Brunch and Breakfast

We didn’t eat out a lot for this meal, but two of the places we tried were definitely shining stars.

Who Dat Coffee Cafe is just outside the French Quarter, and definitely worth a visit. Sitting outside is a nice treat. Ate here our last morning and wished I had done so earlier so I could come back again.

Ruby Slipper has a great atmosphere as well as food. We ate at the one located in the Marigny neighborhood. Since they can sometimes be busy, we got our food to go. I was pretty impressed with how well they packed the meals, too. They made sure to keep things separate that might make other items soggy, etc. You can get on their waitlist ahead of time, and you can also order online which makes things extra handy. Staff were fun, and it was a chill place so would be worth dining in if you feel up to it.

Traditional Foods

Sometimes people wonder if the world-famous Cafe du Monde is really “all that.” Oh yes! I have heard many people say the beignets from the location in the City Park is the best, but it’s definitely more difficult to get to if you don’t have access to a car. The historical one by the French Market is still darn good and has a fun environment. When there aren’t COVID restrictions, they’re open 24 hours a day, and there is less of a line in the evenings and early mornings. During restrictions, get there when they first open in the morning. I’m not a fan of their coffee (chickory based), but if this is your first visit to NOLA, you should give it a try just for the experience.

Po’boys are a delicious meal and a piece of New Orleans history. I’ve tried different locations, and I’ll definitely say that so far the best I’ve had are at NOLA Poboys. Eating at the restaurant can also be its own experience. It is very laidback, and your “plate” is the covered table. Don’t have to worry about being judged for licking your fingers here!

NOLA is also famous for its oysters. I can’t stand oysters, so when a food tour took the group to Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar I figured I’d just be enjoying my iced tea. However, when they arrived they looked so good I figured I’d give it a taste just because the tour guide was really trying so hard to talk them up—chargrilled oysters with butter and cheese. And she was right! I ate my whole serving.

You’ve probably heard of the muffuletta sandwich. I’ve had them in other places and have never been overly impressed. Until Central Grocery and Deli. The original owner of this place is the one who invented this sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious! Just standing inside the store had my stomach growling because of the wonderful aromas.

Fried chicken isn’t necessarily a New Orleans-specific tradition, but Willy’s Chicken Shack is definitely worth a visit. If it’s hot outside, make sure to treat yourself with one of their frozen cocktails, and you can buy an extra shot or two as well. Don’t forget, in New Orleans you can walk around the city with your cocktail in hand (geaux cup) so feel free to take it with you while you walk around after your meal.

Commander’s Palace

Yes, this place gets its own section because it’s that good. They do have a dress code (mostly for men, but it isn’t overly dressy), and I hate bringing nicer clothes on a vacation. This place is worth it! Not only is the service absolutely impeccable, but the food was amazing!

Some people who haven’t visited the South might be shocked to see turtle soup on the menu. Know that these are local snapping turtles which are plentiful in the swamps. This particular recipe goes back to the late 1800s. It’s worth giving it a try.

You will definitely want to make reservations as it is quite popular. Lunch service is less busy and also offers their famous 25-cent martinis.

The bread pudding souffle is absolutely worth having, even if you don’t typically enjoy this type of dessert.

Other great foods

Dat Dog is another place you’ll want to try. Tigger especially loved their alligator sausage.

Dian Xin is a Chinese restaurant that is really quite good. They have a lot of dishes that are more typical outside of America. Very flavorful. It was actually the best Chinese food we’ve had outside of Asia.

Which are your favorite places to eat in New Orleans?

Why Whitney Plantation?

This is a very unique plantation and museum as it is the only plantation focused on slavery in Louisiana, and one of the few museums of its kind in the world. This is especially significant considering the fact that New Orleans was the capital of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Typically, there are guides who share the perspective of life on the plantation from the perspective of the enslaved people. Because of COVID restrictions, however, they are currently not offering that part of the experience. There is a free app (Android, Apple) which you download to your phone which provides text, video, and audio guides at the various stops.

If you forget to download it before your visit, the visitor center does have free WiFi.

Even though I had learned a lot about this time period in school, our experience at Auschwitz really showed how important it is to visit these places. Learning about this horrible time in history from books and movies is one thing.

