#Site Renovations and Pulled Pork

[modlibrarian]

Site Renovations and Pulled Pork

#Site Renovations and Pulled Pork

[johnwillbalsleyillustration]

Site Renovations and Pulled Pork

#Site Renovations and Pulled Pork

[thebrochtuarachs]

To Begin Again, Chapter 11: “Riding”

A/N: I know it's been a while since I updated this story but I hope you like this short little chapter. :) It's been fun revisiting this story and I just love this AU of Jamie and Claire. It’s been a while since I wrote so apologies in advance and as always, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Hope you're staying safe in this pandemic. Love always, M

This chapter is dedicated to @samncait4ever​. 🧡 Thank you for being a wonderful friend and fandom ally. Rest in Peace. <3 

AO3 / CH: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

XXXX

Jamie and Claire spent the next two days rekindling with each other inside the laird's room, only bothering to leave the chambers once to grab food from the kitchen that will last them for days.

They flitted through talking, eating, coming together, and sleeping ( not particularly in that order ) until they’ve reached another pause in what has been a blissful 2 days.  

"Jamie," Claire said softly, a hand caressing the back of his head, "I don't think I've ever been so happy." Jamie rolled to one side, shifting his weight carefully so as not to squash his wife, and lifted himself to lie face-to-face with Claire.

"Nor me, my Sassenach," he said, and kissed her lightly, but lingering, so that she had time just to close her lips in a tiny bite on the fullness of his lower lip. "It's no just the bedding, ye ken," he said, drawing back a little at last. His eyes looked down at Claire, a soft deep blue like the warm tropic sea.

"No," Claire said, touching his cheek. "It isn't."

"To have ye with me again -to talk wi' you -to know I can say anything, not guard my words or hide my thoughts...God, Sassenach," he said, "the Lord knows I am lust-crazed as a lad, and I canna keep my hands from you-or anything else-" he added, wryly, "but I would count that all well lost, had I no more than the pleasure of havin' ye by me, and to tell ye all my heart."

Claire’s heart ached and soared with Jamie’s confession, much more to the fact that his sentiments echo to hers so strongly.

“So tell me all yer heart” Jamie said, “We’ve got time now”

Claire gave a small chuckle but moved to settle a bit more to Jamie’s side. "It was lonely without you," she whispered. "So lonely." She need not say more.

“Do ye regret it?” he asked, not really meaning to dampen their high but a question that came naturally in the conversation.

Claire didn’t even think about not answering but owed it to her and Jamie’s newfound strength to bring up these kinds of conversation in their reunion.

“The time we lost, yes. Brianna, no - definitely not.” She gave him a wry smile and continued. “There are so many what-ifs, the things we dreamed about happening, the future we planned… a part of me wonders what our life would be like if we stayed in the 18th century, raised Bree in that time with Jenny and Ian.”

“Aye, I do ken what yer saying. I spent a lot of time in the cave thinkin’ about ye and the bairn and what she’d look like, how ye’ll be as the lady of the house, something of the like’

Claire glanced at the window where the light was strong through the blinds, telling us that it was probably mid to past noon.

“Jamie, as much as I’d like to stay here another day, Bree’s coming in the evening and we need to get up and put our clothes on at some point.”

Knowing full well that Jamie won’t be the first to comply, Claire reluctantly got up and rummaged through the pile of discarded clothes on the floor to look for some undergarments and pants. Jamie was still not moving, staring at her with hooded eyes she knew so well but she would not budge as well.

“Oh, come on, get up!” She said laughingly as she pulled the blanket off Jamie’s body forcing him to groan in the cold. “There’s plenty more to see around! care for a stroll with me?”

“With ye, anywhere, Sassenach.”

-

Bree’s last class for the day cancelled allowing her to travel up to Lallybroch earlier than scheduled. Her parents' directions were fairly easy to follow and now, she found herself on the rough path towards a 3-story building that was meant to be her home.

She saw every detail as told by her mother - the arch that bore the Fraser emblem at the top, the handsome three-story manor of harled white, windows outlined in the natural gray stone, a high slate roof with multiple chimney’s and several smaller whitewashed buildings clustered about.

She took it all in and expected to feel all the history to overwhelm her but for some strange reason, it brought her a sense of peace and belonging.

She parked her car and proceeded to knock on the front door. After three tries and no answer, she decided to explore the backyard and found out why her knocks and calls were unanswered.

Over the horizon, Brianna saw two horses racing one another in the open field, the competition clearly fierce.

“You’ve lost your touch on the horse, Sassenach” Jamie called, looking briefly behind him to watch Claire.

Claire commanded her horse to a faster speed, easily surpassing Jamie, calling him out “Sorry, you were saying?” she laughed. “Race you to the stables!”

With her headstart, Claire ran out Jamie and won the race.

Once she dismounted her horse and led her white horse to her stable for some food and water while Jamie followed suit, dismounting from his black stallion.

“I should’ve known you were holding back from me, Sassenach.” Jamie said, walking towards her as she closed the door to her horse’s stables.

“Well, if last night was any indication, you shouldn’t have doubted that” Claire replied, allowing herself to be trapped as Jamie placed both his hands on the stable door, blocking her way.

"I thought you'd be a little sore but I seem to be mistaken" Jamie teased, leaning in for a kiss until -

“Mama! I’m surprised that you can ride...” Brianna began her question “... a horse!”

“Bree! You’re here! I thought you won’t arrive till nighttime” Claire pulled away from Jamie’s arrest and went to greet their daughter.

“Yeah, my last class got cancelled. Roger and Mrs. Graham will come in a couple of days.” she explained. “Hi, Da” Bree proceeded to give Jamie a brief hug as well.

“Well, it’s almost lunch, I think we have pork chops we can easily deep fry.”

“Sounds good.”

The trio walked back to the house where Claire proceeded to the fridge and told Jamie and Bree where everything else in the kitchen are.

“So, tell me about the house” Bree asked as they prepared their food.

Claire and Jamie proceeded to exchange stories, flitting between when Jamie’s father built it, to stories of the Fraser children being born in the house,  to when they stayed there for a couple of months after they got married, how Jenny and Ian kept it in the family through the challenging years in the past and how Claire purchased and renovated to what it is now.

“It’s a rather large piece of land, that’s why we need the horses.” Claire finished the story.

“How’d you learn?” Bree asked.

“Well, you know my stories with Uncle Lamb and how we traveled to archaeological sites when I was younger. I had to learn pretty quickly how to ride. And then, when I met your Da, he was a soldier and a stable boy, taking care of the horses, so I got to spend a lot of time watching him train the young kids in the castle” Claire explained.

“Do ye know how to ride, Brianna?” Jamie asked as they fixed the table.

“Uhm, no.”

“I can teach ye! If ye want, of course.” Jamie stammered, hoping he did not push his limits.

“Yes! I would love to.” Bree exclaimed excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to try but never got the chance.”

“Why not? I thought Boston had good facilities for horseback riding?” Jamie asked. Bree and Claire exchanged glances but came out with it.

“Frank and I were either too busy with the university or the hospital so we never really got to take Bree out to spontaneous weekend trips.” Claire began to explain.

“Our trips are planned months in advance so everyone is free. We mostly went to historical sites or the beach for maximum relaxation but adventures like these didn’t happen often.” Bree followed.

Jamie looked unsure how to proceed based on their stories as it seemed half fun. Claire and Bree picked up on it and decided to continue on baby steps when it comes to telling Jamie details of their life the past 20 years.

“Maybe you can start teaching Bree how to ride later after lunch and we show her around the house” Claire pitched.

“Sounds like a plan!” Brianna agreed with a clap.

They proceeded on eating their pork chops while continuing with exchanging stories about Lallybroch. After lunch, they showed Bree to her room while they all freshened up and took a short nap.

Around 4:00 in the afternoon, they all went back to stables where Jamie introduced Bree to one of the mares, Jilly, gave a little lecture and then let her mount up. Claire was content watching on the side with a basket full of snacks for the afternoon.

“Alright, now, just try and be comfortable on the horse. Sit straight and relax. You know when they say that horses smell fear, it’s true” Jamie said to Bree. “Okay, I’m going to take you on a short walk around.” Brianna nodded and gently held on the reins.

Jamie took the horse for a walk around an open lawn and Brianna pretty quickly caught up with the rhythm. After 5 trots, Jamie put the horse on a gallop as a challenge and his daughter ran with it excellently.

“This is fun!” Bree called out to Claire.

“Wait till you dismount it then let me know again.” Claire joked. “But you’re doing great, sweetheart!”

After two hours on and off the horse, night was falling in and they decided to call it a day.

“I’ll go ahead and start dinner, hope you like carbonara. You two, take care of things around here.” Claire declared.

“I’ll walk her to the stables.” Brianna insisted and took the reins from her Da and walked Jilly back to the stables.

“I’ll follow you in a minute, Bree” Jamie said as Claire went towards him for a snuggle as they watched their daughter walk ahead.

“She’s a natural, Jamie” Claire whispered. “Just like her father”

“Don’t make me cry, Claire. But yes, she is” Jamie pulled Claire tighter and gave her a light kiss in the hair. “I always imagined how teaching and taking our children out on a horse would look like. Now, I don’t have to.”

“Aww, darling. It truly has been the best days and I know there is more to come.” Claire lifted her head and gave Jamie a quick kiss. “Now, go and teach our daughter how to rub down a horse and I’ll get dinner started.”

#outlander #outlander fanfic #outlander fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #to begin again #to begin again AU #jamie fraser #claire fraser #jamie x claire #brianna fraser #jamie x claire x bree #mia writes again after a long time #canon divergent AU

[bike42]

IAT 6/22 thru 6/26/2021

Seems like a quick turnaround as I accompanied Lynn and Kent earlier this month to make up the two days they’d missed.

We were scheduled to meet Tuesday morning at 9am at the car drop site, but because of an easy drive and long daylight, most of us arrived at 8:30am, even with a coffee stop. We redirected Dan and Tam to meet us at the start.

We continued walking the County Highway Y Connecting Route (CR) that we’d started last time. These next 100+ miles are mostly CR with a few trail segments scattered in. It’s all part of the deal, but it can be a grind.

We’d planned today so we’d walk about 10ish miles, get to the cars, then drive 3 miles to a lunch stop. We set off fast, and it was great to turn off Hwy Y onto lesser traveled country roads. We had abundant sunshine and cooler temperatures - just in the sixties, so a perfect summer day!

 It took us just over 3 hours to knock off the eleven miles. A grueling pace, but we always start off fast when we’re back together again, and there was also motivation to just “get er done” and get to lunch!

Dan had researched and found “Jen and Tonics” in a little village called Franzen on Hwy 49 - and it did not disappoint! It was a classic Wisconsin Northwoods bar with a small grill and French fry machine.  We were greeted by Jen’s mom, who got us drinks but then had to leave to go to a doctor’s appointment, leaving just Jen to tend bar and cook. About a dozen regulars came and went during our time there, and she was also preparing “to go” orders. She was busy, but not stressed or rushed. She kept up a fun banter with the regulars, telling one guy “shut up and give me your money!” She was all businesslike when taking our orders, yet even though she had an extensive menu, special orders from our vegetarian seemed to throw her for a loop! Most of us had bacon cheeseburgers and they were awesome. Unfortunately, Jen was too busy for us to ask about the “Tonic” portion of the bar’s name (we wondered if that was a partner, or just a clever play on words?).

After lunch, we went back to pick up the two vehicles from the start and drop them seven miles down the road at the Lions Camp. Our after-lunch pace was a bit slower, but the perfect day continued. We arrived back at Lions camp about 5 pm - 18.5 miles for the day and thoroughly exhausted!

Gary decided to “commute” from home for this trip - his wife Rose had a fairly major surgery two weeks ago. So, he headed home and the six of us piled into Kent’s SUV for a shuttle back to our vehicles.

We’re staying 3 nights at “Country Mission Farm” which is an old farmstead near Mosinee owned by Regan and Ann Pourchot. Ann is Tam’s sister’s ex-husband’s sister. They hiked with us for the day last October, and we found them to be likeminded adventurous souls. Their “farm” is a bit out of the way, but it was worth the extra miles to see them, and experience the operation that they’ve established! They have a Christmas Tree farm, and have renovated an old farmhouse that is just down the road from their house. They rent out the “farm” through VRBO, and are really invested in providing a great relaxing country experience for their guests. They had chickens, guinea hens, a white domestic turkey named “Lola,” and juvenile goats named “Linus and Lucy.”  They’re even working on creating a pond for swimming / paddling!

Tam and Dan made a great dinner of salad, BLTs and grilled cheese appetizers. It was nice to have Ann and Regan join us for dinner, but we missed Gary. Regan and his sons did the Northern Tier bike ride with his sons in 2011, so it was fun to rehash some of those stories.

 Wednesday morning, I awoke in time to do a little yoga session on the porch before others were awake.  We fell into our easy breakfast routine and were out the door to meet Gary at our assigned meeting point, which was today’s end point (a sand and gravel plot on Highway 161 and Trout Creek Road).  We left Gary and Kent’s car there, and all 7 of us shuttled back to the Lion’s Camp in the Knickmeier’s vehicle.  

We set off about 8:45am, roughly 5 miles of CR, 5 miles of trail, then another 5 of CR.  It was sunny, warm and humid.  Most of us agreed that we needed to take more breaks than we did yesterday, and that made the day easier on my body for sure!  The CR’s went over many small trout streams (Little Wolf River and Tomorrow River), and we found that the guard rails made great spots to sit, enjoy the river, and have a snack.

There were few cars on the small roads we were walking and we were grateful for that.  We started noticing the various types of waves we get from the drivers (and sometimes passengers) when we wave to the oncoming vehicles.  Sometimes, its just a cool nod of the head, sometimes just one finger, often all 4 fingers (like the thumb is holding the wheel), sometimes its an actual wave (hand off the steering wheel) and my favorite, was a peace sign.  All in all, the oncoming drivers were courteous and moved way over, or slowed way down when there was oncoming traffic.

Today’s segments were New Hope – Iola Ski Hill. We were so happy to be on the trail again – it felt so soft after 25 miles of pavement!!  The first piece of New Hope was short lived, then we were back on the road for about a half mile, then back on the trail, then a road detour around a piece that was reportedly flooded.  It was enough variety that it was enjoyable.

We entered the Iola Ski area and it was reminiscent of the several other cross-county ski areas we’d been through – lots of hills and trail intersections.  This one had some “trail art,” which honestly, I found it too creepy to photograph (stick people in various poses and “snakes” made out of drain tile with wooded forked tongues).  The part that made the Iola Ski Area unique was their 100+ year history as a ski club specifically for ski jumping!  We had lunch on a nice patio of the Iola Winter Sports Club, and looked at a few of the ski jumps at the base there, but we didn’t notice the massive jump until we were walking away from the area and looked back – it loomed over the trees!!

Also noteworthy was we hit the official 500-mile marker of the IAT (west to east)!  We made up words to “500 miles” and sang that for a while, but didn’t record it.

We went up and over a huge ridge, and over a few more trout streams, but the rest of the road walk was quick and we were motivated to power through.  The guys were up ahead, and the ladies lagged behind.  We saw a few deer, chatted with a guy mowing the parking for the trout stream and were greeted by a lady enjoying the solitude of the day from her porch.  We wrapped up and were back at the farm by 4pm.

Another great dinner as Kent and Lynn brought pulled pork and potatoes (their specialty, which is funny due to Lynn being a vegetarian), served with a great salad and chocolate for dessert.  Regan joined us for dinner, and shared plans to renovate the old barn into an event center – they sure are creative people!

After dinner I went outside and sat near the chicken coop to see if I could get Lola to approach me and let me pet her.  Just as Ann said, she walked over and leaned into me.  I never thought I’d be petting a turkey in my life!  Up close, she was really interesting.  She had this rope like thing hanging on her check (Ann said that’s a beard!?), and the colors and textures on her head were really beautiful. Up close, her beak and the size of her talons were a little frightening to me, but she leaned into me and closed her eyes and sort of purred.

I went into Linus and Lucy’s pen – they have a smart double door entrance via the barn so they don’t get out!  They’ve been socialized so well and are so sweet to be around – watching them play just made me so happy.  Beautiful night on the farm.

Thursday morning, a thunderstorm came through while we were having breakfast - the perfect time for rain to come! We headed out at 7:30 AM in just a light rain.  I wasn’t paying attention to the driver and we took a little detour through downtown Stevens Point, but we still made it to the rendezvous point with Gary just after 8:30 AM. We dropped two cars at the finish and Dan drove the seven of us to the start. It wasn’t raining, so we had the quandary of rain gear versus no rain gear; most of us went without. We headed up the highway and of course then the rain started so we scrambled for ponchos, rain gear and umbrellas. The rain was light and only lasted a few minutes but it made things very humid and layers were coming off as we hit the two-mile point.  We seemed to be lacking the nice breeze we’d had the previous days, but we were primarily walking on marvelous small roads winding through wooded areas.

The connecting road continued through farm area and woodlands and when it was open, we were relieved to find a breeze. Some fields were alfalfa but most were corn and beans. Despite the drought the fields looked really healthy but we also noticed that nearly every field had an irrigation system installed, and it was interesting looking at the various models of those close up.

