» on the road

on the road: Scottsdale AZ

Beth — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:01:57 +0000

It was a quick trip back in May. A chance to visit friends and see what goes on in the laid back centre of Scottsdale.

Scottsdale… where the doorman has a sign taped to his table “No firearms allowed”.
Scottsdale… where having the tagline, “Day-drinking reinvented”, is ok.
Scottsdale… where “pool party” means 100 strangers, Patron on ice and free cover for the ladies.
Scottsdale… where bad tan lines and super hero costumes go hand in hand.

If you go:
The Mission: Modern Latin Cuisine
Le Grand Orange Grocery: for brunch and gifts, I wanted one of everything.
Spanish Fly: Mexican Beach Club – prepare to stare
Hotel Valley Ho: for the pool party
The Coach House: Scottsdale’s oldest tavern, good company and cheap beer.
Mabels on Main: chiq cocktails
Kazimeirz World Wine Bar: real jazz, great wine

from top to bottom: The Coach House, painting class at the Academy of Art, happenings at The Valley Ho Hotel, pool party at the Spanish Fly, biking along the Arizona Canal from Scottsdale to Phoenix

on the road: China Beach BC

Beth — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:04:26 +0000

via iPhone | cheese & chowder

Ok, so it’s not exactly “on the road”, but if you’re feeling cagey, a day trip up Sooke way can set your mind at ease. This time of year, it’s fresh and green… and quiet. While the 1.5km walk down to the water may be a bit more fun if you’re exploring from your campsite on a hot summer day, there’s nothing like the sound of crashing waves any time of year. A stop at Mom’s Cafe is customary. Giant grilled cheese with house made chowder anyone? We conducted a couple circles looking for a new spot but ended up back where the pie is high and mayo runs heavy.

China Beach in March

China Beach trail

on the road: Encinitas CA

Beth — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:12:28 +0000

Surf at your doorstep, cruiser bikes, crashing waves… there’s a good vibe in Encinitas California where the winter means walks on the beach in your shorts, picnics and happy hour. It’s a half hour north of San Diego off Hwy 101. My visit was short, but sweet, literally. A stroll to the Leucadia Donut Shoppe makes for a cheap and easy thrill, a toddle around the Self Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens is worth it for the view and a quiet place to rest. Don’t forget the Pizza Port where delicious pizza and craft brews meet video games and lively music. Here’s to winter weekends.

cliffs at encinitas

stairs

private wave

Just Peachy Market | Boogie Board Dreamin

Surfers

Leucadia Donut Shoppe

sunset in january

Tried the California Condo Cocktail yet?

> Back to the blogroll

on the road: Manzanillo Mexico

Beth — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:44:31 +0000

The rain is falling, the skies are grey and it seems everyone is talking about getting out of town. I’m relying on a few photos from the archives to get me through. Tesoro Resort in Manzanillo… Mexico’s busiest port and where the movie 10 starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore was shot.

on the road: Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa

Beth — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:16:43 +0000

Nestled in at Bedwell Habour on Pender Island, Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa is a must-do any time of year. Their newly updated website has a gallery, live webcam (a little sleepy in the marina today!) and links to current specials – how does $99 midweek sound? The self-contained cottages each have their own hot tub, the villas are spacious and great for groups, and the lodge rooms have fabulous views. Here you’ll find Syrens Bistro, Aurora Restaurant, Susurrus Day Spa complete with a sandstone steam cave beneath a waterfall and an ocean-view hot tub, banquet rooms, 2 pools, a cafe and liquor store.

The best way to visit is by boat at their 110 slip marina. If you can’t swing the yacht, take a trip with Beth Campbell Creative client, Gulf Island Ocean Adventures. SCUBA, disc golf, winery tours, wildlife viewing, boating instruction…. you name it, they do it.

Poet's Cove Resort from the marina

Looking out from Bedwell Habour

Nautical interior of the main building, stairs to front lobby

Pool and hot tub with a view

on the road: Savary Island BC

Beth — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:37:18 +0000

White sand, blue water, cabin life. The regulars would rather you not know. Get there via the Powell River ferry from Comox, drive to Lund and catch a water taxi. I’d say go, but then I might not get invited back. It’s a place where you go to clarify your thoughts or muddle them up. It’s about the people, the place and links to the past.

BCC: beach panorama

BCC: cabin in the woods

BCC: beach front cabin

BCC: beach front micro cabin

BCC: island ride

BCC: powell river

on the road: Kopachuck State Park

Beth — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:30:33 +0000

When September is looking you straight in the eye, it’s time to take a last minute camping trip. Kopachuck State Park was a random choice – I think I heard something good about Gig Harbor once? It’s about a leisurely 3 hour drive from Port Angeles. A lunch stop in Port Townsend was worth it for the pizza and architecture. Kopachuck is about 15 mins outside of Gig Harbor, Washington where the view downhill of a long harbor filled with boats and Mt. Rainier climbing from the edge of the sea makes for exciting arrival. Gig Harbor is a serene place with a history in boat building and commercial fishing. Today there are farmers markets, docks to wander, a decent choice of restaurants, shops geared towards boaters and 10 mins outside of town…. Target. Kopachuck is winner of a campsite, private and quiet, with a boat launch and a beach where the water is warm enough for swimming. Perfect place to recharge your creativity.

Back to the blogroll.

on the road: Hotwire in Vancouver

Beth — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:15:34 +0000

This was my first spin at Hotwire. They offer hotels, airfare and car rentals at sell-off prices from various partners. The catch is you’re not made aware of the details (hotel name) before you book and pay other than the general location and star rating. We reserved a room while on the ferry over to Vancouver. They were able to tell us over the phone what hotel we were booking so the thrill was gone but at least I knew where we were headed before I handed over the plastic. The rate was 50% off the advertised nightly rate on the hotel’s website. The Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver is in a great location across from the Four Seasons and the mall. Comforting features of a older hotel with spacious bathrooms, built in cabinetry, contemporary updates and brass adorned elevators encourage me to define this lady as “eclectic European”.

Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver lobby & restaurant - Diva at the Met

guest room at the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver

on the road: Summer Glamping

Beth — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:01:25 +0000

Happy first day of SUMMER! Time to start making your to-do list. Ready when you are Mother Nature. Glamping (glamorous camping) is on mine.

from www.thegak.com, near Hope in Treasure Mountain

from www.soulecreeklodge.com, Port Renfrew BC

from www.outathewoods.com, near Cranbrook BC

from www.sakinawlakelodge.com, Pender Harbour BC

from www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com, Halfmoon Bay BC

on the road: Huntsville AL

Beth — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:54:22 +0000