Reno & Lake Tahoe - July 2018

Lake Tahoe from Sand Harbor

I have been visiting Reno since I moved to Sacramento on a very regular basis. For many years, I had a college friend and her family living up there. It was also the closest place to gamble before the casinos opened up in California. Over the years, Reno has experienced several booms and busts, however they are now in a long boom cycle with lots of tourism related to outdoor adventures and new jobs in warehousing and battery manufacturing.

Geiger Point between Reno and Nevada City

Although I am not a big gambler, the Reno casinos often send me cheap rooms. The Peppermill Reno is a personal favorite with big and comfortable suites at cheap prices. Most include a jacuzzi tub with a television which is a great way to watch a Giants game in the summer! Room service and a heated pool make up for the losses at the table. My July trip was supposed to be for the July 4 baseball game between the Reno Aces and Sacramento River Cats, however I failed to purchase my tickets in advance and showed up to a rare sold out game. Fortunately I was able to watch the game from my room, of course in the hot tub!

Summer Gondola Ride at Heavenly Mountain Resort

It is rather easy to travel through Lake Tahoe coming back to Sacramento. The morning was overcast after the wildfire smoke cleared out, but the lake was bright and sunny when I arrived in mid morning. I stopped at Sand Harbor for some pictures, and then headed to the Heavenly Mountain Resort for some fun. In the summer, they open up the gondola to the mountain adventure area with a rock wall, zip lines, rope course, and summer tubing - my favorite. After a few trips down the hill and a precarious chair lift ride to nearly 10,000 ft, the altitude got to me and I had to head back down to the lake.

Historic Gaming Table at Nevada State Museum

There is always a lot to do in the Reno & Lake Tahoe area. I enjoy visiting Virginia City and seeing the museums in the area. The natural wonders of the lake and desert being so close to each other is really spectacular and worth a trip. Unfortunately, I hit another wildfire on the way home and had to skip a dinner with friends on the way home. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.

Art Soup at Nevada Art Museum

Historic Gaming Equipment at Nevada State Museum

Reno Exhibit at Nevada State Museum

Me at the Heavenly Observation Platform

View of Nevada from 10,000 ft elevation at Heavenly

Panoramic Shot of Heavenly Gondola Platform

Summer Tubing Hill at Heavenly

Snow in Sacramento - March/April 2018

California State Capitol with "Snow"

Climate change is hitting California hard in 2018 with droughts, floods, fires, and even two freak hail storms in Spring. Being rather unusual to hit downtown Sacramento with a large amount of hail that accumulated and looked like an actual snowfall. Both events reminded me of actual snow from Flagstaff during college and gave me an opportunity to capture this rare event. It was very fun to see my town with a nice white dusting. Please enjoy the photos below.

Parking Garage and Preschool Playground

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

K Street Light Rail

Trash Cans on K Street

Footprints at Capitol Park

"Snow" on Parked Cars

A Tale of Two Chicagos - July/November 2018

Chicago River

It has been a long time since I updated my travel blog. I have been traveling, but between a stressful year at work and saving for a new house, my trips have been rather mild. Nevertheless, I am working to update my blog with a few gems from the past year. Chicago was a destination twice this year. The first trip was in July for my friend's surprise 40th birthday party; the second was a last minute escape from the horrendous wildfire in Northern California. Both were very different, but still an interesting journey.

Chicago River at Sunset

July is a rather tough time to visit Chicago. The weather is often hot and humid with lots of unpredictable thunderstorms and the occasional gorgeous day. My trip included all of the above. My flight was delayed leaving Sacramento which meant I was unable to arrive at the restaurant in which my friend was being surprised for his birthday. I was in constant communication with his girlfriend with competing Lyft rides attempting to arrive early. He was very shocked to see the party and even more shocked to see me sneak up behind him after missing the big reveal. My bags were still in the corner since I didn't even have time to hit the hotel. I even had to change in the airport bathroom!

Downtown Chicago and Elevated Train

Most of the weekend was spent with my friend and his family enjoying the time and World Cup action. On my final day, I was able to sneak him away for a nice time in downtown Chicago eating Italian Beef sandwiches and riding in his boat down the Chicago river. I also managed to get in some museum time and a little alone time at my hotel.

