My husband and horses do NOT have a good history together. Back in 2005, when were were driving across the country, we stopped to visit a friend in Jackson. They took us horse back riding through the valley. My husband was not confident and the horse knew it. At some point the horse wanted to…
The University of Barcelona is a sprawling organization with campuses all over the city. However, for whatever reason, in 1999, all the exchange students took classes at the old campus, right off Plaza Universidad. The building, built between 1863 and 1882, is classic Moorish architecture, with big courtyards and lots of greenery. I remember being…
When you hear Cannery Row, if you are a Steinbeck fan, you immediately conjure up imagines of a gritty factory filled row that smells of fish and poverty. At the very minimum you imagine factories and lots and lots of metal and aluminum. What you likely don’t imagine is world class shopping and dining, luxury…
My sister was coming to town with her family, and it was her husband’s first time in California. I had one day to take off and I knew that wine tasting in Napa was a must. But I had had a slew of visitors in the winter, and I was tired of all my usual…
In 2015 we had a membership to the Oakland Zoo, but ended up stopping to go when my kids became more interested in going on the amusement rides (which are not included in the membership) than seeing the animals (which are). We moved up North and the zoo was no longer as convenient, so we…
Several weeks ago, before the devastating fires closed Napa and Sonoma for a period, my cousin was in town visiting. In the Bay Area, when you have relatives visit, wine tasting is a must do. Since it was his first time wine tasting, we went to Robert Mondovi Winery, because of its stunning location Anyone…
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. That’s what I always tell myself. But being the organized, planner I am, I can never quite seem to enjoy that. I always am thinking of what the faster route from point A to point B is. Even if I go a circular route, it’s because…
Wine. Castles. Chocolate. More wine. What’s not to love? When my mom was in town she wanted to go up to Napa. I had no ability to take a day off at work so we could go sans kids. That meant we had to go on a weekend and find a child-friendly winery. What a better…
After our long drive from Arenal Springs to Manuel Antonio, we settled into the Falls Resort, in our private room at the back of the resort. We ate chocolates while reading the note congratulating us on our anniversary, then hit the pool to get the out kinks from being in a car so long. …
In April of 2005 my husband and I committed ourselves as husband and wife in front of our family and friends in not just one ceremony, but two. It was a beautiful weekend, perfect in every way (except the car accident, but that’s another story). For our 5th wedding anniversary, my son was…