US & Canada - ilivetotravel's travel log

Sope Creek: A Hike, a Creek, and an Old Mill

8 May 2014 by Raul 3 Comments

I was looking for another spot in Atlanta to hike while also hitting some waterway AND hitting history after having enjoyed going to Sweetwater Creek and to Island Ford (on the Chattahoochee River). Tall order, huh? NOT in Atlanta! Plenty of spots along creeks and rivers to find great hiking and reminders of the life in the South back when mills ruled the day. Enter, stage left, Sope Creek.

I am training for hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain with Trekking for Kids, an organization that took me to Transylvania’s “Alps” in Romania and to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. As part of my training, I want to do more than Kennessaw Mountain or Stone Mountain. So after some research and talking to friends, I discovered the many trails that are right within 15 miles of the city, like Island Ford, for example.

But on another weekend, I wanted to try something new. I was taking friends’ kids out on this hike so it also had to be friendly enough for me and three other kids 🙂 That’s when a co-worker recommended Sope Creek, a creek where a Civil War era mill use to operate and whose ruins you can not only see but also get up close and personal with!

Sope Creek, Atlanta, hiking, tadpoles, nature, outdoors, Georgia, old mill, Civil War, Paper Mill Road, rapids

The old mill ruins

The kids, aged 14, 10, and 8, were excited to come for the hike. I decided to take the longer way to the creek so that the “hard work” took place before we saw the creek and the mill which I figured would be the highlight of the hike.

Sope Creek, Paper Mill, Atlanta, Georgia, hiking, kids, lake, colorful, photo, travel

Early on the hike, we ran into a small lake.

The park has both hiking-only trails and hiking/biking trails so we did have to keep our eyes and ears open to approaching bikes but the mountain bikers were pretty much nice and careful which we appreciated. The trails are well-signed and the younger kids enjoyed trying to figure out which way to with the map and the signage while the older kid and I allowed ourselves to be guided.

Sope Creek, Atlanta, hiking, tadpoles, nature, outdoors, Georgia, old mill, Civil War

Tadpoles in our midst!

The trail approached the creek by going almost parallel to it but up high. It was a nice view and trail which then went away from the creek for a little bit. We ended up crossing a trickle of a creek right after spotting three deer.

Eventually, we made it to the old mill and the creek.

Looking south

The kids explore the ruins of the mill and then proceeded to walk towards the large rocks at the edge of the creek.

Kids climbing around the old mill ruins

It was fun climbing and walking on the rocks.

Two of the three climbing around the rocks

We hung there for a little bit enjoying the scenery and the climbing. It was also a great spot for pictures and for a snack.

I love this shot: She looks Photoshopped in!

All that done, we proceeded to exit the park by following the trail that is parallel to the road. It deviated from the road a little bit because the trail was under repair but it was easy to make it back to the parking lot.

After the hike, we were hungry and the kids had asked for Cracker Barrel (they love it because I keep calling it Crate & Barrel, accidentally!). It was the perfect ending for a great hike! The kiddos are definitely hikers and explorers!

Yours truly

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Read about these other great hikes in Georgia:

… and more to come!

Filed Under: Georgia, Hiking, North Georgia, Travel Journal Tagged With: Atlanta hikes, Civil War ruins in Atlanta, Georgia, hiking, nature, old mill, outdoors, Paper Mill Road, rapids, Sope Creek, tadpoles, trails in Atlanta

Chattahoochee River Hikes: Island Ford

14 April 2014 by Raul 9 Comments

Atlanta is well known for traffic, a massive airport, CNN, Coca-Cola, conventions, and Gone with the Wind. It seems almost cliche-ish when defined in these terms and I can certainly understand that these form or inform people’s image of the South’s “Gate City,” as it was known in the mid 19th century. What local residents and frequent visitors know, though, is that the city is a vibrant and diverse collection of areas. The international farmer’s market by I-285 is a great example of this diversity that visitors don’t often get to see.

Another fact that may be surprising is how this city, so built up and loaded with cars, is actually in the midst of the great outdoors. I shared already about how close Sweetwater Creek State Park is to the city (only 15 miles). Here I want to shared another great nature spot, right within and right outside the city’s ring road (I-285): the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, part of the U.S. National Park Service.

