my jaunts: the texas state fair

the ou/tx red river showdown in the cotton bowl. boomer!

the ou/tx red river showdown in the cotton bowl. boomer!

as cooler weather rolls in, summer is starting to wave good-bye, and what a great summer she was!  favorites included grilling out on warm evenings in our backyard (so nice to be back to the land of warm nights!), patio trips to boulevardier, brunch at the grape, trying to find the best pizza in town (cane rosso is currently winning that challenge, but you can expect this challenge to definitely extend into fall!), and picnic-ing across town with the lovely dallas picnic society.

lakeside park with the dallas picnic society

lakeside park with the dallas picnic society

but fall is here, and that means a lot of things: boots, apple cider, fire pits, college football, and of course, the texas state fair.  i haven’t been in several years, but this year my husband bought me tickets to the famous red river showdown football rivalry between oklahoma and texas, which takes place at the cotton bowl, which is situated right smack dab in the middle of the fair.  the temperatures had dropped significantly the night before, so we bundled up and took the train down to fair park to check it out.

the cotton bowl

the cotton bowl – scene of the famous oklahoma/texas red river showdown each october, in the middle of the texas state fair

it’s difficult to explain the texas state fair if you haven’t been before, so allow me to describe with a few photos.  the fair sits in the middle of the art deco fair park complex, which also houses the women’s museum, the texas discovery gardens, and an outdoor music venue, among many others.  in other words, it’s giant.  big tex greets you in his famous texas drawl as you walk down the main promenade.  this is the new big tex after the original from 1952 splendidly caught on fire in 2012 (funny/not funny – it was also the year big tex turned 60, was given an AARP card, and had shades of grey added to his hair – #godblesstexas).

the new and improved big tex

the new and improved big tex – howwwwwdy, folllllks

the fair has a livestock section with goat competitions, pig and ostrich races, cattle, and horses.  it has an automobile building that showcases new cars and a creative arts section with prize-winning quilts  and cooking challenges by chefs. there is a building filled with inventors hawking their latest gadgets and a relaxation tent filled with new hot tubs, massage chairs, mattresses, and more.  weirded out yet?

goats at texas state fair

these are goats. competing. with a giant ceiling fan.

because then there is the food, the glorious fried food that booths compete over each year, trying to outdo each other with the most outlandish fried goodness.  there have been fried oreos, fried s’mores, fried coke, even fried butter!  this year i tried the fried sriracha balls (ok, delicious) and the fried pb&j sandwich with bananas.  but the classic is fletcher’s corny dog, freshly dipped upon your order and just absolutely amazing.

fletcher's corny dog

the famous freshly-dipped fletcher’s corny dog – a state fair must-eat.

beyond the food booths are the crazy carnival rides and games, which range from individual booths where you can shoot balloons to win a giant stuffed life-size gorilla to the texas star, a 212-foot ferris wheel that gives you views of all of dallas.

carnival games

carnival games at the texas state fair

and finally, the game.  oklahoma vs. texas, played at the exact half-way point between the two schools.  students descend in droves from norman and austin, and girls don teeny flowy dresses in school colors with the mandatory cowboy boots.  the players, the bands, the mascots – everything is a competition and the game itself never disappoints, especially when oklahoma somehow manages to win with a completely terrible offense.

ou/texas style

boots and legs and dresses and hats – boomer.

cool temperatures, corny dogs, and the red river showdown…fall is officially here.  cheers!

what are some of your favorite things to do in fall?

my jaunts: a south african safari

this guy pursued this girl all night. sometimes the girls will lead them on for days on end. we're not so different, really.

this guy pursued this girl all night. sometimes the girls will lead them on for days on end. we’re not so different, really.

i’ve been thinking a lot about how i wanted to write about last month’s safari in south africa.  before going, i thought i knew what i had signed up for, but it took me about five minutes on the safari vehicle to realize i was completely wrong!  so i think the best way to fill you in is to just copy my notes from my travel journal so you can relive my surprise/fear/awe/disbelief/love of the entire experience.  enjoy!

the south african bush. #nofilter

the south african bush. #nofilter

notes from my journal:

from nelspruit airport to sabi sands private game reserve is 2.5 hours by car.  the sights we saw while en route: cows walking freely, women with baskets/packages on head, goats, people walking everywhere, funeral homes, banana and eucalyptus trees, soccer matches played by kids/teens, speed bumps, KFC, unfinished stone houses, babies strapped on backs with colorful clothes, bright electric blue birds.  our driver, colin, was 31.  he lives nearby with two sons with tribe names.  he asked many questions: do americans protest?  tell me about your government.  how many languages are you speaking (he spoke three: english, africaans, and his tribe language)?  do you like will smith (he loves “bad boys”)?  his boys love KFC.  the journey was 210 km, but over 2 hours due to most of the road being unpaved and extremely bumpy.

this is our awesome ranger and tracker at arathusa - if you go, you gotta get with double D (dries and derick)!

this is our awesome ranger and tracker at arathusa – if you go, you gotta get with double D (dries and derick)!

