Air Canada Executive First

Flew AC Executive First from Vancouver to Toronto, as I grabbed an incoming flight from Sydney. The new Executive Suites are wonderful. You sit in your own "pod" that converts to a full length flat bed. There are all kinds of creature comforts, including a large swing out flat screen TV, noise cancelling headsets, very cool lighting, and great food and wine.
Caught an Embraer 190 to Newark. Spent the night at a plain little hotel, right under the flight path (scary!), then off to GNI the next day.

19 lesbians and 3 fags

Managed to get ourselves invited over to Tahoe's biggest gay shindig, at Lynn and Stevies'. Gaggles of lesbians but just Craige, Greg and I representing the boys. What, no gay boys in the Tahoe??

The answer to this mystery lay in the fact that none other than the Queen of Disco herself, Donna Summer was playing in Reno that night. Apparently, every gay guy within a 300 mile radius was at her show.



















Oh well, more booze for us. And yes, boy did we all indulge.

Kayaking at 6300, Hiking at 8500

Craige, Greg and I loaded up the Pilot, grabbed Higgins (the dog) and headed up I-80 to the Sierra Nevadas, and beautiful Lake Tahoe. Their wonderful friends Dawn and Stephanie live up there in a pretty upscale place called Incline Village.

They have a wonderful house with a million dollar view of the lake. What followed was four days of gourmet dining (Steph, Craige and Greg are all great cooks), more sipping of fine California wines, great conversation, and just generally enjoying their home, complete with three decks and a very comfortable backyard.

We did manage to get out everyday, and get some serious exercise. The title of this blog reflects the elevations at which we did the exercise. Thursday evening (August 14, 2008) we did a "warm up" hike about their place at about 7500 feet in elevation. A bit steep at the beginning, but really pretty easy hike overall. I think it was about 2 miles, and the lack of oxygen was not too bad, but noticeable.

The next day we took a couple of kayaks down to the lake (6300 ft) and went out for about an hour and a half. It was a great way to see the increadible waterfront homes (mansions) on the lake. We managed to avoid a major water battle (although Steph looked like she really wanted to soak Dawn and Greg's kayak), and arrived back feeling pretty good. You will notice there is no mention of Craige in the activity section, he prefers to stay on shore or at home. Oh well, he does not know what he is missing.















With serious hangovers on Saturday morning (see next blog for the cause) we set out on a less ambitious hike than originally planned. It was still an excellent on, along the ridgeline about the lake. Stopped at a great granite formation overlooking the lake for lunch. Amazing for a Saturday, no one else there.
















Back to the house for another amazing meal. Boy, this is the life!

Veuve Clicquot - again......

Although Craige and Greg have been together many years, August 11, 2008 marks the one-year anniversary of their marriage (in Canada, of course).

So, for the second time this year, I find myself sipping Veuve Clicquot, third time if you count my "Christmas with the Gabors" (you don't want to know!).

If you find yourself sipping a lot of expensive champagne:

1) You are probably a lush
2) Your life is probably pretty exciting
3) You likely have some wonderful and generous friends

This was followed by:

Caprese Salad
Filet Mignon, with mushrooms and bernaise sauce
Roasted potatoes with fresh rosemary
Baby Asparagus with lemon
1997 Silver Oak Reserve Cabernet Saugvignon
Pluot Clafouti with vanilla ice cream (I know you have no idea what this is).

If you each send me 10 euros, I'll tell you what Pluot Clafouti is.

And this is only the first day!

Got off my Alaska Airlines flight the first day, August 9, and there was Craige waiting in SFO, prompt as always. Zipped back across the Bay Bridge, and sat in the backyard, listening to the fountain in the warm California sunshine (86 degrees).

I knew we were planning to go to a party sometime, but was not pleased to hear it was that night. Those of you who know me know that I am not a big mingler at all, and prefer small groups. Craige and Greg said we would have our own table, and mingling really was not necessary.

So - the party, private affair for winery members only and their guests at Clos du Val winery. I have been there a few times, and it is truly a beautiful setting. Went over to their friends Robert and Craig's in American Canyon, and the five of us set out up the Napa Valley.

We were ushered in just as the party was starting, so got a good parking space. As you can see by the pictures, we were nestled up against the winery right out by the vineyards themselves. It was a beautiful sunny evening.

The theme was Greek, and about half the guest were in costume. Greek Elvis and Greek Marilyn Merlot were the hits of the party. Food stations were set up spread out amoungst the vines, so there were no lineups, and it was very well organized. The shrimp and salmon were particularly good, and an entire lamb was being roasted over a spit (with apologies to my veg family/friends Laurie, Chris and Seth!).

Wine stations were also spread out, with only Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet being served - all excellent.

Then they announced they were pulling out the huge bottles of '77, '78 and '79 Cabernet Saugvignon, decanting them, and pouring generously. They did not just grab a few bottles, bottle after bottle was being pulled from the cellar all night; that way the wine was still the right temperature.

Everyone was quite loosened up by this point (read drunk), and all the Greek gods and godesses were dancing to some pretty fun music.

All in all, an excellent night, and amazing way to start this amazing trip.

Cheers!

Important notice about photos and access

Hi everyone,

Am finally figuring out my camera, this blog, my portable camera card reader, and my flickr account. So, guess I am ready to allow everyone access to my pictures. I have set it so anyone can see them (so pass on to anyone you think might be interested). I believe I have also blocked everyone from downloading my pictures. Any suggestions you all have would be much appreciated (especially from you techie people.

In order to view my photos, type in web address:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whereintheworldisneil/

Although you can do a slideshow from the homepage, it will be all my camera images in reverse order, so suggest you click on "sets"

Then, choose a set by title/picture

Then when in the actual set, click on slideshow (in the upper right hand corner).

Enjoy!

Alaska Airlines AS 224, Seat 1D

Don't know why I took such an early flight, but got up at 3:30 AM, and headed to the airport by taxi. Customs and security were fairly easy, and decided at the very least I would treat myself to the lounge (Chris would be proud!). I had been unable to upgrade to First Class on my web check-in, and mentioned this to the lady at the lounge desk. She said something about problems upgrading when flight continued on to foreign countries; all she was able to do was give me Priority Upgrade status, and suggested I talk to the gate agent ASAP.

I did exactly that, and ta-da, I was upgraded for a measly $50.

Flight was nice, lovely breakfast of fresh fruit, cranberry juice and a warm scone served on a real plate with tablecloth.

I asked the First Class flight attendant (Lorrie) if she would mind taking my picture. I said that I knew it was kind of tacky, and she said no it was not. I was telling her about my trip, and I swear she was more excited than me. She said she absolutely had to get a picture with me, and grabbed another FA to be the photographer. So here we are hugging in the aisle of the plane, the other passengers probably wondering what the hell is going on. As I said before, this trip, and my attitude about it, seem to be infectious.