The lay of the Chattahoochee River

The Chattahoochee River, or the “Hootch“, starts up in the North Georgia mountains where the Buford Dam was established to control its flow and accumulate water to provide for the city. It then makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico via western Atlanta then Alabama, then Florida. The river does not cross the modern city center as rivers tend to do in other cities. The city’s location was driven by railroad lines connecting the Gulf, the Atlantic ports and the Midwest back in the first half of the 19th century. So, we did not end up with a river going through the city center (a shame!).

However, it does go through urban areas right outside the city of Atlanta proper and we were lucky that it became a protected area in the 1970s so we could enjoy this bit of nature. All along the river, as it courses through metro Atlanta, there are parks and trails, offering great walking, running, mountain biking, hiking, picnicking, etc. Here I want to share with you about one of them and hope to continue sharing other spots in the future.

I bet it looks very different in the middle of summer!

Island Ford

A few miles outside of I-285, as you head up on GA-400, you reach the headquarters of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s headquarters. As with many parks, friendly staff and rangers are a phenomenal source of information and advice, both of which we enjoyed getting.

Park rangers are a great source of information to those visiting the park

Again, as with other parks like scene, they park service charges a nominal fee for use of the park in the form of a parking permit that costs only $3. Bring singles as you make payment by putting the three dollars in an envelope and drop it in a box!

Incredible stones everywhere in the area, including in the river!

The trails around Island Ford provide both flat areas as well as steep hills to challenge hikers. The circuit of trails here could take around 1.5-2.5 hours (depending on how many of the trails you hit and your speed!) and they are suitable for beginners. Apparently, it is also a good spot for trout fishing – who knew!

trout, fishing, Chattahoochee River, Island Ford, Atlanta, Olympus, photo, hiking

Trout fishing fun

The trails ford a couple of creeks that feed the river and offer great views of the river but also of rock formations that natives are said to have used for shelter as far back as 1,000 years ago!

The star of the show working his way over a log

The Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy supports parks along the river in many ways to ensure our enjoyment of these natural areas. Visit their site and become a member or supporter!

Read about these other great hikes in Georgia:

… and more to come!

Filed Under: Georgia, Hiking, North Georgia, US & Canada Tagged With: Chattahoochee river, Georgia, hiking in Atlanta, hiking trails in Atlanta, Island Ford, National Park in Atlanta, nature hikes in Atlanta, outdoors

Photo of the Week: Bats on a Wall in Louisville

31 March 2014 by Raul 2 Comments

A few years back, I went to watch a friend do his first Ironman in Louisville, Kentucky. During the bike ride, when we had ample time to kill, we went to the place where the Louisville Slugger bats are made: Hillerich & Bradsby Company. It was neat to see how the bats are made and see the history of these bats.

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The bat wall!

Filed Under: Special Photos, US & Canada Tagged With: baseball, bat, factory, Louisville Slugger, sports

Piedmont Park: An Oasis in the Middle of Atlanta

31 March 2014 by Raul 2 Comments

Atlanta is a city of greenery and a lot of that comes from its many parks. Many neighborhoods have a park and some, like mine, more than one. The parks are mostly local to each area though open to anyone as they tend to be city property. They range from just a wild natural area, to green open spaces, to those with playground sets for the kids. What is good about Atlanta is that the local neighborhoods step in to help keep these parks clean and alive.

Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Midtown, outdoors, oasis, photo

Piedmont Park forms the eastern boundary of the Midtown skyline

However, Atlanta’s centerpiece in the park category is Piedmont Park, located in the middle of Midtown, easily accessible from every cardinal point. The park’s history is longer than Atlanta’s own. A land lottery in 1821 distributed the land just ceded by the native Creek Nation of Indians. Early pioneers acquired a forest that would later become Piedmont Park to build their farm (the Walker family) before Atlanta itself was established! It is interesting to note that the original cabin was built on what is now called “Active Oval” where an oval track’s center fields host any number of sports activities. Another cabin was built a couple of decades after the first one in the area where the Driving Club sits now.

The Active Oval today looking south towards downtown

The area became the location of many expos in the late 1800s and that’s how the park as we know it began to take shape. The Piedmont Exposition of 1887 and the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895 are the most important ones, with the latter being a World Expo to promote the southern states internationally and it ran for about 100 days and attracted 800,000 visitors, way before highways and planes facilitated bringing visitors to Atlanta. Pretty impressive.

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One of the many historical “markers”, this one to the Gate City (as Atlanta was referred to in those days) Guard

The park was finally bought by the City of Atlanta in 1904 after hesitating many times because it was “so far” from the city (at that time, of course, Atlanta was just what we know as downtown). A lake, steps, tennis courts, and other landscape changes (including carving out what is now the Active Oval to give it its current topography) were implemented in those years. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens were established along the northwestern edge of the park (worth a visit any time of the year but especially for the winter night lights!).

Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Midtown, photo, lake

Man-made lake installed decades ago

But this park never ceases to be improved. In the last decade, the park underwent major “renovations” with paths being installed and a dog park being established. Sadly, the old railroad line that used to run along its eastern edge has disappeared (at least part of it) — Atlanta may be one of very few places were destroying history is celebrated as “progress” (to be in the company of Beijing in this category is not a compliment, folks…). I enjoyed climbing an old train there once in the younger days. But all in the name of progress and of creating a better park space in the midst of the hustle-and-bustle that we call Atlanta.

Piedmont Park, train, railroad line, garden, Atlanta, Midtown, photo

Where the train use to run, at least the land has been put to good use (a garden)

The park sometimes hosts events like festivals, and is a great place for a walk, a run, a swim, or a picnic. Back in my college days, a hot balloon race used to take off from the southeastern fields and it was quite the sight. The movie in the green event allowed folks to come and watch a movie on a summer evening while bringing food and beverages to enjoy.

Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Midtown, photo, walking, jogging

Great place to walk, run and be with friends

The park has evolved over the decades and is under good stewardship of the city and a conservancy group which will help ensure the park continues to be an oasis in Atlanta for current and future generations to enjoy.

What parks exist in your town that serve as great outdoor gathering places?

Filed Under: Georgia, US & Canada Tagged With: active oval, Atlanta, Cotton Exhibition, green space, outdoors, photos, piedmont park, travel

Photo Ode to a Departing Winter

26 March 2014 by Raul 2 Comments

Yes, it is spring already in the northern hemisphere. However, as the news just shared with us, there is at least one more cold spell before we are free-and-clear from winter (right around when this post goes out). Winter in the U.S. this year was pretty brutal. From Boston, to Chicago, to Atlanta, it seems to have been unusually “wintery” to say the least. So this post is my goodbye to Winter 2014 – in photos from its visit to Atlanta…

Atlanta, tree, snow, winter, photo, Samsung Galaxy

Heading out from the house

I went “sledding”…

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The tracks of my “sled”

Twas a fast ride down

The tracks of my “sled”

The “sled”. Thanks, Rubbermaid!

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Snowy street

Loved my apple tree covered in snow

A beautiful field of snow

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The creek that runs along that beautiful field of snow

Let’s bring color in – it isn’t all dark and white around here!

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Holly bush brings color to my yard

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My Samsung Galaxy and I partnered for these Photo Ode photos (except this one!)

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A beautiful cardinal brought color on this white day in Atlanta

Another view of the cardinal perched on my apple tree

With that beautiful image, I am ready to close the book on winter 2014 and hope for more winter color in 2015!

Filed Under: Georgia, Special Photos, US & Canada Tagged With: Atlanta, photo, Samsung Galaxy 4, snow, winter

A Great Hike Right Near Atlanta: Sweetwater Creek State Park

19 March 2014 by Raul

Atlanta may not be what comes to mind when thinking for a place to go to enjoy the great outdoors. But our little known secret is how close we are to any number of incredible spots to be “with” nature and enjoy the great outdoors. I recently got to explore Sweetwater Creek State Park, a short 15 minute ride west of Atlanta, and was impressed at the place and shocked that I have been a resident of this city for close to three decades and I had never been.

The park sits along a reservoir (with all sorts of water activities possible, like fishing and paddle boats) and a creek flowing from it into the larger Chattahoochee River, as it makes its way down to Alabama, Florida, and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico.

A lot of work is being done around the park and its visitor center looks to be quite new. It has some exhibits, a gift shop, and very helpful folks to answer any questions. We got a map and were told to be sure to do the red trail as it has the more scenic views of the creek and the old mill. Yes, as any self-respecting creek in the South must, Sweetwater Creek was the former home of a mill for the New Manchester Manufacturing Company.

The ruins of the mill, burnt down during the Civil War are still standing which makes for some great photo opportunities. The fact that its ruins are still there helps transport one to the times not long ago (maybe a century ago?) when mills and ferries were commonplace in this area. So much so that many streets in Atlanta bear names like Howell Mill, Paces Ferry, Sewell Mill, Montgomery Ferry, etc.

