Author Archives: Joe

There’s a New Mexico

by Joe
Homer Simpson once said while looking at a map of the US, Look Lisa, there’s a NEW Mexico! Well it isn’t new and it ain’t Mexico, but it truly is the Land of Enchantment. My wife and I just returned from an eleven day tour of the state and found it to be one of the most enchanting and geologically diverse states in the Union. The scenery is terrific, the food is fantastic, and the people are proud of their history and way of life. They are Native American, Hispanic and Wild West American all in one friendly, helpful, and gracious hosts.

We had considered going to New Mexico for several years because we had seen photographs and read info on their Balloon Fiesta held every year during the first couple of weeks in October. Which in itself is a great reason to stop in Albuquerque but by far is not the only draw that will float your boat (or balloon in this case). The more I planned for the trip the longer it became. We picked a great time of year as the temperatures are milder and more pleasant in the Fall. The north will see temps warm up in the day to the high 60s/low 70s with lows in the 40s. The south will still be very warm, typically high 80s during the day and the 60s in the evening. The sun shines everyday and the sky is so blue. Basically we spent five and a half days in the north and the same in the south. The half day was a transitional day as we drove from Santa Fe in the north to Las Cruces in the south which is about a five and a half hour drive. Continue reading

Travel Epistle #1

by Joe
Travel when I was young was much different from travel as I got older. Certainly most people would say the experience of travel changes for us as we mature. In addition to that, and more importantly for me, the feelings, reflections, and the thoughts that are provoked have changed immensely. I suspect this may be somewhat common to us all but I’m not sure if it’s the same for each one of us.  I still enjoy travel on all the basic levels such as the excitement, joy, curiosity, and happiness felt at seeing new places and people for the first time. Even returning to places and events that I go to more than once, but only once in awhile, does the same thing.  But I started to notice in my early adult life, (late teens, and early twenties) that travel also awakened in me a new access to ideas, contemplation, and awareness of self and how I fit into this great universe and perhaps even reality.  I found myself doing some of my best introspective thinking, reflection, and planning while I was traveling.  

Continue reading

The Lure of the Caribbean

by Joe
You say Carabean, I say Caribbean, but let’s not call the whole thing off… No matter how you say it, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s a place that transforms you quickly and forces you to relax, recharge, and reinforce the reasons you take a beach vacation. Continue reading

The Hawaii Diaries: Days 10-12

By Joe

Day 10: Beach day and a Luau
After a long day yesterday of exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a relaxing day by the beach sounded beachy. Cindy and I ate breakfast at a Starbucks and headed for the beach. We tried to snorkel early but the water was not cooperating as it was not very clear. No worries, the beach chairs felt fine. Continue reading

The Hawaii Diaries: Days 7-9

Lava Pit

by Joe
Day 7: Reposition Day
Later today we leave Maui and head to the Big Island. Our flight on Hawaiian Air does not leave until this afternoon so we have time for breakfast and a nice hike down to the black sand beach we found the first day we arrived. It’s in a state park and not many people there this morning. We packed up to leave a great hotel. The Makena Beach and Golf Resort is a wonderful place and highly recommended. Large rooms, beautiful quiet beach, great food and attentive and friendly staff. It is the last hotel in the string of great hotels in the Wailea area, but the further away you get from the mega hotels adds to the Hawaiian look and feel of the place. We’re sad to leave this spot but looking forward to visiting an island we’ve not seen yet.  Continue reading

The Hawaii Diaries: Days 4-6

by Joe

Day 4: Tennis, snorkeling and shopping

The Makena Beach and Golf Resort has a tennis center with 6 hard courts of which 2 are lighted. $20 per person per day and they will work with you to get you on the court. Make reservations because it appeared to be a popular place. The courts were nice and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. We played at 10 am and it was already getting warm but a breeze kept you comfortable. After playing about an hour and a half we walked back to the hotel. We found a great place to enjoy the sun on a little bluff overlooking the ocean and beach. Continue reading

The Hawaii Diaries: Days 1-3

Early morning in Maui

Early morning in Maui

The Looks and Leaps sisters have been recruiting other storytellers in our family to write for the blog. We’re so pleased that our dear Dad, Joe, has shared a wonderful trip journal from the tropical paradise of Hawaii! Hope you enjoy as much as we did! Stay tuned for further installments!

– April, Sunny, Wendy

The Hawaii Diaries: Days 1-3
by Joe

Prologue: Why we came
Late last year my beautiful bride Cindy and I were trying to decide where to go to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We considered many wonderful ideas and finally decided to return to one of our most favorite places we’ve ever been (and the location of our 25th anniversary trip): Hawaii. Continue reading