wanderlust Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

New Orleans Beignets Three Different Ways

Paula — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

New Orleans beignets are legendary. They are synonymous with the destination and just one of those things you need to sample when in NOLA. The city of New Orleans is known for its spirited nightlife, raucous bachelorette parties, and an abundance of internationally inspired foods. Perhaps nothing is more synonymous with NOLA though than beignets. Everyone makes them and has their own slightly unique take on the fluffy doughy sweets. New Orleans Beignets Recently, I went in search of New Orleans best beignets and what I found might surprise you. So, what’s all the fuss? And more importantly, what are beignets anyways? To be completely transparent, before we visited Louisiana I was lukewarm at best about these. Dough? So basically, like a donut, I thought. Can’t you basically get those anywhere? Why was that such a big deal? I mean, I definitely decided that I would still try some, because as a travel writer visiting a place means exploring the food culture and restaurant scene too. If you are not doing that, then you miss a huge piece of the story of a city, or destination. But beignets weren’t exactly the catalyst driving me to visit. More like a curiosity. What are Beignets? Beignets are a snack, or a breakfast. Actually you can eat these anytime of the day and we pretty much did once we found them on our girl’s getaway to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. These sweet treats are made with dough. They are often square in shape, puffy in form and texture and served warm with ample powdered sugar on top. It is a deep fried pastry, and the word beignets itself is French for donut or fritter, depending on your source. But How do You Say It? It. Just kidding. (Juvenile joke.) You pronounce it: ben-yay. International Influence Food, in New Orleans, has a dramatic story influenced by multiple cultures and shaped by history and geography. Nowhere was that more apparent than when we visited the famous Napoleon House and spoke with a chef who vividly described the cultural influences on the cuisine in this area of Louisiana. “Post civil war, there was a big Creole culture and Irish immigration due to the port here,” said Chris Montero, executive chef at Napoleon House. Italian immigration also followed suit. Introduced in Louisiana in the 18th century, beignets pastries came from French Acadians. Beignets Three Ways From the second we arrived and stepped off the airplane from Toronto, my travel buddy Margarita Ibbott and I started talking food. Perhaps we were hungry? Mostly we launched into a discussion of beignets and a little bit of gumbo. Our airport limo driver, a New Orleans local, was all in and more than happy to give us the scoop on both gumbo and beignets, two area staples. She’s the one who directed us to at least one or two of these beignets makers, so let that be a little reminder to engage in those conversations no matter where you are traveling. Here’s how we went in search of New Orleans best beignets and where we discovered them. Traditional Beignets Everyone knows there’s only one place to go for traditional beignets in New Orleans. It’s always busy and you are likely to always encounter a lineup, but you cannot go to NOLA and skip this amazing beignets café. Café du Monde is iconic in New Orleans and a hit with tourists and locals. Google New Orleans and beignets or even just one of those terms and you will get Café du Monde. Our Segway Tour On our first morning in New Orleans we woke up, went to brunch at Two Sisters and headed immediately off for a Segway tour. Why does that matter? Well, doing the Segway Tour immediately on the first day there gave us a fast introduction to the geography of the area and helped us to figure out where we needed to go later in the day to explore further. It gave us confidence in setting out later that day. On Foot That same day, after the Segway tour, we walked around New Orleans and made it our goal to sample many different beignets. Onwards to Beignets No NOLA experience would be complete without a stop at Café du Monde. Expect lineups and don’t skip the coffee. It has a hint of chicory which makes it rich and full bodied, sort of grounding the sweet powdery taste of the beignets. The outdoor market atmosphere adds to the experience. The four of us bought adorable matching t-shirts from the market. Each shirt has a bold transfer on the back that states: New Orleans 2019 road trip. I love that. Café du Monde beignets are light and warm and worth the wait. The coffee is a perfect partner to the sweet treat, grounding all of the sweetness with warmth and the simplicity of caffeine. The Glam Version The Ritz Carlton. OOOH Baby. These were the ones our airport limousine driver recommended and I am here to say she was bang on the money with this recommendation. These were not at all traditional – more like a Hollywood version of beignets and so decadent. On day two of our trip to New Orleans, we headed to the Ritz Carlton for beignets because we heard they had sauces that were spectacular. Sauces with beignets? Sounds weird, no? Decadent And yet, they were scrumptious. TRUE story. These beignets are affordable, scrumptious and they come with caramel, chocolate and also vanilla sauce. Byron, our server was exceptional. They also have fantastic lattes and you don’t have to be staying there in order to dine at the restaurant attached to the Ritz. At Christmas time, the Ritz Carlton space is transformed into an elegant, well lit, welcoming, holiday destination. Food Festival Version If you know New Orleans, then you probably are also aware that there’s always a festival or two almost any day of the week. Many of these festivals revolve around food and the celebration of taste. The Gumbo Festival and the Fête des Fromage were both happening when we visited. So, we scoped out the guide to the Gumbo Festival and made a note of a few booths to visit. But, that said, we were quickly overwhelmed by music and sights of all the art and trinkets being sold. We started at the Treme Creole Gumbo festival for lunch, listened to some music in Louis Armstrong Park, browsed the artisan wares and sampled a couple of different beignets that were very non traditional. A few of the booths at the festival boasted beignets, so we sampled those. These food festival beignets resembled hush puppies more than anything, definitely untraditional with a crispy fried outer layer and savoury dough in the centre, served with a remoulade kind of drizzle. A tasty warm appetizer with a slight kick. While the food festival version of these treats was tasty, I wouldn’t exactly call it a true beignets, even though they are sold as such. Finally, Make Your Own Before you go, if you want to make your own beignets at home, there are numerous spots where you can purchase a boxed New Orleans beignets mix. Take one home and relive a bit of your adventure in the Big Easy!