After doing the shorter red trail, we connected to the longer white trail. At some point the white trail departs the shores of the Sweetwater Creek and head inland and uphill. The whole circuit was around 5 miles and it took us about an hour and forty minutes. It was a glorious morning in late winter in Atlanta and my first visit to Sweetwater Creek State Park could not have been any better! And some folks planned ahead exactly how they were going to enjoy the weather and the view!

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Read about these other great hikes in Georgia:

… and more to come!

Filed Under: Georgia, Hiking, North Georgia, Travel Journal, Travel Stories, US & Canada Tagged With: hiking in Georgia, hiking near Atlanta, nature, outdoors, state park in Georgia, Sweetwater Creek

Lafayette Square | History and Architecture of Washington, D.C.

17 March 2014 by Raul 5 Comments

One of the most important buildings in Washington, D.C. is the White House. That global symbol of the U.S. Presidency is indeed a big draw even if it is so inaccessible to most of us, the people. One can be forgiven for losing sight of what is around the White House as the draw is too strong. However, the square just across from its north side is an interesting place to explore of its own. The square, named Lafayette Square, is home to some of the oldest buildings in D.C.

Lafayette Square’s perimeter

Madison Place and Jackson Place bound Lafayette Square on the east and west sides, respectively. Furthermore, Pennsylvania Ave. and H St. bound it on the south and north sides, respectively. I used to work a block down from it and enjoyed eating my lunch there at times. For instance, like when it was not hot and humid, or bitterly cold. It was amazing to me that I would so casually get to sit and linger with a view of the White House!

As recently as the late 1990s, vehicles were able to go through that portion of Pennsylvania Avenue, just north of the White House. However, it is now pedestrian only which is quite alright with me. That security measure keeps tourists safe from being run over by a vehicle while absent-mindedly taking photos of the White House.

Washington, DC, Lafayette Square, Andrew Jackson, park, White House, photo, Olympus

The statue at the center of Lafayette Square is NOT Lafayette but, instead, Andrew Jackson

The buildings around the square were almost lost had it not been for some key people intervening, among them the First Lady at the time, Jacqueline Kennedy. The federal government had bought the land and was planning to demolish all the beautiful buildings around the square to build, guess what, likely-monstrous government buildings.

As a lover of history and architecture, I am thankful these buildings were preserved even if other work was done to adapt and “blend” them with the new buildings they were to connect to. Their existence helps capture how the areas near the White House likely looked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thankfully, these buildings are protected now.

Jackson Place – on the western end of Lafayette Square

The White House actually owns most of the buildings on the western side of the square. These buildings serve different purposes such as a place for former Presidents to stay when they visit. The buildings have incredible pedigrees with past important and famous folks owning or staying in these places. Their style is quite distinct from those across the square in Madison Place.

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The buildings at Jackson Place

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Looking across Lafayette Square from Jackson Place towards Madison Place (National Courts is the big red building)

Decatur House on Jackson Place

The Decatur House on the corner of Jackson Place and H Street does deserve special mention. While it looks pretty plain from the outside, it is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, D.C. having been built in 1818.

Decatur House, Washington D.C., DC, Lafayette Square, Jackson Place, architecture, history, Van Buren

Decatur House on the corner of H St. and Jackson Place

The Decatur House was built for a naval hero named Stephen Decatur who fought in naval wars in North Africa, in the War of 1812, and others. Other illustrious Americans like Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren subsequently lived in the house. Beyond those famous folks and more sadly, slaves lived in the structure behind it. The Decatur House is one of the few examples of slave quarters in an urban area that remains.

Though I worked literally a short block away, I never visited it – crazy, huh?

Madison Place – on the eastern end of Lafayette Square

The buildings along Madison Place have more charming façades than those on Jackson Place. These buildings were adapted to fit in with the new National Courts Building (the big red monster behind them in the photo). Actually the National Courts Building was designed to not take attention away from the old buildings by being built tall and just pretty much red bricks. I have to agree that it does meet that objective as it helps frame them.

The one on the corner with H Street, the Cutts-Madison mansion, was First Lady’s Dolley Madison’s residence until she died in 1849. The house was built in 1819. Later owners modified it. For instance, they switched the front door to H Street in the mid 1800s from facing Madison Place.

Washington D.C., DC, Cutts-Madison mansion, Lafayette Square, architecture, history, Samsung

Dolley Madison’s home with the National Courts Building behind it. To its right, the Cosmos Club Building.

