Stellarossa: we're still alive!!
 

Hi all <BR> <BR>We've made it through the Midwest, South, Deep south and Mid south as well as any other number of variations I've seen on tv. <BR> <BR>Tammy: my flight was mega-late and I slept in until the next afternoon - sorry we couldn't make it. <BR> <BR>Our next stop is The West - cool! <BR> <BR>later <BR> <BR>Tony & Emily

Hi Guys! <BR> <BR>Glad to know you're safely on your tour. Keep in touch when you get a moment here and there! I'd love to here about your (very present) adventures!!! <BR> <BR>(or do we have to wait for the book???) <BR> <BR>Happy Trails! <BR> <BR>Sharon

Hi, Glad all is going well,pass on my best wishes to our mutual friends in Scottsdale when you get there. BTW in case you didn't know the Test Series is now squared in Sri Lanka, so it all hinges on the last game! <BR>

You're such a ridiculous bigot Tony. Don't think we have forgotten your thread on blacks in Long Beach. Keep your neanderthal mutterings to yourself.

Yo Tones <BR> <BR>Just cruising for Italy info. <BR>Thought I'd say hi. See you in two weeks in the B. A. <BR> <BR>Hi Emily. <BR> <BR>-cp-

Tony and Emily, <BR> <BR>No problem! We had a great time and you guys were missed. Have a great time traveling around. <BR> <BR>Tammy <BR>

Hi Tony & Emily! Hope you are having fun. Enjoy the west! See you guys in May! <BR> <BR>Emily: Did you get the directions I snail-mail you?

Tony and Emily, <BR>When are you coming to Colorado? You must come tour my office... it's entirely outdoors with great views. I'd even consider giving the two of you some free indoor couch time at which point you could expound upon any frustrations you have encountered in your travels. If you're really bad off I could refer you to a real doctor, but hopefully that won't be needed. I also must prepare you for the raging fodorholics that you will be meeting up with in California. <BR>God Bless, <BR>Dr. Betty

Ok first things first: <BR>We made it out of Kansas (via The Land of Oz), through Oklahoma and Texas and into New Mexico. Santa Fe was just too cool for words, Taos was ok. Almost caught in a whiteout in the wretched Kit Carson National Forest but made it to Durango, CO - about as nice a place as one can imagine. From there we went to Monument Valley and then to Sedona via the Grand Canyon. Had a wonderful lunch with Al and Ruth in Sedona today. Superb views. <BR> <BR>We left Sedona and made for Scottsdale staying with our friends where we are now. <BR> <BR>Jan - will email you later. <BR>CP - c ya soon, hon. <BR>Maira - Emily got them, forgot to email you to say thanks, see you soon too. <BR>Betty - we've been and gone, perhaps another time, yeah? <BR> <BR>later

Hi Tony~ <BR>Good to know that you are doing well and enjoying our country! <BR> <BR>Did you get that photo I sent you? I know the first time it didn't work, but I hope you got the second one! <BR> <BR>See you in April! <BR>Becca

Tony and Emily, will you make it to So Cal this weekend. We've got about 16 fodorites gathering and I've got clean sheets for you. <BR>Art <BR>

Becky - great pic, thanks. <BR> <BR>Art, we'll be there!! <BR> <BR>We were in Mexico yesterday. Hmm.

Dear Tony (or anyone else who feels like answering), <BR> <BR>I can see that you're well loved by many and hated by a few (therefore you must not be boring), and that arouses my curiosity. But I guess you must've been a more active poster before I started snooping here regularly. If I'm curious and willing to search, what key words should I search to read threads that you've posted on a lot and find out for myself why you're viewed as such a "character" here?

Nosey Carol: <BR> <BR>Can't think of one off the top of my head, but Tony is one of the regulars who is best described as a 'colorful' character --- doesn't pull any punches. Is very direct & forthright in his commentary. A guy in his late twenties (???) I think & comes from Scotland. Quite frequently he ticks people off & although I often find him boorish, I also delight in his honesty & frank talk. Overall I'd have to say 'the Stellarossa' adds zest to the forum.

Nosey Carol, <BR>Tony is one of Fodors' resident treasures. At one time or another he has identified himself as an ex-soccer player for the Bulgarian national soccer team (thus Stellarossa), employed as a roads and transport engineer, raging Scottish nationalist, (don't ever say you're going to spend two weeks in England and visit London and Edinburg; he'll soon set you straight on the fact that you'll be visiting two nations, not England. Extremely helpful in responding to queries about Great Britain. Droll in his responses, extremely perceptive in reading between the lines and to me a thorough delight to encounter. Can't begin to direct you to any threads he's contributed to, they're many and varied in subject matter. You might do a search on Scotland, particularly Edinburg.

Whenever I read a 'Stellarossa' post, I hear a voice that sounds like Sean Connery's --- tell me Tony, do you have that wonderful accent ??? And if not, don't crush my fantasy . . .

Yes, and I want to hear your trip report, Tony and Emily! <BR>Go Scotland: Go Tony & Em. <BR>Judy :-D Mexico, hmmmm? Just curious!