Reading their stories while you’re standing in the same spot has quite the different impact.

jails

Getting There

Whitney Plantation is located about an hour’s drive from New Orleans. Public transportation isn’t really an option, and while services like Uber and Lyft can get you there, returning will be quite a challenge with that service.

We went with Gray Line. The ticket covers your admission into the plantation and transportation to/from. It was air conditioned and had a very clean bathroom on the bus which was an extra plus. They leave from where the steamboat docks in the French Quarter, so it’s nice and easy.

Their website lists it as a 5-hour experience (because of possible traffic as you near the city on the return). You have about 2 hours to tour the plantation, and that was a good amount of time.

Sugar kettles used to produce refined sugar

What to Bring

When we went, the buses were heading out at noon. This plantation does not have a cafe or restaurant, so we ate our lunch before heading out. There are picnic tables there if you wish to wait, however. They also have some light snacks available for purchase.

Definitely bring water. They had water fountains inside the visitor center so you can refill a reusable bottle. They do have cold beverages for sale as well.

Most of the paths are compact dirt and are flat. They have some misting stations spread intermittently throughout the grounds to help you cool off which was a nice touch.

If you’re sensitive to sunlight, you may want to bring an umbrella or wear a hat since you will definitely have a good amount of sun exposure.

German Coast Uprising memorial

Spots for Deeper Reflection

There is great signage, and the app is wonderful for teaching you about the sites.

We spent a good amount of time at the Wall of Honor. This wall contains the names of enslaved people known to have lived there. Also included are stories from those were enslaved. These first-person narratives were gathered as part of the WPA Federal Writer’s Project. Definitely take the time to walk along and around the wall to see the names and learn more about their life.

The memorial for the German Coast Uprising was also quite powerful. The slaves who took part in this “rebellion” were executed. Some of them had trials which were really only ceremonial. The juries were usually plantation owners. After their executions, their severed heads were lined along the river for 60 miles as a warning to others.

Field of Angels memorial

The Field of Angels is a memorial to the enslaved children who died in the St. John the Baptist parish (a county in Louisiana) between 1823 and 1863. In this time period, there were 2200 children who died in this parish. And likely that number was higher. Of those, 39 died at Whitney Plantation. Most of these children were younger than 5 years old.

Note: When visiting the German Coast Uprising and the Field of Angels memorials, they may appear differently than shown in these photos. We came shortly after a special event. Here was info I received from the museum after our visit:

“We hold an annual blessing of the grounds that is conducted by Vodun practitioners. This belief system is from the regions where Africans who were captured and sold in the Americas continued to practice in the Americas. We honor their memory using their traditions. (On the North American continent, this belief structure evolved into what many people know as Hoodoo.)

“Specific offerings—food, money, alcohol, tobacco—and the incorporation of specific colors (used to honor and acknowledge specific Oguns who are responding to the appeals of the ancestors who are communicating to them on our behalf) are used during these ceremonies.”

It is so important we visit these historical places. We must never forget!

The Geography

One of the most fascinating things about the state is just how high it lies above sea level. This can be a huge surprise for out of state residents. If you’ve never done much traveling at the higher altitudes, be prepared for a change in how you do things as you go about your time here. For example, when walking, etc., take it easy as your body adjusts to the altitude. You don’t want to strain your lungs and leave the place gasping for breath. Even at relatively lower levels in all parts of the state, it can be hard to do anything more strenuous than climb a single flight of stairs until you have been fully acclimated.

Enjoying the Summer in Colorado

When people think of summer, they typically think of mosquitoes, days of enervating humidity, and constant, unending heat. That’s one of the many marvelous things about heading off to Colorado in the summer. As the state lies so high above sea level, it means a bug-free summer. It also means much cooler temperatures than many parts of the country. Not only that but unlike more coastal areas, the state is mercifully free of intense humidity. There’s no sweating constantly, even when it’s not that hot out.

Summer in this part of the world also means endless chances to be part of nature. A concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater is a must for every music lover. If a show is not your thing, there are also activities like yoga classes you’ll never forget. Summer is when natives make the most of the long days and the mild weather. If you love color, stop by annual summer Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & Art in the Park. Other events like the Top of the World Rodeo and the Coors Light South Platte RiverFest offer a chance to get to know people in the state and have fun.

