TRAVEL Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

Two Years in the Rapids: a Photo Essay of Gratitude

September 10, 2015 By Tam Warner 13 Comments

Randy is the last guy on the left, I'm next to him. — Randy is the last guy on the left, I’m next to him.

Today marks the two year anniversary of my husband’s double lung transplant! We are celebrating by enjoying a trip to Aspen with another couple, who stood by us all the way. Yesterday, we whitewater rafted (and floated) the Colorado River, and I think that is a fair analogy of the last couple of years!

Our close friends are a gift, we are the back four!

I want to thank our friends and family who stood by us during a horribly uncertain time, and continue to give us their love and support. There really are no words to convey the depth of our gratitude…so here are some photos of the last two years.

Randy with two of the most amazing doctors one could ever meet: Srinvivas Bollenini and Vaidehi Kaza.

Randy with an ICU Nurse and the nurse who is the Transplant Clinic coordinator, Ann Cuddy.

We had fun riding bikes on the beach! — We had fun riding bikes on the beach with family in March 2015!

At Shamrockin' for a Cure, March 7. — At Shamrockin’ for a Cure, March 7.

Celebratory brunch at Lark on the Park. One year post!

19081_10206995981322030_292342406580576243_n — Alexandra and some of her “other moms”.

12896_10206550341181305_9115443269205552572_n — We welcomed a new member of the family in 2015!

t 14 jill don tam ran — In Lake Tahoe with Jill and Don 2014.

In January 2014, friends from around the country came to celebrate Randy's recovery. — In January 2014, friends from around the country came to celebrate Randy’s recovery.

11377223_10207104327270252_2938465203849296317_n — Family!

11412346_10207104573196400_8125096040605754638_n (1) — We will have two new family members this year!

11800161_10207021964137173_400018036028204392_n — Holly, Mande, and Dana are always there.

xmas eve 13 all of us — Celebrating the holidays 2013 with friends whom regard as family.

Thank you.

The Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen is Absolute Luxury!

September 7, 2015 By Tam Warner 11 Comments

ritz carlton residence, aspen, ritz carlton — Welcome to the Ritz Carlton Club in Aspen Highlands!

As one would expect from the Ritz Carlton, this Residence Club has everything. Our residence was lovely, with a view of the mountain. I can only imagine what it would look like in winter, because the ski lifts were a stone’s throw from our balcony. I could imagine all the snow and the skiers dashing down the mountain and then going back up. The Aspen Trees were just beginning to change color, and they shimmered within our view.

Fab Photos Friday: I am ready for Autumn!

September 3, 2015 By Tam Warner 6 Comments

I am off to Aspen on Saturday, hopefully to see gold Aspen trees! I will photograph the trip and share it with you all! In the meantime, as it is 100+ degrees in sunny Texas, I will post photos of beautiful Fall…

and dream about 70 degree weather!

My grandmother's old house in Ohio — My grandmother’s old house in Ohio

chs 12 mag turkey gobbler — Gobble gobble!

Stay tuned for reviews on Aspen, Colorado!

Monday Musings: Aspen

August 30, 2015 By Tam Warner 22 Comments

Aspen, Colorado! How often I’ve heard of that small ski town. I’m finally going to see it next weekend. Randy and I are headed off for a week with friends, and hope to see the Aspen Trees turn gold.

We’ve planned a float trip, a backroads Jeep drive, dinner at Justice Snow…is there anything we are missing that is a “must do” for Aspen? It will be interesting to see a town where selling weed is legal. I’ve watched several shows about the dispensaries, now I will see for myself.

I bought a new GOPRO with an LCD on it for our float trip and the Jeep ride. I’m really quite excited about seeing the mountains! We are staying at the Ritz Carlton Club residences…and I look forward to reviewing it!

So, folks, what do we need to see and do? What restaurants do you recommend? I really want your advice!

Empty Nesters Enjoy Austin: Stay at the Hyatt Regency Austin!

