The Polite Traveler

Stay, Relax & Rejuvenate Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, To celebrate a special occasion, we chose to stay in  Gaige House  + Ryokan , a boutique hotel in Glen Ellen, Sonoma, CA.  Focusing on all things “Zen”, there are 23 lovely room spread out on their fertile, lush grounds along the Calabazas Creek.  Ours was so comfortable, I didn’t want to leave.  However, the property and town are too lovely to stay inside this well-appointed room. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Inside the main building were several inviting common rooms decked out in comfortable furniture and intricate details begging guests to settle in, read a book or play a board game.    A variety of tea and coffee were available all day in the dining room and ...

Davis’ New Hilton is a Treasure Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, So, why would a person want to spend her birthday in a local hotel room?  When that room is in  Hilton  Garden Inn Davis Downtown.  I love it there!!  In fact, I became acquainted with the staff of this lovely hotel — previously under a different name— years ago when the manager, Marisa Schaffer assisted with an article I was writing for Yahoo concerning local businesses and holidays.  Her graciousness necessitated a meeting, which became a friendship, which eventually extended to the entire hotel staff.  It is my belief that the people make a hotel successful.  A hotel is just a building.  With the best team members in place, it then becomes a sanctuary—a place guests wish to stay often.  And this Hilton is one of those places.  Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask wh...

Wandering the City of Weird & Loving It Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Powell's Bookstore is a book lover's dream.  We authors love it too!  Now to get my books on their shelves. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. One day of our Portland visit, my hubby and I took a walk across the Burnside Bridge to the other side of the river to walk that side first.  We crossed the Hawthorne Bridge to return.  It was a great walk. It seemed that every time I mentioned our upcoming Portland visit, people would tell me I had to visit Voodoo Doughnuts.  Okay, we did.  The place is interesting while the doughnuts are not.  My advice, take pictures, leave the doughnuts.   Please share your experiences!! Happy travels!! Continue with a Tour of Po...

Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, My husband and I chose to spend a few days in this land of weird—our first visit and decidedly, not our last.  We began our first day with a  city tour .  In this tour, our guide Kat taught us quite a bit about Portland’s history and the city’s values, such as environmental sustainability plans and publicly-funded art.  I wholeheartedly recommend a city tour, as it gives the tourist a better understanding of the city.  (Please read my post on  Portland ) During this tour, we found that Portland has a deep devotion to renovating downtown historical buildings.  Many of the older buildings have a European flair, in fact, much of the city does.  The city founders were straight from various European countries, so it makes perfect sense.  We also learned about Portland’s, er... most interesting mayor: former pub owner Bud Clark (in office 1985-1992). No...

Portland: The Land of Weird;  Warm People, Unforgettable Experience Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Portland is the land of youth, ageless old folks, LGBTQIA, non-binary, Goth, ink, and full sleeves.  It’s the land of smiles, hugs, friendship, kindness, and generosity.  It’s the land of the pure water, coffee and finely crafted beer, and a variety of delicious ethnic food .  It’s the land of rivers, street art, parks, and more specifically, the smallest park in the states.  Most importantly, Portland is keeping it weird and it feels like home to me. Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. The People To be honest, and why not be honest, we didn’t plan to do much besides acquainting ourselves with the city.  And I believe we did....

Relax and Rejuvenate in the Heart of Everything Portland Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, Listed as the only  Embassy Suite  member of Historic Hotels of America, this Neo-Classical style hotel opened in 1912 and welcomed thousands of happy guests over the many years including nine presidents, Charles Lindbergh and Elvis Presley.  Just recently, it welcomed my hubby and me with an automatic upgrade, although most rooms are suites anyway, extra tea—I’m addicted—complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, and Evening Reception.  Those who have read my many posts know how much I love my wine in the evening.  The wine poured at the reception was excellent and the appetizers weren’t bad either.   Note : Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Our Su...

Amateur Hour on the West Coast Rails Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, I will never, ever, ever – did I mention never? – ride Amtrak north from CA for an overnight trip.  Why?  Please read along. Note : Follow CDC and Amtrak guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    Old, Smelly and Rocky Plain and simple.  This train smells old and rotten.  I noted a constant air freshener smell emanating from the air vents attempting to mask the stink, but it didn’t work well.  In fact, our clothes and baggage now smell like the darn train!  After some time, the smell just seemed to blend in with all the other train annoyances, like the constant, and sometimes violent, rocking.  I expected some, after all, this is a tall box running along metal rails.  Nevertheless, this was extreme, nothing at all like the many other trains I’ve ridden. Seating in Business Class: The En...