I just got off of the phone with Emily. They are in Palm Springs tonight and will be arriving at my home for the So Cal Fodorite GTG mid day tomorrow. She said that they are having a great time. <BR>

I am totally crushed that you did not come to Denver, the center of civilization as we know it in Colorado. Why, that is like going to Scotland and not visiting Edinburgh. When will you be back to Scotland? Me and my husband, otherwise known as Hans and Gretl Freiloada, will be going that way soon and were looking for a little hospitality. I've heard of one called Ben Haines who always welcomes fodorites to Europe. Will he be there to welcome us when we disembark the plane if you and Emily are not back yet? Oh dear, this is one contingency I haven't planned for. But please, enjoy yourselves in Californ-eye-aye and we'll muddle through Scotland the best we can. At least Sheila is there and she can help us out. Bless her soul! <BR>Dr. Betty

Dr Betty, <BR> <BR>Are you planning to sample the Guinness in Ireland ? It provides an excellent insight in your innerself - especially afetr 6 or 7 pints, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Hallo folks. <BR> <BR>We're in San Luis Obispo right now. <BR> <BR>Carol - I cannot think of any key words except maybe 'stellarossa'. Try that. <BR> <BR>Yesh, i schound like sean connery. Ask either sheila, elvira, michele, david, thyra etc.. <BR> <BR>Becky, nice photo. <BR> <BR>Trip report will be bound and on sale sometime 2002, Judy! <BR> <BR>take care <BR> <BR>tony

Hi Tony, sorry you had to leave Sunday. I was planning on cornering you after it quieted down to pump you more on Scotland. I guess it will have to wait. <BR>Art <BR>

Tony - I hope you enjoyed your visit in San Luis Opisbo - a great town and the scenery only gets better as you travel up Highway 1. Hopefully you took time out and visited one of the US's great castles (Hearst Castle in San Simeon).

Any Stellarosa sightings lately in the US? It would be great if Art would post some photos from the last SOuthern California get together, so we could put some faces to the names.

To Nosey Carol,<BR><BR>This somewhat legendary thread - - which was recently re-topped (not by me) - - was started by tony, aka stellarossa<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/messages.cfm?fid=2&amp;tid=75427&amp;numresponses= 52<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Unlikely I'll be spotted over the next week or so - Washington state, idaho, montana, wyoming and the dakotas. <BR> <BR>Sarah, we stayed at the madonna inn and thought it very strange. Our rock-walled room was ok for one night however i would not like to stay in it for multiple nights. By the end it was starting to give me The Fear. <BR> <BR>Art, I'll speak to you later.

To Just-a Fantasy... oh yes, he's just like Sean only with more "umph" to his inflection. And just to keep the fires of yer heart a'burnin,,,, you should see the lads kneecaps... Mel Gibson should be so lucky!!!!! ;)

Thyra: please elaborate......mmm Sean Connery????? whoa baby! lucky Emily, <BR>IMVHO, Judy ;-)

Got as little bit more hair than the Seanster - but not much. <BR> <BR>Now going jogging everynight - we need it too.

How much longer in the US, guys? Leaving from cincinnati or through some other gateway? <BR>

oooooooo, my goodness --- all I'd considered was that wonderful accent. <BR>Hadn't even THOUGHT about the kilt, the knees and what's under . . . <BR> <BR>Sorry, didn't mean to stray from travel topics. <BR> <BR>Tony --- how goes it & where are you today?

Right now we're back in Cincinnati, having driven over 10,000 miles in 8 weeks. Been to every state west of Ohio as well as bits of Mexico and Canada - one month to go. <BR> <BR>Met up with Fodorites in Los Angeles and Lacrosse,Wisconsin. One question: Who was the English guy also called Tony at Art's do? He was cool, I'd like to email him, big Derby County fan (soccer). <BR> <BR>I'm speaking more like an American every day, drinking Gatorade by the litre (sorry, gallon) and generally adapting pretty well to an extended stay in a 'foreign' country. <BR> <BR>We leave Cincy on saturday for the east coast leg of the trip. <BR> <BR>regards <BR> <BR>Tony & Emily

HI Tony. the "other"Tony was my friend and guest at Arts. As yet he has not got back online and presently are in the UK&gt; I will pass along your interest. <BR>You might send a reminder to me as I leave for the Uk before they get back. <BR>Joyce

Thanks Joyce, willdo.

To those keeping track and interested on "Tony & Emily's Excellent Adventure", I'll like to share that Tony and Emily stopped over our house in New York early this week. My husband and I were elated with having the company of a a very pleasant and enjoyable couple. We even went on to the Saratoga Revolutionary War Battlefield (Tony was totally cool about it :-)) where we took a nature/historical 4-mile walk on a beautiful, sunny day. Stunning views of the Hudson Valley. I took pics which I will be e-mailing to Tony for his website "Tony in America". <BR> <BR>Tony is going back to Scotland on May 31st. I hope he knows he left some friends in New York and that we will welcome them back anytime!!

Thanks Maira, the hospitality you showed to emily and myself was incredible, you're welcome over this way (scotland i mean, not virginia) anytime. <BR> <BR>take care <BR>