so we arrive at sabi sands, our private game reserve that shares a border with kruger national park (animals roam freely between both), around 3pm.  we go through security at the gate, where they search our car for guns – apparently there are still poachers around.  we drive through to our lodge (many lodges in this reserve) called arathusa. we check in, drink some nice mango juice, get a warm towel at reception, and are walked to our hut.  upon putting down our things, our guide tells us the evening game drive leaves in…ten minutes!  we rush to change clothes and hurry out to the vehicle, where we are immediately whisked away!  no instructions other than “do not stand up – the animals may charge!”  noted.

this is a photo of another vehicle with a lion lying in front. this is how close we would get to the animals! it's insane! usually we would drive up to a pride of five to seven lions and just chill with them for 20 minutes.

this is a photo of another vehicle with a lion lying in front. this is how close we would get to the animals! it’s insane! usually we would drive up to a pride of five to seven lions and just chill with them for 20 minutes.

the vehicles are massive with four rows of seats: first row for the ranger (driver), and three rows of three seats each for guests.  seats are stadium style and blankets are provided.  rides are at dawn and dusk, aka feeding times.  the animals are used to seeing the vehicles because they have seen them since birth and do not feel threatened, so we came very close to the animals.  as in, a LION touched the tire i was sitting over!  very frightening and amazing all at once.  the vehicles are open air, no doors, no roof, nothing between that hungry lion and me.  #ohhello

if that's not going to cause your heart to pause, i'm not sure what will. mama lion at kapama game reserve.

if that’s not going to cause your heart to pause, i’m not sure what will. mama lion at kapama game reserve.

the ranger drives and radios other drivers to see if anyone has seen anything. the tracker sits in a seat on the hood of the vehicle and looks at the footprints in the road to follow the tracks to the animals.  at night, the tracker shines a light looking for the red eyes of nocturnal animals (when you finally find the pair of red eyes, the sight is really quite surreal: oh, there’s a pride of lions?  onward for a closer view!).

this is what you find at night when searching for nocturnal animals. #scary

this is what you find at night when searching for nocturnal animals. #scary

on our first drive, we saw a pride of lions, a leopard (very difficult to see since they travel alone and are constantly on the move), many deer-like animals, giraffe, and many birds.  on our second drive, we saw two lion prides, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, rhinos, and more.  my favorites are the awkward giraffe and the stupid-looking elephant – we saw a family of elephants surround their baby when they smelled the lion dung on our vehicle.  had to leave immediately or else they would have charged!

this is a leopard that is really close.

this is a leopard that is really close. we followed him for 40 minutes as he walked around and marked his territory. so beautiful (the leopard, not the marking of territory).

these elephants smelled lion dung on our car and freaked out. they immediately circled the babies and prepared to charge. we exited quickly.

these elephants smelled lion dung on our car and freaked out. they immediately circled the babies and prepared to charge. we exited quickly.

animals are everywhere and we come so close!  i’ve gotten nervous several times when we go off the road to track an animal, running over bush and trees in the process.  in a pinch, how would we escape?  today, one pride was quite skittish, and we had no easy escape – terrifying, but we were also only 20 feet away from five lions – so surreal!

just a crazy close elephant ripping apart a tree.

there is no zoom here – just a crazy close elephant ripping apart a tree. she charged us post-photo. terrifying/i love her.

the african buffalo: hideous and dangerous.

the african buffalo: hideous and dangerous. i left the sides of the vehicle in the frame so you can see how close we were. the surrounded us. then charged us. after my heart resumed beating, we drove on.

all of this is extremely bizarre and awesome.  i feel miles away from cape town, and even further from home.  where are we?!

just a couple of rhinos out for a snack.

just a couple of rhinos out for a snack. i’m not entirely convinced that these guys aren’t really dinosaurs. can someone prove that to me?

our safari schedule:

5:30am – wake-up call

5:45am – coffee and tea at the bar

6:00am – morning drives

6:45am – sunrise

7:30am – coffee/tea stop in the bush with your vehicle

my husband stopping for morning coffee in the middle of the bush - not much protection here from a lion.

my husband stopping for morning coffee in the middle of the bush – not much protection here from a lion.

9:00am – return for breakfast (one day, they surprised us and we had a bush breakfast outside – we were greeted with champagne and gorgeous views!)

10:45am – bush walks with guides, where you walk through the bush on foot (completely terrifying for me)

2:00pm – lunch

3:00pm – high tea

3:30pm – afternoon drives

5:30pm – sundowner cocktail stop – pretty crazy to drink a gin and tonic while side-eyeing a giraffe nearby

6:00pm – sunset

6:30pm – return to the lodge (one night, they surprised us and we had a bush dinner in the dark – someone saw hyena circling – so crazy.  we had a lesson in stargazing and ate delicious food (the food at safaris is plentiful and amazing – you do not go hungry).

headed back to our vehicle post-bush dinner.

headed back to our vehicle post-bush dinner. the stars were so bright in south africa! our rangers pointed out the southern cross and other constellations.

we met so many amazing guests from around the world at arathusa, and many had travel stories that were so inspirational (so many places to see, so little time!). we ate meals together, and chatted over cocktails pre-dinner.  our second safari was at a more upscale lodge (kapama karula), and was lovely, but did not have the same community feel to it as arathusa did.  if you’re looking for a good place that gives you amazing guides, plentiful animals, and a really great safari experience, i would 100% recommend arathusa.  check out my reviews of arathusa and kapama karula on trip advisor, as well.

the view from our room included these cuties! very loud (and apparently dangerous), they had a group of seven that hung out together. these are the babies.

the view from our room included these cuties! very loud (and apparently dangerous), they had a group of seven that hung out together. these are the babies.

these are the footprints/tracks the tracker looks for when searching for the animals. the large round ones are elephants, and we learned how to identify the tracks of rhinos, hippos, leopards, lions, and more.

these are the footprints/tracks the tracker looks for when searching for the animals. the large round ones are elephants, and we learned how to identify the tracks of rhinos, hippos, leopards, lions, and more.

