Vacations Blog

My husband and I are constantly on the lookout for weekend day trip ideas. Our weekends are spent filled with the awareness of all the useful things that we’re supposed to be doing around the house, yet we are severely lacking the willpower to do those things. One Saturday afternoon not too long ago, our desperate escape from the horror of chores took us in the direction of Scottsdale, and the Arts District.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale is a treat for window shopping enthusiasts, and a mecca for Southwestern oriented artwork and decor. Parking can sometimes be a challenge, though it’s easier during the day than at night, when Those Who Wish To See and Be Seen come out to play.

Art galleries mingle seamlessly with souvenir stores and restaurants. Every Thursday the art galleries host an evening Art Walk from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., displaying their artwork and crafts along the walkways and sidewalks. Come for the art, stay for the free wine!

It’s easy to spend hours looking through the hundreds of shops in the area. My husband and I broke up the day with regular stops for refreshment, first at the Rusty Spur Saloon:

Then at the Sugar Bowl:

There is absolutely no way to forget that you are in the heart of the Southwest.

Nothing says Arizona like a good old fashioned cow skull:

Scottsdale is family and pet friendly – though they discourage pets coming into the stores and restaurants themselves. To get there from Loop 101, exit on Indian School Road and travel west to Scottsdale Road. If you’re taking the 202, exit on Scottsdale Road and travel north to arrive in the Old Town area. The heart of the Arts district is on Scottsdale Road and Fifth Avenue.

The Old Town area of Scottsdale – just like the rest of the city – is an excellent place to spend very little money and enjoy the sites; alternately, you can spend a WHOLE LOT of money and indulge in some truly unique arts and crafts.

So in addition to last Saturday’s excursion to Rock City, we also managed to pull off a day trip on Sunday with a visit to Brannan Island State Park.

We’d had a couple of days of hot weather and the kids were pestering us to go swimming. Since we’re not even through April yet, all the public swimming pools in our area have yet to open, so we decided to make the drive out to Brannan Island to see what was what.

What was it you ask? A bit of a dump, that’s what.

Located on the Delta, just off Highway 160, northeast of Antioch, my only prior experience with this park had been as a patron of the parking lot near the boat launch. Back in the day my girlfriend (now my wife) would invite me out on her family’s boat for a day of water skiing and beaching, however the “beach” we would utilize would basically be a deserted stretch of sand somewhere out amongst the sloughs. I’d never taken advantage of Brannan Island’s public beach and swim area.

Save yourself the time and trouble because this beach has very little to offer. We ended up at what is called the Seven Mile Slough picnic area, which the State Recreation Area website describes as follows:

“Seven Mile Slough picnic area includes picnic tables, barbecues and drinking water. New restroom facilities were completed late in 1997 and include flush toilets and outdoor cold showers. Seven Mile Slough’s swim beach has lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Ample parking is close to the beach.”

The “beach” is basically a small strip of muddy sand along the picnic area, and a little further down a trail there’s a muddy sandbar. And the water is muddy. The beach near the picnic area was pretty crowded (a side-effect of free access), so we stalked down the trail toward the mud-bar where we staked out a small  patch of sand that backed up to some vegetation and threw down our largest towel. The kids didn’t seem to mind much and figured they may as well swim since we’d come all that way. I, on the other hand, had no intention of going in the water and immediately began eating the sandwich I’d brought because I didn’t figure on staying any longer than I had to.

I tolerated it for a good 45 minutes, but when the “sagging pants” crowd and the colorful language (from elementary school age kids no less) became too much, we packed it up and got the hell out of there.  If you really want more information you can check out the website.

The trip was not a total bust, however because we drove a little further down Hwy 160 and crossed the bridge into Rio Vista in search of Sandy Beach Park.  

Sandy Beach County Park is located in the city of Rio Vista, a rather small, somewhat weather-beaten but not without its charms, Delta city, made famous back in 1985 when wayward Humpback whale, Humphrey, turned up in the local waters.

Sandy Beach offers more or less the same amenities as Brannan Island; picnic areas, camping, boating, etc, but the environment is much nicer, or at least appeared to be on that particular Sunday afternoon. A word about camping; as camping is not everybody’s “thing”,  if you find yourself in need of accommodations in the Rio Vista area, I’d recommend checking out the Ryde Hotel, located in Grand Island, a short jaunt from  Rio Vista. I’ve never stayed there, but I did attend a bachelor party there many years ago and folks tell me I had a great time.

Anyway, based on the five minutes we spent looking around Sandy Park Beach (the girl at the gate was kind enough to let us check it out sans entry fee) it looked like a nice little place, one I’d consider making the drive back to visit one day. And I’d blow right past Brannan Island on my way.

During 70’s we had ourselves a big t-shirt fad. There were all sorts of custom T-shirt stores around; The Shirt Shoppe, The T-shirt Shack, etc. Folks were big into wearing T-shirts adorned with pithy sayings and cool decals. One that I’ve always remembered read “Go Climb a Rock,” which apparently was the logo for the Yosemite Mountaineering School.

