Travel ~ Road Trip!

 

               The Great America Road trip, where you pile your family into one car and hit the road.  Have you made that trip? If so where have you ventured to?  We tend to make a road trip at least once per year, but sometimes those trips are little more than going from point A to point B.  The best road trips are when we can take a little bit of time and explore the road ahead. 

 

               We did this, for the most part, when dropping off number two at college.  We picked him up in Nashville, since it was “on the way,” and he was coming from another state other than Texas.  While there, we explored Nashville a little bit, but definitely could do with more exploration. Our highlights from our short visit, were the farmers market, where we picked up some micro greens and vegetarian jerky.  Surprisingly the jerky was pretty tasty.  We also stopped by and walked around Aphrodite’s Temple, which is a replica of the one in Greece. The temple was pretty amazing.  Once we retrieved the kid from the airport, we hit the road for real.

 

               Our end goal was Maine, and there are a few different routes you can take, and we figured since we were taking the Northern route, we would stop by and check out Niagara Falls.  That did not disappoint!  What an amazing experience to see and experience this natural wonder.  Imagine being an explorer and paddling along the river, to suddenly hear the roar of the water gaining ground towards the falls.  Turn back and bail out.  Hopefully no explorers went over the falls before realizing what lay ahead.

 

               From there we made our way to Maine to drop him off and hug the girl, before departing on a few days together.  We did not make our destination as soon as we had hoped, but we had great food and fellowship with the girl and her boyfriend’s family before hitting the road again.  We finally made it to Vermont.  A new State to explore and experience and it was worth the trip. 

 

               We found a fantastic Bed and Breakfast, The Feather Bed Inn, to spend the night and explore the Mad River Valley of Vermont.  Our inn keepers were wonderful and sent us in the right direction for dinner and fun.  All of her food recommendations that we tried were delicious and a would go back experience. Plus, the Inn itself was situated on a beautiful piece of property, with a pond that backed up to a hiking trail that connects all over the valley.  Most definitely worth a multi-day stay to explore those trails. 

 

               We also happened to be in the area when a local flatbread restaurant was having a flatbread festival to celebrate their origins and bring food to the people.  The flatbread was free, the line was long and the music was hopping.  This restaurant incorporated an art show along with messages about how food has changed over the years and how that has affected farmers.  A beautiful functional garden with pigs and chickens is also situated on the property and guests could walk around and see a little bit of how this family has managed their food and grows what they use on the flatbread.  The whole experience resonated with us and what we try to share with our guests. 

 

               Sadly, we had to leave the next day but would plan to return during any other part of the year to experience the valley.  Winter would be amazing, since the Featherbed is located minutes away from two ski resorts, and Spring and Summer allows for great hiking, biking and water exploration.  Since the valley is surrounded by low mountains the color change in the fall must be a sight to see.  Before we left, we did take a hike up to catch the view from one of the mountain tops.  What an experience!

 

               Of course, when we travel we love to find restaurants off the beaten path to dine at while out.  We hit the jackpot in Niagara with a delicious Korean family-owned restaurant and with an amazing  Asian Fusion in the Valley and Italian restaurant in Keene.  I don’t think any of our food choices were a disappointment, since we always walked away full and ready to explore. 

 

               Take the road trip with the family, explore parts of the country that you might not have seen yet.  There are so many great and diverse experiences here in Texas and in the United States as whole that could make your road trip the best ever.

Travel ~ Mineral Wells, Texas and The Magpie Inn

     

   Mineral Wells, Texas boasts the home of Crazy Water.  The story goes that a woman who was suffering from her mind failing, came to Mineral Wells and drank the healing waters and recovered.  Thus, Crazy Water was born.  There are four levels of Crazy water to choose from, based on the mineral content.  One being the lowest amount to four being the highest amount.  No matter where you go in town you are bound to experience Crazy Water.  While I was there, I tried number two and felt that by itself, it had too much mineral flavor but with food, it evened out to have a "regular" water flavor.  When you plan your stay, be sure to check out the Crazy Water to discover your favorite and see if it helps you to feel better mentally.

 

    Of course, during my visit, I had to check out the downtown area of Mineral Wells.  It was a short walk from the Magpie Inn, where I stayed the night.  While making my way downtown I saw quite a few murals on the exterior of the buildings and just loved the different images they portrayed.  Murals are such an easy way to incorporate art into your downtown area that can also be a draw for people to visit.  Hint, hint City of Sulphur Springs. 

 

    I decided to step into one of the shops which ended up leading me to four different shops.  It was pretty cool how they were all connected and just flowed from one to the other.  There was a little eatery in one of spots.  Here you could order sandwiches or salads, along with some fresh meat, pasta and sauces as well.  It was cute little spot to enjoy lunch, grab something you might be missing for dinner, to a souvenir to take home and enjoy later. 