Other buildings on this street include the Cosmos Club Building and the Benjamin Ogle Tayloe House. The latter was built in the 1820s back when this area was still mainly trees and shrubs. It almost became the official residence of the Vice President of the U.S. Additionally, for three years in the late 1950 and early 1960s, it served as the headquarters of NASA. Who knew.

H Street – the northern side of Lafayette Square

Next, the northern side of the square. This side of the street currently houses the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and the Hay-Adams Hotel. Regrettably, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was built in government style in the 1920s. In any case, the north side used to have houses as Madison Place and Jackson Place have. Unfortunately, those houses disappeared much earlier in the 20^th century. Perhaps, people then were not inclined to think about heritage preservation. Lost in that shuffle were the Corcoran House and the Hay-Adams Houses.

Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, Olympus

The northern side of Lafayette Square

Thankfully, the are some good news on the northern side. The “Church of Presidents,” St. John’s Episcopal Church is still there. It gets its nickname because every President since Madison has attended service there, even if not regularly. The church was built in 1816 and it is a gem.

St. John Episcopal Church, Church of Presidents, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, history, architecture

St. John’s is a neat reminder of the history of the U.S. capital

Next time you are in D.C. gawking at the White House, take a moment to stroll around Lafayette Square. Take a peek at these buildings that take us back in the capital’s history.

Where to stay near Lafayette Square

D.C. has plenty of hotels. Some are far out and some are right in the heart of the city. Of course, the price point will vary accordingly though sometimes one can find a great deal. Conversely, some times of the year, it almost does not matter where you stay: prices will be high. For example, when the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring.

Fortunately, on this visit, I got to stay at one very close to the square: the aptly named Sofitel Lafayette. It is just a block away on H St. and it is perfect as a base to visit the square and many other places in D.C. Only the Hay-Adams Hotel is closer to the Square but the price difference is huge! I sampled a couple of the specialty cocktails at Le Bar, where they have an incredible diversity of specialty cocktails. And a very nice wine list too!

Le Bar, Sofitel Lafayette, DC, hotel, bar

Le Bar offers nice spaces to enjoy its offerings

Sofitel, France, hotel, accommodation, Church of Presidents, Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, architecture, Olympus

The entrance to the Sofitel

On the day of departure, I splurged and got an incredible breakfast of smoked salmon pair with a café au lait, and a side of a pain au chocolat 🙂

That was a great way to wrap up my visit to one of my favorite cities in the world!

As you may detect, I enjoy history and architecture – and a trip down memory lane, even if not mine. Hopefully, you too will enjoy taking it slow and exploring Lafayette Square!

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Have you visited D.C. and explored Lafayette Square? Are there similar places in your hometown that help portray its history?

Here are other posts from my time spent working in and traveling to Washington, D.C.:

And here is a link on how to do a tour of the White House, since it is right by Lafayette Square 🙂

Pin the image below as you plan a visit to the U.S. capital!

Filed Under: Travel Journal, US & Canada, Washington, D.C. Tagged With: architecture, charming, Cutts-Madison mansion, DC, Decatur House, history, Lafayette Square, Washington D.C.

Exploring Food and Lodging in Lake Placid

24 February 2014 by Raul 8 Comments

While visiting Lake Placid earlier this year, I spent a day exploring this northern New York town. Because it was a rainy day, we skipped some of the outdoor activities but we got to visit some neat places and enjoy good food and drinks (of course!). I shared already about the very well set up Olympics Museum, my “adventure” at the luge training facility, and my skating at historic Herb Brooks Arena (check it all out here). Having covered those sites so tied to Olympic history, I should probably share with you more of what Lake Placid has to offer. In this post, I will share about some of the lodging, food, and drinks that I enjoyed checking out during my visit.

A lodge you can dream of – and then go see for yourself!

One of our stops was the Whiteface Lodge. I had heard it was an incredible place and it did not disappoint! I was staying in the town of Lake Placid proper at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort which was ideally situated close to many places I visited and with a great restaurant (Generations) right on site (more on the restaurant below).

The Whiteface Lodge consists only of suites, and there are suites of every size. Even the “small” ones are well-equipped with nice kitchens, fireplaces, large screen TVs, and balconies. Some of the suites are outright “owned” by private individuals who may live there, visit there, or partially rent them back to the Lodge to then put into its reservations system. The most amazing suite was the Presidential Suite which the General Manager of the resort kindly showed us since it was unoccupied that day. I can safely say the Presidential Suite is bigger than my house!!!