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Ultimate Tips for Your First Yellowstone Visit

Paula — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 12:58:00 +0000

With parks cautiously opening up again in various US states and Canadian provinces, I thought it seemed like a great time to share some tips for your first Yellowstone visit. Planning is important to get the most out of your Yellowstone trip, so take the time now to read up on where to stay and what to see and get it right, whether you are visiting this season or next. I visited Yellowstone and Cody, Wyoming with Austin Adventures in 2019. Here, I gathered my research, personal experiences and reached out to some contacts and friends who are National Parks experts in the US. First and Foremost Did you know Yellowstone was the first national park in 1872? That’s just one of the things that makes Yellowstone so special. The Yellowstone National Park Act of 1872 stated that the Secretary of the Interior “shall provide against the wanton destruction of the fish and game found within said park.” My first Yellowstone visit knocked my socks off. An active volcano, Yellowstone is so insanely huge that you can’t really imagine the scope of the park until you are there inside driving to find Grand Prismatic, Lamar Valley, Biscuit Basin or Old Faithful. Rich with gorgeous scenery, unique geothermal features that you might never encounter anywhere else in the world, and animals that run freely throughout the park, Yellowstone is magical and it is a must see kind of destination. The park itself straddles three states! Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. I find that mind boggling. When Bigger is Better Covering 3,472 square miles, Yellowstone is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Explore the 2.2 million acre wilderness, but be prepared, you can’t even start to do it in a day. Take all the time you have at your disposal. When we visited we were in Yellowstone for about two and a half to three days. One of those nights we stayed inside the park, one night we stayed in Cody and the last night we stayed in Silver Gate Montana, perfect for our first Yellowstone visit. Yellowstone Park History In 1871, the first official government expedition of Yellowstone was led by geologist Ferdinand V. Hayden. That expedition included artist Thomas Morann and photographer William Henry Jackson. Their images, combined with scientific findings, convinced Congress to set Yellowstone aside as the world’s first national Park in 1872. Let that sink in for a second. Yellowstone is the world’s first national park. Who says art doesn’t shape the world? This is one clear instance of the impact that art can have on life and, also on the future. I think that’s my favourite story about Yellowstone and also about the power of art. Where to Stay Inside Yellowstone: Stay In Yellowstone, if at all possible! Less than 1% of people get to stay inside Yellowstone. Let me tell you that it is more than worth the planning. If you can make this happen and can afford to stay inside the park, then, do it, even just once. For the Convenience and Experience The sheer size of the park means that you can spend hours driving. There are nine facilities featuring over 2,000 rooms inside the park. PLAN ahead or you will never be able to make this happen. These spots are extremely popular. Check this year by visiting the website because Coronavirus has meant there have been changes to what is open and when things are opening. Be safe. Don’t be disappointed. The Nine Spots To Stay Inside Yellowstone I am not going to get too into the breakdown of every property. We stayed in Canyon Lodge and toured a few other facilities, checking out some of the rooms. Each accommodation inside Yellowstone has benefits and is close to some unique park asset. These are the broad strokes of what you can expect. For more details on where to stay during that first visit to Yellowstone National Park check out the Yellowstone site. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins Built in 1936, open to summer and winter visitors. Such a cute spot for any time of the year. Grant Village Named for Ulysses S. Grant, Grant Village was built in 1984 and is a two storey with 50 rooms and no elevators. There are accessible rooms. This is closest to Grand Teton National Park. Old Faithful Lodge Cabins Located near Old Faithful Inn, this historic cabin facility includes a one-storey main lodge built in the 1920′s featuring massive logs and stone pillars. Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cottages Luxurious and exceptional views from Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Nearby cottages are tiny but cute. Lake Yellowstone is stunning. If you have a Lakeview here then honestly that’s high luxury inside the park. Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins Lovely facility. We didn’t tour these rooms, but the lobby area has a ski chalet vibe, featuring wood and open high rooftops. Completed in 1999, the Snow Lodge is the newest of the park’s full service hotels, recognized with the Cody Award for Western Design and Travel and Leisure’s Inn of the Month. Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins Built in 1920 near Yellowstone’s Tower Falls area. Lake Lodge Cabins Open June through September, Lake Lodge Cabins features a main lodge with a large porch and a spectacular view of Yellowstone Lake. The main lodge is constructed of logs and is a highlight of the building. There are 186 cabins with private baths behind the lodge in recently renovated Western and Frontier styles as well as the basic Pioneer cabins. The Timeless – Old Faithful Inn Built in 1903-1904 this is a classic. It is considered the largest log structure in the world. It reminded me a little bit of Montebello in Quebec. Rustic and a whole lot of history here at Old Faithful Inn. Right beside Old Faithful, so you can’t get more convenient than that. Could be a good pick for a first time visit to Yellowstone depending on what you hope to see and who you are traveling with. There is a restaurant and cafeteria inside. Canyon Lodge and Cabins We stayed at Canyon Lodge just one night and that was one of the newer lodges inside the park. It was a luxurious stay within walking distance of the Canyon Lodge Eatery, a clean cafeteria-style restaurant with post office and a few other amenities nearby. Canyon Lodge is centrally located in the park and from there, Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs are easily accessible. Camping and RV Sites Do check for availability and openings this year. Also, these will fill up fast this summer. Fishing Bridge RV Park is not likely to be open in 2020. But, here are some other options. Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground, Canyon Campground and Bridge Bay Campground are all good options. Canyon has the luxury of an exceptional location. How to Do the First National Park Things Not to Miss on Your First Trip to Yellowstone: If it’s your first Yellowstone visit, you’ll want to plan on spending at least one day on the “Lower Loop Road” and at least one day on the “Upper Loop Road,” says Kasey Morrisey of Austin Adventures. “Along the Lower Loop, you’ll want to see Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, Grand Prismatic and Lake Yellowstone. On the Upper Loop, you’ll want to check out the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs and I always recommend making a side trip out to Lamar Valley near the Northeast Entrance (it’s worth the distance!)” Old Faithful The most famous of all the geysers in Yellowstone, you can’t miss Old Faithful. It’s relatively easy to catch this one erupting actually. It erupts every 60 to 90 minutes on average. There’s information inside Old Faithful Inn that tells you when to expect an eruption. Set within Yellowstone National Park and overlooking the famous Old Faithful geyser, this rustic seasonal lodge in a 1920s stone-and-wood building and it’s located overlooking Old Faithful. Biscuit Basin Located near Old Faithful, you can easily do Old Faithful and Biscuit Basin in one day. That should give you plenty of geyser highlights for your first Yellowstone visit. Fountain Paint Pot Fountain Paint Pot Trail consists of various geothermal features that are evidence of Yellowstone’s active volcano status. Due to the thermal activity in the area you need to stay on the boardwalk. The geothermal features inside the park are: geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles. Grand Prismatic Grand Prismatic is another one of those must see features for your first Yellowstone visit. It is simply iconic. This area gets extremely busy though so pick your time. Also, there are multiple viewing spots where you can see Grand Prismatic, but if you want some of the best photos, then you need to take a short hike up to a lookout that is elevated slightly. You will probably see bison on your way and the lookout might get crowded, but having that slight incline to look out over the prism of colours makes all the difference in the world. Lamar Valley and Glaciers Did you know that Lamar Valley was carved by glaciers? Lamar Valley is sprawling and a vast expanse of plains. It is also one of the best spots to spy wolves in Yellowstone. But early in the morning is your best bet for that. Also, Lamar Valley is gorgeous and you can often spy hundreds of bison crossing the “road.” Lamar Valley is on the northeast, in fact, we left for the night and stayed in Silver Gate Montana, returning through the northeast gate on our last morning. