West Coast Road Trip - Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

If you are traveling down Route 1 in California, you absolutely must make a stop at Hearst Castle in San Simeon.  This is a town in the middle of nowhere but it is right on Route 1 so if you are on that drive anyway, this is a good place to rest.  We stayed at the Silver Surf Motel which is pretty basic but the rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable and they give you discount meal tickets for the restaurant next door.  I also didn't even bother turning on the A/C in our room and just opened a window because the temperatures drop significantly on this stretch of the West Coast, even in the summer.  I get a kick out of breathing fresh air and Northern California has that perk in spades. 

West Coast Road Trip: Portland

Multnomah Falls

Day 3:  We headed out early in the morning from Seattle to get to Portland with a stop at Multnomah Falls.  I have been to this waterfall a few times and it always takes my breath away.  We did the hike up to the top of the falls which is just under 2 miles one way on somewhat steep and uneven terrain.  Absolutely worth it because the crowds thin out significantly and the view from above is breathtaking. 

West Coast Road Trip - Seattle

Pike Place Market

I am traveling with a teenager down the West Coast of the U.S. and learning a lot along the way.  I believe there is value in trapping my kid in the car with me so I can hear what's in his head because there is nowhere to go and nothing to do.  He does play on his phone and pops in his ear buds now and then but even that gets old and he will start just talking to me about how he views the world or his observations as he watches the world go by outside of his window.  I would not trade this time with him for anything in the world and I can honestly say this is one of the few times in my life that I am completely present.

Lovely Portugal

Porto

This time, I am not going to wait a year to post pictures.

I journeyed to Portugal and Spain in mid-September, the ideal time to hit both countries for their perfect weather, tasty port wines, moist and intensely flavorful Piri Piri chicken, Sangria, Tortilla, Jamon and the freshest of fresh seafood.  Lisbon and Porto are also less touristy than the London's and Paris's of Europe, huge bonus.

A few things that make Portugal unique (this list is by no means exhaustive), besides their cuisine and port wines:

Cooking in Bali

Last summer, I went to Bali for surfing, yoga, and cooking...and yes, I am just getting around to posting.  I went to a "Goddess Retreat" and it was everything they promised it would be and more.   To describe the experience as anything less than life changing would not be doing it justice.  Bali is an incredible place with a spiritual culture and attitude that swept me off my feet.  If it were not for my son and little dog back home, there is no way I would have come back to the U.S. 

I surfed a lot and found out that I absolutely suck at at it.  That really is the only word to describe my skills.  I would post a surfing picture to give everyone a good laugh but I am not a masochist.  

On the bright side, I loved the two a day yoga sessions and activities like this cooking class.  Outside, fresh, lovely instructors, perfect weather and of course, absolutely delicious.  I loved the use of ingredients and spices I rarely use at home, such as ginger and lemongrass.  They also use produce that I can never find at home, such as dragonfruit.  Even if I can find it at home, it does not taste as sweet as it did in Bali, thinking of papaya and mangoes.

Joe's Kansas City Barbecue and Fat Matt's in Atlanta, GA

Joe's Ribs

Once in a while a client will look at me with sympathetic eyes when they hear how much I travel.  Oh, if they only knew that I actually enjoy and look forward to the road.  If you are in a client facing role and not asking your clients for restaurant suggestions, you are seriously missing out.  Folks love to talk about their city and have a lot of pride in their home grown favorites.  They are undoubtedly your best source if you are a food hound like me.

The Bourbon Trail

Catching Bourbon from the Barrel at Jim Beam

Have you ever toured the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky?  You should.  It's a mixed drink of how Bourbon is made, some American history (prohibition is a nasty word in Bourbon country), how it came to be a very American drink and the laws that make it Bourbon.  The rolling green KY hills serve as a beautiful backdrop.  P.S., The dining scene in Lousiville is top notch and obviously, their cocktails have serious bragging rights.  We were there for two days and we made it to Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve and Maker's Mark.

Knob's Creek Bottling

Years of Storage in Burnt Barrels for that Distinct Taste

Belize

Belize Zoo

I just returned from a holiday in Belize and I have to say that the country is nothing short of magical.  I am still trying to decide if I loved it because of the interesting and friendly people I met from different parts of the U.S., the beauty of the oceans, reefs and endless variety of fish, the delicious food or the enchanting natives who always had smiles on their faces.  Normally sleeping in tents and sharing bathrooms with strangers would not be a desirable way to spend my time.  Yet, on this trip, it was a minor inconvenience that was worth it for the unforgettable experience.

