakespeare, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. During the 2021 trip, I got to see Hamilton!! I had tried to get tickets prior to the pandemic, but never could. AS SOON AS tickets went back on sale in August, I went on-line to find tickets! I also got to hear one of my MOST favorite entertainers ever, Marc Broussard, live at the City Winery!

Quick Health Update

My cryoablation went well, according to the electrophysiologist. I am in a lot of pain, but it is getting a bit better every day. We spent about 11 hours at the hospital and I had some bleeding complications. In fact, as recently as last night (2 days after) the wound in my groin was still bleeding some. I have been sleeping with an 8 pound kettlebell on my right groin. But it is over, and I am glad. I just hope it does what it is supposed to do.

NYC 2020

My pre-pandemic trip was in February/March 2020. Little did we know at the time what would happen just days later! On March 1, we were visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; a week later everything was closed. Shortly after that, a hospital ship was in the very harbor where we had just been sightseeing! We also visited Belvedere Castle in Central Park during this trip. A few short weeks later there were hospital tents in Central Park! Needless to say, this was very surreal for me!

I had been to New York City and Central Park many times before, but I had never been to (or even known about) Belvedere Castle! It is a beautiful little castle in an idyllic setting on a pond. I enjoyed it immensely!

My oldest son, Seth, and I. Taken at the Statue of Liberty with the skyline of NYC in the background.
Seth and I; March 1, 2020. Taken at the Statue of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

NYC 2021

As soon as I heard that Broadway was going to reopen in mid-September, I was on my computer trying to buy tickets for Hamilton. Seeing Hamilton live had been a dream of mine for years, and I immensely enjoyed it when it was released on Disney+. I was able to find tickets for early November, so I booked them right away! I made everything else work around that. As fate would have it, my favorite musician was also going to by in New York City that same week! Marc Broussard has been one of my very favorite singer/songwriters since I first saw him as a young man opening for Los Lonely Boys (about 2001 I think). Since then, he has matured as both an artist and a person, now being a father and husband. His soulful southern blues vibe is amazing, and never gets old!

Marc Broussard at the City Winery in NYC November 2021
One of my most favorite recording artists live–Marc Broussard.

To Be Continued!

I plan to do at least two more posts about New York–one about each trip mentioned above. Also expect reviews of some of the places I visited during each trip. Things have been slow going over the past two weeks with the cardiac procedure and aftermath of that, but I hope to be back in full swing next week! In the meantime, let me know if there is anything else you would want me to cover!

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ALMOST TO THE FINISH LINE!

wooden picture frame hanged on pink wall

As I start my fourth and final week of radiation therapy, I am feeling grateful for the team at UPMC-Passavant, as well as the love and support I have received from family and friends! It has been a rocky road, and I still have the cardiac procedure to weather, but I am almost at the finish line, and I can begin to taste the sweetness of victory!

Update on My Team

The pregnant technician finally had her baby on Friday! Her labor stalled so she had to have a C-section, but mom and baby are doing well. I believe the baby was 9 lbs. 7 oz! That is a BIG baby!! My biggest (Seth) was 9 lbs. 1 oz. and that was quite big enough! I will miss seeing her 5 days a week, but am happy for her and her growing family!

Today we started the “targeted” part of my radiation therapy. In this phase of my treatment, the radiation is focused on JUST the area where my tumor was–in this case the upper inner quadrant of my breast. I am not sure if that will cause more skin changes in that area or not. I am hoping not! So far, I have been very lucky as far as side effects go (at least from the radiation). I am looking forward to ringing the bell on Friday to mark the completion of this phase of treatment. That will be the finish line for my acute cancer treatment. I will be on the Arimidex for 10 years, and there is talk of removing my ovaries, but the breast surgeries and radiation will be over!

Next Stop–Cardiac Cryosurgery

After about 2 weeks to recuperate, I have the cardiac procedure that is intended to fix my atrial fibrillation. The day before the procedure I have to have a test called a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE for short). The ultrasound tech puts a probe down my esophagus and view my heart that way. I have never had this test before, but I’m not looking forward to it. Hopefully, the “mild” sedation works very well!

The day after the TEE, my Electrophysiologist will go into my heart with a catheter (through the groin, just like they do for a cardiac catheterization) and will attempt to freeze the area of my heart where the abnormal impulses usually arise. If all goes well, I hope I will be able to stop the Amiodarone and Eliquis. Fingers crossed! The picture below courtesy of Oklahoma Heart and shows how the procedure is done. This is for my medically-inclined friends and readers!

