Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Rockefeller Center


Rockefeller Center
New York

One December we took a five day trip to New York, to experience Christmas on Manhattan. The store fronts were beautifully decorated. It was 17 degrees at noon, snow everywhere and bare trees laced the sky. Ice cycles hung like diamonds glistening in the sun. Rockefeller Center skating rink was full of children and adults ice skating and dancing. It was a cold few days that were well worth the memories.


Happy Holiday!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

England


Trip to Bath, England

In 1990 we took our lifelong dream of a 3 week trip to Europe and England. We spent a lovely afternoon in Bath, England. I remember  sitting on a  park bench on a crisp Autumn, with a picnic, eating cheese, bread and fruit. I so remember looking at the Royal Crescent Building with their walls sparkling in the sunshine. I could imagine gents with their hats and walking sticks, and women in bonnets and parasols in the 1800's. Thought this was 25 year ago the view of the crescent walls has always been with me.


After lunch we toured the ruins of the Roman Baths. It was a fascinating place to walk around.  The tour guide was great at depicting life of the local Romans and how they dealt with the cold weather and... snow!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Summer get away


Hotel La Valencia
La Jolla, California

                    It is not unusual for us to take a long weekend, throw a few things in the car and take off for La Jolla (The Jewel), just north of San Diego. It's a cute little town on the coast complete with a cove, bluffs and quaint home from vintage years of 1930's 40's and 50's surround the area.
          Hotel La Valencia is our place to stay, build in 1926 the Spanish style grande dame of the area. A large edifice of pink and white, it's gardens are the place for refreshing morning stroll. Wonderful restaurants and always try the beach and water.



Thursday, April 30, 2015

Ireland, finding my roots


Ireland

Finding my roots

Last year we had the opportunity to spend 2-1/2 weeks in Ireland, the lovely Emerald Isle. My husband and I visited his cousin in western Ireland. Then we had the opportunity to meet my family in Northern Ireland, cousins for the first time. It was wonderful to meet family, share stories, hugs and tears. My family in the early 1900’s.
It was a tradition in the early migration of Irish families to the U.S. to hold wakes for them before they left. They knew they would never return to Irish soil…to be buried. So it was fitting their goodbyes would be a wake.

The entire trip was one of amazement for my family and the traditions of a brilliant culture.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

South of the Pier-it's beginning



SOUTH OF THE PIER
a Murder Mystery
by
Janet Elizabeth Lynn
          April marks the anniversary of the release of my first murder mystery, of South of the Pier.
          Several years ago, I went to Guatemala with my sister to bring home a beautiful little girl she had adopted. While we were there, a story I had rolling around in my head suddenly came together. It became the inspiration for South of the Pier as well as the entire Pier Murder series.
          I happened to be there during Easter Week, all of Guatemala City was getting ready for the special day. We were fortunate to be there for the Semana Santa Processions with the Alfombras. An amazingly spiritual procession filled with symbolism and beautiful art. This sparked the entire novel and I couldn't wait to get back to my hotel and start writing.

For a peek at this inspired novel see:
http://southofthepier.blogspot.com/





Sunday, March 1, 2015

Sol Duc, Olympic Rain Forest


Sol Duc, Olympic Rain Forest
Many years ago we took a spring vacation to Seattle. Freezing cold with some snow on the ground, we were chilled to the bone. A friend recommended we stop in Sol Duc which had just reopened. It is a resort with hot springs in the Olympic Rainforest, national park. The name, Sol Duc, is an Indian term meaning 'sparkling water,' for the hot springs. Apparently people have been going to Sol Duc for over 100 years for pleasure and health.
We spent the night in a rustic, charming Sol Duc cabin surrounded by towering evergreens, warmed our bones in the hot springs, and hiked in rain forest. Talk about Serene!