Buck Island and the Pirates

We had a rough night last night as Lil ended up in the ER; fortunately it turned out better than we thought. Still we headed to the Holiday Inn JFK tonight to ease her slowly to St Croix. She wouldn’t let anything stop her from going. I also am ready to get down there to chill a little and revisit some great places such as Buck Island.

A young John F Kennedy visited with family members in the fifties and that is how it later got National Park status. The small island about a mile long and half as wide also was visited by Captains Morgan, Lafitte, Kidd and Black Beard. This pirate cannot wait to snorkel on the under water trail once again.

The Clean but Ugly American

AGI news agency reported that a 22 year old American man was arrested over the weekend in Rome. Seems he decided to bathe in the historic Barcaccia fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps. His morning shower drew lots of tourists and then the police. Just what we need representing US in Europe, a clean but ugly American.

Great Wedding

Hitched and hooked up now, Gogg wedding was yesterday at the beautiful Palenville Country Club. The weather couldn't have been better and a great time was had by all. They wing down to St Croix in the morning and we will head down Thursday to meet up.

The Millers and PlumpJack

Bless Lee and Robin Miller for their kindness. My old friends recently visited, unfortunately when I was in Finland. They however left behind a magnificent bottle of 1996 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon for me. We opened it last night and it was amazing. Smooth, silky and sexy, okay so I am not a wine writer! The Millers most likely have one of the best sense of wine taste going. Better yet the ability to care and age special bottles, a talent I do not have. Lee & Robin, many thanks for a special treat.

Hudson River Valley Lifestyle

As I sit in my summer office better known as the deck I watch birds at the feeder and the gardens grow. Sitting in my yard I can see the rewards of living in the Hudson River Valley. The area is filled with farm stands, wineries and some great restaurants.To get the most of living here I always pick up a copy of the Valley Table, a complimentary magazine. Every issue is filled with stories and tips to enhance a valley lifestyle

St Lucia

 

St Croix Bound, Coakley Bay Found

It is going to be a busy few weeks for Lil and I starting soon, a wedding and then we head down to St. Croix to hook up with Dennis and Denise after they spend a few honeymoon days down there first. We will be meeting at Coakley Bay and will stay a few days after they return. I have been going to the island since I was around twelve and I have so many great memories of time spent on the island and of time at my families place at Coakley. G 15 is our unit and a large balcony overlooks Buck Island and the blue Caribbean Sea. It will be nice traveling with some old friends sharing a new beginning.

Golf With the Goggs

Friday night I went to a golf outing in honor of my buddy Dennis's up-coming wedding this weekend. It was a fantastic night to be playing there in Rondout Valley Country Club.A great breeze and summer glow filled the course. Playing with the Gogg brothers and old friend Dill was perfect. We were having such a good time that we arrived 2 hours late for dinner at the Northern Spy Restaurant in High Falls.

Party at GoNOMAD Land

We had a great time visiting Max and Cindy up in S. Deerfield
last night, good conversation and good location. Max also threw a dinner party that featured some excellent dishes and great guests. I got to catch up with some people such as Steve and Paul that I knew. Just as fun was chatting with some new and very interesting people. It was an good mix of people and I got to chat with everyone. I also got to meet some GN contributors that I had only known by name. I knew that Max and Cindy would have interesting guests because they themselves are very aware and interesting.

Max showed me his new Tom Tom GPS he got and the great price he paid so we went to Staples to get one for me. I ended up with a Magellan bought at a very low price. Max was right, we had a blast playing with the GPS on our way home.

Party Prep

Pre party prepping for Max in S. Deerfield last night.

Heading to Mass.

Lil has her GoNOMAD tee on for our journey up to GN headquarters. Going to Max's for a summer evening party. It has been awhile since we have been up that way and we are looking forward to little time in Deerfield Mass.

Williams Lake and Canopy Development, New Neighbors

I could be getting some very wealthy neighbors here in Cottekill NY soon if the sale of William’s Lake goes through. Canopy Development’s major stock holder is former CEO of AOL, Steve Chase. The green friendly company has developed luxury resorts and vacation homes that average in at the 3 million mark.

The Lake is about a mile down the road and has been in the same family for three generations. I was a lifeguard there when in high school and have enjoyed the place for years. Personally I will welcome my new neighbors because of their good record of developing, change isn’t always bad.

A Trapeze Artist

Thrilling but a wee bit scary also, my take on learning to trapeze. I must confess in some ways a little scarier than jumping 58 floors from the Macao Towers. In any event the same rush.

An Apology to Club Med, Thanks Opio

I owe Club Med an apology, especially since I have just stayed at their newly reopened property in the Cote De Azur, named Opio. I had maintained my opinion that I couldn’t really dig paying for drinks with beads and like being in camp for adults. I have heard about the changes that the company was going through but never really listened, I should have. Opio was laid back and relaxing, not to mention in a stunning setting complete with a huge olive tree grove. The views of hill top towns and mountains could be found in any direction.

I also though of a Club Med visit as shutting your self away from local life, wrong again. The G.O. or staff was all friendly and helpful in sharing the secrets of the area. This part of France can get crowded in the summer season but I never felt that way during my visit. Try finding accommodations in Mougins or St Paul for less than the cost of a semester of college. Yet at Opio reasonable prices, great amenities and easy access to all of the area are an unbeatable combination. Club Med I truly apologize for my own narrow travel view points.

