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Occasionally my husband and I will have an entirely indulgent getaway. We’ll eat decadently, drink finely, and stay somewhere with fancy sheets and bathrobes. This can only last the length of a weekend or we will end up washing dishes to pay for our room.

 Most of the time we travel “backpacker style”. When you love to travel as much as we do, you can’t really do it any other way…unless you are Larry Page or Bill Gates. We prefer to hit the road for a month or longer, to really wrap ourselves in a unique place and foreign culture.

We like to think we are bold adventurers, trekking a path that has never seen footprints. But, in truth, we perfectly fit the mold of the “Lonely Planet Traveler”. First rule of a LPT is to carry the Bible Lonely Planet Guide for the country in question. You will stay at the recommended hostels and splurge on the encouraged activities. The locals and scam artists can pick you out, straight off the train, with your over-sized pack strapped to your back and your disoriented expression as you thumb through the Lonely Planet pages, looking for where to stay that night, searching for the page that will direct you back onto the (now) well-trammeled path.

 These days, we are trying out a few wobbly test steps, off of the Lonely Planet path. We will eat at a restaurant that hasn’t (gasp) come recommended and stay at the new hostel that isn’t listed in the Guide. We have even tried camping in far away destinations a time or two. Nothing too bravc, mind you. But, enough to give us a little thrill!

I suppose we will continue to remain faithful LPT for some time to come……….

Thanks to KevinDooley for the backpack picture!

Labor Day Weekend is practically here and I have not plans. If I still lived in Austin, I would be spending the day by the lake, sweltering in the hot Texas sun.

But, here I am in California. Luckily, in this area, there are tons of things to do on vacation or just for a weekend getaway. I am thinking of driving up to the Oregon border. Recently, I have heard that Ashland, Oregon is a beautiful place to visit. They have a great theater scene with the Shakespeare Festival and plenty of shops and restaurants and beautiful scenery. It isn’t too far from the Bay Area either. It could be an easy two day drive, with a stop at a cheap hotel along the way (I am traveling budget this weekend). 

 Of course, I could always go to wine country or Big Sur. So many possibilities!

My husband and I just got back from a two week vacation in Peru and Bolivia. Now, I know you are thinking that I will now launch into a description of my fabulous trip. While it was spectacular, my trip is not the focus of this particular post.

Instead, I am writing about my faithful pooch. Returning from such a long vacation, I felt guilty that I had enjoyed myself so thoroughly while Hollis (pooch in question) had to stay at home. He absolutely loves to accompany me and his dad on car trips and adventures of any kind. So, my next getaway will be sure to include him.

Once place that I have gone recently that I found to be very dog friendly was a drive down the California coast. I spent a lovely day winding down Hwy 1, stretching our legs on dog-friendly beaches and marveling at the views. Overnight, I stayed in the cute town of Cambria. The town is filled with quaint restaurants and shopping opportunities.

I checked in to the Creekside Inn which is a great pet friendly hotel. The owners were very friendly to Hollis and gave him some doggy treats for later. The hotel was a close walk to several restaurants and the downtown, but, set back a little over a creek. So, it was peaceful and quiet. The rooms were large and clean and well-priced. And, the best part…..it was a two minute walk from an excellent local off-leash dog park. Hollis had a great time running around and I got travel tips from the locals who lived there.

I think that it is important to share these “pet friendly gems” as traveling with your pet can be a challenge. So, next time you and your furry friend feel like an adventure, check out Cambria, California!

After eating a lousy mufalletta the other day I found my thoughts drifting towards New Orleans. I grew up going to Mardis Gras (my dad was in one of the parades) and eating the city’s spectacular food. I love many things about this slow easy city-the lacy delicate ironwork and old wooden shutters on its beautiful buildings, the loud trolleys, thick Southern accents, and scent of Magnolias, heavy on the air.

But, hands down, the thing I love most about New Orleans is its food. There are countless tasty restaurants offering spicy Cajun and Creole or greasy comfort food. They have excellent mufallettas, shrimp po-boys, and light powdery beignets. I don’t know if its the muggy heat or the connection to its rich history, but, its residents just seem to know how to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life….and this town has mastered the finest in its food!

Here are just a couple of my favorites: Galatoires for seafood, Camellia Grill for a greasy counter breakfast, Cafe DuMonde for a latte and beignet, and Domilise’s for the best po’boy you will ever eat.

There are plenty of hotels to choose from here. My preference would be to stay in an old historic hotel near the French Quarter, like the Dauphine or something more stately and elegant in the Garden District.

I have not been back since Katrina and would like to go back and lend support. What better way to do this than by staying in its hotels and eating its fabulous food!

Thanks to MVI for the tasty po’boy photo!

I am reading a book right now called “Devil in the White City” by Eric Larson. It is a non-fiction book that tells the story of the World’s Fair in Chicago (1893). It follows the growth and progress of Chicago and brings to life the great men behind this proud city and the largest fair the U.S. has ever seen. As you read about the years progressing up to the fair, you are also following the story of a serial killer in the same place at the same time. I haven’t quite figured out whether these two stories make sense, told together, but, I am enjoying the book thoroughly.

I am in awe of the city that Chicago was back at the turn of the century. Built along stockyards that fed the nation and filled the city with nauseous smells, on the shores of mighty Lake Michigan, this city rose out of flat Illinois landscape. It was burned down to to the ground only to rebuild itself even greater. Their was a fierce pride and ambition in the people of Chicago. Reading about the great architects who built its skyscrapers and famous buildings is fascinating.

So, now I REALLY want to go to Chicago. I want to see all the sites I mentioned in my last post as well as visit all the historic sites I am reading about in this book…The Rookery, Jackson Park, the Stock Yard gate next to where the “bridge of sighs” was located, etc. What a very fascinating and very American city!

