Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


A Field Breakfast




Last night, when we were getting the Chinese takeaway, DH and I spotted this.






Aside from the Merlin statue.....






...the Field Café, with the Conscious Cuisine, struck a chord in both of us.






So after we packed up the car and said goodbye to the house, we headed on to The Field for breakfast. We had checked out the menu last night and decided that there was enough there to keep all of us satisfied for breakfast.






There was another reason for us being here....but it certainly wasn't for the coffee. The Field says that they serve organic coffee. And they might do that....but the way they brew it....still tastes like Nescrape to me. *sigh*






DH did much better with a herbal tea.






I didn't even get a chance to take a shot of the delicious hot chocolate.






The smile says it all.






The food? Well....it was pretty good.

My eggs were a little over-poached; but aside from that, the breakfast potatoes were great.






And the rye bread was pretty amazing. It was so good that DH ordered a serve for himself.







The Good Morning Crepes was the standout for breakfast. It might have been a little sweet for my tastes but the whole wheat pancakes were amazing.






DH went with the Sweet Quinoa bowl. Probably one of the best quinoa breakfasts we've had in quite a while. It was warm and hearty and delicious.







It was to be the perfect start to our day.



(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


In Search Of…..A Loose Screw




The arm of my glasses needed repair and we googled! There was an Eye Glass Centre off where the Field was located. So, whilst it did offer a great breakfast, the location was perfect in that we could sit and enjoy breakfast and then mosey on down to the Eye Glass place when it opened.


I know I said I would refrain from making any jokes about loose screws and all that (anyone believe me??). But would you believe that the lady that helped me with my spectacles was called Debbie? Yes. Debbie Does....fix my loose screw. She found a spare screw in her drawers and attached the arm back on my glasses.



I think she was going to charge me for the service but when she found out I was travelling from Australia, she waived me straight through....after we spent a few minutes talking about places to travel.



Thank you Debbie!






(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


In Search Of…..Another Lens Fix or Not




With one glasses fixed, I hoped for a similar success on the other sort of glass. We let our fingers do the googling last night and realised that there was a camera shop in Uptown Sedona.


That meant a stop....and a shop.


We found the camera shop easy enough. It was right on the 89A.






I was to find out that it is all about the camera gear in here.

Tom Kelly is somewhat of a minor celebrity in Sedona. Aside from owning and running Rollies Camera Store, his pictures of Sedona are some of the best known in the area. And he was behind the counter today.

This store gets a lot of tourist trade; as was evident by the number of people in there. I walked in and was practically ignored by Tom until there was no one else left to serve. I don't normally mind; but it was pretty obvious when Tom started to help people who walked in AFTER me.

He did eventually come my way and I started to explain my problem whilst I was pulling my gear out.



What a difference the gear made!


As soon as he saw my lens and camera, he was all ooh's and aah's. Turns out the lens/camera I walk around with is also his favourite combination to walk around with as well. After that, he was all chatty and even got someone else out of the back of the store to watch the shop front so he could help me.


He did everything possible that you could do without opening up the lens. He cleaned the contacts on camera and lens, he looked at shooting in different modes and even put the lens on his camera. Nothing fixed the problem and only confirmed that the problem was with the lens; not the camera. We even discussed alternative lens options that he had in his store but he knew that he didn't have anything that would suit my needs for this trip; so he didn't bother much. He did manage to sell me his 2014 Wall Calendar instead; so I didn't feel too badly for taking up close on 45 minutes of his time.


Tom Kelly was so attentive that I felt like a local celebrity myself. And to add to the ambience, we attracted one camera groupie.....she also shot with Canon and had overheard us talking about this error message. She was really curious to see what the message looked like as she had never experience an error message that low before (it was error 01).


So, with no favourite lens to play with for the rest of the trip, I was going to have to rethink my shooting for the rest of the road trip and for WDW. In the end, I'm pretty happy with my set of pictures on this trip and it all worked out. It might not have been what I had expected; but there will be no further complaints about my missing toy for the rest of this trip.