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is one of my favourite spots for photos. Roughly 640,000 years ago, a volcano erupted in Yellowstone emptying a large underground chamber of magma. Thousands of miles, the ash flowed until the roof collapsed and the lava flowed, forming a giant caldera, which filled with lava and sediments for hundreds of thousands of years. This area is now gorgeous multi-coloured rock and canyon, with a river running through it. Artist Point Right near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Artist Point is aptly named. Should be plenty of parking nearby and there’s some nice hiking in the area. When you get there you will see why it is called Artist Point. If you paint, draw or sketch, take a photo for a reference image and then paint it later. Lake Yellowstone The largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Lake is 7,732 kms above sea level. Yellowstone Lake is the largest alpine lake above 7,000 feet in North America. Mammoth Hot Springs This was one of my favourite spots. It is a long drive though from all the other features that are popular like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic so you have a couple of options. Come in via a different entrance, or do Mammoth Hot Springs and Mammoth Terraces on a different day. Soda Butte Cone We saw a pack of wolves not far from Soda Butte Cone. The cone is near the northeast area of the park. Safety in the Park Death by Selfie DON’t be that guy or that girl…on your first visit to Yellowstone or any visit to ANY of the National Parks. We hiked near Ribbon Lake and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which is also where roughly three tourists a year die as a result of poor choices. There’s a perch that is precarious here that too many tourists see as an invitation to take the perfect selfie. But that selfie actually often leads to death. So, play it safe and do not step outside the natural boundary. Follow the Rules Entire books have been written about all of the devastating accidents and deaths in Yellowstone, since it first opened. Follow the rules. If the sign says no pets near Old Faithful, then keep CUJO far far away from the geyser. There’s a reason the signs are up! You can get burnt, and little people could fall in, if not cautious and well supervised. When Is the Best Time of Day to Spot Wildlife? “If you know where to look, you can find wildlife any time of day in the park,” says Kasey Morrisey, president of Austin Adventures, a family-run award-winning group travel company based in Billings, Montana. Morrisey says any wildlife enthusiast will tell you that the best times to see wildlife in Yellowstone are at dawn and dusk. Especially in the summertime (when most visitors come to Yellowstone), the cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings get the wildlife up and moving. The hot sun midday has most wildlife hanging back in the shady areas where they’re harder to see. Wildlife Spotting Tips Wolves Less than 2% see wolves when visiting Yellowstone. The wolves are next level wildlife spotting. The average lifespan of a wolf in Yellowstone is 4-5 years. Outside Yellowstone that lifespan is 2-3 years. “It’s worth it to catch a sunrise in Lamar or Hayden Valley (around 5:30 AM midsummer) to capture both the beauty of Yellowstone in the morning and a chance to see wildlife like wolves, bears, coyotes, elk, and bison,” says Kasey Morrisey. Want to See Exciting Wildlife, Wake Up Early The early bird, right? This is a lesson I learned when traveling with Sam Friedland, a guide with Austin Adventures. Time of day matters, as in go in the early morning or as the sun is setting. You have greater chances of spotting wildlife. But, listen, always be respectful. This is their home, not yours. Bring Binoculars Check visitor centres to see what’s been seen today and where. There’s always a report daily. Don’t forget binoculars, if you have a pair. You will use them in Yellowstone. Start at Tree Line Sometimes, you might consider following a commercial tour van. They have the info and will be in the loop on where the latest sightings have taken place. Don’t be annoying about it in any way. Just keep your eye on the people in the know. It might serve you well on the journey in the park. National Park Obsessed’s Jennifer Melrose says if you train your eye to start at the tree line you can pick up movement and colours that will help you to spy wildlife. Ask Ask someone at the side of the road with a gigantic lens what they are looking at. We found people super kind here and the one day when we were hunting for wolves but couldn’t see any, we saw a small cluster of people with telescopes. So we stopped and they let us look through their scopes too. Of course, right now everyone should still be using good judgement regarding social distancing. Take that into account. Rent a Spotting Scope It’s easy to rent a telescope or spotting scope in several places on the way in to the park. Or, the night before you go into Yellowstone get that in order in whatever town you are staying in or passing through before your visit. These rentals were super inexpensive. I was shocked that it was often less than $20 for a day. DEAL! Return if You Have to “You could do everything right and still not see anything, some days. Yellowstone National Park is not a zoo, animals go wherever they want,” says Jennifer of National Park Obsessed. Once you’ve been on a guided tour and then you return you are going to be the smartest person out there at figuring out where to go to see the wildlife and geothermal features. Random Yellowstone Trivia Snowmobiling capital of the world. Did you know that there’s a drive through snowmobile McDonald’s at Yellowstone? There are 6-12 visitor centres in the park. Northeast entrance is the one you take to get to Beartooth Scenic Highway. Beartooth, as the name suggests, is a mountain that looks like a tooth. While it is outside of Yellowstone, I highly recommend making this journey at some point as well. How many days should you spend Inside Yellowstone? “I think if you do your research and know what sights you want to hit, you can see the top features of the park in two days (one day for lower loop, one day for upper loop),” says Morrisey of Austin Adventures. “These two days will consist mostly of driving and walking a few boardwalks – but, you will get some epic photos of the classic sites of Yellowstone along the way. If you want to dive deeper into Yellowstone and fit in some hiking along the 900+ miles of hiking trails in the park, you should plan on spending 3-5 days. There’s also much to be seen and done outside the park that flies under the radar, but is just as incredible! When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Yellowstone? Yellowstone is amazing any time of year, but if I had to pick a favourite time to visit, I’d pick June, Morrisey says. “This is the time when the weather is relatively descent, many of the hiking trails are open (although you’ll probably still run into snow at the higher elevations), the baby animals are out and about, the wildflowers are popping off, and there is NO smoke from wildfires as it’s still green and wet. In a close second place for me personally is visiting Yellowstone in the winter when there’s no crowds and awesome wildlife watching opportunities.” Should You Choose a Tour Operator like Austin Adventures? I can think of a hundred reasons to go with a tour operator into Yellowstone, but will settle for sharing just a few. Size: First of all, Yellowstone is HUGE (2.2 million acres) and there is so much to see and do. Since most visitors have limited vacation time, many people don’t want to “waste” time trying to figure out where to go or what to do. Experience: “A local tour operator with a planned itinerary has guides who know the route, the must-sees, the secret hideaways, and the best wildlife hot...

