The medieval village of Mont Saint Michel has a rich and interesting history that dates back to 708 when the Archangel Michael appeared to Saint-Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches. His request was that the Bishop build a sanctuary in his name. The first church was built in 966, by a group of Benedictine Monks. Construction... Continue Reading →
Elk Rock Gardens
Elk Rock Gardens at the Bishop's Close, dates back to the late 1800s and is one of the oldest gardens in Oregon. Perched on the cliffs high above the Willamette River, this 13 acre garden is a lovely place to stroll and take photos. We visited a few years ago with our dear friends Tim... Continue Reading →
A Holiday Weekend
I have a busy weekend planned with friends and family which includes a birthday celebration for my daughter; so I'm posting some random photos of past adventures. Sailboat on the Willamette River, OR. Brix Restaurant, Napa Valley, CA. In the Cotswolds, UK. Pretty swan in Brugge, Belgium. Horse back riding near Wallowa Lake OR. Flowers... Continue Reading →
Day Trip to Akigawa Valley and Tomonaga Akimitsu Museum
During our visit to Japan, our friends treated us to a day trip to the Akigawa Valley. Located about one hour from Suidobashi Station, the valley can be reached by train or car. Cabins are available for rent for longer stays. This is a beautiful place to visit and offers many activities including hiking, hot... Continue Reading →
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
The Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens in Tokyo dates back to the early 1600s, at the beginning of the Edo Period. It is the oldest garden in Tokyo and a delight to experience. I first wrote about this garden earlier this year; you'll find that post here. It was July when my husband and I first visited,... Continue Reading →
Shinjuku Gyoen National Park
One of the things I love about Tokyo are the many gardens and temples where one can escape the intensity of the city and retreat into a quiet sanctuary. Shinjuku Gyoen National Park is one such place. This 144 acre park located in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, dates back the the Edo Period. It... Continue Reading →
A Day at the Palace of Versailles
A visit to Chateau de Versailles makes for a delightful day trip from Paris. The Chateau is huge, so plan to spend much of the day there. We first visited years ago when our daughter was in junior high school; she had been studying Versailles in her history class and knew much about the palace... Continue Reading →
Autumn Colors
Autumn is here and the colors are spectacular as usual. I'm taking a day off from blogging to recover from a cold and a busy week at work, so I will share some photos of autumn. I hope you enjoy these photos taken in Hobart, Australia; Denali National Park, Alaska; Bath Spa, England; Gordes, France;... Continue Reading →
Sunny San Diego
Every winter my husband and I get away from the grey and gloomy weather of the Pacific Northwest for a short vacation in the sun, this past winter, we chose San Diego for our destination. This was my first visit there and I quickly realized why so many of my family members and friends love... Continue Reading →