 

my jaunts: cape town, south africa

the colorful bo-kaap neighborhood

the colorful bo-kaap neighborhood, which we explored in cape town on our extra day that we added.

cape town is one of the most unique cities i have visited.  located in the southeastern tip of africa, it confusingly feels like europe due to the british and dutch colonization from years past, and is often described by the rest of africa as “not the real africa.”  yet look a little deeper, and something new is bubbling up.  as the nation continues to separate itself from the all-too-recent apartheid (a post on that later), the landscape is changing.  a new generation of youth who never knew (or only vaguely remember) the blatant segregation of races now together create a sense of optimism through shared beers at hipster pubs, the growing popularity of football among the entire nation, and a feeling of creativity that permeates the city, replacing the formerly rigid afrikaaner mindset.

stunning vistas while driving along the western edge of the cape peninsula

stunning vistas while driving along the western edge of the cape peninsula

also, the scenery is breathtaking.  table mountain surrounds the city center and provides stunning views on sunny days (though beware: table mountain is often shrouded in clouds, making breathtaking vistas impossible for days at a time), while cosmopolitan beach towns line the atlantic ocean with posh restaurants and cafes.  heading south from the city, the cape peninsula is a day’s drive and provides views only paralleled by big sur in central california (and minus the thousands of tourists).  if that’s not enough, the cape winelands are to the east of the city and boast unbelievably picturesque vineyards famous for cultivating excellent pinotage amid cape dutch architecture.

it is easy to be overwhelmed by a city such as this, and i had no idea where to start. we spent five days in cape town, and i still feel as if i did not see enough and that i missed out on some key sites.  to help future visitors, i’ve put together my ideas on must-sees, based on how many days you have on hand.

for one day in cape town:

if you get to choose which day to visit, choose saturday.  start by taking a cab to the old biscuit mill in the eastern, industrial part of town.  gradually turning from a warehouse district into a creative hub, the former biscuit mill houses the neighbourgoods market each saturday.  hundreds of vendors converge with clothes, jewelry, and food.  oh, the food.  stalls of african comfort food, sushi, paella, mediterranean salads, ostrich burgers, brai (african bbq), and more, surround rows of communal tables set with fresh flowers and burning candles.  you must go to see the new face of cape town: young, diverse, and all creating something that seems to be more brooklyn than africa or england.

the neighbourgoods market entrance in the old biscuit mill in cape town

the neighbourgoods market entrance in the old biscuit mill in cape town

following lunch and shopping, take a cab to the nearby convention center and hop on the double-decker tourist hop on/hop off buses.  for one day, i recommend the red route.  head to the top of the bus and listen to the guide as you speed through downtown, long street, and district 6, where black residents were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1970s and forced to live in townships outside the city (the district 6 museum is worth a stop).  if in need of a pick-me-up, stop at the mount nelson hotel (nicknamed uncle nellie) for high tea (make reservations in advance).  otherwise, continue on to table mountain.

a view of the city bowl district from the top of table mountain; looking northwest toward the atlantic ocean.

a view of the city bowl district from the top of table mountain; looking northwest toward the atlantic ocean. you can see the cape town stadium (from the world cup!) near the northern coast.

at the base, head to the cable car lines (tip: buy your tickets in advance to bypass the 45-minute wait), and zoom to the top of the mountain, which takes hikers approximately four hours to ascend.  the views are unbelievable and the photos do not do it justice.  back on the bus, head to swanky camps bay, a beach town known for its cosmopolitan vibe, and get out for a glass of champagne or espresso from a sidewalk cafe while watching the waves.  return to the bus for drives northward along the coast past more beaches, the world cup soccer stadium, and finally to the v&a waterfront.  very touristy, but worth a stop to see locals catching a televised rugby or soccer game at the large amphitheater.

the south africa vs. scotland rugby match at the v&a waterfront in cape town. the rowdy brazil world cup game followed with a packed ampitheater.

the south africa vs. scotland rugby match at the v&a waterfront in cape town. the rowdy brazil world cup game followed with a packed ampitheater.

add a second day:

hire a guide (i strongly recommend graham at wilderness touring) and head south to explore the cape point peninsula.  bring a camera to capture the winding roads hugging sharp cliffs that descend to crashing waves from the atlantic ocean.  pass quaint towns with cape dutch architecture, and head to table mountain national park for glimpses of ostriches and baboons near the cape of good hope.  eat lunch at two oceans restaurant, but don’t sit outside unless you’re willing to risk losing your dinner roll to a hungry baboon (seriously).  continue north along the eastern side of the peninsula, stopping at simon’s town to see penguins (penguins!!) as they frolic along the sand.  a total highlight.  end the day with a stroll through kirstenbosch gardens, the ethereal botanical gardens of cape town,and a true gem of the city.  complete the night with dinner at manna epicure in the gardens district.

