When talking about passion and the art of bread making, Amy Dixon has it all. Walking into The Baker’s Table, the artisan bakery and cafe in Santa Ynez, you are welcomed by the pleasant aromas of homemade bread drifting throughout the dining area. Those were my words for describing the café in 2013. Today you […]
Finding Synchronicity in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande
Places I Love usually involve all my senses; taste, touch, sight, smell, and hearing. Like wine and grape growing, it involves terroir and that sense of place. This connection is dear to me, especially visiting the destinations of San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande. My journey begins the minute I exit the tunnel on Highway […]
Budding Vines Heralds Spring Travel
In wine speak, the cycle of life for the vine begins in the spring. The vineyard starts to come to life as bud break approaches after laying barren and dormant during the winter. It is a new beginning and a new vintage and signals a time when I am ready to explore what the vineyards […]
Ventoux AOC: Rhone Valley’s Hidden Gem
One mountain defines a wine region by creating a distinct microclimate with altitude and freshness to the wines and combats global warming by sheltering the region with a cooler climate. Mont Ventoux is the backbone of the Ventoux AOC, and the AOC is a rising star in the Rhone Valley. It is a wine gem […]
Butterfly Moments at Pismo Beach Monarch Grove
They swirl, flutter, and dance to the delight of the human eye. The Monarch butterfly is in all its glory at the Monarch Grove in Pismo Beach from October through February. Monarch Grove The Monarch butterfly migrates from the north to California to seek shelter from the cold and freezing weather. Five coastal sites in […]
The Path To Hood River And The Columbia Gorge
Heading east from Portland, one travels along the lush green treelined landscape of the Columbia Gorge. The beauty that engulfs is filled with waterfalls and Mount Hood looming in the background. This journey takes you to the Hood River, a city that abounds with days of yore. Nestled along the Columbia River in the heart […]
Travel 2021: My Year In Review
In 2021 travel took on both a virtual and live role. Although travel was primarily within California, I also traveled to Oregon and Washington, but the bulk of my traveling took place virtually. Enjoy my travel 2021 year in review as I discovered many places in person and more that I hope to visit in […]
Walla Walla, Washington: 14 Best Things To Do
Most people think of the city of Walla Walla, Washington, as an agricultural area primarily known for Walla Walla Sweet Onions and, of late, its budding wine industry. There is a cultural and historical side to this small countrified town that should be explored. Walla Walla is also home to some of Washington States’ best […]
The Best of Pet Friendly Palm Springs
The best time to travel to Palm Springs begins in the fall when the weather cools and continues through May. The days are glorious with the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains and it is the ideal time to partake in the numerous outdoor activities Palm Springs offers. This timeframe is also perfect for bringing […]
Hotel Chaco: Highlighting The Spirit of the Southwest
In New Mexico, the Pueblo is at the center of Native American culture. Its beginnings trace back to Chaco Canyon, a National Historical Park, and Unesco World Heritage Centre that contains some of the most notable ruins from pre-Columbian civilizations in the United States. The park lies in the northwestern part of New Mexico between […]