2010

FEBRUARY 

CALIFORNIA

This trip was the start of my new career as a tour guide.  I attended the International Tour Management Institute for a two-week course to be certified as a tour director.  The course included a tour of Santa Barbara and San Simeon.  After the course I spent a couple of days with Steve and Sherri Makoff; we went to Santa Monica and Venice Beach.  Finally, I took a ride along the Pacific Coast Highway by myself, with a stop in Big Sur on my way to visit Randy and SueEllen in San Francisco.

Travel Companions: Yifat Mukades, Randy Warren, Suki O'Brien, Sherri and Steve Makoff,  (from ITMI) -- Bob Young, Cassie Ashley, Derek Lundgren, Gary Lott, Juliet Hakhverdian, Stepehn Childs, Nancy Mueller, Susie Heffernan Carter, Pamela Boudrot, Amber Gott, Ted Bravos, Randy Hellrung, Rose Corhiran, Shirl Halvorson, Missy Siskind



LOS ANGELES

The first week of the course I had a home exchange close to Little Korea, about 20 minutes from the hotel, the Beverly Garland Hotel, where the classes were held.  The second week I stayed with a former counselor from Capital Camps, Yifat Mukades.  Yifat had recently had a baby, so I promised to babysit one night in exchange for the week's stay.  It was perfect because they had a "guest" cabin in the back yard!

As part of the ITMI course, we took a tour of Hollywood.  Here is Bob Young showing us "Robert Young's" handprints at the Grauman's Theatre.

Some nights, when we weren't doing "homework," we had the chance to go out and enjoy LA!

   When I was staying with Yifat in Pasadena, we spent a day at the Getty Villa with Isabella!

When I was staying with Yifat and her husband, David, I also met her mother-in-law who invited me to a screening at the Academy of Motion Pictures, where she works.  We saw one of the nominated best movie pictures and got to take a photo with Oscar!

SANTA BARBARA

We took a two-day tour of Santa Barbara and San Simeon, with each of us assigned to give commentary along the way.  I talked about Mark Twain and California, a perfect subject for me!

SOLVANG

I knew Solvang from two references: my parents had visited there and talked about the "Danish" city in California, and, of course, the movie, Sideways.  I ran into a woman with whom I had done an IB site visit; but, when you see someone out of context, you often cannot place them!  We finally figured out how we knew each other, and we enjoyed a quick conversation.  And, I thoroughly enjoyed the pastries!

     
SAN SIMEON

The last time I was in Sam Simeon and Hearts Castle was on my honeymoon in 1975!  It hadn't changed much since I was last there; it was still magnificent!

   
SANTA MONICA

After the course was over I spent a night with Steve and Sherri Makoff, friends of mine from Capital Camps.  As I write this 3 years later, Sherri has passed away; looking through my photos, I was reminded not only how much they loved each other, but the simple joy that Sherri (with her foul mouth) had!  I really have such a deep affection for both of them.  Together, we went to Venice Beach and Santa Monica.

   
    
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY/BIG SUR

I left Los Angeles, driving south along the Pacific Coast Highway on my own!  I was a little anxious, but I moved over any time a car was behind me, allowing me to enjoy a slow, scenic ride.

I booked a fabulous hotel in Big Sur, Glen Oaks.  Although rustic in nature, the hotel has the most remarkable bathroom with a heated floor!

    

SAN FRANCISCO

The end of the trip was highlighted by a visit to Randy and SueEllen's in San Rafael, outside of San Francisco.  Together, we visited Napa Valley where we had some of the best wines!

Randy pointing out something at one of the Napa wineries. 

Finally, at the end of the two weeks' I am a "certified" tour director.  Here I am at one of my first times at the mike!

MARCH

COSTA RICA

One day in New York when I was visiting my high school friend, Carol Nemerever, she showed me her photographs from her trip to Costa Rica with Caravan for under $1,000!  By the time I finished telling Susan about it, we were signed up for the tour.  It was definitely one of the best tours I have taken, not just for the value, but overall!

Travel Companions: Susan Cohen, Kimberly Mook, Astrid, Mary and John from Denver, Sue Sood, Pat, Marianne, Juan Carlos (bus driver), Rolando (tour director)

SAN JOSE

We were in San Jose for two nights, and we came back the last night before we flew home.  There isn't much to speak about in San Jose, but it gave us the chance to get settled and to meet our tour director, Rolando, and our fellow travelers.  We took a trip to Vulcan Paos, although the clouds made it impossible to see into the volcano.  We also visited the Gold Museum and had a pretty lame tour about coffee, a staple of Costa Rica.

Our first hotel in San Jose, Palacio Barcelo

Rolando, our tour director, giving us an introduction to the tour

   

TORTUGUERO

After a lunch at a wonderful restaurant with a butterfly garden, we stopped at the Del Monte banana packing plant on our way to the Laguna Lodge, a "rustic" resort.  We had to take a boat for about 2 hours in order to get to Tortuguero, famous for its turtle breeding, although it wasn't the season.  On the ride we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles!  In Tortuguero we took a nature walk, visited the turtle sanctuary, and a school.