For those interested, I ended up shooting the rest of this trip using the ultra wide angle lens and the 50 mm prime.



Just to close off the lens chapter, there was one other time on this trip that I really wished I had that lens....and that was when I got to WDW. But that was just at the start, when I was feeling a bit apprehensive about not having a fast zoom lens to play with; and again, it did work out.


Again for those interested, it turns out that one of the focussing rings inside the lens had cracked. The part costs $3.50; but it cost me $$$ to fix for the labour and service fee.


Not. Happy. About. Being. Slugged. For. Exhorbitant. Service. Fees!

 

[dhorner233]

YUM! What happened w/your glasses? Did I miss that? You are not walking around w/o glasses at this point, are you?

 

[PrincessInOz]

YUM! What happened w/your glasses? Did I miss that? You are not walking around w/o glasses at this point, are you?

When I went to bed, the glasses were fine.

When I woke up, one of the arms on the glasses just came away from the rest of the specs. The screw on the one side was missing. I don't know where it disappeared to or when it fell off; but I don't think it was missing when I went to bed. It just wasn't there when I woke up.

Can you imagine walking around without spectacles? I can't see more than 3 feet in front of me without mine.

It was the most uncomfortable 3 hours of this trip for me. It was just as well that Sedona had 2 optometry shops. I think I would have made DH drive back to Phoenix if we didn't get that screw fixed.

 

[ejud]

A Very Quiet Night
After the train ride, it was time to head home.

DH and I did stop off along the road that heads down to the house. There was a stop-off point along the way and the views were pretty good.

Hehehehee... ya think?

It just occurred to me while I read the final entry of this episode, did you ever Google Error 01?

My Scooter broke- they wanted 600 just for the part, new rear end... I finally figured it out and managed to find a supplier and replace the $5 bearing... Sorry about your lens!



Jud

 

[ACDSNY]

Wonderful update on looking at the bright side. I'm glad you were able to get your glasses fixed easily.

I love the water reflection pics and the one of your DS smiling with hot chocolate, priceless.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I finally caught back up with everything going on lately.

You enjoy riding trains? Really?

My DS used to be train mad when he was little. His first real words was "trai...trai..."; which he said when we were waiting at a railway crossing in Melbourne.

I have a friend that makes train videos/DVD and sells them at the specialty train shops. He gave me one of his DVDs. Aside from some commentary at the start, the entire 2 hour long DVD is filled with his clips of trains in Victoria; over 110 little clips....all complete with train noises, whistles and not much else. When he was little, DS used to sit and watch it for HOURS! And he used to rock on the chair going "choo, choo, choo, choo, chooooo".




I think he's gonna kill me if he ever finds out I overshared this tidbit of information.

I really love trains when I was a young kid. My mom takes me to Old Sacramento to ride the trains and we go to the California State Railroad Museum. I did tell you that my favorite ride at DL is the Monorail. In my child days I rode the Monorail, the DLRR and Casey Jr.

I was just like your DS when I was a little kid in which I love watching, riding, and playing with trains.

That is neat that your friend sells videos of trains. I might would like to see it.


The train ride looks very interesting that if I ever ride the Verde Canyon Railroad, this will be something that I will want to do. All of your scenery shots are very nice. The first class experience on the ride is the way to go even though you didn't have good seats. I really like your pictures when you took pictures of the train on the side.

Very nice scenery shots after the train ride. Nice to hear that you were able to fix your glasses that morning.

The Field Cafe looks very interesting place to have breakfast.

That was neat that you were able to go to Tom Kelly camera shop. Sorry to hear that you weren't able to use your everyday lens. I will say that your pictures with your 50mm prime lens will be as good.

 

[zanzibar138]

When I saw that menu, I was so hoping someone had the good morning crepes I think I will have to go just for that

So glad you were able to get your glasses fixed so quickly and easily, and very good of Debbie to not charge you after all Too bad the lens wasn't so easy to fix

 

[kmedina]

It is so beautiful there. I bet weddings are lovely on that area. The breakfast looked as good as you described. It looks like they served slightly healthier options. Crap loves quinoa.

