the-amazingrach

[the-amazingrach]

Top to bottom, left to right: Views of the Sassagoula river, front of our Magnolia Bend mansion, Christmas tree in the Riverside resort, Micke towel, view from outside our room, king room at a Riverside resort.

[the-amazingrach]

Disney's Port Orleans Resort- Riverside

Howdy howdy howdy!

A lot has happened this past year- Dan and I both got new jobs, and as a result we moved to Virginia. we’re both really happy with all the changes, but sadly I haven’t had time to keep up the blog. I have, however, been able to go on a few trips, including Disney a whopping 3 times! I’m going to do a comprehensive Disney write up, but I did want to put out a quick blurb about our Thanksgiving trip to Disney World.

Dan and I were married at the Boardwalk Inn at Disney in 2015, and their gift to us was a season pass, good for one year from the first date of use. Due to the move and job change, we didn’t get to use it as much as we would have liked, but we did sneak in a trip during Thanksgiving week.

Since Thanksgiving is such an expensive time to travel, we opted to drive down and stay at Port Orleans-Riverside. We had never stayed at a moderate resort, but I’d heard so many good things about both Riverside and French Quarter that it made it an easy choice. I specifically chose Riverside because of some refurbishments going on at French Quarter, and I liked the southern charm of Riverside.

Some resort details: Riverside has two sections: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. Alligator Bayou is appealing for larger families as they have rooms with Murphy beds, as well as they (relatively) new princess-themed rooms. Magnolia Bend has buildings that looks like southern mansions. The Sassagoula River runs through both French Quarter and Riverside, and ultimately leads to Disney Springs. There is boat transportation directly to Disney Springs, and it really is a lovely ride. In the center of the Riverside resort is Riverside Mill, which is the main hub- lobby, store, quick-service, Boatwrights Dining Hall (table-service), boat transportation, etc. again, loved the vibe of this area as it was lots of wood, overlooked the river, and had an impressive lobby. Both French Quarter and Riverside has large, themed pools, as well as several smaller “quiet” pools. If I’m not mistaken, guests staying at either section have access to all the pools on the property.

We were not disappointed. The resort was so pretty and peaceful, the room was comfortable, and as always, the staff was friendly. I think the only thing stopping this resort from being considered a deluxe is the room style. Again, the room was perfectly comfortable, it just doesn’t have a private patio or balcony, which the rooms at deluxe resorts tend to have. The bathroom area is also smaller than those in the deluxe resorts; although, I liked the double vanity set-up, and there was a curtain you could pull for privacy.

The resort is very sprawling. We lucked out and we’re in a building that was directly across from Riverside Mill so we didn’t have too long of a walk. My one never-ending gripe, in every resort, is that they need to put in more mug refill stations. When I stopped in the Grand Floridian last month (more on that later) I noticed that Gasparilla had new Coke Freestyle machines, so maybe they are closer to making a change. We’ve learned to keep some bottled water and such in the room, but it’s still a pain to walk to the main quick-service for a drink.

We also enjoyed both the main, themed pool and the quiet pool close to our room. It was Thanksgiving so it was a bit chilly, but we had some warm days and could relax in the sun. We also loved the boat transportation to Disney Springs, some of our favorite restaurants are there so it was especially convenient. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider booking here in the future.

Some things we learned and didn’t love:

- This was our first and last trip to Disney during Thanksgiving. Just too crowded for old pros like us. In all the years I’ve been going, I’ve never been when it was that crowded. We had the convenience of leaving the parks when it got too overwhelming, especially since we’ve been so many times that we did not feel the need to go in every ride. Pro-tip: if you don’t have kids and have flexible vacation time, go the first week in December. The Thanksgiving crowd is gone, Christmas crowds haven’t hit yet, the weather can still hit around 80, and all the beautiful decorations are out.

