Greece

I love watching the Olympics every year.  Seeing the traditions, the triumph, the heartache and such incredible athleticism is fascinating to me so when I was told I would have the chance to get to see where it all began and add in a trip to the beautiful Greek Isles and I jumped at the chance!

The trip started off a little rough.  It was the first time I had ever booked a car company to take me to the airport so I wouldn't have to convince one of my friends to pick me up at 5 am and the driver called and said she was running 30 minutes late.  I didn't have an extra 30 minutes so I ended up driving myself to the airport and leaving my car for the 16 days I would be gone.  When I arrived at the airport it was raining and in my rush to get out of the car and make the shuttle bus I dropped my purse and even though it never fell out of my purse the screen to my phone shattered.  Then on my flight from Austin to Philly where I was laying over there was such bad turbulence that I got sick on an airplane for the first time ever!  The good news... it all got better from there!

After an over night flight we arrived in Athens early on Sunday and checked into the hotel but since the rooms weren't ready yet we decided to walk the 10 minutes to the Plaka (old part of Athens) to get some food and do a little exploring.  It was my first time trying lamb souvlaki and I've decided that is my new favorite Greek dish.  We walked through the labyrinth of streets full of little shops- some nice, some tourist traps- and restaurants until we were ready to head back to the hotel.  Our 20 minute walk back turned into about 2 hours as we found ourselves on the wrong side of the Acropolis and had to walk all the way around it to get back to where we needed to go!

The next morning was the start of our tour of mainland Greece.  After an early morning wake up call and my first Greek yogurt with honey in Greece for breakfast we were on our way to Olympia with stops along the way to an open air theater that is still used for plays with acoustics so perfect that if someone was standing in the middle of the stage and dropped a coin you could still hear it perfectly from the very top of the theater.  Mycenae was the first ruins of the trip and we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the nearby ocean after a short hike to the top.  We spent the night in Olympia at a beautiful hotel with dinner overlooking the land below and a gorgeous sunset.

Open air theater

Mycenae

View from dinner in Olympia

We visited the ruins of Olympia the next morning.  I sometimes find visiting ruins a little disappointing because they are just that, ruins.  You have to use you imagination a little bit to envision what it would have looked like in its original form and all of the statues that have been found have been moved to the museum to protect it from the elements for future generations to get to see.  Protecting it makes sense but it would still be even more incredible to see it in the spot where it was actually put thousands of years ago.  The pillars for the temples were so large that when lying on its side in pieces with my 6'3" brother standing next to them, he looked small!  Seeing where the Olympic torch is lit (still using a magnifying glass and the sunlight) and then carried around the world to where the next Olympics will be held was kind of surreal and walking on the field of the "stadium" where all the games were played was really fun!  Women were not allowed to participate or even view the Olympics when they were first played and the participants were all nude when they competed originally... glad that concept has changed!

Where the Olympic torch is lit

In the Olympic Stadium

While the Olympics are the most well known competition today there were other sites where games were held as well including our next stop on the tour Delphi.  Nestled into the side of a mountain, the scenery was a  pretty breathtaking place to house the temples, theaters, and stadium of the ancient civilizations and required a little bit of stamina to get there.  We hiked up the many steps and steep slopes all the way to the top to reach the stadium but were rewarded with a great view of the surrounding area.

When planning this trip we debated a little bit about whether we should include Meteora in the tour and I am really happy we did.  Perched on top of high rocks sits 6 different monasteries that are still working monasteries.  Some of them still have to use a cable to get groceries and people back and forth to the monasteries!  The first monastery we went to was St. Stephens mostly due to the fact that it has easy access for visitors to get in and out.  I loved the vivid colors of all the frescos painted on the walls in the chapel there.  Quote from my brother "it looks like its from a James Bond movie"  which was followed by our tour guide saying the next monastery is where the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only" was filmed.