When Winter Arrives

If winter is an endless chance to appreciate the region’s mild climate, winter is when Coloradans bring their outdoor activities to another level. Colorado is home to some of the globe’s most famous winter playgrounds. Come here and have your pick of incredible facilities. This is a chance to ski the slopes of Vail, plan apres-ski activities in Aspen, snowboard down Steamboat Springs, or just admire the state’s glorious mountains in person. For the winter weather lover, the state is a paradise. Abundant snowfall means there’s always a place to ski and engage in other winter activities. It’s easy to find lots of outdoor activities to do anywhere in the state.

Winter is also when you can explore some of the most untouched places in the country. Rocky Mountain National Park offers secluded trails that lead you to corners rarely seen by many people. Head indoors for a chance to sample some of the best beer in the country. The lively food scene continues all year long with events devoted to showing off local products.

Any trip to Colorado should take many factors into account. The time of year is particularly important. Summer means a chance to be outside in mild weather without the need for bug spray or a blanket of humidity. Winters mean crystal clear days and lots of time to explore the region’s highest peaks and experience exhilarating winter sports. Think about which activities appeal to you most. If you love seeing a country where wide-open spaces are the norm, this is a place you’ll appreciate no matter when you choose to come by.

Thankfully, I used to live fairly close to the Oregon border, so it wasn’t going to be a long drive. If you don’t have that advantage, though, you can often find cheap flights to Oregon.

Lodging

As I wanted to be close to the water, I decided to stay at Comfort Suites Columbia River. On Google Maps, I could see they were next to the riverwalk and the trolley. The room had a refrigerator and microwave, and Safeway was a short walk away, so it looked like it would be a great place to stay.

When I got to my room, I had a rather lovely discovery—A large colony of sea lions is very close by! You could hear them barking even with the windows closed. I was so excited! For some reason, none of the reviews I read made any mention of the sea lions. While I knew there was a marina near the hotel, I hadn’t seen anything that mentioned the colony hangs out there.

Having the windows open made it even more fun. I spent a good amount of time sitting on the little couch by the window just listening to them.

Food

Astoria has quite the selection of eateries, and it was a bit difficult deciding where I wanted to eat my first night. However, I had read about a Bosnian restaurant called Drina Daisy. As I was driving around town, I spotted it and decided to go ahead and stop there.

Boy was that the right choice! WOW! I ordered the burek, and it was fabulous! My seat was near the kitchen, and the cook/owner gave me some lamb as she had just cut some. I can highly recommend that as well.

They had a good list of cocktails as well as a decent variety of central and eastern European beers. I saw one that I used to drink while living in Prague, and I just couldn’t resist ordering that.

During the weekend, I also decided to hit up a place some readers had suggested. It’s called Bowpicker Fish and Chips, and it has an unusual presentation: The food is served from an old fishing boat. There are a couple of picnic tables you can sit at to enjoy your meal, but I ended up just eating in my car.

Now, this isn’t your typical fish & chips. They make theirs from locally sourced wild albacore. And it’s freaking delicious! Their chips are also excellent.

Don’t be dissuaded by a long line. They move pretty quickly. Also, make sure to bring cash. They don’t accept cards.

What to See/Do

If you want to see the sea lions up close (and why wouldn’t you?), head to the East Basin Docks. You’ll see the pier you can walk on to get closer to the colony.

The downtown area is kind of fun to walk around, especially if you like shopping for antiques and tchatchkes.

Some people had recommended the Columbia River Maritime Museum (which is conveniently across the street from Bowpicker), but I didn’t visit during this trip.

While driving around one day, I saw signs for the Astoria Column. I was intrigued so decided to stop there. Even if you’re not really that interested in seeing the column, go there for the scenic view! That alone was worth the uphill drive. Even if you don’t have a lot of sunshine, you won’t be disappointed. It’s amazing how much you can see.

If you’ve brought kids along, this is also a great place to just let them run around. It has a park-like feel which really invites you to just sit down and attempt to soak up all of what you see. There are also some picnic tables and would be a great picnic spot.

I wanted to go inside the column and go to the top where the views are even more amazing, but my knees had other plans. So I can’t really say much about that part of the column’s attractions. The column, though, is covered by fascinating artwork displaying the history of the area. Even if you aren’t really into history, I found the artwork alone to be a great experience.

There is no fee to enter the park or column, but they do charge $5 for parking. You can pay with a card if you need, but it will be a lot easier for you if you pay in cash. If you don’t live far away from Oregon, keep the parking ticket they give you as it’s good for 1 year.

