08-28-24 I DECLARE TODAY BUCKET LIST PART UNA!

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER. SCHOOL HAS STARTED BACK. TEMPERATURES ARE SLOWLY DRIFTING DOWNARD. EARLY FALL IS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES OF YEAR TO TRAVEL TO PLACES NEW AND OLD. CROWDS ARE SMALLER, PRICES GO DOWN, WEATHER IS NICER, IT'S EASIER TO SEE THINGS, AND TRAVELING IS JUST SIMPLER. TODAY, THE NOMAD ARCHITECT IS GOING TO DO A LIST OF SPECIAL PLACES THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST. THIS IS A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO GO GO GO! IMHO! TODAY - PLACES WE HAVE VISITED. 

ITALY

If you are familiar with this blog at all, you must know that I fell in love with Italy several years ago on our first trip to a country that prides itself on being the cradle of Western Civilization. Italy is slightly smaller than California. It's easy to get anywhere quickly and efficiently via one of the best train systems in Europe. Here are a few places that are Bucket List worthy.

Tuscany

One word describes this  

unique part of Italy -Romance! This is the place to enjoy a great experience with the one you love. Everywhere you go is another winery. With seven different wine regions producing some of the most famous wines in the world, you never run out of choice for different wine tastes. Just click on WINE TRAVELER for information on wineries, getting around Tuscany and information on towns, large & small, in this beautiful area.

Where to stay you might ask. There is a small romantic hotel of only 22 rooms in the heart of this fascinating place of romance, beauty and pleasure - Castello di Tornano. I have mentioned this amazing small hotel many times in earlier posts. In 2001 it was repurposed from a noble residence, built in the eleventh century, to an utterly charming place of 22 rooms in the heart of the Chianti Region. And the deal clencher? $120 - $190 depending on when you go and how long you stay. 

USA HOORAY!

I’m always posting about places in Europe. However, there are places in the good old USA that can get you excited about travel in our diverse country. One such place sits right on the Pacific in a beautiful forest with views to die for.

Southern Oregon 

Wild Spring Guest Habitat is a quick three hours from Eugene. We flew into Portland International and drove to our first AIRBNB - Bright Airy Studio In The Trees in Eugene to relax and recover from a fairly long flight. The next morning, we drove to one of the most romantic places to lay our heads and enjoy each other for our 40th Anniversary. Our Cabin Suite was large and comfortable with a small living room space, a king-size bed and a massive stand-up shower. We stayed five days and enjoyed the beautiful spa hot tub with magical views of the Pacific. They have beautiful walking trails for hikers. They even have a Walking Labyrinth in a grove of 100-foot trees with benches to sit and enjoy the beauty of this place. The Habitat is located about sixty miles from the Northern California state line just outside the small town of Port Orford which has several unique museums containing exceptional works of sculpture and painting.  And the price - including a delicious breakfast every morning - Around $240.

One reviewer posted this small statement about this amazing place:

There's a moment outside time where the wild dreams unravel, and the soul is free to dance unencumbered by the weight of shoulds and coulds. This is that place where those souls gather to celebrate in tall trees." Jaya

That's it for Part One of BUCKET LIST TRAVELS. Next week, more to come! In the meantime - Make some reservations!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

Video of The Week - One of the most innovative artists to ever take a stage - PRINCE performs CREAM with just his acoustic guitar for accompaniment. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing him perform this set in the early 2000's.

08-25-24 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL VIRGOS - I'M CELEBRATING WITH SOME MUSIC I LOVE TO SHARE

SINCE I WAS A WEE LAD, I HAVE BEEN OBSESSED WITH GREAT MUSIC OF EVERY GENRE YOU CAN IMAGINE - ROCK, POP, JAZZ, PROGRESSIVE, CLASSICAL, EVEN FOLK. I ACTUALLY SAW PETER, PAUL & MARY IN TULLY GYM - Florida State University 11/5/65. I SAW THE BEATLES IN THE GATOR BOWL - Jacksonville, Florida 09/11/64. IT WAS A HAPPENING! AT LAST COUNT, I HAVE SEEN OVER 140 MUSICAL ARTISTS, MOSTLY WITH MY BRIDE OF 51 YEARS. I SAW IKE & TINA TURNER IN DOAK CAMPBELL STADIUM 10/08/71 WITH, AT THE TIME, MY FUTURE ONE AND ONLY. THE RUMOR WAS THAT MORE PEOPLE ATTENDED IKE & TINA THAN THE HOMECOMING GAME AGAINST MISSISSIPI STATE THE NEXT DAY - WE WON 27-9. NOLES WERE NOT VERY GOOD THEN. BOWDEN DIDN'T SHOW UP 'TILL 1976.

