#1 hotel…Philly–

The Rittenhouse down here in Philadelphia, PA is one of our favorite hotels in the great northeast of the U.S. of A….in fact, this place gets our vote for the number one sleep spot in town.

Located on Rittenhouse Square (of course), this joint is close to everything you want to see, eat and do here. . .it’s even close to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia where one can learn about the history of vaccines–so apropos for NOW–and where we hope vital work is taking place to assist the process of locking down a Covid-19 vaccine…or some kind of discussion or contemplation of such…or possibly an emailed suggestion or three being sent to the powers-that-be who are working on this stuff.

The staff of The Rittenhouse are helpful and welcoming…the rooms are large and cozy…the views are various urban landscapes of central Philly…and the food and drink on hand are totally satisfying. . .mmmm, aaaah!

When the pandemic lockdown is over plan a trip to Philadelphia and consider a stay in The Rittenhouse…they will be eager for your business when this baloney is over.

Until then, stay home, read some good books, cuddle with a loved one or three and keep enjoying the passage of time.

It’s lovely out there.

#1 dining spot…Philadelphia–

POW!  Here we are putting on a major feed at a joint called Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia…this is easily the number-one dining spot in Philly–let’s check it out and see what’s what before they shut it down for the global pandemic.

This place is owned and operated by one of America’s great chefs: Marc Vetri.  This dude (a multiple James Beard award winner) has studied throughout Italy and the U.S….in 1998 he opened this restaurant located in a lovely townhouse on Spruce Street in the heart of Philadelphia, and he has been rockin’ it ever since–for 22 years now. . .mmmm, aaaahh!

What a joy to gobble here before the global pandemic forces everyone to shut down…during this din-din we devour the following: antipasti that include hamachi crudo, bison tartar with caviar, sweet onion crepe with truffle fondue, fritto misto, prosciutto cotto…pastas that include spinach gnocchi, almond tortellini, ricotta ravioli…secondi that include roasted goat–INCREDIBLE–and squab with boudin noir…and desserts that include pistachio flan, chocolate polenta souffle and piccola pasticceria–mmmmm, aaaaaahh!

All of this goodness is washed down with Negronis, Prosecco, a bottle of Etna white, and icy-cold limoncello at the very end–WOW!

This Marc Vetri dude and his entire team can cook magically…everything we are served is prepared exquisitely and perfectly–we can’t believe how good it all is. . .the entire staff are warm, welcoming and extremely helpful–everyone makes us feel great…the restaurant space is soothing and cozy–we request a cozy-corner when we reserve online, and when we arrive they direct us to the most magical cozy-corner table in the place–could not be happier with our seating–jaaaa!

In short, Vetri Cucina ROCKS!

We have heard about Vetri and his restaurant many times over the years, and we are happy that we finally drove down from New York City and did dinner here.  We hope to return again and again.

If you ever find yourself hangin’ in Philadelphia and lookin’ for somethin’ good to eat, then book a spot at Vetri Cucina. . .you will love it too much–I gar-ron-taaaaayy!

It’s lovely and tasty out there.

Don’t touch your face–

Totally easy to avoid touching your face when both hands are occupied with a double-fisted snack of roast beef and roast pork sandwiches at the famous Cherry Street Tavern here in Philadelphia, PA. . .mmmm, aaaahh!

We are wandering the empty streets of Philly staying away from other folks…maintaining healthy social distancing…then we come upon one of the oldest bars in town.  We peak inside, it’s empty, the staff beckon us inside. . .feels good and clean and safe here for the moment so we get busy with some brews and sandwiches.

Cherry Street is famous for their juicy roast beef sandwich…the pork one is also good…we inhale these things, suck down our beers and head on our way.  The staff are appreciative, and we feel good about bringing a little business just before everything is ordered to shut down.

Once this global pandemic passes, I recommend that you head on over to the Cherry Street Tavern–located on, you guessed it, Cherry Street, for some good grub and tasty brews. . .these sandwiches are delectable, the staff are chill and welcoming, and the vibes are soothing and substantial in this 100-plus-year-old bar that has survived much worse than is happening right now.  They will be happy to serve you once the huge upswing and relief arrive–cheers!

It’s lovely out there…though shut down at the moment.

Social distancing with style–

BAM!  This social distancing thing is quite easy when no one is around…we hang at the house, pop out when the streets are empty, and pop back in when it gets ‘crowded.’

What a lovely time for reflection…for contemplating the mystery of existence–which remains unsolved…and for appreciating being right here, right now.

As Buddha say, “you are always exactly where you are supposed to be”…now is a great time for everyone to remind themselves that when some doors close, others open. . .we are excited about the huge upswing that is coming for all of us after this thing is addressed and managed–so much more good stuff to come–jaaaa!

But right now the universe wants you to be still, stay home and pause–so DO IT with style.

Keep your distance…wash your hands often and thoroughly…hang with your loved ones…and send out good vibes to the entire universe.

It’s lovely out there…though very quiet at the moment.

On the road in America–

BAM!  So we load up our U-Haul, and head to the midwest region of the U.S. where we are setting up a new base camp for the time being.  The George Washington Bridge is a gateway back to the mainland. . .we cross it excitedly as we wave goodbye to Manhattan in our rearview mirror–she has been good to us, oh-so-very-good–“sayonara for now our dear friend”. . .but the open road (Interstate 80 in this particular case) beckons ahead of us leading who-knows-where. . .we are open to the adventure ahead, but we need a clean windshield to ensure a clear and proper focus as we move upward and onward.  There are always storms lurking about–like the one above, and we know what to do with them: laugh and drive right through the heart of them because on the other side lies magical stuff–jaaaa!!

Get on over here to America, rent a car, and drive all over the place. . .the roads are smooth and plentiful. . .we can drive for thousands of miles and feel the pulse of the universe, and it is good. . .mmmm, aaaaahh!

I send you open-ended vibes from Interstate 80 here in the northeast of the United States. . .feel them. . .they are good for your spirit.

To see more amazing images from around our teeny-tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

On the road–

WOW!  Great day for a drive. . .the sky is blue-blue-blue, the clouds are puff-puff-puffy, and the traffic is min-min-minimal. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  Plus, it is always fun to stand at the highest point on I-80 east of the Mississippi–2,250 feet above sea level just about smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania. . .fortunately I have lots of experience in high altitude environments so I do not require supplemental oxygen.  I love toolin’ along on I-80 in Pennsylvania, and you will too if you ever find yourself wanderin’ around in the northeast of the United States.

I send you big-sky/open-road vibes from I-80. . .feel them. . .they will help you clear your head.

To see more wonderful images from around our tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .the world awaits you right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.