I spent the better part of last Tuesday’s lunch hour checking out the Concord Farmers’ Market in Todos Santos Plaza.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, you’ve probably noticed these outdoor grocery stores popping up all over the place. In addition to Concord you can hit Farmers’ Markets in Clayton, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and dozens of other Bay Area cities.
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(photo courtesy of Clayton.com- All other photos by Joe Romano)
I recently introduced you to Clayton, CA, a small town in the shadow of Mt. Diablo.
After many years of political wrangling, Clayton finally managed to move forward with its plans for The Grove Park, which is now a focal point for many of Clayton’s downtown activities.
Situated between Main St., Center St. and old Marsh Creek Rd, the park is home to what was once a huge orchard of Eucalyptus trees, referred to by locals simply as “the grove.” As a kid I spent many a 4th of July in the grove. Residents would gather there after the traditional 4thof July parade to enjoy barbequed corn-on-the-cob, hot dogs and watermelon. There were greased pole climbing contests and other great activities. Nowadays the grove is home to a local farmers market and some fabulous evening concerts. Saturday night Lisa and I took in local act, Mamaluke.
Billed as one of “the Bay Area’s premier classic rock dance bands,” Mamaluke was also one of two finalists in KFOX radio’s “Last Band Standing” competition. Adding to their local roots, two members, lead singer Kenny Byers and guitarist Chris Rossi, graduated from Clayton Valley High School. And, to drill-down even further on the local slant, I was in Mr. Almond’s 5thgrade class with Chris Rossi, and worked at Skipolini’s Pizza with Kenny Byars. Did any of this earn me a guest vocal during last night’s show? Performance fail!
Nevertheless, take one warm summer night, mix in a pitcher of sangrias and one of Skipolini’s famous pies, and top off with some great rock and roll; result - a guaranteed great time. All of Clayton’s local eateries literally surround The Grove, and all of them offer food to go. Or you can even save a few bucks and bring your own picnic.
There’s also the Clayton Store on the south end of the park for those last minute snack and beverage purchases. I’d suggest arriving a little early to stake out a nice spot on the lawn. Throw out a blank, have a beverage and a snack, read and enjoy the sunshine before show time.
The Grove Park also has a playground and plenty of room to run, so Concerts in the Grove is definitely a kid-friendly event.
To check out upcoming concerts, click here –> Concerts in the Grove - 2009 <— there.
The Grove Park
Main St. and Marsh Creek Rd.
Clayton, CA, 94517
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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.
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When I moved to Arizona in the fall of 1993, the weather was a balmy 80 degrees. I thought to myself, “After a lifetime of grueling winters in Maine, this place is going to be like paradise!” Then, fall gave way to winter, and winter abruptly turned into 100+ degree searing heat. In MAY. I panicked. I was completely ill-equipped to deal with the furnace-like conditions. I contemplated packing up and moving the 3000 miles back home. I may have cried.
Yeah, that first summer was rough. But I learned some very valuable lessons, tips, and tricks, on how to get through three to four months of triple-digit temperatures. I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to!
1. Go North!
The higher elevations of Arizona enjoy four full seasons (unlike the desert, which only boasts two - Hot, and Not Hot), with summer temperatures ranging in the high 70’s to low 80’s. Flagstaff is a popular destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and just plain ol’ getting out of the heat. Only a two-hour drive from the Phoenix metropolitan area, this college town is also popular for its shopping, fine and casual dining, and historic Route 66. It is a natural stopping-off place on the way to the Grand Canyon. It’s a great destination for a day-trip, or an extended stay.
If you and your family enjoy camping - tent or RV - the White Mountains recommend themselves as a beautiful, scenic, and COOL location. Show Low, Pinetop/Lakeside, and the surrounding areas offer countless improved campgrounds, and many areas where unimproved (non-hosted) camping is permitted. Big Lake, near Springerville, is a lovely remote area which hosts both tent and RV camping, and even boasts a handful of cabins for rent. There are public showers, boat rentals, and a general store - which is very handy, considering the hour-long drive back out to civilization if you’ve forgotten something vital.