- The resort only had bus transportation to the parks. That was ok, but because of the crowds, the buses were often at capacity and we’d have to wait for another one. There are several bus stops along the property and you can look up the stop pattern, if you feel like trying for a room closer to one of the earlier stops. I would say that during non-crazy-peak times the bus transportation is perfectly fine.

- Mousekeeping: from what I’ve read, this is an issue across all the resorts. The Mousekeepers were great and did a good job, but they often wouldn’t get to our room until 3-4pm. For us, this is prime nap and relax time. It may sound like a small thing, but when we travel, we value our downtime and like having the room made up, so this often cut into that. There was also some trash around the resort, lots of piles of dirty towels, etc. I really think this is just a staffing issue- all of the resorts are huge, and without enough Mousekeepers, upkeep becomes difficult.

On to photos!

[the-amazingrach]

The TSA Or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the pat-downs

Hello! It’s been awhile; a post on our recent honeymoon cruise in the works, but I wanted to take a moment to discuss the TSA.

The TSA has been making headlines lately. On Sunday, May 15th, hundreds of passengers in Chicago missed flights due to long security lines, leaving people stranded overnight at the airport, and airlines had to subsequently add additional flights to compensate. Days after that incident, it was then revealed that the TSA failed a whopping 95% of security tests performed by the Department of Homeland Security. This wasn’t small potatoes either- Red Teams (undercover federal agents that are experts at evasiveness) were able to get explosives past security checkpoints. All of this (and more) led to a statement from Jeh Johnson, Secretary for Homeland Security, announcing the removal of Kelly Hogan, the head of TSA security. TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger followed with additional announcements regarding leadership changes.

Before we go further, lets have a little history review of the TSA. The TSA, or, the Travel Security Agency, was created by the Department of Homeland Security after the 9/11 attacks. Airport security existed before the TSA, but was conducted by private security companies contracted by specific airlines (i.e., if American Airlines owned a departure concourse in an airport, several private security companies would put in a bid and one would eventually be contracted by American Airlines.) And just to be real for a second, terrorism and airline attacks occurred before 9/11 (PanAm 103 in 1988, UTA Flight 772 in 1989, Air France Flight 8969 in 1994, etc.) But having a federal agency devoted to the establishment, research, and standardization of security procedures is a good thing, right? 

Maybe.

Aside from the recent incidents, the TSA has never received much love from the public. It’s been troublesome and cumbersome from the start, and while I do not believe there’s a way to make flying (or any transportation, really) 100% safe or risk-free, the TSA does have plenty of room for improvement. Let’s take of of it’s newer initiatives; TSA Pre-Check. For a fee of $85, any low-risk US Citizen (or US National and Lawful Permanent Resident) can complete an application for approval. This entails submitting to a background check (fingerprints included) and a visit to an Enrollment center.  LoungeBuddy does a great summary of the process here. Once approved, you are issued a PIN to use when booking, and this entitles you to go through a special line where you do not need to remove your shoes, 3-1-1 liquids bag, or electronics (some restrictions may apply.) The TSA is really pushing this initiative to help alleviate long security lines, but not many people are buying in. First, the fee. I get that background checks and such take time and money, but hey, I’m doing the TSA a favor- I’m submitting myself for further inspection, taking time out of my schedule to go to an enrollment center, and I have to pay? Lines are long right now because summer is gearing up, and those flying are more than likely going on a vacation- that happens what, once or twice a year? So trying to convince someone who flies 1-2 times per year to pay out $85 for a one-time breeze through doesn’t seem worth it. If you travel for business, maybe...but as my husband and I were discussing, there’s a push-pull here with the TSA that isn’t sitting right. Aside from that, Pre-Check lines are not always open, and are dependent on the airport and airline. So after all the hassle, you may not even get to take advantage.