 

    One of the staple shops of Downtown Mineral Wells sports a two-story building that literally has something for everyone.  From olive oil to balsamic vinegars, housewares, kids clothes, and even something for the men in your life.  The Market has a little bit of everything, including a cocktail and coffee bar for guests to enjoy while they shop or just to sit awhile and enjoy. 

 

    I even managed to make my way to the brewery, Rickhouse Brewing, that is located downtown in the same building as the Crazy Water Hotel.  I tried a flight of beers and did not find one that I didn't like.  Each one was unique and with a story that resonated with the brewery, creating a history for why they brew the beer and the name given.  Their brew space is right where guests can see it all and I was really impressed with the quality and quantity of beers that they create in the space allotted to them.  You can regularly find musical groups playing at the brewery and a good conversation if that is what you are looking for.  Be sure to ask about the beer stories while you are there and of course find your favorite.

 

    My favorite part of my visit was staying at The Magpie Inn.  This Chef owned and operated inn is a short walk from the center of downtown and is a lovely getaway for couples.  Select from five rooms and enjoy a group breakfast or an in-room breakfast during your stay.  Be sure to look for Waldo, the tortoise, during your stay.  He is definitely part of the Inn experience.  Each room is designed with your comfort in mind and is welcomed retreat during a visit to Mineral Wells. 

 

    If you are visiting family or just looking for a getaway you can't go wrong with a stop in Mineral Wells.  There is plenty to do and see during your visit, and of course wonderful places to stay, eat and drink.  Explore Clark Gardens or hop on over to the lake or take a tour of local wineries or a history tour.  Don't forget to grab a bottle of Crazy Water and find out which level you like the best. 

Travel ~ Maine Fall Colors

 

Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I was so happy to have the chance to visit Maine, to see some fall colors and of course our daughter.  Not one to waste an opportunity, we visited Arcadia National Park to check out some of the beautiful fall foliage around Maine.  We were not the only people to have this great idea.  Once parking was secured, we were able to take a nice walk around the lake and check out some of the beautiful fall colors. 

 

               There were people walking, riding bikes and even horseback riding throughout the park.  With a seven-day pass, you could definitely take advantage of seeing the color from many different vantage points.  Since we only had one day to visit the park, we took advantage of the easy hike around the largest lake on the peninsula to see the colors and take in the fresh air.

 

               Arcadia is close to Bar Harbor which many people use it as their city to stay while making a visit to the area.  With dining, shopping and sights to see, visitors are not short on things to do when visiting the area.  Fall was in full swing when we were in Maine, so it was the perfect time to see the colors and check out different things to do and new places eat.

 

               Besides the joy of seeing some beautiful colors, we had the chance to catch up with our oldest and watch two of her college soccer games live and in person.  What a difference being in person makes when following the team.  We now have a better idea of who is on the field and how they play, so that way when we yell at the TV, we know we have the right name.  Which is important since they can totally hear what we are saying.  Truly it was great to see her play in person and nice to meet the new players.

 

               Of course, we cannot forget that she is trying to recruit her brother to join her in Maine, so he had a chance to tour the school and attend some classes to see if his journey will be towards the East Coast as well.  Time will tell what he decides to do, but now he has a frame of reference for what she talks about when he is considering his decision.  I still do not know where he will end up.  However, I do have a feeling that the weather will also lead a little into his decision. 

 

               We all enjoyed our time together in Maine, and I know the rest of our kids cannot wait for their turn to go East and see their sister play soccer or just have the chance to visit, where she goes to school.  If you happen to be taking a journey to the East Coast and find yourself close to Castine, feel free to catch up with Isabelle, she would love to help show you around and have some visitors. 

 

               Plan your trip well, since some of the smaller more intimate places to stay, close for the season during winter.  Be sure to check your dates and plan your trip to see the fall colors, or experience a cooler summer along the Maine coast. 

Travel Fun ~ Costa Mujeres, Mexico

 

               We have finally made it to summer and there is still so much going on that time away from the hustle and bustle of the school year seems like a distant memory.  Right before school ended and we were thrust into summer fun.  I snuck away for a little trip with my daughter and sister-in-law.  We had a five-night stay in Costa Mujeres at an all-inclusive resort.  For easy, safe, fun travel to Mexico I highly recommend an all-inclusive resort.  Food almost 24/7, drinks and entertainment when you need and want it.

              

               We really enjoyed our visit and the resort was awesome.  They had multiple restaurants available for dining, including the always available buffet as well as snack bars, and juice bars.  We had fun selecting our restaurants each day and each one was better than the last and the food was delicious.  Since we do tend to drink alcoholic drinks, it was nice to have mostly what we wanted, when we would like it.  The coffee bar was good too. So, if you wanted to grab a coffee before breakfast, or after dinner, there was always an option.