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A Refreshing Visit to Louisiana Northshore

Paula — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:08:10 +0000

So close to New Orleans, and yet a world away in spirit, Louisiana Northshore is a little slice of something spectacular and a very refreshing soft adventure reprieve after our busy 3-day girl’s trip to New Orleans. Across the Shore, a World Apart Louisiana’s Northshore, St. Tammany Parish, is just a 45-minute drive from NOLA. With access to the same fresh seafood, cultural influences and chefs inspired by Acadian cuisine, Northshore Louisiana has a lot in common with The Big Easy, but without the hustle and the raucous streets of New Orleans. This makes the Northshore a charming spot for a soft adventure, romantic getaway or family vacation. I recently took a 12-day girl’s getaway Gulf Coast hosted media fam trip. We started in New Orleans and then drove to Louisiana’s Northshore. North of Your Expectations Louisiana’s Northshore drapes across the coast of Lake Ponchartrian, less than an hour away from the New Orleans French Quarter. New Orleanians have been using the Northshore as a getaway since the 1880s, way back when steamboats were the common mode of transportation leading people across the lake to stay in stately resorts shrouded by tall trees. The air in Northshore Louisiana was cooler and cleaner than it was in New Orleans and the deep-spring water was reputed to cure ills and calm nerves. Northshore Louisiana consists of: Madisonville, Old Mandeville, Lake Ponchartrain, La Combe, and Abiti Springs as well as Folsom, Pearl River, and Sun. Where to Stay in Northshore Louisiana As soon as we arrived in Louisiana Northshore, we checked into the stunning De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast in Old Mandeville. The decor in every room is themed according to colour. I stayed in the orange room which also had a bit of a safari feel with giraffe art on the wall. There was a small seating area, a large, private, well-appointed bathroom and reliable wifi. With a window seat that offered a view of the water from my room, and a very funky handmade headboard, the suites were all about the unique atmosphere. A Bit About this Charming Louisiana Bed and Breakfast De La Bleau was a passion project in retirement for husband and wife team Cindy and Clyde Touchstone. The bed and breakfast is spacious and clean and welcoming, with the sweetest personal touches. Located on Lafitte Street, you can easily walk to the boardwalk and water. Also, the Bed and Breakfast has bikes to borrow. De La Bleau can accommodate weddings and pets can stay in a lower level suite. High ceilings and a gorgeous breakfast bar, with fresh coffee always on hand, makes De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast cheery and bright, even for those who are not morning people. It’s hard to choose just one favourite feature here because it’s clear Cindy, a retired school bus driver, and husband Clyde, who both did some property flipping in their spare time, are genuinely talented at renovations and decorating. The space has character, but it also provides a lot of privacy for those who prefer that kind of stay. However, of all the endearing elements that make this such a great choice for a stay, the most memorable one is the food. The breakfast bacon here in this adorable Bed and Breakfast is worth the visit alone. It is the best bacon you will ever taste. Take a stroll along the water every morning. Grab a bike and go for a ride. A Sunset Pontoon Tour After checking in, we headed out to meet up with Louisiana Tours and Adventures for a pontoon boat tour. While the night was a bit cool when we were there, that pontoon boat ride was a fantastic way to get a good look at some of the prettiest spots on the water. View this post on Instagram We took a pontoon boat out on the Ponchartrain and watched the 🌅sunset, then we spied this swamp bar on the way back and asked the Captain to make a stop. When I came out of the restroom, @downshiftingpro was dancing with a real character. #hosted #lanorthshore #travel #wanderlust #tammanytaste #northofyourexpectations #travelling #canadalovesgulfshores #canadalovesgulfcoast #water #food #fun A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Nov 21, 2019 at 7:25am PST As the sun set, on the Tchefuncte River, the captain of the boat, Mike, showed us around and timed the ride perfectly so that we were right in front of the lighthouse as the sun lost its grip on the day. So glorious and appreciated! We spied a couple of our first tiny alligators of the trip out on the water. We had snacks and warm beverages on the boat and then a Northshore Louisiana swamp bar caught our eye. After circling around for a bit our amiable captain and PR guide Christina waltzed right in to T Rivers Bar and Grill with us. Because, when in Louisiana and you see a swamp bar, I mean, how can you resist? I left the room for five minutes and returned to find Margarita Ibbott dancing with a total stranger in a swamp bar in Louisiana. That’s something you don’t see every day. Of course, we had to try the swamp punch too, which was green and, while worth trying, not my kind of drink. I saddled up to the bar, where football was playing on multiple smaller screen TVs fixed to the walls behind the bar and asked for a cocktail. But literally, after running through maybe three possible drinks, I realized that I was clearly at a swamp bar. So, local beer it was then. Pizza Night Later that night, after returning to the shore and thanking Mike for an amazing pontoon ride, we drove to Duman Pizza. I had a wood oven fired pizza featuring shrimp and it was superb. In fact, I ate about four pieces, which for me, is unheard of, so but this point of our girl’s getaway I was all in on the gulf coast shrimp dishes. This would be a theme for me and I committed fully. After I finished some work back at the quiet B and B, I called it a night and woke up in time to meet everyone for breakfast. Liz’s Where Y’AT Diner on Florida Street in Mandeville is a must visit and a winner. The walls are all covered with bright beach colours and the bar, counter area is set up to resemble a Tiki Hut. But the cutest part of the restaurant is all of the fun sayings, quotes and witty anecdotes painted on the walls. The Bennies One of my personal favourite things here was that there’s a breakfast dish where you can mix and match the Eggs Benedict or the Bennies. So I had one crabby Eggs Benedict with Nawlin’s Eggs Benedict on a fried green tomato. The crabby bennies were rich and moist and such a southern Gulf Coast treat. Where Y’At? Are you ever on a trip where the restroom wows you so much that you have to take photos? Liz’s Where Y’at Diner is that kind of place. It’s a neighbourhood diner featuring scratch New Orleans cuisine. The vibe is beach mixed with 60s Hippy Flower Child Surfer Girl Vibe. Service was exceptional. Traveler Tip – > Try the Debris. Also the crabby Eggs Benedict was scrumptious. Debris is beef ends that are scraped off the end of the pot and are extremely flavourful. Grits and scramblers are also popular dishes here. Kayak with Alligators The four of us split up after breakfast. Both Margarita Ibbott and I were keen to try kayaking in the bayou. Again, I felt like how often in life do I have the chance to kayak in a bayou in Louisiana? So, for me it was not even a question. Whenever you have a chance to kayak on the bayou with alligators, embrace that opportunity. The paddling was leisurely and we spied two small alligators as we headed all the way to the lake. While you should always have a healthy fear of alligators, we heard repeatedly here that people and gators coexist. If you don’t feed them and leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Check Out Bayou Adventures Kayaking Bayou Adventures Kayaking, a family-owned business with bait shop and restaurant in the back, is a great place to rent what you need in order to do watersports in the area. They offer bike rentals, stand up paddle boards and kayaks as well as swamp tours. Bayou Adventures Kayaking delivers your kayaks and rental gear to the bayou, making your job the paddling and picture-taking. Take a Tour – Historic Mandeville QR Tours Explore the 31-mile Tammany Trace, on the Rail-to-Trail Hall of Fame project. You might also consider taking a fishing charter. Nuvolari’s In walking distance of De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast, Nuvolari’s is Italian food in a casual fine dining atmosphere on Girod Street, moments away from Lake Ponchartrain. We had dinner here on our second night in Old Mandeville and service was flawless. The oysters appetizer was scrumptious, but the Genoa Shrimp with candied pecans and fettuccini was exceptional. Candied pecans added texture and a dash of something sweet, making the Genoa Shrimp one of the best shrimp dishes I have had ever. Covington Browse the Shops in Covington There are dozens of adorable antique shops, a legendary hardware store, a cute shoe store and a few boutiques in downtown Covington. Founded in 1813, Covington is the seat of the parish of St. Tammany. It’s also quaint and walkable and it’s home to the Southern Hotel. Traveler Tip – Shopping Here in Covington? You will find many of the galleries and shops on Lee Lane and Columbia Street. The English Tea Room WOWZA. From the second we set foot inside this adorable Covington tea room we were all charmed. Sit in the Churchill room, surrounded by gigantic cardboard cutouts of Downton Abbey, and be transported. Order the high tea and by all means ask for suggestions! The servers are incredibly well informed about all of the teas here. It was insane how many different varieties of teas this restaurant had. Crafty DIY Ideas The day we left for Coastal Mississippi we drove over to Hammer and Stain Covington. The perfect Covington girl’s getaway activity for Northshore Louisiana and so affordable too! We spent a good three hours painting our Christmas snow globes. A similar activity costs about $35 each. Of course, there are dozens of projects to choose from at various price points. Hammer and Stain Covington also offers private DIY paint parties and Mini Makers parties too for the younger set. Louisiana Northshore Has A Quiet Southern Charm The northshore is full of character and opportunities for soft adventures. Consider it a quieter alternative to New Orleans, or do New Orleans for a couple of exciting days and then retreat to Louisiana Northshore to relax and start planning your next vacation.

