7 Days and 11 States, My 7-11 Travels

In my usual style, an aisle seat, I have taken out my laptop to reflect on my last seven days (see picture for view from my seat).  Since boarding, it has been a rather interesting flight with various infants, one yappy little dog, and everyone afraid of sneezing with the worries of Swine Flu. It is during this said “quiet time” (with headphones on) that I reflect on where I have been over the last seven days.

I crossed the country last week.  I left the West Coast leaving from San Diego, California with a pit stop in Atlanta, Georgia with arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. After empting one suitcase of dirty clothes and repacking another, I then traveled by car for a Spring Roadtrip up I-95 through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and today just a smidgen of Connecticut. Yes, that is right seven days and eleven states.  I would have to say I did a 7-11.

During this week, I rode in a double-decker bus (Yes, like in London), four taxis, various planes ran by three distinct airlines, one car for over 1,800 miles, one bike, and by foot.  However, I was grateful that none of my travels had been my motor home, semi, or horseback; all I would consider rather unpleasant ways of travel. I did see a Segway along the journey that I wanted to try, but I passed.  I will keep it on my to do list.

I have said many times, “If the government had a GPS tracking system on me, they would think that I am doing something illegal.”  It is not a secret that they most likely already know my every location and move; and, if the government doesn’t know my every move or happens to lose my location, I have helped them by tweeting my travels.  My twitter name is MsTravelingPant (The character limit of Twitter is disappointing.).

Heading back home, where I hang up my laptop bag (I rarely wear hats), I am looking forward to warmer weather as San Diego was unseasonably cool as well as the Northeast was rather cool with rain showers bidding me farewell today.

My next adventure will be my third trip to Costa Rica.  This, as my last year’s trip was, will be for business. Regardless, all travel whether for pleasure or work leads to stories, experiences, and learning.  I am hoping that my colleagues in Costa Rica make some VIP calls to make sure that the typical hot, humid weather is ready for me. Please no more unseasonable weather.  Maybe Ms. Traveling Pants can wear some shorts since it is already May.

Spring Roadtrip Part 3

We awoke for Day 3 in New Brunswick, New Jersey at the Howard Johnson.  It was an interesting evening at the HoJo.  As you never know what is wrong or right about a hotel, this was definitely just a place to stay and not a hospitable experience.  We arrived very tired on Day 2 and entered the room, which appeared clean to immediately refuel with some apps and beer.

Little did we know last evening that the cable didn't work and that the air conditioning was difficult.  As in difficult I mean, that it would work in cycles.  Each 5 minutes, it would turn on and then turn off with a loud grown as if it was about to breathe it's last air conditioner breath.  

This morning after one of the best slept night's in the last week (despite the cable and air conditioning noise), I awoke to a hotel coffee maker that didn't work.  Can you believe it? Yes, the caffeine addict didn't have her juice. So after two very long 10 hour driving days, no coffee. It definitely was not a good morning for groggy Ms. Traveling Pants.

Now, as a lesson to all that have worked in the hospitality industry, I told the management at the HoJo upon leaving, "I am here to check out as well as let you know of some issues with the room.  First, the cable is not working nor the air conditioner.  And to top it all off, the coffee maker doesn't work."  I was then told by the management, "We will put it on the list. Thank you Mam.  You are all set." Wasn't that great customer service?  I just didn't have the energy or care to protest (lucky HoJo).

So it was off to the New Jersey Turnpike for a quick two hour journey through Jersey to New York and over to the Hudson Valley.  Interestingly enough, we saw no Cracker Barrels from the hotel in New Jersey through New York that was until our exit getting off of Highway 84.  It was the Poughkeepsie exit 13 and ironically our last exit.  The last and final Cracker Barrel #41 was there.  It was a sign.  It was closure.

I only saw one memorable bummer sticker from NJ to NY:

"Just say Show Me the Carfax."  I guess the marketer was a fan of Jerry Maquire. You know, "Show Me the Money!!!"

However, I just wanted to chime in that most bummer stickers this year are political support stickers from the previous election.  I guess I don't know why Republican supporters keep those stickers on the car.  Come on, get over it and take them off!

After arriving in town, we checked into the same hotel as in March when we did a visit.  We then previewed the studio apartment that my husband will be renting while attending the Culinary Institute of America.  To celebrate and only a couple blocks walk from the new apartment, we had lunch overlooking the Hudson River Valley.

We walked along the river with the bright sun and a brisk breeze to digest. Afterwards, we did errands including buying a futon and supplies for the apartment.  You know the type: the 32 piece dinner set, the 10 piece cooking set, bathroom supplies, alarm clocks, wastepaper baskets and the like.  It was like getting ready for the dorms all over again, except that I was not having my father build a wooden bunk bed for my roommate and I.  

We had a wonderful day despite rather stressful news back home regarding a restructuring of my current employer.  We had a great lunch, got errands done including getting the apartment finalized, saw the movie "The Soloist", and then had yet another "last supper." 

Tomorrow is claimed as, "The Day of the Resume."  We plan to appear in person and drop off 40+ resumes to restaurants throughout the area.  It should be fun.  We will certainly get to know the area.

Keep you posted on the rest of the trip.

Spring Roadtrip Up I-95-Part 1

Most of my posts thus far have been of memories of past trips.  This week, I wanted to give you a story in “real time” of a journey from Fort Lauderdale, Fl up I-95 1,800 miles to Poughkeepsie, NY. Stay tuned for play by play pit-stops, unique insights, and more.

