Veronica James's Blog, page 176

Empty Nest Egg

Where did you live when you were first starting out? I’ll bet it wasn’t quite the Taj Mahal.

Our first place was a one bedroom, former screened-in porch that had all the weather proofing of the average wiffle ball. It was a veritable private zoo of insect vermin — and we were glad to have it. We were proud and happy to be on our own.

Who are we to deny our offspring those same pleasures?… CONTINUE READING >>

The Fiberglass Menagerie – the Mecca of Roadside Ginormous Stuff

Ever wonder where they came from? So did we!

Nothing lifts the spirits while traveling through America quite like the sight of a fiberglass colossus looming in the distance. On a summertime roadtrip, through the shimmering heat from the highway, a form begins to take shape…

A sky-scraping Abe Lincoln, a Paul Bunyan the size of a small office building, a life-sized brontosaurus or a fish that could swallow an airliner — all have great power to inspire, or at least attract… CONTINUE READING >>

Delivering Supplies to a Little School in the Jungle

We will carry this in our hearts forever…

The Anita School was built specifically for the children of immigrant workers on one of the sprawling palm plantations in the Quepos area of Costa Rica.

Driving several miles down a dusty dirt road through the dense rows of palms, we reached a one-room schoolhouse… CONTINUE READING >>

Helicopter Mom – You Are Grounded!

“A mother is only as happy as her saddest child,” a close friend’s grandmother used to say.

When I first heard her say this, all three of my children were young and safely in the nest so I could totally relate. Somehow I thought once they were grown up this would change.

It didn’t.

Trouble finds its way into everyone‘s lives – and as much as we hate it – trouble finds our adult children. Whether it rears its ugly head in a… CONTINUE READING >>

Picture This: The Breathtaking Blue Mosque of Istanbul

One of the most stunning buildings we’ve ever seen!

Built in 1609 by Sultan Ahmed I, the Blue Mosque features a main dome, eight secondary domes, and six minarets, and is considered the pinnacle of two centuries of Ottoman mosque development.

Upon entering the mosque, Veronica was dumbstruck – unable to begin to take photos. She couldn’t figure out where to start.

We saw why… CONTINUE READING >>

Inside Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

It’s impossible to show the enormity of the mosque in photos – video helps!… See more about this beautiful place here!>>

Goin’ for the Gold (Coast) in Australia

We may be nuts, but we’re not crazy! Of course we jumped at the chance to spend a few days along Queensland’s Gold Coast.

This dazzling stretch along the Coral Sea has become Australia’s playground for food, fun, surf, and sun.

From our first look at the towering skyline and enticing water… CONTINUE READING >>

Picture This: Riding the Expedition Train to Machu Picchu

Our days of hiking four days over rough terrain are probably behind us, so attempting The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was out. Luckily, there is another alternative.

Several trains a day run on the second highest railroad in the world, after the Qinghai–Tibet Railway…. CONTINUE READING >> 

Fear Conquering & Feeding Crocodiles

Is anyone really crazy enough to lure sixteen feet of teeth and muscle out of the water with a chicken leg?

Yes. We are.

Perhaps we’re not as crazy or brave (stupid?) as we are making ourselves out to be since we barely had time to think about it.

But is it any less insane because… CONTINUE READING >> 

Feeding Hungry Crocs in Australia!

There’s no rush in the world like being on the business end of a hungry croc’s mouth. Less than a second ticks by – from leaping reptile to the other-worldly SNAP! as enormous jaws slam shut… Read the whole, crazy adventure here!>>