I recently returned from Central America and went straight to Philly to spend time with MC. It was a lovely month long visit to a city I had not been in since I was about twelve-years-old. With so much history that the city has to offer, you might wonder why this isn’t a post about the Liberty Bell. Let’s just say that I have decided to leave that for others for the time being. With the state of the nation these days I decided that I would concentrate on the vibrant street art of the city which gives Philly it’s own beat and brings color to a word that seems to be somewhat void of that these days. I have no idea who most of these talented artists are but I confess I am in awe. I can’t even draw something legible on a (peace) of paper much less an entire building with correct proportions! So here are a few of my favorites with a special surprise at the end. Enjoy!
Center City-Note Scales of Justice
Fishtown
A Beautiful Glass Tile Mural
Now for the surprise. I went into a restaurant while there and stumbled onto these which I thought were absolutely ingenious…who knew such a thing could be done!
I am back in Panama now but I leave you with this from the City of Brotherly Love:
I have to say that I have had some very good food in my travels. Most were fairly inexpensive food choices but a few came at quite a cost. I have found that I usually prefer the cheap eats except when it comes to anything YAK….YUCK!
The best meal that comes to mind was had in a small village in Thailand. We had been treking when I lost the lubricating fluid in my knees. Every step that I took ground bone on bone and it was excruciating. I walked one step at a time with tears rolling down my face. It got so bad that the guide, Boone, had his other guide take everyone else up ahead to the small village we would be staying in that night. Meanwhile, Boone, carried my pack and stayed with me as I hobbled along. Finally, when we arrived there was an amazing dinner awaiting. It was fresh vegetables and tofu. Yep, that is it. My best meal ever. I don’t know if it was because I was so relieved to get to the huts that I was intensely grateful for everything or if I was just starving but never had a plate looked so inviting.
While we were in Thailand this past April I visited another restaurant and also took a cooking class from them. The name of the place is the Blue Elephant and the restaurant is located in the former governors mansion. We had a multi-course dinner that was fit for kings. It consisted of Avocado Black Diamond Scallops, Red Curry, Tiger Prawns and Eggplant Salad and some other memorable taste marvels. And the decor was just beautiful.
The best Enchiladas I have ever eaten was in The Netherlands. The place was on the coast of the country in the town of Scheveningen. I have long ago forgotten the name of the place but I can still remember their cream cheese enchiladas like it was yesterday. It was a gastronomic highlight to my trip. However, today I was taken to a place that the people I am housesitting love and I can say without a doubt best Mexican food I have ever eaten. The roadside restaurant is called Tacos Vias and it’s on the road to Bernal. You choose whether you want blue (Azul) tacos or blanco (white) masa. The lady scoops a bit of dough, pats it into shape and then throws it on the grill. You then take the plate have them put the topping on. I had beans and cheese. Then added meat, potatoes, and carrots cooked in a sauce and then laid on a nice bit of mango and cucumber salsa. Here’s a look:
A big surprise to me in my food experiences was when I ate at the Pingvinen in Bergen, Norway. Reindeer stew with salted lamb, sausage and root veggies was a new taste that my palate was not sure about while their cured reindeer marinated in lingonberries and gin was a real treat. One thing I can say was that I believed the food that was served was traditional and could be found in the coldest and smallest of villages throughout the country.
Bergen had a surprising number of fantastic places to eat including Kogi which I can honestly say had the best Korean food I have ever eaten including what I ate in Korea. The bulgogi was stupendous as was the pa-jeon. The owner was extremely friendly and gave me the recipe for her secret sauce and the dishes I sampled were divine. There was also a Burmese restaurant that we stumbled upon called Mandalay Sushi and Burmese. (Pics- Brown Cheese Dessert, Cured Reindeer, Lapskaus Stew; along with Pajeon from Kogi in bottom left corner, the menu from Pingvinen.
Places I have eaten have given me inspiration for my own cooking but nothing as much as street food in various countries. I love the corn on the cob in 12 different flavors that you find in China. This man peddling his food in the water town of Zhouzhuang pulled the best sweet potato I have ever had off of his cart and handed it to me all hot and steamy. I also contributed to that pile of eggs sitting outside the two seater hole-in-the-wall that we ate at.