Of course - the downside of listening to music extremely loud since I was a kid is that I have been wearing a great pair of hearing aids for almost 4-5 years now. I still listen to great music every day. My kids find new music that I love too. Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, The Avett Brothers, Alabama Shakes and many more find their way to my phone and my laptop. I also have around 250 LPs of classic rock like Vanilla Fudge, Blood Sweat & Tears and, of course, the Beatles.

TODAY IS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC

Here are just a few of my favorite performances by musical artists young, old and in between. It's my birthday - Read on and Listen!!!

1- THE BEATLES - This live tune, GET BACK, is from the last live concert ever by The Fab 4 - 01/30/69 performing atop The Apple Building, 3 Saville Row in London.

 

The earth is 4.8 billion years old; and in all that time just imagine how lucky those of us were, who happened to live in the tiny fraction of time to witness the Beatles! - Anonymous.

2 - Buddy Rich & His Orchestra - One of the greatest jazz drummers in history gives a killer performance of Birdland, written by Weather Report in Cologne Germany 03/08/80. WE saw this amazing drummer and his band in the early 70's while in architecture school at Auburn University!

Rich was the greatest drummer to ever have drawn breath - Gene Krupa - Jazz Drumming Legend.

3- TOM JONES

I have seen Tom Jones five times - first time in the early seventies in Tallahassee. He was amazing then and is still touring for crazy fans at the age of 84! Here he is performing one of the greatest covers of all time - KISS - originally a major hit by Prince.

“Hugely entertaining and some of the musical performances would ultimately become once-in-a-lifetime events.” – Chicago Sun-Times 9/29/07

4 - The Best Opening Scene in Film History - John Travolta - Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees

I remember this movie from 1977 when John Travolta had great hair! LOL! The opening scene of the star walking down the street with a can of paint in his polished shoes with the great tune Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees is simple yet iconic! IMHO!

"Saturday Night Fever'' was Gene Siskel's favorite movie, and he watched it at least 17 times. We all have movies like that, titles that transcend ordinary categories of good and bad, and penetrate straight to our hearts - Roger Ebert.

5 - PRINCE

No music list will ever be complete without at least one Prince tune. I saw this brilliant artist in Tampa in 2004. After a mesmerizing, rocking 2-1/2 hours he closed with Purple Rain. OMG! It lasted almost thirty minutes. Every single note was utter perfection.

When someone asked Eric Clapton what it was like to be the greatest guitar player in the world, he responded: "I don't know, ask Prince."

6- THE AVETT BROTHERS

Since the early 2000's, The Avett Brothers have been putting out great music. From North Carilina - they combine, folk, rock, bluegrass, honkytonk and ragtime for great award-winning tunes. My kids told me about this group. I listened and became a fan. I saw them in 2017 at Cascades Park in Tallahassee. Fabulous! Ain't No Man rocks smooth!

Always remember there is nothing worth sharing, like the love that let us share our name - Seth Avett.

7- Delbert McClinton

I have always said about great country music - Great country music always tells a story. And the dudes and dudettes from Texas tell it better than anybody. Here is the great country, blues, rocker Delbert McClinton performing LONE STAR BLUES!

In the early ’70s, way before the term Americana was coined, some artists were already deep into the sound. Delbert McClinton is near the top of that list. There just aren’t many of his peers still active, vibrant, and releasing new music - McClinton famously taught John Lennon the basics of the harmonica when he toured in Bruce Channel’s band in the early ’60s with The Beatles - American Songwriter.

8 - Tina Turner

One of a kind - The incomparable "Queen of Rock and Roll" knew how to deliver any song, fast or slow - loud or soft, with power and artistic beauty. She performed internationally and recorded the greatest cover ever - written by John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival - Tina Turner performs PROUD MARY for 80,000 of her closest friends at Wembley Stadium.

I loved her version of Proud Mary! It was different and fantastic. I was also so happy because she chose my song, and it was her breakthrough record. I was so honored - John Fogerty.

9 - BEETHOVEN'S 5th

Ludwig van Beethoven - the master composer said of music - "Music should strike fire from the heart of man and bring tears from the eyes of every woman". I couldn't agree more. Here is, IMHO, the greatest Classical/Romantic work ever composed - The First Movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Beethoven was almost completely deaf when he composed this amazing work.

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man - E.M. Forster - Novelist.

10 - QUEEN

I close this list of great music with one of the greatest rock tunes ever recorded by one of the greatest rock bands in history - QUEEN combines perfect harmonies with an amazing arrangement of a classic rock tune - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY! This tune has had over one billion views on You Tube!

I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend - Freddie Mercury

Like anyone asked to make a list of their favorite songs, I have left so many off. I just wanted to show all the diverse music I have listened to and loved throughout my life.