Second pain point- lack of agents. I recently learned that TSA agents are also farmed out to serve as security at political campaign events. This kind of blew my mind. Security agents are provided for all candidates (some more than others, cough cough, but we’ll put that aside.) So we’re in the midst of the busy travel season, agents are failing tests, people are sleeping on airport floors because they missed their flights, because security took so long, because there weren’t enough agents, and these agents are being sent to other events? Insert Kermit the Frog angry face here.

Lastly, is the TSA really keeping us safe? Recent evidence suggests not. The likelihood of encountering a terrorist situation as a passenger is pretty rare. That doesn’t mean throw security out the window, but the TSA seems to be spread pretty thin and spending a lot of time and money on screening that isn’t necessarily effective. Vox makes some pretty strong arguments for going back to private security here.

Alright, let’s move on from pain points, because this could take days. Let’s focus on what you can do to make your trip easier. First, get to the airport in plenty of time. Sitting around the terminal can be boring, but I can guarantee you that missing your flight won’t give you the adrenaline rush you were hoping for. Second, make your carry-ons easy to access. If you’re bringing liquids, pack them correctly in their baggie. Have your laptop easily accessible so you can pull it out. Wear shoes you can slip in and out of quickly. Do not wear your replica of the Heart of the Ocean. Make sure you don’t have any weapons on you- Griffin Multi-Tools count (poor Dan, he’s had to toss out at least three of those because he forgot it was in his pocket.) Don’t try to smuggle huge bottles of water, lotion, or your cat through the checkpoint. Lastly, just get on with it. Pat-downs are not fun, agents can be rude, nobody likes the big x-ray machine...arguing or being hostile won’t get you through the line any faster, in fact, it can earn you a one-way ticket to a holding cell. Airline travel is stressful enough, but once you get through security, it’s smooth sailing.

[the-amazingrach]

Weekend Getaway: Lancaster

Things have been a little stressful lately, so Dan and I decided to take a break from things and we spent the weekend up in Lancaster, PA. We’ve gone a couple times now, once with my parents, and now by ourselves, and the main draw is the hotel. 

A few years ago, my mom and I took a bus trip, and we stopped for lunch at the Best Western Premier Eden Resort and Suites in Lancaster. We were surprised because a Best Western is usually along the lines of a motel, but this one was really pretty and had lots of amenities. The restaurant was also delish, always a bonus factor. 

So, we went there this weekend because the price is right, their restaurant is great, and they also have a lovely indoor pool and spa area. We drove up on Saturday morning, and our first stop was the Conewago Recreational Trail . The restaurant offers a Prime Rib Buffet every evening (do we sound old yet?) and so we wanted to lessen the damage by going for a nice walk. It was an overcast day, but the trail was really nice. Its crushed stone and almost completely flat, so its nice and easy for us beginner hikers. The trail runs right through several farms, so there’s plenty of scenery. We had a little kitty that I dubbed ‘Poe” guide us for a bit. We walked for about 2 hours and then decided to head on into Lancaster for lunch and check-in. We got a little turned-around because GPS wouldn’t register, but we passed a bona fide  Amish farmer plowing the field with several mules, so that was interesting.

We grabbed some sandwiches and then checked into our room. The Front Desk attendant was super friendly, and even though we were a little early, our room was ready. We also got a cute little bag of local chocolates when we checked in. The rooms are pretty large, and they also have suites and villas for families. It was pretty crowded- spring break, and a couple conferences, so the hotel was busy but not overwhelming. After dumping our stuff we headed for the hot tub. 

We had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Arthur’s Terrace. Sometimes buffets can be iffy, but this one is amazing, with perfect prime rib, lots of sides, salad, and soup. For $27 (includes NA drinks) it’s quite a steal. We called it a night pretty early afterwards. In the morning we ate again at Arthur’s Terrace, opting for their breakfast buffet, which is also delicious. They do also offer a Champagne brunch on Sundays, and it looks like quite the to-do. It’s $35 a person, but they have everything from typical breakfast favorites to prime rib and salad. It’s held in their atrium, which is beautiful. I wish I’d remembered it when we were planning our wedding! 