 

               Our resort offered offsite tours as well, which we took advantage of and really enjoyed both tours that we booked.  The first tour was a triple feature.  Included was a visit to the Tulum ruins, cenote, and swimming with sea turtles.  Lunch afterwards was included with the tour as well.  Our second tour we took, brought us from our resort beach to Isla Mujeres for shopping and lunch, then snorkeling along a shipwreck.  Both were entertaining and enjoyable.  However, if you want to just sit back and relax at your resort that is always an option as well.  With an all-inclusive resort you basically have everything you need right there.

              

               With food and drink options covered, the resort tries really hard to make sure you have everything you could possibly want during your stay.  They offered boutique shopping, spa services, yoga on the beach, and nightly entertainment.  Their party directors have fun lined up for everyone of any age to enjoy during their stay.  A nightly show is performed on the stage, there is a disco and even a teen game room for the kids to hang out in while visiting. 

 

               Our favorite was probably the food selection and just time to sit back and relax without having to set an alarm and be anywhere.  I was all for someone else cooking for a few days and having rooms cleaned by someone else.  Sometimes it’s great to get away and leave everything up to someone else to do.  I will say, this time around I did not prepare for being gone at home like I normally would. Since my husband was not traveling with us, I figured he could manage all the food and cleaning on his own.

 

               My daughter enjoyed her trip to Mexico but wants to see the big city on her next visit, so we shall see what we can come up with for Mexico City.  If you are on the fence about taking a trip, do not hesitate.  Plan your vacation and step away from your everyday life.  It’s important to take time for yourself to feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle what life throws at you each day.

Travel ~ Rochester, Minnesota

 

               Recently my husband and I had a chance to attend the wedding of one of his cousins, in Rochester, Minnesota.  We were excited to get away to somewhere different and have a little break from the daily grind.  Ironically, the weekend we were there, they happened to have a snowstorm.  This past winter has been pretty mild, without a lot of snow or bad weather.  That being said, we did not get out and do very much, beyond taking in the food. 

               While we were staying there, we rented a house, that caters a little more towards people who happen to be in town for the  Mayo Clinic but we needed a spot that could host multiple family members, so we could visit and chat outside of a hotel room.  The house location was convenient and efficient for our needs.  I would always recommend a larger space for bigger groups, since a bed and breakfast is not always an option.  The closest one for our trip was thirty minutes away and we wanted to be closer to the wedding venue, maybe next time.

               We were able to try a variety of food options while we were there and explore downtown just a bit.  I think a summer visit would have been nice, that way we could have taken a wine or brewery tour on the trolley.  Or made our way through the sculpture garden, but that was a little too chilly for our tastes this time around.

               While in Rochester we found and tried a vegan donut.  I know what you are thinking, that had to taste like cardboard, but really it was actually pretty good.  Light and fluffy for a cake donut and had great flavor.  If you did not know you were ordering a vegan donut you would have thought the batter was just a little different from a standard cake donut and munched it down.

               Of course, we had to find the local coffee shop and we found a couple that had some great lattes and cappuccinos.  Coffee is one of our favorite ways to start out in a new city, and these did not disappoint.  Lunch was in order and Thai food was on the list. This restaurant had so many plants inside that it made you think you were staying in a tropical forest instead of the “frozen North.”  Plus, the food was great.  Just the right amount of spice and fantastic flavor.

               The highlight of the trip was of course the wedding.  Held in a venue that was once an old hay barn owned by one of the Mayo brothers, the space was creatively used and looked beautiful.  We enjoyed seeing family that we do not usually get to see very often and danced the night away with the couple and their friends.  It’s always fun to see how other companies cater and serve food, in order to gather new ideas.

               No matter how long or short a trip might be, we always try to find the best in each adventure.  This one was no different.  We were excited to celebrate the newlyweds and explore somewhere new.  Our favorite restaurant stop was the Forager Brewery and café.  It’s too bad we did not have more time to visit, we would have loved to have explored their craft beer options and their lunch or dinner menu.  Next time!  Where will your next adventure take you?

Travel ~ Creekhaven Inn and Spa Wimberley, Texas

 

    

The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, keeps me pretty busy and in town most of the time.  Recently I had the chance to take a short business trip down to Wimberley, Texas and it was so lovely.  I wish that I had a little more time to explore the area, to go wine or whiskey tasting.  What I did see and explore was worth the drive, even for meetings. 