My second visit to Chicago in 2018 was a bit different. The terrible Camp Fire created a smoke plume that choked the entire Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area for 12 days with unhealthy and hazardous air causing many health problems and closing work and schools across Northern California. After our work closed, I hopped on a plane to escape the smoke to again visit my friend in a much colder and snowier climate. I was able to breathe again and slowly recover while watching the snow fall and teleworking.

Wrigley Field with Snow

I was able to finally pull myself out of the apartment and do a little sightseeing while in Chicago. The freezing temperatures and snow were a challenge, but after being on house arrest with the smoke, a little frozen water could not stop me. Chicago in the winter is as brutal as their summers with wind and snow making everything difficult. Fortunately with no plans and lots of time, I was able to take it easy and do some exploring.

Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza

Of course I had to eat while in town. Having access to a refrigerator allows the consumption of fresh deep dish pizza for dinner and breakfast! Delivery is a great option when it is cold outside too. I had my usual Italian Beef and even was able to go out to a swank and hip restaurant with a couple I met at the birthday party earlier in the year! It was very difficult to enjoy this trip after seeing the horror of the Camp Fire and knowing the miserable conditions back home, but I attempted trips to the Art Institute, Macy's Flagship Store, and Wrigley Field to remember what normal looks like.

Frozen Pumpkins and Snow

I am lucky to have a friend in Chicago which allows me to explore America's Second City. Unfortunately, I chose two of the worst times to visit the city even though the reasons were good. The rain has moved into Sacramento and the smoke and fire are gone for now, but the region has changed and still needs help. Please donate if possible to the recovery efforts and enjoy the rest of my Chicago photos below.

Downtown Chicago from Southwest Plane

Birthday Party with Classic Backdrop

Elevated Train Entrance

Money Museum

Where Money Comes From

Self Explanatory

Italian Beef Sandwich with Sausage

John Hancock Tower

Downtown Chicago

Deep Dish Pizza from Gino's East

American Gothic

That Dot Painting from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Alley in Downtown Chicago

Designated Performance Area in Subway

Old Marshall Field's Flagship Store (Macy's)

Wrigley Field Under Construction

Chicago Fire House across from Wrigley Field

Bleacher Entrance to Wrigley Field

Author in front of "Molly's" from Chicago Fire TV Show

New York City - January 2018

Cold and Snowy in New York City

When you get a chance for a free bedroom and free airplane ticket to visit New York City, you do not usually pass up the opportunity. Even when it is below freezing with cold winds and snow, a free trip to one of the world's best cities is too good to pass up. Especially when you get to stay with a great friend from college. I visited New York City last in 2016 during a summer heat wave, so it was only fitting to visit at the other end of the weather spectrum.

9/11 Memorial at New York Fire Museum

After a long day of air travel with multiple delays and a long layover in Denver due to the weather, I finally arrived to my swank SoHo apartment around 2:00 AM. The city's second oldest bar was downstairs still serving happy patrons on an early Saturday morning, but I was ready to crash into the mattress instead of a bar stool. The next morning came late due to jet lag, but just around the corner was the New York Fire Museum. Since the weather changed from 55 to 25 degrees overnight, I piled on my winter clothes and headed down to the museum. It was somewhat small and jumbled, but the museum showcased the history of fighting fire in New York. Now I know that the term "company" referred to private companies that would fight fires, and the term "engine" referred to the original engine towed to a site to pump water. The memorial to the victims of 9/11 was emotional as always.

Central Park in Winter

After bundling up, we headed to Harlem for a Caribbean seafood lunch and a tour of the Hamilton Grange National Memorial - the summer home of Alexander Hamilton. There is now a cottage industry in Hamilton tours based on the popularity of the musical. After a long night at a local comedy club watching open mic and joking with comedians until the early morning hours, we turned in for the night and awoke on Sunday to a super cold day with wind chills in the single digits. Just another day in New York!