I have lost a screw from my glasses before as has Crap. Luckily for me, mine were reparable. His snapped and would cost more to fix than replace. It was nice of the lady to fix it for free.

So sorry about the camera lens. It was nice that you met with the local camera celebrity for 45 minutes (guess it actually paid to wait until last to be served).

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[rentayenta]

Wow wow wow is right. What a wonderful day. My father in law has traveled a lot by train and its his favorite way to see the country. If we ever make it that way, this is on my list. I certainly can't tell you had lens issues because your photos are stunning.

I'm sorry your sandwich wasn't good. I have yet to find a great turkey/cranberry combo that trumps an actual Thanksgiving Day leftover turkey sandwich. The boys food looks really good though.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Wow wow wow is right. What a wonderful day. My father in law has traveled a lot by train and its his favorite way to see the country. If we ever make it that way, this is on my list. I certainly can't tell you had lens issues because your photos are stunning.

I'm sorry your sandwich wasn't good. I have yet to find a great turkey/cranberry combo that trumps an actual Thanksgiving Day leftover turkey sandwich. The boys food looks really good though.

Earl of Sandwich has a sandwich that we wait for every year delicious at WDW

All caught up ! I commented on my report how much I loved the necklace you got, so very nice not your typical bright blue turquois The house that you rented is stunning If money was no object that is exactly what I would love to have built I fell in love with the glass blocks over the bed that DS had I have no words for the moon shots, breathtaking is all I could think of So much more to say and right now I can't think of a thing just know that I have been reading along and enjoying every minute of your USA trek

 

[dolphingirl47]

I absolutely love that first photo of the scenery on the way back although they are all pretty stunning. Breakfast looked lovely. I glad that you managed to get your glasses fixed and that you got to talk shop at the camera store.

Corinna

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome pics!

 

[Pinkocto]

Shame on that gremlin! What a pain how nice she didn't charge you.

Breakfast looks delicious.

The first picture of the tree is stunning.

The whole camera store and being ignored would have driven me crazy. His attitude did a 180 once he saw you were worthy of his time...

 

[franandaj]

Such nice pictures. I'm sure that Fran would have told me that the café was far too healthy for her to dine at! I know what you mean about the glasses, I lost mine in the house a couple years ago when I only had one pair. Now I have at least one to two back ups, so in case I lose them again (at home), I'm OK, but I know how you felt!

I forgot that you went to the Grand Canyon. Looking forward to hearing about that!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hehehehee... ya think?

It just occurred to me while I read the final entry of this episode, did you ever Google Error 01?

My Scooter broke- they wanted 600 just for the part, new rear end... I finally figured it out and managed to find a supplier and replace the $5 bearing... Sorry about your lens!



Jud

I did google Error 01; so I knew it was going to be a dirty contact or an expensive fix for something inside. There were a number of options that people were reporting as what would cause this error; so I didn't want to open up the lens (even if I knew how to) and go messing about in there (as I really had no idea what I was doing).

Wonderful update on looking at the bright side. I'm glad you were able to get your glasses fixed easily.

I love the water reflection pics and the one of your DS smiling with hot chocolate, priceless.

That's one of my favourite pics as well. Thanks!

I finally caught back up with everything going on lately.




I really love trains when I was a young kid. My mom takes me to Old Sacramento to ride the trains and we go to the California State Railroad Museum. I did tell you that my favorite ride at DL is the Monorail. In my child days I rode the Monorail, the DLRR and Casey Jr.

I was just like your DS when I was a little kid in which I love watching, riding, and playing with trains.

That is neat that your friend sells videos of trains. I might would like to see it.


The train ride looks very interesting that if I ever ride the Verde Canyon Railroad, this will be something that I will want to do. All of your scenery shots are very nice. The first class experience on the ride is the way to go even though you didn't have good seats. I really like your pictures when you took pictures of the train on the side.

Very nice scenery shots after the train ride. Nice to hear that you were able to fix your glasses that morning.

The Field Cafe looks very interesting place to have breakfast.

That was neat that you were able to go to Tom Kelly camera shop. Sorry to hear that you weren't able to use your everyday lens. I will say that your pictures with your 50mm prime lens will be as good.

Next time I see my friend, I'll see what I can do. That railroad museum in OldSac is amazing. I visited in 2007. Shame I didn't know any of you then.

Bret - I think I've mentioned it enough times for you to appreciate the irony of this statement "It's about the photographer; not the equipment." Yes, I'm happy with the pictures I got for the rest of the trip.

When I saw that menu, I was so hoping someone had the good morning crepes I think I will have to go just for that

So glad you were able to get your glasses fixed so quickly and easily, and very good of Debbie to not charge you after all Too bad the lens wasn't so easy to fix

Actually, the lens was pretty easy to fix. It's just that it wasn't easy to find a Canon service centre whilst on the road.

Glad you liked the crepes.

It is so beautiful there. I bet weddings are lovely on that area. The breakfast looked as good as you described. It looks like they served slightly healthier options. Crap loves quinoa.

I have lost a screw from my glasses before as has Crap. Luckily for me, mine were reparable. His snapped and would cost more to fix than replace. It was nice of the lady to fix it for free.

So sorry about the camera lens. It was nice that you met with the local camera celebrity for 45 minutes (guess it actually paid to wait until last to be served).

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Tom Kelly was actually pretty nice once he got round to helping me.

I did have my sunglasses with me as backup...but I looked ridiculous wearing them at night.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow wow wow is right. What a wonderful day. My father in law has traveled a lot by train and its his favorite way to see the country. If we ever make it that way, this is on my list. I certainly can't tell you had lens issues because your photos are stunning.

I'm sorry your sandwich wasn't good. I have yet to find a great turkey/cranberry combo that trumps an actual Thanksgiving Day leftover turkey sandwich. The boys food looks really good though.

Thanks Jenny. Glad you're enjoying the pictures. And I hope you and the family make it on this train ride.

We have cafe's/carvery's in Melbourne that have Roast Turkey every day. So, we can get a turkey/cranberry combo like you'd make with leftover Turkey. I thought it was the same in Grapes. I checked my notes for that lunch....aside from the not Roast Turkey, it was the cranberry sauce as well. I think they mixed it with a cheesy spread. The flavours were just a little 'off' for my taste buds.

And yes, the boys food were very good.

Earl of Sandwich has a sandwich that we wait for every year delicious at WDW

All caught up ! I commented on my report how much I loved the necklace you got, so very nice not your typical bright blue turquois The house that you rented is stunning If money was no object that is exactly what I would love to have built I fell in love with the glass blocks over the bed that DS had I have no words for the moon shots, breathtaking is all I could think of So much more to say and right now I can't think of a thing just know that I have been reading along and enjoying every minute of your USA trek

Thanks! I was definitely looking for something that didn't have those typical bright blue colours in it. I was so glad I found it in Jerome.

Keep checking in. I have some sunset and sunrise shots to come.

I absolutely love that first photo of the scenery on the way back although they are all pretty stunning. Breakfast looked lovely. I glad that you managed to get your glasses fixed and that you got to talk shop at the camera store.

Corinna

It was actually a bit of fun talking camera stuff in that shop.

Awesome pics!

Thanks for sticking by this TR.

Shame on that gremlin! What a pain how nice she didn't charge you.

Breakfast looks delicious.

The first picture of the tree is stunning.

The whole camera store and being ignored would have driven me crazy. His attitude did a 180 once he saw you were worthy of his time...

Pam - you're spot on with your comments!

I'm so glad you saw the funny side of Tom Kelly. It was something that amused DH and I for the day. It REALLY is all about the size of the equipment.

And that picture of the tree.....I wasn't so sure about it when I took it on the day. But the more I looked at it after I unpacked it at home, the more I loved it.

Such nice pictures. I'm sure that Fran would have told me that the café was far too healthy for her to dine at! I know what you mean about the glasses, I lost mine in the house a couple years ago when I only had one pair. Now I have at least one to two back ups, so in case I lose them again (at home), I'm OK, but I know how you felt!

I forgot that you went to the Grand Canyon. Looking forward to hearing about that!

If we're very quiet and don't tell Fran about the Conscious Cuisine healthy thing, the breakfast was pretty good.

I have lots of spare glasses at home. And I had the dark sunglasses with me on the road. I wore it during the day and felt ridiculous wearing them in the covered area for breakfast.

And I still have to get to the Grand Canyon.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Wow what amazing updates. Sorry to hear about your lens that must have been frustrating! As a fellow old four eyes ( glasses wearer never got on with contacts ) I get the 'loose arm' deal. One time one of my darling dogs chewed an arm off my glasses and had the gall to place them back on the table where he found the tempting treat. Imagine my shock when I put them on and they fell right back down lol..

How did I know it was Texas my dog? The offending 'arm' was later found in his bed!

Jerome looked great I love Ghost towns like that. Delighted they restored it with those signs. How sad that by the 1950's only 100 residents were there after all the resources were gone. It reminds me of a science fiction book I read in which they describe the human race as a parasite moving from planet to planet using up resources until they are depleted.

I love that train! As I was reading enjoying the photos I was thinking how are they going to get back! But I needed to be patient! Nice touch first class and the buffet! Have you ever done the Orient Express? Oh my gosh if not please add to bucket list it is a wonder to behold. A piece of history soaring across Europe with Tiffany lamps and the atmosphere akin to Agatha Christie novels!

Nice of Debbie to fix your glasses. I was most impressed with the dinosaur rock! But oh my prickly pear lemonade! Talk about heaven!

Btw love love love sourdough bread! Had it in San Fran and there was a party in my mouth. Imagine my delight to find the Earl at WDW uses it! We can't get it much over here :-( when we do it tastes nothing like it. Rather like Guinness in Epcot or anywhere outside Ireland & UK. Just doesn't taste the same.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Wow what amazing updates. Sorry to hear about your lens that must have been frustrating! As a fellow old four eyes ( glasses wearer never got on with contacts ) I get the 'loose arm' deal. One time one of my darling dogs chewed an arm off my glasses and had the gall to place them back on the table where he found the tempting treat. Imagine my shock when I put them on and they fell right back down lol..

How did I know it was Texas my dog? The offending 'arm' was later found in his bed!

Jerome looked great I love Ghost towns like that. Delighted they restored it with those signs. How sad that by the 1950's only 100 residents were there after all the resources were gone. It reminds me of a science fiction book I read in which they describe the human race as a parasite moving from planet to planet using up resources until they are depleted.

I love that train! As I was reading enjoying the photos I was thinking how are they going to get back! But I needed to be patient! Nice touch first class and the buffet! Have you ever done the Orient Express? Oh my gosh if not please add to bucket list it is a wonder to behold. A piece of history soaring across Europe with Tiffany lamps and the atmosphere akin to Agatha Christie novels!

Nice of Debbie to fix your glasses. I was most impressed with the dinosaur rock! But oh my prickly pear lemonade! Talk about heaven!

Btw love love love sourdough bread! Had it in San Fran and there was a party in my mouth. Imagine my delight to find the Earl at WDW uses it! We can't get it much over here :-( when we do it tastes nothing like it. Rather like Guinness in Epcot or anywhere outside Ireland & UK. Just doesn't taste the same.

That's a great story about Texas, your dog.
Yes, it's pretty difficult to cope without spectacles, isn't it.

I haven't been on the Orient Express. I'd love to; but it seems to be on the expensive side. One day....

We have sourdough bread in Australia; but it doesn't match up to the ones we get in the US. I guess we'll just have to keep on heading back to the US to indulge.