After check-out, we stopped at a small local market and picked up some soup and bread, then headed for home.

Overall, it was a quite, relaxing weekend, which is exactly what was needed.

Top to bottom:

 Hotel exterior, Lobby, Front Desk, Atrium, Room, Vanity, Bathroom,  Overpacked

[the-amazingrach]

Honeymoon Booked!

Dan and I were married in Disney World, which was great because it was kind of a honeymoon mixed with the actual wedding. That being said, weddings are super stressful and even though we had an amazing time with our friends and family, we’ve been planning to take a for-real honeymoon for a couple of months.

Our criteria: All-inclusive, relaxing, good food, easy to get to, warm temps.

Ideas: Mexico, Caribbean Cruise, Portugal, Mexico

Winner: Royal Caribbean 9-night Bermuda/Bahamas cruise sailing out of Baltimore in early May.

Why: Portugal was my front-runner, until I spoke to our travel agent and she said it would be too cold this time of year to really enjoy the beaches, so we’ll save that for another time. We went to Mexico and stayed at a fabulous resort (see Mexico post) but sadly, it was way, way out of our budget for this trip. We pretty quickly decided on the cruise because it was extremely affordable, and left out of Baltimore which means we don’t have to pay for airfare (major bonus.)

A little about cruising...

This will be our third cruise, and we’ve only sailed with Royal Caribbean. Our first was a 5-night Bermuda cruise out of Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Seas, and the second was about 3 years ago, which was a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise that left from Ft. Lauderdale on the Allure of the Seas (their biggest ship at that time). Both were amazing, different experiences. The Bermuda cruise was a smaller ship, and because of the destination, was a lot of adults (including lots of couples our age.) We really loved it because they had a ton of activities, which sounds cheesy, but were so much fun. My mom was pretty floored when Dan told her I went to a salsa lesson. Since the ship was smaller, it was also a lot easier to navigate. The Allure of the Seas was crazy impressive, it was overwhelming when you first stepped on. They literally had everything-including an ice rink. I liked the promenade area, which was made to look like a cobblestone street. Because of the ship size and destination, there were lots of families and kids. Not necessarily an issue, but I think the biggest downfall was because the ship was so big, you had to plan quite a bit in advance (like book seats for a show, dinner reservations, etc.) and it was quite a trek to get from a to b. But, they had lots of cool lounges, we especially loved the jazz club as it had winged velvet chairs and great music- very unique and relaxing. Overall, we were very happy with both, but I’m looking forward to being back on a smaller ship where we can spontaneously go to shows and activities. 

Many people are skeptical of cruises- some say they don’t want to be trapped, others are worried about the recent illness outbreaks, etc. Obviously all that needs to be taken into consideration, but in our experience, the ships, or at least Royal Caribbean, is hyper-vigilant about ship cleanliness, and they do ask guests to regularly sanitize with Purell before eating or re-boarding. A guest in the room across from us had vomited in his room, and when housekeeping noticed the next morning, they were all on walkie-talkies hunting him down to make sure it was hangover-related, and not Norovirus. So, we feel pretty comfortable. As for other disasters...they can happen on any vacation, and Royal Caribbean has proven to take care of its guests when something happens. 

We’ve also never felt trapped. The boats are much bigger than you realize, even the smaller ships. It’s true, the actual guest rooms are pretty small, but they make use of space and honestly, you aren’t in there much. There are so many lounges, sitting areas, pool decks, etc where you can sit peacefully and read or get out of your room. Each port also has excursions, which are optional, but some can be fun. My favorite so far was a Sand Bar excursion we took in Haiti- it was a short boat ride to a sandbar island, clear water all around for easy swimming, and was super relaxing. There’s a lot to choose from- hiking, sightseeing, water activities, etc. These do add up in price so we are trying to limit ourselves to 2 for this trip, and spend the rest of the time exploring on our own.