The best desserts I ever ate were in Prague and for the life of me I cannot tell you the name of of the place but it was in the historic downtown about two blocks from the Clocktower. Maybe if you are lucky you can read the napkin which I cannot. The last picture is the fabulous bread pudding served at St. Orres on the California coast up by Gualala. This Russian inspired restaurant is one of the most beautiful on the coast and the food is always great. Look at these delights and just drool.
Some of the drinks that stand out in mind include a particular blueberry cream smash found at the Bergens Tidende but for great drinks AND spectacular scenery I still believe that you can’t beat Nepenthe Restaurant off Highway One at Big Sir, California. Taking in the view with a lovely drink in your hand makes you believe that all is well with the world.
Oh and I guess this would not be complete with chocolate. Ethel M in Las Vegas is hands down my favorite chocolatier but a close second has got to Lakrids by Bulow Salty Caramel Chocolate Coated Licorice. I never particularly liked licorice until I tasted these dolls! Their Passion Fruit White Chocolate Coated Licorice is even better! (You can order Lakrids on Amazon!)
So there you have it. Some of my most memorable places I have eaten. I hope while I am here in Mexico to be able to add to this list. My plan is to take a cooking class while I am here in order to learn a bit more about what makes this country so spicy and delicioso.
Sometimes you just have to do a travel piece in pictures because as it is often said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Here’s looking at you South Haven!
Yes, it can get a bit crowded in the summer. And yes, parking can be an issue too but one of my favorite touristy towns along Lake Michigan is South Haven. Why? It has a town center that has so much charm and personality it bursts at the seams. A sandy beach with an ice cream parlor, a walkable jetty, and green parks lining the water. Interesting mom and pop shops with flower boxes and statues that beg you to explore the area. Neighborhoods with adorable old houses that the residents take pride in. A free kids water park. Rides on the Friends Good Will, a top sail merchant ship early 18th century reproduction which plies the waters of South Haven during the summer. Cafe Julia a much beloved eatery with fresh baked goods. And, of course, the infamous red lighthouse.
One of the most interesting places I have visited this year is the Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary located about 150 miles north of Reno but easily accessible from Cedarville, California. Part of Dark Sky International, an organization which advocates protecting the night skies from light pollution; it’s designation marks this part of Nevada as one of the darkest places in the USA and the world. This vast area is so remote that the night sky is not impacted by human produced light resulting in some of the clearest star gazing available in the world. In fact, the Milky Way is visible by just the naked eye and the planets are so bright that it feels as if you can reach up and touch them. The night sky vistas are so immense and the number of stars so numerous it will bring tears to the eyes of the most cantankerous of old men.
The nights we were camping there the sky was teaming with stars as the coyotes howled in delight. Shooting stars flew across the night sky by the dozens and the magnificent Man in the Moon brought himself so close that you could hear his whispers as he spoke from the heavens above. This was in January 2025 and it was cold during the night with temperatures below freezing resulting in fluctuations of over 40 degrees between night and day. Since temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in the summer to me the optimum time to visit this amazing place would probably be spring or fall.
One benefit of no light pollution in an area is that it allows nocturnal animal habitats to thrive. Here you might find badgers, kangaroo rats, bats, mountain lions and a rattlesnake or two. Because of the isolation of this area it is important to bring what you might need to survive an emergency. Also, it is important to keep in mind that there is snowfall in the winter time so it is imperative to have enough supplies on hand to keep you warm and fed for several days. Further, you cannot count on cell service in this remote area so be sure to let loved ones know where you will be.
There are several markets in Cedarville (including Page’s) and at Alturas where you can pick up groceries and supplies. I can also recommend without reservation several eateries and cute little stores in Cedarville including The Vault (great coffee and knickknacks) and the Country Hearth Restaurant which serves fresh baked goods as well as amazingly large portion breakfasts.
