Wild, Windy and Wonderful Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida. One of my favorite spots in the planet. It’s a place to visit if you enjoy the laid back, chill vibes of a place unique and doing its own thing. I find it a tiny slice of paradise, as wild or chill as you want it to be. I tend to see & gravitate mainly to the chill in it. 

It’s got great vibes, people in the touristy area around Duval Street they’re happy because they’re on vacation. I like that fun, happy vibe. It’s also cool to hear a variety of languages from people coming off the cruises. I also love the strong unique, creative vibes of the residents and locals of Key West. People are being themselves, doing what they want. 

Walk around and look at the homes, different designs, colorful and full of life. I find Key West small enough to just drop in, can be with friends or solo, and totally enjoy doing whatever I want. 

This is the 3rdr year straight I’ve escaped to Key West, Florida, for my birthday. The last two years I made a point to arrive on my birthday, making my special day very memorable ones. The memories and experiences last well beyond the weekend quick trip. I have always had a blast there. 

If you love fishing you must do it here! You can’t come to Key West, like fishing and not experience these waters! I recommend fishing backcountry. I think my next trip will be flats. I’d love to catch a barracuda next time!

Don’t take my word for it, go experience it yourself. If you do tell me all about what you loved and what you’d recommend. 

Here are a few highlights and recommendations of things to see/do on a quick trip. Happy Adventuring!

Activities

• Dream Catcher backcountry fishing. What I caught: Mangrove snapper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove_snapper Grunt http://www.flfish.com/gamefish/Whitgrnt.htm Jack Crevalle https://www.igfa.org/species/147-jack-crevalle.aspx?CommonName=147-jack-crevalle.aspx Blue stripped grunt https://www.keywestdivecenter.com/blue-striped-grunt/ Schoolmaster snapper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoolmaster_snapper
• Key West Aquarium - First time visiting. Small, but a lot of variety! I had time to burn before my flight Sunday so took my time taking this spot in. Really chill and interesting. Outside are larger fish and some presentations. At the far end, outside there’s large sea turtles and sharks. Otherwise, you can stay indoors and peruse.

• Walked part of Duval Street, endless choices in bars, restaurants, stores

• Conch Harbor Marina ~ walk by in am. Sunday on my way to Cuban Coffee Queen. I like their Chrisymas tree!

Hotel

• Pier House, 2nd year in a row. I think I’ll try another hotel, in the same area, next trip. I’ve got Ocean Keys, Hyatt and The Marker on my radar. So no shortage of ocean view options.
• I like the ocean view room. I love hearing the ocean, being close to it, seeing it and having the balcony to watch the sunsets privately! Can bring food, drinks and kick back to enjoy the view while you chill.
• I like that the hotel has a tiny beach. Warmer temps would be good to do light snorkeling, though I bet it get packed.

Eats 

• Red Fish, Blue Fish - fresh gulf oysters, Key West ceviche, Red Fish drink

• Pier House room service - Key West shrimp, con leche coffee. I was tired so went with RS. I recommend going out instead. Better bang for your buck.
• Cuban Queen -Cuban breakfast burrito, 2 coffees. Perfect! 

• Sunset Pier bar, peel a shrimp, taco platter 2x, fresh oyster, corn on the cob. That corn on the cob was amazing!

Wanted to check out these spots, but didn’t so will add to a future trip:

Key West First Legal Rum Distillery

https://www.keywestlegalrum.com/

Fort Zachary Taylor Park - Definitely interested in snorkeling!

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Taylor

Brunch at Hot Tin Roof

http://www.oceankey.com/key-west-restaurant.aspx

Check out my post from 2017 with highlights & recommendations from that trip.

http://talkadventuretome.blogspot.com/2017/01/adventure-strong-key-west-jan-2017.html

In addition, check out Travel & Leisure’s piece in a Key West Weekend Getaway Agenda. Over the past 3 years I’ve visited most on their list.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/partner/the-florida-keys-key-west/127502?prx_t=ZE4DA3gYZAOeIPA

New Hampshire & Maine Shenanigans

This year I found an opportunity to adventure with some very special friends. Fellow Military brats! In general, I find those who have shared the unique experiences we have growing up all over the world, surrounded by people from all walks of life and from all around the world are especially interesting. We were born from Adventurers.  

You don’t have to be a Military brat, but I do love others like me who cherish what a unique gift of experiences we had growing up the way we did.

This year this Good Vibes Crew reunited in October, after very many moons, and enjoyed exploring New Hampshire, where our Friend Tish lives, and Maine! She was an exceptional hostess and tour guide. 

Here are a few highlights of places I really enjoyed exploring with them.

Meadow Ledge Farm, New Hampshire 

• The tractor ride to the orchard was fun, even as it drizzled rain on us!
• Fresh apple cider donuts are a must!!!
• They had one of the best dill pickles I’ve had there, too!

http://www.meadowledgefarm.com/

Flume Gorge, New Hampshire 

Breathtaking nature and Fall foliage!

• We hiked and were surrounded by rocks, waterfalls and nature. 
• Absolutely stunning! 
• You’ll feel like you’re Indiana Jones or Lara Croft walking up the slick path!

http://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/flume-gorge.aspx

LL Bean Flagship Store, Maine

• Huge store
• Anything/everything you can want of LL Bean gear!