2. Play Indoors!
Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wide variety of entertainment in cool, air-conditioned comfort. The Phoenix Art Museum is a world-class facility featuring permanent collections spanning cultures and genres, and a varied schedule of exhibitions and events. The museum is free to all on Tuesdays from 3:00-9:00 p.m., and the first Friday evening of each month from 6:00-10:00 p.m. At all other times, admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children.
Another popular destination, especially for families with young children, is the Arizona Science Center. There are many hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. You’ll definitely want to schedule a full day to take advantage of everything the Science Center has to offer. General admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children. Special exhibits, the IMAX theater, and the planetarium are an additional cost.
Throughout the summer months, Chase Field is occupied by the Arizona Diamondbacks and visiting teams, as well as various scheduled sporting and non-sporting events. The stadium may have a vast retractable roof, but it stays closed during the summer months and is cooled to a comfortable 78 degrees, on average.
3. Resort Life!
Top resorts in Arizona are fully aware that it’s hard to entice customers to come play in 100+ degree temperatures. Many of them, such as the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, and The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa, offer significantly discounted rates and packages to appeal to “stay-cationers” and visitors alike.
Look for a resort with a large swimming pool or complex of water features. A swim-up bar isn’t a bad idea, either. Many resorts offer full and mini-spa treatments for men and women alike, as well as fitness classes, golf lessons, and entertainment for the children. Hundreds of locations offer a multitude of options, so go here to find the best place for you. The best rates are typically offered in the months of July and August.
4. Don’t Forget!
No matter what activities you indulge in while in Arizona, it is vitally important to remember these things:
This is but a very small selection of all of the available choices to escape the raging Arizona heat. I’ve indulged in them all - some more than a few times - and they’re some of the things that make it bearable to live in this state summer after summer (after summer).
Stay cool out there!
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My son Lucas and I, at our local spot - South Ponto beach, north San Diego county.
There’s a saying among veteran surfers: if you don’t surf, don’t start. I was told that several years ago, didn’t listen, and became hopelessly addicted to the greatest activity known to man. (Well, the second greatest.) I’ve ridden waves all up and down the California coast, from warm summer Pipes to the frigid and spooky waves a few hundred miles north of San Francisco, and while I’d never tell someone to not learn how to surf, I’d certainly give them an earful about the right way to go about it. As we head into spring, many people will be traveling to America’s Finest City and the place that I call home, San Diego. And quite a few of them will be thinking about paddling out for the first time. If you are, here are some tips that will make your experience a fun and safe one, for you and the other people you’ll encounter in the water.
The Ocean Can And Will Kill You If You Aren’t Careful And Prepared
Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Well, no, actually I did. Go to any southern California beach on any busy summer weekend and you’ll get to watch the lifeguards earn their pay, plucking hapless swimmers (of ALL abilities) out of the water left and right. The ocean’s a living thing: there are longshore and rip currents that will pull you up and down and out to sea before you know it, there are holes and rocks and stingrays and jellyfish waiting to mess up your feet and ankles, and there are waves that look manageable but have the power to drag you down to the bottom and keep you there. It’s not, as many non-beach people assume, a big pool, or even a big lake. Assuming that you are a strong swimmer, keep in mind that while it helps, paddling a surfboard is a strenuous task that works muscles that you probably never knew you had. So two things: get yourself in surfing shape (two surfing-specific fitness books I highly recommend: Surf Flex by Paul Frediani and Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul (And Of Course Surfing) by Laird Hamilton and if you can’t get those? Pushups, pullups, and crunches. Lots of ‘em.) and when you do head down to the beach, make sure that you read the update boards that are posted on the lifeguard towers; they’ll give you all kinds of info on the current conditions.
My surfboards; different boards for different waves.
