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Wherever Books Are Sold!Boomer Travel. Food. Laughter. Breaking the Empty Nest Rules!
We’re so honored! Check us out getting “Screeched In” – we kissed the cod, took a shot that put hair on our chests and recited the solemn oath… See more about the ceremony here! >>
We’re so honored! Check us out getting “Screeched In” – we kissed the cod, took a shot that put hair on our chests and recited the solemn oath… See more about the ceremony here! >>
An AMAZING day! Watch it full screen (click the bottom right on video) for full awesomeness… see more here! >>
One of the greatest experiences of my life was when our guide let us loose in a kayak in whale-infested waters outside of the picturesque town of Twillingate in Newfoundland. The area is called “Iceberg Alley” and, when the sun is bright, the sea dances with light and more shades of blue than a mind can process.
Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Live longer, feel better and perhaps even keep your original knees and hips… blah, blah, blah. We’ve all heard the healthy reasons we should get off our rumps and out in the world.
In case your joints aren’t that important to you, here are some not-so-healthy rewards that might inspire you to take that first step.
Your GypsyNesters are glad to share some of the reasons that walking is such a substantial part our lives (in the ever popular Top Ten List form)… CONTINUE READING >>
Live longer, feel better and perhaps even keep your original knees and hips… blah, blah, blah. We’ve all heard the healthy reasons we should get off our rumps and out in the world.
Pretty good reasons to participate in an activity that requires very little equipment – basically clothes and shoes. Most of us have those lying around the house somewhere, don’t we?
The thing to take into consideration is that different types of shoes serve for different purposes. Websites such as *https://shoeadviser.com/* can quickly let you assess your needs and match the best walking pair of shoes to your lifestyle. Since most of our day consists of walking, it’s important to be cozy when doing so
Or we could get more into it with some of the best walking shoes around.
In case your joints aren’t that important to you, here are some not-so-healthy rewards that might inspire you to take that first step.
The GypsyNesters are glad to share some of the reasons that walking is such a substantial part our lives (in the ever popular Top Ten List form):
10) Finding money. We figure there’s a lot of it just laying around out there. Millions, actually.
Think about it, if you added up all of the stray dough just laying around it boggles the mind.
Over 30 million dollars if each American has lost just one dime. We just want our fair share. Seriously, it’s amazing how good you get at it.
Hint: In the mornings, walk by places that people have enjoyed a drink or three the night before. Veronica found a five dollar bill in a parking lot one morning. She was ecstatic. A few steps later she found a twenty. True story. more on this…
Bang-up people watching. We love to be afoot, noticing everything, being low to the ground.
When we’re in a new place, watching the people around us is a great way to learn about the area. And we’ve made quite a few friends along the way… meet more great people with us…
Check out some of the walk-centric places we’ve visited!
8) Great company. It’s amazing how much we have to say to each other when we’re not competing with the TV, phone or internet. We really have some wonderful discussions.
Though TV, phone and internet are portable nowadays, we find it refreshing not to carry them along. Terribly old school, eh?
Veronica discovers the world’s smallest post office!
7) Weird shop owners. Both weird shop owners and weird shop owners. (BTW, weird=good in our book!)
New Orleans is at the top of our list, with many weird shops owned by weird owners, but we have stories from just about everywhere we’ve been.
Saunter into these strange places and create some stories of your own. more weird shops…
6) Cheesy tourist diversions. We’re real suckers for things like the world’s largest ball of twine and the world’s largest ball of paint (yes, they both exist and yes, we’ve seen them). We’ve also visited THE gigantic bologna in Bologna.
We’re always shocked at how we can round a corner and BAM!–there’s something truly colorful or bizarre to take in. Sometimes it’s the Statue of Liberty, and other times it’s a huge collection of ceramic duck salt & pepper shakers. What a wonderful world. check out more cheesy tourist diversions…
Check out some of the walk-centric places we’ve visited!
5) The Appy Crawl. We take making meals out of appetizers very seriously. Having them at multiple restaurants is even better.
