Consider a vacation rental property

 Have you ever considered a vacation rental property?  HomeAway, AirBandB, FlipKey, and VRBO are some of the most popular sites for booking holiday rental properties. It makes a perfect option when friends and relatives assemble for a wedding or some other event and when traveling with a group.

Recently, several members of my family visited from the West Coast to attend a family wedding.   Our house could not sleep everyone comfortably and hotel rooms to accommodate everyone would have been expensive so we rented a three-bedroom place on the shore of Lake Ontario.  The rental was significantly less expensive than hotel rooms. It was wonderful.

 The children enjoyed canoeing, fishing and the campfire on the beach. They extended their vacation by renting another property on the water on Wellesley Island. Again, it was a perfect vacation. They went diving on a wreck, rented a party boat to visit Boldt and Singer Castles, and enjoyed fishing and kayaking.  

Our family is spread out across the country so we planned a getaway that would be great for every one of all ages. We rented an entire house for a week at Virginia Beach. It was the perfect family reunion with family members arriving from four states to enjoy the beach and time together. While at Virginia Beach we explored the local area, went kayaking, swimming, hiking and bought a bushel of clams to eat.   Eating meals in restaurants is expensive especially when there are six to ten people dining together.  Not only are meals prepared at the rental property less expensive, home cooked meals are always better. Also, meals can be planned to suit the tastes of everyone. 

When renting a property make sure that the bedding is included and

look for hidden costs such as booking fees, deposits, cleaning, and costs for early/late departures.  Most places include everything needed for cooking and also basic things like salt and pepper. Ask what is available so as not to end up buying things you don’t need. Many properties can be paid via Pay Pal.  Check to see how far the property is from where you want to be: on the beach isn’t the same

and as near the beach.  If people are flying in check on the ease of getting to/from the airport. If there is a security deposit make sure it is refunded or credited at the end of the stay.  Inquire about a damage deposit.  Inspect the property immediately after arrival.  Note anything that isn’t shipshape.

 If you find things missing or broken advise the owner immediately so you won’t be charged for something that was not your fault. Most properties have a handbook that lists what is in the house, rules, emergency numbers, and things to do in the area. 

There are times when it is cost-effective for two or three to stay in a vacation rental property.  This is often true in large cities such as New York. Again read the write up carefully.  In

NYC many of the places are walk-up apartments some on the fifth floor. When checking out places for two people in cities we have found that some involve sharing a bathroom and do not have a private access. Rentals are also a good idea when there is a major event like the Kentucky Derby or Rose Bowl. Vacation rental can make travel more affordable. 

Ten things to do in Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city is home to several iconic sites. It

is home to the Mohammed Ali Center and where the Louisville slugger is made. The city likes to be called the “Bourbon Capital of the World” but there are also beautiful parks, historical sites, and more. 

1. The River: Louisville owes its existence to the Ohio River.  Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Belle of Louisville or the Spirit of Jefferson. Landlubbers can relax in the city’s 85-acre Waterfront Park the site of many events. There is an overlook near 26th Street where people can see barges and other boats go through the McAlpine Lock and Dam.

2. Churchill Downs: Every May the Louisville Marching Band plays the derby’s signature song and 1000s of spectators join in singing, “My Old Kentucky Home,” before the beginning of the “Run for the Roses.” Daily tours of Churchill Downs are available and the adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum celebrates all aspects of racing.  Try their signature drink – a Mint Julep.
3. The Mohammad Ali Center: The tour of the center starts on

the third floor with a five-screen multimedia presentation called “If You Can Dream.” It provides an overview of Ali’s life and explains his six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving, and spirituality. It preserves the legacy of Mohammed Ali and inspires people to release the greatness within.

4. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: The museum details the history of the famous “slugger” bat.  It is a mix of exhibits. You can have your fast ball clocked. On view is the Louisville Slugger used by Joe DiMaggio to set his 56-game hitting streak. A film, “The Heart of the Game” gives insight to the game. 
5. Old Louisville: Old Louisville is home to one of the largest historic preservation districts in the nation. It has the country’s greatest collection of preserved Victorian architecture. For an illustrated brochure call Old Louisville Information Center (502) 635-5244. The perimeter is so large that five tours are suggested. 
6. Bourbon: Visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Museum situated

on the site of their first commercial distiller. Videos, dioramas, and displays explain the history of bourbon distilling that started in 1783. By law bourbon must be aged in new white oak barrels and distilled from USA-grown corn. Pick up a passport and follow the Bourbon Trail.