Go To A Beginner-Friendly Beach
All beaches are not the same. For beginners, picking a good spot to surf is crucial for both physical and mental health. On the physical side, bouncing off of a rocky reef is rarely enjoyable; on the mental side, trying to paddle out through and then catch challenging surf is immensely frustrating (as well as extremely tiring). In San Diego county, there are miles and miles of surfable beach - but there are very few surf breaks that are beginner-friendly. The absolute best beginner spot in the county (apologies to the locals, but they’re painfully aware of this) is La Jolla Shores. The waves are small, and the vibe is friendly (we’ll talk about that in a second); it’s the perfect place for newbies. Be warned: parking is a nightmare. Another good choice is south of the Shores; Mission Beach is a long, sand-bottom stretch of beach that sees it’s share of beginners and surf camps and classes. It can get crowded during the summer, and the waves can be bigger and trickier than La Jolla Shores’, but it’s usually a good bet.
Dry-land practice: a surf class learning how to get to their feet.
Take A Lesson. Or Two. Or Three.
Yes, there are surf schools and camps, and yes, I highly, highly recommend taking lessons. Put it this way: would you try to go skiing without taking a lesson? Surfing is infinitely more difficult than skiing or snowboarding. Yes, I’ve skied and snowboarded, and I stand by my statement - think of surfing as similar to both, but you start your run by lying face down on your skis or snowboard and have to get up and stand on them and stay standing without the aid of straps while flying down the slope, which by the way is moving up and down and sideways underneath you. San Diego’s best known surf school is Surf Diva; yes, they allow guys. Another recommended surf school is Pacific Surf School. Along with teaching students the basics of the sport, a good surf school will instruct students on how the ocean “works” (tides, swells, wave mechanics) as well as provide guidance on surfing etiquette (yes, there are unspoken rules, and it’s crucial to know them for safety reasons as well as common courtesy). You’ll learn a lot more and have a lot more fun if you take a lesson - it can take days or even weeks for a novice to catch their first wave without someone showing them the ropes. (Full disclosure: it took me exactly one month, from my first paddle-out to catching and actually riding my first wave.)
Finally, surfing requires commitment; it takes years to master, and many people, even those who surf daily, never do. But there’s no better way to spend a summer day than out in the lineup with friends, soaking up the sun and hanging out with the dolphins. (More full disclosure: I can walk across the street from my house and be at the beach, and right now I’m gazing out the window and it looks like there’s no wind and a bit of a swell, so…)
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Is there anything better than girlfriends?
One of my favorite places to get together for a weekend with girlfriends is Orlando, Florida. The weather is great year round and there is so much to do on a girls’ getaway without having to go too far.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando is my first choice for a weekend getaway with the girls. It’s obviously not cheap, but if you’re splitting the cost with three or four other women, it’s a great opportunity to spoil yourself. Nobody does luxury like The Ritz and their spa is the perfect place to spend a day pampering yourself with some of your closest friends.
Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort is next on my list of places to stay for a girls weekend in Orlando. The rooms are beautiful, the staff is amazing, and the location is excellent for access to other things to do in the area. The best part about staying at a Universal hotel is that you can get to and from Universal’s City Walk at night by water taxi. It’s a safe way for a group of girls to travel back and forth after a night of drinks and dancing.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive is the least expensive hotel on the list. It still provides a great central location with easy access to shopping and entertainment. And with rooms at about $98 a night, you’ll have more money to spend shopping!
Speaking of shopping…
Outlet Shopping in Orlando
Shopping, of course! What, too cliche? Whatever. Girls love to shop together. And the shopping in Orlando is fantastic! Oggle things you’d never dream of buying - or splurge on a pair of real Jimmy Choos - at the Mall at Millenia. Do your power shopping and bargain hunting at one of the two area outlet malls. Yes, two. Did I not tell you the shopping in Orlando was wonderful?
Check out the Orlando Shopping Guide for the inside scoop (and details on which outlet mall is better).
Go to the spa! Is there anything more girly than a trip to the spa with your girlfriends? I can feel my estrogen levels rising at the mere thought. The best spa in town is at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando. And the good news is, you don’t have to be a guest to partake in the spa services.
Head to the beach!