Belize Zoo

Glover's Atoll Island

Sleeping Tent

Taiwan

Lantern in Alishan

I went on a little trip...to Taiwan with a brief stop in Hong Kong.  This was my first trip to Asia and I am so glad I went.  Taiwan is an enchanting place with lovely people that is seriously underrated by the Western world.  I would not have traveled there myself had it not been for being invited to a friend's wedding in Chiayi.  Not only was I able to experience the culture and people in a wedding setting, I was also able to travel around the country easily with their incredible high speed rail and metro system.

Headed to the Wedding Ceremony

Chiayi Night Market

Autumn in Atlanta, GA

I was out in Atlanta, GA this past weekend and was ready to move there as I headed back to Chicago.  The weather was beautiful, housing affordable, people nice and amazing parks to run and play in year around.

Ever gone to a Hibachi grill?  This was a first for me.  Lots of fun for both kids and adults.

My brother introduced me to Turducken.

Aspen, Basalt, a Half Marathon and Consignment Shops

  

Have you ever gone from sea level to 9,000 feet in less than 24 hours and run a half marathon?  I            know, that's a dare on par with betting someone they can't eat a whole jalapeño.  This was not a dare.  I did this on my own accord because I am training for the marathon and needed to get my long weekend run in while on vacation.  I had planned this trip in advance of signing on for the marathon and there just happened to be a half marathon in Aspen at the time I planned to travel there.  Lucky me.

So, here's a rundown of what to expect on a very hilly course (hills at the end of the race...extra awesome), in the hot sun at 9,000 feet after coming from sea level with less than 24 hours to acclimatize; cramping, flaming knee and thigh pain, wanting to cry in the middle of a race and utter and complete exhaustion.  This was the first half I have ever had to walk at several points but somehow I managed to beat my Chicago Women's Half time which I ran about a month ago.  I started out strong but the hills at the end killed me.  The race organizers said that this was a mostly downhill course.  Bastards lied.

Anyway, so I lived and the remainder of the vacation was excellent.  As you can see from the pics, Colorado is never short on breath-taking scenery and fun things to do.  This was my first paddle boarding stint and I loved being much closer to the water and scenery than I would be in a boat.

One last tip on the Aspen and Basalt areas; skip the high end shops and head to the consignment shops.  God bless rich people throwing out gorgeous clothing after wearing it once and sometimes not wearing it at all.  At one consignment shop I saw a Versace dress with the Saks tag still on showing a price of $1,335.  The consignment shop price was $250.  I ended up getting a jacket, skirt and a top for just under $100.  These items, with their gorgeous cut, fabric and design fit me like a glove.  Hooray.         

  

Friday Cocktail - Dark and Stormy, Bermuda and Tennis

Dark and Stormy

I am not sure I could possibly be any happier to be home or that it is Friday.  Even though I returned from the land where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the kids are above average", says Garrison Keillor, coming back from any trip makes everything from the smell of my car to my beat up couch blissful.  That's the great thing about business travel; you appreciate home more when you return.

So, I am sure the nagging question you are asking right now is, "What's with the photo of the drink with the tennis racquet?"  Well, what seems like long ago, I took a little trip to Bermuda with my college tennis team.  If there is one thing that Bermuda is known for it would be the Dark and Stormy...that and their pink buses.  So, was I playing tennis or was I drinking Dark and Stormy's the whole time?  Um, both?  See, that is the advantage of playing Division III sports, you can have your spring training in Bermuda and drink your Dark and Stormy too.  Good times.

Dark and Stormy
Yield:  1 Cocktail

Ingredients:
2 ounces dark rum
3 ounces ginger beer
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice (I honestly don't remember lime juice in the Dark and Stormy's in Bermuda but a few recipes I looked at included it.  I liked the taste so the lime stays, at least in my recipe.)

Method:
Combine the rum, ginger beer and lime juice in a tall glass with plenty of ice cubes.  Give it a stir and drink several after playing a good game of tennis.

 

Stumptown

Japanese Garden

How I got this far in life without experiencing the weirdness and beauty that is Oregon is beyond me.

