Read more about the article Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

What I remember most about Colonial Williamsburg was that it was crowded and a bit chaotic. Although we purchased our tickets ahead of time, we had to stand in a 20 minute line. We found parking at the visitor center, but it was getting full. After finally getting our tickets, we walked the trail to the historic area. Not everything is open all the time. For example, on that Saturday, only certain houses were open for tours. We stopped first at John Chowning’s Tavern where we had a delicious meal. While we were waiting, we went to the Magazine to see the old weapons.

Then, we went to the Peyton Randolf House. During the tour of the two-story dark red wooden home, we learned not only about the Randolf family, but about their slaves as well. Originally owned by Sir John Randolf, the property consisted of two separate houses that were later joined together. (more…)

Read more about the article A North Carolina Thanksgiving
Whiteside Mountain

A North Carolina Thanksgiving

Tired of cooking every Thanksgiving, our family decided to try something different. We wanted to go somewhere out to eat that wasn’t ridiculously expensive and we wanted to have time to do at least one hike.

After some research, we decided on Highlands, NC. Starting early that morning, we drove up to Whiteside Mountain to hike the 2.5-mile loop trail. The weather was crisp and because most of the leaves had already fallen, we had spectacular views.

We weren’t alone on the hike. Many people were also there before feasting on Thanksgiving dinner. We had reservations at the Main Street Inn in Highlands. Our reservation was for 3 p.m. but we had a little time to walk around the quaint downtown area. We ducked into the Old Edwards Inn and admired their Christmas tree. (more…)

Read more about the article Boston & Maine Itinerary (Including Acadia National Park)

Boston & Maine Itinerary (Including Acadia National Park)

This is the trip that started it all for our family. My spouse and I had enjoyed travelling, but with the birth of our children we did a lot of trips to visit family and an annual trip to the beach. We decided it was time for the four of us to go on a true vacation.

There are many styles of travel. In my family (and maybe because I grew up in a city of about 150,000) we tended to take city trips – New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, Montreal. On these vacations, I wasn’t allowed to do things I could do at home – like see a movie. We pounded the pavement to see everything there was to see – museums, walking around, eating local cuisines — definitely no sleeping in or hanging out.

Other people like to go to one place – maybe for an entire week. These trips are meant for relaxation, but after a while I tend to get bored. It was time to do the type of vacation I had grown up doing and to show our children the world. It was fun, exhilarating and now we’ve tried to incorporate at least one trip like this per year. This was our itinerary from June 2011. (more…)

Tipple & Rose: Tea Parlor and Apothecary – Atlanta

Update: Tipple & Rose permanently closed December 2019

I just discovered a new tea shop in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood in Atlanta.

Tipple & Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary opened in late 2015. Located in the heart of Va-Highlands near Dark Horse Tavern and Surin, the shop is housed in a former hair salon.

Entering the long narrow shop, you pass by the wood tables and exposed brick walls to get to the counter towards the back of the store. There, scrumptuous looking desserts tantalize you through the glass window. The L-shaped counter has workers busily brewing tea, dishing out desserts and ringing up purchases. On top, you will find a multi page tea menu. Organized by type (black, green, white) and region, there is a corresponding number to it. At first I thought it was just so the staff know what you want.

The owner explains that the menu numbers correspond to the numbers on the sniffing jars sitting on the other glass counter. How I missed it, I don’t know. There’s a huge board of about 100 jars.

The tea-sniffing bar at Tipple+Rose

I tried my hand at this. One of the black teas was called Gingerbread. As I held the menu, my husband found the corresponding number and passed me the jar to sniff. I love this place already! (more…)