ULLR in Breckenridge Colorado

(U post)
Meet ULLR, a Norse God by Richard Jagoda in Beckenridge, Colorado.  One of many outdoor art pieces.

Ullr is thought to be the son of Sif, and the stepson of Thor in Norse Mythology.  Information is a bit sketchy, but it's believed he was a major Prehistoric God, The God of Hunting, Bow, Shield and Ski.  It's prounced Ooh-ler.  Legend has it that he flew the sky on his wooden ski's so fast he made stars as he passed.

This past Janaury, 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of The Ullr Fest in Breckenridge.  The fest started in 1963, to pay homage to and give thanks to, The God of Good Snow.  The fest has grown through the years, but has always been a "party", celebrated by locals.  There's a parade down Main Street, live entertainment, food and drink a plenty, bone fires, Ullympics, and ice sculpting.  He's become known as The God of Winter and Snow.

The festival ran from Jan 6th through January 12th this year and is scheduled for Jan 5th-11th, in 2014. 


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(5)

Temple Square, Salt Lake City Utah

(T post)
Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City is totally surrounded by large heavy ironed fences.  Though the grounds are "opened" to the public for tours, you may not enter on your own.  You must be part of a tour group and be escorted at all times.

This is the site that most think of when they think of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but this is not the Tabernacle, this is The Salt Lake City Temple which is in the center of the 10 acres square.  This is the largest of the 140 temples.  You do not get to tour even with your escort inside this building.  In fact, not all Mormons are permitted to enter this building.  It is considered very sacred and one must have a temple recommend to enter it's premises.  The requirements, as I understand them are to be baptized and request a recommend one year later.  You are then interviewed by a Bishop and the Stake President to determine your "worthiness".  There are different types/levels of recommends; but from my research it seems generally a recommend is good for a period of two years provided all conditions are still meant.

A little better view, it's not easy to get a good picture.  The sealing of spouses, and children to parents takes place in the Temple.  Sealing is an additional ceremony joining couples which means they are married, even after death vs a civil marriage which is til death to us part.  It's possible to be sealed to multiple spouses, even if a divorce has taken place.  So, while the official church stance is that they do not support plural marriages in this day and age; some argue that to be incorrect.  Not all Mormons practice sealing, therefore without being sealed and or having a recommend, not all Mormons can enter the Temple.

This is the beginning of Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice, the main reason for our signing up for the tour.  We were very disappointed.  We were permitted only a very short stay to hear the choir.  The Tabernacle is open to all; but at no point are you permitted to look or tour on your own.  It's frankly, a rather uncomfortable feeling.  There are so many guides and helpers, and other volunteers there you feel they are watching your every move.

The grounds are beautiful, with flower beds everywhere, water falls and sculptures.  DD and I sat down on a bench to check time, review the map and determine when and where we might want to eat.  In those few brief minutes we were interrupted 3-4 times by 3-4 different "watchers".  Did I mention, uncomfortable.

Inside The Assembly Hall, the 3rd area in the square is a large display of religious paintings.  They are floor to ceiling as you can see and are quite impressive.

I've forgotten how large this sculpture is, but believe it's about 3 x life size.  It's surrounded by circle seating.  During our tour (assume this is standard), everyone had to sit while some preaching went on.  I don't know if they actually tell their tour guides to convert people, but it certainly seemed that was the primary goal.

This was probably my favorite of the many outdoor sculpture depicting a family and handcart.  It a memorial to the hardy Mormons who walked pulling and pushing their belongings 1,350 miles from Iowa City to Salt Lake in 1850.  Nearly 3,000 completed the journey, though 250 died in route.  Many of the 1,350 were British Converts.

We signed up to hear the choir practice while staying in Park City, at Marriott's Summit Watch.  They provide transportation from the resort to Temple Square and back for a reasonable fee.  The tour was not at all what we thought we were signing up for, and therefore we were very disappointed.   Had we known the nature of tour, we probably would not have gone.  Still, being prepared with the right expectations, can make a difference in your level of enjoyment in any activity.  So, if you go; be better prepared and know you're not going to get to hear much of the choir and or learn much about the choir...that it's primarily to tell you how wonderful being a Mormon is.  The tour description really didn't convey that.

