Pearce Esplanade

Monday, February 17, 2014

Goodbye Tundra, Hello Desert!

Thanks to encouragement from Lexi and Sarah, I'm attempting my first blogs from my iPhone - from our balcony at Canyon Villas/Desert Ridge in Phoenix.

Welcome to "our desert" with the first stop at Pinnacle Peak where we did a hike almost to the top - we are working on getting back into hiking form.

I am obsessed with learning the names of the cacti, and below you will see the iconic saguaro and then the teddy bear cholla.

If this works, more to come ( though I can't figure out how to delete the pic I put in twice - oops!)

Thursday, October 24, 2013

New Hampshire Discoveries

We visited the White Mountains in New Hampshire recently but missed the peak foliage. However, there were still many interesting sites and much beauty to admire.

View from atop the granite cliffs of Cathedral Ledge.

Secluded Elbow Pond. A search for moose here was not successful. But we did find beavers nearby.

Poet Robert Frost's New Hampshire home.

Barb searches for moose in the wild.

Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods.

Historic covered bridge on the Swift River.

A boots-eye view of a hiking trail in the White Mountains National Forest.

Hiking on a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Be warned!


Beavers have been busy in this pond. We visited after dark one evening and could hear many beavers chewing madly at the tree trunks and bark. They worked "hard as beavers."

Barb on a creek walk.

Jim stands atop a huge beaver dam while inspecting the rodents' handiwork.

At long last, Barb finds a moose!

Friday, July 19, 2013

July Fun Moments

July fun included visits to Edgewater Park and Progressive Field in Cleveland, plus some family time--all as seen in the following photos.

Sunrise at Edgewater Park.

Dinner "out" with Kathy, Margaret and Brian.

Barb and John Adams, the Indians' drummer-in-the-bleachers, share a fun pre-game moment in home run alley at Progressive Field.

Patti and John proudly display their team spirit at Progressive Field.

Sunset at Edgewater Park.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Carly and Tiffany were recently honored by the Federal government's Small Business Administration, Cleveland District, as the Small Business of the Year 2013. The Cleveland District covers 28 counties in Northern Ohio, from Indiana to Pennsylvania. The awards ceremony was held at Coast to Coast on June 27. Congratulations Carly and Tiffany!


With Award presenters including SBA District Director Gil Goldberg (on Tiffany's left) and Ohio Commerce Bank CEO Del Duncan (on Carly's left).

Tiffany speaks with Valley View Mayor Jerry Piasecki.

Carly and Tiffany explain how an aerial lift operates.

Employees of Coast to Coast Equipment and Ohio High Reach.

Carly and Grandmama Lois Zoll.

Carly and Gil Goldberg prepare to go up in a lift.

Video: Thank You!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Party Travel Party Travel

We really do have jobs, but we have also been sandwiching in party - travel - party - travel. And it's been great! First party, celebrating Carly's 29th birthday with Tiffany, Jen and Tom in California. Our base was La Costa where we spent a long weekend. Tiffany planned a fabulous dining extravaganza for the official birthday celebration starting with a private wine tasting.

Next stop Phoenix for some spring training baseball action, then on to Sedona. Our friend, John, was a great host and took us on some hikes with breathtaking views. Ask us about Devil's Bridge....

Later in the month we were delighted to be invited to help our dear friend, Birgitta, celebrate her birthday. It was so special to be a part of that event with her entire family.

We ended this cycle with a quick trip to northern Virginia. It was so nice to see spring as it hadn't yet hit Ohio. We were totally entertained by the Michaela and Nathan. And their parents did a fine job keeping us well fed and busy for a packed weekend. Lexi - don't forget I want your recipe for that red lentil soup - yum!