Minding the Store

JWise Photo of the Day

Shamil Patel watching over Indo-Euro Foods grocery store

Meet Shamil Patel, he’s watching over Indo-Euro Foods, the grocery store owned by his aunt and our friend Sonal. Sonal is on vacation in India, probably shopping for more than she can carry home. While she is away, a number of family and friends are caring for her shop. Shamil has been the main guy watching the counter the past couple of weeks with his sister, mom, and former employee Gautam sharing the responsibilities. Next week, Rinku and I will take the helm until Caroline and I leave for a weekend in Utah followed by our departure for vacation in Texas over the 4th of July.

Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa

Jay Patel of Mumbai, India, joined Caroline and me on a cross-country road trip in May 2004. We spent some time up in the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks before making our first visit to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. In Minnesota, we dipped our toes into Voyageurs National Park and walked barefoot through the headwaters of the great Mississippi River at Lake Itasca. On our way home, while moving down the path of the Mississippi, we took in Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa, that’s where today’s photo of the day came from. The image was taken on May 21, 2004.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, California

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California

So enamored we are with this place, we have been members for years now. The Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, is the terminus for the drive from San Louis Obispo to Monterey. Highway 1 is one of America’s greatest drives, and this section of road that snakes along the coast over mountains and through redwoods is one of our all-time favorite drives. This jellyfish posed for us back on January 18, 2004.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico also known as Sky City

Caroline and I love visiting the Native American cultural locations dotting the southwest and this trip to New Mexico was one of the best. Sky City, also known as Acoma Pueblo, lies just off Interstate 40. The guided tours of the village atop a tall mesa are offered daily from a nearby visitor center. One of the highlights, besides the great historical sense you get, is when the guide allows you to leave the Pueblo down the old trail. Today, a graded dirt road takes you up and down the mesa, but years ago, a small cut through some rocks and a steep climb on some carved footholds were the only way to come and go, and it was the way we chose to go. This visit was back on September 1st, 2003.

Click Here to view that trip.