Friday was our last day on the mainland and we spent it back in Athens with a tour of the new Acropolis museum which was constructed with plexiglass floors so you can look below to where the antiquities are being excavated from the earth which is a really cool concept that I had never seen before.  On the top floor there is the border of the Parthenon that wraps completely around the top floor and part of it is actually tiles taken from the Parthenon and part is replica (many of the pieces are housed in the British Museum in London). We also toured the Acropolis during the day seeing the Parthenon up close and getting a good view of the city of Athens at its feet.

After the constant go go go of the first week of our trip that was fantastic but tiring I was looking forward to taking off to the islands for a little exploration but mostly rest and relaxation.  First stop was the beautiful island of Mykonos!  I've read articles in celebrity magazines and watched TV shows on the travel channel about the party life of Mykonos and how it is a place for celebrities to see and be seen but I have to say I had an entirely different experience.  We stayed in a hotel called Manoulas Beach that was a few miles outside of town but had easy access to town with the public bus stopping directly in front of it.  Our hotel was beachfront and felt like heaven when opening the doors to our balcony and taking in the view while lying on my bed and listening to the ocean waves lap the shore.  We ate lunch and dinner on the beach at the nearby restaurants and just stared at the ocean and the sugar cube like buildings that dotted the island.  It was really a perfect place to relax and just enjoy being on vacation in a place so incredibly beautiful.

For our final destination we headed to Santorini- the one place that when planning this trip I declared that I was not going all the way to Greece without seeing the famous Santorini!  Known for its cobalt blue waters and famous sunset watching from the edge of the cliffs, Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades group of Greek islands.  It consists of a still active volcano that erupted years ago and sunk part of the island into the water and is often referred to as the lost city of Atlantis.  The volcano created steep cliffs that the towns of Fira and Oia have built up on the edge with labyrinth of streets full of stairways with shops and restaurants.  I had to admit that I was happy I work out regularly to be able to go up and down all the hills and stairs all day long but all those hills and stairs let me enjoy all the yummy food Greece has to offer without any guilt!  Before I left for Greece, I was told I needed to try Baklava and eat Octopus and both were great suggestions to pass on to anyone going.

We spent a day in Santorini just walking around the town of Fira and getting lost looking in all the shops and enjoying the view.  One highlight for me was going sailing and getting to go into the volcanic hot springs and snorkeling in the cold water near the red sand beach that was so blue and clear its unlike any other place I have been to.  We had lunch the next day on the black sand beach and dinner in the town of Oia where we had another great view of the sunset.  Our last day on the island we decided to take a tour of the volcano which I'm not sure any of us realized actually involved hiking to the top but once we arrived at the top I knew the hike was worth it.  When we got back to the main part of the island we took the donkeys up the set of 590 stairs to the top which was an interesting experience all on its own trying to make our way up along the wall and trying to avoid the other tourists who decided to walk down the same path.  (I wouldn't suggest walking the same path the donkeys take!).

Greece has always been a dream destination for me.  When I returned home someone asked me what was something I didn't like while I was there.  I had to really think about it and the answer was nothing.  It was a dream destination that still seems like it was a dream.  It's full of absolutely breathtaking scenery and not just in the islands where I expected it to be gorgeous but everywhere we went was another beautiful view.  I have never really been a Greek food fan here in the US but over there I really enjoyed almost everything I ate and the people were very friendly and fiercely proud of their country and their history.  I was very happy that I only saw one McDonalds and not a single Starbucks while I was there and that the country has maintained a sense of self but at the same time was very easy to navigate and get around because many people do speak English there.

Tips for those traveling to Greece:

- If you are doing the "typical" mainland tour then spring for Meteora as well- it was worth it!
- When taking the ferries around the islands we booked the middle priced seats and were glad we did because the cheap seats did not give an assigned seat and for just a couple of Euros more it was definitely worth it.
- Also when taking the ferries it is worth it to arrange your transportation to your hotel ahead of time because when you get to port there are not a lot of taxis around to take.
- Be in decent physical shape when you go because if you can't climb the stairs and the hills you are going to miss out on a lot!
- Don't wear your favorite swimsuit to the volcanic hot springs because the sulfur floating in the water can ruin it.
- You can make reservations at the restaurants in Santorini so you can get the best view of the sunset.