Lake Placid, Whiteface Lodge, Presidential Suite, decor, travel, accommodations. lodging

The living and dining room areas of the Presidential Suite

I was impressed by the beauty of the outdoor areas and how the space is well-laid out for different activities that guests may opt to take part in. For example, there is a fire pit for making smores (I didn’t get to eat any!). The resort also has indoor spaces for every age and interest. From a two-lane bowling alley, to its own movie theater, to a game room, and to a phenomenal spa for lots of R&R.

While I did not stay at the Whiteface Lodge, I can assure you I was not going to miss its bar (open to the public) to check out its specialty seasonal cocktails and tasty appetizers while chatting with friends. Though they had a series of interesting martinis, I opted for a specialty cocktail (as I seem to have become a specialty cocktail adventurer) named Jacob Marley’s Return: Bourbon infused with apples, cinnamon, and cloves with Frenet Branca, and maple water. All these ingredients came together excellently for a cocktail perfect for the season and area of the country.

cocktail, Whiteface Lodge, Jacob Marley, Bourbon, maple syrup infused, Lake Placid

Introducing… Jacob Marley’s Return!!

As part of my visit, I was invited to try the thermal pools which was great as it was snowing and being outside in hot waters watching it snow was priceless.

Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi

The steam from the heated pool makes for a slightly less than excellent photo but you get the point!

A different lodge

Lake Placid is big enough for more than one lodge and certainly for different kinds of them. The Adirondacks Loj, operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club, is perfect for those wanting a more basic place to stay. Sitting at the edge of Heart Lake, the Adirondacks Loj offers also more of a communal feel with shared dining room and even shared rooms (you can have a private one). The Loj seemed like a great base for hiking and its staff clearly was eager to help with information or anything else. It may be a great place to use as a base but I think I would also enjoy cold winter nights in front of the massive stone fireplace!

This photo of Adirondak Loj is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Great food everywhere. I am not complaining.

No visit to a new town is complete without sampling the food on offer. The night we arrived we went to a pub which was perfect for the mood after a five-hour drive in from the outskirts of New York City. The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery was packed yet we had no trouble finding a spot to perch ourselves on. I drank some pints of the oatmeal stout which was perfect to help me recover from the long day. That stout and a delicious flatbread pizza of the many on offer and ilivetotravel was a happy camper that night!

The next night we went Lisa G’s known for their excellent chicken wings. I had some as an appetizer but dove in for an incredible chorizo risotto with Manchego cheese that was out of this world.

Lisa G, Lake Placid, restaurant, food, cuisine, cooking, foodie

The chorizo risotto

For my beverage, I kept up the theme from the cocktail I had had earlier that evening at the Whiteface Lodge and chose a Bourbon-based cocktail: The Sassy Cider – Bourbon with maple syrup, lemon juice, some cider, and a little cayenne pepper – perfect to warm me up after a cold and wet day!

The morning I was leaving, we went for brunch at the Generations Restaurant associated to the Golden Arrow (where I stayed this weekend). With a great view of Mirror Lake, we enjoyed all sorts of good and impressive stuff, local-sourced and fresh. The cinnamon roll with strawberries and maple syrup clearly hit the right spot for my sweet teeth (in plural, because I have more than one sweet tooth).

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Mmm!!!!

Everything we tried was great and then the piece de resistence came to us: bison burgers cooked on a Himalayan salt block. I had never heard of the concept but a large salt block is heated to high temperatures and then brought to your table. The bison burgers are laid on it and you let them cook until your preferred level of “cooked” Ir was amazing to see this salt block cook my burger. Here are the before and after pictures of this neat trick!

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Before…

After!

Now that I have shared all this with you, I am developing quite an appetite… I think you get the point: Lake Placid offers great experiences beyond its Olympic history and outdoor activities (which I hope to experience in the near future!). It sits in the beautiful Adirondacks, a blessed corner of our country and one I am glad to have discovered!

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My activities in Lake Placid were facilitated by its Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and local businesses. Opinions my own!

Filed Under: New York, Travel Journal, US & Canada Tagged With: Adirondacks, cocktails, food, Lake Placid, lodging, Olympics, Whiteface Lodge

Snowy Scenes from My Window Seat

19 February 2014 by Raul 7 Comments

As I departed from New York City via LaGuardia airport a week ago or so, I snapped some quick photos from my smartphone. Little did I realize how good the pictures would turn out (for a smartphone). The flight took off in a westerly direction, crossed Manhattan and the Hudson River into New Jersey after which the turn south began…

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Taking off!