Note they’re open daily except on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Of course, if you have time and haven’t been to Seaside and Cannon Beach, they’re not far away either. You can also cross the Astoria–Megler Bridge which is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. This will take you to Washington, and the fantastic beach of Longview is a reasonable and pretty drive from Astoria.

Astoria has its own merits for sure, and it’s also a great base if you want to see more of Oregon and southern Washington.

Have you been to Astoria? What did you think about it?

After doing lots of research and comparing prices, I settled on a 7-day roundtrip cruise with Holland America (HAL). One of the big things I wanted to experience was being wowed by one of Alaska’s impressive glaciers. I’ve already visited Exit Glacier and that was really cool. I was hoping to see some calving as well.

There were a few things that helped me settle on HAL for my first cruise. For starters, I didn’t want to be on a ship that felt like a floating city. We saw those when we lived on Cozumel, and while they look just amazing, I don’t need to stay on one of them. HAL had some medium-sized ships that looked like they’d be more my level.

The second, and biggest, draw was that they had a nice itinerary that included visiting Hubbard Glacier. In looking at online photos of the various glaciers ships tend to visit during an Alaska cruise, I knew this was the one I wanted to visit. I also checked in with some cruise-loving friends, including Vivienne, one of the wonderful women behind Wave Journey. She was a tremendous help and had lots of great information.

I know cruises tend to have fabulous food, but one thing I kept reading from people was that HAL’s food was a step above most of the cruise lines.

If this isn’t your first time visiting this blog, you know how I feel about food.

So let me break down some things about our experience that may help you decide if an Alaska cruise is right for you.

Won’t I feel trapped and/or bored?

This was probably my biggest concern. On this Alaska cruise, we were only at sea for 2 days straight. All the other times it was broken up by ports of call. This was another big reason I opted for Alaska instead of some other trips. I’m used to being able to just leave an area if we don’t like it. Not so easy to do if you’re on a ship at sea.

I was very concerned about being bored. I wasn’t going to spend money on expensive, crappy WiFi. I planned on bringing a loaded Kindle and having plenty of movies on my laptop just in case. Lots of people told me there are fabulous shows on the ship, but (a) those don’t go all day, and (2) I’m not really into musicals and theater. Also, “you have a TV in your room.”

I can happily report that I really never felt bored. Each night you get a multi-page brochure telling you about the various activities happening on the ship the next day. They have lots going on even on port days, which surprised me. HAL was definitely diverse in its offerings. There were different kinds of talks, computer workshops, cooking demonstrations (arrive early because they fill up fast), etc., going on during the day.

They had some really great presentations about wildlife, Alaska, and history. I was pretty impressed and learned a lot.

At night, once again you could keep occupied until the wee hours. I routinely went to the Adagio performance which was a violin and piano duet who were amazing! Occasionally I sat and listened to another pianist. And while I typically don’t appreciate jazz music, I even listened to their jazz band a couple of times.

The shows in the theater were really great. A couple of nights were comedians who really funny. One of them did a combined magic and comedy act which was really entertaining. They had some very talented dancers. I think my favorite night was their Alaska in Concert show. This was a beautiful movie produced by BBC Earth which was accompanied by a live orchestra.

Tigger spent a good amount of time with other teens in their teen club. They usually had all kinds of activities going on throughout the day and until late at night.

As far as the TV goes, I was glad I hadn’t expected to rely on that. We only had a few channels, and those were mostly news stations and a movie channel that played the same movie repeatedly all day long. The movie changed daily, though. You can also see the view from the bridge’s camera which was often interesting, especially as we approached the glacier.

There were plenty of times I just sat in a lounge area staring out the window. There were other lounges with board and card games going on all day as well.

But you don’t really get a lot of time to explore!

This was my second biggest concern, and it definitely did hold true. Some ports had more time than others, but I just don’t enjoy only having a few hours to explore a place. At the same time, though, you are able to see places that typically would be much more of a challenge to get to. For example, Sitka and Ketchikan are only reachable by air and water.

It IS nice not really having to worry about getting to/from the city, too. In Ketchikan, our ship docked in the downtown area. You literally only had to cross the street to begin exploring on your own.