I am constantly hounding my girlfriends to go to the spa at The Ritz with me. My favorite part is that you can spend the entire day there with the purchase of any service. So once you’ve enjoyed your manicure (or pedicure, or deep tissue massage, or massage where people walk on your back!!), you can spend the rest of the day lounging in the zen like atmosphere. Soak in the jacuzzi or go for a swim in the pool. Cleanse your pours in the steam room and then rehydrate with orange water. The fluffy robes alone will make you feel like a princess. This place is my own personal nirvana, I swear.
Go to the beach! Sure, your hotel will have a pool. And you can always head on over to one of the local water parks. But when I’m hanging out with my girlfriends, I’d much rather lay out on a white sandy beach and watch the ocean. The closest beach to the Orlando area is Cocoa Beach. It’s about 40 minutes east of Orlando, but worth the drive if you’re a sun worshiper.
Of course, shopping and the spa and the beach are great things to do during the day. But when the sun goes down…
Universal Studio’s City Walk is my favorite place for nightlife in Orlando. It truly has something for everyone. Upscale or casual dining, dance clubs, and dueling piano bars can all be found in Universal Studio’s “entertainment complex”. You absolutely have to stop into The Rising Star, a karaoke bar that features a live band and back up dancers. The people watching is fantastic and you’re sure to have a great time.
Universal City Walk - Orlando Nightlife for Girls' Getaway
I also think City Walk offers a safe environment for women out on the town. The entire area is well lit and crawling with Universal staff and security guards.
Downtown Disney is Walt Disney World’s answer to City Walk. I don’t think it offers quite the same nightlife experience as City Walk and Disney recently closed most of the bars in the Pleasure Island section. However, Ragland Road - a very popular irish pub with waitresses who river dance on your table - is still open.
The Parliament House is an all gay resort - with a wickedly fun gay bar scene. Of course, you don’t have to be gay to hit the clubs. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, there’s a female impersonation show in The Footlight Theater. You will laugh until it hurts, and laugh some more. After the show you can dance and drink and not get hit on if you’re a straight married woman. I guarantee you will have the most fun you’ve ever had with your girlfriends here.
RuPaul at Parliament House in Orlando
Church Street is the bar district in downtown Orlando. To be an honest, I’m too old and fat to be hanging out on Church Street, except for the occasional girls’ night out. Women are younger and thinner in packs. The biggest concern here is going to be safety. Try to catch a cab back to your hotel about 30 minutes before closing time if possible. It’s not top on my list of recommendations, but it’s an option.
See why I love a girls’ getaway in Orlando? There’s so much to do and a million ways to bond with the girlfriends you don’t see often enough. Relax, gossip, be safe, and have fun!
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As any true blue Yankee can tell you, people in the South eat some weird crap.
No trip into old Confederate country is complete without a tour of abandoned plantations and a feast of foods that no self respecting northerner would have any idea how to prepare. You haven’t really experienced The South until you’ve tasted the local cuisine.
Fried Green Tomatoes in the South
Start off easy. Green tomatoes are fairly bland. I’m almost positive the only reason Southerners fry green tomatoes as opposed to normal, orange to red ripe tomatoes is because they are harder and hold up better to the frying. In fact, feel free to use that as a fun fact at parties. I’m pretty sure it’s true.
The taste experience is going to come from the batter and whatever you get to dip it in. If you’ve eaten any kind of fried vegetable (think fried cauliflower especially), you’re not in for a big culinary shocker here. You are, however, going to gain street cred with your friends back home the next that movie with Kathy Bates comes on TNT.
Boiled Peanuts - doesn't that look good?
If you’re one of those people who sucks on the peanut shells and throws away the inside nut because you don’t like the nutty flavor, boiled peanuts are perfect for you. Also? You are not weird. Other people do that too!
Boiling the peanut makes the inside kind of soft and buttery. A boiled peanut tastes very much like a boiled potato. But shrunken and slightly more salty. You still have to spit out the shells, which makes for just as charming table behavior as the unboiled variety. (Read: for God’s sake, don’t order these on a first date.)