There are numerous campgrounds in the area managed by the BLM which can be contacted for further information at:
Bureau of Land Management 602 Cressler St. Cedarville, CA 96104 530-279-6101
While Massacre Rim takes a bit of planning and time to visit, its breathtaking night skies are out of this world and definitely worth a trip. In fact, I was so impressed and awestruck by what I experienced that I am now planning on visiting as many Dark Sky Sanctuaries as I possibly can.
For more information on Dark Sky viewing visit: dark sky.org
About 15 minutes outside of San Jose California in the Eastern foothills of Santa Clara County; there is a nine mile hiking preserve that offers expansive views of the mountains, the South Bay and San Jose itself. With many different hikes and loops to choose from including a meadow hike that is perfect for young families as well as longer more challenging walks; it is hard to believe that the city is just below.
One of the more appreciated aspects of the preserve is the careful grooming of the trails as well as the thoughtfully placed bridges and benches just to rest and take in the views. Horses are also allowed on some of the trails however dogs and drones are not allowed due to habitat conditions.
While I was visiting in May the wildflowers were out in abundance brings swathes of colors to the hills.
The wildlife in the area although somewhat elusive includes hawks, badgers, gray fox and along with owls, kestrels, hummingbirds, bob cats and mountain lions. As always when hiking one should carry bear spray to ward off larger predators.
The preserve is open from 7 am until 8:30 pm but parking is somewhat limited so it is best to get there early because when the lot fills up you cannot hike. The only downside to this spectacular area is the lack of any sort of restroom facilities including porta-potties.
For more information visit: openspaceauthority.org. The site provides plenty of information about Sierra Vista along with several other Open Space hiking trails including their guided hike program, biking and horse trails.
Going to a rock museum often elicits cries of “How boring. Who wants to look at a bunch of rocks?” This response can often be heard from just about everyone involved. But if you can just corral everyone into the car; after visiting Crater Rock Museum it will become a favorite pastime for your family to just to meander about. And best of all the price for admission is minimal.
You enter the museum through a gift shop full of rocks, books and other items typical of such places. In fact, the room is so large that at first I thought it was the museum itself. But was I wrong. This collection of rocks, fossils, artwork and gems travels from one exhibit hall to the next. It is a seemingly unending labyrinth that is stuffed to the brim. From local rocks to geology curated from around the world, the species are spectacular and the variety of colors explosive! There is even a black light room which contains a fluorescent mineral display that kept the kids enthralled.
My explanation about this incredible gem of a museum really can’t to it justice so you will just have to look for yourself.
Even more impressive is the museum offers a variety of classes and workshops on such topics as geology, wire wrapping, lapidary, and cabochon. Perhaps one of these hands-on learning opportunities might just be the perfect Christmas gift for someone on Santa’s list!.
The Crater Rock Museum is located at 2002 Scenic Road, Central Point, Oregon.
Phone: (541) 664-6081.
The museum is closed on Sundays and is open a variety of hours throughout the week but mostly between 10 am – 3 pm.
If I had a few hours to kill I certainly wouldn’ miss the finest rock collection on the West Coast. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed that you made the trip!
Hidden outside the historic and charming town of Hood River, Oregon, is one of the most interesting museums I have been to in a long time. Consisting of over 3.5 indoor acres of automobiles, airplanes, motorcycles and military equipment; it is easy to spend a couple of hours looking at some of America’s most beloved machines. All the exhibits are in pristine shape and several times a year the doors open so that the autos can hit the road while the planes fly high. With volunteer docents who know all about each and every last vehicle and whom always have plenty of interesting and funny stories to tell; this place is a treasure looking to shine bright on the rainiest of Oregon days. Open 9am-5pm daily. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. WAAAM is located at 1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River, Oregon. Telephone (541) 308-1600.
The Getty Center in the Brentwood section of Los Angles is an amazing feat of architecture. Designed to allow maximum viewing along with introspection from all areas; it is a place to go just to enmesh yourself in the soul of a building. Screw the art!
