It's Time for Another Whirl on the Teacups

 

My first (and only) whirl on the teacups in 1992

One of my childhood dreams was a visit to Disneyland in California. Despite a number of trips to California I've never made it to Disneyland, though I have visited Disneyland Paris and Disney World in Florida. My visit to Disneyland in Paris took place in 1992 and it was one day of a longer visit to Paris. It was a lot of fun as the picture above confirms. 

The Eiffel Tower, in a photo now turning to sepia

It's been almost 25 years since I've been to Paris, though I was in France last spring, and a return trip has long been on my mind. Though I've traveled a lot in the interim I've tried to visit places that I'd never visited before, and Paris didn't meet that criteria. But this winter I thought about places I loved and wanted to return to. Sedona and Paris were at the top of my list. The trip back to Sedona last month with college friends was fabulous and later this month -- next week! -- I'm off to Paris. 

Dumbo will be waiting in Disneyland Paris

There will be a return to Disneyland, but also visits to the Louvre -- can't go to Paris without time at the Louvre -- the Musee d'Orsay -- and the amazing collection of Impressionist art and the Marmatton, dedicated to the work of Monet. What else will I do? I predict coffee at cafes, a trip (or two) to my favorite ice cream store on the Ile St. Louis and time spent enjoying the beauty of Paris. I will also be meeting friends who live in France and are graciously making the trip to Paris. 

I'm just about ready, though there are still a few errands to go. It's a busy while before I leave, but so enjoying a beautiful spring in New York. It's tulip time and they're lovely this year. I promise a tulip post to come. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy spring!  

  

I (Didn't) Feel the Earth Move Under my Feet

 

Actually, I neither felt nor heard the New York/New Jersey earthquake of April 2024. By the time I discovered that the fourth largest earthquake of recent times in this area had occurred I was comfortably seated in a neighborhood coffee shop with an iced coffee in front of me. While my friend was getting her coffee order I looked at my phone and saw that one of my neighborhood Facebook groups was asking "What was that?" By the time my friend returned with her latte the news that an earthquake had taken place was flashing on everyone's phones. We looked at each in complete disbelief. Somehow an earthquake had happened while we were walking up West 89th Street and we had completely missed it. It was all over except for the news coverage and the aftershocks at 6 P.M. I also missed the aftershocks tonight and only found about them via the news.  

My only other earthquake experience took place in August, 2011 and fortunately there's a blog post to jog my memory. I vividly remember sitting at my desk and feeling my desk chair move from side to side. Our office power went down, which shorted out our phone system and it was a big mess. So while, the 2011 event was memorable, this episode is a lot less memorable. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing a lot of what I planned to do, which included a walk with Betsy and pup, a visit to the gym and a trip to Target. 

I come away from Earthquake 2024 with a renewed appreciation and respect for tectonic plates and a big thanks to friends who reached out from across the world. I've heard from a number of my New Jersey friends, who are closer to the epicenter and thankfully, there are no accounts of any damage. Hoping that it stays that way!

As ever, thanks for visiting and stay safe. 

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

Spring Training has now become Baseball Season

This is the last of the Arizona posts, and what would have been a spring training post is a salute to the entire baseball season, which began with Opening Day last week. No worries, we can't have the season without spring training. 

I'm a baseball fan and one of my dreams has been to get to spring training and after decades of loving  baseball I finally made it. I was delighted when it was offered as part of our Dartmouth mini-reunion week -- thanks, Neal -- and decided that if one game was good, two were better. It made for a very full day in Scottsdale (which is enormous) and a lot of baseball. That said, the baseball was top notch and the company was equally top-notch. 

The Mariners vs the Brewers

My first game was at the Peoria Stadium and we had sun, barbecue and great baseball. The stadium was small -- closer to Minor League size -- and the crowd was fun and friendly. The second game was across Scottsdale in a much bigger and more crowded stadium. The baseball was good -- Rangers vs Cincinnati -- and the company was again, terrific. But I once again learned the lesson that sometimes doing less is just right. Happily the evening ended with fireworks, which I always enjoy. 

This post is officially my end of winter (and winter vacation) post and hello to spring. We had a glorious and sunny spring Easter Sunday and now it's been raining and cold for the last few days. But the sun is predicted to return on Friday and I may finally be able to retire my down coat until December, at least that's what I'm hoping. 

Stay tuned for my next post, with big travel news, and I am excited.

As ever, thanks for visiting. If you're in the path of storms, stay safe and cozy and take care. 

Happy Easter

 

Wishes for a bright and blessed Easter

I found this little bunny cutie during a walk on Madison Avenue this afternoon. I'd originally planned to go to Macy's to see the spring flower show, but it was a dazzling spring day and the thought of pushing through crowds indoors was not appealing. Instead I hopped on the crosstown bus and enjoyed a walk on an uncrowded Madison Avenue and a slightly more crowded Fifth Avenue. The sun was shining, dogs were being walked and ice cream was being consumed. I call it a pretty perfect spring Saturday. I may get to Macy's in the next week and I may not, but I have no regrets if I don't make it. I'm grateful for every sunny spring day spend out of doors. 