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The Cody Hotel – Wild Wyoming

Paula — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:20:40 +0000

Like the town it’s named for, The Cody Hotel is pure Wyoming. Cody is often called one of the last few western towns, and I could easily see why when I stayed there on the first night of my tour with Austin Adventures. The town itself may have grown and modernized itself over the years, but you’d never know it driving through downtown. When it comes to accommodations in Wyoming close to Yellowstone National Park, The Cody Hotel, ticks all the boxes. With great views of the surrounding countryside, comfortable accommodations, superb service and a distinctly wild west vibe, The Cody Hotel Wyoming is pretty close to perfect. Mere moments away from many iconic and historically significant local attractions, that makes this hotel and family friendly spot a good choice when traveling. Cruising the main strip in Cody Wyoming feels like the pure western experience, with shops lining each side of the street – all of them with a classic western front. Just getting to the Cody Hotel is an experience in and of itself. The Cody Hotel is Pure Wyoming The hotel is just across the street from the Cody Nite Rodeo and Stampede Arena and Old Trail Town and just a couple of blocks from Cody institutions like The Cody Cattle Company and The Cody Firearms Company. The exterior of the hotel is quite unassuming. It’s a simple, three-story affair that doesn’t put on a lot of airs. That being said you can feel the rustic, old west vibe even from the outside. The stonework sign welcoming you to the hotel, as well as the stonework that is prominent along portions of the outside of the hotel, lets visitors know immediately that they’re in for a relaxed rustic treat. The interior of the hotel just screams ranch and with its warm colours and natural materials, The Cody Hotel is relaxed at heart. Walking through the doors of the hotel is soothing. The tiles and a stonework fireplace are complemented by warm, wood furniture as well as chairs and sofas featuring leather and fabric that further add to the charm and western feel of the hotel. The Cody Hotel Accommodations The hotel features several room options, and a variety of amenities that make life at the hotel both more productive and more comfortable. Rooms The Cody Hotel room choices range from standard to suite options. The standard room features a custom-made king bed or two custom-made queen beds. The rooms also have a refrigerator and microwave, as well as an easy chair, desk, iron, hairdryer, I-pod docking station and more. The Deluxe King Room and Deluxe Queen Room feature everything the standard room has with an added patio or balcony for enjoying the beautiful Wyoming scenery and crisp, clean air. Finally, the suites feel like living in a home away from home. Their open airy design boasts a spacious living area complete with fireplace, making it a great option for a more homey feel while you’re away. Services and Amenities I liked this hotel for so many reasons, not the least of which is the available pool, bike access, and complimentary breakfast. However, those are just three amenities that make The Cody Hotel so wonderful. You wouldn’t expect some of these higher-end bonuses in such an unassuming hotel, but I think that’s what makes it so special. Amenities offered include: 24-Hour Front Desk Business Center with Printer Free Hot Breakfast Fitness Room Free Airport Transportation Free Shuttle Transportation from West End and Downtown Free High-Speed WiFi Throughout Indoor Hot Tub Indoor Pool Outdoor Firepit Indoor Corridors The Cody really thought of everything when it comes to its guests. As a blogger, I appreciated the FREE high-speed WiFi, the shuttle and as a frequent traveler, I thoroughly enjoyed the free hot breakfast. Those amenities alone are enough for any hotel to receive high marks in my opinion. Location The Cody Hotel couldn’t be more perfectly located. The hotel is close to the airport as well as everything that makes Cody Wyoming famous. In addition, road trippers have access to several main highways, making it easy to explore the surrounding area. This combination of proximity and navigability makes The Cody an excellent home base for a vacation to the area. Get Grounded at The Cody Hotel From the outside, The Cody Hotel is a simple, unassuming affair. In fact, without its stonework and little touches, you’d never know it was anything more than a standard hotel. But that’s part of its charm. The Cody Hotel is as much a staple of the Wyoming atmosphere as Cody is itself. Just like the town, The Cody Hotel is what it is without the need for lots of drama or flair. It welcomes you in with a friendly exterior and entices you to stay with an interior that is warm, inviting, and purely Wyoming. It’s one of the best hotels I’ve had the pleasure of staying at in months. If you’re planning a trip to the Cody, Wyoming area, I highly recommend The Cody Hotel. It has everything you’d ever want in a hotel, and it has it with a distinctly Wyoming flair.

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Adopting The Pace of Nature – Group Travel with Austin Adventures