Puerto Morelos, Mexico

I had been looking forward to this trip for over a year when my close friend announced she was going to be getting married in Mexico and sent me the website for the resort.  Glistening teal blue waters and sparkling pools with swim up bars beckoned me from the screen and while I would have gone anywhere to see Cortney get married, I was very excited she chose this paradise to say I do!

My cousin and I arrived on Saturday afternoon and after spending an hour getting through customs we were delivered to the Now Jade resort in Puerto Morelos where we got our first peek at the beautiful blues and greens of the gulf through the lobby windows.  The whole week was incredibly peaceful and relaxing, lying on the beach listening to the waves lap the shore and the sound of the seagulls overhead with whatever fancy tropical “drink of the day” in my hand.  The food at the resort was delicious with my favorite being the restaurant on site Spice that had amazing sushi.  Portion sizes at all the restaurants were small but it allowed me to try more things without feeling like I overstuffed myself night after night.  This was a beach resort after all and I’d have to get back into my swimsuit the next day.

We took two excursions while we were there.  One to go snorkeling along the reef off the coast with Snorkeling Adventures.  We arrived to a small eating and lounging area off the beach with multiple boats lined up along the beach.  After picking up our life vests, flippers, and snorkel, we were given a few minutes instruction then it was out onto the boats for a short ride out to the reef and jumping into the water.  We did 3 dives and saw lots of coral and fish along the way with the dive masters pointing out different things in the water enhancing the experience so we got to see more things.  We took a break between dives to go back to the beach and had an amazing lunch on shore with salad, rice, fish, and chicken that was melt in your mouth amazing yumminess!

The second excursion was to go into the town of Playa del Carmen to do a little shopping and exploring.  We stayed mostly on the main drag… The 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen and explored the kitschy shops and some of the nicer ones as well.  I purchased a spoon rest to replace my favorite one I had broken earlier this year and some little salt and pepper shakers that made me giggle every time I walked past them and knew I had to have them!

The wedding that brought us all to this beautiful place was stunning on its own.  With the gorgeous ocean waters as a backdrop behind them, Cortney and Adam said I do in a lovely ceremony.  It was everything a wedding should be-  A bride and groom very much in love and celebrating their lives with their friends and family and having a great time doing so.  This was my first destination wedding and I hope it won’t be my last.

My Great Alaskan Adventure

It has been my dad’s dream for as long as I can remember to go to Alaska.  When I was little he always talked about it and as I got to high school and started looking for colleges he was constantly saying “What about University of Alaska?  Then I could come visit you and go fishing.”  Of course he was joking and would have probably had a fit if I had actually gone that far away from home but that is a very strong memory from growing up.  So to get the chance to go with my dad on his dream trip is pretty amazing all in itself.
The funny thing about your dream trip (or dream anything really) is that it can never live up to the expectation set in your brain.  While some of my experiences went above and beyond there were a few that fell flat.  I am a sea lover.  Anything to do with water and its creatures enthralls me and excites me like nothing else.  After spending our first day driving around and having an amazing dinner at the Alyeska resort in Girdwood, Alaska including a scallop bisque that was to die for yummy, we headed for Whittier to catch a boat for the day and get a glimpse of the sea life and glaciers that Alaska is famous for.  It was cold and rainy but thankfully the boat was large (less sea sickness) and warm with hot chocolate to warm from the inside out.  After going just a short way out, the captain of the boat said he was going a little out of his way because he had spotted some humpback whales!  I grabbed my camera and ran up to the top deck when my breath caught in my chest after being hit in the face by the cold air and then I saw the spout of water that came from the massive animal swimming in the ocean and I had finally seen my first humpback whale.  Two of them actually.  Swimming side by side and rising and falling into the ocean in a graceful dance.   I’m sure there are lots of more descriptive and well educated ways to describe my feelings but “How cool!!!” is really my favorite for this particular moment.