7. The Frazier History Museum: The Frazier details 1000 years of history. Their vast collection includes a rifle owned by George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick.” The “The Lewis and Clark Expedition” has many interactive and hands-on exhibits. There are daily historical presentations and live demonstrations. 
8. Art: The Speed Art Museum has a collection of art covering more than 6,000 years of man’s creativity. Explore the cultural diversity of Asia at the Asia Institute Crane House. There is plenty of street art including “Kentucky’s Rushmore” depicting Mohammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders, and Secretariat. 
9. Parks: In 1891 Frederick Olmstead, famed for designing

Central Park, designed Louisville’s park system based on his concept of parks connected to tree-lined parkways instead of freestanding parks. A 100-mile trail system that connects parks, neighborhoods and attractions. 

10. And More: There are plenty of diversions: golf courses, amusement parks, theaters, karting, and festivals.  Try Louisville’s signature dishes: the open-face Hot Brown Sandwich created at the Brown Hotel.  End a meal with a piece of the decadent Derby Pie, a tart made of walnuts and chocolate chips.  

Kentucky Derby Time

The most exciting Kentucky Derby for those of us who live in

Upstate New York was in 2003 when Funny Cide from Sackets Harbor “Ran for the Roses.” He was the first New York bred horse to win the Derby.  After Funny Cide won the Kentucky Derby the excitement continued when he went on to win the Preakness Stake. Excitement reached a fever pitch when Funny Cide ran in the Belmont Stakes. A win at Belmont would mean Funny Cide would earn the coveted Triple Crown. Alas, Funny Cide came in third but his name is in a place of honor at Churchill Downs with all the other Kentucky Derby winners. 

The gleaming white Churchill Downs has an elegant look and in front of the main entrance is a larger than life statue to Barbaro, winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby. On a visit to Louisville, Kentucky, John and I went to the Kentucky Derby Museum and toured Churchill Downs.  There are several tours: the Barnyard and Backside Van Tour was booked several days ahead but we were able to get tickets for Behind the Scenes

Walking Tour. The tour included the betting windows, the statue of jockey Pat Day (the all-time leading rider at Churchill Down), and the viewing areas.  The view of the race track was impressive.  I tried to imagine 170,000 people standing while the Louisville Marching Band played the derby’s signature song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” and most of the people singing along. Most likely visitors will not see many race horses but there is a paddock with two horses including a “resident thoroughbred,” Twinspired. The race is called “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.” There are many events leading up to race day which is always the first Saturday in May.  

The Kentucky Derby Museum has everything a race aficionado dreams of from jockey racing silks to a 360-projection of “The Greatest Race,” to a simulated horse race where visitors can try their skill as a jockey. When the race is televised they always show ladies in their extravagant derby hats.  The hats have their own dedicated section in the museum. After the race there is a contest for the most “outrageous” hats. About 25 hats are selected to be on display for a year. 

John and I had lunch at the Derby Café and imbibed on the

traditional derby cocktail – a Mint Julep made with mint and, of course, Kentucky bourbon. Each year almost 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend. The café also offers another specialty cocktail – the “Donerail: The Longest Shot.” It is served in a souvenir hand-blown shot glass. The drink pays homage to the 1913 Derby Winner who had the biggest long shot victory in the history of the Derby. With odds at 91-1, a $2 ticket paid out $184.90, which is what this unique cocktail costs. We passed on that Derby tradition and decided on another Kentucky specialty. Kentucky Burgoo, the state’s official dish, a mixture of at least three meats and plenty of vegetables; and, we ended with Derby Pie, a decadent chocolate and walnut tart in a pie shell. 

There are many other great places to visit in Louisville. While in Louisville we visited: The Mohammed Ali Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, the Frazier, and the Evan Bourbon Experience. 

Louisville is Bourbon and more

 I try to make sure every trip includes something interesting to see and do.  John and I were invited to a wedding in Louisville, Kentucky so we arrived a day early so we could explore Louisville.  It was our first trip to the city.  We headed to the West Main District that has some of the oldest structures in the city including some with cast iron facades. It is also the district that features Museum Row with several museums within walking distance of each other.   