BEWARE: If you are late getting back to the ship when in port, there will be serious consequences. Depending on where you are, they’ll even leave you. One person was late getting back on our last cruise, which delayed our departure. We were on a small island, so they waited until Jamaica (next stop) and kicked that person off. No refunds or assistance is given, so you have to make your way home on your own. 

Other things we love: the food (always delicious with excellent service) the Solarium area (adult only swim area) the all-inclusive, and hey, the price. You get a lot of bang for your buck on cruises.

We’ve stayed with Royal Caribbean because Carnival doesn’t interest me, and RC has the best mix- people our age who just chill, families, older couples, etc. Some party people, but they aren’t disruptive. 

Overall, we’re happy with our choice and are counting down the days!

This is turning into another super long post, and I haven’t even addressed some topics I wanted to. So I’ll leave it at this, and if you have any other questions, post them!

[the-amazingrach]

Throwback Thursday: Mexico

Dan and I have managed to take quite a few trips up until this point, and I’ve decided the best way to recap these vacations is to do a few Throwback Thursday posts, so be on the lookout the next few weeks!

Winter finally hit Maryland this past week, so I thought what better way to celebrate than by reminiscing about white sandy beaches and cold margaritas? Ok so maybe it’s torture but still, this will be fun.

Towards the end of 2014 we decided to go to an all-inclusive in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen area. Now, there seem to be a couple of camps when it comes to all-inclusive resorts- you either love it, hate it, or have never tried it. Dan and I are big fans, because you really don’t have to worry about anything.  In most cases, all-inclusive resorts give you a lot of bang for your buck- for a set price, you get your room, meals, non-alcoholic drinks (and usually alcoholic drinks too) great pools, beaches, activities, and services. Great right? To us, it is, but it all depends on what you are looking for. If you want a super adventurous trip where you won’t be at the hotel most of the day, and you want to frequently eat off-site, then an AI probably isn’t for you. On the other hand, if the goal of your trip is to relax and be pampered, then you should definitely consider an AI. Mexico probably has the most in any one region- both on the East and West coast.

A note about safety: I’ve been to Mexico before, my parents had been many times, and so I didn’t have any qualms. Dan was hesitant, but my advice for traveling to any potentially unsafe country is this: be smart. For us, that meant mostly staying at our resort- we were fine with this, as the one we picked was huge. If you do venture out, which you can totally do in Mexico, then be aware of your surroundings, stick to public places, travel in groups. Also, research the area. That means that in Mexico, places like Acapulco and Mazatlan are probably going to be off the table. Another tip- keep a photocopy of your passport separate from your actual passport. If you lose it, it will be much easier to replace. 

So, because of all the above, I searched for a resort in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area (about 40 minutes south of Cancun proper.) I went through Apple Vacations (http://www.applevacations.com) because they have pretty good deals and you can research hotels at a glance, which is how I found Grand Velas. I’m not going to lie- I picked it because I thought the picture was pretty. I also checked out quite a few reviews both on Apple Vacations and TripAdvisor, and really, I could hardly find a negative one. It was more expensive than other resorts, but they had the most restaurant options (we like variety) and I liked that they had different sections to stay in: Grand, Ambassador, and Zen. Grand and Ambassador are both beachfront- Ambassador is for families while Grand doesn’t allow children. Zen is also for families, but situated back from the beach. We went for Zen because it was more affordable- but by no means were we disappointed, and I would choose it again because it’s surrounded by lush gardens with lots of wildlife. It was very....zen. 

We went in June, which is shoulder season- spring break is over, and temps start really warming up so most people opt to go in fall or spring. But, we didn’t find it overwhelming hot so late May-July is a great time to go if you want a summer trip with a lower cost.

Service: Outstanding. We’d get down to the pool area and the moment I started to walk to chairs the attendants would set it up with chairs, an umbrella, and a bucket of iced bottled water. Everyone was friendly and helpful without being overbearing. Most spoke English fluently, but I can hold my own when it comes to Spanish so communication was easy.

