We had a relaxing time snorkeling at Infinity Bay in Roatan, Honduras. You can see the video here:
We paid the resort fee to Infinity Bay so we would have chairs and umbrellas to sit under. They also had an awesome guard so we could snorkel without worrying about anyone taking our stuff. It was totally worth the money!
They also had a waiter there to bring us food and drinks. There was an additional charge for the food (it wasn’t included in the resort fee), but it was tasty!
Most importantly, the snorkeling was AMAZING! I filmed so many different species of fish that I felt as if I were in an aquarium instead of swimming in the ocean. I wish I could have stayed there a week!
Mike and I went on a cruise on the Mexican Riviera and in Cabo San Lucas, we went whale watching on the Caborey catamaran. They didn’t disappoint, because we saw a lot of whales playing in the water.
It was really hard to get good pictures of the whales breaching, but I got some video. You can see it here:
We went on the Caborey, which is a large catamaran that you can buy tickets to ride. Here is a video about it:
This week’s postcard was sent to Mrs. E. P. Bejot in Ainsworth, Nebraska on June 23, 1959.
The postcard reads:
Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile, Ala.
Fountain and Courtyard, looking toward the Isle-Au-Oies River along one of the picturesque flagstone walks.
Pub. by Deep South Specialties, Inc., P.O. Box 1802, Jackson, Miss.
Color photo by WM. W. Lavendar
The letter to Mrs. Bejot reads:
Henrie has a 3 Day Pass, so we drove over here this a.m. to visit some of the interesting places. Went thru these 60 acres of Bellingrath Gardens this afternoon – really fabulous. Stopped at Pensacola as they came over, went thru old J. R. Pickens, etc. – will go back tomorrow. Is pretty hot here now but am so thankful for air conditioners – have a good one in motel where we are staying tonite. Hope all are well.
Love, Pearle
Pearle sent many postcards to Mrs. Bejot over the years and this one is beautiful. She must have been a devoted friend/daughter/sister. However they were related, Mrs. Bejot saved Pearle’s postcards with care.
Bellingrath Gardens still enthralls visitors today.
I saw this vintage advertisement and it made me think of Las Vegas.
The best way to win it big in Las Vegas is EASY. Here is the secret:
DO NOT GAMBLE!
If you go to Las Vegas, stay in a nice hotel for a low price, eat at the fancy restaurants for nearly nothing and enjoy the museums, exhibits and attractions without gambling, then you come out a winner every time.
The best part of my job is seeing your child’s face as they meet their “best friend.” Don’t ruin it by rushing them for a pic. Hearing them talk is the best part!
I love knowing that the people who play the characters at Disneyland actually CARE about the kids. I had seen an inkling of it, watching them sign the autograph books for the children, but knowing that my thoughts are true makes me want to visit The Happiest Place on Earth again.
How long until I can go to Disneyland again?
PostSecret‘s beneficiary is the National Hopeline Network. It is a 24-hour hotline (1 (800) SUICIDE) for anyone who is thinking about suicide or knows someone who is considering it.
This week’s postcard was sent to Mrs. Eugene Bejot in Ainsworth, Nebraska on October 1963.
The postcard reads:
Logging Truck
One of the most thrilling sights in the West is these large diesel trucks hauling logs on mountain roads.
The letter to Mrs. Bejot reads:
Wed a.m.
Hi: Wish you were here! It has been warm and sunny. Watched the bowling games last nite. Melvin plays. Gail will be 13 tomorrow and we are going to her b.d. party Thurs eve. Mildred and I have just been to the store, they do have such nice grocery stores here and close enough to walk to. Will be leaving Seattle at 8 am Sunday.
Bye now, Maude
The postmark is from Everett Washington, which is a small town north of Seattle.
Because it was so close to the Sands Expo Center, it was a convenient hotel for us. Unfortunately, that’s where the love for the hotel died. Geography and location are important for any real estate property, but CONDITION trumps it in this case.
The Imperial Palace looked like it was waiting for the implosion. From the stained carpets to the inattentive staff, the hotel had an air of resigned finality to it. I took the obligatory pictures of the Hotel SWAG and the room.
We stayed in room 17112.
Here is the Hotel SWAG:
You don’t need to pack a hair dryer:
Each room also has an iron and board so you can smooth out the wrinkles on your suitcase-squashed clothes.
I really hate it when a hotel assumes that I’ll steal from them. I know this sign has more to do with the kind of clientele that frequent an establishment than the establishment itself, but I HATE being treated like a criminal for no reason.