I would not recommend doing this with small children.  I believe it was about a 6 hour field trip from the resort, and best geared towards adults wearing good walking shoes.  The other item worth noting is everywhere you go, even to eat is church related with Mormon murals on the walls....really over loaded if you're comfortable with your own religious choice.   You're pretty restricted how far you can venture there in downtown Salt Lake, in order to get back in time to hear the choir, even for a short while before the bus ride back to the resort.
 
Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(5)

Sunsets Newport Coast California

 (S post)
We have incredible sunsets almost every night we stayed at Marriott's Newport Coast Villas.  We fixed our cocktails and watched the sunset over Catalina Island, from the comfort and privacy of our balcony.  The time it takes to drink a good Martini and the time it takes for sunset to drop into the ocean were well matched.  Then it was time for dinner.  Turn on your sound and enjoy.

This was probably our best part of each day, enjoying the magnificent beauty.  Nature is an awesome thing.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(7)

Reason to Take Vacations

(R post)
Do you take a vacation to relax?

To recreate?

To research

To rejuvenate?  Sorry, can't show a picture of a massage.

Would you settle for a scarey facial picture?  Don't make me laugh it'll crack!

Do you vacation to enjoy Restaurants?

Deciding which R word is the most important to you and those in your traveling entourage is the key ingredient for successful planning.  If you're a person who likes to be on the go doing and seeing constantly a quiet, relaxed resort is probably not going to make for an enjoyable vacation.  Obviously the reverse also is an issue.  Finding a location with balance is the key if people in your entourage like to do different things.

• Example, years ago hubby and I traveled in large groups for winter vacations/ski trips.  Right there is the key, I was going on vacation which to me means to chill out, they were all going on a ski trip and that's all they were interested in doing.  They didn't want to explore what else was in the area, they didn't want to sight see, they didn't want to sleep in.  They wanted to be the first and last on and off the ski lift.  The compromise was I didn't ski everyday, I did other things and then we would collect back up for cocktails before dinner.

• Now days, hubby and I like to travel alone (unless DD is able to join us).  Far less complicated.  He can golf, I can do my thing and we can pick days to do things together.  Balancing all those R's...makes for a great vacation.

Discuss and plan a bit before hand, don't assume everyone's idea of what vacation is is the same...........it's not.  What are you reasons for wanting to go on vacation?

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(5)

Quilts, more then a Blanket

(Q post)
This awesome looking quilt tells quite a story of the history of Breckenridge in Summit Co, Colorado.  Though now days the first thing someone probably thinks of is skiing, there is much to it's history.  The quilt shows panning for gold, historic buildings, and churches, the stage coach period, the importance of the railroad, farming, ranching, it's forest and mountainous terrain, and dredge mining.

It is a town to enjoy every outdoor activity you can think of; but don't let that fool you..it's filled with art museum and galleries and shows a real appreciation of the softer side of things.

These are just a few of many art pieces about the town

I have skiied there when I was much younger, I've camped and hiked there  when I was younger, but more recently I enjoy the art and history and beauty of the area.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(5)

Provost Dungeon, Charleston, S.C.

 (P post) The Provost Dungeon in Charleston South Carolina, The Old Exchange is quite an historic Landmark, a National Historic Landmark in fact.  You can tour the Old Exchange from 9 am -5 pm daily Mon-Friday.  Your tour includes The Great Hall, The Provost Dungeon, and the Colonel Isaac Hayne Room.  You'll see period pieces and original pieces.  This historic location was in fact where hundreds of slaves were sold, where President George Washington entertained (1791), where The United States Constitution was ratified (1788), and where The Declaration of Independence was presented to the people of South Carolina (1776).  The white wealthy people that is...but, that's another story in and of itself.

 The Provost Dungeon is many feet below the street, at the level of Rivers and was a prison used during The American Revolution.  As you move about characters come to live and tell their story.

 You see people chained to the walls, and some of the movements can be a bit scarey for small children.  If you're going to tour with small children, it would be wise to discuss a little bit about it before hand.