Happy Trails and turn it up!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

And one last thing - I grew up singing in church - Written many years ago, here is one of the greatest gospel songs ever recorded by The Gaither Vocal Band and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound together- SWING DOWN SWEET CHARIOT!

Gospel music is the purest thing there is on this earth - Elvis Presley.

08/21/24 “Airbnb is not about the space you rent; it’s about the experiences you create.” – Nathan Blecharczyk - Founder

TODAY, I AM GOING TO ADVANCE THE NOTION THAT SERIOUS WANDERERS & VAGABONDS SHOULD SEEK OUT SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO LAY THEIR HEADS AFTER A DAY OF WALKING AND EXPLORING - AIRBNB! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW FOR SOME OF THE DIVERSITY YOU CAN ENJOY WITH ONE OF THE FIRST ONLINE MARKET PLACES FOR SHORT & LONG TERM RENTALS AT LOWER PRICES. SORRY FOR THE SPANISH. I COULDNT MAKE IT CHANGE TO ENGLISH.

 

The First One - Oregon

The first AIRBNB we ever stayed in made an impression. Margot's Place was elegantly designed with numerous skylights over the bed and a nice shower in the bath. It was a garage apartment designed by an architect who lived in the house located in a high-end area of Eugene Oregon. After landing in Eugene, we stayed one night in this very cool spot to rest before heading to our ultimate destination. The owner left us some nice muffins, coffee and fruit at our door for breakfast the next morning. The price today - $78 - $85 per night depending on when you go. 

Spain

My second favorite country, after Italy, is España. The city of Barcelona is unlike any place in Europe. Art, architecture, food, people - all the best you could ask for. On this adventure, our kids met us in Barcelona. With five of us, we needed a place where we could spread out, so I reserved a beautiful, well-designed, three bedroom - two bath AIRBNB - Stylish Apartment C in City Center   located in downtown Barcelona within easy walking distance to many museums and other attractions. And, as luck would have it, a small high-end grocer was across the street. And, for a three bedroom, two bath located downtown, the price was very reasonable.

One of the most famous cathedrals in Europe, La Sagrada Familia, is just a 20-minute walk from the AIRBNB.   It was designed by Antonia Gaudi, considered by many architectural experts to be the greatest architect of the 20th century. Design and construction started in 1882. It will be completed in 2026. Gaudi spent 43 years working on the design and construction of this powerful, graceful structure. 

Athens

I mention this place because the AIRBNB we rented, Great Design Acropolis Apartment, was one of the best designed, most luxurious places we have ever stayed. Athens? It's just a giant dirty city, kinda like Rome. It does have the Parthenon, the Acropolis and other ancient buildings showing the brilliance of architecture built as far back as 447 BC. Experiencing those ancient places was truly amazing. But, Athens is not a beautiful place to hang your hat. We were there long enough to see the ancient world. Because of the location, access to all the interesting buildings, museums and other attractions was simple and quick. And, even in today's high-priced world of travel, you can land this place for a paltry $110 a night.

The Good Old USA

AIRBNB is everywhere with prices that leave money in your pocket - even in the greatest, most expensive country to travel in on the planet. We stayed in this uber cool place in the middle of Savannah last year - The Jesse Mount B&B Carriage House Off Jones St. . Up the stairs you will find a spacious studio carriage house on West Jones Street, located in the heart of Savannah within easy walking distance of great restaurants, museums and other attractions. With a stunning courtyard, large bathroom and plenty of room to relax it is perfect for a romantic few days to enjoy the oldest city in Georgia. It currently rents for a cool $99 per night.

Just a few examples of great places to stay with AIRBNB and save your cash for culinary delights and libations.

 

Oh, so true for this Wandering Vagabond. Trust me - Try it - you'll like it!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

All travelers have weird and even scary things happen while traveling. Here is a funny story from Comic Great Jim Gaffigan about the travail encountered checking into a hotel. In my experience, this never happens when you check into an AIRBNB.

08-14-24 READY, SET GO!! SOME THOUGHTS FROM ONE NOMAD & MANY OTHER WANDERERS - GOTTA LAUGH!

ABOUT ONCE A YEAR I POST A FEW THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ON GETTING QUICKLY, HAPPILY & SAFELY FROM POINT A TO POINT B WHEN TRAVELING HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE. THESE THOUGHTS & OPINIONS ARE BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH VARIOUS WELL-MEANING LECTURERS & TICKET WRITERS! LOL!

Even if you think we have gone completely Orwellian, and you may be right, just read on for some critical thoughts on traveling around our planet.

Some days when I read or listen to the news from our new, ever connected, social media driven, X enlarged, Instagrammed, and Facebooked world of constant, yet vapid, sources that tell us about our ever-shrinking world, I wonder where it all will end. If you are a cynic, you believe George Orwell was spot on - "Big Brother is Watching You - 1984" - he just missed it by a few years. 

