Wine and Spirits Travel

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the Poconos.  I had never been to the Skytop Lodge before.  Even though this was one of the few trips that I didn’t have a strict itinerary, I had planned the weekend in my mind.  There was a long drive to deal with from home and then I would arrive on time to enjoy a long, leisurely dinner, followed by some spirits and relaxation in the bar.  Sunday would be a light hike to the waterfalls, some canoeing or kayaking, yoga, and an hour or so relaxing by the pool.  I would finally get to unpack that bag with the bathing suit that had remained – untouched – in my suitcase for six months.  Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, none of that happened. I’m sure the phrase “making lemonade out of lemons” is a familiar one, but as the child of two disabled parents, it was a motto in my household.  The drive turned into 14 hours and the dining room was closed.  For the first time in a month here, it rained (poured is more accurate) and the indoor poo

I go into Chicago for events every few weeks.  It’s a bit far for me to drive back and forth the same day, especially since those events usually involve wine or liquor sampling!  I’ve stayed in a few Chicago hotels that I liked, but the latest one impressed me so much I am anxious to tell everyone about it. I managed to sneak into the Windy City between my big trips for an overnight at The James . To say I was impressed would be an understatement. This hotel is  in a perfect location on East Ontario Street.  The James is situated within blocks of the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and some of Chicago’s best museums, and  it’s on a block with three important places – Trader Joe’s, Starbucks and home of my favorite deep dish pizza,   Pizzeria Due ! This hotel was remodeled and opened as The James Chicago in 2006. The strong detail to contemporary design and art reminded me very much of 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville, and it turns out that Deborah Berke is the architect respons

I am done with wine for a little while ( Finger Lakes Wine Country is two weeks away), but I still managed to find some spirits to check out in California's Marin County . My morning began at the beautiful Gerstle Park Inn in San Rafael.  This bed & breakfast  is extra special with touches like a breakfast menu, beautiful grounds (with a fruit orchard and croquet court) and two of the most dedicated owners I’ve seen – Jim and Judy Dowling.  I recommend taking a break next time you are in Northern California and booking a room , or staying in one of the private cottages on the property. (For a limited time, BedAndBreakfast.com is offering $50 off on stays ) I couldn’t spend my stay just enjoying the Inn, but I did have some fun stuff planned for the rest of my California trip.  First up was Iron Springs Pub & Brewery where someone from my old Long Island, New York, neighborhood found his niche and it’s no longer a secret.  First, full disclosure… no beers were drank

Every day of my trip I have reported chronologically, but my second day in Sonoma had an unexpected stop that had a huge impact on me.  It wasn’t a phenomenal wine, I actually didn’t drink anything there.  It was a blast into my past, if you pardon the war pun. Before I became a travel writer, a wine and spirits writer or even a tennis writer, entertainment was my niche.  I wrote about music, theater and movies while I was in college and barely old enough to see an “R” rated flick.  I took on the role of critic and that was in fact the title of my thesis.  I had a few heroes and one came after a cinema class that took me to review “ Apocalypse Now. ”  Francis Ford Coppola was (is) a genius to me. While I didn’t want to necessarily be a director, I did dream of becoming a screenwriter and collecting an Oscar.  Finally getting to see one up close was the highlight of my day during my visit to the beautiful, but still under construction, Coppola Winery in Sonoma. I must preface this