penguin sighting at simon's point on the eastern edge of the cape peninsula - i love them!

penguin sighting at simon’s town on the eastern edge of the cape peninsula – i love them!

add a third day:

remember your guide?  bring him back for another day, and head to the winelands.  explore stellenbosch, a charming town in the middle of the winelands with a pristine downtown (think: santa barbara).  choose a few wineries to visit.  i would recommend vrede en lust for the wine enthusiasts, meerlust for the creatives (find charmaine gola and have her tell you everything you ever wanted to know about wine in south africa), webersburg for a traditional winery in cape dutch architecture, and delaire graff for a completely ridiculous display of wealth that will leave you awestruck.  people may suggest you stop in the french town of franschhoek:  skip it; too touristy.

the webersburg wine estate is a perfect example of cape dutch architecture.

the webersburg wine estate is a perfect example of cape dutch architecture.

add a fourth day:

continue to explore cape town.  spend some time strolling the city at leisure.  we stayed at liberty lodge in the gardens district (read my trip advisor review here), and it was a perfectly central location that was safe and allowed for walking to most city center sites.  shops and restaurants line kloof nek street, which turns into the famous long street as you head north to downtown.  stop in the vintage shops of long street, and especially at clarke’s bookshop, which specializes in cape town and south african literature.  walk through bo-kaap, the colorful muslim neighborhood with brightly painted houses set against the backdrop of table mountain; visit the bo-kaap museum to talk to residents and understand the history.  afterwards, enjoy lunch or tea at any of the hipster-esque cafes along bree street (i recommend dear me brasserie for excellent salads).  if you have the time, visit robben island to see where nelson mandela was imprisoned (you must reserve in advance).

the dear me brasserie near long street in cape town

the dear me brasserie near long street in cape town

add a fifth day:

rent a car and head to babylonstoren.  read my gush of a post here.

what to read: long walk to freedom by nelson mandela, you can’t get lost in cape town by zoe wicomb

what to watch:  searching for sugar man

when to go: summer is better weather-wise and allows for better views from table mountain.  however, winter is the best time for safaris, so you may be forced to visit capetown pre-safari in the winter.  weather is mild, but bring some layers (see my post on what to pack here).

my map of cape town!

my map of cape town!

my jaunts: babylonstoren

the lemon trees at babylonstoren look fake. just saying.

the lemon trees look fake. just saying.

i just returned from SOUTH AFRICA on wednesday, and holy moly what a fun trip.  seriously, you need to go to south africa.  it’s going to take me some time to compile posts about this past month-o’-vacation, but i’ll do my best.  to start: babylonstoren.

the meditation garden under mulberry trees. i imagine it is quite nice during the summer.

the meditation garden under mulberry trees. i imagine it is quite nice during the summer.

while researching places to see in and around cape town, this place kept standing out.  this farm/restaurant/winery/hotel/gardens seemed other-worldly and intrigued me from the beginning.  as best as i could tell, it was a farm/set of gardens/winery first, from which the restaurant, which requires a reservation two months in advance, sources its delicious food.  later, accommodations were made available, so guests could experience the farm for several days.  only a 45 minute drive from cape town, i decided we had to visit.  we extended our trip by one day, and secured a rental car for the drive there.

the grounds of babylonstoren in the middle of the cape town winelands

the grounds of babylonstoren in the middle of the cape town winelands

after our travel agency failed to secure a reservation for lunch (reservations at babel, the restaurant, are hard to come by, and are first reserved for guests staying the night), we tried ourselves, also to no avail.  without a reservation, guests are welcome to eat in the greenhouse near the back of the gardens, which offers a series of sandwiches and salads also made from farm ingredients.  we decided to take our chances with the greenhouse.

the greenhouse restaurant that does not require a reservation. pretty chic!

the greenhouse restaurant that does not require a reservation. pretty chic!

on the day of our visit, with the rental car delivered to our guest house, we died laughing as we foolishly entered the car from the wrong sides: my husband attempting to drive from the left side (passenger seat in south africa), and me attempting to navigate from the right side (driver’s seat in south africa).  whoops.

epitome of free range chickens.

epitome of free range chickens.

the drive to babylonstoren was easy, uneventful, and beautiful. wineries roll by with mountains and low clouds in the distance.  upon arrival, we were given a delightful map (i have a thing for great maps), and made our way to the entrance through the vineyards.  we were greeted by free-roaming chickens and a donkey, and two jolly women in aprons manning the store (at the store, you can purchase chutneys, meats, cheeses, books, beautiful linens, glasseware used at babylonstoren, etc.; it is worth a visit.).

cured meats for sale in the shop

cured meats for sale in the shop

accountant-by-day, i like to have a plan (i was told by a south african in the airport that that is a purely american habit, but surely not so), so we headed to the hotel reception to learn of any tips or suggestions before we wandered the grounds for the day.  there we met lionel, the most friendly and delightful man on site, who has been with the farm since they opened.  he happily led us around several of the gardens, pointing out “illusion stones” that appear to be actual stones in paths, but when presssed, deliver exciting surprises for children, like shooting water streams.  i was excited, too.

