SCOTLAND: THE CALL OF THE WILD (only a partial)

Scotland one of those great places that brings to mind scenic landscapes, castles and the Loch Ness Monster.  For others it brings to mind golf, heather, log sports that aren't quite right and kilts.  It is by far one of my favorite places to visit.  The landscape is greatly contrasting with it's rural areas, craggy highlands and large crowded cities. The temperatures in Scotland require a coat pretty much year round.  62° as a high and 32° as a low through out the year.  It rains about half the time.  Be sure to bring your umbrella as well.   

 

There is so much to see in the small 30,000 sq miles.  So take in as much as you can.  The few highlights that I have enjoyed.  Start with Edinburgh.  Edinburgh is the capital and the political center of the country.  The Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city sitting atop a rock.  The area it stands on has been inhabited by someone since the 9th century.  It has been home to royalty including Mary Queen of Scots.    The view from the Half Moon Battery and the Argyle Battery are breath taking as a brisk breeze reminds you of the North Sea close by.    

I'm struggling to find all my pics so bear with me as I add more to this! 

Sandi 

Weekend with Friends

No long post this week my friends.  Had company in town so I forwent the normal weekly writing for the normal run around the house and try to clean like crazy.  Forgive me and I'll be back this coming week with a post on Scotland!

S

Road Trip West (Part 2) - Memphis and Elvis

Late again... I know it's my own timeline but I dislike missing it.  Life has been hectic.  Hopefully next week I'll be back onto my Thursday night publishing.  So without further ado...

Photo by Craig Morris - Hernando De Soto Bridge

Memphis, Tennessee brings to mind barbeque, music and the King, Elvis Presley.  I couldn't go through Memphis without trying barbeque or stopping at Elvis's house.

My first introduction to Memphis is on I-40 the glorious Hernando De Soto Bridge.  With it's metal arches overlooking the Mississippi river it's almost a car stopper, but the police seem to frown on that.

 photo by www.jaunted.com

My first stop was a little barbeque place on the outskirts of Memphis.  Where I could buy my barbeque ribs by the bone.  They were amazing.  Tender, dry, perfect pieces of meat that melted in my mouth.  The place was a little hole in the wall, but totally worth the chance.  When the locals turn around to see who has just walked in and the waitress sits with you at dinner you know you are in a great place.   I ate more than a belly full of ribs and beans.  I spent the night in a Hampton Inn and headed to see Elvis the Pelvis the next morning.    

Directions weren't great.  You assume you'll see signs Elvis's house, but you really had to look for it.  Looking for ticket prices see  http://www.elvis.com/graceland/tours/tickets-reservations/default.aspx.  I took the self-guided tour with the headphones and toured the auto museum for $33 and change.  This included my $5 worth of pictures in front of the gates of Graceland.

photo by www.spinsouthwest.com

Along Elvis Boulevard across the street from Elvis's mansion is what I'd call the Graceland strip.  Buy a ticket to tour the King's house, tour the automobile museum, buy Elvis memorabilia.   I stood in line for almost an hour waiting to see Elvis's house.  Thankfully the couple in front of me were chatty.  A nice couple from Arkansas out traveling on their empty nest honeymoon.  I told them about my road trip and they gave me additional places to stop and in see in Arkansas next time I have a long weekend.

 As we made our way to the buses our pictures were taken in front of the Graceland gates.  These are interesting wrought iron gates with music symbols on them made specifically for the King.  The bus took us up the drive to the front of the house and dropped us off.  I was thankful it was September not so hot and humid.  The front living room had some ornate stained glass and all white sofas.  WHITE!!! And they still looked clean!

 I loved the purple bedroom.  I couldn't believe the carpets.  This house cost Elvis

They shuffled us through the all white living room.  Allowed us a brief glance and murmur about his death upstairs and we were hurried into the dining area then the kitchen and the famed Jungle room. No one is allowed upstairs out of respect for the King and his family. 

 The basement has three whole televisions and some odd yellow and monkey decor. It's said that Elvis liked to watch all the stations to keep up with the news that's why there were three televisions.  Three TV's would be nothing now!