Food: Most complaints about AI’s stem from food choices. Either the food is low quality, or there isn’t enough variety. We never experienced that- Grand Velas had 8 restaurants, and we tried them all. Some were better than others, but overall we had great meals. The food was fresh, the restaurants were immaculate, and the service attentive. Breakfast was always a favorite- I loved that they incorporated local favorites....migas and chilaquiles FTW! Not to mention fresh pressed juices. We took a tour of their gardens one morning- they grow their own herbs and much of their own fruit, which was great to see.

Rooms: I loved the Zen section. It was all dark wood with water features and lush gardens centering each building. The walkways were covered thatch, and overall I liked the open-air feeling. The rooms were huge and luxurious- our room had a king bed, plus a whole living room section. The bathroom had a luxury whirlpool and separate rainfall shower. Our patio overlooked a cute pond and I loved hearing the birds every morning. It was very private- we never felt crowded in. 

Amenities: Each section had it’s own large pool, and then there was the beachfront. What drew me to this resort was that it was a private beach- meaning that others from different hotels couldn’t come over. There were some beach vendors that would walk past, but they never approached unless we asked, so no big deal. The pools were stunning. Each had a swim-up bar, and these little circle ‘seating’ sections on the side. Chairs were easy to find for the most part- sometimes the Grand class pool filled up quickly, but there was an abundance of other pools and areas to sit. I did see cards in the room that during busy times, they ask that you call ahead so that they can set chairs up for you. Which means that it must get pretty crowded- but they notice, and manage it. One of my pet peeves is people reserving chairs for hours on end and not using them, I like that Grand Velas keeps that in check. 

We also used the spa and OH MY GOD. The Grand Velas spa is renowned and I got to see why. We had a couples massage, but before you go in for your treatment, you’re treated to a ‘healing areas’ tour. This was a sequence of rooms: mud, sauna, steam, ice (with actual ice bits dropping down), vapor, and God knows what else, that you spent about 5 minutes in each. After that, you went through a whole pool sequence- cold, hot, jets, bubble beds, you name it. My words are not doing this spa justice. Just know that if you go to Grand Velas, you have to experience it.

Excursions: We did go on a snorkeling excursion booked through the hotel, and that was kind of meh. I’m a strong swimmer and we’ve been snorkeling multiple times, but I didn’t love this one. We went out on diving boats and couldn’t take anything with us- no towels or bags- they had to be left with third party, and I didn’t love their security system. The guides were nice enough, but we hit some choppy water that day, and each stop got progressively deeper. By the third stop I had to get back on the boat, the current was too much for me. It seemed a lot of people felt the same, and unfortunately I got seasick on the ride back. The previous summer we’d gone on a snorkeling trip, but it was on a large catamaran and they had snacks, drinks, music, etc. and I guess I was expecting that. This was more of a “ok...you can get off the boat and swim now” type of excursion. Next time I think I’ll book an excursion through Apple Vacations, as I think they have more options. Xel-Ha,  a park centered around a lagoon, is also supposed to be great- we skipped it because it was an all day activity, but it gets positive reviews. 

Overall, this was a 5 star trip. Grand Velas has several other properties- the Riviera Nayarit looks to be a copy of Riviera Maya, there’s also Velas Vallarta, also on the West Coast, that is a bit smaller but also gets great reviews. We may be exploring that next time.

So, if you’re looking for a trip where you are pampered, not only do I recommend All-Inclusives, but also Grand Velas. 

http://www.grandvelas.com/

http://www.applevacations.com/

Below: Beach area, Ambassador section, delicious margarita, pool (one of many), poolside, room service, room sitting area, Zen lobby, view from room. 