Paula — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 10:09:20 +0000

This fall I was on a group travel experience and media trip with Austin Adventures which means I received travel, accommodations, food and excursions in exchange for potential coverage. This story is based on that experience. “Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” We are sharing a picnic lunch on the outdoor patio at Old Faithful Inn waiting, listening. There’s a clock inside on the main floor that projects an estimated time that Old Faithful will erupt. It is nothing if not faithful, just as it says right in the name. Old Faithful The crowd murmurs and holds cameras up at the ready, so one by one we migrate closer. Another 15 minutes pass and steam escapes sifting out a little bit at first and then rupturing the air, climbing ever higher. It’s the kind of natural phenomenon you might not even know you want to see until you are there watching it, realizing the world is so much larger than you imagined and there are so many marvels to experience. If you spent a lifetime looking, you might make a dent in your bucket list. What is Austin Adventures? Today is Day Three of my group travel tour with Austin Adventures. Day one was driving and getting to know how this soft adventure group travel experience worked. We left Billings, Montana right after TBEX travel blogging conference ended and drove to Cody, Wyoming to find the Wild West. After a day of white water rafting on Cody’s Shoshone River through rapids like Colter Falls and Plenty Coup we headed over to Buffalo Bill’s Centre of the West, explored the downtown, ate at a restaurant once owned by Buffalo Bill and slept in Cody a second evening, then we packed up to head into Yellowstone National Park. Austin Adventures is a family-run exclusive group travel experience founded by Dan Austin. They are based in Billings Montana. Austin Adventures runs small group travel experiences around the world. They provide a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. That should give anyone the confidence to take a trip with Austin. Is Austin Adventures Right for You? This Group Travel Experience The Red Carpet Treatment Every morning, we start the day feeling like royalty. Literally. Our guide Sam Friedland pulls up to the Cody Hotel and sets out a red carpet and a step stool as we climb into the Austin Adventures Shuttle. On our way from Billings Montana through to Cody we were frequently awestruck by the scenery. One of the members of our group, Jennifer Melroy, of National Park Obsessed has been to Yellowstone before. Of course, the guide Sam has too. I hear them say: “If they are this blown away by the scenery already can you imagine what they will think when they get to Yellowstone?” What to Expect in Yellowstone This is my first time to Yellowstone National Park. My TBEX roommate Anita Sane of The Sane Travel has never been there before either. We are all excited to be taking this hosted group travel tour together and we can’t believe our luck to have also scored rooms inside the park overnight. Yellowstone National Park is so busy from May through to end of September that it’s a huge feat to be able to stay inside the park. In fact, less than 1 % of visitors get to stay inside Yellowstone, so plan ahead if that’s your goal. Off the Grid in Yellowstone On the way, before we lose wifi, I text and email several people to let them know I’m losing wifi as we head into the park. We’ve been advised to expect that. An hour passes and then the east gate of the park looms up. There are five park entrances to Yellowstone. The west entrance is typically the busiest. The road to Old Faithful can’t be far, I figure. Lake Yellowstone’s shoreline stretches on for miles along the roadway through the park. North America’s largest high alpine lake is framed by the Absaroka Mountains, so we pause to take it in and capture some photos. Then we drive some more, spotting bison and numerous birds. That first day in Yellowstone we drive for what seems like an eternity. Of course there are numerous stops and our shuttle is always stocked with a variety of snacks. We are never hungry for long. But as a newbie to Yellowstone I am immediately stunned by how huge this national park is. It spans three states – Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island. It’s impossible to picture the vastness of Yellowstone until you drive it. The Trees Near the east entrance, we pass many different types of trees along the way and Sam, the Austin Adventures group travel guide points out sage, lodgepole pines, aspens, larches, and tallpole pines. Lodgepole pines are quirky trees in that they actually need fire in order to spread and flourish. The seeds in the pine cones are only released when heat from a fire causes them to drop. Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, which you can easily walk around. The Old Faithful Inn has several rooms, a restaurant, a cafeteria and washrooms of course, if needed. Together, we grabbed snacks and sandwiches from the cafeteria and headed outside to watch Old Faithful. Then we received a behind the scenes peak at “the treehouse” that leads to the roof of Old Faithful Inn. Biscuit Basin is a great spot to see several more geo-thermal features. There are four types of thermal features in Yellowstone: geysers like Old Faithful, mud pots, pools and steam vents or fumerals. Take note of the signs throughout Yellowstone and be cautious. Over the years, several people have died in Yellowstone getting too close to the hot springs, falling in or thinking they could save pets that fell in. Now there are strict signs posted about not permitting pets on boardwalks and safety advisories are also visible everywhere. Also stay on the trails and don’t climb on things to take selfies. Grand Prismatic Grand Prismatic is right up there with Old Faithful as a Yellowstone tourist mecca. We pull in to the main viewing area, which is extremely busy, even in mid September. From the boardwalk, it’s challenging to get great photos. At one point, as we are circling and returning towards the shuttle, a bison saunters straight through the crowd, a visual reminder that this is their home and we are just visitors. Finding the Best Spots in Yellowstone Spying a group of people up high on a scenic overlook, with no obvious path to get there, we ask Sam how we can get a better view. Naturally that’s already covered and the next planned stop today. We drive over to the parking area by Grand Prismatic scenic overlook, hiking across a plain and up an incline. The immediate reward is magical views and an overlook that seems to be less busy than the boardwalk. This is one of the best parts of traveling with an Austin Adventures tour guide. Their insider’s knowledge is remarkable. Our Journey in Yellowstone We started the day via the east and then went west to see Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful before heading north to Canyon Lodge overnight. Dinner is simple at the Canyon Lodge cafeteria – style restaurant. Yellowstone Facts