My fervent wishes to all of Buttercupland that celebrates Easter for a day that is bright and blessed. Happy and healthy Easter wishes!

As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the beauty of spring.  

Remembering Laurent de Brunhoff

 

Remembering Laurent de Brunhoff, 1925-2024

I've got a few more Arizona posts, but we're taking a moment from vacation posts to remember one of Buttercup's favorite authors, Laurent de Brunhoff, who passed away last week. I do read books that don't have pictures, but still enjoy illustrated books very much, and for almost seventy years Babar has been one of my favorite literary characters. 

The early Babar books, including the first in the series, The Story of Babar, were created by Laurent's  father, Jean, and were based on stories told to Laurent and his brother by their mother, Cecile. Years after Jean's early death from tuberculosis, Laurent became the voice of Babar for more generations of readers. 

Excellent advice!    

I was early enchanted with Paris and now that I look at the illustrations from the Babar stories, it's not surprising. I've never met Babar during my visits to Paris, but I can keep hoping that the kind and thoughtful Babar will one day be around the corner. 

Though there's been criticism in recent years for some of Babar's message I will take out the message of good will and kindness that Babar presents. My thanks to both Laurent and Jean de Brunhoff for bringing Babar and his friends to life and to my life. Au revoir!

As ever, thanks for visiting and take care.

  

Wedding Wednesday at the Desert Botanical Garden

 

Beautiful bride at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

There were two weddings on this perfect Arizona spring day

I'm skipping out of chronological order to post about my very last adventure in Arizona, a visit to the wonderful Desert Botanical Garden. When the last day of my trip rolled around there were just five of our original group left. My friends, Elizabeth and Neal, had made 8:00 am reservations, but the we three laggards figured we'd arrive later in the day and just waltz in. No waltzing! When my friend Charlie arrived later in the morning, there were no tickets and no parking. We three remaining took a nice walk and had a farewell lunch together. But thanks to resourcefulness -- not mine -- and a quick cellphone check of tickets, there were tickets for 2:30 and I got to end my visit to Arizona with one of my favorite activities of the trip. 

Greetings from the Desert Botanical Garden

The Garden was extraordinary -- beautiful and fascinating. I knew just about nothing about desert plants and environment on arrival and have a much better sense of the complex ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert. I especially enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and do regret missing the butterfly exhibit, but the line was at least half a city block long. 

Along the Desert Wildflower Trail

I enjoyed all five trails that comprise the Garden, but I loved the wildflowers. When I was there I wanted to make sure that I saw every section, but I wish I had spent more time in this section. March is a fabulous time for desert wildflowers in Arizona and despite taking a lot of photographs, I wish I'd taken more. There was beauty in every direction.

Spectacular plants and sky

We ended the day with a fun dinner at Gertrude's, the Garden restaurant. Loved dinner on the patio and the elotes -- Mexican corn -- fritters. Then it was off to the airport and my red-eye flight back to New York. 

It's been a rough re-entry, but after two medical visits, grocery shopping and a few errands I feel that I'm back to New York life. I walked my usual three miles today -- didn't quite make it for the last few days -- and now I'm happily blogging.   

I've got a few more Arizona posts and then we're on to spring flowers in New York City. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy spring!

 

Once Again, I Took the Road to Sedona

 

The Fay Canyon Trailhead

I'm back from Sedona and Phoenix for not quite 36 hours and I'm having huge withdrawal symptoms. It was a fabulous week for scenery, experiences and friendship. I tried to keep my expectations in check, but even if I had high expectations the trip would have far surpassed them. 

This was my fifth trip to Sedona. The first one was in 2006 and I completely fell in love with it. My last trip was in February 2020, right before the world turned upside down. This trip, with my college class included a few people I'd gotten to know at, and since, our reunion in 2022. By the time our week was over I'd made a dozen friends, which both delighted and amazed me. They were all -- yes, all! -- great traveling companions and a lot of fun to spend time with. 

My hiking boots (featured in the last post) were a complete success and not a blister or an ache after hiking the Fay Canyon Trail. It's a four mile hike for "people who prefer a shorter hike with minimum elevation changes," which was perfect for me. One of our classmates is a hike leader and was so kind and helped me over every rough patch on the trail. 

As seen on the Fay Canyon Trail

My visit to Sedona included hiking, three dinners as a group and time spent enjoying the majestic sights. I especially liked breakfast looking at the red rocks that surround Sedona. What a treat!

One of my favorite breakfast sights!

There were two more parts to this trip. We spend a day in very scenic and historic Prescott, which will be my next post, and then we were on to Phoenix. There will be a post (or two) about all we did in Phoenix, including my first time seeing spring training baseball.  

I'm happy I've got a lot planned for this week, including Pilates class and a few medical appointments. This morning started with my Zoom book club and we had a great discussion of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.  What's on your reading list these days?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take care.