We climbed a few hills and went past an area of cottage area around Rollofson Lake, which seemed odd after all the farms. About 5 miles in we stopped along Peterson creek one of many trout fishing creeks that we’ve crossed over the past few days. We sat on the bridge and ate our lunch and then we continued walking. The group was tired and we splintered off into pairs however Gary continued to walk ahead at a really fast pace like he always does.

We went through some really awesome beautiful wooded areas and then again came out to some farmland. We were surprised to see a dam or Peterson Creek which made a little pond right on the farm - seemed very unusual (established prior to the DNR I’m guessing!). The cows were gathered under trees seeking shade, probably knowing that it’s going to rain again. One cow stood up and did a perfect down dog which he held for a few breaths and then proceeded to do the yoga pose “cat.” I waited for her to do the cow pose but she didn’t do it.

We turned onto a busier road and Jeff and I were in the back we were surprised to see a dog come out from behind a barn barking at us and running onto the road. It was the closest a dog has come to us on the whole trail and we were a little bit frightened by it. Jeff continued to yell at the dog to go home and his deepest voice, while I reached for the mace spray in his backpack. We were all glad we didn’t have to use the mace.

About 10 miles and we finally got to the trail portion of today’s hike. Before going into the woods, we sat on the road and had another snack and the guys had a nap. It was awesome to get back into the woods although it was hot and humid with no breeze. The soil was sandy and soft to walk on. It felt so good after 10 miles of walking on the road. The spring flowers were done, and other things were just beginning to bloom. Most impressive were the ferns!

We were on the skunk and foster Lakes and Segment which actually went through past several lakes:  Skunk, Mud, Foster and Grenlie Lakes. It was a roundabout segment and soon we were back out on a little bit of CR until we entered the forest again and the Ice Age trails Farmington drumlins section. I don’t know if we saw any drumlins there but I do know we saw a massive ant hills bigger than some of the erratic rocks!

The segment skirted several farm fields but it was still better than walking on the road. Much of the second half of that segment was walking over an area that had been logged years ago but still left with a lot of scrap which was just starting to grow over and be a little bit less ugly.

I retired my old “transition” sunglasses that had been my adventure staple for the past 15 years. They got to the point where they would no longer get dark in the sun and they also had a broken piece that I would hold together with a croakie. I bought a new pair of glasses have good dark UV blocking lenses without the progressive gradients (bi and tri focals that my 60-year-old eyes need for every day functioning). I left them back in the cabin today because I thought they would be too dark for the grey day. So, I was wearing my glasses with transition and progressive lenses today.  They work fine on the road and are great when I’m reading the map or my phone, but the bi/tri-focal lenses are a little challenging for on the trail - walk you have to learn to hold your head just right or you stumble over the roots and rocks, so consequently I slowed my pace, which allowed me to absorb the beauty around me anyway!

One of the coolest parts about being in the woods alone is the sound of the birds.  I can’t identify what kind they are, but the variety of songs and calls is so soothing.  On this segment though, we were getting close to Highway 10, which made for a constant din of highway noise. Not only that, but a train track runs parallel to Highway 10 and seemed to have a lot of activity given the noise of the train whistle. You lose some of the “middle of nowhere” mojo with that kind of sound.

We walked along the edge of a farm, and past a lot of unique deer hunting shacks before we were out on the road again.  We passed a large dairy farm where the cows were in their stanchions, but one was standing on her back legs, very interested it us – it looked so funny.   We crossed the railroad track and also ran across the very busy and fast four-lane Highway 10, which is the major thorough fare between Stevens point and Appleton. Once safely across the highway, we entered the Waupaca River segment where we climbed a steep hill and found an awesome old cabin where hikers could spend the night. About another mile down wonderful packed sand trail we came along the Walpaca River and shortly after that the side trail the parking lot.  It dawned on me that one thing this group hasn’t yet done is swim in the middle of the day – that would have been a perfect spot, but our group is pretty mission focused and I’m glad just to get regular breaks – a swimming break might have pushed it too far, but it was hot and humid and that river looked like paradise.

Back to the farm, we showered relaxed and put together enough leftovers to make another awesome dinner. As we were cleaning up after dinner, Tam and I noticed that the sky to the south had turned a spectacular orange color. We went outside and watched the clouds move with spectacular pink purple orange colors.  The weather radar showed a storm traveling through a band from Stevens point to Waupaca, so it cut just south of us. Beautiful night and Reagan had already put all the animals to bed.  We went back in and Jeff and I, and Tam and Dan had a little dance party in the kitchen, practicing the West Coast Swing that we’re working on in our Friday night dance classes.  Ann came by and we chatted a bit and said our goodbyes to her. We talked about playing a game but honestly no one had the energy for it. We made a plan for tomorrow’s route and everyone drifted off to read their books and go to bed.

Friday morning, I was up at 6 AM hoping to get a little yoga in before the routine of the morning. While it felt great to stretch, by the time we were hiking at 9 AM I was still really stiff.

 Helen Reagan’s place is 40 minutes from where we’re hiking now and they had another reservation for the weekend so we packed up this morning and will stay one night at the Ramada inn in Waupaca for the segment. We had breakfast and we’re packed up and leaving the farm, with a final goodbye to Linus and Lucy before 7:30 AM. By 8:15 AM.  Lola and the chickens were still cooped up in the hen house (Regan said if they get them out too early, they still have a chance of being lost to foxes and owls).   We rendezvoused with Gary at the spot where we’ll end today. We left two cars there and then drove to the start. I had a Google maps breakdown and accidently lead us to our halfway point, so we had a longer drive than expected but got to see some of the route. Just before 9am we arrived back at the Waupaca River segment and hiked the final half mile of that before punching back out to the road for an easy CR hike to the next segment.

It was about 65° when we started, but very humid it was also a little foggy.  We were glad for the cloud cover and hoped that our breeze was going to pick up again today. We walked about 2 miles on the road and then turned into a really cool strip between two farm fields that were parallel to Highway 54.  What a relief it was to us to not have to walk on Highway 54 and to be able enjoy the farm fields from that little vantage point of the strip of land. It looked like tobacco growing on one side, and a variety of vegetables for a nearby “farm market” on the other side.   There were raspberry bushes, as we’d seen along the trail for the past few days, but these had some ripe berries and I grabbed a few as I walked along – yum.

We turned right and then crossed Highway 54 and there we found a detour sign saying the trail was closed because of water up ahead.  We’d seen the “high water” alert on the Guthook app but we didn’t really understand that the trail was going to be closed. Disappointed, we turned and walked up Highway 54 which was kind of nasty and had to do a detour around that piece of the Hartman Creek segment.  It was an unexpected 2.5-mile road walk, which also added mileage to the end of the day as we still had to hike to where we’d left the cars.  Moods were down, but Lynn and I dragged back and got lost in conversation which always makes the grind bearable.   We had a snack and restarted the Hartman Creek Segment.  While it goes through Hartman Creek State Park, we saw little of the park facilities, and didn’t see a creek! The segment ended up being through beautiful pines with an occasional oak tree, with a sandy but not too soft trail which was just a blessing on our feet.  While it was humid, it didn’t feel too hot – the shade from the trees was just right, the air felt like it had so much oxygen and the singing of the birds - once again we were walking in paradise.

About 10 miles in, we stopped at what was a “P” on the map, but was actually just a gravel forest road.  We spread out and had lunch / naps there.  Jeff and Dan propped themselves up against the bank, in what we later discovered was probably a tick hangout (they’re both tick magnets anyway).

We travelled through the Emmons Creek segment as a dispersed, quiet, tired bunch.  It continued to be beautiful primarily pine forest, with occasional openings to oak savannahs and prairies with flowers just starting to emerge.  After that, we still had three more miles to slog along the CR.  I changed into my walking shoes and stashed my sandy low hikers in my pack – that gave me a fresh feeling in my lower extremities and Tam and I powered through the last three miles, talking about books we’re reading, the time went quickly. Gary, of course, finished up first, changed into dry clean clothes, and drove back to check on us and offered to carry our packs to the finish.  We all encouraged him to leave, but he wouldn’t do that until we all arrived at the finish. Its just the kind of guy he is.

Gary left for home, we piled into Kent’s car and he shuttled us back to the start.  Then a quick 10-minute drive to the Ramada Inn in Waupaca, where we were glad to grab showers, pick a few more ticks off our packs, get a cold beer from the cooler and relax.  

We gathered at 6pm and headed to what we’d heard was the best gathering spot for dinner – Clearwater Harbor on the Waupaca chain of lakes.  We got a great table on the deck, overlooking the docked pontoon boats and watching the bar crowd.  We had a good meal, and hung around for the entertainment to start at 8pm, Brad, a one-man show.  Brad was a great cover artist and we had a nice exchange going with him from our table next to the stage.  We also had a view of the TV and watched the Brewers win in extra innings, and the Bucks get off to a great lead in their playoff game.  We could have stayed all night, with the great music and people watching, but we left about 9pm, the practical thing to do.

The forecast called for 90% chance of rain all day Saturday, so it wasn’t a disappointment to wake up to a rainy day - the kind of day where it is just going to rain all day.

The Ramada had a breakfast, but we had our bananas, Greek Gods yogurt and homemade granola so we ate that in our room while we watched the local news. The news was out of Green Bay, which was surprising, and I didn’t expect that until we got to the end of the IAT. But it must be closer than Wausau, the next biggest media market.

The hotel coffee was awful, so I took to Google to find a coffee shop in Waupaca, and found a Dunkin’ Donuts a quarter mile away … otherwise it was going to be Cafe Karuba at Kwik Trip! I took a load down to our car and did my coffee run (drive) in a steady rain. Jeff was waiting in the portico with the rest of our stuff when I returned, and our fellow adventurers were there loading their cars as well.

We drove down Highway 22 through Wild Rose and scoped out a few spots there to come back to for lunch, and met Gary at what would be the start to the Deerfield segment. The rain remained steady and we caravanned two vehicles to our starting point at County Highway AA and 15th Avenue.

We donned various rain costumes and settled in for a hike in the rain. It was a fairly steady rain, and around 70 degrees, so I struggle with being too hot which can be worse to me than being damp! I had on my low hikers and added my low gaiters (which I’d normally not wear on CR), hoping they’d keep my feet dry (they didn’t). I wore my backpacking poncho which isn’t completely waterproof, but good enough. With that and my pack cover, my pack stayed dry. I also carried an umbrella that’s normally in my car; I’d only use an umbrella on CR as I always use hiking poles on the trail, but rarely on the road. Also, on the trail, an umbrella gets hung up on trees. But with 11 miles of CR today, it was great to be able to use it. Jeff started out in rain jacket and rain pants, but got too hot with the pants so they had to come off! He was also using an umbrella, but without a poncho to deflect the water, he had water pooling inside his pack cover, which dripped down to his shorts then! However, he was the only person with dry feet at the end of the hike so he had that going for himself!

We walked about 4 hours to do the 11-mile CR. It was the longest I’d ever hiked without taking a break or having a snack, but they were buried too far in my pack under too many layers of rain protection – and it never really stopped raining, it’d just rain heavier at times.  Traffic was ok, and we walked a lot along wooded roads – some with lots for sale, but I didn’t see an attraction to the lots unless you want to live like a hermit in the woods.

My feet were wet, but it was a cushy kind of wet, not a blister forming wet.  Of course then, Jeff came up with the “walking home in soggy old shoes” line from Jim Croce’s “Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues.”  We worked hard to come up with other lines from that song, and we came up with some, but couldn’t get the melody.  As we’ve done with other adventures, we can come up with lines to other songs on his “Greatest Hits” album, but we only have the tune to “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” when we are not singing along to the actual songs with Jim.  It sure kept our minds occupied as we were slogging along (in soggy boots).

Our plan was to hike the 11 CR, drive back to Wild Rose for lunch, then hike the 3.7-mile Deerfield segment. With a high misery factor (7 on my scale), the group voted to bag it for the day. We shuttled back to get the vehicles at the start, then on to Wild Rose for lunch. I’d looked at the Pioneer Pub online and thought that looked great. However, when we got to town, that looked super busy. No waiting at the Chatterbox, but perhaps there was a reason for that? We were the only patrons in there, which should be a bad sign that one should pay attention to.  The only staff person, RC, tried hard, but he had a creep factor that I couldn’t see beyond.  We’d already ordered by the time I saw the state of the bathroom and part of the kitchen. Even though we were warm and dry, my misery factor remained high and I mainly just ate my French fries as my sandwich was horrible.

It was just over an hour back home from there. We detoured to the Dairy Queen in Wautoma on our way home (made up for the yucky lunch).  

All in all, it was a great five day stretch on the IAT. We hiked over 74 miles in 5 days, and the long days pushed us mentally and physically.  While we aren’t able to train for the altitude that we’ll encounter hiking Kilimanjaro in September, the mental toughness we’re developing on days like today is what will make us successful!

#IAT KiliOrBust

[taycofftoadventure]

Utah Park Road Trip

What a year. I’ve taken a hiatus from the blog during 2020 for obvious reasons: pandemic travel is a challenge and not encouraged. It was hard to decide whether to venture out at all frankly. But after a a new gig, I desperately needed a getaway- so we took a week-long road trip to Utah. Our goal was to try to avoid people and get into nature. I’m so grateful for the escape. In the end, my soul really needed to go. Needed the break. Needed the change of scenery. I’ve gotten a lot of folks asking me what we did, where we went, so I decided to dust off the blog and share with folks our itinerary. 

We traveled with surface cleaner, our masks, etc. We took precautions where appropriate. It wasn’t always easy, but I felt relatively safe. We stayed in hotels and cabins- camping is totally an option, but traveling in August meant very hot weather and we wanted the AC. But every place we went had camping options if that is more your speed. Also many of the places we stayed, we could enter the room from an external door. It felt safer generally than riding an elevator or being in narrow hotel halls. We also didn’t have maid service during our stays to limit who was in the room. But I encourage everyone to be smart about whatever they chose to do. It’s hard to control all elements. We did the best we could.

You may wonder why we went to Springdale and THEN Bryce and THEN back to Zion- well, cost (the Lodge in the park was cheaper midweek) and avoiding people. We aimed to hit the Narrows hike on a Wednesday- which was less crowded.

Day 1 and 2 - Springdale, UT

We drove from LA. We opted not to stop in Vegas because they have a lot of coronavirus cases. Without traffic, it’s a six hour or so drive to beautiful Springdale, UT- the gateway to Zion National Park. We stayed at the Majestic View Lodge at the edge of town for two nights. Springdale itself is a gem in the canyon between red rock cliffs towering above.

Zion National Park has a shuttle service with limited tickets to access certain portions of the park (**check for their policies regularly/they changed during our planning and we almost didn’t score tickets). But there are some sites that don’t require a shuttle. We hit those first. After a breakfast at Deep Creek Coffee (really good/we went twice!), we ventured up the scenic drive of the park. Surrounded by giants, we pulled off and took photos as we headed to our first hike on the Canyon Overlook Trail. It’s a moderately challenging hike, but not long. You can do it rather quickly, but we definitely stopped to take many a photo. You’re rewarded with quite a view. Some portion of the trail was narrow- so bring your mask (always bring your mask). After, we cooled down at the hotel pool until it got busier. 

Before dinner, we rode bikes through Springdale to the Pa’rus Trail (paved so it’s not hard to bike). It was mighty glorious as the sun set below The Watchman. The grill at the Majestic View Lodge did have really good ribeye for take-out. 

Day 3-5 Bryce Canyon National Park

The next day, we headed to Bryce National Park for two nights. What a special place. Powerful hoodoos dot the canyon. I felt like I was immersed in a giant sand castle. It was hot when we went. There was no water in the canyon, so take more water than you think you need if you plan to hike beyond the rim. 

Our first hike was the Navajo Trail to the Peekaboo Loop and then up iconic Wall Street. It’s strenuous. If you want something lighter, do just Navajo Trail- but even that has dramatic elevation gain. Also, you have the challenge of Bryce’s naturally high elevation. The most common medical issues folks have in Bryce are elevation related problems. The number two problem; ankle issues (so wear supportive shoes) because the trails are steep. Despite being hard, it was JAW-DROPPINGLY beautiful. No photos need a filter. Go slow, take breaks, take photos, and stay hydrated. 

The next day we woke up early and hit The Fairyland Loop. It’s the longest hike in the park, but you’ll have no issues social distancing. Bring lots of water and lunch- but it’s not as hard as Peekaboo/Navajo. Go early to avoid midday sun. We started at Sunrise point and did it counter clockwise. We liked this for a few reasons- our climb back out of the canyon was shaded by an occasional tree and the last two miles of the hike was the much easier Rim Trail in the hotter part of the day (which does have some climbing itself, but at least you’re almost to your car by the end)... and also I loved ending the hike near the General Store for a little lemonade and fruit. 

Closer to sunset, we checked out Rainbow Point and Natural Bridge. If you skip Peekaboo, Bryce Point will give you a taste of what you missed from above. 