Worst of all, the toilet struggled to flush every time. It was so bad that Mike and I actually bought a plunger just in case. Considering how bad the maintenance was on the property, we had no hope that they would be able to provide us with a plunger if there was an incident. Here is a video of the toilet trying its best to flush.
To be fair, the toilet never plugged up and we didn’t have to use the plunger. However, the toilet wasn’t the only thing having trouble draining. The tub and sink had slow drains as well.
The whole hotel felt like it was just waiting to die. According to Wikipedia, it is:
During a conference call with investors on November 20, 2005, the Chairman for Harrah’s, Gary Loveman, noted that both the Imperial Palace and neighboring O’Sheas “are going to require very substantial modifications or complete tear-downs and rebuilds” in order to make room for a Harrah’s and/or Flamingo expansion on the Strip.[1] However, since then, Harrah’s has invested millions of dollars into refurbishing both the hotel rooms and the casino itself.
In July 2009, Harrah’s announced new plans for the area around the Imperial Palace, O’Shea’s, and Flamingo casinos, confirming that the Imperial Palace will not be demolished at this time.
Since the economy tanked, Harrah’s just seems to be waiting to do ANYTHING to the hotel, even clean the carpets. I liked how close it was to the Expo Center, but considering its tenuous grasp on life, I think I might have to say goodbye to the Imperial Palace.
Update 06-15-11: In July 2009, Harrah’s announced new plans for the area around the Imperial Palace, O’Shea’s, and Flamingo casinos, confirming that the Imperial Palace will not be demolished at this time.
Update 01-03-12: According to Wikipedia, The Imperial Palace has been renamed The Quad Resort and Casino:
On September 17, 2012, Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced that Imperial Palace will be renamed “The Quad Resort and Casino.” The official conversion was completed on December 21, 2012.
Here is a picture of what the new casino should look like:
This week’s postcard was sent to Mrs. E. P. Bejot in Ainsworth, Nebraska on July 11, 1962.
The postcard reads:
Seattle World’s Fair from Queen Ann
Color photo by Mike Roberts
The letter to Mrs. Bejot reads:
Dear Grace,
I hope all is well with you but I know it’s a big worry with Gene sick. I went to the fair one day and want to go again. Was clear up on top of the tall Space Needle. Wonderful views up there. Nearly 4 million folks have been there all ready. Is not expensive as was rumored. I’ll write soon.
Love, Calla L.
The Space Needle has become Seattle’s most recognizable landmark, but it was built for the 1962 World’s Fair. You can find out more here:
The Century 21 Exposition (also known as the Seattle World’s Fair) was a World’s Fair held April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962 in Seattle, Washington, USA.[1][2] Nearly ten million people attended the fair.[3] Unlike some other World’s Fairs of its era, Century 21 ran a profit.[3]
As planned, the exposition left behind a fairground and numerous public buildings and public works; some credit it with revitalizing Seattle’s economic and cultural life (see History of Seattle since 1940).[4] The fair saw the construction of the Space Needle and Alweg monorail, as well as several sports venues and performing arts buildings (most of which have since been replaced or heavily remodeled). The site, slightly expanded since the fair, is now called Seattle Center; the United States Science Pavilion is now the Pacific Science Center. Another notable Seattle Center building, the Experience Music Project, was deliberately designed to fit in with the fairground atmosphere, but was built nearly 40 years later.
You can still visit the Space Needle today and go “clear up on top.”
From the top of the Needle, one can see not only the Downtown Seattle skyline, but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay and surrounding islands. Photographs of the Seattle skyline often show the Space Needle in a prominent position, even appearing to tower above the rest of the city’s skyscrapers, as well as Mount Rainier in the background. This occurs because the tower, which is equivalent in height to a 60-story building, stands roughly four-fifths of a mile (1.3 km) northwest of most downtown skyscrapers.
This week’s postcard was sent to Mrs. Natalie Donovan in Cleveland, Ohio on October 23, 1943.
The postcard reads:
Looking down Logan Canyon, near Ogden and Logan, Utah
Only a few minutes from the business center of Ogden, this canyon is one of the main scenic attractions of Utah. Fully paved, it affords a beautiful route to Snow Basin and Monte Christo parks in the recreational area.
Pub. by Ogden News Co., Ogden, Utah
Natural color post card made in U.S.A. by E. C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wis. – (EAL)
The letter to Mrs. Natalie Donovan reads:
Hello Natalie,
Passing thru Utah now. Mountain scenery is gorgeous. Wish you were along with me.
Will write later, and tell you all about everything.
Love, Evelyn
Logan Canyon is still a pretty mountain drive, even today. You can read more about it here:
