Ded -- DS is in Day (Days?) Hall right near Flint! Good thing he's an active guy in good shape. If he passes his audition he will also be playing his euphonium (a big horn) in the band, so that walk with his music case is going to be super fun. Just thought I'd check back and report that I did decide on Mirbeau. I will be there Fri-Tues (not this week...but I wish) and will see DS probably on Sat. for lunch or whatever he wants to do. I have almost a full day of spa treatments on Mon. (Massage, facial, lunch, mani, pedi) and otherwise plan to go for walks, read, and explore the town of Skaneateles. Any recommendations for that area, let me know... I think I may be celebrating this birthday more than anyone has ever celebrated a 50th birthday. Already went to Bermuda with close friends, being taken away to Woodstock VT in a few weeks with other friends, have a party being planned by DH (with assistance from 3 girlfriends), and then wrapping it all up in a solo spa trip. How lucky am I? We have had a super stressful year, so it's really fun to have good things to look forward to.

June will be a fabulous time to be in the Canadian Rockies. I am so envious! We arrived at the Fairmont in the evening and it was rainy and foggy. Oh well, we thought. Then when we woke up the next morning and looked out the window, we thought we had been transported to a wonderland. It literally took my breath away. Thank you for your thoughts about my Oliver. It's not easy. He's my best friend. I know you understand.

There is a range of resturant selections in the French Quarter, on Burbon St, and just off Burbon St. Be sure to take walk or drive on residential streets in the French Quarter to see antebellum houses. Most are 2 and 3 story houses on smallish lots. The architecture is beautiful. Strike up conversations with the locals. Maybe they will tell you about local customs, for example, 1) a Civil War statute of a Confederate hero mounted on a horse - the horse's rear end point north; and 2) burial practices. There is big bruial problem in New Orleans becasue of the high water table. And oh, the Battle of New Orleans lead by Andrew Jackson was totally unnecessary. That battle was fought after the war had been declared over and the treaty signed. Trouble was, slow communications. The treaty was negotiated in Europe and it took some time (by sailing ship) for the word to reach the front. And while you are there, find out exactly was is "Mock Turtle Soup", that is, find out the meat ingredient of true mock turtle soup. It is a dish that was concocted by the chefs while New Orleans was under seige and food supplies were short. Watch out for the coffee. Many business establishments have 2 coffee pots: One is regular coffee and the other one contains chicory, a bitter brew.

My husband and I just went through the "best bang for your buck" search for Manhattan hotel rooms in September . My criteria is different than yours though as I wanted to be near but not north of the Mount Sinai hospital as my husband will need to be compfy after his heart operation while we wait for the okay to fly home. I searched on Trip Advisor and when I found the best rate I signed up on that site. You sometimes get an additional discount. The best deal I could find was at the Marmara hotel on the upper east side. I have never stayed here ( going in a few days) so can't recommend although the reviews were not bad. For a special deal of $361 we got an 816 sf suite with a small kitchen/dining area, balcony, separate bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, mini washer and dryer and living room. They do have many different options , lower price & higher price points but I'm not sure if the sale is still on. I know they did have a deal on the 600sf 1 bedroom suite in your price range. There is a catch though, make sure you ask for a room way up as there was construction on the new subway connection next door-ish and I don't think it's done yet. The word is that they are underground now and you can't hear a thing. A month and more ago there was work on the facade and it was loud. So, get high just in case. This may be to far out of the middle of it all for you though.