Image courtesy of https://oklahomaheart.com/

Virginia-Bound

Kendyl and I will take a road trip this weekend as we head down to Lynchburg, Virginia, for my granddaughter’s 6th birthday party! I wasn’t sure I would feel up to going, but I think I should be okay. Kendyl will drive, as I do not feel I’m up to 7 hours of driving. I am looking forward so much to seeing Riley and her family!! We will finally meet Ember and Rex, Haley’s part-wolf pups.

While we are there we will also get to see my ex-husband’s grandfather (so my kids’ great, and Riley’s great-great) who is 99 years young! As soon as I am able to request time off, I want to make arrangements to be there for his 100th birthday next March! We will also see his daughter (my former mother-in-law) who has been having some health challenges of her own recently. One of my most cherished pictures is one I took last August when we visited. In it are Tom’s grandfather, Tom’s mom, all 3 of Tom’s kids, and Riley Mae (and her then step-sister, also a Riley). It is a precious photo. It is quite sad that Tom isn’t alive to see it (and to have been part of the picture)!

I have decided to post to the blog every other Monday. I should have posted regularly before when I was actually posting my travels! Never fear, as I run out of health news I will post more travel-related content. I might even throw in some food-related posts as that was my original intention! As I approach that finish line, I intend to plan my 2024 trips. It feels good to have something to look forward to again!

Post-Radiation and Virginia Update

I got to ring the bell after my last radiation treatment on Friday (11 August 2023)! It felt good! I crossed that finish line with a smile and even a few tears. You get used to seeing these people every day and they feel like friends! I took in an assortment of cookies, many of them symbolically pink. Hopefully, they were enjoyed by all!

Shortly after I returned from radiation, we packed up the car and headed to Virginia! Kendyl’s boyfriend, Ray, ended up coming with us, so she and I were “passenger princesses.” I am usually VERY anxious when someone else drives distances, but sitting in the backseat where I could not see the road ahead was VERY helpful (as was half of a Xanax).

Ray and his two passenger princesses on the road!

Our tradition when we visit Haley is to meet her at a hibachi restaurant called Wasabi. This trip was no different! Neither she nor her fiancé had their kids, so we let loose in our celebration of being together AND radiation being over! I have not been drinking much at all, so I was pretty tipsy–AND hungover the next morning! Since Saturday was another day without kids, we just vegetated all day reading, watching TV and cooking. Haley made my recipe for stuffed salmon, and Kendyl made her vegetarian risotto. I taught her how to make risotto a few years ago and she VERY quickly surpassed me–she is the risotto master! We also got to meet Ember and Rex, the part-wolf pups. They are already bigger than our Buddha, and they aren’t even a year old yet!

Ember and I bonding!

Sunday was a very eventful day. After breakfast Kendyl and I went to visit her grandmother and great-grandad. We came at the right time, because he had fallen and no one there could get him up. Kendyl and I were able to, and he was thankfully not injured. We had a nice visit, and got to see Barbara’s brother, Uncle Jimmy, who stopped by. After that, it was off to the birthday party and we FINALLY got to see precious Riley!! A good time was had by all, and it was great seeing Haley’s family. Some people think it is odd, but I have become friends with the whole family of Tom’s first wife (Haley’s mom). I have remained close to my first husband’s family also. The more people we care about in our lives, the more joy we have!

I didn’t take many pictures over the weekend, but I will include a few. I may update early next time since I have those cardiac procedures on my scheduled posting date! Thanks for reading and sharing my excitement over this finish line!

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Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts Walking Tour

Is this an orb? Taken on the Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts Walking Tour of Salem, MA.

The evening of our first full day in Salem, we experienced the Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts Walking Tour. It was fun and informative! Our guide was Mike, and he kept everyone engaged and interested during the tour.

We met just across the street from the Peabody Essex Museum, where we had visited earlier in the day. We had a fairly large group, and I even met another couple also from Pittsburgh. They sell Pagan-related wares, so I told them all about Grove of Gaia Fest at Beltane. I enjoyed being with other like-minded individuals!

Gory Sites, Historical Places

We visited many reportedly haunted sites around Salem. The place where Giles Corey was crushed to death because he wouldn’t confess gave me the chills. We saw the building they used as a prison for the accused witches. We visited a bar located on land once belonging to the first woman accused of witchcraft. Many people see apparitions there. Our last stop was at the Old Burying Point Cemetery near the memorial site. The accused were forbidden burial on sacred ground, so the spirits haunting the cemetery are of other old souls. The house belonging to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s in-laws bordered the cemetery, a bit of literary connection!