               It never does cease to amaze me at how diverse the landscape is in Texas.  From the Piney Woods, to the desert, Texas almost has every landscape a person could desire.  It might take a few hours to do so, but the change from East Texas’ tall trees and grass that blends to mesquite and shrub brush, helps to distinguish Texas from other states.  Once I made it to Wimberly, I stayed with my group at Creekhaven Inn and Spa.  Their property is just beautiful! 

               It sits back from a flowing creek and has two buildings for guests to select from while planning their stay.  Do not forget to book your spa appointment while visiting.  They offer a range of spa packages for you to take advantage of during your stay.  They offer yoga on Saturday’s and have plenty of mats and blocks for guests to use if you did not happen to bring your own. 

               The rooms are well appointed for guest stays, with everything you might need for your visit.  A gas fireplace, in room coffee or tea service, a fridge for leftovers or cold drinks and lovely local bath products.  Each room is an experience in and of itself, so make your selection and relax in comfort for the duration of your stay. 

               On our second day after meetings, we made our way to downtown Wimberley to explore, shop and dine.  Their downtown is made up of cute little buildings that have a myriad of shopping options for everyone.  Women’s clothing, kitchenware, candy store, a store with handmade arts and crafts made by seniors in the community and so much more.  There are a few different places to enjoy your meals, besides breakfast at Creekhaven.  We ordered in from Wimberley Café, enjoyed Tex-Mex for lunch and had woodfired pizza to share.  There were more options to try than that, but time was short.  My favorite was the woodfired pizza.  I’m a big fan of mushrooms on pizza and they had a perfectly paired mushroom, burrata cheese, and arugula pizza that was amazing. 

               I did get a chance to walk along the creek close to the property and explore a little bit of nature.  Play at your own risk. It was a lovely space to commune and grab some images of the creek.  Be mindful of the weather and water levels, especially during the rainy season.  If the weather and water had been a bit warmer, I might have tested the water just a bit more.  But it was a little cool for my taste, so I stayed out and explored the bank.  In the morning deer could be seen all around the property and must be why they express the need to keep the gates closed by the Inn.  Take some time to explore Wimberley and be sure to book your stay at Creekhaven Inn and Spa, the longest running bed and breakfast in Wimberley.  I’m sure you will return relaxed and rejuvenated.

Travel ~ St. Louis Food scene

 

What is your favorite part about travel?  For us it is a chance to try out new food.  On a recent trip to St. Louis, Missouri to watch our daughter in a collegiate wrestling match, we explored some new places to eat.  I think food tends to be one of the best parts of traveling and a great way to experience the culture and new flavors.  Food off the beaten path, local dives, or just somewhere different, from other cities, states and countries is a great way to explore to find new dishes and tastes to consume.

 

                 The best restaurant on this stop is by far the Balkan Treat Box.  Only open for about four hours a day, the line might be long but well worth the wait.  I can imagine the wait in the summer is better than winter, but we braved the cold and stood in line.  Everyone in line confirmed it was worth the wait, and it did not disappoint.  Order your food by number unless you happen to be a native speaker, the dishes we ate were wonderful.  The #7, a woodfired eggplant “sandwich” topped with fresh veggies, cheese and thin sliced hard-boiled egg was by far the best item on the menu we tried.  The wood-fired flatbread really pulled the entire dish together, along with the combination of spices and dressing.  The Rice pudding was delicious and after a full meal, perfectly portioned for sharing. They offer daily specials, including a fish of the day.  If you are in St. Louis, I highly recommend you stop by the Balkan Treat Box. 

 

               Our next favorite stop was the St. Louis Foundry.  A repurposed electrical component manufacturing plant, made into a mixed-use space.  The restaurant portion of the foundry is reminiscent of a food court with stalls, with varying food choices.  This location is great for large groups who cannot decide what they want to eat.  There is definitely something for everyone at the Foundry.  From woodfired pizza, poke bowls, Asian-Mexican fusion to South Indian street food, no one is walking away hungry.  Since we met our daughter’s team at the Foundry, everyone ordered something different. No two meals were alike, if ordered from a different stall, and for those who consume alcohol there is a bar in the center for guests to purchase drinks from as well.  Along the outside of the building there are shops that can be reached from inside the food court area or by walking along the open space between the two sides.  Live music, VR and even a putt-putt stop there is entertainment and food for a great night out.  Everything we tried in the Foundry was delicious.  You could make multiple trips here and still have more food to try.  Grab your indecisive friends and family and meet up at the Foundry for lunch or dinner.

 

               Overall, we had a great trip to St. Louis to watch our daughter compete and had a great time finding new and exciting places to eat and enjoy our time together.  The chance to try new food makes each travel journey a new and exciting adventure.  We can hardly wait for the next one to see what new culinary experience we can have.