The town of Bryce itself was only established ten years ago. Not too much there. We grabbed picnic/breakfast food in Springdale and then got take out in Tropic for dinners. Stone Hearth Grille was delicious and beautifully situated- I can tell it would be a great place to eat in when this pandemic is over.  IDK Barbecue was also really tasty. 

The last morning in Bryce we hit the Queens Garden Trail- the most popular trail. But you can see why, it’s not-to-be-missed gorgeous and it’s the “easiest” trail into the canyon (and by easiest, I still mean it’s steep). We opted to hit it on a Tuesday and found it wasn’t too hard to avoid folks. I did wear my mask more (i really dig my Variant Malibu mask btw). 

Day 6-8 Zion National Park

After the hike, we headed back to Zion. On this stretch, we stayed at Zion Lodge in a cabin at the Xanterra run hotel in the park. It was worth it because you get a drive-on into the park where only shuttles can go and it’s great to be in the midst of the action (the only caveat is, you can only drive as far as the lodge). There’s also the bonus reality that if you stay at the lodge, the shuttle times are irrelevant, They let you on whenever, you just need a ticket for the day. Alternatively, you can ride uphill to the Narrows by bike.

We rode the shuttle once to go to the famous Narrows hike. We were very much rewarded for our early morning- there were very uncrowded stretches. What a colossally special experience. Almost religious- I felt like I was in a giant natural cathedral. The early morning light gifted us with such dynamic and extraordinary sights. I’ll never forget them. Besides snacks and water, I highly recommend a hiking pole and neoprene socks. Just buy them ahead of time- but you can rent them in town for the same cost. We were glad to just get started early and not have to deal with rentals. The rocks are slippery so mind your step. I also felt the current made it more precarious.  Be sure to check the water quality and for flash flood warnings. Levels were low, but due to little rain there was a bacterial overgrowth harmful to humans and animals. So sadly, we couldn’t submerge (or ingest)- but I felt it was shallow enough to maintain safety. Avoid the algae mats. 

As we wrapped up the hike six hours later, more people hit the trail- the mask was up and this was the most congested I felt all trip! But the ranger at the end of the hike said that actually, this was nothing compared to pre-covid. People used to wait hours for a shuttle... so thanks pandemic, we didn’t wait long. 

In the evenings, we gazed at the Milky Way on the green lawn filled with deer and tried to spy meteors showering by (well, more like a trickle- we saw two between us) and hung out on our cabin porch drinking wine and playing cards. Staying in the park was peaceful. 

Additionally, some of the popular hikes are an easy stroll from the lodge. It would have been possible to avoid the shuttle altogether if we weren’t intending to do the Narrows. We walked on an evening stroll up the trail to the Grotto picnic area where the Angel’s Landing Hike begins (the top is closed at present for Covid). Across the street from the lodge is the trailhead for the Emerald Pools. We would have made the trek but the pools are apparently very low right now. Some things for us to check out next time!

Day 9-11 Sundance, UT

After Zion, we headed north for two nights in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City. I was craving green and trees for sure. We stayed at the Sundance Resort but if you’re looking to save some coin, there’s plenty of camping off the narrow mountain Alpine Scenic Byway. The mountain pass is closed in the winter, but right now it’s dotted with gorgeous still-snow dusted peaks and the largest Aspen grove I’ve ever seen.

There were a lot of hikes in the area, but in the warm heat of the summer, we opted for Stewart Falls. There are a few access points- if you don’t stay at Sundance, there is a trailhead in Aspen Grove. If you stay at the resort, you get a free ski-lift ticket (or you can buy one). We took the scenic chalet to Ray’s Summit  (you can go further up to the top for a cold beverage and what-looked-like-delicious nachos). From Ray’s Summit, you can hike a lovely but sometimes steep trail down to the falls. We then took the trail back to our lodging from the falls. Google maps was helpful in navigating the narrow trails. 

We did shell out for the zip line tour which boasts one of the longest rides in the US. It was exhilarating. You fly from peak to peak and down the mountain. Definitely grab a bottle of water to take with you- it took us about 2 hours to do it all... but can take up to 3. Luckily our group was just the two of us, so it went pretty fast and I was thankful to not have to wait for anyone. 

The food at Sundance was excellent with lots of outdoor seating and picnic tables- so it’s easy to get a fine dining meal and a swell spot to eat it in. Everything from the breakfast sandwich to the salmon to the pork chops was really good. 

Day 12-13 St. George, UT

On our way back to Los Angeles, we drove back south again and stayed in St. George- not far outside of Zion. We stayed at a lovely renovated hotel Inn of the Cliff- bonus points for beautiful view and pool. Pro-tip, if you want the pool ALL to yourself, Sunday morning seemed to be the winner (because I think the community is all at church). Also for breakfast, skip the long lines and go to Tia’s Artesian Bakery. We picked up some delectable food ahead of the drive home.

In the end, I was so grateful for this trip. It felt incredibly long (even though it was just weekend to weekend). Getting into nature, surrounded by awesome views, and testing my body- but also having down-time- felt crucial to getting the rejuvenation I needed. On long, popular hike days, we rose early- but almost every other day, we slept in. The balance felt right. We were grateful to pack a cooler and have snacks and cold drinks on long drives or hot days. 

Travel safe. Stay healthy. Take care of your spirit. Go find nature.

Photos by Zach Lupetin and Taylor Coffman

#zion #zion national park #bryce #bryce national park #national park #travel blog #travel tips #sundance #utah #roadtrip #road trip

[bestplacesus]

The 38 Essential Chicago Restaurants

Superdawg’s founders, Maurie and Flaurie Berman, stand guard over this venerable Chicago drive-in as customers can spot those giant hot dog statues bearing their likenesses from miles away at the intersection of Devon, Nagle, and Milwaukee. Superdawg is a throwback dining experience where customers park their cars and talk to staff through crackling drive-in speakers and carhops bring out trays of food. Superdawg isn’t a traditional Chicago-style dog, but it is a tradition. It uses a proprietary thick all-beef sausage that comes with mustard, pickled green tomato, and chopped Spanish onions. This is all cradled in a box of crinkle fries.

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4710 N Ravenswood Ave Chicago, IL 60640

What is quite possibly the first Michelin-starred brewpub lies on the North Side of Chicago. Gourmet dishes emerge from the kitchen during tasting menus, while brunch services and the bar menu provide a taste to diners on a tight budget. Creative beer selections are brewed on-site, which, combined with a beautiful Victorian-inspired space, make Band of Bohemia a one-of-a-kind operation in the entire country. The menu has plenty of veggie options, including a carrot that’s magical.

A spacious dining room with well-lit orange walls and red upholstered chairs. Tables and the floor are made of dark wood.

Band of Bohemia may be the first Michelin-starred brewpub. Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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3800 N Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60641

With two smokers to prep meaty St. Louis-style ribs, tender brisket, apple-and-oak-smoked pulled pork and more, this ‘cue joint in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Irving Park stands up to any within a thousand miles. Outside of Carolina or Texas, it’s hard to find better barbecue than the casual counter-service Smoque.

A brown wooden fence separates a low, dark-looking building from the sidewalk. Red awning hangs off the building.

This Irving Park barbecue spot serves some of the most sought-after meats in the city. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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3361 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60618

It may not serve your momma’s fried chicken — with bones, skin, et al — but Honey Butter Fried Chicken makes swaths of Chicagoans feel like kids again when they dip their birds in that addictive honey butter. Since expanding from supper club to Avondale brick-and-mortar in fall 2013, lines form during peak lunch and dinner hours but move quickly at the cozy counter-service space. Don’t forget the house-made iced teas, alcoholic drinks, and specials sometimes created by noteworthy guest chefs.

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A small tray contains two pieces of fried chicken, a bowl of mac and cheese, and a bowl of salad. Lines at Honey Butter can be long but usually move quickly. Honey Butter Fried Chicken [Official Photo]

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3025 W Diversey Ave Chicago, IL 60647

This tiny cafe along Diversey, an emerging street for restaurants in Logan Square, packs big flavors. Cellar Door Provisions serves pastries, a popular quiche, and lamb meatballs in the mornings and the afternoons. Ownership wanted to bring something different to Chicago’s culinary scene by baking delicious breads and developing strong relationships with local farmers and vendors to bring top-notch ingredients to their kitchen. They serve dinner on Wednesdays through Saturdays only and reservations are recommended.

Several light-skinned hands cut into plates of food on a light wooden table. Cellar Door Provisions has acclaimed baked goods and more. Cellar Door Provisions [Official Photo]

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2800 W Logan Blvd Chicago, IL 60647

Few chefs share the talent and drive that Diana Dávila exhibits while showcasing a dazzling display of small Mexican dishes in Logan Square. Dávila isn’t shy about risks; she isn’t pandering to the typical American diner. The bustling full-service spot offers albondigas and dishes like peanut butter and tongue push boundaries, yet there’s also a delectable steak burrito on the menu for those in the mood.

A red clay pot holds chopped meat in a sauce with a bright red vegetable on top. Mi Tocaya’s regional Mexican fare Mi Tocaya [Official Photo]

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2537 N Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60647

Before Logan Square had a multitude of acclaimed creative restaurants and farm-to-table was a buzz-phrase, there was Lula Café. More than a decade on, it’s easy to see why people flock for its creative dinner menu, line-inducing Sunday brunch and Monday night farm dinners. Dishes change seasonally and sometimes daily, with stars that include standout local produce and meats prepared in unexpected ways. What diners can expect is a wait at brunch and dinner, but weekday breakfasts are quiet and cozy.

A storefront inside a brick building from the street. White curtains are visible through a large window and a sign overhead reads “Lula Cafe.” Lula Cafe set the stage for Longan Square’s restaurant revolution. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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2429 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60614

Chicago hadn’t seen this level of Middle Eastern food before acclaimed chef Zach Engel moved from New Orleans to open this smash hit in Lincoln Park. Engel, who won a James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef during his time in the Big Easy, elevates hummus, pita, and more to unforeseen heights at this Israeli excelsior, where reservations have been difficult to secure since its opening in April 2019. Diners sit at the long kitchen counter to watch Engel and team top pools of silky hummus with trumpet mushrooms, fried chicken skin and collard greens, and pull perfect pillows of wood-fired pitas from the coal-burning oven. The salatim — an array of Israeli accoutrements served with pita — coal-fired entrees, and Middle Eastern spins on classic cocktails are also stars here.

Slices of tender beef brisket sit atop a silky pool of hummus and herbs on a white plate. Galit’s brisket hummus

Sandy Noto/Galit [Official Photo]

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2507 W Armitage Ave Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago’s sushi reputation is not as esteemed as cities along the coastlines, but a number of new restaurants are changing that perception. At the top of the list is Otto Phan’s omakase experience — the Japanese concept of chef’s choice — in a nondescript space in Logan Square. Phan’s intimate eight-seat counter provides an up-close look at his bold personality and distinctive style, which is highlighted by larger-than-normal rice grains seasoned with aged red vinegar and premium quality ingredients imported from overseas. The luxurious offerings include fried tilefish crowned with creme fraiche and Osetra caviar, and fatty toro seared on charcoal. The $220 price tag for 18-plus bites — plus extra for beverages — makes it a special destination. A $100 deposit is required to secure a reservation.

A piece of nigiri with a slice of raw, red fish on a bed of white rice. Kyōten serves exquisite sushi on its omakase menu.

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1747 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60647

While the savory food and the drinks are very good, the sweets and the hot chocolates are predictably not to be missed from an owner with a James Beard award for best pastry chef (Mindy Segal). Crowds flock to this Chicago icon for brunch and peak-hour dinner services, so lunch service is a great bet for minimal waits at the Bucktown superstar. A wooden table holds eight cups of various sizes holding hot chocolate drinks. Mindy’s namesake hot chocolates and more Mindy’s Hot Chocolate [Official Photo]

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1723 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614

Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’s three-Michelin-starred avant garde fine dining institution is quite simply one of the world’s best restaurants. Food obsessives make pilgrimages from around the globe to the 10-year-old Lincoln Park restaurant to experience Achatz’s emotional, interactive, and expensive tasting menus, which play out in a recently renovated backdrop that now features three distinct dining options. It clocked in at No. 37 on the most recent World’s 50 Best List in 2019 and was among Eater National’s best restaurants in America. Dishes change often on the tasting menus, but the edible balloon and tabletop dessert are among those that put it on the world stage. A long staircase runs along the left side of the room going up. Three tables sit in a spare, white room with white chairs and grey carpet. Alinea was named the 37th best restaurant in the world in 2019. Matthew Gilson

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7500 W North Ave Elmwood Park, IL 60707

The best example of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwiches exists outside of the city at the two suburban locations of Johnnie’s Beef. The space is a throwback as the original fast-food spot opened in 1961 in Elmwood Park and a second has since opened in Arlington Heights. The menu is simple: beefs, charcoal-grilled Italian sausages, and hot dogs. Pepper-and-egg sandwiches are also available daily; they’re mostly aimed at Catholic customers during Lent Fridays needing a “meat-free” option. Johnnie’s also serves stellar lemon Italian ice. The thin-cut beef is moist and perfectly seasoned with hints of oregano. The hot peppers deliver plenty of heat but don’t overwhelm the meat. Don’t sleep on the beef-sausage sandwich. While the city has plenty of beef options, Johnnie’s is worth the drive to the ‘burbs.

A long Johnnie’s Beef stand seen from the outside beside a tree and park bench. Outside Johnnie’s Beef Rachel/Flickr

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1028 N Rush St Chicago, IL 60611

Chicago’s steakhouse tradition can be best experienced at Gibsons, the swanky Gold Coast institution that Eater readers voted the best steakhouse in America’s meatiest city. Celebrity sightings are frequent in the dining room and in the photos on the walls, while white-jacketed servers provide exquisite meat displays at a quintessential Chicago restaurant experience. A brick building with a green roof attachment and a neon sign that reads “Gibsons.” Eater readers voted Gibsons the best steakhouse in Chicago. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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141 W Erie St Chicago, IL 60654

Chicago’s food scene got a jolt of fresh air when former Avec and Nico Osteria chef de cuisine Erling Wu-Bower opened this breezy California-inspired restaurant in River North in conjunction with his One Off Hospitality mentors Paul Kahan and Donnie Madia. Bower and team churn out a casual menu of light fare utilizing precise execution and exquisite ingredients, spanning a myriad of light cuisines from warm weather locales such as Middle Eastern-inspired large-format duck, pitas that utilize ahi tuna and beef tartare, dumplings and pizzas. Reservations are recommended, although tables are easier to find during lunch and brunch services at the 2018 Eater Chicago Restaurant of the Year.

A white space with tall ceilings and windows, light wood floors, and sleek monochromatic tables and chairs.

Inside Pacific Standard Time Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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445 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60654

Rick Bayless’s Mexican haven in River North, including Xoco on the corner, is a Chicago institution spawning spinoffs around the globe of south of the border fare from street food to high end. At Frontera Grill, his original restaurant, folks flock from around the globe to wait in line (there’s only limited reservations) for casual, festive, groundbreaking regional Mexican fare. At Topolobampo, connected through a side doorway, Bayless’ team serves gorgeous, mind-blowing Michelin-starred tasting menus.

The exterior of a restaurant from the street with large windows. An awning overhead reads “Frontera Grill.”

Diners from around the world line up for Frontera Grill. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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837 W Fulton Market Chicago, IL 60607

The template for one of the country’s top chefs and restaurant groups (Paul Kahan’s One Off Hospitality), their temple to pork, fish, charcuterie and beer is stronger than ever, as evidenced by spinoffs across the street and at O’Hare International Airport, and a spot on Eater National’s best restaurants in America list. Don’t mistake the boisterous atmosphere with long beer hall-esque communal tables for pedestrian food or no waits, as it remains one of Chicago’s toughest tables, even for the standout brunch.

A clean, simple space with tall windows, hanging round lamps, and tall, angular wooden furniture. The Publican remains one of Chicago’s toughest tables. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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661 W Walnut St Chicago, IL 60661

2016 saw a slew of great restaurant openings but Noah Sandoval’s West Loop stunner perhaps shined the brightest. He, along with his wife Cara, are leading the way for a new generation of fine dining that’s coupling refined, upscale dishes on its tasting menu, from its caviar starter staple to a Japanese A5 wagyu, all in a laid-back experience. Critics and diners alike have been impressed, with the Michelin Guide awarding the restaurant two stars in its first year. A dining room with exposed brick walls and wooden floors and ceilings. A number of tables dot the room topped with white tablecloths.

Oriole’s West Loop dining room Nick Murway/Eater Chicago

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820 W Lake St Chicago, IL 60607

Boka Restaurant Group isn’t short on heavy hitters but its majestic modern Japanese restaurant is arguably the crown jewel of the company. Spread across three floors, Momotaro blends traditional Japanese ingredients and flavors with contemporary technique for a breathtaking experience. The menu is divided between sushi and robata bites and includes luxuries such as A5 wagyu steak and pristine fatty tuna. For a more casual meal and drinks, the lower-level izakaya offers similarly remarkable options like chicken karaage, uni spaghetti, and ramen.

An overhead photo of the restaurant’s three-floor design with muted colors and light wood. Momotaro’s majestic design is a three-floor ode to mid-twentieth century Japanese business culture.

Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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736 W Randolph St Chicago, IL 60661

Chicagoans have few choices for upscale Indian food downtown. Rooh’s 2019 arrival is noteworthy not only because it fills that void, but it also gives the West Loop one of the most unique restaurants in the city. Patrons will be more than impressed with familiar classics such as butter chicken, but jackfruit kofta, gunpowder scallops, and achari monkfish give diners a sliver of modern Indian cooking. All this inside a comfortable space worthy of Randolph Restaurant Row. Look for fun, spiced cocktails to round out the experience. Reservations are recommended for the spinoff of the San Francisco restaurant that opened in 2017.

A colorful plate of modern, creative Indian food. Rooh serves dazzling Indian plates. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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1020 W Madison St Chicago, IL 60607

The first restaurant from former Top Chef and Spiaggia chef Sarah Grueneberg has quickly cemented itself as one of Chicago’s top Italian destinations and its tough-to-get reservations are a prime example. The pastas are the stars at the West Loop hotspot, such as cannelloni saltimbocca with merguez lamb sausage, manchego cheese, peas, harissa, and balsamico, many of which are made on a small demonstration stage of sorts behind the bar. Also try non-pasta dishes such as the skate wing schnitzel and ‘nduja arancini, as well as a standout wine list. A simple, sleek bar with backed stools and a rack for pasta. Monteverde’s bar is where cooks make the pasta. Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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29. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen

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1141 S Jefferson St Chicago, IL 60607

The torchbearer for a dying breed of Jewish delis and diners in Chicago, Manny’s has endured for more than a half-century in the South Loop thanks to massive and delicious pastrami sandwiches, an array of hot homestyle dishes on steam tables, and family service cultivated over generations in a cafeteria-style setting plastered with decades-old newspaper clippings and letters from Chicago luminaries. The space also now houses a new deli expansion for bagels, sweets, coffee, and food to go.

Two men in white aprons and paper hats hand dishes to customers from behind a deli counter. The scene at Manny’s Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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1800 S Carpenter St Chicago, IL 60608

HaiSous is a remarkable comeback story for the husband-and-wife team of Thai and Danielle Dang in Pilsen. Thai Dang showcases his heritage Vietnamese flavors through a number of techniques, including claypot cooking, on a menu that’s as ambitious as it’s unpretentious with dishes like grilled wild boar with lemongrass. The neighboring cafe is great for a banh mi or an iced coffee sourced with beans from Dang’s family in Vietnam. The duo worked at acclaimed West Loop restaurant Embeya, but at HaiSous they’re free to express themselves more honestly to create a dining experience worthy of a celebration, or just a wonderful weeknight meal, or even a coffee and a sandwich.

A small metal pan holds a colorful monkfish dish topped with green dill, pickled shallots, and fresno.

Turmeric-laced monkfish with dill, pickled shallots and fresno served with rice noodles topped with scallion confit and roasted peanuts at HaiSous. Mistey Nguyen

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1239 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608

Star chef Stephen Gillanders, after searching for years to open a new restaurant, discovered room in Pilsen to open S.K.Y. It’s fine dining with good value and without pretension — the menu features flavors from Japan (crispy swordfish katsu), Korea (crackling beef short rib), and the Mediterranean in both affordable tasting menus and a la carte options. The weekend dim sum-style brunch’s lobster dumplings may be the city’s best. Reservations are recommended. Four delicate dumplings sit inside a white bowl.

S.K.Y.’s Maine lobster dumplings Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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1725 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608

Chicago’s Mexican community and food enthusiasts worldwide flock to this longtime family-owned counter-service institution in Pilsen that celebrates all parts of the pig with its legendary south-of-the-border care. Order carnitas by the pound at the front counter and settle into a table — if one is available — to craft individual tacos with an array of porky goodness and house-made salsas, tortillas, and beans; or have tacos, soup, and cactus salad made. Prepare for lines and waits during peak weekend hours.

A platter of meat, a bowl of salsa, a paper container of chicharron, and a red Jarritos soda sit on a green tablecloth.

A carnitas platter with the fixings at Carnitas Uruapan. Carnitas Uruapan [Official Photo]

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4852 S Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60632

Head to the Southwest Side for goat tacos that are consistently lauded as some of the best in the entire country. In addition, diner make the pilgrimage for other standout dishes such as consomme at this small father-and-son standout. It’s counter-service or take-out-only, and get there early, as it often closes by early evening at the latest. A server ladles juices over a plate of goat meat. A large birrieria plate at Birrieria Zaragoza. Birrieria Zaragoza [Official Photo]

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1462 E 53rd St Chicago, IL 60615

Chicago has long had a history of top-notch African American-owned restaurants that focus on regional Southern cooking, but the city may not have had a restaurant like Virtue before. Chef-owner Erick Williams combines the skill and precision honed through years of fine-dining experience with soulful, family Southern recipes in dishes including cauliflower with cashew dukkah and root cellar vegetables, and heavenly beef short ribs with creamed spinach and crushed potatoes. The restaurant has quickly become a dining beacon in Hyde Park and one of America’s Best New Restaurants, so reservations are recommended for dinner but there’s also a large bar room and a lively brunch. A colorful cauliflower dish sits inside a grey bowl on a light wood table. Virtue’s cauliflower with cashew dukkah, root cellar vegetables, and rice Nick Fochtman/Eater

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8433 S Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60652

When it comes to pizza, Chicago’s reputation around the country often centers on deep dish. But thin-crust tavern-style pizza — another pizza style that’s unique to Chicago — is actually much more prevalent and popular with locals, and few if any do it better than South Side institution Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria. Thin, crunchy dough is baked with char on top and cut into small squares with very little crust on the outside. In business for nearly a century and making pizzas for more than 60 years, Vito & Nick’s is an always-bustling, family-friendly pizza destination that’s a must-visit for any food enthusiast, so be prepared for a wait for a table or just take a pie to go.

A square-cut thin crust pizza. Vito & Nick’s iconic tavern-style pizza Vito & Nick’s [Official Photo]

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#compare cost of living between citiess

[livelikebrent]

Stop 5: Syracuse, NY

“She just has such a natural beauty. She’s one of the prettiest girls I know.” Brent adored Amanda and said this about her on multiple occasions. Brent adored Drew too. They were some of his best friends from back home in Wilkes-Barre. I adore them too.

Originally, Stop 5 was supposed to be Acadia National Park in Maine...but I simply did not carve out enough time for the trip (oops!). So, with that trip being postponed until the spring the obvious second choice was Syracuse to visit 8 month pregnant parents to be, Amanda and Drew! The last time Brent and I stopped through to visit Syracuse (rather briefly) was after we had gone camping in the Adirondacks in July of 2015. I remember we parked the Jeep at Forked Lake Campground and hiked maybe about a half mile to our spot which was right next to the lake and was picture perfect (until it rained later that evening). The site came with a picnic table and benches and whoever had the site before us, placed several tree stumps around the “fire pit”. So we set up the tent, hammock and walked around the area a bit.

I started dinner while Brent went to get more firewood from the car. Then hopped in his hammock with a Bells Two Hearted Ale. Brent came back with firewood and flowers he picked along the way for me. After we ate we enjoyed the fire and beers before it started to downpour. We didn’t mind though as we planned on waking up with the sun the next morning to go on quite the hike.

Pictured above is us a smidge tired and sweaty after an upwards hike for 3 hours and 4,626 ft. at the top of Giant Mountain in New York. I like hiking but I like to work towards something. That something could be a killer view, waterfalls or anything to keep me motivated. This was quite the view and I remember that the camera couldn’t truly capture the depths of the mountains and how beautiful the view actually was. I also remember Brent struggling a bit during the hike...at one point (I think we were about a third of the way to the top) I looked at him and told him we didn’t have to complete the hike and could just turn around. I could barely even finish that sentence before he looked at me and said, “I didn’t just beat cancer.” When he said the word “just” he drew out the “uhhh” in an annoyed voice. He said that if he could beat cancer and he could get to the top of the mountain. Did any of you just chuckle while hearing him say this in your head? I did. He was a determined and smarty-pants at times. That’s what I liked about him. Not only did he have motivation but determination.

Brendan and I pulled up to a cute little house with a Blazer in the driveway marked with a “LiveLikeBrent” sticker on the back windshield. Amanda, belly and all, came out from the garage led by Bear, their puppy. Bear is a gorgeous mix of German Sheppard and who knows what else and has the softest coat I’ve ever felt. Drew and Amanda gave us the tour of their home and property. During said tour, Drew said he was sold on the house just by the backyard. Their home sits on a decent sized lot with a backyard that backs up to the woods. There’s a slight up slope towards the back of their property where they have Adirondack chairs in front of a fire pit. I originally thought it was a pizza oven due to the fact Drew isn’t a stranger in the kitchen. Turns out that’s what he eventually wants to do with it. So obviously I’ll be back but only when that’s completed.

After we got settled we hopped in the car and went to Emipre Brewing Co. for a late lunch and some beers. As we pulled up I didn’t realize how massive of a facility Empire was...I suppose the name is fitting. On the other hand, Drew couldn’t get over how packed it was. I mean, it was a Saturday afternoon. In October. In Syracuse. With perfect weather.

“Empire Farm Brewery, est.2016, is the largest Farm Brewery on the East Coast. Over 22 acres were developed for educational and beer production purposes. Boasting a new 60 bbl automated brewhouse, the Empire Farm Brewery is producing kegs and bottles for regional, national and international distribution. Bottled lineup includes 3 time consecutive Great American Beer Fest gold medal winner; Skinny Atlas Light, White Aphro, Slo Mo’ IPA, East Coast Amber Ale, and World Beer Cup gold medal winner; Black Magic Stout.  Located in Cazenovia, NY, the property also grows hops, lavender, vegetables, herbs, and fruits for use in the brewing process and to support the needs of Empire’s downtown brewpub.

The agricultural component was designed in conjunction with Professor Matthew Potteiger and the graduate student body from the Department of Landscape Architecture, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The Empire Farm Brewery was the class project for ESF’s spring 2012 semester.”

Reading that makes the place sound somewhat dreamy, right? It kinda was. The inside was nice, still smelled somewhat new. The place was jammin’ and as we were ordering our beers and a lemonade for the mama to be, a table opened up. What was neat about the place was that they had long communal picnic tables and “round” tables made out of tree trunks which is where we sat. There is a patio out back with tables, a bar and several corn hole sets. I kept looking around not being able to get over the size of the place. We ordered some food and caught up with one another. Drew knew Brent from back in the day in grade school and had been friends ever since. Amanda met Brent through mutual friends later in life in high school. Brent mentioned to me the first time Amanda told him she liked Drew. It was at a concert of sorts (most likely moe. or something along those lines) where she said it and Brent’s reply was something similar to “Yeah, me too.” ... but she corrected him on what she actually meant. They’re a super sweet couple. The first time I met them was New Year’s Eve 2014. They were staying the weekend at Brent’s apartment in East Falls. I remember Drew cooking dinner for all of us at Danny and Dana’s place. He made quite the meal with nice steaks. The following day I remember learning that apparently eating pork on New Year’s Day is a Polish tradition. I think we even had some venison if my memory serves me correctly. At that point in time, I just knew Drew as the friend that could cook and Amanda as “the most naturally beautiful girls” Brent knew...and his best friends of course.

We ate, drank and tossed around baby name ideas. After Empire we decided to do “fall things” (with the rest of the state of New York) since the weather was so beautiful. We drove to a place called Tim’s Pumpkin Patch. Why did we drive close to a half hour and pass maybe half a dozen orchards and pumpkin stands just to go to Tim’s? Well, first of all it has a 4.4 star rating on Google...so there’s that. But in addition to pumpkin picking they have a brewery, bakery, animals and well, Amanda insisted. When we arrived, I bought everyone some farm feed along with beers and ciders before going to visit the animals. After we cooed over the baby goats, pigs and cows we stopped for some fresh apple fritters before heading into the corn maze. The maze was so difficult we ended up coming out where we began and probably didn’t even touch half of the maze. If the sun wasn’t setting we probably would’ve given it another shot. But at that point we wanted to pick our pumpkins, snag a quick photo of the parents to be and hit the road.

When we got back to Drew and Amanda’s home we were greeted by Bear who quite honestly Brendan and I could not get enough of the entire visit. By the way, he is SUCH a good boy.

We hung out for a while. Amanda and Drew then ended up taking us to a place called Seneca Street Brew Pub where I had a Cider Creek Smoked Up Cider. I thought it ruled and was very much alone on this. Give me anything and everything smoked and I’ll consume it...meat, cheese, beer and ciders. This brew pub was in the basement of a renovated church with a bottle shop on top. It truly didn’t feel like a church by any means but was still a cool spot. The bottle shop had dozens and dozens of locally brewed beers, ciders and some wines. I did fail to take a photo of this place. (I actually forgot to take a lot of photos over the weekend!) After we had a drink we walked down the street in downtown Manlius to IronWood Pizza for some dinner. It had a cool vibe inside and an extensive craft beer list. It had an alternative atmosphere with some cool graffiti on the wall in the main dining room and had somewhat industrial touches around the place.

After we ate we went back and the boys built a fire. There was a meteor shower the night before so we hung out in hopes to catch a meteor or two. Drew said he had been listening to some of Brent’s playlists and suggested that we throw one on. So we did. We played some of Brent’s music from Spotify and enjoyed the night. You can view and play Brent’s public playlists on Spotify right here. Note: I’m not sure if they will disappear once his subscription is not renewed. So please download or screenshot the playlists for future reference if you wish!

Sunday morning was a treat. Amanda and Drew have their Sunday ritual which is checking out the Central New York Regional Market. Brendan had already had his eye on visiting this place. The market has been there for YEARS and has Sunday flea markets, Saturday farmers markets and even serves as a live music venue occasionally. The market has several “sheds” which are extremely long structures with garage doors along the sides where vendor after vendor set up for the day. You can find pretty much anything there. Some people bring their junk, some have brand new items with price tag stickers still on them and then people who have some neat odds and ends. I walked out of there with three silver candle stick holders that just need some polish that I bought for a whopping $2. Amanda and Drew found a metal tub type bucket, kitchen tools and some Simpsons books...yes, as in the TV show. According to Drew the place was “empty” and gets packed in the summers. But I actually thought there were a decent amount of vendors there...but I would have no problem making the trip back up in the summertime. I LOVE flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, indoor markets, outdoor markets, whatever sort of place that has potential for cool finds.

Speaking of cool finds, we “found” some barbecue too. It was just about lunchtime and before Brendan and I even got to Syracuse that weekend, we decided we would go to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. I actually had no idea this place originated in Syracuse but had been to a location in Brooklyn several years back. We made it right before the Sunday afternoon rush and got a table in a booth. Amanda had mentioned a couple of times that they had solid bloody marys. She ordered a virgin and I told the waitress I’d take Amanda’s vodka. It was a really good bloody mary. It was spicy and whatever dry rub of their’s they rim the glass with was spot on. We started with their fried green tomatoes to share and then ribs, pulled pork, corn bread, mac and cheese were ordered...but I don’t even think that was half of what was order for the table.

This photo above it definitely one of my new favorites. I’m full again just looking at this picture. After I ate my sandwich I could hardly touch the rest of my sides. Or even think about them. Everything tasted so flippin’ good but I felt as though I was busting at the seems. I remember telling everyone I needed to lay down to digest and slumped over in the booth. I have no idea how the boys pack it away.

Just like every trip I take, I find at least one worthy spot for a #LiveLikeBrent sticker. I think that most people would agree that Dinosaur was more than worthy. I spoke to the bartender and gave her the revised version as to why I was there and why I wanted this sticker in their establishment. She gave her condolences but was super touched to hear what I was doing to honor Brent. So if you ever find yourself at the bar of Dinosaur Barbeque in Syracuse a sticker for Brent is there just to the right of the tap system on the back ledge of the bar.

We made our way back to the house to try and digest for a bit.The boys relaxed in the basement (which is massive by the way) and watched some of the Sunday football games. Amanda, Bear and I got in the car and went to Green Lakes State Park for a walk. It was a pretty drive and as you enter the park you also pass through what looked like a nice golf course. We parked the car and started to walk. Turns out the lakes are actually green. The two glacial lakes in the park lie at the base of a gorge. I learned that they are rare meromictic lakes meaning their layers within the water never physically mix. We walked a bit over a mile which made me feel better about the amount of food I had recently inhaled. As we walked we talked about losing Brent, when Amanda lost her father and how the boys have been back in Philadelphia. Ps. Philly Friends - This is the part where I tell you she misses you all and Drew wants me to tell everyone Syracuse isn’t that far...so you all need to visit them.

