Tombstone and Bisbee

Hitting the road today (work took me back to Texas and New Mexico for the week)  I took the southern route to experience some of Arizona's back-roads.  Planned stops were in Tombstone and Bisbee on the way to El Paso.  Not exactly sure of what to expect in Tombstone, as it is a tourist attraction afterall, and I've heard of the mock gunfights in the streets, so I went in a little guarded.  I was, however, happily surprised .  Steeped in western history and very well preserved, gunfights aside, Tombstone is well worth a few hours of exploration.  The former mining town was made famous by it's lawlessness and infamous by the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday.  There is no admission fee to the western town but there are a few attractions that charge admission such as the Bird Cage Theater and the OK Corral shootout.  For $5 there is a trolley led sightseeing tour that is a great half hour history lesson.  On the edge of town lies the Boothill Grave Yard.

Buried at Boothill are more than 250 people of various western backgrounds including Billy Clanton with Tom and Frank McLaury who were all gunned down by Doc Holiday and the Earp brothers during Tombstones most famous gun fight.

Twenty five miles further south is the artsy enclave of Bisbee.  This Southern Arizona hill town is filled with art studios and galleries along with eateries and eclectic storefronts.  I would like to have had more time to explore Bisbee and Tombstone so I am definitely going to plan a weekend trip to soak it all in at a slower pace.  The houses in Bisbee are worth a weekend trip just to stroll past and appreciate their character.

Skywalking at Grand Canyon West

Ramona flew to Las Vegas from Messel, Germany Monday evening and spent the week riding roller coasters and jumping off of the Stratosphere.  By the time I got there after driving up work Friday evening she had seen and done enough in Vegas and was ready for the trip to Phoenix.  She had heard about the SkyWalk at Grand Canyon West so we decided to make a pit stop there on the way home Saturday morning.  Unlike the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon West is not part of the National Park Service but is on tribal land and privately operated by the Hualapai Nation.  The sign on the side of the highway between the Hoover Dam and Kingman, Arizona simply points east and states that the Skywalk is 49 miles away.  After driving 32 miles we found out that the asphalt ends and the dirt begins.  After another 17 miles of dirt road we arrived at the Reservation and staging area for the Skywalk.  There is a very large tent structure that serves as the gift shop and tour sales office.  We already knew that the Skywalk fee was around $30 per person but we were not aware that there is also a mandatory $40 shuttle bus fee as private vehicles are not allowed.  So buyer beware; if you want to go to the Skywalk you will be driving 34 miles (out and back) on a dirt road and the Skywalk fee is $75 per person.  That being said, had we known that going in it would have softened the blow.  Once we boarded the bus it was a mere five minute ride to Eagle Point where the Skywalk is located.  The view from the rim is stunning as it is everywhere along the Grand Canyon.  We looked over the edge for a while then got in line to do the walk.

The location gets it's name, Eagle Point, from a rock formation that looks like an eagle with it's wings spread and head down.

The Skywalk looks out over Eagle Point and has a glass floor so that you can see down to the bottom of the canyon.

After our turn on the Skywalk we boarded the bus and headed to the second stop for a few more photos then back to the truck and down the dirt road again.  By this time we had worked up an appetite and were not about to give the Hualapi any more of our money (they also wanted $30 per picture on the Skywalk and prohibit taking your own camera out there).  I was thinking BBQ.  I have driven past Eat AT Joe's dozens of times while driving back and forth between Phoenix and Las Vegas and between Phoenix and Laughlin.  Everytime I passed through the tiny village of Wikieup I noticed the BBQ sign but never stopped.  This time I'm glad I finally did.  Ramona had the Boudin sausage (sausage made with pork, rice and spicy herbs then grilled) while I tried their Heaven on a Bun.  The sandwich was a combination of brisket and pulled pork with bacon mashed potatoes and coleslaw on the side.  Yes, it was deserving of it's name.  We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and the fantastic service.  In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger "I'll be back".

Two hours later we arrived in Phoenix and Ramona is happily enjoying the triple digit heat of August in the summer.  Now we are off to find ingredients for dinner!

Caribbean Cruise August 2011

Have you ever thought of getting together with all your friends and family but just as quickly dismissed the idea because of the logistical nightmare?  Me too!