i heart babylonstoren.

feeling happy, and also like i am in the middle of a kinfolk article.

lionel also took us to the guest houses and showed us around – beautiful!  note to self: next time, book a night onsite (trust me).  click here for photos and prices, as i was too enamored by the decor to actually snap any photos.  it is evident that the customer service at babylonstoren is impeccable, and lionel mentioned that guests can pick their own fruits and vegetables from the garden to prepare themselves in their kitchen, and children are awoken early in the morning to help the staff fetch eggs from the chicken coops.  bicycles are on site to explore the grounds, and various hiking trails are available (one of which leads to a delightful-sounding lagoon, at which a canoe is ready for intrepid adventurers).  *swoon*

this is where they house insects that help keep away harmful pests. my husband was intrigued, though he didn't spot any current residents.

this is where they house insects that help keep away harmful pests. my husband was intrigued, though he didn’t spot any current residents.

by this time, i was starting to feel like i was in a kinfolk article, and was wondering if this was all just a little too perfect.  and then it got better.  lionel offered to check availability at the restaurant, and they found room for us to dine for lunch.  it was delicious.  menus are written daily on the large white wall, and salad courses are separated into three color groups: yellow, green, and red.  i ordered the yellow, and it was filled with carrots and pineapple skewers, butternut patties, tangerines, and a persimmon.

the yellow salad at baylonstoren - a work of art, yes?

the yellow salad at baylonstoren – a work of art, yes?

the portions were extremely large, and extremely reasonably priced.  i believe we paid approximately $50 (pre-tip, which was a snafu in and of itself when we accidently only tipped approximatey $0.70; much to our – and our waitress’ – horror; don’t worry, we rectified) for two salad starters, two mains (mine fish, my husband’s pork loin), three sides (which accompany the mains), a shared dessert, and two glasses of rosé.

menu du jour for the babel restaurant - i was so excited to eat there! it did not disappoint.

menu du jour for the babel restaurant – i was so excited to eat there! it did not disappoint.

to work off our gluttony, we wandered the gardens for the next couple of hours, which were seriously dream-like.  there are fountains full of fish, paths made of acorn shells, houses for bees to make honey, a meditation area under mulberry trees, a wandering path of tree stumps, chicken coops, etc., all the while people, turkeys, guinea fowl, and chickens wander freely.  we kept asking ourselves “where are we??” and not being able to come up with an answer.  after strolling and sitting and photographing to our little hearts’ content, we visited the shop (purchases of wine, candles, soap, and the babylonstoren book to accompany us home), and headed back to cape town.  a truly memorable day.

bees live here!

bees live here!

 

my jaunts: claremont, california

claremont

as i mentioned last week, a long weekend in claremont, california has convinced me of the smaller-town lifestyle.  while in town for a wedding, i explored the town (population: 35,000) 33 miles northeast of los angeles that feels more like a weekend retreat than a suburb of the second largest city in the US.  the more i travel, the more clearly i articulate my ideal city.  it is becoming in my mind something very close to claremont: a smaller town with education and culture (i’m realizing the smaller towns with performing arts, galleries, speaker series, etc. all surround college campuses), a thriving local economy (i.e. locally owned shops and businesses), and access to a city.  the only other town i have found that is close to this is san luis obispo in central california.

seaver house at pomona college, one of the claremont colleges. lovely amongst the lush trees.

seaver house at pomona college, one of the claremont colleges. lovely amongst the lush trees.

the locals refer to claremont as the town full of trees and PhDs, and it’s easy to sese why: trees line and cover the streets of claremont, instantly tranporting you as you exit the 10 freeway from the craziness of LA into the laid back lifestyle of this college town.  the claremont colleges are located here, adding youth and culture that is evident in the many festivals, performing arts, and speaker series that occur throughout the year.

the pomona college museum of art, just across the street from the claremont village

the pomona college museum of art, just across the street from the claremont village

in the middle of town, just east of the colleges, is the claremont village (see map below), which is nine square blocks filled with eclectic shops, locally-owned restaurants, and the most adorable city hall you’ve ever seen (a group of friends was eating a picnic on the grounds when we walked by…is this real life?).  my favorite stores included vintage odyssey, where i purchased my usual vintage travel photos, and barbara cheatley’s gift shop, where i could have spent the entire day browsing through their unique gifts (as it was, i settled on a copy of fitzgerald’s on booze).

vintage odyssey in the claremont village

vintage odyssey in the claremont village

on the southeastern edge of the village sits the packing house, a large, open, former citrus packing house filled with a dozen or so stores and restaurants inside.  i loved its locally owned bookstore, claremont forum bookstore and gallery, where i bought a travel photography coffee table book from the 60s, which i ogled over later that evening.  packing house wines is located next door, and offers a large selection of wines by the glass or bottle with live music.

the claremont forum bookshop and gallery

the claremont forum bookshop and gallery

we didn’t have time to eat many meals in claremont, but the two we did enjoy were fantastic.  dr. grubbs is a quick and casual restaurant in claremont village and has large portions of freshly made, flavorful, and healthy foods. i had the grilled pesto chicken over couscous for something like $11.  the next day i tried the mediterranean food a few blocks south at saca’s.  both restaurants were casual (ordered at the counter), yet delicious.

