This, this is why. And as she gets older, I have a harder and harder time spending holidays (or, well, pretty much any day) away from her fuzzy little ridiculously demanding personality. Maybe I always had a hard time spending time apart from her. Attachment issues are not just for the dogs, you know. Driving it is. So this year, we took a bit of a different approach: mainly back roads (mostly up route 15), with two planned stops to check out craft breweries in NY and PA. Driving responsibly, of course. Please don’t take a “beer tour” and drive irresponsibly, if I need to say such a thing.

We chose our breweries by those that had animal names. Kidding. Sort of. We chose breweries that were no more than 1 mile off of our planned route (there are surprisingly more fitting this criteria than one would imagine) and then chose those with the best animal names. Note to future brewery owners–your name matters, and bad names mean bad logos and no one likes that. I’m just saying.

Bullfrog Brewery – www.bullfrogbrewery.com – 229 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA

Anyway, Bullfrog is located in Williamsport PA, and is one of the “old standby” craft breweries, established in 1996. It’s really one of the first craft breweries in Pennsylvania. In addition to beer, Bullfrog also serves food, so we opted to have lunch there as well. Williamsport is a cute little town, though it seemed very vacant, with no one downtown. Surprisingly, though, there were lots of people at Bullfrog, making us think it’s a favorite spot of locals (it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving after all).

In terms of beer Bullfrog has some interesting varieties; their most well known beers are the Flanders-style sour ales, which they also bottle. The flight that we ordered include one of these sour ales, as well as a blueberry beer, a stout, a red ale, and a farmhouse cider. DH loves cider, and this one was no exception. I mainly had a few sips of the blueberry beer and tried the stout, as I was still driving at that point. The blueberry was significantly more sour than expected, but tasty. The stout wasn’t quite stout enough for me, though DH enjoyed it. They didn’t have any of the beers in bottles, so instead we opted to get a bottle of one of their award winning Flanders sour ales, which we haven’t yet opened. Hoping it is delicious! The food was also quite decent–we had seafood mac and cheese as well as a philly cheese steak. Good, but definitely not cheap. Was a bit surprised to see DC-style prices in Pennsylvania.

Roosterfish Brewery – www.roosterfishbrewing.com – 111 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY

From Bullfrog, we had just a little over 2 hours until we hit Watkins Glen, NY. For those of you that know the Finger Lakes region for wine–craft beer is the new “it” thing, with more and more wineries offering both (not sure how I feel about that), as well as hops farms and farm-based breweries these days. We opted for Roosterfish, since again it was literally on the way (and I mean on the way…we would directly pass it), and well, Roosterfish. We didn’t know that the Roosterfish was actually a type of fish–but thanks to Google, we do now!

Roosterfish started distributing their beer in 2006, and brewing a few years before that. It is New York State’s first farm brewery, meaning that all ingredients are primarily grown in New York. While we both agreed on the merits of the logo, DH was not at all excited to go to Roosterfish, complaining that there were too many pale ales on the menu. We arrived at Roosterfish just in time–they were closing at 5pm, and we had (well, I had, since DH was now driving) time to try a flight of samplers.

To our surprise, there were SO many good beers on the menu! I couldn’t decide what I liked the most–it was a toss up between the cocoa porter and the triple witch. We also tried a hefe, a wildflower wit, and a a different porter (I believe an oatmeal porter). To satisfy, we bought a six pack of the cocoa porter and a growler of the triple witch to share with family. Sparingly.

Still in love with that logo. All in all, this Thanksgiving road trip was a smashing success. Even with two stops, we still managed to reach our destination in less time than the previous two years, puppycakes was thrilled she got to make two stops and have an exploratory walk (she is very good in the car and it was a perfect temp to leave her for just a bit), and we enjoyed seeing two more craft breweries and stopping for lunch at somewhere other than a gas station.

I think this may become a Thanksgiving tradition, to find two good places to eat and/or drink, and make the road trip more of an experience and less of a nightmare. Now, if only we could get Roosterfish in DC. That’d be amazing. I’m still craving more of that cocoa porter…

It’s that time of year again when the Christmas decorations come out, All I Want for Christmas starts playing on repeat, and shopping commences in earnest so everyone has what the want come Christmas (or come Thanksgiving, since we do presents with the in-laws in November). And every year ’round this time, we start receiving holiday cards. And I order our own Christmas cards. Because I do like getting Christmas cards, and I…do…like…sending…Christmas cards. Really, I do. I like designing/selecting them, looking through all the glossy and embossed designs. It’s nice to stay in touch with people you might not otherwise hear from.

