What an amazing trip…….there was SO much that this post will be a work in progress so if you’re interested in this trip keep checking back:)

In the summer, Amsterdam is in full bloom.

40% of people who live in Amsterdam ride bikes EVERYWHERE!  It’s awesome!

Part of the charm of Amsterdam is the water.

And bridges!!

In Germany, the Köln Cathedral is definitely a “not-to-miss” sight!

Our hotel in Köln.  Not the greatest but in a cute area.

Papa Joe’s Jazzmen entertained us on our last night in Köln and it was AMAZINGLY fabulous and fun! Met so many fun and interesting people.

The countryside in my mothers hometown of Bad Münstereifel.

Rodger and I went to New Orleans for exactly 2 days!! But in those 2 days we found tons of fun and lots to do. Did I say “do?” I meant drink.

We stayed in the French Quarter at the Hotel Monteleone. Friends had booked two rooms in the 4 star place and while it is NOT inexpensive, Rodger and I were able to use miles so we didn’t pay for airfare. The hotel is very nice and the customer service, for the most part, was fantastic. Al, the bell hop, celebrated 49 years with the hotel this year! And he’s still going……..

Thankfully we had missed check-in….apparently it wasn’t pretty but our friends worked it out. The rooms were really cute and very clean, no view but we didn’t come to hang out in the room too much. Our friends came in on Friday, us on Saturday……and the games began……..

We started at the Bourbon Cowboy for 3 for 1 drinks. What?! Yes, so unless you like drinking a lot, quickly, then one person order for three people. Some bars are 2 for 1 AND 4 for 1! Wow!

We ate at La Bayou and had delicious, Award-winning gumbo……YUM! And our first Hurricanes of the weekend. Tasty but not cheap at $10 a pop. We weren’t expecting that considering all the drinking deals around town so if you are money conscious then check prices upon arrival.

We stayed on Bourbon Street and did Bourbon Rocks. It’s a party place. Waitress Cheron tried to teach me how to shake my booty but I am too “straight-laced” or something!:)

We also went to Razoo for dancing, 544 & Fat Cats had an amazing band!

Street Performers entertained us Sunday night. Calling them “good” doesn’t do them justice!

We started the morning with a cup of coffee and beignets at the original Cafe Du Monde at St. Ann and Decatur. A definite MUST!

My brother texted me “Go! Now!” and I will forever be grateful. We tooled around checking out all the local artists around the park. Talk about some serious talent! Rodger and I both bought a piece from one woman.

There are TONS of antique shops and boutiques if you are up for some spending.

We had brunch at Commander’s Palace which is very famous.

The food was amazing! And we were seated next to this very interesting 4-some, one of which was circling their table with a video camera. He said he was shooting a video for Dido’s new song. It’d be cool if we ended up in the vid!! There was also a jazz trio that played tableside. They were wonderful……..

We wanted to see more of the city but didn’t have the time. We really didn’t see any damage from Katrina save for a bar that was borded up on the outskirts of the Quarter.

We decided after food to take a quickie nap, then found a cute little place called Johnny White’s to watch the Browns get annihilated. Yah, the usual, but we did have some other Brownie fans there to share in the misery.

Dave and Marie Jose enjoy a Lucky Dog….a MUST when in Nawlin’s!

We had a great time even though it was not long enough of a trip. Always feel free to email me with any questions you think I may be able to answer. Happy travels!

My girlfriend Marie Josee and I needed to get out of dodge for a while and what better place for a couple of whino’s than Napa?  She and her husband had just been there in the past year but, as I found out for myself, Napa never gets old.Since we had to fly into San Francisco anyway I begged her to go back to Alcatraz since I had never been there.  Of course I had heard so much about it and seen all the movies, the prison has become larger than life!  But as with anything with such a reputation one never knows what it’s truly like it unless you see it for yourself.   Alcatraz is run by the National Park Service and they do a phenomenal job!  The tour was not only extremely fascinating but easy to follow along as you could start, stop and rewind your audio tour anytime you wanted.  Visitors can go at their own pace which, for me, is exactly what I need.  I’m one of those geeks that likes to gawk for a while plus I’m the first to admit that sometimes it takes me longer than most to absorb information especially when it’s information I’d like to remember. Don’t make my mistake, though, and assume it’s easy to get tix.  We almost didn’t get on the boat because we didn’t buy tix in advance.  We had planned to go Friday night but by the time we flew out west all those tours were booked.  Thankfully we found one in the morning still open but that pushed back out trek up north to start our wine experience.   When you go, get tix in advance and everything you should expect right HERE. If you end up spending the night in San Fran, make sure to check out Vesuvio’s for a cocktail.  Great reputation and people watching.

We stayed the night in the Adante Hotel.  Booked it on Hotels.com.  Great little hotel for not a lot of money.  My only beef was that they claimed to have internet.  I had to go to their small lobby to log on and when I couldn’t the desk guy says to me, “Mac’s aren’t my thing.”  Whatever.  Also, their so-called breakfast in the morning consisted of instant coffee….and bread.  Yum…..or not. In the morning we hopped on the trolley.  You have to be incredibly strong to drive on of those suckers!

We went and had breakfast at Castgnola’s at Fisherman’s wharf.  Try the soup! Then we meandered down the wharf and hopped on the boat.  Did the Alcatraz tour and it knocked my socks off!!