We toured the Evan Williams Bourbon Museum. It is located on Louisville’s Whiskey Row across from the riverfront location where the Evan William’s distillery once stood.  I am not a bourbon connoisseur but I like to know the history of everything. Williams was the first commercial distiller.  I thought it was going to be a talk and sip tour but it was very well done.  The tour combines videos, dioramas, and displays to explain the history and distilling bourbon starting in 1783. I learned that all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. By law bourbon

must be aged in brand-new, charred white oak barrels, and it must be distilled in the United States to be called bourbon. Our tour ended in a “tavern” for a tasting.  Three different bourbons were sampled and we were taught how to sip bourbon like an expert. It is very well done. Dedicated bourbon sippers can go on the Bourbon Trail; pick up a passport, get it stamped at all the places and at the end you get a t-shirt. We passed on that. There were too many other things to see. 

Just down the street was the Frasier History Museum. I started on the top floor to explore the Lewis and Clark Experience.  I have always wanted to follow the trail of Lewis and Clark.  I admire people who explore the unknown. There was a cut-away replica of a keelboat, a Sioux tipi, and a Mandan earthen hut along with hands-on learning

displays. We had time to listen to one of their free daily historic interpretations.  It was called “Free Frank” and told about Frank McWhorter, a former slave who moved to Kentucky and worked to free the rest of his family from slavery. There were sections devoted to America’s wars. And, as you might expect, there was a section on the history of bourbon. Museums always have unique displays such as the Frazier’s Toy Soldier Collection. There are more than 10,000 figures making it one of the largest public displays of toy soldiers in the United States. 

On the way back to our hotel we drove through the one of the city’s Olmsted-designed parks. Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and his sons John and Frederick Jr. designed 18 parks and six parkways in Louisville creating an amazing amount of green space for the city.  Cherokee

Park was on the way to the hotel so we drove through it.  It was perfect.  We drove along the tree-lined 2.4 one-way Scenic Loop past beautiful residences.  There were several walking trails but we didn’t have time – next time. We stopped at a statue of Daniel Boone and at Hogan’s Fountain topped with a statue of the Greek God Pan and designed as a dog- and horse-watering fountain. The 409-acre park is has scenic stone bridges and plenty of recreational areas. It was a great way to end the day. 

Visit the Mohammed Ali Museum in Louisville, Kentucky

When John and I were in Louisville, Kentucky a friend suggested

we visit the Mohammad Ali Center. Truthfully, I wasn’t interested in visiting a museum devoted to a boxer but the museum was a wonderful surprise. The museum is located on the waterfront in a three-story building with a unique design. The tour starts on the third floor with a five-screen multimedia presentation called “If You Can Dream.” It provided an overview of Ali’s life and explained his six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving, and spirituality. It lays the groundwork for understanding Ali and the museum’s displays. Not only does it preserve the legacy of Mohammed Ali but inspires people to release the greatness within. 

Mohammed Ali certainly displayed confidence which caused some people to consider him an egotistical braggart.  And, I guess, he was but it becomes more understandable when I learned that Ali’s self-esteem and demeanor gave new confidence to black Americans during the Civil Rights era. Changing his name from Cassius Clay to Mohammed Ali makes

perfect sense when he explains why, not the least of which was the fact that Cassius Clay was a slave name. And, of he became a Muslim because he said, “The word 'Islam' means 'peace.' The word 'Muslim' means 'one who surrenders to God.' But the press makes us seem like haters.” I like his quote, “Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams - they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do - they all contain truths.”

Ali was right when he said, “After me there will never be another Mohammed Ali.” He always carried a copy of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If,” in his wallet for inspiration. I had to rememorize in school. I reread it and it certainly has thoughts to live by. Ali is known for touting his boxing prowess with his now famous quotes: “The Greatest,”  “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” and “If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize.”


One of the aspects of Ali’s life that I knew nothing about was his dedication to helping others. Ali is known as one of the greatest boxers of all time but his humanitarian side has received almost no press coverage; in part because he believes that charitable acts are a human obligation and should not be bragged about or broadcast. He said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”  The Giving Pavilion gives an insight to this aspect of his personality. In 1998 Mohammed Ali was appointed UN Messenger of Peace. He spoke out against Apartheid and “… brings people from all races together by preaching "healing" to everyone irrespective of race, religion or age.”  He has supported relief and development initiatives and has hand-delivered food and medical supplies to hospitals, street children and orphanages in Africa and Asia.

While John and I were there I watched a group of seventh grade students as they learned the aspects of “The Greatest.”  I could tell they were impressed but the part they enjoyed the most was the interactive exhibits where they could try their skill with the punching bag and learn basic boxing techniques from the video by Ali’s daughter, Laila.  His professional career is highlighted by a video projected on a full size boxing ring. Today his fight continues as he battles Parkinson’s disease.