When we got back, the boys were snoozing in front of the television. Then Brendan showed up in the kitchen and made some coffees. Drew and Amanda’s home is decorated with flea market finds, family heirlooms and pieces they have found along the way. It’s got this farm house vibe but nothing that seems like you can just go and pick-up from the home decor section at Target. (P.S. -  There is NOTHING wrong with Target, by the way. I basically live there myself.) But I started asking about an antique cabbage slicer Amanda had hanging above the kitchen sink. I didn’t know what it actually was until she told me but see them all of the time now when out at antique shops. It turns out it belonged to her grandfather back in the day. They also have a couple of letter trays on the walls that hold little knick knacks. I think at their previous apartment they held stones as well. As I was asking about items around the house, Amanda pulled out a stoneware crock which held kitchen tools...and some actual tools. I didn’t realize it until Brendan started asking about the crocks but there are several around their home. Some for decor and others serving a purpose. They were really cool and completely Amanda’s style. Amanda also collects retro kitchen tools with the green handles. She actually just bought the one dead center in the photo on the counter at the market earlier that day. I think we decided it was a pastry/cookie cutter that you roll along dough. It had the shapes of suits in a deck of cards: heart, diamond, club, and spade. It was kinda neat. Amanda pulled out almost every tool and told us about them. She likes the way they look mainly but said when she’s out at the market a lot of people will try to paint the handles green to make them look like antiques and she tried to avoid the replicas.

We finished up our coffee and played with Bear one more time before packing up. Drew woke up from his slumber but claimed he was awake the entire time. We said our goodbyes, packed up the car and made our way back south.This is the part where I remind everyone that even though Amanda and Drew have a little one due literally any day now...they still welcome visitors. This is also the part where I tell you Brent told me Amanda and Drew are having a boy (even though they don’t know the gender of the baby). Maybe Brent was having a “chemo brain” moment when he told me confidently that it’s a boy or maybe he just knew or maybe it’ll just be a coincidence. Or maybe...they’ll just have a little baby girl. Either way, I’m excited to see the little bundle of joy the next time I go to visit them upstate. Thank you so much for having us for the weekend, Drew and Amanda. We love you, Bear and the little one on the way!

#LiveLikeBrent #Syracuse #New York #Adirondack Mountains #Adirondacks #Hiking #Camping #Seneca Street Brew Pub #IronWood Pizza #Manlius #CNY Regional Market #Dinosaur Barbque #Dino BBQ

[happy2bmyownboss]

I was looking back through my posts to see when our last update was and if you don’t include A Series of Unexpected Events, Part 2, and Part 3 then I believe it would’ve been Life Update: A Jacuzzi, A Boy’s Night out, And Why We Don’t ‘Do’ Halloween which seems like it was forever ago.

Monday

I know last week I posted 35+ Freezer Meals In One Day! where I did give a couple of updates like Ms. Bella’s birthday:

And then Nanny J also had a birthday where we made her a cute little gift out of items that we had:

A cute teddy bear made from a Norwex Body Cloth, some lotion samples, and a bracelet. In that post I also had some of our budding photographer’s shots… he really loves taking pictures of animals. If you haven’t checked out my Norwex site you should probably go ahead and do that NOW. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter because there are a TON of great sales coming up!

That night we had one of our freezer meals, Ham & Cheese Potato Bake. It was soo good! I got the top a little extra brown and that was Mr. Awesome’s favorite part. We had leftovers for lunch the next day and I had enough for my lunch the day after too! This one is definitely going on repeat for our menu!

The FULL MOON seems to make everything and everyone so crazy around here. I can’t even begin to tell you what happened. A couple of the kids were CRAZY and WILD and Momma was just about to pull her hair out! I do have a post coming up about Lunar Influence.

Tuesday

I don’t remember much of Tuesday except that I was busy trying to figure out where to put all of those freezer meals and I was fighting with the internet. I ended up on the phone with customer service and on chat for 5-6 hours that day BEFORE they finally agreed to send someone out.

The tech came out late in the evening and with the time change, it was getting DARK really fast. He didn’t see any problem at first and was about to give us his personal number so we could call him when it was acting up when it CRASHED again. He found so many errors he said he honestly didn’t know how we even had any internet service at all.

Since it was dark already he said he would come back the next day, if that was OK.

We had some fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner that night. Mr. Awesome had been complaining that he missed having fried foods so I made an exception. There were no LEFTOVERS!

Wednesday

We pulled out some of the  Baked Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins for breakfast. Everyone loved them but they suggested that we need to add some raisins to them the next time make them!

The tech returned and again he found numerous errors… more than he had ever anticipated. He was tracing the errors here and there when he finally decided to just start replacing lines.

It appears that part of the problem was because when the previous lines were installed a couple of years ago the original tech had not taken out or unhooked the old wiring. This causes a back feed and was messing with the signal… all I really know is that it is working much better now.

I have been so much more productive online this week and it feels good to actually be able to get a little work done… it was kind of funny trying to explain to the tech what I do and what I need my internet to do but he kinda seemed to understand. I have been AMAZED to see the increase in my blog traffic and Pinterest views since my productivity has INCREASED… CRAZY!

I also worked on getting all of the freezer meals put into the freezers as they had been in the refrigerators. I didn’t have quite enough room without doing some major reorganization so we ate one of them for dinner, Stuffed Shells.

I didn’t fix any sides but some buttered bread. We still had enough leftovers for lunch the next day. This one will be added to the repeating menu as well! Mr. Awesome just suggested that I add a little more cheese to the top… this was one of the meals where I was running short on cheese. I had planned to add more before baking but hadn’t been to the store again yet.

That’s one way to fix something that causing an issue… eat it!

Thursday

This past Thursday Mr. William had a dentist appointment. He was SUPER anxious because it was a new dentist and he often doesn’t do well with NEW things. I was lucky that Mr. Awesome was able to keep the other kiddos at home so I could FOCUS all of my attention on Mr. William.

He got a bit NERVOUS when they were doing the x-rays but he did fine. His appointment went well and he had NO CAVITIES! He does need to work on his brushing a little bit. We don’t use a ‘traditional toothpaste’ as one of the kids had some issues with Flouride a few years back and switched to this brand. My kids love the lemon flavor!

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. If you happen to click through a link and make a purchase we may earn a teensy-weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission. This means that we can keep bringing you great recipes, ideas, and tips for FREE! Click HERE for a full disclaimer.  –Thank you!

Mr. William and I also stopped at the bread store to stock up on a few items. The store was almost completely our of regular loaf bread so we ended up with a lot of wheat bread and just before we finished checking out they had found two loaves of white bread so I grabbed them… sorry folks! After that, we stopped by the post office to pick up a couple of packages. We had some school supplies and some Christmas gifts that had come in. I have probably finished 80-90% of our Christmas shopping although I can’t promise that I’ll be able to find it all if this house doesn’t get here soon!

When we returned home, I made lunch for everyone and sent the kids to their beds for a nap. Everyone has been a little under the weather which has made them super grouchy. This wasn’t the only reason though… we needed to fix the toilet. If the kids were down for naps it would make the job that much easier.

I went to town to grab the parts we needed and when I returned Mr. Awesome and I set to work. The hardest part was to get the bolts off as they were rusted. We ended up using a hacksaw to cut the bolts which was no easy task. Once that was completed we removed the toilet and began to check for the problem… if you follow me on Instagram you probably already know what I found:

Yep, one of the kiddos had indeed flushed part of a hanger down. I managed to fish it out with a coat hanger as it was caught in the bend of the toilet… that was not easy either. We did manage to get everything cleaned out and get the toilet reinstalled well before naptime was over and now we have working toilet again.

The kids were a little worried as they had heard me mention to Mr. Awesome that we needed to clean out the outhouse and get it back in working order… lol. Mr. Awesome did hurt his back during this project so please pray for him!

The bathroom still needs some major work but it will need to wait until we can get moved as we just can’t go without a toilet for the time we need to renovate the bathroom. 

That evening Mr. Awesome surprised me by taking me out to dinner at one of our favorite places, Ballyhoo Grill. We usually just order a few appetizers as our meal because they are so good!

After dinner, we went to one of my favorite stores, Books A Million, and found quite a few interesting books. We also went to Walmart to pick up a few things and then we headed home. While we were out we did see a few things that might make good Christmas gifts as well.

I later found out that something else had been planned for that night but Mr. Awesome’s injury kept him from doing it.

The kids had meatball sandwiches with potato chips for dinner while they were at home with the babysitter. I don’t believe there were any leftovers that night either!

Friday

On Friday my son-in-law graduated from his training and that means he and my daughter will be relocating to Kansas soon! I’m trying not to cry as I think about it. I know we have to let go of them at some point but it never seems to be the right time when it happens… you always seem to want to hang on to them just a little bit more.

This was one of my motivations for posting as many new recipes to the blog as I have. My daughter is ALWAYS asking for recipes and it is so much easier to just make a copy and give it to her but she won’t be that close anymore. Now she can check the blog and print it out… something else I’ve been working on as well… and if she can’t find it then she can let me know what she needs and I’ll get it to her. I‘ll probably also share them on the blog as well.

Here are a few of the recipes I’ve posted recently:

Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Watergate Salad

Crockpot Pumpkin Butter

No-Bake Cheesecake with Flavor Variations

One thing that I’ve found, as I’ve been updating the recipes to include a printable link, is that some of the links were not working! I don’t really know how many of them are like that on my blog, and I probably never will know for sure, but that is so FRUSTRATING. If you ever happen to find a broken link please let me know in the comments and I’ll work on getting it fixed ASAP!

We also had a square dance that night. We had a babysitter watch the kiddos as they were still a bit under the weather.

I knew it was going to be a busy day so I had planned ahead and pulled out another freezer meal, Beef Stroganoff. I made some green beans and rolls to go with it.  Apparently, everyone really enjoyed it as there wasn’t much left when we got home and all the rolls were gone. I think there may be enough for two or three lunches left.

We had been expecting to see some dirt for the house come this week but so far NOTHING has appeared. The weather has been a bit NASTY as well so maybe that had a part to play in it?

Saturday

We had planned to go to a big dance on Saturday but some other things came up. Mr. Awesome had to go out of town that morning so I decided to help with a local vendor event, kids in tow, and I had a great time. I did have a little trouble getting everyone dressed that morning though:

We ate some of the loaded breakfast biscuits that morning. They were a hit with all but one of the kids. He ate a banana instead and everyone was happy. We also took some of our PB&Js from the freezer to carry with us for lunch.

I am constantly gathering new ideas for when I can venture out on my own. I really enjoy educating people about Norwex and its mission. I really don’t mind if they don’t buy our products as long as they are learning a little bit about reducing chemicals to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their family members!

Was taking the kids a good idea? Ehhh… the jury is still out on that one. Some of the kids did really well, one of them was super grumpy, and another was just a MESS. The ones who did really well kept themselves occupied under the table… they pretended to be on a picnic. They all enjoyed looking around the flea market and they got to take their picture with SPONGEBOB!

I also saw some really cute things that I wanted to get but I didn’t… these little snowmen were adorable though:

I completely missed the bears… I might’ve gotten them if I had seen them!

We had still planned on going to the dance that evening but I really wasn’t feeling well and the kids were SUPER GRUMPY! Mr. Awesome got home later than expected and he also wasn’t feeling well so we just decided to stay home because we knew that we had a big day planned for Sunday.

That night we had a simple meal of sweet and sour meatballs with some macaroni and cheese. There are a few leftovers in the fridge… between the beef stroganoff and meatballs I should have lunch covered for today!

Sunday

Oh man, I woke up feeling MISERABLE. The dog wouldn’t be QUIET and was whining so bad because she doesn’t like to ‘sleep in’. Then it was the kids and all Momma wanted to was SLEEP!

I gave up on my plan and took Ms. Comet for a walk. The good thing about it being so cold is that she gets her business finished quickly. Then I set to work on making some Scrambled Eggs, Cheesy Grits, and toast. I just had a cup of Dandy Morning Coffee and a couple of Ibuprofen.

Shortly after sitting for a while our doorbell rang… guess who it was?

It was big sister, Ana, and her husband, Cody! We had plans to visit the MOSH as one last family outing before they leave. This month they had an astronaut exhibit which the kids really enjoyed. We also got there just in time for an animal talk and everyone got to pet a bearded lizard. Here is a quick slideshow of some of the things that we saw and did:

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After the MOSH we went to visit a couple of my sisters… that’s where things went a little crazy. My one sister lives in a gated subdivision so it took us a minute to get in. When we got to her house she wasn’t there. She called me and ended up having me check her windows to see if any were open… well, I found one that was cracked open a tad and she told me to climb in!

She assured me that it was going to be OK even though I was afraid I’d set off an alarm and be swarmed with cops. After discussing all of the possible outcomes I decided, I should go ahead and just do it as it was pretty cold outside. When I was midway through the window one of my daughters came around the corner… yeah, probably not the best parenting moment for your kid to watch you breaking into a house! When I told big sis Olivia what I had done she didn’t believe me… lol.

I did get inside and unlocked the door, no cops came, and we ended up having a pretty good time. The kids love playing with their cousins and us sisters love running our mouths and catching up. We even added another sister through video chat… lol.

We had a dinner of sauteed veggies, baked spaghetti squash with alfredo sauce, baked chicken breast, and some garlic bread. While it wasn’t a winner with everyone it was pretty good and it was different. I will be trying spaghetti squash again here soon. I think if I put my special spaghetti sauce with it we will get a different reaction.

We had a late night last night and everyone was ready to get home and go to bed. As I am finishing this the kids are still sleeping. I’m feeling a bit under the weather today as I finally gave up fighting this cold last night. I spent the night sitting up in a recliner because that was the only way I could get comfortable and still breathe. As much as I’d love to sit around and jaw with you a bit more, I really think I want to take my hot coffee and snuggle with a blanket for a bit!

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Life Update: A Full Moon, Spongebob, and A B&E (with permission) I was looking back through my posts to see when our last update was and if you don't include…

#norwexconsultant #norwexmovement #books #breakfast #century link #Christmas #dentist #deployment #dog #flea market #freezer meals #internet issues #Life #lunar influence #MOSH #new house #norwex gifts #outhouse #spongebob #toilet problems

[biofunmy]

Beloved Berlin Currywurst Stand Delivers a Bite of History

BERLIN — The night the Berlin Wall fell, 30 years ago this month, Waltraud Ziervogel’s husband, Kurt, came home with the news and urged his wife to join him in the joyous celebrations and a stroll through West Berlin, suddenly accessible to them for the first time in nearly three decades.

“I said, ‘Are you crazy?’ and I went to bed because I had the early shift,” said Ms. Ziervogel.

It may have been lost on her just then, but the world changed that night. When she pulled up the metal blinds of her sausage snack business at 4:30 a.m., the usually busy corner — just 400 yards from the wall — was even busier.

“It was like a big party. Everyone was up and happy and partying, and many wanted to buy a sausage — but I wasn’t allowed to take West money,” she said.

Three decades, tens of thousands of pork sausages and boatloads of curry-flavored ketchup later, Konnopke’s, the sausage stand under a subway overpass in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg that started its life in 1930 is still there, a monument to a working-class Berlin that has been all but priced out of existence — the all-night bars replaced by banks, upscale kitchen stores and vegan restaurants.

Like many other citizens of East Germany who found themselves facing the challenges of a capitalist system with little preparation, Ms. Ziervogel, who was 53 when the wall fell, was forced to adapt. But unlike most, she was already a successful businesswoman responsible for more than a dozen employees when the wall fell.

Still, the transition was hard. Her supply chain collapsed overnight, there were new taxes and new city regulations, and the changing tastes of her clientele. When the city rebuilt the subway viaduct that towers over the stand in 2010, officials tried to get her to change locations permanently. She resisted.

“I like to call it the golden West,” Ms. Ziervogel said sarcastically during an interview in her garden, where in the early years she grew tomatoes for ketchup that was unavailable in the communist state.

After a long fight with city officials, she managed to get permission to rebuild her stand completely in 2010 and reopened it early the next year. In the entire neighborhood, only a handful of retail businesses have survived the last three decades.

As the international lineup of hungry customers on most days (Konnopke’s is closed on Sunday) can attest, Ms. Ziervogel has not only survived but thrived.

Although it is hard to tell now, Prenzlauer Berg was a working-class district home to communists even before World War II. In the 1970s and ’80s, as the often war-damaged housing stock became increasingly decrepit and people moved away, the neighborhood became virtually the only place in East Germany where bohemian, gay and party scenes could take hold. Many leaders of the 1989 peaceful revolution lived there.

“Even East Berlin, which was such an overly controlled, horrible space, did allow these little pockets of tolerance,” said Alexandra Richie, an Oxford-trained historian who has written a history of Berlin.

Konnopke’s, which sits on a 50-foot median at the intersection of three major roads, remains the heart of the neighborhood. Celebrities, politicians and tourists regularly make the pilgrimage there. On its round birthdays (next year it will be its 90th), the company throws big street parties that are attended by local dignitaries, neighbors and longtime customers.

Before the wall fell, the stand’s 4:30 a.m. opening was timed to catch not early risers, but late-night revelers coming from the Schoppenstube, the iconic East Berlin gay bar.

“It was an exception — most of the rest of East Berlin had a curfew,” said Harald Hauswald, a street photographer who lived close to Konnopke’s in the 1980s and knew the neighborhood well.

But the staff had to work quickly. Before long, another bar, the Lolott, whose clientele was prone to fighting, would close, and they had to make sure the two very different crowds would not meet.

“We didn’t want anyone to get attacked,” said Heike Bucholz, 52, who has been working at Konnopke’s since 1984.

“When I hear someone call me Waltraud, I know its one of my old night customers,” said Ms. Ziervogel.