My attempt to describe this liberal fantasyland will be with bullets. When you know you might be in Stumptown/Portland/PDX:

• You might be in Stumptown when you pack on 10 pounds in 5 days.  Food Trucks, Voodoo Donuts,  Little Bird Bistro, Beer (and I don't even drink beer!), Wine.  Not only are the food and beverages perfection but, wait, it is affordable!  Cocktail in Portland, $8 vs. Chicago for $16.  Tab for the dinners that made me swoon, $28...with tip.  Freaking food lover's nirvana out there.
• You might be in Oregon when you take 30,000 steps (my pedometer said so) in one day hiking trails along the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood and only saw a fraction of the trails Oregon has to offer.
• You might be in Portland when the tattoo on your ankle looks downright conservative.  Holy ink, folks.  
• You also might be in Portland when like the ink, the piercing in your belly and ears are quaint.  A lot of holes and stretched ear lobes out there.
• You might be in Portland when you cannot walk a block without getting solicited by multiple panhandlers, The Nature Conservancy and a political campaign.
• You might be in Portland when you hate your car and the Chicago EL after experiencing the cleanliness, quiet and convenience of the Portland public transportation system.  The fare cards are basically on the honor system and the trains glide quietly up to you on the street.  Blissful.
• You might be in Portland when you are looking at a map at 7:00 A.M. and someone asks ever so kindly, "Can I help you find something? I live here." You say, "Great! Yes!  I am looking for a coffee shop."  The person replies, "Oh, I don't know any coffee shops.  I save money and bring my own coffee."    
• You might be in Portland when you get bemused looks when you cross the street when the red hand on the walk signal is on yet there are no cars coming.
• Finally, you might be in Portland when you think you might be living an episode of Portlandia.  That show is no spoof.

Japanese Garden

Multnomah Falls

Park City, Utah

 Biking

I had never been to Utah and I took my first trip out there this summer.  Utah is an outdoor lover's paradise and I fell in love.  The mountains are breathtaking, the outdoor activities are abundant, the air is dry, the climate is moderate and my allergies, which have been driving me insane all summer in the horrible Chicago heat and humidity, poof, went away!

We rented a condo through VRBO in  Park City at a resort called The Canyons.  I am working on getting back out there for Spring Break to try out what is supposed to be incredible powder and amazing sky country.  Until then, I can enjoy the memories and abundance of photos.    

 Hiking

High Flying Olympic Practice

Ski Mountains Waiting for Snow

Stuck in Mexico

Well, ordinarily, being stuck in Mexico would be something to celebrate.  However, with a pile of work back home, this forced holiday is more stress than fun.  I am sure everyone has heard of the massive blizzard that hit the Midwest to welcome in the first few days of February.  Getting back to Chicago has become mission impossible.  So, to calm my nerves and my control issues that I clearly need help with, I am going to have a few more Margaritas and sizzle a bit under the Mexican sun.  Here are some pictures of this beautiful country with perfect weather, at least at this time of the year.

 Horses on the beach. A typical sight on the Mexican Riviera.

A typical street in San Pancho.  Cobbled, steep and quaint. 

 Beautiful flowers that dot the Mexican landscape.

 Not afraid of color in Sayulita.

 Steps to an art gallery in Sayulita.  The galleries line the streets of this cool little town.  Feeling right at home with the tattooed 20/30/40 somethings walking around with their bare footed kids, covered in sand and dreads in their hair.    

 Margaritas before dinner with friends.

A gorgeous pink table setting for our dinner! So cool!

México me encanta!

I think these pictures speak for themselves but a few notes.

The margaritas shown have to be the best I have ever tasted. Perhaps it was just the ultra-relaxed state I was in while drinking but they seemed pretty amazing.

We also had queso cilantro which is pictured and it was a fabulous combination of cheese, cilantro and a marsala like sauce. The combination of flavors seemed odd to me but they definitely worked because it was a creamy and soft explosion of flavor.

We also had flan which I now refuse to eat anywhere else but Mexico. I have tried it in a million places in the states and somehow, the caramel flavor does not come through like it does when I eat it here. How good is it? So good that I devoured it before I could even get my camera out to take a picture.

Finally, El Brujo, the restaurant I always insist on going to upon arrival. It sits on the ocean and the experience of eating incredible food while watching the sun set and listening to the waves crashing in is sublime.

Eventually, I will have to go back to Chicago but I think my Mother will have to shove me on the plane to get me out of here.

xoxo - AJ

Mexico Lovin

I just came back from Mexico and I had to post some pics since I believe it is truly one of the best places to vacation. My parents have a place in Bucerias, Mexico which is just outside of Puerto Vallerta. One of the towns outside of Bucerias is Sayulita and I absolutely love this little hideaway. Here are the reasons Sayulita holds such a special place in my heart; awesome surfing, beautiful beaches, perfect weather all the time, cute little restaurants with delicious food, a cool laid back atmosphere, art shops and clothing boutiques everywhere with finds I can never find anywhere else, boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts, low tourist count and a youngish crowd with a cool vibe (okay, that means my age range of upper 20's to upper 30's, the kids are mercifully back in Puerto Vallerta). Oh, one last reason that Sayulita rocks, the gorgeous surfer dudes who roam freely on the streets and beaches making all single girls swoon.