President Grant signed the registration that created the national park. The land was under military control until 1916. In 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park in the world. A Big Apple Pie “Yellowstone,” Sam says: “is like a big apple pie. In most places on earth, the crust is 40-50 miles thick. Here it is roughly 2-3 miles thick. This is the kind of educational content we get consistently throughout our trip. Yellowstone might warrant an apple pie comparison but for us on this trip, it is the meat and potatoes of the group travel soft adventure experience. Earthquakes and Geyser Facts Three miniature earthquakes happen here every day. We spent two and a half days inside the park and didn’t feel any. Only 200 active geysers exist outside of Yellowstone, scattered in 30 basins around the world. Over 100, or one fifth of the world’s geysers are located within one square miles of Old Faithful. Austin Adventures Group Travel Facts On a typical Austin Adventures group travel tour like this one there would be 3-5 families. The Austin Adventures experience takes 12-18 travellers total unless it is a custom experience, always maintaining a 6:1 guide to guest ratio, which is the best in the group travel industry. While we see a lot in the time we have, I never once felt rushed. The pace of our tour is manageable for all ages and feels like it would be ideal for a guided family trip. Our Second Day in Yellowstone You could probably spend two weeks here exploring Yellowstone and never once be bored. Early in the day we wake up and walk to the Canyon Lodge for breakfast, then we pack up again and drive towards the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. We’d planned a hike on the Wapati Trail but it’s pouring, so we go to the Visitor’s Centre and after roughly an hour the rain turns to snow. Eventually we head to Artist Point instead. Did you know that all of Yellowstone is a Giant Caldera, or a collapsed crater of a not so extinct volcanic field? Neither did I, until this trip with Austin Adventures. Artist Point Artist Point and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River are two of the busiest spots in the park and even on a rainy day there’s a crowd. We battle the crowd a bit in order to see Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River before taking a hike and spying evidence that a young grizzly is nearby. Our guide is confident hiking here and, as a result we feel comfortable following him. “Here bear. Here bear,” he yells periodically to make sure we don’t surprise any creatures. Lamar Valley We drive through the Lamar Valley, spying mountain goats, a moose and eventually a grizzly bear a long way off up a mountain and only visible with a telescope. In Lamar Valley, there are also wolves and the area has a reputation as the Serengeti of Yellowstone, and while we see hundred of bison and pronghorns, we do not see any wolves that day. Before leaving the park to spend the night in Cooke City, Sam surprises us with wine and cheese on a silver platter. The Start of Day 3 in Yellowstone We leave Cooke City at the crack of dawn to head into the park on an extremely cold morning to look for wolves. Wolves once neared extinction before being reintroduced from Canada. On a chilly September morning in the Lamar Valley, we drive until we spy a cluster of people watching a plain with telescopes. Sam pulls over and we spill out. Only 2 % of visitors see wolves in Yellowstone. On this group travel adventure, we saw a pack waking up. We ask if they’ve seen wolves and someone confirms there is at least one pack waking up in the valley. While our guide hunts for a spot to park, a couple asks if we want to look through their telescope to see them. This is something I loved about Yellowstone. There were many people who would happily help, pointing out wildlife, or letting you peek through a telescope, if necessary. Austin Adventures also had a spotting scope which we used to view moose and bison. After our wolf sighting, we leave Yellowstone to get breakfast in Cooke City, Montana. Before leaving Yellowstone for good, we head to Mammoth Hot Springs, an unexpected addition to the trip. Mammoth Hot Springs Mammoth Hot Springs and terraces consists of thousands of years old travertine platforms and ash cones, as well as steamy boardwalks. This section of the park is a stunning entry point to the marvels of Yellowstone. Watch out for the elk all over this small village. A lot of hiking trails begin in the Mammoth Hot Springs area. Timing is Everything with Beartooth Highway Leaving Yellowstone is a hard pill to swallow, but we are timing this precisely, hoping to hit Beartooth Pass right around sunset for the best photos. Beartooth Pass is a 68-mile scenic byway winding up and over 10,000 foot mountains. The mountain itself called Beartooth looks exactly like a bear’s tooth. Beartooth Pass is often closed due to weather so we have timed this section of the trip perfectly. Luck is in our favour. Things to Know About the Tour Austin Adventures is pretty much an all inclusive affair. On a typical family group travel tour, accommodations, a custom itinerary, meals and fees for any excursions are all included. There is often one night free and one meal that you are on your own for, so bring a bit of cash for that. Also bring cash to tip your guide. The drive over Beartooth pass is one of those iconic American road trip adventures you must make at least once. It is, of course, scenic, but it’s also a drive that feels like it could have been ripped straight from a James Bond movie with hairpin turns and constant climbs. Million dollar views are everywhere you look on Beartooth. You Can’t Top Austin Adventures Adopt the pace of nature. With Austin Adventures, the group travel experience was close to perfect. It never once felt rushed and there’s no question that we gained so much by taking the journey with an attentive and knowledgeable guide. Accommodations were good, service was amazing, the itinerary was well organized and the guide was incredibly tuned into us and our environment. It’s easy to see why so many travellers return to Austin Adventures year after year. We all left wanting more, but knowing that we’d seen more than we ever expected to experience in Yellowstone. Austin’s Yellowstone Tour Details: Austin Adventures runs tours to Yellowstone from Bozeman Montana every week in the summer months. This particular trip was six days ending in Red Lodge, Montana so we could fly out of Billings Montana. What’s an Austin Adventures Yellowstone Tour Cost? All prices are in US. There are dozens of trips throughout the world via this family run tour group so pick a spot. The 2020 fee for a similar trip to Yellowstone is $2898 per adult and $2398 for kids. What is not included? One meal on one of the evenings, travel to the starting point, and tips for the guides ($100 – $150.) Don’t miss another of my travel companion’s posts here – > Cindy Richards of Traveling Mom Luxury Family Tour of Yellowstone. Huge thank you to Austin Adventures, and Sam Friedland!