 Out back is room for horses and a building with a large portion of Elvis's outfits from his performances, movies and life.   

At the right side of the house the family is buried and an eternal flame burns.  There's a seated area for mourners that still come in droves.  You have to wonder is the King secretly standing somewhere watching as well? 

My all time favorite story of this trip was my shopping excursion to the Harley Davidson store down the road from Graceland.  I have one of those little Voodoo dolls on my purse.  It's the Crybaby.  Protects you from emotional upheaval, or it's suppose to.  Anyway it was jingling all through the store and the salesperson was rather rude to me.  Well, until I went to pay and she asked me what the heck was jingling?  I told her "oh, that's just my voodoo doll."  She turned pale and took a full step back from me asking if there was anything else that I wanted or needed.   I thought it was odd, but realized maybe she believed in voodoo.

Memphis was a great stopping place and I only scratched the surface of the city.

Belated - THE ROAD TRIP WEST (PART 1)

My sincere apologies for the belated post this week.  The boyfriend and I took a break over the long weekend and just relaxed.  Including a few days off from writing.  Although, it was rejuvenating and fun, I hated to miss my weekly deadline. 

I was thinking of what the summer and the Fourth of July holiday means to me.  Obvious things come to mind, the appreciation of my freedoms, but also that freedom to travel wherever we want whenever we want.  We live in a country where states are bigger than most European countries.  We don't need a passport or need to speak a different language.

Just in the lower 48 there are multiple cultures.  That's one of the great things about our country.   It made me think about my solo road trip west.  From Florence, South Carolina to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I traveled one thousand seventy six miles over the course of three days by car.  In a 2005 Nissan Murano she was a very comfortable ride and sleep some nights!    Below is the route I took on my westward journey.  Cutting through the majority of the southern states.  

I started my journey in Florence with the mind that I wanted to see the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.  I am a motorcycle junkie and I'd been trying to get there for years.  This was a great time to add it to my trip.  I spent the night in Birmingham, Alabama at the ALOFT hotel downtown.  These are nice hotels not terribly expensive and in general really nice no matter where you go.  aloft.starwoodhotels.com  It was different, little to no service at the desk, but the modern room was comfortable with a lovely glass shower.  I slept well and got up the next morning heading for the museum.  

 As you enter the museum parking lot you would not guess that it's as large inside as it is.  It's 740 acres of land, and has a 2.38 mile racetrack that was in use while I was there.  The front of the museum is graced by these a bit odd sculptures.  Upon closer inspection of the plaque below you can understand the creators thoughts a bit better.  There is that rush when riding a motorcycle that is unlike anything else you do.  

 Toward the end of my tour I stood at the back windows watching the racers zoom by with distinct jealously.  

 The nice thing about the Museum is it's about history of all motorcycles not just Harley's, Indian's, Honda's or the Triumph's.  I saw and drooled over a number of the most beautiful motorcycles in the world.   Entry into the Barber is $15 but totally worth it.   There's 3 floors of motorcycles including the one's attached to the elevator shaft.      So hard to pick my favorite.  It ranged from 1912 Harley's to 2000 Honda's.  I walked around the museum for several hours.  I enjoyed a coke and a chat with a fellow rider in the small cafeteria in the basement.  Swapping stories about rides, road trips and which way we were headed.  This is the beauty of a road trip.  The different things you see and the normally very nice people you meet.   As a single female, I rarely have an issue, if ever have an issue. 

I'm going to include several pictures here and let the beauty of the bikes speak for themselves.  I highly recommend this as a place to stop on your way East or West.  For more information on hours and events check barbermuseum.org/. 

Later this coming week look for the second half of my road trip to Memphis. 

Thanks for reading! 

S 

 

HISTORIC HAYES HOUSE...DINNER, BATHTUB AND FRENCH TOAST

Running Away

Sometimes you just need to get away, not just on a vacation, but run away from people, work, the daily grind that bears down on us all.  I needed that last weekend.  My favorite stress relief  is traveling, but I can’t afford much monetarily or time wise for vacation right now.   A massage and a really big bath tub would be perfect.  Alas I don’t have a really big bath tub and my favorite massage therapist doesn’t work weekends.    A bed and breakfast is a perfect idea for a weekend getaway.  I found the Historic Hayes House nestled in Muskogee, Oklahoma, roughly fifty miles southeast outside of Tulsa.  Originally built by Mr. Hayes who was a governor hopeful.   Jim and Brenda Holder have turned this house into a haven.   There was a wedding going on at the house so I chose to keep to myself for the weekend.  I did get the in room massage, the dinner they serve and breakfast the next morning. 