 The figures are quite realistic looking.

 This historic location is where an American Patriot, Colonel Isaac Hayne was in fact hung, after being sentenced to death by The British.

 The site is located at 122 Bay Street and worth the price of admission.

 There are many things to see and learn here, including the story of this woman, Rebecca Brewton Motte.  Though the stories about her and her accomplishment vary abit, it seems she became bigger then life after her death.  She was a very wealth woman, born into a prominent family, and married into another.  She owned 244 slaves.  Some say she used the arrows to light fire to her own house so that the British couldn't use it as a strong hold.  Other accounts indicate she gave the arrows to the military while she lived elsewhere...still quite comfortable in another of her homes.  However, she is considered to be an American Heroine that was involved in The British surrending Fort Motte...her house. 

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(15)

Ocean Pointe at Palm Beach Shores, Florida

 (O post)
For those that popped back in from yesterday for a sunset surprise, sorry...but due to technical difficulty and being alphabet challenged today isn't the day for the sunset surprise.  Stay tuned though for later.

Welcome to Ocean Pointe at Palm Beach Shores, Florida.

One of the many pools with one or two of the buildings in the background.

Beautifully landscape with colorful flowers to enjoy.

The white buildings off in the distance are some of the Marriott's.  Believe this was taken later in the day.  You can rent lounges and umbrella's for a reasonable price.

On days when the ocean is more rough, walking the beach is nice.

Plenty of grill space to grill out and eat out, or grill out and eat

in your lovely dining room.  There's also a balcony with tables and chairs.

Nice master suite, and the 2nd bedroom is roomy too

with sleeper sofa and it's own balcony with tables and chairs.

And don't miss the fabulous sunsets!

And after a good nights sleep, nothing better then cooking breakfast in your full kitchen.  Particularly when my Darling Daughter the awesome omelet maker did the cooking.  Click the picture folks, fresh fruit, coffee, friend potatoes, and the best omelets ever.  You might be able to coax her into going on vacation with you!

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(7, start with 1657)

Marriott's Newport Coast Villas

(N post)
The kitchen and breakfast bar at Marriott's Newport Coast

Where we had dinner almost every night, our dining room.

Living room for after the sunset and it got too cool on balcony.  We were there in February, so nights are still a little chilly.

Looking towards the bathroom from the master suite.  Large tub to the right with the shower around the corner.

2nd bedroom with table and sleeper sofa.  It has it's own bathroom, door there on the left.

We LOVED our balcony.  We used it some for morning coffee, and sometimes when we lunched in, and always for cocktails in the evening.  We had a routine of getting the Martini's ready so all we needed to do was add ice and shake in order to have our Martini's as we watched the sunset.  Sunset's were fabulous.  Best we've had anywhere.

Pop back tomorrow for a Sunset Special Post.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(7, start with 559)

Marriott Time Shares

(M post)
This post can be used as reference material.  It's a small paragraph about the various Marriott Time Share's we either stayed in or seen doing tours.  There will be links provided if posts have previously been done on a particular location.

There are multiple ways to vacation at a Marriott Time Share.  If you own a time share you can reserve a week at your home resort (for those who own weeks under the old system), you can reserve one using Destination/Vacation/Trust Points if you've converted your weeks to Destination/Vacation Points (the newer system), AND you can reserve a week using Trust Points (newest system where you purchase points and not weeks), sometimes you can reserve one using Marriott Reward Points (you don't need to be a time share owner to have these), you can trade your week through Interval International for a location different from your home resort, and sometimes you can reserve and pay right out...just as you would for a hotel.

These are listed by the state, in alphabetical order.

Arizona: Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge is a beautiful facility with 1 and 2 BR's, and a quest suite/efficiency.  These are lock off's, which means the 2 BR can be converted into a 1 BR and an efficiency.  With this system you don't need to reserve more space then you need, AND even if you have the full 2 BR each side has it's own door.  That's particularly nice in a group situation, like 2 couples vacationing together.  It's close to a JW Marriott Resort which gives you the ability for fine dining, spa's and other recreational activities beyond the villas.  There's lots to see and do here, and it's on our list of places to return to.