Day one: Start from Plantation, Fl in a packed to the brim Honda. Gas tank full (paying $2.15 per gallon), radio station a mixture of 97.3, 97.9, and 104.3. I-95 heading North after a good night’s sleep. Left at 9:30 AM to drive through at least 4 states including Florida, Georgia (gas at $1.86), South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Things to note:

There are a tremendous amount of Cracker Barrels.  We counted 14 from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, another 4 in Georgia, 3 in South Carolina, and so far 2 in North Carolina.  After seeing so many signs, in Brunswick, Georgia (Exit 36A) we stopped for a taste of Cracker Barrel. (See picture in the rocking chair.)

Additionally a couple funny things of interest, in Georgia we saw a billboard for Chick-fil-a that read, “Stop in the Name of Chikin.” This was being painted on the billboard by two Holstein cows, one sitting on top of the other (Get it, cows trying to get people to eat chicken?).  Also, we saw a motorhome pulling an SUV (see picture) that stated, “Be Patient I am Pushing this Big Motorhome.” Upon passing the SUV being pulled, we noticed that there was a female dummy in the driver’s seat.  Honestly, people have too much time on there hands.

As far as interesting bummer stickers, here are my two favorites, both we saw on the same car:

Swamp life (on a Florida Gator student’s car)

Got ink? (referring if you have any tattoos)

Day one is about to finish with a couple of hours in North Carolina.  Follow me on Twitter. My name is MsTravelingPant (yes they have a limit of characters).

Until Part 2....

Ms. Traveling Pants' Top Ten Favorite Food Destinations

As a key component of all travels, food is the window to a different culture. I have decided to highlight my favorite food destinations along with some recommendations in a top ten list.

For those of you familiar with David Letterman and the Late Night Show, I give you.....Ms. Traveling Pants' Top Ten Favorite Food Destinations.

10. Montreal, a great blend of bilingual culture, jazz, and dining. I have had the pleasure of visiting this great city twice with my husband who is an executive chef. Believe us, if you are in the mood for a great aged steak, you must stop by Le Queue Cheval and if you have a second night to dine please go to Peel Street and visit Ferriera's Cafe.

9. Florida Keys...my number nine review is for an outstanding Islamorada restaurant called Pierre's. With its own private white sand beach and beautiful Gulf views for sunsets, this is a special place. It is high end cuisine, but you can always just visit the inviting bar and lounge on the beach patio lit by tiki torches after the sunset. For lunches, I would recommend its sister restaurant Morada Bay. With great chips and salsa, live music, and that same private beach, it is one of the best lunch joints in the Keys.

8. Also, in South Florida, you must go to Le Tub in Hollywood. Award winning for its extra large burgers, the place certainly has a unique decor with a wooden enclosed eating area with benches for parties of two to six people. Some of the tables are waterfront (you need to get there when they open to get these prime spots) while the others are shaded by tropical trellises. Be prepared to wait an hour for your burgers and the servers are "no-frills."

7. Whether in Casablanca, Marrakesh, or Tangiers, you must try the national dish of Morocco, tagine. Named after the actual cooking vessel, tagines are rather unusually shaped casserole pans with a cone shaped cover. It is with this heating and steaming method that the typical chicken and lamb combination is very moist and enhanced by the flavors of carrots, potatoes, onions, and many times dried fruits and nuts such as almonds and raisins.

6. When in New England, a stop in Beantown for "chowda" is necessary no matter what the season. Clam Chowder, a traditional thick soup with onions, potatoes, cream, and clams, is no better than at one of the most historic restaurants in all of Boston, the Union Oyster House. In fact, the Union Oyster House, near Quincy market and Faneuil Hall, was one of my husband's first jobs in the culinary field.


5. Madrid is near and dear to me so I must mention one of its specialties. Cocido Madrileno is a very filling stew usually served in two stages. The first consists of a broth, straight from a large pan where all the stew’s meat has been slowly simmering. The second course is usually presented in a tray placed in the middle of the table containing chickpeas, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and all the meat: beef, chicken, ham, chorizo and sometimes morcilla (blood sausage). Only true Madrileno style restaurants do cocido and typically only one day a week.

4. New Orleans is a great stop for culinary travels. If you haven't heard of it before, you must go to Cafe du Monde for a good coffee and the world renowned beignets, square fritters covered with powdered sugar. If you want an enjoyable Southern dinner on Bourbon Street, try the Red Fish Grill. Go for the Red fish....it is good enough to name the restaurant after.

3. Ixtapa, Mexico not only is a trendy, Mexican beach destination, but it has a great hamburger place called Ruben's. Now you don't think of burgers when you think Mexican food, but these charbroiled burgers are to die for. You can have them with the traditional ketchup and mustard, but I would recommend skipping both and going for the in-house pickled vegetable mixture to garnish.

2. Not to far from number 3, Zihauntanejo, Mexico.....This is where you would find Pollo Loco (crazy chicken) a small, local hangout that has the best hand made tortillas, grilled onions, peppers, and chicken a la brasa. Just order the 1/2 chicken, a Sol (a more authentic Mexican beer than Corona), and roll up your sleeves and dig in.

1. Nerja, Spain is one of the jewels of Costa del Sol and paella beachside is my number one pick. Paella is typically done by fire in a very shallow, metal pan (see picture above). It is a rice dish with fresh seafood, chicken, sometimes rabbit, saffron for color, veggies and is best accompanied by a nice pitcher of sangria. I would recommend Chiringuito Ayo, one of the most popular on Burriana beach.