The Room

Summer heat has started in Oklahoma entering the air conditioned First Lady's Suite was a welcome escape.  The queen size bed was piled with pillows and blankets.  Two chairs and a chaise lounger for sitting and reading.   Cable TV and a DVD/VCR were available in the room.  Just outside the door was a small collection of movies, Very thoughtful of the hosts.  There is a refrigerator and a microwave in the room as well with an assortment of soda and water.  Jim and Brenda are sweet enough to include snack crackers and popcorn for a late night snack.  

The Bathtub

Yes, I realize it is completely insane to dedicate a section of the blog to a bathtub, but then I'm a bathtub connoisseur.   I love a gigantic oval garden tub with jets!  Although jets and bubbles really don't mix well or they mix a little too well.  Here is a picture of the tub and you will understand why I am dedicating a section!  I took two baths in twenty four hours and finished two magazines. 

The Massage

Even on the short two days notice Jim was able to book me an hour with a local massage therapist.  I wasn't really sure of the protocol for an in-room massage so I waited rather impatiently for my masseuse to show up.  To my surprise an elderly gentleman knocked on my door with a quiet voice and soothing demeanor.   I  was a little nervous as I'm not too keen on having some strange man touching me but when he got out the lotion and the hot stones I completely forgot about him.   I wouldn't trade him for my weekly massage therapist, but it was relaxing and worked out some kinks. 

Dinner

The house itself is stunning with all its old time charm.  A grand piano and several older couches grace the sitting room.  A gorgeous dining room with colored tiles on the fireplace.  Soft music playing in the background made for a relaxing dinner.  I was served a five course dinner that was beyond delicious.   The first course was fresh jumbo shrimp cocktail sitting on crushed ice with the cutest little porcelain pot  full of homemade cocktail sauce.  I hate to admit I wolfed that down in anticipation of what was next.   A spinach and strawberry salad replaced the empty spot on my fine china plate.   They make their own citrus and poppy seed.  Jim should bottle this and sell it as a Hayes House specialty at the local farmer's markets.   I would buy it.  

The whole pallet cleaning thing is kind of an eye roll thing for me normally, but I did enjoy the raspberry compote sorbet.  Who doesn't like ice cream in the middle of their meal? By the time my meal came I was ready to EAT!  I was a little skeptical at first as my dinner plate had pan fried green beans, baby new potatoes and a carrot soufflé along with the chicken phyllo with hot mustard sauce.   So many vegetables.  I'm a convert.  I actually ate my carrot soufflé before anything else.  That was wow.  I mean I thought about asking for seconds wow.  The chicken was perfect, moist, with the mustard sauce adding just the right tang.   Dessert was a white chocolate crème with a brandy wine drizzle and strawberries.  I licked this plate too... just couldn't help it.  With a full happy belly I looked forward to a quiet night in my room with a movie and a good book.     

 

French Toast

I am not a morning person.  Most people that know me know not to talk to me until I've had my first sip of some form of caffeine.  So when I tell you I rolled my butt out of bed at 8 o'clock on a Sunday morning just for breakfast I tell you that I did that only for the review, but ended up staying for the French toast.  There was a lovely fruit, cream and nut parfait, but the French toast was worth getting out of bed for.  Orange and blueberry stuffed French toast with maple sausage links.  No need for syrup here the creamy innards of the French toast made up for this on each crunchy chewy bite on my tongue. 

Delightful

I would recommend the Hayes house to anyone that needed a getaway.  Weekend or weekday.  Jim and Brenda are sweet and kind.  The house is old school charm with twenty first century amenities.  If I can, I will be dragging my boyfriend back there again soon. For more information please check out the http://www.historichayeshouse.com.  Tell Jim and Brenda I said hi!