California: We've not stayed in or seen the inside of Desert Springs Villa, but the outside is very impressive.  They look large and are in a very picturesque location.  Desert Springs Villas II were the next phase of the development.  We've stayed here.  You can walk from one to the other, in fact they share the rental office.  Villas II are a lock off situation like the above Canyon Villas in Arizona.  The dining room area is perhaps the most impressive area of the villa with floor to ceiling bay window area.  The quest/efficiency side is the smallest of those we've seen and the only one that didn't have a separate kitchen area from the bedroom.  The arrangement here was a large cabinet that housed the microwave, and dorm fridge.  Like Canyon Villas it's close to The JW Marriott Resort with access to fine dining and other activities.  However, Villas I has the use of the pool and recreation areas at the JW, whereas Villas II does not.  You can play golf at the JW regardless of which area you're lodged in.

Near by (not walking distance) the Desert Springs resorts is Shadow Ridge.  Shadow Ridge is also a lock off situation as described above.  It has easy access to golf and dining at Faldo's.  This is our personal favorite of those in Desert Springs/Palm Desert.  We've been here a number of times and plan to return.  The quest/efficiency area here is quite nice and roomy.
*There's a new phase here called The Enclaves, while newer and perhaps a bit more fancy with furnishings etc. we prefer the older area at Shadow Ridge called the Villages.

Newport Coast Villas very pretty common areas, beautiful views, magnificent sunsets.  Sorry no link yet with pictures (up and coming tomorrow), probably though not on the top of our we want to return list.  Newport Coast Villas are dedicated 2 BR.  The spacing is the same in that you have 2 BR 2 bath, living room, kitchen, laundry, and dining room like lock offs; but you have the one door and 1 balcony or patio vs 2.  This arrangement is far better for families with small children; as everyone comes and goes together.  There are links for Huntington Beach, and Crystal Cove (2 areas nearby that we enjoyed).

Colorado: Mountain Valley Lodge at Breckenridge.  Though I've blogged quite a bit about Breckenridge, to date I've not posted any pictures of the condo.  Here's a quick look at the outside. 

It's a ski area, though we were there in the summer.  The condo's are furnished like a ski lodge.  There's a 1 BR and and 1 BR suite.  The suite has a bath and half and sleeping for 3 in the living room with 2 in the pull out sofa and 1 in a day bed.  We really enjoyed our stay there.  The disadvantages perhaps is that getting there isn't that easy.  You fly into Denver then drive to Breckenridge, (2 hours), and you're up around 10,000 feet so the altitude can be an issue.  Since it's a ski area, there is limited access to outside from the condo.  A small screen balcony with room to stand, not sit with your morning cup of coffee.  There is no air conditioning here, as it's not needed in the mountains.

Florida: We've stayed at Ocean Pointe at Palm Beach Shores, and toured Oceana Palms at Singer Island.  Oceana is the newest facility, a good walk down the beach.  Ocean Pointe is a lock off arrangement (see above description), while Oceana Palms is a dedicated 2 BR.  Oceana Palms is fancy and newer, though hubby and I prefer Ocean Pointe.  There is a small walking community and you can go out to dinner from both locations without the need of a car.  We would certainly entertain going back at either location.

South Carolina: We've stayed on Hilton Head Island 4 or 5 times and love it there.  Marriott has a rather large presence on the island between the resort, 8 timeshares, and other accommodations in Residence Inn's etc.  We've stayed in 3 of the 8 Marriott Time Shares, and have seen them all from the outside.  All are very nice.  Some are in the harbor area, some on the beach, some on the marsh.  Heritage Club at Harbour Town is the smallest, the quietest and probably our personal favorite.  It's geared much more for adults then children and families.  There's golf there with your stay and hubby really enjoys that.  It's within walking distance to Harbour town, and is inside Sea Pines Plantation.   It's a dedicated 2 BR as all the timeshares on the island are.  A few locations have 3 BR's as well.  It's not on the water, but a short bike ride from the beach.  Grande Ocean is probably the largest and has the most ocean frontage.  We've stayed there a couple of times and would go back.  It's just inside Sea Pines Plantation and within biking distance of Harbor Town.  Marriott's Monarch is another favorite.  It's smaller then Grande Ocean but larger then Heritage, on the beach, in Sea Pines, with easy access.  Monarch is one of the timeshares that offers a 3 BR in addition to the standard 2 BR.