The short time kind of sucked when we were in Victoria, BC. The ship was treating me to a special birthday dinner that evening. That would leave us only a few hours to get out and explore, and it was our last night on the ship. So we decided to just stay onboard and come back to Victoria when we have more time to really explore. (We live only a few hours from there.) I have wanted to visit Butchart Gardens for years, but I don’t want to be rushed through it.

I also thought it would be really cool to do a high tea at the infamous Empress Hotel, but they were to close before our ship even docked.

A floating hotel

One advantage to a cruise is that you get to visit many places, but you don’t have to deal with transportation days, schlepping around your luggage, checking in and out of a hotel, etc. It was very nice to have all these places to check out without dealing with all this other stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to have a luxurious leisurely breakfast with an amazing view and only had to carry my camera bag when I left the ship.

It was also nice not having to figure out what we were going to do for lunch and/or dinner, and I didn’t have to prepare anything. Just show up during mealtime and enjoy!

One other major advantage with this particular “floating hotel” is that we often had sights of whales and porpoises, and sometimes sea otters, during meals, while enjoying a beverage, and while sitting in a lounge appreciating the splendid scenery. Others reported seeing orcas at different points in the journey, but we didn’t see them.

Aren’t the rooms tiny?

We paid extra for a larger room with a window. I really wanted a balcony, but I just couldn’t justify paying an extra $1000 USD. Since this was their high season and a full ship, discounted upgrades weren’t available.

While the room was . . . cozy, it really wasn’t that bad. We had a small sitting area so it was easy to stretch out and get some space even when both of us were in the room at the same time. The bathroom was larger than I had expected and had a tub/shower combination.

This ship (ms Amsterdam) is older, so we only had one power plug-in for the whole room. They had inserted an adapter so you could plug more than one item in at a time. It was a bit of a challenge, however, plugging in my BiPAP since the outlet was nowhere near the beds. I was able to get an extension cord from guest services, though. The steward put the cord under a bed so you didn’t have to worry about tripping over it in the middle of the night.

I know newer ships have more outlets in the staterooms. Have read many people mention having USB ports by their beds for charging devices as well.

It really wasn’t too much of an issue, though.

Increased chances to socialize

I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, getting to know them, etc. While some people obviously don’t really want to talk to strangers, for the most part other passengers were incredibly friendly and social. Even though we almost always had a table to ourselves, we often visited with people sitting at the table next to us. Halfway through the trip, we often had lunch with people we had already spent time with at other times. It was kind of fun feeling like you had new friends while on the cruise.

And when you don’t feel like dealing with people, you can sit in a quiet lounge, hang out in your cabin, etc. It was very easy to switch between my extrovert and introvert sides.

Amazing sights

Different things can compete with a cruise, but the scenes are super hard to beat. Other than the above, we constantly were treated to gorgeous views, and when the weather cooperated we also enjoyed beautiful sunsets.

There aren’t many situations where you can enjoy watching whales while you’re enjoying a cocktail.

And visiting a tidewater glacier is one of those definite “once in a lifetime” moments. It’s incredibly difficult to describe what it’s like to be standing about a few blocks away from a glacier that is 6-7 miles across and goes back for 75+ miles. To see the various colors and textures is thrilling, and you can’t contain the excitement you feel when you see and hear it calve.

The ship spends a good amount of time there, too. They opened access to the bow as they approached. Once in position, they turned the ship to one side. After a while, they turned to the other side.

After we had been on the bow in the cold and rain for a while, we headed to our room and ordered hot drinks from room service. It was thoroughly enjoyable watching the glacier and seeing it calve from the comfort of our room while we warmed back up.

Frankly, this experience alone makes the cruise worthwhile.

Motion sickness

This is a concern for many people. On this Alaska cruise, we were mostly in the Inside Passage, so we usually had extremely calm waters. We only had one time where waters were a bit of a challenge. I grabbed some free meclizine from guest services, and we were good to go. Thankfully, most of the time in those waters was late at night while we slept. During the day, we were only in them for about 5 hours.

Walking around the ship during this time was kind of fun, and fellow passengers would laugh at themselves and joke around as they stumbled around like they were drunk.

I spoke to some other passengers who were wearing medication patches, and they said they weren’t having any issues, including a couple who typically get motion sick quite easily.

Any other cons?

This was really just a tad annoying for me, but there is a heavy sales focus. Many of the workshops and presentations were geared around trying to sell you crap or prep you for a big shopping day at the next port. NO thanks!