For one thing, it forces us to walk off some of the food between stops, for another, we get to try several different places without destroying our credit rating. We’ve dubbed this bopping from eatery to eatery the “Appy Crawl.” see all of our appy crawl experiences…
4) Problem solving. Not only do we have each other’s (somewhat) undivided attention, it’s a lot harder to yell or freak out in public. It’s a good time to really hash things out.
We started this practice when we had kids in the house and we now have a really good groove with our walking and talking.
If we are having issues, walking takes us physically away from the immediate problem and helps us put things in perspective.
Street performers. In our opinion, there’s nothing better a street performance. And, as with the case of K.C. here, we learn a bit of history too!
Musicians, balloon animal creators, kite flyers, comedians, acrobats…you name it, we’ll enjoy it. more street perfomers we’ve met…
2) Street food. Anything from pasties from the U.P., sausages in Vienna, to donair and poutine in Canada or this unexpected deliciousness in China, street food is part of travel and the GypsyNesting experience.
Whether it’s dogs (corn or otherwise), bags of roasted nuts, anything on a stick or wrapped in flat bread or deep fried balls of mystery… we’ve tried it all and haven’t barfed yet! more of our street food experiences…
1) IT’S GOOD FOR YOU!!! (Gotcha!)
So — go ahead — break out those clothes and shoes, you never know what you’ll find out there! Check out some of the walk-centric places we’ve visited!
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
YOUR TURN: Have you another great walking idea? Did we motivate you to get up and go?
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Nagasaki, Japan is no doubt best known as the site of the second atomic bombing on August 9, 1945.The Peace Garden commemorates that tragic event in a beautiful and hopeful place… CONTINUE READING >>
Nagasaki, Japan is no doubt best known as the site of the second atomic bombing on August 9, 1945.
The Peace Garden commemorates that tragic event in a beautiful and hopeful place.
Spring was in full bloom, so the path up the hill to The Peace Garden was brilliantly lined with flowers and the cherry blossoms were reaching their peak.
A remarkable sight anywhere, but made even more remarkable since many scientists predicted that no vegetation would grow on this ground for seventy-five years because of the radioactive fallout.
See more about the significance of the cherry blossoms in Japan
Monuments, given from cities and countries all around the globe to demonstrate their commitment to world peace, line the walkways that lead to The Fountain of Peace.
More about beautiful, peaceful Nagasaki
The fountain’s spraying water forms dove’s wings as a symbol of peace. Water has an emotional attachment to this memorial because so many died due to the lack of any drinkable water.
This was most poignantly brought to our attention by the inscription on the fountain. Sachiko Yamaguchi, a girl only nine years old at time of the bombing, wrote:
“I was thirsty beyond endurance. There was something oily on the surface of the water, but I wanted water so badly that I drank it just as it was.”
We were touched by a survivor who invited us to water his plant as an offering to world peace.
Deeply honored, tears poured down Veronica’s cheeks as she took up the ladle and read the translation of his amazing story.
“I would have died unless my boss had told me to do that irregular job of fixing parts in the other building. We were transferring to the new workplace.
The atomic bomb exploded 1.1 kilometers from my workshop of Mitsubishi Arsenal Co. Ohashi Factory.
The bomb blast blew me away 1.4 meters from my job site. Luckily I was behind the huge pillar that helped to save my life.
Survived were only two of us out of the 32 workers. All the rest perished.
As an atomic bomb survivor I want people throughout the world to know how horrible the atomic bombing was and how valuable peace is.”
The garden is built on the site of the Urakami branch of Nagasaki Prison where one hundred and thirty four people died.
The wall surrounding the prison was over twelve feet high and made from steel-reinforced concrete.
Reduced to nearly the foundation, the remains have been left in the garden.
More about beautiful, peaceful Nagasaki
Opposite the Fountain of Peace, the park is dominated by a huge statue known as The Prayer Monument for Peace.