Dinner with Kate Moeller in Mougins

The lovely lady in red is Kate Moeller who arranged much of our visit to Opio and the Cote de Azur. This picture was at dinner in Mougins at the fabulous L' Amandier de Mougins. Kate did a fantastic job of dealing with travel writers, not easy.

Grasse, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

We headed to Grasse today to explore the perfume town. Since the Middle Ages Grasse has been making people smell better. The people who create perfumes are called noses and thier nose is their best asset. No smoking, drinking or eating spicy foods for these guys, it affects their ability. This is not a job I am cut out for, to much to give up!

Climbing Down from Gourdon

The hill towns of the Cote d’ Azur are stunning in their stone work, for centuries the stone walls have been a source protection. These days they are a gold mine as tourists head up into the mountains to visit these villages. Yesterday we visited one of the most remote and charming, Gourdon.

Unlike the other visitors we didn’t climb into a bus to head down the mountain, we hoofed it. Down steep cliffs with narrow paths we followed the old postal route that mules used to traverse. The fragrant smells of plants blended perfectly with views of the Mediterranean Sea far in the distance. At times we switched on cave lights to crawl through tunnels. A huge dinner was in order after, no holding back for anyone.

Cannes, People Watching

It has been a long time since I have strolled around Cannes, Lil and I were here together. The city hasn’t changed all that much and I mean that in a good way. Cannes is best known for its film festival and all that glitter. In reality it is a city that still has its roots as a fishing village even though there are more yachts that trawlers. Expensive stores abound but there are also many little grocery stores for the locals. A huge modern casino is within looking distance of the old town with its steep narrow streets. Old men play boules while super decked out hipsters fly by on the Croissette. In other words a great place to people watch here on the Cote d’ Azur.

Quinn & Co.'s High Flier

This is Morgan Kell from Quinn & Co. a high flier.

Johnny Jet Takes Off

In the Mountains of Cote d' Azur

It was a hell of a party at Camp Opio last night, cocktails and champagne flowed like rain filled streams, platters of food everywhere and good conversation. The revamped Opio en Provence is ready to open for the general public this Sunday and we will be here to welcome then.

From my room the view of the mountains is amazing and farm homes and olive trees fill in the pine woods. The air is filled with lavender and the scent is amazing. Today we head into Cannes for the afternoon and dinner is in the mountain village of Mougins, sublime!

Lavender

Up and Running on the Cote D'Azure

Things are just fine here on the Cote d'Azure as we`had a great lunch under the olive trees. The healthy foods from the region are so damn tasty. Herb infused cheese and fish topped this massive buffet. As usual with a little down time and I opted to hit the computers instead of a nap after a long flight. I find that for me it is best to keep trucking through the day and catch a good night sleep the first night.

Rhone Alpes Article

It was a scary day kayaking with my nephew Drew on the rain swollen creeks today in Ulster County. Several wipe outs and rapid waters almost killed this old guy but hey it was fun! I was happy to see my latest piece on the Rhone Alpes region of France was posted on GoNOMAD. Perfect timing since I head back to France tomorrow.

Living a Travel Editor's Dream

Max and Shoul are winging their way to Sweden tonight for GoNOMAD and Sony heads to film in Moscow soon. I am cleaning up loose ends to head to Provence Thursday. I just got an email from Johnny Jet and we are on the same flight from JFK to Nice, looking forward to catching up with him. As I mowed the lawn and checked over the gardens today I though about telling my wife Lil my ambitions of traveling the world, years ago. It has been happening for years now and I still am like a little kid when heading out.

Often I am asked what my favorite country is. I have no favorite country but for the USA. I do have a back log of favorite experiences though, such as jumping off the Macau Tower or riding a train through the Outback. Eating at Paul Bocuse’s in Lyon or going on safari in South Africa certainly top the list. A cruise up the coast of Norway in winter or visiting plantation estates in Nevis fit in also. Basically I am glad that dreams from long ago are no longer dreams, they are my life.

Congressman Hinchey Speaks About Cuba

My congressman Maurice Hinchey is popular guy here in his district and every time I run into him it is a pleasure. I have just learned from my favorite Kingston Daily Freeman columnist, Hugh Reynolds that Mo is having a fund raising event based on his two trips to Cuba. I would like to get his take, learn more about his meeting Castro and view his photos.

To top it off the event will be held right down the road from me at the fantastic, Depuy Canal House. A Cuban meal cooked by chef icon John Novi is just as powerful draw to me as is Mo’s memories. It is a win – win situation for the event June 20.

Cote d'Azure, Back to the Office

It has been a busy weekend with lots of articles to complete, Cote de Rhone, France is now done and St Lucia is up at bat. This Thursday I head back to another region of France to an area that I have been to before and am looking forward to the return. The hill towns of the Cote d’Azure are often called the arriere-pays or backcountry.

Grasse, St-Paul de Vence and Gourdon overlook the blue Mediterranean Sea from cliff perches and are filled with olive trees and lavender fields. It is back to the office!

Tommy and His Catnip Addiction

For years I was a dog person with all that implies. Now I have three cats that think they are dogs. When the Jeep pulls in the driveway they come running to greet us. This is the new guy, Tommy and he loves his catnip toys. Wish he would put them away when he was done.