Full Moon, Friday the 13th

On the night we took this tour, the moon was nearly full. This made it both beautiful and eerie. One of my photos supposedly captured an orb (a type of haunting). Fun to consider, but it could be (and more likely is) a reflection from the moon.

Is this an orb? Taken on the Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts Walking Tour of Salem, MA.
Possible orbs captured on camera during the Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts Walking tour.

We definitely enjoyed our time on the walking tour with Mike and the other tourists. It was a great time to visit Salem, because the following day was going to be Friday the 13th AND a full moon! There were many tourists who came specifically for that heavenly alignment, but we just lucked into that particular anomaly!

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Sightseeing in Salem

Our first day of sightseeing in Salem, Massachusetts was fun, informative and busy! After spending our first full day in the state driving up the coast to Rockport (read about it here), we spent Thursday getting to know Salem and its history.

Salem Witch Trial Memorial

We had breakfast at our Airbnb, then walked to the Salem Witch Trial Memorial. This is a solemn and moving place memorializing the 20 people who lost their lives during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Since the accused could not be buried in hallowed ground, there are instead benches with the names and dates of each of the victims. It is so sad that such hysteria was put to use for political and personal gain!

The benches commemorating the victims of the Salem witch trial hysteria.

Peabody Essex Museum

After the memorial, we toured the Peabody Essex Museum. I found the various exhibits fascinating. One of my travel partners was not quite as enthralled as I was, so we spent a bit less time there than I would have liked. Still, I really enjoyed the art and history, and especially some of the furniture! The holdings of this museum are vast, and only a fraction are on display! Enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the museum below!

This is a very large multi-colored (but mostly red) decorative piece of blown glass at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
A huge piece of beautiful blown glass!
This is a large, intricate, decorative Japanese vase at the Peabody Essex Museum.
An intricate decorative Japanese vase.
I was drawn to this painting of a boy in yellow shorts riding his pinto/piebald pony. It is found in the American section of the Peabody Essex Museum.
I was drawn to this simple picture of a boy on his pony. It was in the American section of the museum.

Salem Witch Village

A brief walk from the museum, and very close to the memorial, is the Salem Witch Village. This was not at all what I was expecting, but it was very interesting, cool and informative all the same. It basically gave a history of pagan religions, so it was right up my alley! It was very dark in there, and we were asked not to use flash photography, so the only picture I took that really came out is of the dragon at the end. Rubbing his belly is supposed to bring good luck!

This is the dragon that is at the end of the tour of the Salem Witch Village. Rubbing his belly is supposed to bring good luck!
This is the dragon at the end of the Salem Witch Village tour. It is supposed to be good luck to rub his belly!

Crow Haven Corner

A short walk from the Witch Village and the museum was an incredible pagan shop called Crow Haven Corner. The shop was very small but the staff there was very knowledgeable and helpful. There were new discoveries in every nook and cranny, and we enjoyed finding them! Tina and I both bought a few things in the store, and both agree we need to visit again!

Voodoo Walking Tour

In my next post I will tell you about the Voodoo Walking Tour that we took on this night! It was a lot of fun and pretty informative over all! Until then!

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A Scenic Drive

We took a lovely scenic drive along the coast north of Salem on our first full day in Massachusetts. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed the fresh sea air and beautiful vistas! I absolutely love boats, especially sailboats, and I took way too many pictures of them! If there IS such a thing as too many pictures.

Lots of boats on beautiful blue water in East Gloucester, Massachusetts.
BOATS!! In East Gloucester, Massachusetts.
I spotted a seagull preening himself on the rocks in East Gloucester, Massachusetts.
I’ve always loved birds of all types. This seagull was preening himself on the rocks in East Gloucester.

Gloucester and East Gloucester

The first stop on our scenic drive was in Gloucester, at Stage Fort Park. Gloucester, Massachusetts was first incorporated in 1642, taking its name because of the number of settlers who had originated in Gloucester, England. Over the years, it saw many famous historical names grace its shores, including John Smith, Roger Conant, Miles Standish and John Phillips. Shipping, trade, ship building and fishing were the major trades of the area.

A lovely cove/beach at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
This lovely little cove with a beach is at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Private Community and a Cool Lighthouse

When we were at Stage Fort Park, we stopped in the information center and spoke to a very knowledgeable woman working there. She told us how to get to the East Point Lighthouse by driving through a beautiful private community. We saw some HUGE and amazing homes along the drive. The East Point Lighthouse was cool to see, though a darn cell tower was between us and the lighthouse! The vistas were breathtaking! There was a view of the yacht club from the place we stopped to see the lighthouse was lovely also!

