.WE.ARE.GNOMADS.

Time to Jazz it Up a Little

•October 1, 2017 • Leave a Comment

Copenhagen Style!

While Searching Out Jazz we Saw Some Sights.

Double Parking Copenhagen Style!

20160704_054537-DSC_0083

Ran into this band in a middle of square!

And the Square had a Fountain, of Course.

20160704_134551-DSC_0314

And then we Found These Guys Playing Swing. Swing I said, but one one but me Danced.

The Dutch are a hard group to get going!

20160704_043244-DSC_0046

This was a WiFi Spot….The Old and The New!

20160704_152630-DSC_0334

We Had Dinner with this Group, In a Tiny Place. Jazz at Every Corner and In Everywhere!

20160704_055731-DSC_0092

Just a bird on a Man, Nothing to See here.

20160704_074902-DSC_0149

And This Place…it is as Pretty and Colorful as it looks in the photos…and this photo!

20160705_134707-DSC_0420

Waited in Line for the oldest Jazz Club in Town, La Fontaine, and it was WELL Worth it. These guys were on until Midnight and then it got crazy up in there as it is where all the Jazz players come to play after their gigs! Up late but so cool!

What is great is that they support young new artists and famous artists know, they so they come jam along side. We did not see anyone famous, but we saw a lot of musicians who should be.

20160705_141231-DSC_0432

The Beer was Flowing and so Were We!

20160704_095158-DSC_0225

There were palaces, Crowns and Jewels…that Were Just Lovely.

20160704_111118-DSC_0281

And the littlest of Mermaids. We walked and walked and walked to Find Her and We Did.

After All That Jazz and Walking to Find the Mermaid, we rented bikes and we Found Christiania, a Free Loving Free Doing No Rule Community. I lost Jim there, go figure.

Love that they use these old style signs still! And what did these store sell???

20160704_085326-DSC_0173

The Guards Go from Modern to Old Fashioned. Is He Smiling at Me????

20160704_104140-DSC_0251

And is this guy smiling at me too?

20160704_052051-DSC_0075

These Guards, the Military, Had to Be Guarded by the Police.

20160704_043134-DSC_0044

Guard Statues.

20160704_043051-DSC_0043

So many great buildings!

20160704_042805-DSC_0037

And Spires Every Where!

More Spires.

20160704_084726-DSC_0163

And Palaces with Spires!

We only saw Copenhagen, but if it is an example of the rest of Denmark, we can not wait to see the rest of it! Thanks for the Good Times!

Here is a Sneak Peak from my next Post. Guess Where We Were?

Thanks for Visiting and See You Next Time!

Gnome

Posted in 2017, Uncategorized
Tags: Backpackers, Budget Travel, Copenhagen, Copenhagen Denmark, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Denmark, Jazz, Jazz Festival, Little Mermaid, music, Palaces, Scandinavia, Sight Seeing, Travel, Travelers

Long Over Due…But Worth the View.

•September 27, 2017 • 6 Comments

Living in Limbo, Sometimes, is Not so Bad.

Our Limbo Living from Last Summer (July 2016)

First Stop…

20160701_091945-DSC_0677

20160701_091712-DSC_0668

The Land of Fire, Ice and…

20160701_104946-DSC_0747

Lots of Beauty. We Loved Iceland and we Only saw a Small Bit of it. Fortunately we Rented and Car and Hit the Road right from the Airport!

20160701_094623-DSC_0710

20160701_104754-DSC_0745

Who Needs to Sleep when we you’re in the Land of the Midnight Sun!

20160701_101005-DSC_0730

And where the fist were plenty. Yes, those are fish.

20160701_101017-DSC_0732

To be precise, cod fish heads drying out. Thousands of them. We drove past. I made Jim go back, drive down a driveway to get a closer look. I got out, took lots of photos while Jim stayed behind the wheel in case needed a quick get-away!

20160701_095242-DSC_0716

The color there is different. Well, it seems that way from the light.

20160702_112337-DSC_0914

20160702_111300-DSC_0903

There is a great mix of old and new. The wonderful new performing arts glass building was amazing.

20160702_082807-DSC_0863

And this ancient, viking seeming, burial headstone was equalling amazing. Wait, didn’t Vikings send their dead off on a fiery raft into the sea? Well, maybe this was a memorial to one of them!

And then there was this! And it was worth it.

Iceland, we will be back…for the Northern Lights and to Get to the Other side of the Island.

Next Blog Post will be Copenhagen Jazz Festival! Sneak Peak below:

20160704_041440-DSC_0021

20160704_041455-DSC_0023

Toodles for Now. Thanks for Visiting!

Gnome

Posted in 2016, 2017
Tags: Backpacking, Budget Travel, europe, European Vacation, Iceland, Iceland Photography, photography, Road Trip, Scandinavia, Travel, Travel Photography

Thank YOU for Helping Me Down.

