On another street artists depicted some vintage neon signs familiar to locals who have been around awhile. Both nearby Tempe and Phoenix are supporting mural art. There's no need to have a blank wall! Learn more about public art in Mesa.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Spray Can Art - Mesa Arizona
On another street artists depicted some vintage neon signs familiar to locals who have been around awhile. Both nearby Tempe and Phoenix are supporting mural art. There's no need to have a blank wall! Learn more about public art in Mesa.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Liz's Travel News and Views: Santa Fe, Portland Ice Cream and Historic Arizona Inn
Interesting travel and foodie news from across the West.
Travel + Leisure Selects Santa Fe as #3: Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most eminent travel publications, announced that Santa Fe placed #3 Favorite Town In America with a population under 100,000 in their 2016 America’s Favorite Places survey. This six-month survey asked respondents to submit their favorite place and rate it in over 65 categories including affordability, notable restaurants, and public parks.
Travel + Leisure Selects Santa Fe as #3: Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most eminent travel publications, announced that Santa Fe placed #3 Favorite Town In America with a population under 100,000 in their 2016 America’s Favorite Places survey. This six-month survey asked respondents to submit their favorite place and rate it in over 65 categories including affordability, notable restaurants, and public parks.
The magazine’s editors noted that “not surprisingly” the city
ranked near the top of this year’s survey for its art scene, history,
restaurants and peaceful atmosphere. They even cited excellence in margaritas
although the survey was conducted prior to the highly successful May 5 opening
of the new Santa
Fe Margarita Trail.
“Santa Fe has over 400 years of history and unique
multicultural achievement in art, food, shopping and wellness—all set against
one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world,” said Randy Randall,
Executive Director of TOURISM Santa Fe. “We’re a small town of only 80,000
people but we have over 400 restaurants, 250 galleries, 14 museums, 1.6 million
acres of National Forest and dozens of world class festivals all summer and
throughout the year. We’re honored that Travel + Leisure readers recognize that
we are called The City Different for many very good reasons.”
Summer is for Ice
Cream in Portland: Salt & Straw,
the iconic Portland-based, family-run ice cream company known for its
artisanal, chef-driven approach to an American classic, will be featuring a
series of limited edition seasonal menus at scoop shops in Portland this
summer.
The seasonal menus rotate every four weeks and showcase the
compelling stories of what is happening in the community. Starting in June,
Salt & Straw brings fermentation to the forefront, creatively using
sourdough, fish sauce and fermented honey for the flavor-packed fermentation
series.
Throughout the month, explore the nuanced flavors that can
be achieved through fermentation, beyond just salty and funky.
In July, the summer berry bounty will steal the show, from
the marionberry to the blackberry.
Lastly in August, Salt & Straw will work with the
community of local farmers and producers on a suite of flavors available in
neighborhood scoop shops from green fennel and maple to caramel corn on the
cob. Each flavor in the series features fresh, locally grown ingredients, as
well as a few from farms working to make fresh produce equitably accessible to
all.
Flavors rotate each month and are available locally at Salt
& Straw scoop shops, and are also available for national shipping.
Historic Arizona Inn Celebrates 80 Years: The
Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, near Phoenix, the onetime home of cowboy
artist Lon Megargee, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year
with renovations and a resort package that tells the story of the property’s
historic charm. This quaint hacienda-style property is sure to impress with
cozy, remodeled casitas, a new roundabout and 24-hour valet, and a
brand-spanking-new resort lobby that features a comfy fireplace.