Towering thirty feet high, it was erected on August 9, 1955, the tenth anniversary of the explosion.
The mammoth figure has his right hand extended upwards toward where the bomb fell, and his left outstretched in a gesture of peace. His eyes are closed in prayer.
It’s hard to say how long we spent taking in the garden because there is a timeless, almost dreamlike quality to the memorial and we had great difficulty sorting out our emotions.
One thing we can say for certain, the park was incredibly successful at conveying its message of peace.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
More about beautiful, peaceful Nagasaki
Click here for our full live-blog as we traveled with Holland America aboard the ms Volendam – through Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan!
This was once the largest Catholic church in The Far East, but stood just a few hundred feet from the center of the atomic bomb blast that devastated the city in 1945.. CONTINUE READING >>
Looking down from The Peace Garden in Nagasaki, Japan, we could see Urakami Cathedral a few blocks away.
This was once the largest Catholic church in The Far East, but stood just a few hundred feet from the center of the atomic bomb blast that devastated the city in 1945.
However, a handful of statues survived the destruction and are now displayed in front of the rebuilt church.
More about beautiful, peaceful Nagasaki
Before the rebuilding, one small section of an original wall that remained standing was moved and placed on display at ground zero.
So we walked along the Shimonokawa River down to the hypocenter, the point directly below the explosion which was exposed to the center of the bomb’s destructive force, to see… continue to see the epicenter >>
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
More about beautiful, peaceful Nagasaki
Click here for our full live-blog as we traveled with Holland America aboard the ms Volendam – through Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan!
It was my first fear conquering – as kids today say – “epic fail.” Not pretty at all.Maybe I was too jet lagged. Maybe it was too early in the morning. Maybe it was the ten extra pounds of delicious-food Europe weight. Maybe 50-ish is a bit too old to take up a new trick this physical – the reflexes ain’t what they used to be! Maybe I should shut up and stop… CONTINUE READING and watch the video >>
It was my first fear conquering – as kids today say – “epic fail.”
Not pretty at all.
Maybe I was too jet lagged. Maybe it was too early in the morning. Maybe it was the ten extra pounds of delicious-food Europe weight. Maybe 50-ish is a bit too old to take up a new trick this physical – the reflexes ain’t what they used to be! Maybe I should shut up and stop making up excuses.
WATCH:
Our oldest Spawn, The Piglet, and I wanted a fun mother/daughter outing and, after seeing a troupe perform in a park on Governer’s Island last summer, we decided that trapeze school would be just the ticket for a daredevil bonding adventure.
We woke up early on a Saturday morning and took the subway to Brooklyn to The España-STREB Trapeze Academy for an introductory class.
David tagged along as videographer/cheerleader, proclaiming that the circus life was not for him… unless it involved clowning.
After a run-down of tips and tricks, and time to practice on a stationary, barely-off-the-ground low bar, I was strapped into a safety harness and was escorted to the ladder that led to the platform I would be launched from.
Knee-knockingly scared, I climbed rung by rung and cautiously stepped from the ladder to the platform — EGAD! it was high! — not certain I was going to be able to go through with it.
As my coach switched my safety cable from the one that kept me from falling down the ladder to the two cables that would keep me from breaking my neck on the trapeze, I wondered if it were too late to turn back. Would I have been the first?
The only reason my determination to succeed remained intact was my unwillingness to slow down the entire class – just standing there doing nothing took away precious time from my fellow flyers.
The REAL panic set in when I had to reach for the swing itself. Seriously, I had to lean forward over what might as well be miles of empty space and grab onto a bar that is trying to pull me off the platform?
Clearly, I hadn’t thought this through. Even though I was being held from behind by a big strong man and had a coach next to me explaining every step, it still took every ounce of guts I could muster to hold on to the bar and just stand there.
Rigor mortis had set in.
What if I can’t hold on to the bar? Is the guy in charge of the safety cables paying attention? When was the last time they inspected the swing for cracks?