Right after take-off

Note the shadow of my plane in the water!

Block buildings…

The Hudson River

Over New Jersey

If someone can identify any of the parts of NY/NJ shown in these pictures, I’d love to know!

Filed Under: Special Photos, Travel Journal, US & Canada Tagged With: Hudson River, Manhattan, New Jersey, New York City, photos, snow, view from plane, window seat, winter

The Power Capitals: Washington, D.C., Beijing and London

14 February 2014 by Raul Leave a Comment

When I was a kid (some would argue I am still one), I was fascinated with knowing capital cities and flags. Not really sure why, perhaps it was an early predictor of future sanity. I was pondering the other day that there are countries that I have visited whose capital cities I have not than I thought. So I started thinking which capital cities have I visited and could there be some common thread to some of them. That led me to think of a new series to briefly chat about the capital cities I have visited.

White House, Washington D.C., DC, center of power, President's residence, US flag, photo

The White House, literally and/or figuratively, the world’s center of power

In this group, I’d thought I’d include some capitals that represent power centers. While I could add a few others, those fit better within future categories I will be sharing. For this post of power centers, I have chosen to include: Beijing, Washington, D.C., and London.

Entrance to the Forbidden City Beijing, China bicycles cars pollution

Entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing just north of Tiananmen Square

These are certainly global power centers for financial and political reasons. But they could not be any more different from each other. The following statements, of course, are up for discussion and challenge but they sort of indicate how I “feel” these power centers:

Whereas London exudes history, D.C. has it but as a secondary or tertiary theme to its power center persona, whereas Beijing seems hell-bent on destroying its fascinating history.
Whereas Beijing is exotic to me, D.C. exudes a vibrancy that is uncommon for me and that thrills me, and London exhibits a self-assured calm that almost makes it familiar, yet not exotic nor vibrant.
While London feels cozy as you spend time in its neighborhoods (despite its incredible size), Beijing feels large and cold. And D.C. … well at times it feels just like a large political amusement park until you explore what’s behind “public D.C.”.
All three can feel impersonal, but I think once you get to know London and D.C. that changes with the only difference being that D.C. seems more transient than London does, making London more of a place where one can grow deep roots.

Where I would live? I would say D.C. hands down. In fact, in any list, this would be on my top three places to live. I feel the energy and it transcends the political activity-related energy. I love walking the treed streets of the city, admiring architecture new and old, and discovering places to hang out (London does offer some of this.)

Where I would learn the most? I would say Beijing with its long history and fascinating culture.

Where I felt people warmth? London would have an edge on D.C. but, in reality, none, I’d venture say, excel at people warmth. Not sure if that is related to the power center nature of the city, the culture of the country/city, or some other factor (like it just takes time to feel it).

Any big gripe on any of these? The pollution in Beijing is about the worst I’ve experienced. I got sick from it, putting a big damper on my time there. And no “nearby Rio de Janeiro” (as Sao Paulo has) for me to go “heal.” 🙂

Where would I love to return? Sure, I’d enjoy going back to London but D.C. would be it. Beijing… Been there, done that. I’d rather learn about China through other places.

The City, London, England, United Kingdom, power center, capital city, financial center

London is a power center, especially in global finance

Of course, different strokes for different folks – what’s delicious to me may be bland to another so take it all with a grain of salt and share your impressions of any of these cities if you have visited them! Regardless, these are fascinating cities to explore.

Filed Under: Asia, Europe, United Kingdom, US & Canada Tagged With: Beijing, capital cities, China, country, D.C., DC, London, power center, travel, UK, USA, Washington

Anatomy of a Business Trip to NYC

10 February 2014 by Raul 15 Comments

I have been traveling for business a long time. From weekly trips to the same location for months on end (Toronto, Chile, Wichita, New Jersey) to the occasional international trip for a couple of weeks (Nice, Sao Paulo) to a day trip (Montreal, Munich). Mercifully, I have rarely been involved in the one-city-per-day-on-a-given-week – which I am grateful as that is truly loaded with all sorts of travel hell. Business travel may sound glamorous but most people will tell you it is far from it. It can be grueling, frustrating, fun, life-interrupting, rewarding – and often all at the same time.

As I was flying home yesterday from my most recent business trip, I’d thought I’d break down a sample, short business trip.

Destination: The Big Apple. Can one complain? The days were beautiful if very cold.