When Max Konnopke, Ms. Ziervogel’s father, started the business in 1930, he struggled at first. But one day he decided to load up his mobile kitchen into a trailer and haul it behind his motorcycle nearly 300 miles to Nuremberg, where he heard that the Nazi party was holding a big meeting.

As described in an official history published by Ms. Ziervogel and her daughter, Dagmar Konnopke (who took her mother’s maiden name after a divorce), her father was mistrustful of the Nazis, but the Nuremberg rally proved a boon for his business, giving him the means to expand.

Ms. Ziervogel married her husband, Kurt, who is now deceased, in 1957. They had two children: Dagmar, now 53, and Mario, now 56.

Ms. Ziervogel formally took over in Prenzlauer Berg in 1976 (a second outlet in Weissensee was given to her brother and later sold), when her father retired. He died at 84, three years before the wall fell.

But the biggest challenge came in 1990 with the reunification of East and West Germany. Not just because of a new set of suppliers, taxes and rules, but because a new universe of customers expected a different set of offerings.

Konnopke’s started selling French fries. The currywurst, which used to be served with a bun and a hot mug of broth, is now cut up and served on a paper plate. (A tiny plastic fork is provided.)

Wedding parties can now reserve tables in a roofed-over pavilion, which was opened in 2011, after the last major renovation, and seats 35. “I put out tablecloths and little bouquets,” said Ms. Ziervogel.

And there are now vegan currywursts.

“Frau Ziervogel fought like a bull to keep this place,” said Dieter Kohl, a regular customer from before the fall of the wall, who on a recent autumn day shared a currywurst meal with his wife. Mr. Kohl left the neighborhood years ago but still makes the occasional trek to Konnopke’s.

He’s not the only longtime Berliner who keeps coming back.

On the outside wall of the gold-colored-metal shop hangs a black-and-white postcard picture featuring a much smaller stand in the 1960s (before two rebuilds, in 1983 and 2010). In the shot, a young boy looks up at the store in front of him as his mother faces away from the camera.

“At least once a week, we have someone telling us: ‘I’m that little boy,’” Ms. Konnopke said.

Even now, Ms. Ziervogel is not done fighting. Starting this month, the city of Berlin decreed that she would have to remove four picnic tables because they were occupying space on a public walkway.

“Where will my customers sit?” said Ms. Ziervogel, who is certain that once the good weather comes around Konnopke’s will suffer a drop in revenue because of the missing seating.

Ms. Ziervogel predicted that the city tabloids would raise a storm about the missing benches, pressuring the city bureaucracy into reversing itself.

It would not be the first time. In 2012, the tabloids went wild over a fight between Ms. Ziervogel and her son, Mario, over naming rights for a currywurst business he opened just half a mile from the original site. The tabloids titled the affair the “Currywurst War.”

After six decades on her feet, Ms. Ziervogel prefers worrying about the books and the laws, leaving the day-to-day grind of running the business to her daughter.

“We have the fire brigade down the street, so we get those big fire truck sirens blasting by us at least eight times a day,” Ms. Konnopke said. “And then the subways right overhead, the trams, the traffic and the heat. It is physically exhausting.”

Sahred From Source link Travel

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[reginasrose-blog]

Adidas is making a recyclable shoe

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[topfygad]

LGBTQ Atlanta – A Gay Guy’s Weekend Guide to Atlanta

SPONSORED — Often cited as a capital of the gay Southern USA, Atlanta has a lot to offer LGBTQ travelers. As the Georgia state capital and the home to important civil rights milestones, Atlanta is “the city too busy to hate.” It’s a city of love and passion, represented by its commitment to be an open, friendly, and welcoming destination. So welcoming, in fact, Atlanta is home to North America’s largest airport!

When Queer Eye rebooted in 2018, Atlanta popped up on the gay travel radar once again. As a culturally diverse capital, the city has all the charm of a southern city with all the amenities of a big metropolis. Rather than the two divergent themes clashing, it all comes together in Atlanta to make it an equal-parts interesting, entertaining, and vibrant city. One with a lot of love and life.

Check out my gay guide to Atlanta below.

—AD—

Plan a trip to Atlanta during Atlanta Pride!

Atlanta Pride weekend is Oct 11-13, following a week of LGBTQ events and activities. Join thousands of participants in one of the largest pride festivals in the USA. Pride events include a kick-off ceremony at the Georgia Aquarium, a Tea Dance in Piedmont Park, a Stonewall art exhibition, and a pride parade through the city.

Stay at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown – a DoubleTree by Hilton to be close to all the action.

What to do in Atlanta

The home to major corporations and the biggest airport in the USA, there’s understandably a lot to see and do in Atlanta. Georgia was one of the original 13 colonies, so there’s a lot of history here. The city played an important role in American history, especially during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. But even to this day, thanks to its relevance in pop culture and across many industries, there’s no shortage of cool things to do in Atlanta.

Most of the tourist things to do in Atlanta are located in Downtown Atlanta in and around Centennial Olympic Park. The park was built for the 1996 Olympics and the main entrance is marked by the iconic five interlocking rings. Across the street, a 20-story Ferris wheel (the SkyView Atlanta) offers a panoramic view over Downtown Atlanta.

But the museums and sites around the park offer some of the best experiences in Atlanta. Home to the CNN headquarters, it’s possible to take a studio tour through CNN. As a city with so much history, it’s no wonder CNN has their headquarters here, and the studio tour offers a glimpse into how one of the world’s largest news organization works.

Celebrating pride at the World of Coca-Cola gift shop #loveislove

Nearby, another brand found around the world which originated in Atlanta, Coca-Cola, has a museum. The World of Coca-Cola is a fun, family-friendly experience where you can learn about the iconic brand’s history, watch some of its most iconic advertising, and even taste-test Coca-Cola products from around the world. It’s a surprisingly fun tour through the brand’s history.

Up close and personal with a whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium

In a city of so many superlatives, it’s no surprise that Atlanta is also home to America’s largest aquarium, and one of the most important in the world. The Georgia Aquarium is an impressive non-profit organization that’s home to tens of thousands of animals—from the beautifully mesmerizing jellyfish to beluga whales, whale sharks, and stingrays.

The Aquarium also participates in important conservation effort around the world; they are the only aquarium in North America to house rescued whale sharks.

Inside Atlanta’s museum for civil rights

And just across the Aquarium, in Pemberton Place, is the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The city where Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and preached, Atlanta was at the forefront of the civil rights movement. The museum documents the civil rights movement with important historical artifacts, letters, photographs, and videos. It’s an emotional journey and probably the most important site to see in Atlanta. There’s a lunch counter attraction inside where it’s possible to experience what some of our most important civil rights leaders had to endure before changes were slowly enacted.

The center also features an exhibition on civil and human rights movements from around the world, touching on women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, and other crises in modern human history.

Of course there are a lot of other things to see and do in Atlanta. Piedmont Park is the city’s largest green space, where the annual Atlanta Gay Pride is held each October (as well as the Atlanta Botanical Gardens). Other LGBTQ events in the city take place throughout the year, including a queer film festival in September, and the largest Black Gay Pride in the world.

See more recommendations on what to do in Atlanta in this helpful guide from Hilton.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Atlanta

Atlanta’s importance isn’t just in its historic attractions. Like all the best destinations, the city’s unique culture is closely intertwined with its food and culinary sites. There’s more than just Coca-Cola in Atlanta!

BBQ with all the fixin’s at Sweet Auburn BBQ

As the unofficial cultural capital of the south, Atlanta has some great BBQ restaurants—too many to recommend! Along Ponce De Leon Avenue and throughout the Old Fourth Ward are a number of great restaurants. Sweet Auburn BBQ (taking its name from the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta) serves traditional BBQ such as brisket and pulled pork, but also features less-traditional menu options like a Korean steak salad. Visit on Thursday evenings when they offer happy hour specials on their extensive Bourbon menu.

Just down the road is the brunch hotspot 8ARM, serving New American fare. It’s alongside the Atlanta BeltLine—a trail that runs through the Old Fourth Ward along an old railway track. You’ll find lots of beer gardens, street art, cool shops, and great people-watching along the route, including the Ponce City Market shopping center and food hall.

Exploring the gayborhood of Atlanta

For a taste of LGBTQ Atlanta, visit the Midtown neighborhood. Einstein’s is a popular brunch restaurant serving Southern comfort food (what else?!) and Joe’s on Juniper has great bar bites in a very gay setting (including rainbow steps up to their breezy courtyard.

Just around the corner, the beautiful Joy Café serves classic brunch dishes like biscuits & gravy, but also more creative dishes such as their local favorite shrimp & grits. Locally-owned, it’s a great spot for a relaxing meal where you’re likely to meet the namesake owner. Try their homemade hot sauce and don’t miss their indoor bakery full of delicious, homemade cakes.

Biscuits & gravy for brunch at Joy Café

At night, the corner of Piedmont Ave and 10th Street is the hottest place to be. Gay bars such as Ten Atlanta and Blake’s on the Park are both a lot of fun, though you’ll find other LGBTQ-friendly bars and nightlife throughout the city. (Piedmont & 10th is where you’ll find the city’s rainbow crosswalk though—an important marker of the city’s Midtown gayborhood!)

Just east of Downtown Atlanta, Edgewood Avenue is home to a handful of trendy and fun bars and restaurants that are especially popular on nights and weekends. Sister Louisa’s (affectionally called Church by the locals) is a raucous Church-themed bar with karaoke, ping-pong tournaments, and other funky events. It feels a lot like a living room—but much more kitschy—and attracts a pretty queer crowd thanks to its irreverence.

A blurry night out at Sister Louisa’s queer bar

Where to stay

Out by the pool at The American Hotel

Atlanta’s best and most important tourist sites are located in the downtown city center. From downtown Atlanta, you’re well-connected to everywhere else in the city—whether it’s the hipster shopping in the Old Fourth Ward, the LGBTQ nightlife in Midtown, or the airport in the south. At the heart of Downtown Atlanta, The American Hotel is a great option for tourists.

As a Doubletree Hilton property, the hotel has all the amenities you’d expect from Hilton. But this property isn’t just your typical Hilton! The American Hotel is an important historical site in Atlanta. Recently renovated, the hotel was the city’s first modern hotel, opened originally in 1962 where it was the first hotel in downtown Atlanta to desegregate. The lobby of the hotel is dotted with historical photographs and memorabilia including copies of letters from its opening.

Mid-century modern design in The American Hotel

The American Hotel was designed to reflect its place in history with mid-century modern design aesthetics—everything from the Airstream trailer by the pool to the houndstooth carpeting in the rooms and hallways. Funky design elements, including classic 1960s board games like Battleship and Connect Four are available for use in the spacious lobby. Colorful IGLOO mini-fridges in the mid-century style are also in each room.

Walking distance to the main tourist sites around Centennial Park, The American Hotel is both convenient and cool. There’s even a fitness suite on-site for those travelers who can’t miss a day at the gym (though the hotel’s on-site gym is also 24-hours!). Check rates and see more photos of the hotel (and other Hilton Atlanta properties) here.

Atlanta is a buzzing city with some of the region’s best LGBTQ nightlife, bars, and clubs. It’s a great weekend destination thanks to all the events.

Note: My trip to Atlanta was sponsored and supported by Hiltons of Atlanta. All opinions here, as always, are my own.

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[johnsimon]

The area that is now known as Syracuse wasn’t much of anything more than two centuries ago, but that all changed in the early 1800s. It was inevitable to many, as the land was level, it was near numerous salt supplies, and it would be the perfect spot to connect the eastern and western parts of the state. John Wilkinson thought the village looked quite similar to a city over in Italy, so when it came time to name it in 1820, he gave it the same name. It was then that Syracuse was born, and it became a city once the village and the nearby village of Salina merged.

Hotels, shops, factories, and more appeared everywhere, and it continued to grow with the expansion of the railroad and canal system. The city grew, even more, when the industrial plants arrived, but things have evened out in recent years.

If you have never been to Syracuse before, you do not know what you are missing out on. There is so much to see and do in this magnificent city and you will have a fabulous time from the minute you arrive until it is time for you to leave.

You will want to consider staying at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel (100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) because it is rich in history. This hotel originally opened as the Hotel Syracuse in 1924, and while it has undergone some restoration and renovations before being reopened as a Marriott, you will find that it still has many historical components amongst the modern amenities. The rooms are so incredibly spacious yet cozy. The modern design and neutral color tones make the room feel like you’re in your dream home. I never wanted to leave.

You can begin your day with access to Breakfast in the M Club Lounge and later enjoy a delicious dinner at Eleven Waters, which is one of the on-site restaurants. This restaurant uses local ingredients and flavors and creates delectable dishes that you can enjoy in a modern but rustic setting.

Dinner at Eleven Waters

I started dinner with the Smokey Mozzarella Meatballs, which is a mix of Bacon Brisket, Tomato Cream, and Basil. The appetizer makes your mouth water as soon as they’re placed in front of you. They were prepared to perfection and recommended for sharing or if you are really hungry. The bacon brisket gives it a great kick in flavor. The meatballs are quite juicy and savory.

For the main course, I chose the Steak Frites with Au Poivré, served with an addictive Brandy Peppercorn Sauce. I remember going to bed after dinner, dreaming about how amazing this sauce was. My steak was served medium-well and paired nicely with a glass of Lamoreaux Landing Cabernet Franc, NY.

Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel also hosts other dining options like Shaughnessy’s pub, Barbershop Bar, Cavalier Room, and Cafe Kubal.

You will find that your options at Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel are endless, but you will feel right at home just like past guests that include John Kennedy, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Charles Lindbergh, Bob Hope, and more.

If you happen to be staying at the Marriott during Winterfest, you will be able to join in on the Ice Block Party with Fireworks! It is a family-friendly event that features food trucks, street game activities, and a DJ spinning music from all genres. Despite the freezing temperatures, I had the best time mingling with the locals and taking in the amazing view of the fireworks. Check out, syracusewinterfest.com for more information.

http://xojohn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/syracuse-winterfest-xojohn.com_.mp4

During your time in the city, you will want to spend some time in the Erie Canal Museum (318 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY 13202) to learn more about the entire Barge Canal System. The permanent exhibits include the history and construction of the canal, a full-size replica of a line boat, a canal town, and murals.

Another excellent museum to visit is the Onondaga Historical Association Museum (321 Montgomery St, Syracuse, NY 13202). You will learn more about Onondaga County, the dinnerware that the Syracuse China company produced, and the Underground Railroad that went through the Syracuse region.

You might want to start one of your afternoons in the city with a stop at Anyela’s Vineyards (2433 W Lake Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13152). The Nocek family began their winemaking journey over in Eastern Europe three generations ago and now they produce their wines as they look out over Skaneateles Lake. You can take a stroll through their vineyards, meet their dog, Lexi, and taste test any of their delicious wines before buying a few bottles to take home. I highly recommend doing a wine tasting, for the ultimate experience. This way you can figure out which wines suit your taste buds and which ones you want to take home. Pricing for tastings is very affordable, starting at $5. Wine Tastings are first come, first serve, so get there early. One of my favorites was their signature 2016 Elation pinot noir.

If you are at a loss for things to do in the evening, you can always venture over to the DESTINY USA Mall (9090 Destiny USA Dr, Syracuse, NY 13204). It is the largest mall in the state with more than two hundred and fifty places to eat, shop, and be entertained. If you don’t feel like shopping, you can always take a spin on the indoor go-carts, Merry Go Round, or get physical in a game of laser tag or rope climbing. The mall is a great spot for groups or independent travelers. As large as it is, expect to spend a few hours there. After I was done shopping and taking in the sites, I ended my time at the movie theater.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Syracuse, so you won’t need to worry about going hungry. However, you might be a little overwhelmed with all your choices.

Glazed and Confused (211 N Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13204) is the place to go if you are craving a donut of the unusual kind. The donuts at this shop are made in small batches, so they are always fresh and tasty. You can always order the basic vanilla cake or cinnamon and sugar varieties, but why do that when you can order one like holy cannoli, pardon my French toast, and no sleep till Brooklyn. They even have doninis, which are flat like paninis and served on top of a classic cake donut. My personal favorite is the Dizzy Pig (a maple glazed, bourbon, sugar, candied locally cured bacon donut). SO GOOD!

Modern Malt (325 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is a classic American Diner that can be found in the historic Armory Square neighborhood and they serve everything from breakfast to sandwiches and burgers to dinners. They are definitely the place to go if you want good food in an amazing atmosphere. I couldn’t resist the Lobster Benedict (Butter poached lobster, chive biscuit, arugula, poached eggs, hollandaise, chive). I washed this delicious meal down with hearty Bloody Mary. Modern Malt was pretty when I visited on a Saturday morning, so get there early.

The original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (246 W Willow St, Syracuse, NY 13202) opened its doors in Syracuse in 1988 after spending five years on the road serving food at fairs and festivals. They began as a quick lunch and dinner bar-b-que place, but within two years, expanded to add a full bar, full-service dining, and live music. They now have eight other locations throughout the Northeast, but this original serves the best bar-b-que around. You don’t go to Dino’s for a dainty salad, you go to pig out. That’s what I did and I have no regrets! I settled for a combination platter with St Louis Ribs, Pulled Pork, and BBQ Brisket. The only word to describe my experience is magical. The OG location was ridiculously busy on a Saturday night, so expect a bit of a wait.