The rest of the day went by in a flurry of sightings of sea otters, seals, birds, and of course glaciers.  The glaciers were not all the beautiful blues that I have always seen in pictures.  Part of them were but then parts were full of silt and dirt and were really not all that attractive.  Listening to the creaking of the ice and watching parts fall into the water and revealing new clean ice of the beautiful blues I was referring to was just as magical as I thought it would be.

The next day led us to Seward, another seaside town that’s population is inflated during the summer and must have very hardy residents to withstand the cold weather the rest of the year.  We stayed at the Hotel Seward which was the nicest hotel during our Alaska trek.  Situated overlooking the bay and close to restaurants and shops it was the perfect place to make home base for a few days.
The day was scheduled as a free day with my only wish being to visit Exit Glacier.  This was suppose to be one of the most accessible glaciers to get to along the Kenai Peninsula.  As we were driving into the park there are signs that have dates along the way and upon entering the park we found that at those dates that is where the glacier once stood.  We drove many miles and  hiked a couple more before ever seeing the glacier so to realize how much it recedes and moves is incredible.  The hike was about 2 miles to get up to within a few feet of the glacier.  At one time you could actually touch the glacier but they no longer allow that.  In the rest of our free time that afternoon, we decided to try out one of the sled dog tours which turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip.  After going on a few mile ride with the dogs pulling us along, I got to hold an 8 week old and a 3 and a half week old sled dog puppy!  If those little cuties would survive the Texas heat then one would have definitely been coming home with me!

We ate dinner at Ray’s restaurant along the waterfront in Seward that night and I indulged in the king crab cakes that were amazing.  There was a sweetness to them that comes from the king crab and they were perfectly seasoned and hit the spot.
Our second day in Seward took us out to sea again on another wildlife watching cruise.  The sky was clear and beautiful and the sun was shining making this cruise a bit more comfortable than the first one.  We passed several humpback whales and the captain didn’t even stop because he knew we would keep seeing them because there were that many!  We made our way out and saw two pods of Orcas gliding through the water and coming right up under the boat.  I’ve been lucky enough to be this close to Orcas one other time and it still amazes me the size of the animal and, not to be too cliché, literally takes my breath away as they approach and make that final dive down under the boat to resurface on the other side.  None of them were doing any fancy jumping but one did come out and give us a little spy hop to see what was going on in the world above water.  The highlight of the day was spending time with a humpback whale jumping out of the water, flipping, and landing with a giant splash very close to the boat!  It is awe inspiring how something of that size can launch it’s body out of the water and fall back down belly flop style (although really it comes down on its back) and the amount of water that it displaces after its return.

In planning this trip I asked anyone I knew who had been to Alaska “What is the one thing I have to do while I’m there?” and often received the answer “fishing.”  I have to admit, I disagree with that statement, but I decided I had to try it and so we were off to the artsy, slightly quirky town of Homer (but hey, I live in a place where the slogan is “Keep Austin Weird” so who am I to judge?) to do some fishing out at sea.  We opted for salmon fishing instead of halibut because I thought I would rather have a freezer full of salmon than halibut on my return.  We were out of the hotel and on our way to the boat by 5:30 am and the one positive of being up that early is I saw a bald eagle on the way to the boat and took an amazing picture of the sunrise that happens extra early in the summertime in Alaska.  The weather was another sunshine-y day and our captain complained of how hot it was but this Florida native thought it was anything but hot and had four layers of clothing and a ski cap on and still had to go below deck frequently to warm up!  In about 8 hours we caught 8 fish and managed to have my dad and brother get a bit seasick while I was fighting off getting sick most of the time as the waves grew larger and larger and I started to feel like I was on a toy boat rising and falling with the waves.  It was an experience worth having but I don’t think I will be signing up too quickly to have that experience again anytime in the near future.