just a typical picnic outside claremont city hall

just a typical picnic outside claremont city hall

who should go: angelenos who need a break from the LA grind (you can even take the metrolink directly to claremont village!)

nearby cities: visit claremont as a day trip while visiting los angeles, or stop by after a trip to palm springs (claremont is located just west of ontario, where the closest major airport to palm springs is located)

claremont-village-map

1. dr. grubbs, 353 west bonita  2. saca’s mediterannean cuisine, 248 west 2nd  3. packing house wine merchants, 540 west 1st  4. vintage odyssey, 201 west bonita  5. barbara cheatley antiques, 215 yale avenue  6. folk music cent, 220 yale avenue  7. the claremont forum bookshop and gallery, 586 west 1st  8. cloud nine paperie, 216 west 2nd

my jaunts: a little of this and a little of that

the past few weeks have been exceptionally crazy with planning for all of my upcoming travels.  this is by far my favorite time of year, if i could just keep up with everything!  i’m currently exploring claremont, california, which may be my new favorite small town (full of trees and Ph.D.s as one local described last night), and i can’t wait to share a few thoughts in more detail next week.  for now, here are a few of my favorite adventures from the past couple of weeks.  happy friday!

you can't go wrong with the view of the griffith observatory and hollywood sign from the oversized armchair at the cottages of silverlake

you can’t go wrong with the view of the griffith observatory and hollywood sign from the oversized armchair at the cottages of silverlake

  • staying at the cottages in silverlake, los angeles – a longer post will be needed to do this place justice (stay tuned), but suffice it to say that this is one of my happiest of places.  the owners are always so accommodating, and the view alone makes me curl up in that oversized arm chair and do nothing but read and ponder.
deep ellum brewing co.'s dallas blonde.

deep ellum brewing co.’s dallas blonde.

  • exploring dallas’ craft beer scene – following d magazine’s beer issue, i am even more psyched than before to try new local beers.  my favorites so far have been deep ellum’s dallas blonde and peticolas‘ golden opportunity, which my husband and i used to fill up a growler at the new lakewood growler in lakewood, dallas.  this bar/growler stop also lets you bring in food from nearby restaurants to make an evening of things.  will definitely be returning. often.

    such a jaunty poster in dallas county health's foreign immunization office!

    such a jaunty poster in dallas county health’s foreign immunization office!

  • shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots…everybody – yep.  travel immunization time!  a quick jaunt to dallas county health department proved to be a) helpful and b) memorable.  and how cute is their bulletin board on international travel?  it made my four shots (only slightly) more bearable (did i mention i am afraid of needles?)! this safari better be flipping fantastic
seaver house at pomona college, one of the claremont colleges. lovely amongst the lush trees.

seaver house at pomona college, one of the claremont colleges. lovely amongst the lush trees.

  • discovering claremont – ok, in all seriousness, this town is amazing.  tree-lined and covered streets filled with vibrant flowers and a cute little family eating a picnic in front of city hall that is in the center of the town’s village, which is filled with delightful boutiques and restaurants (and a perfect bar for watching game 1 of the world cup), all abutting the beautiful claremont colleges.  i want to move here and then convince all of my friends to move here, and we shall each own a perfect craftsman and subscribe to american bungalow.

what adventures have you been uo to recently?  i’d love for you to share in a guest post, as well!

my jaunts: new york city

gets me every time!

gets me every time!

a couple of weeks ago, i spent the weekend in new york – my very favorite of cities.  the weekend was spent catching up with old friends and celebrating life events, and therefore did not lend itself to site-seeing or checking out new restaurants or shops.  but just being in the city is enough, to see the loud nypd direct traffic, to hear the ridiculous cacophony (big word) of the horns and bike bells, to experience the energy that inspires millions.

tulips on park avenue

tulips on park avenue

also, it’s spring.  spring in new york, which never ceases to amaze me.  my very first visit to new york was in april of 1999.  it was over easter weekend, and we stayed downtown in the hotel between the world trade center towers.  we took photos of all the people rushing up the escalators in the morning.  instantly, i fell in love.  despite being cold (why must the new york weather be the last to hear of spring?), central park was in full bloom, and our carriage driver (yes, carriage driver) shouted “happy easter!” to each passing hasidic jew.

stumbled upon a mile-long sikh festival

stumbled upon a mile-long sikh festival, and couldn’t resist invading some personal space for a closer look at these earrings (let’s be honest, there was no personal space at that parade).

fifteen years later and i’m still in love.  maybe because i don’t live there and the magic isn’t replaced with tired feet and freezing winters and cramped apartments, but rather still exists in the tulips on park avenue, the random cultural events that pop up at a moment’s notice, the pure joy of quietly reading a book in bryant park while surrounded by the nation’s craziest intersection.

a bagel and a novel (thanks, bagel & schmear) during a quiet morning in bryant park

a bagel and a novel (thanks, bagel & schmear) during a quiet morning in bryant park

after many visits, new york still isn’t my home (and may never be), but it’s my happy place.  and with spring being my happy season, it doesn’t get much better than april in manhattan.