August 25, 2015 By Tam Warner 16 Comments

austin, Texas, Hyatt, empty nester — **A Room with a View at the Hyatt Regency Austin**

Empty Nesters, there is a lot to do in Texas! How about Austin? What do we really want to know about the Hyatt Regency Austin? The important stuff, right? Like the incredible location and views! Our recent stay was fabulous, and we enjoyed the view so much we didn’t even close the drapes at night…Austin looks mighty pretty as it twinkles in the dark!

austin, texas, empty nesters, hyatt — **Sparkly view at night**

One of the best perks was the online check-in. Check-in, and they email you when your room is ready. Don’t want to wait at the front desk? You don’t have to. Just pick up your keys at the kiosk. Love it!

The hotel feels big and airy as it has an atrium in the lobby of the hotel which goes all the way up. Very pretty!

The service is top notch. Any time I had a question or a request, boom! There it is. The staff is super friendly and helpful. A delight after staying in hotels where you are just a number.

Activities for Lady Bird Lake are right on the Hyatt’s doorstep. If you want to rent a paddleboard or kayak, there’s no better place to be.

The Hyatt hosts weddings and other events all the time…it is a fantastic venue for any occasion. Who wouldn’t want this backdrop for a special event!?

They serve a wonderful brunch at the Southwest Bistro, and their Pure Luck salad is delicious! The Bistro has views of the water and the cityscape. Soooo relaxing!

**Bat Fest. 1 1/2 million long tail Mexican bats live under the bridge! Yes….a great view of it! Next time I’m going out on a paddleboard to see them.**

What makes a hotel stay great? An inviting lobby area, friendly reception, and comfortable room are givens. These you expect, and the Hyatt Austin delivers these elements perfectly. In addition, they provide a great location, for in Austin, staying on Lady Bird Lake is the ultimate experience. Add an incredible view, friendly staff, good food, and Texas hospitality, and you have the Hyatt Austin. On your next trip to Austin, be sure to stay at the Hyatt, I guarantee you will be glad you did! And tell them Travels with Tam sent you!

*The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Funny Things Happened on the Way to Austin

August 22, 2015 By Tam Warner 14 Comments

A Room with a View at the Hyatt Regency Austin

Austin, Texas is one of those places known as “cool”. Austin has always been a cool place to be, whether you are a college student or a Texas politician *(it is the capitol of Texas). It is also a vibrantly active city. The river runs right through downtown (*but it is known as Town Lake, or Lady Bird Lake) and nature exists right in the heart of the city. People are jogging, paddle boarding, kayaking, walking…and there are dogs with their owners. Like I said, a very cool town.

15 kayla ally — Car trouble? Look on the bright side!

My husband and I drove down to Austin yesterday to visit with our son while our daughter and her friends are having her “bachelorette” weekend at Lake Travis, only an hour away. Coincidentally, our daughter’s car full of young women left Dallas about the same time we did. Lucky for them!

I received a call about 20 miles north of Temple, Texas from my niece who was in the car. “Tam, the air conditioning just suddenly went out. It’s not cold air.” Uh oh. That may not sound like a tragedy to people living in more temperate climes, but in Texas it is a calamity! They were driving an older Escalade, so I called the Cadillac dealership in Temple and arranged to meet the girls there.

They needed a new compressor. Did they have the part? No. Could they get the part? Yes. They really went out of their way at Garlyn Shelton Cadillac to help us! We spent 2 and a half hours with the young women (it is hard not to call them girls even though they are in their late twenties…a sure sign of advancing age) and we just laughed and said it’s another Minton adventure. Life is full of the unexpected, and since the unexpected seems to be the norm in my world, we just flow with it.

We ended up late to meet my son for dinner, and we were even later to our hotel, the Hyatt Regency Austin (the view is AMAZING!). We met our son at a delicious sandwich place called the Noble Sandwich Co. which has been featured on Food Network. Delicious? Oh yes, and we were very hungry!

Great meal! They even have a Knuckle Sandwich. Seriously.

So off to the Hyatt where our room awaited, and the view sparkled from our window. I know I am going to enjoy this stay!

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