East Point Lighthouse. Gloucester Harbor.
The yacht club at East Point on Gloucester harbor.

Rockport

The next stop on our scenic drive was Rockport. This quaint little town had many art galleries and shops, and beautiful flowers everywhere! By this time, we were getting hungry, so we ate at Roy Moore’s Fish Shack Restaurant. The food was very good, but we waited forever for service. I had to actually go and ask someone to take our order–apparently the hostess seating us did not let the waitstaff know about us. We did get a wonderful table by the windows overlooking the water. I enjoyed the grilled swordfish steak with green beans and mashed squash. It was quite lovely!

Rockport, Massachusetts is a picturesque town on the coast.
Picturesque Rockport, Massachusetts.
Grilled swordfish with green beans and mashed squash. Roy Moore's Fish Shack Restaurant. Rockport, Massachusetts.
This was my scrumptious meal at Roy Moore’s Fish Shack Restaurant.

After filling our bellies, we walked around the town and stopped in several shops. We discovered a wonderful silversmith shop where we all bought rings (we later visited a larger version of the same shop in Salem and got more). We also found a cool T-shirt shop where we bought souvenirs for ourselves and our families.

Newburyport

Next on the agenda was Newburyport. We just stopped by and enjoyed the park and the boats. We fantasized about being able to have two homes and travel between them by boat! Like one on the east coast and one down in Mexico or the Caribbean!

Boast at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Boats moored at Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Other Stops

Along the scenic drive, we also made a brief stop in Manchester-by-the-Sea. It was another beautiful coastal town with views of nature and moored boats. Unfortunately, we did not stay very long, and I neglected to take any pictures.

Our first full day in Massachusetts was an unseasonably warm one, and we enjoyed our commune with nature and the sea during our scenic drive up the coastline! My next post will be about our first full day in Salem itself!

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Introduction to Boston and Salem

Our introduction to Boston and Salem was an interesting one! Our plan was to pick up our rental car and drive to Salem where we had booked an Airbnb for our girls’ trip. Things didn’t go exactly as planned, but it wouldn’t be us if it had!

Navigation Issues

After some aggravating snafus with Hertz, we ended up with a SWEET ride! It was a Dodge Charger (or Challenger–I’m not a car person) and Elaine LOVED driving it! It was a great way to explore Boston and Salem. The roads around Boston were WORSE than Pittsburgh!! Bumps and potholes everywhere!! <It was a Challenger I can now confirm.>

Our white Dodge Challenger, quite a sweet ride for a rental!
Our ride for our trip!!

Once on the road, we had trouble getting the car’s GPS to work, so Tina used her phone GPS. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong Cedar Street–one in Boston instead of Salem! I kept saying, “I don’t think this is right guys,” because I had the right address in my phone and it was telling me we were getting further away!! After driving in circles we finally got on the road to Salem! It is a good thing Elaine was driving–I get extremely anxious driving in strange places and HATE getting lost. Elaine was cool about it, and it actually turned out to be fun!

Amazing AirBnB

I have never used AirBnB before, but I will definitely do so again! We had the whole first floor of a house within easy walking distance of all of the sights, and it was beautiful. We got 3 bedrooms (each getting our own), 2 bathrooms, a large full kitchen, and a combination dining room/living room area. It allowed us to save a lot of money by being able to cook our breakfast there, and only at out for one meal a day–so we could splurge on wonderful seafood. All of this for significantly less than a single hotel room without a kitchen would have cost!

The big, full kitchen at our AirBnB in Salem, Massachusetts.
Our full kitchen
The view from the living room area of our AirBnB into the dining area and kitchen.
A view from the living room into the dining room and kitchen.
Elaine and Tina at the dining room table at our AirBnB.
Elaine and Tina
A view of the lovely living room at our AirBnB in Salem.
The living room of our apartment.

The Lobster Shanty

Once we settled into our apartment, we decided to have dinner at The Lobster Shanty. I had a lobster bake, a delicious concoction of fresh lobster in a cream sauce topped with some bread crumbs. It was quite delightful! We sampled some of their signature cocktails also. On our way home, we ran into a woman on the street who seemed friendly, though I am concerned she might have been mentally ill (she went on and on about all the shootings and needing to “close our borders”). Afterwards, we stopped at a little private grocery, but they did not have everything we needed.

Since we still needed groceries (and booze), we jumped in the Challenger and drove off to Walmart (I’m not a fan of Walmart, but it is the one place you can get whatever you need) and then to a HUGE liquor store. We stocked up on everything we needed, and then some!

Sleeping Well Away from Home!