Ocean Watch Villas in Myrtle Beach are dedicated 2 BR, very small; probably the smallest of all the villas we've seen.  The resort itself is quite pretty and the beach is nice; but the people were crabby.  This is the ONLY Marriott we've been to that doesn't give people additional towels at the pool without charging extra.  They have several play areas for children and seemed geared more towards young families then couples or groups.  The buildings are highrises and by the time you pack up gear to go to the pool or the beach and get the elevator down...you're worn out, lol.  You can't really walk or ride a bike anywhere from the resort to eat or shop.  If you want to stay put and play in the sand, or read pool-side this is probably a good match.

Utah: We've stayed at Summit Watch several times and have another trip already booked there.  We've toured Mountain Side also in Park City.  Both of these timeshares are lock-offs so 1 and 2 BR's as well as efficiency's are available.  These, like Breckenridge are ski resorts but great places to visit in summer months.   Park City is easier to get to, just a short drive from The Salt Lake Airport, and there's not an elevation problem to adjust to.  The biggest draw back to both of these locations is no outside feeling while indoors.  There are no balcony's.  Summit Watch is in downtown Park City with access to the mountain from the city lift. Mountain Side is on the mountain, a ski in ski out location.  There are many blog posts with information about the area, as there is much to do and see.  Just type Park City in the search at the top right corner of the blog. Mountain Side is larger, and newer and has more outside space with activities geared towards kids, and a larger pool.  We prefer Summit Watch, a bit more adult oriented, from our perspective.


Virginia: Marriott's Ford's Colony and the Sequel in historic Williamsburg.  Ford's Colony is a dedicated 2 BR and the sequel is a lock-off situation with the 1 and 2 BR's and quest/efficient suite.  The grounds are beautiful, right on the golf course.  There's a golf package based on your length of stay and owner ship level.  The villas are beautiful.  Hubby enjoyed the golf, though I'm not sure this is a location to return to.  The pool at Ford's Colony is very small and over run with screaming children, the pool at the Sequel is larger, but not by much.  It's the only Marriott timeshare we've stayed in without a pool bar.  They sell a few pop-cycles but that's about it.  The resort is nestled in an up-scale neighborhood so you feel like your not vacationing exactly.  You can walk around the resort and neighborhood, but on vacation I'd rather not feel like I'm walking around the block.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(12, start with 551)

Loopy Road Leads to Landmark

(L post)
Please click to enlarge and see the loopy road beneath this overlook.  Look real carefully, you can see long away in the distance a car!  We drove this loopy road with all it's switchbacks and scenery from Palm Desert up the mountain, and back down on the other side to Temecula.

See what I mean about loopy roads, long away.  (Hey, it's another L word).

Aside from a photo opt with Hubby, it was a good to get out of the car a bit in order not to feel too dizzy.

AND...tadah, here we are at the Historic Landmark.   It's a bit hard to read, but tells us Lake Hemet Dam and Reservoir were built in 1895 to irrigate the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley.  It goes on to say this gravity arch masonary dam was the highest in the United States.  Must have been quite a marvel when it was built with granite from the canyon valley below.  You can spend time there camping, boating, and fishing.  There are 2 camp grounds and also rentals available.  AND if you want to do something really unique, you can go Rattle Snake Hunting....don't count me in for that adventure. 

It's a fun, loopy, bit long drive with lots of long away vistas.  But, hubby loves driving those types of roads.  If you're one to get car sick, take the freeway and arrive in the wine valley of Temecula without being dizzy.  We've taken this route twice; but after wine tasting it is not recommended you return by the same route.

It's a good day trip if you're staying in Palm Springs, Palm Desert. 

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(11)