Category: Travel

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Elton Farewell Tour

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

The back of the merchandise truck makes a great photo op.

November 11, 2022

Yeah, we did it! Elton was coming to Phoenix and we didn’t want to miss the chance to see him for the first (and probably the last time). We snagged a couple of tickets in the less expensive section of Chase Field, ordered the appropriate Elton John sunglasses, and we’re on our way!

Rockin’ the look

The stage is set

tiny stage, big music

We arrived about an hour before the concert and took our seats. Did I mention we were way up here? That amoeba-shaped stage is where teeny-tiny Elton and his piano will be. Good thing there are big screens and a huge sound system set up. From our vantage point we watched the crowd file in. Many were clad in Elton-inspired costumes.

The show begins

Philadelphia Freedom, I looove you, yes I do!

The arena lights dim and the stage lighting floods the space in red and blue. The crowd is quiet in anticipation, then breaks into cheers and applause as we realize Elton is on stage. He pounds out his first number Philadelphia Freedom and the show begins. The music vibrates through the space and resonates in my body.

My Gift is my song, this one’s for you.

Elton is dressed in a spangled tuxedo and wearing his trademark glasses. At 75, he doesn’t levitate off of the piano seat as he once did, but his voice is remarkable and he jumps up at the end of each song to wave and connect with the audience. He plays and sings for over two hours, with only a minutes-long interlude for a costume change.

We hop and bob to the Crocodile Rock , thrilled when the band stops playing and we get to do the la la la la laaaaa part. We tear up at Candle in the Wind and Don’t Let the Sun go Down on Me. We belt out the refrain to He shall be Levon and sway with the Tiny Dancer. At the end of the show, we cheer as Elton sings I’m Still Standing while clips of his life and career dance across the big screens.

Encore

He walks off the stage, but of course, we applaude him back for an encore. He takes a bow and thanks his fans for honoring him with our presence this night and throughout his career. He tells us goobye. We hold our phone flashlights high and sway as he plays his final number Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Farewell Rocket Man. Thank you for your gift of music. I think it’s gonna stay a long, long time. Yeah, I think its gonna stay a long, long time.

Threads of thought icon

Threads of thought

Do you have a favorite Elton John Song?

Is there a memory attached to it?

Read on! http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer

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4 Reasons to Love Italy

The Amalfi Coast as seen by ferry.

“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” – Anna Akhmatova

It had been three years since we’d last been in Italy.  On our first trip, just before the pandemic, we traveled to Milan, Florence, Venice, and Rome. We fell in love with italy! When travel restrictions lifted, we simply had to return. This time we visited southern Italy and Sicily.  Here are 4 reasons to love Italy:

#1 The Scenery

The Mediterranean as seen from our hotel room in Taromina.
Vineyard on Mt. Etna
A glimpse of the Mediterranean

You are in a dream world with breathtaking views at each turn.  Everywhere you look you see shades of umber, cinnamon, cream, turquoise, olive. The sunlight is golden. It’s as if you are living in a movie set.

Venice
Tuscan Villa
The Arno River in Florence

#2 The Food and Wine

“Life is too short to eat and drink badly” says the sign on our table in Amalfi.

Continue reading “4 Reasons to Love Italy” …

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How to Pack Like a Pro

It depends on who you ask…

There’s a trip in my future. Though not a travel newbie, I’m always looking for ways to improve my experience, especially in packing. For this post, I have assembled a team of experts to help alleviate my suitcase insecurity. Here’s what they have to say:

Expert #1

RS is widely known for his travel books and videos. In the videos, we see RS sprinting all around Europe with a carry-on sized backpack. With this slung across his shoulders, there is no need to check luggage, and he nimbly hops on and off planes, busses, trains and taxis. In one episode, he dumped the contents on the bed in his hotel room and showed the audience what he packs:  2 pairs of slacks (jeans and a lighter khaki pair…. one he wears and one he packs) 3 shirts, a light sweater, a rain jacket, socks and underwear, and a small bag of toiletries. He wears his only pair of shoes. He describes methods for washing your clothes in the hotel room, including using a 2-gallon zip-lock bag and a squirt of laundry detergent or the hotel shampoo to create a mini washing machine. That explains how he gets by on such a limited wardrobe. I like the idea of traveling light and picutured myself squishing socks and undies around in a sudsy ziplock bag in the hotel bathroom, rinsing, then hanging them on the towel racks and shower curtain rod. Hmmm…

Nope, won’t fit in a backpack…

Inspired by RS, I spread my proposed travel wardrobe out on my bed. At last count I had 9 tops (because you need sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves) 4 pairs of slacks (yoga pants for the plane, joggers, cropped pants in black and khaki) a sweater, a jacket, an umbrella, socks and underwear, 3 small clear bags of toiletries ( 3 oz. or less) a pair of sandals. a swimsuit, and a packable sun hat.  Sorry RS. It will not fit in a backpack. I need some further advice.

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3 National Parks, 1 Monument, and a 10-Year-Old

Lillian’s Decade Trip

The Decade Trip

 When each of our grandchildren turn 10, Ed and I take them on a “Decade” trip (AKA “Skip-Gen” trip, no parents allowed) We choose this age because, according to the AARP article that inspired us, 10-year-olds can take care of themselves (mostly), have fairly flexible schedules, and are still eager to do things with their grandparents.  Six summers ago we took our first decade trip with Michaela, and if you follow my blog you will remember the trip we took last summer with our special needs granddaughter Melanie.The RV Adventure Begins

This summer it was Lillian’s turn to celebrate her first decade of life . She is a bright, fun-loving girl who, as it turns out, is a savvy traveler.  (Check out her hilarious travel-tips here: Travel Tips From a Ten-Year Old) Several years ago, we started a National Park Passport for Lillian, so her Decade trip was centered around the theme of National Parks and Monuments.

The Grand Canyon

Our trip began with a train ride from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon. The two-hour train ride takes you directly to the village at the South Rim. (If you have a National Park Pass, the park entrance fee is deducted from your ticket price) There are several packages to choose from, but we found the day trip was perfect for an introduction to the Canyon.

First glimpse

The first glimpse of the Canyon takes your breath away! We walked on the paved pathway around the rim, then went to the visitor’s center so Lillian could get her Jr. Ranger Booklet. We enjoyed lunch in the Canyon Room at the historic El Tovar Inn. Travel Tip: If you plan to eat at the Inn, make reservations ahead of time.

Lillian looks over her Jr Ranger book, while Ed peruses the menu.

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The Runcible Spoon

What’s in a Name?

The Runcible Spoon Cafe in Bloomington, IN

On a quest for biscuits and gravy, my son Matt recently led the family to the Runcible Spoon Cafe tucked away in a quaint section of Bloomington, Indiana, near the campus of Indiana University. Curiosity about the name of the cafe led me down the proverbial rabbit hole.

Stay with me. Here we go….

Clue #1 : The Menu

Enterning the bungalow/cafe, the warm smells of coffee and bacon greeted me. I was already in love. The hostess seated us at one of the last available tables in a little nook by the front window. Mismatched chairs and tables, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and an eclectic assortment of wall art and knick-knacks added to the charm.

tea with Buddha

We started with lattes and a pot of hot tea as we perused the menu. Sadly, the sought-after biscuits and gravy had sold out, but we made other yummy choices. Clue #1: There was a picture of an owl and a cat with a spoon on the back of the menu. Hmmm..

Clue #2: The song

Continue reading “The Runcible Spoon” …

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