The next day took us back north to Soldotna where one of my most highly anticipated adventures of the whole trip was planned.  We took a seaplane 40 minutes from there over top of a glacier and then landed on the water and got in a small john boat then headed another 15 minutes or so up river to see bears!  Both black bears and brown grizzly bears graced us with their presence and came within 20 feet from the boat we were sitting on!  For the most part, the bears simply ignored us as another part of the scenery and went about their business of drinking from the water, playing, and trying to catch and eat the salmon that were jumping up stream to spawn.  The quick accurateness of the brown bears in catching their food and consuming it made the black bear’s attempts almost comical in comparison as they jumped and jumped chasing the fish but coming up empty handed (pawed?) again and again until finally one was caught!  The only thing that made the afternoon even better was our guide catching a sockeye salmon and then taking us away from the bears and grilling it right there on the boat.  Talk about the most fresh, incredible salmon one could ever wish for!  I think I am now ruined for life because I now know what the absolute best is.

Our next stop on my itinerary was back to Anchorage to meet up with a friend of mine from graduate school who so graciously offered to take Todd and I 4 wheeling up to the Knik Glacier.  When we were e-mailing back and forth and planning this portion I believe Rob’s exact instructions were “wear something you can get dirty” and he wasn’t kidding.  About a ¼ of the way through the adventure we passed a guy on the side of the pathway and all I heard was “girl, you are so dirty!” and that was only the start.  We went through mud, water covered pathways, and lots of dust before making it to the glacier where this picture was taken…

I felt like that gum commercial where I am all dirty with bright white teeth.  It was my first time on a 4 wheeler and after being on the back of one through rough terrain for almost 5 hours I was more than a little sore the next day and was thankful I had planned that as a travel day.
We spent the last 3 days of our trip in Denali National Park.  Just the size of the park itself is pretty amazing, at over 6 million acres it is larger than the state of Massachusetts.  There is a huge focus on conservation and keeping the wilderness wild.  There is one 90 mile road that goes straight into the park and the same road takes you back out of the park.  Only buses arranged through the park are allowed into the park and the reservations for the bus must be made in advance or you could find yourself getting all the way to Alaska but still denied access to the park.
Denali is definitely a must see if you are going to Alaska but I have to admit my first day into the park was a little disappointing.  Partially due to the fact that even though we saw wildlife they, for the most part, were very far from the road and could only be seen through binoculars, and partially because there was a group of very loud Alabamians on board the bus with us. (No offense to my Alabama friends, but you’re not loud and obnoxious.)
I had planned a second day going into the park and I have to admit that I was not so excited about it after my first day but the second day turned out much better.  This time we took the bus all the way back to Wonder Lake and the wildlife was much closer and more active to watch.  We saw a lynx, multiple grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and a wolf that was walking along the side of the road and posed prettily for photographs.

For dinner that night we decided to try the pizza place next to our cabin called Panorama Pizza and it turned out to be more of a dinner and a show.  The pizza was delicious and hit the spot but it was the owner and workers there that made it more of an experience.  I love that in Alaska you often see store owners and restaurant owners with their dogs lying calmly by their side but at this particular restaurant their dog was super friendly and well trained as his owner went through all the tricks that he knew.  “What’s 9-7?” and the dog barks twice, “Where’s your tail?” and the dog goes round and around in a circle trying to find its tail (which by the way, he doesn’t have one) and my favorite when he has the dog jump up on a stool at the bar and is given the command “order a beer” and the dog starts barking.
The final day in Denali took Todd and I whitewater rafting.  I picked the more mild route since I had never been before and really didn’t feel like falling into 35 degree water.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am always cold anyway, but 35 degree water is REALLY cold!  We donned dry suits over our clothes that had rubber gaskets at the wrists and neck as well as rubber booties to keep the water out and us dry and warm.  It was a very tame ride with mostly 1-2 level whitewater and one 2+.  I think if I had it to do over again I would try the slightly more adventurous one but you never know until you try.
We ate at the Salmon Bake that night and I indulged in some King Crab legs.  I say indulged because it was far from cheap and because it was sooo good but I couldn’t come all the way to Alaska without trying some.
The trip left me with a lot of awesome memories and  I have over a thousand pictures to help me relive the moments over and over again whenever I chose.  Alaska is a beautiful place with friendly people who have a great love of the outdoors and I am happy to have gotten to experience it.