I often do not sleep well away from home, but having my own bed and bedroom helped considerably. I slept well, and was more than ready to attack the following day! After a dicey introduction to Boston and Salem, we settled in quite comfortably! We had originally planned to take a ferry to Boston and do the Freedom Trail, along with the Aquarium, but we opted to take the Challenger up the coast for some scenic sightseeing. Read all about it here!

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Sightseeing in The West Midlands

In March/April 2019, I got to go sightseeing in the West Midlands, UK while visiting my British cousins. My American cousin, Cheryl, came with me and it was her first time meeting them. It is always so rewarding bringing family together! My hobby of genealogy has allowed me to meet and connect many cousins!

Eyam and Bakewell

After a relaxing evening with our cousins, the next day we accomplished quite a lot! First we drove to the plague village of Eyam in the Peak District in Derbyshire. During the Black Death in the mid-1600’s, this village was infected due to a piece of cloth brought up by a trader from London. To protect the surrounding countryside, this village quarantined itself. It was an incredible act of selflessness on the part of these people from the deadly contagion! Between September 1665 and November 1666, around 260 villagers lost their lives to the disease. In the end, just a little over 80 people from Eyam survived. It is a fascinating piece of history and located in a beautiful area of England!

An old sundial mounted on the medieval church in the plague village of Eyam, UK.
An actual sundial on the outside wall of the church in Eyam, U.K.
Mercian style cross from 6th century located in churchyard in Eyam, Derbyshire, U.K.
The Celtic Cross in Mercian style located outside of the church in Eyam , U.K.

While we were driving, a most remarkable thing happened! We were driving through the beautiful countryside, and a HUGE herd of all white deer crossed the road in front of us! There had to be about 40 of them! They were beautiful, but I was so stunned and in-the-moment that I didn’t even THINK to take a picture or video. I really wish I would have because it was STUNNING!

After Eyam, we drove to Bakewell, also in the Peak District. The town is along the River Wye and is famous for its tarts. Bakewell is quaint and lovely. The shops are so cool and there are so many pubs and restaurants! We enjoyed lunch there at The Wheatsheaf. The fish was ENORMOUS, and the Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese Tart was delicious! A highlight of the visit were the swans–I’ve always loved swans, they are such majestic creatures but can be fiercely protective and territorial.

Swans on River Wye in Bakewell, UK
Swans on the River Wye in Bakewell, U.K.

Moseley Old Hall

The following day we visited Moseley Old Hall, where King Charles II was hidden for part of the English Civil War before he could be smuggled out of the country to France. The history fascinated me! We even got to see the “priest hole” where the king would have to hide if the house was subject to search by Cromwell’s men (it was illegal then to practice Catholicism, ergo why the house had a “priest hole”). In the yard we saw a beautiful peacock–unfortunately, he would not open his tail for us, but he is stunning to look at any way!

Male peacock at Moseley Old Hall.
The peacock on the grounds of Moseley Old Hall.
Front view of Moseley Old Hall.
The front of Moseley Old Hall.
My cousin Cheryl and I outside of Moseley Old Hall.
My cousin Cheryl and I on the grounds of Moseley Old Hall.

The Crooked House

On the way back from Old Moseley Hall, we visited one of the most surprising buildings I’ve ever seen–The Crooked House. This pub, located between Telford and Dudley, became lopsided due to mining subsidence in the 19th century. One side of the building is now approximately 4 feet lower than the other! The structure was condemned in the 1940s and scheduled for demolition, but the owners of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries purchased it and capitalized on the uniqueness of the building. They made is safe using buttresses and girders but were able to maintain its lopsided appearance. The leaning walls also give rise to some pretty neat optical illusions where glasses slowly slide across “level” tables and a marble will appear to roll UP hill. This pub is not easy to find–it is at the end of a small side road, so you need to know it is there in order to find it!

The Crooked House from the outside.
The Crooked House from the outside.
My cousins and I inside The Crooked House.
Myself, Cheryl, Linda and David inside The Crooked House.

Monkland Cheese Dairy and Ludlow

On our third full day in the West Midlands, we packed in a lot of activity! First we visited David’s 93-year-old mother–she is a delightful woman whose mind is sharp as a tack! After that, we drove westward and visited the Monkland Cheese Dairy. Being a cheese-lover, I was in heaven! On the tour, we learned how cheese is made the old-fashioned way! This was fascinating! Afterward, we enjoyed a bite to eat with Linda’s sister Margaret, her daughter Karen, and Karen’s son Warwick. A new generation of cousins!