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Everyday Adventures is Changing the Way I Think About Travel

Paula — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 14:18:23 +0000

This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. If you make a purchase via one of the links I receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Everyday Adventures is one of those books you come across that totally changes the way you look at something. I’ve always loved to travel. Getting out and exploring the world around me has been a passion of mine for life, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve chased the horizon. Recently, I realized there might be a different way to explore the world while I traveled and even while at home This book Everyday Adventures from Lonely Planet will help you see travel differently. The ideas for adventure within this book are fun and simple and often they cost absolutely nothing at all but time. Everyday Adventures – Exactly What the Title Says Everyday Adventures is about keeping the spirit of exploration and discovery alive even when we aren’t on trips. I figured this book might be travel anecdotes and stories, but what I found inside was unique. This book is devoted to the idea that you don’t have to travel far to explore. You need not spend a fortune either. This charming and fun book reminds us that the reason we travel is not to find the traveler spirit, but because of it. As I read this book, I realized that while travel had started out as an extension of my adventurous and curious side, it need not be the only time I ever allow myself to be adventurous. Sometimes adventures can be found in your own backyard. Follow Your Senses focuses on exploring your neighborhood using your senses in themes like Memory Lane and Urban Foraging, where you learn to spot the edible plants in your neighborhood! Social Adventures encourages us to learn about the people of our area the same way we would if we were traveling, opening up our eyes to a new way of looking at those around us. Challenge Yourself is all about getting out and interacting with our surroundings. Explore an airport or help out in the community to learn something new about your area. Cultural Odysseys invites us to explore the culture that we most often take for granted – our own community’s. Roll the Dice is all about taking a chance. That’s all I’ll give away about it. Lonely Planet Books Are About Making Connections Here’s what Lonely Planet has to say about their book: Weave a little wonder into daily life with these fun and challenging activities – and experience your local area in a whole new way. Invite friends on a social adventure, follow your senses somewhere new and embark on a cultural odyssey. Lonely Planet shows you how to embrace the traveler spirit and discover a new side to where you live. For each activity, we tell you what to bring and provide simple, easy-to-follow instructions to make it a success. You’ll also find a case study from someone who’s completed it, as well as surprising facts and anecdotes that shed light on the history and science behind each quirky quest.</em></em></p> Final Thoughts: I love several of the great ideas here. For instance step outside your door one afternoon or evening and turn left, then right, then left and alternate until you are somewhere entirely new. Keep exploring. Or post to social media asking your friends and followers what adventure you should take. Then make it happen. Change the Way you see the World with Everyday Adventures Every now and then it’s nice to have a reminder to see things differently. This adventure guide of sorts will help you uncover inexpensive everyday adventures near home. Try some out and embrace something new. When you look at the world through a different lens, you suddenly see all the things you, and that’s what makes

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