Zipline!

I've been feeling a bit couped up over the winter and am ready to get out again and play!  One of the great things about Groupon is that it encourages you to get out and try new things but on a budget so that I can afford to do more adventures.  I decided to cash in on the Lake Travis Zipline Adventure that I bought last fall but had to wait until the weather warmed again before I could take advantage.

I love that I live in a place that I can encourage my sense of adventure within a short car ride.  I had never been ziplining before and the Lake Travis Zipline Adventure promises the longest zipline in Texas and the second longest in North America.  After a little safety demonstration and some instruction, we were suited up in a helmut and harness and off to the first zipline.  The first 2 ziplines were shorter and allowed us to get use to flying through the air before reaching the point of no return (other than by zipline, of course!) when we got our first glimpse of flying over the lake.

It was a really windy day when I chose to go which made the adventure a little more interesting.  To get across the lake we were going against the wind so our guide instructed us on techniques to go quicker across so we wouldn't get stuck.  It came down to either cannon ball style of lying flat like a pencil and I chose the pencil.  As I was getting closer to the jump off the platform I had to laugh at myself because my fear of not making it all the way across was greater than the fear of actually jumping!  As I stood at the edge willing myself to lifting my feet and mentally preparing to become a pencil, I took a few seconds and found the courage to make the jump.  Immediately my heart started racing and I could feel the wind on my face and running through my hair and a great rush of adrenaline as I became a "pencil" in shear determination to make it across.  Trees passed under my feet and then cleared to a beautiful view of Lake Travis below with the wind blowing against me but my fears of not making it across cleared as the opposing platform neared and I came in for landing.

The well touted "longest zipline in Texas" was the most anticipated one of the day and the most work to get to. The hike was about 22 stories in height and felt like you were going straight up.  I consider myself to be in decent shape but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make this one.  After a rest break where my legs basically told me they weren't going any farther unless I stopped for a minute, I finally made it to the top to the reward of an amazing view.  This zipline was 2 side by side so you could race with a friend.  On your mark, get set, go!  And we were off...I have to admit I was the slower of the two but I wanted to take in the view!  It was gorgeous and all that work to get to the top was soooo worth it.  On the last zipline of the day, the wind was at our backs and we sailed over the water at speeds probably close to 60 mph which was amazing!  The stop, however, a little less so.  Let's just say the whole day ended with a bang...literally.  But the incredible rush of it all was definitely worth the little rope burn souvenir I took home with me for a few days!

Christmas at the San Antonio River Walk

I have a habit of clicking on those "Top Ten" links on yahoo.  You know the ones..."Top Ten Places to Live", "Top Ten Restaurants in a Tree" and most recently "Top Ten Places to See Holiday Lights".  When I read the list and saw that #8 is only an hour and a half from where I live I decided it was time for a quick road trip to check it out for myself and brought my parents and my brother along to enjoy the Christmas spirit while they were here for a visit.

I had been to the San Antonio River Walk before but never at Christmas time and they do it up right.  The day was very cold for this Florida girl who now lives in Texas with highs only in the 40s but it also helped to make it feel more like Christmas.  We walked around the River Walk and froze for a while before eating an earlier dinner, more to get inside and warm up then because we were actually hungry.  It worked though and with full stomachs and warm(er) bodies we went back out into the cold to see the lights once it had turned dark.  It did not disappoint.  The trees were wrapped in lights and the bridges had twinkling lights on them producing a beautiful reflection of light in the water.  The boats were still giving tours on the river but we opted to not try it this visit because I don't think we could stand being in the cold much longer.  All in all, it was really pretty and a nice way to get more into the Christmas spirit.  With so many towns cutting back on Christmas light displays due to the recession it was nice to have one place to go see that is still decorated beautifully.