Cheese display at the Monkland Cheese Dairy.
Display at the Monkland Cheese Dairy.
Lunch with multiple cousins outside the Monkland Cheese Dairy.
Lunch with cousins new and old outside of the Monkland Cheese Dairy.
An old-fashioned cheese press at Monkland Cheese Dairy
An old-fashioned cheese press.

From the cheese factory we drove further up into the hills to visit the charming town of Ludlow. I had been there last year, but it was Cheryl’s first time. Our visit was brief, so we didn’t go to the ruins of the castle this time, but you can review last year’s visit here. The castle and town played an integral role in defending medieval England from the “savage” Welshmen.

A charming walkway in Ludlow, UK.
Walkway in Ludlow, UK.
View of several old buildings in the town of Ludlow, UK.
View of several buildings in Ludlow.

That evening we spent some time with David’s sister, Susan, and her husband, Neil. They were such an interesting and entertaining couple and their home was beautiful! It was an enjoyable evening filled with fun and engaging conversation!

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Long Haul flying in Business Class!

The luxury of long haul flying in Business Class is an amazing treat that EVERYONE should experience at some point in their lives! Now that I have experienced this mode of travel, it will be very difficult to go back to coach for longer flights. The service and amenities on my British Airways flights were top-notch all the way!

Points Travel

Recently, I traveled from Pittsburgh to London Heathrow primarily using points!! I have accrued Chase Ultimate Reward Points and British Airways Avios for several years and finally had more than enough for this trip. Unfortunately, it was just before the direct flights from Pittsburgh started, so I did have to deal with layovers. Next time I can fly direct!! I am looking forward to that!

The first leg of my journey, from Pittsburgh to JFK in New York City, was on Delta. Using Chase points, plus some cash to upgrade, I flew in First Class. On a trip this short, it was unnecessary, but I wanted to splurge. I made the mistake of picking a seat in the second row–I had to put my carry-on bag BEHIND me. After that experience, I quickly adjusted my seat selection for my return flight. I enjoyed comfort and punctuality on this leg of my journey–always a plus!

After I changed terminals and went through security, I spent a few hours in the British Airways Business Class Lounge at JFK. The food was decent, and there was free wine and Prosecco. I worked on my computer, relaxed, and made it to my gate with plenty of time to spare. JFK is not my favorite airport (by a long shot) but having lounge access helped make a fairly long layover more tolerable. Soon the time came for me to enjoy my flight in Business Class!

Amazing Service, Generous Space

Upon boarding my flight, the very gracious cabin stewards greeted me with a glass of champagne. I settled into my spacious pod, stowed my gear, and enjoyed a cocktail while the remainder of the passengers boarded. Before I knew it, we were in the air on our way to Heathrow! The wonderful steward took my order for our late-night meal as well as breakfast. I enjoyed a light, delicious meal, and was soon ready to settle down in my lay-flat seat. Once I put on my sleep mask and snuggled under my blanket–I was out very quickly–for the first time on a flight I was able to sleep soundly and not just doze!

My business class seat pod on British Airways flight JFK to Heathrow.
My business class seat from JFK to London

After a delicious breakfast, I readied myself for our arrival at Heathrow. I breezed through customs–it was one of the easiest customs experiences I’ve had. Since I still had lounge access, I visited the British Airways arrival lounge for some coffee and to freshen up before boarding the Hotel Hoppa bus. The hotel had allowed me to arrange for early check-in at the Hilton, so my room was ready for me. I considered a side trip to Houndslow to visit an inn I would like to do a story on, but I wasn’t sure time would allow–my cousin Cheryl was flying in from Morocco that afternoon. As it turned out, her flight was delayed, so I would have had time.

Once Cheryl arrived, we enjoyed some food and drinks in the hotel restaurant, then turned in for some well-deserved sleep. The next day we traveled north to visit our Taylor cousins in Dudley. I share more details of that trip here.

Return Trip, Flying in Business Class!

After I enjoyed time with my British cousins and Cheryl, I traveled back to London by train. I stayed at the same Hilton. Since I had to get up quite early the next morning , I turned in early. I enjoyed a very satisfying breakfast in the lounge, then headed to my gate. Unfortunately, my flight was delayed for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours, but the wonderful British Airway staff supplied us with water and snacks as we waited, which helped quite a bit! I was just happy I didn’t have a tight connection in Boston or I would have missed that flight!

The plane from London to Boston was the largest I’ve ever flown in–it had two levels!!! It was also the smoothest take-off I have ever experienced! I didn’t even realize we had left the ground! Again, I enjoyed the amenities in Business Class (Club World). It was probably overkill for the return trip–it was a daytime flight and I didn’t need to sleep. I did enjoy the comfort, delicious food, free drinks, and two movies!

