San Diego, California - The 3-Day - - Hi to Claire and Halie

Overcast in San Diego. Sat next to 5 month old Hallie and her mom.
She's a great little traveler and very entertaining.

San Diego, California - The 3-Day - Ready for 60 Miles

I think that I have every imaginable product made! I was able to get all of the stuff into the backpack. The sleeping bag scrunches up into a really small bag. Even though I was very conservative about what I am taking with me, the bag is stuffed.
My flight from Phoenix to San Diego leaves about 2PM today. I'll grab a ride to the hotel, and the last bed for two nights. Portofino Beach Inn, 186 North Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 760.944.0301 www.portofinobeachinn.com I spoke with Kunal, the Manager, last night and he recommended that I take the Shuttle service from San Diego airport to the hotel, about 20 minutes away.

Blue Willo Cafe -Phoenix

I've always wanted to stop at this interesting spot at 2928 N. 7th Avenue, but I always zip right past it. Today I drove past and turned around, then had to turn around again. Access is a problem that does not go unnoticed by the owner. She told me that the cafewill be moving soon to Central and Camelback. Great idea!

Phoenix, Arizona - The 3-Day - REI for camping gear

Stopped by REI to buy a new sleeping bag and ultra padding to sleep on. New socks and a head flashlight should make things comfortable.

Phoenix, Arizona - Mobile blog setup needed

Ladee K. Rickard, MBA
Sent from my iPhone

Phoenix, Arizona - Test post to prep for 3-Day walk

I'm working on the process to send information about the 3Day walk to the blog. I can open a new blog with a title, so I'll be able to post a date and time stamp and where I am on the walk. My sister Ginan is going to help with the text and photos. I'll send the text and photos from my iPhone to her and she will post for me. We are working out the details and practicing, so you may see a few practice runs before the actual event begins on Friday.

Dallas - and the Pie and Tart class

Fun time with my sister! She was attending a Basic Pie and Tart cooking class at Central Market in Dallas, so I joined her. To start with, Central Market is a pretty amazing place. It is a cross between a gourment grocery store and an organiz store. Many selections of great things. I was able to take a few photos before they asked me to put away the camera, so you are pretty lucky to get this view. This is the bread line, and some of the beautiful cakes and pastries.

The cooking class was on the second floor. There was a classroom setting, and then room for all of us to work in the kitchen. Our selections were to focus on basic pie crust, pate brisee, and pate sucre. The crusts run from our regular flaky pie crust, to one that is a little wetter, to one that is just loaded with butter, sugar and all things wonderful. [more updates later]

Preparing for Dallas

Yea, new plans are in the works. I'm traveling to Dallas in October to visit my sister and her husband. I will be able to use my new carry-on travel bag and won't have to worry about whether or not Vera Bradley (my larger bag) will make it to the other end of the journey.

Wildflower Cafe

I know that this is a chain, but it still has a nice charm and good food. I've stopped here twice: once for lunch and once for breakfast. The breakfast frittata is small and the bread is good. Lunch was awesome. I had a tropical caesar salad with melons and papaya. There were some carmelized nuts also and it a nice combination. The seating is large enough to comfortably fit four people per table and they had a few larger settings for more people.

The one I visited was on Indian School Road west of 44th Street on the North side of the street. The photo doesn't show much because I was just demonstrating my camera and not really thinking about writing about the restaurant. But, it certainly deserves mention and recommendation. It is one of the new restaurants moving into this area of town. These are much needed as I sometimes feel that there weren't enough choices.

Parking - good
Service - Order in line and they bring it to the table

The Gelato Spot

The Gelato Spot is located on 4166 North Scottsdale Road. This as a good spot to go for that luscious desert and fortunately there are several locations.

The presentation makes if very difficult to select one scoop. I had peanut butter, and Kalen ordered peanut butter and chocolate. Several people sitting in the area had laptops, so it looks like this may be a good spot to stop for a snack and finish a little work. The website states that there are 36 choices, with 150 rotating Italian gelatos.

Other locations:
32nd Street and Camelback in Phoenix.
Scottsdale Road and Shea Blvd.
40th Street and Greenway

http://www.gelatospot.com/