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA...MORE THAN THE GOLF CAPITAL

                                                          

The  Basics                                               

 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina the Golf Capital of the World.  Located just south of Carolina borders with it's lush green golf courses and sun 218 days a year it's a golfers paradise. What about those of us that aren't golfers?  Does this sunny strip of beach town offer us something? Of course it does!  This is a single, couple and family friendly town.  With a population of roughly 27,820 people Myrtle Beach and it's surrounding area offer the weary traveler and anxious tourist a relaxing and fun time.  Traffic runs lazily along the length of the coast via highway 17

The Eastern seaboard is a treasure trove of beaches, tourist traps and places that make a person long for summer vacation to hurry up and get here. As one of these little gems Myrtle Beach offers obviously multiple golfing locals, the Boardwalk on a sweet little inlet and a strand of muted tan beach that beckons your feet to sink into her shores. See the link for a map and more information of the great shops and restaurants on the boardwalk.  www.broadwayonthebeach.com Helicopter tours and water parks round out the family fun to be found at Myrtle Beach.


Favorite Places to Eat in Myrtle Beach
My top two favorite restaurants in Myrtle Beach are Landry's Fish house and Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse. If you've never had a Brazilian steakhouse it's an experience.  For $30 you get a plate, a salad bar and all the meat you can eat.  They give you a little paper circle with green for go on one side and red for stop on the other.  Believe me, even the hungriest person will use the red side at some point. While Landry's is a seafood lover's dream.  I'm partial to the Shrimp Enbrochette, any of their fresh fish with the creamy Pontchartrain sauce on top  and their Banana Foster's dessert is heaven.  Both places are a little pricy at $30-$40 a plate, but well worth the eats.
If you don't get the Banana Foster's follow it up with a scoop of ice cream from Ben and Jerry's on the Boardwalk. Everything but the... is my new favorite flavor!  You'll want a walk around the Broadway to walk off dinner and take a little time to feed the ducks.  Jimmy Buffet's Margaretville has opened up on the Boardwalk as well, but the last time we tried to get in there the wait time was over two hours. 

Favorite Strip of the Beach for My Chair
The Myrtle Beach State park is by far my favorite beach to go to in the Myrtle area.  When you sit on the beach you can see the city in the distance on either side, but you feel still feel transported to solitude with the surf crashing against your tension bringing you to a better state of mind.  I like the fact that the bathrooms and foot showers are a short jaunt up the beach or down the fishing pier.  They are kept pretty clean for a public bathroom.  Might just want to remember some Kleenex or toilet paper in your car.  They run out in the women's bathroom frequently.   There's a small gift shop on the pier where fishing licenses can be purchased along with bait and ice cream.  Quite the combination!  It's worth noting that Huntington State Park is just south of Myrtle Beach.  I haven't been there, but I've heard several people recommend it.  You can see on the map just a bit down from Myrtle's State Beach.

Wedding Local
Although Myrtle Beach itself doesn't allow weddings on their beaches, both North Myrtle and Surfside (south of MB) are excellent places for couples looking for nuptials in a beautiful location.  Married on the beach myself, I can say there are few things like the sound of the surf in the background, the warm sand on bare feet and usually a small party of friends and family around for that all important day. 
Here's where I'm giving my friends at Right Move Photography a plug.  Thank you Tere Baxley and Lee Rivers for the donation of pictures for this week's blog .  If you need a photographer for that beach wedding I  recommend Right Move Photography.  Check out their website at www.rightmovephoto.com.  They also do senior portraits, maternity pictures, if you want it photographed they are creative and fun!

 Other Noteworthy Things
N. Myrtle Beach is the Shag capital.  There is live music every night of the week at Fat Harold's, Ducks and several other local establishments.  Shag is the state dance for South Carolina and you will find performers all over the strip.
Every ocean is different.  The Gulf is clear almost crystalline with it's white beaches.  The Pacific is blue almost matching the sky on many a day.   The Indian Ocean gives off a blue green cast.  The Atlantic grey and dark always pulling her secrets back.  No matter which ocean you choose to visit very few people leave with all of their heart intact.