I mean, a recent survey showing that ten percent of 1,000 college graduates polled believe Judge Judy is on the Supreme Court is NOT funny. We live in an increasingly banal world influenced by too many empty suits (All Politicians) and the famously unaccomplished (The Kardashians). Marshall McLuhan's admonishment "the medium is the message" is now officially on warp speed. We scratch our heads and ask, and ask and ask - What in the bloody hell is going on? And we get few answers from the institutions that we grew up believing in.

Humor is the Life Saver

After Extensive Research of people much smarter or at least more famous than me I have found some thoughts by famous and not-so famous travelers and wanderers that will give all vagabonds some needed levity as they fly, ride or drive around this planet of diverse souls with different and often unique life experiences. 

1) Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason - Jerry Seinfeld.

2) When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money - Susan Heller Anderson.

3) I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train - Oscar Wilde.

4) On a New York subway you can get fined for spitting, but you can throw up for nothing – Lewis Gizzard.

5) When you come to a fork in the road, take it - Yogi Berra. 

6) Be advised that there is no parking in Europe - Dave Barry.

7) I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” –Mark Twain

8) My parents complain I travel too much. I mean, I could be a drug addict, do they realize how lucky they are? - Unknown

9) The only way to explain how some people dress for the airport is they think no one else will be there – Andy Borowitz

10) Airline travel is hours of boredom interrupted by moments of stark terror - Al Bolisk

11) You want to know what it’s like to be on a plane for 22 hours? Sit in a chair, squeeze your head as hard as you can, don’t stop, then take a paper bag and put it over your mouth and nose and breathe your own air over and over and over – Lewis Black.

12) The man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready – Henry David Thoreau.

13) If you don’t have a stupid travel story to tell, you did something terribly wrong! - Unknown.

14) Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else – Lawrence Block.

15) Do you ever stress about money and then book another flight? - Unknown.

16) I wish travel therapy was covered by my health insurance - Unknown

17) Work tip: Stand up. Stretch. Take a walk. Go to the airport. Get on a plane. Never return - Unknown.

18) The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - Saint Augustine.

19) Don't speak the language. Already said 3 times "what". Now just smile and nod and hope for the best - Unknown.

20) I always know how much fun we had on a trip based on how many U-turns we made while looking for our hotel - Susie Stafford.

Two videos today that should make you laugh!

1) Grammy Winner Lewis Black on touring Canada.

2) Grammy nominated Nate Bargatze on trying to check-in for a DELTA flight!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

08-07-24 RAINBOWS HAVE MANY COLORS - KINDA LIKE TRAVEL!

Today's post includes some old and new thoughts on the dreams, pleasures, joys, and passions of travel to new and old places where we  have wandered.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

After thirteen years of writing with enthusiasm and passion about travel in this amazing world, I stand by a simple proclamation - Stop the World, I do NOT want to get off! I never have been a techno-geek, so I am sure I have made many technical mistakes putting this thing out there. But I boldly jumped into something I had never done before - the blogosphere! The real idea behind this blog is actually twofold: 1) We have done a fair amount of traveling, and I have shared our experiences past and present with readers of this blog. 2) Here's what makes this blog different - Some people think that where they stay when they travel isn't important, as long as it's clean, has a good bed and good water pressure. Well, if you subscribe to that philosophy, then this blog is probably not for you. I believe that where you stay, the uniqueness of a place and the quality of the environment can actually change your mindset, even your reality of a country, its people and its culture. And I am not just talking about 300 count Egyptian cotton bedsheets! I am talking about places that have a unique architectural and even artistic quality that makes traveling transcend the idea of a vacation.

In the interest of full disclosure and in deference to Susie, my wife, best friend and favorite vagabond, I must confess that traveling with an architect can be a challenge. I mean I become obsessed with the way things are designed and built in new and old buildings. Sometimes, it gets ridiculous. LOL! We have been to so many places together and I still remember them and smile. So, I invite you to read an article from Rethinking The Future, which will give some insight into how weird and enlightening traveling with an architect can be. Just click!

8 Reasons an Architect Must Travel - RTF | Rethinking The Future (re-thinkingthefuture.com)

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

An example of an intimate boutique hotel where design and life merge with grace and beauty to make a place you can lie down to slumber after a day of exploring or just relax with your favorite travel companion and enjoy a nice glass of local wine to appreciate the view - WILD SPRING GUEST HABITAT in Port Orford, Oregon. We were there for our fortieth anniversary - the memories are still in my head and my heart. Perfect!

Video of The Week

The beauty of great design, new and old, is evident in this video of buildings and places around the world - Architectural Beauty by Humans accompanied by beautiful music. Just sit down in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee or hot tea and see what is in our world - The power of great imagination!