Christine, Aimee and I have attempted to get everyone together a couple times in the past few years and the plans never solidified for many different reasons. The main reason is that everyone is spread out from Washington State to Florida and all directions in between.  Can we continue not getting together?  NO.  Is it realistic to visit everyone with any frequency?  NO.  Is it expensive to visit just one person for a week?  YES!

Now that we know the problem what is the answer?



Here is what we've come up with.

We'd love to see everyone every year and beginning next year we will start go on a summer cruise with the hope that our family and friends will seriously consider joining us.

The overarching theme is getting the Bering's and Dabaldo's together as an annual family reunion themed cruise vacation.

Why a cruise vacation you ask? 

• Cruise ships are all inclusive and can accommodate as many friends and family that choose to attend.
• Stress free planning.
• You fly to the airport of embarkation and the cruise line gets you to the ship then back to the airport.
• Low deposit and pay as you wish until you pay it off (usually due 2 months prior to cruising).
• The vacation is paid for in advance (booze, sodas and shore excursions are always extra).
• We are all together but with our own rooms (and bathrooms) but can still go our separate ways in port if desired.
• No need for rental cars.
• Cruising is FUN!
• The perfect reunion platform.

That being said, we have already taken the bull by the horns and set up the inaugural cruise reunion vacation and you are invited if:

• You are related to or know a Bering.
• You are related to or know a Dabaldo.
• You think you might know someone that is friends with a Bering or Dabaldo.
• You don't know any of us but think it sounds like fun anyway.

The first cruise is scheduled to coincide with mom and dad's (John & Marilyn Bering) 50th wedding anniversary on 07 August, 2011 and is therefore established as the Anniversary Cruise.

Additionally, Tracy Clark's birthday (girlfriend of Steve Dabaldo) is also the 7th of August and there are several other summer birthdays and anniversary's to celebrate too..

Aimee has set-up a group booking with Carnival Cruise Line for a four day cruise departing from Miami on Thursday the 4th of August.  The first port is Key West on Friday followed by Cozumel, Mexico Saturday then a fun day at sea on Sunday (the 7th) and back to Miami on Monday.  Four days for several reasons.  If you haven't cruised before and are leery you aren't obligated for 7 nights at sea.  Early August is still peak season and rates are still higher than the off season so four days is more affordable.  A mid length cruise works for those that may not have much vacation time available.

With this group rate we need to secure cabins within the next 30 days and that will require a $150 deposit with the balance due by next June. The deposit is per person but if you'd like to stretch it out a bit you can call and place the initial deposit for one person but tell the Carnival rep the name of the second person for the room and that they will be calling in later to make their deposit.  As mentioned earlier, we need to secure the rooms within 30 days but we can stretch out the second $150 over two months or so if need be. If you are a military veteran you get a discount when you call to make your reservation. 

To place your reservation call Carnival Cruise Line: 1-866-721-3225
Give them the booking number: 50T4X2
They will want to confirm that you are with: John and Marilyn's 50th Group
They will take your deposit and answer questions.
If you need transportation from the airport to the ship make sure to let them know, I believe it is a $16 charge.
Then you'll have until next June (2011) to pay the balance.
We have set dining up for the early seating so our group will have a large table set aside to accommodate everyone.
Ask for any discount you may normally receive i.e. military, senior, too darn good looking, etc.

There may be a few single people wanting to attend and cruise line policy is that cabins are rented double occupancy.  Single people should find a roommate or let me know & I'll keep track of who needs a roommate, or, unfortunately, you'd have to pay double fare for the cabin.

We hope you can join us next year and in the years to follow.  We have planned the next three get-togethers as follows:

• August 2011, Miami, Key West, Cozumel, Miami
• Summer 2012, Hawaiian cruise
• Summer 2013, Mediterranean cruise

Please read the attached fliers that go into all the details.  You will notice references to "cruise credits" with several options.  We will be utilizing the credits for a group cocktail party that will include a one hour "open bar" in which all drinks i.e. soda, specialty coffee drinks, beer, wine, liquor and alcohol free drinks (Virgin Mary, Virgin Colada, etc) are free.

Please let me (johnbering@cox.net or jnbering@gmail.com) or Aimee (capecoma1@gmail.com) know if you and/or someone you know would like to attend next summer and if you'll be making a reservation in the next 30 day window.