bright and cheery at madison square in new york

bright and cheery at madison square in new york

what’s your favorite place for spring?

my jaunts: texas wildflowers

bluebonnets! the state flower of texas, and the backdrop of many texas family photos.

bluebonnets! the state flower of texas, and the backdrop of many texas family photos.

it’s that wildflower time of year, which may seem strange if you’re not from texas.  every april, after several monsoon-like rains hit the area, bright vibrant wildflowers bloom along the sides of highways, in abandoned lots, really anywhere you wouldn’t expect to see the lovely blooms.

blurry, but beautiful - miles of bright yellow wildflowers along highway 45

blurry, but beautiful – miles of bright yellow wildflowers along highway 45

i wasn’t too sold on the flowers when i first moved to texas, preferring more manicured landscaping to the haphazard smatterings of wildflowers along the roads.  but fast forward one year, and i was sold.  there’s something beautiful in the incredible colors and sheer amount of flowers literally lining hundreds of miles of freeways throughout the state.

warning: taking photos while driving not necessarily recommended.

warning: taking photos while driving not necessarily recommended.

i made the four hour drive along highway 45 between dallas and houston twice last week.  the southbound leg was driven in a complete downpour, with little visibility of the medians.  the northbound drive home three days later was absolutely breathtaking.  flowers followed me for the entire four hours – beautiful! i took some photos on my phone while driving back to dallas; they’re blurry and unfocused, but give you an idea of how pretty the drive was this april.

hundreds of miles of wildflowers line highway 45 between houston and dallas

hundreds of miles of wildflowers line highway 45 between houston and dallas

we can thank lady bird johnson for this unruly beauty, as it was through her efforts on the beautification act of 1965 that improved the previously unsightly medians and billboards.  later, in 1987, the surface transportation and uniform relocation assistance act required that at least .25 of 1 percent of funds spent on landscaping highways be used to plant native flora.  splendid.

texas wildflowers along a hill on highway 45

texas wildflowers along a hill on highway 45

beautiful day for a drive

beautiful day for a drive

a sprinkling of the famous texas bluebonnets, alongside shades of yellow and pink in the median

a sprinkling of the famous texas bluebonnets, alongside shades of yellow and pink in the median

my favorite time of year: the summer travel season

the summer 2014 travel lineup

the summer 2014 travel lineup

somehow, miraculously, my busiest time at work is over.  it seems too good to be true, but after several 80+ hour weeks, and many more 70+ hour weeks, i’m ready to explore something other than a corporate office.  thanks for your patience these past few months – more frequent blog posts to return shortly.

while not necessarily recommended, work stress does have one positive impact on me: it forces me to plan vacations.  i love having something to look forward to, a celebration for the end in sight.  or in this case, not just a single celebration, but many!  i am so excited for the travel lineup this summer, i can hardly wait.  after agonizing over the budget with my husband (we set aside a certain amount each month to make sure we can travel to the extent we like, foregoing other luxuries like nicer cars or a bigger house), we’re booked for the following locations:

the stunning texas hill country

the stunning texas hill country

  • road trip through texas – my husband is going on a bachelor party road trip through central and southeast texas, complete with bbq, biking, and beer.  i tried to insert myself into that soiree, but apparently it’s not very traditional for a female to join.  shame.  at least the wedding is in hill country, too.  thinking of buying myself a pair of boots for the occasion.  yeehaw.
the devil's backbone, outside of wimberley in texas hill country

the devil’s backbone, outside of wimberley in texas hill country

  • new york, new york – then it’s my turn for a bachelorette party in the city of cities.  my all time favorite, and this time i don’t have to plan a thing!  the last time i was in new york, i focused only on brooklyn, hardly venturing into manhattan.  while fantastic (and something i would definitely recommend), i’m ready to again be in an empire state of mind.
let's hear it for new york...

let’s hear it for new york…

  • los angeles (x2) – does it count as a vacation if you’ve lived there before?  i think so.  i’m looking forward to seeing old friends and partaking in several father’s office burgers (if you are ever in LA, you absolutely must try this burger.  as someone who counts cheeseburgers among her favorite foods, believe me when i say this burger is incredible).  and staying at the cottages in silverlake is always a treat.
the view from our cottage in silverlake, a favorite stay in los angeles

the view from our cottage in silverlake, a favorite stay in los angeles

  • new orleans, louisiana – is it crazy that i have never been to n’awlins before?  i think so!  so thrilled that my friend, stephanie, pushed our friends to book this trip.  it is shaping up to be a fabulous time with good food, great friends, and (hopefully) lots of jazz.  did  i mention good food?
new orleans, as shot by ed bierman at https://www.flickr.com/photos/edbierman/10798203675/

new orleans, as shot by ed bierman at https://www.flickr.com/photos/edbierman/10798203675/