The Mission Restaurant (304 E Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is in the Old Syracuse Wesleyan Methodist Church that was built in the 1840s. That church played a vital role in the Underground Railroad, and while that history has been carefully preserved underneath, the restaurant serves hungry customers above. The restaurant uses local products and everything is made from scratch, all day, every day, when possible. The menu features Pan-American cuisine, which is a combination of Mexican, Southwestern, and South American specialties that all include Latino ingredients.

A stop at Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge (321 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is the perfect way to end an evening in Syracuse. This is a premier bar in the city and they serve a large selection of wine and whiskey from all over the world. If you prefer beer, then you can choose from any of their craft beers as well. The nights are always full of live music, friendly games of pool, and whatever other games people are playing that evening. I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the many bar options. I’m sure you hear “there is something for everyone” often but this time, it actually true! Locals love to hang here and catch up after a long day at work or to unwind on the weekends.

Syracuse is a wonderful town that has been around for a long time and has seen many changes. However, the city is always ready to welcome a newcomer like yourself and make sure that you have a fabulous time while you are there!

While visiting Syracuse and the numerous historical sites, I wondered if there were any haunted history or trails, and there were plenty. Just in time for Halloween, visitors can check out these local spots for a spooky good time. Starting with a site I mentioned earlier, the Erie Canal Museum. At the Museum, paranormal investigations, ghost hunts and guided haunted history tours (10-60 participants) are available by reservation. Docent-led history tours include the recounting of paranormal activity that occurs. The facility can be rented for private events. Erie Canal history tours are also available daily.

Erie Canal Museum. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

Other locations include:

The Landmark Theatre – The historic theatre, built in 1928, has had people talking of hauntings just years after it opened. After falling from a balcony to her death in 1930, Clarissa’s spirit has been haunting The Landmark. She often appears as a pale apparition in a white dress at unexpected times to workers and guests – especially those not following the theater’s rules.

Opportunity: The theatre hosts a ghost hunt each October. Guided tours (of any size) by reservation; guided psychic tours (up to 20 participants) also available.

Landmark Theatre. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

Wayside Irish Pub – The original building or “Munro House” was built in the 1800s – and reports of ghostly activity date back to the 1960s. There have been numerous reports of the apparition “Sara,” believed to be the young girl who hung herself on the third floor. Poltergeist-like activity is attributed to a friendly ghost named Harry. Other spirits include the Inn’s original owner, Squire Munro, and an unknown traveler who died in the building. Reports from employees and patrons tell of a male figure dressed in a soldier uniform, and shadowy figures in the basement. Patrons and bartenders have felt “touches”, “pokes”, and “cold” spots, and it’s not unusual to have a female patron complain of having her hair tugged on with no one around her. Glasses fly off the bar without explanation, pictures drop off the walls, and an orb may show up in photos taken on-site.

Opportunity: Sip on a favorite beverage, enjoy delicious pub fare, ask the friendly staff about their haunted history. Stay a while and have your own haunted experience. Professional paranormal investigations are allowed by appointment, with management approval.

Wayside Irish Pub. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

13 Curves on Onondaga Hill – Over 60 years ago, a brutal, terrifying car accident occurred on Cedarvale Road, just 10 miles southwest of Syracuse. Since that fateful day, it has been said that the road, which is known better by its nickname, “13 Curves,” has been haunted by the souls of those who died in this tragic accident.

Opportunity: Take a beautiful and scenic drive along 13 Curves – a long, winding stretch also known as Cedarvale Road just west of the city of Syracuse – it’s a hotbed for paranormal activity.

Split Rock Quarry – Split Rock, a hazardous munitions plant, unexpectedly exploded in 1918, brutally killing more than 50 men. Today, the Quarry is nothing but rock with an old piece of machinery left called the Crusher. Visitors have reported the sound of footsteps, voices in the distance, and the revving of the Crusher’s engine—which hasn’t run since the horrific blast.

Opportunity: Investigate the ruins of Split Rock on your own. Snowshoe, hike, and bike the former factory site, explore the abandoned tunnels and experience the cold spots firsthand. BE SAFE: Quarry is an abandoned location in the woods. It is highly encouraged that you do not venture in alone and that any visit is at your own risk. Appropriate footwear is highly recommended.

We hope to catch you in Syracuse in the very near future! Check out the gallery below for more personal photos from my trip to Syracuse.

Your Guide To Experiencing Hospitality, Good Eats, and Historical Sites in Syracuse, NY The area that is now known as Syracuse wasn’t much of anything more than two centuries ago, but that all changed in the early 1800s.

#13 Curves on Onondaga Hill #Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge #Anyela’s Vineyards #Attractions #Destiny USA #Dinosaur Bar-B-Que #Drinks #Erie Canal Museum #Food #Glazed and Confused #Haunted Trails #M Club Lounge #Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel #Mission Restaurant #Modern Malt #New York #New York State #Old Syracuse Wesleyan Methodist Church #Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center #REVIEWS #Split Rock Quarry #Staycations #Syracuse NY #The Landmark Theatre #Tourism #Travel #Travel Blog #Travel Blogger #Travel Diary #Travel Guide

[charllieeldridge]

21 Best Things To Do in Asheville, NC

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and located along the French Broad River, Asheville just might be the most beautiful city in the United States.

Take in the views of the city from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and you’ll quickly see why it’s referred to as the Land of the Sky.

There are numerous things to do in Asheville and for such a small city, it really packs a punch when it comes to activities on offer.

Hiking in the mountains, feasting on southern cuisine, relaxing in hot springs, and sampling craft beer are just a few of the things you won’t want to miss. 

I’ve spent a lot of time in Ashville over the last decade, and in fact, my wife and I got married and had our honeymoon in here! It’s easily one of my favourite cities in the USA and a place I always look forward to visiting.

In this Asheville travel blog, I’m excited to share some of the best activities, attractions, and places to visit in the city!

1. Visit the Biltmore Estate

A visit to the Biltmore Estate definitely deserves the top spot on this list of things to do in Asheville.

This historic mansion was built between 1889 and 1895 by George Vanderbilt. It’s a great example of the Gilded Age and an absolutely stunning place to explore.

The Biltmore Estate is actually the largest privately-owned home in the US.

It features an astounding 250 rooms and is surrounded by picturesque gardens, ponds, and a lovely conservatory full of various plants and flowers.

After touring the estate and the grounds, be sure to drop by the winery. You can take a tour of the underground cellars, sample several different types, and pick up a bottle of your favourite wine to take home.

You can visit the Biltmore Estate every day from 9AM to 5PM. Tickets cost $70 for adults and $35 for youth with a free audio guide.

Pro tip – if you book your tickets at least a week in advance, you save $10! It’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown to reach the estate, which you can find on the map here.  

⇒ See Also: 15 Denver Attractions You Don’t Want To Miss

2. Take a Walking Tour

Whenever I’m in a new city, I love going on a walking tour to get to know the place. Asheville is a small city and is very walkable, so you can easily explore downtown on your own two feet.

Thanks to Explore Asheville, you can choose between two excellent self-guided walking tours of Asheville. They have an urban trail as well as an architecture trail that you can follow.

Both have interactive and printable maps, and the urban trail even has an audio guide as well.

If you’d prefer to go with a guide, you can sign up for the Tip-Based Asheville Walking Tour.

This excellent walking tour is about 2.5 hours long, taking you through downtown Asheville while covering all the highlights and insider tips on where to eat and drink (plus, some samples along the way). The cost is based on tips, so whatever you feel is appropriate. 

3. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you’re wondering what to do in Asheville, just jump in your car and take a cruise on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This National Parkway and All-American Road is part of the Appalachian Mountains and one of the most scenic drives in the country.

The Blue Ridge Parkway actually stretches through both Virginia and North Carolina. It’s 755 km (496 miles) long and is full of viewpoints, hiking trails, historic sites, and so much more. This is one of the most incredible places to visit on your trip to Asheville.

Every time we have people come to visit when we’re in Asheville, one of the first things we do is head out for a drive on the Blue Ridge. These amazing views really never get old, so I don’t mind going back every time we’re in town.

4. Climb Mt. Pisgah

As I mentioned, there’s a lot to see and do along the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the best things to do in Asheville NC is hiking up the trail at Ms. Pisgah, which is easily accessible via the Parkway.

It’s about a 45 minute to hour-long hike to reach the top of Mt. Pisgah. While it’s not exactly an easy hike, it’s not too difficult. The hike is about 1.2 miles (1.85 km) to the top and there are plenty of places to rest along the way.

There’s a large TV tower at the top and an observation deck. From here, you can enjoy some of the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the city off in the distance. You can find the trailhead for Mt. Pisgah on the map here.

⇒ See Also: 21 Fun Things To Do in Detroit – An Insider’s Guide

5. Dinner With a View at Pisgah Inn

After hiking up Mt. Pisgah, you’re sure to work up an appetite. While you can certainly bring a picnic lunch to have on the Parkway, my vote goes to enjoying a meal at the nearby Pisgah Inn.

Grab a drink and head out to their observation deck while you wait for a table. They have plenty of rocking chairs where you can kick back and soak in the amazing views.

Having eaten here several times, I’ll give my recommendations for the fried green tomatoes and the walnut crusted mountain trout.

They’re open from 11:30-4 for lunch and then again from 5-9 for dinner. You can get directions and find the Pisgah Inn on the map here.

If you’d rather be up in the mountains than down in town, you might want to look into booking a room here. It’s pretty awesome when you can wake up and have the Blue Ridge Mountains right outside your window! 

6. Play Disc Golf

If you enjoy the great outdoors, one of the top things to do in Asheville is playing a round of disc golf.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, it’s just like golf but with a frisbee instead. The goal is to get your disc into a basket with the least amount of throws, and you can use a variety of different discs in the process.

The biggest difference between disc golf and regular golf is that it’s almost always totally free! That’s the case at nearby Richmond Hill, an excellent course and local hangout. Get directions and find the park on the map here.

If you’ve never played disc golf before and don’t have any gear, there are plenty of shops in Asheville where you can pick up a starter kit.

For about $10, you can get a driver, a mid-range disc, and a putter. Just try not to lose them on your first round. Most people write their name and phone number on discs as a precautionary measure.

⇒ See Also: 21 Top Things To Do in New Orleans

7. Feast on Southern Food

Asheville is home to plenty of amazing restaurants of all different styles. If you’re travelling here for the first time, I recommend sticking mostly to southern fare. After all, you’re in the south even though the State is North Carolina!

For brunch, a solid choice is Biscuit Head. Their slogan is “put some south in your mouth” and that’s exactly what you’ll do here. Choose your favourite biscuit (I love the pulled pork) and top it off with their various jams and butters. 

One of the best restaurants in Ashville, in my humble opinion, is Home Grown. This local eatery serves local food cooked by local people, so you know your money is going right into the local economy when you eat here.

I personally love their Redneck Pot Pie or buttermilk fried chicken. You can see Home Grown and much more in our “Streets, Beats & Eats” video on Asheville.

8. Drink Local Craft Beer

Asheville has been named Beer City USA on several occasions. There are over 40 breweries and beer pubs here in total! As such, sampling local craft beer should be high atop your list of things to do in Asheville NC.

Walking around Asheville, you’re never too far from a brewery. Some of the best places for a beer include Asheville Brewing Company, Burial, and Green Man. The best way to find your favourite brew is ordering up a flight to sample 4-5 different styles.

While they’re not exactly microbreweries, it’s also worth it to visit the Asheville locations of New Belgium and Sierra Nevada. The former has a scenic location right along the French Broad River, while the latter is a bit of a hike as it’s out by the airport.

If you want to take a tour of either, be sure to sign up well in advance! I’ve been to a lot of breweries, and these are two of the best I’ve ever seen.

9. Visit a Few Museums

If you’re downtown and aren’t quite sure what to do in Asheville, why not drop into one of the city’s museums for a bit? Whether you’re interested in art, science, or even pinball, there’s a museum for you here.

The Asheville Art Museum has recently had some major renovations and is bigger and better than ever!

It’s open from 10-5 Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday. It’s totally free to visit, but donations are very much appreciated. You can find the museum on the map here.

Just a block away, you’ll find the Asheville Museum of Science. They’ve got lots of cool exhibitions and displays that are fun for all ages. It’s open Monday-Saturday from 10-5 and from 1-5 on Sunday and costs $7-8 to visit.

If you love a good retro pinball machine or video game, you’ll definitely want to check out the Asheville Pinball Museum.

For $15, you can play as many games as you want on their 80+ machines. Hours vary depending on the day, but they’re typically open until 9PM. Get directions to the museum here.

⇒ See Also: How To Spend 24 Hours in New York City

10. Explore the RAD (River Arts District)

For art lovers, one of the top things to do in Asheville NC is visiting the RAD (River Arts District).

Hundreds of artists have galleries and studios in this area along the French Broad River. It’s a really fun place to explore for a while, especially on the weekends.

On the second Saturday of each month, the RAD is a very lively place. There are demonstrations, workshops, wine tastings, live music, and a lot more. There’s even a free trolley that you can ride as you bounce around the different venues.

Whether you’re interested in painting, ceramics, photography, or jewelry, you’ll find something to enjoy in the RAD.

While you’re over here, be sure to drop in another excellent local craft brewery — Wedge. You can find the River Arts District on the map here. 

11. Fun on the River

Speaking of the French Broad River, there are lots of fun things to do there. Well, at least during the warmer months. There’s not much going on in the dead of winter…

One of my absolute favourite things to do in Asheville is tubing down the river.

The best way to enjoy the Homer Simpson of water sports is by signing up with this tubing experience. It’s like a floating pub crawl!

I won’t’ give it all away, but it’s a lot of fun and you can also bring your own beverages to put in the onboard cooler. Click here for details.

If you’d prefer a bit more activity than just lazily floating down the river, you can also rent a kayak or a SUP (stand up paddleboard). There are a few different places that rent boards as well as tours you can sign up for to get out and enjoy a day on the river.

12. Listen to Buskers

Walking around downtown Asheville, you’re sure to hear a lot of music. Some of it may be coming out of shops and bars, but more often than not, it’s actual musicians jamming in the street!

It’s very common to see people “busking” on the streets of Asheville. Busking is when you play music in public and simply open your guitar/violin/keyboard case to take tips from passersby. 

The various musicians busking around downtown Asheville really add to the eclectic atmosphere of the city. If you enjoy the music, stop for a while to listen and toss a few bucks in to show your appreciation. 

13. Day Trip to Hot Springs

If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned R&R on your trip to Asheville, then you may want to add in a day trip out to the town of Hot Springs, NC. It’s not just a clever name, as the small town is home to some amazing hot springs.

It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown Asheville out there, and it’s well worth it.

The Hot Springs Resort & Spa has amazing mineral baths and spa services. After a busy couple of days exploring the city, a nice massage and a soak in the hot springs is just what you need.

The resort has a variety of different options, so be sure to check their website for details.

Just be sure to book in advance, as it’s a popular place. They also have several different choices for on-site accommodation if you’re interested. You can get directions to the Hot Springs resort on the map here.

⇒ See Also: 27 Top Things To Do in Chicago – The Ultimate List For Travellers

14. Join the Friday Drum Circle

One of the coolest things to do in Asheville NC, for both visitors and locals alike, is joining in the weekly drum circle. People of all ages and backgrounds come out to enjoy this fun and free event.

The drum circle goes on every Friday at Pritchard Park downtown. People usually start showing up around 5 and it gets bigger and bigger until the whole park is packed with people drumming, dancing, and singing.

Even if you don’t have a drum of any kind, it’s a good time. You can just dance to the music and enjoy connecting with people. Once the drum circle wraps up, you’re smack dab in the middle of downtown Asheville on a Friday night.

⇒ See Also: Top 10 Best Bars in Chicago –  A Guide To The City’s Nightlife

15. Shop at the Grove Arcade

If you’re looking to do a little shopping before you leave Asheville, be sure to swing by the Grove Arcade downtown. This building has a very interesting history, which I recommend you read before going there!

At the Grove Arcade, you’ll find a very diverse array of shops, including the Batter Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, Nutz About Fudge, the Woodrow Instrument Company, and much more.

In addition to all the great shops inside, there’s also the Outdoor Artists Market. You’ll find paintings, clothing, jewelry, and local honey, among other things. The Grove Arcade is open from 10-6 Monday-Saturday and noon-5 on Sunday.

16. Treat Yourself at the Grove Park Inn

For those who enjoy the finer things in life, a trip out to the Grove Park Inn is a must when visiting Asheville. In case you were wondering, yes, it is the same Grove who started the shopping arcade.

E.W. Grove is known as the “father of modern Asheville.” He was a self-made millionaire who moved here in 1910 and opened this grand inn soon thereafter. A hundred years later, and it’s still going strong as one of Asheville’s premier resorts.

Even if you don’t splurge on a room at the inn, it’s well worth it to pay a visit here.

Book yourself a nice spa treatment and then grab a hand-crafted cocktail and a bite to eat at their Sunset Terrace Lounge, or choose one of the many other options for wining and dining. 