Empire State Building, New York City, NYC, Manhattan, blue sky, clouds, architecture

Picture perfect day!

Companions: 2 colleagues, not necessarily flying together

Purpose: Meet two companies who are partners.

Duration: The trip was to be two days worth of business meetings.

Airport of choice: LaGuardia. Pluses: It is a little closer to Manhattan, easier to get to. In addition, bad as the airport is, it is small and manageable. The flip side is that Delta flies better planes to JFK with larger business class cabins which seemingly would improve the odds of my getting my complimentary upgrades and seats that are much more comfortable in business class.

Class flown: On the way up, no complimentary upgrade: economy, exit row window. On the way back, upgraded right before boarding to bulkhead window. Bulkhead not my favorite but better than coach!

Cost: This all got decided a little over two weeks ahead of time but me being part of the traveling group was decided a little over a day ahead of the 7-day advance purchase of the ticket so the flight from Atlanta to NYC ran about $490.

Lodging: I was trying to find a hotel that had a good rate and close to at least one of the offices we were visiting and likely not too far from the places where the others were staying. None of us stayed in the same hotel but ended up within a block or two of each other. I stayed at a boutique hotel from Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Downside: no executive lounge. Upside: they gave you a breakfast voucher to the bistro that connects to the hotel which ended up being quite a good deal. And the room was not as small as I typically expect when I hear “boutique hotel.”

Friends seen: This business trip was likely to not afford me free time to see people I know including two cousins who live in NYC. However, I could not just not see anyone so I booked a flight for the night before the meetings and made sure my arrival would allow me time for dinner. So I called one of my cousins who I knew lived close by and I went to have dinner with him and his wife.

Travel hassles: Zero. Yep, you heard it. I have shared before my pet peeves about inflight experiences but none on this trip! It was a close one, though, as the morning of my arrival day, NYC had been blanketed with snow/sleet so flights that morning from Atlanta had been cancelled. The afternoon flights proceeded without issue. And one big reward: since many people stayed home, heading into Midtown from LaGuardia at 6 PM took all of 23 minutes as there was NO traffic out and about! My one concern heading into this trip was that I needed to be home early Friday night and, knowing LaGuardia and its track record on on-time departures, I was worried my Friday evening would be ruined. The flight left on time and I was home by 5:30PM -> success!

Dining experiences: My cousin and his wife took me to Stanton Social on the Lower East Side. We enjoyed a small plate dinner. The French Onion soup dumplings were awesome as were the barrio-style taquitos, the chicken and waffle, and my hot chocolate shot (dessert). The next evening, the folks we met with in the afternoon took us to a pub called Puck Fair, which ended up being about a half mile from I had eaten the night before so it turns out my dinners were centered around Houston St. Puck Fair is supposed to disappear in a few months as those buildings will be razed for new development which is a shame. The pub, which maybe has been around for a decade, is made to look ancient lending it great pub ambiance. For the second night in a row, my dinner was was small plates. This time shredded pork sandwich sliders, mini burger sliders, sausage rolls, curry French fries, cheeses, and they were all delicious. That and 4 pints of Guinness. We had a great time hearing stories and getting to know each other. Of course, hanging with my cousin and his wife was far more enjoyable but I was glad the second night wasn’t a stuffy business dinner – far from it!

Business: I had never been in NYC for business which surprises me after a long career in consulting. So it was cool to see NYC through slightly different lenses than I was used to. The business objectives of the trip were accomplished which is important since the nuisance of travel for a short visit would have felt worse had the meetings not been productive. But they were, I learned a good bit, and it is good to connect faces with names and voices. I am glad the trip took place.

On the “even better” category: Because I was upgraded on the way back, I was able to get a larger tray table which makes working on the laptop so much easier. That and my glass of wine made me very productive so all the to do’s out of the meetings were taken care of en route home so these to do’s will not pile on to my regular load of work when I return to the office on Monday. Success!

So, this trip is one for the books now (or for the blog??)!

Do you travel for business? Any stories worth sharing (as this one did not offer the usual drama of airports, loud fellow passengers, delays, etc.)??

Filed Under: New York, Travel Journal, US & Canada Tagged With: business travel, dining, food, Manhattan, New York City

Photo of the Week: Tanyard Creek Reflection

8 February 2014 by Raul 3 Comments

Tanyard Creek reflection on a beautiful February winter day. 150 yrs ago this coming July, this area was a bloody battlefield during the Peachtree Creek battle in the U.S. Civil War.