Go to the Iditarod Festival and see the start - Completed 2/28/10

The Iditarod is an amazing 1150 mile dogsled race across Alaska and I have always wanted to see it. The festival days leading up to the race, according to insiders, is a lot of fun,so Iworked out a plan to go with my friend Emily to visit my friend Derek in Anchorage in time for Fur Rondy and the Iditarod. We arrived in Anchorage (on the water and surrounded by mountains, it's absolutely gorgeous) and began the awesome itinerary Derek had planned for us. We met up with his friends for dinner at Glacier Brew House, where wetried the Imperial Blonde. Then we headed to Humpy's for some more drinks and dancing.

The next day we got up and got ready for the Reindeer Run, a now annual event at the Fur R

ondy (a festival for fur traders to meet and sell their wares, competitions, and celebration). We all dressed in reindeer/elf costumes to join the other costumed runners, in racing down the main street of Anchorage ahead of the reindeer. I managed to make it on the Channel 2 news. I think they liked the costume! :)

In the evening we headed to the Air Force base to go tubing.

For $10 you have 2 hours to go up and down the hill. You hook your tube up to a rope tow and at the top you pick from a couple of different "shoots" to slide down. I did not stop giggling and screaming for the whole 2 hours.

The next day, we got up early to head to Girdwood, to ski at Alyeska. Despite the 13 inches of fresh powder on the top, I nev

er made it up there. I managed to lean overextend to buckle a boot and tear my ACL! After skiing to the lodge on one leg for a beer, visiting the ski patrol office, and deciding it was too painful to ignore, we headed back to Anchorage to the ER. With a new brace and pain meds, we adjusted our itinerary and headed to Seward the next day.

Seward is a small fishing down on the Kenai Peninsula. You drive along the Seward Scenic Highway

where we saw a white-out and scenes of past avalanches on the road. We went to the Alaska Sealife Center, shopped in the downtown area, and checked out an

old retro bar. The next day we got breakfast at the

Smoke Shack (an old train turned into a diner), where I fell in love with the chef. Tell me he isn't the cutest guy in overalls you've ever seen.

The next day, back in Anchorage, we went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center Museum where we watched dance performances and Derek pushed me around in a wheelchair in the snow. We went to a folk art festival at Diamond mall (where they have an ice skating rink in the middle) and did some touristy shopping.

We drove up to Hatcher's pass for some scenic views. It is so unbelievably beautiful. People drive along the pass, park their cars, pull out their skis

or boards and ski down the

sides of the pass...then hitch rides back up the road to their cars. At the very top, they have a lo

dge nestled in the middle of the mountains...that I've got to come back to some day to stay at.

One of the best meals we had was crab night at Ritter's house. A friend and former colleague of Derek's invited us

to their home for home-cooked crab legs. It was a true feast of deliciousness. On Saturday night they also hosted a luau and beer tasting party, so another great opportunity to dress in costume.

Saturday was our big day. We bundled up in layers an

d layers of clothes, sealskin hats, thick mittens, and thermoses of hot cocoa. Derek took us to a spot near the Native Hospital, where we put out beach chairs and sat to watch the dogs and sledders runs by. I was cheering the scottish team (because I liked their kilts. Even the dogs wore the

m.). It was very exciting and there was a great crowd cheering on each of the teams. The dogs wear little fleece booties to keep their feet warm.

Our last day we worked on hosting a dinner party for all of the cool people, Derek's friends, that we met in Anchorage. We cooked up Halibut, Salmon, moose stew, and clams (all things that Derek had caught!). My favorite part about our trip to Anchorage was the wonderful community of people, who seem more like family than friends. Such warmth, caring, and camaraderie you just don't see much anywhere else.

It was a wonderful Alaskan adventure. I can't wait for the next one!

Added to the list: 11/22/08

Swim with Dolphins or Manatees- Completed 2/4/10

Marty and Steve Remis had gone swimming with Manatees in Florida, so invited me to join them for a return visit. The manatees are attracted to the warm water springs in the wintertime. So Jane Keir and I flew down to Tampa and rented a car (a convertible!)

then drove north to Crystal River, Florida. We visited the Homossasa Springs wildlife park and

learned all about the manatees and some other animals (Lou the hippo)

living there.

We learned how they love to eat lettuce are fed

heads of Romaine

at the park.

We took Captain Mike's boat tour to swim with the manatees and found a wonderful spot called "The Three Sisters" where we swam and hovered over them.

You were not supposed to chase them, but if they came toward you, you could reach out your

hand to rub their backs. They felt mossy, and were so gentle and sweet.

The next day, we took a drive to Cedar Key to check out the artsy community and have hearts of palm salad.

And of course, we took full adva

ntage of interesting roadside attractions.

I'd still like to swim with dolphins some day...so let me know if you are interested and check out this Swimming with Dolphins Info.

Added to list: 11/22/05

Learn to Cook One Amazing Meal - Completed 1/9/10

My good friend, who is also a fabulous cook, helped me with this one. Esra Tanyildiz taught me how to make Turkish Mezza (like tapas). I learned 4 dishes...but I hope I can remember how to do them without Esra's help!