Business Class seat on British Airways
My Club World seat from Heathrow to Boston
Snack and drink in Business Class
My vodka and diet and snack mixture before take-off.

My delicious appetizer on British Airways from London to Boston
My delicious appetizer on my BA flight from London to Boston.

My main course, a grass-fed English beef filet!
The main course–a grass-fed English beef filet! It was delightful!

Stateside Once More

Getting through customs at Boston Logan Airport was NOT easy. I have Global Entry, but the airport only had about 10 kiosks for MANY passengers, then only ONE agent processing all of us! Between the flight delay and the customs fiasco, I was happy that my layover was long! I opted to walk from Terminal E to Terminal A, which was quite a trek. By the time I got there, I was very overheated! Fortunately, I had time to drink some water, relax, and make some new friends before my Delta flight to Pittsburgh. This flight was first class, and a great way to end my trip!

By the time I landed in Pittsburgh, I had spent about 20 hours on trains, in airports or on planes. It was nice to get home and see my kids, my pets, and sleep in my own bed! I love to travel, but getting home is also awesome! Now that I have experienced the luxury of First and Business Class, it will be VERY hard to travel in coach! I look forward to the next time I will be flying in Business Class!

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles–My Trip Home

My trip home from the UK involved planes, trains and automobiles, along with the London Tube! All told, it took about 37 hours. However, I did get to sleep at a hotel for about 6 hours in the midst of it all. It was a long journey, but gave me time to reflect, My visit with my British family was wonderful, and introducing them to my (our) American cousin Cheryl was especially rewarding!

The Journey Begins

My journey began when Linda and David drove me to the Dudley-Sandwell train station at about 2pm their time (8am EST). I rode the train to Euston Station in London. The rail system in Europe is so much better than anything we have here in the US! It is an efficient and comfortable way to get around a country, or between countries. I do enjoy this mode of travel!

Hilton

Again, I had hoped to visit The Ostrich Inn in Slough, near Heathrow, during my overnight at the Hilton Heathrow Airport. However, I decided it was more important to rest up for my journey the following day. Therefore, I had dinner and a drink, then turned in for the night. I have enjoyed every Hilton I’ve ever stayed at, and the one near Terminal 4 at Heathrow didn’t disappoint. Often I do not sleep well away from home, but my room was so comfortable and quiet that I had no problems at all.

Beautifull sunset from my hotel window at the Hilton Hotel Heathrow Airport at Terminal 4. on my trip home.
The sunset from my window at the Hilton Hotel Healthrow Airport T4.

Heathrow

After the delicious breakfast buffet, I checked out and headed for the airport. Since I always try to be early, I had a couple of hours to kill before my flight scheduled departure time. Therefore, I spent some time sipping coffee and catching up on e-mail in the Business Class lounge. I previously wrote a post about my flights home, which you can read here. My trip home was long, but mostly uneventful, a definite plus when you are traveling by planes, trains, and automobiles!

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Our Trip to York, UK

I had the pleasure to take a trip to York, UK during my recent trip to visit family in England. I got to meet new cousins, who live in Yorkshire, on the way! Linda and David were gracious enough to accomodate my love of Viking and British history, and took me up there for a couple of days!

New Cousins!

On the way to York, we stopped in Yorkshire to visit Marian and her family. She had a lovely lunchtime spread for us and it was delightful getting to know everyone. I especially liked her grandson, Seth–he was a remarkable young man!

Myself with 6 of my British cousins while in Yorkshire, UK.
This is me (front left) with a few of my British cousins on our visit to Yorkshire, UK.

Same cousins in Yorkshire, but with young Seth in the picture and no Linda (she was the photographer).
The Yorkshire cousins including young Seth (Marian’s grandson). Linda was taking the picture.

Introduction to York

We drove from Marian’s to the city of York. The ancient city walls greeted us, along with bright flowerbeds planted along the route into the city. The sight is breathtaking! Imagine a structure that has been standing for over a thousand years! The US has only been a nation for a fraction of that time, so it is humbling.

A view of the ancient city wall surrounding York, UK.
A portion of the ancient wall that surrounds the city of York in the UK.
Bright yellow and white flowers just outside the entrance through the wall surrounding York, UK.
The cheerful flowers that greeted us to York.

