I never get tired of travel, even since making it my primary profession three years ago. For 2018 I vowed to stay closer to home on some trips for two reasons. One, there’s so much to do, see, and eat within a four-hour drive from my home in Baltimore. Reason number two is, my dog Sophie is old enough to travel with me.
Bell Rock Sedona Arizona
My wife and I started out January with a bang. Sedona, Arizona had been tempting us for years. We booked the Kimpton Amara Spa and Resort for three luxurious nights. Hiking the nearby hills and stunning red-rock formations was a highlight of the trip. For dining, nothing came close to the dinner we had at Mariposa- Latin Inspired Grill.
Empanadas at Mariposa.
Next up in January was the annual International Media Marketplace in New York City put on by TravMedia. I booked my favorite hotel in NYC, the Intercontinental Barclay for two nights. This 1926 masterpiece is reasonably priced and offers an excellent location near Grand Central Terminal. Dinner at Avra was a breeze as it’s only a two-minute walk from the hotel. Avra serves some of the best Mediterranean seafood and Greek cuisine anywhere.
February brought trips to Grand Junction, Colorado to help my parents. Even though it was a lot of work I enjoyed the clear-blue skies of Colorado while there.
In Like A Lion
March came in like a lion. I traveled to Omaha to see the famous zoo and stayed at the Magnolia Hotel. This splendid property was built in 1923 and called the Aquila Court Building long before becoming the Magnolia Hotel. The weather was good, and I enjoyed strolling the Old Market area and grabbing happy hour fare at M’s with my brother.
Omaha Zoo snow leopard
March 12-13th found me back in Sonoma County investigating Petaluma. So much has changed since I attended cook school near here in the 70s. And yet, the downtown core looks the same with an abundance of classy historical buildings still standing proudly. I had a second helping of Della Fattoria baked goods, drank excellent wine at Adobe Road Winery, and stayed at the quirky Metro Hotel. The article I wrote for GoNOMAD.com made the top-ten best travel articles of the year!
Closer To Home
Toast 3 ways at Della Fattoria.
A brief visit to the Eastern Shore of Maryland introduced me to the tiny town of Whitehaven. Staying at the Whitehaven Hotel proved to be so enjoyable, we returned six weeks later with our dog to enjoy this 1810-built historic hotel.
April brought a much-needed photo learning event called the Ultimate Photographers Workshop put on by Great Escape Publishing. I learned what sells and how to take better photos that will serve me well for years. The best part was, this event was held in Baltimore!
Bromo Seltzer Tower Baltimore
Travel and Words is a travel writer’s conference focusing on the Northwest US. Each year it’s held in a different city. Yakima was the chosen place for 2018, and I happily signed up to learn more about this town famous for hops, produce, wine, and outdoor recreation. On a day and a half wine tour, I tasted dozens of excellent wines with my favorite being from Yakima Valley Vintners, Airfield, and Thurston Wolfe Winery. All three had affordable wines that are worth adding to your wine cellar.
For The Love Of Wine
Thurston Wolfe whites.
Three days in the Yakima Valley wasn’t enough. I returned five weeks later and stayed at an Airbnb cottage in Walla Walla with my wife in tow. We toured the Walla Walla region one day in a 1928 Model T Ford.
Owner and baker of Walla Walla Bread Co
The food scene in the area is impressive. Eating at the Walla Walla Bread Company was a favorite due to The Waffle Box (build your own waffle), cheddar chive scones, and artisan bread.
After Walla Walla, we hit Seattle for two days. Staying at the Hotel Monaco made this part of the trip special. Their onsite restaurant-Outlier provided the best dining experience in a long memory of Seattle eateries. The grilled octopus was delicious, and the mushroom side that followed had us swooning.
June brought my wife and I back to Telluride for a long-awaited Bluegrass Festival redo. It had been 15 years since we first attended this high-altitude bluegrass event that has no rival.
Tomboy mine high above Telluride.
Blue-sky days spoiled us after the rainiest year on record in Baltimore. The music and food were fantastic. Taco Del Gnar was the biggest surprise, delivering a full-meal deal for under $15 with a beer!