•April 8, 2017 • Leave a Comment

Before I went “down”, with your helped, I RAISED approximately $1500.00 for the Chicago Respiratory Health Association from their “Skyline Plunge” Fundraiser I participated in last May.

Yes, It is almost a Year Later, but it has been a VERY busy 9 months. We packed up our Chicago apartment in June, traveled to Europe hitting mostly Scandinavian Countries and hanging out with my nephew who is going to University in Estonia in July. Then we lived on couches and cat sat while on a cross-country trip across the US. And although my last blog said we were moving to Michigan, we did not. We are now settled in Walnut Creek, CA, a half hour outside of San Francisco closer to family, both of ours. And those families have kept us busy with dinners, birthdays, outings, birthday parties, and the Holidays since last October.

But that all is not what this blog post is about…it is about Thanking you for Donating the fundraiser and for Helping me do something yet again crazy.

Okay, and I have the photos to prove it!

I started…

Way Up there with a Partner, who was so Scared, I Promised to go Down with Her.

Jim’s View. Yes, he watched the whole thing and I had a Cheering Section too!

My Chicago Girls…Colleen, Michelle, Kate, Sherri, Diana and her Friend! Loved seeing all their faces after I made it all the way down!

Look Ma, No Hands!

I would stop to enjoy the view! It was such a GREAT Day!

My Supah Stah Stance!

Almost at The Wit Sign!

Just Hanging Around. La La La.

Yes, There is Writing on My Pants.

One Leg says, “I “Heart” Jim” and the Other Leg says, “Tubes of Love.”

In case your are interested of what is “Tubes of Love “, go to https://ourownbigworld.com/2016/01/10/tubestinstubs-of-love/ .

Rappel Contraption Locked…Hanging in Mid Air!

Almost There…

Done and Happy. Actually High…So Cool!

This was the last time ever The Respiratory Health Association was going to do this Fundraiser and was lucky to not only do The Plunge, but to raise money for something that is near and dear to me as I suffer from 2 different Respiratory Diseases, Asthma and Samter’s Triad.

Thank you Again for All that Donated!

Stay Tuned for Posts on Our Adventures in Europe and the Cross Country Road Trip!

RoamingGnomadGraphic

Posted in 2017
Tags: Adventurer, Chicago, Fundraiser, Fundraising, High Rise Building Rappel, Rappel, Rappelling, Respiratory Diseases, Respiratory Health Association, Skyline Plunge Chicago, Skyline Rappelling, The Plunge, The Wit, The Wit Hotel, The Wit Hotel Chicago

Can’t Keep Up!

•May 23, 2019 • Leave a Comment

I thought I would have 2 blogs, but can barely keep up with one much less two. This one was going to be personal / travel…as I started it when we moved to Honduras in 2008. I can’t keep up my creative one, much less keep up with our constant travels and moves.

SO….Please go here to see what I, we, are up to:

https://ourownbigworld.com/

Thank you for visiting!

Gnome

Posted in Uncategorized

I’M ENDING MY CHICAGO STAY WITH A BANG!

•May 5, 2016 • Leave a Comment

Or Depending How It Goes…A “Splat” Or Maybe a “Bam”.

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Although, I am Hoping for a Mary Katherine Gallagher Super Star Stance Myself.

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Before I explain myself let me go over the most awesomeness of Chicago that we so loverly had to chance to Experience, all 129 of them and I am sure I am missing many.