On the boat ride to Tortuguero

Our room at the Laguna Lodge

Primary School in Tortuguero

FORTUNA (ARENAL)

We had a nice lunch at a restaurant called Ciebo; after lunch we visited a pineapple farm and had some wonderful fresh pineapple and juice.  We arrived in Fortuna in the late afternoon and made arrangements for a driver to take us up to Arenal that night in order to see the lava.  The hotel had a fabulous pool bar where I enjoyed a special pina colada with Kahlua and Baileys.  The next day was my birthday, and Susan and I stayed back in Fortuna where I had a message. We met the group later for a trip to the hot springs, which was totally luscious!  

Special cocktail in the pool at the Magic Mountain Hotel

In the Baldo Hot Springs

Mount Arenal from our hotel

Before leaving for for Guanacaste, our last city on the tour, we walked along the Hanging Bridges along the top of the rain forest.  

That's me on the hanging bridge!

GUANACASTE

The tour ended with a two-day stay at a fabulous resort in Guanacaste.  We didn't quite understand how the cost of the hotel could be as much as the whole tour, but Caravan does one or two tours a day, so they have made some remarkable "deals."  It was the perfect way to end the tour with two relaxing days by the pool, the ocean, and good eats!

This is my photograph of the Guanacaste Marriott Hotel!

Our room

Our Caravan Group:

JUNE

RHODE ISLAND

Travel Companions:  RBobby and Michael Ducharme

PROVIDENCE

I took a short trip to Providence, Rhode Island, to visit my good college friend, R Bobby Cohen, who was performing in Rock 'N Roll.  I stayed at Bobby and Michael's home, and they showed my a great few days in the city!  Of course, the play was great as well.

Bobby and Michael Ducharme in front of their lovely home.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

EASTERN UNITED STATES AND CANADA GRAND VACATION

This was my first tour as a professional tour director.  I did this tour three times in 2010 -- the first, in August, was my training tour.  Then, in September and October I repeated it as the tour director, with a lot of challenges and not great success.  But it was a learning experience.  Although most of the photos are from the training tour in August, I have included a few from the subsequent tours as well.  I was a little too busy to take pictures when I was working, but I want to remember some of the people and highlights!

Travel Companions: Deby Dahlgren, Brenda Brooks, and Henry Horton

New York

     Our tour starts in New York; Deby and I arrived a day early to meet Jean Naumann, or boss, to learn how to work with the portal.  That gave us time for a nice dinner and to be ready to meet the guests with our trainer, Brenda.

Brenda and our wonderful driver, Henry Horten!
I would find it my privilege to work with Henry a few more times!

On my first tour as the TD, we had a coach accident on our first day in Manhattan!  Eddie, our NY tour guide, took our guests to the steps of the Federal Court, where they tape the opening to Law and Order, while Chris and I waited over an hour for the police to show up.  That was just the first of many mishaps!

MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON

After one night in New York, we head to the capital of Massachusetts, Boston or Beantown.  This year they changed the hotel to the Holiday Inn in Brookline; that was my second (or perhaps third) big mistake.  I didn't discuss our destination with my driver, Chris, and we were already stuck in traffic for over an hour when I realized we were going in the wrong direction!  Our itinerary includes a morning city tour and an afternoon cruise of the Boston Harbor.

One of my guests on Mama Duck in the Boston Public Garden
And, yes, one of my guests complained that there was more to see than a park!

NEW HAMPSHIRE

FRANCONIA

We made a stop at the Franconia Notch State Park (the Flume).  It's a great rest stop, with delicious ice cream, a real Conestoga wagon, and a model of the iconic covered bridge.  Also, there are photos of a childhood memory that has since disappeared, The Old Man in the Mountain.

Deby and the Conestoga Wagon (a little out of foucs, I realize)

VERMONT

NEWPORT

Our stop for lunch was in Newport, Vermont, at the East Side Restaurant, on Lake Memphramogog.

I always think it interesting that some guests prefer to pick up some cheese and crackers at a local store than eat at the East Side restaurant.  But it was a beautiful day to sit by the lake!

CANADA

QUEBEC

QUEBEC CITY

We had a full day's drive from Boston to Quebec, making several stops along the way, including the White Mountains and lunch in Vermont.  In Quebec, we had a half-day tour of the city and then an optional excursion on the St. Lawrence River.  The second night in Quebec we had a tourist dinner at the Cafe de Paris, where we also got to sing along with an accordion!

Deby and me at the mural in the Old City

MONTREAL
   
Our trip to Montreal began with a stop at the Olympic Stadium and then an afternoon city tour and an overnight.  On our training tour we were able to hang out in Old Montreal while Brenda and Henry checked us into the hotel.  In the 8 times since then, I have not had the opportunity to return!  Someday I would like to see St. Catherine's Cathedral.  My passengers tell me it is beautiful!

Brenda and Henry welcoming back the guests!