Tacos del gnar in Telluride.
July is typically a no travel month. I spent time farming my backyard and a friend’s farm where I was allowed to grow two rows of crops. The rain and the deer got most of my farm crops, but the backyard provided plenty of green beans, lettuce, and tomatoes.
North To Alaska
In August I went to Alaska to explore Kachemak Bay further. I stayed at Between Beaches Cabins with my friend Donald, my brother, and two friends from Colorado.
Between Beaches window view.
The fishing was a big blank, but Christie the owner gifted us all the pink salmon we wanted, saving the day.
A brief trip to DC in late August allowed me to experience the Morrison Clark Hotel. I had taken my brother Morrison-Clark to spend a night in DC when he and his wife visited in July. I had a brief look and decided I must come back and stay at this historic hotel near the convention center. My wife and I enjoyed the Morrison Clark and found out what a bargain DC is in August. Most the town empties out this time of year leaving hotels anxious to fill rooms with slashed prices.
Morrison Clark porch.
The biggest trip of the year was a road trip with my dog Sophie. At just over two years old, she was ready to travel the road with her master and see Colorado. We spent the first night in Elkhart, Indiana at La Quinta. I love La Quinta for their no-fee pet policy. We ate at the Chubby Trout Restaurant nearby, and the wait staff lavished us with attention on their comfy patio.
Chubby Trout grouper sandwich.
After a stop in Lincoln, Nebraska at my niece’s home, we sped off to Denver for a night’s rest at my sister’s house. Upon arrival in the Denver area, we stopped in Golden so Sophie could practice swimming in Bear Creek.
By the end of the trip, she swam in Bear Creek, Horsetooth Reservoir, O’Haver Lake, and the Arkansas River, loving every minute of it. Staying three nights at an Airbnb house in Buena Vista was awesome. Sophie did great during the two-week road trip, and I hope to take a similar trip in 2019.
Sophie at Bear Creek.
Arigato Japan
Another big trip of the year was Japan. For 11 days in November, my wife and I enjoyed Narita, Kyoto, Arima, Kusatsu, and Tokyo. One of the best meals of the trip was at an ordinary looking hotel in Kyoto called Sakura Terrace The Gallery. The chef was well versed in French and Italian cuisine and his prowess showed in the lobster, mushroom, duck, and steak items we ordered. All dishes were at an amazingly low price to boot!
Duck at Sakura Terrace Kyoto.
After returning from Japan, we took a two night trip to Alexandria, Virginia to stay at the Kimpton Lorien Spa Hotel. Massages, dining, and an over-the-top suite made this a great Thanksgiving weekend stay. This historic city is easy to walk and holds many attractions, restaurants, and shops to visit.
Kent House at Vandiver Inn Havre de Grace.
Two more hotel stays in the Mid-Atlantic region finished up the year. I stayed at the Van Diver Inn in Havre de Grace, Maryland in early December. Their Monday night Supper Club event is open to the public. My wife and I were invited to taste this delicious event and can’t wait to go back for another offering soon.
DC For Dogs
The Kimpton Donovan Hotel in DC welcomed us and Sophie too. Kimpton hotels don’t charge for dogs and deliver an exceptional stay for pets and humans. Sophie stayed in the room while we dined at Kinship, a Michelin one-star restaurant eight blocks away.
Venison chop at Bistro Cacao in DC.
On the second night, we ate at Bistro Cacao near the Capital. This French bistro delivered authentic French fare and wines. I had the stuffed quail, and my wife had the venison chop. Both dishes were fabulous, and the vintage posters added to a Parisian-like experience.
It was a truly memorable year of travel, one that will be hard to beat. With trips already planned for Aspen Snowmass, Hawaii, and Santa Barbara, 2019 is off to a good start. I wish you happy travels wherever you go and the best dining and wines as well.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Kurt Jacobson
Nice year!
You had quite the year! I’m glad that you get to do what you love. Hav you ever been to the mountain town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina? You would love it. It’s off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have friends that own an historic restaurant in town. It’s called the Village Cafe.
Thanks for the tip. I’d love to see that part of the East Coast soon.