⇒ See Also: 21 Best Places to Eat in Chicago – A Guide For Foodies

17. Take a Hike

By far one of the most popular things to do in Asheville is hiking.

If you’ve got your own wheels and are willing to drive 45 minutes to an hour outside of town, you have tons of options for excellent hiking trails.

In addition to the aforementioned Mt. Pisgah trail, other great options include Catawba Falls, the Devil’s Courthouse, or Max Patch. A hike to the latter can be rewarded with a trip to the hot springs, as it’s a pretty short drive between the two.

There really are tons of options for hiking in Asheville with varying difficulty and distance from town. Just check this awesome Asheville trail finder to figure out which option is best for you!

18. Explore the North Carolina Arboretum

Another fantastic choice for spending time outdoors in Asheville is the North Carolina Arboretum. Here you’ll find some lovely cultivated gardens, a bonsai exhibit, hiking & biking paths, and much more.

It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, especially on a nice day.

Actually, the arboretum is also a solid choice in the colder months thanks to the Winter Lights display they put up. The place really turns into a winter wonderland from late November until the end of the year.

The arboretum is open from 8-7 in the fall/winter and from 8-9 in the spring/summer. They don’t charge an entrance fee per person, but rather charge a flat fee of $14 per vehicle to enter. You can find them on the map here.  

⇒ See Also: Chicago Architecture River Cruise – A Guide For Travellers

19. Go on a Ghost Tour

One of the spookiest things to do in Asheville is going on a ghost tour. Haunted Asheville has a few different options for chilling, thrilling tours that are fun for the whole family.

On their classic walking tour, you’ll learn the stories behind some of Asheville’s most haunted spots from a resident ghost expert. Tours usually run at 8PM and sometimes there’s another one at 9. Tickets cost $23 for adults and $15 for children 9-14, while those under 8 go for free.

Another option is their Biltmore Village Mystery Tour. Apparently, you learn about a kangaroo that appeared from another dimension on this tour. Sounds cool to me!

⇒ See Also: Where To Eat in Meredith New Hampshire: A Guide To The Best Restaurants

20. Sundowners at Sky Bar

After a busy day of exploring Asheville, there’s no better place to watch the sun go down with a nice adult beverage than SkyBAR.

Grab a cocktail and take in the amazing views from this rooftop bar, and you’ll see why Asheville really is the Land of the Sky.

While there are some quality beer and wine choices on the menu, this place is all about the cocktails. I personally recommend their Mixed Berry Mule or the Peach Ginger Whiskey Sour. You really can’t go wrong with any of the options.

SkyBAR is located in the historic Flatiron Building in downtown Asheville.

Half the fun of visiting there is going up in the old school elevator, which still requires an operator. They open at 5 during the week and an hour earlier on the weekends. 

21. See a Show

No matter what night of the week it is, there are plenty of shows going on in Asheville. Take your pick between theatrical performances, stand-up comedy, live music, and more. 

The live music scene is one of the things I love the most about Asheville.

The city has several venues that range in size and style, so you get all sorts of different acts coming to town. Some of the best places to see music here include the Asheville Music Hall, Salvage Station, and the Orange Peel.

Be sure to check the calendar and see what’s playing when you’re in town.

During the warmer months, you’ll also find many different outdoor events and festivals happening in Asheville.

One such festival is Shindig on the Green, which takes place all throughout the summer at Pack Square Park. There are free shows most Saturdays as well as lots of informal jam sessions and other fun things going on.

Now You Know What to Do in Asheville NC!

Well there you have it. I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at one of my many homes away from home.

Asheville is such a cool city with so much to offer, whether you’re into the great outdoors, epic adventures, the arts, or just chilling out. Whatever you do, there’s always lots of amazing beer, food, views, and music!

Images in this article courtesy of Shutterstock.com. 

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[cryptnus-blog]

Can Blockchain Really Answer All of Our Transparency Challenges?

New Post has been published on https://cryptnus.com/2018/06/can-blockchain-really-answer-all-of-our-transparency-challenges/

Can Blockchain Really Answer All of Our Transparency Challenges?

Left to right: Nicola Claxton, co-founder and COO of yave; Joe Madden, co-founder and CEO of Xpansiv; Peter Patterson, Blockchain Market Leader at IBM; and Steven Fish, founder and CEO of ESG Ledger. | Image credit: Nicole Palkovsky

For some, blockchain is the disruptive technology that promises to solve transparency problems by creating one version of the truth; for others, it is all hype with no great real-world application other than cryptocurrency. I attended an SB’18 Vancouver workshop on “How Blockchain Technology Can Power Superior Supply Chain Innovation and Understanding” to move closer to understanding blockchain and its applications.

Steven Fish, founder & CEO of ESG Ledger, opened the session by sharing his goal to demystify blockchain, and help us “move away from the idea that blockchain is Bitcoin.”

The first challenge for a lot of people is simply wrapping their heads around this new technology. Fish suggested starting with a simple example, like buying a house. Here is how it would work: Start with a simple block — it could be purchase price, renovations, etc. All of it written in an immutable record, ideally when the home is first built. As things change — permits are applied for, the furnace is replaced — each item is recorded on the ledger. Nothing can be erased, so if a mistake is made you can create another block to correct it, but everyone sees everything. You can capture both quantifiable and qualifiable data. For example, you could scan deed of house and attach it. When the next person buys the house, they join that ledger and can see everything that has ever transpired. No more guessing if a permit was pulled, or what was changed when.

Click to enlarge. | Source: IBM infographic

If you want more of an overview, I found this IBM infographic and Dummies Guide to Blockchain very helpful. They also have a technical white paper.

Peter Patterson, Blockchain Market Leader at IBM, shared several current, real-world applications. First up: Diamonds — an industry fraught with smuggling, fraud and unethically mined stones. Blockchain allows supply chain players to keep a record of high-resolution photos of every stone, track real-time payments, maintain certificates of authenticity, as well as product details such as cut, clarity, color, carat and serial numbers. Basically, blockchain allows endless attributes to be attached.

Click to enlarge. | Source: IBM infographic

Another application is improved food safety and authenticity, i.e., how do you know if your chicken from China is really organic? Blockchain is allowing industry leaders to track chicken (pork, beef, you name it) from farm to store. With a QR code on the package consumers can scan the package and quickly see the entire life of the animal they are about to eat. The hope is it will also improve food safety. Walmart partnered with IBM back in 2016 to track the movement of pork across its supply chain. By using blockchain, all of the players are aligned and can see data such as time in transport, storage temperature and expiry date, which significantly improves food safety.

Nicola Claxton, co-founder and COO of yave, is focused on solving another problem: third-wave coffee price premiums making their way back to the farmer. Claxton and her partner saw that the rise in third-wave coffee prices in the developed world wasn’t making it back to coffee farmers. In fact, many farmers who produce some of the finest beans are struggling to make ends meet. Enter yave, a platform designed the let you “see through coffee.”

Click to enlarge. | Source: yave

yave coffee is given a unique identifier; this may happen with farmers texting yave and being given a digital marker that they write on the bags. The coffee then flows through the supply chain to consumers, where ultimately a consumer can scan the QR code on the bag, learn about the coffee, and in the moonshot state (dream not yet a reality), send a tip directly back to the farmer.

Denver-based Bext360 is using blockchain for coffee, as well. The startup created the “bextmachine,” which takes a three-dimensional scan of each bean to help producers learn how bean quality and characteristics translate to taste in the cup. Its blockchain program is used to track the bean from farm to coffee shop, and with a quick QR scan consumers see it all. Founder Daniel Jones believes his company can help standardize quality assessments and reduce paperwork across the supply chain, which ultimately reduces costs.

The application of blockchain seems promising on discrete items such as pork chops, diamonds, even a bag of coffee — but what about blended commodities such as conflict minerals, cotton, natural gas and oil?

A commodity-focused company, Xpansiv is working with blockchain to correct the market failures abundant in commodity markets — imperfect information, environmental impacts, and operational inefficiencies. Joe Madden, co-founder & CEO, shared his company’s approach. I’ll confess this portion of the session went a bit over my head, perhaps moving too fast while I scrambled to take notes and photos. Here’s what I did gather.

Xpansiv takes the massive amounts of data available at the source — for example, a natural gas extraction site — it then refines the data into attributional profiles (attributes attached to the commodity that have significance), which is then attached through blockchain technology so the commodity in question can be identified as frack-free for example.

Click to enlarge. | Source: Xpansiv

I’m oversimplifying it here. The main takeaway is, blockchain has the potential to address commodity supply chain transparency, which has been a huge hurdle to overcome.

Clearly, blockchain has a ton of potential applications. If your curiosity is sparked and you want to learn more, Claxton recommends exploring Hyperledger — a simple, open-source, step-by-step, build your own system. “All you need to know is how to put the data into a single database,” Claxton said. It takes three simple steps.

Step 1: Identify your asset

What is the asset, what are we tracking?

Step 2: Engage participants

Who are all the players? Get them on board and participating.

Step 3: Determine the transactions

What transactions are we tracking? Chain of custody, attributes — get clear on what data needs to be tracked.

Conceptually, that is all you need to get started. Simple and powerful, right? Certainly, but my jury is still out. I am excited about the potential and some applications — like the Plastic Bank, which creates currency out of plastic waste — are incredibly cool, but it still seems to be a lot of hype. I find myself asking, does every application of blockchain really require blockchain or could it be solved more eloquently with another solution? Also, we are talking about storing all of this encrypted data as though it can’t be hacked or fail, but recent cyber attacks suggest otherwise. Additionally, skeptics point to the fact that humans enter the data, allowing for corruption, inaccurate information and simple errors.

Clearly, blockchain is going to impact business — the question, is when and how.

[oselatra]

A guide to the East Village

Sixth Street development is in the can.

You need a glossary to understand just what is coming to the East Village, the neighborhood east of Interstate 30 and north of Ninth Street. Two breweries — Rebel Kettle and Lost Forty — kicked off development here, and it's now identified by street flags on Sixth Street. So here it is:

The Paint Factory: The new home of Cromwell Architects Engineers at 1300 E. Sixth St., formerly the home of Stebbins and Roberts paint company, hence the name.

12 Star Flats: One- and two-bedroom apartments coming to the second floor of The Paint Factory.

The Mixing Room: A community and event room for rent to the public in The Paint Factory.

The Printshop: Just like it sounds, a retail printshop, in The Paint Factory.

Cathead's Diner: At 515 Shall (pronounced shawl) Ave., but really part of The Paint Factory, it's another enterprise whose purpose you don't have to guess at: It's a restaurant, operated by Donnie Ferneau and Kelli Marks.

The Bike Shop: Not a bike shop, but a 15,000-square-foot warehouse at 1212 E. Sixth St. being renovated by Cromwell Architects Engineers and Moses Tucker Real Estate to the tune of $1.5 million.

The Rail Yard: Not a rail yard, but a food truck and beer garden site. Located in The Bike Shop.

Count Porkula BBQ: Happily, just what it sounds like. Located in The Bike Shop.

eStem: The new elementary and junior high school that is part of the eStem Public Charter Schools Inc.

Now that you're oriented, let's start with The Rail Yard and Count Porkula in The Bike Shop (which used to house Ron King's Recycle Bikes for Kids refurbishing shop, now located at 717 E. 10th St. in North Little Rock). The Bike Shop

Though it has a masculine-sounding name, The Rail Yard is a venture of three women — sisters-in-law Murry Newbern and Linda Newbern and their aunt, Virginia Young — who were inspired to create this outdoor venue that will feature food trucks in rotation. They got the idea for the business on a visit to the Texas Truck Yard in Dallas; they got the idea for the location when they attended a Downtown Little Rock Partnership pop-up party in the alley west of The Bike Shop, along the Union Pacific Railroad track. The decision by Count Porkula to locate in The Bike Shop sealed The Rail Yard deal, co-owner Murry Newbern said. The food trucks will surround a beer garden featuring craft beers; wine and cocktails will be served as well.

Dogs will be welcome at The Rail Yard, though they may have to be restrained to keep them from charging Count Porkula. Kelly Lovell and Walt Todd, owners of the Count's food truck, had been looking for a kitchen "to do more catering out of," Lovell said.

"It just kind of organically grew. ... It was just kind of a perfect fit" with The Rail Yard, he said. They hope to be smoking by the first of July.

Rock Town Distillery at Sixth and Shall streets is moving to SoMa, leaving empty a space that Dan Fowler, Cromwell's director of finance and business development, calls "amazing." Moses Tucker and Cromwell have not yet announced plans for what will go in the Rock Town space, but Fowler said they would have a couple of "exciting things" to say about the space in a few months

The Paint Factory

Now cross Shall Street to The Paint Factory, the new home of Cromwell Architects Engineers and other enterprises. There, whiskers willing, Cathead's Diner will open in May.

Donnie Ferneau (formerly of Ferneau, Ferneau's Good Food and the 1836 Club) will once more assume his chef's toque, this time to offer Southern dishes, both traditional and eccentric: His partner, baker Kelli Marks, said the menu should offer such things as "meat and three" plates, pulled pork, ribs, fried chicken and ... and donut sandwiches and biscuit nachos. Cathead's will serve brunch both on Saturday and Sunday, and Saturday's is being called the "Instagram Brunch," Marks said, because "it's going to be amazing things you're going to want to put on Instagram." Sunday brunch will be an all-you-can eat "hot line." Marks, who formerly operated Sweet Love Bakery, will be baking the biscuits and pastries for the farm-to-table, cafeteria-style operation. The entrance to Cathead's will be from Shall Street.

The Cromwell offices, The Mixing Room and The Print Shop will all be entered from Sixth Street. The Mixing Room will be a 900-square-foot meeting and event space for the community. It will be available for rent, but Cromwell will allow such groups as neighborhood associations to use it without charge. "The concept there is exchange and mixing of thoughts — advancing ideas and thoughts in the community," Fowler said. Its name references paint mixing; the room could be the birthplace of ideas as varied as the color spectrum.

The Print Shop will offer retail printing for such things as high-volume business printing, booklets and large-format items like posters and banners.

The 12 Star Flats, 16 apartments named for the best-selling paint of Stebbins and Roberts successor Sterling Paint, are on the second floor of The Paint Factory, with an entrance on Sixth. Fowler said the flats will be ready for occupation in mid-April, and that several have already been leased. Available are three two-bedroom, two-bath units and 13 one-bed, one-bath studios.

Fowler hopes to see more development in the area. "I think what really needs to follow on the heels of retail and office is a really great focus on the neighborhood to the east and south of our area," he said, including more housing. Some of that will come from Harbor Town, John Burkhalter's apartment development on the Arkansas River east of Heifer International.

eStem Elementary and Junior High School

EStem charter schools, with grades K-9 campuses on Third Street and Louisiana and 10-12 on the campus of UA Little Rock, will open a new elementary and a new junior high at 400 Shall St. in July, when the 2018-19 school year begins. WER Architects helped transform a 120,000-square-foot warehouse into the schools, which will serve 750 elementary students and 300 junior high school students at opening. Eventually, the schools will hold 850 elementary seats and 450 junior high school seats. The school received a Walton Family Foundation grant of $2 million to buy the Shall Street property. The total cost of the project is $30 million; eStem is using federal New Market Tax Credits and federal and state historic tax credits to finance the construction.

Rock City Yacht Club

It's been about 12 years in the works, but John Burkhalter's marina development on the Arkansas River, just east of Heifer International, is taking shape and will be open this summer, the engineer's spokesman said.

"The cat's out of the bag and we're full steam ahead," Chris Masingill said. "[We're] building a whole community down there. ... And it's connected to all the additional synergies downtown."

The Rock City Yacht Club, a public-private partnership that's taken myriad state and federal permits to build, will feature a four-acre park and public access ramp built by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, at least 158 boat slips and a dock store. A year or so down the road, Masingill said, Harbor Town — Burkhalter's name for the whole development — will include a luxury apartment complex called the Fountainbleau. "Every unit will have a view of the river," Masingill said; there will be a total of 176 two-bedroom "high-end" apartments in seven three- and four-story buildings. The apartment complex will feature a pool and clubhouse.

Massingill expects ground to be broken at the end of the summer or fall on the Fountainbleau. It sounds ambitious, but then so did the entire project.

At full build-out, there will be 258 slips, and boat rental will be available. A $1.3 million federal Clean Vessel Act and Boating Infrastructure grant was used to build the fueling dock. Game and Fish contributed $100,000.

"If you had told me nine years ago that I would just now be at this stage," Burkhalter told the Arkansas Times in 2015 as he gestured to the pipes and crane along the river, "I would have taken a pass." His estimated opening date then: summer 2016. It took two years more. The entrance to Harbor Town — on East Second Street (by way of Bond and Sixth streets) will be stunning, Masingill said: "A 60,000-pound anchor from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier placed in the middle of a fountain — water jets shooting up all around it, lights flashing ... that's going to be the first thing that people see when they come into the marina," he said.

A 2,000-square-foot, full-service dock store will service boats. A restaurant adjacent to the dock store will open after the residential development is complete.

A guide to the East Village

#A guide to the East Village