Rejoice in all
that’s old and new at The Hermosa Inn with the 80th Anniversary package,
which celebrates Lon’s innovative spirit as a painter. Kick off the celebration
at check-in with a glass of sparkling wine. Later, meander over to the resort’s
signature restaurant LON’s with your $80 dining credit and head off-site for a
dose of culture with complimentary admission for two to Phoenix Art Museum. Upon your return, settle
into bed with an enhanced turndown service that features a nightcap of the
“Alonzo 80” signature cocktail. Rates start at $289 per night and are available
through Aug. 31
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Biking the rails: The Railrider experience comes to the Oregon Coast
Coming soon to the Oregon Coast, the Railrider will provide
you with the unique experience of actually biking on train rails from Bay City
to Tillamook. Needless to say these Tillamook Bay Railroad rails are inactive during the times the Railriders are running.
 |
| Pedal the rails on this specially designed Railrider vehicle |
I found out first hand how biking the rails can feel and I’m a fan. I biked with Railriders in eastern Oregon recently and heard about their plans to start rides on the coast too. Railriders will begin offering rides on their unique pedal-powered vehicles just off Hwy 101 in Bay City by the end of May 2016.
 |
| Ready to roll! |
So what’s it like? Well, first of all it’s fairly easy. Railriders are recumbent bikes with wheels designed to fit on train rails. You will bike on a Railrider with another person, or like on the Oregon Coast, with up to three more people. Groups will be guided by Railrider staff. Pedaling is easy… after all you have help. And you can brake your own vehicle.
Can you do it? Of course. I’ve given up standard biking because of crowded bike paths and lack of confidence in my sense of balance. On the Railrider, I sat back, buckled in and pedaled with a friend. Our guide told us when to slow down to cross roads and made sure the track ahead was free of obstacles. Easy, peasy.
It was a quiet, relaxing ride. I enjoyed wildlife, farm animals and the passing scenery. And, if I wanted to take a picture, we just slowed down. When you get to your destination, guides turn the Railriders around and off you go. You’ll pedal harder if there is a grade but remember you’ll have a friend or two to help you. Little kids can ride along with adults and really don’t have to pedal.
Oh yes, she's just kidding about derailing in the video.
It's completely safe!
In eastern Oregon, there are a couple of routes. We took the one from the arts town of Joseph to Enterprise. There is also a route running from the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers at Minam to the city of Wallowa and back… gorgeous scenery!
In the Oregon Coast area watch for the buzz as Railriders
kicks off their first summer season. I suggest you call ahead if you want
to ride the rails because this is going to be hugely popular. Get ready for an
experience unlike any other.
More Information
Pedal from Bay City to Tillamook
2 hours, 11 miles round trip
$20 per person / 12 years and older
$10 / 11 years and younger when accompanied by an adult.
Departures: 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday
Purchase tickets at the location on Hayes Oyster Drive in
Bay City
541-910-0089 or 541-910-0981
Soft Opening May 26; closing for the season October 2.
A Grand Opening will be held July 2, 2016 in Bay City.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Slow down and Drink in the Beauty of Eastern Oregon and the Wallowas
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| Taken near Joseph, Wallowa County, Oregon, USA |
I've just returned from a foray into beautiful eastern
Oregon. I’ll be writing much more about my visit to a land once crossed by the
Oregon Trail pioneers and now dotted with pioneers of today… ranchers, artists,
makers and craft beer brewers. But for now, I wanted to share this photo.
Eastern Oregon is full of expansive open spaces, mountain
vistas and wildlife. Considered one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, and “Little
Switzerland,” the Wallowa Mountains are absolutely stunning.
This iconic red barn stands in contrast with the snow capped
mountains in late May. While there are many images on the Internet of this
beautiful barn, you have to stop and drink in the scenery for yourself. Take your own photo. A crisp
wind may toss your hair as you lift your camera to take the photo. Smells of
field crops fill your senses. Stop and enjoy all that eastern Oregon has to
offer. You’ll be enticed to slow down a bit.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
What’s new on the Portland food truck scene? Pastrami Zombie!
Things are always changing with Portland’s food carts. New
pod in suburban Sunnyside… pod to close due to downtown construction. I can’t
keep up!
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| Follow da signs! |
But one bit of news intrigued me. A “sammich” shop in Ashland
was kicking off their new Portland food cart concept… Pastrami Zombie. And I
was invited to the event in NE Portland. It was a very Portlandia type affair.