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1000001709?page=store-freeport-outlet

Miyake, Maine

• Delicious Japanese meal!

http://www.miyakerestaurants.com/miyake/

Lucky Catch, Maine

• Fun and educational lobstering tour!
• We got to participate and learn something new. 
• Great memories!

http://www.luckycatchlobster.com/

Sapporo Restaurant, Maine

• Yummy Japanese bento lunch after lobstering!

http://sappororestaurant.com/index.html

Portland Head Light, Maine

• Beautiful! 
• High cliffs, ocean, huge lighthouse. 
• Great views!

https://portlandheadlight.com/

Portsmouth River House

• Lobster dinner!
• Creamy chowder

https://riverhouse53bow.com/

Have you been to NH or Maine?

What are your top recommendations?

More travel pictures & video can be seen on my IG https://www.instagram.com/aeroems/

CHICAGO Travel November 2016

Enjoyed an action packed weekend with my great friend Charlotte! She's the only one I've found, to date, that can sonic boom as hard as me:-D

We decided to take a trip to Chicago. This is such a happening city!! It's one of my favorite cities on the planet. So vibrant, so much to offer!!

Here are a few reviews I posted on Trip Advisors if you're curious about visiting. I highly recommend experiencing this city, not just because Im a Cubs fan, but because it is a city that ROCKS! Great scene, art, food, people, Cubs games;-) and more!!

Check out our quick video review with some recommendations



Comment below. Would love to hear your favorite spots so I can check them out another trip!

Check out my, along with many others, Trip Advisor reviews:

The Godfrey Hotel 

Portillo's ~ Get their hot dog!!!

Lou Mitchell's Restaurant ~ highly recommend breakfast!

Wrigley Field ~ A must for Cubs, World Series Winners 2016, and baseball fans!!

Cloud Gate aka The Bean ~ better in person than I expected!

Signature Lounge ~ great view! Tip: before being seated ask for a window table in line. The view is everything about this place.

Torquet ~ good breakfast at this French place by our hotel.

Couple pictures below of what's mentioned above.

 

 

 

 

Fall is back, you wascally wabbit

Couple of pics of things pumping me up that Fall is here in Virginia! Of course, much deals with food:)

Fall here in Richmond, Virginia is Spectacular! Love.

My Nori loves Fall. Ok, I don't really know if she does, but she def enjoys being covert under my camo blanket.:)

I just LOVE fresh local tomatoes. These beauties are at Chesterfield Berry Farm Market in Midlothian, Virginia. YUMMMY!!

Look forward to the Chesterfield Berry Farm pumpkin patch events! The first time I've picked my own pumpkin from a patch was here in Virginia.:)

Spent over $10 last weekend at the Chesterfield Berry Farm store in Midlothian, Virginia & got these goodies for free!

Yoda says the Force is strong with this Fall:)

Made my first batch of corned beef, cabbage & potatoes in the crock pot today. Yumm!

Homemade ice cream from Gelati Celesti! Pumpkin is awesome. First time I tried it. So great! Coffee with Cream ~ uhhhh yes I want some more!:D 

What are your favorite things.. Places to see... Things to eat?

Ps. Booked time to fly this Sat & STOKED:) I LOVE flying. So excited to see Virginia fall foliage from up high in the sky:)

Foodie Adventure: Rappahannock Restaurant Crush

LOVE this place!! I really do. Rappahanock Restaurant is one of my Top Favorite Richmond Restaurants. 

Visited again tonight w dear Friends, Diana & Dionne.  I was delighted by fresh, quality oysters. Was the first time I heard York as an oyster option, so tried 4 of them, along w 4 stingrays & 4 Rappahannocks. All great! Love the fresh horseradish so much I got 2 helpings:)

Dionne & Diana got a pasta dish. We split a baked oyster appetizer. Great options for these ladies who were not into the raw. I tried one~ rich w cheese, bacon bits & some greens. Def a great cooked oyster option.

Desserts we got & shared - Dionne had the cheese platter ma bob, I got the pistachio peach w lemon curd, Diane got the strawberry rhubarb cobbler. My favorite was the cobbler.

Here are a few pics. Creative, fresh Fantabulous dishes & drinks reside at Rappahannock Restaurant in Lovely Richmond, Virginia. What are you waiting for.... Go try them!!!! :)

Baked oyster ma bob was yummy

Check out lil' Junior oyster .. No he was not eaten

YUMMMY my dozen!

Lamplighter local coffee 

No not an egg... It's my peach pistachio crusted dessert w lemon curd. So pretty almost looks like an art piece from VMFA

Dionne's finger & cheese platter ma bob. I LOVED that local bread!!!

Diana's strawberry rhubarb cobbler was my Fav!!

Photo courtesy of Dionne. Prob one of my all time Fav candids. Affirmative..Total concetwwwation ~ tongue sticking out technique, Grasshoppa!

Oh & on a "Flying" note... bumped into my Flight Instructor Jim when leaving... Too funny!!

So, have you been to Rappahannock Restaurant? What is your Fav dish?