Interior of the Frick Collection

Sunday was very, very cold. Everyone in New York headed inside, specifically to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We attempted to enter, but were quickly overwhelmed by the crowd. I grabbed a hot dog from a street vendor and suggested we head down the street to the Frick Collection. That was a great idea! The Frick houses a large collection of art amassed by Frick himself. He turned coal into diamonds with a spectacular mansion housing exquisite art in an intimate setting. It is really like being in someone's house. Around the corner was a fancy French bakery which made a perfect snack before heading to Long Island for dinner with friends. Again, just another day in New York!

Lower East Side of Manhattan

Tuesday, I was back in New York to play tourist. It was still very cold, so I started the day exploring all the areas I missed the last time. First up was the Lower East Side which was originally home to many immigrants, but has evolved into a hip and upscale area with lots of great food including several authentic delis. New York delis are a true culinary treasure, and Russ and Daughters is a great Kosher dairy deli with smoked fish, cream cheese, and amazing bagels. I snagged loin lox with scallion cream cheese on a toasted everything bagel. It was a delight to eat it on a park bench in the middle of the busy street!

Tenement Museum Backyard

The Tenement Museum is a unique opportunity to visit some historic partially restored tenements on the Lower East Side. Tenements were the original apartments with a bedroom, kitchen, and living room in one unit with toilets and laundry in the backyard. These small units were actually decent living, although having a family with several kids in such a small area meant close quarters for all! The museum has tour guides providing a rich living history into the plight of immigrants in New York which mirrors the current debates around immigration and the American experience. It is said that history does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes!

New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders

Tuesday night ended with delicious pizza and a hockey game. Local rivals from New Jersey and Long Island were playing at the new Barclay's Center. Tickets were almost as cheap as the expensive beer making for a relatively affordable night. We experienced a close first period, but the Devils were too hot for the Islanders. Fights were common on and off the ice that night with several in the stands near our seats. Fortunately, we escaped into the nearby subway to head back to Manhattan for a good night sleep.

NYPD Smart Car with Brooklyn Bridge

Wednesday was my last day in the city, and it was the day it started snowing. I awoke to falling snow outside the window, although nothing was really sticking. It was fortunate that I brought my boots as the sidewalks were full of ice and slush making walking very slippery. The combination of cold and wet made being outside increasingly difficult, but made me feel for those who live on the streets full time. Wall Street was heavily guarded and echoed the cold and gray day, but I was still impressed by the architecture and history of the area. This part of Manhattan also has the City Hall with a popular walkway across the Brooklyn Bridge. Only the bravest cross during the snow!

Winter in Times Square

After a wonderful lunch at my favorite Jewish deli, I headed to Times Square for a musical. Come From Away is a popular show about a small Canadian town that hosted thousands of stranded travelers when planes were diverted from the United States on 9/11. The combination of a global panic and a local crisis made for an interesting time and an enjoyable musical. I laughed and cried with the material and really enjoyed the experience. My cheap ticket had a slightly obstructed view, but saved me hundreds! Even during a cold winter day, Times Square was buzzing with tourists and locals enjoying the excitement.

Lower Manhattan on the Hudson River

My final day was spent waking up too early and flying cross country with more delays and cold weather. The Newark Airport is just through the Holland Tunnel beneath our apartment, so the first leg was the easiest! That is the price you pay, but I should feel great that I can travel over 3,000 miles during the winter in just a few hours. My trip was busy and short as always, but I had a great time on my 3rd trip to our largest city. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.

Subway Entrance

New York Fire Museum Interior

Hamilton Grange National Memorial Interior

Laudree Bakery Display Case

Fancy Raspberry Pastry with Rose Petal

Long Island Rail Road Interior

Apartment Interior

Holland Tunnel Entrance near Apartment

Old Town New York along Greenwich Street

Smoked Salmon Bagel Sandwich

Front of Tenement Museum with Eight Units

New Second Avenue Subway

Spicy Pepperoni Pizza Slices

Graveyard at Trinity Church in Wall Street

Pastrami Sandwich with Potato Pancakes

Grand Central Station Interior

Come From Away Show Interior

Famous Vertical Parking in Manhattan