From GreatChicagoPhotos

-A Blizzard – St. Patrick’s Day Green Dying of the River & Parade- Cinco de Mayo Chicago Style – Mole de Mayo – The Blackhawks win the Championship – The Science & Industry Museum Many Times – The Art Institute Many Times – The Field Museum Many Times – The Wonderful Chicago Cultural Center – Oak Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright of it All – Not Only All the Wonderful Architecture, but the Actual Famed Architecture Tour from the River – The Old Glessner House – The Blues Fest – The Cubs go to the World Series – A Cubs Game – Two White Sox Games – The Chicago Theater for an Event and the Tour – Chef’s Week – Restaurant Week – The Green Mill Many Times – The Ghosts of Chicago – Do Division Street Fest – Activate Loop Alley Parties – Taste of Randolph – Taste of Chicago – The NFL Draft – A Dynasty Party – The Columbia Yacht Club – The Sears Tower Ledge – The Hancock Building Tilt – The AON Building 80th Floor – Navy Pier Summer Fireworks…Twice a Week – Divvy Bikes – The Shoreline – The Oak Street Beach – The River Walk – The Signature Room – Buddy Guy Museum – Macy’s Flower Show – Food Food and More Food – Chicago Design Museum – Berghoffs – Russian Tea Room – Chicago Dog – Deep Dish Pizza, Way Too Much, Deep Dish Pizza – Basement Bars – House of Blues – Living in a High Rise – Living in a High Rise with a View – No Car – The El – Lincoln Park, Old Town – Wicker Park – Pilsen – Hyde Park – Walking Walking A Lot of Walking – Any Kind of Shopping Close By – See Many TV Shows/Movies/Commercials Being Filmed – Belmont/Sheffield Street Fair – A Woman with Kitty Shirt on While Walking a Duck on a Leash – Flowers Blooming in Spring – Enjoyed Seeing the Corn Cob Buildings Any Time We Could – Bucktown – West Loop – Been to Many Rooftop Bars – Chinatown – Chicago Contemporary Museum – High Rise Spiders – Had Mario’s Italian Ice – NorthWestern Medical Center & Hospital – Bloomers Chocolate – Revolution Brewery – The 606 Trail – Chicago Athletic Club Hotel – Shedd Aquarium – Lincoln Zoo Christmas Lights – Christkindlmarket – Wrigley Field – The Vic – Light Parade – Christmas Tree Lighting – Ice Skating – Sidewalk Dining – Looking Up Constantly at the Architecture – Learning History Everywhere – Living “Next” to Lady Gaga – Seeing Many TV/Movies Stars – Handing Out TUBES of LOVE – Attending Many Fundraisers – Seeing Art Everywhere – Sitting on Our Balcony Soaking up the Sun or Looking at the View – Snow, Rain, Sleet & All in One Day – The Frigid Wind – Sitting at City Winery on River Walk on a Balmy Summer Evening – Even the Heavy Heat of a City Hot Summer Day – Free Concerts Everywhere – The Fountains, Oh the Fountains – People Watching – Feeding Finches on the Balcony – Watching Old Chloe Kitty (R.I.P.) soak up the Sun on the Balcony – Vintage Garage – Thrift Store Hunting – Antiquing – Finding Perfectly Good Things in Our Garbage Shoot Room or In the Recycling Bin (Big City Sanford and Me) – Exploring Neighborhoods – Finding New Places to Go by Just Opening a Door – Talking to Great and Interesting People – Listening to Music – Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park – Grant Park – Lakeshore East Park – Lakeside – Oh, The Artists – Uptown – New Friends – Not Cooking A Lot – Having a Gym, Swimming Pool, BBQ, Hot Tubs, Sauna, Steam Room, Free Coffee and a Door Man – Even Small Apt Living – Even the Homelessness – Seeing Other People Give and Be Generous – Smiles

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Let me not forgot the places and trips we so awesomely got to do outside of Chicago! We are Not Going Far..So I am Sure We Will See More!

From TripsWeTookWhileLivinginChicago

South Haven, MI – St. Joseph, MI – Saugatuck, MI, Paw Paw, MI, Kalamazoo, The Worlds Largest Yardsale On US 127 In NW Ohio, Cleveland, Oh – The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Toledo, Oh – Grand Rapids, MI – Galena, IL – Luddington, MI – Mackinaw City, MI – Traverse City, MI – Green Bay, WI, Milwaukee, WI – The UP – Lake Michigan – Lake Superior – Lake Heron – Lake Erie – And HOPE TO SEE: – Niagara Falls – Buffalo, NY – Toronto – Lake Ontario

From TripsWeTookWhileLivinginChicago

And My Favorite, Thank You to All that Came to Visit Us, Once and Maybe Even Twice!

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Rina Bo Beana – The Mayer Clan – My Twin Nieces – My C-Man – Randy – Sarah – SF Bunny – Sacramento Bill – Jim’s Fun Work Mates – Laith – The Rest of You Missed Out

From GreatChicagoPhotos

If you Have Not Figured out yet, Yes, We are Moving Again. And Don’t Worry…Jim is Coming Along on the Move…Not the Splat.

He is Why we Are Moving…Again…As Usual.

We are Moving to the Very Cute Beach Town of St. Joseph, MI…so 3 months of the year it will be Wonderful…and the rest freakin’ frigid cold. I am focusing on our first Month there, August, and Not thinking about anything else!

From TripsWeTookWhileLivinginChicago

Now, Let me Explain the Title of the Blog Post!

The Biggest Thing I Will Do Before We Leave
And My Husband, Jim Will Have to Witness is…

I am Taking the Respiratory Health Association Plunge!

(Aka The Big Bang, Fall, Splat, Jump, Bam)

plungelogo

It is a Fundraising Event and I am Now Chest Deep in IT and IT Is…

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Rappelling Down the Side of The Wit, a 27 Story Hotel, in Downtown Chicago on May 22!

Again Might I Remind You, It is a Fundraiser…

So I am Asking You, You and You to Donate Please!

Click Here (Or Copy and Paste Please) to Learn More and to Donate!

https://secure.imisfriendraising.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=331659&langPref=en-CA&Referrer=%26Referrer%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fskylineplunge.org%252f#&panel1-4

I Thank You in Advance of Your Kind Gift.

Any Amount at All Is So Very Highly Apprectiated.

From GreatChicagoPhotos

Before I Go, I have to say the ONE thing that drives me crazy and I do NOT like About Chicago is their lack of Recycling. It is a Shame, Shame, Shame. Recycle/UpCycle Forever!

RSVP-Stamp-6