Well this past Saturday the boy and I joined some friends and did just that, except the rocks we climbed were at Rock City located in the Mt. Diablo State Park.

Having grown up in the San Francisco/Bay Area, I’ve been to Rock City a few times in my 40-something years, however my last visit was probably during the latter part of the 80’s, and most definitely “pre-boy.” So when friend KC invited us to spend the day with his folks and family I jumped at the chance to show the boy all the good, wholesome fun to be had climbing around on a bunch of rocks. Sarcastic as that might sound (even more so if you know me), Rock City is a great time.

Located somewhere just beyond the 2,000 ft level in Mt. Diablo State Park, Rock City is, described thusly in the Mt. Diablo State Park online brochure; “Rock City: You will find unusually large sandstone formations and small caves here.”  Wow, is that some exciting copy or what?

Be not deterred by the lack of colorful adjectives, would be outdoors-person. Rock City is an awesome place to spend the day. You can climb all over those “unusually large sandstone formations,” and many have had actual foot/hand holds ground into them over the years. The views are spectacular, plus you’re getting exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. And because KC’s parents are so generous and well organized, I also got hot dogs and fried chicken. I can’t promise the same on any visit you might make.

Many visitors have taken to carving their names, and in some cases the occasional vulgarity, into the rock, and while this sounds something akin to vandalism, it actually adds a certain charm to the place. In honesty I prefer the dedication of those willing to take the time to carve something as opposed to some lazy sods that actually used markers to add their names to the sandstone.

There are numerous picnic sites available, each equipped with a table and a bbq stove/grill, and while we did grill, (and when I say “we” I mean KC’s dad) I’d recommend bringing sandwiches or the aforementioned fried chicken. The distance between the actual grill top and one’s charcoal is rather yawning, thus requiring us (us also equals KC’s dad) to assist the charcoal in its task by adding wood and small animals to the blaze. I’m kidding. It’s against the law to gather firewood. Actually I have no idea if that’s true, and if it is KC’s dad broke the law.

Anyway, I can say from personal experience that the boy and I had a great time at Rock City. The entry fee to Mt. Diablo State Park is $7.00 per car.

For more information you can check out the California State Parks website.

A few words of caution; keep a close eye on small children. There are many places where they can get lost, and many very large, very high rocks from which they can fall. DO NOT let young children climb on the rocks without an adult present. Also, this being California mountain country you might run into a rattlesnake. In fact, we did. Fortunately it was on our drive down the mountain and we were able to snap some pictures from the safety of our car. Even still, they’re pretty scary and I cried a little.

Skagit Valley Tulips abound in April

It’s officially Spring in the Northwest. How do I know this? No, it’s not because we passed March 21st on the calendar. Neither is it because of the schizophrenic weather, having snowed in Seattle on April 1st, only to be a sunny 75 degrees less than a week later. No, I can tell it is officially Spring here in the Seattle area because of the beautiful Tulips that begin to pop-up everywhere.

April is Tulip time in the Northwest, and no place celebrates this Northwest rite of Spring like the Skagit Valley. With more than 1000 acres of dazzling colorful flowers spread across the valley like an endless floral quilt, the valley attracts throngs of tourists looking to celebrate the promise of sunnier, happier days in the region.

Tulip Rows in The Skagit Valley

The 26th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs now through the end of April and offers multiple tours and events for the whole family to enjoy. These include Motor Coach tours, guided bike tours, Quilt walks, Wine tours, parades, kite demonstrations, salmon barbeque’s, a battle of the bands as well as numerous other fun-filled events.  Follow the link above to the Festival’s official website where you can check out a full listing of events, lodging and dining options, flower maps, as well as plan your itinerary.

The Skagit Valley is conveniently located about an hours drive North of Seattle and an hours drive south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Follow US Interstate 5 North, or South to exits 221-236 where you can pick up tulip brochures at local businesses in the towns of LaConnor, Anacortes, Sedro Wolly, Burlington, or Mount Veron.

Colorful Tapestry welcomes Spring in the Northwest

Planning an overnight stay? Check out the local lodging options. Dining options are numerous but I would be remiss not to recommend stopping by the Skagit River Brewery in Mount Vernon for a tasty wood fired pizza and a cold pint or two straight from the tap. Hey, all that touring will work up a hearty appetite and colorful thirst.

If you end up visiting, have fun and enjoy the beautiful flowers. But, also bring your raincoats. This is Spring in the Northwest after all.