Lunch in the Chile Capital

Driving south from Albuquerque, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas on I-25 this morning I couldn't pass by Hatch, NM without stopping for a fiery lunch in the chili capital of the world.  The town is very small in population but enormous on the flavor scale.  The sign in front of the Pepper Pot drew me in and I didn't regret it.

Pork in red chili with frijoles and rice with chips and good salsa on the side was the perfect lunch in the epicenter of all things spicy.  After the amazingly satisfying red chili lunch I walked across the street to a chili vendor and bought a quart sized bag of XX HOT Red Chili powder and a small sandwich bad of XXXXX Habanero powder.  Now I am looking forward to making my own pork in red chili this weekend when I get back to Phoenix.  Hatch is a great place to vist for those of us that love spicy food.  In fact, the Food Network is there every Labor Day weekend for the Hatch Chili Festival.  Think I might have to check that out sometime.

Petrified Forest National Park

This month rather than fly to Albuquerque or El Paso I thought I'd hit the road and conduct my routine business in both locations while taking in a few sights along the way.  Today's trip from Phoenix to Albuquerque had me passing by Petrified Forest National Park so I turned off the highway and back in time 250 million years to the Triassic age.  The road to the petrified wood first leads through the Painted Desert.

Puerco Pueblo is an ancient village that contained 100 rooms and a central courtyard.  It was occupied between 1250 and 1400 A.D.  The occupants are believed to have migrated into the Hopi and Zuni nations.

Then the Crystal Forest and Rainbow Forest appear strewn with what were once 200 foot trees and are now beautiful log stones filled with sparkling crystals.

On the original supercontinent, Pangaea, the location of the modern day Petrified Forest was subtropical, around the current location of Panama.  Giant trees eventually fell into the water and millions of years of silt and volcanic ash covered and protected them from rotting.  The silica from the ash eventually permeated the wood and crystals began to grow.  Then a few million years later after severe weathering the petrified wood appeared where what was once the tropics and is now the Arizona desert.  Several ferocious dinosaur fossils have been unearthed as well.

The Petrified Forest is just off of Interstate 40 in Northeastern Arizona and is well worth a stop for two to three hours of exploring 250 million year old fossils.

Memorial Day in Malibu

We went against one of the pillars of our vacation philosophy this weekend: Stay home on holiday weekends, the crowds are maddening.

There was, however, a method to our madness.  Rick Bayless, our favorite celebrity chef (see my blog from Chicago in January 2009) opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles this weekend and I was fortunate enough to score reservations for Sunday night.  Our secret motel on the beach just north of Malibu happened to have a vacancy on Memorial Day weekend so we were in luck and headed to the coast.  We left early in the morning and 5 hours later were 10 miles from the Santa Monica Pier and the traffic on I-10 came to an abrupt halt.  What could it be? What was that pillar of philosophy again?  Exactly! Everyone was headed to the beach for the unofficial start of summer.  Slowly we rolled towards the ocean and when we arrived at the western terminus of Interstate 10 and made the right turn to head north up the Pacific Coast Highway the situation didn’t improve. But the beach was to our left and the breeze and distinct scent of the saltwater made it much more bearable.  Rolling through Santa Monica and Malibu throngs of beach goers jammed the parking lots and restaurants but when we finally made it to our motel just on the other side of Point Mugu State Park we had a quarter mile of beach nearly to ourselves.   

The slow going up the PCH didn’t leave much time for the beach though as we had to get changed for our dinner at Red O.  Leaving the motel we headed inland on the Ventura Freeway through Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills then dropped down into West Hollywood via the beautiful Laurel Canyon and easily found the restaurant on Melrose Avenue.  The meal and service were both outstanding and well worth the traffic delay earlier that day.  After dinner we headed down Santa Monica Boulevard and drove through Beverly Hills on the way back to the coast.  The next morning we had our coffee on the beach and Christine found several sand dollars as she enjoyed getting her feet wet in the Pacific.  

 A couple seals bobbed up and down just yards from the shore in front of us then a few dolphins swam past and we reluctantly had to leave our secluded paradise and head back to Phoenix.  We’ll be back though; the salt air is a great tool for recharging the batteries. 

We'll probably stick to the pillars of vacation philosophy too.