Victorian Holiday Tea at The Driskill - Austin, TX

I have had a love of going to high tea since I was lucky enough to study abroad in London during college.  There is something that speaks to the little girl in me of getting dressed up and going to a fancy hotel to spend time with girlfriends.  Every time I get together with my old roommate from that time we have to do an afternoon tea at a nice hotel in what ever city we are in.  This time I went to tea with my sister-in-law and her mother who were nice enough to include me in their holiday tradition of tea.

I have wanted to go The Driskill hotel here in Austin since I first moved here 2 years ago.  Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel had visited there several years ago as part of her Great Hotels series and I have always loved getting to travel through watching her shows before I was able to afford more travel on my own but this time I am actually getting to see the hotel through my own eyes.

The Driskill is one of the oldest hotels in Austin.  It is beautiful on the inside with dark wood throughout but made even more beautiful with the floor to ceiling Christmas tree in the lobby.  There is something about the magic of Christmas and all the white lights that can make a place so magical.  I love that when you enter the lobby that the doors are opened for you and that the staff are so attentive and friendly.

Our table for three was reserved with our name on the table which was a nice touch.  While listening to the harpist play we browsed the tea menu and I settled on the Snowflake tea.  We were served sparkling wine and scones while the tea and sandwiches were made.  The Snowflake tea had hints of vanilla and was served on elegant china.  Overall, the actual tea and sandwiches were similar to other places but listening to the live music (of course it would be live- it is Austin after all!) and enjoying good company while looking over the giant Christmas tree made it a unique experience and one I would definitely recommend. It has put me in the Christmas spirit and has me looking forward to all the activities my family has planned for this year.

St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine is one of my favorite cities in the world.  It combines history with amazing seafood, beautiful beaches, and that small town feel and gives me that warm nostalgic comfort feeling from my past.  It is the beach I grew up going to since it was less than 2 hours from my home and as I got older it was my friends and I all piled into the car on our way to Spring Break.  I was lucky enough to get to spend 2.5 of the toughest years of my life there while I attended graduate school and even those harder times did not tarnish my view of the city but added more life to my love of St. Augustine.  Every time I go back to this city it always seems to bring this amazing sense of calm over me.  I love the water and always feel soothed by it but for some reason St. Augustine just adds even more to that.

This trip back to St. Augustine did not disappoint (well, almost).  The weather was perfect for a day of sightseeing through old St. Augustine.  I had a plan when I left but as most travelers know, plans don't always go as hoped.  I absolutely love the fried shrimp at the Florida Cracker Cafe on St. George street and had my heart and taste buds set on going there until we found out it was closed for renovations.  Talk about disappointed.  I could almost taste the shrimp before I got there and my hopes were quickly dashed with one little closed sign.  Unfortunately, my hunger was still there and we ended up trying the White Lion instead.  The fried shrimp were good there too but not the same.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the waterfront and watching the Castillo San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions before doing a little shopping and walking up St. George street.  The chocolates from Whetstone are every bit as good as I remembered them and I actually had to go back again to get more before leaving as the first few I bought were gone before I even left the street.

When I am back home in Florida I always have to go see the beach so we took a drive down to St. Augustine Beach so I could dip my toes in the water before going to dinner at Saltwater Cowboys.  For me, Cowboys is another one of those comfort places with delicious southern seafood, complete with hush puppies and creamy grits as sides.  I love deviled crab and always have to get it when I come here.  The restaurant itself sits on a little marsh with a country style porch to sit on and enjoy while you wait for a table.

My time in St. Augustine always feels a bit short but I also always leave relaxed and knowing that I will be back again.