Often onboard you had to walk past someone trying to hawk stuff, but since they tended to center themselves in the same spot it was easy to take another route if you wanted. They weren’t like aggressive touts, though, so that was nice.

We also had a crapload of flyers in our door a few times a day, and most of it was trying to sell stuff.

A minor annoyance.

Would you take a cruise again?

I think this is a really good and important question. And, yes, we both would definitely do another cruise. It was super relaxing, and it was nice being a bit pampered. We had great food and fabulous views.

I’ve actually been researching to see which one I’d like to do next. We both also felt like we would take another Alaska cruise that involved different ports.

I don’t know that we would do a longer one, though. I think 7-10 days is probably our limit.

Do you have any questions I didn’t answer?

On the other ships, it is offered one night during cruises that are 10 days or less. The price tag of $49 USD per person (it’s a la carte at the permanent restaurant) may make you ponder skipping it, but let me tell you that would be a huge mistake.

We ate during the Rudi’s Sel de Mer night on the ms Amsterdam on our recent Alaska cruise, and it ended up being one of the most phenomenal meals of my life. Tigger even found herself enjoying foods she would never eat otherwise.

Get something handy to wipe your drool and read on.

Starters

Once you’re seated, you are immediately delivered a nice French baguette. Along with this, you are given some delicious butter than has been mixed with sea salt and lightly graced with chives. The butter was so tasty, we were tempted to lick the serving dish clean. You are also presented with a nice array of tapenades, olives, pesto, and other treats to enjoy with your bread.

Shortly after, the friendly server will bring an enticing amuse-bouche.

This dish is to give you a taste of what will be coming; an idea of what the chef’s style will be. And when you bite into this, you may very well make audible sounds. Thankfully, no one was seated too close to us to be concerned by the noises coming from our table.

This particular amuse-bouche was a scallop prepared with saffron vinaigrette resting on a seaweed salad and topped with an exquisite orange foam. These flavors slowly developed while in your mouth, and you were able to appreciate the flavor long after having swallowed your bite.

Tigger won’t eat scallops normally. She tried this and ate the entire offering. This truly tells you of its magnificence.

While purring over this, we received our starters. We chose the foie gras torchon, the popular seafood tower, and bouillabaisse Marseillaise. The foie gras wasn’t as exciting, although the plate did contain small cubes of red currant aspic which were amazing! They would cause an explosion of flavor in your mouth. The seafood tower was cute in its presentation but rather lackluster in flavor.

The bouillabaisse, however, was a true highlight. This dish is often messed up by chefs and/or unimpressive. But the Rudi’s Sel de Mer version was the best I’ve ever had. The broth was full of complex, savory flavors. This was another dish that hade me making audible sounds and saying “Wow!”

Tigger asked if I needed some alone time.

Main Dishes

While this is a seafood-dominated affair, they do offer some other great options for people, and Tigger happily ordered the steak. I had a harder time choosing since so much looked so appetizing, but I ultimately ended up ordering the salt crust baked branzino (European sea bass).

I later learned that the fish is baked while encased in meringue to ensure its tenderness. It ended up being quite impressive and had been topped by citrus pieces and lemon peel shavings which caused another wonderful blast of flavor upon the first bite without overpowering the taste of the fish.

Dessert

While waiting for dessert, we were treated to a small selection of chocolate truffles and strawberries covered with milk or white chocolate.

We eagerly awaited our crêpes Suzette and Rudi’s soufflé, which is based on the infamous Salzburger Nockerl. While the soufflé was light and airy, it was impossible to compare the impeccably prepared crêpes Suzette. I have had this dish served many different ways in many different countries, and this was absolutely the best I’ve ever had.

Once again I found myself struggling against dining room etiquette and my desires to lick every drop off this plate.

I just can’t recommend this dining experience enough. It’s a meal that I continue to fondly and vividly reminisce. So if you’re going on one of their cruises, find out when the Rudi’s Sel de Mer night is and make your reservations!

Have you eaten at Rudi’s Sel de Mer? What was your experience?

The Centennial State has a very active running season and offers some of the most challenging, most scenic, and most fun running events.

Two of the most scenic are the Rim Rock Marathon and the Devil Mountain 50 miler/50K races. Rim Rock is located in the state’s western slope area. Participants run mostly uphill for about 14 miles from one entrance of the Colorado National Monument to the other, with the remaining miles almost completely downhill. The views are outstanding. Aid stations compete against each other which means a lot of fun and super refreshments.