Farmington, MO - State Parks

I went back to Farmington to visit mom in the hospital but the doctor adjusted her scheduled chemo dates so I was in town a few days prior to round 2.  If it were not for the new hairdo one would be hard pressed to believe that just a few weeks previously she had been hospitalized for a month of in-patient chemotherapy.  Still an energizer bunny.  Utilizing the days before her return to the hospital to explore a few of my old running grounds of the 70’s we headed out on a day trip to Elephant Rocks and Johnson’s Shut-ins State Parks. 

Named for the enormous size of the granite boulders scattered about the forest Elephant Rocks is a great place for a casual hike in the country.  There is a very well maintained trail that loops around the entire park and offers several scenic overlooks as well as access for those that wish to climb to the top of the rocks. 

 

Upon finishing the circuit we headed down the road towards the shut-inns and stopped for lunch in village of Caledonia.  Before eating we stopped in the Old Village Mercantile that is remarkably restored to its previous glory as a general store filled with dozens of barrels of old time candies.  The store has a coffee shop and bakery in addition to its large collection of antiques and quilts.   

It is truly an amazing place that you’d love to spend hours browsing in but we were still headed to another state park.  Johnson’s Shut-Ins is on the Black River and refers to a section of the river that narrows due to massive rock walls and in the river the swift moving current cascades over and around a maze of rocks.   

The first time I ever went to the Shut-Ins was to watch a kayak competition there while I was in high school.  I spent numerous summer days there cliff diving during the summer before I shipped out to boot camp.  In 2005 however, the park was devastated by a catastrophic flood and was not fully operational again until the summer of 2009.  A very nice boardwalk now leads out along the river making for easy access to a beautiful river experience. 

Shortly after our day trip it was back to Saint Louis and the isolation ward for another 30 days of chemo.  Mom was thrilled however, when she received a care package from Jennifer with Moose slippers that Jenn and Dustin picked up in a houseshoe specialty shop at the Mall of America during their relocation drive across the country.

The Union of Jennifer and Dustin

Our beautiful daughter Jennifer married Dustin Awiza at the Pocono Mountain Resort on the Sixth of March, 2010.  The resort was shrouded in the powder of winter which had the lake perfectly suitable for ice skating.  With guests traveling from across the country  the resort offered a perfect respite from the trappings of everyday life and provided the perfect setting for a romantic and secluded ceremony.  Guest cabins surrounded the lake and were equipped with fireplaces and were quite comfortably furnished.

The lodge is just a short trip from the cabins and is used exclusively for weddings and banquets so the staff realized every need and delivered remarkable service before, during and after the ceremony.  Jennifer, Dustin and their friends decorated the lodge with an earthy theme.  They placed plants and flowers on the tables and used polished rocks as place markers with names written on the rocks.  The nuptials took place under an arched trellis that was adorned with a whimsical mix of greenery and branches.  The Maid of Honor, Amber, and Best Man, Parker, performed flawlessly as neither dropped or forgot the wedding rings.

 Jenn and Dustin wrote their own vows and were thoughtful enough to mention grandparents that were not able to travel to the wedding.  They hired a wonderful guitarist to perform the wedding march and he played through the cocktail hour that followed the vows.  Immediately following the ceremony the wait staff served an unending choice of raspberry champagne, Chardonnay or Merlot and brought out tray after tray of delicious Hors D'Oeurves while the bar was opened and remained that way throughout the evening.  Trays of shrimp, quesadillas, deviled eggs with various toppings and aperitif glasses filled with a tomato cheese soup garnished with a mini wedge of toast were all fabulous.  Following the cocktail hour a buffet dinner was served and it too was excellent.  Vegetable stuffed ravioli, pulled pork, potato salad, spring mix salad with vinaigrette, carved beef, and several other dishes were marvelously prepared in the kitchen on-site.

Earlier in the afternoon Christine decorated the wedding cake with flowers Jennifer had picked out to complement her bouquet.  The cake was beautiful and tasted as good as it looked. Following dinner the DJ took over and the dance floor was crowded the rest of the evening.  The Bride and Groom drinks, the Berrylicious Martini and Thrillseeker, flowed like champagne and the party was alive with celebration.  Jenn and Dustin gave all of the beautifully potted plants away so that friends and family would have a living memory of their special day.  After the reception the party continued in the cabins and from several reports I can neither conform nor deny that it may have lasted until 6:00 the following morning for a few die-hard wedding fans.