Photos from bellinghamster.com

1. You watch LOST wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sipping Mai Tais.

2. You find yourself driving by travel agencies that aren’t even on your way home.

3. You send people postcards from the corner market.

4. You only buy travel sized bottles of shampoo, aspirin and liquor.

5. You cover your carpet in sand and ask everyone to call you “Little Buddy.”

6. You make your kids wear flotation devices on snow days.

7. You keep your dirty laundry in a suitcase.

8. Whenever you leave the house you pretend you’re lost and can’t speak the language.

9. You’ve spray painted your snow-covered yard green.

10. You wear your sunglasses at night and your name isn’t Corey Hart.

11. You’ve replaced your office chair with a beach towel.

12. No matter where you are you tell people that what happens there stays there.

13. It’s 32 degrees outside and you just got a bikini wax.

Photo by Whit Honea

Exit to Savannah

I’d like to blow all of my credibility as an expert on visiting Savannah, Georgia right off the bat:

I’ve been there once for about two hours.

That being said, I loved every minute of it, took copious notes, and am eagerly planning my return.

I don’t know much about what to do in Savannah, Georgia – but I can tell you with confidence where you should start your trip to this small southern town.  (And you should listen to me because the second I pulled into Savannah I asked a tour guide where I should go if I only had an hour to spend there.  A novice who asks an expert is almost as good as an actual travel expert.)

Head to River Street.  Immediately.  River Street is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or a daytrip in Savannah.

Savannah River Street

River Street is a narrow cobblestone road that runs along the Savannah River on the northeast edge of town.  You’ll want to drive very slowly and watch for the trolly tours.  Trust me on the drive slowly bit.  (And also?  Wear a bra.  I’m serious.)  Street parking is limited, but you’ll find several small parking lots with reasonable meter rates.

River Walk long Savannah River

Although I pulled down River Street to find a place for lunch, I was instantly distracted by the river walk.  I live 20 minutes from the ocean and white sandy beaches.  I am not easily impressed by water, especially something as mundane as a river.

But something about this water and this river is so calming.  Words like “rolling” and “rambling” come to mind when you stand along the banks.  The bridge that spans the river and the massive ships that sail under it are beautiful.  I know this because I took approximately 152 pictures of said bridge and said ships.

Once I managed to tear myself away from the water, I found a new love across the street.  (What can I say?  I’m fickle.)

Gift shops.  No.  Gift boutiques.  Block after block of cute little storefronts with handmade jewelry, tacky souveneirs, and knick knacks galore.  You could spend hours wandering in and out of these shops.

River Street gift shops

Of course at some point, you’ll need to eat.  This is an especially good idea if that was the excuse you gave for driving 20 minutes out of your way in the first place.

River Street Restaurants

Apparently someone named Paula Deen has a restaurant in Savannah and she’s kind of a big deal.  But if you didn’t wake up early enough to get your name on a reservation list for dinner and you’d like to find a place you can walk in and get a meal, River Street offers several options.  All of them specialize in seafood.  Personally, I recommend River House Seafood & Bakery becase that’s the only place I ate in Savannah (and it was fabulous).

As you head further down River Street, you’ll find more shops, more places to walk, and a famous statue.

The Waving Girl Statue in Savannah

The Waving Girl Statue is a tribute to Florence Matus, a Savannah resident who used to live along the river and waved at the ships as they sailed by.  No one knows why she waved at the ships, but the story is part of local Savannah legend.

Spending time along River Street in Savannah is definitely more about seeing than it is doing.  Fortunately, “seeing” is often much less expensive than “doing”, which is why Savannah is a great place for a cheap vacation.  It’s a slow paced destination that can provide the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation or a romantic getaway.

All photos by Britt Reints.

One of the best things about having a three-year-old is that their fascination with the world around them can, in turn, rekindle that same fascination in a 41-year-old codger like me. The fascination du jour? Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Dinosaurs. Isn’t it convenient then that we have near us one of the largest dinosaur tracks sites in the country?

Dinosaur State Park is located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut about 10 minutes south of Hartford. The Park officially opened in 1968—two years after more than 2,000 tracks were uncovered during a building excavation. The tracks are from the early Jurassic period and were made over 200 million years ago by a carnivorous dinosaur similar to Dilophosaurus.

Surrounding the geodesic dome that provides cover for 500 tracks (the remaining 1,500 have since been buried to preserve them) are a series of nature trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum, home to conifers, katsuras and ginkgoes and others that would have been common when the great beasts roamed the earth.

In addition to the tracks, visitors will find under the dome life-sized dioramas depicting the Triassic and Jurassic periods complete with common plants and creatures including the aforementioned Dilophosaurus. There are also several interactive displays, a reconstruction of a geologic foundation, highlights of the tracks’ discovery, as well as a discovery room with several lizards, some Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dinosaur arts and crafts: emboss a bookmark with footprints or create a dinosaur-shaped ornament.

There is also an auditorium that shows educational films on the weekends. Most recently they were showing Dinosaurs with Bill Nye (the Science Guy), however the subjects do rotate. During warmer months, visitors can create their own track cast in the track casting area. If you’re so inclined, be sure to bring the necessary supplies.

The park grounds are open daily 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (trails close at 4:00 p.m.). The exhibit center is open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday—closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The cost is $5 for adults and teens (13 and over); $2 for youths (ages 6-12); and Free for children five and under.