Located outside of Pagosa Springs, Devil Mountain actually offers a few options: a half marathon, a 50K ultra, or if that isn’t enough of a workout you can choose to do the 50-miler instead. It is challenging no matter the distance involved, and the course winds through areas of hip-high grass, woods, beautiful mesas, old logging roads, and so on. It is one of my favorite ultras.

Looking for a different kind of half marathon? Head up to the mountains and do the Slacker Half Marathon. Billed as the highest downhill half marathon in America, it has a fun environment and is big enough to have great support but small enough that it makes it even more enjoyable. The race begins at an elevation of 10,630 feet, and you cross the finish line at 8400 feet. Make sure to do plenty of walking afterwards, or your quads will be paying you back the next day.

Ever wanted to run up a mountain? How about two different peaks? Well, here’s your chance! The Breckenridge Crest Mountain Marathon, which also offers a challenging half marathon option, is one of my favorite races in Colorado. Not only are you treated to amazing sights, an extremely varied course, and high-altitude physical tests, but your fellow runners are some of the coolest people around.

The post-race events are sure to satisfy as well. Be careful to not underestimate the difficulty of this race, though, and make sure to plan for any type of weather. The first year I ran it we started out with warm sun and were treated to snow at 12,000 feet. You just never know what you’ll get, which is part of the fun.

For the truly hardy (and some might argue crazy), there is the legendary Leadville Trail 100 run. 100 what, you ask? Miles. Yes, 100 miles of trail running that includes some water crossings, 18,168 feet of elevation gain, and the lowest altitude is at over 9000 feet. This race has one of the highest DNF (did not finish) rates because cutoff times are strictly enforced, as are some medical checks. In order to officially finish, you have to cross the line in under 30 hours.

When planning your stay in Colorado, make sure to check out some of these events and add to the joy and sense of personal accomplishment of your vacation or business trip.

And you can burn off all those microbrew beers you’ve been sampling as well.

Have you participated in any of these events? Which was your favorite?

In the winter people come to cross country ski and snowshoe the nearby trials, and the annual Glow Holiday Parade is another big attraction.

There is a large lake popular with boaters and some challenging golf courses, not only for their design but because elk herds are regular fairway obstacles.

Accommodations in the town are diverse including condominiums, luxury resorts, hotels, campgrounds, RV parks, and rustic cabins. One of the most popular hotels is the haunted Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Also popular for families and event and conference planners is the YMCA of the Rockies, and it is very different from what one pictures when they see the name “YMCA.”

There is a wide range of restaurants, bars, and pubs, including microbreweries. The Egg and I is a popular restaurant for breakfast and brunch. Parking can be quite challenging, so try to take advantage of the free parking located next to the library.

Mama Rose’s serves up some excellent Italian cuisine but can be a little tricky to find if you’re driving around. Your best bet is to park in the same spot as above and find it on foot.

The Other Side Restaurant has a very impressive menu including offering a variety of game meats cooked to perfection and at reasonable prices. Parking is much less of an issue here, and don’t be surprised if you see the occasional elk walking by or resting in the grass across the street.

Bob & Tony’s Pizza has some excellent food and a unique ambiance. Kind Coffee is a great place to get breakfast or a nice cup of organic coffee while using their free WiFi to brag about your trip to all your friends on Twitter and Facebook.

If you’re looking for something to do besides walking around the main street, hiking, fishing, or playing another round of golf, check out Fun City. They offer mini-golf, go-karts, giant slides, and more. They are conveniently located near the national park as well.

While this is a charming town that is worth the visit, if you don’t have a lot of time in your itinerary, Estes Park makes a perfect day trip, especially with its proximity to Denver and the popular high country towns and ski resorts.

Have you been there? What is your favorite activity or place to eat?

An extra benefit of visiting the San Juan Islands is that they sit within the rain shadow meaning you can expect much better weather during the rainy season than you’ll find elsewhere in the Evergreen State.

The islands are most commonly accessed by taking one of the state-operated passenger and vehicle ferries from the charming town of Anacortes. The journey takes about 1-1/2 hours. Even if you have a problem with seasickness, you’ll probably experience no issues on these ferries. My friend who gets sick in a rocking chair had no problems whatsoever without medicine. There is plenty of indoor seating with tables as well as many places outdoors to enjoy the phenomenal views.