The next day luggage was packed and cars headed back to the rat race but all are certain to have fond memories of the day Jenn married Dustin in the Poconos!

Christine, Corey and I did not have the opportunity to spend very much time with Dustin's family so we drove to Montoursville, PA and spent the afternoon with Rick and Kim Awiza.  They own a charming watch and clock repair store, RA Time Capsule (www.ratime.com), in downtown Montoursville.  We enjoyed a late lunch just down the street at Cellini's Submarine House and I thoroughly enjoyed my very first Italian Grinder along with some great conversation.  Rick is a remarkably quiet and introverted guy, exactly what you might think of when you picture a person that rebuilds complex timepieces for a living.

Just kiding Rick.  Don't shoot.

We really enjoyed our afternoon visiting with Dustin and his parents.  But it was so difficult to get Rick to open up.  Dustin grabbed the tab before we could, again.  Thanks Dustin!

We eventually had to say goodbye to everyone then Christine, Corey and I headed back to our cabin at the lodge for one last night's stay. The next morning we headed out in search of The Big Apple.  We drove through Eastern Pennsylvania across New Jersey and into Staten Island.  After unloading our luggage at the hotel we drove 5 minutes to the Staten Island Ferry and crossed the Hudson, passing by the Statue of Liberty, and landed on the southern tip of Manhattan at Battery Park.  We took to the streets and walked north stopping briefly at Wall Street then for a few minutes at ground zero.  The area where the twin towers once stood seemed much larger on the television.  It was still quite somber being there several years after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

 

 

We then headed northeast to Chinatown and enjoyed fresh pastries to tide us over until dinner.  Fortunately Little Italy was not far away.

Lombardi's is "America's First Pizzeria" and they still use the coal fired oven dating to 1905.  We had Caesar salad that was made correctly (with a hint of anchovy) then Corey had a huge calzone and Christine and I shared a pizza.  Their menu is quite simple with no choice of pizza type.  They all start as a basic Margherita (tomato, mozzarella and basil) then you have a choice of a dozen or so toppings.  Christine had roasted peppers on her half and I went with anchovies.  It was a wonderful meal complemented with a couple glasses of wine but the best part was when Corey picked up the tab.  Thanks Corey!

After a leisurely meal we walked a couple blocks down Mulberry Street to the Ferrar Bakery and Cafe.  The pastries and coffee were very good and following desert we hopped on the subway headed to Times Square.

Times Square certainly did not disappoint.  Neon light up the night sky and it felt a bit like being on the strip in Vegas.  It was nice seeing the Times Square Armed Forces Recruiting Station and NYPD's finest guarding it at night.

Just a couple blocks from the square is Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Following our whirlwind tour of Manhattan we jumped back on the subway then caught the ferry to Staten Island.

The next morning we headed to Baltimore to catch our return flight from BWI but had a very important lunch stop planned.  About a year ago we had seen a show on the Food Network that highlighted Philly Cheesesteak.  The main rivalry was between Pat's and Geno's, two restaurants across an intersection from each other.  We had to stop and taste for ourselves.  South Philly is NOT a destination I would recommend for any other reason than satisfying your cheeseteak craving.  The intersection of 9th and Passyunk is at the epicenter of the cheesesteak battle and lies in a multi-ethnic neighborhood that is extremely rundown.  Filthy and disgusting in every direction away from the intersection, the two steak kings manage, however, to keep the immediate area pleasing to the eye.

Geno's or Pat's, who makes the best cheesesteak?  Christine and Corey went to Pat's and I bought a sandwich at Geno's then met up with them back across the street at Pat's.  We got the classic cheesesteak, "whiz with", meaning a steak sandwich with cheese whiz and grilled onions.  Although both were fantastic, Christine and I agree that we liked Geno's better.  Geno's slices their rib eye and Pat's chops theirs.  We thought the texture was better sliced and the bread was a bit better from Geno's too.

After lunch we made our way to the airport and arrived back in Phoenix late that evening.  It was a wonderful trip.  We gained a great son-in-law, enjoyed seeing Jennifer brimming with joy and had a fantastic time with Rick and Kim in Montoursville.  We are now looking forward to visiting Jenn and Dustin in the Seattle area once they get settled and we have time to work off the pounds we gained from this trip.