A Brief History of York

Humans have lived at the site of York since the Neolithic Period (4000-2000 BC). It first became a major center when occupied by the Romans in 71 BC. The Roman name for York was Eburacum. The Romans turned Eburacum into a center of world importance for the next three centuries! During the 7th century the first Minster was built in York for the baptism of King Edwin or Deira. Subsequently, York became a center of enlightenment, wealth and power,

York was one of the first places in Britain conquered by the Vikings, and they occupied the area for about a hundred years. Although many think of the Vikings as plundering, seafaring warriors, their culture at the time was very robust. It is largely due to the archealogical discoveries made in York that we know more about their lives in this time period. They called the city Jorvik, and there were many craftsmen, farmers, traders, engineers and ship builders. Many Vikings actually became Christians during this occupation. Today, you can see what it was like in the city by visiting Jorvik–The Viking Experience. A visit to this attraction is a must during any trip to York, and it was a highlight for me!

A view of daily life at Jorvik, The Viking Experience, in York.
A view of daily life at Jorvik–The Viking Experience.

The Lovely Hazelwood

Linda and I had searched for accomodations, and we were delighted with The Hazelwood. We chose it because it was close to the attractions we wanted to visit, and because it had free parking. The establishment is comprised of 4 or 5 separate old stately townhomes that are adjoined. The rooms were quaint and comfortable, and the staff very friendly. We enjoyed breakfast both days!

My lovely room at The Hazelwood, our accomodation in York.
My quaint room at the Hazelwood.

Lamb & Lion Inn for Dinner

We strolled around York our first night there. It was cold and wet and rainy, so we were anxious to find somewhere tOno eat, warm up, and dry off. Between the cathedral and the Hazelwood, we found a lovely little eatery called Lamb & Lion Inn. It consisted of multiple smaller rooms with 3 or 4 tables each, so it was rather intimate. The food was delicious and presented beautifully, and the drinks were strong enough to warm us from the inside out!

My beautiful and delicious dinner at the Lamb & Lion Inn in York. Beef with rich gravy, greens and mash.
TheMy beautiful and delicious dinner at the Lamb & Lion Inn in York.

Yorkminster Cathedral

We spent the following day discovering the city in all of its historical glory! We started out by visiting Yorkminster Cathedral, a huge magnificent place that has been in existence since Norman times! I need to look up the statistics, but it seems even bigger than Notre Dame to me! The achitecture is awe-inspiring, as are the stained glass windows.

A view of the Yorkminster Cathedral from the outside.
The outside of the Yorkminster Cathedral, an architectural wonder!

The first minster was built in York in the 7th century, as mentioned previously. The Norman invasion in 1066 brought many changes to the area, and was initially trouble for the area, but subseqently ended up being very prosperous for York. Later, during the Middle Ages, stonemasons and stained glass artisans worked together to build one of the greatest cathedrals in the world, Yorkminster!

Since the 7th Century, the Minster in York has been the centre of Christianity in the north of England. Every aspect of the cathedral, from the stained glass to the exquisite handcrafted stone, tells the story of Jesus Christ. It is a masterpiece!

The seat of the bishop in Yorkminster Cathedral.
This is where the bishop sits in Yorkminster Cathedral.
One of the stained glass masterpieces in Yorkminster Cathedral.
One of the magnificent stained glass masterpieces at Yorkminster.

Other Views Around York

It was wonderful to walk around York and take in its beauty and history. We discovered small shops, old churches, and quaint bistros. I completely enjoyed ambling around the old narrow streets and finding new delights around every corner!

One of the old narrow streets in York.
One of the delightful old streets in York.
A church tower in the background, and quaint shops along a street of York.
One of the quaint streets in York, with a lovely church tower in the background.

Yorkshire Museum

Toward the end of the day, we visited the Yorkshire Museum and its grounds, the site of an old monastery in York. It demonstrated the history of the area from the paleolithic era up until modern times. For a history buff like myself, it was fascinating!

A mosaic at the Yorkshire Museum.
A mosaic at the Yorkshire Museum.
A lovely cottage on the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum.
A lovely cottage on the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum.

The Exhibition–A Place I Would Hang Out!

After our visit to the museum, we walked back to The Hazelwood. It was rather cold and breezy that day, and we wanted to find someplace to warm our bones. We fortunately wandered into The Exhibition–a welcoming pub with a warm fireplace and wonderful service! The food and the drinks were rejuvinating, and we enjoyed our time there. It is definitely a place I could hang out on the regular!

The fireplace at the welcoming Exhibition Pub.
The inviting fireplace at the Exhibition Pub in York.

My time in York was so incredibly enjoyable, and I am eternally grateful to my cousins, Linda and David, for indulging me in our little side trip! I definitely recommend York as a destination during any trip to England!

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