But what do you say on a Christmas card? Always the bane of my existence.

‘Twas the week after Thanksgiving and the condo is a mess

We are trying and failing to combat holiday stress

One chore after the next and next

But there is one that leaves me the most perplexed

The Christmas card it is aptly named

Or perhaps holiday or seasonal card depending on who you blame

It’s not choosing the photo that’s so terribly hard

It’s carefully deciding what to write on the damn card

You don’t want to gloat about all the vacations you had (though I think we do…)

Or discuss whether the people at work (sometimes) drive you mad

But you also can’t talk about those ongoing family crises

And definitely, this year, don’t mention anything about election biases

Someone died this year or your child flunked out of school?

Well that’s super awkward for a Christmas card, not cool to include…

Ok, I’m out of rhymes but my point stands. Writing Christmas cards is not my favorite thing to do. We used to get a super simple picture card, but have been opting for postcards more recently because envelopes use more paper/postage and just go in the trash anyway. Plus, honestly, see above. You can only write so much on a postcard. That to me is a huge upside. Not sure we’ll ever go back to letters or actual cards.

I know there are a ton of options out there, but I’ve been hooked on Pear Tree Greetings for our cards in recent years. Not an ad, or sponsored, I just like Pear Tree. The cards arrive quickly, always look as promised, and I always seem to have a fantastic 40% off coupon. Because, Christmas cards are expensive. Here’s this year’s card, featuring a picture of the Galapagos which is still pretty much one of the coolest places we’ve ever been. I would’ve put just a picture of a blue-footed boobie, but, well, I figured most people wouldn’t understand our obsession with those. Plus, it really needs to come with cool sounds for the full effect.

Oh, and these metallic sharpies are the bomb. I totally didn’t consider writing on glossy postcards with gel pens (fail, epic fail), but these are the best.

Do you send Christmas cards? Enjoy writing them?

Happy Holidays!

Heather, Toasty, and Jeff (aka DH)

I really like spending Christmas in Washington DC…first, it’s home now, and I love being home at Christmas. Second, it’s usually pretty quiet. Much of the town leaves (since most of the town isn’t ‘from’ Washington), and you can drive and park with ease. That, in and of itself, makes it a good time to stick around the city. It’s not really a big time for tourists, either, which means it’s a great time to visit museums.

In addition to the normal attractions, there are some other super cool things to do around Christmas time in Washington (in addition to visiting the National Christmas Tree, of course!).

Zoolights: If you want to see a ridiculous number of Christmas lights (am I supposed to call them holiday lights now?), Zoolights is the place to go! The National Zoo is pretty spectacular, all lit up in holiday fun. While it definitely appeals a bit more to kids, I think adults can appreciate the spectacle, too. I seriously have never seen so many types and styles and lights in my life.  Pandas is a big theme this year, with the addition of the new little panda cub Bei Bei. The best time to go is right before the lights turn on, so you can see some of the animals and then enjoy the lights on your way out.

National Botanical Garden: Near the Capitol, the National Botanical Garden is pretty neat over Christmas: if you are a train lover, this is the place to go. Trains wind around the area in and out of tunnels…yes, I still like trains, and I know I’m not the only one. In addition to the trains, they have these unbelievably detailed replicas of key sites in DC, like the Lincoln Monument and White House made of all plant materials. They take weeks to create, and are beautiful. The Botanical Garden is also a good place to warm up if it’s cold (not this year, unfortunately). Free to enter.

Downtown Holiday Market: A bit more unexpected for DC is the annual Downtown Holiday Market. They actually block off a street each year near Chinatown, and different vendors rotate in and out of the market throughout most of December. There are often performers (acrobats are always fun to watch); weekends often have the best acts. There’s also food…key to any good holiday market, I think. Not a whole lot of kitsch, if that’s not your idea of fun–most of the vendors selling “things” have pretty high quality goods. Interesting to window shop, even if you don’t need to do more holiday buying. Free to enter.

Happy Holidays!

Flight 001 or Other Clear Liquids Bag ($20)
Ziplocs get old. And gross. And tear at the most inopportune moments (like into a bin at security). These plastic bags may not last forever, but they fit more than a Ziploc, are easier to pack, don’t split open, and look better too. They also come in pretty colors, and should be a welcome addition to any mom’s travel gear stash.