Chalk signs led us to the back yard of a stately craftsman style home. The
smell of barbque permeated the growing gardens. Families sat around tasting
sandwiches and voting on the bread that Pastrami Zombie should adopt for their
Portland venue. After all, one must source locally!
 |
| It was a Portlandia type party in a NE neighborhood |
Not spotting Carrie or Fred in the crowd I turned to the
star… a huge brined brisket being carved for sandwiches, hot off the grill. A
rye bread was chosen from the six different loaves and the Russian dressing was
drizzled on. Next came the Pastrami, lots of it. Topped with creamy slaw. This
was a favorite down south in Ashland. It’s their Chicago style pastrami (house
brined with Washington Double R Ranch
beef) on light rye, served hot with Swiss cheese and their house slaw.
 |
| The star of the show |
I added a bit of salad as a side and dove in to the warm
sandwich. It was amazingly tender and the slaw added a creamy goodness. Of
course, since we were sampling I chose another. This one was on the marble rye.
Amazing!
 |
| After just one sample, I was addicted! |
I chatted with Melissa McMillin the owner and founder of
Sammich in Ashland. She and her chefs create Chicago style sandwiches in
Ashland receiving rave reviews.
 |
| Chicagoan Melissa McMillin is the mastermind |
Her plan, and it's in the works, is to have a food truck to
test the waters here in Portland and, after tasting the pastrami sandwich, I
can’t wait. The truck should be ready this summer and the location(s) will be
announced.
Hey Melissa… how about checking out the mobile restaurant
scene in Vancouver. The ‘Couve needs a little pastrami love too!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
The lure of the sea: Where to find churning waves on the Oregon Coast
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| Churning seas at sunset |
Yachats Trail 804
Yachats, Oregon is located on the middle coast of Oregon. It is a popular destination for hiking, walking and whale watching. Just behind some beach cottages and sea view hotels, you'll find the often walked historic 804 Trail. There are several places along this trail where you can enjoy watching the seas and sea spray. One is behind The Fireside Motel.
Yachats, Oregon is located on the middle coast of Oregon. It is a popular destination for hiking, walking and whale watching. Just behind some beach cottages and sea view hotels, you'll find the often walked historic 804 Trail. There are several places along this trail where you can enjoy watching the seas and sea spray. One is behind The Fireside Motel.
Devil's Churn
This area is located at the Cape Perpetua Scenic area just south of Yachats. The pounding, exploding waters of Devils Churn are at their best during high tide and winter storms. At the Devils Churn you’ll find restrooms, an information station (summer only), coffee shop and wheelchair accessible viewpoint. You can view the churning waters from the highway or hike down and take a closer look.
This area is located at the Cape Perpetua Scenic area just south of Yachats. The pounding, exploding waters of Devils Churn are at their best during high tide and winter storms. At the Devils Churn you’ll find restrooms, an information station (summer only), coffee shop and wheelchair accessible viewpoint. You can view the churning waters from the highway or hike down and take a closer look.
As you watch the sun set, a golden glow tints the churning
seas.
Safety Measures
Near the lookouts and rocks you'll often sea signs warning of "Sneaker Waves." Sneaker waves can surprise you as you watch the ocean. They are unexpected wave surges that don't match the rhythm of the seas you are watching. They are known to sweep people into the water from rocks where they thought they were safe. Another time to stay way back from the sea is during storms. Waves can build and winds can cause the waters to churn and spray much farther inland than normal.
Near the lookouts and rocks you'll often sea signs warning of "Sneaker Waves." Sneaker waves can surprise you as you watch the ocean. They are unexpected wave surges that don't match the rhythm of the seas you are watching. They are known to sweep people into the water from rocks where they thought they were safe. Another time to stay way back from the sea is during storms. Waves can build and winds can cause the waters to churn and spray much farther inland than normal.
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