Southern Barbeque - Ribs and side salads
Yeah, OK. You have barbeque in the north. Kind of. But you haven’t really eaten barbeque until you’ve had it made by people who dig holes in their backyards and stick the meat on sticks over those holes. Northerners do not build homemade pits in their backyards. Northerners buy grills and slow cookers and bottles of barbeque sauce from the grocery store. I think Southerners are just laid back enough to sit and watch meat cook for two days.
Listen. You go down South, you eat barbeque. And you eat it in a barbeque joint. That’s just the way it is.
Cheesy Biscuits or Cheese Biscuits or Nirvana
Two months ago I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Cheese Biscuits, and now I’m declaring them number 3 on the list of things you have to eat when you’re in the South. They are that good.
No. They are better than good. God is good. These are the perfect marriage of bread and cheese and awesome and heaven and a little dash of something almost resembling corn bread. I don’t even like cornbread, and I would trade you my first born for a lifetime supply of these babies.
The only place I’ve seen these served is in a barbeque joint. Now you have two reasons to go.
Shrimp and Grits. It doesn't get much more southern than that.
Northerners like to giggle about Southerners eating grits. Most of them don’t even realize that there is such a thing as Shrimp and Grits, or how integral it is to the southern diet. In other words, you’ll sound very seasoned and cool when you go home and tell your friends that you had Shrimp and Grits for breakfast, lunch and dinner while you were down South.
However, before you order your first dish of Shrimp and Grits, you should know that Southerners like to go a little crazy with a plate of grits. They’ll throw damn near anything in with it. If you’re ordering at a restaurant, read the menu carefully so you know everything that’s being tossed into your meal. And don’t be afraid to ask to have something excluded.
In fact, I recommend you hold the brown gravy. Order it on the side if you want to try it out, but you’ll want to taste test your shrimp and grits concoction without the brown sauce that some places drown them in. The gravy can be a little overpowering (and nasty, if you ask me).
And now… for our finale… the number one food you have to eat when you’re in the south…
DRUMROLL PLEASE…..
FRIED OYSTERS! MMMMMM!
That’s right, ladies and gentleman. As the dear, sweet waitress that works the weekend afternoon shifts at Hyman’s Seafood in Charleston will tell you, “Fried oysters is a very Southern thing. It doesn’t get much more local than that. And we just love ‘em down here. They’re mah favorite. I eat ‘em every day!”
You cannot say you have eaten southern cuisine until you’ve enjoyed an entire plate of fried oysters. And if you’d like to go crazy southern, splatter those puppies with hot sauce!
Take a big mouthful of fried oysters!
You can be confident knowing that you’ve got the recommendation of a real southern waitress and an authentic travel blogger who has experienced this unique fried food first hand! Go ahead. Dive in!
And then you can tell everyone you’ve eaten real southern food.
You’re welcome.
Pictures by Britt Reints and Becky Zigmond.
Brave display of culinary experimentation by Britt Reints.
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Beautiful Percheron Horses
“Dashing through the snow, in a two-horse open sleigh …”
Well, we did have to diverge from the song a bit on our recent winter sleigh ride. Our group of 20 couldn’t be pulled by a single horse, even a single 2300 pound Percheron. But what a magnificent ride they gave.
Brandt’s have been doing horse drawn wagon and sleigh rides for years. With temps just above zero, we bundled up on the sleigh, sang some songs and enjoyed a smooth ride through the woods east of Antigo, WI.
Family Enjoying a Sleigh Ride
The ride includes a stop to make a big fire in the woods where we heated up some soup, cooked hot dogs on a stick and passed a few bottles of wine and whiskey to warm our innards.
Brandt’s takes reservations and the father-daughter team are great about answering questions, adjusting the ride to suit your needs and giving all the little ones a turn to hold the reins where they also get a view of these giant Percheron horses.
It’s a semi-annual tradition for my family and one that I’m sure will continue.
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Bay Area Farmers’ Markets - Choose Fresh