  • south africa – yes!  we booked it!  it’s official!  i fell in love with southern africa after reading brendan van son’s blog last year when he rode a motorcyle through africa, and i couldn’t wait to see it myself (sans bike).  we’ll be taking the beginner’s guide to south africa as i like to call it, which includes about five days in cape town and five days in kruger national park.  so excited to explore the winelands, table mountain, and see the big 5 (the lion, rhinoceros, leopard, buffalo, and elephant).  one of our safari lodgings includes canvas walls so that “you can hear the animals and be that much closer to nature.” scared. out. of. my. mind.
cape town, south africa, as shot by eGuide travel at https://www.flickr.com/photos/eguidetravel/2919101197/

cape town, south africa, as shot by eGuide travel at https://www.flickr.com/photos/eguidetravel/2919101197/

  • mystery location – yes, you read that correctly.  it’s time for the biannual bestie trip, and we cannot decide where to go.  solution?  let’s wait until the last minute and play travel roulette and follow the deals!  we may end up in boise, but hey, i hear boise has it going on.

please, please tell me about your adventures this summer!  where are you going?  and would you like to write about them in a guest post?  i would love to feature them and hear  more!  i get so inspired from others’ vacations.

 

 

 

my jaunts: sedona, arizona

breathtaking views of sedona, arizona

breathtaking views of sedona, arizona

as the weather in dallas is finally starting to warm up (though i have a sneaky suspicion that mother nature has one more freeze for us…), my thoughts have turned to hotter locales and sun, sun, sun.  so, arizona.  while living in los angeles with family in texas, i had made the drive between the two states too many times to count.  my initial thoughts of arizona were based on my jaunt through the southern part of the state on i-10: hot, dry, and flat.  what a surprise when one winter we decided to take the northern route home via i-40.  snow and mountains in arizona?  say what?!

the allegedly haunted hotel monte vista in flagstaff, arizona

the allegedly haunted hotel monte vista in flagstaff, arizona

my husband instantly fell in love with this area through our cross country trips home, so we decided to stop and stay for a few days in the summer.  we started in flagstaff, a college town in northern arizona with a mountain hippie vibe.  for a great cup of joe or a cocktail to take off the chill in winter, head to rendezvous or the monte vista cocktail lounge.  they are both housed inside the monte vista hotel, known to be haunted.  our friends stayed here a few years back and can attest to the creepy sounds throughout the hotel.  brave enough to stay?  i was not.  while in flagstaff, walk through the adorable downtown – so quaint, and feels miles away from phoenix – much more of a boulder, colorado vibe.

breathtaking views on 89a driving south from flagstaff to sedona

breathtaking views on 89a driving south from flagstaff to sedona

next, we headed south on 89a.  per my trusted rand mcnalley atlas (probably one of my top ten favorite books of all time), this is one of the prettiest and most scenic drives in america.  after driving a few disappointing miles, we turned at a bend in the road and immediately came up against a breathtaking tree-lined canyon stretching high above us and far below the street.  this road definitely delivers!

20140221-185248.jpg my aunt went to northern arizona university in flagstaff, and recommended that we stop at slide rock state park, home of “nature’s water slide.”  if you enjoy state parks and a good water slide, then this place is for you.  a word of caution: the water is really, really cold.  and once you’re in, there’s no getting out!  i had barely plopped down at the top of the “slide,” yelped out my shock at the ice water, and was immediately pushed down the slide over the eroded rocks and into the shallow pool below.  before i could express my shock to my husband, it happened all over again!

overlooking sedona with the mister

overlooking sedona with the mister

after sunning ourselves on the canyon rocks, we headed further south to sedona, made famous by its amazing red rocks and new age mentality.  we enjoyed a fabulous meal at elote, which is not to be missed, despite the seemingly meager exterior – seriously fantastic food; expect a wait.  we shopped at tlaquepaque (check out environmental realists – strange name, extremely unique goods – i was hooked), hiked the trail around the airport (don’t forget to pack plenty of water;  it’s so dry here that you don’t really how much you are sweating, and you risk dehydration), and enjoyed the cool night by the creek at our hotel, the l’auberge de sedona.  two words on l’auberge: outdoor shower.  it’s worth the upgrade.

a wonderful meal at elote in sedona - best meal of the trip

a wonderful meal at elote in sedona – best meal of the trip

as a final farewell to sedona, we took a suggestion from 36 hours and called larry at earth wisom jeep tours.  where to start with larry?  first, let’s mention that i am no hippie.  i like blazers and bows and kate spade and confetti.  larry likes singing to the wind.  but my trust in 36 hours is getting out of control, so i hopped in the back of his jeep, trekked up a mountain, and found myself singing while he played his peace pipe.  so what?  this city girl can find herself in nature every now and then.  while not normally my thing, larry’s lesson on living well with nature was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  when in sedona…

larry from earth wisdom jeep tours. just do it.

larry from earth wisdom jeep tours. just do it.

who should go: people in search of a relaxing weekend, hippies

what to listen to: bob dylan

what to bring: hiking gear for the numerous trails and mountain chic style for dinners at night

surrounding area: drive even further south to jerome, an old copper mining town known as the “wickedest town in the west.”  eat at the haunted hamburger, check out live music at the spirit room, and visit the gift store at the connor hotel.

chapel of the holy cross in sedona - fantastic architecture, inside and out

chapel of the holy cross in sedona – fantastic architecture, inside and out

to escape the heat, stay at l'auberge sedona creekside, with lush grounds and outdoor showers.

to escape the heat, stay at l’auberge sedona creekside, with lush grounds and outdoor showers.