Infinity Scarf ($50)
There is nothing better than an infinity scarf for avoiding gross plane blankets, adding a pop of color when you are dining in the bush, or wrapping up on a cold morning hike. Patterns and colors can be tailored to your mom and her tastes. I’m a big fan of those that snap as they are more versatile than the single piece of fabric.

PacSafe Purse ($40-$80)
For those moms that would rather be safe than sorry (and for those going to places where bag snatching is routine), a PacSafe purse or bag can be a thoughtful option. The straps can’t be cut, and the bag can’t be slashed. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and include RFID safe pockets for those credit cards, too.

Photo Book ($10-$80)
Whether you have a mom that likes to make photo books already or has too many photos and needs some help making a finished product, this a great option. You can either give her a gift certificate if she wants to be creative (and has time to do the layout and photos), or offer to make her a finished book. I’m a fan of Shutterfly since it’s easy to use, but there are a ton of options out there now.

Patagonia Nano-Puff ($180-$200)
For the mountain adventurer or perpetually chilled mom, the Patagonia Nano-Puff is packable perfection. This thing packs down to next to nothing, comes in a color that is bound to please, with half and full zip options (and a vest). She won’t be cold, and the Nano-Puff will last for years.

Dagne Dover Card Case ($35)
When a purse is just annoying or impractical, but you still need a credit card or an ID, this card holder is the perfect, slim, compact option. Sliding perfectly into a pocket, it’s discreet and will carry just what you need to dinner or on a quick hike. Then, it can go right back into a purse so your cards are quick and easy to find. It comes in a wonderful variety of colors, and there are always the matching bags, too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

DH and I don’t always “do” Valentine’s Day. The day is hyped, reservations are hard to come by, and beyond watching some awkward early-daters, we can have a nice dinner anytime.  So sometimes we call it good, order pizza, drink beer, and enjoy each others company.

But this year, given my 2015 Shopping Challenge, I secretly hinted strongly suggested that a gift might be nice. You know, as a way around the shopping challenge…by not breaking the shopping challenge.  So I decided to put together a list of things that are perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for the travel-luster on a no-shopping challenge.

First on my list, a Dark Wren Define Jacket from Lululemon. I really have stared liking this dark but not camo green, plus it looks nice enough to wear to a casual dinner in the fall. Plus, it would be perfect for our upcoming safari to Kenya! Also eyeing this ebb to street tank in heathered black…perfect for a short run, yoga, or spin class. And I love tops with built in bras for trips…2 in 1! I like that this is just a bit longer, for I have an annoying long torso.

Next, I had my eye on the big airplane panels for quite awhile, but seeing as we are running out of wall space, it’s pretty awesome that Pottery Barn now has a smaller version of the wooden plane panels. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see a plane every day when they walk into their house, to remind them of the next trip or the last vacation? While I could theoretically lobby this doesn’t fall into the “no shopping” challenge, which was to focus on accessories and clothes, it does seem a bit frivolous to buy, no?

Let’s get back to clothes, shoes, and accessories. I now feel like I may–may being the key word–be adult enough to wear white shorts. I’m willing to give it a try. These are my standby style–they’ve held up on many a trip, to the beach, to a city, to Africa, to Asia, and most definitely at home. I have a pair that are 9 years old, and I still love them. So…I’m ready to try a pair in white, maybe for a beach vacation, and for summer in DC.

On the jewelry front, I’m still having a love affair with BaubleBar for jewelry to wear while traveling. I like it, it’s stylish, and I don’t worry about it being stolen or breaking it. I really like this statement necklace, which is versatile to be dressed up or down, with a cute beach dress or a blazer out to dinner. I’ve been gawking at this necklace a lot, too. I love rainbow colors, which I know is weird. And it has “Frank” in it’s name, which makes me wonder if it’s a throwback to Lisa Frank. And that….I should probably steer away from. Nonetheless, it’s colorful and bright and I’m drawn to it.

And in case you are looking for more of a splurge, I’m a total sucker for all things striped, and this new Tory Burch Ella totally fits the bill. I have a large Ella that I acquired on sale, and I think the mini would be perfect for traveling (though the large works as a carry-on). Ahhh…stripes…come to me my precious…

There you have it! Good Valentine’s Day ideas for the travel-luster…or just me. But seriously, who wouldn’t want a cute coat, new shorts for spring break, and some fun accessories?