The ferries also have a cafeteria where you can get reasonably-priced food and beverages.

The most-visited islands in the chain are Orcas and Friday Harbor. Orcas is more of an outdoors-loving location providing lots of camping and hiking opportunities, and cyclists who enjoy more of a challenge hit the incredibly hilly roads. Friday Harbor is more developed and larger.

On Friday Harbor you can take a kayak tour and may get a chance to get fairly close to some of the islands’ year-round aquatic residents—numerous pods of orcas.

There are more than 100 smaller islands that are all part of the state park system, and if you’re more adventurous you can rent a kayak, paddle out to one of the islands, and enjoy some primitive camping in a most unusual setting.

Because the strait is home to residential and migratory creatures, it is also possible to take a whale-watching tour. Depending on the time of year one can see orcas, minke whales, and other wildlife. The best time of the year for these tours is May through September.

Spot the seal hiding in the kelp from the hunting orcas?

Friday Harbor is also home to one of the best land-based areas for whale watching in the world, Lime Kiln Point, and is one of the few whale-watching parks in the world. The islands enjoy a rapid drop in depth fairly close to shore which means that the passing orcas often get very close to the viewpoint.

From the park you can watch orcas hunt, spyhop, and occasionally breach (where they jump out of the water and crash back down on their side). You can also see bald and golden eagles, harbor seals, and Stellar sea lions.

This popular island offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury resorts to charming bed & breakfast inns as well as several campgrounds where you can fall asleep nestled among fir trees while listening to the sounds of the ocean below. Because of its small size and the frequency of ferries, it is also easy to do this as a day trip from the mainland. There are also ferries going between Anacortes and Sidney, BC, in case you want to visit Canada while you’re so close.

No visit to the Pacific Northwest would be complete without going to the San Juan Islands, even if all you can spare is one day in your itinerary.

Have you been to the San Juan Islands? Which island or activity is your favorite?

Olympia was home to the popular Olympia Brewery. The brewery is located at the base of Tumwater Falls, just a few minutes south of the city, and they’re a great place to visit. Pathways take you along the river, the source of the iconic photo that once adorned cans and bottles of Olympia Beer. When I recently went by there, it appeared that the brewery isn’t currently occupied, so right now you can’t add beer tasting to your visit.

During the fall this is also a great, accessible way to watch the salmon run. You can watch them as they jump the small falls to return to the place where they were born in order to spawn. Don’t be surprised if you hear a group of people cheering them on as it sometimes takes a few sprints for them to clear it. In areas that have been adapted by construction, special “ladders” have been installed to facilitate their migration upstream.

There is also a wonderful restaurant near the park that has great food with fantastic views.

Every night between May and September, the gorgeous Capitol Lake is visited by thousands of bats representing several species as they dart over the lake feeding on insects. In June and July a biologist specializing in bats leads a free walk around the lake. They usually carry bat detectors which allow you hear to the echolocation used by the flying mammals as they hunt for their next meal. It’s a unique and fun activity.

Both day and night, however, are wonderful times to walk around the lake. If you have a kayak or canoe, you can enjoy the lake in this way as well. There are several small, charming shops near the lake as well as restaurants, but it’s also a perfect place for a midday or sunset picnic.

Millersylvania State Park is nearby and offers miles of hiking and biking trails, and some trails for ATVs and dirt bikes, fishing, camping, and other activities.

The Olympia Farmers Market is a great place to get fresh produce, various locally grown produce and handcrafted products, and some tummy-pleasing food. It is open Thursday through Sunday between April and October and on weekends only during November and December.

Enjoy a walk by the waters of the Puget Sound. It isn’t uncommon to see harbor seals that have come closer to the marina looking for fish. Plan to stop for a meal at Anthony’s Home Port, but bring an appetite. Fresh, warm-from-the-oven sourdough bread accompanies every meal, and it’s easy to get full on just this addictive bread alone. They serve some of the best food I’ve ever tasted and offer a nice selection of beers, including microbrews. Prices are very reasonable for the quality of food. During nice weather their outdoor patio is open, and it just adds to the whole experience.

Next time you’re in the Evergreen State, plan on spending 2-3 days in Olympia, although you could easily spend a lot more time there and use it as a base to visit many other wonderful places in this gorgeous state.