ONTARIO

OTTAWA

Ottawa surprised me; Quebec is the most European city, Montreal is most like New York, but Ottawa is a little English, especially Parliament!  The other highlight was the Museum of Civilization, whose design is reminiscent of the National Museum of the American Indian, probably because they share the primary architect -- Douglas Cardinal, born of both Metis and Blackfoot heritage.

Our tour guide, Jean, tells us all about Parliament!

Canadian Museum of Civilization

THOUSAND ISLANDS/KINGSTON

On the way from Ottawa to Niagara Falls we stop at Ivy Lea for a tour of the Thousand Islands.  After the one-hour tour we make a lunch stop in the original capital of Kingston.  It was here that I first learned (or, at least, remember learning) that the United States once invaded Canada!  Brenda kept talking about the Martello Towers, and I had no idea what she was talking about until I learned about the defense system set up in the War of 1812. 

Gananoque Boat Ride around the Thousand Islands

Boldt Castle

One of the Martello Towers in Confederation Park

Along the way we make another rest stop in the Big Apple in Colborne. 

TORONTO

For some odd reason the only city for which we do not have a city guide in Toronto.  However, Brenda had made arrangements for a local guide to lead us, and since Deby and I were first-year TD's, we were allowed to hire Phil Francis as well.  I took a lot of notes, including trying to get it on tape.  Even three times didn't give me the thorough knowledge I wish I had!  We spend two nights in Toronto, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, and in addition to our city tour, we had a harbor cruise and an evening at the CN Tower.

Here is Deby talking up a storm before we left the Toronto Harbor.

You cannot talk about Toronto without a photograph of the CN Tower, the icon of the city.

The highlight of our time in Toronto for most is the visit to the CN Tower and dinner at the 360 restaurant.

NIAGARA FALLS

I had been to Niagara Falls a few years ago for an IB conference, where we stayed in the Sheraton on the Falls overlooking them from my room.  Unfortunately, we stay a few miles away from the falls, so there isn't as much freedom to explore. Globus requires training TD's to take all of the excursions, which is great!  Deby and I both had the chance to take the helicopter ride over the falls!

A view from the helicopter

We also got to go on the Maid of the Mist; the tour director and bus driver check into the hotel while the guests enjoy the ride into the falls.  After the boat ride it started to pour, so I waited for the return of the coach in a fast food restaurant.

Our evening in Niagara Falls is an optional dinner at a totally tourist dinner show.  It was fun, although the food wasn't very good.  On my first solo tour I was told I "oversold" the dinner; a lot of guests were disappointed.  So, on my second tour, I played it down and was told I did the guests a disservice.  So, now I learn to just tell it like it is!  (And I like it better if I end up in Niagara Falls on a Sunday, when there is no show, so we can go to the Skylon Tower!)

PENNSYLVANIA

LANCASTER

The drive from Niagara Falls to Lancaster is the longest of the tour.  I think one of the reasons it seems so long is that there are really no great stops along the way.  We stop for lunch at Wegman's in Williamsport; since the first two years I have found a wonderful stop (if the weather is good) at an overlook.  We arrive in Lancaster in time for the excursion.  We went to Hershey Farm for a demonstration making whoopie pies and shoo-fly pie on all three tours.  The following morning we tour an Amish Farm Museum, make a shopping stop, and then head to DC.

WASHINGTON, DC

It's good to be home!  Our visit to DC includes an illumination tour after dinner in Old Town.  The next morning we have a city tour, after which the rest of the day is free!  That works great for me because I get to go home, do laundry, and pack for the next trip.  After my training tour, I had a couple of weeks to prepare to be on the road again.

PENNSYLVANIA

PHILADELPHIA

We go to Philadelphia for exactly two hours, if we are lucky and don't hit too much traffic.  On my training tour I spent that time running to Staples to buy a case to keep my supplies and had enough time to grab a pretzel off of a cart.  As the tour director, I walk the guests over to the Liberty Bell, tell them about Independence Hall and the Bourse, where they can get lunch.  After lunch we drop the guests either at the airport or back in Manhattan at the Skyline Hotel!

I guess I really didn't have time in Philly since I didn't take one photograph!

NOVEMBER

TENNESSEE

At first I couldn't remember why I went to the Smoky Mountains by myself!  I had a site visit at West High School in Knoxville.  After the site visit I rented a car and took a lovely drive through the mountains to Gatlinburg.

GATLINBURG

I reserved a room in a resort in the mountains, The Lodge at Buckberry Creek.  It was rustic and upscale at the same time.

One of my favorite things at the lodge was having breakfast outside on the lodge's patio and sitting down in the camping area, where it was so peaceful!  Even the bathroom there was great.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Although the town of Gatlinburg was total kitsch:

The Smoky Mountains were magnificent:

PIGEON FORGE

I took a full-day tour of the back roads and the birthplace of Dolly Parton with Mountain Memory Tours.  It was great!  We got the full Dolly Parton tour, including her uncle's store and the river where she grew up as well as the church where she sang.