Added to list: 11/22/05

See at least 3 shows at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival- Completed- 10/11/09

This festival in Stratford, Canada draws theater-lovers from near and far.

I joined Marty and Steve Remis and my aunt Judith for 3 days of shows.

We saw Midsummer Night's Dream, Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum, West Side Story, and The Importance of Being Earnest. The shows were fantastic in set design, costume, staging, and quality. I laughed and cried throughout. Stratford is a cute little town in the middle of a lot of farms. They have great restaurants, which we took advantage of, a well-stocked liquor store which we also took advantage of, and Ken's Pomme Frites. He sells french fries out of a van smothered in vinegar, which is just perfect on a cold fall day. The four of us huddled inside an ATM booth devouring the fries. yum!

We also learned how to play Rumikub and spent our evenings enjoying wine, snacks, and strategic game maneuvers.

Added to list: 11/22/08

Visit Las Vegas- Completed 7/17/09

So it's true, I had never been to Vegas...and I had to see what all the fuss was about. I organized a trip with my mom, aunt, cousin (Katrina), and second cousin (Asha) to visit this crazy city.

We also spent some time with Susan and Jerry Monahan (my sister-in-law's parents). I took advantage of time share deals as much as possible to get a few free nights at Bally's and some free show tickets. We got to see magic shows, comedy, variety, as well as

Mystere (the Cirque Du Soleil show), and Jubilee! Dining was fantastic and nightlife was entertaining. Kat and I hit Lavo, one of the dance clubs. We also went to an ice bar.

I tried out a hydromassager and everyone tried on the Elvis sunglasses!

For more information: Vegas

Added to list: 11/22/05

Learn to Drive Manual Transmission - Completed 7/3/09

With a little help from Phillip Hebb, I got to practice driving his manual transmission car. After warming up in an empty parking lot, I got out on the city streets and drove through downtown Atlanta. I only stalled 3 times! I'm still not too confident, but now I know I can do it if I have to.

Added to list: 11/22/06

Visit Turkey - Completed 5/30/09

A need for a last-minute vacation, lead Heather and I to plan a trip to Turkey while our good friend, Esra, would be there. We flew through Paris and had 7 hours to take the RER to Notre Dame and have a picnic on the Seine with my relatives.

We arrived in Istanbul on May 30th.

We stayed in Sultanahmet, the historic part of town, at the Hotel Nomade. This little hotel was fantastic. The staff was so kind and attentive and the breakfasts on the terrace with views of the city were divine.

We toured all of the historic sites. Heather, Esra, and

I are checking out the fabulous tiles in the Blue Mosque.

We then went to Hagia Sophia to admire the mosaics and the way Christians and Muslims used the same building as a place of worship.

We met Osge and Golam and

the famous cat, Glee, who was petted by Obama and has been a star ever since.

We visited Topkapi Palace, the Cistern Basilica, and other mosques and museums.

We also went to a lovely neighborhood called Ortakoy, right on the water with stores and cafes to try some Turkish Coffee at House Cafe.

Omer and Esra took us out to dinner and introduced us to Raki, the Turkish shot. You should always have your Raki with feta and melon. It tastes like liquid licorice. We also dined at Hamdi, where we tried all kinds of Turkish specialities while enjoying a view of the city.

We also put our vegetarianism on the side and tried Kofte, turkish meatballs at one of the most famous restaurants to get them, Tarihi Selim Usta Sultanahmet Koftecisi.

We also did some shopping and serious bargaining at the Grand Bazaar, a huge covered market where they sell everything from gold to turkish carpets.

We took one afternoon to have high tea at the Ciragan Palace (now a hotel) and pretend we were royalty.

Then we hopped a flight to Cappadocia, the eastern central plains region of Turkey. Where we stayed in a cave hotel called Elkep Evi in Urgup, carved right out of the rocks, overlooking the town.

We spent several days in the area, checking out restaurants, hiking

and touring the ancient cave homes, horseback riding, visiting a carpet

making factory and a pottery factory (where I tried my hand a

t the wheel), seeing a cultural show, and drinking Efes in the local bars in Goreme and Avanos.

We headed back to Istanbul for our last few days. We stayed in Beyoglu, right near Istiklal Caddesi, a pedestrian shopping and dining area, at a wonderful hotel called 5 Oda (which means 5 rooms). We found baklava at the fabulous and famous Karakoy Gulluoglu baklava store, went to the Spice Market to buy tons of turkish delight and other goodies, rode a ferry along the Bosphorous, walked up to Galata Tower and down to Taksim square, had wine at a posh club called 360, and partied and danced all night on Nevesade street. It was a wonderful vacation!

(Added to list: 11/22/05)

See the Grand Canyon - Completed 12/19/08

Over the holidays, my parents and I stayed in Flagstaff for a few nights and explored the area. We got to see the Grand Canyon with a light dusting of snow from the Southern Rim. It was beautiful! Next time, I need to come back in the springtime and do some hiking here. (Added to list: 11/22/05)