Being isolated in the middle of the country, it developed a culture that was less “diverse” as that of New York or San Francisco. The people are fiercely American and proud of their mid-western roots. Chicago’s rise to power could never have happened without the prominence of the railroad and the cattle industry.

I often think that reading a historical account of the formation of Las Vegas would be equally as fascinating. It is also a city that rose to eminence in an isolated part of the country and has an interesting past. It would not be there had it not been for California’s strict laws against gambling that caused people to cross the border into Nevada to spend their hard-earned pay.

Anyone know of a good book about Las Vegas?

At any rate, read “Devil in the White City” and then visit Chicago!

Thanks to Jetzenpolis for the great Chicago skyscrapers picture!

If you have a long weekend coming up (Fourth of July, anyone?) and need some travel ideas….let me recommend heading to Chicago. The legendery “Taste of Chicago” has just commenced. It is several weeks of outdoor frivolity and fun, all centered around food. Can’t beat that! 65+ restaurants set up booths along the city streets and provide scrumptious fare for you to sample. In between you can sip beer and wine or dance to the many bands that are playing in the streets.

I love a summer festival….throw in beautiful downtown Chicago and then center it around food, and I am sold.

Thanks to Pink Aura for the picture.

Just a quick note on music.

I love all that they Bay Area has to offer with live music and festivals. SFBlues is coming up in September and so is the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Last weekend I saw one my favorite bands, Thievery Corporation, play at The Greek Theater in Berkeley. WOW! What an amazingly beautiful theater with fantastic acoustics. Also, it is right in the middle of Berkeley campus, so you get to walk through the gorgeous grounds of this historic college. I think that I would love to go to ANY concert at the Greek, even if it was The BackStreet Boys….it is that good of a venue!

Also, Outside Lands is about to happen in August in Golden Gate Park. Three days of terrific line-ups. Get your tickets now.

I hail from Austin, the purported “live music” capital of the world and San Francisco gives it a run for its money!

Last week I wrote about my “pretend” trip to Orlando. This week I  forgot to do my little atlas game. So, I am going to write a short little entry about my new “love affair”. That is right–I am having a love affair with San Francisco!  I feel very lucky to be living near this fabulous city! The last two weekends have been spent in the city and were pretty near perfect-I just keep discovering more about the city to enjoy.

I love that it is a large city with such cultural diversity, liberal politics, beautiful architecture and outdoor parks. The food is amazing and varied and the arts are wonderful. The nightlife will not disappoint either. In short, it has all the qualities that one of the top cities in the United States (even the world) should have.

But, it has even more! Because it is perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and a short drive from dramatic mountains. On one side of the city are wild waves, crashing to shore, having traveled across thousands of miles of open sea. On the other is the more tranquil and beautiful bay. There are picturesque islands such as Angel Island and Alcatraz floating between the Bay Bridge and legendery Golden Gate.

The city has the largest urban national park in the U.S.- the Presidio and is dotted with pretty open spaces throughout. And, of course, there is Golden Gate Park, larger than Central Park in New York City. Then you have the dramatically steep hills, bunching up the city, separating individual neighborhoods that are so different from eachother that traveling between them almost feels like a passport is needed!

The people are much more outdoorsy and laid back than say, New Yorkers. But, not as nice as people in Chicago. It is hard to surpass that midwestern openness! The beaches are beautiful…a little moodier and less suntan friendly than San Diego or Los Angeles, but wonderful  all the same!

Last weekend I woke up in polished, upscale Pacific Heights(apt. sitting for a friend)–had a wonderful leisurely brunch and a massage(badly needed!)–met friends and went on a stunning, panoramic hike in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, of course, and stopped to take pictures of the bridge and bay(picture shown above). We returned to town and had a homecooked, delicious meal at Maverick and then laughed it up at Cobbs Comedy Club in North Beach.

This next weekend, I intend to check out the Chihuly exhibit at the de Young museum and perhaps the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, maybe even get some Burmese food at Burma Superstar. Yummm.

I read this post and think, “you are living well”! But, at least I recognize it and appreciate the richness of my life. I won’t live near San Francisco forever! So, for now, I will soak it up as much as I can.

Do you think there is a city that can rival San Francisco? Tell me about it!

Check out this hilarious post from UpTake! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Facebook Secretary–you could stay smokin’ hot in the online social realm without neglecting your job or home life! I can see it now:

Facebook Secretary: “you have had 15 new friend requests (one from your ex-boyfriend in Toledo) and your friend, Nathan threw a sheep at you. You have also been poked five times and invited to see which Sex and the City character you are most like. “

Me: “Poke back, please…and take the quiz…I bet I am a Samantha. Oh, and screw the ex in Toledo….throw a sheep at him or something. Gotta get back to work. “

Nice.

Well, it is that time of the week again, already!

I plunked my finger down on the U.S. page of our world atlas and landed in Florida, once again! Now, Florida is a pretty skinny state, so my finger pretty much covered it all.  I decided to just pick Orlando. It was between that and Fort Lauderdale.

 But, as my last post reflects, I am in the mood to reconnect with my childhood lately. And Disneyworld in Orlando was definitely a childhood trip I remember taking. It could have something to do with the fact that I got lost for several hours in Epcot and nearly destroyed my parents with worry. But, I choose to think that it was Mickey, Cinderella, and Space Mountain that made such an indelible impression!

I would love to go back there sometime (preferably during a weekday in February, so there wouldn’t be hordes of people) and play at Disneyworld, Epcot, and Universal Studios. However, I have a feeling that there are more things to do in Orlando than theme parks.

It is a sunny city with beautiful beaches. The Gulf Islands are close by and beckoning and they are supposed to have a great science center in Orlando. I will just have to book a hotel and find out what it is all about.

Anyone have some good suggestions?