The Getty was built in 1997 and designed by Robert Meier. Bountiful gardens and vistas open up throughout the facility giving visitors a chance to be one with the glory of nature. With outdoor sculptures and numerous lavish fountains dotting the 24 acre complex it makes for a full-scale outdoor art experience.
Of course, the Getty, viewing one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world by artists such as van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Delacroix; is an amazing experience.
For those with an interest in illuminated manuscripts and old photographs; the Getty Center doesn’t disappoint. But for the kids, the best part of the trip to the Getty will be riding the tram up the mountain from the subterranean parking garage.
The Getty Center is closed Mondays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and January 1. Parking is $15. Admission is free. There is also a lovely restaurant that offers expensive food served up with incredible views.
If you are like me lighthouses hold a deep fascination. It’s not just the buildings themselves that pull at my heart but its also the people who dedicated their lives to ensuring that passing ships were not swallowed up by the sea.
The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse on the Mendocino Coast is nothing short of breathtaking. The lighthouse hugs this wild and windy shoreline like a blanket, warming and protecting the boats which pass by headed to distant ports around the world. Wildlife is abundant. Walk quietly and you will see the deer grazing, some eagles soaring, and most likely you will be able to hear the seals bark; as the Fresnel lends patrols the outer coast for a distance of 13-15 miles, 24/7.
This lighthouse was constructed in 1908 and was lit for the first time at midnight on June 10, 1909. The point was chosen to increase and protect maritime travel as boats picked up loads of timber that were harvested from the Redwood forests which stretched from mountain tops straight down to the sea. When you visit today you will be able to view the lighthouse as well as the three keepers residences, the Oil House, the Blacksmith and Carpentry shop along with various outbuildings.
Personally, I think that the best time to visit this beautiful piece of the world is in late November – February or Mid-February to early May. This is when the Gray Whales migrate from Alaska down to Baja, Mexico to birth their young and then make the trip back with their calf in tow. Watching them spout and breach from the lighthouse sends a “HAPPY” chill straight down your spine and a sense of awe exploding throughout your brain.
One of the many things I like about lighthouses and their grounds is that they are often available to rent for short stays and Point Cabrillo’s accommodations are amongst the best. The Head Lightkeeper’s House, The 2nd Assistant’s House and two cabins, all of which have been historically restored, are ideal for family vacations. Best of all they are reasonably priced, not cheap, but in-line for this type of experience.
The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is open, like most state parks from sunrise to sunset, but many of the exhibits are only available from the hours of 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. To rent the houses contact:
About five hours from my home lies the Giant Sequoia National Monument. It is located in a relatively unknown part of the Sequoia National Forest and it is magnificent. Here at the Trail of 100 Giants you will find over 125 giant sequoias with bases in excess of 10 ft in diameter along with hundreds of lesser bodied trees. The tallest tree rises 220 ft into the air and many of these beauties are over 1,000 years old. They are truly a site to behold as their leaves dance in the soft breezes that flow through the grove.
If you venture up along the Western Divide Highway you will arrive at The Trail of 100 Giants which is approximately 45 miles from Kernville or 15 miles from California Hot Springs. It has an easily accessible paved walking trail that is almost 1.5 miles in length. Quaint bridges and interpretive signs dot the trail and wildlife can be found feasting on the leaves of the plants growing alongside the trees.
This is a place our family likes to come. The walk is lovely and when the summer sun is scorching the valley you can count on it being 10-15 degrees cooler. There are also camping and toilet facilities across the road at the Redwood Meadow Campground that have been there for years unchanged. So this past week we were in for a surprise when we entered the campground to find yurt camping available. The yurts had been brought in the previous week and they sat in amongst the trees with glorious views of the nearby meadow.
According to the manager the yurts were renting for $75 per night and sleep 4. I have to say they are a wonderful addition to the park and they provide another interesting way to experience the beauty of this glorious area.
To reserve a spot call:
FYI: The Trail of 100 Giants is only accessible during the summer and sometimes early fall before the snow falls.
FYI: The Trail of 100 Giants is only accessible during the summer and sometimes early fall before the snow falls.
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