[the-amazingrach]

Eat: Victoria Gastro Pub

Per the usual, we waited until the last minute to make NYE plans (see previous post and general dislike of NYE.) I was feeling pretty burned out in terms of the holidays, so I asked Dan to take care of plans...and then 15 minutes later I texted him to let him know I had made reservations at Victoria’s.

Victoria Gastro Pub opened late 2007 in Columbia, Maryland (a stone’s through from Baltimore.) Owned by the Marriner family, this is their first restaurant, but their success has led them to open Manor Hill Brewery, and a second restaurant is slated to open in Clarksville in 2016/2017.  We visited Victoria’s around the time it opened, and were impressed, but didn’t visit again until we moved to the Ellicott City area a few years ago. Since then, it’s become one of our local favorites. The menu is elevated pub fare- think duck fat fries, Wagyu burgers, and lemon-basil crab cakes. The inside is warm and inviting- there’s a large bar when you walk in, with plenty of high tops and bar stools. The dining room is separated into several coves and rooms, all dark wood, unique lighting fixtures, medieval-like doors, and velvet curtains. Victoria’s is one of those restaurants where you can either come wearing jeans and hoodie or more dressed up, but feel at ease either way.

I could go on forever about the normal  menu, but I’ll stick to our NYE experience. They were offering a special, limited menu, and one thing I love about Victoria’s is that they keep things simple- six or seven appetizers, same with entrees, and about 5 desserts. We both had the crab and curry bisque to start, then Dan had the beef short rib for his entree, while I opted for the lamb t-bones.  We took one bite, and I was somewhere between crying and throwing my plate. It was delicious. The beef melted like butter, and the lamb was perfectly cooked. Both came with mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas- which I don’t even like, yet somehow I was disappointed when they were all gone. For dessert, we shared the cookies and cream trifle- filled with fudge, Bailey’s chocolate cake, and a homemade cookies and cream custard, it was decadent and rich, but the perfect end (and perfect size for sharing.)  I was so, so glad they took burgers and fish and chips off the menu for the night- it forced us to choose something new, and we were not disappointed. As usual, the service was excellent, and the drinks were great. Dan had a Christmas beer, and I tried the Sofia by Coppola Blanc de Blancs- a sparkling white that comes in an adorable little can, which I found hilarious (but tasty.) The bill came to $130, which I thought was decent for 3 courses and drinks for 2 people. 

Overall, this ended up being one of our best NYE experiences- great food at a place we loved, and back home in time to watch the ball drop. 

Below: Handsome husband, menu, lamb t-bone, and beef short rib. 

[the-amazingrach]

New Year’s Resolutions

...are the worst. Really, they are- it’s just undue pressure on yourself and you end up feeling like a failure when you don’t keep them. That being said, I do have some goals for 2016. Starting this Tumblr is the first. 

I love to travel. Even when I was a kid, I was the first one to get mopey about going home. There’s something about vacation that makes everyone get along and love each other, and on top of that you’re relaxed because you are (hopefully) somewhere you want to be. About two years ago, I started writing reviews on TripAdivsor, which I loved because unlike some other travel sites, its not all full of negative reviews. People who loved their hotel/restaurant/activity post just as much as people who had a bad experience, so there’s a nice balance. This past summer, I took on a temporary (paid) assignment with Gogobot, a user-based travel review site. I visited 50+ hotels and wrote short reviews, describing things like cleanliness, customer service, the overall vibe, etc. I also created ‘City Guides’, these nifty things where you basically create a list that fits a theme, and has 10-12 associated spots with short reviews (think “Brunch in Baltimore” or “Baltimore’s Best Spas”) It was a great experience, and really made me think about the future and what I want to do.

So, I’m going to start here. The idea is to write reviews- I don’t want to limit it to just vacations/hotels, because I only have the money to do that once or twice a year, but also things like restaurants and events in the MD/Baltimore/DC/VA area. I’ll post some photos, and some videos...you’ll probably get to see my dog, Olive, and husband, Dan, because I love them and spend most of my time with them. 

Adventure is out there!