My brain screamed my panic mantra, “People do this everyday and do not die…people do this everyday and do not…” I wasn’t fully convinced of the second part of it.
After a few awkward false starts, I let go and screamed my way across the gym. Exhilarating!
The night before, when The Piglet and I were excitedly talking about our upcoming adventure, all I thought I needed to do was a swing from the bar. That would be enough, I didn’t need to learn any fancy tricks. But now, the adrenaline had kicked in and I wanted more. It was time to attempt a knee hang.
My attempts weren’t pretty, and I knew it (and wow – after seeing the video – it was worse than I’d thought), but I was proud of myself anyway.
After a few runs, I had the knee hang down, but realized that my responses to the shouted commands of my instructor were slowing and my heretofore unused muscles needed for the task weren’t responding anymore. The Piglet and the other young whippersnappers in the class were getting better with every run, I had hit my peak, and I knew it.
It was at this point that we were informed that we could attempt a catch – if we felt up to it. One of the instructors would be swinging on the other side and if we properly executed our knee hang and reached out as we were taught, we would be caught by our wrists and glide as gracefully as a seasoned circus performer to the far side of the gym.
The Piglet, huge determined grin on her face, scampered up the ladder and flawlessly achieved just that. I was in awe of her grace and beauty. I had that Mommy-proud surge of love and joy as she hit the mat triumphant. After happy hugs and high fives, it was my turn.
I was proud of my progress as I grabbed the bar and left the platform without much fear – and no screaming. I heard my coach’s shout to begin my knee hang just fine. Problem was, my muscles were played out. My legs just wouldn’t go over my head.
After dropping down to the mat on this failed attempt, I had to admit to my coach (and myself) that I couldn’t go any further.
I sat on the sidelines and watched as The Piglet and the rest of my classmates flew though the air with the greatest of ease. I was jealous. And a bit embarrassed. And mad at myself. I was pouting inside. I’m not proud of it, but there it was.
Rather than basking in my own private pity party, I made the decision to defect over to the cheerleader side and stood with David, his arm around my thickening waist, proudly watching our beautiful daughter in all her glory. She was truly spectacular.
I guess we’re never to old to bask in our children’s accomplishments.
Epic fail or not, it was a blast! Next time I’m in Brooklyn, I’m giving it another go – maybe with a little rest and another lesson under my (safety) belt, I can lick this challenge!
Veronica, GypsyNester.com
YOUR TURN: What do you think? Is a circus life in the cards for me?
Clarksdale, Mississippi is home to one of the most unique inns we’ve ever encountered, The Shack Up Inn. This collection of sharecropper shacks on the old Hopson Plantation look like they haven’t been touched in decades, but inside… CONTINUE READING >>
Clarksdale, Mississippi is home to one of the most unique inns we’ve ever encountered, The Shack Up Inn. This collection of sharecropper shacks on the old Hopson Plantation look like they haven’t been touched in decades, but inside each one is fixed up into a comfortable little cottage.
Guy Malvezzi was great about showing us around and telling us the story. A few years back a couple songwriters started hunkering down in a shack down here to get away from it all and write.
Their idea started catching on and soon Guy bought up a bunch of authentic sharecropper shacks, moved them here, fixed them up and started renting them out. Fast forward a few decades and one of America’s coolest accommodations is going strong. (click here to see our full story on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)
Bedroom in our first night’s shack.
And the kitchen!
The “Office” Shack is where we spent our second night.
We loved the broken mirror above the sink! (check out The Shack Up Inn Website!)
After our night in a shack we were ready to absorb all of the blues history we could, and Clarksdale has a ton. What better place to start than The Crossroads? A big sign marks the spot of the alleged devil deal but we had our doubts.
(click here to continue along on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)
Bonus Time: The marker for Muddy Waters near Clarksdale Mississippi.
W.C. Handy’s Marker in Clarksdale.
(click here to see our full story on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
YOUR TURN: Are you a blues fan? Did you learn anything new? Is this a roadtrip you’d consider taking?